Ever wondered how a former attorney turns passion for science into a thriving distillery? Join Chanda Smith Baker as she dives deep with Chris Montana, founder of Du Nord Social Spirits. Discover the transformative power of mentorship, the gritty realities of fundraising, and the resilience needed to pivot during a pandemic. Hear how producing hand sanitizer for first responders and homeless shelters became a lifeline. This episode will inspire you to invest in people, embrace adaptability, and transform challenges into opportunities.

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https://shopdunord.com/
https://dunordsocialspirits.com/

From Crafting Spirits to Becoming One: A Conversation with Chris Montana

Gun violence is stealing childhoods. Dr. Marc Gorelick, CEO of Children's Minnesota, and Chanda Smith Baker demand action, urging a comprehensive approach that tackles poverty, mental health, and responsible gun ownership to prevent further tragedies. Purchase Dr. Gorelick's new book "Saving Our Kids: An ER Doc’s Common-Sense Solution to the Gun Crisis":
https://a.co/d/3WpVt84

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The Silent Epidemic: A Conversation with Dr. Marc Gorelick

Keesha Gaskins-Nathan is the Director of the Democratic Practice–United States program and the Racial Justice Initiative at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Join Chanda Smith Baker and Keesha Gaskins-Nathan as they dive into the harsh realities of women in politics, particularly for women of color like Kamala Harris. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and uncover the truth about the attacks on Harris, the impact of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, and the role of nonprofits in promoting voter participation.

Sponsored by: Greater Twin Cities MN Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
www.gtclinks.org/

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Debunking the Myths in Politics: A Conversation with Keesha Gaskins-Nathan

Ruth Richardson is President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. She became the first Black woman to lead the five-state affiliate in October 2022. She is a lawyer, health equity champion, and a trailblazer. Ruth brings her unique perspective as the first Black woman to lead the five-state affiliate and as a former Minnesota House Representative, to illuminate the intersections of voter rights, reproductive justice, and the essential nature of civic engagement.

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https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Sponsored by Greater Twin Cities (MN) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated https://www.gtclinks.org/

Defending Democracy and Reproductive Rights: A Conversation with Ruth Richardson

Black women leaders face a unique set of challenges that can be exhausting, overwhelming, and often invisible. In this episode, Sadiqa Reynolds shares her unflinching account of the struggles she's faced as a Black woman leader, from being criticized for promoting diversity to dealing with the emotional toll of constant scrutiny. Listen in as she reveals the importance of support systems, true diversity and inclusion, and the power of community in overcoming the unspoken struggles of Black women leaders.

Sadiqa Reynolds is CEO of Perception Institute and Founder and President of the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. Before Perception Institute, Reynolds was CEO of the Louisville Urban League, the first woman to hold this title in the affiliate’s 95-year history raising more than $100 million, quadrupling the agency's budget, increasing the assets by more than $70 million, and building a $53 million state-of-the-art sports and learning complex, during a pandemic and amid civil unrest. 

https://voicevisionvalue.org/listen
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https://perception.org/

The Unspoken Struggle of Black Women Leaders with Sadiqa Reynolds

Meet Nevada Littlewolf, Executive Director of Women Winning, as she discusses the importance of policy-focused presidential debates, inclusive democracy, and reproductive justice, and how you can get involved in creating a more equitable future. Women Winning recruits, trains, endorses and elects pro-choice women to all levels of public office in Minnesota.

Sponsored by the Greater Twin Cities Minnesota Chapter of the Links, Inc. https://www.gtclinks.org/

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https://womenwinning.org/

Focusing on Policy Solutions: A Conversation with Nevada Littlewolf

Chanda Smith Baker speaks with Charles Adams, an Author of Twin Cities: My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach, about his Northside upbringing and the complexities of community policing. They discuss the challenges black officers face, the impact of George Floyd's murder, and the removal of officers from schools. Joining the conversation is Jayland Baker, a North High alumnus and former football player coached by Charles, who shares his perspective on the importance of having officers in schools and the sense of security they provided.

To purchase 'Twin Cities: My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach':
https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Cities-Black-Championship-Coach/dp/030683054X

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My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach: A Conversation with Charles Adams (OA)

Andrea Caupain Sanderson, a racial and social justice advocate for over 25 years, discussed her journey from immigrating to the U.S. at 12 and becoming a single mother at 19 to becoming CEO of the Byrd Barr Place. She is currently the co-founder and co-executive director of the BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition and one of four architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund, Washington’s first cooperative philanthropy created by and for Black people to ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being. In this episode, she emphasized the need for black-led organizations to receive funding and support and highlighted the importance of self-care and creating spaces for black leaders to thrive.

https://voicevisionvalue.org/listen
https://bipocedcoalitionwa.org/
https://www.blackfuturewa.org/

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How Black Women Leaders Can Thrive in a World That Often Silences Them with Andrea Caupain Sanderson

Chanda Smith Baker hosts a conversation with Simone Hardeman-Jones, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities, and Ali Knight, the incoming national director and CEO. GreenLight Fund is a national network of sites partner with local communities to tackle the barriers that prevent individuals and families from achieving inclusive prosperity. They select and scale proven programs to directly address those barriers identified by each community. The model involves identifying local leaders and unmet needs and then adapting proven models to fit local contexts. They have expanded to 13 cities, with 14 sites, including a new one in Miami. Simone emphasizes community-led processes and partnerships, citing their first investment in LEAD Minneapolis, housed at Pillsbury United Communities. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk-taking and learning from failures in innovation.

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greenlightfund.org
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Sponsored by:
The Black Collective Foundation
https://www.minnesotablackcollectivefoundation.org/

Investing in Community-Driven Change: A Conversation with Simone Hardeman-Jones and Ali Knight

Chanda Smith Baker hosts a conversation with Sheena Meade, highlighting her journey from being a teen mom and facing domestic violence to becoming an advocate for criminal justice reform. Sheena shares her experiences with incarceration, including a $87.26 bounced check leading to arrest and the impact on her life. Sheena is the CEO of the Clean Slate initiative, which aims to automatically clear records for eligible individuals, with 12 states adopting such laws and 15 million people benefiting. The conversation emphasizes the need for bipartisan support, narrative change, and community involvement in criminal justice reform. Discover how her work with The Clean Slate Initiative is changing lives and transforming communities.

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www.cleanslateinitiative.org 

Sponsored by:
Greater Twin Cities United Way
https://www.gtcuw.org/

Turning Pain Into Purpose: A Conversation with Sheena Meade

Chanda Smith Baker is the host of the award-winning Conversations with Chanda podcast. A nationally respected CEO, philanthropist, community leader and entrepreneur, Chanda continues tackling the gritty issues that communities wrestle with — race, leadership, philanthropy social justice and more — but dives even deeper into the profoundly personal stories that drive her guests to use their voice, leadership and resources to make a difference in their communities. From national luminaries like Eric Holder, Dr. Yaba Blay, Valerie Jarret and Ibram X. Kendi to local Twin Cities entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business and community leaders making an impact, the Conversations with Chanda podcast explores, digs deeper and celebrates what’s relevant in our communities NOW. Download today!