PEOPLE.
“Our organization is built on global village principles: strengthening community through the power of relationships.”
BOARD MEMBERS
Anika Robbins Founder, President & CEO
Anika Robbins is a 25 year business veteran and community servant. She is the Founding President & CEO of the ANIKA Foundation. As Chair of the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights (2018-2020), she led the Commission through the tumultuous events surrounding the murder of George Floyd, bridging community & police relations, galvanizing community outreach and resource distribution through the establishment of the COVID-19 Task Force. She instituted policies including advocating for public oversight of police technology, ensuring the protection of small BIPOC businesses through the Small and Underutilized Business program, race relations, addressing implicit bias, passing resolutions banning Islamophobia, and supporting global human rights protections through the UN Task Force. She also served on the Citizens Advisory Council led by former City of Minneapolis Chief of Police, Medaria Arradondo. As a Minnesota Voice and Roy Wilkins Fellow, respectively, she founded Black Votes Matter MN, a non-partisan voter engagement initiative designed to increase voter turnout, develop leaders and increase representation of women and people of color in government. She served as the Cultural Community Engagement Chair for the State of Minnesota's Census 2020 Initiative and subsequent redistricting efforts. As a Researcher, Program Developer and Mentor, she leads the design and implementation of several of the Foundation's programs and initiatives.
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Terrence Roberts Board Chair
Terrence is the Dean of Students at South High School. He serves as a student counselor and also volunteers his time as a Little League coach. Terrence is also an entrepreneur and social influencer, as owner of Next Level Entertainment, he has produced several large concert events in the Twin Cities and around the U.S.
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Nicole Wright Treasurer
Nicole Wright is the Vice President, National Strategic Markets & Affordable Lending, Business Development Manager. U.S. Bank Her career spans several years in banking and real estate. She’s a funder member of the Northside Funders’ Group, City of Lakes Community Land Trust and Bii Gii Win Community Development Loan Fund.
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Anika Bowie Board Member
Anika Bowe is the Founder and CEO of Run like Harriet. Run Like Harriet offers guidance to leaders on their electoral, spiritual, entrepreneurial journey. Anika attended Hamline University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal and Social justice. In addition, she holds several certifications and has committed to many boards and committees so far in her career including currently serving with the NAACP. Anika brings insight, vision and involvement in community enrichment while offering a unique perspective on community impact.
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Prince Corbett Board Member
Prince Corbett serves in the role of Racial and Health Equity Administrator at Ramsey County. He is a human services professional with over 13 year’s experience in the non-profit and public sectors where he primarily worked on the implementation of racial equity workforce development programs. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Metropolitan State University and completed the Equity Works Leadership Institute offered through the Future Services Institute at the U of MN Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Corbett was awarded a Bush Fellowship where he is currently serving a 24 month term. He wants to inspire greater urgency and build new coalitions to close the income and wealth gap for black residents in the twin cities.
STAFF MEMBERS
Armonie Baylock Youth Coordinator
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Jahmez Howze Program Coordinator
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Antuan Yarbrough Field Coordinator, Tutor
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Carmen Watson Administrative Coordinator
Program Coordinator liaises on behalf of the Anika Foundation coordinating all partners.
Carmen will support any scheduling or coordination needs for evaluation activities.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Black Parents Empowered!
J. Devon Nolen Parent Coordinator
DeVon Nolen, Parent Lead is the Owner of Bete Noire Consulting. She is the proud Mother of 4 children and the Market Manager for the West Broadway Farmers Market, a social enterprise of the West Broadway Coalition, where she also serves on the Board of Directors. Over the past 20 years, she has served community in various roles including the Northside Fresh Coalition, Environmental Justice Community Council (EJCC), Homegrown Minneapolis Council and MPS District Parent Advisory Council (PAC). DeVon supports Parent Leaders through ongoing coaching, communication, and completion of surveys, reports and engagements. She reports to the Anika Foundation, and participates in the MN-ICECI.er member of the Northside Funders’ Group, City of Lakes Community Land Trust and Bii Gii Win Community Development Loan Fund.
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Black Votes Matter MN - St. Cloud
Nita Jones Director
Nita Jones is the Central West lead coordinator for Black Parents with children under five and Black Votes Matter MN get out the vote programs. Jones holds an associate degree from St. Cloud Technical and went on to pursue a degree from St. Cloud State in social work. She has been advocating for families in St. Cloud, MN for over 9 years. Serving as The Family Support Programs Coordinator for Promise Neighborhood for four years. She is the first Black family to advocate for School District 742 in St. Cloud. In addition she has been creating pathways out of poverty for youth, individuals, families, and helping to break the myths and stereotypes surrounding mental health and African Americans communities.