ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how worked with community, corporate, foundation, and other leaders to understand and meet housing needs of Somali immigrants and other religious minorities, who migrated to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 1990s and early 2000s. It aims to promote system change that would open up new economic opportunity for all Minnesotans, including low-income religious minorities. The chapter shows how anthropological lens can provide windows into how often-overlooked, "hidden in plain view" global dynamics influence local institutions and communities. It examines how anthropologists can practically apply discipline's theories and methods to understand and promote accessible services and social change recommends that anthropologists adopt a "praxis" lens that consciously integrates theory and practical experience to better help communities promote social justice. The chapter concludes by arguing that US community development practitioners of all disciplinary backgrounds become more adept at culturally appropriate practice, recognizing that refugees and other poor people have social innovations that could expand economic opportunity for all.
