AsaleSol Young

AsaleSol Young is the Executive Director of Housing in Action, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that advances housing justice through affordable housing, homeownership pathways, and resident-led policy advocacy. AsaleSol was appointed Executive Director in 2021, following an interim period that began in 2020. Their journey with the organization began in 2017—then known as Urban Homeworks—as a Grants Manager. Over the years, they also served as Marketing and Development Director and led the Equity and Engagement Team, transforming the organization into an unapologetically anti-racist community-led institution. A recipient of the Black Legacy Fellowship, AsaleSol is recognized for their leadership in reimagining and transforming a 30-year-old institution. They bring a rich background in organizing, theater, education, and housing to this discussion. AsaleSol currently sits on the board of the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) and the board of Propagate CDC. Originally from Evanston, IL, AsaleSol is a fourth-generation member of a Black legacy family that helped integrate the Chicago suburb. They graduated from Carleton College and are enrolled in the Master of Arts in Social Justice program at Union Theological Seminary. AsaleSol’s work is deeply committed to equity, community power, and systems change. They currently live in North Minneapolis with their wife and turtle.