MPR has been recording decades of material that reflect the Black experience in Minnesota directly from the voices of members in the community. The wide-ranging subject matter of civil rights, politics, arts & culture, sports, music, education, and business are captured in the stories, memories, commentary, and speeches.
June 5, 1996 - Spike Jones shares his views on why Black community members are wary to communicate with Minnesota police officers. Jones discusses efforts by residents in acting independently of police to curtail crime and bring about a safer environment in neighborhoods.
June 7, 1996 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with Gordon Parks about his influential film career. Parks discusses “The Learning Tree,” amongst other works.
June 11, 1996 - About 400 North Minneapolis residents attended a raucous community meeting to discuss the recent slayings of 11-year-old Byron Phillips and 22-year-old Derrick Adams. Phillips and Adams were shot to death about a half block away from each other, in the space of a week. Police have no suspects as of report.
November 5, 1996 - St. Paul native Toni Stone, the first woman to play on a men's professional baseball team, died on November 2nd, 1996 at a nursing home near Oakland, California. She was 75 years old. In 1990, Stone came back to St. Paul to talk to a group of students during Women's History Month. MPR’s Bill Wareham was there and presents this audio from an original 1990 broadcast as a remembrance.
November 20, 1996 - MPR’s Mary Stucky reports on local poetry book The Palm of My Heart, which collects vivid poetry by African American children who live in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
November 25, 1996 - Midday presents a Westminster Town Hall Forum with writer, photographer, and artist Gordon Parks. His address is entitled “A Life of Art.” Parks recalls his family, time in St. Paul, and his art. Following the speech, Parks answers audience questions.
December 23, 1996 - On this Voices of Minnesota feature, an interview with St. Paul jazz vocalist Roberta Davis. Subjects of racism, family and the complexity of jazz are discussed.
January 20, 1997 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire profiles Seed Academy and Harvest Preparatory School, an African American private school in North Minneapolis. The school began in 1985 as a pre-school program in its founders' house. Ten years later there are 300 students enrolled in pre-school through sixth grade.
February 14, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton State of the City address. Sayles Belton described Minneapolis as a strong, vibrant place, but also stated a need of stronger efforts to reduce gang violence. In addition to crime prevention, the mayor also highlighted education and economic development efforts.
February 17, 1997 - On this Midmorning, a Voices of Minnesota with the perseverance of two families in facing racial discrimination. Barbara Cyrus tells of her family's move to escape discrimination in the south only to encounter it in the north. Then, Archie Givens Jr. tells how his father's commitment to education led him to donate African American art and literature to the University of Minnesota.