St. Paul, Minnesota -  Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties (Community Action) announced today that Clarence Hightower, who has over 20 years experience leading organizations, has been named as the Executive Director.

“We are very pleased that Clarence Hightower is joining Community Action as the Executive Director,” said Abukar Ali, Board of Directors’ President. “I think he will be a good leader for Community Action.”

Mr. Hightower comes to Community Action from the Minneapolis Urban League, where he served as President/CEO for the past ten years. Earlier in his career, he was the President of The City, Inc. and Executive Director with the North Community YMCA.

“Reducing poverty is important to me and something that I can really wrap my arms around. I am both humbled and excited to be selected for this important assignment,” said Mr. Hightower.

Mr. Hightower has been honored with The Minneapolis Award (1996) and the Bush Leadership Fellowship (1989). He wrote “Urban Views,” a weekly column published in Insight News. Mr. Hightower published two books: State of African Americans in Minnesota-2004 & 2008 and Claiming the Constitution, Perspectives of Clarence Hightower, 2000-2007. Mr. Hightower holds a master’s degree in Human and Community Service from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois.