Black History Month - Minnesota History

February 22, 2023

Trailblazing Black Minnesotans

Dr. Josie Johnson 


Dr. Josie Johnson is a Black educator and civil rights activist who was instrumental in the success of a fair housing bill in Minnesota in 1962. She is often referred to as Minnesota’s First Lady of Civil Rights. Dr. Johnson received a BA in sociology from Fisk University and an MA in education from the University of Massachusetts. In 1956, she became a lobbyist and a key player in passing anti-discrimination laws in Minnesota. Throughout the 1960s, she fought tirelessly for equity in housing, voting rights and education. Dr. Johnson became one of the founding faculty members of the Department of Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota. In 1971, Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson asked her to serve on the University’s Board of Regents, making her the first Black Regent on that Board. Read more about Dr. Josie Johnson here.


Dred and Harriet Scott


The first significant point of entry for African Americans to Minnesota was in bondage to officers stationed at Fort Snelling. Although slavery was never legal in Minnesota, Army officers were allowed to bring their slaves into the territory. Once here, some slaves sought freedom. The most famous case of this is that of Dred and Harriet Scott. After their owner’s death in 1846, the couple, then living in St. Louis, sued for their freedom on the grounds that they had once lived on free soil, including Minnesota. Their case resulted in the infamous 1857 Dred Scott Decision, which held that no black person had ever been, nor could be, a citizen of the United States. This decision propelled the country toward Civil War and launched an influx of African Americans into Minnesota. To learn more Dred Scott and Harriet Scott’s fight for freedom, you can listen to this MPR story.


Mary and John Butler


Butler Park in St. Cloud was dedicated on May 6th, 2017 to honor the first African American residents of St. Cloud. The park lies where slaveholders arrived with their slaves by steamboat on the Mississippi River. Mary Butler and her son traveled to St. Cloud as slaves of Rev. Thomas Calhoun of Lebanon, Tennessee in 1857. Her son died before the boat reached St. Cloud. She gave birth to another son, John, in August 1857 and he was the first African American born in St. Cloud.

While Minnesota territory was technically north of the famous Mason-Dixon Line, slavery was still legal until the territory became a state in 1858. This was due to the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, a ruling that stated a slave who lived in a free state or territory was not entitled to freedom. To learn more about Mary and John Butler and the park dedicated to them, visit sctimes.com.



Our Recent News

Rebecca and Daniel's Story

By Brittany Hoversten • July 26, 2025
In 2024, Rebecca and Daniel were facing a difficult reality: their home was in the foreclosure process. With Daniel recently diagnosed with a serious, terminal illness, Rebecca had become the primary financial provider while also caring for her husband and their disabled daughter. What began as a hopeful purchase of a home in 2022 quickly became a financial burden as life’s unexpected challenges took a heavy toll on their family. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward, Rebecca and Daniel turned to Catholic Charities’ Financial and Housing Counseling program for help. After meeting with one of our experienced counselors, they gained a clear understanding of the foreclosure process in Minnesota, including available options and timelines. The first step was to assess their hardship and review their home’s affordability. Despite Rebecca’s best efforts to contact the mortgage company, the stress of managing multiple responsibilities made it difficult to complete the required paperwork. Our counselor worked directly with the mortgage company, helping Rebecca and Daniel fill out the necessary forms. As a result, they were offered a partial claim mortgage assistance program that allowed them to bring their mortgage current and stop the foreclosure. “I don’t have to worry about losing our home while dealing with Daniel’s healthcare needs,” Rebecca shared with relief. Our team also helped the family apply for energy assistance and connected them with additional social security resources, further supporting their financial recovery. Catholic Charities’ Financial and Housing Counseling program, available since 1982, has no income limits and provides expert guidance to anyone looking for assistance. As a licensed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provider, we are committed to helping individuals make informed financial decisions and build a secure future. Rebecca’s heartfelt gratitude says it best: “Many thanks to you, Lois, for everything you do for us!! God Bless You!”

Catholic Charities receives grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Stearns Bank

By Jenna Pettit • July 7, 2025
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud receives $10,000 grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Stearns Bank through the Member Impact Fund Grant program supports affordable housing and community development

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge

By Brittany Hoversten • July 1, 2025
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge