A Pew Research Center study found that the focus on race and racial inequality following George Floyd’s murder has not improved the lives of Black people, with 72% of Americans saying it has not made a difference.
News
Timely national, state, and local articles, including profile stories from an African American perspective.
Posted inLocal & State
Be The Change MN and Macy’s give local teens a prom boost
Be The Change MN and Macy’s Mall of America partnered to provide free dresses, makeup, and styling services to Twin Cities teens, ensuring no girl would miss out on prom due to financial barriers.
Posted inLocal & State
Capitol rally demands end to forced prison laborÂ
Hundreds of people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol on May 1 to demand an end to forced labor in the state’s correctional institutions, with a focus on pressuring lawmakers to pass the 2025 Bill to End Slavery in Minnesota.
Posted inNational
Congress honors Black female WWII unit
The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the “Six Triple Eight”, an all-female, all-Black unit that served in Europe during World War II, for their efforts to clear a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail in three months.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesotans join worldwide May Day call for worker justice
Thousands of people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol on May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day, calling for improved working conditions, fair wages, and stronger protections for marginalized workers.
Posted inLocal & State
Target boycott — amplified or hijacked?
A coalition of grassroots organizers, led by Nekima Levy Armstrong, organized a boycott of Target over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, but the campaign was disrupted by the arrival of Atlanta-based pastor Jamal Bryant, who launched a separate boycott and website without proper coordination or respect.
Posted inLocal & State
Parole hearing raises concerns over wrongful conviction, rehabilitation
Bryan Hooper Sr., who served 27 years for the 1998 murder of 77-year-old Ann Prazniak, appeared before the Minnesota Board of Commissioners to request a move to a lower security facility and eventual release, maintaining his long-standing claim of innocence.
Posted inArts + Culture
Walker|West celebrates its new Rondo home
A new era has begun for Walker|West Music Academy. On a sunny spring afternoon last week, the beloved Rondo-based institution opened its doors to the public for a ribbon-cutting and celebration at its brand-new home, located at 650 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul. The grand opening event drew students, alumni, community members, and local leaders […]
Posted inEducation
DEI attacks are backlash for Black progress
Black students are disproportionately impacted by the rollback of inclusion, equity and diversity policies, as they have made significant progress in high school graduation rates and are underrepresented on college campuses due to a lack of resources and funding in K-12 schools.
Posted inLocal & State
To help survivors of sexual violence, listening is key
The Sexual Violence Center offers a range of trauma-informed services, including a 24-hour crisis line, peer counseling, hospital and legal advocacy, and community education, to support survivors of sexual violence in Hennepin, Scott and Carver counties.
Posted inNational
Trump tariffs causing worldwide instability
The IMF has published its latest World Economic Outlook, which predicts global GDP growth of 2.8% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026, but with a significant downward revision from previous forecasts due to increased uncertainty caused by the recent tariff events.
Posted inNational
Black history purge hits Smithsonian
Trump officials are dismantling Smithsonian exhibits depicting African American history, including the 1960 Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in exhibit, and returning items to their rightful owners, while civil rights leaders are seeing their history returned behind the scenes.
Posted inLocal & State
St. Paul’s Earth Day turnout one of nation’s largest
An estimated 15,000 people gathered in downtown St. Paul on April 19 to protest environmental, political, and social justice issues, with a focus on environmental racism and the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.
Posted inNational
Caregivers of Young Children Report Difficulty Accessing Essentials from Food Pantries
One in three families with young children experienced material hardship in one or more areas of basic needs, with food being the most common issue, and many caregivers rely on food pantries to help feed their children and families.
Posted inNational
Houston Hospice aims to bridge equity gap in end-of-life care for Black communities
Hospice care is often misunderstood and underused, especially in Black communities, but organizations such as Houston Hospice are working to educate the public and healthcare professionals about the benefits of hospice care and provide culturally tailored education to ensure that all communities have access to end-of-life care.
Posted inArts + Culture
Viewing Art Can Boost Mental Well-Being, Study Finds
A new study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology reveals that viewing visual art, whether in a museum, hospital, or online, can significantly enhance a person’s sense of well-being by fostering meaning in life and promoting personal growth.
Posted inNational
Trump Moves to Expose MLK Files — Critics Warn of Smear Campaign
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to declassify records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but some are concerned that the release of these documents could damage the public reputation of Dr. King.
Posted inNational
Jails Packed with Minor Offenders, New National Data Shows
The Jail Data Initiative has released data showing that over 7.6 million people were jailed in the US in 2023, with more than a third of those admissions being for misdemeanor offenses and over a million for probation or parole violations.
Posted inNational
Shannon Sharpe Faces Serious Allegations, Denies All Wrongdoing as Legal Process Begins
Shannon Sharpe is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse, which he has denied and pledged to defend against.
Posted inEducation
Black Students Push Back on ‘Inclusive Excellence’ rhetoric
Northern Illinois University’s decision to change its messaging from “confronting racism” to “dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence” has sparked concerns among Black students and faculty, who fear the university is backing down on its commitment to racial healing.