Shelia Bland is a long-time professional Artist with over 50 years of acting, directing, teaching, and playwriting in numerous cities across the United States. Her extensive resume includes what seems like a hundred productions within numerous genres. Most recently, she worked with MN Association of Community Theatres 21st Biennial Festival, VSA Minnesota, COMPAS, and the SteppingStone Theatre. Shelia attended Brandeis University, the University of California and has multiple degrees in the Arts from The University of New Orleans. She also has volunteer experience supporting Rep. Karen Clark’s campaigns, Minneapolis Arts Commission, and hosting arts entertainment and reading events. She continues to be active in the community on multiple levels. Shelia purchased her CLCLT condo recently and lives in South Minneapolis.

Christina Jennings is the Executive Director of Shared Capital Cooperative, a national CDFI loan fund (formerly known as Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund) specialized in financing cooperatively owned businesses and housing. Christina joined Shared Capital in 2008 where she provides strategic leadership, oversees lending programs, and leads capitalization efforts. Christina has served on the boards of directors for numerous community development and social justice organizations. Since 2008, she has served on the finance committee of the City of Lakes Community Land Trust. In addition, Christina currently serves on the board of the Cooperative Development Foundation and on the finance committee of Latino Economic Development Center.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Bonita has been a long-time resident and community advocate. She brings compassion and resources to many in the community while having raised two children with disabilities for over 20 years. Bonita is a continuous advocate for people with disabilities and is active with her church. Aside from shopping, she genuinely enjoys spending her time thinking about how to make tomorrow a better day for those around her. Bonita purchased her North Minneapolis home through the CLCLT in 2019.

Libby is the Policy Manager at Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP). Before joining MHP, Libby was nominated and won an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy for her contributions to Twin Cities Public Television's The Past Is Alive Within Us: The U.S. Dakota Conflict documentary. She previously was an Organizing Fellow for Organizing for America - President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. Libby is a volunteer with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross and various food justice organizations. In addition to working to secure resources to develop affordable housing, Libby understands firsthand the need for affordable housing, especially for disabled adults and families with disabled members.

Ralph Pace, Executive Vice President, and Central Region Manager for U.S. Bank Commercial Real Estate since February 2018. Pace is responsible for the Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Chicago, Denver, Missouri, and Texas Commercial Real Estate offices. Prior to the current Regional Manager assignment, Pace was the Region Manager for the Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, and Seattle Commercial Real Estate offices beginning in October 2014. With the Commercial Real Estate Group at U.S. Bank since 2008, Pace and his family currently reside in Minneapolis with his new role as CRE Central Region Manager position after 10 years in Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining U.S. Bank in 2008, Pace spent 13 years specializing in Commercial Real Estate Banking in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his career in banking in 1993 at First Commerce Bank in New Orleans and later joined Hibernia Bank. In 2000, he joined AmSouth Bank as CRE Regional Sales Manager responsible for the Gulf South Region. Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, he served as a board member for the Downtown Denver Partnership and Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity.

Matthew Sargent is the Senior Vice President and Industry Manager of the Title and Escrow Division of U.S. Bank and a member of the Red Sky Risk Services, LLC Board of Managers. Mr. Sargent is responsible for the Title Industry Depository, Treasury Management, and Lending Relationships across the country. Prior to joining the bank in 2007, Mr. Sargent was Vice President of Financial Institutions at Union Bank of California, Vice President Institutional Sales for E.J. De La Rosa & Co., and Municipal Bond Associate for Norwest Investment Services, Inc. Mr. Sargent and his wife Jodi reside in the Twin Cities and have two children. They are active volunteers with Providence Academy, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Wayzata Youth Hockey Association, Hamel Baseball, Wayzata Youth Football, Cub Scouts, and National Night Out.

Mary is an artist, martial artist, and retired educator. After becoming a CLCLT homeowner in 2018 through Project Sustained Legacy, she founded Minnesota Tai Chi to teach Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation. Mary grew up in Minneapolis. She left for college and returned 30 years later. Always a renter, she eventually purchased her first home in North Minneapolis in 2003. During her career as an educator, Mary taught English and world history to second-language learners in Oakland, California. While teaching at Minnesota Independence College in Richfield (serving young adults with learning differences and on the Autism spectrum), she trained as a mediator and created a Restorative Justice program to aid student success. In addition to working her varied “day jobs”, Mary has always made art and taught Taoist Internal Arts. She has a BA in Visual Arts from Bennington College and has studied and practiced Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation for more than 40 years. Mary’s advocacy for affordable housing began in the mid-70’s when she worked with a group called Energy Task Force in New York City. They advised people renovating abandoned apartment buildings with sweat-equity labor by providing designs for energy conservation and renewable energy production. They built the nation’s first solar and wind energy projects for multi-family dwellings. Mary testified about their work at joint hearings of the U.S. House and Senate on appropriate technology. Mary has been a CLT advocate since attending a focus group in 2001 that explored the idea of creating a Minneapolis land trust. She was on the CLCLT Board of Directors in the early years, 2003-12. Making her home a part of the trust in 2018 gave her a deeper understanding of the land trust model. She has experienced its proven efficacy in addressing housing issues and is eager to contribute to the CLCLT’s work in transforming the lives of individuals, families, and communities. When not teaching or making art, Mary enjoys gardening, making music, walking in the neighborhood, and working on her house.

