How time flies, I can't believe it's already March! I'm reflecting back on February and how we celebrated both Black History Month and Heart Health Month, and it was indeed a month full of amazing opportunities. 

I kicked off the month with an interview with Daily Blast Live, a national syndicated talk show, to talk about heart health and my experience as a heart attack survivor. There are so many differences between how women and men experience heart attack symptoms; and unfortunately, we often hear far more about the symptoms for men than we hear about them for women (please see the infographic below that shows the differences and the linked interview). Which is why I will continue to work to raise awareness.

Shortly after the interview, I joined the Justice for All Coalition's annual legislative preview! I spoke about the importance of restorative justice and the need for justice system reforms that acknowledge the disproportionate harms Black and Brown communities face in the system.

Then in the second week of February, I had the pleasure of joining the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their annual legislative conference. We kicked off the conference with the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development steering committee; and as Vice Chair of the Committee, I was a part of a robust discussion on housing, which started with a presentation by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs, Claudia Monterrosa.

I have to say, the biggest treat this month was stopping at one of our favorite bakeries, Rebecca's Bakery and Cafe. Not only is Rebecca's Bakery Black-owned, but they also have delicious treats including fruit tarts, cream puffs, cannolis, and mille-feuille. They always welcome my team with open ours and show us fantastic service. Thank you all for being so kind to us!

To close out the month, I was honored to speak at the University of Minnesota's Black History Month Empowering Minds: Elevating Black Wellness event yesterday. I spoke to the group about the resolution I co-authored in 2020 declaring Racism as a Public Health Crisis. As I connect with constituents to hear about their experiences with county services and when I review the budget each year- I am looking at whether or not this mandate is being upheld. I'm always grateful to be able to showcase how crucial this declaration was and our County effort to continue to bolster disparity reduction.

Thank you all for being here.

Next Up- Women's History Month, stay tuned!

Claudette Colvin is a civil rights activist who, before Rosa Parks, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger when she was only 15 years old. "It's my constitutional right to sit here as much as that lady. I paid my fare, it's my constitutional right," Colvin said. Despite her young age, she felt compelled to stand her ground. As a result, Colvin was arrested on several charges, including violating the city's segregation laws. For several hours, she sat in jail completely terrified. "I was really afraid, because you just didn't know what white people might do at that time," Colvin later said. After her bail was paid, she went home where she and her family stayed up all night out of concern for possible retaliation. 

Rosa Parks and several civil rights advocates caught word of Colvin's actions and planned a strategic move for Rosa Parks to refuse to give up her seat to continue to raise awareness of the injustice of segregation laws. Claudette Colvin's actions led her to become one of four plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, a historical case which ruled that Montgomery's segregated bus system was unconstitutional. Colvin later moved to New York City and worked as a nurse's aide and eventually retired in 2004.

Ralph Abernathy was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1954, Abernathy met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; leading Abernathy to mentor King and the two men eventually became close friends. He collaborated with Dr. King and E. D. Nixon to create the Montgomery Improvement Association in 1955, which led to the historical yearlong Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

A few years later, Abernathy hosted a rally for the Freedom Riders, who were Black and white activists traveling by bus to protest segregation in the South.

Abernathy and King continued to organize protests, sit-ins, and marches. Abernathy was arrested with King 17 times and was always by King's side, including when the civil rights leader was assassinated on April 4, 1968. After which, Abernathy worked to keep King's spirit alive. Abernathy spearheaded the Poor People's Campaign of 1968, which included a march on Washington that led to the creation of the Federal Food Stamps Program.

Longfellow Community Council Sip and Stitch Neighborhood Meet Up

When: March 6th, 13th 7-9pm

Where: Arbeiter Brewing

Meet Minneapolis International Women's Day Market

When: March 8th, 4-9:00om

Where: Modist Brewing

Grab a beer & support these businesses on a night to remember. We’ll have a DJ and food trucks, too! Plus, with the new Women-Brewed beer, each vendor will be donating a portion of their sales from the night to benefit Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute.

This 4th district serves parts of east and downtown Minneapolis, and Fort Snelling.