Working primarily in the historic Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, Nieeta Presley works to fight racism in the community by improving the social and economic well-being of community members. For the last eight years, she has served as executive director of the Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (ASANDC), focusing on economic equality and racial justice at the individual and institutional levels. 

“More than 25 percent of the African American population in St. Paul lives in poverty,” says Presley. “Through civic engagement we work to help African Americans and members of other communities of color become economically self-sufficient and build sustainable wealth.” 

Under Presley’s leadership, ASANDC works with neighborhood residents to identify affordable homeownership opportunities, register voters, restore voting rights for felons, conduct leadership training, engage youth, and encourage legislative advocacy. The organization also helps create community gardens to improve access to fresh foods. 

“With our communities becoming more and more diverse, we will need leaders from all groups and neighborhoods working together on ‘common ground, for common good’ to solve issues,” says Presley.  “If we don’t include all people in our communities in decision-making, we can’t create healthy, viable, sustainable communities.”