Former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton took part in Mitchell Hamline’s new conversation series “Race in a Cold Place” on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 6 pm in the Kelley Boardroom.
The series explores the African-American experience in Minnesota. Sayles Belton covered several topics, including growing up in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, which was dismantled for the construction of I-94, and dealing with a spike in homicides in Minneapolis during her tenure as mayor.
Sayles Belton was the first woman and first African-American to be elected as the mayor of Minneapolis. She is currently vice president of government affairs and community relations for Thomson Reuters Legal.
Mitchell Hamline professor John Radsan moderated the evening’s discussion, which drew about 50 people.
“Race in a Cold Place” is scheduled to continue with additional events in the spring.