Local & State

Park board retiree says his former coworkers are running scared   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A former Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) employee earlier this year emailed all nine park board commissioners, expressing concern about workplace conditions. The MSR received  a copy of the five-page email sent in April titled “Racism issues concerns […]

C.h.a.t. series used to inform  attendees of State’s efforts toward equity By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer  On September 10, at the second C.h.a.t. in a series (Community Health Talk Series) Kevin Lindsey, the Commissioner of MN Department of Human Rights, highlighted the state’s efforts to achieve equity and inclusion in the areas of workforce development, health […]

Harteau’s absence attributed to ‘public safety’ threats   By Khymyle Mims Contributing Writer This past Thursday night, citizens from across the city gathered at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis to take part in a “listening session” with the chief of police and other individuals who teach and work in the criminal justice field. […]

National conversation highlights Black victimizers, yet overlooks victims   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Domestic violence or child abuse isn’t just being done by Black NFL players — it’s a society problem that needs addressing, said the Minnesota Vikings’ highest ranking Black front office executive. The Adrian Peterson child abuse allegations is the latest in […]

Local artist creates platform for educating on  healthy eating By Raymond Jackson Contributing Writer On Sunday, September 14, well-known Twin Cities artist Seitu Jones hosted CREATE: The Community Meal, in St. Paul. The event, which featured a half-mile long dining table serving 2,000 participants, took place in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. It was Jones’ artistic […]

Outreach department works to reconcile cultural differences   By Charles Hallman  Staff Writer First of a two-part story Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges since her election nearly a year ago has made racial equity a cornerstone of her administration. The City Council earlier this summer approved her agenda, calling for all city departments to reduce racial […]

For many Mike Brown’s death represents the value of young Black men in the U.S.   News Analysis By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer The MSR sent writer Mel Reeves to Ferguson, Missouri to personally observe and report on the aftermath of unrest there following an incident of police violence that left a young Black man […]

Black Men Healing Conference focuses on sexual exploitation   By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer There are a great many programs and projects to aid Black women and improve life for Black youth, aimed at empowering socially embattled sistahs to overcome obstacles and salvage youngsters from circumstances that lead to dead-end futures. Regrettably, when it comes […]

Immigrant uses family recipe to create Sadia’s Gourmet Sauce By Khymyle Mims Contributing Writer Have you ever met someone, and before they even introduced themselves you knew there was something special about them? From the moment they walk into the room, you can sense that this person does not know the meaning of “can’t” and wouldn’t […]

Community members want more than talk — they’re ready for action   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer All DFL candidates should “represent” Black issues, says a member of the DFL African American Caucus, one of 14 recognized special-interest groups by the Minnesota DFL Party. The group meets on the third Saturday of each month. However, […]

Program director’s personal experiences inform her work with youth By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Minerva Muñoz’s main mission is to help as many prospective first-generation college students as possible get ready for post-secondary studies. As a first-generation college graduate, Muñoz easily remembers how it felt upon her first arrival on a college campus where the majority […]

SkyLearn promises ‘significant improvements’   By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Minnesota’s educational disparity isn’t just a gap, it’s a chasm. Unless you’re stupid enough to believe all those children of color are that dumb, common sense dictates it is a deliberate, system-wide act of institutionalized racism, pure and simple, one that attacks Black communities in […]

Hennepin’s board lacks the diversity of those it represents   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Three of the seven Hennepin County Commissioner seats are up for election this November. If more people understood the importance of these positions, the Hennepin County Board might come to more clearly resemble the diverse population it serves. The MSR […]

News Analysis By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer The MSR sent writer Mel Reeves to Ferguson, Missouri to personally observe and report on the aftermath of unrest there following an incident of police violence that left a young Black man dead and triggered an outbreak of protests and rioting. Last week, in “Mike Brown is laid […]

Approximately 600 people gather at at Phelps Park in Minneapolis on August 30 for the  Back in the Day Southside Annual Picnic. Pictured front row are (l-r) Tony Price, Tracey Williams-Dillard and Lisa Crawford, and back row Kimuel Hailey and Phillip Crawford. Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the MSR, was awarded the 2014 Southside Back […]