The 2025 Generation Next Annual Event: Future Focus brought together over 90 educators, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates at Minneapolis College on Thursday, February 27, 2025 for an evening filled with meaningful conversations, collaboration, and action. With a shared commitment to creating better opportunities for Minnesota’s students and families, the event reinforced a simple but powerful truth—real change happens when we work together.
Data Walk Sparks Collaborative Conversations
A key feature of all our Annual Events, the Generation Next Data Walk, offered an opportunity for attendees to explore key data in our three priority areas: Early Childhood Quality & Access, Teacher Diversity & Teaching Diverse Learners, and Postsecondary Preparation & Persistence, as well as Social and Emotional Development. Subject matter experts – who we call data docents – were on hand from our Leadership Council, Data Committee, and other partner organizations to bring the data to life, offering context and sparking conversations and questions about what the data means for our students, families, and communities.
At each Data Walk station, that spirit led people to see themselves in the solutions. Specifically in our Postsecondary Data Walk, conversations keyed in on rethinking what we mean by postsecondary success for Minnesota students. Graduating from a four-year college is one obvious measure, but how can we think more flexibly about pathways that work for our students, whether it is community college, trade school, employment plus college, and more.
Just as importantly, how can we as partners collaborate to make those pathways clear and accessible, especially for students who are first-generation college-goers. Several attendees discussed the value of cohorts, including the I-LEAD (Identity, Leadership, Excellence, Accountability, and Dedication) and Bridging the Equity Gap (BTEG) leadership programs for BIPOC students at Saint Paul College and Minneapolis College.
Special thanks to our data docents who lent their expertise:
Nicole Smerillo
Sondra Samuels
Dr. Rose Chu
Michael Partis (all the way from New York City!)
Dale Blyth
Edith Gozali-Lee
Briellen Griffin
Zara Zanussi
Sophie Reese
Following the Data Walk, Dr. Rose Wan-Mui Chu, Elevate Teaching, did a collective grounding with the group.
The Power of Partnerships in Expanding Access to Higher Education
Dr. Sharon Pierce
Minneapolis College President Sharon Pierce then delivered a welcome to the event, where she emphasized Minneapolis College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and student success.
“It is wonderful to see so many familiar faces–faces that we work with and collaborate with on a constant basis,” she said. President Pierce highlighted Minneapolis College’s “complex mission” as “one of the most diverse colleges in the state of Minnesota.” She emphasized the college’s commitment to “meeting our students where they are… with intention” to support its predominantly first-generation and underrepresented students.
President Pierce also emphasized the power of partnerships, calling Generation Next “one of the most powerful levers we have” and highlighting programs like the Bridging the Equity Gap (BTEG) Scholarship Program as “one of the programs we’re most proud of.”
She highlighted the need to “change college-going behaviors for the folks in our communities who never ever even dreamed that college was possible” and said, “We can’t do that by ourselves. We can’t do that from within.”
President Pierce closed by expressing gratitude: “The work that our employees do on this campus is powerful…but we can’t do it without you.” She thanked the audience for their efforts and collaboration, saying, “I want to thank you for what you do. And I want to thank you for what we do together.”
Collaborating for Student Success: Breaking Barriers and Building Pathways
Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams
Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams, Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools and Generation Next Leadership Council Co-Chair shared her opening remarks, highlighting the collaboration between Minneapolis College and Minneapolis Public Schools, noting that Minneapolis College houses a Minneapolis Public High School, Wellstone International High School, which serves multilingual and international students ages 17 to 21 years old. She emphasized that this environment “gives students hope and a lot of possibility of where they’re going.”
She also mentioned the Beacons Network, which “transforms select Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Richfield schools into vibrant youth centers after school and in the summer.” She shared that in 2022, Beacons expanded from a K-12 model to a K-career model, launching a project at Minneapolis College to support students “to and through their higher education journey towards their dream for their lives and their careers.” She also talked about the value of education, stating, “Having a good education is something that no one can ever take from you.”
Dr. Sayles-Adams acknowledged the strength of the Generation Next community, stating, “Our public schools are critical in preparing the future, and this Generation Next community helps us to collaborate with our partnerships.”
She stated that Generation Next has remained committed to tracking community-level outcomes and maintaining a shared vision and priorities in areas such as Early Childhood Quality and Access, Teacher Diversity & Teaching Diverse Learners, and Postsecondary Preparation & Persistence.
She emphasized the need to “continuously support our partners as they face new challenges” and to use data to “get the supports that we need.” She concluded with saying: “Together, we can adapt to the ever-evolving educational landscape and meet the unique needs of our students. Our students are our most precious asset.”
Future Focus: Bridging Gaps and Building Alignment in Education
Joe Munnich, Executive Director of Generation Next
Generation Next’s Executive Director Joe Munnich then introduced the 2025 Annual Event theme, Future Focus: “We are here today to come together around the accomplishments of the past and get ready for the future,” he said.
He highlighted Generation Next’s key staff functions: “We can convene and connect, which is bringing you all together, as we’re doing tonight. We analyze and apply, which you saw showcased in our data walk. And we educate and advocate, which we will be doing today. He emphasized that the work is driven not by Generation Next staff alone but by the collective effort of those in the room: “This is really about the work that all of you are out there doing.”
One of the key discussion topics of the Annual Event was how to bridge gaps in the current education system in the Twin Cities. “What we’re really trying to do is make sure that we don’t have young people falling through the cracks,” he said, acknowledging the persistent educational disparities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He also talked about the need for cross-sector alignment, from early childhood education to career readiness: “There are things we need to do together that we can’t do alone.”
What the New Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Means for the Future of Education and Equity in Minnesota
Commissioner Tikki Brown, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Commissioner Brown then gave her keynote speech on the newly established Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families and its mission to bring together programs to better serve children, youth, and families across Minnesota.
Reflecting on the launch of the department, Commissioner Brown described the journey so far: “Last spring, Governor Walz appointed me as the first commissioner of the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families… In July [2024], we took the bold step in thinking about how Minnesota supports its children and families by launching the new state agency.”
The Commissioner emphasized the agency’s mission to unify programs from various state agencies:“The agency is really designed to create a sustainable public face for children’s issues in state government… trying to ease access and navigation for families and just improve services overall.”
A key focus of DCYF is enhancing early childhood education and workforce development. Commissioner Brown noted:“We know, across the state, that the early childhood workforce is a clear challenge. The closure of childcare programs in urban and rural communities has long been a standing issue, and we know it’s reached a crisis point. So, we need an urgent response.”
She highlighted initiatives such as the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program and the Grow Your Own Initiative, stating:“These programs really help support the workforce, taking steps to ensure that every child has access to quality care and learning.”
Commissioner Brown also acknowledged the challenges posed by uncertain federal support: “We are in uncertain times. And it is really incredibly important that we as a community acknowledge some of the uncertainty and what that means to all of us.”
However, she remained optimistic about the collective power of the community: “We advocate. We figure out what needs to be done. And I know we can do that. It’ll be very difficult, but we have to keep moving forward,” she said.
Closing her remarks on a hopeful note, Commissioner Brown rallied attendees to remain steadfast in their mission: “Again, collectively, we can reach for the stars. We can reach where we want to go for the future of our children in our state. And I’m excited to be here and to do that with all of you.”
Commissioner Brown’s keynote speech reinforced DCYF’s commitment to improving early childhood services and family support, while acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities ahead. As Minnesota moves forward, her leadership and vision will be crucial in shaping policies that support children and families across the state.
Panel Discussion: A Call for Action and Collaboration
Following Commissioner Brown’s keynote speech, a panel of education and community leaders joined her on stage to discuss the real-world implications of DCYF’s work and what’s needed to close the opportunity gap for Minnesota’s children.
The panel featured:
- Cisa Keller, CEO of Think Small
- Josiah Litant, Executive Director of Minnesota P20 Education Partnership
- Dr. Stacie Stanley, Incoming Superintendent, St. Paul Public Schools
- Sonia Gass, CEO of Community Action Partnerships of Ramsey and Washington Counties (CAPRW)
“What are your hopes for how this new department can better serve your local community?” – Commissioner Brown
Cisa Keller emphasized the need to move beyond studies and pilot programs to concrete action: “We know what needs to [be done]… Now what we need to do is just move into action with a sense of urgency.”
Josiah Litant highlighted the department’s commitment to equitable outcomes:
“We are particularly excited that the new department is now one of our members [of the Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership]… as we are really making an effort to strengthen our focus on early childhood and zero to five.”
Dr. Stacie Stanley reinforced the need for data-driven decision-making to support all students:
“My hope is that we can truly get the data that we’re looking for, the performance that we’re looking for for our students…That is for Black children, for Latino children, for Indigenous children, for multilingual learners, for all of our underrepresented groups.”
Sonia Gass emphasized providing families with pathways out of poverty:
“We want to make sure that they have an avenue…a roadmap, a pathway out of poverty and [to] build generational wealth.”
