Equitable Development Action

About Equitable Development Action (EDA):

EDA, the acronym stands for Equitable Development Action formerly known as MAC which stands for Minnesota African Coalition, was established in 2019 with its primary goal to be a voice for the underserved and to foster equity and economic inclusion through capacity development as a bedrock for building generational wealth in underserved communities.

At EDA, we train, inform, and educate the underserved to actively participate in the lifetime opportunity of accessing billions of dollars of equitable funding in Minnesota in the next few years. We are dedicated to promoting equity and economic inclusion by focusing on advocacy, engagement, research, and capacity development as fundamental tools for creating generational wealth in underserved communities.

We aim to empower these communities by providing them with the necessary resources, advocacy, and tailored solutions to address historical and systemic challenges such as essential resources, advocacy, and tailored solutions.

Our competitive advantage lies in our commitment, adaptability, and openness to collaborate with any entity that shares our goal of promoting equity in Minnesota. We take a broader perspective to enhance equity and justice in our services and recognize the significant disparities within the state. We are professional, friendly, and dedicated to creating a more equitable and just society for all.

We are committed to conducting targeted research and data analysis within minority communities in Minnesota. By employing data-driven and evidence-based methodologies, we strive to become a leading contributor to equitable development in the Twin Cities. Our research helps us understand underserved communities' unique challenges, enabling us to develop tailored solutions and strategies that foster generational wealth-building.

We advocate for and provide services to underserved communities that may lack vocal constituents to raise awareness of their needs. Our efforts aim to increase visibility and support for these communities, fostering more significant equity and inclusion in community development. By amplifying their voices, we strive to create a more equitable and just society where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.

Our Mission: Foster equity and economic inclusion through capacity development as a bedrock for building generational wealth in underserved communities.

Our Vision: A world where opportunities for wealth accumulation are available to everyone, regardless of geographical or racial boundaries.

Our Goal: Catalyze wealth building through shared opportunities to counter opportunity hoarding by building extensive collaborations, networking, and stakeholder engagement.

What we do:

Our Services: Advocacy, Engagement, Research, and Capacity Development Priorities

Advocacy:

• Identify and advocate for bill appropriations, policies, and programs promoting equitable access to resources, economic development, education, and wealth-building opportunities.
• Build relationships with policymakers and collaborate with nonprofits to raise public awareness and address barriers to wealth creation.

Engagement:

• Encourage community participation in development and decision-making processes to foster leadership skills and a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Engage stakeholders to prioritize capacity development and improve economic growth, resource access, and information sharing.
• Foster partnerships with financial institutions, wealth advisors, and experts to provide pro bono services and customized advice for low-income individuals and families.
• Create platforms for intergenerational dialogue and mentorship, facilitating the transfer of financial knowledge and skills.

Research:

• Conduct comprehensive research on the root causes of wealth inequality and the challenges marginalized communities face in building and transferring wealth.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, foundations, think tanks, and research organizations to gather data, analyze socioeconomic factors, and inform evidence-based advocacy.

Capacity Development Priorities:

• Collaborate with stakeholders to build capacity and resources in underserved communities.
• Focus on capacity building for nonprofit organizations and BIPOC businesses, community resource centers, real estate development, regional workforce, and economic development centers.
• Tailor other priorities to serve the needs of the underserved.