The Black Vote: How African Americans Fought for Political Power in Minnesota
One of the greatest privileges of my work is uncovering hidden histories and getting to share them with a larger audience.
My latest project, The Black Vote, now on display at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, tells the story of how Black Minnesotans fought for—and wielded—their political power.
This exhibit traces the long and determined struggle for voting rights in the state, from the first suffrage petitions in the 1860s to the Black elected officials who reshaped Minnesota’s civic landscape. Through archival documents, historical records, and in-depth research, The Black Vote brings to life the names and stories of those who challenged exclusion and helped build the democracy we know today.
Exhibition Details
Location: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
Opening Reception: February 6, 2025
History & Artist Talk: February 27, 2025
Exhibition Runs Through: May 31, 2025
Fighting for the Right to Vote
When Minnesota became a state in 1858, Black residents played vital roles in their communities—they built businesses, worked as skilled tradesmen, paid taxes, and even fought in the Civil War. Yet, they were denied one of the most fundamental rights of democracy: the right to vote.
The state constitution limited voting to “white males,” barring Black men from participating in elections, serving on juries, or holding office. But Black Minnesotans did not passively accept this exclusion. They organized, petitioned, and demanded change.
In 1864, Black residents of Hastings, Winona, and Rochester launched a statewide movement for suffrage. They drafted petitions, rallied community support, and lobbied the legislature. Their activism led to multiple suffrage amendment bills, but white voters rejected them in both 1865 and 1867.
Many white Minnesotans—especially recent European immigrants—feared that expanding Black voting rights would threaten their own political power.
Still, Black leaders persisted.
A group of men from Saint Paul, called the Golden Key Club, published an appeal, stating:
“We are taxed without representation… We present our black bosoms as a rampart to shield our country’s nationality from all harm.”
In November 1868, after years of advocacy, Black male suffrage was finally approved in Minnesota—two years before the 15th Amendment made it federal law.
To mark the occasion, more than 70 Black citizens from across the state gathered in St. Paul on January 1, 1869, at Ingersoll Hall, where they formed the Sons of Freedom to protect their newly won rights and advocate for broader equality.
The Emergence of Black Political Leaders
Securing the right to vote was only the beginning. In the decades that followed, Black Minnesotans worked to ensure that political representation extended beyond the ballot box.
In 1869, just months after winning suffrage, five Black men were seated on a Ramsey County jury—the first time African Americans helped decide court cases in the state. They were: R. J. Stockton, M. Jernigan, Henry Moffit, Thomas A. Jackson, and Robert Hickman
That same year, Mark Cain, a barber from Mantorville, became a leading delegate to the state Republican convention and was later nominated for governor (by the Democrats).
As Black civic engagement grew, more individuals stepped forward to run for office.
Early Black Political Firsts in Minnesota
Green Chambers (1878) – One of the first Black elected officials in Minnesota, serving as a constable in Blaine Township.
Jerry Pope (1880) – An Owatonna barber who ran for justice of the peace and constable.
Prince Albert Honeycutt (1896) – A barber in Fergus Falls who ran for mayor, making him one of the first African Americans in the country to campaign for a mayoral seat.
Essex Liddington (1905) – A barber in Owatonna who defeated a long-time incumbent to become constable, proving that Black leadership could succeed despite widespread racial discrimination.
Then, in 1898, a major milestone:
John Francis Wheaton was elected as Minnesota’s first Black state legislator. Wheaton, an attorney and civil rights advocate, won in Minneapolis’s Kenwood district—a predominantly white area. He secured over 1,000 votes, an achievement that defied expectations at the time. Newspapers across the country reported on his victory, with The Minneapolis Tribune stating:
“His candidacy proves that merit rather than race determines fitness for office.”
During his time in the legislature, Wheaton championed civil rights laws, anti-discrimination policies, and efforts to improve public accommodations for Black Minnesotans.
Join the Conversation
If you’re interested in more stories like these—early Black political history, untold narratives, and upcoming projects—I invite you to join my newsletter. It’s where I share research findings, exhibit updates, and new discoveries.
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Researching Minnesota’s First Black Elected Officials: An Ongoing Effort
One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of this project was compiling the long lists of Black political firsts in Minnesota.
This lists feels far from complete. As with so much of African American history, many stories remain buried in archives, newspapers, and community records, waiting to be uncovered. The deeper I dug, the clearer it became that many early Black leaders were left out of official historical accounts, and finding them requires careful, persistent research.
It was also important to ensure that the exhibit included not just men, but women—who played a critical role in shaping Black political life, often behind the scenes before they could formally run for office.
Another key priority was highlighting Black leaders from all parts of the state—not just the Twin Cities.
While much of Minnesota’s Black political history has been recorded through an urban lens, Black men and women across Greater Minnesota were also running for office, leading community movements, and shaping civic life.
Their contributions deserve equal recognition.
History is never static. As more research is conducted, more names will emerge—expanding our understanding of who shaped Black political power in Minnesota and where.
Where History Meets Design
This project was not only about research—it was about making history accessible and engaging. My background in both history and art allowed me to bring a design-focused approach to the exhibit, ensuring that visitors could connect with these stories in a meaningful way.
Working closely with a layout designer, we transformed:
Archival records
Old newspaper clippings
Historical photographs
…into visually compelling panels that tell the story of The Black Vote.
By blending historical analysis with strong written and visual storytelling, the exhibit invites visitors to see themselves as part of an ongoing legacy of democracy and representation.
Join the Conversation
If you’re interested in more stories like these—early Black political history, untold narratives, and upcoming projects—I invite you to join my newsletter. It’s where I share research findings, exhibit updates, and new discoveries.
📩 Sign up here to stay connected.
Want an Exhibit Like This at Your Institution?
Museums and historical organizations have the power to shape public understanding of history, but doing it well requires meticulous research and compelling storytelling.
If your institution is looking for historical research, exhibit curation, or custom storytelling projects, let’s talk.
We specialize in:
✔ Archival research and historical analysis
✔ Narrative-driven exhibit curation
✔ Visual storytelling and design collaboration
📩 Reach out here to me at mica@andersgenealogicalservices to discuss your project.
At its core, The Black Vote is about the past and the future. These stories remind us that democracy is built by those who fight for it—and that every generation has a role in shaping what comes next.
I hope to see you at the exhibition.
