In celebration of Black History Month, the City of St. Louis Park and St. Louis Park Public Schools are spotlighting their employees, sharing the stories of Black and African American staff members who contribute to the community's vitality. Among these is Darrell Young, the youth enrichment program manager for St. Louis Park Community Education, who is also an adjunct instructor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Young, who previously served on the Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee, was recognized for his dedication to youth advocacy with the 2013 Chief Merit Award from the City of Minneapolis, according to a statement obtained by the City of St. Louis Park. His commitment, paired with the Downtown Business Association has proven instrumental in fostering positive changes for the city's youth.
The citywide initiative also highlights role models from the Black community that inspire local employees, such as Andre Dukes – the vice president of family and community impact at the Northside Achievement Zone. Dukes is renowned for "Proud Papa," a curriculum that empowers fathers to support their children's development. He maintains an active presence in the community, serving on various boards and committees, including the governor's Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage.
Residents and visitors can find posters featuring these inspiring individuals in park buildings across the city, complete with QR codes for further information. For those unfamiliar with the location of city parks, a parks directory is provided on the city's website. Additionally, these profiles are being shared weekly on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram (@stlouispark), and through GovDelivery emails on Mondays and the last Wednesday of February.
