Men of Color

Nigerian native who is a business owner and building contractor

Adan was raised in a nomadic family, yet able to secure a college degree in London, England. He worked for the Somalian government, but was forced to flee with his family from the Civil War to the United States in 1996. Adan worked in the Minneapolis Public School District until retiring.

Cameroon-Born Firefighter and Father

Tuskegee Airman and North Minneapolis Native

Navy Veteran, Security Guard and Machinist

Graduated with a Secondary Education Degree. Fled during the Civil War and settled in Minnesota, where he received a Masters degree and works in the Robbinsdale School District.

First African-American male in a Fortune 500 company. Currently the Executive Director of the North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center.

African American alumnus of Sanford Middle School who chose to serve his country as a Sergeant in the Marines and later became an anesthesiologist.

Persian Historian and Sufi Immigrant from Iran

Born in Athens, Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Graduated with a degree in Sociology, Social Work, and Coaching.

Physical Education teacher at Hiawatha Elementary and Hennepin County Juvenile Corrections Officer.

KMOJ Radio DJ, Actor and Comedian

Born in Monrovia, Liberia. Immigrated to the United States in 1988. Father. Husband. Ordained minister.

Mexico Native and Jack-of-All-Trades

Bedouin Immigrant and IT Specialist

Cook at Julie’s Café and the Cookery in Door County

First Nation storyteller, scientist, and President of the Science Museum of Minnesota. Widely recognized for his work with youth, families, communities and policy-makers, as well as contributions to mathematics and science education.

Ecuadorian-born musician who grew up on a sugar plantation for African descendants.

Studied to become a doctor, but fled to Kenya from the civil war. Husband and father of four children.

African Storyteller and Author from Chad

President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. As a child who grew up during segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, Mezile has dedicated his life to empowering youth in urban and suburban communities.

Vice President for Administrative Services, Dairy Queen & Hindu from India

South Vietnamese Veteran and Reeducation Camp Survivor