Commissioner Angela Conley: Championing health, equity, and Black leadership

Angela Conley never imagined herself in public office. Her path to Hennepin County Commissioner began not in politics, but in a county office nearly 25 years ago, standing in line as a single mother seeking benefits while escaping domestic violence. “I felt like just a number,” she recalls. “Surrounded by other Black women also navigating the system, I knew something had to change.”

That experience ignited Conley’s commitment to public service. She began her career in county government as a financial worker and gradually rose through the ranks, earning degrees in social work and public administration along the way. “Learning how to run government through the lens of social justice is critical to understanding how you shift the world so that everybody has an opportunity,” she explains.

In 2017, Conley saw an opportunity to influence policy at a higher level. With Hennepin County seeking to address systemic disparities, she ran for office and became one of the first Black commissioners in the county’s 167-year history. “I still don’t consider myself a politician,” she says. “I am a public servant. I’m here because the residents of the Fourth District trust me to represent their interests.”

Since taking office, Conley has focused on initiatives that directly impact the health and wellbeing of Black and Indigenous communities. She spearheaded the Heart Health Initiative, investing millions into education, awareness, and support groups to combat cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for Black women in Hennepin County. “We weren’t talking about it enough, and people were dying,” she says. The initiative includes culturally relevant nutrition programs, fitness activities, and survivor support networks, helping the community take ownership of their health.

Conley also champions maternal health equity. Recognizing the stark disparities in outcomes for Black and Indigenous birthing people, she successfully advocated for a $10 million investment to fund the Birth Justice Collaborative, which provides culturally specific birthing practices, doula care, and holistic support for families throughout pregnancy and the first year of life. “It’s about creating a village,” she explains. “Fathers, mothers, and communities all play a role in healthy births and thriving children.”

Beyond health, Conley chairs the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, promoting homeownership opportunities for Black and Brown residents. “Housing is healthcare. It’s the foundation for a better quality of life,” she says. Her leadership has expanded access to homeownership, helping families build generational wealth and close the racial homeownership gap in Minnesota.

Reflecting on her historic election and work in predominantly white institutions, Conley encourages young Black leaders to step into spaces where they are underrepresented. “We have to be unapologetic about bringing our voices into these spaces. It can be taxing, but our presence is necessary to create change.” She emphasizes self-care and community support as essential tools for sustaining long-term impact.

Conley’s message is clear: leadership is rooted in service. “Muhammad Ali said, ‘Service is the rent you pay for your place here on Earth.’ That’s what I believe. Public service is a labor of love, and it’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”

Born and raised on the south side of Minneapolis, Conley considers it a privilege to serve the community that shaped her. Through health initiatives, housing programs, and her unwavering advocacy for equity, she continues to inspire a new generation of Black leaders in Hennepin County.

For more information, visit www.hennepin.us/angelaconley.