Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute

10/09/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Education!

Join us in honoring Dr. Kristina Deffenbacher, a dedicated community leader whose service and commitment to education have helped Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) grow our impact, one child at a time, one book at a time.

Through leadership, service, and a passion for empowering others, this honoree is helping us inspire the next generation of readers and leaders.

🎉 Celebrate 10 Years of Making a Difference!

Join us as we recognize this outstanding leader and celebrate a decade of planting seeds of change through literacy, education, and community engagement.

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, Saint Paul, MN

🎟️ Reserve your ticket today: https://www.ppgjli.org/ppgjli10

Together, we are inspiring young people to Learn, Grow, and Lead!

10/09/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Education!

Join us in honoring Dr. Jill Reilly, a dedicated community leader whose service and commitment to education have helped Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) grow our impact, one child at a time, one book at a time.

Through leadership, service, and a passion for empowering others, this honoree is helping us inspire the next generation of readers and leaders.

🎉 Celebrate 10 Years of Making a Difference!

Join us as we recognize this outstanding leader and celebrate a decade of planting seeds of change through literacy, education, and community engagement.

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, Saint Paul, MN

🎟️ Reserve your ticket today: https://www.ppgjli.org/ppgjli10

Together, we are inspiring young people to Learn, Grow, and Lead!

10/09/2026

📚 Leadership Challenge: What Are You Reading?

Leaders are readers! We’re excited to launch a new initiative to spark inspiration and growth within our community. Introducing the Leadership Challenge: What Are You Reading?

Share the books that are shaping your thoughts, influencing your leadership style, or just keeping you curious. Whether it’s a classic, a new release, or something off the beaten path, we want to know what’s on your reading list.

How to join:

1. Share a photo or title of the book you’re currently reading.
2. Include a brief note on why it’s impactful to you.
3. Tag 3 colleagues to keep the challenge going!

I’ll start: I’m currently diving into “Black History for Every Day of the Year” by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga, and Kemi Olusoga and it’s completely reshaping how I teach about pioneering Black leaders across the African Diaspora.

Your turn! Let’s inspire each other to become better leaders every day.

Let’s learn and grow together, one book at a time. Ready to take the challenge?

Order your copy today: https://bookshop.org/lists/leadership-challenge-book-club-picks

10/09/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Education, Music & Community Leadership!

Join us in honoring Gary Dennis Hines, a three-time Grammy Award-winning music director, composer, producer, and keyboardist whose extraordinary contributions to music, arts education, and community enrichment continue to inspire generations.

Through the power of music, cultural expression, and mentorship, Mr. Hines demonstrates how the arts can bring people together, uplift communities, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

🎉 Join us as we celebrate this remarkable honoree and 10 years of planting seeds of change!

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, Saint Paul, MN

🎟️ Reserve your ticket today: https://www.ppgjli.org/ppgjli10

Together, we are celebrating the power of music, education, and community to inspire hope and empower the next generation to Learn, Grow, and Lead!

10/08/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Education & Community Leadership!

Join us in honoring Mollie Windmiller, an inspiring leader whose dedication to community service, education, and uplifting others is making a lasting difference.

Through a shared commitment to hope, opportunity, and service, this remarkable leader reminds us that each of us has the power to plant seeds of change and build a brighter future for generations to come.

🎉 Join us as we celebrate this outstanding honoree and 10 years of making a difference!

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, Saint Paul, MN

🎟️ Reserve your ticket today: https://www.ppgjli.org/ppgjli10

Together, we are planting seeds of hope, strengthening our communities, and inspiring the next generation to Learn, Grow, and Lead!

10/08/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Education!

Join us in honoring Dr. Ayana Shakir, a dedicated community leader whose service and commitment to education have helped Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) grow our impact, one child at a time, one book at a time.

Through leadership, service, and a passion for empowering others, this honoree is helping us inspire the next generation of readers and leaders.

🎉 Celebrate 10 Years of Making a Difference!

Join us as we recognize this outstanding leader and celebrate a decade of planting seeds of change through literacy, education, and community engagement.

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, Saint Paul, MN

🎟️ Reserve your ticket today: https://www.ppgjli.org/ppgjli10

Together, we are inspiring young people to Learn, Grow, and Lead!

10/08/2026

We are proud to recognize Lerner Publishing Group as a Bronze sponsor of Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute’s 10th Anniversary Fundraiser Celebration!

Their generous support helps us continue planting seeds of social change and investing in literacy and opportunities for young people and their families.

Thank you, Lerner Publishing Group, for believing in our mission and helping us celebrate 10 years of impact as well as the work still ahead.

10/07/2026

First Educators can promote reading and language development through these literacy-building activities:

• Read-aloud exercises: Start a daily read-aloud exercise for 10 minutes. You, as the First Educator, can go first, and the child follows suit.

• Child participation: For one week a month, allow your child the freedom to pick a book of their choice. Discuss the book thoroughly and ask what informed the choice of this book.

• Home Library: Keep a home library. Making books visible in the home can serve as a catalyst for reading.

• Encourage Discussion through open-ended questions: After watching a television show or reading a book, start a discussion. Ask an open-ended question aimed at starting an interactive session.

• Build vocabulary through daily learning: Challenge your child to introduce you to one new vocabulary word a day. They may or may not understand it, but it will be a learning opportunity for everyone involved.

According to data sourced from the Statewide Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), nearly 54 percent of third graders are not proficient in reading. This staggering statistic has dropped for the …

10/07/2026

Children in Minnesota ages 8 to 12 spend four to six hours on devices daily. That
contrasts sharply with statewide reading proficiency: a Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessment (MCA) study found that 54% of third graders are not proficient in reading.
Research further shows that each additional hour of daily screen time is directly linked to
declining proficiency in reading and math.

Planting People Growing Justice hosted a community forum to discuss practical
strategies for building literacy and managing screen time. I interviewed Reginald Ankrah,
a child rights and protection advocate, to gain practical insight into the learning journey.

Discover how balancing screen time and reading helps address Minnesota's reading crisis. Learn practical tips from child advocate Reginald Ankrah.

10/07/2026

📚 Words of inspiration from our Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute Cultural Bearer: Reverend Carl Walker