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Land Liberation: Building Affordable Futures with Black-Led Community Land Trusts across Canada
On August 13th, five of Rondo CLT's staff travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia for a three-day trip to learn from a delegation of several Black-led organizations across Canada advocating for and leveraging community land trusts as enablers for transformative Black community development.
During our time in Nova Scotia, we learned about the challenges Black CLT's face in Canada including a lack of dialogue surrounding reparative justice for Black communities specifically in connection to housing and the notion of community-owned land. In addition to these challenges, we heard about the opportunities that exist to foster such dialogue and strengthen relationships between Canadian CLTs to build power. Similar to challenges we face in Minnesota, Canadian CLTs are under-resourced and as we know too well, this work requires significant, bold, and sustained investment.
On August 15th, Rondo CLT's senior leadership team (ED Mikeya Griffin, Deputy Director Coco, Director of Housing and Community Engagement Damon Mason and Economic Development Manager Felicia Perry) had the opportunity to join the Candian delegates in a panel discussion directed at voicing the challenges and opportunities they face to local Black communities and Canadian political leaders. Rondo CLT shared its theory of change and reparative framework, highlighting shared challenges with Canadian delegates and demonstrated to the funders and politicians in the room the power of the land trust model when adequately resourced.
In just three days, Rondo CLT staff learned a lot. We extend a special thank you to the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts, Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust, Hogan's Alley Society, Little Jamaica Community Land Trust, Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust, and Down the Marsh Community Land Trust for hosting us and sharing space.
Residential Update
We are excited to share that Rondo CLT is continuing to grow as we reach the end of the summer. In the first 7 months of 2024 alone, Rondo CLT has helped 21 individuals and families purchase homes in Ramsey County. Compared to 2023, we have already doubled our impact. Such growth is important because core to our theory of change is that land holds economic and political power. By investing up to $150K in affordability grants and $60K in rehab funds per unit, Rondo CLT dramatically lowers purchase costs, helping families buy homes and build economic wealth and stability.
Below, we are excited to share a photo and quote from our most recent Rondo CLT leaseholders - the Jones Family! If you income qualify and are interested in purchasing a CLT home, please contact our housing team or register for an orientation.
Rondo CLT in Community
National Night Out
On Tuesday, August 6th, Rondo CLT celebrated National Night Out by tabling at the House of Hope's 17th annual NNO event. Angela Lindquist, one of our Housing Specialists, had a good time engaging with community members by playing games, passing out candy, and sharing information about the land trust model. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Rondo Days
L: Rondo CLT Board Member Melvin Giles with Rondo CLT's Economic Development Manager Felicia Perry. R: Rondo CLT staff and friend.
This year, Rondo CLT was a proud sponsor of Rondo Days - the largest African American sponsored festival in Minnesota, which commemorates the legacy of the Rondo neighborhood. On July 20th, Rondo CLT staff had a lot of fun attending the event and listening to live performances from our previous staff member Ashley Dubose, MC Lyte, and others.
Welcoming Culturingua, Inc.
In early August, Nadia Mavrakis (CEO) and Nader Mehdawi (COO) of Culturingua, Inc. of San Antonio, TX, visited MN for 3 days to learn more about the CLT ecosystem and operations in the state. Culturingua, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on youth, community/economic development, and civil engagement focused on the Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian communities of San Antonio. During one day of their visit, Nadia and Nader spent time learning specifically from the Rondo CLT on both their residential and commercial uses of the CLT approach to cultural and economic ownership of community assets.
Babycake's Book Stack Residency with Rondo CLT - Final Chance to Visit!
Babycake's Book Stack will be parked in the parking lot next to 642 Selby Avenue selling books for the final time this summer. Stop by TODAY through Saturday (August 20-24th).
The Book Stack's mission is to provide a welcoming, safe space for children and families to see their experiences culturally reflected on the shelves. The vast majority of their books feature BIPOC writers, illustrators, and characters who are culturally diverse, neurodiverse, and differently physically abled. Click here to learn more.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Selby Jazz Fest
We are excited to announce that we will be tabling again at this year's Selby Jazz Fest. Last year during the festival, we shared with community members our purchase of Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe. Though we don't have any unexpected announcements to make this year, we are looking forward to being back and participating in this beloved community event.
For more information about the Selby Jazz Fest, which will take place on September 14th, click here.
Mikeya Griffin, Council Member Anika Bowie, and Coco with the "key" to Golden Thyme.
Central High School Class of 1969 Reunion
On September 21st, St. Paul Central's Class of 1969 is hosting its 45th year reunion. The event will take place from 3-8pm at the Como Park Picnic Grounds in the West Shelter. Classes of 1967 through 1971 are welcome to attend. To register, email st.paulcentral.class1969@gmail.com. It is a potluck so feel free to bring a dish to share!
Rondo CLT's First Annual Gala
A reminder that we are SO excited to invite you to our first annual Gala on November 13th at the St. Paul Event Center. To sponsor the event, purchase a ticket, and learn more about the exciting evening we have planned, click here.
Apply to Rondo CLT's Small Business Incubator - The Rondo Exchange!
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.
A BIG thank you to our Gala sponsors!
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.
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!