For Dr. Artika Tyner, education is more than a profession; it is a lifelong mission rooted in history, culture, and community. As a scholar, educator, and author, Tyner has spent decades nurturing programs that elevate Black voices, preserve African American history, and cultivate leadership across generations.
Her passion for learning began at home. “My mother is an educator, and every day was a learning opportunity,” Tyner said. “She taught me that the more you learn, the more you can think critically and make an impact in the community.” Those lessons laid the foundation for a career devoted to mentorship, scholarship, and cultural preservation.
Tyner’s roots run deep in Rondo, the historic African American neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. Growing up surrounded by local examples of Black excellence, mentors like Thelma Buckner, Reverend Carl Walker, and her music teachers at Walker West Music Academy, she witnessed leadership grounded in service and cultural pride. “As I became an educator myself, I realized that many people weren’t grounded in history, culture, or legacy,” Tyner said. “I felt compelled to change that.”
Over the years, Tyner has authored 40 books, 30 of which highlight African American leaders. Among her favorites is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” “Dr. King invites all of us to look in the mirror and ask how we can make a difference,” she said. “We have a chance to bring people together, understand our shared humanity, and act on it.”
Central to Tyner’s philosophy is the idea that effective leadership requires growth on multiple levels: personal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal. “The challenge for leaders today is capturing all four dimensions,” she said. “It’s a labor of love, but it’s essential if we want to be effective and impactful.”
Her work transcends borders. Inspired by King’s travels to Ghana and his support of the nation’s independence, Tyner leads initiatives there in education, economic development, and public health. She organizes youth leadership summits, literacy programs, and healthcare projects. Efforts that connect communities across the African diaspora and strengthen the shared resilience of Black communities worldwide.
Yet her commitment remains deeply local. Tyner emphasizes kinship and collective responsibility as essential to building a thriving community. “Our biggest challenge is rekindling and restoring our kinship networks,” she said. “We build these networks one relationship at a time with family, neighbors, elders, and community leaders. That’s how we ensure our collective future thrives.”
Tyner approaches this work with a practical philosophy she calls her “community scorecard.” “If my work makes someone’s day better or inspires them to reach their potential, then I’ve achieved my goal,” she said. She invites students, community members, and colleagues into her home and her programs, turning learning into a shared, intergenerational experience.
The educator’s approach reflects a belief in both equality and equity. “Equality is the value and essence of our shared humanity,” she said. “Equity is the process that helps us embark on that journey.” Tyner’s work embodies both: advocating for fairness while creating structures that empower individuals to realize their potential.
Tyner’s vision for community and leadership also draws on historical perspectives. She often references the leaders of the civil rights era and the African diaspora. “When you look at leaders like Dr. King, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Malcolm X, and Maya Angelou, they unveiled possibilities across multiple dimensions,” she said. “We must cultivate leadership within ourselves and across our communities to meet the challenges of today.”
The educator emphasizes that real change starts with a mindset shift from scarcity to abundance. “If you only see what’s in front of you, you can’t imagine what’s ahead of you,” she said. For Tyner, this perspective is rooted in her experience as a first-generation college and law student and informs her efforts to guide others toward realizing their ambitions.
In practical terms, this means creating programs that allow communities to learn collectively, connect across generations, and share resources. Tyner has facilitated trips for community members from Rondo to Ghana, bringing back cultural experiences and lessons that strengthen local kinship networks. She believes that rebuilding these connections: family, friends, mentors, and neighbors, is essential to thriving as a community today.
As the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. through its “Echoes of Unity” series, Tyner’s reflections offer a timely reminder. “Education, culture, and history aren’t just about learning; they’re about empowering each other,” she said. “When we understand ourselves and each other, we can build a stronger, more unified community.”
For Tyner, the work is ongoing, and the measure of success is clear. “I keep the scorecard in the community,” she said. “If someone says, ‘You inspired me,’ or ‘I’m stepping into leadership because of you,’ that tells me I’m fulfilling my mission.”
Through decades of teaching, writing, and organizing, Tyner embodies the principles Dr. King championed: unity, service, and leadership rooted in love. Her message resonates across local and global communities: the path to a stronger, more equitable future is built not only on knowledge but on the bonds we forge and the lives we touch.
For more information on Dr. Tyner’s work, visit www.artikatyner.com.