We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dominique Pierre-Toussaint. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dominique below.
Hi Dominique, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
* I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent my early days in Far Rockaway, Queens during the beginning of the crack era. I fought the elements of the street, utilizing my passion for the arts. I’m proud of my Haitian American heritage, and my family’s journey to the United States is a testament to their resilience and strength.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Dominique Pierre-Toussaint, also known as the ICA Director of Community Relations (formerly the ICA Food Shelf). My role involves creating opportunities that serve individuals in need and nurturing relationships with key community stakeholders. I consult with Hennepin County, Hopkins public schools, the city of Hopkins/Minnetonka, local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups/leaders on projects and issues that benefit our Minnesota West Metro communities. I truly take pride in being a connector and collaborator.
I’m also the founder of MN Soc13ty_101
A social network that involves the collaboration of multiple generations, working together to showcase the importance of networking, creating internships and investing your time in serving HUMANITY (Volunteering & Fundraising).
Soc13ty _101: “ MN ROOTS!” A Hopkins tribute to Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins
Soc13ty_101 – MN ROOTS! hosted a community gathering for Juneteenth with keynote speaker, attorney
Lee A Hutton, providing a history of the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. There will be musical entertainment by DJ Michael Holtz (former Paisley Park DJ), performance by Minnesota musician EnzyRose and the introduction of “NOIR WALL STREET” a BIPOC business market.
The event was the brainchild of yours truly, as the ICA Director of Community Relations (Dominique Pierre-Toussaint) and attorney Lee A. Hutton (The Hutton Firm), we first kicked around the idea when we introduced S0c13ty_101 in 2020 to speak about many of the things that Black Americans were grappling with at the time, including the death of George Floyd.
Commissioner Lee A Hutton III and I (Mr. Neek aka Dominique Pierre-Toussaint) had joint epiphanies about wanting to host a community event in honor of Juneteenth. The event brought together around 60-70 people to share conversations and reflections at the time. I was then approached years later about that specific event and was encouraged to do another, which spurred the idea for me to host this year’s public “MN ROOTS!” – A tribute to Juneteenth event in Hopkins, Minnesota. Hutton was immediately on board, and had recently became the Arena Football League Commissioner, the first Black commissioner to lead a professional sports league in the United States.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Building Relationships, Networking Utilizing your natural given gifts. Listen first, then ask questions on specific topics you’re interested in. We must all work together to find à common ground that will benefit our communities as a whole. Finally, the more you share your gifts in helping others, you will soon receive more positive opportunities for your generosity.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
These are the individuals who have accepted me as I am, and encouraged me to come from behind the curtains. Thank you to my wife Tracie Nelson Pierre-Toussaint, Lee A Hutton, Barb Westmoreland, Jen Westmoreland, Albert Nuness, Chris LaTondresse, Mary Moriarty, Darrell Thompson, Steve Olson, Janet Johanson, Shawn Johanson, Bob Waddell, Bobby Mason, Dan Narr, Patrick Hanlon, and Randy Roseth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Mr_ Neek (Dominique Pierre-Toussaint)
- Facebook: Society 101
- Linkedin: Dominique Pierre-Toussaint
- Other: Podcast show “PARLE” https://www.buzzsprout.com/2105802?fbclid=PAAaaYOGirU7TDGa1iQCcv073UZiyxsolpj2o_BFLhY3YC7G9d6US3rDQJK0M_aem_AdboBvg-ePpQyv5G4J_JLgFrb6NV8OLC07vWokzaJfTLe4T1lSDc0GPilDanf6O_nKE
Image Credits
Attorney Lee A Hutton III, Mike Max, Mary Moriarty, Jen Westmoreland, Abhinav Kumar, Danny McDonald, Nasra Ali, Felicia Massey, and Soc13ty_101.
