Vance Hopkins grew up in Duluth and went through the public schools. But it wasn't until he moved away that he saw an African American in a professional position; and that's exactly why he's sticking around this time.
Hopkins is the academy director at Washburn Edison Junior High and the only black head of school in Duluth.
In his office, portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X hang year-round, not just during Black History Month.
"Black history needs to be taught every day, not just during the shortest month of the year," Hopkins said.
He said he thinks that the history of a person reflects self-esteem and pride, and it concerns him that most of what Americans know of black history is about slavery.
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Part of Hopkins' philosophy is that education of proper black history will empower black children and reduce racism.
"There seems to be a lack of pride in African American children today. I think that a better understanding of their history would instill that pride and take us back to a time when the African American community was tight knit," he said.
Hopkins grew up in that closer-knit time. He said he had all sorts of "parents" to love him and discipline him. But even then, the community was small and respect hard to gain.
"I was the only minority in the class... and the kids used to call me 'mud' just because of the color of my skin," Hopkins said.
Hopkins remembers when the only adult African American he saw in the school was a singing and dancing character that resembled Aunt Jemima.
Near the end of his high school career, Hopkins moved to Minneapolis for a while. There he met the vice principal of his school, who was the first black professional he had ever seen.
"I never knew it was possible for a black man to be in a position of authority," he said.
Hopkins went on to live in Chicago and earn his degree from the National College of Education-Evanston, and later his master's degree in human service administration.
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"I never thought I would come back to Duluth again," said Hopkins. "I was so excited to get out of here."
But on the request of his wife, he returned and since then has been working to gain exposure for black professionals in Duluth. He said it will benefit both black and white people.
"I think there really needs to be an improvement in race understanding, as well as a better understanding of white privilege," he said. "It seems to me the efforts to do this have been miniscule."
Hopkins said he can't think of more than a few black teachers in the Duluth school district and that he would like for the schools to reflect the community they are serving.
"If they population is 10 percent minority, then the professionals in that community should reflect that," he said.
Hopkins said that many black professionals in the area have left because they didn't find a sense of community or support in Duluth.
In reflection of Black History Month, Hopkins said he would like to see the people in Duluth, who are part of the majority, make a conscious effort to put people of color in a visible position, both in history and in everyday life.
"A lot of actions are unconscious," he said. "So we all need to wake up and realize what we are doing now, so that we can make a change."
