Minnesota CHILL Foundation

10/08/2026

Connecting Youth to the Future of Technology

Cindy and Chuck Hill, co-founders of Minnesota CHILL Foundation, recently attended MnTech Talent, MnTech’s flagship talent development conference focused on the future of technology talent in Minnesota. One session that especially resonated with them was “From Access to Impact: A Future-Focused Talent Strategy,” featuring Olivia Jefferson of Best Buy and the Best Buy Foundation and Jermaine Hampton of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

The conversation around creating stronger career pathways for young people through mentorship, skill-building, social capital, and community partnerships reinforced something Cindy and Chuck already believe deeply: preparing young people for the future requires more than access. It requires intentional opportunities that connect them to skills, relationships, and careers.

The session also reinforced their commitment to the work they are building through CHILL Tech and AI. Their first AI program for youth recently launched at The Wood, Brooklyn Park’s new teen center, and was held in the Best Buy Tech Center. Their second session is scheduled for October.

Cindy and Chuck were so engaged in the conversations, taking notes and connecting with people throughout the event, that they completely forgot to take photos. But they left with something even more valuable: new connections, fresh ideas, and confirmation that the work they’re doing with young people is headed in the right direction.

The future of tech talent is being shaped now, and CHILL is committed to making sure young people are part of it.

10/08/2026

“The only way to get people to believe in you is to show them your commitment.” - Nipsey Hussle


Cindy Hill had the pleasure of meeting LeMar T. Green, Re-entry/Post-Release Manager at Minnesota Freedom Fund, during Brooklyn Park’s Juneteenth Celebration this year. As one of the founding members of the Legacy of Brooklyn Park, Cindy has been intentional about creating opportunities for residents to share their experiences, their stories, and their vision for the future of their city.

During one of the Legacy meetings, members were invited to talk about the issues that matter most to them. LeMar shared his vision for supporting individuals who are returning to the community and need help navigating the re-entry process. That conversation sparked an important collaboration, which Shelle has been an important part of. The group is now working toward developing a plan to address this need in Brooklyn Park.

It was especially meaningful for LeMar and Shelle to finally meet face-to-face and continue the conversation around this much-needed work. For Cindy, moments like this are a reminder of what can happen when community members bring their ideas, experiences, and connections together to create meaningful solutions for Brooklyn Park.

10/08/2026

The future of technology needs young people who are ready to build it.

This workforce development program gives young adults ages 18–24 the opportunity to explore IT in, cybersecurity, AI and digital skills, drone operation, hardware repair, and more while gaining practical skills and connections to real career opportunities.

Classes begin October 20 and meet every Tuesday from 6–8 PM at the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center. And for participants who complete the program requirements, will receive a laptop and an IT toolkit to support their continued growth.

Build your skills. Strengthen your future. Register today.

09/30/2026

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending Powering Possibility, a conversation featuring two remarkable women, Maria Hinojosa and my dear friend Chanda Smith Baker. I was especially excited to be there as Maria shared insights from her book, Once I Was You, a deeply personal work that explores her experiences as an immigrant and the broader conversations around identity, belonging, and the American experience.

Maria is an award-winning Mexican-American journalist, author, and founder of Futuro Media Group. As the longtime anchor and executive producer of Latino USA, she has spent decades bringing underrepresented stories to the forefront. From becoming the first Latina hired at NPR in 1985 to receiving the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting, her career reflects a remarkable commitment to journalism that challenges perspectives and gives voice to communities often left out of the conversation. Her work reminds us how powerful storytelling can be in shaping understanding and inspiring change.

Being in a room alongside my Latina and Indigenous sisters and brothers made the experience even more meaningful. I was equally proud to support my dear friend Chanda, whose leadership as President and CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation continues to create opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and elevate voices that deserve to be heard. Watching her journey over the years has been inspiring.

Conversations like these remind me that our backgrounds may differ, but our hopes for our communities and the next generation are deeply connected. I’m grateful for Maria’s powerful storytelling, proud of Chanda’s continued leadership, and thankful to the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for creating space for meaningful conversations like this one.

09/25/2026

Minnesota CHILL Foundation is proud to celebrate Rev. Dr. Tracey Gibson, who was honored at the 2026 Twin Cities International Citizen Awards for her leadership, service and impact. Thank you to International Leadership Institute for an amazing event.

Our co-founder, Cindy Hill, had the pleasure of attending this special evening to support and celebrate Dr. Gibson alongside community and global leaders who gathered to recognize individuals making a difference both locally and around the world.

At CHILL, we believe it’s important to show up for the people who are doing the work — those who lead, serve, open doors and use their influence to create opportunities for others. Dr. Gibson’s recognition is a beautiful reflection of that kind of impact.

