2024 Events
November 24, 2024 – The Inner Hero Family Meeting
Tonight’s The Inner Hero Family Meeting was an incredible success! 🎉 Thank you to all the parents, children, staff, board members, family, and friends who came out to join us and contributed! Your energy, support, and commitment to building a stronger community mean the world to us!
We enjoyed great food, shared gifts, and took intentional steps in planning for an exciting 2025. Your voices and ideas are the foundation of everything we do, and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the year ahead.
Thank you for being part of your child’s journey and for continuing to make a difference in community! ❤
– The Inner Hero Team
November 15, 2024 – Hennepin County Safe Communities Recognition
We are deeply honored to receive recognition from Hennepin County Safe Communities for The Inner Hero’s outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to Community Violence Prevention Programming. With the incredible support of Hennepin County Safe Communities, we have been able to achieve so much this year, including hosting:
- The After-School Program
- Youth Pathways to Civic Engagement and Careers
- The Inner Hero Mentorship Program
These programs are designed to empower our youth, foster positive change, and build pathways to brighter futures. Together, we can continue to inspire and create meaningful impacts in our community. Thank you, Hennepin County Safe Communities, for believing in our mission and partnering with us to make a difference!
November 7, 2024 – Robbinsdale Highview Academy Job Fair
On Nov 7th, The Inner Hero accepted an invitation to the Robbinsdale Highview Academy Job Fair to inform students, faculty members, and our other guests about the transformational programming we offer in the community A big THANK YOU to the Robbinsdale Highview Academy for the invite.
November 2, 2024 – Public Safety Meeting on Opioid Overdose Prevention
On November 2nd, we were honored to partner with the City of Brooklyn Center at their Community Public Safety meeting and training on opioid overdose prevention and Naloxone administration. This community meeting was facilitated by our community partner, Ms. LaToya Turk, the Director of the Office of Community Prevention, Health and Safety. Multiple organizations, including Hennepin County, The Red Door, Canopy Roots, The Inner Hero, and other dedicated community groups, joined to share programming and informational opportunities with residents and business owners of Brooklyn Center. The Inner Hero is committed to strengthening our collaboration with partners as we work together to advance health, safety, and transformation within our community.
October 25, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
Today was an unforgettable day for our Youth Pathways to Civic Education and Careers Series! We had the honor of welcoming Assistant Police Chief Alice White, the highest-ranked Black female officer in Minnesota, as our guest speaker at FAIR Middle School. Junior-high students had the incredible opportunity to hear her inspiring journey firsthand. Thank you, Chief White, for empowering our youth and showing them what it means to lead with resilience and purpose.
September 23, 2024 – The Inner Hero Fall Strategic Planning Meeting
The Inner Hero met for their fall strategic planning meeting to determine the path forward for the After-School program.
August 17-18, 2024 – Gus Macker 2024
Gus Macker 2024 was one for the record books! As a 2024 non-profit recipient, I’m grateful to have been a part of this historic event. Thank you, Cyd Hayes, for your dedication to bringing the tournament back to the Twin Cities! I’m thankful to have been a part of the planning team. Congratulations to all the volunteers, participants, and fans who came out to support and participate in the tournament. 2025 Gus Macker loading. The Inner Hero. Where we Educate, Inspire, and Build our Community Heroes!
August 2, 2024 – Our trip to Ghana and Liberia
Special guests and facilitators Mr. Medaria Rondo Arrandondo and Mr. Ambrose R. Russell were hosted by Liberian President Joseph Numah Boakai and Gregory O.W. Coleman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, for a one-day seminar presented to the Liberian National Police, titled Building Resilient Law Enforcement.
Special guests and facilitators Mr. Medaria Rondo Arrandondo and Mr. Ambrose R. Russell were hosted by Liberian President Joseph Numah Boakai and Gregory O.W. Coleman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, for a one-day seminar presented to the Liberian National Police, titled Building Resilient Law Enforcement.
July 27, 2024 – The Inner Hero’s 8th Annual 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament
In the heart of our community, the court came alive once again—the sneakers squeaked, the balls bounced, and the cheers echoed. Let’s play, inspire, and celebrate the hero in us all.
The Inner Hero hosted its 8th Annual 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament on Saturday, July 27th, 2024, at LEGACY HOOPS at 2122 Wooddale Dr #150, Woodbury, MN 55125. We had a great time and enjoyed some friendly competition as the teams competed for prizes and a trophy.
