Facing Race Awards
Celebrating 20 Years of Facing Race
This year marks 20 years of the Facing Race Awards — two decades of honoring Minnesotans who've challenged harmful narratives on race and built solutions that bring communities together instead of dividing them. We're grateful for every recipient and honoree who has shaped this program.
On October 28th, the community joined us for a joyous, immersive evening of music, food and entertainment as we honored our past recipients and honorees. Special guest Heather McGhee, author of the New York Times bestseller The Sum of Us, joined us for a conversation with Chanda Smith Baker, President & CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, about what racism costs all of us and the path toward something better.
Facing Race 20th Anniversary Celebration
Thank you to everyone who participated in an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible work of the past Facing Race Award recipients and honorees! Your presence made the night truly special, and we’re grateful to have shared this moment of connection and inspiration with you.
Where Do We Grow from Here?
We shared this poem from local poet Joe Davis at the celebration. Let his words inspire you to consider where we can grow from here.
Written and performed by Joe Davis.
Honoring Minnesota's Anti-racism Advocates since 2007
The Facing Race Awards recognize anti-racism advocates in Minnesota who challenge absent and harmful narratives on race, build solutions that unite instead of divide, and push for justice and equity. Through these Awards, we celebrate and learn from those leading the way forward.
We took a thoughtful pause this year and did not be open a nominations process for awards. The 20th anniversary milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the program’s impact and consider how it can continue to evolve in ways that deepen our commitment to racial equity and support the community leaders advancing this work.
Advocating for equity remains a key strategy at the Foundation. We are also leaned into our values centering community as our compass and gathering input from community members and partners to inform the next chapter of our Facing Race program. Sign up below to stay informed about what is next for Facing Race in 2027.
Advocating for Equity
The Facing Race Awards, established in 2007, are just one way the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation advocates for equity. Learn more about our anti-racism efforts and initiatives to increase inclusion and belonging, and how you can join us.
KingDemetrius Pendleton
Past Facing Race Award Honorees
2025 Award Recipients
- Alexs Pate
- Nate Smith
- Kathy Sublett
- Sai Thao
- Patricia Torres Ray
2024 Award Recipients
- Ma Elena Gutierrez
- Tish Jones
- Jametta Raspberry
- Larry Tucker
2023 Award Recipients
- Trahern Crews
- Rayona Kardell
- Rose McGee
- Asha Shoffner
2022 Award Recipients
- Classie Dudley
- Angela Hooks
- Txongpao Lee
- Lulete Mola
2021 Award Recipients
- Victoria McWane-Creek
- KingDemetrius Pendleton
- Valerie Shirley
- Wokie Weah
Facing Race Recipients 2007-2019
R. James Addington
Rev. Carolyn Arnett
Susan Ault
Russel and Sarah Balenger
Lou Bellamy
Mary K. Murray Boyd
Elizabeth A. Campbell
Valerie Castile
Satveer S. Chaudhary
Robert L. Crawford
Ouida Crozier
Joann daSilva
Lucila Dominguez
Mahmoud El-Kati
Dwayne Gibbs
Metric M. Giles, I
Jennifer Godinez
Donna Hauer
Bukata Hayes
James H. Heck, Ph.D.
Delores Henderson
Barbara Corti Herrmann
Ange Hwang
Taneeza Islam
Pamela James
Dr. Josie Johnson
Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.
Joanne Jones-Rizzi
Angelique Kedem
Nathaniel Abdul Khaliq
Helen Kivnick
Velma J. Korbel
Gary W. Y. Kwong
Dr. Ghafar Lakanwal
Nekima Levy-Pounds
Jan Mandell
Monty Martin
Dr. Cecilia Martinez
Corinth Matera
Resmaa Menakem
Alex Miles
Jada Sherrie Mitchell
Rajean P. Moone, Ph.D.
Ellen O'Neill
Margery K. Otto, J.D.
Oluwaseyi Daniel Oyinloye
Tuleah Palmer
Steve Pederson
Herbert (Okogyeamon) A. Perkins, Ph.D.
Thien-bao Thuc Phi
Lawrence T. Potter, Jr., Ph.D.
Nieeta L. Presley
Leslie Redmond
Jack Reuler
Gloria Roach Thomas
A. Lori Saroya
Lupe R. Serrano
Dr. Nadarajan Sethuraju
Rev. Paul Slack
T. Gregory Stavrou
Mihailo Temali
Justin Terrell
Dai Thao
Dr. Anton Treuer
Bo Thao-Urabe
Michelle A. Villanueva
Hamse Warfa
Chaun Webster
Alfonso Tomás Wenker
Paul Williams
Hli Xyooj
Otis Zanders