Change Maker

The mission of Good Graces Paper Co. is just as multilayered as its name. First, the designs are crafted to speak to other Black women, giving them a place to express their anger and exhaustion while finding a way to maintain hope and healing. For those outside of the immediate audience, the designs seek to challenge– to spark curiosity and conversations that will lead people to learn more about the issues and histories of which they are uninformed. But even that isn’t the entire story:  “I have some designs that are just pretty!” laughs Melanie. 

Isadore Nut Co is named after Tasya’s grandfather, who was an early advocate for organic foods all the way back in the 1950s and believed that “food is medicine.” Tasya has remained loyal to her grandfather’s wisdom, ensuring that all of Isadore Nut Co's snack mixes are vegan, gluten-free and sourced sustainably.

CEDA and RBIL may be two of Minnesota’s best kept secrets.  Let’s change that. 

Nashke Native Games has developed reimagined traditional games and new games based on Ojibwe cultural traditions. Nashke invented Mii Gwech, a fast-paced card game that introduces players to the fur trade era.

An especially unique attribute of the Forever Green Initiative is its focus on commercialization, adoption and scaling. “Broadly speaking, we think of three areas of work: strategy, landscape, and market,” explained Colin. “We need many businesses sourcing these crops, making products and moving them to consumers, either as ingredients or as finished products.”

“I’m not that great a cook. I’m a really good shopper,” laughs Beth Dooley, James Beard award-winning food writer, author of more than a dozen cookbooks, Star Tribune columnist, and a regular contributor to MPR.