Reparations Commission Meeting | March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Introduction of commission members
Labor acknowledgment regarding enslaved ancestors
Council member roles and support for the commission
Personal history and motivations for joining the commission
Addressing the racial wealth gap in St. Paul
Legal framework for reparations
Documenting and addressing the destruction of the Rondo community
Strategies for tangible and measurable outcomes
Systemic disparities in health, education, and housing
Historical context of institutional racism in St. Paul
Areas of Interest (5)
- St. Paul establishes a permanent reparations commission, moving beyond short-term task forces.
- Commission members debate the definition of reparations vs. equity-based housing initiatives.
- Tensions rise regarding the effectiveness of local government in addressing systemic wealth gaps.
- Council leadership pledges a 'direct channel' to the commission to ensure institutional support.
- Focus on creating a scalable model for reparations that could influence federal policy.
Notable Quotes (4)
I'm not here to like interlope in the conversations or chime in and that I'm more like a guide on the side.
I know quite a bit when it comes to just maneuvering the legal spaces and maneuvering government.
Reparations offers a chance to not have to worry about balancing the interest of whites and descendants of slavery but to really look at the harm caused.
I feel like this is one way I could put my anger into some sort of reparations when it comes to the miseducation of black people.
People (12)
Veronica BertLegislative AideNew staff member coordinating the commission and roll call.
New staff member coordinating the commission and roll call.
Mitra JalaliSt. Paul City Council PresidentProviding thought partnership and structural support for the commission.
1 quote
Providing thought partnership and structural support for the commission.
“I'm here as needed and I'm here to support specifically our staff and Council colleagues.”
Clarifying her role in supporting the commission.
Shena JohnsonCity Council MemberRepresenting the east side and serving as a resource for ordinance language.
1 quote
Representing the east side and serving as a resource for ordinance language.
“I really do want to be Hands-On as much as you'd like.”
Offering assistance to the commission members.
Jeremy EnglishCommissionerLongtime Rondo neighborhood resident.
Longtime Rondo neighborhood resident.
Nyla GoldenCommissionerAdvocate for universal healthcare and closing racial health disparities.
Advocate for universal healthcare and closing racial health disparities.
Trahern CrewsCommissionerFocuses on reparations mandates and local-to-federal policy scaling.
Focuses on reparations mandates and local-to-federal policy scaling.
Joseph 'Joe' BlorCommissionerFocuses on tangible, measurable reparations outcomes.
Focuses on tangible, measurable reparations outcomes.
Arthur Ray McCoyCommissionerFocused on creating a legal underpinning for reparations that survives challenges.
Focused on creating a legal underpinning for reparations that survives challenges.
Nick MuhammadCommissionerInterested in institutional supports for future generations.
Interested in institutional supports for future generations.
Jam PicketCommissionerFocuses on housing injustices and qualitative data.
Focuses on housing injustices and qualitative data.
Kulia PrangleCommissionerFocuses on educational disparities and financial reparations.
Focuses on educational disparities and financial reparations.
Carla RobinsonCommissionerChair of black ERG at Best Buy; focuses on wealth-building.
Chair of black ERG at Best Buy; focuses on wealth-building.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (1)
- Legislative Advisory Committee introductory session
Ordinances & Resolutions (1)
Apologized for the destruction of the Rondo Community and set up the legislative advisory committee.