Civil rights activist and longtime Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder columnist Ron Edwards was honored with a golden memorial plaque at Fire Station 1 on 299 S. 5th Ave on Dec. 19, recognizing his decades of work to diversify the Minneapolis Fire Department and advocate for racial equity in public safety.

Edwards, who died of natural causes in 2020 at age 81, moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City in the 1940s and became active in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. He served as president of the Minneapolis Urban League in the 1970s and joined the steering committee for a consent decree in 1972 that required the fire department to hire more firefighters of color.

The impact of that activism is seen today in a department that remains more diverse than many across the country: about 14-16% of Minneapolis Fire Department firefighters are Black, compared with roughly 8% nationally, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data and local city statistics. Meanwhile, about 31% of the Minneapolis department’s sworn personnel are people of color overall, reflecting decades of gradual change since the all‑white force of the early 20th century.

“We all grew up together around Ron Edwards, and he taught all of us about spirit, believing in yourself, and being true to who you are,” said Walter “Q Bear” Banks, who had known Edwards since childhood.

Edwards’ advocacy helped shape programs that expanded opportunities for Black and Indigenous firefighters and, later, for police officers. “He opened doors for Black and Indigenous fire and police officers,” said Lisa Clemons, a Minneapolis police officer who joined the department in 1987. “He made it possible for all of us to have careers in public service.”

Charles Rucker, president of the Minneapolis African‑American Firefighters Association, credited Edwards with creating the EMS pathway program, which became a primary source of diversity in the department. “The next firefighter class was 97% white, male. Ron Edwards helped change that,” Rucker said.

The ceremony included tributes from members of the community, public safety officials, and local leaders. Crow Bellecourt, who attended the event, said Edwards’ legacy should inspire future generations. “We need more young people to follow in his footsteps,” she said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised Edwards’ lifelong dedication. “If you hear about the work Ron Edwards did, you know he cared about diversity, equity and inclusion before it was even an acronym,” Frey said. “He understood that public safety must reflect the people it protects, and that reflection is now visible in this fire department.”

Beyond his work in public safety, Edwards was a journalist, writing columns for the Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder from 2003 to 2019. His work included reporting on civil rights issues, criticizing media bias, and covering incidents of systemic injustice, including alleged illegal wiretapping by the Minneapolis Police Department.

“I learned so much from Ron Edwards about journalism and respecting people,” Banks said. “He knew how to communicate across different levels of education and experience.”

Edwards’ influence extended across generations of public servants. Police officers, firefighters and journalists alike credit him for opening doors and setting a standard for civic engagement. Former Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and officers like Dolores Dunn, who joined the department in 1973, trace their careers back to Edwards’ mentorship.

“It’s only fitting that Ron Edwards, who worked tirelessly as a columnist, radio co‑host and community advocate, now has a permanent marker of his legacy,” said Tracey Williams‑Dillard, publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder. “He was a man of indispensable knowledge who shaped Minnesota’s public safety and civil rights landscape for decades.”

The golden plaque at Fire Station 1 now serves as a lasting tribute to Edwards’ lifelong commitment to justice, equity and inclusion, and as a reminder of the change one person can inspire in a community.

Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at combs0284@gmail.com.

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