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.
February 27, 1998 - Audio excerpts of Dorothea Mockabee recalling life in the Twin Cities. Mockabee grew up in Saint Paul. Her father owned a barbershop on Rondo Avenue in the section of the city where most black people lived.
February 27, 1998 - Audio excerpts of Harry Davis recalling life in the Twin Cities. Davis eventually became chairman of the Minneapolis School Board. He grew up in Minneapolis during the Depression.
March 19, 1998 - Minneapolis playwright Kim Hines tells the story of three prominent African American women of the time who are largely unknown to most Minnesotans. Hines has written monologues portraying the life of businesswoman Amanda Lyle, social worker Gertrude Brown, and attorney Lena Smith.
April 6, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Reverends David Johnson and Ronald Smith. The pastors say they've been trying to lead a joint church - and the broader community - in a difficult process called racial reconciliation.
July 10, 1998 - On this Midday program, nationally known political commentator Carl Rowan addresses the American Association of Retired Persons. Rowan speaks on his early days as a writer for the Minneapolis Tribune and reflects on the battle over affirmative action in America.
August 7, 1998 - MPR’s Euan Kerr talks with Minneapolis playwright and columnist Syl Jones about his social satire "Black No More." Jones says "Black no More" is a social satire about race, gender, religion, and science.
August 25, 1998 - MPR’s John Rabe reports on local African American leaders from the Twin Cities talking with local black leaders in South Africa.
April 13, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on community complaints regarding Minneapolis Police Department’s CODEFOR program. Minneapolis’ mayor and police chief say CODEFOR has dramatically reduced crime in the city. Critics and civil rights groups claim the computer-assisted program that targets neighborhoods based on crime patterns encourages police harassment and makes some residents feel like prisoners in their own homes.
May 3, 1999 - Midday presents a Mainstreet Radio special report "Hidden Rainbow: The Changing Face of Minnesota." Program presents a series of reports on the state's growing minority population in outstate Minnesota.
May 3, 1999 - On this segment of Mainstreet Radio’s Rural Diversity series, Tom Robertson looks at Minnesota's 'hidden' population -- rural minorities.