Celebrating Black History in Saint Paul

photo of Roy Wilkins, courtesy Roy Wilkins Auditorium

Black History Month

The month of February is observed as Black History Month to celebrate the stories and contributions of Black people throughout history.

Learn more about Saint Paul organizations honoring the achievements and lives of Black Americans that have shaped our community, this month and throughout the year.

Minnesota Historical Society

Minnesota Historical Society’s Black History, Black Voices seeks to deepen understanding of Black history and the contributions Black Americans have made to Minnesota, centering Black narratives, history, and issues through ongoing programs, content and resources created by members of Minnesota’s Black community.

Read more about how African Americans have shaped the state on MNOPEDIA

Penumbra Theatre

Penumbra Theatre, a 44-year-old legacy black arts organization that was once home to playwright August Wilson, is evolving into the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing. Based in the historically black neighborhood of Rondo in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Penumbra’s mission has long been to nurture black artists, promote racial equity, and inspire creative resiliency. Building upon this history, the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing will offer new artistic offerings, robust equity training services, a wellness center and expanded staff to support the fresh areas of focus.

On February 7, as part of the Let's Talk Series, a panel of abolitionists, activists, and policy makers to discuss criminal justice reform—from rethinking public safety to ending mass incarceration. Get tickets.

The Black Market

The Black Market is a monthly market highlighting Black businesses, food and culture at The Case Building, 767 North Eustis. It's more than just a market, with the mission of increasing the visibility of black-owned businesses in Minnesota.

City of Saint Paul Black History Month Celebration

City of Saint Paul is hosting an event at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N Kent Street, on February 24th.

The St. Paul Public Library is hosting a Black History Month Arts & Culture Celebration Series. Check dates and times.

Credit: @RondoCommemorativePlaza

Rondo Avenue, Inc.

In the 1930s, Rondo Avenue was at the heart of Saint Paul's largest Black neighborhood. The construction of I-94 in the 1960s shattered this tight-knit community, displaced thousands of African-Americans into a racially segregated city and a discriminatory housing market, and erased a now-legendary neighborhood. Rondo Avenue, Inc. is dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of the African-American community of Rondo. Celebrations like Rondo Days and the Jazz Festival bring people together for celebrations of the positive growth and diversity of the beloved Rondo community.

The Rondo Commemorative Plaza at 820 Concordia Avenue includes interactive historical displays with information, images, music and art representative of the old Rondo community before the freeway was built in the early 1960s.

Rondo: Beyond the Pavement, is a student-produced film and podcast presented by Saint Paul Almanac, in partnership with St. Paul Neighborhood Network and High School for Recording Arts, chronicling the history of the Rondo community.

Saint Paul Historical

Take a tour of sites of African American Heritage with Saint Paul Historical, curated from “Points of Entry: The African American Heritage Guide to Saint Paul, by CultureBrokers Foundation Inc. Through 16 sites on the tour, learn about people and places like Roy Wilkins, Frederick McGhee, Nellie Griswold Francis and Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, that helped to shape Minnesota's capital city.

Celebrate Black Excellence

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