With deep gratitude, we say goodbye to Tamuno Imbu as a CAA’s Community Organizer and celebrate the impact of his work with our community.
Tamuno’s work with CAA began in 2020 with conversations that got right to the heart of our mission — creating community-centered change for animals. During a time of profound unrest in 2020, in the city where George Floyd was murdered, those conversations turned into action. CAA became a lane for Tamuno to channel compassion and provide resources where they were most needed. From the start, he directly taught and collaborated with young people at Cookie Cart and Teen Teamworks, and connected with neighbors at Open Streets events — planting vegan seeds with future leaders while strengthening community ties.
“Because of Tamuno’s diligence and creativity, we reached milestones that once felt out of reach,” said Executive Director Laura Matanah. “His work has elevated our whole community.”
Highlights and Milestones
- Aligning CAA’s mission with youth needs: Early on, Tamuno worked with board and staff members to identify opportunities to better serve young people in our community — work that guided many of his most memorable projects.
- Youth-centered collaborations: He taught and collaborated with youth through Cookie Cart and Teen Teamworks, and engaged attendees at neighborhood Open Streets events.
- ThanksLiving and the Chili Cook-Offs: Though hosting large events wasn’t originally his comfort zone, Tamuno grew into a lead host who could guide fun, welcoming, and engaging experiences with the right planning committee in place. The most recent ThanksLiving is one of his standout memories.
Growth and Impact
Organizing both large and small events, Tamuno learned the details and methods of community-based outreach and activism — especially how to move with collective intention. As a life coach, father, and active community member, he carries these skills forward and plans to keep organizing both in person and virtually. “I hope to see you at future events! Now you know who I am, so please say hi.”
Tamuno is proud of supporting coworkers, board members, and donors in writing goals and action plans that explicitly name support for members of Black, Indigenous, and People of the Global Majority communities — work that reflects his and the organization’s values and leaves a lasting imprint on how we plan and act together.
Tamuno’s Favorite Memories
One full-circle memory stands out: engaging students on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. Growing up in Cedar-Riverside, Tamuno noticed the lived differences between students on the West Bank and those living “in the stacks” of the Cedar-Riverside high rises. Returning to the campus to build conversations about events and educational opportunities felt like bringing balance to his personal life and bridging communities he cares about.
What’s Next for Tamuno?
Tamuno’s role was built to open lanes for outreach and engagement that meet people where they are — supporting a healthy lifestyle that is compassionate to all beings, with a focus on marginalized communities. That mission continues as he moves to focus on different work.
Gratitude and Shout-Outs
Being a Black man and an organizer in the plant-based/vegan community in the Twin Cities presents unique challenges. Tamuno extends heartfelt thanks to fellow Black men whose collaboration has mattered deeply: Terrell X, Kali Terry, Phillip Prospers, Michael Chaney, and Sam Simmons.
Parting Words
“I came into this community during a very difficult time; April 2020 in the city where George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department. This organization gave me a lane to give an outpouring of compassion and provide resources to people in need at a critical time where my heart and mind told my hands they have got to get to work! Thank you.”
Thank you, Tamuno, for your dedication, courage, and community-first leadership. Your work opened doors and built trust. We’re excited to continue expanding on the foundation you built, and look forward to seeing you at CAA events!
