Hennepin Healthcare leaders warn that replacing their diverse, community-rooted board with political appointees risks patient care. Vote: August 12.
Jasmine McBride
Jasmine McBride is the Associate Editor at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Posted inLocal & State
Northsiders decry Blue-Line disruption, displacement
Northside leaders demand $10M in anti-displacement funds as the Blue Line Extension threatens homes, businesses, and community stability.
Posted inArts + Culture
Robin Hickman Winfield: a life of vision and legacy
Robin Hickman Winfield, grandniece of Gordon Parks, has spent decades uplifting youth and community through film, storytelling, and doll artistry. Now, she’s stepping into a new creative chapter of her own.
Posted inArts + Culture
Carolyn Holbrook, McKnight 2025 Distinguished Artist
Acclaimed author and educator Carolyn Holbrook has been named the 2025 McKnight Distinguished Artist for her lasting impact on Minnesota’s cultural and literary communities.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Shotspotter
ShotSpotter, the real-time gunfire detection tech developed by SoundThinking, is being deployed in U.S. cities to reduce firearm deaths—but questions remain about its impact on majority-Black communities.
Posted inMusic
Sounds of Blackness releases youth-powered anthem “WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE”
Sounds of Blackness releases “WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE,” a youth-driven anthem of resilience and movement featuring Jamecia Bennett, NUNNABOVE, and Atlanta Drum Academy.
Posted inMusic
Kendra Glenn Band brings soul, joy and community to Rice Park concert
From powerful vocals to heartfelt storytelling, Kendra Glenn’s July 31 performance at Rice Park blended soul, resilience, and community connection. Part of the “Summer Nights in Rice” concert series, her performance drew families, fans, and music lovers of all ages downtown for an unforgettable evening.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Cornel Beard is building legacy through design
Cornel Beard, founder of Charizma Agency, built his Minneapolis-based creative studio around the idea that design should do more than look good — it should move people. Read how his journey from Army service to art school led to a culturally rooted firm helping organizations tell meaningful stories.
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Posted inHelp Is Here
Fremont Fun Fest fosters connection, and saves lives
Fremont Fun Fest returns August 5 with food, music, and health resources for the North Minneapolis community. Hosted by Neighborhood HealthSource, this free event offers on-site HIV/STI testing, Narcan training, and support services in a celebration of care and connection.
Posted inLocal & State
New Champlin studio makes podcasting more accessible
Former Fox 9 anchor Dawn Stevens and husband Landen have opened Minnesota Podcast & Content Studio in Champlin, a new space designed to help entrepreneurs and creatives produce high-quality content.
Posted inBusiness
MN PROMISE Act offers small businesses ‘life-changing capital’
The PROMISE Act has expanded. Minnesota small business owners in North and South Minneapolis and South St. Paul can now access up to $1.5 million in financing for commercial property, refinance unfair contracts, and get one-on-one business support from MEDA.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
The Birth Revolution
Nadine Ashby is creating a radical shift in birth work. The Birth Revolution centers Black, queer, and trans birthing people through affirming training, support, and joy-filled community care.
Posted inLocal & State
Chanda Smith Baker to head Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Chanda Smith Baker will become CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation on August 25. The longtime civic and philanthropic leader brings decades of experience rooted in community, equity, and systems change.
Posted inLocal & State
Cop who killed Amir Locke now teaching use-of-force tactics
Civil rights leader Nekima Levy Armstrong is demanding the removal of Sgt. Mark Hanneman from his MPD training role. Hanneman fatally shot Amir Locke during a no-knock raid in 2022.
Posted inEvents
V-Fest brings healthy good times to St. Paul
St. Paul’s V-Fest returns July 26 with a free day of music, movement, wellness, and cultural healing. This community-powered celebration blends joy and justice in one of the summer’s most uplifting events.
Posted inLocal & State
Rondo Days 2025 a vibrant celebration of community, history and resilience
Rondo Days 2025 honored the legacy of a historic Black neighborhood in St. Paul with music, food, and multigenerational joy. It’s more than a celebration—it’s a tradition of resilience.
Posted inLocal & State
HCMC faces allegations of racial bias, harassment, discrimination
Civil rights attorneys and health care advocates are urging the Hennepin County Board to launch a third-party investigation into HCMC following allegations of racial and gender discrimination, retaliation, and institutional harm.
Posted inMusic
Obi Original fuses heritage, healing and highlife in new single
Obi Original blends classic highlife with urgent diasporic commentary in “Who Man Dem? (We Never Reconcile),” a single that asks difficult questions about unity, belonging, and cultural memory.
Posted inPolitics
Local leaders condemn GOP’s ‘Big Ugly’ budget bill
Minnesota leaders gathered at Sabathani Community Center to condemn a newly passed Republican federal budget that slashes Medicaid, SNAP, and education funding while boosting ICE enforcement and tax breaks for the wealthy. Rep. Ilhan Omar, Irene Fernando, Omar Fateh, Sydney Jordan, and others are urging the public to take action.
Posted inMusic
Lewiee Blaze to release ‘ONE OF ONE’ album on major platforms following Juneteenth tour
Lewiee Blaze is reintroducing his 11-track album “ONE OF ONE” to a wider audience. The introspective project marks a powerful shift in the Minneapolis artist’s sound and message.