St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has named Ekta Prakash as its Office of Public Engagement Director. Prakash will join DEED on May 31 after serving at CAPI USA – Immigrant Opportunity Center for 16 years – first as the Program Director and then as CEO for the last 12 years. She has served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board and has been involved with many nonprofit organizations during her tenure with CAPI.

Prakash has significant cross-cultural expertise and has worked extensively with culturally based grassroots organizations. She has a deep commitment to the value of multiculturalism and has built bridges between and among numerous immigrant and refugee communities residing in the Twin Cities.

"Public engagement is a priority of both DEED and the Walz-Flanagan Administration, and we're thrilled to welcome such a talented leader to DEED," said DEED Temporary Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. "Ekta and the team she'll lead will continue to expand pathways for more people to access DEED's programs, and ensure our work meets the needs of Minnesotans we are trying to serve. We remain committed to reaching Minnesotans from all backgrounds – especially those who might not always come through our doors or visit our website."

DEED's Office of Public Engagement works to connect with communities in Minnesota most impacted by racial and other disparities in employment – including gender, sexual orientation, geography, race/ethnicity, national origin, color, disability, age, or other protected groups. DEED is committed to helping create equitable communities and economic opportunities and tailors its statewide outreach and engagement efforts based on different community strengths around the state. This summer, DEED staff will participate in numerous community festivals in the Twin Cities, as well as tribal consultations in Greater Minnesota, and visits to local businesses statewide.

"I'm excited to lead this work for DEED," said Prakash. "We will continue gathering input from community members about decisions and policies that impact their lives. By working in authentic partnership with community members, we can propose solutions for challenges job seekers and small businesses face."

Prakash holds two master's degrees: one in Sociology (Delhi School of Economics), and another in Public Administration (Metro State University). She has served on the Board for the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD). She received the Rosa Parks Diversity Award and Hometown Hero Award from the Major League Soccer (MLS).

The opportunity to increase outreach and engagement, in particular with communities of color, has an economic as well as moral urgency. While Minnesota's overall population grew 6.8% over the past decade, the state's non-white population increased 43.1%, the equivalent of almost 400,000 additional residents, accounting for all of the state's population growth. The state saw an increase of more than 255,000 people of two or more races, about 110,000 Black or African Americans, 75,000 Asian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 75,000 people of Hispanic or Latino origin.

Immigrants and refugees are critical to Minnesota's economy. Minnesota is home to nearly 487,500 foreign-born residents, and over the past ten years, nearly 100,000 new immigrants and refugees have made Minnesota their home. Just over 50% of Minnesota's recent labor force growth has been driven by immigrants. The state added about 160,000 workers from 2011 to 2021, with significant gains in the number of workers of two or more races, Asian or Other Pacific Islanders, Black or African Americans, and Hispanic or Latino workers, compared to declines in the number of White and American Indian workers.

Last summer, DEED shared a series of blog posts outlining the agency's five racial equity commitments to accelerate its efforts for inclusive growth. Increasing Outreach and Engagement is one of those commitments. DEED is intentional about engaging with the public, and under Prakash's leadership, DEED representatives will continue traveling to communities across the state to build relationships that lead to better-informed policies, solve problems and deliver services in new, creative, and impactful ways.