A Water Main event: African American women explore their ties to water

Women having a conversation in a living room.
Amoke Kubat, left, and her Yo Mama peers discuss their connection to water through motherhood hosted by MPR Water Month at St. Jane’s House in Minneapolis on July 11, 2019. From left: Kubat, Rosanna Audgins, Sarah Penn, Leslie Harris, and ShaVunda Brown.
Iyana Esters | The Water Main

The Water Main collaborated with educator and writer Amoke Kubat to explore water and racial identity and equity in a conversation held July 11 at St. Jane House in north Minneapolis.

North Minneapolis is physically separated from the Mississippi river by a major interstate and vast blocks of industrial development. Cultural and historical disparities have also contributed to the disconnect. But some north-siders are reclaiming their relationship to the river.

A woman poses for a portrait outside of a home.
Rosanna Audgins poses for a portrait before joining a discussion held at St. Jane’s House in Minneapolis on July 11, 2019.
Iyana Esters | The Water Main

Amoke Kubat is a north side resident, mother, writer and educator. As part of the MPR Water Main initiative, she led a conversation with other north Minneapolis women about the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance of water in their lives. Kubat is head of Yo Mama’s House.

The other women you heard speaking were: Rosanna Hudgins, Sarah Penn, Leslie Harris, Shavunda Brown, Hawona Sullivan Janzen and Sara Spears.

The program was produced by Melissa Townsend with Amoke Kubat and Iyana Esters.

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