CULTURAL HUMILITY SERIES: AFRICAN AMERICAN

The story of the Black community in Minnesota begins before the establishment of the state.

It begins with only a handful of people; some of the state’s first known Black residents were born in Minnesota at the turn of the 19th century, and others traveled to Minnesota preceding, during and following the abolition of slavery, many to seek liberty and opportunity.

From only a handful of people, this community has since grown into a foundational pillar of the Twin Cities and beyond. Minnesota’s Black residents have shaped the state’s policies and legacy through their contributions to the fields of law, entrepreneurship and the arts, to name only a few.

And yet, despite being an essential part of the makeup of Minnesota, the Black community has endured a disproportionate amount of hardship and discrimination.

Their story illustrates incredible leadership, teaching, advocacy and artistry, all while navigating systems designed specifically to restrict opportunities for Black people. Their story highlights the power of relationships, collective action and self-determination.

Community Demographics and History

We all are going to thrive because we'reworking together as a collective.”

Joe Davis

_{COMMUNITY CULTURAL HEALTH}

The cultural health of the Black community in Minnesota — and the country — has been irrefutably impacted by the legacy of structural racism.

A significant effect of structural racism is unequal or inadequate medical treatment for communities of color. For example, implicit biases of health care workers can negatively impact medical outcomes for Black patients. But cultural health extends beyond the doctor’s office.

Due to structural racism, the Black community experiences higher rates of poverty. This is visible, for example, in redlining, a common historical practice in which banks denied loans for properties in mixed-race neighborhoods based on the racist assumption that it was an imprudent investment.

Limited investment in historically black neighborhoods — as a result of redlining and other problematic practices — leads to less access to healthy food, fewer spaces for exercise and higher levels of stress, all of which have adverse effects on health.

_{KEY CHALLENGES}

The Black community is disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: Black residents make up 8% of total COVID cases, 11% of hospitalizations and 6% of deaths.

The tobacco industry has engaged in predatory marketing towards the Black community for over a century. While recent legislation has restricted the sale of flavored cigarettes, the industry has successfully lobbied to keep menthol cigarettes on the shelves, which are used by 90% of African American smokers.

Repeated incidents of the murder of Black citizens by police causes extreme emotional and mental anguish. This stress and grief also manifests physically. Triggering events, such as the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, can widely impact the well-being of the entire Black community, but these events’ physical impacts are not yet widely recognized or discussed.

Nearly 10% of African American Minnesotans are uninsured.

Discrimination impacts health:
In a recent government study, 25% of U.S.-born Black people in Hennepin County experienced frequent discrimination based on their race/ethnicity. Of that group:

• 48% experienced unmet medical care needs in the past year.

• 68% experienced unmet mental health care needs in the past year.

• 52% experienced food insecurity.

_{CULTURALLY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CHALLENGES}

Northpoint Health and Wellness Center is a multiservice facility that serves the North Minneapolis community. It offers primary medical care and social services under one roof. The center was one of the country’s original adopters of this holistic model when it was founded in the 1960s under the name Pilot City.

_{CULTURALLY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CHALLENGES}

ARTS-Us is a nonprofit organization with the mission to develop young leaders in and through the arts, culture and sciences of the African Diaspora. They also offer leadership development, education and programming to the wider community.

_{CULTURALLY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CHALLENGES}

Appetite for Change views food as a tool to build health, wealth, and social change in North Minneapolis. The nonprofit focuses on urban agriculture, policy change and trainings.

The Near North neighborhood is one of the state’s largest historically Black communities. Today, 62% of its current residents are Black. The neighborhood is home to landmark destinations such as the Capri Theater, the recently founded Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, as well as numerous locally owned restaurants and stores.

Minnesota has been both a temporary and longtime home for many celebrated Black artists. Photojournalist Gordon Parks began his stellar career in the Twin Cities in the 1930s. Playwright August Wilson lived in Saint Paul for twelve years, working in close collaboration with Penumbra Theatre, where many of his plays were first produced. Iconic Minnesotan Prince continued to live and record in Minnesota even after achieving global renown for his Minneapolis Sound. Musician Lizzo spent five years in Minneapolis just as she began achieving wide acclaim for her albums.

We need to stand up rather than try to be neutral.”

Timothy Berry

^{LEADERS IN MINNESOTA}

Sarah Bellamy

Sarah Bellamy, president of Penumbra Theatre in Saint Paul, advances a more inclusive vision of the performing arts, and spearheads programs that address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Chris Webley

Chris Webley is a Minnesota-based real estate developer honing a participatory model that prioritizes community buy-in, as evidenced by his innovation hub, NEW RULES®.