In the Twin Cities, a wave of local innovators is transforming the region through creativity, community spirit, and bold new ventures. From small businesses to grassroots activism, individuals are shaping a brighter future with a commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and positive change. Al Bangoura and Raechel Bosch’s Spark’d Studios are reimagining recreational spaces for youth, while Brittney Mikell is breaking barriers in the craft brewing industry with Minnesota’s first Black woman-owned brewery. Erin Flavin, with her Marigold store, is championing the nonalcoholic movement, creating a space where both drinkers and non-drinkers can enjoy unique, locally sourced products. Together, these local visionaries are not just making waves—they are paving the way for a more vibrant, inclusive community.
Al Bangoura and Raechel Bosch, Spark’d Studios
It all began with redefining “recreation”—in 2000, Al Bangoura was the supervisor of Powderhorn Park and noticed that young people needed a space where they could be creative and grow while also staying safe. Born from this need was a production facility where kids immersed in music and video editing.
“We tend to think of recreation in a narrow light, and I wanted to change that by offering these kids other ways to pursue their passions and be creative,” Bangoura says.
After taking a new position in 2006, Bangoura returned the Minneapolis Parks Department in 2019 as a board member—his mission more fervent than ever with a goal to receive funding from the city to open more of these recreational spaces. In 2022, the Minneapolis Parks Department Board (MPDB) received $2.6 million in perpetuity to fund youth-specific initiatives, and thus Spark’d Studios was born.
“It’s all about sparking the creativity of young people through whatever interests they have,” Bangoura says. “Anything can inspire kids and that’s why we called it Spark’d Studios.”
Today, Spark’d Studios boasts several spaces within Minneapolis rec centers where young people can drop in after school for open activities or scheduled programs featuring recreations like music, robotics, dance, e-sports, photography, videography, coding, animation, and much more.
Raechel Bosch, Youth Technology and Career Skills Manager at Spark’d Studios, notes that it’s all about allowing youth to claim the space they are in to instill a sense of ownership.
“It’s crucial to create an inclusive culture where there are shared values. Part of that is letting the kids take over the space and feel proud of it,” Bosch says. “Youth will regularly hold their own programs or tournaments in these spaces because they know that they belong there.”
Courtesy of Spark’d Studios
In response to growing demand, Spark’d Studios plans to have a total of six spaces open by 2026, which will include Luxton, Graco, Powderhorn, Whittier, and Harrison parks, as well as Phillips Community Center.
“There is a clear need to expand our creative opportunities to youth in the community,” Bosch said. “In years to come, we’ll be able to see how these kids have blossomed and show others what our spaces can do for a city.”
In 2024, the Minneapolis Parks Department won the gold medal at the National Park and Recreation Association’s annual conference—much of which can be credited to the Spark’d Studios team and the impact they have made in young peoples’ lives.
“People look at Minneapolis as a benchmark,” Bangoura says. “We are constantly reimagining our parks system and implementing new ways to better serve our community.”
Brittney Mikell, Bubble Line Brewing Co.
Coming soon to St. Paul, Bubble Line Brewing will be the first Black woman-owned brewery in Minnesota. While founder Brittney Mikell has had a vision of creating a place for beer lovers and nonalcoholic drinkers alike, her drive to open a brewery began with her passion for chemistry and science. The brewery’s name itself is rooted in chemistry, referring to the graph that shows the temperature at which the first bubble of vapor is formed while heating a liquid.
Courtesy of La Doña Cerveceria
In addition to traditional brews, Mikell—who also serves as the brewery’s head brewer—plans to create avant-garde options as well. Espresso drinks and lemonades will be on the menu, too.
Working in a predominantly white industry, Mikell is excited to welcome more people of color into the craft brewing and beverage space, with plans to offer apprenticeships to brewers of color.
Bubble Line Brewing is slated to open in early2025 in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.
Erin Flavin, Marigold
After her salon business of 11 years temporarily closed during the pandemic, Erin Flavin and her husband found themselves drinking more than normal to cope with the stress.
Once her business had reopened, Flavin reimagined not only her lifestyle, but how her business could reflect this new lifestyle. So, she started selling nonalcoholic beverages on her online shop.
Photo by Christine Armbruster
“No matter if the bottle shop worked or not, having an expanded retail situation was always an intention of mine,” Flavin says. “But my inspiration was to give people who don’t want to drink the same choices and shopping experience as someone who does imbibe.”
Today, her salon Honeycomb is joined by Marigold—a retail store and NA bottle shop that offers both drinkers and non-drinkers alike a place that makes choosing NA beverages special and exciting.
In addition to NA drinks, Marigold sells local jewelry, designer home goods, incense, candles and cannabis products.
Photo by Christine Armbruster
“I absolutely love making people feel special and want them to carry that with them to their daily rituals,” says Flavin. “Having products that people can bring into their homes and improve their mood is rewarding to me. If lighting a bit of incense and enjoying a healthy beverage can add a little something, my job is done.”
Today, Marigold has exploded into a Twin Cities cultural destination, with two locations—one in Minneapolis and the other in St. Paul. The St. Paul location recently hosted a holiday market, which has allowed Flavin and her team to connect with other local shops while also bringing awareness to the NA lifestyle.
“When we opened in 2022, we were the only NA focused storefront in Minnesota,” Flavin says. “Since then, more NA shops have opened, and local distributors have started carrying more NA products which are now available at bars, restaurants, and shops around town.”
After four years of sobriety and a booming business, Flavin reminds sober and sober-curious people one thing: “Cheers to everyone who wants to break out of the mold society is shoving at you. You don’t need to get drunk with your friends because it’s ‘cool.’ I’ll tell you after a long career of ‘getting wasted,’ I never felt cooler than I do now.”
