Community Equity Program

The Community Equity Program supports Indigenous, Black and People of Color (BIPOC/IBPOC) to influence and enact public policy at Minnesota's Capitol. This Wilder Foundation community leadership program builds their power, skills and experience to become more actively engaged in and impact public policy decision making for their communities.
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About Community Equity Program
The Community Equity Program (CEP) is an immersive leadership program that brings together up to 20 Indigenous, Black and People of Color who currently serve as community and nonprofit leaders to build an even more powerful and influential voice in public policy decision making in order to drive social change and transform lives in Minnesota.
Community Equity Program's mission is to deepen engagement of BIPOC communities in the legislative process by building connections to people, communities, groups, and organizations that influence or enact public policy.
Program Length
9 months (September - May) & Graduation (June)
Program Format
- Four hour cohort sessions every two weeks focused on legislative knowledge, advocacy skills, racial equity, and building a cohort learning community
- Four hours per week engaging in legislative activities with coalitions and Partner Advocates
- CEP follows a cohort model which includes up to 20 participants per cycle
Participant Requirements
- Identify as a Black, Indigenous or Person of Color
- Demonstrate clear connection to and involvement with BIPOC communities
- Interests in building power for and with BIPOC communities
- Committed to attending scheduled cohort meetings and coalition activities during the extent of the program
Program Features
- Develop knowledge and skills necessary for navigating and taking action during a legislative session
- Engage in an immersive experience by participating in legislative coalitions and supporting legislation that directly impacts people of color and Indigenous peoples
- Connect with a diverse learning community of leaders, who become resources, mentors, allies, and a network for your work
- Examine and cultivate personal leadership through reflection and critical analysis of the experience as an Indigenous person and/or a person of color navigating Minnesota’s Capitol legislative process
- Share your knowledge of how to engage in the legislative process with other people of color and Indigenous leaders in your communities
Program Topics
- Government structure and the legislative process
- Advocacy media and communications
- Storytelling in policy and advocacy
- Crafting your legislative agenda
- Authentic leadership for Indigenous people and people of color
- Advocacy engagement in communities of color and Indigenous communities
Legislative Immersion
Observing the process on the ground is essential to understanding the Minnesota Legislature. Each participant will be tasked with completing a number of tasks in order to gain a deeper familiarity and comfort with the capitol including but not limited to: attending coalition meetings and bill hearings, tracking legislation and visiting lawmakers. CEP supports cohort member’s immersion experience through helping make strategic connections to lobbyists, coalitions and lawmakers.
I always felt like my life was shaped and determined by decision makers. Being in this program has allowed me to step up and be part of the decision-making.
Apply to the Community Equity Program
No longer accepting applications for the 2019-2020 CEP Cohort!
- Applicants who have applied to join the 2019-2020 CEP Cohort will be notified by July 31, 2019.
- Program runs September 2019 - May 2020, see the 2019-2020 Schedule.
- Questions? Contact Octavia Smith or Dominic McQuerry at CEP@wilder.org or call 651-280-2417.
2019-2020 Community Equity Program Schedule
Community Equity Program sessions mainly take place on Fridays from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at either the Wilder Center (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) or the Minnesota State Capitol Complex. Program starts with an orientation and retreat on September 6, 2019 and ends with graduation on June 3, 2020.
2019-2020 Session Dates and Times
Orientation and Retreat: Overnight
- Thursday, September 13 – Friday, September 14, 2019
Pre-legislative Sessions: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 20, 2019
- Friday, October 4, 2019
- Friday, October 18, 2019
- Friday, November 1, 2019
- Friday, November 15, 2019
- Friday, December 6, 2019
- Friday, January 10, 2020
- Friday, January 24, 2020
- Friday, February 8, 2020
Mid-Program and Pre-Session Celebration: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 20, 2019
Legislative Sessions: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- February 22, 2020
- March 6, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- April 3, 2020
- April 17, 2020
- May 1, 2020
- May 15, 2020
Legislative Session Debrief and Program Wrap-up: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 29, 2020
Graduation:
- Thursday, June 3, 2020 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Meet the Changemakers of the Community Equity Program
Welcome Changemakers, from the community to the capitol!

2018-2019 CEP Cohort (from left to right): Cherita Tenhoff, Ricardo Caballero Perez Gonzalez,Tonja Honsey, Comfort Dondo, Bukola Oriola, Fatu Magassouba, Linda Garett-Johnson, Maya Washington-Zeigler, Maria Isa Perez Hedges, Aarica Coleman, Jokho Farah, Biiftuu Ibrahim Adam, Estefania Navarro Hernandez, Rico Durán, Samantha Sencer-Mura, Erica Valliant and Abiola Abu-Bakr (not pictured)
Stories, Research & Impact

Community Equity Program Gives Experienced Leader Linda Garrett-Johnson a Deeper Understanding of the Legislative Process
With more than 25 years of experience advocating for public policy changes, Linda Garrett-Johnson knows how to read a bill. Even with her experience, Wilder’s Community Equity Program helped Linda deepen her knowledge of the Minnesota le...More about this story »
Community Equity Pipeline Practice Guide: An Initiative of Wilder Public Policy
Read the report »