FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026
Saint Paul to Honor Elder Professor Mahmoud El-Kati at this year's Selby Ave. Jazz Fest
SAINT PAUL, MN — Elder Emeritus Professor of History Mahmoud El-Kati, the renowned historian, educator, author and community elder whose scholarship and mentorship helped shape African American Studies and Black civic life in Minnesota, will be honored with an honorary street co-naming in Saint Paul’s historic Rondo community.
On September 9th, the Saint Paul City Council voted 6–1 to restore honorary street co-naming after nearly a decade and approved a designation honoring El-Kati. Councilmember Saura Jost cast the sole opposing vote. The Council had discontinued the practice in 2017 “until further notice”.
Councilmember Anika Bowie served as lead sponsor of both measures, leading the policy effort to restore co-naming and sponsoring the resolution honoring El-Kati.
“Restoring honorary street co-naming was an incredible undertaking, and it was especially meaningful to renew this tradition by honoring Elder Mahmoud El-Kati,” Bowie said. “His impact transcends any single proclamation, institution or generation. His name will now have a permanent place in the Rondo community he helped shape.”
For Bowie, a mentee of El-Kati, the recognition was also personal. She grew up listening to him on KMOJ and later co-hosted a conversation with him about restorative justice within our public schools system while completing her undergraduate at Hamline University.
“We should not wait until our elders are gone to tell them what they meant to us,” Bowie said. “Elder Mahmoud deserves to receive his flowers while he is here, and future generations deserve the opportunity to see his name and learn his story.”
Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, also a mentee of El-Kati, helped catalyze the effort to secure a lasting public recognition of the elder.
“Professor Mahmoud El-Kati is deserving of every honor that we, as elected officials, have available to us,” Champion said. “It has been far too long for us to present this honor.”
Community advocate Tyrone Terrill, President of the African American Leadership Council and Men of M.A.R.C.H. (Men Are Responsible To Cultivate Hope), also championed the recognition.
“I am overjoyed that the City of Saint Paul has bestowed such an honor upon our beloved Griot and Elder Mahmoud El-Kati—giving him his African King Protea flowers while he can still see them and smell them,” Terrill said.
El-Kati’s decades of teaching, scholarship and mentorship influenced generations of students, educ
ators, elected officials and civic leaders. His work helped establish an intellectual foundation for African American Studies in Minnesota and strengthened Black-led institutions and movements throughout the state.
The honorary designation will be located at Iglehart Avenue and Milton Street, in the heart of historic Rondo and within the Rondo African American Arts and Cultural Enterprise District. The recognition complements ongoing efforts to make the neighborhood’s Black history, arts and culture visible in public spaces, including newly installed cultural district banners.
The honorary co-naming will be officially announced Saturday, September 12th, during Stokley’s performance at the Selby Avenue JazzFest. Stokley, an acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician, is El-Kati’s son. Senator Champion, Councilmember Bowie, the El-Kati family, Terrill and community leaders will participate in the announcement.
The official installation and unveiling of the street signs will take place at a later date. The community will cover fabrication, materials, labor and installation costs, with no additional cost to Saint Paul taxpayers.
Watch Youtube Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/LZUWStws8k8?is=d_0kmMM20Zukq8nq