A bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature is drawing controversy for its apparent racial exclusivity, as it would allocate $15 million in taxpayer funding for “culturally specific programming and food services for black students in the city of Minneapolis.”
The bill, introduced by Democratic Reps. Esther Agbaje and Cedrick Frazier in the House, and Sen. Omar Fateh in the Senate, would direct state funding to the WE WIN Institute—a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that provides academic, social, and food services for children and youth.
“WE WIN brings a successful, proven model that engenders pride and a love of learning in Black children and youth,” the organization’s website says.
Under the bill, $15 million would be appropriated to WE WIN Institute “to continue and expand the renovation of their currently owned facilities to provide academic, social, and culturally specific programming and food services for black students in the city of Minneapolis.”
Hot new bill from Minnesota Democrats in the House just dropped! $15 million to a nonprofit to feed "black students." #mnleg pic.twitter.com/0XAXPrR8ym
— Nathan Hansen (@nathanmhansen) February 14, 2025
The bill also came under scrutiny after public records showed that DFL Sen. Zaynab Mohamed was listed as a director on the nonprofit’s board, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
Hey @DataRepublican people are already putting your tool in action in Minnesota State politics.
Someone used it to connect a new proposed bill to appropriate $15M to a MPLS non-profit w/ a current MN State Rep serving as one of its directors. pic.twitter.com/h70HOihBkD
— Ashley Boldin (@TechniGal_Ash) February 17, 2025
However, Mohamed denied ever holding the position and says she only recently became aware of her name being attached to the organization.
“I have never been a board member of the WE WIN Institute, Inc.,” Mohamed said in a statement to Alpha News. “I only became aware of this situation late last week, and have taken steps for the organization to correct its records.”
The WE WIN Institute issued a statement saying that the “inclusion of her name on filings was an error on behalf of staff.”
“Senator Zaynab Mohamed is not on the Board of Directors of the WE WIN Institute, Ince., and has never been on the board,” wrote Executive Director Titilayo Bediako. “When the Senator was invited to join the board, she declined on the grounds that it would be improper given her role as a prospective legislator who votes on the budget. The inclusion of her name on filings was an error on behalf of staff, and we have taken steps to amend our filings to reflect that she was not a board member. We apologize for any uncertainty this has caused in the public.”
The bill is currently under review in the House and Senate Capital Investment Committees where lawmakers will determine whether it advances.
This comes as Republicans in the House examine the state’s oversight of grants sent directly to nonprofit organizations, which was the subject of the first hearing in a new Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee. According to the Office of the Legislative Auditor, state-funded grant spending to nonprofits totaled $558 million in 2022.
Alpha News reached out to Reps. Agbaje and Frazier for comment but did not receive a response by the requested deadline.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
