this episode of Blacklight on Sports, host Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sits down with Johnny Allen Jr., founder of the JK Movement, a St. Paul youth development organization rooted in the Rondo community that has served young people for 15 years.
youth empowerment
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.
Posted inTracey’s Keepin' It Real
Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real Spotlights New Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO Marisa C. Williams
Marisa C. Williams joins Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real to discuss leadership, service, and her vision as CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys.
Posted inEducation
US-Ghana project strengthens grassroots leadership
Through a Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange, Felix Larbi Appiah and Dr. Artika Tyner led a five-day leadership series in Greater Accra, training 111 participants in values-driven, justice-centered local governance and community engagement.
Posted inOpinion
Job Corps’ suspension is a devastating betrayal
The sudden closure of all 121 Job Corps centers in May 2025 displaced more than 25,000 youth, many of whom had already survived foster care, homelessness, or unstable homes. This piece explores how the shutdown sent a devastating message — that even systems designed to help can disappear without warning.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Ujamaa Place tackles economic disparities in the Twin Cities
Ujamaa Place is transforming the lives of young Black men in St. Paul by providing education, employment support, and life coaching. Through a holistic model rooted in cultural identity, the organization helps participants build stable, purpose-driven futures.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Crystal Flint: Champion for Girls’ Basketball and Community Empowerment
Crystal Flint, Minnesota basketball legend and community leader, reflects on her playing, coaching, and mentoring journey—from NCAA success to empowering youth in the Twin Cities.
Posted inEvents
Big Night, Big Futures: A gala celebrating youth mentorship
Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities will host its annual Big Night Gala on Friday, April 11, 2025, to celebrate the life-changing impact of mentorship for youth across the Twin Cities, with an evening of stories, live entertainment, and fundraising.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Turning dreams into reality for our youth of color
Khalique Rogers shares his experiences as a Black teenager excelling in internship programs and highlights the importance of mentorship and community investment to create opportunities for inner-city youth.
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 […]
Posted inLocal & State
The Man Up Club hosts anti-bullying symposium in Minneapolis
The Man Up Club is hosting an anti-bullying symposium and toy drive on December 23 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and ways to prevent it.