Kevin Lindsey, Esq.

KEVIN LINDSEY received his B.S. in Political Science and J.D. from the University of Iowa. A widely respected advocate and lawyer with a wealth of experience in public policy and education, he has been the CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) since June of 2019. Prior to joining MHC, Lindsey served in Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s cabinet as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from 2011 to 2019, during which time he increased the effectiveness of the Department and helped to secure passage of legislation benefitting historically marginalized communities.

Lindsey was honored as the Iowa Law Review’s Distinguished Alumni in 2017 and was selected in 2018 as a “50 Over 50” honoree with the AARP Minnesota and Pollen Award, which celebrates and recognizes Minnesotans over the age of 50 who have made significant contributions and achievements in their communities. Lindsey was honored with the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts Civitas Award and Minnesota Lawyer's Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2021.

Lindsey’s hope is that we as a nation can come together, witness our past, and overcome the inequities to create a union in which inclusivity is innate for everyone. The role of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to be the first responders when our democracy is in crisis, meaning that it brings people together to increase understanding and spark change. The center uses humanities to teach cultural awareness and competence, as well as empathy. It is the center’s belief that humanities has the power to bring about change for the betterment of our society. A proven change-maker fueled by his passion for inclusion, Lindsey’s career has been focused on leveraging the power of personal stories, finding solutions to complex problems, and building a stronger democracy. He has served on the board of the Federation of State Humanities Councils since 2021 and currently serves on the boards of Wonderlust Theatre, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, the St. Paul Public Housing Authority, and as chair of the board of the African American Leadership Forum. He was recently elected as President of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers in June of 2024.