GreenLight Fund Twin Cities

04/15/2026

Incredibly excited by this partnership! Happy !

04/13/2026

We’re thrilled to announce Irth's second hospital partnership in the Twin Cities: Children's Minnesota! Every year, upwards of 3,000 births happen at Children’s Minnesota with a robust NICU. This partnership provides accountability and an extra layer of protection for Black and Brown mothers on a systems-level.

The Irth team came into town for the announcement, and were joined by Children's Minnesota staff including Adriene Thornton, Director of Health Equity, Caroline Njau, Chief Nursing Officer & SVP, and many incredible nurses and staff. We were also joined by State Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten who shared her story and passion for .

GreenLight executive director, Simone Hardeman-Jones spoke about what this partnership means, "Irth is helping healthcare providers better understand where they’re getting it right—and where they can continue to grow... we center the experiences of those most impacted, we don’t just improve care for some—we build systems that are more accountable, more responsive, and ultimately better for everyone. We build a world where opportunity isn’t the exception—it’s the expectation."

04/10/2026

Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17 celebrating the theme, “Rooted in Justice & Joy.” Justice and Joy are why we selected Irth . The reality for Black mothers is harsh. Pregnancy related mortality is three times higher for Black women compared to white women.

Irth provides a pathway to eliminate behind disparities by giving Black mothers and families the ability to share their story through the Irth app. These stories are turned into data that creates actionable insights to improve maternal health experiences for new moms.

Our community deserves to feel safe and enjoy once in a lifetime moments, not fear what could happen. Selecting Irth is a decision to invest in our community to improve the lives of countless future families and generations.

GreenLight Twin Cities executive director Simone Hardeman-Jones reflects on the JOY Black women deserve during their journey to motherhood (including her own story) in this Op-Ed.

Too many of us risk our lives giving birth. Black birthing women deserve joy.

03/30/2026

No one can succeed without help. Whether it’s family members, colleagues, friends, or a stranger who goes out of their way – everyone can think of at least a few people who have helped them get to where they are today. LEAD is functioning as both first responder and stabilizer, absorbing significant emotional and operational strain as they meet immediate needs while helping residents regain footing with dignity.

As we prepare to enter April, which recognizes , we are grateful for the work LEAD does to reduce interactions with law enforcement and focus on meeting the basic needs of individuals. This not only frees up time for law enforcement, but it also protects the dignity of people facing hardships or barriers.

03/27/2026

Check out the latest blog from GreenLight Fund reflecting on and the impact women have in our work. Check it out below!

In honor of Women's History Month, Victoria Costa, Marketing & Communications Manager at GreenLight Fund, reflects on a powerful quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the latest blog post. Marking her four years at GreenLight, she shares participant stories from across our portfolio that have stayed with her the most, highlighting women and girls building stability, finding their voice, and shaping their futures while empowering others to do the same.

Read the full blog here: https://greenlightfund.org/as-women-see-what-women-can-do/

03/20/2026

The recent surge of federal activity in the Twin Cities has directly affected what the day-to-day looks like for LEAD case managers. Staff are supporting residents exposed to tear gas, de-escalating tense situations, and serving as a trusted anchor during moments of instability — all while navigating concerns for their own personal safety.

We're incredibly proud of LEAD and their ongoing effort to create a safe community for everyone.

03/13/2026

Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) meets individuals where they are at to provide tailored support. This can look like providing phones, finding a safe place to sleep, a quick meal, and so much more. LEAD case managers make the rounds of the Lake Street Corridor to meet with folks who face challenges like housing, employment, addiction, basic resources, and beyond.

LEAD's approach prevents the need for folks to turn to low-level criminal activity (e.g. petty theft) to make ends meet. In turn, this creates a safer environment for all residents and provides a pathway for people who need a little extra help.

03/03/2026

Happy Women's History Month! We're looking forward to sharing stories and highlighting some of the incredible women that make happen!

Read our impact stories here: https://greenlightfund.org/stories-of-impact/

March is Women’s History Month!

This month, we’re celebrating the power of impact by sharing uplifting stories from women and girls connected to our portfolio organizations across the country. These stories show what’s possible when women and girls have access to supports and resources, from navigating motherhood with dignity to building confidence, pursuing meaningful careers, and supporting early learning at home.

For the full collection of Impact Stories, visit: https://greenlightfund.org/stories-of-impact/

02/25/2026

Last year, Executive Director Simone Hardeman-Jones wrote about the legacy of and what it means to hear as a leader. Check out her blog here: https://greenlightfund.org/honoring-black-history-month/

02/18/2026

From Hennepin County Library's Black History Month reading list, we’re highlighting The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, winner of the Pulitzer Prizes for Feature Writing and the first Black woman to receive a Pulitzer in the history of American journalism.​

“In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of Black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America.”

See the full list:https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/1743834189/2706527237

02/09/2026

February is Black History Month, and 2026 marks 100 years since the first national observance of Black history. Throughout the month, we’ll share books from reading lists in GreenLight Fund cities that highlight Black voices and experiences. We hope these stories spark reflection, learning, and conversation this month and year-round.

01/20/2026

ICYMI: Executive Director Simone Hardeman-Jones spoke on a panel for World Logic Day to discuss GreenLight Fund's partnership with Inner Explorer in our community. Check out the full panel below!

GreenLight Fund Twin Cities Founding Executive Director Simone Hardeman-Jones recently served as an official World Logic Day speaker, bringing a Twin Cities perspective on youth mental health and community-driven solutions to the global convening hosted by Logictry in partnership with PVBLIC Foundation.

As part of a panel led by Inner Explorer CEO Laura Bakosh, alongside experts in neuroscience, education, and philanthropy, Simone shared how listening to students, families, educators, and local leaders shaped GreenLight Fund Twin Cities’ investment in universal, culturally responsive supports for young people.

“At GreenLight, everything we do really starts with one simple principle: listening to the community first... We knew we needed something that was going to be universal and preventative and culturally responsive, and reach every young person during the school day. Inner Explorer’s vision fit so well with ours and what we were hearing from the community.”

Through its investment in Inner Explorer, GreenLight Fund Twin Cities is helping bring evidence-based daily mindfulness practices into classrooms so young people have accessible tools to manage stress, build resilience, and support their social, emotional, and mental well-being, particularly in communities facing heightened stress and systemic barriers to care.

Learn more about the World Logic Day convening and the dialogue connecting mindfulness, education, and youth mental health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBnCZTyKlUw