On January 3, 1994, Sharon Sayles Belton became the first African American and first female mayor of Minneapolis. It was a momentous occasion for the community leader and activist, who would go on to serve two terms.
Born in St. Paul, Sayles Belton grew up in various locations within the Twin Cities and attended Macalester College. She entered politics as a Minneapolis City Council member in 1983, eventually becoming the council president prior to her tenure as mayor.
Since 2001, Sayles Belton has been involved in community affairs and social justice organizations.
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary can be found on our main content pages of MPR News, YourClassical MPR, The Current, APM Reports, and Marketplace.
[Sayles Belton photo image courtesy of Hennepin County Library]
July 28, 1983 - MPR’s Jim Ragsdale reports on National Coalition Against Sexual Assault meeting in Minneapolis. Segment includes interview with Peggy Miller, assistant director of Sexual Offense Services at Ramsey County, an agency that helps victims of sexual violence; and speech by Sharon Sayles, outgoing president of National Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
January 26, 1990 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on Minneapolis City Council ‘s passage of a civilian review board for the city’s police department. Segment includes various viewpoints via speeches and interviews from Sharon Sayles Belton, Jackie Cherryhomes, Dennis Schulstad, and Mike Sauro.
December 7, 1990 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on a tense community meeting at North High School in Minneapolis. Angry residents expressed their feelings over police shooting death of Tycel Nelson and belief of police misconduct against the Minneapolis Black community.
December 7, 1990 - Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, expresses her thoughts on recent shooting tragedies in Minneapolis. One, the shooting of 17-year-old Tycel Nelson by Minneapolis police; and two, multiple gang shootings of youth in the city.
September 28, 1992 - Sharon Sayles Belton, president of the Minneapolis City Council, shares her thoughts after the shooting death of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf. Sayles Belton also discusses community-oriented policing and United for Peace group.
October 4, 1993 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on Sharon Sayles Belton, president of the Minneapolis City Council, comments on reduction of crime in the city and push for gun control in Minneapolis.
October 21, 1993 - Midday offers interviews with Twin Cities mayoral candidates. In this segment, Sharon Sayles Belton, president of the Minneapolis City Council, talks about wanting to be mayor of Minneapolis.
November 3, 1993 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports that supporters and new Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton celebrate her victory and are grateful for the City of Minneapolis. On the other side, supporters of John Derus say that there will be a lot of change now that Minneapolis is under Sayles Belton's leadership.
November 3, 1993 - MPR’s Tom Fudge looks at what kind of mayor Minneapolis has with incoming Sharon Sayles Belton taking on the leadership role. Segment includes commentary from Sayles Belton herself and others.
January 3, 1994 - MPR’s Tom Fudge provides a summary report on the inauguration of Sharon Sayles Belton as mayor of Minneapolis. Sayles Belton becomes the first African American and first woman to hold that position.