A snapshot of the impact the Minnesota Chill Foundation had on the community and beyond.
A heartfelt congratulations is in order for Chuck and Cindy Hill, two remarkable individuals whose dedication and efforts have played a pivotal role in the success of Southside Back In The Day.
We are proud to introduce another Uplift Movement Man, Chuckie Hill, is a dynamic Black Male Educator, a professor, assistant principal, restorative practice guru, and director of education for the Minnesota Chill Foundation. Learn more about how he continues to impact the field of education. Mr. Chuckie had his first Black Male Educator when he attended Hampton University. He shares, “I know the importance of representation matters. While we are few in numbers, our impact is great!” Let’s celebrate Mr. Chuckie’s contributions and continue to uplift the voices of Black Male Educators.
Last Friday, February 16, 2024, marked a memorable occasion as Benjamin E. Mays hosted the event “The Future Belongs to Us” in honor of Black History Month. Amidst the gala atmosphere, the MN Chill Foundation experienced a profound moment of recognition and gratitude. It was with great honor that we received an award acknowledging our impactful contributions within the school and the broader community. This acknowledgment serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowerment and positive change, fueling our dedication to further serve and uplift those around us.
Making moves in Brooklyn Park! Cindy, co-founder of Minnesota Chill Foundation and founder of PSI Tech, is bringing her passion for community and business back to where it all began. With 36 years of entrepreneurial experience under her belt, it’s no surprise she’s chosen to grow her business in the inclusive space of the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center. Being a long-term resident and having launched her first venture here, Cindy’s connection to the community runs deep. She’s excited to give back to the place she loves and contribute to its evolving culture. Creating a cozy yet professional office space, Cindy’s determined to foster an environment where clients feel at home and where she can continue to thrive personally and professionally. She believes in letting your personality shine through your workspace and knows that energy is everything. Being surrounded by other strong women at the center is another motivating factor for Cindy. She’s grateful for their support and camaraderie, understanding the unique challenges women face in business. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with, sharing knowledge and experiences to drive success. Here’s to Cindy and her journey of growth and empowerment!
Huge congratulations to Tony Sanneh and his amazing foundation for pulling off another incredible ‘Gala4Goals’ event! Their dedication to uplifting the youth in our St. Paul community is truly inspiring. For years, they’ve been the driving force behind positive change, and we couldn’t be prouder to call ourselves a part of their team. At MN Chill Foundation and our partnership with PSI Tech Support, we’re honored to lend a hand by taking care of all the Sanneh Foundation’s IT needs. Being able to support such a meaningful cause brings us immense joy and purpose. It’s moments like these that remind us why community involvement matters. Here’s to many more successful events and continued impact on the youth of St. Paul!
A warm congratulations to the City of Brooklyn Park for their outstanding “Black History Month Celebration” last February 23rd! With over 400 residents in attendance, the event was a remarkable testament to unity and community spirit. Minnesota CHILL Foundation proudly sponsored 100 youth from the city, ensuring their participation in this significant occasion. The atmosphere was palpably filled with support and warmth, reflecting the deep bonds within the community. Witnessing people of all ages – from young kids to seniors – coming together under one roof and enjoying themselves was truly heartwarming. It’s moments like these that embody the essence of “CHILL” – Community, Helping, Individual, Live, and Learn.
Local youth teamed up with Brooklyn Park police for their annual basketball showdown, creating a buzz of excitement. “They’ve been talking about it all month,” said Kelvin Currington, the youth intervention specialist behind the Cops and Teens Basketball Tournament. The event, held Monday night at Zanewood Recreation Center, went beyond basketball. “We know there’s been a lot of negative interactions between cops and teens, but this is about breaking those barriers,” Currington explained. Previously, the tournament featured kids versus cops, but now the teams are mixed, fostering better engagement. “It’s made a huge difference for them to be on the same team as officers,” Currington noted. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley added another perspective. “These kids are really good,” Bruley said with a smile. “They’re fast, they can shoot. We have some talented officers too. But honestly, it’s not about winning or losing. For us, it’s about building good relationships with these kids.” The event saw about 40 youth, ages 12 to 16, and more than a dozen officers hitting the court together.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Thielen Foundation and its founders, Adam and Cait, for their successful fundraising event at Topgolf in Brooklyn Park on May 10th. The Thielen Foundation holds a special place in the hearts of everyone at the MN CHILL Foundation, as they were our first major sponsor. They believed in our potential even before we did. Thanks to their unwavering support, we’ve been able to assist over a thousand scholars through our programs over the past few years. Most importantly, for the past three years, every senior in our basketball program has gone on to college with academic or athletic scholarships. Our partnership is built on a shared mission: to prepare youth for success in life and open doors to new opportunities. Together, we’re proving that we’re more than just sports—we’re shaping futures.
