News | Southwest Connector

Photographer Patience Zalanga's billboard is of a moment she captured of a father reading to his son on a bench at George Floyd Square, a book he chose from the community's free library.(Photo by Jill Boogren)

Billboards at George floyd square show connection, unity

Two new artist-created billboards are up on the rooftops at George Floyd Square. Part of the Social Justice Billboard Project, “La Conneccion,” by Maria Cristina “Tina” … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 7/28/21

Alan Berks (left) and Leah Cooper (right) are co-artistic directors of Wonderlust Productions. Their 2016 play about the experience of adoption has been adapted into graphic novel form. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

In my Heart: the Adoption Story Project

Seven years ago, Wonderlust Productions co-artistic directors Alan Berks and Leah Cooper (both former South Minneapolis residents) began inviting people from the adoption community to share their … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/28/21

Louie Moore has been president of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota for 22 years. He is a tireless advocate for cycling: promoting the sport in communities of color, and improving biking conditions across the city for all. Club rides meet at his home near 48th Street and Columbus Avenue in South Minneapolis. Moore was the first Black person to buy a home on his block, and has lived there for 57 years. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Major Taylor Bicycling Club promotes cycling geared towards African American riders

The Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota has been bringing diversity to Twin Cities cycling since it started in 1999. Co-founded by Louie Moore and Walter Griffin, the nonprofit … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/28/21

Recognize someone making a difference

Know someone making an impact in the community? A new web docuseries called INVOLVD by Minneapolis company ADX is highlighting people making outsized contributions in their Twin Cities communities, … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 7/28/21

"To live in Minneapolis is to know its history and be accountable for it as a citizen and go forward. For me, as a writer and journalist, I have had all this in the forefront for a long time," said South Minneapolis resident Jim Walsh. "It's my home, but I have a critical eye for it as well." He recently wrote, "Folk Song for George Floyd." His new book draws from some of the article he wrote for City Pages, The Southwest Journal, the Downtown Journal, the Pioneer Press and MinnPost. (Photo by David Tanner Photography)

‘Fear and Loving in South Minneapolis’

Jim Walsh has spent much of his life as an observer. The Minneapolis writer, journalist, columnist and song writer’s most recent book, “Fear and Loving in South Minneapolis,” is a … more

By JAN WILLMS | 7/28/21

Get a free rain barrel

Friends of Mississippi River (FMR) is giving away free rain barrels and conversion kits this summer in partnership with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). The barrels hold 55 … more

7/28/21

LoLa atists are back!

Find LoLa art and artists again during the Longfellow Artists’ Weekend, a low-key neighborhood art crawl organized by the League of Longfellow Artists (LoLa). "Our artists are eager to greet … more

7/28/21

MNHS Archaeology uncovers new stories at Historic Fort Snelling

Archaeologists under the direction of the Minnesota Historical Society have recently identified artifacts and stone foundations around Historic Fort Snelling, including items that show Native … more

7/28/21

"Even though I lost my building, we feel a sense of community," said Gandhi Mahal owner Ruhel Islam from the site where grass now grows. (Photo by Jan Willms)

‘Working hard for a better tomorrow’

By JAN WILLMSAs Gandhi Mahal, the restaurant known for its sustainable food practices and community service, as well as its mouth-watering Indian dishes, was burned to the ground May 28, 2020, in the … more

By JAN WILLMS | 6/30/21

Redesign Inc’s Taylor Smrikarova is spearheading community efforts to save the Coliseum Building. At over 100 years old and 80,000 square feet, the building is one of the most consequential structures left standing in the area. "As we heal the Coliseum, it is a sign that the broader community along Lake St. is healing," said Smrikarova. (Photos by Terry Faust)

Redesign saves Coliseum from wrecking ball

In an effort to save Lake Street’s iconic Coliseum Building from the wrecking ball, Redesign Inc. is purchasing the three-story brick building that has anchored the 27th and Lake intersection … more

