Join Twin Cities Food Co-ops and Green Card Voices as we hear the stories of local immigrant business owners and learn about their journey to the US, building a life in the Twin Cities, and owning a business through a pandemic and civil unrest.
After the stories, join in a virtual discussion with local immigrant business owners, Green Card Voices and other local non-profits about the immigrant experience in the Twin Cities, how we can better connect with our neighbors, and what we can do to support immigrants in our community.
RUHEL ISLAM
Ruhel is the owner and Executive Chef of Gandhi Mahal, an award-winning Bangladeshi/Indian restaurant dedicated to embodying environmental sustainability and the peaceful principles of Gandhi. Ruhel has served as the President of Lake Street Council, Board of Directors of Green Card Voices and currently serves on the Board of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light & Longfellow Rising. He is now applying his vast wealth of food and business knowledge to his newest business venture, Curry in a Hurry!
BELÉN RODRÍGUEZ
When she moved to Minneapolis from her native Argentina in 2012, Belén found a home in restaurants. Within a few years, she was ready to begin her own entrepreneurial journey, combining her love of the culinary world with memories of her family, culture and the comfort of home. She created @quebrachoempanadas, savory artisanal hand pies made locally and available at co-ops around the region!
NAIMA DHORE
Naima is a first-generation Somali-American farmer, activist and educator committed to building community while looking after mother earth. She is passionate about organic farming and inspiring young people to become future farmers, specifically people from immigrant communities in Minnesota. Through her work as Program Director of Somali American Farmers Association and owner of Naima’s Farm LLC she is addressing disparities in these communities’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables!
The event series “Co-op Community Conversations: Exploring the intersection of racial, social, and food justice” is presented by Eastside Food Co-op, Mississippi Market Food Co-op, Seward Community Co-op, and Twin Cities Co-op Partners as a way to examine and connect our cooperative values with social justice movements.