The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit set up on the State Capitol Complex across from the MnDOT Transportation Building. Photo courtesy Michael Johnson.
Dates: July 14-16, 2014
Event: RISE ABOVE Celebration
Location: State Capitol Complex, Minnesota Department of Transportation Building 395 John Ireland Blvd, Saint Paul, MN
Attendance: 936
Dr. Brown inspires youth to aim for excellence through education.
Thanks to sponsorship by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Office of Aeronautics and coordination by MnDOT’s African American Employee Resource Group, the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit was on display at the State Capitol Complex as part of the Minnesota Summer of Civil Rights – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Original Tuskegee Airman Dr. Harold H. Brown (Lt. Col., USAF Ret.), and his wife Marsha Bordner, were our special guests. Dr. Brown also had the distinct honor of raising the flag at the Minnesota Twins Home Run Derby July 13th!
A reception was held Wednesday evening on the plaza of the MnDOT Transportation Building at the State Capitol. The evening included special guest speakers Cassandra Isakson, Original Tuskegee Airman Dr. Brown, CAF Red Tail Pilot Doug Rozendaal, Elder Charles Stalling, and Mamie Singleton. Commissioner Zelle read a Proclamation issued by Governor Dayton declaring July 16, 2014 as Minnesota Tuskegee Airman Day. Guests also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, and live jazz music by the Tommy Robinson Trio.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors of the RISE ABOVE Reception:
- Minnesota Twins Ball Club
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights
- Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Aeronautics
- Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
- Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
- Governor’s Council on Black Minnesotans
- Ravi Norman, CEO THOR Construction
A huge thank you to Cassandra Isakson, Mary McFarland-Brooks, Keith Baker, Victoria Hopwood, John Tompkins, Michael Johnson, Terrina White-Vasser, Jarvis Keys, and so many other MnDOT people who worked so hard to make this event such a success!
Please enjoy the photos in our Facebook Album!
