Every year, a new group of high school graduates makes the transformation into adulthood. It is time for them to say goodbye to their families and start planning what to do for the rest of their lives. It is also when the Spokesman-Recorder 501 (c) (3) marks the transition by awarding Cecil E. Newman Scholarships […]
Ivan Phifer
Ivan B. Phifer is contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be reached at iphifer@spokesman-recorder.com
Posted inNews
Protests continue against proposed transit cuts
“What do we want? Fair prices! When do we want it? Now!” Kenya McKnight, Transportation Advisory Board member, led this chant on a rainy day that turned hot and sunny on the grounds of the State Capitol. The Minnesota Legislature proposes deep cuts to Metro Transit bus and light rail funding. On May 16, transit […]
Posted inNews
Hidden history: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
First of a three-part story Related story: Women helped build porters’ Brotherhood This is the first installment of a story about African Americans who fought for dignity and equal rights on the U.S. railways as railroad sleeping car porters and maids. Jim Crow prevented many of the porters from working in their trained professions as doctors, lawyers […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Puppet show about racism makes history’s lessons come alive
“When students are involved with real people, and read [historical] documents, that story becomes real and transforms the students. It’s something you will never…get out of a book,” said Greg Poferl explaining the idea behind an upcoming multi-media puppet show tackling the issue of racism and housing discrimination. The show, “Racism in our Hometown: The Story […]
Posted inNews
Coalition 4 Justice commemorates Jamar Clark’s birthday
“Justice for Jamar! Justice for Jamar!” The crowd of nearly 150 heard those chants as they gathered with others in the same empty lot across from the Fourth Precinct in North Minneapolis, where Jamar Clark was killed on November 15, 2015. The memory of Clark’s death is still fresh for the family as well as […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Community gardener plants seeds of faith
Attorney Marian Wright Edelman was the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. She is often quoted as saying, “If you do not like the way the world is going, you have an obligation to change it. Just do it one step at a time.” Ernestine Gates is a prime example of Edelman’s […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Public transportation advocates fight proposed Metro Transit cuts
“Veto! Veto! Veto!” These were the chants that rang out in front of the Minnesota State Capitol as roughly 50-100 people — from residents to members of various organizations, including ISIAH — rallied against recent proposed cuts to Metro Transit. The rally, moderated by Transit for Livable Communities and Transportation Forward, took place at Leif Erickson […]
Posted inNews
Conference challenged young men of color to free their minds
One may often hear adults say how young people are out of control, violent, or sometimes even considered a lost cause. This can leave the adult and the youth frustrated: One is frustrated from a lack of appreciation while the other feels abandoned. The Minneapolis Health Department in partnership with Voices of Effective Change Inc., […]
Posted inLocal & State
Sabathani salutes community leaders with creative showcase
Founded in 1966, Sabathani Community Center has a history of community support and being a focal point for community identity, empowerment and social change. On Thursday, April 6, the center hosted the “Community Showcase,” a celebration honoring members of the community for their commitment to years of work and contributions. The event put a creative […]
Posted inNews
Black community leaders unite around 2017 legislative agenda
Thursday, March 16, 2017 marked a day of diversity at the Minnesota State Capitol with the African American Advocacy Day presented by Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. The press conference was held at L’Etoile Du Nord Vault, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in St. Paul. Various social and nonprofit groups were […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Local fire captain shares his long road to authorship
North Minneapolis resident Cavis Adams is a full-time fire captain for the City of Minneapolis Fire and Rescue. He’s also a new author, having published the book Granddaddy last November. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer,” said Adams, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Minnesota, and freelances as […]
Posted inNews
NAACP Mpls branch president reflects on his journey from prison to academia
‘You get a lot of calls’ A famous gospel singer once recorded, “We fall down, but we get up.” No one exemplifies the words of Marvin Sapp better than Jason Sole, who is the current president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Minneapolis Chapter, in addition to being a professor at […]
Posted inNews
NAACP St. Paul branch president reflects on her life of activism
(Facebook/Dianne Binns) ‘I fought to make change’ When you find someone who has seen nearly seven decades of social change, it’s probably a good idea to sit back and listen to them tell of their experiences. Such is the case with 68-year-old Dianne Binns. Binns is the current president of the National Association for Advancement […]
Posted inNews
Pancakes, history and politics served at Urban League Black History celebration
Founded in 1926 with the mission to link people of African descent and other people of color to opportunities that result in economic success and prosperity and effectively advocate for policies that eradicate racial disparities, the Urban League, located at 2100 Plymouth Ave. in North Minneapolis, celebrated Black History Month with an early morning pancake […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Urban League’s information man says, ‘Know yourself’
There are some Black professionals who are not only good at their jobs, but they also exemplify outstanding community service, commitment to their line of work, and have vast knowledge of their profession and the community they work in. Shawn Lewis, currently an information specialist for the Workforce Development Department at the Minneapolis Urban League, […]
Posted inNews
Sharpton straddles fence on menthol cigarette ban
His role unclear on panel biased toward tobacco interests Last week Minnesota had an unlikely visitor at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in South Minneapolis: Rev Al Sharpton. With very little press or other announcement of his presence, those who were informed may or may not have known what the purpose of Sharpton’s visit was. […]
Posted inArts + Culture
UMAHH celebrates 25th anniversary of Ice Cube’s ‘It Was a Good Day,’ protests Trump
January 20 is a day that many hip hop lovers remember fondly. Twenty-five years ago on that day, Compton rapper Ice Cube released the classic hip hop song “It Was a Good Day.” Over a sample of “Footsteps In The Dark” by the Isley Brothers, Cube describes a good day as not being harassed by police, not […]
Posted inSpecial Editions
Myrlie Evers-Williams keynoted MLK Breakfast
Medgar Evers’ widow recalled the sacrifices of her generation There is a long tradition of celebration for lost loved ones and people who have done honorary work throughout their lives and continue to get recognized and celebrated. In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Minneapolis Convention Center hosted the 27th Annual Breakfast […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Man to man: Black professionals reach out to inspire students
Black men in America typically face obstacles and challenges on a daily basis. In order to overcome these obstacles, it is imperative to have positive role models who can inspire and educate, encourage mental well being, and help us progress toward a better life. To assist with this endeavor, Patrick Henry High School, located at […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Electrologist gets rid of unwanted hair — for good
There are many considerations when it comes to making a good first impression. Beauty products such as various shades of lipstick, makeup powders, and perfumes are just a few examples of what some consider when attempting to make a lasting impression where appearances are concerned. But what about what lies beneath the skin? The MSR […]