Mahmoud El-Kati’s name finds a home on Rondo street
As family, former students, elected officials and community members gathered in St. Paul to celebrate Mahmoud El-Kati, the longtime historian, professor, and community activist gave credit right back.
“I do what I do because of you,” El-Kati said.
Just days before his 91st birthday, Oct. 30, the community came together Tuesday to give El-Kati flowers. At Iglehart Avenue and North Milton Street in Rondo, the group unveiled an honorary street sign for the man whose lessons have stayed with them for decades.
“It’s always good to give someone their flowers while they’re still present with us and it’s a reminder that the work still must continue,” said Twin Cities musician Jamela Pettiford, standing in front of the sign.
For Pettiford, the moment hit close to her heart. She said she came to represent her late father, David Pettiford, whose thinking El-Kati shaped.
“He learned all of his intellectual prowess from Mahmoud and others in the community,” she said. “And so I came to represent my father. May he rest in peace.”
El-Kati was recognized for his teaching and influence across classrooms, community centers and organizing efforts for generations of Black families.
“Honoring our elders is how we honor ourselves, our ancestors and the generations yet to come,” said Makeda Zulu, who emceed the ceremony.
In 1963, El-Kati made St. Paul his home. At the ceremony, he said he taught Black history through the North Central Voters League and later led educational programming at The Way in North Minneapolis.
Community activist Spike Moss said El-Kati opened doors for Black firefighters, police officers, teachers, and students.
“As a matter of fact, everybody that listened to this man became somebody,” Moss said.
El-Kati taught history at Macalester College from 1970 to 2003, mentoring students while exploring African American history, social movements and culture. Melvin Collins, a 1975 Macalester graduate and former college board member, called El-Kati his mentor.
“His mission has been to fill the missing pages of American history,” Collins said. “He challenges others to think critically and beyond the obvious to develop their own informed perspective.”
El-Kati also remembered the people who helped him find his way in Minnesota, including civil rights leader Josie Johnson. He recalled her introducing him to a church audience in Minneapolis and encouraging him before they knew each other well.
“I’ll never forget it. She didn’t even know me. She introduced me,” El-Kati said.
The recognition also marks a return for St. Paul. In September, the City Council voted to restore honorary street co-naming, which was discontinued in 2017. This month, a resolution clarified that Iglehart Ave. between Oxford and Kents will be co-named Mahmoud El-Kati Avenue, which includes the block where El-Kati once lived and raised his family.
Ward 1 Councilmember Anika Bowie said the city is working with public works and the mayor’s administration to develop a process for future honorary street co-naming.
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