Meet Minneapolis Legacy Project
The Meet Minneapolis Legacy Project (MMLP) is an internal work group composed of Meet Minneapolis staff. The group plays a vital role in advancing the organization's commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Through professional development opportunities, MMLP enhances cultural fluency among staff, equipping them to better serve and connect with diverse communities and business groups. Members actively plan volunteer efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives. These help strengthen relationships with local neighborhoods and cultural groups and lead to positive community impact. MMLP also collaborates with underrepresented communities to develop inclusive programming that reflects the city’s rich diversity. Through these efforts, MMLP upholds and reinforces Meet Minneapolis’s core value of inclusion and helps to foster a more welcoming and equitable organizational culture.
Personal and Professional Development Opportunities for Staff
Visits to Important Cultural Sites in Minneapolis
Learning From Place - Bdote Tour
Bdote (pronounced "ba-DOTE-tay") is a Dakota word meaning, "were two waters come together." Bdote refers to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in present-day Minneapolis and St. Paul — a location of great spiritual and historical significance to the Dakota people. The tour was led by Native leaders in the community and started at Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), considered the birthplace of Minneapolis, and ended at Bdote, which is also the site of historic Fort Snelling.
In April 2025, the City of Minneapolis announced five acres of federal land near the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam will be transferred to the Dakota-led nonprofit, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi. The organization plans to turn the site into a place of healing, restoration and connection that will welcome both Native and non-Native people.
George Floyd Square Pilgrimage
George Floyd Square is at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where George Floyd was murdered by police on May 25, 2020. In the aftermath of his death, the square became a gathering place for protesters and mourners. It has since been transformed into a powerful memorial site and important space for racial healing and justice. Meet Minneapolis staff were met by residents who served as pilgrimage guides and shared their own experiences with George Floyd's murder and the evolution of George Floyd Square.
HmongTown Marketplace Tour
The Twin Cities is home to the largest Hmong community in the United States, which has helped shape the cultural landscape of the area. Meet Minneapolis toured HmongTown Marketplace in St. Paul, which is home to over 140 local businesses and restaurants. Staff also learned about the experiences of Hmong refugees resettling in the United States during and after the Vietnam War.
Black History Month Book Club
For Black History Month in 2024, staff read "A Good Time For the Truth: Race in Minnesota," and engaged in book club-style discussion with colleagues. In the book, 16 writers provided their perspective on what it's like to live in Minnesota as a person of color. Meet Minneapolis also hosted various authors from the book for a panel discussion with Meet Minneapolis staff and partner businesses.
Stories Behind the Food Series
Food isn't the only way to connect with other cultures, but it's an important (and delicious) method. To celebrate Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, MMLP hosted two events, each featuring a panel of local Asian-owned and Latinx-owned restaurants and businesses. These moderated discussions gave staff insights into two important cultural communities in Minneapolis, and the opportunity to savor cultural cuisine.
Land and Water Acknowledgement Mural: We Remember Stories by Autumn Cavender
As part of its Land and Water Acknowledgement work, MMLP commissioned a mural for Meet Minneapolis offices by local artist Autumn Cavender. Autumn is a member of the Upper Sioux Community in MniSota. Learn more about the mural and the significance of the symbolism depicted.
