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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inLynx/WNBA, Sports
It’s WNBA Draft time!
The perennially underreported WNBA Draft is Thursday. It typically is barely discussed by the sports media, unlike the exhaustedly long NFL and oft-overhyped NBA drafts. “I think the draft has definitely been talked about more over the years,” ESPN’s LaChina Robinson told the MSR during the April 6 pre-draft media call. “Even this call right now — […]
Posted inSports
Let’s get ready to rumble — boxing returns to the Armory
Boxing, for the first time since 1973, returns to the Minneapolis Armory this Friday. The building in its heyday was the regular home for pro and amateur boxing — Sugar Ray Robinson among others once fought there and it once housed the five-time NBA champions Minneapolis Lakers before they “caught the last train for the […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Minneapolis professor faces 90-day deportation deadline
Augsburg University Professor Mzenga Wanyama and his wife, Mary Namalwa Mzenga, were given a 90-day deadline to either show a path to legalization or leave the country after meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 5. A group of around 100 supporters met Wanyama and his wife when they arrived for their check-in, […]
Posted inBulletin
St. Paul recognizes winners of second annual business awards
On April 5, the St. Paul City Council announced the winners of the Second Annual St. Paul Business Awards. The eight winners, and all the nominees and other businesses who choose to operate in St. Paul, were celebrated at the City Council meeting on April 11 with a reception following. The St. Paul Business Awards […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
‘Chappaquiddick’: Damning docudrama revisits Kennedy cover-up
On July 18, 1969, Sen. Ted Kennedy (Jason Clarke) hosted a reunion in a rented cottage on Chappaquiddick, a tiny island just 150 yards off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The gathering was in honor of the Boiler Room Girls, a half-dozen women who had worked on his late brother Bobby’s aborted presidential campaign the […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Pioneering coach reflects on storied career
Louis J. Moore is the president of the Major Taylor Bicycle Club, which attests to his youthful exterior at 70-plus years of age. The majority Black club annually takes intra-state and cross-country bike trips. “We have a very diverse group of people” of members, said Moore. In addition to his time with Major Taylor, Moore […]
Posted inSports
Ohio State AD takes a fast round of questions
Gene Smith is a rarity, a Black man in charge of sports in a position that is nearly 90 percent held by Whites. He has been a Division I college athletic director for over three decades. Forbes Magazine once called Smith one of college sport’s most powerful persons. Ohio State hired him in 2005 and he […]