Marvis Kilgore, a Mississippi native, is leading the Sirtify program at Normandale Community College to diversify Minnesota’s professional teaching staff and Code Savvy to provide computer science training for students, teachers, and schools to ensure that underrepresented populations are included in the computer science industry.
Vickie Evans-Nash
Vickie Evans-Nash is a contributing writer and former editor in chief at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inEducation
St. Louis Park school equity efforts bear fruit
Dr. Calondra Hines is leading the St. Louis Park school district in a strategic plan focused on equity, using the responses of youth and community to create a system that meets the education needs of all students, regardless of their ethnic or racial background.
Posted inBooks
New author finds joy sharing her story
Twyla Martin held a book launch for her memoir “The Power of a Transformed Woman: Turning My Trauma into Triumph” which included a panel discussion on trauma and recovery, and she credits the recovery community for her healing process.
Posted inEducation
Keeping homeless youth in school
Dr. Stephanie Burrage, CEO of Collaborative Student Transportation, works to ensure that homeless and highly mobile students have access to education by providing transportation services to school.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey champions clean energy initiatives
Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center and board member of Fresh Energy, is working to educate people on the climate crisis and increase the number of African Americans pursuing careers in law through financial support and mentorship.
Posted inLocal & State
Meet Melvin Tennant of ‘Meet Minneapolis’
Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, is leading the city’s recovery from the economic decline caused by the pandemic, with the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials and other events drawing visitors to the city’s restaurants, theaters, and sports venues.
Posted inNews
Black Storytellers Alliance celebrates 34th annual festival
Black Storytellers’ Alliance, founded in 1971, is celebrating its 34th annual festival in the Twin Cities, featuring Black master storytellers from across the country.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Gaps Project works to close breast cancer mortality disparities
Monisha Washington, director of the Breast Cancer Gaps Project, is working to eliminate the 41% higher mortality rate from breast cancer among Black women by implementing innovative community-driven solutions.
Posted inLocal & State
Faith-based Muslim organization offers Northside families a new start
Al-Maa’uun, a Muslim faith-based organization in North Minneapolis, is working to alleviate poverty and oppression within Black and communities of color.
Posted inNews
Eastern Star Sisterhood provides charitable community support
Leslie Byrd became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 2001 and has since served as a presiding officer and provided charitable and educational support to her community.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Former MPS Supt. Bernadeia Johnson sounds alarm on kidney failure
Bernadeia Johnson, former superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, experienced a health crisis due to poor nutritional choices and lack of medical check-ups.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Black Business Spotlight: J’s Promotions
Jamie Ross’s J’s Promotions specializes in event planning, hosting parties and events for special occasions, including weddings, birthdays, and graduations.
Posted inArts + Culture
Sounds of Blackness: A half-century of culturally conscious music
The Sounds of Blackness have been creating and performing music to inspire and encourage listeners for 53 years.
Posted inEducation
MPS Board Member Sharon El-Amin discusses budget cuts, community’s role in education
Minneapolis Public Schools is facing tight budget constraints due to the pandemic, and is looking at ways to transform schools while compensating teachers.
Posted inNews
Is today’s NAACP misunderstood or undervalued?
Pastor Richard Pittman, Sr. is the president of the St. Paul Branch NAACP, which is working to address education, housing, and public safety issues for the Black community.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Aloda Sims is teaching girls to inspire others
Aloda Sims’ Hey Girl Mentor Program teaches adolescents to live inspiring lives.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Beverly Propes has a legacy of connecting many to healthcare resources
Beverly Propes has been working to increase awareness of health disparities in North Minneapolis by educating people on healthy lifestyle choices.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Phyllis Sloan: Champion of early childhood education on the Northside
Phyllis Sloan has been the executive director of La Crèche Early Childhood Center since 1997.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Anissa Keyes provides spaces for Black mental wellness
Anissa Keyes has spent over a decade breaking down barriers to mental health services.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Black Business Spotlight: Minuteman Press
Frank Brown, owner of Minuteman Press, a Black-owned printing franchise, is focusing on diversity in the workforce and offering a livable wage to its employees, while also providing a variety of printing services.