In this election year, political involvement and civic engagement are at the forefront of the news and community conversations. Although we may not all agree on politics we think it’s safe to say that this election year has been charged.

Join Minnesota Public Radio's Generation Listen and Minnesota Rising for light appetizers and an evening of inspiring storytelling from emerging leaders with diverse paths and approaches for community engagement, connecting with organizations and resources to get involved locally, and discussion about what we each can do to make a difference in today's political climate.

Nevada Littlewolf (@nrlittlewolf) is the first Anishinaabe woman ever elected to the Virginia City Council and the only council member under the age of 65. In addition to her nearly 20 years of experience in community-based work, organizing and advocacy, she is founder and Executive Director of Rural and American Indigenous Leadership (RAIL), a nonprofit focused on growing women’s leadership in rural and indigenous communities.

Nicque Mabrey (@nicque) is a 34 year-old Community Organizer and Policy Advocate proud to be building power in Minnesota for over 10 years. She is the former Associate Director of Policy and Organizing at Outfront Minnesota. Nicque is passionate about racial and economic justice and served as a lobbyist with the Safe Schools for All Coalition to pass the historic Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act in 2014. She grew up in rural Wisconsin; and now lives on the Southside as part of an intersectional collective with queer women of color.

Luis Moreno is a business and community leader. He started his career as a consumer products marketer in Venezuela and has since become a marketing leader in the US, leading cross-functional teams in six prestigious global Fortune 500 companies. Luis co-founded The Twin Cities Business Peer Network, a 1,700+ member organization to help students and peers grow personally and professionally. He received a 40 Under 40 Award by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and a Real Power 50 Award by Minnesota Business Magazine.

Kevin Vollmers (@kevinhvollmers) is a social entrepreneur, activist, consultant, and speaker. Previously a program host at KFAI, he went on to found Land of Gazillion Adoptees, LLC (LGA), a multimedia company based out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been featured in The New York Times, National Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, CNN, Colorlines, Racialicious, Hyphen, The Good Men Project, Daily Beast, and Fox News.

Moderated by:

Doualy Xaykaothao (@DoualyX) is a correspondent for MPR News, covering race and culture. She is Hmong-Texan, born in Laos and raised in Texas. She got her journalism chops in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Portland, and most recently in Dallas. She also spent a decade reporting overseas for NPR from Southeast and Northeast Asia. If you can't pronounce her name, she also answers to Shadow of the Moon, that's what her first name means.

Parking

• World Trade Center/Minnesota Children's Museum Ramp, a colorful pay-to-park ramp directly across MPR, enter Wabasha St. or Cedar St.
• City Walk Ramp, enter from 7th St.
• Meters on Minnesota St.

Light Rail

• Metro Green Light, Exit 10th St. Station on Cedar St.

Bike Parking

• Brand-new bike racks - locally made by Dero - are located on the Minnesota Street-facing side of MPR.