Barry Nelson of Fargo to receive Hometown Hero Award at Annual Burdick Dinner

FARGO – Barry Nelson of Fargo will receive the Hometown Hero Award at the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner on September 14, 2024.

Nelson is a social worker who has spent a majority of his career in services for youth, children, refugees and immigrants. It was his almost 20 year tenure with the refugee resettlement program where he first experienced through the lives of others, the injustices that exist within our systems. This set him onto a parallel career of finding ways to stop inequities through public policy and public awareness.

In 2001-2002, he was a founding board member of ND Human Rights Coalition which was formed to advocate for an enforcement mechanism of the state’s human rights laws. For the past 20 years of engagement as board member, board chair, Interim Executive Director, and currently as organizer, Nelson has experienced the generous sharing of life experiences of people considered to be marginalized and has been honored to be in the trenches fighting for justice. He is particularly proud of the legislative advocacy, the establishment of the ND LGBTQ+ Summit and the celebration of countless human rights champions in the state of North Dakota.

Nelson is married, father of two (plus the two fabulous spouses of his children) and grandfather of five.

Nelson has served in many roles in Democratic-NPL leadership including District 45 Chair and Cass County Chair. Nelson was campaign manager for Tyler Axness and Todd Reisenauer’s run for Public Service Commission in 2014. He also managed Laetitia Hellerud’s campaign in her run for state senator in 2020.

Nelson remarked, “all of my campaign efforts have reinforced that despite smart, hardworking candidates, a smart well-run campaign, sometimes our candidates are ahead of the game.” He is a veteran door knocker, event organizer, phone banker and lit dropper. His motto: Our Time Again Will Come.

The keynote speaker of the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner is Rachel Bitecofer, a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist who authored Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said of Bitecofer’s book, “To protect democracy and elect pro-democracy candidates, we must go on offense, and this book is the guide to do just that!” Tickets are available at https://swift-cpa.net/donate/2024burdickdinner. Kylie Oversen of Fargo, Lisa Hermosillo of Minot, and Marvin Nelson of Rolla will also receive awards.

Last year’s keynote speaker was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is now running for Vice President.