ABOUT US
History | Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
In its early years, Phyllis Wheatley was a safe place for young African American women to seek shelter and to receive guidance and marketable skill development. Gradually, the agency became the center of the African American social scene, and it evolved into a home-away-from-home for numerous African American civic leaders, educators, entertainers, and students. The Wheatley, as it was affectionately called, was the only place in Minneapolis where non-whites were permitted to lodge during those days.
Today Phyllis Wheatley programs address the needs of children, youth, families, and elders by providing tailored education and skill-building opportunities to help individuals and families discover their strengths, develop their personal networks of support, and take control of their futures.
2022 Board of Directors
Douglas Hill
Chair
Director of Operations/Construction Management
Minneapolis Public Schools
James McGregor, Jr.
Vice Chair
CEO
Reach1Records
Scott Morris
Treasurer
Global Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Strategist
3M
Laura Danielson
Secretary
Immigration Lawyer
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Lorinda Burgess
VP of Finance Americas Region
Medtronic
Erica Edwards
Manager, Talent Acquisition
Caribou Coffee
Batala-Ra McFarlane
Publisher
McFarlane Media Interests
Kenard Rockette
Database Administrator
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Adriene Thornton
Manager, Health Equity
Children's Minnesota
OUR TEAM
Suzanne Fuller Burks
Katy Nelson
Director, Development & Communications
Melissa Donovan
Amondo Dickerson
VP of Programs
Maria Sorenson
Director, Digital TechWorks Academy
Dr. Wilma Mckinnies
Lucius Luther
Zina Johnson
Mary T. Wellcome Assistant Director
Darnell Dickerson
Debra Bushrod
Kimberly Caprini
Tamiko Robinson
CONTACT US
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
1301 N. 10th Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55411
VISIT US
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Mary T. Wellcome Hours
Monday - Friday
6:30am - 5:30pm