Our Mission
To mobilize the community to create innovative solutions
that end violence in our neighborhoods.
that end violence in our neighborhoods.
Our Story
We the Unity Community Mediation Team (UCMT) are an authentic representative of the diverse communities of Minneapolis. We are African American, Native American, Latino, East African, and advocates for the LGBTQ community and the behavioral health community, who came together in the early 2000s to enter into a US Department Of Justice Community Relations Service sponsored five-year mediation and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) implementation process with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in response to brutal abuse of our community members.
In 2003 we signed an MOA with the MPD which had an unprecedented scope including a Preamble and sections on:
The MOA created the Police Community Relations Council (PCRC), to serve as the joint body consisting of UCMT and MPD representation, charged with implementation of the MOA.
Since the MOA signing in 2003, members have worked on public safety and public health issues until reconvening immediately after the tragic murder of George Floyd. UCMT is at the table today working with the Minneapolis Police Department to update and amend the existing MOA and to oversee its full implementation.
Additionally, in response to the current gun violence crisis in Minneapolis the Unity Community Mediation Team, alongside other community partners, is developing community-based responses to public safety needs in Minneapolis and related communities to:
In 2003 we signed an MOA with the MPD which had an unprecedented scope including a Preamble and sections on:
- Use of Force;
- Police Community Relations;
- Mental Health Issues;
- Diversifying the Workforce;
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity;
- Racially Biased Policing;
- Accountability of Police Officers – The Complaint and Discipline Process;
- Removal of Children from the Home / Out of Home Placement;
- Training;
- Equipment;
- Budget;
- Effective Date;
- Expiration; and
- Performance, Monitoring and Compliance with the Agreement
The MOA created the Police Community Relations Council (PCRC), to serve as the joint body consisting of UCMT and MPD representation, charged with implementation of the MOA.
Since the MOA signing in 2003, members have worked on public safety and public health issues until reconvening immediately after the tragic murder of George Floyd. UCMT is at the table today working with the Minneapolis Police Department to update and amend the existing MOA and to oversee its full implementation.
Additionally, in response to the current gun violence crisis in Minneapolis the Unity Community Mediation Team, alongside other community partners, is developing community-based responses to public safety needs in Minneapolis and related communities to:
- Foster the role of community youth in these public safety and public health efforts and to grow community leadership for the future;
- Strengthen the community’s role in violence prevention and public health response to trauma and behavioral health challenges and the underlying causes and triggers of crisis events; and
- Implement the community-based strategies articulated in UCMT’s MOA with the MPD, and update and amend the MOA to address current community needs.
Our Team
Board Leadership:
Chair, Rev. Ian Bethel, Minnesota State Baptist Convention
First Vice Chair, Farhio Khalif, East African Women’s Advocate
Second Vice Chair, Zachary Metoyer, Federal Mediation Now, Metropolitan Community Development, retired
Third Vice Chair, Mary LaGarde, Mpls American Indian Center, Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors
Fourth Vice Chair, Frank Paro, American Indian Movement
Fifth Vice Chair, Dr. Ora Hokes, Community Elder
Secretary, Mark Anderson, Barbara Schneider Foundation
Treasurer, Anita Urvina, Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission, retired
Board Members:
Joe Beaulieu, Little Earth of United Tribes, Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors
Lorraine Gurley, Pastor
Al Flowers, Safe Streets, KMOJ Host
Addie Hammond, University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
Dr. Peter Hayden, Turning Point, Inc
Nicholas Martens, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Anthony McMorris-Rice, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Aisha Mohamud, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Harry Spike Moss, Freedom Fighter
LaZya Smith, Young People's Task Force
George Vickermann
Rebecca Waggoner, Quorum, The LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Shanasha Whitson, Aliveness Project, Minnesota Psychological Association
Miles Wilson, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force, United Not Divided
Eric Won, Asian Pacific Islander Community
Chair, Rev. Ian Bethel, Minnesota State Baptist Convention
First Vice Chair, Farhio Khalif, East African Women’s Advocate
Second Vice Chair, Zachary Metoyer, Federal Mediation Now, Metropolitan Community Development, retired
Third Vice Chair, Mary LaGarde, Mpls American Indian Center, Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors
Fourth Vice Chair, Frank Paro, American Indian Movement
Fifth Vice Chair, Dr. Ora Hokes, Community Elder
Secretary, Mark Anderson, Barbara Schneider Foundation
Treasurer, Anita Urvina, Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission, retired
Board Members:
Joe Beaulieu, Little Earth of United Tribes, Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors
Lorraine Gurley, Pastor
Al Flowers, Safe Streets, KMOJ Host
Addie Hammond, University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
Dr. Peter Hayden, Turning Point, Inc
Nicholas Martens, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Anthony McMorris-Rice, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Aisha Mohamud, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force
Harry Spike Moss, Freedom Fighter
LaZya Smith, Young People's Task Force
George Vickermann
Rebecca Waggoner, Quorum, The LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Shanasha Whitson, Aliveness Project, Minnesota Psychological Association
Miles Wilson, Co-Chair Young People's Task Force, United Not Divided
Eric Won, Asian Pacific Islander Community
Staff: AJ Flowers, Project Coordinator Young People's Task Force
Our Partners
We move forward in partnership with community organizations working on behalf of high-risk youth, adults, and families:
Above The Rim
ADA/ Attitude Determines Altitude
Barbara Schneider Foundation
Coy/ Centered on Youth
God Squad, MN
Mentoring Young Adults
Minnesota Safe Streets
A Mother's Love
New Salem 8218 Truce Center
Project Take Back
UHURU Inc.
We Push For Peace
YMCA MN
Young People's Task Force
ADA/ Attitude Determines Altitude
Barbara Schneider Foundation
Coy/ Centered on Youth
God Squad, MN
Mentoring Young Adults
Minnesota Safe Streets
A Mother's Love
New Salem 8218 Truce Center
Project Take Back
UHURU Inc.
We Push For Peace
YMCA MN
Young People's Task Force