In 2014, Shanasha Whitson was invited to present at the His Works United Pastors’ meeting, a gathering organized by the Stair Step Foundation where pastors from the Twin Cities came together to discuss and create opportunities that would enhance the health and wellness of their congregations. At the time, Shanasha was working with the African American AIDS Task Force, leading a program called WILLOW aimed at addressing the needs of the community. During the meeting, Shanasha had the opportunity to connect with a professor from Hamline University, who introduced her to Dr. Olihe Okoro, a Pharm D and professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Dr. Okoro was conducting vital work in Duluth with African American families, and this introduction would prove to be the catalyst for a meaningful and impactful partnership.

Fast forward to 2017…

In 2017, Dr. Okoro and Shanasha, who had been working together diligently for three years, recognized the growing need for strong community partnerships to further their mission. At that time, although Shanasha’s organization was not yet a recognized 501(c)(3), she took a significant step in January 2017 by filing with the IRS. This led to the official establishment of Community Partnership Collaborative 2.0 (CPC 2.0) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on March 10, 2017.

Since receiving 501(c)(3) status, CPC 2.0 has made remarkable strides in supporting and uplifting communities throughout Minnesota. The organization has distributed over 3,000 gun locks to enhance safety, and provided food, clothing, and other essential resources to more than 10,000 families in need. Additionally, CPC 2.0 has administered over 2,000 free blood pressure and glucose checks, helping individuals monitor their health and take proactive measures in preventing serious conditions.

In their efforts to address the broader needs of the community, CPC 2.0 has engaged with and referred over 18,000 individuals to critical services such as mental health care, housing, medical treatment, educational and vocational opportunities, and employment resources. These referrals have connected people to vital resources, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive.

Furthermore, since its inception, CPC 2.0 has forged collaborations with more than 100 agencies across Minnesota. These partnerships have enabled the organization to work together with others to improve social determinants of health, addressing barriers such as access to healthcare, economic instability, and education. Through these efforts, CPC 2.0 has played a crucial role in strengthening communities, improving individual well-being, and fostering long-term positive change across communities.

MEET THE BOARD

Chairman Of The Board Chair
Name: Michael Chaney (Board Chair: Environmental, Economic Development, Urban Planning)
Community: Male: African American Community
Affiliations: 3M, Aveda Institute, North High, Appetite For Change, Asian Media Access, International Lions Club, St. Thomas University, Avenue For Youth, Breaking Bread, Urban HomeWorks, YouthPrise, Green Earth Growers, The University of Minnesota, Medtronic, Youth Farm, General Mills, City of Minneapolis, Second Harvest, Gardening Matters, Minnesota GreenCorps, Minnesota Department of Corrections, Voices for Racial Justice, North Point, Emerge, MAD DADS, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, West Broadway Farmers Market, The Greenway Project, Project Sweetie Pie.

Board Chair
Name: Maria Bryan (Board Chair: Community Voice)
Community: Female: African American Community (Bi-Racial)
Affiliations: The City of Minneapolis, Southside Back In The Day (10th Year), Friends and Family of Interracial Youth and Families.

Board Chair
Name: Shakia McDavid (Board Chair: Community Entrepreneurship, Build-Wealth, Marketing and Advertising)
Community: Female: African American Community, young entrepreneur (adult under 32 representation)
Affiliations: Columbia College: BA: Advertising, Communications & Marketing, Owner of Just Hair USA (serving cancer patients); 2015 Children’s Defense Fund: Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute Fellow, YMCA: Model United Nations Delegate, 2016 National Delegate for the Presidential Election.

Board Chair
Name: Temilade Mafe (Board Chair: Global, International Heritage)
Community: Male: Immigrant Community, young entrepreneur (adult under 22 representation)
Affiliations: Youth Empowerment, Nigerian Youth Community, owner and operator of TemGod Advertisement and Marketing Firm.

Board Chair
Name: Rihem Cowart (Board Chair: Social Justice, Homeless Advocate)
Community: AA male, Re-entry, urban development, single fathers
Affiliations: Catholic Charities.

Board Chair
Name: Armel Green Deberry. (Board Chair: Arts and Culture)
Community: Male African American Community, (Re-entry community)
Affiliations: Published Author and Urban Linguistic Consultant, owner of Deberry Publishing, LLC.

Board Chair
Name: Kaleenma Williams (Board Chair: Diversity and Inclusion, LGBTQ)
Community: AA women: African American /LGBTQ Community
Affiliations: LGBTQ Community.

Board Chair
Name: Skye Davis, LICSW, MA (Board Chair: Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Trauma Informed Care)
Community: Female: African American Community, (behavioral health therapist)
Affiliations: Psy.D. candidate University of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis. Cohort Representative at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology; Clinical Supervisor of 4 Social Workers through the Minnesota Board of Social Work; Clinical Graduate Assistant research with faculty member, Dr. Consuelo Cavalieri at the University of St. Thomas; Clinical Supervisor of 2 Professional Counselor through the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. Research experience: Thesis, master’s in social work research in The Relationship between Spirituality and Substance Abuse in Adolescence. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Board Chair
Name: Nassir Scroggins, BA (Board Chair: Outreach and Youth Programming)
Community: AA male, under 26, urban youth, hospitality and tourism
Affiliations: Norfolk State University, AA community, AA male community, AA male community from underserved and underrepresented communities.

Founder- Name: Shanasha Whitson (Community Partnership Collaborative 2.0 Executive Director)
Community: Female, African American, BIPOC women of color DBE, non-profit community
Affiliations: Metropolitan State University Alumni Board Member, Minnesota Psychological Association: Diversity Committee Board Member, American Psychological Association Member, The Aliveness Project: Board Member; National NAACP member- Minneapolis Chapter member. Licensed social worker by the Minnesota Board of social work. MA, Alcohol and Drug Counselor/Professional Clinical Counselor and a certificated Community Health Worker.