Tribute to a Renaissance Man

By Charles Hallman Staff Contributor

rchie Givens, Jr., was known locally and nationally as a businessman, philanthropist, and a humanitarian. But perhaps more importantly to many of those who knew him personally from other places and spaces, Givens was best remembered as a dependable friend.

“Archie Givens was just a good dude. And he never did it for a show,” recalled Dr. Peter Hayden, founder and director of Turning Point, the Minneapolis-based nonprofit.

Givens died on April 19, 2023, at age 78, after several years of battling Alzheimer’s disease.

“When I started Turning Point,” continued Hayden, “he was al- late Archie ways there. He would open his door for you.” When Hayden needed office equipment essen- tial to getting his operation up and running, Givens provided a Xerox machine to use.

Over the years, Givens was a member of many boards, including the University of Minnesota and Penumbra Theatre. “He was never on my board,” admitted Hayden, “but he was always there for me. When I go to see Archie, he always had some time for me.”

Hayden easily recalled how much his friend was there for him in times of tragedy–like when his then 25-year-old daughter Taylor was killed by crossfire in Atlanta in 2016.

“When my daughter was taken from us seven years ago,” said Hyden. “When I rolled up to the church (for the funeral), the first person out there waiting for me was Archie.”

Givens was born in Minneapolis on April 30, 1944, and later graduated from Minneapolis Central High School and