April is National Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the power of service, community, and connection. At Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), that impact is made possible through the leadership of staff and the dedication of volunteers who work together to strengthen local entrepreneurs and the communities they serve. Two standouts of this partnership are Earlsworth “Baba” Letang and Kristy Kacures.

Baba serves as Director of Community Engagement at NDC, where he leads the Volunteer Impact Program (VIP). In this role, Baba builds and strengthens relationships between volunteers and small business owners, creating meaningful opportunities for community members to share their skills and support local entrepreneurs. Guided by his passion for “building economies from within,” he is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities through entrepreneurship. Baba strategically matches volunteers with businesses to ensure each connection creates real value and meaningful impact.

Beyond his leadership in VIP, Baba is known for his relationship-driven approach and unwavering dedication to community impact. He continues to play a key role in advancing NDC’s mission to support entrepreneurs and strengthen local economies.

One of the volunteers helping bring this mission to life is Kristy Kacures, Senior Project Manager of 3D Content Creation at Target and a dedicated leader within NDC’s Volunteer Impact Program. Kristy has served as the President of the VIP Steering Committee since January 2022, where she works closely with Baba to help build up this program.

In addition to her leadership within VIP, Kristy actively supports Twin Cities entrepreneurs by developing and delivering a Project Management workshop tailored specifically for small business owners. Through this work, she equips entrepreneurs with practical tools and insights that help them strengthen operations and grow sustainably. Her efforts reflect a strong commitment to service, combining professional expertise with community impact.

Together, Baba and Kristy exemplify the heart of NDC’s mission, where leadership and volunteerism intersect to uplift entrepreneurs and strengthen local economies. During National Volunteer Month, their work serves as a powerful reminder that when community leaders and volunteers come together, lasting and transformative impact is possible.