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    Header 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020)

    Minnesota held its 90th regular legislative session from January to May of 2019 and From February to May of 2020
    Thumbnail image for Statement on Probation Cap of Five Years
    Statement on Probation Cap of Five Years
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in support of the proposed probation cap of five years. We believe the probation cap is an equitable policy that is a move in the right direction to address the current sentencing disparities that exist in our state for people of African Heritage.
    Last Modified: 12/19/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Chair Statement on Recent Shootings in WI and MN
    Chair Statement on Recent Shootings in WI and MN
    • On May 25th, we witnessed law enforcement murder George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis. On August 23rd, Jacob Blake was shot multiple times by law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Yet another black man has experienced avoidable violence at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve. In the words of the late John Lewis, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”
    Last Modified: 8/27/2020
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    Thumbnail image for CMAH Statement Congratulating Recently Elected Officials of African Heritage
    CMAH Statement Congratulating Recently Elected Officials of African Heritage

    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) congratulates the numerous candidates of African heritage who won their 2020 General Election races. It is long past time for our communities to see themselves as leaders at every level. We are hopeful that the election of officials of African heritage is a sign of a shift in leadership that better representing the diverse communities they serve.
    Last Modified: 11/13/2020
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    Thumbnail image for 2019 Teachers of Color Joint Council Letter to House Education Policy Committee
    2019 Teachers of Color Joint Council Letter to House Education Policy Committee
    On Feb. 22nd 2019, the Council submitted a joint letter to the House Education Policy Committee regarding increasing the number of teachers of color.While the percentage of students of color and American Indian students in the state has increased from 24% to 34% over the past decade, the percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers has remained stagnant at 4%. Thus, the top priority in education that has united our four Councils over the previous biennium has been the need to increase teachers of color and American Indian teachers (TOCAIT).
    Last Modified: 2/22/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Statement From The Chair on The charges in Breonna Taylor's Case
    Statement From The Chair on The charges in Breonna Taylor's Case
    On March 13th, Breonna Taylor was shot to death during a police raid just after midnight. More than six months later, a grand jury has decided to charge only one of the officers, Brett Hankison, involved in the deadly police raid. All of the officers involved in the raid fired their guns, yet only Brett Hankison was indicted. To make matters worse, Hankison was only indicted on 3 counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree. For many, those charges are not enough.
    Last Modified: 9/24/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement in Support of Mask Mandate
    Statement in Support of Mask Mandate
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage supports Governor Tim Walz’s statewide masking requirement. The response from state leaders has helped slow the spread of COVID-19. However, we understand that now is not the time to relent. We must continue to come together and make collective sacrifices. Over the past few months, we’ve come together to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors. We’ve done it in many ways. We’ve worked from home, grappled with e-learning for our children, forgone trips to the gym, and dealt with isolation and loneliness. We’ve missed milestones of all types, as well as sadder occasions like funerals and good-byes. We did all this together, with the hopes that our shared sacrifice would spare thousands more from illness and death.
    Last Modified: 7/24/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on H.F. 3103 The CROWN Act
    Statement on H.F. 3103 The CROWN Act
    Our country has a long history of discrimination based on traits associated with people of African Heritage, especially when it comes to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists. Sadly it is still an issue many face today. African Heritage women are 50% more likely to be sent home or know of a woman who has been sent home from the workplace because of her hair. Women of African Heritage are also 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet Eurocentric standards of appearance, social norms, or expectations at work. The issue of hair discrimination is not solely regulated to women or the workplace. While research on this topic for other genders is still being explored, recent news reports of hair discrimination are becoming more prevalent for all genders.
    Last Modified: 3/4/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on Juneteenth As a Statewide Holiday & Police Reform
    Statement on Juneteenth As a Statewide Holiday & Police Reform
    Today, the Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) plans to celebrate the 155th year of Juneteenth, along with many others across this nation. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Today, the Minnesota Senate plans to adjourn the legislature’s special session without passing any substantial, meaningful police reform. Needless to say, we find this very disappointing and poorly timed. The Council is calling on Governor Walz, Senate Majority Leader Gazelka and Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman to negotiate meaningful police reform. Minnesotans of African heritage all across the state hope that Senator Paul Gazelka sincerely stands by his own words and fights for “justice for the Black community.”
