North Star Journey

North Star Journey is a celebration of communities in Minnesota and the champions who are doing the work that we should be bringing a voice to. We hope to bring new understandings of our state and what brought us to today. About | Credits

MPR News also hosts North Star Journey Live, an event series discussing topics about what Minnesota’s diverse communities need to thrive. Check it out here.

This coverage is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

🎧 Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or via RSS link

April 18, 2024 11:25 AM

Trailblazer Reatha Clark King on her journey from chemistry to philanthropy

Reatha Clark King faced racism and sexism to become a research scientist in the 1960s and went on to lead Metropolitan State University and become a vice president at General Mills. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Minnesota trailblazer about her life and recent biography.

by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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April 12, 2024 4:00 AM

A modern spin on a Korean tradition: Kimjang in south Minneapolis

The Korean tradition of kimjang, a community gathering to make large batches of the spicy fermented cabbage delicacy known as kimchi, recently took on an added Minnesota flavor. A group of strangers, bound by an interest in food, to chop, salt and spice — and maybe launch a new tradition of their own.

by Hannah Yang

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April 9, 2024 9:10 AM

Power Pair: The mother-daughter duo working to better Golden Valley and beyond

Rose McGee is president and founder of the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization, and her daughter, Roslyn Harmon, is the Mayor of Golden Valley.

by Angela Davis and Gretchen Brown

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April 2, 2024 10:48 AM

St. Paul’s Cherise Ayers on returning to lead Central High School

What’s it like to go to a high school and then come back years later to lead it? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Cherise Ayers, the principal of St. Paul’s renowned Central High School, about her vision for her alma mater.

by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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March 21, 2024 10:00 AM

A wide lens: Ethnic studies in Minnesota classrooms

Ethnic studies classes are coming soon to schools across Minnesota. What are these new social studies courses, and how might they look in your district? Hear from teachers and students already digging into ethnic studies during this North Star Journey Live special, hosted by Angela Davis.

by Angela Davis and Kelly Gordon

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March 21, 2024 4:00 AM

‘A game changer’: This Minneapolis technical school brings people out of poverty

For over 50 years, Summit Academy OIC has served as an economic mobilizer for low-income communities and communities of color.

by Feven Gerezgiher

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March 19, 2024 4:00 AM

Food for everyone: Fargo international market serves diversifying population

The biggest international grocery store in both North and South Dakota, the Asian and American Supermarket, is celebrating just over one year at its new location, becoming more of an important cultural hub for the Fargo-Moorhead area.

by Amy Felegy

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March 12, 2024 3:37 PM

Lakota vinyl collector revitalizes Indigenous music, language one record at a time

Justis Brokenrope’s vinyl collection of Native artists is bringing generations of music to new audiences on social media. The collection he’s built over the last decade includes about 300 records by Indigenous artists from various genres — mostly country, folk, rock from the 1960s through the late 1980s.

by Melissa Olson

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February 26, 2024 4:00 AM

Kurdish language class bridges generations and cultures in a Moorhead classroom

A new class at Moorhead High School teaches Kurdish students about their language, culture and history. The Kurdish language is spoken in the homes of hundreds of Moorhead students.

by Dan Gunderson

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February 22, 2024 11:30 AM

Josie Johnson, iconic Minnesota civil rights activist, on hope and her legacy

A new documentary “Hope in the Struggle” tells the story of civil rights activist Josie Johnson, chief lobbyist for Minnesota’s fair housing law and the first Black member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

by Angela Davis, Maja Beckstrom and Gretchen Brown

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