This article by former AP reporter Jesse J. Holland was originally published on Feb. 2, 2017.
Black History Month is considered one of the nation’s oldest organized history celebrations, and has been recognized by U.S. presidents for decades through proclamations and celebrations. Here is some information about the history of Black History Month.
How did Black History Month start?
It was Carter...
JOHANNESBURG — The planned auction of dozens of artifacts belonging to Nelson Mandela has been suspended pending a court application to completely halt it, the body that protects South Africa’s cultural heritage said Tuesday.
The online auction had been scheduled by New York-based Guernsey’s auction house on Feb. 24, in conjunction with Dr Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of the...
Nominations for this year’s Oscars were announced Tuesday and two African films made it past the shortlist stage and received formal nominations. Both films were nominated in the same category.
A documentary from Uganda “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” which is a story about Uganda’s renown singer and opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobbi Wine. It was...
In January of 2023, Minnesotans watched as three Black women were sworn into the state senate for the first time in history. As the African community in the state celebrated the remarkable achievements, few would have thought that there was a little known organization working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the women succeeded. Ayada Leads is a Minneapolis-based...
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government announced Friday it will challenge the auctioning of dozens of artifacts belonging to the nation’s anti-apartheid stalwart Nelson Mandela, saying the items are of historical significance and should remain in the country.
The 75 artifacts belonging to Mandela, the country’s first democratically elected president who spent 27 years in jail for his anti-apartheid struggle against...
Early voting for the Minnesota Presidential Primary on March 5th begins this Friday, January 19, 2024.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Secretary of State Steve Simon said Minnesotans will have to declare a party choice from among the three recognized major parties, and receive a ballot with candidates only representing that party. There will be three parties participating in...
VATICAN CITY (AP) — In the greatest rebuke yet to Pope Francis, the Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar issued a unified statement on Thursday, Jan. 11 refusing to follow his declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples and asserting that such unions are “contrary to the will of God.”
The statement, signed by Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo...
Minnesota and the nation will officially mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15, but some activities will start as early as this weekend as the state and community groups organize both service and commemorative events in honor of the revered civil rights leader.
Here are some of the events Mshale is aware of.
Of note is the big...
Sixty-seven years after the first woman was elected to the St. Paul City Council, history was again made Tuesday in Minnesota’s capital city when an all-female council, all aged under 40, took the oath of office with hundreds packed into the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to witness the momentous occasion which was emceed by the city’s mayor.
Councilmembers...
Ayo Edebiri, one of AP's 2023 "Breakthrough Entertainer" won her first Golden Globe award on Sunday for "Best Television Female Actor." She garnered praise for giving the most relatable acceptance speech after she took the time to thank even the assistants that answered her emails. This was her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Golden Globe was for her role in...
The city of St. Louis Park (SLP), Minnesota, has a population that is more than 80% white, according to United States Census Bureau data. But on Tuesday night, the make-up of the 150 or so people who showed up at the Council Chambers looked like half were people of color. Many of them came to see the making of...