    Last Modified: 6/19/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on Police Violence Globally
    Statement on Police Violence Globally
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting for justice and against police brutality in Philadelphia, Nigeria, and all across the world. 
    Last Modified: 10/29/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling
    Statement on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling

    On October 29th, less than one week before Election Day, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that absentee ballots coming in after Election Day in Minnesota should be separated from the rest of the ballots. The ruling does not necessarily block the seven-day extension previously established through a consent decree; however, it calls for a separation of ballots in case they are later invalidated by a final court order.
    Last Modified: 10/30/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on The Arrest of All 4 Officers Involved in The Murder of George Floyd
    Statement on The Arrest of All 4 Officers Involved in The Murder of George Floyd
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) would like to commend Attorney General Keith Ellison for elevating
    charges against Derek Chauvin and for charging the three other officers who aided in the inhumane and completely preventable
    murder of George Floyd. Partial justice can never be a substitute for real, substantial justice.
    Last Modified: 6/5/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the CROWN Act Passing in House of Representatives
    Statement on the CROWN Act Passing in House of Representatives
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in support of SF 4038 (The CROWN Act). We are grateful to the House of Representatives for taking action in support of the Crown Act. Our country has a long history of discrimination based on traits associated with people of African Heritage, especially when it comes to hair texture and hair styles.
    Last Modified: 5/15/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the Death of George Floyd
    Statement on the Death of George Floyd
    • On Monday, May 25th, George Floyd died in the custody of those bound by law to protect him. We condemn the actions of the officers responsible for this tragic loss of life and for the trauma they caused to the community
    Last Modified: 5/28/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
    Statement on The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
    • The Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) wants to thank Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Betty McCollum, Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar for co-sponsoring the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. It is a comprehensive approach to police accountability and would change the culture of law enforcement, while empowering our communities. The House of Representatives passed the Justice in Policing Act with a bipartisan vote on June 25th. We sincerely hope to see the Senate do the same.
    Last Modified: 6/26/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on The Governor's Stakeholder Meetings
    Statement on The Governor's Stakeholder Meetings
    • Over the past two weeks, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) and community stakeholders met with Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flannagan and other State staff to talk about the need for targeted, intentional actions to address disparate outcomes faced by Minnesotans of African Heritage that have been exasperated by COVID-19 and highlighted by the unfortunate and completely preventable death of George Floyd.
    Last Modified: 6/11/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the Passing of HR1 and Police Reform
    Statement on the Passing of HR1 and Police Reform
    • The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) is grateful that the legislature used this special session to pass meaningful police reform. As the state begins a conversation about racism as a public health crisis, it is important to examine the impact of the justice system. Legislators went beyond mere examination and passed reforms,
    Last Modified: 7/22/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the proposed Increase to the Criminal History Score (CHS) for Repeat Severe Violent Offenders (SVO)
    Statement on the proposed Increase to the Criminal History Score (CHS) for Repeat Severe Violent Offenders (SVO)
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in opposition to the proposed increase to the Criminal History Score (CHS) for repeat Severe Violent Offenders (SVO). The proposed changes would disproportionately impact the African Heritage community and increase the already over represented population of our constituents
    Last Modified: 9/13/2018
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    Thumbnail image for Statement on the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
    Statement on the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) congratulates Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris for her historic victory. In winning the 2020 Presidential Election, Vice President-Elect Harris becomes the first woman, Black and Asian vice president in the history of the United States of America. 
    Last Modified: 11/10/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Minority-Owned Business Development Assistance Grants
    Letter in Support of Minority-Owned Business Development Assistance Grants
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in support of HF 2138. We believe the targeted funding that this bill provides addresses the myriad of barriers that minority owned business face that often prevent many from reaching their full potential.
