Lake Street Council

The Blake Girls’ Soccer Program is coming together to raise awareness about racial injustice and the destruction of small businesses in Minneapolis due to recent events. The team worked together to find a way to support both Black Lives Matter and our local community, as we want to continue to raise awareness about racial injustice and contribute to the recovery of areas that were damaged.

 Our goal is to engage other high school athletic teams in Minnesota regarding the importance of these topics that are occuring in their own community and encourage teams to actively give back.

 On Wednesday, June 17th our program will participate in an 8.46 mile activity - run, bike, walk, and/or swim. The 8.46 mile distance symbolizes the 8 minutes and 46 seconds that the police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck. The team’s goal is to raise $8,460 in honor of Floyd. Donations will go to the Lake Street Council, which is using 100% of donations to help rebuild Lake Street.

 We are encouraging teams (and anyone else!) to participate at any point during the day on June 17.  Use #MN846forchange and post a picture when you are done! Tag @therealbgs (Instagram) and @BlakeGSoccer (Twitter) and we will repost for donors and participants to see as well. Thank you for your support!

In the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, our city is devastated. Hundreds of independent, minority-owned businesses in the most vibrant and diverse neighborhood in Minneapolis have been left in ruins. The heart of this area is Lake Street, a mere four blocks from Vertical Endeavors, my home climbing gym where I have trained as a youth climber for the past nine years, and experienced firsthand the vitality of this neighborhood. 


I know many of you have been watching these events unfold, and you may be wondering how you can help. I am hoping the climbing community, near and far, can come together to show support for our city. I have connected with Lake Street Council, a nonprofit organization committed to serving the Lake Street area. Their campaign, We Love Lake Street, is entirely committed to rebuilding Lake Street’s small businesses and community organizations. They have told me they will gratefully welcome our partnership. They are also donating a portion of the money raised to the family of George Floyd. 100% of the money we raise through this Go Fund Me will be donated to the We Love Lake Street campaign on behalf of Climbers Care. 


Climbers care. I have been in the climbing community for almost a decade, and have seen how strong we are and how we can come together to make change. By donating to this cause, you are not only supporting the revitalization of Minneapolis, but you are also showing your support for justice and the fight against systemic racism in our society.


I know that as a community, we can make a dramatic difference. Thank you!



For more information  about the cause, please go to welovelakestreet.com

Cover photo: David Joles from the Minneapolis Star Tribune