How Walser Partnered with Urban League Twin Cities

When we first partnered with Urban League Twin Cities in 2022, both sides knew we shared a mission. What neither of us expected was just how transformative the partnership would become.

In September 2025, Walser Automotive Group was awarded Urban League Twin Cities’ Community Partners Award during ULTC’s 100th anniversary Gala Celebration. This award represents the authentic partnership and incredible outcomes possible when community and businesses come together.

The Urban League’s Mission

Founded in 1910, the Urban League helps African Americans and other underserved communities achieve social and economic equality through education, job training, and workforce development. The Urban League Twin Cities brings that national mission to our local communities.

An offshoot of that mission is Urban League Twin Cities Black Gems program. Black Gems is a college and career readiness program open to Twin Cities students in grades 9-12. The program helps students navigate the transition from teen life to adulthood with a focus on navigating post-secondary training.

When Visions Meet

Walser’s connection to the Urban League began in 2022, following the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) Conference, where NADA announced a national partnership with the Urban League and encouraged retailers to engage with their local chapters.

We quickly answered that call, discovering a natural alignment between the Walser Foundation and Urban League Twin Cities’ Black Gems program.

“As a company, we’re highly focused on providing employees with clear career pathing, family-focused benefits, and a diverse and inclusive culture.”

“We’re excited to embrace a community partner who clearly values these things, too.”

– Walser Chief Human Resources Officer Sherry Schultz

Read the full press release.

The Walser Foundation prioritizes grantmaking to nonprofit organizations advancing education and workforce development, making support of one of Black Gems’ flagship initiatives a clear fit. Each spring, the program hosts a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, along with civil rights landmarks and museums, offering students powerful exposure to higher education and history.

Since the partnership began, Walser has contributed $57,000 to support the tour, helping offset annual student participation costs and expand access to this transformative experience.

Learn More About the Walser Foundation

Beyond the Dollars: Relationships That Last

Walser’s support doesn’t stop there. Schultz recognized the unique opportunity that the partnership afforded Walser to bring in burgeoning young talent.

“Beyond the financial donation, it is critically important to us that we begin a relationship with this next generation of incredible future leaders.”

“We feel strongly about digging earlier and deeper to connect with talented individuals we hope to see in our organization one day very soon.” -Walser Chief Human Resources Officer Sherry Schultz

Since the relationship’s start, Walser has made annual employer presentations to the Black Gems, showcasing the abundant career opportunities available at Walser and in the automotive industry.

Walser also began an essay contest for the Black Gems, asking for their perspectives on Historically Black College or University tour’s impact and their dreams for the future. Out of these essays, personal connections, and presentations, came the seeds of Walser’s NextGen Internship Program.

Meaningful Mentorships and Hands-on Experience

In 2024, Schultz’s vision came to life, and Black Gems’ students were invited into Walser’s paid internship program, NextGen.

Designed for students and recent graduates, NextGen provides real-world experience across a wide range of career paths. Interns are matched with teams in business development, sales, technology, marketing, HR, and more. The program builds skills, professional connections, and a clearer picture of future career opportunities within a leading automotive group.

In 2024, Walser welcomed Black Gems participant Maalik Miller, a student at Patrick Henry High School, as a Safety and Risk intern in the HR department. During his internship, Maalik strengthened his communication skills, helping to write Walser’s quarterly risk and safety newsletter, while also learning Microsoft Excel and overall risk assessment. Maalik’s favorite part, though, was the people skills he gained through store visits:

“The most fun thing here is interacting with other employees, learning everybody’s name, and just interacting with new people, and new dealerships, and new spaces I haven’t been in,”

-Maalik Miller, a student at Patrick Henry High School

In 2025, we welcomed another Black Gems student, Armonn Burns from Robbinsdale Cooper High School.

Armonn joined the Business Development Center, where he managed customer conversations and learned data entry and CRM work. When asked to describe his experience in one word, Armonn said:

“Perspective. I’m still in high school and this internship changed my perspective on what I want to do in life, where I want to go after high school and stuff like that.”

Armonn’s performance stood out, and he was later offered a part-time position with Walser.

As we continue to grow our partnership with Urban League Twin Cities, the goal remains the same: open doors, create meaningful opportunities, and build a more inclusive future, one student at a time.

Career Opportunities

See Where a Career at Walser Can Take You

From technology and marketing to sales, service, and corporate roles, Walser offers career paths built around growth, learning, and long-term opportunity.