I’m in awe of the soul of this region. The way people here stand up for each other, without hesitation, speaks to something deep and rare. I feel that resolve everywhere I go. And while that gives me hope, like you I’m also grieving. I spent much of the weekend wondering how we got here and what it means for the people and businesses we care so deeply about.
 
This week’s news seems to signal some positive change, in terms of a shift in tone from DHS, the court system trying to provide some checks and balances, and the leadership restructuring within ICE. That feels hopeful to me. And a KSTP news article about Monday’s call between Mayor Frey and President Trump conveyed that they reached a mutual agreement that a change in tactics is necessary.
 
My encouragement is this: control what you can, lead with compassion, resist “othering.” Continue to frequent our small businesses. Leaders across our region – business, civic, and community - are navigating impossible circumstances. We can’t afford division among us. Because real work is happening – some of it quietly, behind the scenes – to organize resources, align partners, and chart a path forward that both deescalates and seeks accountability.
 
Your Chamber is part of that work. We are partnering closely with community organizations, CDFIs, and foundations that are stepping up in extraordinary ways to coordinate resources for those most affected. Much of this work continues to evolve, but you can find continuously updated information at www.welovetc.com - including pro bono legal aid, training webinars, small‑business funding mechanisms, and community‑led support networks.
 
See you in the trenches,
B

It’s not lost on me that I’m writing this after attending the MLK Legacy Awards on Sunday night—a celebration of community and a reminder that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. That message feels especially important now, as our region navigates the ongoing immigration enforcement action and the tension created by visiting outside activists. Dr. King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience, but in moments of conflict.” This is one of those moments.
 
My encouragement to you is threefold.
 
First, focus on what we can control: caring for one another, supporting our teams, and extending compassion at home and at work. Leadership always starts small—between two people—and every single one of us can choose to show up for the person beside us.
 
Second, and just as important: continue doing business with our small businesses. I’m talking with owners who are experiencing very real interruptions right now—people who care deeply for their employees and their families, and are uncertain about how to move forward. Your patronage matters. Every purchase, every visit, every contract helps stabilize the very businesses that give our communities their identity and vitality.
 
Finally, join us on Thursday at noon for a webinar on Employer Rights and Responsibilities, providing practical, actionable guidance.
 
In times of conflict, community becomes our strength. And supporting small businesses is one of the most tangible ways we can stand together.
 
See you in the trenches,
B

Today, many of us are reflecting on difficult and unsettling events unfolding in Saint Paul and across our region. The Twin Cities have long drawn strength from diversity and a shared belief that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity. Recent federal actions, coupled with a tragic loss of life, have introduced uncertainty and concern that are being felt by families, schools, employers, and neighborhoods alike.
 
These moments of disruption have real consequences. When fear or instability takes hold, it affects people’s willingness to open their businesses, go to work, or participate fully in community life. That uncertainty—regardless of its source—strains both social cohesion and our local economy.
 
At times like this, we must lead with empathy, steadiness, and constructive engagement. There are practical steps we can take: supporting immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses, creating space for open and respectful conversations in the workplace, and checking in on colleagues and neighbors who may be feeling unsettled. Minnesota has navigated periods of challenge before, and we’ve done so by emphasizing fairness, safety, and shared responsibility.
 
As business leaders, our role extends beyond economic growth alone. We help shape the tone of our communities and workplaces, and we can contribute to an environment where people feel respected, valued, and able to move forward together—even amid uncertainty.
 
Please visit the City of Saint Paul’s immigrant resources page for more information.
 
I encourage you to visit and support your favorite immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses in our communities.
 
See you in the trenches,
B