New State funds create new opportunities Gaye Adams Massey accepted her appointment as chief executive officer (CEO) of the YWCA St. Paul on July 13, 2015. The St. Paul YWCA is an organization known for serving women, men and their families via several programs and services. MSR spoke with Adams Massey about her appointment one […]
Local & State
A space for original local news with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans
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First Friday salutes educators improving outcomes for students of color
Just before the school year begins, the August First Friday Event honored educators, two people who make children’s school days more enjoyable as they gain knowledge and reach educational standards. This month, Michael Zeke Walker and LaTanya Daniels were the honored “Faces of the Month.” For the past two years, Michael Zeke Walker has been […]
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Actress Lynn Whitfield stumps in Mpls for Clinton
Is the Democratic Party taking the Black vote for granted? No way, say local party officials. “The Clintons have never taken the Black vote for granted,” stated Minnesota DFL Committee Chair Ken Martin on former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic president candidate. “They are connected with the community […]
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St. Paul and Saints honor Dave Winfield
David Winfield has received numerous honors and awards during his adult life: All-American. College World Series MVP. Multiple major league all-star. World Series champion. Hall of Fame. “I always thank the coaches that helped me, that helped mold and shape who I am, along with the game,” said Winfield last week before the August 11 […]
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Youth and elders find common ground in The Way
50th Anniversary event reminds all that the struggle continues The social and political climate of unrest during the 1960s in this country, and especially in Minneapolis, helped paved the way for the founding of The Way, a youth educational and cultural center on Minneapolis’ North Side in 1966. The Way “responded to the challenge for […]
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PHOTOS & VIDEO | MAD DADS celebrates and encourages seniors in Mpls
“Our elders may be our past, but they are so much a key to our future.” —VJ Smith On Friday, August 5, MAD DADS Minneapolis hosted Senior Citizen Safety Pride Day at Boom Island in Minneapolis. The festivities included food, games, information about community resources, remarks of encouragement and appreciation by community activist Spike Moss and MAD […]
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State funds target gender-based disparities
An event titled “Legislative Session Wrap-Up: Gender-Equity Style” was held at the State Capitol Building in St. Paul July 13. Moderating was Kabo Yang of Minnesota Women’s Consortium. One of the speakers at this discussion was Representative Rena Moran. Moran represents District 65A, one of three Black legislators and the only Black woman legislator. Moran […]
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U of M summer institute preps students of color for grad school
Nearly 30 new University of Minnesota graduate students are finishing a seven-week orientation program to better acclimate them to campus before their classes start this fall. “It is a boot camp,” says Dr. Noro Andriamanalina, director of academic and professional development for the school’s Office for Diversity in Graduate Education. Andriamanalina, also director of the […]
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Peaceful Castile protest continues at governor’s mansion
Police make numerous arrests — including this reporter Following the shooting and death of Philando Castile, along with many other fatal shootings of African Americans by law enforcement around the nation, but especially here at home, protests have been taking place to speak out against police shootings. Recent protests have taken place in such locations as […]
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People of color less likely to have ‘creative jobs’
Since 2006, Minneapolis has experienced a 10 percent growth in “creative jobs,” but Blacks and other people of color are not benefiting from such growth, according to a new City of Minneapolis report. Minneapolis Creative Index 2015 is a report by the City of Minneapolis’ programs on arts, culture and the creative economy that examined […]
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National Night Out encourages community engagement and safety
National Night Out (NNO) kicks off Tuesday evening, August 2. Celebrated the first Tuesday in August, NNO encourages residents to get to know their neighbors by holding block parties, with the goal of increasing community awareness and aiding in crime prevention. The event is also promoted as a way to improve police-community relations — a very timely issue considering the civil […]
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PHOTOS & VIDEOS | 11th Annual FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl Highlights
The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition’s FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl celebrated its 11th year July 28-30. Billed as the premier arts event in North Minneapolis, the three-day festival saw artists and community members gather for a colorful self-guided tour of various art forms in the West Broadway corridor. Below, videos and photos by Phil […]
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Fifty years ago The Way was born — celebrate the legacy Aug. 6
Learn about its life and death from founding staffers August 6 There are still community members who, when asked, easily remember The Way. But their numbers are dwindling. “I run into people all the time that do” remember the “nontraditional” community center founded in 1966 on Minneapolis’ North Side, said Verlena Matey-Keke, one of the […]
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Getting by on grit and the occasional fish
Community Profile To Jerry Hill, independence isn’t just a word — it’s a way of life. It always has been. “Ever since the fourth or fifth grade I used to go with my grandfather, and he showed me how to cut grass,” which indirectly led to Hill doing for himself, as he readily attests now […]
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Chef Earl serves a brisket to die for — if you can catch up to him
Stupid Hot is one of his 31 sauces Food trucks during the summer are all over downtown Minneapolis. But don’t look there for Chef Earl. He could be found anywhere across the Twin Cities. “I’ve been cooking for 40 years,” said Earl, a food vendor. He and his wife Felicia set up shop weekly at […]
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PHOTO | Mandela Day celebrated at Sabathani
On Saturday, July 16 people gathered in the Sabathani Community Center auditorium from 1-4 pm for the third annual Nelson Mandela Day program. Retired Judge LaJune Thomas Lange, who is the honorary consul for South Africa for the State of Minnesota and president of the International Leadership Institute, was the coordinator and host for the […]
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New Mpls schools super gets ‘official’ welcome
New Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Ed Graff promises to get as much information as possible from community members, students, families and others so he can best serve the city and the district. He was officially welcomed last week prior to the July school board meeting at Davis Center. “I’m looking forward to being a […]
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Hillary Clinton announces her ‘TLC plan’ for education
After Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s speech at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) national convention in Minneapolis, she received a personal invitation to visit a Northside school. Whether or not the former U.S. secretary of state takes up her offer, Brenda Johnson of Minneapolis nonetheless calls her “a real person.” Johnson, who works with […]
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Northsiders encouraged to police their own community
On Saturday, July 16, community activists K.G. Wilson and Anthijuan Beeks, Sr. joined forces to host Stop the Violence in North Minneapolis on 21st Ave between Oliver and Penn. Beeks, a former North Minneapolis police officer and activist for over two decades, and Wilson, an activist for nearly 15 years, said the event is intended […]
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PHOTOS | Community celebrates Rondo Days, honors Philando Castile
The 33rd annual Rondo Days on Saturday, July 16 included its signature all-day activities this year with something more, as the event happened to coincide with what would have been Philando Castile’s 33rd birthday. He was heavy on the minds of Rondo participants as his family represented him at the event. The day’s events started […]