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Bill would expand grants supporting African diaspora youth workforce development statewide
Summary
House File 19‑07 would continue and expand funding for Youthprise to distribute competitive subgrants to community organizations serving African diaspora youth; testimony emphasized community‑driven grantmaking, coaching for emerging groups and a proposed metro/Greater Minnesota split.
The committee heard House File 19‑07, a proposal to continue and expand state funding for Youthprise, an intermediary that distributes competitive subgrants to community organizations serving youth of the African diaspora.
Christi Snyder, Youthprise policy and system transformation officer, said Youthprise has served more than 8,000 young people in the last year through grants that fund culturally competent career development, industry credentials and soft‑skills training. She described a competitive RFP process that engages youth and community reviewers, performs risk assessments and provides technical assistance to smaller organizations so they can meet state compliance requirements.
Caitlin Cole of Achieve Twin Cities said the grant supports school‑based career and college coordinators who provide culturally responsive advising to East African and other African diaspora students; Achieve serves about 17,000 high school students across Minneapolis and St. Paul and would use funds to expand services to roughly 4,300 students.
Snyder said the proposed funding would be split between the metro area and Greater Minnesota (a 50/50 split was discussed) to ensure rural communities are represented. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
