Faith in Action: ISAIAH’s Blueprint for a Multicultural Democracy

Corner Conversations

Group of people at the Capitol with signs reading We Choose Us

A multiracial, multi-faith coalition empowers Minnesotans to shape their communities and secure lasting change.

Advocacy occurs when the community collaborates to effect political, economic and social change. And at ISAIAH, that community involves people across various racial and faith backgrounds working together, fighting for justice in Minnesota.

“ISAIAH is built on the belief that regular people can become protagonists in the conditions of their lives, and in their future,” said Co-Executive Director Alexa Horwart.

ISAIAH is dedicated to using faith as a catalyst for expanding possibilities in places like churches, mosques, Black barbershops, childcare centers and more. The organization works to ensure that everyone’s voting rights are recognized and that individuals can take time off work to care for a new baby or a loved one at the end of their life.

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Organizing Communities Throughout the State

“For us, it is incredibly important that regular people get to experience agency,” said Co-Executive Director, Minister JaNaé Bates. “That means...that they get to be deciders about what happens where they live, with their families, with their communities and our initiatives and programs are built to fit that purpose.”

The organization helps families and individuals in the Twin Cities and cities including Rochester, Northfield, Saint Cloud and Duluth. For example, it supported Iron Range childcare providers and centers during “A Day Without Childcare.”

“They talked to the parents of the children in their centers...each other...their elected officials...small businesses in the community and said, ‘we're going to close down for an entire day to show everyone the impacts that we have in this economy,’” said Alexa. “This had a huge impact on our elected leaders and on that community, and since then, we've been able to win more investments in childcare.”

Finding Equity in Democracy

“Democracy is one of the main underpinnings of ISAIAH,” said Alexa. “We often talk about ISAIAH as the North Star to a multiracial democracy, a democracy that honors every single person's dignity.”

The organization supports civic engagement, housing, community organizing and voter rights. Key initiatives they’ve supported include We Make Minnesota, the Minnesota Voting Rights Act and Restore the Vote MN.

“Some of the programs I've been a part of leading are the housing campaign to make more investments in housing, especially affordable housing...and investment in youth programming across our state,” Organizer Khalid Ahmad said.

Much like Minister JaNaé does in Black churches, Khalid organizes the Muslim community through listening sessions, grassroot organizing and voter education at mosques, homes and community centers.

In those sessions he’s not only learned more about what Minnesota’s Muslim communities care about, but also how they give.

“We often talk about ISAIAH as the North Star to a multiracial democracy, a democracy that honors every single person's dignity.”

Alexa Horwart, Co-Executive Director

Value-based Investing at the Foundation

“The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has really helped ISAIAH think about investments that match our values,” said Alexa.

Over the years ISAIAH has invested over $7 million with the Foundation in their nonprofit endowment fund and the Foundation’s Sharia Compliant Fund for Muslim communities.

“Through this partnership, we've been able to think about how we make smart investments to grow the capacity and legacy of our organization across the state, but also investments that are rooted in our values and who our people are,” Alexa said.

“Having an endowment that reflects the values of everyone within our organization and that doesn't alienate anyone is something that I think is really unique and shows how committed we are to a multiracial, multi-faith vision,” said Khalid.

This shared power is what ensures ISAIAH remains a vehicle for civic engagement and social change in Minnesota.

Inspired to Make a Difference?

Stay Informed: Keep up with issues impacting your state and communities by reading your local news, neighborhood newsletters, checking out local message boards and talking to your neighbors.
Get Involved: Find a way to make an impact on the values you care about — volunteer at your local faith home, donate, peacefully protest or hold space for others to share their voice.
Change Narratives: In times such as these, it is important to not only hold space for others, but to also find ways to dismantle problematic narratives that impact how others view people with racial, religious and cultural identities outside of their own.

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