A “movement” is a gradual development or change of an attitude, opinion, or policy. An alternative definition is a group of people who share the same beliefs, ideas, or aims.
Here is MPLS is a blending of
both meanings.
ORIGIN STORY
In the summer of 2021, our community was grappling with its identity in the still fresh aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, our emergence from two years of isolation as a result of the pandemic, and a changing economy.
Concerned about how Minneapolis would write its next chapter, Bruce Mooty, a retired attorney and local civic leader, wrote down his ideas for sparking hope and renewed energy and shared them with his friend Tim Maudlin, a retired venture capitalist and civic leader.
Imagined in shared faith, their original concept—a community movement grounded in the power of shared values and inspiring stories—has evolved into Here is MPLS, a collaborative effort to move the community feeling around Minneapolis away from fear, and toward healing, hope, and love.
Today, Here is MPLS is guided by an advocacy council of cross-sector leaders whose lived experiences and professional expertise reflect the diverse concerns and dreams of our community. Bruce, Tim, and the Minneapolis Foundation are proud to support their work, and to partner with Pollen Midwest, as we work together to share stories of our community and advance the movement that Here is MPLS will become.
OUTCOMES
Here is MPLS aims to lift up stories of people across Minneapolis who are addressing our city’s toughest challenges in a spirit of love, hope and healing. These new narratives will accelerate community progress in three areas:
Inclusive Belonging
Better connected communities, more partnerships and cooperation across difference, and tangible, lasting progress toward creating fair systems that work for everyone.
Restorative Solutions
An increased, community-wide willingness to try new solutions to old problems, a renewed spirit of generosity, and an increased prioritization of reconciliation and healing as part of a unified response to events that are contrary to our values.
Community Trust
A more civic-minded community, deeper levels of trust between neighbors, more trust in government, and more leaders with a dedication to the public good.
VALUES
Shared values shape our relationship with this work, with everyone who is a part of it, and with the community it seeks to engage.
Guiding principles
We follow the admonition to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
We reject stereotypes, and commit to identify and work through our biases.
We have a spirit of listening and seeking to understand.
We support each other and model kindness.
We treat others with respect built on empathy.
Inclusive belonging
We recognize that each member of our community is valuable and worthy of dignity and respect.
We learn from the experiences of those who are different from us to gain better understanding of each other.
We recognize that our communities and identities are not monolithic, and celebrate the diversity within them.
Restorative solutions
We strive to reduce fear and violence, and promote healing, peace, grace, and hope.
We believe neighborhoods should be safe, secure, places of belonging.
We recognize our flawed humanity, and offer grace whenever and wherever possible to ourselves and each other.
Community trust
We believe everyone deserves justice, and that our systems should deliver it.
We believe organizations, public officials and community members should be held accountable for their conduct.
We believe everyone has an important role to play in advancing positive community change.
POWERED BY
Minneapolis Foundation
The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. Visit the Minneapolis Foundation website.
SUPPORTED BY
Pollen
Pollen is a media arts nonprofit that harnesses the power of narrative change to build towards a society that is free, just, and loving. Visit the Pollen website.