There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2017-18 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: senior gymnasts Ciara Gardner and Jalon Stephens Gymnastics is a sport where its participants usually […]
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Posted inSports
‘Fab Five’ prep stars of the week
This week’s “Fab Five” photos feature a girls’ basketball player who signs a National Letter of Intent (Haley Moore), a boys’ basketball player who recently reached the 1,000 point mark (Cire Mayfield), the leading scorer for her basketball team (Monique Wooten), a former prep star leading his college team (Harry Sonie), and a valued contributor […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Take 6 and Manhattan Transfer joust in fun at the Ordway
Two Grammy Award-winning groups — one delivering four-part harmonies as the quartet Manhattan Transfer, and the other being one of the most versatile a cappella groups in the music business as sextet Take 6 — performed live to a sold-out auditorium at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul on Feb. 15. […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Black History Month, Special Editions, Television
Remembering trailblazing playwright and writer Lorraine Hansberry
On Broadway (1959), in movie houses (1961), and afterward on television, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun increasingly held Black audiences — as well as White — rapturously spellbound. As hasn’t been done since, the American landmark helped usher this nation into the civilized world. The August Wilson of her day, Hansberry’s phenomenally unprecedented success came by […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Black Pearl ‘intimate discussions’ give voice to the plight of Black men
Black Pearl, LLC kicked off its first “An Intimate Discussion with Black Men” gathering on February 15, with the goal of dissecting the current experiences and history of Black men in America. Established in 2016 by local power couple Marques Armstrong, president and CEO of Hope & Healing Counseling Services, and Civil Rights Attorney Nekima Levy-Pounds, […]
Posted inBulletin
MnDOT closing 38th Street bridge and five ramps
As a part of 35W@94, the Downtown to Crosstown project on I-35W between 43rd Street and downtown Minneapolis, the 38th Street bridge over I-35W is scheduled to close in late-February/early-March for reconstruction and will remain closed through mid-summer 2018. Bridge closed March 2 through Aug. 38th St. bridge closed over I-35W Intersections of Stevens Ave. and […]
Posted inBlack History Month, Special Editions
NASA celebrates legacy of first Black American astronaut
Fifty years ago, a tragic accident ended the groundbreaking career of Major Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., a Chicago native and stellar Air Force pilot who became America’s first Black astronaut. On December 8, 2017 — the 50th anniversary of his death — NASA honored his often-ignored legacy and contributions to the agency. Earlier this year, […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Who reads – and doesn’t read – Nutrition Facts food labels?
U of M School of Public Health study explores frequency and use Almost every packaged food product has a Nutrition Facts label listed on the back, giving consumers a glimpse of what they’re actually eating. It can help Americans make healthier food choices, but recent research from the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and Medical School reveals that […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Gene research offers hope for those with brain disorders
Doctors are getting a much better understanding of the causes of mental illness and other brain disorders. Researchers, for the first time, are discovering the genes that are active in different types of common neurologic diseases. Let’s first review some common neurologic disorders: Research scientists have come to a better understanding of many brain (neurologic) […]
Posted inSports, Timberwolves/NBA
Players actually competed in 67th NBA All-Star game
LOS ANGELES – It’s not every day in an All-Star game you see millionaire NBA stars diving for loose balls and playing with heart. Last year’s All-Star game (192-182) was two hours of watching superstars play matador defense and pick up a check. Well, this year, the 67th edition, that changed; these stars, some with […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Black history exhibit just scratches the surface
In the basement of the Hennepin County Government Center, two stories beneath the main entrance, you’ll come off the escalator and walk into the gallery, which is currently featuring the Black History in Minnesota 101 exhibit. The exhibit is on display until March 28, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 6 pm. The exhibit […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
New EcoVillage offers ‘deep affordable housing’ to some Hawthorne families
Much more needed to address the crisis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference on February 6 to publicly announce the opening of a new 75-unit affordable housing complex in the Hawthorne Neighborhood on Minneapolis’ North Side. The new Hawthorne EcoVillage Apartments, located at 617 Lowry Avenue North, was developed by Project for Pride in […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Spiritual leaders called to unite against gun violence
Last week’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead needs to convince elected officials that gun violence in this country must be seriously addressed, says a national church leader. During a speaking visit in St. Paul, Bishop John Franklin White told the MSR, “If we don’t get a handle […]
Posted inGo Green
Brighten up your home with solar power: a few starter tips
Are you interested in powering your home with solar energy, but don’t know where to begin? The Minnesota Commerce Department offers a few starter tips. Before investing in solar, first, make sure you take advantage of some basic energy-saving home improvements. These include getting an energy audit, sealing air leaks, adding insulation, maintaining or upgrading […]
Posted inGo Green
Donate household items and get a tax break
Your big cleanup project is almost complete, and you’ve discovered some household items that you just don’t need or want anymore. They’re in decent shape, and you’d hate to throw them away. What do you do now? You could clean, price, and sell them at a garage sale, but that’s a lot of work and […]
Posted inGo Green
Hennepin County achieved near-zero Super Bowl waste to landfills
A lot of waste is created at large sporting events — about 40 tons of waste was created during a typical football game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The NFL and its partners focused on tackling the problem of waste during the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on Feb 4. The aim was to recycle and compost […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Television
‘Underground’ DVD: A nod to a short-lived television gem
Looking back on history, there’s an aspect of slavery to celebrate: the legendary underground railroad, which is done justice by short-lived but nonetheless noteworthy television series Underground (Sony DVD). Set on the fictitious Macon plantation in Georgia, this compelling drama is propelled by the cunning courage of seven souls making a desperate 600-mile run for […]
Posted inBlack History Month, MSR Legacy Archives
Elder perseveres through creativity and crafts
As Black America recounts how far it’s come, there is pride in culture and in accomplishments. One can see how the contributions and sacrifices of America’s Black seniors are woven throughout every part of the country’s history. Black History Month formalizes that recognition. The MSR recently sat down with senior Arie Gipson in her home […]
Posted inSports, Vikings/NFL
NFL player protests still hotly debated
The just-completed 2017 NFL season crowned a new champion after a season where player protests over the country’s racial inequities and injustices, by either taking a knee or raising a closed fist in the air during the national anthem, took place as well. A January 30 panel discussion during Super Bowl week at the University […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
REVIEW: Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ is near perfect
The Black Panther character was first introduced into the Marvel Studios pantheon back in 1966. The launch took place in the comic book “Fantastic Four Vol.1” issue 52. So why did it take 52 years for that character to make its solo debut on the silver screen? Well, apparently it takes five decades to make […]