MARCH 7, 2017 PROGRAM:The History of Rondo: Past Present & Future
Posted by Jodi Erickson on Mar 07, 2017
The presentation will cover the brief history of the African-American community before and after the construction of I-94 that destroyed the neighborhood, summarize current projects now underway to revitalize Rondo and offer a glimpse of an exciting new project for Rondo and I-94.
Marvin Roger Anderson was born and raised in Saint Paul. Upon graduation from Central High School, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, Hastings College of the Law and the University of Minnesota earning BA, JD and Master’s Degrees respectively. After law school, Marvin served in the US Peace Corps and, on his return he became a Special Assistant for the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. After the department, several years of corporate and private practice and as a consultant in private industry, Marvin obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science, worked at the University of Minnesota Law School until his appointment by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the position of State Law Librarian in 1980 a position he held until retirement in 2002.
In 1982, spurred by efforts of other neighborhood boosters to claim the title of “St. Paul’s best neighborhood, Marvin and his long-time friend Floyd G. Smaller, Jr., saw the need to enter the name of Rondo into the friendly competition. With this goal in mind, they led the formation of Rondo Avenue, Inc., (RAI) and began planning for a Rondo Days Festival to be held the following year. On July 4th, 1983, the first Rondo Days Festival was held welcoming thousands of current and former residents during its inaugural weekend. For the past 33 years, Rondo Days has offered a multicultural celebration of art, music, dance, food, health and community information, small business opportunities and family fun.
Mr. Anderson is a co-founder and first President of (MABL) the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. He was a board member and past chair of the Archie Givens, for African-American Literature, former board member of the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Regions Hospital Board of Directors, Minnesota Humanities Commission Board of Trustees and the US Bank Community
Advisory Board. He currently serves as the Project Director of the Rondo Commemorative Plaza and board member of ReConnectRondo, an organization with the mission to pursue a “land bridge” over I-94 in the Rondo Corridor.
Advisory Board. He currently serves as the Project Director of the Rondo Commemorative Plaza and board member of ReConnectRondo, an organization with the mission to pursue a “land bridge” over I-94 in the Rondo Corridor.