African American Health State Advisory Council
The African American Health State Advisory Council was established during the 2023 Legislative session to aid the health commissioner in advancing equity for African American communities, specifically multigenerational African Americans or American descendants of slaves.
The council reports directly to the commissioner of health (or a delegate) and is charged with the following:
- Identify health disparities found in African American communities and their contributing factors.
- Recommend to the commissioner for review any statutes, rules, or administrative policies or practices that would address African American health disparities.
- Recommend policies and strategies to the commissioner of health to address disparities specifically affecting African American health.
- Form work groups of council members who as individuals provide or receive services and represent advocacy groups, and provide the work groups with clear guidelines, standardized parameters, and tasks to accomplish.
- Submit an annual report to the commissioner that summarizes council activities, identifies disparities specially affecting the health of African American Minnesotans, and make recommendations to address identified disparities.
Members
Rae Blaylark
Ronda Chakolis
Cindy Devonish
Charles Dixon
Patrick Ingram (council co-chair)
Andrea Lawson (council co-chair)
Dr. Carolyn Livingston
Abdou Manjang
Paul May-Kramer
Pleasant Radford, Jr.
Christopher Smith
Statute
144.0755 African American Health State Advisory Council
Minutes
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: Dec. 11, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: Nov. 13, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: Oct. 9, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: Sept. 10, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: July 10, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: June 12, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: May 8, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: April 10, 2025 (PDF)
AAHSAC Meeting Minutes: March 13, 2025 (PDF)