Careership Grad Honored
LISC careership grad Sarita Turner at work
When Sarita Turner’s name was called the evening of March 13 at the Crowne Plaza banquet room downtown, she approached the stage with a unique combination of pride, grace and humility beaming from her face.
Turner, a Twin Cities LISC Careership alum, was recognized as an honoree at the second annual Celebrate the Sistahs event, an awards show held for African American women who have demonstrated significant community leadership.
After an evening of spoken word, music from local jazz vocalist Timotha Lanae and the celebrated Gwen Matthews and dancing sponsored by the Twin Cities Steppers Association, Turner reflected on her award.
“I was shocked. I don’t think of my work and the things I do as award-winning,” she said. “And then I felt very humbled and grateful to be thought of in that way.”
Turner, who has always worked in community development in some capacity, currently serves as executive director for the West Broadway Business Area Coalition, a CDC dedicated to transforming the Northside into a thriving economic community.
On the heels of her local award, Turner has also received a Bush Leadership Fellowship award, which provides her funding to attend the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University to earn a Master’s degree as part of an 11-month mid-career program.
“I would love to come back here, and to further grow this organization into a highly effective advocate and resource for this community,” she said, noting how powerful it could be to return from Cambridge and serve as a real role model. “If I can do it, you can do it, too. We’re no different.”
As she talks, Turner exudes a strong sincerity and an authentic presence, especially when she acknowledges that community work can be difficult, often resulting in burnout or jaded attitudes.
“What we see is the challenge – people who are chronically causing livability issues,” she said. “But for the grace of God, that could be me. In spite of my mess and behavior, I would want someone to see the humanness in me and see the real person in me.”
In hearing Turner’s story, one can tell that she is grounded and focused in her work.
“The things that keep me going are not about what I can do for myself. It’s about what this community needs,” said Turner. “I was created with a purpose of serving.”
Though her passion is clearly innate, Turner emphasized the impact of the Careership program on her journey.
“The program had a huge impact on me because it’s not just about taking a class and working at a site and getting on-the-job experience,” said Turner. “When you become a Careership alum, you develop relationships with these awesome people at LISC for life. And they continue to walk alongside you and support you and encourage you far after that program ends.”
The Careership program at LISC places mid-career participants, mainly of color, in local host organizations, which include public and private housing agencies and CDCs, for 12-month, part-time apprenticeships. Participants build new skills and contribute with their area of expertise. Participants also attend seminars that offer college credits at Metro State University along the way.
Before her careership placement, Turner had worked in consulting and was familiar with the role of executive directors when she worked for the state for victims of crime. Through LISC, she was placed at PRG, a housing development agency that provides counseling and education to first-time homebuyers.
She said she was excited to gain skills in a new sector.
“I wanted to get into economic development and real estate development. It’s a very white male-dominated industry even in the nonprofit world,” she said. “You just don’t get in without experience.”
She found her host site to be very receptive, and although she did not have experience with housing and mixed-use development, her skills were transferable and she felt like a real member of the organization.
But Turner points out that she gained more than a foot in the door to her new career path.
“My emotional development and maturity grew as a result of being a careership participant,” she said. “It’s not just about a career, a job, it’s about you as a whole human being. They [LISC] see you as whole human beings.”
Turner further explains the level of personal attention and holistic focus from the staff.
“Do you come from another country? Are you a single parent? How do we support you in being successful?” said Turner referring to questions LISC considered. “That is the really special thing about this program.”
What’s next for Turner will involve a formal application to Harvard and, she hopes, an enriching experience she can bring back to her community in North Minneapolis.
“The Bush Fellowship takes folks who have been identified as leaders and further develops them so they can be more effective and bring that investment back to the community. It’s all on your word,” she said.
“I will be back here to serve.”
The Careership program is funded by the Otto Bremer Foundation, The St. Paul Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, the Family Housing Fund, and others. For more information, email Barb Jeanetta.
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The vision and goal of The Northsider is to tell the stories of both the people of the community and of the work being done on behalf of the community through the partnering organizations. TheNorthsider.org is the collected media of community reporters working on behalf of several northside non-profits that make up the CCD (Comprehensive Community Development) pilot project of LISC.