Minnesota’s Hmong community has transformed since the first Hmong refugees arrived to the Twin Cities in the 1970s.
In 2020, you’ll find multiple Hmong members of the state legislature, a college prep charter school in St. Paul that specializes in meeting the needs of Hmong students and hundreds of businesses owned by Hmong men and women — so many that they have their own chamber of commerce.
But Minnesota’s Hmong community still lags behind other groups when it comes to household income.
At 11 a.m. Friday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three leaders in Minnesota’s Hmong community about education, the economy and politics and what’s being done to address remaining disparities.
And we want to hear from our listeners. If you’re Hmong, what do you think are the most important community issues to address? What do you want other people to know about their Hmong neighbors? If you’re not Hmong, what questions do you have about Minnesota’s Hmong community?
Call us during the live show at 651-227-6000 or tweet @AngelaDavisMPR to join the conversation.
Guests:
Yao Yaj is executive director of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
Cecelia Lee is director of counseling and student services at Hmong College Prep Academy in St. Paul.
Rep. Jay Xiong is a DFL member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 67B.