In 2020, as Minneapolis grappled with the twin realities of pandemic isolation and civil unrest, South Minneapolis native Jocelyn McQuirter found herself observing a quiet but powerful story unfolding at home: the world through the eyes of her two-year-old son, Kaiden. While the city experienced uncertainty and tension, Kaiden remained fully immersed in play, mesmerized […]
Binta Kanteh
Binta Kanteh is an Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder contributor. Kanteh can be reached at bkanteh13@gmail.com.
Posted inLocal & State
Africa’s first female military pilot honored in Minnesota
From a young age, Asli Hassan Abade was captivated by astronomy, math and physics. Growing up in a military family in Somalia, her academic strengths and early exposure to the military sparked a dream: to fly planes. The 1960s and ‘70s in Somalia, a period of independence and decolonization across Africa, offered new opportunities for […]
Posted inArtists
Eliza Winston exhibit illuminates Minnesota’s complicated history with slavery
Hennepin History Museum’s new exhibit centers Eliza Winston, whose 1860 court victory made her the first person to legally secure freedom in Minnesota, while confronting the state’s quiet complicity in slavery.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
PUSH triathlon gets Black people outside and active
The PUSH Fitness triathlon at Lilydale Pool & Yacht Club continues to grow as a welcoming space for athletes of color. With relay options, accessibility, and support from 11 sponsors, many first timers completed the swim, bike, or run in community.
Posted inLocal & State
These doulas are working to end lonely, unsupported births in prison
The Minnesota Prison Doula Project recently hosted a national training in Minneapolis to help doulas expand their support for incarcerated parents. The program is changing lives and restoring dignity to birth behind bars.
Posted inLocal & State
Somali-owned sambusa company “Hoyo” expands to Midtown Global Market
Hoyo triples its kitchen space at Midtown Global Market to expand sambusa production and uplift immigrant moms through food and employment.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Run Blk inspires ‘come as you are’ communal fitness
Run Blk is building community through movement with inclusive run/walk meetups for Black residents in North Minneapolis.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Doula brings compassion to birthing experience
Khadija Sanyang, a doula in Minnesota, advocates for Black maternal health through her services, which include educating women on their birthing options and providing support during and after pregnancy, in an effort to reduce the rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Black women.
Posted inNews
Fighting racism in the birthing industry
The African American Babies Coalition and Projects hosted a summit to learn from healthcare professionals and researchers.
Posted inNews
North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship opens for applications
The North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship, a program launched in 2017, has graduated over 100 alumni and is entering its eighth cohort this fall. The deadline to apply is Sept. 8.
Posted inGo Green
A trip to the grocery store with an environmentalist
Filsan Ibrahim, an environmentalist, practices a low or zero-waste approach to reduce waste and reduce the impact of industrial waste on communities.
Posted inNews
AEDS celebrates National Black Business Month with 5th annual conference
African Leadership Conference returned to Minnesota for its 5th year, celebrating the contributions of the African diaspora in Minnesota.
Posted inNews
Sudanese Minnesotans share their stories as war rages on
The war in Sudan has caused over 10 million people to be displaced, and nearly 26 million people are now acutely food insecure.
Posted inBusiness
St. Paul hosted National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda
The National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the aim of making the city the cooperative capital of the country.
Posted inArts + Culture
Practice makes progress: a beginner’s start to ceramic art
Osob Abas discovered her love of ceramic art in 2022 and has since become an accomplished ceramic artist, using the art form to express her creativity and connect with her cultural roots.
Posted inBusiness
How lending circles can advance financial empowerment
Lending circles, a long-standing tradition across many African, Caribbean, Asian and South American diasporas, are an interest-free community lending structure.
Posted inNews
As Ramadan ends, Muslims don celebratory attire
Muslims from the Black Diaspora around the world celebrate Eid Al-Fitr by dressing up and showcasing their culture through clothing, which is a way to honor their faith and show gratitude for the blessing of life.