Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Sublett.
Katherine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My work in this area stems from my lived experiences with addiction and incarceration. This led to my discovery of the many gaps in services helping people who are returning to the community from jail and prison. I’m self-taught in the navigation of resources in the Winona and surrounding communities. Through my trials and tribulations, I’ve learned invaluable skills and gained insights into very challenging systems. I began serving people in my community by sharing tips to assist them with getting out of debt, helping with housing resources, arranging rides to treatment centers and hosting expungement workshops while navigating the system alongside them.
In pursuit of my passion, I started a nonprofit organization in 2021 named Let’s Erase the Stigma. In its first year, Let’s Erase the Stigma (LETS) did transformative work in the Winona community and in the Southeastern Minnesota region. LETS aims to restore self-worth, self-respect, and self-confidence to disadvantaged communities of color that have been systemically overlooked. As the Executive Director and at present the sole employee, I provide resources to individuals who have traditionally been underserved. I aim to educate, empower, and encourage personal growth.
My programs focus on financial literacy, peer recovery advocacy, health and wellness and expungement workshops/clinics. The programs are offered to the community free of charge. Ultimately what makes me stand out is, I’m a 67 yr. old Black woman in a rural community, providing services and support that were missing in the same community where I grew up. I’m a leader doing transformational work to remove stigma and help people overcome challenges in a dignified way. I’ve taken it upon myself to become familiar with all community resources, to connect people with what they need. I’ve been a volunteer with Treatment Court for Winona County over 9 years. I dig deep and follow-up to make sure the resources are viable and provide the services advertised.
My persistence for building relationships, my tireless dedication, and authentic leadership have strengthened this community and inspired others to act. This work has a profound impact among those I serve, my colleagues and my profession by strengthening pathways to justice, equity, and empowerment where few have ventured.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth, no. I would attribute some of my struggles to the historical lack of trust for people of color. It’s been my diligence for building partnerships within an unjust system alongside my demonstrated use of effective strategies that has broken the surface of some of the barriers here in the Winona community.
Historically the expungement clinics were only held in St. Paul, MN. This was a major barrier for many of the disadvantaged communities we serve because they lack transportation to access services that were over two hours away. This inspired me to I collaborate with Professor and Attorney, Gregory Richard who was the Director of the Legal Studies Department at Winona State University and Southeastern Minnesota Regional Legal Aid Services (SMRLS) in Winona. As a result of these collaborations, Let’s Erase the Stigma now offers the Expungement workshops/clinics here in Winona, MN. The Expungement workshop/clinic is hosted at Winona State University. It’s offered as an Internship and consists of Legal Studies students and local volunteer attorneys.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Let’s Erase the Stigma?
Let’s Erase the Stigma offers a broad spectrum of vital programs that intentionally focus on services and outcomes that help people overcome discriminatory barriers. The Expungement Program continues to be one of our organization’s most requested programs. Expungement is a powerful tool for improving outcomes and lifestyles for people with criminal records. There’s an abundance of people living in underserved communities who are plagued with criminal backgrounds due to systemic and racial injustice. The Expungement Program restores self-confidence, offers hope, and a sense of belonging. The Cultural Humility Training is an impactful 2-hour programs I’ve hosted to numerous organizations, including: Educational institutions, Human Services Administration, The Winona HUB, (which includes social workers and child protection staff in the Tri-State region), Federal Correctional Officers in Rochester, Minnesota, and more. These training sessions promote understanding, challenge biases, and foster inclusive environments, helping to dismantle systemic disparities across sectors. These innovative initiatives serve the community’s most urgent needs with compassion and dignity.
The organization offers direct support to individuals returning from incarceration while simultaneously building a grassroots movement to dismantle stigma and systemic disparities. My efforts are reshaping and encourage this community to unlearn societal stereotypes that hinder positive communication among cultures.
In my community, I’m known as “Ms. Kathy”. What I’m most proud of is how my leadership stands out. I’m not just addressing systemic gaps; I am intentional with trying to transform communication between cultures. My approach focuses on eliminating stigma and helping individuals overcome challenges in a way that uplifts their dignity and humanity. What truly sets me apart is the ability to turn my personal story into meaningful action, creating a ripple effect that empowers others to heal, grow, and reclaim their lives. Despite being a sole leader with limited resources, I’ve turned Let’s Erase the Stigma into a regional catalyst for change and healing. I’m proud of the recognition I’ve received from communities as far away as St. Cloud, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, MN.
Last year, I had the pleasure of mentoring teens aged 13 to 17 in a youth art program called Culture on Canvas, which the local newspaper featured. This inspiring project encouraged teens to reflect on their roles and visions within the Winona community by exploring three thought-provoking questions through images and words on canvas.
1. How do you see yourself in the Winona community?
2. What can you contribute to the Winona community?
3. What does this community look like after your contribution?
The program not only nurtured creativity but also encouraged young participants to see themselves as active and valuable contributors to their community’s growth and future.
In 2025, I received the Facing Race Award from the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation. Although I’ve received many awards this one meant the world to me because my work is my passion. I don’t desire to be in the spot light. I felt like a Hidden Treasure that was recognized in Winona, MN for doing what I love, serving my community!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Getting an easy bake oven for Christmas when I was 8 yr.s old.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076904545900
- Other: https://vimeo.com/1127907693?fl=pl&fe=sh
