Major Programs and Initiatives

OAP’s current program strategies advance organizing and racial justice leadership work by building the skills of and relationships between diverse organizers and community leaders, by supporting strategic multi-racial organizing work and issue campaigns, by creating and communicating new public policy research and bridges to research that can expand the impact of organizing. OAP’s primary program strategies are designed to intersect with and build on each other. Together, they will help expand the effectiveness of a wide range of organizing and community groups working to advance racial as well as social and economic equity in Minnesota

Community Organizer Training

Effective organizing that builds leadership, relationship, power, and vision in and between Minnesota’s multiracial multicultural communities is essential to any long-term work for racial equity. OAP’s training initiatives strengthen organizing for racial, cultural, social and economic justice by providing in-depth training and development for an emerging group of multiracial multicultural organizers through the annual six-month apprenticeship program and by providing or sponsoring other relevant training programs for mentors and organizational leaders. More>>

Racial Justice Leadership for Organizations

OAP offers training for organizations and groups to increase their internal and external practices to lead to more equitable outcomes for their employees, members, work, and community. More>>

Research for Action

OAP develops research tools that complement and strengthen the work of community organizers working to advance racial equity.  We build bridges between academic and policy research and communities, helping to make information relevant to real lives and experiences.  OAP’s racial equity research initiative creates innovative resources, drawing on existing research and papers, as well as the voices of community members. More>>

Strategic Convenings

Strategic convenings create spaces that bring numerous groups and individuals together. More>>

Education Equity Organizing Collaborative

The Education Equity Organizing Collaborative, convened by OAP, brings numerous groups from around the state together to lead for racial equity in our schools. The current campaign by the EEOC is to have equity incorporated as criteria for achieving excellence in our schools. More>>