One significant recommendation led to the creation of the first state office in the U.S. dedicated to addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Black women. The law establishing the Murdered and Missing Black Women and Girls Office was passed in 2023, with Kaleena Burkes appointed as its inaugural director earlier this year.
“There is an attack on Black women and girls and their families,” Lee said. “We are not being supported properly, and I’m praying that this office will be able to do some research that’ll show some light to that.”
Advocates for the office argue it is urgently needed and are collaborating with other states to establish similar initiatives and seek national support. They point to data highlighting the disproportionate violence faced by Black women and girls.
Statistics reveal that Black women in Minnesota are nearly three times more likely to be killed than white women. Although they represent only 7% of the state’s population, Black women account for 40% of domestic violence victims and 40% of sex trafficking victims nationwide.
