By: Kadra Abdi, Director of Policy & Field Building 

As we continue our journey towards advancing racial equity at MCCD and within the field, we reflect on the progress we’ve made and the path ahead. Last year, our training was on equitable leadership, laying a foundation for our understanding and commitment. This year, we’re building on that foundation, focusing on operationalizing equity and embedding our learnings into our daily work with our clients and members.

Operationalizing equity means integrating equity into every aspect of our organization, from decision-making processes to program development and implementation. It requires us to think critically about our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure they promote fairness and inclusivity for all.

One key aspect of this year’s focus is embedding equity into our work culture. This involves fostering a culture of inclusivity, where every voice is valued and heard. It means actively seeking diverse perspectives and experiences and incorporating them into our decision-making processes.

Another crucial element is embedding equity into our lending policies, programs, and practices. This requires us to assess how our programs impact different racial and ethnic groups and ensure they are equitable. It means designing programs that address the unique needs and challenges faced by historically excluded and low-wealth communities.

To support this effort, we provide ongoing training and resources for our staff, including workshops, convenings, and other learning opportunities to deepen our understanding of racial equity and its application in our work. We also partner with external organizations and experts to enhance our capacity and amplify our impact on advancing racial and economic justice.

As we embark on this next phase of our journey, we are excited about the possibilities ahead. We know that achieving racial equity requires ongoing effort and a willingness to challenge ourselves, our assumptions, and disrupt racist systems and policies. But we are confident that by working together, we can create a more just and equitable community development field.

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and ways you can get involved in our racial equity work.

Our values are not just words on paper, they are the guiding principles that shape everything we do at MCCD. One of our core values is Racial Justice and Intersectionality. We believe in an anti-racist approach to our work, making sure everyone’s identity is honored, and recognize how this lives in how we work and operate on every level.

We are putting in the work practicing our values and have started our third phase of racial equity training: Operationalizing Racial Equity. Putting our racial equity tools into practice, we ignited vulnerable and productive conversations.

Our team engaged in another racial equity training session: Racial Equity Tool & Communication. This session was an intensive work group setting that challenged our thinking and helped us see opportunities to put equity into action.

Throughout the year, our team remains committed to coming together for ongoing racial equity training, integrating these learnings into every aspect of our work.

Jake joined the City of Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT) as Property Development Manager in February 2021. In this role, he manages the development and rehab of CLCLT-owned properties and serves as a resource for existing CLCLT homeowners regarding home maintenance. The CLCLT provides affordable homeownership opportunities to low- and middle-income community members.  

Being a relative newcomer to the affordable housing arena, the ELCD mentorship program proved useful in advancing my knowledge and understanding of the field and enabled me to make genuine connections that will continue beyond the program. Through my mentor, I was able to dive behind the scenes at a nationwide nonprofit developer and talk about projects, process, and the philosophy guiding their work.  

Before his role at CLCLT, Jake’s professional journey included presiding over a real estate consultancy with a specialization in telecom infrastructure. With two decades of experience in multi-site development, he expertly managed due diligence, negotiations, zoning, permitting, and architectural aspects.

Jake is not just dedicated to his career but also to giving back to the community. He volunteered his time and efforts in Thailand, working with Northern Hill Tribe children, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

His educational background is equally impressive, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he also played Badgers ice hockey. He further pursued his academic journey with an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, cementing his expertise in the field. 

“The ELCD mentorship program benefited my daily work starting at program kickoff and continued from there. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity! ” – Jake Soper