St. Paul’s 2016 Selby Avenue Jazz Fest, held on September 10, featured jazz artist Kirk Whalum and more.
Local & State
A space for original local news with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans
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Demands for apology follow Park Board’s trespassing threat
Disconnect is between board and communities of color, says commissioner Protesters from the community vow that they will continue attending Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) meetings until their voices are fully heard. “I want all human beings who are sick of this to stand up,” proclaimed Minneapolis NAACP Spokeswoman Raeisha Williams last week standing […]
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Healing a broken life
Author shares her story of overcoming generational trauma At age 41, Beverly Hart is a wife, grandmother, mother, insurance broker, and ordained minister with Recovery Ministries in Brooklyn Park. Through sheer will and determination, she writes of how she overcame the shame and guilt of being a high school dropout who turned to drugs and […]
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The impresario of events — Debonaire is all about making things happen
Andre “Debonaire” McNeal is a man of many faces. CEO of Bachelor Boy Entertainment, McNeal should be called a “bad” boy — bad meaning good. He is a 46-year-old entrepreneur, family guy, human service worker, entrepreneur, father of six and friend to many. Entrepreneurship runs deep in McNeal’s blood. His aunt owned a club that […]
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Panelists help fellow media pros bone up on ‘cultural sensitivity’
Was the media coverage of July’s police shooting death of Philando Castile and other recent shootings handled adequately? The Minnesota PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) recently invited a crisis communications expert, a gender, race and media professor, and a deputy metro editor to offer their assessments and explain how to handle media interviews in […]
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NBA pro comes home to help rebuild North Mpls
With his first Northside development now open, Devean George is proud to be part of the positive things going on in on the area. The Commons, located on the corner of Penn Avenue North and Golden Valley Road, is a 45-unit, mixed-use apartment building that also has an after-school program. George, a city native, grew […]
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PHOTOS | 7th Annual Southside Back in the Day brings together family and friends
The 7th Annual Southside Back in the Day kicked off Saturday, September 3 at Phelps Park in South Minneapolis. People from the Phelps, King, Bryant and Central neighborhoods joined together to enjoy a full day of live music, free food, vendors, games, prizes, special features and each other. The special features also included a professional boxing […]
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It’s ‘good vibrations’ so far for new Mpls schools super
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) opened its 2016-17 school year Monday, August 29 under its “MPS Strong” theme. This theme was oft-repeated in first-year Superintendent Ed Graff’s “State of the Schools” address last week at Orchestra Hall. Graff told attendees in the packed auditorium that every MPS student, regardless of ethnicity, grade level, or socio-economic situation, […]
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Buyback gets guns off the street into artists’ hands
Pillsbury United Communities collaborated with the City of Minneapolis to host a recent Gun Buyback event at two Minneapolis fire stations, Station 14 in North Minneapolis and Station 17 in South Minneapolis. The response exceeded expectations. The initiative was a unique partnership with support from Mayor Betsy Hodges and included the Minneapolis Police Department, the […]
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Fitness ‘coach’ teaches what Mama didn’t
Tammie Richardson politely but firmly barks orders drill-sergeant-like as she walks around her adult aerobics class at North Commons Community Center in North Minneapolis. “How low can you go?” stresses Richardson, a local nurses’ aide and certified fitness instructor to the mostly Black female class as they move to music during the hour-long session. “Come […]
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Documentary exposes police militarization
Pentagon supplies weaponry for local wars on us, ‘the enemy’ Do Not Resist offers a firsthand look at the methods and actions of the militarization of American Police Forces. “This film was incredibly impactful,” said Mica Grimm, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minneapolis. Do Not Resist was shown as part of the Walker Art Center’s […]
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BRIDGE event featured stories from behind prison walls
A “stronger bridge” between the community and currently incarcerated persons, besides their families, is badly needed. This was the overall message last weekend at North High School at the August 20 BRIDGE event. Around 250 persons — adults and children — attended BRIDGE Families Convening, sponsored by BRIDGE, a group of currently incarcerated persons, their […]
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2016 Minnesota State Fair: new food, attractions and purple fun
Believe it or not, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is upon us again! From Thursday, Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5, featuring dozens of new attractions, exhibits, entertainment and more. Thirty-two new foods will make their debut this year, including Gumbo Frites, Candied Bacon Donut Siders, Barbecued Shrimp Taco, and Cajun Peel-N-Eat Shrimp, to name a […]
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Just-B-Solar Camp introduces youth to their future
On August 8-12, from 9 am until noon, close to a dozen youth attended the Just-B-Solar Camp at Shiloh Temple International Ministries (STIM), located at 1201 West Broadway Ave. North in Minneapolis. Sponsors for the solar camp were STIM, Innovative Power Systems (IPS) and Just-B-Solar (JBS). Throughout the week, youth campers were introduced to the […]
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Black community ‘first in line’, pledges Stein
Green Party presidential hopeful offers a new New Deal There are still some who blame Green Party 2000 presidential candidate Ralph Nader for taking votes away from Democratic candidate Al Gore, ultimately resulting in the election of George W. Bush. Could this be the same for 2016 Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who was in […]
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We Kick It prevails at kickball finals
Adult kickball fosters community spirit on the Northside This summer’s adult kickball league is now completed. Its champion was crowned Sunday, August 21 before dusk at North Commons Park in North Minneapolis. “It’s been a great turnout every Sunday,” reported Squad of Players League Co-Director Tyrone Johnson. “It’s always been positive. I’m glad everyone came out […]
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Bus riders reach for the sky during police action
Reporter gets a personal ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot’ experience Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau announced four policy changes in her department “aimed at defusing conflicts” between officers and the public. Her new “sanctity of life” policy, when it comes to use of force, must be adhered to as much as possible, she states. Last week […]
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St. Paul YWCA chief sees growth ahead
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 […]
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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 […]