For the first time in six years, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) saw graduation rates rise above 70 percent. Nearly 73 percent of Minneapolis students graduated within seven years. It is the highest seven-year graduation rate on record for the school system, which is substantial given the diverse student populations MPS serves. The average four-year graduation rate across the district’s 10 largest high schools rose to 72 percent. District-wide, the four-year graduation rate was […]
Post
Posted inBulletin
Sistas honored at 10th annual celebration
The Twin Cities Steppers Association, led by Kevin Johnson, hosted the 10th Annual Celebrating the Sistas event on March 3 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Minneapolis. The event recognizes and honors the community service of 15 remarkable women. The keynote speaker for this year’s program was Dr. Josie R. Johnson, who received the 2018 Governor Dayton’s MLK […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Northside’s ‘economic engine’ is revving up
The Penn Avenue-Plymouth Avenue quadrant is two-thirds close to completion. Thor Companies’ $36 million headquarters on the southeast corner of Plymouth and Penn recently had a “topping off” ceremony, Vice-President of Development and Investment D’Angelos Svenkeson told the MSR last week. The 92,000-square-foot retail and office complex and a 620-stall parking facility are in its […]
Posted inObituaries
Mattie Garceni Davis
May 1, 1934 — March 20, 2015 Today marks three years since the Lord whispered in your ear and held your hand telling you that it’s time to come home. The day that God blessed and granted you your wings. Our hearts remain full of the remembrance of the love and joy that you gave […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
Local student photographer inspired by D.C. gun control rally experience
Over 200,000 students gathered in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 24 to protest the lack of gun control in the U.S. More than a march, the event was a movement that was driven, organized, and orchestrated by a group of fearless leaders who just happen to be in their teens. As the Bible says, “a […]
Posted inObituaries
Diana Janise “Diane” Puckett
December 5, 1939 — March 22, 2018 Diana Janise “Diane” Puckett was called home to glory on Thursday, March 22, 2018, surrounded by family. Diane was born to Robert and Georgia Martin on December 5, 1939 in St. Joseph, Missouri; she was one of 10 children. The family relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1950. Diane graduated […]
Posted inSports
Media treatment of two Black coaches reflect color-coded reality
Two Black head coaches made news within hours of each other last weekend. One coach had to offer a mea culpa for their post-game remarks, while the other spoke passionately about a longstanding issue. Leonard Hamilton (Florida State) and Felisha Legette-Jack (Buffalo) this year both led their respective squads to historic season runs. Hamilton’s men’s […]
Posted inLocal & State, News, Photo Galleries
Local protesters join nationwide call for action against gun violence
Thousands of young people marched through the streets of St. Paul on Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence. After the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland, Florida, students of the school began organizing March for Our Lives, which grew into over 800 events worldwide. At the […]
Posted inOpinion
U.S. preference for who gets the drone — Is race a factor in the decision?
On February 18, federal prosecutors in Minnesota announced charges against three men Vsama Dawich Haamade, 53; his brother, Issam Darwich Hamade, 55; and Samin Ahmed Berro, 64 for conspiring to illegally export drone aircraft technology to Hezbollah, which the U.S. government defines as a “terrorist organization.” But Russia is also an enemy of the U.S. government […]
Posted inLocal & State, News, Photo Galleries
Protesters press for justice for all victims of police killings
In response to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s decision to charge Officer Mohamed Noor in the shooting death of Justine Damond, 13 community organizations gathered for an event to demand justice for all victims of police shootings in the Twin Cities and beyond. Around 40 people gathered for a rally at the Hennepin County Government […]
Posted inOpinion
Low-wage workers willing to take ‘consequences’ of higher wages
St. Paul City Council President Amy Brendmoen told members of ISNow, “We need to pause and take the time to answer basic questions about how a wage increase would affect workers before making any decisions.” Yet, why doesn’t the councilwoman tell the healthcare industry, landlords, colleges, and universities — those that are swimming in profits […]
Posted inOpinion
New Black women leaders staking claim to the future
All too often, our “history” month turns into a tribute to the past. And while the past is an important place to lift up it is, indeed, a tributary, a stream that flows into the larger stream of an unbounded future. The future must always be greater than the present, or there has been no […]
Posted inOpinion
Whites comprise nation’s highest number of teachers
Students of color need to see more educators of color I spent most of my first year of grad school sitting in the back row of class with my hood up. There were nearly 40 of us in the cohort. Two were Black. My hoodie was an act of silent dissent. Today, I completely understand […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
The Interrupter: a life of service to youth
Principal aimed to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline Young lives matter. Theresa Neal, retiring Como Park High School principal, spent a career passionately committed to putting that assertion into practice. For just shy of 40 years she was hands-on practicing her life’s motto: Service over self to support and sustain the quality of life for youth, children, families, […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Theater
Designer creates magic through costumes
Have you ever stopped to think about how important clothes are? Have you ever wondered what causes someone to wear a certain sweater or dress? What would you wear when spending the day with someone special? These are just a few questions that costume designers think of when creating the looks for characters we see […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
African Americans and Africans dialogue inspired by ‘Black Panther’
Shut up and listen: Conclusion of a four-part series Sheletta Brundidge has made a living talking — from TV, radio and as a standup comedian, you name it, she’s done it. But after being blown away by Black Panther, Brundidge decided to enlist other voices in the community to unpack the power and reach of […]
Posted inOpinion
Recognizing our mutual responsibilities
A monthly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. A dialogue on personal and community accountability Vina: I remember the night well. It was December 19, 2014, a Friday night. I had just wrapped up a phone call with my friend and colleague Kevin Reese, […]
Posted inObituaries
Fred “Freddie” L. Estes
Fred “Freddie” L. Estes February 21, 1933 – March 8, 2018 Fred L. Estes, was born in Baxter Springs, Kansas on February 21, 1933 and passed away on March 8, 2018, at the age of 85. Freddie will be remembered for his love of God, dedication to his family, church, community and his beautiful singing. […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
New poll shows how generations differ over health issues
The Center for Prevention, a Blue Cross Blue Shield program funded last September through proceeds from the organization’s historic lawsuit against the tobacco industry, surveyed 1,235 state residents across four generations: Baby Boomers (ages 53-71), Gen X (ages 37-52), Gen Y (ages 18-36) and Gen Z (ages 13-17). They found over half of all Minnesotans […]