In May 2009, the Minnesota State Legislature asked the Minnesota Humanities Center and four state councils-the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Council on Black Minnesotans, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans-to collaboratively create new programs and events that celebrates and preserves the artistic, historical, and cultural heritages of the communities represented by each council.

The Humanities Center's cooperative programming with the Council on Black Minnesotans focuses on providing programs and events that will satisfy the needs of individual communities represented by the Council on Black Minnesotans, increasing visibility and understanding among the dominant culture, and ensuring the academic success and opportunity for all children. The Humanities Center's work with the Council on Black Minnesotans currently focuses on two activities:

1. Providing direct financial support through grants for programs and events that satisfy the needs of individual communities represented by the Council on Black Minnesotans; and
2. Bringing awareness to the significant and remarkable contributions made to the state by members of the communities represented by the Council on Black Minnesotans.

About the Issue