Saint Paul, Minn. (September 2, 2010) – Governor Tim Pawlenty last week announced the appointment of Ange Hwang to the State Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives. Hwang, of Minneapolis, is the founder and executive director of Asian Media Access, and replaces Kimberly Ketola on the council. She was named as one of 15 appointees with terms that expire April 4, 2011.
Hwang earned her master of arts management degree from Metropolitan State University, and her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Hwang produces and directs of “East Meets West” – a monthly cable television show. In addition, she and Asian Media Access have initiated several youth media production projects that involve at-risk youth of color.
Asian Media Access organizes annual summer Youth Media Camp’s where kids learn video and website production over a weekend. It has also produced culturally appropriate videos on health and gambling addiction using community members in collaboration with nonprofits and the Department of Health.
Other collaborations include Hennepin County Library – Brookdale branch, where Asian Media Access works with its Hmong American Youth and International Teen Clubs to create culturally appropriate library promotional videos.
Most recently, Asian Media Access acquired its own building in North Minneapolis with plans to house its own theater along with many music and media programs.
The Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives was created by Executive Order 05-14 to make recommendations on how to level the playing field for faith and community organizations and increase access to public and private funding opportunities. The council includes leaders who represent the diversity of the State of Minnesota geographically, ethnically, by gender and faith.
The council consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor. The new appointees include:
• Jo Campe, pastor of The Recovery Church in St. Paul.
• Sandra Gilbert, a workplace neutral investigator with NeuVest in Edina.
• Alan Goracke, the senior pastor at Kingswood Church in Blaine.
• Christopher Leifeld, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference in St. Paul.
• Jerad Morey, a consultant with Minnesota Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church and member of the multicultural Brooklyn “MOSAIC” community, a new United Methodist Church start in the Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park area.
• Connie Roehich, a retired warden at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault, replaces outgoing councilmember Malo Thao.
Pawlenty also reappointed:
• G. Paul Beaumaster, the Rice County Attorney in Faribault.
• Windell Calvert, a founder of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention in Rochester.
• Richard Coleman, the community engagement and leadership pastor with New Life Christian Ministries in Richfield, and CFO of Servant Leaders’ Support, Inc.
• Nancy Haapoja, the Youth For Christ Campus Life director with the Redwood Falls Youth for Christ.
• Susan Hilgart, a team leader with Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. in Brainerd.
• Hilgart has been a member of the council since 2006.
• Wilhemlina Holder, executive director of Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE), Inc. in Plymouth.
• Andrew Parker, co-founder of Parker Rosen law firm in Minneapolis.
• Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
