High schools pivot as University of Minnesota no longer hosts graduations
The U of M announced in October 2025 that it will no longer host high school commencement ceremonies, now high school’s are pivoting on graduation plans.
Recent Work
Strive Publishing & Bookstore centers Black voices
Founder Mary Taris builds a cultural hub rooted in literacy, representation and community in downtown Minneapolis.
East African Day of Prayer to bring message of hope amid U.S. hostilities to immigrants
East Africans living in Minnesota are gearing for another annual day of prayer and reflection, as immigrant communities continue to deal with uncertain times in the United States.
Thrifting for tuition, student turns vintage finds into college savings
A high school student is turning thrifted clothing into a growing side business to help save money for college tuition, combining entrepreneurship and passion for fashion.
South Minneapolis Black-owned thrift store creates space for healing and access
Owner Mary Ferguson brings faith, resilience and affordable clothing to South Minneapolis.
Red Cross declares severe shortage after blood supply sharply falls
The nation's blood supply has dropped to critically low levels, prompting an urgent call for donors as hospitals continue to face growing pressure to meet patients' needs.
In Our Presence exhibition at African Museum
The African Museum, Arts, and Cultural Center brings artists and community members together for its Black History Month exhibition, “In Our Presence,” a showcase highlighting the work of four African American artists.
Doc-N-Dine brings Minnesota’s school integration history to life through film and community conversation
St. Paul Public Library event highlights local stories behind desegregation and the Hale and Field Elementary school pairing.
University of Minnesota students feel a sense of relief; uncertainty with ICE 'drawdown'
For University of Minnesota students, some are feeling a sense of relief while others still have questions and are uncertain about what change will really look like.
Twin Cities Black history landmarks preserve community legacy
Many drive past community centers, theaters, and historic landmarks in the Twin Cities area without knowing the stories behind them. Yet these historic spaces are rooted in African American history, resilience, and stories of leadership that have helped shape the Twin Cities today.
‘Our First Bus Ride’ brings Hale-Field school integration history to life
New children’s book is helping educate young readers on one of Minneapolis’ most historic school integration bus rides, sharing a chapter of local history that many adults never knew existed.
Several Minnesota colleges receive $360,000 to address food insecurity on campus
Food insecurity can affect students in different ways, from sleeping hungry to worrying about how they will afford groceries while balancing tuition, housing, and textbooks
How Rondo’s Golden Thyme is blending social media and influencers to drive sales
Longtime Black-owned restaurant Golden Thyme has reimagined its marketing strategies with renewed energy and is seeing rapid growth, fueled by an effective Instagram and Facebook strategy that turned online attention into real customer demand.
Minneapolis NAACP holds press conference after federal shooting, says ‘We’re not doing George Floyd again’
Community leaders and members of the Minneapolis NAACP held a press conference Jan. 24 following the death of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed earlier that day by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent near East 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis.
Perseverance pays off for Mpls firefighter, now interim chief
The City of Minneapolis Fire Department has appointed Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker, a 27-year department veteran, as interim chief, making her the first Black woman to lead the department.
Agape Movement writing circle offers healing near George Floyd Square
Every other Tuesday, just steps away from George Perry Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, a group of people gathers around tables with notebooks and pens. Some arrive unsure of what they will write, but by the end of the evening, many leave with lighter thoughts.
Is College Still Worth It? Students reconsider as tuition costs continue to rise
With rising tuition costs, growing debt, and an uncertain job market, students across Minnesota are reevaluating the value of higher education.
The Minneapolis NAACP’s continued fight for justice
Minneapolis, still grappling with the trauma of 2020 and the long history that preceded it, has seen conversations about policing, housing, education, and equity grow louder and more urgent. At the center of many of these discussions is the Minneapolis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization with roots stretching back more than a century and a mission that remains deeply relevant today.
Rondo Community Land Trust revives unity and generational wealth in St. Paul
In St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, signs of renewal are everywhere. New businesses are opening, families are returning, and artists are finding space to create. Yet beneath the energy of revitalization lives a history of deep generational trauma, one the community still carries.
Penumbra Theatre’s work toward unity in a divided time
In Minnesota’s arts community, Penumbra Theatre holds a special place. For decades, it has been a home for Black storytelling, cultural healing, and performances that speak directly to the lived experiences of Black communities.
Museum carries King’s vision of unity through history
In the heart of North Minneapolis, across from the Urban League Twin Cities, stands the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG), a cultural archive and community gathering space rooted in preservation, connection and truth-telling.
Somali child care center vandalized amid Minnesota funding freeze
Somali-owned child care in South Minneapolis was vandalized early Dec. 30, compounding uncertainty for families who rely on federal child care assistance to afford early learning and care.
Alternative schools offer learners a second chance — and more
Each year, thousands of Minnesota students face challenges that make it difficult to stay on pace in traditional classrooms. For some, academic credit gaps are the hurdle; for others, life circumstances, learning style mismatches, or personal responsibilities make the traditional model feel out of reach.
Proposed Netflix–Warner Bros. deal raises concerns for Black filmmakers
As major media companies continue to consolidate, Black film students are raising concerns about whether there will be space for their voices in an industry controlled by fewer decision-makers. Students and emerging filmmakers say consolidation threatens access, creative freedom, and opportunities for independent storytelling, particularly for Black creators.
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