Rochester - Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story
2023-06-22 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
In 2021, Juneteenth was written into law as a national day of observance. Following, on February 3rd, 2023, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Minnesota. Although awareness has grown, many people are still unfamiliar with why we celebrate Juneteenth and the insight it offers in addressing current social injustice. Minnesota Humanities Center and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie are proud to bring Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story to Rochester area communities in collaboration with the following local organizations: Mayo Clinic, Rochester Branch of the NAACP, and Rochester Public Schools.

Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story from iDream.tv on Vimeo.

Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story, written by Rose McGee, is a 90-minute fictitious, two-act play that addresses a factual and traumatic time in our history – when news was deliberately withheld that Black people were no longer to be kept as slaves in this country. Storytelling and music weave together mesmerizing scenes. Although tragedy is depicted, this play within a play is tremendously uplifting. The story begins with a Prologue set in the early 1800s in a small West African village where a young mother and her small son are being abducted from their home by slave catchers. Act One: Scene One is set in present time in a popular North Minneapolis soul-food restaurant where a group of youths and adults ultimately end up discussing what Juneteenth means. Before long they all agree to attend a play about Juneteenth. The story then shifts into 1863 on the Turner Plantation in Tyler, Texas with the character Frederick Douglass as Narrator.
Although interpretation is best suited for ages 8 and up, children of all ages are welcome to attend.
Registration
The evening performance is free to attend, but registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Cloud - Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story
2023-06-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Marcus Theatres, 1533 Frontage Road North, Waite Park, MN, 56387, United States
In 2021, Juneteenth was written into law as a national day of observance. Following, on February 3rd, 2023, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Minnesota. Although awareness has grown, many people are still unfamiliar with why we celebrate Juneteenth and the insight it offers in addressing current social injustice. Minnesota Humanities Center and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie are proud to bring Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story to St. Cloud area communities in collaboration with host partner United Way of Central Minnesota and local organizations.

Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story from iDream.tv on Vimeo.

Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story, written by Rose McGee, is a 90-minute fictitious, two-act play that addresses a factual and traumatic time in our history – when news was deliberately withheld that Black people were no longer to be kept as slaves in this country. Storytelling and music weave together mesmerizing scenes. Although tragedy is depicted, this play within a play is tremendously uplifting. The story begins with a Prologue set in the early 1800s in a small West African village where a young mother and her small son are being abducted from their home by slave catchers. Act One: Scene One is set in present time in a popular North Minneapolis soul-food restaurant where a group of youths and adults ultimately end up discussing what Juneteenth means. Before long they all agree to attend a play about Juneteenth. The story then shifts into 1863 on the Turner Plantation in Tyler, Texas with the character Frederick Douglass as Narrator.
Although interpretation is best suited for ages 8 and up, children of all ages are welcome to attend.
Registration
The evening performance is free to attend, but registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Learning from Place: LGBTQ+ History in Downtown Minneapolis
2023-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Loring Community Arts Center, 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Minneapolis-Saint Paul is far from being flyover country; our metro area has some of the richest and deepest LGBTQ+ history in all of North America. Grow your understanding of this history with an interactive, in-person walking tour of downtown/central Minneapolis, an area deeply entangled with LGBTQ+ people’s stories, movements, and place in the world.
Be immersed by traveling through downtown Minneapolis, interspersing history with storytelling from local LGBTQ+ activists and artists. Learn about how down-and-out drifters in the notorious Gateway District helped shape a Twin Cities gay identity, how lesbians threw parties in deserted industrial warehouses, how gay and lesbian political power was built in response to police raids, and how one of the first Pride festivals grew from a ragtag group marching up Nicollet Mall.
