Thank You Neal St. Anthony for H.O.P.E.

May 13, 2023|pwsbuilder|ARCC Blog

A few weeks ago, my morning got off to a surprising and uplifting start as I started receiving texts about a really nice article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that featured me. As I said, I was quite surprised because I had no idea this was coming. Once I saw the article and read it, I was immediately uplifted. Not only by the story about me, but also by the stories of the other people hi-lighted. But I was even more uplifted and touched once I realized why the article was written. Neal St. Anthony, a long time columnist for the Star Tribune, and a legend in his own right in the Twin Cities, was retiring, and he decided to write, as one of his last columns, an uplifting article focused on why he is positive about Minnesota’s future entitled: ”As I retire, I’m excited about Minnesota’s future, its entrepreneurs and cleaner energy”. What an incredible way to end a great career, by not celebrating himself, but others, and providing reasons for Hope for our community. This is a great example of H.O.P.E. – How Optimistic People Endure (for more H.O.P.E. listen to E1S3 The ARCC of Change with Donzel Leggett Podcast https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b1610114-3186-4664-ad51-73d19bd686d1.

I was so very surprised and proud that Neal would choose me to be amongst those he wrote about in his finale!! What a fantastic honor to appear and be featured in his last Star Tribune article as a formal staff member. CONGRATULATIONS to Neal on his well-deserved retirement and a big thanks to him for the inspiring story of H.O.P.E. – How Optimistic People Endure.

Below is the excerpt of Neal St. Anthony’s article from the April 20, 2023 Star Tribune that featured me. Image and Article Excerpt Courtesy Minneapolis Star Tribune April 20, 2023. Written by Neal St. Anthony.

Donzel Leggett

Donzel Leggett is one of those people. He’s an executive at General Mills and chairs Twin Cities Rise, the North Side nonprofit that works with people coming out of prison and other institutions.

Leggett, 55, earned graduate degrees in industrial technology and business and was a three-time Academic All-America football player at Purdue University.

“God blessed me with academic and athletic ability and parents who encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities,” Leggett told me in 2021. “I had to use my gifts to do positive things.”

Community colleges, and nonprofits such as Rise, Summit Academy, Emerge and PPL have contributed so much to the state’s economy. Often, they just need to show people what’s possible.