Jessica is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in the mortgage banking and finance industry. Jessica’s passion is to advocate, educate and help advance social and economic equity and wealth. She is a Minneapolis “original” and supports the community in fostering financial literacy by teaching Financial Education seminars and playing her part in “taking a seat at the table” with issues that aid in the advancement of affordable access to homeownership, equity and wealth building.

She proudly supports community organizations such as PPL (Project for Pride in Living), Urban League, PRG, Neighbor Works Home Partners and more. She advocates by way of joining allies with similar values, such as serving as a proud Finance Committee Member for the Minneapolis City of Lakes Community Land Trust, Secretary of the Board for NDCC (Network for Developing Conscious Communities), Serving as Board Member and Chair of the Events Committee for NAREB (National Association of Real Estate Brokers), and being a Board Member for the Rondo Community Land Trust.

Although Nataly was born in sunny Los Angeles, she has called the Twin Cities "home" since 2003. Nataly graduated from the University of St. Thomas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism. Immediately afterward, Nataly immersed herself in the Real Estate world by joining Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA). Within her former role as a Home Purchase Counselor at NeDA, Nataly provided her clients with a tailored plan to help them achieve their first home purchase! Nataly is now a licensed, Real Estate Professional. She brings energy, integrity, and expertise to every Real Estate transaction. She has extensive knowledge of the home buying process and first-time homebuyer programs. Nataly loves establishing relationships and helping clients achieve their Real Estate goals. One of Nataly's most rewarding activities is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners at the Minnesota Literacy Council.

Taylor Cooper is a Development & Operations Manager at THOR Development. She focuses on the pre-development phase and liaising within THOR Companies and external partners, leveraging her background in architecture and commercial banking operations. Her passion is urban real estate development that not only satieties investors, but truly uplifts end users from all walks of life. When she isn’t hanging out with her boyfriend James and new kitten Percy, she is an avid Equestrian, amateur seamstress and budding cinephile.

Alicia D. Smith is an experienced executive and community leader with over a decade in mid to high-level positions in the nonprofit and private sectors. She is a youth development expert and a dedicated community leader. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Corcoran Neighborhood in South Minneapolis. She previously held multiple leadership positions at the YMCA of Greater Twin Cities and her own consulting firm Crowns & Thrones LLC. As a lifelong community builder, she knows she is blessed to be able to talk to people face-to-face about their passion as well as work with other motivated community members. She is a believer in a strong work ethic, displaying elegance in execution and collaboration in performance. She spent her early years being the oldest child of a single mom, excelling in school and athletics. She has always pushed the points of excellence and achievement which became the foundation from which to go forth in the world. Thus, college was followed by graduate school, followed by AmeriCorps, and the continual pursuit of new ideas and learning best practices. She’s made a name for herself by constantly making connections between issues that impact our communities and the quality of life in our communities. Alicia is a mom of two young sons and lives in South Minneapolis.

Rhea Blue Arm has been a proud homeowner with the CLCLT since July 2014. As a dedicated mother of six (or more) children, Rhea works tirelessly to provide for her family. She holds her traditional values close to her heart, recognizing the importance of preserving them in our fast-paced world. Rhea generously volunteers her time for various community events, where she helps teach and promote traditional practices such as regalia making, moccasin making, ribbon skirts, and ribbon shirts. These events are particularly focused on supporting babies and youth as they make their way towards graduation. In addition to her community involvement, Rhea has also been an employee of Hennepin County for the past 23 years, serving as a dedicated human service worker.

Tiffany has been a CLCLT homeowner since July 2011. She is currently the Director of Program Strategy at Genesys Works Twin Cities. She has a background in working with Youth through programs like AchieveMpls and High School El Colegio. Tiffany has some board experience through organizations such as Southside Family Charter School and the Womens Environmental Institute. Most recently Tiffany was selected to be one of twelve national fellows to participate in a year-long experience designed to develop executive leadership skills in BIPOC leaders from college attainment organizations through the NCAN Leading for Equity Fellow in 2022.

Minkara Tezet, the Griot of Psychology and Psychiatry. He is a Community Fellow and a faculty member of the Cultural Wellness Center. He acknowledges that he is a Student of Khepra and is studying to become a teacher as a Candidate for the Certificate of Khepra Ankh. Minkara’s Community Fellowship focuses on cultural calling, the work, and aptitude, and an instinctual knowing. Minkara’s cultural calling and instinctual knowing have been developed and matured through his study of the African System of Thought and Cultural Self-study. As a facilitator, guide, and instructor Minkara creates spaces for Maps to Wellness; Cultural Self- Study, Transformational Leadership Coaching; Cultural Consultation; Community Truth Telling Healing Rituals and Ceremonies; Rites of Passages Classes; Curriculum Development for boys and men of African Heritage; and hosts a culturally specific writing collective called Tree Space. Minkara believes what makes us human are our connections to our family and our engagements with the community. He has learned, bring people together will teach everyone how to become humane to ourselves and the planet. Minkara is deeply connected in Minneapolis and lives in North Minneapolis.