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Deepen your understanding of Black history and the contributions Black Americans have made to Minnesota.
Black History, Black Voices is an initiative that centers Black narratives, history, and issues through ongoing programs, content, and resources created by members of Minnesota’s Black community.
Runtime 56:46 | Content advisory: This film features frank discussions of racism and discrimination, and contains some offensive language in the form of racist and ableist slurs.
The Brothers of Rondo: A Legacy of Black Resilience (Documentary film)
Online premiere
Thursday, February 13, 2025
1:00 PM
The Brothers of Rondo chronicles the life stories of four men — Lewis Scott, Russel T. Balenger, Readus W. Fletcher, Carl Griffin — who grew up in the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, enrolled at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and went on to become leaders in their respective areas of work and study.
"From the Gullah Coast to the Twin Cities" Workshop
Sold out
Saturday, February 15, 2025
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Mill City Museum
Join us for a program hosted by the Mill City Museum that explores the important role of food preservation and traditions in the African American community, bridging the gap between history, food, and fellowship. This program will be led by Chef James Johnson, owner of catering service Cooks of Hope and non-profit organization Cooks4Hope. James' culinary style is rooted in his Low-Country and Gullah Geechee tradition.
Hospitality, food, and a strong work ethic had always been a part of Chef James' life. Growing up in a farming community in the low country of South Carolina, James was always surrounded by fresh local ingredients, seafood from the ocean and streams; vegetables and fruits from the garden and fields were a way of life. He truly grew up living “from farm to fork.” James’ first true exposure to cooking began with his mother teaching him how to make gravy. It was magical.
James attended Spartanburg Community College and studied Culinary Arts. In addition, he attended Anoka Technical College and received professional certification for Leadership in Business and Industry. James' experience consists of retail bakeries, hotels, and restaurants, including Nicollet Island Inn. James has worked at several corporate cafés, including Thrivent Financial, Land O’Lakes, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. James became a Chef Manager for Compass Food Group and later became Executive Chef for Workforce Hospitality. After a spiritual awakening James realized that his passion for helping others and improving the quality of lives are his calling.
James’ mission is to bring the same flavors of his childhood from the Low-Country and Gullah Geechee Cuisine to the Twin Cities. James also has a passion for health and wellness, urban gardens, and using food as a platform to improve the quality of lives. Learn more at his website, professional Comfort Food Catering services in The Twin Cities.
Red Stained: The Life of Hilda Simms
Thursday, February 20, 2025
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Minnesota History Center
Join Jokeda “JoJo” Bell for a Black History Month program about Black actress and activist Hilda Simms. Red Stained: The Life of Hilda Simms, the first full biography of her life and career, weaves primary research with a narrative style to tell the true story of Hilda Simms in the context of a nation gripped in the Cold War and a burgeoning civil rights movement. It is an examination of Simms's rise to fame, her drive to be a respected dramatic actress, and her efforts to create equal opportunities for people of color on stage, on the screen, and behind the camera.
Jokeda "JoJo" Bell is the executive director and the director of exhibitions and programming for the African American Interpretive Center of Minnesota (AAICM). Her roles within the organization have led to collaborative programming with institutions like the Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Museum of American Art. She has also appeared as an expert in the Minnesota Historical Society's documentary, Storied: African Americans in WWI. In 2019, JoJo curated "The Builders" exhibition for AAICM, which was named one of the top ten art exhibitions of the year by the Star Tribune. Bell is a PhD candidate in the History department at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include Black women and land ownership in the Upper Midwest. She lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History
Saturday, February 22, 2025
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Historic Fort Snelling
Historic Fort Snelling is screening Juneteenth Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History. Co-produced by OMG Studios and the Minnesota Humanities Center, this documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott, and into conversations with current and future scholars. Join us to watch this 40-minute film with a Q&A session to follow.
Girlhood Artist Workshop: Jena Holliday
Sold out
Thursday, February 27, 2025
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Minnesota History Center
Join Minnesota-based artist and illustrator Jena Holliday for an empowering and creative workshop that explores identity, girlhood, and self-expression. In this hands-on class, participants will begin by reflecting on their personal experiences through guided journaling inspired by the themes of the Girlhood (It's complicated) exhibit. Using this self-reflection as a foundation, Jena will lead attendees through the process of creating a self-portrait with a loose, expressive painting style. Workshop participants will have the option to incorporate collage materials, adding texture and layers to the artwork as they bring their identity to life on canvas.
Jena Holliday is a Minnesota artist, illustrator, and author with a passion for empowering individuals through creativity and self-expression. She is the founder of Spoonful of Faith, a creative studio that blends art, design, and inspiration to foster hope and joy. Jena’s work has been featured with clients such as Target, Michael's, Netflix, and Harper Collins, and she has led workshops and conversations across the country to encourage creative growth and community-building through art. Known for her vibrant storytelling and deeply personal approach to creativity, Jena is dedicated to making art accessible and transformative for all.
The Black Liberation Movement
The murder of George Floyd catapulted Minneapolis to the epicenter of the Black Liberation Movement. What do we mean when we say “Black Liberation” and the “Black Liberation Movement”? What are the catalysts for these movements historically and how have they been met in Minnesota and in the US?
Black activism in sports has a long and powerful history from Muhammad Ali losing his heavyweight title after refusing to comply with the Vietnam War draft on ethical grounds, to athletes taking a knee and using their collective power to effect change. How has America been shaped by Black sports activists? How has sports activism changed over time—in Minnesota and nationally?
Juneteenth video series
Juneteenth began as a celebration of the end of slavery in Texas. As historian Dr. Yohuru Williams points out in this video, it has also come to signify the power people have to make a difference.
In June 2021, Juneteenth became a national holiday in the United States. In this video, Heritage Ensemble Artistic Director Sharon Samuels Reed relays the importance of the Negro spiritual, its history, and its connection to Juneteenth.
What does Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday, mean today? Historian Dr. Yohuru Williams, founder of the Racial Justice Initiative, believes Juneteenth is about agency and action, and still has incredible relevance.
Martin Luther King Jr video series
Join local leaders Edrin C. Williams, Leslie E. Redmond, and Adair Mosely as they explore how Black Minnesotans have refused to normalize injustice and inequality — and who are responding today with action, innovation, and persistence.
From Dr. King to Kamala Harris, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) produce Black American leaders and legends who advance our society. Join HBCU graduates as they explore the origin story of HBCUs, how they are critical to the health of our communities, and how local civil rights leaders advocated for HBCUs in the North.
Staying in the fight for racial equity takes a toll on those involved. In this program, Sondra Samuels and other influential Black leaders discuss their groundbreaking work: delivering innovative solutions all the while challenging activists and allies alike to get in and stay in the fight for racial equity.
Learn more
Marvel Jackson Cooke
Dr. Yohuru Williams introduces us to a groundbreaking journalist from Minnesota.
Storied: Penumbra, Part 1
Lou Bellamy, Founder and Emeritus Artistic Director of Penumbra Theatre Company, reflects on his life's work of creating and sustaining an African American theatre company in the Rondo community of St. Paul.
