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CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Minneapolis nonprofit creates ‘lifebooks’ documenting the lives of children in foster care
For people of color who find themselves in white foster homes, lifebooks can help explore cultural, ethnic, or racial identities that have been overlooked.
democracy & politics
Advocates call on next year’s DFL-controlled Legislature to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented Minnesotans
The “Driver’s Licenses For All” bill has circulated through the Minnesota Legislature for more than 10 years without being passed. Advocates are hopeful that a DFL-controlled Senate, House, and governor’s office will change that next year.
culture & community
Minneapolis Institute of Art welcomes Valéria Piccoli, its first curator of Latin American art
For the first time, Minneapolis Institute of Art will have a curator of Latin American Art: Valéria Piccoli. For the past 12 years, Piccoli was the chief curator of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo, one of the largest art museums in Brazil.
Join thousands of Minnesotans just like you who support Sahan Journal.
A generous group of donors is matching all donations to our end-of-year campaign. They’ve pledged $50,000 to match donations dollar-for-dollar through December 31. Become a Sahan Journal supporter now and double the impact of your gift.
latest stories
Faribault school board accepts $1.1 million anti-drug grant aimed at BIPOC students
The Faribault school board on Monday accepted a state grant that funds drug abuse prevention efforts for Black, Indigenous, and other students of color, a measure some board members said discriminates against white students.
Metro Transit cuts service to dozens of bus lines, citing driver shortage
The Twin Cities public transportation provider started reducing service during the pandemic, a move that disproportionately affected people of color. The agency is short 300 bus drivers and is struggling to find new hires.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud scheduled to visit Minneapolis mid-December
Hassan last visited the state in 2014. He is expected to address the Somali community on December 15 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Young pastor with deep roots in Black church finds leadership role in Minneapolis
At 30, Elijah McDavid III may be young for a senior pastor, but he has deep roots in the Black church.
Muslim cemetery clears major hurdle toward opening after eight years of legal fights and vandalism.
The Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association received a conditional use permit from the Castle Rock Township in June. That allows them to begin developing burial plots and a funeral home.
Black people in Scott County live an average of 89.7 years–longer than almost anywhere else in the nation. Researchers want to know why.
In order to compile a new “Black Progress Index,” researchers at the Brookings Institution scoured data on homeownership, education, air pollution, and more. Sahan Journal asked some Black residents to talk about their experiences living, working, and raising families in Scott County. (Spoiler alert: They love it.)
Lavendar Nelson has a plan to win more U.S. championships than any woman in boxing history. First, she has to finish 5th grade.
Lavendar, a student-council member at Lucy Laney Community School in North Minneapolis, has already won six national titles. Her seventh could come in December at USA Boxing Nationals in Lubbock, Texas. The only thing missing: a funding source for the nonprofit Lucy Laney Boxing Academy, led by Morgan McDonald, a support specialist at the school.
Photographer Ryan Stopera examines Asian American identity in new book.
Stopera struggled with his identity growing up as a mixed-race Chinese American. His book, “Paper Son,” seeks to create more inclusion for diverse Asian American identities.
Non-binary, Ojibwe, Mexican: Representative-elect Alicia Kozlowski brings life experiences to Legislature.
Alicia Kozlowski is one of a record 11 LGBTQ lawmakers in next year’s legislative session. Kozlowski wants to advocate for LGBTQ protections, healthcare, and housing, among other issues.
‘The woman of the century’: Nellie Stone Johnson honored with Minnesota Capitol statue.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, along with labor and community leaders, unveiled a statue at the state Capitol Monday depicting labor and civil rights activist Nellie Stone Johnson.
Hmong Nouveau Fashion Show and Concert celebrates Hmong culture and music.
Hmong Nouveau hosted its 2022 fashion show and concert showcasing Hmong culture from local and international artists at The Armory.
Susan Pha grew up on free school lunches and donated clothing. As senator-elect, she plans to uplift Minnesotans of color.
Susan Pha wants to advance policies at the Minnesota Legislature that help communities of color. She immigrated to the United States as a war refugee, and was the first person of color elected to the Brooklyn Park City Council.
