About Me

Makeda Zulu is a lifelong North Minneapolis resident, community leader, and dedicated public servant who has spent her career helping people access opportunities, strengthen their neighborhoods, and build brighter futures for their families. Village work has always been at the forefront of her life. As the daughter of Nothando and Vusumuzi Zulu - Minneapolis premiere storytellers - she is grounded in the power of the village taking control of our own narrative(s).

Like many residents of Hennepin County, Makeda understands the everyday challenges people face—finding stable housing, navigating healthcare systems, accessing quality education, supporting aging loved ones, creating opportunities for young people, and ensuring that communities are safe and thriving. These aren't just policy issues to her; they are the realities she has witnessed, experienced, and worked to address throughout her life and career. As a Cancer survivor, Mother of a cancer survivor, north Minneapolis resident, and student of the elders she embodies all of the issues she hopes to impact.

For nearly three decades, Makeda has been a trusted leader in community engagement, partnership building, and systems change. As Senior Director of Partnerships at the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), she has worked to connect residents, organizations, businesses, and institutions around solutions that create lasting impact. Her leadership has always been grounded in a simple belief: the people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions.

Throughout her career, Makeda has brought together diverse voices to improve outcomes for families, strengthen community partnerships, and expand access to resources and opportunities. She is known as a thoughtful listener, a collaborative problem-solver, and a leader who follows through on her commitments. She believes to go far we must go together.

As a mother, mentor, neighbor, and advocate, Makeda understands that strong communities are built through relationships, trust, and shared responsibility. She believes government works best when it is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. That means listening before leading, engaging communities in decision-making, and ensuring that public resources are invested where they can make the greatest difference. She believes she can be the voice that echoes the masses. One of us for all of us.

Makeda is running for Hennepin County Commissioner because she believes every resident deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. She is committed to creating a county where families can thrive, young people can reach their full potential, elders are supported with dignity, and communities have the resources they need to succeed.

Her vision is rooted in service, guided by community, and focused on building a Hennepin County that works for everyone.

Because when our communities thrive, we all thrive.