Race: Conversations around race and racial justice

The May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody has ignited an urgent push for racial equality across Minnesota and the United States. Here are the latest on the fight against racism, voices calling for racial justice and in-depth stories on communities of color and other racial issues from MPR News.

Voices of Minnesota Calls for change across the state

Protests and pain The killing of George Floyd

Call To Mind Spotlight on black trauma and policing

Amplifying voices Share your experiences and hopes for the future

A man talks at a podium

First Rondo descendent buys home using St. Paul's Inheritance Fund

September 14, 2023 4:00 AM

A young St. Paul man is the first person to buy a home using the city’s Inheritance Fund. The goal of the new program is to rebuild intergenerational wealth for the descendants of people in the historically Black Rondo neighborhood who lost their homes and businesses to Interstate 94 in the 1950s.

A Black woman laughs while sitting at a bar

Bars as safe spaces for people of color in Minneapolis

September 12, 2023 4:00 AM

Safe social space for people of color in America — and Minnesota — can still feel rare. Bars and restaurants are an important part of providing that space.

A small group gathers on a stage.

A new era for Golden Thyme: Rondo Community Land Trust secures St. Paul staple

September 10, 2023 2:25 PM

By Aaliyah Demry

During Saturday's Selby Avenue JazzFest, the owners of the Golden Thyme Café announced the location will be transformed into a small business incubator.

a person walks past the fence that lines a police department

Brooklyn Center police chief to retire just more than a year into role

September 9, 2023 3:31 PM

By Feven Gerezgiher

Kellace McDaniel departs amid the city’s efforts to transform public safety following the police killing of Daunte Wright in 2021.

People in a room sit and talk-1

First court-ordered community engagement sessions with Minneapolis Police Department reveal growing pains

September 7, 2023 5:30 AM

Wednesday night was the last of an initial set of nine community engagement sessions mandated by a court-enforceable settlement agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Patriot Front Lawsuit

Civil rights lawsuit in North Dakota accuses a white supremacist group of racial intimidation

September 6, 2023 8:55 AM

By The Associated Press

Two nonprofit groups have sued a white nationalist hate group in North Dakota, accusing it of racial intimidation. The civil rights lawsuit filed against Patriot Front in federal court Friday stems from vandalism that it says the group committed as recently as July after a fatal police shooting.

A woman stands before a small crowd on a filming stage.

Filmmakers see expanded Minnesota tax credits as opportunity to grow talent pool

September 3, 2023 9:40 AM

A local production company, which aims to create an accessible and diverse local film industry, hosted an event called The Mixer on Labor Day weekend to connect filmmakers of color with people who want to break into the industry.

a group of people happily pose for a photo

Growing diversity: The changing face of Minnesota farming

August 31, 2023 11:32 AM

By Angela Davis and Kelly Gordon

Don’t miss this special North Star Journey Live conversation recorded at the Minnesota State Fair about emerging farmers. What’s being done in our state to encourage more diversity in agriculture?

people gather in front of a statue

Looking back on the March on Washington after 60 years

August 28, 2023 1:55 PM

By Tim Nelson and Aleesa Kuznetsov

Sixty years ago today, more than 250,000 people crowded the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the March on Washington.

Group of mostly Black people stand behind a speaker with a microphone

St. Paul City Council apologizes for reparations commission hiring process

August 27, 2023 11:45 AM

By Feven Gerezgiher

In a statement released Thursday, city officials also apologized for the negative scrutiny brought upon the hire, who "has also been deeply affected by this situation," according to the release. It confirms the person declined the role.