Eric Ortiz | Southwest Connector

Painting of civil rights and human rights activist Ella Baker in the Ella Baker Global Studies and Humanities Magnet School office in Minneapolis.

I am going back to school. Not as a student. But as a guide.First, I was invited to speak at my kids’ school, Risen Christ, for vocation day. I spoke to third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/1/23

A car drives on a snowy street during a winter day in Minneapolis. The chaos of streets narrowed by snow and potholes the sizes of swimming pools can create a cycle of trauma. (Eva Ortiz)

Want to be on the community solutions team?

One of my favorite movies is “Groundhog Day.” In the 1993 film, Bill Murray plays a cynical television weatherman from Pittsburgh who goes to Punxsutawney, Penn., to cover the annual … more

By Eric Ortiz | 2/17/23

North High School assistant football coach and MPD officer Ricky Plunkett, right, talks with quarterback Deshaun Hill during the 2021 season.

‘Boys in Blue’ shows how to turn pain into power

The world is not black and white. But sometimes, it gets reduced to that.All cops are bad.All criminals are bad.All [insert any group] are bad.Those kinds of blanket statements are not helpful. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 1/19/23

Wedge resident Dave Whorton talks to community members before a neighborhood public safety walk. (Photo by Eric Ortiz)

It’s time to learn to walk again

Walking is one of those big early milestones in life. When you’re a kid, you have to walk before you can run. As you get older, walking is how we move through the world from task to task each … more

By Eric Ortiz | 12/13/22

A nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus.

Nothing beats forgiveness — in any season

The holidays are here. You know what that means. It's the most wonderful time of year. Or the worst. Depends on how you feel about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. And what they represent. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 12/1/22

Eric Ortiz, the author, resting at home after total ankle replacement surgery.

We don't need to live in suffering anymore

Pain is a terrible thing. Whether it's physical, emotional, or mental — pain hurts. I was in a lot of pain for many years. It was my right ankle. The pain was chronic and had become so bad in … more

Eric Ortiz | 11/17/22

Writer, professor and Rain Taxi board member Kris Bigalk, right, with author Margaret Hasse promoting her new book “The Call of Glacier Park” at the 2022 Twin Cities Book Festival in St. Paul.

Twin Cities literary scene opens new chapter

Did you know the Twin Cities have one of the top literary scenes in the United States? Not too many people associate Minneapolis and St. Paul with the avant-garde. But they are right up there with … more

Eric Ortiz | 11/3/22

Lupe Castillo, the co-founder of HeartSpeaks Healing Circles and Palabristas, shared her words of wisdom at a Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association’s Twin Cities Community Pop-Up Market at Mueller Park this summer.

Healing circles really do have the power to heal

Who is a storyteller? It's an important question these days because storytelling matters more than ever. Whoever controls the narrative controls history. A few years ago, a Nigerian writer named … more

Eric Ortiz | 10/11/22

Crixell Shell of the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute talks with community members at the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association's Twin Cities Community Pop-Up Market at Mueller Park on Aug. 20.

HOW TO CREATE HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EVERYONE

Minneapolis has 83 residential neighborhoods, 70 neighborhood associations, 13 wards, 11 communities and five precincts. If we do a health check based on gun violence, some of these places are not … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/21/22

Feeling good starts with gratitude

Birthdays are about a lot more than eating cake. Of course, it’s always nice to celebrate another trip around the sun. But it’s equally important to remember that we don’t make the … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/9/22

Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not community building, he’s the director of media for Big Edition and writes bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.

Extremism leaves everything out of whack

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Sometimes, it feels like the whole world has gone crazy, and we're all on one big hamster … more

By Eric Ortiz | 8/3/22

You can learn a lot from youth sports coaching

Sports have been around since the dawn of human civilization thousands of years ago. But organized community youth sports are a little younger. They got started in the mid-1800s and became an … more

By Eric Ortiz | 7/27/22

New fellowship to help youth find their purpose

I heard a terrible story the other day from my friend. The story started with a young man arguing with his mom on a hot morning in Minneapolis. It ended with his death. After the argument, he shot … more

By Eric Ortiz | 7/13/22

Our future is at stake. But we still have a chance to do the right thing. (Zaur Ibrahimov/Unsplash)

We can do better to build peace

Everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential. But not everyone gets that opportunity today. Due to a never-ending cycle of violence, dreams are being snatched daily. Violence is … more

by Eric Ortiz | 6/2/22

A young artist at a community festival at Mueller Park in 2021. (Photo courtesy LHENA)

To everyone who wants to savor the world

It's time to start healing. But how do we create a healing community when people are hurting? "A traumatized gang member is more likely to cause trauma. A cherished person is going to find the … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/24/22

Minneapolis street art on Lake Street at Lyndale Avenue calls for peace after the George Floyd protests in 2020. (Eric Ortiz)

A Real Way to Stop the Violence

In Minneapolis, public safety remains an open wound. There has been no slowdown to the shootings, carjackings, robberies and other criminal acts that plagued the city in 2021. Minneapolis now … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/5/22

Peaceful protester at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. (Josh Hild/Unsplash)

Public safety starts with accountability

Minneapolis has a public safety crisis. Violent crime is up, and young people are at the heart of the problem. We need all hands on deck to find a solution.Tray Pollard is one of those people taking … more

by Eric Ortiz | 2/3/22

Corner of Lagoon and Hennepin, looking south, in 1938. (Minnesota Historical Society)

True progress on Hennepin requires a business plan

Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community. They provide distinctive character to a neighborhood and are the engine that drives a local economy. Without local businesses, there is no local … more

by Eric Ortiz | 1/8/22

Time to build bridges with the whole community

Not every neighborhood issue makes headline news. But some community members in Minneapolis feel like serious concerns are being ignored by the media and their local leaders too. When individual … more

By Eric Ortiz | 12/1/21