MCF Member Briefing: Building a Brighter Future for the Twin Cities: The Social and Economic Barriers Inhibiting Our Region's Growth

Why, despite decades of well-intentioned investment and community initiatives, do the Twin Cites continue to struggle with immense social and economic gaps — especially with relation to communities of color?  What can we do to ensure we’re a bigger part of the solution?

Best Buy Social Impact set out to answer these questions both in general and as it relates to the Best Buy Foundation’s signature initiative, Best Buy Teen Tech Centers. Numerous factors inhibit teens from historically disinvested communities in accessing and succeeding in high-paying, meaningful jobs — the initiative’s ultimate goal. And so, the Foundation recently partnered with Pimento Relief Services to conduct a community needs assessment that would help better understand the factors that prevent our region from a having a robust, tech-centered economy.

In this data-packed presentation, Pimento Relief Services will share highlights from their research, including the barriers that continue to affect communities of color in the Twin Cities and that, in turn, inhibit our region’s collective opportunity to thrive. Attendees will walk away with concrete recommendations for how we all can work better together in building a stronger local economy that meets the unique needs of each and every one of our neighbors, and where future investments and collaboration are needed to take us to that brighter tomorrow.

This MCF Member Briefing is hosted by Best Buy Co. Inc. and the Best Buy Foundation. Log-in details will be provided in your confirmation email. For additional information, please reach out to Paul Masiarchin, pmasiarchin@mcf.org.

Presenting from Best Buy:

• Deb Morris, Director, Giving & Engagement at Best Buy Social Impact

Presenting from Pimento Relief Services:

• Tomme Beevas, Founder and CEO, Pimento Relief Services and Pimento Foundation; and Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen 
• Shvonne Johnson, Executive Director at Pimento Relief Services
• Chris P. Lambe, Strategic Advisor, Pimento Relief Services; and Independent ESG Consultant

Best Buy Co. Inc. and the Best Buy Foundation

Best Buy believes every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams. However, teens from disinvested communities often don’t have access to the technology, training, mentorship and career opportunities they need to succeed. In partnership with nonprofits and other community organizations around the country, including and especially in our backyard in the Twin Cities, Best Buy and the Best Buy Foundation support programs that allow teens to explore technology and enable our communities to thrive. These programs include the Best Buy Teen Tech Center® initiative, a network of safe, after school learning environments where teens have access to hands-on, high-tech experiences, inspiring mentors, and connections to real-world career opportunities. There are currently 52 Teen Tech Center locations open, with plans to expand the network to at least 100 sites by 2025.

Pimento Relief Services

Responding to the needs of Black community leaders in the Twin Cities, Pimento Relief Services was created as a hub that is actively rebuilding and reimagining a world where a Black economy can flourish, where reparations and healing are a community priority, and where Black individuals are protected and represented in our political system. Pimento Relief Services is a convening partner for organizations and individuals actively combatting racism. With a wide network of community partners, Pimento Relief Services supports the many voices fighting for racial equity and liberation.