Duluth’s 2020 Inauguration was historic as the city welcomed its first African-heritage person to serve on the city council. Janet Kennedy has long been serving the city as a leader in the local NAACP as its first vice president and chair for the Health & Environmental Equity Committee. Kennedy now represents District 5 in western Duluth on the council. She joins Renee Van Nett of District 4, who was part of another historic inauguration in 2018 as the council’s first Native American woman.

In her inauguration speech, Kennedy spoke of her experience growing up as a woman of African heritage among the large Euro heritage population of Duluth. She spoke of her observance of Kwanzaa and her meditation of its seven principles, which reflect the values Kennedy promises to bring to her role as councilor.

• Umoja (unity)
• Kujichagulia (self-determination)
• Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
• Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
• Nia (purpose)
• Kuumba (creativity)
• Imani (faith)