BleedGopher
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per STrib:
Randy Staten, a prominent community leader in the Twin Cities who championed groundbreaking civil rights legislation as a state representative, has died at the age of 76.
Staten overcame a very public struggle with drug addiction that led him to carry the message of recovery to black people in his later years. He became an ordained minister, serving at two of the most prominent black churches in Minneapolis: Zion Baptist Church, and later, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
Staten died May 29 in Charlotte, N.C., probably from heart disease, said his son, Randy Staten Jr. His father had been living with family members.
“We lost one of the greatest strategic minds that I have known,” said Rev. Jerry McAfee, who presides at New Salem, where Staten’s funeral was to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. He said Randy Staten taught him to know what demands to make before setting out to protest.
“I think one of his problems was his level of intelligence,” said McAfee. “It intimidated people, especially the powers that be. Minnesota Nice doesn’t always like intelligent black people.”
Staten graduated from Second Ward High School in Charlotte in 1962 and got a scholarship to play football for the University of Minnesota, where he was recruited by famed Golden Gopher coach Murray Warmath.
He received a degree in business management.
He excelled as a defensive end and after the U, played two years of professional football, the last year with the New York Giants in 1967. A leg injury ended his football career, and he returned to Minneapolis.
Staten worked for Cargill and was active in civil rights causes.
“He was a community leader, mobilizing people in action,” recalls Bill English, also a local leader. He said Staten was active in helping Pilot City, a community organization; the Way, a North Side black activist community center, and Sabathani Community Center on the city’s South Side.
In 1980, he was elected to the state House from Minneapolis, where he served three terms. At the time of his election, he was the only black legislator in Minnesota.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Randy Staten, a prominent community leader in the Twin Cities who championed groundbreaking civil rights legislation as a state representative, has died at the age of 76.
Staten overcame a very public struggle with drug addiction that led him to carry the message of recovery to black people in his later years. He became an ordained minister, serving at two of the most prominent black churches in Minneapolis: Zion Baptist Church, and later, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
Staten died May 29 in Charlotte, N.C., probably from heart disease, said his son, Randy Staten Jr. His father had been living with family members.
“We lost one of the greatest strategic minds that I have known,” said Rev. Jerry McAfee, who presides at New Salem, where Staten’s funeral was to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. He said Randy Staten taught him to know what demands to make before setting out to protest.
“I think one of his problems was his level of intelligence,” said McAfee. “It intimidated people, especially the powers that be. Minnesota Nice doesn’t always like intelligent black people.”
Staten graduated from Second Ward High School in Charlotte in 1962 and got a scholarship to play football for the University of Minnesota, where he was recruited by famed Golden Gopher coach Murray Warmath.
He received a degree in business management.
He excelled as a defensive end and after the U, played two years of professional football, the last year with the New York Giants in 1967. A leg injury ended his football career, and he returned to Minneapolis.
Staten worked for Cargill and was active in civil rights causes.
“He was a community leader, mobilizing people in action,” recalls Bill English, also a local leader. He said Staten was active in helping Pilot City, a community organization; the Way, a North Side black activist community center, and Sabathani Community Center on the city’s South Side.
In 1980, he was elected to the state House from Minneapolis, where he served three terms. At the time of his election, he was the only black legislator in Minnesota.
Randy Staten, civil rights leader and former legislator, dies at 76
He also became a voice for addiction recovery.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!