On Sunday, the African Diaspora Coalition, gathered to give a financial boost to African diaspora candidates on the ballot next week in Minnesota House of Representative races. The fundraiser comes in the homestretch of the November election, where their victories will be vital in maintaining Democratic control of the Minnesota House.
The event, held at the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center, was cohosted by Brooklyn Center businessman Jude Nnadi and Lauren Feiersinger. The Coalition operates under the auspices of the DFL – as Democratic Party is called in Minnesota. It saw participation from influential local DFL leaders, including Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, who before his election as Mayor was the Brooklyn Park DFL Chair. The fundraising focus was on Minnesota House candidates as the Minnesota Senate is not on the ballot this year.
Black House members, known as the United Black Legislative Caucus of Minnesota, in the 93rd Minnesota Legislature which wrapped up its two-year session in May 2024 were Reps. Esther Agbaje, Cedrick Frazier, Mary Frances Clardy, Hodan Hassan, Athena Hollins, Mohamud Noor and Samakab Hussein. All, with the exception of Rep. Hodan Hassan, are on the ballot next week. Rep. Hassan is not seeking reelection, but her favored successor, Anquan Mahamoud, is expected to win.
Anquan Mahamoud and Huldah Hiltsley are expected to be the newcomers to the caucus. Like Mahamoud, Hiltsley is favored to win her race to represent District 38A which includes Brooklyn Park and Osseo.
Nnadi, who is active in DFL politics, expressed pride in the fundraising endeavor and its importance. “To run a successful campaign, you need money for printing and people all around the country come together to support their own and those that can advance their agenda,” Nandi said in an interview with Mshale as the event concluded. “That’s why we came together as African immigrants and said we should come together and support those that have our back with some money, especially as the campaign period wraps up.”
Feiersinger highlighted the importance of continuous organizing even after the election, and the advantages that come with having cash on hand after all the campaigning is done. She said leaders in the African community through experience have learned things don’t just stop on Election Day. “We recognized that once elections are done, the efforts that are needed at the Capitol to get also need money” Feiersinger added, saying that even though the DFL has funded those activities before its time for the African community to contribute.
“We need to learn how to engage political systems in the United States and this (fundraiser) is a big part of that,” said Mayor Winston.
Suggested donations on the circulated flier ranged from a minimum of $500 to $10,000 and donations were being collected online on the ActBlue website, the processor for donations to the Democratic Party.
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About Jasmine Webber, Mshale Photojournalist
Jasmine Webber is a photojournalist at Mshale. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
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