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 21, 1994 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews teacher and author Judy Henderson about recording and preserving the music of African American communities in Minnesota over the course of state’s history. Henderson compiled a book w/accompanying CD titled “African American Music in Minnesota.”
May 30, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Matthew Ramadan, member of Nation of Islam in Minnesota, about the differences between his religious organization and Louis Farrakhan’s Black nationalist organization, the Nation of Islam.
August 27, 1994 - On the passing of his friend Gleason Glover, Harry Davis reflects on the local civil rights activist and longtime head of the Minneapolis Urban League. Davis shares historical moments that Glover was a part of in the Twin Cities.
September 28, 1994 - Local activist, scholar, and professor Mahmoud El-Kati shares his thoughts on topic of multiculturalism in the United States. El-Kati strongly disagrees with the view from academic Arthur Schlesinger Jr. that multiculturalism is damaging unity in U.S. society.
October 21, 1994 - MPR’s Marianne Combs interviews Alan Page, an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, on racial bias and diversity in courts. Page describes the steps being taken to foster change.
December 10, 1994 - MPR presents various readings from a collection of essays written by teenagers about their life experience. Topics include isolation, sexual orientation, race, and despair.
January 2, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Sandy Stephens, former Minnesota Gopher quarterback about his recollections of playing in the Rose Bowl. Stephens was the first African American All-American starting quarterback at University of Minnesota.
January 6, 1995 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Bill Davis, the new NAACP Minneapolis executive director. Davis discusses his top priorities, including upcoming national convention being held in the Twin Cities, increasing membership, and a youth focus.
January 16, 1995 - MPR presents a special program in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Program presents a collection of various MLK Day speeches including Paul Wellstone, Sharon Sayles Belton, and Joe Kingman on behalf of Arne Carlson, at Concordia College.
February 27, 1995 - MPR’s Tom Meersman talks with Nothando Zulu, a master storyteller and member of the Minnesota Black Storytellers Alliance. Zulu shares her thoughts on the cultural and historical importance of storytelling and provides some illustrative examples.