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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
A Year-End Reflection 

If we’ve met, you already know: This work is deeply personal for me. As a daughter of Rondo and the first African American woman to lead this organization, my gratitude for this opportunity and the immensity of the responsibility as your Executive Director brings tears to my eyes. So, first, thank you. Thank you for trusting me with this sacred work to reclaim our community power and reinvigorate the legacy of Black excellence, abundance and joy. 

Two years ago, I came into this role ready to inject new energy into an institution approaching its 30th anniversary. And, together, we’ve made significant strides. 

With the support of our partners and community members, the Rondo Community Land Trust has grown from a budget of $300,000 to $2 million annually, and raised another $12 million for projects in just 24 months. We’ve added 50 units of housing, expanded 15,000 feet of commercial space and articulated an innovative reparative development framework that centers the right to return for Black families and long-term community wealth building.

The numbers are impressive. But that’s not the only way I measure success.

I was raised in this community and the work I do is an expression of my ancestors and mentors. Yes, I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with city and state leaders announcing ground-breaking projects and innovative initiatives that have put our CLT on the national radar. But I know we’re making progress when I walk the Selby corridor and Black entrepreneurs wave from storefronts and Black families are sitting on their front stoops. I know we’re stoking the inherent power of our community because I can feel a rising sense of joy and hope; a village ready to come together as a collective to move transformative change. 

That’s why I continue this work in the face of tremendous challenges. I’m fiercely committed to centering our community knowledge over outside interests or extractive practices — and I’m ready to take the calculated risks necessary to make the big and lasting changes our community deserves. Together, we can repair the harms of the past and write the next chapter of prosperity for Rondo, now and for generations to come. 


Mikeya Griffin
Executive Director 

Residential Update
2023 was a big year for Rondo CLT's residential work. As a community land trust, our housing program is our bread and butter. And though we are always looking for ways to expand this work, we are also happy to take a moment to reflect on what we accomplished this year. In 2023, we:
  • Added 15 permanently affordable homes to the trust. 
  • Started hosting first-time homebuyer courses that provide deep dives into the home buying process and explore financing and downpayment assistance. 
  • Expanded our reach through strategic partnerships, specifically focusing on working in collaboration with MCCD and Model Cities to bridge homeownership opportunities by connecting individuals with credit repair and credit building. 
After a busy and fulfilling 2023, we are eagerly looking ahead to 2024. This upcoming year, our team is planning to expand engagement with our growing community of leaseholders. We will increase our available resources for home maintenance and rehab, and will also host additional workshops on financial education and business development. 

To close out the year, we'd like to share a story of one of our newest leaseholders, Rekik: 
Rekik has dreamed of owning a home since the day her daughter was born 19 years ago. But caught in the midst of the inaccessible traditional housing market, there were many times where she feared she'd have to give up her dreams of homeownership. A single mother with income limitations, she was concerned she wouldn't be able to afford to buy a home. However, despite these fears, she persisted, undeterred. And when her realtor introduced her to Rondo Community Land Trust, her fate turned. 

"I found a program aligned with my ambition." Rekik reflects. "With the invaluable support and guidance from Rondo Community Land Trust, I'm now thankful every day for the knowledge and opportunities they provided." Her home, Rekik declares, is not just hers but a cherished blessing for future generations and a testament to the perseverance and transformative impact of community support.

We are grateful to share stories like Rekik's to demonstrate the power of the land trust model. 
Rondo CLT in Community
2023 Infrastructure Innovation Summit
On November 28th, Executive Director Mikeya and Deputy Director Coco travelled to D.C. to learn from and connect with leaders from across the nation spearheading community led projects leveraging federal dollars for, with, and by community. 
Small Business Saturday
On Saturday, November 25th, Rondo CLT & Summit-University Planning Council partnered together to host the 2023 Small Business Saturday on Selby Ave. It was a good opportunity to lift up the businesses who operate on our beloved Selby Avenue and  members of staff had a great time visiting Lip Esteem, LLC, Gravy Babies at Golden Thyme, and TB'z Customz. Make sure you stop by the businesses along the Ave for all your holiday shopping! 
Upcoming Opportunities and Events
Neighborhood Development Center: Plan It! Entrepreneur Training 
Want to start your own business? Neighborhood Development Center's Plan It! training program helps emerging entrepreneurs learn the fundamentals of running a business & develop a solid business plan. This will be our 15th cohort partnering with NDC who works in conjunction with neighborhood partners to provide in person & virtual classes. For more information about the course, which is virtual and runs from February 14th - May 22nd, see the below flyer. Registration closes January 25th. Click here to learn more. 
The Promise Act Grant & Loan Programs
Promise Act grant and loan applications will be available early 2024 to support underserved small businesses located in specific corridors and neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) will administer the MN PROMISE Act Grant program and the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) will administer the MN PROMISE Loan program, alongside community partner organizations. 

Starting today, there will be info sessions about the grant and loan applications. To learn more and register for an info session, click here
Follow Us on Social Media
Rondo CLT is growing and so is our presence online! Make sure you click on our Facebook and LinkedIn below to follow us so that you stay up to date on everything we have going on. 
Please Consider Supporting our Work 
 
Rondo CLT builds community wealth and neighborhood stability through the development and stewardship of perpetually affordable homeownership opportunities, rental housing, commercial space, and other community assets.

Each new property that enters the community land trust starts a cycle of affordability for generations of low to moderate income earning families and local small business owners. Your donation makes all of this possible. Thank you.


Donate here.

Interested in becoming a CLT homeowner?

Attending a Rondo CLT Orientation is the first step in the application process. Orientations happen every other week on Wednesdays at noon. Click the link below for additional information and to register for an orientation today!

Register
here
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