    A recent survey of 451 minority entrepreneurs in Minnesota found that 43% need financing to grow, 33% find it hard to obtain capital, without capital 24% will need to reduce their workforce, 22% won’t expand, and 15% will consider closing. The funds that would be appropriated with this bill would start a ripple effect that will not only address these urgent needs of MBE’s but this funding will aid in helping create and retain quality jobs throughout Minnesota.
    Last Modified: 3/27/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Free Public Transportation on Election Day Statewide
    Letter in Support of Free Public Transportation on Election Day Statewide
    Access to affordable transportation is often a barrier that many people face on a daily basis, but that should not be the case on Election Day. This bill would not only eliminate the concern of access to affordable transportation on Election Day but also allow all those who are eligible voters the opportunity to fully participate. Last year, our council was successful in advocating for the passing of Resolution 232 that the Duluth Transit Authority Board put forward. This resolution provided free public transportation for those in the Duluth area on Election Day. We heard from our African Heritage community members in Duluth that receiving free access to transportation on Election Day created a bridge to true civic engagement and removed a consistent hurdle that some of their family members, friends and neighbors face. The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage believes that addressing transportation access on Election Day will aide in increasing voter turnout for those in the African Heritage Community in the State of Minnesota.
    Last Modified: 2/13/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of African American Family Preservation Act
    Letter in Support of African American Family Preservation Act
    Currently, youth of African Heritage are removed from their homes at an alarming rate and a large number are crossing over from child protection into the juvenile justice system. Children of African Heritage are over 3 times more likely than their white counterparts to be reported to child protection services. In the face of the same allegations and behavior; children of African Heritage 2 and children of 2 or more races are removed from their home at a rate 3.1 and 4.8 times higher than their white counterparts. The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage believes this bill addresses the current disparities that exist in the child welfare system in a way that not only protects the best interests of African American children but also promotes the stability and security of African American families.
    Last Modified: 2/27/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
    Letter in Support of Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
    We thank Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights) for authoring this declaration which affirms that the Minnesota House will be an active participant in the dismantling of racism across the state. Additionally, HR 1 creates a House Select Committee tasked with analyzing legislative work through an inter-sectional race equity lens.
    Last Modified: 7/17/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Expanding the Membership of the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board)
    Letter in Support of Expanding the Membership of the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board)
    Minnesota statute charges the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage with the duty of advising the Governor and State Legislature on issues that impact the African heritage community. According to the Minnesota Demographer, our agency represents over 425,000 Black and African community members. When surveying a small sample, public safety and police misconduct are consistently identified as a priority issue. Therefore, as the Executive Director of the Council for Minnesotans African Heritage I am calling on the Chair and members of the committee to support H.F. 334 to expand the number of members on the Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) to include four members appointed by the Governor from the General Public with priority placed on communities who historically report high levels of distrust with law enforcement.
    Last Modified: 3/11/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of the Peace Officer Excellence Task Force
    Letter in Support of the Peace Officer Excellence Task Force
    On March 11th 2019, the Council submitted a Letter in Support of H.F. 2324, Peace Officer Excellence Task Force. This task force will help set the baseline for honesty and integrity among officers.
    Last Modified: 3/11/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of H.F. 3003 High Rise Sprinkler Bill
    Letter in Support of H.F. 3003 High Rise Sprinkler Bill
    Access to safe and stable housing should not be dependent on economic status or the housing you occupy. Having to think about how to protect yourself and or your family in case of a fire, or the additional measure that need to be taken in the absence of sprinklers should not be a burden that tenants carry. That is why the Council is advocating for this legislation before you today.
    Last Modified: 2/13/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of H.F. 3103 The CROWN Act
    Letter in Support of H.F. 3103 The CROWN Act
    Our country has a long history of discrimination based on traits associated with people of African Heritage, especially when it comes to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists. Sadly it is still an issue many face today. African Heritage women are 50% more likely to be sent home or know of a woman who has been sent home from the workplace because of her hair. Women of African Heritage are also 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet Eurocentric standards of appearance, social norms, or expectations at work. The issue of hair discrimination is not solely regulated to women or the workplace. While research on this topic for other genders is still being explored, recent news reports of hair discrimination are becoming more prevalent for all genders.
