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 10, 1978 - MPR’s Kate Williams talks with Minneapolis poet Jerri Alexander, who shares poetry from her book "Hurt Comes and Goes: Poetry of a Black American Woman."
February 16, 1979 - MPR reporter Dan Olson speaks with with Gregory Reed of the Afro-American Cultural Arts Center in Minneapolis about the history of Black people in Minnesota.
June 17, 1980 - Writer, photographer and artist Gordon Parks speaking at Our Creative Community conference at the Spring Hill Center in Wayzata, Minnesota. Parks address was titled “Universality in Art.” Subjects of speech included his time in Minnesota, race issues, the Civil Rights movement, and education.
August 2, 1982 - MPR’s Deborah Fisher reports on panel discussions after Penumbra Theatre play "Zooman."
September 12, 1984 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports on workshop to support St. Paul black officers with stress from racism in community and within department.
November 9, 1984 - MPR’s Jo Ann Shroyer profiles Minnesota jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator Irv Williams. Shroyer interviews Williams about his career, the local jazz scene, and on being honored with “Irv Williams Day” on November 24th.
December 26, 1984 - MPR’s Stephen Smith profiles Prince Rogers Nelson. Segment includes interview with critic Jon Bream, author of the book "Prince: Inside the Purple Reign," and local evangelists who find Pronce’s music offensive.
September 27, 1985 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton talks with music critic Marton Keller about the 4th annual Minnesota Black Music Awards. Keller discusses the “Minneapolis Sound.”
January 18, 1986 - Minnesotan politicians LeClair Lambert and Don Fraser reflect on being present in D.C. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. The day included the famous Martin Luther King Jr. speech “I Have a Dream.”
September 25, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend profiles Minneapolis songwriters/producers Jimmy Jam Harris and Terry Lewis, also known as Flyte Tyme Productions. Friend interviews Harris and Lewis about their partnership, and collaborations with musicians. They also discuss the lack of local radio airplay of black music. Segment includes music clips of songs produced by studio.