The City of Minneapolis’ Step Up summer internship program is now accepting applications for 2025, offering opportunities for Black youth to gain internship experience and explore career possibilities.
MSR News Online
Posted inDr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Remembering arrests of civil rights leaders during Montgomery Bus Boycott
On February 20, 1956, civil rights activists including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jo Ann Robinson, Rosa Parks, and the Rev. Ralph Abernathy were arrested for organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a powerful act of resistance against racial segregation in public transportation.
Posted inYouth
Brooklyn Park’s youth to benefit from $100K teen center donation
The Minnesota CHILL Foundation and the Thielen Foundation have donated $100,000 to Brooklyn Park to develop a new Teen Center, which is expected to open in late 2025, thanks to the advocacy of Cindy Hill.
Posted inArts + Culture
Bloomington named Top 5 arts hub
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area has been ranked fifth in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index, highlighting Bloomington’s commitment to arts and culture and its innovative approach to integrating the arts into everyday life.
Posted inYouth
Hennepin County program helps Black youth seal criminal records and move forward
Hennepin County has launched a new program to help people who were convicted of crimes as children get a second chance by sealing their records, which could make a big difference for Black youth in our communities.
Posted inEducation
Minnesota Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging policy to protect teachers of color in Minneapolis
The Minnesota Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Minneapolis Public Schools’ policy to protect minority teachers, ruling that the plaintiff did not have legal standing to challenge how the district uses taxpayer funds.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Mental health organization, Reviving Roots Wellness, hosts weekly ‘Black in America’ support group
Reviving Roots Wellness, a Minneapolis-based mental health hub, has created the “Black in America” support group to provide a safe space for the local Black community to seek healing and support, addressing the need for culturally competent care and the impact of racial trauma.
Posted inEvents
Springboard on Ice brings free winter fun to St. Paul
Springboard on Ice, a free series of winter events and activities centered on a mini-ice rink at Springboard for the Arts, is offering live performances, Learn to Skate workshops, local artist vendors, and winter-themed activities for all ages, in partnership with Brownbody and supported by the City of St. Paul’s Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program.
Posted inArts + Culture
Reviving Forgotten Treasures: A jewelry exhibit celebrating personal stories and memories
The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) is proud to present a new exhibit, Reviving Forgotten Treasures, Reviving Memories, featuring one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces crafted by participants of a special community course led by COMPAS teaching artist Amy Wilderson. Community members can view the exhibit now through Feb. 28. The exhibit showcases jewelry made […]
Posted inSports
Timberwolves Star Anthony Edwards lifts spirits of young cancer warrior
Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves made a young boy’s dream come true by meeting him and promising to wear a wristband in his honor, inspiring fans and raising funds for families of children battling cancer.
Posted inEvents
Celebrating Imagination and Perspective: Milo Imagines the World Premieres in Minneapolis
Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis is premiering the world premiere of Milo Imagines the World, a musical based on the book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, which explores empathy, perspective, and the power of imagination.
Posted inEvents
Empowering Young Black Entrepreneurs at the St. Paul Youth Business Fair
The St. Paul Youth Business Fair, sponsored by Acton Academy, will take place at the Rosedale Center Mall on February 1, 2025, providing young entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their businesses and learn about entrepreneurship.
Posted inEvents
Explore Winter Fun with Melanin in Motion at Theodore Wirth Park
Melanin in Motion is offering snowboarding lessons and Nordic skiing sessions for youth, families, and individuals from BIPOC communities, as well as a 2025 Mystery Series showcasing the best snowboarders in the country, to promote outdoor activity and build community.
Posted inLocal & State
Minneapolis Faces Rising Homicide Rates Amid National Decline
Minneapolis is an outlier in the national homicide rate, with 76 reported in 2024, three times the national average, due to the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, economic issues, and educational disruptions.
Posted inGophers/College
Minnesota Gophers Pursue Top In-State Recruit Roman Voss with Unified Coaching Effort
The University of Minnesota’s entire offensive coaching staff recently visited Roman Voss, the top-ranked high school football player in Minnesota’s class of 2026, to show their commitment to recruiting him, as he has been climbing national recruiting rankings and has offers from Wisconsin, Kansas State, and Iowa.
Posted inSports
Black Coaches Make History in College Football Playoffs
Two Black head coaches, Marcus Freeman and James Franklin, are set to face off in the College Football Playoff semifinals, marking the first time two Black coaches will compete for a chance to lead their teams to the FBS national championship.
Posted inLocal & State
Breaking Barriers: How Minnesota’s Clean Slate Law Changes Lives
Minnesota’s Clean Slate law, which seals eligible arrest and conviction records, has impacted 500,000 people and is part of a national movement towards fairness, equity, and second chances.
Posted inLocal & State
Members-Only Cannabis Lounge Coming to North Minneapolis
MAC Social Club, a new members-only cannabis consumption lounge, is opening in north Minneapolis, providing a space for cannabis enthusiasts to gather and connect in an elevated setting.
Posted inNational
Honoring Greatness: Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients Reflect America’s Rich Diversity
President Joe Biden has announced the 2025 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including trailblazers whose work has shaped Black history, culture, and progress, such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Magic Johnson, and Denzel Washington.
Posted inEvents
Celebrate 35 Years of Unity at the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast in Minneapolis
The 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast is taking place in Minneapolis on January 20, 2025, featuring Michele Norris as the keynote speaker and live entertainment from Sounds of Blackness, Threads Dance Project, and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, with proceeds going towards supporting underrepresented students pursuing higher education.