People with deep lived experiences of inequities are actively leading and creating transformation in their own communities, in ways that respect and leverage their cultural ways of knowing and being. The pervasive view of leadership, as extraordinary and hierarchal individuals, reinforces dominant positions of power. Institutions that only rely on this systems-driven analysis often miss…

The Nexus Worker-Ownership Initiative is proud to announce the completion of its first cooperative conversion! Starting in 2020, Happy Earth Cleaning Cooperative is now in business.  Nexus, in partnership with Project Equity, helped provide technical assistance for Happy Earth Cleaning LLC to become an employee-owned co-op.  Over a period of 10 months the previous business…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2020 Contacts: Theresa Gardella Vice President of Programs and Operations Nexus Community Partners tgardella@nexuscp.org Erin Jerabek Heelan Consultant, WOI Nexus Community Partners erin@erinhconsulting.com New Year Brings Employee Ownership to Happy Earth Cleanin Happy Earth Cleaning LLC is the first employee-owned cleaning company in Minneapolis The new year began at Happy…

*text-based job details are at the bottom* ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:  Nexus Community Partners is a community-building intermediary whose mission is to “build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting community-building initiatives and foster social and human capital.”     POSITION SUMMARY:  Nexus Community Engagement Institute (NCEI) advances and strengthens communities through equity-based community engagement, both locally…

The Nexus Worker-Ownership Initiative and Kendeda’s radical grant making strategy was featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy! The excerpt on Worker Ownership is below and you can read the full article here. “Some grant makers, including the Kendeda Fund, which was founded by Diana Blank, the former wife of Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, have…

Title: Director of Finance Salary Range:  $82,000 to $90,000 Position Closes: Open until filled Department: Admin & Operations Hours: Full-time, 40 Hours Start Date: January 2020 Reports to: President and CEO Classification: Exempt, Salaried Location: St Paul, MN   Download job description here  ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:  Nexus Community Partners is a community-building intermediary whose mission is…

For Nexus Community Partners’ 15th anniversary, Director of Community Wealth Building, Elena Gaarder, reflects on creating wealth in communities of color, working with private businesses to transition to cooperatives, and imagining abundant communities.  Words by Nichelle Brunner • Downloadable Version When Elena came to Nexus, there was a central question being asked: how to better create…

Nexus Community Partners and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) are partnering to host an event to highlight options for retiring business owners to sell their enterprises to their employees. Businesses transitioning to employee ownership are a trending alternative in business succession. Two thirds of small businesses listed for sale never sell, and…

Leadership Development that Creates Ecosystem Change:  Nexus Community Partners Announces the Seventh Cohort of their Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) They are organizers, government workers, parents and pastors. They work in the fields of food justice, housing, and education advocacy. They represent Woodbury to Shakopee. And they come from various multiracial backgrounds. Nexus Community…

After 15 years at Nexus, Terri Thao reflects on career, communities, and change. This profile is part of Nexus 15th Anniversary series. Look out for more pieces journaling our evolution as an organization.  Words by: Nichelle Brunner The white walls are lined with vibrant photos of her children, community elders, and moments in social movements and protests,…