As I lay in an Intensive Care Unit at Abrazo Arizona Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona in January, I said to myself, “I can’t go out like this. The Super Bowl is February 4 in my town, Minneapolis, and the Vikings could be in it. And the Timberwolves are sure to be a playoff team for the […]
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Standing your ground: YWCA program helps teens navigate sexual coming-of-age
It’s hard to save teenagers from themselves; there’s only so much even the most conscientious parents can do once all that sexually charged energy is out the door for the day or evening. When adolescents are left to their own devices, it looks like parental options are to wring their hands, keep the porch light […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
The Purple Current honors Prince’s diverse and enduring legacy
Minnesota Public Radio’s (MPR) The Current now has a new 24-hour stream dedicated to Prince’s rich musical legacy. The new stream, Purple Current, launched at 12:01 am on Friday, April 6 and joins Local Current (all-Minnesota music), Radio Heartland (acoustic, American and roots music) and Rock the Cradle (music for kids) — all four streams are […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
People of color cry foul on Census 2020
Underfunding, citizenship question suggest political motives More than likely, Congress will soon approve a new citizenship question to be added to the 2020 U.S. Census. A coalition of organizations that primarily work with communities of color and immigrant communities sees this as having a potentially adverse effect on their constituents. Last week, Minnesota joined 16 […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
‘Missing voices’ slow progress toward true equity
First of a three-part story The United States is becoming more segregated both politically and socially than it has been in many years. A recent conference aimed at slowing this drift identified as one significant obstacle the groups who tend to be absent from such discussions. What’s needed to advance efforts toward true diversity, equity […]
Posted inOpinion
Fair Housing Act: a milestone on the journey to equality
A half-century ago, the Fair Housing Act was enacted to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, creed and national origin. The law also supported the National Association of Real Estate Brokers’ (NAREB) efforts to increase Black homeownership, which we believe serves to increase wealth and other economic outcomes for Black Americans. We have since […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music, Remembering Prince
Paint the town purple — Prince events in the Twin Cities and beyond
The Twin Cities and beyond will be awash in purple this week as Prince fans mark the two-year anniversary of the music legend’s April 21, 2016 passing. The University of Minnesota symposium and panel discussions are at capacity, but there’s still plenty to do to celebrate the Purple One’s legacy. Below we’ve compiled a list of a […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
‘U Have the Right’ sounds the alarm on teen rape
U Have the Right (a CD from the High School for the Recording Arts, 2002) stands any test of time. Created and performed by teens, it is spoken word prose-poetry no less significant or artistically sound than such social commenters as Sha Cage, E. G. Bailey and Truth Maze. To this day, U Have the […]
Posted inSister Spokesman, Sister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman presents “Black Excellence: the HBCU Experience (video)
On Saturday, April 7, Sister Spokesman attendees gathered at Northside Achievement Zone in Minneapolis to discuss the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and learn about college resources and services. The panelists consisted of Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, an HBCU alum; Annette Lee of HBCU College Tour, and Aaliyah Hodge, a representative of Postsecondary […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
New non-profit helping mothers in Gambia, West Africa
Access to decent resources can be a luxury for families of Farafenni, a town in the Gambia in West Africa.
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
Music in the Zoo lineup features Chaka Khan, Buddy Guy, Black Violin and more
Today Sue McLean & Associates (SMA) announced the launch of the 26th Annual Music in the Zoo summer concert series. This year, the series features such legendary acts as blues giant Buddy Guy and R&B songstress Chaka Khan. Other notable acts include Black Violin, Michael Franti, Ziggy Marley, Keb’ Mo’, Los Lonely Boys, Rufus Wainwright […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
St. Paul’s first Black mayor feels uniquely positioned to serve
Second of two parts Shortly after he officially assumed his duties, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III received yet another reminder of his historic achievement as the city’s first Black mayor. “We were sitting there with” other newly elected Black mayors, incumbent Black mayors, and former Black mayors at a national mayors’ conference in Washington […]
Posted inOpinion
Remembering the Dreamer…50 years later
And reminding ourselves what we must do to fulfill his dream Last Wednesday, April 4, 2018, marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When I first sat down to contemplate this column, I envisioned it to be a personal reflection of what Dr. King meant, and still means to […]
Posted inBusiness, Opinion
Several options to reverse housing needs
When North Minneapolis was separated and isolated by highways it was a big deal, and similarly, we need big ideas and plans to reverse that tragedy in order to address the housing needs of the current and future residents. Below, I have listed some ideas that I thought about as long- and short-term solutions. They do […]
Posted inNews
Gone but not forgotten: four little girls killed in church bombing
Spike Lee’s film 4 Little Girls (1997) documented in vivid detail the events leading up to and following the September 15, 1963 bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Ku Klux Klan members placed bombs at the church, where, at the time, a strategy meeting was being held for local Blacks to […]
Posted inOpinion
In the matter of Terrance Franklin’s death by police
Five-year legal battle drawing to an end As this is written on April 2, 2018, it is 10 days prior to when the City of Minneapolis will meet in the Federal Court building with attorneys for the Terrance Franklin family for a settlement conference in the civil suit filed by the family regarding Terrance Franklin’s […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Glaucoma: Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent blindness
Glaucoma is the name for several ocular conditions that cause an increased and destructive pressure inside the eye. This elevated pressure produces damage to the optic nerve and, subsequently, vision loss. A common cause of increased pressure is when channels that normally drain fluid from the eyes get blocked, resulting in pressure building up inside the […]
Posted inBulletin
Find help for domestic abuse
MARPE’ (Greek for “inner healing”) supports women as they recover, heal, and thrive. No one deserves to be abused. Women dealing with domestic abuse are invited to enroll in the 2018 Spring MARPE’ program, a nine-week, nine-step women’s support and advocacy program of OASIS of Love Crisis Intervention Center. Get quality, confidential and free services […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
REVIEW: ‘All the Women in My Family Sing’
A powerful collection of stories revealing hurt and hope All the Women in My Family Sing: Women Write the World — Essays on Equality, Justice and Freedom (Nothing but The Truth, $16.95) showcases social commentary seldom heard. After all, who listens to females of color outside celebrity Oprah Winfrey or political firebrand Maxine Waters? Edited by Deborah […]
Posted inSports, Timberwolves/NBA
Thibodeau ‘proud’ of Timberwolves’ ‘fight’ to advance to the playoffs (audio)
The Minnesota Timberwolves came away with a 112-106 overtime victory against Denver Nuggets last night to advance to the playoffs — the team’s first playoff appearance in 14 years. Below, find audio of Larry Fitzgerald’s interview with coach Tom Thibodeau, who talks about the victory and what’s next for the team as they prepare to play […]