By Saciido Shaie Founder and president of Ummah Project Once upon a time Somalia was the land of poets. It was the land that people far and wide traveled to just for vacations. We had a good government, an atmosphere that was peaceful, and people that treated one another as though they were blood. Somewhere along […]
Special Editions
Each year the MSR recognizes and celebrates MLK Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth and Black Music Month. In this space, find stories pertaining to each special edition as categorized.
Posted inSpecial Editions
Make America Great — Again?
A poem by Michael Chaney Project Sweetie Pie founder/executive director
Posted inSpecial Editions
My dream for the community
By Dr. Artika R. Tyner Associate vice president for Diversity & Inclusion, University of Saint Thomas My dream for the community is for each individual to discover the leader within. This begins by recognizing that we all have the transformative power within our hands to make a difference in the world. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther […]
Posted inMSR Legacy Archives
We must all do our part to pursue justice
By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD Carleton B. Crutchfield, Esq. Christopher E. Crutchfield, Esq. In his famous April 4, 1967 speech opposing the war in Vietnam, Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “The arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.” Today more than 50 years since his famous speech, our children are growing up […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inSpecial Editions
Thinking about dreaming
By Mary Turck Adjunct faculty member at Macalester College and Metropolitan State University and former editor of TC Daily Planet Hard to think about dreams after the election — nightmares dominate, 24/7. Thinking about dreams, I remember Langston Hughes: Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTO OF THE WEEK | Dancing on the Legacy Boat Cruise!
Hundreds gathered on the Legacy Boat Cruise, Saturday, August 6 to set sail down the St. Croix. In this photo, Kathy Washington found her groove on the dance floor as KMOJ’s QBear played a mix of old school favorites. Look for more photos and video in days to come.
Posted inPhoto Galleries
From the MSR Legacy Archives | Prince at age 20
To say that Warner Brother’s recording artist Prince is a musical prodigy is almost an understatement. Before he turned 20, Prince had sold nearly three million records. He had recorded three LPs, playing all the instruments and writing and singing all the songs himself. And he’d gotten his first number one single — “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
Posted inBlack History Month
Beverly Cottman educates and inspires through storytelling
“I want young people to learn and tell stories about themselves, about who they are and who they will become,” said Beverly Cottman, also known as “Auntie Beverly.”
Posted inNews
From slave ships to Black Lives Matter: Nation’s newest Smithsonian to tell story of African Americans
Anticipation builds as the museum, opening in September 2016, prepares to receive visitors from around the world.
Posted inBlack History Month, Sports
Maritza McClendon made history and still makes a difference
Maritza Correia later made history as the first Black female swimmer to break an American swim record, as well as the first Black woman to make the U.S. Olympic swim team.
Posted inNews
Riled by Glass Ceilings: Perseverance, skill credited for historic growth in Black female entrepreneurship
Given the pioneering success of Madam C. J. Walker, America’s first self-made Black woman millionaire, people wanted to know how she got started in business ownership only decades after the end of slavery in America.
Posted inBlack History Month, Opinion
Black History Month serves not only to educate, but to inspire
Carter G. Woodson was born in Virginia, 10 years after the fall of the Confederacy. Working as a sharecropper and a miner, he rarely had time to attend school until the age of 20. He would devote the rest of his life to study, becoming known as “The Father of African American History.”
Posted inNews
Donald J Patterson, a father to the neighborhood
Donald J. Patterson is proud to call the north side home. Born on November 26, 1948, to William Alonzo Patterson and Geraldine (Davis-Patterson) Reese, he was the third child of eight, with six brothers and one sister.
Posted inNews
Dr. Hallie Hendrieth Smith, a trailblazer in education
Being bypassed for a secretarial job at a local department store proved a blessing not only for Dr. Hallie Hendrieth Smith, but also the children of Minneapolis, especially those of color.
Posted inNews
Gladys Brewton has led a full life, with no signs of slowing down
Gladys Brewton, the 86-year-old matriarch of the Myers family, 30-year resident of St. Paul, and all around hands-on individual, is still at it.
Posted inNews
Vivian Jenkins-Nelsen: a modern day renaissance woman
The dictionary’s definition of a renaissance person — someone who is well-educated, sophisticated, and talented and knowledgeable in many fields of study — describes Vivian Jenkins-Nelsen to a tee.
Posted inBulletin
2016 Black History Month Calendar of Events
February is Black History Month. Below we’ve compiled a list of events happenings around the Twin Cities and beyond to honor and celebrate the contributions of African Americans. Also, make sure to look for our special Black History Month print editions on newsstands February 4 and February 25.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” — Marcus Garvey
Posted inNews
Former Mass. Gov. Patrick keynotes MLK Breakfast
Monday morning, January 18, at 7 am, former two-time governor of Massachusetts and author Deval Patrick delivered the keynote speech for the 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Posted inNews
PHOTOS | Protesters march for justice on MLK Day
On Monday, January 18, two groups totaling around 50 people marched on both the St. Paul and Minneapolis sides of the Lake Street Bridge. The groups converged on the bridge for a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.