Health + Wellness

By Bernadeia Johnson Dear North Minneapolis families and residents, When I became superintendent six months ago, I promised to do whatever it takes to make sure that all students enrolled in the Minneapolis Public Schools receive a high quality education. I remain committed to that promise. I know that the past three months have been […]

The Givens Foundation for African American Literature has launched Givens Black Books, a community reading campaign celebrating the work of acclaimed African American playwright and author J. California Cooper. Givens Black Books will feature a series of public book group discussions, creative performances by local literary artists, artist residencies in area schools, and an after-school […]

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 12/1/2010 In the February 25, 2010 MSR Black History Month Supplement article “Rosa Bogar: securing a legacy for the future,” local elder Bogar recalled having to “sneak through the back door…at Hotel Eutaw,” in her hometown of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Once the largest building in that city’s downtown, Hotel Eutaw employed […]

By Bernadeia Johnson Contributing Writer We value the dedication that our families have to our schools and students, and we are always looking for ways to strengthen that connection. Three times a year, we hold conferences with our families and their children to check in on each student’s academic progress. The most recent parent — […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the number of people being newly diagnosed with HIV infections, as well as the number of those living with HIV/AIDS in the state, has seen a slow but steady increase over the past five years. As of December 31, 2008, 20 percent […]

By Elizabeth Ellis Contributing Writer I wanted a place to live in at a price I could afford in conditions I could tolerate. Here in America, in our own Twin Cities, I saw walls kicked in, floors buckled from water damage, copper stripped from heating boards, ceilings falling through to the room below, and signs […]

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 11/17/2010 The St. Paul Central High Music Booster Club is sponsoring an instrument drive to generate desperately needed used instruments (and funds for repair) that help all students to benefit from the music program at Central High School at 275 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul. If you have a used instrument […]

By Bernadeia Johnson Contributing Writer You may be wondering what I am doing to ensure that the Minneapolis Public Schools are focused on good teaching and that student achievement is at the forefront of our daily work. I am giving my time to schools. Visiting schools is one of the best parts of my job. […]

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 11/3/2010 Three local Black businesswomen have been chosen for honors by St. Paul-based WomenVenture, an organization that assists women with careers and entrepreneurship. The three will be among others honored at WomenVenture’s 15th Annual Fall Leadership Event to be held Friday, November 12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Lifetime Achievement […]

By Tammy L. McIntyre, M.Ed. Contributing Writer At this point in your job search or career, you might be asking yourself, ”Should I seek professional help?” Most of the people I’ve spoken to over the past two years have been clients who have asked themselves this same question. Coaching closes the gap between a client’s […]

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 […]

By Marcus Harcus Contributing Writer The first “Potential Power of the Black Electorate” town hall forum was held October 13 at Minneapolis Community & Technical College. Hosted by the Association of Black Collegiates, panelists included State Representative Jeff Hayden, candidate for State Representative Rena Moran, Impact Minnesota Director Nick Muhammad, and Troy Parker. The forum […]

The Color the Vote campaign is sponsored by One Minnesota (OneMN.org), a collaborative network of ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) communities, leaders, and individuals who agree to “eliminate racial barriers to success in Minnesota.” The campaign slogan is “You Vote, We Win!” “The margin of victory of the last three gubernatorial elections has […]

Former Soviet republic a hidden treasure The 2006 “Adventures in China” column series by Jennifer Harvey (formerly Holder) was an account of the writer’s life as a foreign teacher — and an African American woman — in Hangzhou, China. Harvey has moved on to a new land, as she details in the following article. Here […]