Endorsements

“I'm proud to have the support of these organizations and community leaders."

“I am proud and humbled to have earned the DFL’s support. I will work hard to turn out the vote in November and to ensure residents have the quality of life they want and deserve.”

De'Vonna Pittman

“AFSCME Council 5 is excited to announce our support for De’Vonna Pittman in Hennepin County to be the next Commissioner for District 1. Our members are proud to support you and we look forward to working with you in the future.”

Abdul Omar

Political Organizer, AFSCME Council 5

“We believe you are exactly what District 1 needs. We believe in your leadership and are excited to endorse you for the county board.”

Kimberly Nelson

Political Director, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

“Hennepin County will be the epicenter for the critical power building work that needs to happen in this moment in our state. We look forward to supporting you as a labor-endorsed candidate.”

Chelsie Glaubitz

President, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

“The Teamsters Joint Council 32 is very excited to endorse De’Vonna Pittman to be the next Commissioner from the northern suburbs of Hennepin County. We need strong support on the County Board for workforce development issues and support for workers. We trust De’Vonna to be a great new partner on issues such as training opportunities for youth, sustainable jobs creation, and funding for our county roads.”

Edward Reynoso

Political Director, Teamsters Joint Council 32

“De’Vonna is a skilled bridge-builder, fierce literacy and equity advocate, and dedicated community activist. With her eighteen-year career at Hennepin County in Public Safety, Administration, and Disparity Reduction, De’Vonna will bring invaluable expertise and lived experience to the Board of Commissioners. De’Vonna will work boldly and tirelessly to ensure Hennepin County works for all residents.”

Meggie Wittorf

Executive Director, Women Winning

“The Minnesota NOW PAC is thrilled to endorse De’Vonna Pittman in her race for the Hennepin County Commissioner. We need leaders who will work for constitutional equity, reproductive rights, and LGBTQIA rights and we are excited to support De’Vonna, who is clearly one of those leaders.”

Grace Anderson

PAC Chair, Minnesota NOW

“…my family is safer because of your local advocacy. I am so grateful… for us to be able to work together as champions for all human rights…”

Tamara Grady, she/her/hers

PAC Member, OutFront Minnesota

“LiUNA is one of Minnesota’s largest and most active unions. We are proud to support leaders who share our values and priorities: Creating family-sustaining jobs; Protecting working peoples’ freedom to negotiate a fair return on work; Providing affordable healthcare and retirement security; and advancing all workers’ freedom to prosper. We look forward to working with you.”

Kris Fredson

Director of Public Affairs, LiUNA Minnesota & North Dakota

“The Veterans Caucus unanimously endorses De’Vonna Pittman for Hennepin County Commissioner. Her values and support of veterans issues stand her apart from everyone.”

Mark Doble

Vice Chair & Outreach Officer, DFL Veteran's Caucus

Elected Officials

These current and former elected officials and community leaders are proud to endorse De’Vonna for Hennepin County Commissioner.

Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
Josie R. Johnson, Civil Rights Icon
John Hoffman, State Senator – District 36
Chris Eaton, State Senator – District 40
Ann Rest, State Senator – District 45
Bobby Joe Champion, State Senator – District 59
Kristen Bahner, State Representative 34B
Samantha Vang, State Representative 40A
Mike Nelson, State Representative 40B
Mike Freiberg, State Representative 45B
Lyndon Carlson, State Representative 45A
Bonnie Westlin, Candidate for State Senate, District 34
Cedrick Frazier, New Hope City Council, Candidate for State Representative 45A
Jeffrey Hassan, African American Leadership Forum Forum Executive Director

Angela Conley, Hennepin County Commissioner
Marquita Butler, Brooklyn Center City Council
April Graves, Brooklyn Center City Council
Kimberly Sandberg, Golden Valley City Council
Steve Adams, Candidate for Mayor of Crystal
Sharon Sayles-Belton, Former Mayor of Minneapolis
Linda Higgins, Former State Senator and Hennepin County Commissioner
Peter McLaughlin, Former Hennepin County Commissioner
Mark Andrews, Former Hennepin County Commissioner
Gail Dorfman, Former Hennepin County Commissioner
Richard “Dick” Miller, Former Hennepin County Commissioner
Jackie Cherryhomes, Former Minneapolis City Council Member
Elizabeth Glidden, Former Minneapolis City Council Member
Natalie Johnson Lee, Former Minneapolis City Council Member

Community Members

These community members are proud to endorse De’Vonna for Hennepin County Commissioner.

