With Grateful Hearts, We Wrap Up 2025

As we turn the page on 2025, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center.

In a year where we saw our federal funding terminated and individuals seeking to foster division in our society, your support helped us create spaces where people could slow down to authentically hear and listen to one another, see and appreciate the people in their community, and even find joy and laughter together.

Despite the headwinds we faced, we were also fortunate to expand access to educational resources, cultural stories, and opportunities to understand ourselves and our world. Some of the many programs from the past year that underscore the impact of MHC’s work include:

• Publication and launch of the Native American Lives Series of books, with support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. I had so much fun reading the first set of books to elementary students this year. One set of these first four titles from the series will be available in every school in Minnesota.
• Sketches of Minnesota tour, where we partnered with the improvisational comedians of Danger Boat Productions to appreciate life and envision the future of communities throughout the state. Have you seen the amazing performance stage at the Edge of the Wilderness or tasted the scrumptious homemade pies in Braham?
• Creation of professional development opportunities and materials regarding boarding schools history, the Navigating the U.S. History Eras (ERAs) series, and several Learning From Place experiences within Minnesota.
• Juneteenth programming included Feeding Our Souls with Dr. Jessica B. Harris and several local chefs tantalizing guests with the foods of the African diaspora. MHC also hosted our annual Juneteenth Brunch featuring noted scholar, lawyer, and professor Sherilyn Ifill who spoke so eloquently, expanding our minds and imaginations.
• Commemorating and honoring the sacrifices made by Veterans from the Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese communities, and Minnesota’s Vietnam Veterans 50 years ago, while recognizing the contributions those communities have made to bring their vibrant cultures to our state.

Again, I thank you for your support. I look forward to us working together in 2026, telling the stories of all our neighbors in communities throughout Minnesota as we continue our work building a more just society that is curious, connected, and compassionate.