- September 13
- By Kasey Robinson & V3 Sports
August was an exciting month for young people in North Minneapolis enrolled in inspirational programs through V3 Sports. We held our 2nd annual Do More Than Tri… Finish Strong Triathlon on August 26th and the impact it had on our community was incredible. The mini triathlon with swimming, biking, and running segments, was filled with smiles, hard work, and loads of fun! The participants ranged in age from 5 to 19, including many first-timers in addition to the returners. Even the parents got in on the fun by running alongside their children and cheering them on. Triathlons are not easy, but the participants showed determination and endurance as they finished strong.
Held at North Commons Park in North Minneapolis, a beautiful urban space right down the road from the soon-to-be V3 Center. It was truly heartening to see our community gather around health and wellness.
A triathlon is a fantastic way to introduce our younger generation to demanding work and what it feels like to push your limits and try your hardest and accomplish your goal. We anticipate introducing triathlon training in the upcoming years so that this one-day event is even more robust and further inspires our young people to train and prepare for challenges and difficulties. We believe it is important to have the right resources to train physically and mentally for events such as a triathlon. Nothing is more important to us at V3 than providing opportunities and the right resources for our community to participate in culturally responsive programs that foster healthier life choices.
Another beautiful moment last month was The Discovery Project closing ceremony on August 29th. Tamia McLaughlin, a young woman from North Minneapolis with a passion for providing education and wisdom to our young people, developed the internships and mentoring for this program. Eight interns ranging in age from 16 to 22 participated in the 10-week Discovery Project, learning about different careers from local experts and professionals collaborating on the V3 Center development. Participants met with strong black entrepreneurs and amazing and diverse leaders in the construction, architectural, and financial fields, including PJ Hill, Calvin Littlejohn, Tatiana Murphy, and Keon Blasingame.
It was obvious to all who attended the celebration that the interns were inspired and motivated. They gained knowledge, insight and wisdom that will guide them as they contemplate their career paths and to visualize success in whatever they decide to do. The mentors provided the interns with valuable perspectives on trade school opportunities, pathways and the variety of jobs they can pursue. They also gave insights into entrepreneurship and the fruits of building a business. During the final two weeks, the interns used this knowledge to develop a plan for a business or venture that would benefit ourNorth Minneapolis community, assuming they had access to the appropriate resources. Family, friends, and colleagues came together in a closing ceremony to celebrate the interns’ achievement in completing The Discovery Project.
Thank you for reading this month’s blog! We cannot do this work alone, and if you would like to contribute to the continued success of V3 Sports, we encourage you to donate here.
Every dollar matters and investing in V3 Sports is also a contribution to the growth and development of North Minneapolis and the surrounding regions. We also encourage you to join our mailing list here so that we can keep you up to date on our plans. At present, we are on track for a Spring 2024 opening!
If you’d like to stay up-to-date with everything V3, subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about our Swim to Earn program, please contact ayanna@v3sports.org.