Task Force Framework

The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) is a cross-sector network of African Americans working together to find solutions to the Black community’s most vexing issues. Our goal to achieve a “just and healthy society that works equally well for everyone” is best achieved when we claim responsibility for our own lives and lift the broader community up by creating a vibrant Black community. As Minnesotans we share in the pride of a state that consistently ranks highly on national livability measures. We are a healthy, well-educated, and economically prosperous place to live. However, we have a serious and persistent issue with systemic and social inequity that creates a Minnesota that supports success for the majority population, but marginalizes African Americans, Indigenous people, and other communities of color.

As a people-powered, democratic, and inclusive movement of forward-thinking community members we strive for continuous progress. To move beyond focusing on “the problem” we recognize the centrality of strong families and the power of investing in family resiliency as a strategy for uplifting our neighborhoods and cities. AALF’s agenda focuses on building a strong, self-sufficient Black community by fostering an ecosystem that helps African Americans thrive and develop sustainable assets.

Task Force Goal

Bring together 8 to 10 thought leaders from the community to help guide the strategic vision of the Work Streams and set a Black Vision based on four focus areas: Education, Health & Wellness, Economic Development, and Family & Culture.

Commitment

Each member will commit to a 10-month work detail. The first six weeks involves a comprehensive planning session to set the Black Vision and identify four issue priorities for the year. Following the planning session, each member will meet once a month. Members must also choose a Work Stream that they will help support. As a Task Force member each person commits to being present and bringing their full voice, staying on point, being brief, getting through the scheduled agenda, being innovative, and having fun.

Benefits

• ~50 hours of Professional Development

• Opportunities to network with over 1500+ AALF members

• Helping create a Black Vision for the state of Minnesota

Deliverables

• Align AALF Collective Impact Plan, Strategic Plan objectives, and outputs for entire fiscal year

• Review Forum Network volunteer interests

• Identify Forum Network leader profiles, identifying (“who” does the work, “who” leads, and who “participates” in committees, cohorts, fellowships, forums, and events)

• Design a plan of action based on identified need(s)

• Communicate and recruit identified Forum Network leaders

• Create a master calendar for community engagement

• Evaluate year-end outcomes of organizational impact

• Co-lead Work Stream committees (Work Streams are volunteered based work groups to move work created in the Task Force forward)

Timeline

August

• Application for Task Force due Friday, August 23rd at close of business

• Interviews conducted from August 26th to August 29th

September

• Orientation & Inaugural Task Force Meeting on September 5th

• Meet every Thursday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm for six weeks until October 10th

• 1st Thursday of the month thereafter from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

October to June

• Participate in strategic planning of Task Force

• Participate in Work Streams to help drive work

• Participate in the Issue Forum in March

• Recruiting new members for Work Stream committees