David Grant is a Twin Cities-based writer. As a playwright, he has been commissioned to write new work for the Minnesota Science Museum, Minnesota Historical Society, VocalEssence, The Playwrights’ Center, Mixed Blood Theater, The History Theatre, The One Minute Play Festival, and Bedlam Theatre, in collaboration with Voices of Cedar Riverside.

As a screenwriter, he has written for Russell Simmons’ Def Pictures, HBO, and the Showtime Network, in addition to numerous projects for the producers of informational/training DVDs and web series.

He has been a recipient of screenwriting fellowships from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the McKnight Foundation. He and Twin Cities Public Television, were awarded the 1990 Regional Emmy, Best Original Dramatic Program, for “The Screenplay Project: Four Shorts.” A DVD about one of Hazelden Foundation’s programs, “Healing the Healers,” for which he wrote the script, was awarded the 2009 Cine Golden Eagle. He has served, along with poet Ethelbert Miller, as mentor to the 2013 Fellows of the Givens Foundation’s Collaborative Retreat for African American Writers.

He has recently completed work as writer/consultant on the feature documentary film, “Word of Honor: Redeeming Mandela’s Promise,” for Monde World Films, and is commencing work on the feature-length documentary, “Killing Mookie,” for Bully Productions.

Mr. Grant has taught screenwriting at The Loft, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas and the Augsburg College MFA in Creative Writing Program. He currently teaches screenwriting at Independent Filmmaker Project North.

“These are trying times for Democracy in America. At a political moment when there is not only tremendous disunity within the country as a whole, there is a disappointing degree of disunity among progressives as well. If we are to going to make strides toward reviving a strong and viable progressive agenda, we have to find new ways in which to bridge the gulfs that divide us, and work together effectively. And we have to do it NOW. The good folks at Inclusivi-tee offer an important pathway toward that goal. One hundred percent of the profit from their gorgeous, artist-designed tees goes to support progressive organizations. But beyond that, their goal is to serve as a kind of clearinghouse for up-to-the-minute information about what each one of us can do, locally and nationally, to support political and social progress in our country.”

Copy Writer

Jim Melzer is a marketing communications consultant with more than three decades of strategy, planning, writing and print and broadcast production experience. He has been a company communications director and editor; an advertising agency copywriter, creative director and Vice President and partner in his own advertising agency Musta Melzer. Jim has won awards from The Show, the American Advertising Federation and the National AgriMarketing Association. He has been active in progressive and inclusive causes since 1971, when he attended his first political caucus.

Jim has done volunteer consulting for the This Old Horse rescue program, the Pike’s Peak Therapeutic Riding Center, The Citizens Project, his church and multiple progressive political candidates.  He enjoys singing in the Colorado Springs Chorale and traveling and helps his brother manage their farmland and horse stable in Southern Minnesota.

Youth Advisor

Tiernan Boggs is the son of Inclusivi-tee board member Bobbi Boggs.  He is an eleven year old sixth grade student at Connections Academy, and will be attending Grinnell-Newburg Middle School next year.  Tiernan’s interests include reading books of many genres, but he particularly likes Rick Riordan and the Harry Potter series.  He is also very into computer and console gaming, particularly role playing games.  He currently plans to attend college after high school to prepare for a career in some kind of scientific field.

“I became part of Inclusivi-tee because my mom is involved. I believe in the cause of bringing all people together as a community.  If we work together as humans, instead of thinking of ourselves as divided groups of people, it’s better for all of us.  I think Inclusivi-tee will bring people together this way.  Being part of it has already made me more aware of the things I can do to be less judgemental and more accepting of other people.”

Reserve Office Assistant

Christiana Deleo provides social media support as a Reserve Office Assistant.  She has experience with brand promotion and enjoys using creative social tactics for engagement.  Christiana is especially pleased to be involved with Inclusivi-tee because of her deep commitment to equality and social justice for all.