‘It really brings us together’: World Cup attracts Minnesota viewers of all backgrounds
The United States is back in the World Cup, and Minnesotans of all backgrounds will be watching soccer’s global tournament over the next month.
Real estate investors sold Somali families on a fast track to homeownership in Minnesota. The buyers risk losing everything.
For Somali families in Minnesota, a contract for deed can seem like an easier path to homeownership. But predatory practices and poor regulation can make these loans a financial trap rather than a good deal.
Minnesota schools must offer same meals to students, regardless of lunch debt, attorney general rules
Students behind on their lunch payments will no longer be stuck with a cheese sandwich for lunch, after the ruling from Attorney General Keith Ellison. Advocates hope it’s a step toward free school meals for all students.
New generation of Hmong dancers prep for New Year celebration in southwest Minnesota.
It’s crunch time: As the Hmong New Year approaches, groups run through traditional dance routines time and time again.
Qorsho Hassan: Education reform begins with our students.
When it comes to making big moves and bold changes, we need not look further than the powerful young people in our communities that can drive the change needed for a better world.
Patients of color face life-and-death situations as more diverse bone marrow donors are sought.
Fourteen-year-old Mikayla Draughon was hospitalized for weeks this fall because she can’t find a Black bone marrow donor who matches her. Draughon has sickle cell disease and needs a transplant to hopefully cure the disease.
Reports of hate crimes up in Minnesota, but proving bias remains a challenge.
Advocacy groups say the actual number of hate crimes is likely much higher, and want action to address obstacles to reporting and prosecuting hate crimes.
Top Minnesota Democrats pledge ‘substantial increase’ in school funding
Democratic control of the legislature and governor’s office presents a “historic opportunity” to fund education, Governor Tim Walz told Sahan Journal. Last year, the divided legislature failed to pass an education spending bill, despite a $9.25 billion surplus.
MORE STORIES
Friends and family celebrate Tekle Sundberg’s 21st birthday months after he was killed by Minneapolis police.
Community members gathered at George Floyd Square late afternoon to celebrate the life of Tekle Sundberg, who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police in July.
Sahan Journal commissions local artists, creates original prints for supporters of nonprofit news
On November 17, Give to the Max Day, Sahan Journal will offer the artworks to donors who support its nonprofit newsroom. The prints were created by Lynda Grafito, Hibaaq Ibrahim, and Reggie LeFlore, all artists based in Minnesota.
Clean energy and climate are poised to take priority in new DFL-controlled Minnesota Legislature.
A bill requiring Minnesota to run on 100 percent clean energy by 2040 and similar legislation have passed the DFL-controlled House in recent sessions, but died in the Senate under Republican dominance. Climate activists and legislators say that should change now that Democrats have won control of the Senate.
Audubon conservation officer warns Minnesota could lose its iconic loons, but offers tips to help birds survive.
Marshall Johnson is the National Audubon Society’s chief conservation officer—a Black millennial in a field often perceived as white and old. Johnson fell in love with the birds of the north, and wants to make sure they’re here to stay.
Minnesota Orchestra’s leader works on anti-racism efforts.
Sheri Notaro, the Minnesota Orchestra’s vice president of people and culture, is leading anti-racism initiatives.
A vintage jersey leads to small business dreams for the Salado-Herrera brothers.
The Salado-Herrera brothers curate their passion for fashion, sports, music, and art at Bro Bros Closet. The Minneapolis store sells vintage apparel and other goods that the brothers handpick themselves.
Minnesota voters sweep in the state’s most diverse Legislature after historic wins at the polls.
At least 35 of 201 members of next year’s Minnesota Senate and House are people of color. The Legislature will also see its first non-binary and transgender legislators, and the first lawmaker from Generation Z.
Partners in Quality Care drops lawsuit against education department in fraud case.
Partners in Quality Care’s executive director, Kara Lomen, appears to have left the organization. An email from her work address said she stopped working at the nonprofit effective November 1.
