Each year, our Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) hosts two Thursday Night Issue Series sessions with local speakers and facilitated discussions on topics across public policy issues like economic development, health, housing, transit, and workforce development.
Our first session of 2026 was a Commissioners Roundtable, where we invited alumni and/or partners to share their experiences on boards, committees and commissions.
About Our Panelists
- Elvis Rivera (2023 BCLI alum) has served on the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), and LatinoLEAD as treasurer and finance committee chair.
- Lue Vang has served on the Southeast Asia Resource Action (SEARAC), Friends of St. Paul College as board treasurer, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) as board treasurer, and on the St. Paul Planning Commission.
- Victor Obisakin (2025 BCLI alum) has served on the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity, and currently serves on the Metropolitan Council.
Roundtable Recap
Elvis, Lue, and Victor talked about their inspirations for joining boards and commissions: wanting to give back, better understand how government works, hold government accountable to community, and have a seat at the table. They also shared how they were inspired by elders and parents who paved the way with their own activism during the Civil Rights movement.
Victor had a great story about getting into a political debate with an elder African American who was a military officer. At the end of the conversation, the officer encouraged Victor to consider running for public office or get appointed to a public body because, as he pointed out, “There are decisions being made for you without you at the table.”
All three talked about the power of serving and how it has broken down barriers and boosted their confidence in their ability to speak out for their communities and represent their constituents. They agreed that for those of us who don’t have experience, it may be daunting because of personal misconceptions about whether or not we are qualified or equipped to step into these spaces. But once we step into our own power and find our voice, we can only get better at exercising our power from there.
Victor ended with a powerful reflection: If you’re considering public service on boards, you should definitely do it, because you don’t make progress by standing or sitting on the sidelines.
Watch the Recording
BCLI Issue Series sessions are dynamic, collaborative, cross-sector events designed to build shared knowledge on broader equity issues. Events are free and open to the public. Stay tuned for our next session in September!