Leadership. Policy. Community. Power.

Leading the Lake Street Lift Project

A Defining Chapter of My Professional Work

This project wasn’t just a grant. It was a promise to a corridor that’s carried grief. Leading the Lake Street Lift Project, an $8 million state-funded initiative in East Lake Street, required stewarding public resources in a community shaped by historic disinvestment and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, balancing accountability, equity, and human impact.

One of the most significant projects of my professional career has been serving as Project Lead for the Lake Street Lift Project, a state-funded economic recovery and revitalization initiative in Minneapolis.

This work is deeply consequential, not only because of its scale, but because of where and why it exists.

The Lake Street Lift Project is centered in East Lake Street, the area profoundly impacted by the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Just blocks from where he was killed, this corridor became a national and global symbol of racial injustice, grief, and civil unrest.

It also experienced extensive physical destruction, economic disruption, and long-term instability, particularly for immigrant-owned and BIPOC-owned small businesses. Leading this project meant stewarding public resources into a community carrying both historic disinvestment and acute trauma.

About Beirut

Beirut Abafogi is a public policy strategist, nonprofit advisor, and social impact consultant with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of government, philanthropy, and community-driven institutions. Her work centers on helping nonprofits, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations design effective programs, strengthen operational capacity, and translate policy and funding into measurable impact.

Through her consulting practice, Beirut partners with nonprofits, foundations, and public-sector entities to provide expertise in civic engagement, program design, grant-funded initiative management, stakeholder coordination, and organizational strategy. She is particularly known for supporting organizations navigating complex systems, bridging community realities with institutional structures to ensure programs are both equitable and executable.

In addition to her advisory work, Beirut supports small businesses and social enterprises through strategic guidance, capacity building, and culturally competent engagement, helping entrepreneurs strengthen operations, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

Beirut is the Founder and President of the African Youth Leadership Institute (AYLI), a leadership development organization dedicated to preparing African and immigrant youth and young adults for civic leadership, professional advancement, and global engagement. Under her leadership, AYLI is building a long-term ecosystem that connects mentorship, education, and leadership training across generations.

Previously, Beirut served in senior roles within city government and political campaigns, including as a Senior Policy Aide and as a lead organizer for statewide and national initiatives. Her background also includes international humanitarian and human rights work, as well as experience collaborating with philanthropic institutions on multi-million-dollar, grant-funded projects.

With a foundation in law, public policy, and international human rights, Beirut brings a systems-level approach to leadership, focused on building institutions, developing leaders, and ensuring communities and organizations alike have the tools to thrive.

Podcast: Leaders to Know with Bill Graves

My work lives at the intersection of service, strategy, and sustainability.

African Youth Leadership Institute

The African Youth Leadership Institute (AYLI) is dedicated to nurturing young leaders who are confident, informed, and equipped to create positive change in their communities and beyond. Through innovative leadership training, mentorship, and civic engagement, AYLI helps youth discover their voice, harness their potential, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world. Whether you aspire to influence policy, drive innovation, or strengthen your community, AYLI provides the tools, network, and support to help you turn your vision into impact.

Vision

Empowering the next generation of African Youth leaders.

Mission

Building a sustainable leadership pipeline.

Read Beirut's feature on

BOLD JOURNEY

Contact Beirut

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