Who We Are

In April 2026, residents of the East and Midtown Phillips neighborhoods voted to merge the East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC) with the Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association (MPNAI). As a result, we are now one neighborhood association, Midtown-East Phillips.

Our organization aims to foster a lively, welcoming community that celebrates our rich cultural diversity and empowers every neighbor to work for the mutual thriving of all relations: land, water, air, plants, animals, visitors, and residents.

We believe community power is the seedbed of lasting change. We build community power in both Midtown Phillips and East Phillips by cultivating relationships, bridging access to resources, and organizing collective action for neighborhood justice, sustainability, and well-being. Our priorities include improving safety, urban agriculture, housing stability, and embracing connection among our diverse cultures.

The boundaries of these two Phillips neighborhoods are East 24th Street to the north, East Lake Street to the south, Hiawatha to the east, and Chicago Avenue to the west. Bloomington Avenue is the dividing line between East and Midtown Phillips.

United Phillips

United Phillips is not a separate or merged nonprofit organization. United Phillips is a collaborative effort between the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization (PWNO) and the Midtown-East Phillips Neighborhood Association (Midtown-East Phillips).

For over 100 years, the Phillips community has been organizing on behalf of its residents. Despite the division into 4 distinct neighborhoods at the turn of the 21st century, the neighborhoods have continued to advocate for their communities and serve as loving stewards of the land. In 2023, our collaboration continued the Phillips tradition of community-centered organizing as a unified front, honoring the distinct cultures of each neighborhood and our shared histories.

Board

Board Members

Executive Committee

Board President: Brett Bellows

(brett@midtowneastphillips.org)

Vice President: Megan Waterhouse

Treasurer: Mary Jane Mansfield

Secretary: Jon Heinen

Midtown Phillips Representatives

Brett Bellows (2025-2027)

July Twenty-Three (2026-2028)

OPEN SEAT (2026-2028)

At Large Representatives

Lizete Vega (2025-2027)

Nataly Sanchez (2025-2027)

Jon Heinen (2025-2027)

Megan Waterhouse (2026-2028)

OPEN (2026-2028)

East Phillips Representative

Little Earth Seat: OPEN (2025-2027)

Virginia Sanchez (2025-2027)

OPEN (2026-2028)

Neighborhood Reps must reside in their neighborhood to be on the board.

At-Large Reps must live, own property, or represent a business/organization in their geographical area.

Participating on the board, at a minimum, involves attending monthly board meetings (currently held on the second Monday of each month), reviewing agendas in advance of those meetings, participating in an annual board training, and connecting with other neighbors inside/outside of events.