Moving Forward Together: A Call for Unity and Action

A town hall meeting at St. Paul AMA Church Monday evening was a call for unity.

In a time of growing challenges and division, our community must come together with a shared agenda to ensure our voices are heard and our needs are met. The strength of our unity lies in the organizations that have long been at the forefront of advocating for justice and equity—most notably, the NAACP and the IMA (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance) that represent the voices of pastors, clergy, and ministers across all denominations.

It is imperative that every pastor, every leader, and every community member align with these organizations to galvanize our efforts. Too often, separate meetings and fragmented discussions dilute our power. Without a unified strategy, we risk allowing our concerns to be sidelined or ignored, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Holding Leadership Accountable

Our City Council must recognize that we are not only present, but we are also engaged and committed to holding them accountable. It is unacceptable for elected officials to make decisions without consulting the very constituents they serve. How many times have community members been asked about the performance of city management? How often have their voices been truly considered?

When advocacy groups and community leaders speak out, numbers matter. Elected officials count heads in the room, and they respond to collective pressure. We have seen this before—when issues like the city animal shelter garnered attention, the mobilization was strong and effective. Our issues deserve the same level of urgency and response.

Organizing for Political Representation

As we look toward upcoming elections, it is time to stop the cycle of multiple slates of candidates that only serve to divide us. While we cannot prevent anyone from running for office, we can establish a process that ensures candidates seeking our community’s support align with our values and priorities.

A structured organization should be the vetting body through which all candidates seeking community endorsement must pass. If a candidate has never stood with us before but suddenly appears during election season, that should be a red flag. We need representation that is truly committed—not just during campaign season but throughout their tenure in office.

At-large positions must serve all of us. We cannot accept leadership that claims neutrality when critical decisions impacting our communities are on the line. Those who hold these positions must be present in every neighborhood, ensuring that all voices are heard, especially those from historically underserved areas.

A Call to Action

We must remain intentional in our efforts. Every meeting that aims to mobilize the community should be centralized through key organizations that have long fought for equity and justice. This ensures clear communication, a unified front, and a strategic approach to advocacy.

Our power lies in our ability to come together, speak with one voice, and demand accountability. We are here, and we are not going anywhere. It is time to stand united, organize effectively, and secure the future we deserve.

Let’s move forward together.