Zinet Abdella
Kay Adam
Adam Ahmed
Cynthia Andrews
Juan Artavia
Terry Austin
Alfred Babington-Johnson
Lennon Baker
Chuck Ballentine
C.B. Bell
Staci Bell
Courtney Bell
Jenny Bender
Ross Bennett
Lamaudia Bentley
Carolyn Bentley
Tazz Bentley
Alexis Bentley
Dorothy Bentley-Myles
Ardella Bentley
Brenda Brazil
Candi Broeffle
Kamouri Brooks
Sharon Brooks Green
Theresa Brown
Michelle Brown
Menia Buckner
Babette Buckner
Latrina Caldwell
Latonja Cannady
Lisa Cannon-Ratliff
Erica Carver
Meghan Casey
Mary Chasin
Karen Coffey
Natalie Connelly Marquetta
Shaval Crooms
Donald Crumbley
Tesha Dampier
Lebernardo DaVinci
Tyona Davis
Dana Dickson
Zam Zam Diriyey
Adrieanne Annette Duffy
Bob Esnough
Robbin Frazier
Shamara Freeman
Linda Freemon
David and Roseanna Garibaldi
Chip Gehring
Keith George
Toni Geurts
Kent Goodroad
Adrianne Gould
Mike Hallenbeck
Beverly Hammond
Lisa C. Hill
Christina Hill
Mark Hinds
Sonzaray Holley
Charlita Holley
Damaris Hollingsworth
Chris Huble
Tonia Hughes
Tana Hutton
Anna Hyde Babbington-Johnson
Mark Intermill
Nancy Intermill
John Isom
Trina James
Tasha Jenkins English
LaSonya Johnson
Preston Johnson
Pashell Johnson

Yordanos Kiflu-Martin
Aja King
Tasha Kirk
Shelly Korby
Anna LaCombe
Nancy Lee
Jean Loyd
Naomi Lund
Susan Lynx
Mary Markwardt
Vera Martin
Jerry McAfee
Donna McCullough
Lasasha McGinnis
Lori McGinnis
Dustin McGinnis
Shereese Mcintosh
Detra Miler
Robert Miller
Travis Mitchell
Joan Molenaar
Dionnedre Moore
Mikki Morrissette
Elsie P. Moss Clemons
Charlitta Moss-Livingston
Mike Mullin
M. Kathleen Murphy
Kristie Nelson
Dorothy Nins
Adrienne Notts
Alta Oben
Nicole Olaware
Nicole Olawore
Emma Olson
Dawn Paden
Felicia Palmer
Tony Parrish
Catina Patterson
Gene Perry
Kristin Peter
Danielle Peterson Gayle
Robert Pittman
Kimberly Porter
Melissa Porter
George Posey
Elsa Posey
Michelle Price
LaTonya Reeves
Elzora Robinson
Shawanna Rodriguez
Sarah Rossell
Ciara Royston
Christopher Royston
Roshonda Royston
Thomas Rupp
Jo Russell
Dhona Sanders-Williams
Charvez & Sharmaine Russell
Jevetta Steele
Alex Samuelson
Paul Schulte
James Seals
Melanie Sedqi
Jannie Seibure
Sharon Shelton
Sam Simmons
Jehanzain Sirdar
Lashan Smith
Jeannette Smith Nash
Marichel Dynese Steverson
Louis Steward
Tara Stone
Shakeeta Sturden
Leondo Suddu