“What gaps do you see in terms of data collection, availability, and potential of data to shape the state’s early childhood programs?” – Commissioner Brown
Cisa Keller highlighted the critical role of data in shaping early childhood programs, emphasizing that “everything we do is really based on data.” She explained that “our mission and the work we do is based and core on equity” and that data is essential to understanding “where we are, where we need to go, and what’s working and what’s not working.”
She acknowledged that there is “a lot of opportunity to do better” in terms of data collection, dissemination, and utilization. She noted that key areas where data is needed include development and school readiness and data about how families are faring.
Beyond data collection and utilization, she underscored the need for responsible data usage, stating, “We’re also going to stand next to you and make sure that data is used appropriately.” She emphasized that ensuring ethical and effective use of data is “really, really essential” to driving meaningful policy decisions.
Dr. Stacie Stanley, incoming Superintendent for St. Paul Public Schools, emphasized the “lack of common instruments right now” in early childhood education assessment.
Dr. Stanley stressed the importance of alignment in expectations for young learners, asking, “What is it that we want our preschoolers to know and be able to do? What are we expecting for them when they come into kindergarten?”
With “hundreds of feeder programs” in larger school systems like St. Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools, Dr. Stanley called for “a common instrument that we can use that is equitable [and] that is asset-based.”
“Can you please share your perspective on how data can be used to support the continuous improvement of public programs?” – Dr. Stanley to Commissioner Brown
Commissioner Brown acknowledged the “real environment and very real conversations” surrounding data usage, emphasizing both its importance and potential harm if not used appropriately. She stated, “I appreciate the comments around utilizing data and being careful about the harm that can be caused with data.”
Commissioner Brown highlighted the need for high-quality data, stressing that “it’s incredibly difficult to make your case and to move forward without having those underpinnings.” She called for data collection from multiple sources but also stressed the importance of firsthand experiences, saying, “It’s so important to find out from people that are participating in our programs… what their experiences are.”
While she stated that previous programs relied heavily on partners to share data, she emphasized the necessity of directly gathering input from program participants. For continuous improvement, Commissioner Brown noted that feedback is important in shaping policies and refining programs. She said that DCYF has invested in a couple of new staff positions that are data-focused and stressed the need for data evaluators to be integral to operations rather than an afterthought. “It needs to be part of the implementation from the get-go,” she said.
“How does your organization work with local governments, community-based providers and small businesses to deliver wraparound services to young children and families?” – Commissioner Brown to Sonia Gass
Sonia Gass noted the philosophy that “it takes an entire village to raise a [child], but we also believe that it takes an entire village to support the family.” She also highlighted CAPRW’s commitment to the whole-family approach, partnering with various organizations to ensure comprehensive support for children and parents.
One example she shared was the Agape program, where “teen parents can drop their kids off in our Head Start program and go into the classroom so that their education is not interrupted.” CAPRW also collaborates with childcare centers to provide “[an] educational foundation, because without that Head Start, that child is forever behind.”
Beyond early childhood, CAPRW extends its wraparound services to support entire families. “If a father or the mother or the caregiver is struggling to pay rent, is struggling to provide medicine or to provide food, then that creates a toxic environment for the child who cannot learn,” Sonia said. To address this, CAPRW partners with organizations such as Valley Outreach, Solid Ground, and CLUES to provide housing, food security, and financial assistance.
She concluded with a call for collaboration, inviting new partners: “If there are any partners in the room that want to join CAPRW in moving people out of [poverty], whether you want to give your time, your talents, or your treasures, you start with Generation Next and then come to CAPRW.”
“Can you speak to the entrepreneurship side of childcare?” – Sonia Gass to Commissioner Brown
Commissioner Brown highlighted the challenges and complexities of the entrepreneurship side of childcare, emphasizing the critical need for financial support and investment. She pointed to key programs designed to assist childcare providers, including the Great Start Compensation Program.
Commissioner Brown also outlined additional funding initiatives such as regional grants to boost local childcare services, early learning scholarships to improve access to quality care, and technology grants to help providers modernize their businesses.
To support workforce development, Commissioner Brown highlighted Empower to Educate, which provides resources for individuals starting careers in childcare. She also mentioned Child Care Wayfinder, a “one-stop resource for those looking to start or expand their childcare programs.”
Reflecting on conversations with local providers, she shared a story of a rural town where “people working in [a] clinic had to travel more than an hour away to get to their childcare,” leading to staff shortages.
Commissioner Brown concluded by reinforcing the need for continued investment and creative problem-solving, stating, “The investments that we have are critically important and have been so helpful, but we also know we need more.”
