What is the Community Engagement Ambassadors Initiative – Dakota County
Community Engagement Ambassadors (CEA) is a nonpartisan community led initiative of people who live and work in cities within Dakota County, MN who want to “inspire positive, authentic community engagement” at all levels within their cities, so that engagement becomes routine, not an afterthought. The initiative was founded in 2020 by The Word Applied, Inc., CEO/Principal Consultant, Linda Garrett-Johnson
Community Engagement Ambassador Advisors & Area Newsletter Contributors
- Michael Klein, CEA Advisor and Newsletter Contributor (Apple Valley Area)
- Kelly Mielke, CEA Advisor and Newsletter Contributor (Burnsville Area)
- Jessie Koehle, CEA Advisor and Newsletter Contributor (Eagan Area)
“A healthy, thriving community creates spaces for all voices to be able to influence key decisions that impact their life.” ~ Linda Garrett-Johnson, founder CEA
CEA believes in the importance of participating in local government in ways that positively shape the community and desire to share their ideas by working on various initiatives and projects. Community Engagement Ambassadors engage with their neighbors and community groups – participating in activities that make a difference, building community connections so that all feel welcomed. Community Engagement Ambassadors are engaged in learning, sharing, promoting, and equitable community building. They strive to see the intersectionality of their work and how it fits with others.
What does a Community Engagement Ambassador Do?
| Volunteer at local events, including community activities and programs | Share information about their community in person and online |
| Act as a community ambassador in their neighborhood, creating a welcoming environment | Serve as a point of contact at public and community events on behalf of CEA |
| Promotes the CEA using a variety of networks and platforms | Advise and provide input that guides the CEA strategic direction |
| Participate in CEA activities and execute the CEA community action plan | Positively engage in local public policy work |
Most importantly, they engage in the Community Leaders in Action Task Force of the CEA, which serves as a bridge and voice for the BIPOC Community (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and their allies who live in Dakota County build, re-build and repair broken trust in the community between the community and their Local Leaders.
Sista’s of Dakota County
CEA knows there is a growing population of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of color) in Dakota County. According to the Metropolitan Council and their capture of 2020 Census Data, 26.43% of individuals in the County are BIPOC (of color). This is an increase of 49.2377% from 2010. However, cultural places, spaces and opportunities for people of color to gather, network and socialize in Dakota County are non-existent. This is why the Community Engagement Ambassadors (CEA) Dakota County has created Sista’s of Dakota County.
Sista’s of Dakota County is meant to be a space for BIPOC women who live in Dakota County to encourage, support, network and engage with each other in a safe space. Our goal is to host gatherings (both in-person and virtual) and other social, supportive, networking opportunities for BIPOC women who live in Dakota County.
For more information or if you are interested in joining the group, please join our list here or check out the group on Facebook at “Sista’s of Dakota.”
Check us out, like and follow us on social media
Check out the Community Engagement Ambassador movement via social media on Facebook by clicking this link, Instagram by clicking this link and Twitter by clicking this link. We also have a blog that is designed to educate and inspire which is located here. Don’t forget to follow the CEA blog and share the posts.
And we have a Community Engagement Ambassadors YouTube channel for you to check out by clicking this link.
Also, here is the link to the CEA Monthly Newsletter where you can read current and back copies.
Want to learn more and join us?
We host a series of community conversations and gatherings via WebEx meant to be educational and impactful. If you want to get information about the CEA Initiative, participating in our activities, or just want to join our email list, please click this link and complete the form.
Calendar of Upcoming Activities and Events
| Type | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Community | (TBD) | CEA In Person FUN event (TBD) |
Community Engagement Ambassador T-Shirts!
