Local & State

Dua Saleh came to the United States when she was five years old with her mother and two younger siblings. Although they identify as Sudanese, they lived during the Darfur War in a refugee camp in Eritrea. For most of her life, Saleh grew up in the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul.

Twin Cities transit riders of color lose about four work weeks in commuting time per year compared to White riders according to a new report released by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC), TakeAction Minnesota, ISAIAH, and the New York-based Center for Popular Democracy.

The newly elected officers and executive committee members of the Minneapolis NAACP were sworn in by Minneapolis NAACP President Nekima Levy-Pounds (at far right) during their May 12 meeting at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center.

The public should hold all judges accountable, said Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ebola epidemic that hit several West Africa countries, including Liberia in 2014, and claimed over 10,000 lives has settled down.

When Baltimore City’s newly elected State Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced on May 1 her intention to bring charges in the death of Freddie Gray, she was only following Maryland law, said former Maryland prosecutor Debbie Hines.

What could be more powerful than a strong woman of color in a position of leadership? How about four women of color in leadership roles of Fortune 500 companies discussing their perspectives from personal and professional life while being led by a fifth woman also in a leadership position?

The next phase in the re-dedication efforts of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Minneapolis kicked off May 6 with community members and partners, City and County officials, Minneapolis park board members, and members of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Council gathering at the park for the official groundbreaking ceremony of a new playground.

Michael Walker, in front of an estimated 250 Minneapolis high school students at Edison High School Monday, publicly thanked Alan Page for believing in him and other Black youth over the years.

Black Lives Matter (BLM) members can speak openly about their case after a judge ruled against a pre-trial motion filed by Bloomington city prosecutors. Nekima Levy-Pounds, who is among the nearly 40 defendants, informed the MSR last week that the judge, during a May 1 hearing, ruled against the gag order.

The new Minneapolis NAACP leadership signals “a turning point” after an historic all-women slate was elected in a special election last Saturday, May 2.
Last weekend’s event at NorthPoint Health and Wellness drew nearly 100 persons, and the lobby had a precinct caucus feel with many lobbying for St. Thomas Law Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds, who announced her branch president candidacy days earlier.

A new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focus will be fully introduced this fall at both North Community High School and, a few blocks away, at the “new” Franklin Middle School. North Principal Shawn Harris-Berry and Franklin Principal Karon Cunningham are working collaboratively across the schools.
There was a strong relationship back in the ‘80s and the ‘90s” between the two schools, recalls Harris-Berry, a 27-year Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) veteran. Since then, however, both schools have undergone major changes. North now is a “small college-preparatory” high school with nearly 300 students.