Stories of Life Across the Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul Region (MSP)
Belonging is a sense that every dimension of your identity is not only welcome, but celebrated by the people and spaces around you.
The Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region (MSP) is home to talented and courageous people of all backgrounds and identities – people who are passionate about things that make this place great, while also driven to make it a better and more equitable home for all.
A place of true belonging.
This MSP in Color blog series celebrates the many dimensions of life and community across MSP by sharing real stories about life here from the people who tell it best – its residents.
Meet the Faces of MSP in Color
Kara Underberg
An adoptee from Colombia, Kara is a child therapist whose community in MN includes many adoptees from South America like her.
Brittanie
Brittanie (she/her) is a passionate disability justice advocate who loves MSP’s diversity and access and is working to empower the most marginalized in her community.
Sasha Cassadine
Sasha (he/she) found a welcoming home and appreciation for her talents when she moved to MSP and became a star of our vibrant drag scene.
Hodon Ashoor
Hodon is a mom and passionate teacher. As a child, she fled her worn-torn country and in recent years was welcomed by MSP’s sizable Somali community.
Krystle Igbo
An MSP native, Krystal is inspired by the region’s young people and a vision for a more welcoming and equitable future.
Brittany Cardinal
Brittany (she/her/hers) shares her experience moving back to MSP, finding a network of like-minded BIPOC professionals and leaning on community.
Brandon Ngo
Brandon loves MSP and credits his father’s resourcefulness and a network of supportive organizations for helping him succeed.
Melissa Taylor
A Georgia transplant, a mother and a small businesses-owner, Melissa shares the value and the challenges of building a multicultural community in MSP.
Kawaskii Bacon
Proud of the North Minneapolis community that raised him, Kawaskii thinks of the work that needs to be done to make MSP a place where everyone can get ahead.
Sergio De Pablos Velaz
American football brought Sergio to MSP from Cancun; the deep connections he made in the region convinced him to stay.
MSP in Color is a product of BE MSP
BE MSP is a collaborative partnership between the St. Paul Area Chamber, GREATER MSP and Minneapolis Regional Chamber with the goal of connecting professionals of color as they grow and thrive in the Minneapolis Saint Paul region.
Workplace Inclusion
The BE MSP Workplace Inclusion Toolkit is a free online resource for teams no matter where they are on their DEI journey.
MSP Cultural Spotlights
Explore some of the region’s most beloved BIPOC-owned and serving spaces, services, communities and businesses.
Get Connected
Sign up for the BE MSP e-Newsletter to hear about upcoming events, resources and more for BIPOC residents.
Learn More About the MSP in Color Series
Introducing MSP in Color
by Make It. MSP. | Jan 2, 2021
New “MSP in Color” blog series explores and celebrates the diverse experiences of Minneapolis-Saint Paul residents