Page 6 • March 6 - March 12, 2017 • Insight News
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Visionary power players In partnership with Insight News, Minneapolis Civil Rights Department celebrated Black History Month by creating profiles of people who are making a difference in the city. The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights recently honored the contributions of Black Minneapolis residents as a way to celebrate Black History Month. The department sat with residents in varying fields who are making a difference in city.
Minnesota and the DFL State Central Committee. Omar has received multiple accolades and awards, including the Rising Star Award from DFL Women’s Hall of Fame.
a professional networking social where professionals of color gathered to meet and connect. Webley said this was his “ah-ha” moment that planted the seeds for New Rules North. He followed the social with
development and opportunities for people who live there. Webley has served on the board of the North Community Harold Mezile YMCA since 2014. He is working with Achieve Minneapolis to develop
the United States from Sierra Leone in the 1970’s, instilled in Momoh the values of education, hard work, humility and giving back. When she was just a sixyear-old student in first grade, after having put aside dreams
Chris Webley
Adine Momoh
a creative professionals pipeline, helping students explore creative career avenues and provide the structure and resources needed to maintain such careers. Webley has demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering his community and providing opportunities for artist to succeed. His advocacy is a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations.
of being a horseback rider or ballet dancer, Momoh decided she wanted to be an attorney. She set in motion a plan that would one day lead her to make history. The young dreamer did not have any immediate family members in the legal profession, but eagerly learned as much as she could about becoming an attorney. Throughout grade school and beyond, she strived for excellence in her classes and sought out mentorship from and developed relationships with Twin Cities attorneys. Momoh asked questions and never shied away from opportunities to learn or lead. Her thirst for knowledge led her to the University of St. Thomas Opus School of Business. There she developed a love for business, mastering subjects such as accounting, finance, micro- and macro-economics and industrial organizational psychology. Momoh developed the blocks that would later shape a career in bankruptcy, banking and securities litigation. She graduated summa cum laude with a 4.00 grade point average, majoring in legal studies in business, psychology and prelaw. Momoh received her J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law, graduating
First in nation Rep. Ilhan Omar Rep. Ilhan Omar is the newly elected representative for District 60B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the first Somali-American in the nation to hold office at this level. At 14 years old, and acting as her grandfather’s interpreter so he could participate in their local DFL caucus, Omar experienced firsthand one of many barriers that limit full political participation in the democratic process. “That experience set the tone for a career in advocacy. It was an eye opening experience to have the person I relied on as a guide, in turn be forced to rely on me to help navigate such an important process,” said Omar. “Throughout the years I’ve worked hard to make our democratic system more accessible to people like him.” Omar began her professional career working as a community health educator at the University of Minnesota. She went on to work at Best Buy and the Minnesota Department of Education. Before being elected to the Minnesota legislature, Omar most recently served as the senior policy aide for Minneapolis City Council Member Andrew Johnson. During a time of political and social upheaval Omar sets an example of bravery for future generations. “As a young girl I was encouraged by my parents to break down barriers. My father encouraged me in everything I did, reminding me that neither my gender nor race should dictate my success,” said Omar. Recently Omar protested executive orders limiting the ability of immigrants and Americans with dual citizenship from freely entering and exiting the United States. Omar, a proud MuslimAmerican, zealously leads the fight against Islamophobia and works tirelessly to promote the principles of unity and diversity. Aligned with her commitment to unity and justice, Omar’s legislative agenda is focused on advancing issues such as raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, closing the opportunity gap, fighting for environmental justice and fighting for racial and gender equity. Omar holds degrees in business administration, political science and international studies. She completed a policy fellowship at the University Of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and has also served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Legal Rights Center, YMCA, Confederation of Somali Community of
Rep. Ilhan Omar