“Could you speak to workforce–how we prepare, retain, and support educators from a P20 lens – early childhood through postsecondary?” – Commissioner Brown to Josiah Litant
Josiah Litant emphasized the importance of a holistic, all-of-education perspective in addressing workforce development in education.
Litant outlined three key areas of focus. First, he stressed the importance of early career exploration, asking, “How are we encouraging and providing opportunities to explore multiple pathways in education, multiple ages, multiple types of work?”
Second, he highlighted the necessity of career and salary advancement pathways for educators, stating, “We need to be really conscious of pathways for advancement—career advancement, salary advancement.”
Finally, Litant discussed the need for a unified approach across early childhood, K-12, and higher education, asking, “How do we think about preparing and supporting educators together?” He reiterated the importance of collaboration, stating, “We are stronger doing this work together and advocating together.”
“The work that you and everyone in this room does is not easy, especially in a moment of great uncertainty. What are the possibilities that you see in the kind of cross-sector collaboration that is represented on this panel and in this room?” – Commissioner Brown to all panelists
Cisa Keller emphasized that “we are stronger together.” She highlighted that collaboration allows “coming together with my old friends and meeting some new friends” to create “this collective impact, this transformative change” for children, families, and communities.
She stressed the importance of trust, stating, “We can achieve our greatest collective impact when we trust each other.”
On data use, Cisa discussed a recent convening, hosted by the Minnesota Education Partnerships Coalition (EPC), of which Generation Next is a proud member, where the central question was, “What are we afraid of when it comes to data?” and emphasized, “We’re not afraid of the data. Let’s get in there and really think about what we want to do.”
She concluded with a call to action for legislative advocacy, stating: “One of the things we can do most is actually go to the legislature and ask for what we need.” She also stressed, “We need to work together across sectors to ensure that that funding is maintained.”
Josiah Litant said: “Collaboration is the path forward, particularly now in a time of so much division or attempted division [and] limited resources.” He emphasized the need to “advocate for resources for collaboration.”
He pointed out the challenges of sustaining collaboration, noting that “we all intend to collaborate; we all thrive on collaboration. But where the rubber meets the road…we all have organizations to run. We have jobs to do.”
Litant urged attendees to “think about where [we can] advocate for or build purposeful resources for continual connection and collaboration.”
Dr. Stacie Stanley emphasized the power of collaboration and shared expertise, urging attendees to “capitalize on the power in numbers right now.”
She offered a message of resilience, saying: “While the work is hard, it doesn’t have to be heavy. Because we have one another.”
Dr. Stanley called for unity over competition, stating, “We have to move away from the competition. We have to be honest and keep the children and youth lifted up, as opposed to the competition.” She concluded with a hopeful vision: “We can get to that point where we’re not competing for the children. And we are actually lifting up and working for the children.”
Commissioner Brown also answered this question and highlighted the strength of a united sector, saying, “A united sector is one that will, in fact, weather the storm. And those that are more fractured end up in-fighting and end up being more easily distracted and pulled away from the core mission and vision.”
Despite challenges, she expressed confidence in the group’s direction, stating, “I do have a lot of hope that as we move forward and navigate the upcoming storms, this is a strong coalition with some real focused efforts. And [we] know exactly where we need to go. We know exactly what we need to do.”
Summarizing the key themes of the panel discussion, Commissioner Brown underscored that “partnership [is] so critically important,” as well as the importance of the “whole-family focus” to ensure children, youth, and families receive the necessary support to thrive. She emphasized the commitment to focusing in on equity in all forms—“racial equity, geographic equity, class equity, [and] access points to services.”
Jackie Statum Allen, Grantmaking Director, Bush Foundation, and Co-Chair of the Generation Next Leadership Council, emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to address educational challenges and opportunities. As both a funder of Generation Next through the Bush Foundation and a parent of Saint Paul Public Schools students, she highlighted the value of collaboration in shaping policies and initiatives that support young people. She concluded by thanking attendees for their dedication to the next generation of learners and encouraged continued collaboration.
Dr. Rose Wan-Mui Chu then led attendees through a closing grounding exercise, where attendees formed one large circle in the room and shared the one word they were feeling as they left the event. Attendees shared emotions like “hopeful,” “proud,” “excited,” and “energized.”
As the evening wrapped up, one message rang loud and clear—we can’t do this work alone. The discussions throughout the night reinforced the importance of partnerships, data-driven decisions, and strong advocacy to close opportunity gaps for Minnesota’s students. The challenges ahead are real, but so is the collective determination to tackle them. By working together, we can build a more equitable education system—one that truly supports every student from cradle to career.