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 15, 1996 - Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton reflects on the mission and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 25, 1996 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton about what is taking place at Mayors' Conference in Washington D.C. Interview topics include professional sports teams obligations to cities, education funding, and crime.
February 8, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, a day after she gave her State of the City address. She talks about the condition of Minnesota's biggest city, with topics including mayoral role, violent crime, Minneapolis police, community programs, elementary education, and street drugs. Sayles Belton also answers listeners questions.
August 6, 1996 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Mayor Sayles Belton's budget outline. It has no new taxes, and more crime prevention. A new unit is being proposed to investigate misdemeanors, seeing them as “gateway” crimes.
February 14, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton State of the City address. Sayles Belton described Minneapolis as a strong, vibrant place, but also stated a need of stronger efforts to reduce gang violence. In addition to crime prevention, the mayor also highlighted education and economic development efforts.
February 20, 1997 - MPR's Bill Wareham takes a look efforts by Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton to spend $35 million to help finance a Target store and other development on the south end of Nicollet Mall. The two-story Target would anchor a 14-story office and retail complex on the 900 block of Nicollet. Meanwhile, a block away the University of St. Thomas plans to expand its graduate school campus and link it to a K-12 magnet school also on the drawing boards.
April 2, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton about an arbitrator’s decision than former Minneapolis police officer Mike Sauro is to be reinstated, after being fired by the city for second time. Sayles Belton shares why she disagrees with the decision, her concerns over off-duty work by officers in businesses that serve alcohol, and need for officer training.
April 11, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on residents of the Phillips neighborhood in South Minneapolis packing City Council chambers morning to plead for more help combatting violence.
May 9, 1997 - Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton gives a preview of her appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Letterman brought in the mayor, Kirby Puckett, and residents of Minneapolis as part of a running thematic series on his show of highlighting various cities across the country.
October 30, 1997 - As part of a collection of profile reports on candidates for Minneapolis mayor, MPR’s Dan Olson looks at incumbent Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and her political tenure in the city.