By Charles Hallman Staff Writer (r) Racial equity report card’s author Jermaine Toney, lead analyst for Organizing Apprenticeship Projects (l) St. Paul’s DFL State Representative Rena Moran -photos by Charles Hallman Racial equity must be incorporated in solving the state’s budget deficit and “not as an add-on,” say multi-racial leaders and community members. “Some people […]
News
Timely national, state, and local articles, including profile stories from an African American perspective.
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This Week’s Spotlights Mar. 3-9
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com Wed.-Thurs., Mar. 2-3, 7 pm: Glen David Andrews Tickets are $20. Fri., Mar. 4, 8 pm: Jazz Collective feat. Debbie Duncan and Kathleen Johnson Cover is $10. Tues.-Wed., Mar. 8-9, 7 pm & 9 pm: Patti Austin Tickets are $55 for the 7 […]
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Surprise Grammy win for Esperanza Spalding
While I write this column, sippin’ on a Reed’s Raspberry Ginger Brew, I’m wondering if you watched the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13. If you did, then you may have noticed that the multi-talented musician Esperanza Spalding won the award for Best New Artist. She wore a stunning light green gown by Selma […]
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Two different worlds?
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer -Chris Harrison illustration A federal judge last month ordered the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey County and St. Paul to do more listening to community concerns about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT). After the first of two scheduled meetings last week to address the judge’s ruling, it still remains unclear […]
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From the decision of Donovan W. Frank U.S. District Judge January 26, 2011
“The Court has concluded that the FEIS [Final Environmental Impact Statement] was deficient in its consideration of lost business revenue as an adverse impact of the construction of the CCLRT… “The Court recognizes the validity and magnitude of Plaintiffs’ concerns with respect to the impact that the CCLRT Project could have on the previously disrupted […]
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Contentment is a nice home and few needs
Cecilia Holmes -Photo by James L. Stroud, Jr. “I’m glad there’s no Black people in the building,” Cecilia Holmes flatly states, staring at with me a concentrated gaze and a perfectly straight face. It may sound like a bigoted statement, but Holmes, who is Black herself, doesn’t say this because she thinks White people are […]
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Mpls firefighters share tricks of trade with Kenyans
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer (seated l-r) Wallace Jackman (second from left), Minneapolis City Council Member Gary Schiff, MFD Chief Alex Jackson, Eldoret Fire Chief Olweny Ouma, Retired Judge LaJune Lange, and Eldoret City Council Member Stanislas Ondimu. MFD mechanic Dave Van Patter is standing behind Jackman; Assistant Chief Dave DeWall is standing behind Jackson; […]
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Stormy Weather movie party spotlights Black Hollywood
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Penumbra Theatre Education Director Sarah Bellamy will discuss the film with Stephanie Curtis. -Photo courtesy of Sarah Bellamy “I’m hoping that people leave feeling like this is one of the great American movies,” says Stephanie Curtis, who will emcee a screening of Stormy Weather this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) […]
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This Week’s Spotlights
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com Sun.-Mon., Feb. 27-28, 7 pm: Jason Marsalis Quartet Tickets are $20. Wed.-Thurs., Mar. 2-3, 7 pm: Glen David Andrews Tickets are $20. Guthrie Theater 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224 or www.guthrietheater.org Feb. 10 — Mar. 6: Penumbra Theatre Company presents Ma Rainey’s […]
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Proposed state bill draws Black ire
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter (l) and Rep. Rena Moran both oppose the bill. Current state law that says children have to be at least age 14 before being charged as adults. However, a new bill is being considered that, if passed, would allow a judge to certify […]
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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: ‘Wilson delivers a jaw-dropping kick in the gut’
Theater Review By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of the Gutherie Theater Last time Penumbra Theatre Company did August Wilson’s hallmark drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, all, to say the least, did not go well. In fact, it was a train wreck. Company member Terry Bellamy, playing the lead, “Levee,” tossed in a line […]
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Diversity woven into national LGBT conference
News Analysis By Stephani Maari Booker Community Editor A workshop entitled “The Pink Elephant in the Room: White Privilege and Racism Within the Queer Community” packed a room with over 60 people. Local activist Farheen Hakeem led a “Fighting Islamophobia and Homophobia” workshop. Roxanne Anderson, local LGBT activist and conference organizer -Photos by Misha Oneby […]
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What’s happened to Minnesota Nice?
Opinion By Joel Franklin Guest Commentator The Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill to certify fourth graders as adults and lock them up in adult prisons. I am one of the numerous African American spectators who attended the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee hearing last Thursday. First, I am offended and […]
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Black museum back in governor’s bonding bill
Future home of the Minnesota African American Museum Two weeks ago, the proposed African American museum was “mistakenly” left out of Gov. Mark Dayton’s $1 billion state bonding proposal. This week, after “An open letter to Governor Mark Dayton” critical of the omission appeared in the MSR’s Feb. 3 issue, the museum is now included […]
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MSR staff writer receives media award for coverage of women in sports
Charles Hallman received his award surrounded by family members Charles James Hallman (l) and Rev. Marchelle Hallman. By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer Last week, the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership organized and sponsored Minnesota’s 25th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration in a packed State Capitol Rotunda in […]
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North Mpls gains teacher-run French immersion school
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A new K-2 elementary school will open this fall on Minneapolis’ North Side. It’s a unique reversal in the recent trend of closing elementary and middle schools in the area. Pierre Bottineau French Immersion is the first school to open in Minnesota under a new state site-governed school law passed […]
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MPS superintendent supports North High Coalition
Scott Redd: “We really want the community to be proud of the decisions and for us to support each other.” By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Despite an earlier call for its demise, North High School’s supporters insist it is alive and moving forward. “North is open, first and foremost,” proclaims Marcus Owens, a spokesperson for […]
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Exceptional Mpls 8th Ward leadership recognized
Paradise Garden cultivators (l-r) Samariah Shabazz, Kathleen Sullivan, Silvia Rojas, John Xavier and Saleemah Shabazz with Council Member Glidden, second from left Elizabeth Glidden and Sandra Smith –Photos by Kristine Heykants By Andrea Jenkins Contributing Writer The Fifth Annual Eighth Ward Community Leadership Awards were presented at the monthly event “Early Mornings with Elizabeth” January […]
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‘Ban the box’ advocates could help ex-offenders find legal employment
Former governor Al Quie (l) and Sondra Samuels (r) of the PEACE Foundation joined ex-offenders in advocating for Second Chance legislation. Kathy Sublett DeAngelo Chester James Cannon -photos by Charles Hallman The State Capitol rotunda was packed both with politicians and ex-offenders, speaking last week on the importance of second chances. “I don’t see the […]
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Report links racial equity with a vigorous MN economy
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Jermaine Toney is lead researcher for the Organizing Apprenticeship Project. -Photo by Charles Hallman The Minnesota legislature and Governor Mark Dayton are now debating how to solve a $6.2 billion budget deficit. However, a new Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP) report says that racial equity and the state’s long-term economic vitality […]