The Music Amadou & Mariam with Worldwide Discotheque DJs Fri., June 28, 8 pm • Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls., 612-338-2674 or www.thecedar.org • Grammy Award-nominated musical duo from Mali are back by popular demand after their sold out Minnesota debut at The Cedar last summer. Vieux Farka Toure Tues., […]
June 2013
Posted inArts + Culture
This year’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival offers plenty of affordable, quality entertainment
This weekend June 27-29 the 15th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns to St. Paul’s Mears Park. And the best thing is it’s free! Festival goers can expect to experience a wide spectrum of music presented on four outdoor stages and in many local Downtown St. Paul venues. Headlining acts include the Kenny Werner Trio […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Twin Cities’ Own “Mint Condition” to perform at the 30th Annual Rondo Days Festival Celebration
R&B stalwarts Mint Condition will perform at the 30th Annual Rondo Days Festival Celebration on Saturday, July 20th at the Rondo Education Center’s Field at 560 Concordia Avenue in St. Paul. The festivities will begin with a 5K Walk & Run, a parade, and will be followed by the opening ceremonies featuring invited guests: Mayor […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Even back in New York, Keith could not escape Lesli’s reach
The only thing Keith hated worse than taking off in an airplane was touching back down in one. He’d done this dozens of times but still couldn’t get used to it. As the ground got bigger and drew closer, Keith wondered, every single time, what would happen if they don’t put the brakes on in […]
Posted inOpinion
Why government spying? Because you are the enemy!
The recent revelations that the government is storing all — that’s right, all — of our phone calls and emails and general communication ought to give us all cause to pause. Why would our government want to spy on everyone? Surely it is our friend! And why the indifference about it in the Black community? […]
Posted inOpinion
Equity director hired for Vikings stadium project
For communities of color, he is now the most significant player Congratulations to Alex Tittle on being appointed equity director for the Vikings stadium by the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority (MSFA), as announced Friday, June 14. Welcome, Mr. Tittle, to an historic task. A nine-year Army veteran (company commander and platoon leader) and interim director of […]
Posted inOpinion
Give African Americans a fair shot at success
An open letter to Governor Mark Dayton My name is Willie Johnson. I am not a politician, I am just a citizen. I have never written to a politician before. Sir, you are the first one. Personally, to me other governors before you lacked political luster. Jesse Ventura wasn’t bad as a governor, but […]
Posted inOpinion
Avoid the ‘Colored entrance’ to White-owned businesses
By Harry C. Alford Guest Commentator For the most part, corporate America employees are satisfied with their careers. There is usually a chart to review in terms of responsibility. Is the employee moving up the “ladder” and heading towards more executive responsibility? That is correlated with salary. The greater the responsibility, the greater the pay […]
Posted inNews
Minneapolis Civil Rights to post monitored construction projects online
Public now privy to who is meeting workforce goals and who is not By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department has made public the monitoring list of city-based construction projects. City of Minneapolis workforce goals are 32 percent minority and six percent female. “We will publish it monthly” on the department’s […]
Posted inNews
No candidates of color for Mpls Park Board elections
MPRB commissioners make ‘huge decisions’ affecting Black youth By Charles Hallman Staff Writer All nine Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)commissioner seats are up for election this fall. The group regularly makes fiduciary and other key decisions about the city parks, community centers, and other recreation activities. Although the candidate filing deadline is still over a […]
Posted inNews
Patrick Henry valedictorian sets her own course rather than follow the crowd
Her example refutes stereotype of young Black women By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer One has to wonder whence the next Michelle Obama will come. After all, it’s apt to be quite a while until we see another Black president — of either gender. In the First Lady’s wake, though, the national climate is set for […]
Posted inNews
Celebrating Fathers in the Twin Cities community
Honoring fathers in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul community was the focus of a series of activities June 8-16 hosted by Positive Image during its Annual Father’s Day Celebration. In addition to acknowledging the contributions of local fathers, a portion of the proceeds generated from the events provided scholarships to help minority young men attend college. […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Should more Black women decide to have natural births?
On June 5, 2013, I was blessed to have the experience of bringing a child into the world. Well, my wife did the majority of the work. I was more of a support. We were graced with the presence of a healthy baby girl. The journey to this joyous occasion was a process that I […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
What is melasma and why should I care?
Melasma is a condition where one develops dark brown and gray patches most notably on the forehead, upper lip, nose and cheeks. It can also occur on the forearms and neck. I consider melasma to be a very rapid, uneven suntan. Why should I care about melasma? Melasma is a condition that occurs in both men […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Somali parents struggle with trauma of childhood autism
New legislation promises more help for low-income families By Michelle Lawrence Contributing Writer “It’s an awesome feeling to change policy so that equality is from the get-go and from the gate for all kids. This new law/policy will help children on fee for service Medical Assistance and Managed Care who are mostly low-income and […]
Posted inSports
Final tributes to an inspirational coach
I only knew Charlie Coles through my high school basketball coach, Ed Rachel — the two were friends who regularly met and talked shop. I never met him in person but can only imagine that Coles, who died June 7 at age 71, is again talking shop with the late Rachel, who died a couple […]
Posted inSports
A great man honored – Local prep star memorialized with Stacy L. Robinson Field
The St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the Stacy’s Light Still Shines Committee dedicated the Jimmy Lee/Oxford Community Center football field in honor of the late great Stacy L. Robinson on Saturday, June 15. Robinson, another in the long list of great St. Paul-born super athletes including Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, Jack Morris, Joe Mauer […]
Posted inSports
All-around athlete excelled in many sports – Local prep star memorialized with Stacy L. Robinson Field
STACY ROBINSON, the former St. Paul Central football, basketball and track standout who went on to win two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, was honored a couple of weeks ago after a field was renamed after him. Robinson, who played as a youth at Jimmy Lee, died of multiple myeloma in May 2012 […]
Posted inSports
Mercury rookie Griner gets help from legends
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer While other reporters asked basketball-related questions during her first Twin Cities visit since 2011, the MSR instead asked 6’-8” Phoenix Mercury rookie center Brittney Griner about her musical tastes. During an earlier media conference call, Griner disclosed that she usually listens to Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” during her pre-game routine. […]