Event
Feminist Future Festival
Event Details
- When:
- April 30, 2025
- Time:
- 5:30 – 8:30 pm (Doors open at 5pm)
- Where:
- The Whim, 655 19th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 (view map)
About the Event
Join us for our 2025 Feminist Future Festival! Help us build the feminist future we want to see by sparking new ideas and connecting with bold women and gender-expansive leaders.
The festival is not your typical gala or celebration—it’s an immersive exploration of movements for social change in our communities. You’ll have a chance to learn directly from diverse thought leaders and entrepreneurs who are working to create impact around racial and gender justice. In this critical moment, it’s more important than ever for us to have shared spaces to dream, imagine, and feel inspired together!
We’re excited to present immersive festival stations themed around our impact areas at the Foundation:
- Holistic Well-being: Get energized through a slow flow R&B yoga session or take a moment for self-care during a sound bath offered by 612 Jungle.
- Safety: Hear words of wisdom from entrepreneur Junita Flowers, CEO and Founder of Junita’s Jar, by visiting our “Hope Munches On” room.
- Leadership: Connect with inspiring leaders through our “Pillars of Community” speed networking activation.
- Economic Justice: Meet BIPOC women and gender-expansive entrepreneurs and shop for Mothers’ Day (or any occasion) at our vendor market.
You’ll enjoy heavy appetizers, signature cocktails and mocktails, and dessert during the festival. We’ll close out the evening with a lineup of powerful speakers who’ll share words of wisdom to help us continue to build momentum after the festival.
On top of the inspiring speakers and entrepreneurs in our lineup, we’re excited to feature an online festival auction. We’ll share more information soon on how to browse our list of exciting packages and experiences. Help us fund the feminist future of our dreams!
Registration
Register for the festival using the form below. A suggested donation of $100 helps us continue advancing equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people across Minnesota. And 100% of the donation is tax-deductible to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Your support makes this event possible and includes heavy appetizers catered by Chef K’s Revolutionary Catering (ample vegan and gluten-free options), a drink ticket for a signature cocktail or mocktail, dessert, and all Festival experiences.
A quick note: our sessions with 612 Jungle for a complimentary yoga or sound bath session are full.
We hope to create the most inclusive event possible and have provided space for you to share information about your dietary and accessibility needs.
Schedule
(View a PDF of our printed program here)
- 5:00 PM: Doors open
- 5:30-7:30 PM: Immersive festival stations, networking, food, and beverages
- Holistic Wellbeing: Get energized through a slow flow R&B yoga session or take a moment for self-care during a sound bath offered by 612 Jungle.
- 6:00-6:20 PM: Slow flow R&B yoga
- 6:30-6:50 PM: Sound bath #1
- 7:00-7:20 PM: Sound bath #2
- Safety: Hear words of wisdom from entrepreneur Junita Flowers, CEO and Founder of Junita’s Jar, by visiting our “Hope Munches On” room.
- 5:45-6:00: Short talk presented by Junita Flowers
- 6:15-6:30: Short talk presented by Junita Flowers
- 6:45-7:00: Short talk presented by Junita Flowers
- Leadership: Connect with inspiring leaders through our “Pillars of Community” speed networking activation.
- Speed networking open from 5:30-7:30 PM
- Economic Justice: Meet BIPOC women+ entrepreneurs and shop for Mothers’ Day (or any occasion) at our vendor market.
- Vendor market open from 5:30-7:30 PM
- Holistic Wellbeing: Get energized through a slow flow R&B yoga session or take a moment for self-care during a sound bath offered by 612 Jungle.
- 7:30-8:45 PM: Main stage programming, dessert, and closing
Festival Map
(View PDF version of the Festival Map)
Online Auction
We’re excited to share our online auction website. Browse and bid on an amazing collection of packages between April 23 – May 1st at noon (CST).
Why an auction? The next four years will be critical for feminist progress in our community. Your participation helps fund our urgent work ahead and supports our vision for a more equitable future.
What makes our auction special? Every single package has been donated by bold women and gender-expansive entrepreneurs from our community who share our values and mission.
How to bid? Check out our auction site to view all of our packages. Make an account to place your bid. We encourage you to spread the word to your networks about these packages. There is something for everyone here — bids start as low as $18!
Vendors
WFM strives to support local, BIPOC women+-owned businesses whenever possible, and today’s vendor list reflects this priority. We encourage you to meet our vendors in person at the festival!
- Chef K’s Revolutionary Catering: Chef K and Mariam Omari, the proud owners of K’s Revolutionary Catering, bring 35 years of culinary and restaurant experience to offer wholesome food that tastes great. Home of the locally brewed Stay Well Tonic, K’s Revolutionary provides communities with food that is good for the mind, body, and soul.
- Flava Cafe: Flava Café is a social enterprise community café invested in offering quality coffee, food, service and programming that eliminates disparities for young women of color and gender-expansive youth one latte at a time.
- The Brass Strap: Founded in the Winter of 2022, The Brass Strap is a group of four dedicated queer artists, cultural workers, community organizers, and service workers across industries that are in the early stages of opening a cooperatively owned Queer & Lesbian bar in South Minneapolis.
- Blissful Cakery: Blissful Cakery is a Black woman-owned bakery specializing in French macarons, cake pops, cupcakes, cake, and more.
Menu
Heavy appetizers by Chef K’s Revolutionary Catering:
- Mahargwe cups served with basmati (GF/V)
- Charcuterie/nosh Mediterranean style including grape leaves, hummus, assorted grilled sausages, artisan cheeses (various items are GF or V)
- Chickpea bruschetta
- Dry rub chicken wings (GF)
- Mini sloppy joes/beyond (V)
- Chicken & shrimp gumbo shooters
Dessert by Blissful Cakery:
- Chocolate mousse shooter (V)
- Macaron boxes (GF, contains eggs)
About
What is the festival?
The Feminist Future Festival is an immersive celebration of community power. The evening will provide guests with a chance to build new connections with bold leaders, learn directly about movements for racial and gender justice, and support the foundation as we work to build a feminist future.
How do I register?
A suggested donation of $100 helps us continue advancing equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people across Minnesota. And 100% of the donation is tax-deductible to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.
Where does my donation go?
All donations support the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, a 501(c)3 organization, and the first community foundation in the nation dedicated to supporting systemic change for women and girls. We encourage you to learn more about our work and impact by visiting our website.
What activities are happening at the April 30 event?
The event includes heavy appetizers catered by Chef K’s Revolutionary Catering (ample vegan and gluten-free options), a drink ticket for a signature cocktail or mocktail, dessert, and all Festival experiences.
- Heavy appetizers and dessert
- All festival activities, with our yoga and sound bath sessions requiring pre-registration
- Our festival main stage session
- One drink ticket redeemable for a signature cocktail or mocktail. Additional beverages can be purchased by guests at the bar.
What time do I need to arrive?
- Doors open at 5:00 pm
- The festival begins at 5:30 pm
Can I bring my own food or snacks?
We’ll offer plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan food options at the festival. We understand attendees may need to bring outside food due to allergies and dietary needs beyond the scope of what we’ll provide.
Can I get a refund?
We do not offer refunds on donations. If you are unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your registration to a friend. Reach out to registration@wfmn.org and provide the name and email address of the new registrant.
Cash, Card, or Both?
- Cash tips for bartenders are always appreciated!
- All vendors will accept electronic payment.
- There is no ATM on-site.
I want to sponsor the April 30 event, how do I do that?
Please contact lauren@wfmn.org with any sponsorship inquiries.
I am interested in volunteering. How do I do that?
Email registration@wfmn.org with any volunteer inquiries.
Photography Notice:
Photography and videography will take place at the event for organization use by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Please let a staff member know if you’d like to opt out of photography and/or videography.
Getting There
Parking: The Whim has a free parking lot, which is located off of Jefferson Street NE. There are 89 spots available, in addition to a few ADA spots. Parking is first-come-first serve, if you would like a spot in the parking lot, we encourage you to arrive early! There is also ample street parking available in the neighborhood.
Transportation:
- Bus: The nearest bus stop is at Washington St & 19th Ave NE Stop #15501
- Bike: There are no bike racks available.
- Drop off: If you are getting dropped off, you can enter the building off 19th Ave.
Entry Policies:
- Alcohol will be sold at the event and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to enter the festival.
- Strollers, wheelchairs, and personal umbrellas are welcome.
- No weapons of any type are allowed.
Safer Spaces Policy:
We will not tolerate any unwelcome sexual advances, homophobic or transphobic “jokes” and language, macho showmanship, lack of respect for gender pronouns, negative comments, and excluding people based on gender/race/ability/orientation during the event. Help us create a welcoming space for all guests. [Language sourced and inspired by greaserag.org]
Accessibility
What accessibility options are available?
- There are handicap parking spots available in the lot behind The Whim.
- The Whim is ADA accessible, with wheelchair-accessible spaces, entrances, and restrooms. The rooms for R&B Yoga and Sound Bath are not wheelchair-accessible and require climbing a half flight of stairs.
- Live captioning will be available during the event.
- A wellness/nursing/prayer room is available for event attendees.
- All restrooms are gender-neutral.
- Sound: There will be music in the R&B yoga and sound bath spaces. We’ll also play light music throughout the event space and during our main stage program.
- Lights: We’re offering guests bracelets with flashing lights. These bracelets are sound-activated and will blink subtly to nearby sound.
- For those requiring large print programs, we’ll have hard copies available. We’ll also offer the ability to read the program on a mobile device using this event landing page.
Other
I have a question not listed above, who do I contact?
Please contact registration@wfmn.org.
Can’t join the in-person festival kickoff on April 30 or want to keep the feminist future vibes going? Join the virtual festival from May 1-15! After the in-person festival kickoff on April 30, the online festival celebrating the power of feminist giving begins. Donating $100 or more at wfmn.org/donate gives you access to the virtual festival —a “Cooking Up a Feminist Future” video series featuring Christina Nguyen, 2024 James Beard award-winning chef and other famous female leaders in the food & beverage industry sharing their favorite recipes and discussing their tips for overcoming the challenges women face starting businesses. Help us build the feminist future we want to see by learning new recipes and the stories of some bold Minnesota women entrepreneurs in the food & beverage industry. With Mother’s Day on May 11, this could be a great gift for that mother-like figure in your life!
Virtual Festival Starts May 1
For the virtual festival, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) is partnering with Christina Nguyen, 2024 James Beard award-winning chef and owner of Hai Hai and Hola Arepa, to create the “Cooking Up a Feminist Future” video series.
In these videos, Christina is joined by other award-winning female chefs (such as Ann Kim, 2023 James Beard award-winning chef and owner of Young Joni and Pizzeria Lola) to show you how to prepare some of their favorite recipes and to dish on their tips for overcoming the challenges women face in navigating life & starting their businesses.
Between May 1-15, you can gain access to these instructional cooking and conversation videos to watch at your leisure by donating $100 to WFM at https://www.wfmn.org/donate.
Feeling extra generous? Sponsor the creation of these videos by donating a minimum of $1,000 below. In exchange for your sponsorship, we will recognize you (and all the other video sponsors) on the same page where these amazing videos are displayed!
