Self-styled entrepreneur Diyon Lee of Tha BagLady’s Kitchen, indomitable, resourceful, prevails as a model of what can be accomplished when, despite disadvantage, you refuse to lose. Odds are a fact of life and can stack up against you. Lack of a college education, the system, and institutionalized racism all exist but nonetheless must be dealt […]
Local & State
A space for original local news with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans
Posted inLocal & State, News
Doulas comfort mothers during pregnancy and childbirth
Women of color value support from someone who shares their culture More than half of all women who gave birth in 2014 were women of color. Two University of Minnesota health policy professors note in a published article that a lack of diversity in the maternity workforce is “one of many contributors” to this country’s […]
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Black Lives Matter: problem or solution? A critic sounds off
Problem: BLM’s motives are ‘unattractive’ Black Lives Matter (BLM), among other things, has been categorized both locally and nationally by some as weakening policing, especially in high crime neighborhoods. The MSR in separate interviews spoke to both a BLM critic and a BLM member. Following is excerpts of the two conversations. Center of the American Experiment […]
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Black Lives Matter: an unapologetic answer for injustice, says member
Black Lives Matter (BLM), among other things, has been categorized both locally and nationally by some as weakening policing, especially in high crime neighborhoods. The MSR in separate interviews spoke to both a BLM critic and a BLM member. Following is excerpts of the two conversations. Solution: BLM continues history of Black protest Lena Gardner, […]
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Shirlee Callender chosen to bring ‘goodwill’ to St. Paul Winter Carnival
The St. Paul Winter Carnival kicked off Jan. 26, carrying on its 130-plus years tradition of celebrating the history of St. Paul through winter fun and educational events and experiences. With the goal of bringing “wisdom and goodwill” to the St. Paul Winter Carnival festivities, Shirlee Callender was selected as 2017 Queen of the Northlands […]
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Sharpton straddles fence on menthol cigarette ban
His role unclear on panel biased toward tobacco interests Last week Minnesota had an unlikely visitor at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in South Minneapolis: Rev Al Sharpton. With very little press or other announcement of his presence, those who were informed may or may not have known what the purpose of Sharpton’s visit was. […]
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House introduces bill to make protesters pay
An urgent call for action was sent out from Facebook on Monday, January 23, calling for community members to attend a hearing of a bill which would hold protesters convicted of unlawful assembly and public nuisance liable for costs incurred. House File 322 also known as Bill HF 322, was sponsored by House Republicans and was heard on Tuesday, January […]
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Penn/Plymouth projects raise hopes for Northside rebirth
THOR groundbreaking brings private investment to the area In North Minneapolis, the corners of Penn and Plymouth Avenue for decades have not lived up to their thriving business history during and before the 1970s, businesses owned and/or operated primarily by African Americans. In a series called “Transforming the North Side,” MSR Staff Writer Charles Hallman […]
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Women’s Marches bring out millions to protest Trump
Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world joined Women’s Marches Saturday, January 21, the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Pink hats and signs flooded the streets — from Washington, St. Paul, Los Angeles and New York to Paris, London and many more cities. As many as 600 marches reportedly […]
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Peaceful protests follow Trump inauguration in Mpls
“Say it loud, say it clear — immigrants are welcomed here!” was just one of the chants heard at the “Resist From Day One! ” rally and march that took place in south Minneapolis January 20 following the inauguration of Donald Trump. The protest started at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue and moved down Nicollet Avenue en route to […]
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Workers rally against Trump and poverty wages at Home Depot
During the early morning hours of President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day, January 20, janitors that clean Home Depot and other stores in the Twin Cities went on strike against their cleaning contractor. The workers gathered at Home Depot at the Quarry in Northeast Minneapolis to protest what they call poverty wages. Hosted by Centro de Trabajadores Unidos […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
Marcus Golden honored with others killed by police
Community members gathered at St. Paul’s Western District Precinct on Saturday, January 14 to honor Marcus Golden on the two-year anniversary of his death. Marcus was killed by St. Paul police when he threatened suicide and the police responded. When St. Paul police arrived, officers claimed that he drove his vehicle towards them at high […]
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Sen. Franken pledges to stand his ground on rights for working people
U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he looks forward to working with the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress. But in an MSR phone interview earlier this week, he also warned that his optimism may be overwhelmed by reality. “The new administration doesn’t start until Friday,” noted Franken Monday during a break in his statewide […]
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2019 Final Four planners aim high for diversity, inclusion
Half the cost of the newly opened Vikings Stadium, known as the “People’s Stadium” before its corporate branding, has come from the people’s money — taxes and related public subsidies totaling more than half a billion dollars. Now is the time to assess just what the people, especially Black people, have received for their money […]
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Man to man: Black professionals reach out to inspire students
Black men in America typically face obstacles and challenges on a daily basis. In order to overcome these obstacles, it is imperative to have positive role models who can inspire and educate, encourage mental well being, and help us progress toward a better life. To assist with this endeavor, Patrick Henry High School, located at […]
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Families march for social justice
The Love, Hope, Rise Coalition, consisting of over thirty Minnesota organizations, came together to organize a family-friendly march on Saturday, January 14. Community members met at the Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul where they had speakers and a mini-social justice fair, which included art and sign making. Organizers from groups including East Side Freedom Library, […]
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Is Dr. King’s ‘beloved community’ obtainable today?
A “beloved community” based on justice, equal opportunity and love was part of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream. Poverty, racism and militarism, on the other hand, were the “the triple evils” that served as barriers, stated the late civil rights leader. Dr. King learned this concept from philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, who founded the Fellowship […]
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Congressional Black Caucus grows to 49 members
During the ceremonial swearing-in event a few blocks from the White House, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), Inc., honored Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.), the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and members of the CBC that will serve during the 115th Congress. Shuanise Washington, the president and CEO of the CBCF, […]
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Mpls Public Housing to get new chief
Director McCorvey retires after 25 years Cora McCorvey is the founding executive director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) since it became a separate entity in 1991. She will retire February 10 after 25 years of service. While in the midst of the agency’s first executive director transition, McCorvey spoke to the MSR at […]
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A flash from the past | Courtesy of The Adventures of Flashman: Memoirs of a Photojournalist 1977-2016
In this 1994 photo, celebrants and supporters join in a toast with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the inauguration of Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, the first African American and first woman leader of the city, along with her husband, Steve. Sayles Belton served two terms as mayor from 1994-2000 after stints on the Minneapolis […]