Community Tech Hubs

November 2022 marked the official opening of our Community Tech Hubs for all youth 12-20+ in South Minneapolis and Deer River.

21st Century Tech Skills
Career Pathways
Mental Health & Wellness
Community Tech Support and Literacy

Advancing Digital Equity

Empowering Communities for the 21st Century Digital Economy

The purpose of our Community Tech Hubs is to change the future arc of underserved communities and their youth. We believe that in a post-pandemic and post-George Floyd world, digital equity is a critical equalizer for marginalized communities.

In the past two years, Smart North has doubled down on driving digital equity within underserved and under-addressed Minnesota communities with a Community Tech Hub initiative focused on providing youth 12- 20+ years access to the latest technology tools and skills to partake in the 21st-century opportunities. Our first two locations are officially open as of November 2022.

Smart North continues to work actively with the community leaders, youth, and local organizations such as civic, public, private, academic, and entrepreneurial in the neighborhoods around George Floyd Square in Minneapolis and Deer River/Leech Lake in rural Northern Minnesota to co-create this initiative.

Explore our Community Tech Hubs

Driving change, one community at a time.

The Heart of
South Minneapolis

📍 Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis.

Between East Thirty-Fourth and Forty-Sixth Streets, and between Nicollet Avenue and Chicago Avenue is a collection of neighborhoods in Minneapolis that is home to many BIPOC-identifying peoples. Yet, they also have an average household income that is $20,000 less than the income of the county at large. These conditions create a self-perpetuating cycle and result in an economic apartheid where people of color in local neighborhoods have less generational wealth, lower property values or fewer routes to homeownership, lower educational attainment, and lower annual incomes.

Smart North has collaborated with members of the community and takes input from the community's youth to develop a solution. Technology's increasingly pivotal role in the workforce and the larger world becomes more and more apparent. Smart North aims to tackle these inequities from this angle. Smart North and its community partners plan to create new futures for the youths in this community by providing them with new opportunities, tech/occupational education, and other services. They offer programs to teach and inspire students about digital skills. In a program, youths can learn programming, cyber security, augmented virtual reality, Web 3, drone piloting, and artificial intelligence. They can also use technology for art, creative projects, and 3D design.

Beyond developing technology skills, Tech Hubs also connect students with resources for mentoring, apprenticeships, portfolio development, and resume writing. They provide youths with holistic support for barriers and struggles they face as individuals with unique circumstances, including access to food pantries, mental health resources, clothing, and transportation assistance.

Minneapolis Circle of Care Partners

Our Initiatives would be nothing without the love and support of our Circle of Care Partners.

A Sanctuary of Opportunity

📍 Goodall Resource Center, Deer River, Minnesota.

Despite being a home to many with a high-quality life, Deer River is also home to many families and individuals who continue to struggle with its long-standing inequities that are geographic, racial, and economic in nature.

A grassroots group of Deer River residents, educators, and partners in collaboration with Smart North discusses that, in the post-pandemic world, more and more people can work remotely. From this realization comes the proposal of Community Tech Hubs. Our hubs serve as a joyful, welcoming, and inclusive environment where youth can develop new skills and find support and inspiration. This vision is based on digital literacy as a tool to build greater equity across demographics, communities, and geographies. Our community tech hub is made possible through the community Circle of Care partners and a grant from TC Energy.

This offers a way to change the story for Deer River youth by providing them with tech/occupational education and services that may be offered by a community center. The community tech center offers programs to teach and inspire students about digital skills. In a program, youths can learn programming, cyber security, augmented virtual reality, Web 3, drone piloting, and artificial intelligence. They can also use technology in art, creative projects, and 3D design.Beyond developing technology skills, Tech Hubs also connect students with resources for mentoring, apprenticeships, portfolio development, and resume writing. They provide youths with holistic support for barriers and struggles they face as individuals with unique circumstances, including access to food pantries, mental health resources, clothing, and transportation assistance.

Deer River Circle of Care Partners:

Our Initiatives would be nothing without the love and support of our Circle of Care Partners.

Community Tech Hub Programs

Most of our programs are offered in three progressive phases:

1

Exploratory Training

Introductory level exposure for all students to the available tech programs through a rotational, bootcamp style training, available throughout the year at time of registration. There will be an expedited path for Juniors and Seniors and 'special' participants.

Artificial Intelligence
Cyber Security
Design Thinking
Drone Piloting
Entrepreneurship
Metaverse
Web3 & NFT
Fashion Tech
Web3 & NFT
Entrepreneurship
Virtual Reality
Cyber Security
Fashion Tech
Drone Piloting
Career Jumpstart
Artificial Intelligence
Music Studio
Design Thinking

2

Foundational Skill Training

Students self-select (with some guidance) specific program(s) after the Exploratory Training bootcamp to receive Foundational Training with industry-based knowledge partners and mentors. Students are able to update their portfolio with special projects and gain real-world experience through internships or ‘day in a life of’ with a mentor at their organization, and explore secondary educational pathways.

  • Smart Streetlights
    Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
  • Workforce Innovation Tech Committee
    Ramsey County, Minnesota.
  • Resilient Communities ProjectTowerside Innovation District, Minneapolis.

3

Advanced Certification Training

Advanced training where high school students can earn certification(s) to access entry-level technology careers and/or internships. Students are provided a mentor and job shadowing opportunities, and explore secondary educational pathways.

  • For more information on this year’s Future of our Cities and Communities event and footage from last year, click here