ReConnect Rondo

Who We Are

ReConnect Rondo (RCR) is a restorative development organization committed to healing the harm caused by the construction of Interstate 94 through the heart of Saint Paul’s historic Rondo community.

We exist to reconnect what was once divided — physically, economically, and spiritually — by restoring place, amplifying community voice, and advancing equitable development led by and for the Rondo community.

Our Mission

To lead the effort to revitalize Rondo through a community-led land bridge that reconnects neighbors and reignites a vibrant African American cultural enterprise district in Saint Paul. 

Our Vision

To be a nationally admired model for equitable development — a restorative movement rooted in justice, joy, and belonging.

From Displacement to Restoration

Rondo was once a thriving Black community — a place of pride, culture, and economic strength. Families owned homes. Businesses lined the streets. Children played where opportunity lived.

Then came Interstate 94.

In the 1950s and 60s, the highway cut through Rondo’s core, destroying over 700 homes and hundreds of Black-owned businesses. What was lost wasn’t just property — it was belonging, legacy, and home.

Today, ReConnect Rondo is rewriting that story.

Through community-led design, cultural preservation, and restorative development, we’re transforming trauma into triumph. The Rondo Land Bridge and Rondo Restorative Development Framework aren’t just projects — they’re are a romise: that communities can rebuild what was taken and design their own future. 

This video shares the humanity behind our mission. The laughter

Why Give — Why Now

Your gift fuels more than a project. It fuels possibility.

When you give, you help build the bridge back to belonging — creating spaces, stories, and systems that empower a community to heal and lead lasting change.

Here’s what your support makes possible:

• $25 – Creates welcoming spaces for neighbors to connect and learn.
• $50 – Uplifts youth storytelling and cultural preservation projects.
• $100 – Advances the Rondo Land Bridge and restorative development work.
• $250+ – Sustains ongoing programs and advocacy for equitable growth.

Every dollar helps reconnect what was divided — physically, economically, and spiritually.

The Heart of Rondo

Rondo Elders — The Keepers of Legacy

Their resilience reminds us that restoration isn’t just rebuilding structures — it’s restoring dignity, hope, and home.

Residents & Descendants — The Heart of Rondo

Families rooted in Rondo carry both the pain of displacement and the promise of return. Their stories light our way.

Youth & Young Adults — The Future Builders

Bold, creative, and unstoppable — they use art, film, and advocacy to reimagine Rondo’s future.

Partners & Allies — The Bridge Builders

Equity-driven organizations and civic leaders walking beside us, turning shared values into collective action.

Advocates & Ambassadors — The Voice Amplifiers

Volunteers, storytellers, and champions who share Rondo’s story far and wide. 

Together, these people make ReConnect Rondo more than an organization — they make it a movement of love, legacy, and possibility.

How We Reconnect

We bring people together to celebrate, learn, and lead:

• Cultural Celebrations: Rondo Days, Selby Jazz Fest, and V-Day Fest honor the spirit of Rondo.
• Community Conversations: Morning Brew gatherings spark learning around restorative development, transportation equity, and collective healing.
• Arts & Film: The Rondo Film Festival and screenings like Displaced keep our stories alive.
• Leadership & Policy Convenings: The Reconnecting Communities Summit and Legislative Tours amplify local voices on national stages.
• Volunteer & Service Events: Ambassadors and community builders turn care into action. 

The Power of Us

Every dollar given is an act of restore — a vote for what’s possible.

When you give to ReConnect Rondo, you’re not just donating — you’re joining a movement that rebuilds hope, heals history, and celebrates what’s possible when community leads.

Together, we’re building a bridge to better — a bridge of opportunity, joy, and belonging.

The heart Behind this work

The video below shares the humanity behind our mission. The Laughter, the loss, the resilience, and the hope that lives in Rondo. These are the elders who carry memories of a neighborhood taken from them, yet still believe in restoration.  These are the families who inherited both the trauma of displacement and the determination to return. These are young people who refuse to let Rondo's story fade, using art, advocacy, and imagination to shape what's possible. And these are the community partners and allies committed to walking with us, shoulder to shoulder, as we rebuild what was broken. 

If the video resonated with you, we invite to take the next step. Our Give to the Max campaign is far behind where we hoped to be, but there is still time and support truly matters. 

Every dollar this an act of restoration. Every gift is a statement that Rondo's people, history, and future matter.