The 2021 Event
Thursday, May 6th 2021
On May 6th, 2021 over 120 individuals gathered *virutally* to hear the stories behind our region’s top social enterprises, meet the extraordinary leaders who started them and see how purpose drives these organizations to greatness. The Social Enterprise Impact Showcase celebrated the work of the 2020 Impact List and recognized the achievements of three outstanding social enterprises in our community. Attendees were moved by featured stories from Butter Bakery Cafe, The Lift Garage, and North Market. A special thank you to Ryan Opera and Free Truth Media for their videography and Ashleyn Przedwiecki for her creative direction and event design. Additional thanks goes out to Emcee Junita Flowers, contemporary dance company SHAPESHIFT, and closing poetry performed by Michelle Purdue.
Distillery Tour ft. Du Nord Craft Spirits
The evening kicked off with a greeting from Du Nord Craft Distillery owner Chris Montana. He spoke about their impact and gave us a peek inside their taproom and facilities. As America’s first Black-owned distillery, founders Chris and Shanelle Montana share a dedication to transforming the world into a better place. As a community-centered company, Du Nord is distilling memorable spirits while building equity for all in the process—from inclusive hiring practices to the newly established Du Nord Foundation, which focuses on supporting under-represented business owners. Read more.
When One Shines We All Shine
OPENING PERFORMANCE BY SHAPESHIFT
SHAPESHIFT is a dance collective, and 501(C) 3 non-profit, combining the lyricism of contemporary dance and hip-hop to tackle current issues of social justice, loss, love and human emotions. They designed a powerful story of community-building and the uplifting, collaborative nature of the social enterprise movement. The story takes us through a journey and features four social businesses in the Twin Cities, including Cookie Cart, Houston White’s Barbershop, Coconut Whisk Cafe, and The Coven.
2020 Featured Social Enterprises
Butter Bakery Cafe is an independent cafe and general benefit corporation in the Kingfield Neighborhood. In addition to striving to be a zero-waste business, BBC provides training and employment for young adults who have experienced homelessness, paying fair and equitable wages with a no-tip compensation model, and supporting local farmers. Read more.
North Market is a full-service grocery store, a center for wellness, and a community gathering place, all under one roof. With a mission to nourish and inspire people to live full healthy lives, North Market is the center of a closed-loop food ecosystem addressing persistent health and wealth disparities in the region, centering people, while building their vision for a thriving North Minneapolis. Read more.
The Lift Garage is a non-profit auto-garage with a holistic approach that gives customers a vehicle out of poverty. Their employees are trained in human services, recognizing that a lack of transportation can have other consequences on the individual's ability to work, attend school, or access critical services including healthcare and childcare. Read more.
The Program
Emcee || Junita Flowers
Junita Flowers is the CEO/Founder of Junita's Jar, a social impact cookie company on a mission to end relationship violence, as well as a recognized thought leader, inspiring TEDx Speaker, and a purveyor of Hope.
POETRY || Michelle Perdue
Michelle Perdue, M.Ed., is a motivational speaker, coach, and performing artist with the ability to transform an audience and move them to action. She delivers dynamic and transformational keynote presentations on the topic of resilience and for facilitating public speaking coaching.
Free Truth || Videography and Storytelling Partner
Free Truth Media is a media company using art and education as a tool for liberation.