We Win Institute Opens First Permanent Home in Minneapolis

The 12,000-square-foot education hub is located at 2801 S Wayzata Blvd in Minneapolis.

For more than two decades, the We Win Institute has been a force for literacy, cultural pride, and community nourishment in Minneapolis. Now, for the first time in its history, the nonprofit has a permanent home. It's a space that reflects the heart of its mission: building up children, families and communities through books, food and love.

At the new site, a vibrant mural greets visitors. Painted by renowned children’s book illustrator E.B. Lewis, the artwork tells the story of a village, togetherness, abundance and legacy. 

“This is a mural that represents We Win,” said Executive Director, Titi Bediako. "Our whole piece is helping children understand their greatness, so at We Win, you’ll see things that represent the best of who we are as Black people."

Books and Food: The Roots of We Win

Ms. Titi stands in Cultural Reading Room, filled with books by Black authors and illustrators.

At the center of We Win’s programming is a deep commitment to literacy and nourishment. Inside the new building, shelves are filled with books by Black authors and illustrators. The walls are decorated with both artwork and history, helping children see themselves reflected in stories and culture.

“We’ve always been about literacy,” Ms. Titi explained. “If all of our children can write in a way that people can understand what they are trying to say, they can share their voice. We also want them to love reading. That love comes when they see themselves in books.”

Outside, the We Win gardens grow healthy, fresh food. Each summer, children care for their own plots, tending and harvesting vegetables. They bring fresh produce into the teaching kitchen, where local chefs guide them in preparing meals for their families.

Last year alone, We Win’s garden at Zion Baptist Church produced 1,300 pounds of food and gave all of it to the community for free.

“I’m up for this radical position that no one should ever be hungry, particularly in a country that has an abundance of food,” Ms. Titi said.

A Vision Built on Sacrifice and Faith

Years ago, Ms. Ttit took a leap of faith by leaving her teaching job in Minneapolis Public Schools to devote herself fully to We Win.

“I still can’t tell you exactly how I did it,” she recalled. “There were mortgages, credit cards, creative ways of making things happen. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you just can’t give up.”

Her determination mirrors that of the very children and families We Win serves. As Ms. Titi  sees it, this new building is not what makes the organization great; rather, the building is the result of years of greatness poured into children and community.

A Space for Celebration and Growth

The new home includes a community room and teaching kitchen designed for events, classes, and intergenerational learning. A doorway intentionally connects the kitchen to outdoor raised beds, symbolizing the full circle of food, from seed to harvest to shared meal.

Through artwork, historical images, or shelves of books about food, family and Black culture, every wall tells a story.

“We’re a little organization that does big things,” Ms. Titi said. “This building is a reward of the universe. But let’s not limit it to We Win. Let’s open up the love and let as many organizations that are really doing the work come together. That’s how we win.”

Closeup of the front mural painted by renowned children’s book illustrator E.B. Lewis.