The evening also created an opportunity to connect with Dr. Jonathan Kimeli Bii Chelilim, Governor of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, and Alice Cheptoo Kositany of Eldoret, Kenya. Our conversations even led to an invitation to participate with the Minnesota business delegation traveling to South Africa and Kenya in 2027 — an exciting opportunity to continue building relationships and connections across the globe.

Congratulations again to Rev. Dr. Tracey Gibson and all of the honorees. I’m grateful for evenings like this that allow us to celebrate people doing meaningful work, strengthen relationships and continue building connections from Minnesota to the world.

09/18/2026

Minnesota CHILL Foundation co-founder Cindy Hill attended the grand opening of NOMA One Apartments with Brooklyn Park mayoral candidate and City Council Member Shelle Page for Brooklyn Park.

Formerly Huntington Place, NOMA One marks a new chapter for one of Brooklyn Park’s largest residential communities. As a longtime resident, Cindy is proud to see investments that strengthen neighborhoods and create opportunities for families to thrive.

Watch Cindy’s interview with CCX Media as she shares why this transformation is an important step forward for the Brooklyn Park community.

The second largest apartment complex in the state -- and the larges...

09/17/2026

Minnesota CHILL Foundation had the opportunity to attend yesterday’s ribbon cutting for Noma One, formerly Huntington Place Apartments — a longtime Brooklyn Park community entering a newly imagined chapter.

We were joined by Brooklyn Park mayoral candidate Shelle Page for Brooklyn Park, who continues to make it a priority to show up, stay connected and be present at events happening throughout the Brooklyn Park community.

For decades, Huntington has been home to thousands of families, and this new chapter represents more than a new name. With new ownership, management and investment in the property, is beginning a transformation designed to create a stronger living experience for the residents who call this community home.

CHILL believes being connected to our community means being there — meeting people, building relationships and staying informed about the changes that impact Brooklyn Park families.

Congratulations to the Noma One community on this new beginning. We’re excited to see what comes next.

Stay connected with CHILL. We’ll be sharing more from the community soon.

09/09/2026

At 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, our support is more than writing a check. It is about recognizing potential, building relationships, and being willing to stand behind people who have the courage to turn an idea into a business.⁣
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That is exactly what happened with 𝐇𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬, a young Black couple and Brooklyn Park residents who came to us with a vision for their business. 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 have spent time getting to know them, talking through their ideas, offering guidance, and watching their journey take shape. When the opportunity came to support 𝐃𝐘𝐆𝐈 as a sponsor, we took a step of faith because we believed in what they were building and the possibilities ahead.⁣
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Their journey is a reminder of why supporting emerging businesses matters. When entrepreneurs have access to encouragement, relationships, resources, and people willing to believe in them, an idea has a greater opportunity to become something that creates jobs, attracts people, and contributes to the community.⁣
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Our hope is to see DYGI continue to grow and, ultimately, establish a facility right here in Brooklyn Park. We believe businesses like theirs can help transform Brooklyn Park from a city people simply pass through into a destination where people want to live, work, gather, and do business.⁣
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This is what community investment looks like to us: seeing potential early, believing in the vision, and helping create the conditions for it to grow. We are proud to support Hal and Lauren and excited to see where their journey takes them.⁣
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This weekend, we visited their booth at the 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫. What a great honor for them to be part of this great Minnesota tradition in their first year of business. It speaks volumes about the work they are doing.

09/08/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, you can grab a drink, enjoy some time with the community, and help support the work of the 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!
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Back Channel Brewing is giving back 5% of today’s profits from 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝟖 𝐏𝐌, giving the community another way to make an impact simply by stopping in tonight.⁣
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Send Alexia Kjos a direct message if you want to join us! Alexia will be at 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟒–𝟖 𝐏𝐌 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋, sharing information about our work, and connecting with the community.⁣
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Come learn more about 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, connect with the community, and enjoy a great award-winning brew while supporting a great cause!⁣
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📍 Back Channel Brewing⁣
🕛 Today, 4 PM–8 PM⁣
❤️ 5% of profits benefit Minnesota CHILL Foundation⁣
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𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝!

Call now to connect with business.

09/01/2026

I started my day with gratitude—honoring some of the incredible people who show up every day to make a difference in the lives of our youth.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been at Caribou Coffee at 6:00 AM, but today I was honored to make that early morning coffee run for 175 amazing staff members at Champlin Park High School!

This was our small way of saying THANK YOU for all you do to make sure our students have the support, opportunities, encouragement, and guidance they need to succeed—not only in school, but in life.

And a very special thank you to my grandchildren, Cinco and Scarlet, for getting up early to help Nana this morning! It made the moment even more special knowing their dad, my son “Chuckie,” Mr. Hill, now serves as an assistant principal at the very high school he once attended.

To the entire Champlin Park High School staff: we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you for investing in our young people every single day. ❤️