Minnesotans Join Forces for Feminist Future Festival

Minnesotans from across the state will gather at The Whim in Minneapolis on April 30 for the first-ever Feminist Future Festival, a celebration of women in leadership and an opportunity for people to connect and build communities where everyone is safe, healthy, and thriving, no matter their gender, race, or other intersecting identities.

The festival, coordinated by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM), will feature main stage speakers: Sheletta Brundidge (Emmy award-winning comedian, broadcaster, and activist), Christina Nguyen (James Beard award-winning chef and owner of Hola Arepa & Hai Hai) and an additional very well-known special guest to be announced later this month.

WFM is a statewide community foundation that invests in ending systemic inequities and driving innovation for gender and racial justice. “We invite everyone to join us for this festival because we know many people right now want to be in community and figure out ways that we can grow a more prosperous society for everyone,” said Gloria Perez, WFM President & CEO. “This event will be a great way for us to come together, learn and take action toward that future we want.”

Donations of $100 or more at wfmn.org/events/feminist-future-festival give you access to the Feminist Future Festival on April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event includes complimentary cocktails from The Brass Strap, mocktails from Flava Café, hearty appetizers from Chef K’s Revolutionary Catering, desserts from Blissful Cakery, and engaging festival activations focused on WFM’s key impact areas:

• Health – 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 – Learn ways to maintain hope during challenging times and how to support survivors of gender-based violence or abuse by connecting with Junita Flowers, CEO & founder of Junita’s Jar.
• Economic Justice – Meet BIPOC women and gender-expansive entrepreneurs by shopping our market for gifts for Mother’s Day, yourself, or any occasion!
• Leadership – Connect with inspiring leaders through our “Pillars of the Community” speed networking opportunity with:
  • Alex West Steinman (Co-founder & CEO, The Coven)
  • Larissa Loden (Founder, Larissa Loden)
  • Jillian Hiscock (Founder, A Bar of Their Own)
  • Robin Wonsley (Councilmember for Minneapolis Ward 2)
  • Samantha Sencer-Mura (State Representative for District 63A)
  • Jen Winterfeldt (Director of Community Relations, Minnesota United FC)
  • Andréa Carroll-Franck (VP of Community, Co-Founder & Board Member, Minnesota Aurora FC)
  • Seena Hodges (Founder & CEO, The Woke Coach)
  • Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton (Award-Winning Executive, Speaker & Author)
  • Taylor Smrikárova (Director of Real Estate Development, Redesign, Inc.)
  • Susan Denk (Principal & Founder, White Crane Design:Build)
  • Alicia Belton (Founding Principal, Chief Creative Officer, Urban Design Perspectives).

Virtual Festival: May 1-15

Following the Feminist Future Festival on April 30, WFM is coordinating a virtual festival online from May 1 – 15 for those who cannot attend the in-person kickoff or who want to continue supporting the building of a better future for all. Starting May 1, people can go to wfmn.org and donate $100 or more to access the virtual festival, which consists of five instructional cooking videos (and accompanying recipes) from award-winning women in the food and beverage industry: Christina Nguyen, Ann Kim, Nettie Colon, Zoe Francois, and Jessi Pollak.

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