New grant will support programs and services in MPS and SPPS

By Faaya Adem MSR Intern

In an effort to reduce opportunity gaps in Minnesota, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), Achieve Twin Cities and The Cargill Foundation announced the launch of a $3.925 million grant on Thursday, June 15.

This grant will be invested in MPS’ Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS) and Guys in Science and Engineering (GISE) programs. It will also further the development of MPS’ STEM for All curriculum and Achieve Twin Cities career and college readiness centers in 28 MPS and Saint Paul Public School high schools.

This grant is expected to provide support for MPS and Achieve Twin Cities programs through 2026.

MPS’ GEMS and GISE programs offer opportunities and access to STEM programming for students in grades K-8.

MPS’ STEM for All program is an initiative to increase access to STEM programming for students in grades K-8 by increasing the engagement of students and their families.

Achieve Twin Cities provides career and college readiness services in MPS and SPPS high schools. 18,000 students use these services each year, with 95 percent of them graduating with a postsecondary career pathway plan.

“We are honored to facilitate this collaboration and will use this generous support to ensure that each and every student has the guidance and resources they need to access high-demand, living-wage careers,” said Danielle Grant, Achieve Twin Cities president and CEO. “Our partnership is absolutely critical in addressing our community’s wide opportunity gaps and is integral not only to the lives and long-term financial independence of our students, but

Wayne Glanton: Tribute to a man who helped build Minneapolis’ Black community

also the health and vitality of our entire region.”

The Cargill Foundation is Achieve Twin Cities’ largest funder, receiving over $26.8 million in grants alongside MPS since 2000. Nearly 80 percent of the Cargill Foundation’s annual $14 million contribution supported low-income children and families of color in Minneapolis and Saint Paul in 2022.

“At Cargill, we strive to advance racial equity, and we believe in preparing and inspiring children for postsecondary education, careers and beyond,” Michelle Grogg, vice president for Global Corporate Responsibility at Cargill and executive director of The Cargill Foundation, said. “Through partnerships with organizations like Achieve Twin Cities, The Cargill Foundation is dedicated to connecting low-income youth of color in our Twin Cities headquarters community to a strong educational foundation.”

By Charles Hallman

Contributing Writer

Wayne Glanton, a successful Black businessman in Minneapolis, passed away May 27 at the age of 101.

One of the founders of Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis, Glanton was committed to his family, his faith, and his community. Born April 24, 1922, he attended and graduated from Minneapolis Central High School in 1941 and attended Dunwoody College to study construction. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces (now the U.S. Air Force) in 1943 during World War II, and mainly served his time in Florida.

After being honorably discharged, Glanton returned to Minneapolis and completed his college education at Dunwoody and the University of Minnesota. He was employed by Hennepin County for 21 years as a land engineer.

Three years after marrying Clodeal Richardson, Wayne founded Glanton Construction Company in 1954, and he and his late wife later became owners of a True Value Hardware franchise in South Minneapolis. His company was also involved in construction of the current MSR building at 4th Street and 38th Avenue South.

“He was a pretty busy guy,” said Minneapolis native Andrew Rose of Wayne Glanton.

Rose said he was Glanton’s “adopted” son, as Glanton was the father of three daughters. The two were active members of the Johnnie Baker VFW Post in North Minneapolis, and Rose said he often drove Glanton around the state to check on his construction projects.

“He was a very decent guy. He was a good businessman,” said Rose of Glanton, who was also a very active member of Calvary Baptist Church in South Minneapolis.

Glanton was preceded in death by his wife Clodeal, daughters Elaine Dyer and Jackie Scott, parents Rosalind and Herbert, brothers Jack and John, sister Vera Wright, and grandson George Dilliard, Jr.