Advancing Equity in Action Fundraiser

Advancing Equity in Action

An Evening of Art and Activation to Resource Community-Led Research

Friday, June 12 ~ 6-9 p.m. ~ Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

The change we want to see in the world requires the leadership and expertise of communities most impacted by injustice. But, too often, we replicate the harms we want to address by expecting those communities to provide free labor and uncompensated capacity.

In Minnesota, we’re proud to be at the forefront of authentic community-led research, building genuine partnerships with grassroots organizations and impacted people that respect and compensate their time and expertise.

But that work requires resources.

Join the Equity in Action Way Foundation for an evening of art and activation to fund ground-breaking research across Minnesota. In partnership with the African American Leadership Forum, this event will include an art auction, local performers and inspiration from individual and institutional leaders who have engaged with the Equity in Action model.

Save the date; tickets on sale soon!

The Equity in Action Way Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that invests in actionable research, authentic community engagement, and community-led solutions for social transformation across the intersections of housing stability, health equity, and criminal justice.

Established in 2024 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, our work is inspired by and rooted in the leadership and scholarship of Dr. Brittany Lewis, who developed the Equity in Action process model over years of engagement with hundreds of impacted community members. We recognize that reclaiming research for community means:

Resourcing research that centers the voices of community members and organizations: From the cost of providing transportation or child care at a community gathering to compensation for Community Action Council members over the course a multi-year project, Equity in Action requires funding that traditional research budgets often overlook. From stipends for community members who take a survey to funding for small, grassroots organizations that serve directly impacted people, Equity in Action recognizes that equitable research MUST resource community members and partners for their expertise and their capacity.
Providing pro bono services to small community-led organizations: Research is critical to effective and enduring community change — but many organizations led by communities most impacted by injustice have limited financial capacity. Equity in Action ensures that community organizations on the frontlines have access to key research, like setting a strategic vision and evaluating impact.

Your donations and bidding in the auction support this critical work — and our education efforts to to shift the research landscape nationwide.

Learn more

Featuring

Event MC

Ashli Henderson was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, and is renowned for her talent in delivering raw, authentic comedy that can effortlessly roast a crowd. Her journey into stand-up comedy began in 2016, inspired by her natural ability to be funny with friends and family. Ashli has been featured multiple times on platforms like The Shade Room, World Star Hip Hop, and various social media channels, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
She has hosted and performed alongside notable acts such as Just Neesh, Bill Bellamy, Chris Tucker, WatchJazzy, B. Simone, DC Youngfly, Tyler Craig, Kenny Howell, Henry Welch, and many others. Ashli's comedy often explores her experiences as a single mother, her identity within the LGBTQ+ community, and her family life. Her high energy, unique style, and versatility have made her one of the most cherished comedians in the country.
In 2020, Ashli founded the Northside Emergency Resource Pop-up to provide essential resources to families impacted by the Minneapolis uprising, serving over 8,000 families. In 2021, she gained viral fame for her humorous reenactment videos, which significantly boosted her following across various social media platforms, nowing boasting 500k on TikTok, 180k on Facebook, 160k on Instagram, and 60k on YouTube.
After relocating to Houston in 2022, Ashli quickly rose to fame as one of the city’s funniest comics, performing at venues like Improv Houston and The Riot Comedy Club. She has also toured across the U.S. and Canada, headlining at popular comedy clubs. In 2024, Ashli recorded her first comedy special, '1320, Girlfriend’s House,’ showcasing her ability to blend humor with emotional and intellectual insights in her stand-up. Beyond her work as a comedian, Ashli is also a dedicated philanthropist who is passionately committed to her craft and community initiatives.

Performer

Lewiee Blaze is a Twin Cities–based hip-hop artist and cultural voice whose music bridges street-level storytelling with spiritual depth and social awareness. Rooted in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, his work reflects lived experience, resilience, and purpose—positioning him as both a recording artist and a movement-minded creator.
Known for emotionally charged lyricism and grounded delivery, Lewiee Blaze blends classic hip-hop foundations with modern melodic sensibilities. His projects Young Black & Gifted and ONE OF ONE showcase an artist unafraid to confront injustice, personal loss, and self-discovery while maintaining commercial clarity and replay value.
Beyond music, Lewiee Blaze is recognized for his community leadership and advocacy, using art as a tool for empowerment and narrative change. His presence within Minnesota’s hip-hop ecosystem—both on stage and off—has earned him respect as a voice of authenticity, purpose, and long-term vision.
Lewiee Blaze represents a rare balance of artistry, message, and cultural relevance—an artist built not just for moments, but for legacy.

In partnership with

Art Auction

To create lasting change, we need to build a new table with impacted communities at the center and diverse stakeholders committed to action. We invite community members of all ages, educators and academics, non-profit staff and organizers, front-line public service workers and philanthropic leaders of ALL backgrounds to join us.