Professional and Government Leaders
From city councils up to the U.S. Congress, Minneapolis Saint Paul’s African American community is well represented through strong black leaders. Our highest ranking black political figure is Congressman Keith Ellison, representing the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives. Ellison’s election to Congress made both Minnesota and U.S. history by becoming the first African American elected to Congress from Minnesota, as well as the first Muslim American to be elected to U.S. Congress.
The Minneapolis Saint Paul nonprofit community is full of black leaders, including Clarence Hightower, president of the Minneapolis Urban League. And in the private sector, other black businessmen stand out. Tim Baylor, a former pro football player for the Minnesota Vikings, is a well-respected builder of residential and commercial, he is also committed to North Minneapolis – owning and operating two McDonald’s franchises.
You’ll find more African American business owners in the hospitality arena, owning two of the area’s hottest spots for dining and entertainment. Randy Norman’s new r. Norman’s steakhouse is hopping in the Hennepin Avenue Theatre District and in the hip Warehouse District, Terrance Large’s Babalu serves up Latin-Carribbean food and some of the hottest music in town.