    Last Modified: 2/13/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of HF 1717 (Elimination of Life Without Release for Juveniles)
    Letter in Support of HF 1717 (Elimination of Life Without Release for Juveniles)
    Nationally, African Heritage youth are more than five times as likely to be detained or committed compared to white youth, according to the Sentencing Project’s, Black Disparities in Youth Incarceration report. African Heritage youth are also more likely to be in custody than white youth in every state but one, Hawaii. This is an alarming national trend, one that our agency hopes this committee will work to address.
    Last Modified: 2/19/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Low-Income Student Access to Driver Education Programs Bill
    Letter in Support of Low-Income Student Access to Driver Education Programs Bill
    According to Minnesota Compass, 38.1% children of African Heritage in our state live in poverty. So we believe that aligning the eligibility requirements with the free and reduced lunch requirements ensures that students with the greatest need are able to benefit from this bill. They will be able to have the same access as their peers and our hope is that by addressing and removing this barrier at a young age that it will aid in addressing the income disparities that exist for those in the African Heritage community in our state. The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage believes this bill addresses the affordability and access issues that prevent many students from participating in driver’s education programs.
    Last Modified: 2/19/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Omnibus Bill
    Letter in Support of Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Omnibus Bill
    From the rate at which members of the African Heritage community encounter the police to the disproportionate representation in our state’s prison and probation population. We believe the house version of this bill takes steps towards addressing these disparities and the systemic issues that exist in our current system by reforming policy and prioritizing prevention
    Last Modified: 4/29/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of the 2019 Increase Teachers of Color Act
    Letter in Support of the 2019 Increase Teachers of Color Act
    Students from our communities currently represent 34% of all K-12 students in Minnesota, and they are the main source of future enrollment growth in the state’s higher education
    institutions if they are equipped and encouraged to pursue post-secondary education. Yet, while the percentage of students of color and American Indian students in the state has increased from 24% to 34% over the past decade, the percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers has remained stagnant at 4%. At the same time, our state continues to have some of the nation’s worst achievement gaps for the nearly 300,000 K-12 students of color and American Indian students in our public schools. Research is clear on the positive impact teachers of color and American Indian teachers can have on all students, but especially on students from our constituent communities.
    Last Modified: 4/22/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Letter in Support of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act
    Letter in Support of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act
    Data from the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights show that nationwide, there are huge racial disparities that exist around preschool suspension rates. Children of African Heritage account for 19 percent of preschool enrollment, but 47 percent of preschool children receiving one or more out-of-school suspensions. The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage believes that this bill is a step in the right direction and will address the current racial disparities that exist in the suspension rates of preschoolers.
    Last Modified: 3/13/2019
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    Thumbnail image for Ombudsman COVID-19 Corrections Recommendations Support Letter
    Ombudsman COVID-19 Corrections Recommendations Support Letter
    The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in support of Ombudsman for Corrections COVID-19 recommendations. We believe these recommendations are the specific and intentional solutions needed to address the specific challenges that exist in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, in our corrections systems.
    Last Modified: 4/6/2020
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    Thumbnail image for Joint Letter in Support of the Ombudsman Corrections Bill
    Joint Letter in Support of the Ombudsman Corrections Bill
    On March 22, 2019, a group of local organizations, organizers, healers and community members met to discuss our support for an Ombudsman for Corrections in Minnesota. We agreed to fully support HF 1399 and SF 1090 – reestablishing the Minnesota Ombudsman for Corrections. While justice, rather than riot control, provides enough justification to reestablish the ombudsman for corrections, we believe that the availability of an ombudsman lessens the need for people who are incarcerated to take less acceptable measures to resolve conflicts they have with staff. This could lead to safer institutions for both prison staff and people who are incarcerated.
    Last Modified: 4/5/2019
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