Black History Month (which kicked off on Feb. 1) became a national annual observance in 1926. The goal of the month is to honor and celebrate the achievements of African Americans. If Dr. Carter Woodson, the father of Black History, were alive today, he would be proud of the tenacity of the African American community. It speaks volumes about our survival here on this American … [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...]
U of M workers want pay gap closed
Management increases have outpaced those of ‘the people you don’t hear about’ Nearly 20 “frontline” University of Minnesota workers testified February 6 at a forum held at the school’s Coffman Union before three state legislators: Minnesota Senators Jeff Hayden and Patricia Torres Ray, and State Representative Rena Moran. The U of M’s non-faculty workers say they “feel ignored … [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...]