Whitney Taha Frakes
Mary Taris
Angelique Taylor
Sheila Taylor
Jennie Teage
Tammy Tesky Ausen
Fontaine Thompson-Robinson
Phyllis Tolbert
Diane Tran
Maria Tran
Sherrie Turcotte
Shereese Turner
Jon Vang Tao
Henry Viggs
Teresa M. Ward
Georgia Ware
Tiffany Washington
Shekina Washington
Teona Washington
Mary Wattley
Qiana Wiley-Ruffin
Cynthia Wilson
Ash Wirth-Petrik
Dawanna Witt
Tracy Wofford
Brittany Wright
Maikao Xiong Vang
Cindy Yang
Wisdom Young
Mike Zastoupil
Calli Zastoupil
Amanda Zoss
Latrisha Caldwell
Yatrice Smith
Ann Marie Lund

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People for Pittman

5 days 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

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People for Pittman

6 days ago

Minnesota’s Own lights up the screen on the TODAY show. ... See MoreSee Less

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People for Pittman

6 days ago

To say that I am completely humbled by this honor is an understatement.

Check out the other community leaders who were named Black History Makers.HCL is celebrating Black History Month by featuring current history makers in our community. Today we are featuring De'Vonna Pittman.

De’Vonna Pittman founded the Minnesota Black Authors Expo in 2017 connecting Black authors and their work to community and educators. An author, community advocate, and equity advocate, she has hosted countless community forums to empower women and their families.

She is Director of Inclusive Growth at Center for Economic Inclusion. Pittman leads the Center’s efforts to create broad, measurable shared accountability among public local, regional and statewide leaders and policy makers. She equips leaders and agencies with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to close racial wealth gaps and accelerate inclusive economic competitiveness through racially equitable workforce, land-use, economic development, housing, transportation and infrastructure policies and investment.

-- What inspires you to do the work you do in your community? --

I am a product of generational poverty and I know the barriers to gaining stability and self-empowerment. Pulling one's self out of poverty requires utilizing systems that are often not built to truly address all that comes along with trauma, instability, and being raised in a marginalized community. I know what is possible with even a little bit of determination and having systems that minimally address basic needs of survival. I believe that every little bit of passion I put into the world around me will create incremental changes in community, and in families, and it will make life better for a lot of people.

-- What part of this work for your community are you most proud of? --

I am most proud of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo; it is a magical event. Minnesota has some of the worst educational disparities; our children, especially children of color, have fallen behind. We wanted to restore a love for reading for Black children, and in Black communities. The expo has donated over 700 books since 2017. In the process of connecting community to Black literature, we were able to build something very special. ... See MoreSee Less

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Congrats DeVonna!! You make me so proud!!

People for Pittman

1 week ago

“Black Joy, Politics, and Equity”

I love writing, but losing something or someone takes something out of you, and I hadn’t been able to gather my thoughts until now.

This piece sums it up! I’m backkkkkkk!!! ❤️❤️

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VIEW: Black Joy, Politics, and Equity

r20.rs6.net

If we could simply prove to more people that we have the ability to be happy, and that the laughter of our children brings us joy, it might shift minds.

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That was beautifully written. And what a great message. As you always told me, whether we won or lost, this was destined to be your path. I'm so glad you allowed me to be by your side for some of the distance. ❤

Incredible pen-womanship!

Congratulations on your new role! Wonderful article! ❤️❤️

People for Pittman updated their profile picture.

3 weeks ago

For those of you who don’t know, I started in a new role with the Center for Economic Inclusion.

This week marks one month of building with leaders across the region to dismantle racist structures and systems to ensure inclusive growth.

We can do this together.

“As Director of Inclusive Growth, De'Vonna leads the Center’s efforts to create broad, measurable shared accountability among public, local, regional and statewide leaders and policy makers by equipping leaders and agencies with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to close racial wealth gaps and accelerate inclusive economic competitiveness through racially equitable workforce, land-use, economic development, housing, transportation and infrastructure policies and investments. “ ... See MoreSee Less

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