By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with Chanda Smith Baker (CSB) MSR: Why do you want to be a member of the Minneapolis Public School Board? CSB: It’s the only elected office I considered seriously running for. My uncle, Richard Green, a great former superintendent, really influenced me to service. I see a real […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inNews
Is North High a terminal case?
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Accusations fly as to how the venerable school got in such bad shape To many, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson’s recommendation to phase out North High School in three years finally confirmed a long-standing rumor that a “systemic” plan to close the city’s oldest high school had already been […]
Posted inNews
Homeless in Minneapolis: A day in the life of a family in emergency shelter
By Cynthia Boyd Contributing Writer Gregory Ellis starts his days at the front desk of People Serving People (PSP), a multi-story brownstone near the Metrodome that offers shelter to homeless families. It’s there he picks up his family’s daily quota of diapers, 10, as well as juice and milk, enough to tide three kids over […]
Posted inNews
Sheila Raye Charles offers message of hope to ex-offenders
By Vickie Evans-Nash Staff Writer Sheila Raye Charles, born Sheila Jean Robinson, spent much of her life surrounded by the rich and famous. Charles, vocalist and daughter of the late and legendary Ray Charles, also focused her life on the entertainment industry. Using her vocal talents, she went on tour with well-known entertainment groups such […]
Posted inNews
Catalyst Community Partners helps revitalize North Minneapolis
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Building renovation, business development, use of minority contractors are the nonprofit’s priorities While driving around the city’s North Side a few years ago, Stuart Ackerberg asked himself why the area did not enjoy the same economic vitality as other parts of Minneapolis. The owner and CEO of the Ackerberg Group […]
Posted inNews
Look around — it’s a beautiful day in Mr. Khaliq’s neighborhood
By Doug Grow Contributing Writer Certainly, the work Nick Davis/Nathaniel A. Khaliq has done in St. Paul has mattered. The neighborhoods around Selby-Dale are so much safer, so much improved over what they were at the height of the drug wars in the 1980s. “But it’s time for new ideas, young blood,” said Khaliq of […]
Posted inNews
The Magic business potion: Invest in urban America
By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson shares his success secrets Investing in urban America is a good thing, and Black businesses must deliver what they promise, says NBA legend turned successful businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Johnson spoke September 23 to a mixed audience of corporate members and small business owners of color attending […]
Posted inNews
Design leader sees value in adventure, creativity
By Catherine Kelly Contributing Writer Innovative design, understanding, and the importance of diversity are guiding philosophies for General Motors Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn. For preparing to live and work in an increasingly global world, Welburn recommends “Exposure, reading, travel whenever possible…and don’t be afraid to take risks.” Since 2003, Welburn, 59, is […]
Posted inNews
Khaliq looks back on a lifetime of struggle and change
News Analysis By Doug Grow Contributing Writer So many battles won, so many lost, and so many — well, sometimes battles don’t end the way they begin. Nathaniel A. Khaliq, still known by most of his friends in St. Paul’s neighborhoods as Nick Davis, laughed about one of those battles that he and his dear […]
Posted inNews
Black Chamber of Commerce holds annual meeting
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) says it is ready to become “a catalyst for change” for the Black community. Over 100 Black business members and others attended the September 29 MBCC annual meeting at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach Center. The MBCC, which was founded […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Forums seek to engage Black voters
By Marcus Harcus Contributing Writer The first “Potential Power of the Black Electorate” town hall forum was held October 13 at Minneapolis Community & Technical College. Hosted by the Association of Black Collegiates, panelists included State Representative Jeff Hayden, candidate for State Representative Rena Moran, Impact Minnesota Director Nick Muhammad, and Troy Parker. The forum […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
‘Color the Vote!’ campaign reaches out to communities of color
The Color the Vote campaign is sponsored by One Minnesota (OneMN.org), a collaborative network of ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) communities, leaders, and individuals who agree to “eliminate racial barriers to success in Minnesota.” The campaign slogan is “You Vote, We Win!” “The margin of victory of the last three gubernatorial elections has […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
New travel adventure for MSR writer
Former Soviet republic a hidden treasure The 2006 “Adventures in China” column series by Jennifer Harvey (formerly Holder) was an account of the writer’s life as a foreign teacher — and an African American woman — in Hangzhou, China. Harvey has moved on to a new land, as she details in the following article. Here […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
MPS goal: raise reading and math proficiency by 2015
By Bernadeia Johnson Contributing Writer I so enjoyed visiting classrooms on the first day of school and seeing the anticipation on children’s faces. Principals were enthusiastically greeting students and families. In the midst of all this excitement, teachers were focused on teaching on the very first day of school. That enthusiasm and focus will serve […]
Posted inSports
Magic urges athletes to become businessmen
Books, common sense, and an athlete’s drive and focus are a winning combination Black pro athletes make millions, yet none are listed on the annual Forbes list of richest Americans. Their team owners, however, are listed. Why aren’t they following Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s lead? He’s not yet on that list either, but clearly he’s the […]
Posted inSports
Johnson, Central and Southwest look strong
ANTHONY LEE, JOHN PLASCHKO, TRA GRIFFIN, DEVON JACKSON, ELIJAH NOEL, TOMMIE CRAWFORD and JESSE FLYNN each scored touchdowns in leading St. Paul Johnson to a 48-14 nonconference football victory over Minneapolis North. MOROCCO BALLARD and AARON DELONEY scored for North. Johnson has won four straight victories. Griffin’s 84-yard punt return proved to be the highlight […]
Posted inSports
NFL Black coaches maintain lead
Black coaches posted a 3-2 record last week. Tampa Bay (KAREEM MORRIS) beat Cincinnati (MARVIN LEWIS) 24-21; Chicago (LOVIE SMITH) bested Carolina 23-6; Indianapolis (JIM CALDWELL) defeated Kansas City 19-9; San Francisco (MIKE SINGLETARY) lost to Philadelphia 27-24. Indianapolis had a bye this week. This left the Black coaches with an NFL record of 15-12 […]
Posted inSports
New York beats both Twins and Vikings
We’ve seen this show before. Things were supposed to be so different! The Minnesota Twins were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and after losing three straight — 6-4 and 5-2 at Target Field and 6-1 in New York Saturday — the Twins are done and the first team to exit the playoffs […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Somalia refugee rapper is wavin’ his flag
K’naan carries the banner for multiple cultures in his music Somalia: The name alone conjures up images of unbridled destruction, merciless warlords and ruthless terror. A place where nobody is safe from the atrocities of war and where eight-year olds handle AK-47s like toys. When Forbes magazine recently unveiled their “Most Dangerous Destinations,” Somalia, above […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Spalding, Moran lead jazz to a new era
Onward they go. In the pursuit of musical excellence, there are many major players within our realm. So far, jazz audiences have enjoyed courageous music from artists Esperanza Spalding and Jason Moran. Both have graced us with their presence at the Dakota recently, and we saw firsthand why they are invincible. With her wordless and […]