Everyone has a talent that they either are or are not aware of. However, there are few gifted individuals who have the ability to teach themselves certain skills, turn them into a hobby or craft, and transition their craft into a career. Juan Andre Reed, from Cleveland, Ohio, is a self-taught artist and head of […]
Ivan Phifer
Ivan B. Phifer is contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be reached at iphifer@spokesman-recorder.com
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‘Take the risk and jump!’ Going into business can require a leap of faith
Cajun crab leg, pasta with shrimp and chicken, garlic bread, stuffed potatoes with meat and vegetables, macaroni and cheese… These are just a few specialties made in Jasmine Murphy’s kitchen, creator and cook of Jazzsoul. Gaining popularity by the day for its taste in cuisine and catering, JazzSoul opened up and sold its first plate […]
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Jamar Clark gone but not forgotten
One-year anniversary renews call for justice The anniversary of Jamar Clark’s death was remembered on November 15 on the North Side of Minneapolis with two separate events. The first was the announcement by Nekima Levy Pounds of her intention to run for mayor of Minneapolis. She stressed that improvements were needed in the criminal justice […]
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The Avant Garde hopes to sparks neo-soul renaissance November 20
Neo-Soul music is a genre of music that has seemingly been pushed away as the 21st century progressed, and/or was known as something that was prevalent mostly in the late 90’s. However, there is one individual who wants to make sure this sophisticated form of music is not forgotten about, and is even stepping out […]
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Levy-Pounds announces run for Mpls mayor
November 15 is a day many North Minneapolis residents will never forget for two reasons. On November 15, 2015, Jamar Clark was fatally shot by Minneapolis Police Officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. Clark a 24-year-old African American, died the night of his shooting at Hennepin County Medical Center. His death sparked an 18-day protest in front […]
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School board candidates differ over cops in schools
That and other racial justice issues raised at candidate forum The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education elections will take place on November 8, less than one week away. The school board has nine elected members and a student representative. Six board members are elected by their districts and the other three are citywide. All […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
Protesters take to the streets of Edina to demand police accountability
Over 100 protesters rallied Saturday to protest racial profiling by police, and specifically the treatment of a Black pedestrian by an Edina police officer last week. On Oct. 12, Larnie Thomas, a Black man, was videotaped being stopped and grabbed by the back of his jacket by White Edina police officer Tim Olson while walking […]
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Community invited to visit Green Central
The Minneapolis Public Schools, for the first time in history, has decided to let the community take a viewing of the public schools in the Minneapolis area. One school in particular that has a long history in the community’s South Side kicked off the recent “Visit Our Schools” event. Richard Green Central Park Elementary School […]
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Organizers host summit to ‘seize momentum’ on police reform
Current practices traced back to early slave patrols Police brutality toward Black men in the United States has been a recurrent topic in the Black community. The killings of Alton Sterling, Terrence Clutcher, Walter Scott and others around the country, and locally Philando Castile and Jamar Clark, compelled the Northside organization Neighborhoods Organizing for Change […]
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Twin Cities Nappy Hour: a showcase for natural hair and Black entrepreneurship
(Above, see a few video highlights of the event by Phil McGraw). Twin Cities Nappy Hour was back in full force Sunday, October 9, as attendees packed into A Mili Artist Lofts in Minneapolis for an afternoon of networking, entertainment, and insightful discussion. A previous Nappy Hour in August drew a full crowd, creating the […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
UNCF Empower Me Tour urges youth to own their journey
On September 27 the Minneapolis Convention Center hosted the United Negro College Fund Empower Me Tour sponsored by Fed Ex and Proctor & Gamble and presented by Target. The UNCF Empower Me Tour, created in 2008 by Wells Fargo, brings Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to the Minneapolis-St Paul area. The tour provides on-site […]
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Sabathani Community Center celebrates 50th Anniversary with new playground
A new playground was built for Sabathani Community Center, located at 310 E. 38th St. in South Minneapolis on Friday, September 16. Volunteers from Sabathani and Target took part in the replacement and completion of the center’s 18-year-old playground, as part of celebrating 50 years of service to the community. The project was made possible […]
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Barber keeps legacy of Milo’s on 4th alive in Dinkytown
Milo’s on 4th is a legendary barbershop in the Dinkytown area of the University of Minnesota (southeast Minneapolis), having longstanding and loyal customers since 1969. However, in 2011, many in Dinkytown thought the legendary barbershop, owned by Milo David and Dave Watts, would close down for good, with circulated reports of “finals cuts.” One thing […]
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Documentary exposes police militarization
Pentagon supplies weaponry for local wars on us, ‘the enemy’ Do Not Resist offers a firsthand look at the methods and actions of the militarization of American Police Forces. “This film was incredibly impactful,” said Mica Grimm, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minneapolis. Do Not Resist was shown as part of the Walker Art Center’s […]
Posted inArts + Culture
PHOTOS | Charlie Wilson thrills with energetic and stirring show at MN State Fair
Charlie Wilson and special guest Fantasia gave concertgoers their money’s worth at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, Friday August 26. On a day the Minnesota State Fair encouraged attendees to “Unite in Purple” to celebrate the late great Prince, both performers managed to pay homage, while highlighting their own singular gifts. One couldn’t help but think […]
Posted inArts + Culture
‘Charlie, Last Name Wilson’ — a legend with plenty more to say
The lead singer of the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson, has experienced many highs and lows in the music industry throughout the years. From having numerous number-one Billboard hits with the Gap Band, to being homeless, overcoming a drug addiction, surviving prostate cancer, rebuilding his solo career, and becoming a number-one best-selling author, Wilson has proven that […]
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Peaceful Castile protest continues at governor’s mansion
Police make numerous arrests — including this reporter Following the shooting and death of Philando Castile, along with many other fatal shootings of African Americans by law enforcement around the nation, but especially here at home, protests have been taking place to speak out against police shootings. Recent protests have taken place in such locations as […]