Build Me Up Podcast

After the tragic death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and civil unrest, almost every industry has had to look in the mirror – reflecting on overt, covert and systemic racism that exists, and which creates barriers for people of color and other underrepresented groups.… READ MORE

The City of Virginia, located along Minnesota’s Iron Range, is booming with new development projects. When Mayor Larry Cuffe took office in 2014, he was faced with a unique set of challenges that have been impacting Minnesota’s mining communities. High unemployment rates and the need for… READ MORE

The silent epidemic of mental health is hitting the construction industry hard. According to the CDC, suicide rates for people in the construction industry are twice as high as the United States national average. 1 in 5 construction workers suffer from mental health challenges, but it is… READ MORE

The Nobel Hall of Science at Gustavus Adolphus College, located in St. Peter, Minnesota, has been a staple on campus for decades. But its recent transformation is setting up Gustavus to be one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Kraus-Anderson completed the renovation… READ MORE

When Ayan Abukar emigrated to the U.S. from Ethiopia, staying in refugee camps before arriving in Minnesota in 1998, her passion was to help others. Growing up in refugee camps taught her the importance of community, and she has worked for decades to help underserved… READ MORE