Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Pierre-Toussaint.
Hi Dominique, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always believed that relationships, access and opportunity can change the direction of someone’s life. My journey started on the East Coast, growing up in New York and Maryland, where athletics, especially wrestling, taught me discipline, accountability and the importance of having people who believe in you.
I came to Minnesota in 1997, and over the years my work evolved from security and youth programming into education, community engagement, mentorship and entrepreneurship. My time with Hopkins Public Schools gave me an opportunity to work directly with young people, families, educators and community leaders, and helped shape the community-centered work I do today.
Eventually, I founded Soc13ty 101, a social enterprise built around connecting young people and professionals through mentorship, arts, culture, entrepreneurship and real-world experiences. That work has grown into an ecosystem of relationships and partnerships with schools, nonprofits, businesses, artists and community leaders throughout Minnesota.
Today, I lead Soc13ty 101, serve on the Perpich Center for Arts Education Board, host PARLE, MN, and publish the MN Chronicle. While those roles may look different, they all connect back to the same purpose: building relationships, creating access and helping people recognize what’s possible when someone is willing to invest in their potential.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building Soc13ty 101 has not always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been helping people understand that we are more than an event organization. We are building an ecosystem that connects young people, professionals, businesses, artists, nonprofits, schools, and community leaders through real opportunities and relationships.
As a growing social enterprise, another challenge has been balancing community impact with sustainability. Many of our initiatives require funding, partnerships, space, and people willing to invest before they can see the full vision.
I’ve also learned that not every partnership or idea develops at the same pace. That has required patience, adaptability, and knowing when to adjust without losing sight of the purpose. Those challenges have ultimately helped Soc13ty 101 become more intentional about who we partner with, where we invest our energy, and how we create opportunities that can last.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a community creative, producer, and founder of Soc13ty 101, a Minnesota-based social enterprise that connects culture, creativity, mentorship, media, and community engagement. My work is centered on creating platforms where young people, artists, professionals, businesses, and community leaders can build meaningful relationships and turn ideas into real opportunities.
Through Soc13ty 101, I’ve developed creative experiences ranging from Lyrical Power and MN ROOTS to PARLE, MN and the MN Chronicle. My work includes producing community events, developing emerging talent, storytelling, fashion and arts initiatives, podcasting, and creating partnerships between organizations that might not traditionally work together.
What I’m most proud of is seeing people I’ve worked with grow into their own identities and careers. Some of the young people who came through our ecosystem have gone on to become professional athletes, artists, DJs, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
What sets my work apart is that creativity is never just the finished product. I use creativity as a way to connect people, build relationships, create access, and give others room to own their journey.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
“Success is creating meaningful opportunities for others while continuing to grow myself. I define it by the relationships I build, the people I help connect to opportunities, and the positive impact that remains after my work is done. Success is not simply what I accomplish personally, but how I use my experiences, resources, and relationships to help others move forward and own their journey.”
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