We hope you’ll come along!
This event is a collaboration with Telling Queer History.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
This experience involves approximately 2 miles of walking and standing, starting and ending at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Audio headsets will be provided for amplification of the tour guide and storytellers.
This event is open to all. Members of Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community are welcome to register using promo code LGBTQ-HISTORY to waive the fee if they wish.
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for all Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the promo code FEEWAIVER.
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Learning from Place: St. Paul's Little Africa
2023-07-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Snelling Cafe and Restaurant, 638 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 55104
Minnesota is home to over 150,000 Africans, including the largest Somali population outside of Africa. Yet, many people are not aware of the rich cultural traditions and assets African immigrants and refugees bring to the vibrancy of our state. Build your cultural understanding and awareness of Minnesota’s East African cultures as you immerse yourself within St. Paul’s Little Africa cultural corridor. This interactive, in-person experience will include an Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Sabrina’s Cafe & Deli, a tour of several African-owned businesses, and lunch at the Eritrean-owned Snelling Cafe.
This event is a collaboration with African Economic Development Solutions.
Registration
Space is limited to 40 participants.
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Members of Minnesota’s African communities are welcome to register using promo code LITTLEAFRICA to waive the fee if they wish.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Headscarf Story Circle: The Promise
2023-08-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognizes the strength and resiliency of women. Join us as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, or memories, and beliefs.
We kicked off the series by introducing women to each other through “Tea” followed by the “The Gift” where women exchanged symbolic items representing life lessons and personal power. Now we arrive at our third event “The Promise,” a commitment to memorialize our story of who we are, the lessons we’ve learned, and how we can use our abilities and stories to support each other regardless of our differences.
Join us for a day-long retreat filled with cultural dancing and sharing, food, and many ways to memorialize the promise through writing, comedy, painting, and creating a personal artifact.
We are honored to feature the talent and cultural knowledge of women leaders and artists from the following organizations: Africontigbo, Amy A Jewelry, FAWK (Funny Asian Women Kollective), Memorialize the Movement, RISE (Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood of Empowerment), WISE (Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment), and Palabristas.
A breakfast buffet will be available from 8:15 AM -9:00 AM . The program will begin at 9:00 AM. Lunch and workshop materials included.
Agenda
8:15 a.m. – Doors Open
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Program Begins
9:15 a.m. – Group Story Circle
9:55 a.m. – Workshop Session I (Workshop 1A: Re-writing Our Personal Narrative, Workshop 1B: The Specialness of Being: A Memoir Writing Workshop, Workshop 1C: Personal Narrative Writing: Telling Our Stories)
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:45 p.m. – Workshop Session II (Workshop 2A: Reviving Forgotten Treasures, Reviving Memories Through Jewelry, Workshop 2B: Finding the Comedy In Your Life, Workshop 2C: Paint to Express)
2:50 p.m. – Group Story Circle
3:25 p.m. – Rhythms of Africa
4:00 p.m. – Closing
Intergeneration participation is welcomed.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the promo code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote
2023-09-09 08:30 - 14:30 | Indian Mounds Regional Park, 10 Mounds Blvd, St. Paul, 55106
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the general public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Indian Mounds Park in St. Paul. We will also be visiting Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required) and Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks and beverages.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Indigenous people of this place have the longest relationship to the land. Because of the nature of this program and experience, the fee is waived for indigenous participants. Contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org before registering.
This experience involves nearly 1.5 miles of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We do provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides and to support social distancing. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT. We are no longer accepting registrations for the Waitlist.
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

