The Minnesota School Board Directors of Color group gathered in January 2020 in Minneapolis.
Support and Fellowship Bond between Minnesota School Board Directors Helen Bassett and Abdi Sabrie sparks formation of Minnesota School Board Directors of Color fellowship group By Helen J.M. Bassett, Robbinsdale Area School Board Member
Abdi Sabrie was elected to the Mankato Area School Board in 2015 after his third run for a seat. Helen J.M. Bassett was first appointed to the Robbinsdale Area School Board in 2002, before being elected in 2003. Each of them was the first person of color to serve on their respective school boards.
Helen Bassett (Robbinsdale Area) and Abdi Sabrie (Mankato Area) are the founders of the Minnesota School Board Directors of Color group.
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JULY–AUGUST 2020
Sabrie and Bassett’s community activism pre-dated their school board service. Each valued the importance of maintaining a trusted leadership between themselves and their local communities. Each was critically aware of the growing diversity in Minnesota. When Sabrie found himself wishing to connect to fellow board members of African/ African American heritage in January 2016, he was pointed toward Bassett — by this time, a 13-year veteran of school board service — as a possible resource.
MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION | JOURNAL
