The South Side Back In The Day celebration reunited long-time residents and welcomed new faces for an afternoon of culture, connection and celebration. Take a look at MSR’s photo gallery to see how the community showed up.
Arts + Culture
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to the African American experience.
Posted inArts + Culture
Planting People Growing Justice named Minnesota Twins Game Changer
The Minnesota Twins have named Planting People Growing Justice a 2026 Game Changer for putting culturally reflective books directly into the hands of young readers.
Posted inArts + Culture
Application open for 2027-28 Minneapolis Poet Laureate
The City of Minneapolis and The Loft Literary Center have officially opened applications for the 2027–2028 Poet Laureate position. Here is how local writers can secure a two-year civic appointment, engage the community, and elevate their craft.
Posted inArts + Culture
Resmaa Menakem finds his next act with ‘Mothership’ at Penumbra
From homeless bass player on the Minneapolis Sound scene to bestselling author and healer, Resmaa Menakem now steps into playwrighting. Co-written with Kristen Adele Calhoun, Mothership premieres at St. Paul’s Penumbra Theatre as a vessel for healing and ancestral wisdom.
Posted inArts + Culture
‘The Wiz’ brings confidence and community to Northside youth
Around 50 young people took ownership of every stage of production, from building props to writing original backstories, proving that Northside youth don’t need “bells and whistles” to shine on stage.
Posted inOn the Radar
MSR On the Radar: Devin Boeing is revolutionizing tech education in Minnesota
In the ever-evolving world of technology, 26-year-old Devin Boeing is creating a pipeline for the next generation, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to have a seat at the tech table. Boeing is the CEO and founder of Cryptic Institute, where he teaches technology and finance to everyday people. In a recent […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Talent agent Tiauna Jackson breaks barriers in Hollywood, fights for the underrepresented
When Hollywood began rolling back its diversity initiatives, Tiauna Jackson doubled down. From navigating systemic bias to launching her own agency and earning a law degree, the history-making talent agent shares her journey of advocating for the industry’s most underrepresented talent.
Posted inArts + Culture
Lenny McAllister’s new book challenges echo chambers, calls for a return to faith and second chances
From walking away from basketball, reinventing his career and navigating political commentary, Lenny McAllister shares how faith and second chances can shatter today’s toxic echo chambers.
Posted inArts + Culture
Graffiti artist Peyton Russell’s latest works confront ICE surg
Minneapolis graffiti artist Peyton Scott Russell used a global economic inequality conference as the backdrop for a gallery exhibition confronting Operation Metro Surge, ICE violence and the state of Black and biracial identity in Minnesota.
Posted inOn the Radar
MSR On the Radar: Krowned Kenn is bossing up her business to be more than just a St. Paul braider
At just 24, St. Paul braider Krowned Kenn turned front-porch hustling into a thriving beauty brand. Now, she’s setting her sights on real estate, community advocacy, and redefining luxury hair care in the Twin Cities.
Posted inArts + Culture
Building inclusive bookshelves: why neurodiverse representation matters in children’s literature
Fewer than 10% of books with autistic characters feature non-white protagonists. Author Tiffany Hammond is changing that narrative by celebrating nonverbal autistic joy, communication, and belonging.
Posted inEvents
Cypher Rotunda brings street dance battles to Mall of America
Street dancers from across the world are heading to Minnesota for Cypher Rotunda, a massive, free-admission dance battle featuring live DJs, international judges, and cash prizes.
Posted inMovies
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Part 1 of 2)
Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings high-flying cinematic flair and deep emotional weight to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, proving that Peter Parker’s most harrowing fight isn’t just against supervillains, it’s with his own loneliness.
Posted inArts + Culture
New Series: ‘The Manager, The Mythology, The Legend’ explores the life of Joe Jackson
BLK PRIME has announced The Manager, The Mythology, The Legend, an eight-episode series chronicling the complex, historic legacy of Joe Jackson as seen through the eyes of his son Marlon Jackson.
Posted inArts + Culture, News
Rondo unveils new African American Arts District
After years in the making, the Rondo Community Land Trust officially launched the Rondo African American Arts District, celebrating the neighborhood’s deep Black creative heritage and charting a path for economic repair.
Posted inOn the Radar
MSR On the Radar: Tommy McNeal, the man behind a new 30,000-square-foot business and event center
Retiring from corporate America to build generational wealth, Tommy McNeal is creating an 8-acre business and event hub in Brooklyn Center featuring a 1,000-seat venue, business incubator, commercial kitchen, and community housing pipeline.
Posted inArts + Culture
Celebrating past and current artists who’ve made the Northside a beacon for jazz, R&B, soul and all facets of the Minneapolis Sound
Live jazz echoed along the North Minneapolis riverfront as the first annual Northside Jazz & Heritage Festival united generations of Black musicians, entrepreneurs, and community members.
Posted inArts + Culture
Local artist weaves community connection through Rondo library art project
Visual artist Briauna Williams is using paintbrush and canvas to combat the national loneliness epidemic. Through her interactive project at the Rondo Community Library, she’s creating a space where youth, parents, and elders can heal together.
Posted inLocal & State
St. Paul native Dr. Elizabeth Adams brings community values to the fight for responsible AI
Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams, a fifth-generation Minnesotan from St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, has spent her career pushing for responsible AI. Contributing writer Tiffany Johnson tells her story, from helping ban facial recognition in Minneapolis to writing a new memoir on purpose and technology.
Posted inArts + Culture
Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival event lineup
Local, national, and international street artists are converging in St. Paul’s Creative Enterprise Zone for three days of live mural creation, panel talks, and neighborhood celebrations.