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St. Paul - Poetry Encuentro: A Latine Poetry Gathering
2023-09-09 09:30 - 16:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
This poetry encuentro will bring together Latine community members to engage in storytelling based on Latine literary traditions. We want to recognize the complex and inspiring stories of Minnesota’s Latine community and their contribution to Minnesota’s diverse and vibrant cultural heritage. Focusing on poetry as creative expression, writers of all levels will produce, break bread, and perform together in a shared space. Join us for what will be a historic and memorable encuentro celebrating the written and spoken word!
This full-day gathering is being offered by Palabristas in collaboration with the Minnesota Humanities Center. Poetry Encuentro hosts/facilitators: Marion Gomez, Larry Lucio Jr., David Mendez, Teresa Ortiz, and Gabriela Spears-Rico.
Registration
This event is open to all Latine community members who want to write or who identify as writers. Registration is limited to 40 participants.
Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
You are welcome to register using promo code COMMUNITY to waive the fee if you wish.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

St. Paul - Our Ancestors Are Us: An Asian Adoptee Life Writing Workshop
2023-10-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
As part of the Minnesota Humanities Center’s writing and reflection offerings, we are excited to collaborate with Jennifer Kwon Dobbs to host Our Ancestors Are Us: An Asian Adoptee Life Writing Workshop, a project funded by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.
Adoption from Asia involves a child’s removal from their kinship of birth and oftentimes disconnection from their ancestral culture and ways of knowing. This interactive workshop creates a generative, adult adoptee-centered space in which to explore the unique ways that adoptee memory and experience can be empowering sources of creativity and literary witness. Participants will learn and share writing strategies to compose works of their own about their lives lived, unlived, and imagined otherwise as adoptees.
Lee Herrick – Special guest Lee Herrick is the California Poet Laureate. He is the author of three books of poems: Scar and Flower, finalist for the 2020 Northern California Book Award; Gardening Secrets of the Dead; and This Many Miles from Desire. Born in Daejeon, Korea and adopted as an infant, Lee teaches at Fresno City College and in the low-residency MFA program at University of Nevada Reno at Lake Tahoe.
Jennifer Kwon Dobbs 허수진 – Born in Wonju, Republic of Korea and adopted in Oklahoma, Jennifer Kwon Dobbs 허수진 is the author of Interrogation Room (White Pine Press, 2018), Paper Pavilion (White Pine, 2007), and the chapbooks Notes from a Missing Person (Essay Press, 2015) and Necro Citizens (hochroth Verlag, 2019). Her work has received the 2023 American-Scandinavian Foundation’s Lief and Inger Sjöberg Prize for literary translation among other honors. Currently, she is senior poetry editor of AGNI and professor and chair of English at St. Olaf College. www.jkwondobbs.com.
Registration
This event is open to all adult Asian diaspora adoptees who want to write or who identify as writers. Registration is limited to 40 participants.
Snacks are included, and a journal will be provided.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Latino Joy
2023-10-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The aroma of inviting cuisine continues to fill the halls of the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) as we commemorate Latino Cultural Heritage Month through food. MHC’s very own head chef and kitchen manager Lorena Bonilla and distinguished chef and owner Nettie Colón at the RedHen Gastrolab Concepts will prepare and serve comfort foods from their rich culture joined by emcee and poet Lupe Castille. Participants will have a chance to partake in the flavors through engaging “taste circles” of the delectables and share memories of the power of food from their own experiences.
Chef Lorena Bonilla joined the Minnesota Humanities Center’s (MHC) Event Team in 2002. In 2010 she became the Head Chef and Kitchen Manager responsible for overseeing the MHC Event Center kitchen and making sure that customer satisfaction is high, and food is delicious! She is responsible for the daily operation of the kitchen, caters over 300 events, and feeds thousands of people a year! She is the recipient of several culinary awards for her masterful creations served at MHC. When Chef Lorena is not cooking at MHC, she is spending time with family and friends at home where she enjoys making traditional meals with them. At age five Chef Lorena and her family moved from Zacatecas, Mexico to Bakersfield, California where her father worked at Dole Fresh Vegetables Company. She recalls how the family always had access to a variety of fresh vegetables. “My Mom is my greatest cooking inspiration,” says Chef Lorena, “I grew up watching her make delicious food for the family. When I was around 12 years old, I started chopping the many vegetables for her to make Mexican style dishes. I loved my own special role in the kitchen.”
Chef Lorena admits that she likes eating just as much as cooking. Her favorite thing to make and eat is Mexican soup – especially what she calls pesole which includes hominy added with chicken or pork. Sopa de fideo is a Mexican noddle soup that happens to be her son’s favorite dish when made by her. The Fajita Buffet is one of the most raving reviewed menu items at the MHC Event Center. Chef Lorena’s incredible fajitas are made just right – grilled chicken and beef served with seared peppers and onions, refried beans, Spanish-style rice pilaf, warmed tortillas, tortilla chips, and a condiments bar including lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Chef Nettie Colόn is a Minneapolis transplant by way of New York and Puerto Rico and spent her early years living a reverse West Side Story. Born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico, Nettie Colón spent her formative years learning traditional cooking methods of the island with her grandmother, Maria Brigida Llanes de Jesus, and her friends. For all 48 grandchildren on her mother’s side, time spent on her grandmother’s farm in the remote central mountain town of Utuado offered an idyllic childhood. She got the love of cooking from her abuela, and to this day, that influence is very much alive in every dish that she prepares.
Her love of traveling comes from the time spent hopping around the island to eat with her family. Chef Nettie’s father is from Cayey, where the sector of Guavate aka “The Pork Highway” is located. That is how she came to realize that people do travel for food, especially in Puerto Rico. This passion of traveling for food has led her to work all over the United States & abroad, with culinary adventures to West Indies, Wales, Spain, France, Sardinia, Southern Italy, Yucatan Peninsula, Costa Rica & Panama. She was Chef de Cuisine at Lucias Restaurant & Wine Bar for a decade. She also taught the history of Mayan cuisine in the Biosphere Reserve of Sia’an Ka’an in Tulum, Yucatan for 9 years where she fell in love with traditional Mayan cooking methods including Pibil, which lead to exploration of underground techniques from around the world such as Pachamanca, Curanto, Hangi and others.
