Why the Census Matters

EVENT DETAILS:

Intended Audience: Everyone is Welcome!

Presenters:

Fee: $15 for an individual spot, $40 for a table of four; includes lunch

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Born in Minneapolis and educated in Bemidji, Kevin Leecy served in the US Army Infantry and began his professional career working in Indian gaming. Leecy parlayed that employment experience and extra classes at Bemidji State University into an opportunity to return to Bois Forte in 1996. He has held several positions in gaming, including Assistant General Manager and Director of Public Relations for Fortune Bay Resort Casino. Bois Forte Band members elected him Tribal Chairman in 2004 and 2008. He also serves as Chairman of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and was re-elected in 2008 by tribes across the country to Vice Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association. Bois Forte, or "strong wood," was the French name given to the original people living in the dense forests of what is now northern Minnesota. Bois Forte is divided into three sectors: Nett Lake, Vermillion, and Deer Creek. The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa own and operate several successful businesses, including Fortune Bay Resort Casino and Nett Lake Wild Rice. (Mr. Leecy was unable to attend the event due to a scheduling conflict, but sent a proxy.)

Yusef Mgeni is the Director of the Office of Educational Equity for the Saint Paul Public Schools. In that capacity, he is a member of the superintendency, overseeing the district’s multifaceted efforts to ensure that all students have access to a world-class education and achieve high academic standards in an inclusive learning environment. Prior to joining the school district, Mr. Mgeni served for 12 years as President of the Urban Coalition, a Twin Cities-based research, public policy and advocacy organization, noted for its work in the areas of health, the elimination of hunger and poverty, education, issues affecting immigrants and refugees, issues of race, welfare reform, technical assistance and capacity-building. 

 

Bao Vang, Chair, Minnesota Asian-Pacific Islander Complete Count Committee

In addition to being the Chair of Minnesota’s Asian-Pacific Islander Complete Count Committee, Bao Vang is also the Executive Director of the Hmong American Partnership (HAP), a non-profit organization based in St. Paul that provides Hmong and other refugee communities with services and support to help them adjust to life in America and maximize available opportunities. Bao Vang has a BA in Accounting and Management from St. Catherine’s college in Saint Paul and won a Bush Fellowship in 1999. The Fellowship enabled her to complete a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Management at Hamline University. She has been a resident of the Saint Paul area (primarily Saint Paul) since her family emigrated here from Laos (via Hawaii) in late 1980 when she was only 10. Bao has held a number of government and non-profit management and accounting positions, including serving as a Human Services Manager for Ramsey County just before she left to join HAP.

 

Mario Vargas currently works for the Minnesota Demographic Center in their effort to ensure everyone in Minnesota is counted during the 2010 Census. Previously, he worked as a senior marketing outreach consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. He has a number of years of experience with Latino outreach, strategic planning, grant reviewing and working with non-profit organizations. In addition to his work at the Demographic Center, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, a statewide government agency that advises the governor and the state legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota’s Chicano Latino community. Vargas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota at Morris and an executive mini-M.B.A. certification from the University of St. Thomas.