In MN, state leaders are ‘back to being comfortable with disparities’ On May 2, the National Urban League released its annual “State of Black America” report. Its Equality Index of Black America (2016-2017) looked at progress or decline on issues including civic engagement, economics, education, health and social justice. While African Americans scored high and […]
Local & State
A space for original local news with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans
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Suburban CAP embraces Minneapolis
Expanded agency replaces defunct Community Action program Three years after the sudden demise of Community Action of Minneapolis, what promises to be a permanent replacement for the agency has been announced. The former Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin County (CAPSH) has relaunched itself as Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC), according to a […]
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MPS launches school improvement projects
Some feel these decisions need more community involvement Several Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) capital projects totaling over $13 million could begin as early as next winter, officials say. Their announcement raised questions among some on the part parental involvement plays in making such decisions. The MPS School Board on May 9 received the district’s “1+1+5-Year […]
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Students protest proposed transit cuts
At the end of 2016, more than 10,000 Metro Transit student passes were in use. Last Tuesday, May 2, several Minneapolis young people concerned about losing their primary means of transportation to school and other destinations publicly denounced the legislature’s proposed cuts to transit funding. Students gathered in the middle of 22nd and 23rd Avenues […]
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Coalition 4 Justice commemorates Jamar Clark’s birthday
“Justice for Jamar! Justice for Jamar!” The crowd of nearly 150 heard those chants as they gathered with others in the same empty lot across from the Fourth Precinct in North Minneapolis, where Jamar Clark was killed on November 15, 2015. The memory of Clark’s death is still fresh for the family as well as […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Proposed St. Paul ‘Rush Line’ nears final approval
Bus rapid transit route called best of many options considered Transit advocates believe access to transit helps improve the overall quality of life for residents, such as dependable public transit for employees and employers and potential for economic development and other opportunities. One option for providing this service is called bus rapid transit (BRT). Bus […]
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New VP brings emphasis on diversity and inclusion to Planned Parenthood
Dr. Tonya Jackman-Hampton, granddaughter of Cecil E. Newman, founder and publisher and the MSR, says of the newspaper’s legacy, “I am very proud of the work that we’ve done here in the Twin Cities.” It is this legacy that has led her to her current position as vice president for human resources and organizational effectiveness […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Community gathers for healthy, happy get-together
Providing access to under-served populations is an ongoing concern. On Saturday, April 22, the MSR hosted a Health Family Fair at North High School in North Minneapolis. The event brought people together to learn about available resources and congregate with friends and neighbors. A number of other organizations joined in the event: the Medtronic Foundation, […]
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Community gardener plants seeds of faith
Attorney Marian Wright Edelman was the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. She is often quoted as saying, “If you do not like the way the world is going, you have an obligation to change it. Just do it one step at a time.” Ernestine Gates is a prime example of Edelman’s […]
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Chicago pastor advocates ‘beloved community’
Mpls audience ‘enthusiastic’ If America is to ever move beyond race and class, it must seriously come to grips with its “hierarchy of racialized ideas” that dates back centuries, said Dr. Otis Moss III at a recent event in downtown Minneapolis. Since 2008, Moss has been senior pastor of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ […]
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Public transportation advocates fight proposed Metro Transit cuts
“Veto! Veto! Veto!” These were the chants that rang out in front of the Minnesota State Capitol as roughly 50-100 people — from residents to members of various organizations, including ISIAH — rallied against recent proposed cuts to Metro Transit. The rally, moderated by Transit for Livable Communities and Transportation Forward, took place at Leif Erickson […]
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Conference challenged young men of color to free their minds
One may often hear adults say how young people are out of control, violent, or sometimes even considered a lost cause. This can leave the adult and the youth frustrated: One is frustrated from a lack of appreciation while the other feels abandoned. The Minneapolis Health Department in partnership with Voices of Effective Change Inc., […]
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Professors warn of ‘perpetual debt’ caused by U.S. criminal justice system
The U.S. criminal justice system in many cities and towns around the country operates a “predatory” system. For example, if a simple parking ticket is not paid on time, fines and late fees accumulate and the offender can be put in jail. This is called “predatory governance,” which was exposed in Ferguson, Missouri in a […]
Posted inEducation, Local & State, News
A family affair for local, beloved educator
Richard Anton Chakolis, Sr. is an educator who enjoys his career. Throughout his 51 years teaching, he has worked with at-risk students and diverse groups of various ability. Said Chakolis, “I get up every morning and am excited to go to work. Maybe just some type of encouragement — some positive comment — may help […]
Posted inLocal & State
Sabathani salutes community leaders with creative showcase
Founded in 1966, Sabathani Community Center has a history of community support and being a focal point for community identity, empowerment and social change. On Thursday, April 6, the center hosted the “Community Showcase,” a celebration honoring members of the community for their commitment to years of work and contributions. The event put a creative […]
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Nekima Levy-Pounds and Raeisha Williams forgo DFL for ‘people’s endorsement’
Candidates call out ‘flawed’ caucus process Two Black female Minneapolis DFL candidates will seek elected office without party endorsement in the November municipal election. Nekima Levy-Pounds is among nine candidates, including incumbent Betsy Hodges, running for Minneapolis mayor. Raeisha Williams is among two other challengers running against incumbent Blong Yang in the city’s Ninth Ward […]
Posted inLocal & State
New North High fitness center: An everyday healthy place for students
Since 2012, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) have been awarded Hennepin County grants for capital improvement and to acquire new equipment for the district’s athletic facilities. North High School is the latest to receive a Hennepin County Youth Sports grant — $150,000 to remodel and install new equipment for the school’s new fitness center. District Athletic […]
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Plenty of talk, but more action needed to bridge police-community divide
Will the current divide between communities of color and the police ever be bridged? Minneapolis NAACP President Jason Sole said that change won’t happen unless a “clean house” takes place at police departments. Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mark Kappelhoff said that all facets of the community, from business to elected leaders to ordinary […]
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This year, Open Cities celebrates 50 years of community service
Open Cities Health Clinics is a healthcare organization that has been around for 50 years, located in St. Paul and led by Jim Platten, its CEO/executive director for nearly three years now. Platten says, “I love everything about [this position]. I love the community. We have a phenomenal staff. “We have great people who are […]
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Black credit union proposed
Anger over the killing of Philando Castile by St. Anthony police only months after the death of Jamar Clark at the hands of the Minneapolis police, motivated the formation of BLEXIT, “A Strategic Movement towards Black Independence through economic boycotting, civil disobedience and organized investment into the Black economy,” according to the website. Community members also […]