finding beauty in diversity

The social justice activist founded her own business in 2015, Ubuntu Consulting. Ubuntu is a complex word from her native language of Kirundi, often translated as “humanity.” It also addresses the philosophical concept of what it means to be human, and how humans should treat each other.

Hellerud is a tireless advocate for community involvement, service and inclusion. She embraces the lessons she’s learned both personally and professionally to help bridge the gap she sees between new Americans and the receiving communities. Hellerud strives to create trust and harmonious relationships necessary for successful integration. She speaks at conferences, universities, elementary and high schools, and she also equips organizations in working across a diverse workforce.

One such client is the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP), in partnership with three other Clay County organizations. Team leader Theresa Hazemann describes Hellerud as self-assured, energetic, enthusiastic, determined and instinctive.

Hellerud helped the RMCEP assess barriers to employment and self-sufficiency new Americans living in Clay County face, and recommended steps to address those concerns.

“Laetitia did an excellent job for us,” Hazemann says. “Her professional and friendly approach promoted involvement of community providers and refugee/new American populations. She checked frequently with our partnership to share information she was gathering as well as exploring areas that our group may have wanted more information on.”

“The face of our community is changing whether we like it or not,” Hellerud says. “The good news is that we are more similar than different. Diversity is such a beautiful thing. It is not new — just happening faster. People are coming to the United States for opportunity and safety. What’s new is how fast it is happening.”

Focusing on what unifies people, she adds, “Everyone wants a safe community, a place where our kids can thrive. It doesn’t matter if they wear a hijab or baseball cap. We want a great future for them.”

She encourages those who are uncomfortable with Fargo’s growing diversity to check their own biases and confront their fears, to educate themselves so they can be open-minded. These actions will help to move toward becoming an advocate.

She will work so that systems, policies and programs can be more inclusive to make everyone feel valued, so everyone can contribute socially, economically, culturally and politically.

proud Fargoan

This September, Hellerud will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her family’s arrival in North Dakota. She proudly displays her love for Fargo with her license plate, FARGOAN. “My love affair with Fargo is real,” Hellerud says.

Because Fargo has given her so much, Hellerud gives back by serving on local and state committees and boards, ranging from the FM Symphony Orchestra and West Fargo Public Schools to the Fargo Human Relations Commission and the New American Consortium for Wellness and Empowerment, to name a few.

It is the warmth of the people that has caused her to stay despite her dislike of the cold. “They smile, hug, look you in the eyes,” Hellerud says. “They don’t drive and leave you in the ditch. They stop and help. They make this place warm.”

As North Dakota’s first Burundian family, she felt a responsibility to succeed, not only to provide for her family but also to honor the trust placed in her by those who resettled her. Integration is a delicate process at times. First-generation settlers deal with the inner dilemma of missing their homeland and wishing things were better so they could return, yet feeling an overwhelming gratitude to the country that took them in when they most needed a place to call home.

Today, Hellerud is in a very good place compared with 1998. She has imparted her love for learning, language and culture to her children, who are bilingual. Her Burundian-Scandinavian family embraces their unique blend and celebrates their diversity in their beautiful spacious home. Yet, Hellerud announces she would have the same internal peace, if three years from now she would be living in a homeless shelter.

“My happiness is not based on people, things or circumstances,” she says.

And that is how Hellerud faces each obstacle in her life with fearlessness and trademark joy.