You're Invited!
Time and time again, we are dazzled by the resiliency of our incredible Way to Grow families. We’re beginning the summer season alongside an ever-growing network of families, supporters, and community partners… what’s not to celebrate?
Join us for an evening of cocktails, networking, and looking ahead to the future together!

May 11, 2022
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Quincy Hall
1325 Quincy St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Our Guest Speaker:
Abdul Wright
Currently the Assistant Principal at a North Minneapolis middle school, Abdul Wright has dedicated the last decade of his life to education.
Prior to his current role, he taught Language Arts for ten years, and served a term as the Board Chair of Mastery Charter School in North Minneaoplis. Mr. Wright received the Minneapolis PeaceMaker award from the City of Minneapolis (2015), along with the ‘You’ve Made a Difference’ award from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (2015 and 2016). He completed an African American Leadership program (2016) and was the recipient of the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, where he was recognized as the first black male to receive the honor, the youngest, and the first teacher from a charter school.
Mr. Wright was also identified as a Minnesota African American Heritage Award Honoree in 2018.
Marti Erickson, Ph.D
In her long career at the U of M, Dr. Marti Erickson directed the Children, Youth & Family Consortium and the Harris Programs in Infant Mental Health. In 1986, Marti’s research on attachment and child abuse prevention led her to develop STEEP®, a home visiting model that still informs Marti’s speaking, here and abroad.
Throughout the 1990s, Marti worked closely with Vice President Al Gore on family policy, and she led a child rights training initiative in Tanzania, 2008 – 2011.
Marti appears regularly on KARE-TV News and, since 2006, has hosted the radio show and podcast, Mom Enough®, with her daughter, Dr. Erin Erickson.

Attire: Cocktail attire
Cocktail attire, also known as semi-formal attire, is the style of clothing you’ll wear at evening events like fundraisers and weddings. For women, cocktail attire is typically a cocktail dress: a knee-length dress designed for just such an occasion. For men, cocktail attire generally entails a suit that is less formal than a tuxedo.
COVID-19 Updates
This year’s celebration is an in-person event! Our first priority is the health and safety of our attendees and our community. All guests will be asked to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masking is encouraged!
As the event approaches, we will continue to follow all relevant CDC and State of Minnesota public health guidelines. For additional questions regarding our COVID-19 precautions, please email us at: events@mplswaytogrow.org.

Your Impact:
