Black History Month – a Six-Part Series
Part 1: Brooklyn Center Woman Helps People in Need
Elyzabeth Fanlome created a nonprofit called the GJOW Foundation, Give Justice to Orphans and Widows, at her Brooklyn Center home. “Poverty Is everywhere,” says Elyzabeth Fanlome the founder of a local non-profit. “It’s not only in Africa here in this community there is a lot of poverty going on.” Read More
Part 2: Crystal’s Brendan Banks
Brendan Banks was sworn in on the Crystal City Council on Jan. 2. He’s the first person of color on the council and says he wanted to lead by example to show his children that it’s important to give back to your community. Banks is almost incredulous that he’s blazing a trail. Read More
Part 3: Brooklyn Park’s Wynfred Russell
Wynfred Russell is the first person of African descent to serve on the Brooklyn Park City Council. He came to the U.S. as a refugee from Liberia. He says serving on the council is a humbling experience. Read More
Part 4: Brooklyn Center’s April Graves
April Graves is serving a second-term on the Brooklyn Center City Council. When she was first elected in 2014, she became the first person of color to serve on the council in the city. Read More
Part 5: New Hope Council Member Rises from Humble Beginnings
With family by his side, Cedrick Frazier took the oath of office last September. He was sworn in to fill a vacant seat. His appointment made him the first African-American ever to serve on the New Hope City Council. Read More
Part 6: Golden Valley’s John Mitchell
In 1980, John Mitchell became the first African-American in Minnesota history to be part of a city council. He was also the first president of the Golden Valley Rotary Club and invited prominent African-Americans to Golden Valley during the month of February to share their stories. Mitchell passed away in 2009. Read More
