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Printable Content Welcome to the Council on Black Minnesotans
Web Site The Council was created by the Minnesota legislature in July 1980 (Minnesota Statutes. Section 3.9225). It has as its primary purpose to advise the Governor and legislature on the nature and intensity of issues confronting the state's Black populations. The formation of the Council was critical for Black Minnesotans because, historically, this population has been, and continues to be, underrepresented in the legislature and has had little access to the office of the governor or other policy makers. The Council is a policy-oriented agency that uses a community mobilization and involvement model. Prior to the creation of the Council, there was no state or local agency with the responsibility for advising and educating policy makers, researching and analyzing the broad spectrum of issues affecting Black Minnesotans, and advocating on their behalf. And, there was also no agency or organization with the responsibility to educate and reeducate Black Minnesotans regarding specific policy issues and the value of political and policy participation. The Council's advice to policy makers must be well founded, accurate and representative of the will of its constituencies. To facilitate these functions, the Council is made up of 13 public members appointed by the governor with the understanding that they must be broadly representative of Minnesota's Black communities. Four ex-officio legislative representatives are also members of the Council and participate in setting the agenda and priorities of the agency. I would like to encourage you to explore the Councils web site. If you have any questions, or comments, please feel free to let me know at 651-642-0812 or email me Lester Collins.
2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration "The Fierce Urgency of NOW" Make That Change January 18th, 2010 The History Over two decades ago: the Governor of Minnesota charged the Council on Black Minnesotans with the task of assisting the Governor's Commission on the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration by promoting an presenting the MLK Holiday Statewide celebration yearly.
More than 200 organizations, corporations, education institutions, foundations, and small business have contributed to this annual celebration such as: NAACP, Clearway MN, QuitPlan, Senator Mark Dayton, AARP, Cub Foods, St. Paul Foundation, Men of March, MNSCU, MMEP, MPCC, and the United States Postal Services. As an established tradition, awards are presented to individuals, nonprofit and/or for-profit organizations in recognition of their efforts to educate our children, our families, and our communities on the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Schedule of Events
January 18, 2010 Rally… 9:30 - 10:30am
Saint Paul Central High School Auditorium
275 N. Lexington Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104
(Information: The Rally kicks off the day with student and young adult speakers, musical & dance performances).
March…… 10:35am
From Central High School to Concordia University Gangelhoff Auditorium.
Students and organizations are encouraged to display - Positive, Creative, Colorful banners.
Main Program……………11:00 - 1:00pm
Concordia University Gangelhoff Center 235 Hamline Ave. Keynote Address....................................................Nekima Levy-Pounds
2010 Coordinator Yvonne D. Wells-Ellis Printable Content
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