FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minneapolis, MN—January 23, 2025— The African American Leadership Forum (The Forum) was celebrated with special recognition at the 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast, presented by General Mills in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). With the theme “One People,” this year’s event honored the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while raising vital funds to empower underrepresented students in the Twin Cities.
The Forum was recognized for its groundbreaking contributions as a “think-and-do tank,” boldly addressing systemic inequities and fostering generational transformation across its core impact areas: economic prosperity, generational wealth, health, education, environmental justice, and public safety.
“We are architects of possibility,” said Adair Mosely, CEO of The Forum. “This honor at the MLK Breakfast reflects our relentless pursuit of a future where Black Minnesotans can thrive. Inspired by Dr. King’s vision, The Forum is not just addressing today’s challenges but designing tools and solutions that will create prosperity for generations to come.”
Transforming the Future with Afrofuturist Vision
The Forum’s work in 2025 will center on generational wealth, economic prosperity, and education, advancing policies and initiatives that dismantle barriers while building powerful pathways to opportunity. In generational wealth, this year’s core focus will prioritize increasing homeownership for Black Minnesotans—recognizing the critical role that stable, equitable housing plays in creating long-term wealth.
Mosely also hinted at revolutionary tools on the horizon:
“We are unveiling paradigm-shifting innovations that will predict, impact, and drive generational change for Black Minnesotans. These are more than tools—they are engines of transformation, shaped by our vision of an equitable and thriving future.”
These initiatives are rooted in Afrofuturism, a forward-thinking lens that merges the richness of African diasporic traditions with bold, tech-driven solutions to reimagine what’s possible.
Honoring Legacy, Inspiring Action
The Forum’s recognition at the MLK Breakfast reflects its vital role in advancing Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community. This year’s event featured a moving keynote by award-winning journalist Michele Norris, creator of The Race Card Project, which invites people to share their experiences with race in six-word stories. Following her keynote, Dr. Rachel Hardeman, a tenured professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and the Founding Director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity, moderated a powerful Q&A session. Dr. Hardeman, recognized for her groundbreaking work in addressing racial inequalities in maternal and infant care, has been instrumental in advancing health equity and was named one of TIME’s 2024 TIME100 most influential people in the world.
The event also featured performances by Grammy-winning Sounds of Blackness, Threads Dance Project, and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, creating an inspiring blend of art and activism that affirmed the interconnectedness of justice and culture.
“Dr. King asked, ‘Where do we go from here?’ The answer lies in the work we do together,” Mosely shared. “We go to the places where healing begins—to the systems that need mending, the policies that need rebuilding, and the dreams that demand realizing. We rise, not alone, but as one community, with hope as our guide and justice as our destination.”
Driving Impact Across Core Areas
The Forum’s work spans six critical impact areas, with 2025’s emphasis on:
- Generational Wealth: Driving access to homeownership as a cornerstone for wealth-building that will sustain Black families for generations.
- Economic Prosperity: Accelerating access to entrepreneurship, career growth, and economic empowerment.
- Education: Transforming educational access and innovation to prepare future generations for leadership and success.
“Our impact is measured not just by what we do today,” Mosely said, “but by the ripple effects of our actions decades from now. That’s what it means to lead with a vision of generational transformation.”
About the African American Leadership Forum
The African American Leadership Forum operates as a think-and-do tank, converting research-based thought on social issues into action-oriented agendas and solutions that address the fundamental causes of racial injustice. Our mission is to create a radical future for Black Minnesotans by advancing Black-centered policies and solutions that actualize true liberation. We envision a prosperous future for Black Minnesota communities—a tomorrow that is inclusive, vibrant, fair, and where Black excellence excels in all forms. Inspired by the Afrofuturism movement, we embrace the rich heritage of Black communities and believe in the unlimited potential of the future. We imagine innovative problem-solving to achieve racial harmony while empowering Black communities with resources to manifest an equitable future for themselves.
To learn more about The Forum and its groundbreaking work, visit www.aalftc.org or watch our “Where do we go from here?” video to hear directly from CEO Adair Mosely about our shared vision for an equitable future.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Dara Beevas
dara@aalftc.org