Minnesotans working in evaluation who are from communities that are Indigenous, Black, and/or Of Color: We are happy to report that we had about 25 people attend our first meeting in-person or remotely—most of whom did not know each other previously. Another 25 expressed interest but were unable to attend that particular evening. Folks were enthusiastic to meet again, soon, and we are fortunate that Choua Her has graciously offered to host the second meeting on Wednesday, January 22 in St. Paul.

Beyond community building and having an open conversation about our experiences, one focus of the January (and February) meeting will be to ensure that those who were unable to attend in December have a chance to contribute their ideas to the guiding principles that this group will embrace and likely-ever-evolving list of topics that this group will collectively address. Depending on the size and composition of January’s attendees, we may decide to also offer a break-out space/ time for those who want to begin thinking through questions about how we should take care of the group’s logistics and administration.

Please find meeting details below and let us know if you plan to attend the January 22 meeting in-person or are interested in attending future events by completing this Google Form by Monday, January 20, 2020.

Feel free to share this invitation, noting that this space/time is being co-created by/for/as folks with life experience as members of groups that are Indigenous, Black, and/or Of Color who are doing evaluation work. White accomplices can show their support/solidarity by honoring the needs, rights, and power involved in IBPOC gathering among ourselves, without them. There may be future opportunities for white accomplices to engage with us in these conversations.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolina at Carolina@pdastats.com. 

MEETING DETAILS

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Time: 5:30-7:30pm Feel free to come whenever you can and stay for as long as you can.

Location:  Larpenteur Estates
1260 Larpenteur Avenue West
Saint Paul, MN 55113

· There will be signs so folks know where to go and don't get lost.

· There will not be a Zoom option on this date. Look for one in the next several weeks! (We decided that we will create an entirely separate virtual space and time for folks who cannot attend in person to participate, based on our experience at the December meeting when we found it difficult for each side to hear each other.)

Driving directions:         
· Enter by the 1260 building which is across from the Auto Zone store.
· We are happy to try helping coordinate transportation.

Parking is free.
· Park anywhere along the building or by the garages where there is an open space. Walk to the large sign that says Party Room and follow the walkway.

Public transportation:    Metro transit Bus 61. Get off at the Fernwood Street and Larpenteur stop. Walk a few feet to the building across from the Auto Zone store. Go up the walkway to the entrance.

There will be a sign to the Party Room.

Please note:                 
· Feel free but not pressured to bring a snack to share (all are welcome, with or without snacks!).
· There is a full kitchen that folks are welcome to use. If you do bring food, please bring a list of ingredients or note if it contains common allergens or ingredients that folks on restricted diets often avoid (e.g., any kind of meat or seafood, especially shellfish; animal by-products such as gelatin, dairy, eggs; nuts; gluten).

· Please avoid any kind of scent in the interest of attendees with allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities.

Additional considerations:
· Children and others you may care for are welcome.
· There are accessible parking spaces right by the large sign that leads to the walkway, which goes right into the party room entrance.

The party room is on ground level so folks can enter through the same entrance as those who drive and park their cars.

Those taking public transit would need to walk along the parking row that's next to the 1260 building then take a right to get to the walkway.

We will pin down more details regarding the accessible parking spaces, curbs, ramps and are happy to arrange for specific types of access/accommodations including alternative formats, translation, and interpretation.

Thanks and hope to see you soon!

Sincerely on behalf of:

Tia Bastian (Professional Data Analysts)
Carolina De La Rosa Mateo (Professional Data Analysts)
Kassira Absar (The Improve Group)
Vidhya Shanker (Rainbow Research)

Description of image attached: The faces of 6 people of varying genders and hair colors and skin colors, with the words, “This space/time is being co-created by/for/as folks with life experience as members of groups that are Indigenous, Black, and/or Of Color who are doing evaluation work. White accomplices can show their support/solidarity by honoring the needs, rights, and power involved in IBPOC gathering among ourselves, without them. There may be future opportunities for white accomplices to engage with us in these conversations.” Beautifully rendered by Anne Gomez of Picture This Graphic Recording & Facilitation.