A biweekly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. Last year I wrote an article titled “Empty Seats” published in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. In this article I raised to attention the need for us men to be present and involved in community matters. I highlighted the parallel between the empty seats … [Read more...]
What’s your wish for the community?
Mpls marks 100 years of philanthropy with its oldest community foundation “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” It seems right to quote Martin Luther King, Jr. during Black History Month, when many of us reflect on our progress as a community over the years. There’s much to be proud of — and many challenges that remain. This year, … [Read more...]
BDPA Twin Cities celebrates 25 years of education, innovation
An annual ceremony held on Jan. 9 this year in Minneapolis presented awards and highlighted the achievements of high school and college students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This event by the Twin Cities Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) celebrated 25 years of education and innovation recognizing students, volunteers and … [Read more...]
The Hickman-Parks family: generations of patriotism, activism, service
As the Emancipation Proclamation was declared and the American Civil War came to an end, there was still a lot of work to do and trails to travel for the freed African slaves here in America. It was the late 1890s when a group of approximately 40 Black families in Kentucky decided to head north, migrating to Minnesota and eventually landing in Fergus Falls. Many decided to … [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...]