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.
May 15, 1992 - MPR’s Bruce MacDonald talks with Lou Bellamy, artistic director at Penumbra Theatre, about productions of The Mighty Gents and Dutchman. Bellamy compares the subject matter of plays to the angry unrest after Rodney King trial acquittals. Bellamy also shares his personal thoughts.
May 28, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews local educator civil rights activist Bill Wilson about mentoring male youth in St. Paul. Wilson highlights tutoring, Afrocentric culture activities, and career planning.
July 1, 1992 - MPR’s Dan Olson talks with Gleason Glover, retiring president of Minneapolis Urban League, about his tenure and decades long efforts in civil rights movement. Other topics include housing, cultural impacts, mentoring, education, and a developing diversity of population.
July 15, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with Minnesota Black actor and playwright Kim Hines about her revival of Who Was I The Last Time I Saw You?, which is being staged at The Southern Theater. The play is a one-woman performance highlighting four different lives of Black women/girls. Segment includes a powerful reading by Hines.
July 28, 1992 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Archie Givens Jr. about touring exhibit of The Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature.
August 13, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend talks with playwright Laurie Carlos and director Lou Bellamy on the Penumbra-Walker collaboration of Carlo’s White Chocolate For My Father.
September 3, 1992 - On this special Midday program from the Minnesota State Fair, MPR’s Beth Friend presents a collection song, storytelling, and controversial art.
September 17, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on playwright John B. Davidson’s The Last Minstrel Show, being performed at The Penumbra Theatre. The play is about the lynching of three African American circus workers in Duluth on June 15th, 1920.
October 2, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten presents a summary report of the week since shooting death of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf. Eichten shares various audio clips of police and activists speaking on the crime and its aftermath in the community.
October 23, 1992 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the Syl Jones play, No Harm Intended. The work focuses on ‘unintended’ racism found in Minnesota.