The Citizens League’s upcoming Civic Celebration to support opportunities for BIPOC youth

When the next generation young people of color have the opportunity to witness how laws are made, it allows them to understand their own political power and envision themselves as part of the process.

For more than a decade, the Citizens League has been exposing BIPOC college students to the political process and preparing them for careers in policy making and public service through its Capitol Pathways program.

When the Citizens League holds its upcoming annual premier gala, Civic Celebration 2026, on April 26, the evening will raise funds to support the expansion of representation through Capitol Pathways and other Citizens League programs.

Since 2016, Capitol Pathways has served young Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders through an immersive paid internship. Currently it provides these internships to 30 Minnesota students who are enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university in the state.

Robert Harper calls himself a “proud alumni” of the Capitol Pathways program.

“I was placed at the Capitol and I got hands-on experience and an-up close look at how decisions are made and who gets gets tax dollars invested in their community. It was a really transformational experience,” Harper said. 

Now he’s a Citizens League board member, senior manager of community empowerment at Mortenson Construction and a recent appointee to the Community Long-Range Improvement Commission in Brooklyn Park. Harper credits his current career to his Capitol Pathways internship, when he was a junior at Augsburg University.

“Capitol Pathways is one of the best ways I’ve seen for intentional investment to diversify leadership and engage young people in public policy,” Harper said. “My internship redefined my path. After the program, I went to the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota for my master’s degree; I had not considered politics before Capitol Pathways.”

A nonpartisan nonprofit organization, the Citizens League was founded to create opportunities for Minnesotans to engage in civic life and get involved in shaping public policy.

The Capitol Pathways internships further that goal by placing BIPOC college students in government offices, nonprofits, corporations, and law firms where they gain policymaking experience and build relationships that can lead to first jobs.

“The Citizens League differentiates itself as a nonpartisan organization, working with Republicans and Democrats. Now more than ever, we need folks to come together and find strategic ways to solve problems,” Harper added.

In addition to raising funds to support and grow the Capitol Pathways internships and other Citizens League programs, Civic Celebration 2026 promises to bring together Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, political parties, and ideologies who share a commitment to improving civic life.

The evening will also recognize two outstanding honorees: Sue Abderholden, mental health advocate and former executive director of NAMI Minnesota, and Paul Williams, former President and CEO of Project for Pride in Living, Inc.

The gala will be held on the evening of April 26 at Mosaic, a minority-owned event center located in downtown Minneapolis. Broadcaster, podcaster, activist and entrepreneur Sheletta Brundidge is slated to host the Civic Celebration. Comcast is the Changemaker sponsor for the celebration.

To purchase tickets to the Citizens League’s Civic Celebration 2026, go to https://citizensleague.org/civiccelebration2026/

To learn more about the Citizens League and its Capitol Pathways internship, go to https://citizensleague.org/