North Star Journey Live

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Minnesota has suffered from persistent racial disparities for years. This we know. But what can be done?

North Star Journey Live (formerly known as In Focus) is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota’s diverse communities need to thrive. Join us!

See all of the content from our North Star Journey reporting series, here.

A challenging school year lies ahead in Minnesota, a state that ranks as one of the country’s worst when it comes to inequality in educational outcomes. Join us as host Angela Davis moderates a conversation with parents, teachers and advocates about the ongoing toll of the pandemic on our educational system.
Stacey Danner wavered on the vaccine, friends hope his story sways others to get shots
Stacey Danner was an ardent cheerleader and advocate for his north Minneapolis neighborhood, for Black entrepreneurs and for his wide circle of friends from all walks of life. But this spring, he wavered on getting a vaccine and fell gravely ill with COVID-19. His story illustrates that vaccine hesitancy in Minnesota’s Black community is complex.
Survey: Black Minnesotans have far less trust in police than white residents do
A survey by APM Research Lab, which is owned by MPR News’ parent company American Public Media, found that only one in five Black Minnesotans trust the police to do what’s right, compared to more than 70 percent of white Minnesotans. 
A year and a day after George Floyd’s murder, host Angela Davis led a conversation with community leaders, memory keepers and activists working to maintain his legacy in our communities and beyond.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has been tracking an uptick in anti-Asian incidents since the start of the pandemic. But this community has endured the effects of racism since long before COVID-19. Listen to our panel discussion on what’s being done in Minnesota to stop it.
MPR News in partnership with Twin Cities Diversity in Practice convened a panel discussion about how BIPOC and white Minnesotans are navigating conversations, how we’re experiencing the trial of Derek Chauvin and how we can move forward as neighbors. 
MPR News and partner Tech Dump presents a conversation hosted by Angela Davis about the challenges faced by Minnesota’s formerly incarcerated residents upon re-entry into the community and how we can become a more welcoming state. 
Minnesota consistently lands on lists of states with the best health care. But if you’re Indigenous or a person of color, you’re not included in the high marks the state receives in metrics like health care access or public health outcomes.
How is racism preventing young Black people from connecting with culturally appropriate care? How are Black youth remaining resilient during this difficult time and amid the challenges of persistent historic and institutional racism? Watch a recording of this in-depth, virtual town hall discussion.
In Focus: Racism in Housing Access
MPR News partnered with Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis on this virtual event to bring awareness, dialogue and potential solutions to the problem of racism in housing access.