MCCD launches new State Policy Cohort

The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) is launching our first State Policy Cohort, a hands-on training series designed for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) professionals who want to learn more about policy development and how to effectively navigate and influence state-level policy. The Cohort is an investment in the next generation of policy advocates and community development leaders, centering and listening to the voices of those most harmed by systemic inequities. The Cohort supports participants in developing the knowledge and tools to advocate for policies that reflect the needs and priorities of underrepresented and historically disinvested communities.

Kicking off in September 2025, the State Policy Cohort is a program of our new Community Development Leadership Center. Designed to meet the specific needs of professionals in our sector, the Center will convene training, mentoring and networking spaces for leaders at all stages to gain practical skills and cultivate authentic relationships to collectively advance community development as a tool for racial and economic justice.

Building on the success and popularity of our daylong Policy and Advocacy Training, the State Policy Cohort will dig deeper into the mechanics and behind-the-scenes of the policymaking process. Meeting monthly from September 2025 to January 2026, this five-part series will provide guidance on understanding, writing, and advocating for legislation at the Minnesota State Capitol. It will create a small group learning and networking environment for emerging policy professionals and community development leaders. Ensuring personalized attention and collaborative learning opportunities, our time together will focus on practical insights, interactive exercises and hands-on learning that will give participants the skills and confidence necessary to make impactful contributions in the legislative process.

Joined by guest speakers at each session, the first and fourth gatherings will be held in-person and the remaining sessions will be offered as hybrid opportunities. Topics and dates include:

• Understanding the Minnesota Legislature and state government partners
  • September 24, 2025 | MCCD (In-Person)
• What is advocacy and what is policy?
  • October 15, 2025 | MCCD & Hybrid
• Securing a legislative champion and how to draft a bill
  • November 12, 2025 | MCCD & Hybrid
• Finalizing your bill and behind the scenes tour of the Capitol
  • December 3, 2025 | Minnesota State Capitol (In-Person)
• Crafting an advocacy and organizing plan to get your bill passed
  • January 14, 2025 | Minnesota Housing & Hybrid

Training Leadership:

• Lead Facilitator: Kari Johnson, MCCD’s State Policy Director
  • Kari brings over 12 years of policy and advocacy experience to her work at the Minnesota State Capitol. Kari played a significant role in building support for affordable housing investments from the legislature and the Governor’s office and her advocacy has resulted in the state investing more in small businesses than ever before. She is extremely passionate about using her skills to find policy solutions to help remedy the harms to BIPOC communities caused by racism and decades of disinvestment.
• Support Facilitator: Kelly Law, MCCD’s Senior Policy Advisor
  • Kelly is a dedicated policy professional who has spent the past three legislative sessions at the Capitol advocating for increased investments in affordable housing and community development. Her work has helped shape key legislative proposals and secure new funding to build and preserve affordable housing. She is an effective communicator who builds bipartisan support for community-centered solutions.

This 20-hour professional development opportunity is offered at $1,000 per participant for MCCD members and $1,250 for non-members. We do not want the fee to be a barrier to participation, if the price is a challenge, please reach out to us to discuss options for financial assistance. MCCD will prioritize member applications for participation.

Applications close on September 3 and cohort participants will be notified by September 10!

Learn more and apply here.