Another spirited Sister Spokesman got underway on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Summit Academy OIC in Minneapolis. The theme of the event was “Heart Awareness for the Mind, Body and Soul,” in celebration of Heart Awareness Month. Attendees packed the house to listen to panelists share their expertise on everything from stress management to the importance of healthy eating and … [Read more...]
Blacks were ‘born to wrestle’
But so far, getting them on the mat has not been easy This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. There’s a simple, one-handed measuring tool to gauge diversity, which often is used at sporting events: If you can count all the Blacks in attendance with one hand, diversity is … [Read more...]
The Davis family: contributors to Minnesota’s Black history
The year was 1867, and the Civil War raged on. A young man of Native and African American descent was sent to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, to be stationed there in the fight for freedom. He remained there for the duration of the war. His name: John Wesley Harper, the great grandfather of Harry Davis. In 1868 when the war came to an end, Harper decided to make Minnesota his home. … [Read more...]
Dr. Thomas Johnson: Black medical pioneer was also a supper club owner
It is impossible to mention medicine and health care from an African American perspective here in Minnesota without mentioning Dr. Thomas Johnson. He had established clinics starting in South Minneapolis in 1957. He stayed there until 1966, and because 80 percent of his clientele came from North Minneapolis, he moved to the corner of Plymouth and Queen Avenues North in 1966. He … [Read more...]
Minnesota Grown Directory seeking new members Sign-up before February 6
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is updating its popular, statewide, Minnesota Grown Directory filled with direct-to-consumer farms and farmers markets. Membership and directory listing are open to Minnesota producers who grow or raise products. The 2014 edition promoted 978 farms and farmers markets. Minnesota Grown has more than 1,200 members including fruit and … [Read more...]