mhc_fy25_annual_report - Flipbook - Page 3
Letter from the
CEO Kevin Lindsey
History teaches us the hard
truth that the greatest injustices
throughout our past did not
begin with violence but rather
with dehumanization.
In a world that feels increasingly divided and tribalistic,
one of the most powerful and radical acts that we can
undertake is to recognize humanity in one another. The
moment we stop seeing each other as human, empathy
becomes optional, listening becomes rare, and conversations
turn into contests instead of opportunities to learn.
We’ve all felt this. You’re in a conversation that feels
tense, and suddenly it’s no longer about understanding,
it’s about winning and being right. In those moments,
human connection disappears.
Throughout Minnesota in 2025, MHC partnered with
communities to create spaces for learning, dialogue,
and reflection, spaces where people could be heard and
engage with one another over differences of opinion
without becoming uncivil. We worked to build connections
between people to see their common humanity because
that is essential to a vibrant democracy. We held events,
convened neighbors, and provided grant funding
throughout the state for a stronger Minnesota, for a
curious, connected, and compassionate Minnesota.
But we’ve also experienced the opposite. A moment when
someone really listens. When you feel seen. When you
realize, even in disagreement, “This person cares.”
Those moments stay with us because they remind us of
who we are, and who we can be with one another.
This 2025 annual report reflects the collective efforts of
our staff, board, partners, and supporters who believe,
as I do, that investing in humanities is an investment
in people. I am grateful for the trust placed in us and
inspired by the communities who continue to show
what is possible when we lead with humanity.
At a time when our democracy feels strained and our
public discourse is increasingly fractured, all of us at
the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) feel the urgency
to provide humanities offerings that allow us to listen
deeply, wrestle honestly with our past, and imagine a
more just future together.
The future of our democracy depends on our willingness
to invest in understanding, empathy, and shared
responsibility. The Minnesota Humanities Center stands
ready to continue to do this work alongside you. If you are
already an MHC supporter—thank you! If you are not yet an
MHC supporter, I invite you to see yourself within our work.
Humanities live in the stories we tell, the histories that
we confront, and the conversations that we are willing
to have across our differences.
Kevin Lindsey,
CEO of Minnesota Humanities Center
