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EDUCATION
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.
HOUSING
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.
DEMOCRACY & POLITICS
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.
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
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.)
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.
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.
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.
MORE STORIES
U.S. Supreme Court probes constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
A decision in the Brackeen v. Haaland case is expected by the end of June 2023. One of the plaintiffs in the case is Minneapolis couple Danielle and Jason Clifford, who tried unsuccessfully to adopt a Native girl they fostered.
In prayer and protest, people of Indian country defend the Indian Child Welfare Act outside U.S. Supreme Court.
A Minneapolis couple, Danielle and Jason Clifford, are one of the plaintiffs challenging the 1978 law that governs the placement of Native children in foster and adoptive homes.
North Minneapolis elementary school launches observatory, with NASA astronaut’s help.
School officials unveiled the $1.2 million, two-story observatory to students and parents on Wednesday at Hall STEM Academy.
Art scene: New documentary, ‘Finding Her Beat,’ debuts; jazz guitarists; and more.
“Finding Her Beat” makes its state premiere this weekend during the Sound Unseen film festival. The new documentary centers women and nonbinary people in the Japanese tradition of Taiko drumming.
Keith Ellison defeats challenger Jim Schultz for attorney general post.
Ellison won a second term, leading his challenger by less than 1 percent of the vote. Polls had suggested a tight race between him and Republican Jim Schultz.
Historic wins: Black women were elected to the Minnesota Senate for the first time Tuesday.
Black women were elected to the state Senate for the first time in 164 years of statehood. Three Black women won their races; two lost their bids.
Mai Chong Xiong elected Minnesota’s first Hmong county commissioner.
Mai Chong Xiong won by a slim margin over Ying Vang-Pao to represent St. Paul’s East Side on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
Mary Frances Clardy beats Todd Kruse for seat in Minnesota House
A longtime elementary school reading teacher, Clardy will represent the newly drawn House District 53A. The seat includes most of Inver Grove Heights; Lilydale and Sunfish Lake; and parts of West St. Paul and Mendota Heights.
Erin Maye Quade elected to Minnesota Senate on historic night for Black women.
Erin Maye Quade is one of three Black women who made history Tuesday when they were elected to the Minnesota Senate. No Black women have served in the state Senate in 164 years of statehood.
Artist and activist María Isa Pérez-Hedges wins election to Minnesota House.
María Isa Pérez-Hedges wins on St. Paul’s West Side, representing one of the state’s largest Latino communities.
Clare Oumou Verbeten wins state Senate seat representing east metro.
Clare Oumou Verbeten is one of three Black women who made history Tuesday when they were elected to the Minnesota Senate. No Black women have served in the state Senate in 164 years of statehood.
