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• Share Jessica's Story on Facebook Share Jessica's Story on Twitter Share Jessica's Story on Linkedin Email Jessica's Story link

  Jessica's Story

  about 3 years ago

  In 2017 I had a conversation that changed my life.

  It is difficult to describe my state of mind as I showed up to an Equity and Diversity workshop on a February morning. A dear friend had unexpectedly died the week prior and I was in deep - feeling all the feels. I was in pain, and my existential musings had left me examining my relationships with people.

  I have a family member who is transgender. Several other family members won’t acknowledge the name this person has chosen or the pronoun this person identifies with.

  I approached the speaker after... Continue reading
• Share Noah's Story on Facebook Share Noah's Story on Twitter Share Noah's Story on Linkedin Email Noah's Story link

  Noah's Story

  by Noah, over 3 years ago

  I was born and raised in Edina. Later in childhood, my family moved to Eden Prairie. I experienced limited diversity within these communities. Being a white male, I didn’t think about race and equity much. My mother and father were from families of different religious beliefs. This difference created some conflict between the families and raised my awareness of intolerance and prejudice.

  As a City of Edina employee, I have had the opportunity to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) team, Race and Equity Task Force, and Race and Equity Advancement Team (REAT). I figured my experience... Continue reading
• Share Katie's Story on Facebook Share Katie's Story on Twitter Share Katie's Story on Linkedin Email Katie's Story link

  Katie's Story

  over 3 years ago

  My name is Katie Laux. I joined the City's Racial Equity Advancement Team last month.

  George Floyd was murdered a mile from my house, on a block I go by every day, a block from my toddler’s daycare. It was a wake-up call. One consequence of white privilege is that I don’t have to think about race. I have believed that I am exempt from white supremacy in a way; that I am an ally to BIPOC. I think this belief has prevented me from learning more and committing to lifelong work. I am honored to be a part of... Continue reading
• Share shawkinson@edinamn.gov on Facebook Share shawkinson@edinamn.gov on Twitter Share shawkinson@edinamn.gov on Linkedin Email shawkinson@edinamn.gov link

  shawkinson@edinamn.gov

  over 3 years ago

  Stephanie's Story

  
  

  I grew up in Southwest Minneapolis, which as you know is an upper middle class, predominantly white neighborhood. My dad was a grocery store owner following in the footsteps of his father who opened the first commercial business in Linden Hills. I felt a deep sense of legacy growing up. I saw my parents as leaders – in the church, in the schools, in area businesses. I never internalized that as privilege, but clearly it was.

  My dad used to hire Native Americans for odd jobs around the house and store “at the end of the month when... Continue reading
• Share Ivan’s Story on Facebook Share Ivan’s Story on Twitter Share Ivan’s Story on Linkedin Email Ivan’s Story link

  Ivan’s Story

  over 3 years ago

  Growing up in a diverse neighborhood, with a diverse group of friends and having BI-POC family, I was fortunate to have exposure to different people and cultures. I find that more important as I get older. I unfortunately have been on the receiving end of negative actions by people of color and have witnessed hatred towards people of color. The influences I grew up with, luckily kept me from forming inaccurate generalizations of people different than me. However, it did create some apprehensiveness when I was younger. Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed learning about, getting to know, and

  ... Continue reading
• Share Tiffany Bushland on Facebook Share Tiffany Bushland on Twitter Share Tiffany Bushland on Linkedin Email Tiffany Bushland link

  Tiffany Bushland

  over 3 years ago
  

  My name is Tiffany Bushland. I am a member of the City’s Race Equity Advancement Team. As a white woman from rural Minnesota I was brought up in a privileged world. I am genuinely interested in race and equity work to be more educated. Within the City of Edina, I am a Recreation Supervisor in Parks & Recreation. I enjoy people and serving the public. I want to learn more to do better. Serve the public better, be a better friend, leader, and manager.

  One thing I have learned about myself when discussing topics of race and equity is that... Continue reading
• Share MJ' Story on Facebook Share MJ' Story on Twitter Share MJ' Story on Linkedin Email MJ' Story link

  MJ' Story

  over 3 years ago
  

  I am from a small town in South Eastern MN. When I lived there the population was around 600 and I graduated with 23 classmates. My entire class was white, the community was very much white, and my family is all white. I identify as a white woman.

  Growing up I had one Asian friend who was adopted and when I was in high school there was one Black kid in a foster program who classmates so endearingly (not) nicknamed “brownie”. It did not phase me at the time.

  I enrolled for college at Hamline University in St. Paul which... Continue reading
• Share Chad Millner on Facebook Share Chad Millner on Twitter Share Chad Millner on Linkedin Email Chad Millner link

  Chad Millner

  over 3 years ago

  My name is Chad Millner. I am the City Engineer for the City of Edina. I am a white, middle-aged man from central Minnesota. In 2019, I volunteered to be on the City’s Race & Equity Advancement Team (REAT). I offered to participate for both personal and work related goals. I personally have a desire to listen and learn about race and equity topics. As an agency, we have a Race and Equity Implementation Plan and we have specific workplan items every year. When I started this journey I was naïve. I had very little exposure to race related experiences... Continue reading