The Wood teen center in Brooklyn Park opens, offering youth new opportunities for growth, creativity and connection.
youth development
Posted inEducation
Rondo elder urges action on literacy
Rondo community elder Mary K. Boyd has dedicated her life to education and child development, drawing on decades of experience as a teacher, administrator and community advocate. Born and raised in the historic Rondo neighborhood, Boyd built a career shaped by connection, mentorship and a belief that every adult has the power to help children […]
Posted inLet them Rise
Disabling the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’
Richard D. Terrell breaks down how the school to prison pipeline impacts Black boys and offers real strategies for schools, families and communities to disable the system. His column calls for shifting from punishment to restoration so Black boys can rise.
Posted inLet them Rise
The state of Black boys in education
Black boys carry more than backpacks into classrooms. Through lived experience and data, educator Richard D. Terrell examines the inequities, brilliance, and potential of Black boys in America’s education system — and outlines a path forward.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Ujamaa Place helps Black men achieve holistic wellness
Ujamaa Place guides young African American men through a culturally grounded Theory of Transformation. Participants receive individualized coaching, mental health support, fitness and nutrition, and access to 37+ services that lead to housing, education, work, strong family ties, and no justice-system involvement. A digital music program with Walker West Music deepens healing and connection.
Posted inEvents
First Tee – Minnesota Opens 2025 Summer Registration, Announces Lineup of Youth Golf Events
First Tee – Minnesota has opened registration for its 2025 spring and summer programs, offering clinics and events at more than 20 locations across the state. The youth development nonprofit integrates golf instruction with life skills to empower young people, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to the game. “First Tee – Minnesota […]
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
A Conversation with Deane Brown, Educator and Coach Who Shaped Generations
In this week’s episode of Blacklight on Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with Deane Brown, a longtime educator and coach whose commitment to youth development has left an indelible mark on the Twin Cities community. For over two decades, Deane Brown has devoted his career to shaping the lives […]