who we are
ASANDC has served Rondo, Frogtown, and Summit-University since 1980 — and we're writing our next chapter.
THREE NEIGHBORHOODS.
ONE COMMITMENT.
Born from the block,
built by the community
Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (ASANDC), founded in 1980 by Ronald (Ron) Pauline and Rondo's neighborhood block clubs, is one of Saint Paul's oldest Black-led community development organizations. For more than four decades, ASANDC has served the historic Rondo, Frogtown, and Summit-University neighborhoods as a trusted anchor institution.
Rondo is a community shaped by both extraordinary cultural legacy and deliberate harm. In the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 94 destroyed more than 600 homes and 300 Black-owned businesses, erasing roughly $90 million in generational wealth. That loss was not incidental — it was the result of policy choices that systematically dismantled one of Saint Paul's most vibrant Black communities.
ASANDC's work has always been grounded in the conviction that Black families and communities deserve stable housing, economic opportunity, and the ability to build and pass on wealth.
watch
remember rondo - archival film
remember
rondo
Rondo was a thriving African American community in St. Paul. In the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 94 destroyed much of what had been built.
This is what was lost — and what endures.
600+
HOMES DESTROYED BY I-94
300
BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES LOST
$90M
GENERATIONAL WEALTH ERASED
Forty-six years of impact
— and counting.
Over four decades, the organization has built more than 300 affordable homes, developed 18,000 square feet of commercial space, and walked alongside more than 680 entrepreneurs — each one a step toward the generational prosperity Rondo has always deserved.
Prosper St.Paul
Renter leadership council, 2026
Legacy Stabilization Collaborative, 2026
Affordable Homes
Commercial Space
From that legacy, asandc works on
two fronts-building from the inside out.
programs built around people
ASANDC's programs are designed around the real needs of families in Rondo, Frogtown, and Summit-University — and open to all who call these rich, diverse neighborhoods home.
front 1
infrastructure built to last
front 2
The Legacy Stabilization Collaborative brings together anchor institutions across Saint Paul and Minneapolis — building the shared infrastructure and staying power that keeps these organizations rooted and effective for generations to come. ASANDC serves as convener, holding the space for peer-led learning, shared strategy, and collective sustainability.
Our foundation
vision
A thriving, connected community where cultural legacy, civic power, and shared prosperity shape equitable systems and uplift families across generations.
five guiding pillars 01
STEWARDSHIP & SERVICE
We honor our responsibility to the community by showing up as trusted conveners, careful stewards, and catalysts for collective progress.
Mission
Rooted in the resilient legacy of historic Rondo, we advance cultural and economic opportunity-nurturing community wealth, empowering families, and cultivating generational prosperity.
05
Advocacy & Collaboration
We stand boldly for justice while working alongside partners and residents to co-create solutions that reflect community wisdom.
02
Community Wealth Building
We invest in strategies that build shared prosperity, ownership, and long-term economic power rooted in the people and neighborhoods we serve.
03
Family Empowerment & Restoration
We support families in healing from systemic harm, reclaiming agency, and building the power to thrive across generations.
04
Generational Prosperity
We build programs and pipelines that expand opportunity — not just for today, but for the futures our children and grandchildren deserve.
Our lEADERSHIP
ASANDC is guided by our President and a Board of Directors whose perspectives span community engagement, social services, and equity — all in service of family empowerment and community wealth building in Rondo and across the Twin Cities.
board of directors
tatiana, president
President
TATIANA FREEMAN
Tatiana is deeply committed to strengthening communities and creating a more equitable Minnesota for all its residents. With a robust background in banking and financial literacy, youth development, and entrepreneurship, she is dedicated to spurring economic vitality, fostering collaboration, and uplifting dynamic leaders across the state.
Tatiana's journey in community empowerment began with her expertise in banking and financial literacy, where she focused on equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve financial stability. Her passion for youth development and entrepreneurship has driven her to mentor young leaders and support emerging businesses, always with an eye toward fostering sustainable growth and opportunity.
In March 2021, Tatiana launched Nosh Posh during the global pandemic. She envisioned a world where communities lacking access to healthy snacks and meals could rely on Nosh Posh to bridge the gap, providing nutritious, convenient, and high-quality food options regardless of zip code. As the CEO & Founder, she positioned Nosh Posh as a health-conscious snack food curator, sourcing exclusively from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and women-owned businesses.
Tatiana's role as a founder has fueled her passion for connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and supporting them in accessing the resources needed for growth. She is committed to creating generational wealth and helping founders of color scale their businesses, ensuring that economic opportunity is accessible to all.
In her current capacity as the President of Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (ASANDC), Tatiana continues to drive her vision of equitable economic development. She looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations to uplift communities and create a thriving Minnesota for everyone.
passing the torch
giving flowers
Former Executive Director, nearly 20 years
Nieeta Presley
Nieeta Presley came to ASANDC as its community organizer and went on to lead the organization as Executive Director for nearly two decades — appointed to lead the organization after about a year and a half of organizing on its behalf.
She grew up in these neighborhoods. Under her leadership, ASANDC rehabbed and built homes for new owners, cleared vacant properties, and carried the redevelopment of the historic Western U Plaza at University and Western through years of patient work before it opened.
She has said that what ASANDC really created was sustainable community — not just homeownership for Black families, but a neighborhood that could hold on to itself. The record she leaves is the foundation the next chapter is built on.
Mer’Ce Tyler
board chair
Mer'Ce's vision is a future where marginalized communities are equipped with the economic, political, and social tools they need to thrive. Founder of MerceGrace Consulting.
Felicia-Marie Wilson
board secretary
An experienced social services and behavioral health practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical and direct service experience.
clara lewis
Marissa J. Sanders
ashley (storm) oolman
board member
A native Minnesotan, born and raised in North Minneapolis. Director of Community Engagement at Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON).
board member
A community engagement leader with nearly two decades advancing equity for families, children, and people with disabilities.
board member
Twenty-plus years of leadership in advocacy, business innovation, and culture transformation — removing barriers at the systems level.
board of directors
We are seeking thoughtful, community-minded leaders who are passionate about strengthening neighborhoods, advancing economic opportunity, and supporting Black-led institutions in the twin-cities.
We are actively seeking individuals who have expertise in finance or accounting. Other helpful skillsets include community development, legal, governance, and fundraising / philanthropy.
Serve on
the Board of Directors
