Who is De’Vonna
De’Vonna is a mother, wife, and active community leader committed to standing on the front line.
A skilled bridge builder, communicator, activator, and strategist, De’Vonna specializes in creating collaborations between communities and government, as well as curating spaces and programs that allow individuals, families, and communities to thrive.
Community Connector
Pittman co-founded the Minnesota Black Author’s expo with the goal of reducing educational inequities, to stimulate income, and to provide a space for community and educators to find black literature.
De’Vonna’s 17-year career at Hennepin County is expansive. From committee clerk to the Board of Commissioners, to the department of community corrections and public works, she has been a leader people can count on.
In the Department of Corrections, she spent countless hours with community leaders dreaming of ways to re-envision a construction training program for individuals exiting prison so probationers could earn a livable wage while learning construction.
As a contract analyst in corrections, she managed a budget of over $2.5 million and worked closely with community partners. As a project coordinator, De’Vonna was integral in major projects, including the Twins Stadium. Her work included coordinating community conversations around ADA and accessibility issues and the environmental impact study.
Since 2013 De’Vonna has hosted countless forums focused on bringing awareness to childhood sexual abuse and to empower women, children, and their families.
As a volunteer mentor at the Hennepin County Home School, she dedicated countless hours to the well-being of county involved youth.
Recognized Leader
De’Vonna is a recognized community leader who is passionate about connecting people to solutions and resources.
She is a Josie R. Johnson Leadership Fellow who was recently featured in Fearless Commerce, a nationally recognized magazine that elevates Black women business owners through the production of books and live events.
She currently serves on the American Civil Liberties Union Smart Justice Committee. In the past, she served on the boards of the City of Lakes and Land Trust and The Sexual Violence Center.
Experience that Matters
De’Vonna has spent almost two decades in public service as a voice for marginalized communities. Her expansive experience with Hennepin County and work in the community ranges from handling million dollar budgets and contracts to working with ex-offenders and individuals on probation.
She understands the underlying issues that affect everyday people and is committed to providing leadership and finding solutions to combat them.
She believes that community members where they live helps empower them to make decisions that reduce inequities and create thriving communities and strong families.
De’Vonna is also a small business owner, community advocate, and author. She was born and raised in Ford Heights, Il., once deemed the poorest suburb in America. With a population of less than 3,000 residents, she learned the value of community early in life.
She was raised by her mother who worked two jobs to try and make ends meet. Her mother was also a small business owner of a barbecue joint, where she and her six brothers and sisters learned the value of hard work.
De’Vonna moved to Minneapolis in 1992. She currently lives in New Hope and has lived in District 1 for the past 12 years.
She graduated from Metropolitan State University with a degree in Criminal justice, and earned her Masters of Science in Law Enforcement Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
People for Pittman
2 weeks ago
The Center for Economic Inclusion and Ramsey County worked together to present the first Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion plan in the state of Minnesota after one year of planning and design.
Ramsey County plans to levy a nearly $12 million property tax that will help fund a first-of-its-kind plan to build and preserve affordable housing and support minority-owned small businesses.
“I just wanted to express my excitement for this and acknowledge this will probably make some folks uncomfortable," said County Commissioner Nicole Joy Frethem. "There are folks who are just uncomfortable when we talk about things about race equity and diversity."
"While we cannot totally erase the harm caused to past generations by racial discrimination in housing and employment, the county commits to our role in forging a better path forward," said County Board Chairwoman Willetha Toni Carter in a letter at the beginning of the draft plan.
The county collaborated with the Center for Economic Inclusion, a St. Paul-based nonprofit focused on driving racial equity and inclusion, which provided consulting services. ... See MoreSee Less
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook
Glad to pay taxes to create a better future driven by equity and inclusion.
People for Pittman
3 weeks ago
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance help from FEMA.
https://fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/…
An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.
Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. ... See MoreSee Less
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov
www.fema.gov
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites..Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook
People for Pittman
3 weeks ago
Join Lunar Startups + The Coven on Friday, March 18 for a conversation with Sam Ndely, Director of Employer Inclusivity and De'Vonna Pittman, Director of Inclusive Growth.
Building profitable partnerships starts with nurturing strong relationships.
Sustainable business growth can come in the form of long term contracts with public or private organizations. But where do you start?
We're tapping the Center for Economic Inclusion for all the secrets.
RSVP for this free event:
#partnerships #strategicalliance ... See MoreSee Less
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook
People for Pittman
1 month ago
Emergency rent assistance is available! Pass it on.
... See MoreSee Less
Emergency Rent Assistance
www.hennepin.us
Residents in Hennepin County who have been financially harmed by COVID-19 may qualify for emergency rental assistance.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook
People for Pittman
1 month ago
Faith is dead without works. What are you doing to change the state of our world one community at a time? ... See MoreSee Less
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook
People for Pittman
2 months ago
Minnesota’s Own lights up the screen on the TODAY show. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook