2018-2019 TownTalks Events
Policing and Police Reform: Reimagining Public Safety
Thursday, July 9, 2020
The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 has stirred outrage across the country and sparked a growing call to defund the police. Some have reacted to this call with enthusiasm, others with fear. Should our current public safety system be eradicated, or is transformation possible? Hear local community leaders explore potential changes to policing in Minnesota and the impact these changes might have on our communities.
Featuring Mauri Friestleben, principal at North High School in Minneapolis; Rev. Albert Gallmon, Jr., Senior Pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis; Gloria Perez, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota; and Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association.
The Music Men
Thursday, August 15, 2019
In an informal and self-revealing conversation, Mark Wheat and Jeremy Messersmith explored the meaning and impact of music in their lives and in the life of our community. Along with their stories, perspectives, and memories, Jeremy Messersmith played a number of his songs. Mark Wheat is the weeknight host at MPR’s The Current. Described as a Minnesota music hero, singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith has built a national reputation for elegant, literate song craft. His releases include The Alcatraz Kid, The Reluctant Graveyard, 11 Obscenely Optimistic Songs for Ukulele, and the orchestral record Late Stage Capitalism.
Cantus Celebrates Voices of Hope
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Cantus Vocal Ensemble sang selections from the repertoire of songs they created with Voices of Hope, a choral group at Shakopee Correctional Facility for Women, during their collaboration at the prison this spring. Amanda Weber, Minister of Music and the Arts at Westminster shared the story of the founding of the choir and the powerful role it plays in bringing meaning, purpose, and hope to the lives of its incarcerated members. The event concluded with a panel discussion by local experts and activists, including Rebecca Shlafer, Research Director of the MN Prison Doula Project, and Deborah Jiang-Stein from the unPrison Project, exploring the challenges and issues facing women who have been incarcerated.
Social Enterprises: Doing Well by Doing Good
Thursday, June 27, 2019
The founders of three local social enterprises shared the values and vision that motivated them to form businesses that support positive social change. The panelists included: Emily Hunt Turner, founder of All Square, a nonprofit gourmet grilled-cheese restaurant employing and empowering individuals who have been incarcerated; Jacquie Berglund of FINNEGANS, a brewery and taproom offering solutions to food insecurity and supporting social entrepreneurs; and Amber Haukedahl and Kate Marchand co-founders of TARE Market, Minnesota’s first zero-waste store to provide package-free, sustainable products.
Women Leading
Thursday, November 29, 2018
These young, innovative women are setting the stage for future women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and CEOs. Panelists included Melissa Coleman, Ashley Mary, Carly Van Veldhuizen, and Alex West Steinmann. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Marianne Combs moderated the discussion.
Indigenous Food, Culture and History
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Chef Sean Sherman, the James Beard award-winning author of The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, and Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and author of 14 books on Native American history, shared insights on indigenous culture and answered audience questions in a lively, interactive exchange.