Community Corner

Celebrate Black History Month With Minneapolis Parks

February is Black History Month.

The following is an announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Black History Month Celebrated in Minneapolis Parks

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) kicks off its Black History Month celebrations next week at select parks. Special movie nights, activities and a discussion with a featured author highlight the celebrations honoring Black History Month throughout February.

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MOVIES

As part of a new, Tuesday evening Movies in the Park indoor movie series at Green Central Gym (3416 4th Ave. S), four films will be presented in February in honor of Black History Month. Each Tuesday movie begins at 6 p.m. and is free for all ages.

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Feb. 5 - The Great Debaters 
A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

Feb. 12 - Ruby Bridges 
The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 at age 6, helped to integrate the all-white schools of New Orleans.

Feb. 19 - Tuskegee Airmen 
The true story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II.

Feb. 26 - The Underground Railroad 
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of people and hiding places that helped slaves escape the American South. This documentary remembers the people, white and black, famous and almost-forgotten, who risked their fortunes and even their lives to resist the unjust institution of slavery.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

African American History Crafts and Fun 
Mondays, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, 4:30–6 p.m. at Sibley Park 
Explore African American History Month through crafts, games, and more. Dress for outside play. Ages 6-12. $9 for three sessions.

Black History Month: Author Jonathan Odell Presentation 
Feb. 10, 2–4 p.m. at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park 
Author Jonathan Odell will lead a discussion that focuses on growing up in a small Mississippi town on the white side of the color line and returning as an adult to understand what life was like on the black side of that color line. The deep knowledge and understanding that came from that investigation is at the heart of his novels "The View from Delphi" and "The Healing.” Free.

Youthline – Soul Food Experience 
Feb. 20, 5–7 p.m. at Longfellow Park 
Celebrate the taste of African American cuisine at Longfellow Park’s Soul Food Experience. Soul food is basic, down-home cooking with its roots in the rural south. The principal staples of soul food cooking are beans, greens, and cornmeal. This cooking and dinner opportunity allows youth to create dishes of red beans and rice, sweet potatoes and a tropical dessert treat made with coconut, bananas, and mandarin oranges. Ages 10-16. $2 per person. Please pre-register online or at the park.


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