Shakopee solicits ideas for engaging its minority residents

It was standing-room-only with an overflow crowd lapping at the door.

A little pulse of excitement surged through the room as the new mayor took the microphone.

It was Shakopee's first-ever "diversity summit," and the crowd of more than 140 that spilled out of the City Council chambers surprised even its organizers. With appetizers, bursts of exuberant applause and even a few unscripted "God Bless Americas," it felt more like a rally than another staid government affair.

"This is extraordinary. We have so many people here," said Mayor Brad Tabke.

The city, Shakopee Public Schools, St. Francis Regional Medical Center and New Creation Lutheran Church organized the gathering last Thursday with the goal of giving the city's growing minority population a greater voice and role in the community. Tabke also hopes to form a more permanent diversity task force.

The 32-year-old mayor -- with his conversational speech, casual, hipster style-sideburns, dark-rimmed glasses and belted jeans worn slightly below the waist -- seemed to energize the crowd. Tapping into the "new" Shakopee was a pivotal plank in Tabke's election platform last fall.

An insular city of 20,000 at the millennium, Shakopee nearly doubled to 37,000 during the following decade. The new Shakopee is young and diverse. Minorities make up nearly a quarter of the city's population, and 30 percent of the city's residents are under age 18.

That just doesn't represent the city, he explained.

The Shakopee school district helped spearhead the summit. With the school-age population of Shakopee even more diverse than its general population, the schools have addressed issues facing Somali, Russian, American Indian and Hispanic families for several years. The district's four cultural liaisons each spoke, giving the audience a brief primer on each group's background.

"They're entrepreneurs. ... They are friendly. They work hard. They are smart," said Somali cultural liaison Ibrahim Mohamed. He stressed Somalis' desire to engage as part of the greater community.

Programming and education only work when individual perceptions change, said Dee Buros, the district's American Indian liaison.

"The only thing that brings unity to a community is a change of heart," Buros said. "It's individuals that you change."

The consulate of Mexico, based in St. Paul, also participated in the event.

"You have all the elements to be successful," said Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, complimenting organizers and describing the services her office offers. "We are very resourceful and we would love to be part of this effort."

After introductions, the crowd divided into groups, circling chairs and bringing heads together to consider the question: What are some of the bright spots and where are opportunities to improve?

The groups then shared their ideas: Host a multicultural festival, attract more businesses and shops to Shakopee, offer more public Internet access and create more meeting spaces for the community and for children, who seem to effortlessly make cross-cultural connections. At least one group addressed the issue of racial profiling, with a couple from Guyana telling how they had been stopped by police on their own lawn on three occasions.

People filed out of the meeting, nodding in approval. Mohamud Issack, a 22-year-old who immigrated from Somalia via Kenya, said he heard a lot of good ideas.