On Friday, February 26, an organization NABA, (National Association of Black Accountants Inc.), Twin Cities Chapter, hosted “Spoken Word and Movie Night,” honoring Black History month at The New Century Theater, located in downtown Minneapolis.
Raymond Jackson
Posted inLocal & State, News
Inventor-welder-artist-businessman and looks good, too
A man full of creativity, artistic drive, talent, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Charles Johnson is most recognized by the way that he dresses.
Posted inEducation, Local & State, News
Program gears students up for higher education
G.E.A.R. U.P. (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program) was formed and put into place in 1993 by then-president Bill Clinton and Congressman Chaka Fattah, to assist first-generation, low-income, and under-served youth to get ready for post-secondary educational opportunities.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Alumni Chorus supports Liberia’s recovery
The University of Liberia Alumni Chorus (ULAC) was formed in 2009 by a group of Liberians who had decided to leave the country because of civil unrest, turmoil and war.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Local educator takes her own ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign to New York
Since February 2015, Rosa Bogar, a local educator, has used the phrase “Black Lives Matter” for a campaign that focuses on the vital importance of one’s cultural history.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Olu’s Center brings children and elders together
This intergenerational child care center opened July 20 and is currently seeking participants heading into the 2015-2016 school year. Olu’s Center provides care for children six weeks to three years of age, preschool for children ages three to six, and before and after school care for children age six to 12.
Posted inArts + Culture
FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl successful, despite the soaring heat
The four-day festival, held on the Northside of Minneapolis, was very successful and well attended, even with Saturday’s very punishing heat index. The ole-school hip hop showcase on Saturday featured rap legend, Kool Moe Dee who took the stage at 6 pm. He possessed the power and ability to cool the North High School football field down.
Born Mohandes Dewese in 1952, it was immediately apparent at the top of his performance that this 52-year-old rap legend has barely slowed down. He continues to fascinate the hip hop world, showing why he was the first rapper to perform at the Grammy Awards.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Stepping up for good health and causes
The MSR once labeled Mr. J. MOST the busiest man in Twin Cities show business. He sponsors many events in the Twin Cities that aid organizations committed to helping fight various illnesses and debilitating conditions, such as last November’s Fashion Show fundraiser that raised money for a homeless, transitional housing nonprofit in St. Paul. This year another Fashion Show fundraiser is planned to help cancer survivors in recovery.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Many opposed S.C.’s Confederate flag
On June 17, nine African Americans were murdered at The Mother Emanuel AME Church, located in Charleston, South Carolina.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Photo Galleries
PHOTOS: Twin Cities Juneteenth 2015
The 29th annual Juneteenth festival kicked off Saturday, June 20 at North Mississippi River Park in North Minneapolis. Close to 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the occasion, which commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Yolanda Adams lends her voice to the 7th annual Twin Cities ‘Power to End Strokes’ concert
On Wednesday, April 15, four-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams performed at “The Twin Cities Most Powerful Voices Gospel Concert” held at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in St. Paul. The concert, sponsored by HealthPartners and Regions Hospital, was free of charge and jam-packed, with an overflow of fans having to view the concert from a big screen outside the event.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Ashley DuBose just keeps on rising
As stated in the last article on AshleyDubose, recently, she has made great strides in her skills as a female vocalist and as an overall entertainer. Chosen as the top female vocalist of the Twin Cities February 2014, by a local tabloid, she continues to move and expan
Posted inLocal & State
Barber carries on family haircare tradition
For more than two generations and across both Twin Cities, a father-and-son team have provided haircare services to Minnesotans. The MSR sat down with Eddie Withers, Jr. to discuss how this journey began, how his business is going currently, and what wisdom he has to offer to aspiring barbers.
Posted inArts + Culture
J. MOST & the Command Steppers present 3 days of honor, competitive fun
On March 12, 13 and 14, the Mall of America (MOA) will host the 6th Annual Minnesota Steppers All Star Bash. The event features J. MOST, a local R&B recording artist, entertainer, producer and dance teacher. MOST is currently the instructor for The Command Steppers, which has 90 members, the largest step team in the Twin Cities.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
“The Voice” contestant Ashley Dubose readies for sophomore CD release
Former The Voice contestant Ashley Dubose is excited for the release of her new CD Be You. She recently sat for an exclusive interview with MSR ahead of her CD release party.
Posted inLocal & State
Givens family contributions: Affordable housing, literature, history, education
Many African Americans migrated to the North from the South upon being declared free people. Most came for opportunities to experience a new life and to build new foundations for their newfound freedom. For many, this freedom would mean a new and unpredictable journey.
Posted inLocal & State
The Hickman-Parks family: generations of patriotism, activism, service
As the Emancipation Proclamation was declared and the American Civil War came to an end, there was still a lot of work to do and trails to travel for the freed African slaves here in America.
Posted inLocal & State
The Davis family: contributors to Minnesota’s Black history
The year was 1867, and the Civil War raged on. A young man of Native and African American descent was sent to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, to be stationed there in the fight for freedom.
Posted inLocal & State
Dr. Thomas Johnson: Black medical pioneer was also a supper club owner
It is impossible to mention medicine and health care from an African American perspective here in Minnesota without mentioning Dr. Thomas Johnson. He had established clinics starting in South Minneapolis in 1957.
Posted inArts + Culture
The Color Purple: Minnesota talent powers inspirational musical
I may be the only middle-aged Black man in Minnesota who has not seen the epic motion picture The Color Purple in its entirety. I may, in fact, be the only one in the Midwest.
However, after attending the opening night of the musical adapted from the book by Alice Walker, I feel like I was there in the place and time period, Georgia 1909-1949, that the play covered. It even took me back to the time and place portrayed in the scene titled “African Homeland.”