A History of the Minnesota Alcohol and Drug Counselor Coalition of Color
In the fall semester of 2014, a group of Metropolitan State University students of color and culture met to discuss the disparities in the field of prevention, addiction and recovery in Minnesota, not only regarding clients, but regarding counselors as well. The Coalition grew to include professionals from the field. The Coalition holds regular meetings, monthly and sometimes weekly (when working on an event)
The Coalition of Color went on to present at the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health annual Fall Conference of that year. Every year since then, the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Coalition of Color has been present at this conference to inform addiction professionals about issues important to communities of color and culture.
Breaking Chains is an annual conference that seeks to highlight current issues challenging communities of color and culture. Various combinations of the members of the Coalition have contributed to creating this conference.
2016: Breaking Chains: Creating Alliances in the Addiction Professions: How to build connections with clients of color and diverse cultures with Karina Forrest Perkins and William Westberry
2017: Breaking Chains: Beyond the Stigma of Trauma with Brandon Jones
2018: Breaking Chains: Building a Recovery Ecosystem for People of Color and Culture with Andre Johnson
2019: Breaking Chains: Holly Echo Hawk