The West Broadway Business & Area Coalition invites you to join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at International Market Square for an evening of celebration, reflection, and vision and fundraising for the future of North Minneapolis.

Our 2026 gala theme is inspired by the local art project titled “Stories of Connection” which collects and shares stories from North Minneapolis & BIPOC communities about their connections to the outdoors, nature and Theodore Wirth Park, and uses these stories to create educational artwork, nature-based programming and healing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. . The five artists commissioned for the project will attend the VIP Happy Hour to display their artwork and talk about their meaningful connections.

Besides these artists, at this year’s WBC Gala, we will honor record-breaking milestones on the corridor:

• Our largest Open Streets West Broadway yet, with more vendors and attendees than ever before, transforming 13 blocks into a living showcase of local food, art, and entrepreneurship.

• Hundreds of trees planted, advancing our beautification and environmental justice goals and ensuring a greener, healthier Broadway for future generations.

• Expanded business support, helping dozens of entrepreneurs access capital, façade improvements, and the technical resources to grow.

And while 2025 has been a year of remarkable growth, our focus turns toward the future: 2026 brings us the new West Broadway Rising Youth Jobs Program as well as the redevelopment of a building on West Broadway that has been vacant for 14 years. These initiatives will open pathways for every young person in North Minneapolis to access meaningful employment, mentorship and opportunities that change lives, as well as provide budding entrepreneurs attainable rental spaces, the community with a coffee shop, and our WBC business members increased benefits to support their work.

By sponsoring and attending this gala, you are helping us see, celebrate, and uplift the Stories of Connection along our beloved West Broadway corridor and beyond. We sincerely hope you will join us for this wonderful evening together.