ONE SOUTH CONNECT: BUILDING SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

You are invited to One South Connect: Building Sustainable Futures on Friday, October 11, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. The event will take place at the Coliseum Building, located at 2708 E Lake St, Minneapolis.

This gathering is a crucial part of an emerging initiative by these three prominent South Minneapolis neighborhood organizations, united under "One South," to envision more sustainable models for neighborhood community building initiatives to thrive. For over four decades, Minneapolis neighborhood organizations have worked tirelessly to strengthen communities, advocate for collective needs, manage vital programs, and organize beloved events that bring together thousands of residents annually. While their collective effort has been invaluable, changes in funding and the political landscape have made their work less sustainable.

The SUN Collective (Southside United Neighborhoods) launched the "One South" initiative in 2022 to find a collaborative path forward to protect this vital work for decades to come. With dedicated funding secured from Target Corporation in 2023, the project is expanding. This October event builds upon the "One South Connect: Imagining Sustainable Futures" event held in May 2025 at the Historic Coliseum Building, which engaged over 60 community members, including political stakeholders, business owners, and residents, in understanding present-day challenges and identifying strategic opportunities.

"Building Sustainable Futures" seeks to deepen this conversation, moving beyond imagining to reflect on the concrete steps necessary to build a future where neighborhood organizations are more sustainably resourced.

Your participation will be fueled by free food and powerful entertainment. Catering will be provided by Caffrey’s Deli and Subs, a beloved, family-owned local deli that has served Minneapolis for over 20 years. Caffrey’s actively supports neighborhood organizations, and attendees can enjoy their classic subs and sandwiches, with gluten-free and vegan options available.

The event will also be enriched by song and unity through the Give Get Sistet, featuring Jayanthi Rajasa, Kenna Cottman, and Sarah M. Greer. Their powerful entertainment is rooted in community, Black sisterhood, and improvisation, using a cappella singing and vocal improvisation to educate and empower audiences. Their music aims to ground the space and conversation, offering participants connection and hope.

One South Connect: Building Sustainable Futures is hosted by:

• Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA): A 45-year-old nonprofit focused on building connections, sharing information, and partnering to positively impact community issues and wellness (www.ppna.org).

• Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO): Driven to uplift the Corcoran neighborhood, creating events and spaces for belonging, safety, and joy. CNO operates the Midtown Farmers Market, nurturing community and food access for 23 years (www.corcoranmpls.org).

• Longfellow Community Council (LCC): The citizen participation group for Cooper, Hiawatha, Howe, and Longfellow, representing residents and businesses to develop, protect, and enhance neighborhood assets through community engagement (www.longfellow.org).

Registration is required to attend this impactful event.