The Golden Valley Police Department honors Black History Month by celebrating the diversity, dedication, and leadership within the department.
Throughout February, Police Chief Virgil Green will share stories of African Americans who were trailblazers and broke barriers in the United States and Minnesota.
To kick things off, the GVPD recognizes John Mitchell, who, in 1980, became the first Black elected City Council Member in Golden Valley, Minnesota. He was also a leader in establishing Black History Month in the city.
Mitchell worked for Honeywell and was a member of the City’s Human Rights Commission. In 1972, he founded the Golden Valley Rotary Club, becoming its inaugural president. An avid football fan, he never missed Monday Night Football, tuning in to the play-by-play of Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, and "Dandy" Don Meredith. At the time, Golden Valley held City Council meetings on Monday nights—something that interfered with his football passion.
“At his first meeting, he told the City Council, ‘I love football on Monday nights,’” says Green. As a result, the council voted to move meetings to Tuesdays—a schedule that remains to this day.
Mitchell’s legacy paved the way for future Black leaders in Golden Valley’s City government.
Each week in February, the City will share stories of various trailblazers to honor Black History Month.
(Photo and some information provided by the Golden Valley Historical Society.)