MPR has been recording decades of material that reflect the Black experience in Minnesota directly from the voices of members in the community. The wide-ranging subject matter of civil rights, politics, arts & culture, sports, music, education, and business are captured in the stories, memories, commentary, and speeches.
July 27, 1972 - Ron Edwards, local civil rights activist and member of Minneapolis Urban League, talks about accusations of racism and discrimination against minorities found in the General Mills Company. Edwards also comments on a boycott of General Mills products.
July 28, 1972 - MPR’s Paul Gruchow presents interview about the unfair treatment and racism against Black women working in General Mills and other corporations.
June 14, 1973 - MPR’s Greg Barron reports on testimony and recommendations made to the Human Rights Commission, the Department of Human Rights’ Citizens Advisory Group, regarding St. Paul police behavior and interactions with the minority community.
October 13, 1973 - At NAACP banquet, probably in St. Paul, an unknown speaker comments on the small numbers of Black members in fire and police departmants.
February 26, 1974 - Roy Wilkins disputes the Black Panther's claim that power comes out of a barrel of a gun and states that power really comes from a ballot.
October 19, 1974 - D. Smith presents a profile of Black poet Ramona Austin. Feature includes reading by Austin at opening and close of segment. There is also a short interview, where she discusses her thoughts on poetry and how race plays into her writing.
June 25, 1975 - MPR’s Debbie Gage reports on community public testimony regarding abuse accusations of Minneapolis police. Reports includes commentary from Willie Mae Jennings and and Spike Moss.
July 22, 1975 - MPR’s Martin Bunzl prepares this report on the conflict that exists between the Black community and the Minneapolis Police Department. Included are various resident commentary from a Minnesota Human Rights Commission hearing and interviews with Jack Jensen, Minneapolis chief of police; Al Hofstede, mayor of Minneapolis; August Nimtz, professor of political science at University of Minnesota; and Earl Craig, director of the Minneapolis Urban League.
August 4, 1975 - Dr. Allen Sullivan, professor of psycho-educational studies at the University of Minnesota, talks with MPR reporter Martin Bunzl about the effects of racism within educational system on minority children. Sullivan describes numerous examples of systematic bias, and entrenched cultural attitudes towards black children.
February 10, 1976 - MPR’s Kate Williams reports on the funeral of prominent African American Cecil Newman, who passed away on February 8th, 1976. Newman was both a local civil rights leader, active in numerous organizations, and a longtime editor/publisher. Segment includes interviews and remembrances.