Chris Webley merges art and innovation Chris Webley is the founder and CEO of New Rules North. Webley studied textile technology with a concentration in medical textiles at North Carolina State University. He has worked with Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret and Target in the corporate retail fashion industry as a research and design textile engineer. After seven years in the fashion industry Webley decided to take on a new and different challenge, and start his own company. New Rules North, 2015 Lowry Ave. N., merges art, innovation and technology in a space for business owners to not only share work space but work together to invest in the local community. New Rules provides entrepreneurs with the equipment and resources needed to expand their creative and professional capabilities, build innovation in the community, and contributes to economic growth for individuals and the region. This unique approach to connecting service and entrepreneurship attracts new, young, risk-taking talent to the Minneapolis Northside. Webley is no stranger to leading change in the Twin Cities community. After moving to Minnesota to work for Target, Webley immediately noticed that the opportunities for professionals of color to connect and socialize were limited. Within two months he sought to change that by hosting
a fashion showcase of local talent representing the African diaspora. Partnering with Target and General Mills, Webley shined a light on the amazing talent possessed by a vast array of diverse creatives who otherwise might not have had an opportunity to share their work on mainstream platforms. Webley’s work demonstrates the value of cultural diversity and retaining professional people of color in the Twin Cities. Desiring to have a broader impact on community, Webley pulled together $100,000 from his personal savings and investments to help redevelop a historic building in North Minneapolis and open New Rules. He created New Rules North with a vision of developing a common ground of resources needed to sustain an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and creativity. New Rules mission is to measurably contribute to the growth of individuals and communities by providing space and holistic resources that expand their creative and professional pursuits. New Rules uses art as a bridge to connect people to broader and richer experiences. Webley wants to see the Northside thrive. Recently New Rules partnered with the YMCA to introduce a variety of artistic professions to Northside youth. Most recently they hosted a photography exhibit where youth were taught photography, given cameras and asked to compile portfolios documenting their community. Webley’s ultimate goal is to help continue to change the narrative of what North Minneapolis has to offer. He strives to boost economic
Raising the bar: Adine Momoh Future History Maker Adine Momoh is a trailblazing attorney whose work ethic and commitment to excellence have quickly garnered her recognition and respect. Momoh began practicing law in September 2009. On Jan. 1 of this year she became a partner at Stinson Leonard Street LLP. In 20182019, Momoh will become president of the Hennepin County Bar Association as the organization celebrates its 100th year anniversary. She will be the youngest and first Black woman to hold that role in the 8,000-member organization’s history. A native of St. Paul, her parents, who immigrated to
magna cum laude. Today, Momoh is a trial attorney representing clients in various aspects of litigation including case development and strategy, discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeals in state and federal courts across the country. She has also successfully defended clients facing fraudulent conveyance, preferential transfers and other avoidance actions from bankruptcy trustees seeking hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. In 2013, Momoh received Stinson Leonard Street’s Pro Bono Services to the Indigent Award, and that same year was also named a Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. In 2014, she was honored as the Minnesota State Bar Association’s first-ever Outstanding New Lawyer of the Year. In 2015, she was named one of two finalists for the American Bar Association’s National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award and in 2016, Momoh was one of four recipients of the Service to the Minnesota Women Lawyers Association Award and was recognized for her legal excellence in bankruptcy law by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, naming her a Blackshear Presidential Fellow. Momoh’s credentials are mirrored by her commitment to giving back. Since she began practicing in 2009, Momoh has dedicated up to 200 hours of her time to pro-bono service each year. From 2013-2016, Momoh received the North Star Lawyer designation from the Minnesota State Bar Association for her commitment to pro bono work. The attorney also serves on the boards of various organizations, including The St. Paul Foundation, Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Federal Bar Association’s National Younger Lawyers Division, Federal Bar Association’s Minnesota Chapter and International Women’s Insolvency and Reorganization Confederation–Minnesota Network. She co-chairs the Minnesota Women Lawyer’s Equity Committee, which works to develop and implement action steps to achieve equity for women in the Minnesota legal profession. Momoh also mentors law students at the three local law schools in Minnesota.