Biography
Born in Bessemer, AL and raised in Cleveland, Toni Carter came to Minnesota to attend college. She received her B.A. from Concordia University, St. Paul and is a recipient of Honorary Doctorates from Concordia University, St. Paul and Carleton College. She is an advocate for integrating and centering justice and equity in policymaking, believing that the Met Council’s role in infrastructure development is a key policy lever to improve community wellness and prosperity.
Carter served as a local elected policymaker for more than 20 years, including as a member of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for eighteen years. She has led local, regional, and state organizations, including as chair of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and Saint Paul Board of Education, and president of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC). Currently a Senior Consultant at Sankofa Leadership Network, Carter continues to volunteer as a board member for the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and the National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO).