Our Issues

Led by the Barbershop and Black Congregation Cooperative and the Muslim Coalition of ISAIAH, the United 4 Youth campaign is made up of youth, families, faith communities, and community partners who identified afterschool and youth programming as a top community concern. The campaign is committed to working with state and local governments to expand public infrastructure for youth programming and supporting the ‘Y’ in Minnesota’s new Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

All Minnesotans deserve an affordable, stable home where they can put down roots. But for generations, certain politicians have enacted discriminatory policies that exclude people based on race, religion, and income. Even today, some communities limit the types of housing allowed, shutting out those who can’t afford large homes on big lots. As part of the Yes to Homes coalition, we’re fighting to unrig these rules and give communities the power to build abundant, affordable housing all across our state.

We are proud to be part of We Choose Us, a coalition of grassroots organizations, unions, and advocacy groups fighting for multiracial democracy in Minnesota. Together we are protecting the democratic institutions we have, strengthening the communities that make democracy possible, and expanding our own ideas about what democracy can look like in order to best meet the needs of each and every person who makes Minnesota home.

ISAIAH is proud to be part of We Make Minnesota, a coalition of labor unions and grassroots organizations united by a vision of a more caring state. For too long, certain politicians and their billionaire backers have tried to divide us, hiding how they loot our communities to line their own pockets. Together, we’re fighting to make sure the wealthiest corporations and Minnesotans pay what they owe our state — so everyone can have the basic ingredients they need to live a safe, healthy, and dignified life, no exceptions.

In 2024, we joined partner organizations to conduct in-depth research on the messages that would move Minnesotans to fight for change in the election and beyond. Guided by our findings, we launched a strategic narrative campaign called We Make Our Future to frame the story and stakes of the election. By pairing rigorous organizing with research-backed messages delivered by trusted neighbors, we grounded people in the urgency of the moment and the possibilities for real change here in Minnesota.

Restore the Vote MN was a coalition of organizations united by the belief that voting is a human right. For more than a decade, we worked relentlessly to ensure that, in 2023, previously incarcerated Minnesotans regained their voting rights. Whether we’re White or Black, Latino or Asian, Native or newcomer, we believe our democracy is stronger when everyone has a voice. This is about more than just ballots — it’s about empowering people to rebuild and strengthen their communities.

Everyone in Minneapolis deserves a dignified roof over our heads. But over time, an increasing number of corporate, out-of-state landlords have driven up rents to squeeze more money from our homes. That’s why in 2021, we joined a coalition of community organizations and unions known as Home to Stay. Together, we successfully passed a charter amendment in 2021 that gives the City of Minneapolis the power to rewrite the rules and stabilize rents for working people across race, age, and zip code.

In 2019, St. Paul was ready to tackle big, bold challenges — affordable housing, climate change, and thriving schools for our kids. But just as momentum was building, a small group tried to drag the city backward by relitigating coordinated trash collection. We refused to let that derail our vision. Instead, we built the Vote Yes for St. Paul campaign — a narrative-driven, community-powered effort that mobilized neighbors, amplified our shared values, and secured a decisive win for St. Paul’s future.

Back in 2017, we teamed up with partner organizations to launch the Greater Than Fear campaign, built on Race Class Gender Narrative research and strategy. The campaign confronted racial division and dog-whistle politics head-on, mobilizing thousands of Minnesotans across race and geography to reject “divide-and-conquer” tactics and push for bold public solutions. Our work helped shape the 2018 midterms and set the agenda for key issues in the 2019 legislative session.