An all-White crowd heard about slavery and the Underground Railroad from an admittedly uninformed White presenter On Sunday, February 22, in honor of Black History Month, the Bloomington Historical Society and the Human Rights Commission of Bloomington, Minnesota invited the public to a free “Special Presentation” on the use of quilts by slaves seeking their freedom via the … [Read more...]
Sister Spokesman talks networking with purpose and style
Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward or forced if you take the time to find techniques that fit your style and goals. That was one of the many takeaways from Sister Spokesman’s “Networking with Purpose” event, held March 7, at Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis. The event gathered a colorful mix of community members, vendors, and an expert panel of entrepreneurs … [Read more...]
Black Lives Matter calls for a boycott of the Mall of America following first hearing
On the day of the first court hearing for the 11 defendants who are accused of various charges around the planning of the December Black Lives Matter protest at the Mall of America, Minnesota’s Black Lives Matter group is calling for a boycott of the Mall, through July 1st. The news comes a day after the group sent out a press release revealing that Bloomington City Attorney … [Read more...]
Givens family contributions: Affordable housing, literature, history, education
Many African Americans migrated to the North from the South upon being declared free people. Most came for opportunities to experience a new life and to build new foundations for their newfound freedom. For many, this freedom would mean a new and unpredictable journey. Towards the middle of the 20th century, this migration continued and brought with it a young man named Archie … [Read more...]
Willie Carter would quit a job to box
A chance to fight is what brought him to Minnesota Willie Carter was born October 24, 1943, in Shawnee, OK, 40 miles east of Oklahoma City. His father, Thomas Lee Carter, and his mother, Willie Mae (nee Burrell), were both born and buried in Oklahoma. His mother died when he was about a year old. “She hemorrhaged to death. Couldn’t go to a hospital back in those days.” He … [Read more...]