Minneapolis honors Bernadette Anderson with commemorative street on city‘s north side

Another Minneapolis civil rights icon will have their name on a commemorative street sign on the city’s north side. On Thursday, the city council approved an application to rename a portion of Russell Avenue North as Bernadette Anderson Way.

An outspoken advocate for civil rights for African Americans, Anderson was a lifelong Minneapolis resident who served in leadership positions for several organizations, including the Minneapolis Urban League Guild and the KMOJ Board of Directors.

“She was a force to be reckoned with and regularly did battle with elected officials,” said council member LaTrisha Vetaw. “She fought tirelessly for the rights of Black people.”

Vetaw, who represents part of north Minneapolis, said Anderson was known as “Queen Bernie” and had a reputation for offering tough love and an open door to children in her north side neighborhood.

“She nurtured countless numbers of young people and helped them to stay on track so they could reach their full potential,” said Vetaw. “She loved children, and the door to her house was always open to all the young people who needed some love. One of the young people she helped raise was Prince. She took him in when he needed her.”

Prince was a teenager and bandmate of Anderson’s son, Andre Cymone, when he stayed in the Anderson home in the mid 1970s.  Last month, Spike Moss — who also has a street named for him — said Anderson also mentored him.

Bernadette Anderson Way will run along Russell Avenue North between Plymouth Avenue North and 12th Avenue North. The application for the commemorative street name doesn’t say when the street will be renamed.

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