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.
November 29, 1990 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on the Walker Art Center performance piece Persimmon Peel, created by Laurie Carlos and Robbie McCauley.
December 7, 1990 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on a tense community meeting at North High School in Minneapolis. Angry residents expressed their feelings over police shooting death of Tycel Nelson and belief of police misconduct against the Minneapolis Black community.
December 7, 1990 - Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, expresses her thoughts on recent shooting tragedies in Minneapolis. One, the shooting of 17-year-old Tycel Nelson by Minneapolis police; and two, multiple gang shootings of youth in the city.
February 11, 1991 - Dan Olson chats with Nothando Zulu, a renowned Twin Cities Black storyteller. Zulu details the art of storytelling, interest from school children, and TV’s negative impact on storytelling. Segment includes Zulu sharing a story from Uganda.
February 16, 1991 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on local Black Teens for Advancement (BTA) protest in the St. Paul skyways. Roberts speaks with numerous young protestors, who share stories of discrimination when using skyways.
March 8, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Nellie Stone Johnson, an African American civil rights activist and union organizer. A native Minnesotan, Johnson shares her memories and commentary on labor efforts, politics, and race.
June 11, 1991 - MPR’s Kate Smith interviews Alan Page, former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Assistant Attorney General, on his focus of scholarships and mentors for children of color through the Page Education Foundation.
October 16, 1991 - MPR’s Terri Keefe reports on student protest taking place at St. Cloud University. The protests were instigated by unequal punishment of black and white students after a dormitory fight. Protestors stated that it is only an example of the greater persecution of minorities.
November 22, 1991 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on a reinactment of an Underground Railroad escape, traveling with a group west of the Twin Cities. Roberts talks with Kamau Kambui, the creator of reinactment, about purpose and historical understanding behind it.
January 9, 1992 - Midday offers an interview with writers and poets Alex Pate, Elaine Shelly, and Marcia Davis. The three discuss the distinct nature of Black writing and read from their work.