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.
More recent Sayles Belton audio highlights of can be found at the MPR News homepage https://www.mprnews.org/
[Sayles Belton photo image courtesy of Hennepin County Library]
January 4, 1994 - MPR’s Tom Fudge tales a look at inauguration of Sharon Sayles Belton, the new Minneapolis mayor; and Jackie Cherryhomes, the new Minneapolis city council president.
May 24, 1994 - Morning Edition’s Bob Potter gets Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s reaction to Minnesota Timberwolves team sale announcement. The owners of team are looking to sell professional basketball team to a group in New Orleans.
August 12, 1994 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s first city budget presented to the Minneapolis City Council. Rather a detailed plan, Belton highlighted statements and goals, with a focus on spending cuts and no additional property taxes.
December 1, 1994 - Norm Coleman, mayor of St. Paul; and Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, discuss their completion of first year in respective offices. Both talk about the future of the cities. They also address current challenges, including racial issues, schools, crime in Minneapolis, and the empty Town Square in St. Paul. Coleman and Sayles Belton also answer listener questions.
January 6, 1995 - MPR’s Karen Louis Booth looks at the first year of Sharon Sayles Belton’s mayoral tenure. Reports includes commentary by Belton and others on what the year’s challenges and accomplishments were in the mayoral office.
January 31, 1995 - Karen-Louise Booth reports on Mayor Sharon Sayles Booth’s firing of Minneapolis police officer Mike Sauro. Segment includes audio from mayor’s press conference and comments from Minneapolis City Council members.
February 10, 1995 - MPR’s Karen Louise Boothe reports on highlights of Sharon Sayles Belton’s State of the City address. Topics of speech included Minneapolis police and environmental city initiatives. Segment also includes commentary from other local officials.
March 22, 1995 - MPR’s Mary Stucky reports on Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s views on neighborhood schools. Some in community see it as a return to segregation, others as a community focus to strengthening schools.
March 31, 1995 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Norm Coleman and Sharon Sayles Belton, the respective mayors of the Twin Cities, about an upcoming basketball games between their two rival “city” teams. A little trash talk and a lot of fun ensues.
April 20, 1995 - Sharon Sayles Belton and Norm Coleman, the respective mayors in the Twin Cities, speak of their thoughts and concerns after news of the Oklahoma City bombing.