I don’t know what your neighborhood looks like, but I live in a highly diverse, mostly Black community on the Northside of Minneapolis. More than eight different languages are spoken...
Every Day is Earth Day
April 21st, 2022
A few weeks ago, my five-year-old came home from school repeating the mantra, “Every day is Earth Day.” For several days, anytime we mentioned the environment, trash, cleaning, or nature,...
Take An Egg
April 15th, 2022
A hopeful neighborhood is one where neighbors share their gifts. Suzie Sallee lives in Saint Charles, Missouri. A few years ago, she started to connect with her neighbors on Nextdoor,...
Operation Easter
April 7th, 2022
In late March 2020, as Chicago was shaking off winter and welcoming spring, my wife and I decided to celebrate Easter in a new way because of the pandemic. Like most...
The Complete Guide to Rummage Sales
March 31st, 2022
With spring on the horizon, more opportunities to connect with our neighbors are opening up. There’s a whole population of people out there just itching to get back into their...
Dream Neighbor Material
March 17th, 2022
Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the long-running children’s program on PBS, taught viewers important messages about feelings, learning, and who we are. Mr. Rogers was all about caring for...
The Next Generation of Neighborhood Leaders
March 10th, 2022
I have helped to throw a number of block parties in my community over the last few years. The pandemic created a new urgency for them as many people needed...
How to Get Started at Your Local Library
March 3rd, 2022
The library is one of my favorite community resources. People tend to think of libraries as static, unchanging, and stuffy, when in reality, they are one of the most vibrant,...
Neighborly Love and Kindness
February 21st, 2022
We had so much fun this past week at our Valentine’s Workshop making watercolor valentine cards together and talking about how you all show love in your neighborhoods. Our Love...
25 Ways to Love Your Neighborhood
February 14th, 2022
While neighborly love and kindness is important all year long, we’re especially mindful of its importance as we approach Valentine’s Day. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 25 ways...
Community Care on Black Love Day
February 9th, 2022
Although my introduction to Black Love Day/Akoma happened several years ago, the impact of the experience still resonates with me today. A group of close friends and I gathered on...
The Story of Your Neighborhood
January 26th, 2022
A few years ago, I saw a sign on a vacant lot in my neighborhood that said, “First Nations Garden Coming Soon.” This lot, which is on the corner of...