“Being a Superwoman every day, 24/7 is not realistic. Being strong is being able to ask for help. If you don’t, you might not be here [much longer]” said Jasmine Boudah M.Ed (pronounced bow-duh) a teacher by trade, parent advocate at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, doula, and now a published author. Boudah’s first book, Mothering Through Pain and […]
Brandi Phillips
Brandi Phillips is a contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inNews
Legendary King of Wings gets a new incarnation
“It is all about the legacy of keeping King of Wings alive in Minnesota and teaching people about him and his chicken wings,” said Robert Patterson, former employee of Leland Carriger’s King of Wings and current owner of the Kings Royal Seasoning and Kings Royal Wings. Patterson is from Minnesota, born and raised. “I started […]
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Healing with ‘the sacred dessert of Black culture’
Sweet Potato Comfort Pies nourish empathy, unity “The pies I believe have a calling of giving comfort to anyone,” says Rose McGee, Golden Valley’s 2017 Citizen of the Year. Her nomination was based on her work to comfort people living with cancer and healing from the loss of loved ones such as the families of […]
Posted inLocal & State
Annual Hue-Man parade and festival promotes health
“We are excited to show the community that we care about them. We just want to get to the bottom line of their health and their children’s health,” said Clarence Jones, outreach director of Southside Community Health Services, one of the sponsors of the annual Hue-Man event held this year on Saturday, July 15. The […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Food-insecure children more likely to have social and behavioral problems
Throughout the school year, children are guaranteed access to balanced meals; those children go without adequate nutrition over the summer. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 13.1 million children under age 18 are living in “food-insecure families.” Not all of those families are eligible for Federal Assistance. Moreover, a food-insecure child is more […]
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Appetite for Change creates oasis in Northside food desert
Breaking bread with family is a time-honored tradition among African Americans. The movie Soul Food is one example of how families take the time to share gossip and even resolve issues while sharing dinner with shrimp and grits, collard greens, biscuits, mac and cheese, and fried chicken. The Breaking Bread Café on West Broadway in […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Community gathers for healthy, happy get-together
Providing access to under-served populations is an ongoing concern. On Saturday, April 22, the MSR hosted a Health Family Fair at North High School in North Minneapolis. The event brought people together to learn about available resources and congregate with friends and neighbors. A number of other organizations joined in the event: the Medtronic Foundation, […]
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This year, Open Cities celebrates 50 years of community service
Open Cities Health Clinics is a healthcare organization that has been around for 50 years, located in St. Paul and led by Jim Platten, its CEO/executive director for nearly three years now. Platten says, “I love everything about [this position]. I love the community. We have a phenomenal staff. “We have great people who are […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness, News
Outreach, collaboration are priorities for Southside health clinic
ADVERTISEMENT Southside Community Health Services is an organization with a long history of serving the community. Director of Development and Communications Autumn Chmielewski told the MSR, “We are a clinic that has been serving the South Side of Minneapolis and local areas for 45 years. “We actually started out as a free volunteer clinic in […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Fashions with empowerment potential
Boutique specializes in unique plus-sized looks Fashionable plus-sized women’s clothing at a reasonable price can sometimes be hard to find. But according to Teresa Brown-Rogers, owner of Simply Fabulous One Boutique, her women’s clothing and accessories store has the answers to help solve this puzzle. Located at 1011 West Broadway since January 2016, the boutique […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Charter school envisions educating over half of North Mpls children
Harvest Network called ‘a beacon of hope for the community’ The Harvest Network of Schools promotes community development and education. These concepts are not something new to the schools’ founder and president Eric Mahmoud and his wife, co-founder and executive director Dr. Ella Mahmoud. For them these concepts have always been fundamental. According to Eric, […]
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The impresario of events — Debonaire is all about making things happen
Andre “Debonaire” McNeal is a man of many faces. CEO of Bachelor Boy Entertainment, McNeal should be called a “bad” boy — bad meaning good. He is a 46-year-old entrepreneur, family guy, human service worker, entrepreneur, father of six and friend to many. Entrepreneurship runs deep in McNeal’s blood. His aunt owned a club that […]
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First Friday salutes educators improving outcomes for students of color
Just before the school year begins, the August First Friday Event honored educators, two people who make children’s school days more enjoyable as they gain knowledge and reach educational standards. This month, Michael Zeke Walker and LaTanya Daniels were the honored “Faces of the Month.” For the past two years, Michael Zeke Walker has been […]
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First Fridays honors two up-and-coming entrepreneurs
On July 1, July’s First Fridays Twin Cities honored two Minnesotans in its “Faces of the Month” recognition. The tradition continues in honoring people who are making a difference in the Black community. Houston White, an entrepreneur, was the male honored. Since 2008, he has been the sole owner of the former H. White Mensroom, […]
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New partnership aims to reduce disparities in health care
There is a new community partnership in Minnesota, and its goals are to get more people to seek health care and to have individuals take control of their health by understanding and being comfortable with the resources available to them in their neighborhoods and the greater Twin Cities community. This program is called the “Medtronic […]
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Brooklyn Park council hopeful runs on safety, family, jobs
“My father, at an early age, instilled in us a sense of community, pride and leadership.” These are the words of James Jackson, candidate for the Brooklyn Park City Council representing the Central District. “So [it’s about] making your mark as opposed to just being there. I wanted to be a part of the solution […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Little Free Library Festival extolled literacy
On Saturday, May 21, the first Little Free Library Festival took place in Minnehaha Park. The event was hosted by the Little Free Library, and organizers hope the event will be the start of many more annual events. Community connectors and conversation starters would be a good way to describe the Little Free Library stations located in many […]
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First Fridays honors women in May
May is the month for celebrating mothers on Mother’s Day. This month on May 6, in recognition of potential motherhood, at least, three women were honored at this month’s “Celebrate the Sisters First Fridays” event hosted by local promoter and community supporter Andre “Debonaire” McNeal, along with DJ Fundraiser and DJ Chuck Chizzle.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Yoga: a multipurpose healing practice
Yoga is a growing phenomenon in Minnesota. Chances are you can find classes at the YMCA, YWCA, CorePower, Bikram Yoga, or Major Body Fitness.
Posted inLocal & State
Why buy Black?
Spending the U.S. dollar at a Black-owned business is a rarity local and globally. It is a rarity even in Black communities around the world. This was the topic explored in what Maggie Anderson and her husband, John Anderson, called their “Empowerment Experiment.”