By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer In the summer of 2005, R&B artist Luther Vandross, most remembered for his uniquely soulful voice, passed away. The following year, Gerald Levert, R&B soloist and member of the trio LeVert, passed away as well. Local artist J. Most says he’s been wanting to do a Gerald Levert revue even […]
MSR News Online
Posted inArts + Culture
Festival calls for Black audiences to see Black films
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer ‘Ultimate goal is to be premier film festival in Midwest’ pledges founder Since its founding seven years ago, the Twin Cities Black Film Festival’s (TCBFF) main purpose is to provide independent Black filmmakers a platform to showcase their cinema work. Festival founder Natalie Morrow says she constantly hears that Blacks […]
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
Mark Dayton is the right choice for governor
By Representatives Jeff Hayden and Bobby Joe Champion Guest Commentators This is an incredibly challenging yet hopeful time for our community. The home foreclosure crisis continues to weaken our communities and displace families. Jobs have been lost and they haven’t come back. Far too many Minnesotans are losing access to basic healthcare coverage. All the […]
Posted inOpinion
The attempt to oust the NAACP president: Why?
The Black “leadership” of Minneapolis continues their efforts to run a mini-plantation. I say to them: Let my people go. These self-proclaimed leaders have been meeting to strategize how to kick Booker T. Hodges out of his office as president of our local NAACP. Mr. Hodges spoke what was on many people’s minds when the […]
Posted inOpinion
Stop the bleaching of Black and Latino voting districts
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Contributing Commentator Black Americans once again stand at a critical junction in helping to determine the future of the United States of America, and thereby also the future of the world. Fifty million African Americans, with a spending power of one trillion dollars and millions of potential votes, in the […]
Posted inOpinion
U.S. offers peace keeping double standard in Mideast relations
By Frank Erickson Contributing Commentator A recent headline read, “At U.N., Obama tries to keep Mideast peace hopes alive.” So that means violence is bad, violence is counter-productive, right? That is what Obama is saying with his actions at the U.N., in “trying to keep Mideast peace hopes alive,” that the violence is the problem […]
Posted inOpinion
Harlem Children’s Zone shows us what is possible here
Harlem Children’s Zone shows us what is possible here Ask me how I’m doing these days and I’ll tell you that I am absolutely filled with awe and teeming with gratitude because I, along with 11 others from the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), just returned from New York City, where we spent three days witnessing […]
Posted inOpinion
A betrayal of trust: the closing of North High School
The latest in the continuing betrayal of education in our community, this time the closing of North High School, occurred in the Minneapolis School Administration Headquarters Assembly Room at 807 Broadway. I attended the meeting, which was filled to capacity by 5:30 pm Tuesday, October 12 (with overflow in two other large rooms with closed […]
Posted inOpinion
Not enough teachers in our city’s public schools look like me
By Rev. Mary Flowers-Spratt Contributing commentator Foster children are especially vulnerable to being treated differently Responding to an article by Minneapolis Superintendent of Schools Bernadeia Johnson in the October 7 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder [“MPS goal: reading and math proficiency by 2015”], she stated that our African American children’s proficiency average for the state was lower than the […]
Posted inOpinion
Letting Mom out of the kitchen… and sister too!
This high-powered election season has been largely overshadowed by the advent of the so-called Tea Party and the rapidly changing situations in the Middle East. Almost going unnoticed is the dramatic rise in female participation as major players. For instance, more women are running as candidates for governorships of various states than ever. The most […]
Posted inOpinion
Hospital sends severely injured Black man home to die Too many questions remain unanswered
“A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.” — Samuel Johnson, 18th century Part of the doctors’ Hippocratic Oath (medical ethics) from the fifth century BCE states, “I will never do harm to anyone…[working] for the good of my patients.” Why, then, did North Memorial Hospital turn out a poor African […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Change your thoughts, change your life
Apathy and fear-based thinking — i.e., ”I am afraid to fail”: We need to realize that failure (mistakes) is a part of life, that being able to admit to mistakes helps you to become whole and motivates you to take risks and not be afraid. — D. Jeffries, staff member at St. Stephen’s Outreach in […]
Posted inNews
Mark Dayton: ‘I hope that I can earn the support of African American voters’
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The DFL candidate for governor responds to Black issues Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton last week met with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editorial board. During the question-and-answer session at the MSR offices October 20, Dayton addressed several key issues and topics, beginning with why Blacks in Minnesota should vote for him […]
Posted inNews
MN Black women organize against breast cancer
By Vickie Evans-Nash Staff Writer Editor emeritus of Essence spreads words of inspiration As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this past Saturday, October 23, the Minnesota-based African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA) celebrated its 20th year with a Shinning Star Gala held Oct. 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Paul. Founded in […]
Posted inNews
‘It is time for fresh eyes to come on board’
By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with Rebecca Gagnon (RG) MSR: Why do you want to be a member of the Minneapolis Public School Board? RG: I’m an extremely involved parent of three children. I’m part of three different district advisory groups. I don’t think that parent involvement in Minneapolis is appreciated. In Minneapolis, […]
Posted inNews
‘I’m a cut above the rest’
By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with T. Williams (TW) MSR: When you first ran for school board, what was your platform? TW: I was interested in improving the relationship between the district and the community, promoting a community engagement strategy to learn more about what the respective assets were and how to use […]
Posted inNews
‘No more business as usual with me on the board’
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 […]
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 […]