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.
January 11, 1992 - Kim Hines, a local playwright, discusses her play, Who Was I The Last Time I Saw You? A Play in Four Lives. Topics in play include social issues in the Black and gay communities. Hines highlights two characters (80 year-old Mavis & 10 year-old Christy) and performs excerpts from play.
January 31, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend interiews playwright Syl Jones about “Shine!”
February 21, 1992 - Black writer and educator Evelyn Fairbanks talks with MPR’s Paula Schroeder about researching rural Black Americans in Minnesota.
February 25, 1992 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Rochester poet Rose Harmon-Davis. They discuss poetry, race, and identity in the business world. Segment also includes reading of poem.
February 27, 1992 - Minneapolis librarian Jerry Blue discusses the importance of stories and explains the Black Storytellers organization. Blue also performs a reading.
April 29, 1992 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews father/son police officers, Donald Banham and Don Banham Jr.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports from Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals. Catlin recounts moments from event and notes it’s peaceful outcome. Particpants included Keith Ellison, Spike Moss, Vernon Bellecourt, and Marv Davidov.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals. Highlights speeches at event from Keith Ellison, Spike Moss, and Priscilla Barnes. Also includes statement from John Laux, Minneapolis Police Chief.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports live from Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals.
May 4, 1992 - MPR’s John Biewen reports on sermon by Rev. Richard Coleman at Saint Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church following the acquittal of police officers in Rodney King trial and the subsequent unrest and rioting in Los Angeles. As part of report, Biewen interviews parishioners to get their thoughts.