The Minnesota CHILL Foundation extends a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to the remarkable success of our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on June 10th, 2024. The day was filled with excitement as one hundred passionate golfers joined forces with twenty-four generous sponsors and contributors, alongside over fifteen dedicated volunteers.
We are thrilled to congratulate Deavan George, a former NBA player, on the groundbreaking of his new company, George Modular Solutions, located in North Minneapolis. Alongside him in this innovative venture are Alvin Jones, a marketing student from Lake Region State College, and Michael Johnson Jr., a student of engineering from South Dakota State University. Together, they are revolutionizing the construction industry with cutting-edge modular solutions.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tony Sanneh for partnering with us to bring his free summer camps to the youth of Brooklyn Park. This collaboration has been an incredible opportunity for our community, providing local kids with a fun and enriching experience right in their neighborhood. We also want to give a special shoutout to Darrell Moffitt, the Director of Basketball at The Sanneh Foundation, for being such a fantastic partner. His passion and dedication have made a significant impact on the success of these camps.
This summer, the Minnesota CHILL Foundation proudly concluded our Freedom School Xpress program at the Rondo site with a grand finale. Over the past six weeks, we have been dedicated to empowering over three hundred scholars through our fitness programs, held at Hazel Park Preparatory School, Sandburg Middle School, and John A. Johnson Elementary School.
This weekend marked the much-anticipated return of the Twin Cities Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the first since the pandemic—and it did not disappoint! Brooklyn Center kicked-off the festivities kicked off on Friday night with a warm and welcoming meet-up at the Embassy Suites Hotel. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Tina Harpke, Nancy Cha, and the entire event staff for their outstanding hospitality.
The CHILL Tech Program is excited to ignite transformation for the next generation in partnership with the Sanneh Foundation. Our mission is to provide youth with hands-on IT training that creates real pathways to careers in one of the fastest-growing fields. This program goes beyond traditional tech training; it’s about breaking barriers, building essential skills, and opening doors for young people in our community to explore the vast possibilities within the tech world.
The Minnesota CHILL Foundation is excited to announce our new partnership with the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood to provide after-school programming at Benjamin E. Mays School. For many years, the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood has been a dedicated advocate for students and families, and we are honored to collaborate with them to enhance the educational experience for local youth.
Cindy Hill was deeply honored to speak at Burnsville High School’s Black Girl Magic event on Monday, December 2nd, at 8:45 a.m. This impactful gathering brought together African American and African-identifying young women to inspire and uplift them academically, socially, and emotionally. Cindy’s participation was made possible through her connection to the Black Minnesota Chamber of Commerce directory, where her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of event organizers.
We’re incredibly grateful to Bremer Bank for partnering with us to enrich the CHILL Tech program! A special thank you goes to Michael Johnson, Sr. Information Security Risk Analyst, and Nikke Purvis, Senior Risk Manager, for delivering such insightful presentations. Michael shared a deep dive into the critical world of cybersecurity, while Nikke covered the ins and outs of risk management. Their discussions included job roles, pathways into these fields, salary expectations, and much more, providing our participants with real, actionable knowledge.
Cindy Hill had an incredible experience attending the Nonprofit Board Lab conference hosted by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). The experience was nothing short of transformative and Cindy’s excited to share the valuable insights she gained with MN CHILL Foundation board members! The conference was an eye-opening deep dive into the world of nonprofit governance, offering a wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from fiduciary responsibility to building trust and collaboration within the boardroom. Cindy walked away with fresh perspectives on how to strengthen the MN CHILL’s nonprofit ecosystem and elevate the impact of our leadership.
On December 11th, Chuck and Cindy had the privilege of speaking at the Brooklyn Park Rotary Club, where they shared the inspiring history and mission of the MN CHILL Foundation. They highlighted our impactful programs and our dedication to empowering local youth through health, fitness, and education. We are now seeking support from the Rotary Club to help expand our reach and make an even greater difference in the Brooklyn Park area. With their partnership, we can continue to inspire and empower the next generation.
In December, Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams, a globally recognized expert in Responsible Artificial Intelligence, led an engaging work session for participants of the CHILL Tech Program. This hands-on session focused on the transformative potential of AI and how it can empower the next generation of tech leaders.
CHILL Tech participants took their skills to the next level in an incredible hands-on workshop led by the expert Brandon Taylor, with the assistance of Michael Johnson Jr., an electrical engineering student at Arizona State University. Michael, who has built custom gaming computers, added a wealth of knowledge to the session. Divided into two dynamic sessions, participants delved into the art of hardware repair. From replacing hard drives to upgrading 18GB RAM and optimizing systems to the latest Windows level, each step was a leap forward in their tech journey. For those who expressed interest, they explored the gaming world by installing specialized gaming software, combining creativity with technical expertise.
PO Box 431133
Brooklyn Park, MN
55443-4200
763-424-2824
mnchillfoundation@gmail.com
© 2021 The Minnesota Chill Foundation, All Rights Reserved | Site Designed by Pinkney Creative, LLC