By IRIC NATHANSON | 6/30/21

Take a walk with MIGIZI

One year after losing its newly renovated building in last year’s protest fires, MIGIZI organized a walk from its former location at 3017 27th Ave. S. to the building it has begun renovating at … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 6/30/21

On June 14, youth activists speak to the trauma experienced after witnessing the driver barreling through the protest and killing Deona Marie Knajdek the previous night. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Community demands answers to police killings

On June 3, just hours after the city of Minneapolis removed its barricades from George Floyd Square, law enforcement officers killed another Black man in Minneapolis. His name was Winston Boogie … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 6/30/21

Miss Northland, Wabin Agiizi Goo Ikwe (Morning Spirit Woman) is Lori Martin-Kingbird: a junior at the University of Minnesota who presented at the Celebration of Language Festival held on the athletic fields at Anne Sullivan Elementary School on Saturday, June 19. Martin-Kingbird is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Northern Minnesota, and is a candidate in this year’s Miss Minnesota Competition. Her social initiative in the competition is called “Water You Doing? Advocating for our Natural Resources.” She believes that water conservation starts at the individual level: first with one person, then with one community, and finally with one nation raising awareness and then standing up for safe drinking water. She said, “If we all work together, we can build hope for our future generations to sustain cleaner, healthier water.” (Photo by Margie O'Loughlin)

'Water You Doing? Advocating for our natural resources'

6/30/21

Better Futures is a re-use warehouse located at 2620 Minnehaha Avenue South. They sell materials salvaged through deconstruction at affordable prices, while keeping used materials out of the landfill. Employees Jason Allen (left) and Tino Jones (right) select boards from the wall of salvaged lumber. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Salvage reuse recycle building materials

Got a hammer? Got gloves? Deconstruction grants up to $5,000 are available for homeowners or developers of properties located within Hennepin County built before 1970. The work must be on residential … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 6/30/21

Shawnte Jensen, Anja Standly, and Katie Lindholm

Volunteers assist veterans as part of neighborhood revitalization project

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities helped veterans secure housing as a part of neighborhood revitalization projects in the Morris Park and Minnehaha neighborhoods. On May 25 and May 26, in partnership … more

6/30/21

The morning meeting at George Floyd Square was packed after the city pulled up its cement barriers during the early hours of June 3; within hours, makeshift barricades were placed by community members at each of the four entrances to the intersection.

What's the future of George Floyd Square?

Before the sun rose on Thursday, June 4, 2021, city public works staff, along with contracted members of Agape Movement, worked to dismantle portions of the George Floyd Memorial at 38th and … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 6/4/21

“Don’t forget why you here,” a speaker says into a megaphone as he calls all the Black men forward. “I’m not a threat to you. I’m not a threat to you.” He repeats this several times among chants of “George Floyd” and “Black Lives Matter.”

1000s attend day-long event at George Floyd Square on one-year anniversary of his death

Thousands of people visited George Floyd Square on May 25, 2021 for “Rise & Remember,” a day-long event to honor George Floyd’s life and legacy on the one-year anniversary of … more

by Jill Boogren | 6/4/21

At eleven years old11-year-old community member Innocynce sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem, before the Concert Honoring Families of Injustice or Loss at the Rise & Remember event on May 25th at George Floyd Square. Youth entrepreneur Innocynce also helps run the D.I.H. (Do It Herself) Positive Corner booth at events.

Concert and vigil at George Floyd Square

Jill Boogren | 6/4/21

Memorial Quilt

Artist Sidney Brodie added the name George Floyd onto a square of his memorial quilt, which he presented to Mr. Floyd’s family at the Say Their Names Cemetery in the early afternoon of the Rise … more

Jill Boogren | 6/4/21

The T.O.U.C.H Outreach community patrol in the Aldi parking lot before heading out for the night. Team leader Muhammad Abdul-Ahad is pictured standing center. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Community protecting community

The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization is one of seven groups sharing a $1,000,000 pilot grant from the City of Minneapolis’ Office of Violence Prevention. The grant was awarded to neighborhood … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 5/26/21