NEON's Upcoming Events

NEON hosts events throughout the year to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in closing Minnesota's long-standing racial wealth gap. By creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship on the Northside, we are building generational wealth and transforming our community from a drive-through to a destination.

Our lively Community Conversations bring local and national luminaries together to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and policies that, when successful, can lead to a more equitable future of work, and other hot topics that impact the low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs we serve.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Comm Convos

About Community Conversations

NEON’s Community Conversation 4.0 Series is fourth in our popular sequence of Community Conversations originating in 2020. Engaging nearly 1,500 community members through in-person and virtual viewership in the first three years, we expect to draw increased attention to and elevate our profile through the next Community Conversation Series, Version 4.0. Designed to spark strategic dialogue, the conversation series brings together BIPOC-owned business and entrepreneurs, NEON leadership, and guest speakers to address social and racial injustice, economic opportunity, and community support of NEON initiatives.

We are planning for dynamic speakers in 3 to 4 sessions taking place in the late afternoon this year, with networking receptions to follow. Thanks to excellent survey response and feedback we’ll plan to feature our own local entrepreneurs, corporate executives and known BIPOC-owned business owners with connections to food, sports and housing-among other business interests.

The series brings top donors and community partners together to support and learn more about NEON’s work with the Grow & Thrive campaign.

NEON's Community Conversation 4.0 Series

Session 3

NEON’s third session in our Community Conversation 4.0 Series featuring Dr. Tim Childs, Wendell Maddox, and Sharon Kennedy Vickers was truly an afternoon to remember. We thank our panel for sharing their invaluable voices and entrepreneurial insights in High-Tech.

Thank you to our host, Warren McLean, and moderator, Abou Amara for a spectacular conversation.

Stay tuned for more information on the fourth session in our Community Conversation 4.0 Series this fall.

We extend a very special thank you to our sponsor partners who made this all possible.

Missed the conversation? Watch the video recording, below!

Session 2

NEON’s 2nd session in our Community Conversation 4.0 Series featuring Michelle Grogg, Mary Jane Melendez, and Philomena Morrissey Satre was one to remember. We thank our panel for sharing their invaluable voices and insights on the food industry.

Thank you to our host, Warren McLean, and moderator, Abou Amara for a spectacular conversation.

Sponsorship

We extend a very special thank you to our sponsor partners who made this all possible.

Session 1: Building Wealth— women business owners’ perspectives on what it takes to create flourishing businesses, take on strategic development operations, and create a plan for consistent future growth

NEON’s first session in our Community Conversation 4.0 Series featuring Gloria Freeman, Anissa Keyes, and Kenya McKnight-Ahad was truly a wonderful afternoon. We thank our panel for sharing their voices and experiences.

Thank you to our host, Warren McLean, and moderator, Tru Pettigrew for a fantastic conversation.

We extend a very special thank you to our sponsorship partners who made this all possible.

Missed the conversation? Watch the recording here: