meghanm@pillsburyunited.org

Celebrating multiculturalism in Cedar Riverside

Multicultural dinner at Brian Coyle Center

For over 20 years, the Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner hosted by our Brian Coyle Center has stood as a joyful reminder that differences should be celebrated; that even if we look, talk, or worship differently—we are all part of one greater community. This is a unique opportunity for all those connected to the Cedar Riverside community to enjoy international cuisine from local restaurants, watch live performances, and most importantly connect with each other.

“The purpose,” says Brian Coyle Center Director, Amano Dube, “is to bring all the multicultural community groups—residents, business owners, institutions, elected officials, and other service providers—who are living, learning, and working in the Cedar Riverside community to come together and share a delicious meal, stories, and overall just to get to know each other. It is truly a place where everyone belongs.”

This year, about 400 people enjoyed performances by Nigerian-born guitarist, singer and songwriter Carolyne Naomi, dances by the Oromo Student Union (U of M), and spoken word artists. This event is planned in partnership with Mixed Blood Theatre, Augsburg University, University of Minnesota, Urban HUB, the City of Minneapolis, and the Cedar Cultural Center, and is made possible thanks to over 15 sponsors.

Kim Pepper

Sisterhood Boutique heads north for adventure

Sisterhood Boutique participants preparing for Boundary Waters canoe trip

In July 2018, Sisterhood Boutique took a group of young women to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This was the third year the Sisterhood has facilitated an expedition in lead by Big City Mountaineers.

On this trip, youth camped for 8 days, paddled 39 miles, and portaged 350 rods where they carried 80 pound canoes on their shoulders and 50 pound bags on their backs. 

These expeditions are meant to introduce youth to the outdoors (especially young East African women) through backcountry camping and canoeing where they are taught how to be independent in the wilderness. Youth learn technical skills including how to set up a tent, purify water, cook and clean outside, and paddle a canoe—all while making sure to take care of the land and ‘leave no trace’ in the process. While developing these hands-on skills, youth are simultaneously enhancing their communication and leadership skills, pushing themselves to new limits, and experiencing what it means to work as a teamwork at a whole new level.

It was a life changing experience for many of the young women:

“It was a nice trip. I never used to enjoy nature like that. I always used to ignore it and stay in my house. But now I learned the real meaning of being outdoors and it’s actually pretty fun.” Sara, 13

“I learned that after some hardship, there comes an ease. After going through some really tough situations, we came across a nice place to stay, played a little, had a swim in a cool lake, walked on a beach, experienced something new.” Fardowza, 17

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