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Melvin Carter

Senior Advisor

Melvin is a nationally recognized systems innovator and two-term Mayor of Saint Paul known for advancing equity-centered, community-driven change. As chief executive of an $800 million municipal enterprise, he has led transformative public-private partnerships, guided the city through overlapping crises, and launched nationally recognized models such as Community-First Public Safety and CollegeBound Saint Paul. Melvin brings operational rigor and a deeply human leadership philosophy focused on generational impact and inclusive economic growth.

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Drinal Foster

Chief Impact Officer

Drinal oversees performance measurement, operational excellence, and long-term impact tracking for GroundBreak Coalition, ensuring its transformational goals are matched by disciplined execution. A 30-year Wells Fargo veteran and Senior Vice President, she has led enterprise-wide operational and customer engagement initiatives with a strong focus on equity and inclusion. An award-winning executive and civic leader, Drinal brings deep systems expertise to align strategy, accountability, and innovation in building a more inclusive financial system.

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Mike LaFave

Chief of Staff

Mike serves as Chief of Staff for the GroundBreak Coalition, overseeing governance, operations, and coordinated implementation as the organization expands its impact. With more than 25 years of senior leadership in community development—including roles at Family Housing Fund, Project for Pride in Living, and Neighborhood Development Center—he has dedicated his career to expanding access to housing, capital, and entrepreneurship. Mike brings strategic discipline and partnership-driven leadership to advance equitable wealth building across Minneapolis–St. Paul.

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Gwen King-Lunde

Executive Administrator & Operations Coordinator

Gwen serves as Executive Administrator and Operations Coordinator for the GroundBreak Coalition, strengthening cross-functional coordination and ensuring the organization’s operations run seamlessly in service of its mission. With a background in nonprofit administration, executive support, and program management, she brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, budget oversight, and high-level communications.

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Eric White

Chief Investment Officer

Eric leads the Capital Mobilization aspects of the GroundBreak Coalition, ensuring that our financial institution and community lending partners in entrepreneurship, homeownership, and neighborhood development are working seamlessly in support of the wealth builders we serve. With nearly 20 years experience in impact and investing, mobilizing hundreds of millions of dollars for economic justice at Cogent Consulting, the Bush Foundation, and The Financial Services Consulting Group, mobilizing capital equitably is his life’s work.

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Adair Mosley

CEO

Adair leads the GroundBreak Coalition with a deep commitment to equity-driven transformation and creating new pathways for generational prosperity across Minnesota. With more than a decade of experience leading social impact organizations—including serving as CEO of African American Leadership Forum and President & CEO at Pillsbury United Communities—his career has been dedicated to rallying talent, launching innovative initiatives, and building a more equitable financial system for all.

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What is ABH (Advancing Black Homeownership)?

This first-of-its-kind program combines flexible underwriting criteria with financial assistance to help Black or African-American buyers overcome historically inequitable housing practices and buy their first home. The ABH Community Fund is a collaboration between the Minnesota Homeownership Center, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Build Wealth Minnesota, NeighborWorks Home Partners, PRG, Inc., Project for Pride in Living (PPL) and GroundBreak Coalition.

Open for Opportunity

Coalition Partners, 

Since GroundBreak began, our focus has been on building. We’ve built the infrastructure, financial products, and partnerships needed to bring real, inclusive prosperity to our region.

Now our effort enters a new phase: building legacies and generational wealth. With the relaunch of our website last month, we opened applications for our Home Buyer, Entrepreneur, and Developer finance products. These products offer onramps to wealth-building for thousands of Minnesotans, intentionally aimed at those our financial system hasn’t served.

Here’s a rundown of our new financial tools. I hope you’ll share these opportunities with your network — and encourage people to start building their own legacies.

HOME BUYERS

Our product for first-time homebuyers provides up to $50,000 in down-payment and post-purchase assistance. Delivered in collaboration with ABH Community Fund, our partially forgivable loans and grants help people not only buy a home, but build a legacy there long-term.

> Learn more and apply

ENTREPRENEURS

Our business loans provide up to $50,000 in working capital for new and emerging businesses to purchase equipment and inventory, invest in marketing and expansion, and build their legacy. These loans are forgivable after the borrower secures $25,000 in matching funds.

> Learn more and apply 

DEVELOPERS

Our patient capital product for local commercial developers provides $50,000 to $3.5M in low-cost junior debt to cover up to 35% of total project expenses. With affordable repayment terms and low interest rates, we’re helping developers build their dream projects in their communities.

> Learn more and apply

These products are already making an impact. Nearly 200 home buyers and businesses have received GroundBreak financing to date, with over 150 more eligible applicants in the pipeline. By 2028, the program is on track to empower more than 2,500 wealth builders across our region.

We’re building something unprecedented together. And we’re just getting started.

Save the Date: GroundBreak Spring Convening

Mark your calendar for our next gathering — Tuesday, May 19th from 9 to 10:30 am in North Minneapolis. Join us to connect with your coalition members, hear from some of our incredible capacity partners, and help us sustain our progress at a critical moment.  

Check your inbox for details and registration information closer to the date. I’ll see you there.

Onward,

Adair Mosley
Chief Executive Officer
GroundBreak Coalition

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