Five individuals have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the brutal death of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota, whose body was found in upstate New York after a month of relentless physical and psychological abuse.
Minnesota
Posted inMusic
Dante Coleman’s journey from Minneapolis to national touring DJ
Dante Coleman, also known as Dante’s Enferno, is a Minneapolis-based DJ who has carved out his own lane by adapting to any room and reading his audience’s vibe to create unforgettable sets.
Posted inBlack History
Radical Black Futures: Rewriting Liberation with AI and Cannabis
The African American Leadership Forum is hosting the Radical Black Futures Series: Rewriting Liberation with Codes and Cannabis, a two-day summit that aims to engage leading voices in technology, business, and policy to chart a course for economic security, racial justice, and generational wealth-building.
Posted inArtists
Art Meets Energy: “Everyone’s a Critic” Brings Live Art to Life
Everyone’s a Critic, the first live art critique event in Minneapolis, challenges artists and audiences alike to engage in a dynamic, interactive experience, redefining how we think about art.
Posted inBlack History
Celebrate Black History Month with Black Resistance Cookies
Cookie Cart is offering Black History Month cookies to honor the strength, resilience, and perseverance of Black communities and support their mission to empower young people of color through leadership development and job training.
Posted inLocal & State
Navigating Tax Season: What You Need to Know About Your 2025 Tax Refund
Tax season is in full swing, and the IRS expects around 140 million individuals to file by the April 15 deadline, with refunds available as early as 10 to 21 days after processing, and in some cases, refunds may be offset to cover debts such as unpaid federal or state taxes, child support, or student loans.
Posted inOdds and Ends
A Black woman coaching women is a privilege
Tasha Brown, UCLA assistant coach, emphasizes the importance of defense in her interactions with the team, and is proud of the collective effort of her coaching staff in making the Bruins the number-one team.
Posted inFinance
New data: Racial economic disparities remain persistent and severe
New data from LendingTree reveals significant racial economic disparities in the US, with Black households holding less wealth, income, and employment opportunities compared to white households, despite progress in some areas.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
DEI rollback threatens Black/Native health program
The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, funded by the CDC, aims to improve the health of Black and other residents of color in Minneapolis by addressing chronic disease prevention and vaccinations, with some uncertainty about future funding due to changes in federal funding policies.
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves: A Reunion Finally Within Reach
With Glen Taylor’s ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx coming to an end, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez’s takeover signals a potential shift in leadership, potentially leading to Kevin Garnett’s jersey retirement and reconnection with the franchise.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Four boys basketball coaches who made their mark
Four boys basketball coaches who made their mark
Posted inLocal & State
Turmoil, resignations, budget woes plague Robbinsdale School Board
Sharon Brooks resigned from the Robbinsdale School Board on February 3, 2025, following a period of controversy over funding and academic achievement in the district’s communities of color.
Posted inPolitics
Omar takes heavy flak for teaching immigrant rights
Rep. Ilhan Omar faced online backlash for a video where she emphasized key rights for individuals when approached by ICE, while Elon Musk’s department of government efficiency is facing legal challenges over its attempts to access sensitive federal payment systems.
Posted inBlack History
Penumbra premieres ‘Paradise Blue’
Penumbra Theatre’s production of “Paradise Blue” brings a powerful story of Black experiences in the ’50s to the stage, exploring themes of identity, survival, and gentrification, and resonating with urban communities.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota’s Cannabis Grants: Empowering Communities Affected by Prohibition
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is launching several grant programs to support communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, including the CanRenew Community Restoration Grant, which provides up to $1 million in funding for organizations that serve areas with high cannabis conviction rates.
Posted inBlack History
Minnesota Frost Honors Black History Month with Unity Game Celebration
The Minnesota Frost will celebrate Black History Month on February 23, 2025, with a night dedicated to honoring Black athletes, fans, and communities, featuring a unique design by artist Kezna Dalz and supporting Black Girl Hockey Club.
Posted inLocal & State
Anti-2025 MAGA protest joins others nationwide
The 50501 Movement and other activists have been protesting at state capitols across the country, opposing former President Donald Trump’s controversial 2025 policy plan, which they fear could dismantle civil rights protections and target marginalized communities.
Posted inLocal & State
Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol
Black business owners and supporters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol to discuss the power of cooperative economics and how to reclaim the legacy of economic independence in the Black community.
Posted inEducation
Cultural identity, not racialization, can free our children
Professor Mahmoud El-Kati of the Cultural Wellness Center has developed teachings to deconstruct the myth of race and form a new definition of self, with a focus on psychology, as exemplified by Minkara Tezet’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman builds on love, Black History Month
The “Love Connections: Embrace Self-Love & Build Great Relationships” event, hosted by Sister Spokesman, brought together dozens of attendees to discuss the importance of self-love and building fulfilling relationships through the law of attraction and mindfulness practices.