Longkee Vang

Program Officer, Career Academies

Inspiration: “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

What working in this community means to me: “The work we do in collaboration with the community is not always easy, nor is it always clear. But I am in a unique position to connect communities to resources and to affect change at different levels. To do this work effectively, I must continue to listen to the community, name the power I have and make a concentrated effort to share that power with those around me.”

Longkee Vang is a Program Officer for Career Academies at Greater Twin Cities United Way. He helps lead the program’s community of practice, evaluation and innovative grantmaking initiatives.

Longkee has worked in various roles in youth development for over 10 years, and is a strong advocate for leadership development, youth employment and student-centered equity. Prior to coming to Greater Twin Cities United Way, Longkee was the Community Schools Site Coordinator at Brooklyn Center Middle and High School STEAM. He has also worked at the YMCA of the North, Merrick Community Services and the Episcopal Church of the United States. He was a NorthStar Youth Worker Fellow in 2018, and a member of the 2019-2020 Neighborhood Leadership Program Cohort.

Longkee has called St. Paul home for most of his life, and currently lives on the Eastside with his partner and their cat, Thor. He enjoys discovering new recipes to cook, playing fall sports and besting people at Wii Dance.