Minnesota is fifth among U.S. “high-debt states” where college student debt upon graduation on average has surpassed $30,000, says The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS). The 2014 project student debt report that TICAS released last November points out that in 2013 seven in 10 college graduates from public and private nonprofit colleges owe an average of $28,400 in student loans, up two percent from 2012.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
‘Fate’s Destiny’: A fresh take on God vs. Satan
First-time novelist Kyle S. Taylor strikes an interesting note right out of the gate with Fate’s Destiny, a new twist on the prospect of God and Satan coming to Earth in mortal form to war over the souls of humankind. We’ve seen the theme before with classic tales like Damn Yankees and The Devil and Daniel Webster as well as more recent turns such as Bruce Almighty and Bedazzled. Taylor, though, takes things to soulville.
Posted inHealth + Wellness, Opinion
Hair-bashing on the red carpet!
Curlies and more are “outraged” by a questionable comment made about a natural hairstyle worn at the 2015 Academy Awards red carpet. Here’s the kinky truth.
Posted inSports
Outstanding play in state boys’ basketball tournament
It was quite the state boys’ basketball tournament this past week at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Posted inArts + Culture
Keith gets a seriously rude awakening
As the driver pulled up to the building, Keith tossed him a fifty, breezed out of the cab, grabbed his gear and was glad to be home. “Mr. Jackson, welcome back,” Jesse fairly cried out. Then suddenly took it down a notch, his expression clouding over.
Posted inArts + Culture, Television
Another ‘180 Days’ brings more compelling stories
Jacquie Jones won a 2013 Peabody Award for 180 Days: A Year Inside an American High School that premiered on PBS. This time, the co-director, producer and executive producer tackles the educational challenges in a rural South Carolina town.
Posted inSports
Richfield, led by Adams, defeats Waconia in girls’ basketball sections
The plan was to watch Park Center, who defeated Fridley 694-24, and DeLaSalle — who outscored St. Paul 3AAA girls’ basketball semifinals and call it a Saturday afternoon.
So how did I end up at Waconia High School to watch Richfield upset the host 72-61 in the Section 6AAA quarterfinals?
Posted inEducation
Age 0 – 3 the focus of achievement gap forum
On March 5, North Minneapolis’ Phyllis Wheatley Community Center hosted Mayor Betsey Hodges’ Cradle to K Public Forum. Roughly 100 Minneapolis parents and community members gathered to voice concerns and add input to the city’s growing factors that contribute to the Minneapolis achievement gap between students of color and their Caucasian counterparts.
Posted inSports
The NFL Money $eason begins!
March 10 starts another season for the National Football League, and with the salary cap rising another modest $10 million times 32 teams, it’s only going to make it harder to win. Now, that’s a good thing because the teams and owners who are not in this to win are exposed.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Black officers become the police they wanted to see growing up
Among the nearly 60 recommendations of President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Task Force is the need to foster stronger relationships between police and the community. The president established the group in mid-December. Locally, some police officers have long recognized the value of such positive police-community interactions.
Well before recent police shootings involving Black males in Minneapolis and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the task force’s March 2 report “[called] upon law enforcement to embrace the mindset that they are part of the community [and] put in place programs designed to promote positive interactions between police and communities.”
Posted inArts + Culture
Keith heads home to get hitched
For something being thrown together on the fly, this video shoot was coming together quite well, thank you. Sheridan’s office was issuing a press release announcing the forthcoming album UTC. During the recording, the photographer had taken a ton of publicity photos. And, of course, there’d be stills from the shoot.
Posted inLocal & State, Opinion
Police officer shot in North Minneapolis
The shooting and wounding of African American police officer Jordan Davis, at 5:30 am Saturday, February 21, 2015, had all the possibilities of creating significant tension and conflict. Andrew Neal, also African American, is in custody and charged in the shooting. Here’s the twist: Neal was a paid informant for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in the ’90s.
Posted inGophers/College, Sports
March Madness — it’s more than hoops
Local sistahs shine
The media named Minnesota sophomore center Amanda Zahui B. the conference Player of the Year. She and Northwestern sophomore forward and Hopkins graduate Nia Coffey are two of nine Black players named Monday on the 10-player All-Big Ten first team.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Chocolate Chick’s self-affirming statements combat culture of disrespect
Chocolate Chick Apparel gives new, improved meaning to attractively sweet and sassy, a boutique clothing line that specializes in simple, eye-catching fare that compliments the African American female.
Posted inSports
Adams leads Como Park to first-ever Twin Cities title
St. Paul Como Park point guard Andrayah Adams showed everyone why she was one of the state’s top girls’ basketball players as she led the Cougars to a 70-65 overtime victory over Minneapolis Washburn in the Twin City championship game last Saturday.
Posted inLocal & State
Is MPR for Black folk?
After nearly six months as Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) program director, veteran newsman Jonathan Blakley is overseeing “a variety of new podcasts [and] new voices.”
MPR isn’t just for the so-called purists, stated Blakley in a recent MSR interview at MPR’s St. Paul headquarters. His overall goal since assuming his duties last November is to bring fresh voices over its airwaves as well as to help dispel the oft-entertained notion among many Blacks and other people of color that public radio is too highbrow for them.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Jazz series part III: Spotlight on Stanley Clarke
His sound is unmistakable. He’s an artist, performer, arranger and film score maker. He’s a jazz-fusion pioneer. His latest recording is Grammy nominated, and if he wins, it will be Stanley Clarke’s fifth in his legendary career that spans as many decades.
Posted inSports, Vikings/NFL
Judge ends Peterson suspension
It was just what Adrian Peterson was looking for — finally some love from Minnesota. And Federal Judge David Doty did that when he issued his ruling on the suspension handed down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Time to take care of business
Keith sat there much relieved watching TV with Sam gently snoring on his shoulder. Sorely tempted, but relieved. And nibbled pretzels.
Once he was sure she was asleep, Keith eased out from under her. Went over to the bed and quietly picked up the guitar. Did an old jam his dad had taught him. An hysterical old ditty by Jim Croce.
Posted inNews
U of M crime alerts revised to reduce use of race
University of Minnesota Black students and other students of color historically have not felt as welcomed on campus as their White counterparts, according to a new report. A school “Campus Climate Report” was released in January, and the key points included: “The campus would feel more welcoming for students of color if they saw more people like themselves on our campus,” and “Students are often unaware” of university activities and resources “to promote a positive campus climate, assist students, and advance diversity.”