Power Pairs: Educator Angela Mansfield and artist Roosevelt Mansfield

Sometimes opposites attract, and then they make each other stronger.

That’s the story of our first Power Pair of 2026, Minneapolis married couple Roosevelt and Angela Mansfield.

She is a longtime educator who taught in Minneapolis Public Schools and now serves as an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education.

He’s a youth worker, DJ and photographer, whose art shines a light on the people and history of Black communities in the Twin Cities.

They met through their shared love of hip-hop.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Mansfields about their work, their relationship and their commitment to supporting young people in stressful times.

Guests:

• Angela Mansfield is an assistant commissioner in the Minnesota Department of Education in the Office of Educational Opportunity. She started nearly eight years ago at the state agency as a teacher training specialist. She also founded and ran a charter school and taught in Minneapolis Public Schools.   

• Roosevelt Mansfield is a photographer and DJ who has worked as a behavioral specialist and in other roles in public schools. He’s also the founder of The Purpose, an organization that supports young people of color through cultural education, photography and entrepreneurial skills.  

Do you know a Power Pair?

“Power Pairs” is a series featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. You may know of them separately but they reveal a new side of themselves when they sit down together. Listen to past interviews here and submit your idea for a future Power Pair here.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.