After the tournament, the championship team stood tall, rewarded with a $1,500 prize and a gleaming trophy. Meanwhile, the valiant runners-up secured their place, taking home $1,000 and their well-deserved trophy.
June 8, 2024 – The Inner Hero Summer Strategic Planning Meeting
The Inner Hero met for their summer strategic planning meeting to determine the path forward for the Youth Summer Camp at the Y as well as other upcoming events.
2023/2024 School Year – The Inner Hero After-School Program at the Y!!
The Inner Hero After-School Program provided a safe and supportive environment for students to thrive during the 2023/2024 school year. Through dedicated mentoring and personalized academic assistance, the program empowered students to discover their inner strengths, build confidence, and achieve their full potential in school and beyond.
May 31, 2024 – The Inner Hero Conversation on Opioid Addiction Recovery
A courageous community family conversation on opioid addiction recovery.
May 28, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
On Tuesday, May 28, The Inner Hero’s award ceremony celebrated students attending Cooper High School for their participation in the Youth Pathways to Civic Education and Careers series. The keynote speaker, Attorney General Keith Ellison, was welcomed by two student leaders and upcoming civic heroes, Miss Candace Lewis and Miss Darreen Muchen. Thank you for your continued support. This school year’s initiative has reached over 500 students consistently!
Also, thank you to Hennepin County Safe Communities for program funding and for continuing to believe in the work and impact at The Inner Hero.
May 22, 2024 – The Inner Hero Received the 2024 Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award
The Inner Hero was named a 2024 Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award honoree. The organization was celebrated at the Character Recognition Awards luncheon on May 22, 2024. The Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award spotlights character and ethical leadership development, honors organizations with exemplary efforts, motivate honorees toward continued effort and success, and inspires others with examples to replicate.
For the last 15 years, The Inner Hero has been empowering youth, young adults, and community heroes to realize their full potential by actively fostering trust and legitimacy between law enforcement and the community, breaking barriers through initiatives such as round-table dialogues, community outreach, and sports-based activities.
“My MN Ethical Leadership Awards Acceptance Speech”
Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow recipients, I start by thanking The Inner Hero Board of directors, staff, volunteers, my mom, grandparents, and most importantly, my darling wife and our kids. I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the prestigious MN Leadership Ethical Award.
It is truly a privilege to be recognized for embodying the principles of ethical leadership in my endeavors.
Ethical leadership is not just a title or a position; it’s a responsibility, a commitment to uphold integrity, honesty, and fairness in every action and decision. It’s about leading by example, inspiring trust, and fostering a culture of accountability and respect.
In today’s complex and ever-changing world, the need for ethical leadership has never been more critical. As leaders, we face numerous challenges and temptations, but it is how we navigate through them with integrity and moral courage that defines our character and leaves a lasting impact on those we lead.
I believe that true leadership is not about personal gain or recognition but about serving others and making a positive difference in their lives. It’s about standing up for what is right, even when it’s not the easiest path to take. I am grateful to all those who have supported and guided me on my leadership journey, and I share this honor with every one of them. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower others to lead with integrity and make ethical choices that shape a better future for our organizations, communities, and the world at large. Thank you once again for this incredible honor. Let us all strive to be ethical leaders who lead with purpose, compassion, and integrity. I will leave you with this personal quote,
“If serving others is beneath you, leadership is far beyond your reach.”
A. R. Russell Thank you, and God bless you and The Inner Hero, where we educate, inspire, and build our community heroes.
April 30, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
On April 30th, The Inner Hero organization hosted its third Youth Pathways to Civic Education and Careers series at Cooper High School. We were joined by Hennepin County Director of System Design for Health and Human Services, Lolita Ulloa, and Opioid Response Coordinator Julie Bauch to bring awareness to students and educators about their work to address the opioid crisis in Hennepin County. With over 160 + students in attendance!
March 6, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
The Inner Hero presents visionary community leader, Medaria Arradondo, CEO & President of Optimus Sui Consulting to the students of Cooper High School as a part of the Youth Pathways to Civic Education & Careers series.
February 28, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
The Inner Hero presents Bernie Burnham, President of MN AFL-CIO to the students of Cooper High School as a part of the Youth Pathways to Civic Education & Careers series.
February 23, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers Program at FAIR Crystal Middle School with Guest Speaker Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
