Our mission is to build and strengthen cultural competency and awareness by providing parents with workshops facilitated by national scholars, experienced parents, and educators from around the state and country who give the tools that these special families need to raise happy, healthy, and culturally competent children into adults who will continue to change the world for the better.

WHO DO WE SERVE?

Families who are raising children of African descent through adoption, foster or kinship care, regardless of the caregiver’s own ethnic or cultural identity.
Minnesota residents in any of the 87 counties or families who adopted or are fostering through a Minnesota-based agency.
Children and teens of African/African American descent who were adopted or are in foster or kinship care.
Siblings of children of African/African American descent who were adopted or are in foster or kinship care.

Parent workshops have included topics on…

Parental advocacy in and out of the classroom
Parenting with a trauma-informed lens
The importance of raising race-conscious children
Creating safe and supportive spaces for Black children
Understanding and affirming African American English
Courageous anti-racist parenting practices

Child and youth workshops have included topics on…

U.S. history rediscovered: exploring Juneteenth
African American figures who persisted
Black excellence through the genre of Afrofuturism
How to care for your hair, skin and nails
13th documentary discussion: The injustice of our U.S. criminal system

MEET THE EDUCATION TEAM!

Learn more about our Education Team

Contact UMOJA MN!
umoja@evolveservices.org

Thank you to all of our parents, children and youth, volunteers, teachers, presenters and vendors!

Whether looking to join as a contractor or as a volunteer, the UMOJA MN Team offers the unique opportunity to model, create, implement and deliver high-quality programming and excellent educational experiences based on African American culture and history to African American adopted and foster youth in the MN community.

Apply to be a Volunteer

Apply to be a Teacher

VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES

UMOJA MN is looking for African American focused local artists, crafters, and businesses that want to get in on the fun at UMOJA MN camps and events by tabling to showcase your work, products or services. Organizations and colleges looking to resources and program information are also strongly encouraged to join!