The African American Civil War Museum in Washington reopened Sept. 30 after a multiyear renovation, with expanded exhibition space and more than 200 new artifacts. Descendants of U.S. Colored Troops joined the ceremony to share the stories behind the names.
Black history
Posted inArts + Culture
“What We Inherit” exhibit at St. Thomas traces 1838 Jesuit slave sale and the work of repair
A traveling exhibit at the University of St. Thomas traces the 1838 Jesuit sale of 314 enslaved people and the repair work descendants and Jesuits are doing together. Descendant Monique Trusclair Maddox calls it “an American story.”
Posted inEducation
The unforgettable impact of Ruby Hurley
Before she investigated racial terrorism in the Deep South or built a youth movement of 25,000 NAACP members, Ruby Hurley stepped up in 1939 to give world-renowned singer Marian Anderson a stage at the Lincoln Memorial. Discover the history of the unsung civil rights giant.
Posted inPolitics
Trump Administration Shelves Harriet Tubman $20 Bill Plan
The Trump administration has shelved plans to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill while pushing forward a $250 bill featuring Trump himself. The contrast drew swift criticism from lawmakers who’ve pushed the Tubman redesign since 2015.
Posted inEvents
Your Guide to Juneteenth 2026 Events Across Minnesota
From Soul of the Southside in Minneapolis to Opal’s Walk for Freedom in St. Paul and celebrations in St. Cloud, Winona, Marshall and beyond, here is your comprehensive guide to Juneteenth 2026 events across Minnesota.
Posted inLocal & State
100 Years of Service and Legacy: Honoring Dr. John M. Warren Sr.
Dr. John M. Warren Sr., one of the first African American podiatrists in Minnesota and a WWII Navy veteran, celebrated his 100th birthday on May 2, 2026, surrounded by family and friends in New Hope.
Posted inBooks
The Black lawyer history forgot
Norma Adams-Wade explores the forgotten legacy of attorney Joseph Edwin Wiley Sr., founder of Dallas’s historic Mill City community, through the unpublished memoir of 105-year-old Pearl Etta McVey-Guthrie.
Posted inLocal & State
Rest in Power: Minnesota Loses a True Warrior in Yusef Mgeni
Yusef Mgeni obituary honors the Black Minnesota historian, community organizer and St. Paul NAACP leader whose generational legacy will echo for decades to come.
Posted inOpinion
Why a rumor about the Iran war and Black safety feels so real
The Iran Black Americans viral claim is unverified but resonates because of a documented history of solidarity rhetoric and a deeper truth about Black safety in America.
Posted inEducation
St. Paul’s Benjamin E. Mays school to launch afrocentric program this fall
St. Paul Benjamin E. Mays Afrocentric program launches this fall in the Rondo neighborhood, teaching through Black history and centering African American student excellence.
Posted inOpinion
Selma was not just history, it was a warning
The Selma Bloody Sunday legacy continues to shape modern civil rights movements and discussions about protest and state power.
Posted inEducation
Professor examines lives of enslaved people in Spain, Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico
A Macalester lecture on transatlantic bondage explored the lives of enslaved Africans in Spain, Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico through new historical research.
Posted inSports
Committee Sports Group Highlights Black Coaches and Athletes During Black History Month
Committee Sports Group used Black History Month to highlight Black coaches and athletes and their historic accomplishments across the sports world.
Posted inBlack History
Fifty years of Black progress and paradox
Black progress and racial disparities Minnesota reflect decades of advancement tempered by persistent wealth, education and justice gaps.
Posted inBlack History
Pilgrim Baptist remains faithful to legacy and mission
Pilgrim Baptist Church Minnesota history traces its founding by freedom seekers in 1863 and its lasting role as a spiritual and civic anchor in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.
Posted inBlack History
Dred Scott vs Sanford, inflamed slavery debate with Midwest roots
The Dred Scott Supreme Court decision reshaped the nation’s slavery debate. Scott’s time at Fort Snelling in Minnesota is often overlooked.
Posted inOpinion
Erasing exhibits will never erase Black history
Erasing Black history from public exhibits has raised concerns about censorship, truth, and collective memory.
Posted inBlack History
‘Our First Bus Ride’ brings Hale-Field school integration history to life
Black history Minneapolis school integration is explored in a new children’s book recounting the 1971 Hale-Field Elementary bus ride.
Posted inBlack History
Meet Charlotte Ray, first licensed African American woman lawyer
Charlotte Ray became the first Black woman licensed to practice law in the United States after overcoming racism and sexism in the 19th century.
Posted inBlack History
Rooted in history, rising in STEAM
Black Americans remain underrepresented in STEAM fields. These four trailblazers show how representation, access, and mentorship can inspire future innovators.