WCCO is celebrating Black History Month throughout February by highlighting Black Minnesota leaders or exploring systemic racial issues that still need addressing today.
The third time running for city council was the charm for Janet Kennedy, who represents western Duluth...an area she says is seen as "the country next to the city."
Most recently Kennedy helped create the city's new African Heritage Commission, which looks at policies and procedures that impact people of color.
"It's not just people of color, but all people who are feeling like they're not being heard, or they're not getting their needs met in a way that provides a life where you can be happy, healthy and have a feeling of wellness," said Kennedy.
Kennedy says the area she represents, West Duluth, is known as the "country next to the city," and, as such, hasn't seen as much investment. It's something Kennedy says she can personally relate to.
"Having grown up as a person of color, and as a person who hasn't seen a lot of investment - even, at times, people placing barriers in my way - I can really, really advocate for my neighbors and us as neighborhood out in western Duluth, and know what that means when you're able to speak up when you need to."
In addition to her position on the city council, Kennedy, a mother of two and grandmother of nine, also works as a physical therapist and rides a motorcycle.
