Saint Paul artist Roosevelt Mansfield is being honored as Artist of the Month by 825 Arts. His new exhibit Giving Flowers showcases photographic portraits of Rondo community elders, with a public opening on June 22.
Arts + Culture
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to the African American experience.
Posted inObituaries
Remembering Pepé Willie
The Minneapolis Music community has lost a legend. Linster Herbert Willie, Jr., affectionately known to the world as Pepé, passed away Sunday, June 1, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis after a brief illness. He was 76.
Posted inArts + Culture
‘The Road Less Traveled’ honors Black history through quilts, poems
CC Mercer Watson’s textile exhibition The Road Less Traveled honors the legacy of the Green Book through quilts and poetry, celebrating Black history and joy.
Posted inMovies
Bad Shabbos
Bad Shabbos serves up sharp laughs and unexpected twists — with Method Man stealing the show in this chaotic culture-clash indie comedy, reviewed by Dwight Brown.
Posted inEducation
With Black history under assault, Givens Collection more precious than ever
The Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life marks 40 years with a new exhibit and renewed call to protect and uplift Black cultural memory.
Posted inArts + Culture
FilmNorth opens new St. Paul media center
FilmNorth’s new media center opens in St. Paul on July 19, offering education, production space, and accessible resources for diverse artists and creators.
Posted inMovies
Hurry Up Tomorrow
Is The Weeknd’s new film Hurry Up Tomorrow a bold success or a vanity project? Read our full review of this music-driven psychological drama.
Posted inBooks
Black author Sings raises awareness of bullying
R&B artist and community advocate Chantel Sings has released “Billy Likes to Bully,” a children’s book tackling bullying with cultural relevance and heart.
Posted inMusic
New releases and rising voices
Jazz columnist Robin James spotlights Brandon Woody’s debut album “For the Love of It All,” plus new Blue Note releases, jazz radio favorites, and more.
Posted inArtists
Walker’s ‘Surface’ exhibition invites deep reflection
Walker Art Center presents A Surface by Kandis Williams—an immersive exhibition that blends collage, video, and critical theory to confront systems of power.
Posted inMovies
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
If this is the final mission, Tom Cruise makes it unforgettable. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two defies limits with action, emotion, and epic scope.
Posted inFinance
Metro Black business growth among nation’s fastest
Dr. Andre Perry joined Twin Cities leaders to launch Black Power Scorecard, highlighting data-driven strategies to boost Black wealth, homeownership, and life expectancy.
Posted inArts + Culture
In 2020, Minnesota youth changed the world
The new documentary 612: Darkness in the Land of Nice by Diem Van Groth explores Minnesota’s youth-led uprising, racial justice, and grassroots solutions. Premieres May 23.
Posted inEvents
Hennepin Fest to spotlight women artists
Hennepin Fest on May 31 will showcase Minnesota women musicians and poets at Washburn Fair Oaks Park, promoting unity, creativity, and cultural resistance.
Posted inMovies
Black Tea gets its NYC premiere at the 2025 New York African Film Festival
Though Black Tea dazzles with visuals and cultural insights, director Abderrahmane Sissako’s latest film struggles under too many characters and subplots.
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman fashion show celebrated culture, creativity and legacy
The Threads of Impact fashion show celebrated Black beauty, creativity, and generational legacy with a lineup of designers, local vendors, and an award for lifetime service presented to Shirlee Callender.
Posted inMovies
Thunderbolts*
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* starts off slow but eventually finds its footing with a heartfelt final act, as a group of misfits and outcasts come together to save the day and prove their worth in the Marvel Universe.
Posted inBooks
New Poetry Collection Sweetgrass and Soul Food Explores Afro-Indigenous Identity and Resilience
Afro-Indigenous poet and educator Marique Moss will release her debut poetry collection, “Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems,” on Juneteenth, followed by print and hardcover editions on the Summer Solstice, and a companion journal on the same dates.
Posted inArts + Culture
Walker|West celebrates its new Rondo home
A new era has begun for Walker|West Music Academy. On a sunny spring afternoon last week, the beloved Rondo-based institution opened its doors to the public for a ribbon-cutting and celebration at its brand-new home, located at 650 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul. The grand opening event drew students, alumni, community members, and local leaders […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
Celebrating 50 Years of MayDay Magic in South Minneapolis
The MayDay Parade in South Minneapolis, a vibrant tradition of creativity and community, continues to thrive after 50 years with stunning puppets and performances crafted by residents and artists across the city.