THAO Xiong
Resident, Community Organizer & Owner of *50 for 50*
I got released from prison in November 2016 and I literally woke up one morning and I remember thinking “I'm gonna’ become somebody that will champion my community.” Every morning I wake up I have to challenge - challenge the police, challenge the district council, challenge our local government officials…. all these people. But every morning I wake up and the only person I have to challenge is the person I'm staring at in the mirror. Every day I challenge that person to be better than the person yesterday.
Interview with Thao Xiong about his reflections growing up as a resident of the North End.
Thao Xiong Interview speaking about his work with 50 for 50 recorded in 2018.
VOICES OF THE NORTH END is dedicated to raising the visibility of North End residents and community goers. Over the past few years In Progress interviewed and photographed individuals and families that consider the neighborhood their home. In Progress worked in partnership with the City of Saint Paul to identify residents willing to share their stories about what they appreciate most about the neighborhood.
VOICES OF THE NORTH END is sponsored by the Knight Foundation and Saint Paul Foundation