She is Chef/Owner of The Red Hen Gastrolab Concepts (Red Hen Gastrolab, Red Hen Chinchorro & Red Hen Table) which is committed to the preservation of the relationships built around food traditions in the kitchen and at the table. She is also Resident Chef at The Break Room Minneapolis at The Historic Machine Shop, a James Beard Foundation Chefs Boot Camp Alumni, BA Craftmade Aprons “Project Black & Blue” Advocate, Market Chef & Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund Board Member of The Mill City Farmers Market.
Lupe Castillo @1heartspeakslupe (She/Her) creator of HeartSpeaks: Voices of Cultura Healing & Writing Circles is a proclaimed XicanaIndia from the Southern lands. Lupe is a Poet, whose recent written work is documented in the Northside Green “Our Urban Canopy” Art/Coloring Book, published in June, 2023 and featured at the 2023 State Fair. As a Culture Bearer, HeartSpeaks provides activated radical collaborations in writing and spoken word artistry. Lupe is also a co-founding member of Palabristas, a Spoken Word LatineCollective. Lupe is deepening her work as an Artist by partnering with other BIPOC & LatineArtist Collectives in the Twin Cities and beyond. She facilitates community gatherings and offers writing guidance where participants write about their connections to home, family, significant others, spirituality, Indigenous Identities, Murals and Cultural Arts.
Registration
Due to the focus of this program, the fee is waived for Latino community members residing in Minnesota. You are invited to register with promo code COMMUNITY23.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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St. Paul – A Decade of Learning from Place: Bdote
2023-11-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us as we honor and recognize ten years of Learning from Place: Bdote! We will pay tribute to the individuals who co-created this transformational experience with the Minnesota Humanities Center – Ramona Kitto Stately, Ethan Neerdaels, and Mona Smith – as well as reveal opportunities to continue the learning.
Learning from Place: Bdote started in collaboration with Saint Paul Public Schools, following the creation of the Bdote Memory Map. The daylong immersive experience brings participants to sites of significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Centered in Dakota stories and cultural knowledge, the program has become a highly requested experience that expands one’s knowledge and understanding. Since its inception, Learning from Place: Bdote has been delivered 100 times, reaching 3,000 participants from across industry sectors.
A light meal of Indigenous food will be shared.
Registration
SOLD OUT – REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Headscarf Story Circle: Tea Celebration
2023-12-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognizes the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our fourth offering as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, or memories, and beliefs.
During these historical and current challenges, we will come together to share stories, embrace our differences, and support each other along the way. Reflecting on previous offerings, we will highlight the impact and discoveries made during previous gatherings as well as hold space for new stories. As we sip on teas and food from around the world, we will embark on a journey with cultural wellness professionals who will unveil their unique strategies for achieving balance and inner peace. Participation in past offerings is not required.
Presenters
Wendy Goldberg is an adjunct professor in the religion department at Augsburg University and teaches first and seventh grades at the Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. Prior to these positions Wendy was the Director of Spiritual Engagement at Shir Tikvah Congregation in Minneapolis. Educated at Brandeis University, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and at Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies, Wendy’s vocation is doing interfaith work and bringing a social and racial justice lens to all of her endeavors.
In 2022, Malika Dahir joined RISE as the new Executive Director. She also started a story-time program at her local co-op so that Muslim youth could see themselves represented positively and expanded this initiative to libraries throughout the county. She served as Executive Director at Pearls of Hope supporting young Muslims in becoming more confident, compassionate citizens of their communities through the power of mentorship.
Pamela Zeller is first generation born in the U.S. on her father’s side and is proud of her Mestiza ethnicity and culture she has over thirty-five years of nonprofit management and development experience. She shares this experience with other organizations through her nonprofit management company, Zeller Solutions. Her experience in all facets of nonprofit work, direct service provider, program developer, fundraiser, financial manager, strategic planner, facilitator, informs her work with WISE and other nonprofits.
Born and raised in North Minneapolis into an Afrocentric family, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan was taught to serve at a young age. She founded Vegan By Nature which has served over 1,000 free vegan meals in 2020 and is continuing to expand its reach. As an entrepreneur, she continues to work as a Vegan Chef, Poet, and Educator with the goal of helping to “Heal the Hood” with food and art.
Lupe Castillo (She/Her) creator of HeartSpeaks: Voices of Cultura Healing & Writing Circles is a proclaimed XicanaIndia from the Southern lands. Lupe is a Poet, whose recent written work is documented in the Northside Green “Our Urban Canopy” Art/Coloring Book, published in June, 2023 and featured at the 2023 State Fair. As a Culture Bearer, HeartSpeaks provides activated radical collaborations in writing and spoken word artistry. Lupe is also a co-founding member of Palabristas, a Spoken Word LatineCollective. Lupe is deepening her work as an Artist by partnering with other BIPOC & LatineArtist Collectives in the Twin Cities and beyond. She facilitates community gatherings and offers writing guidance where participants write about their connections to home, family, significant others, spirituality, Indigenous Identities, Murals and Cultural Arts.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register early with the promo code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

The Great Northern Festival - Learning from Place: Bdote
2024-01-28 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center that invites participants to visit, inhabit, and expand their understanding of Twin Cities sites with deep significance to Dakota people. Participants learn from Dakota community members to reconsider their relationship to land, water, sky, and all life—including other humans—through stories and perspectives that are often left out of our state’s history.
Bdote is a Dakota word that generally means “where two waters come together.” The bdote where Ȟaȟáwakpa (Mississippi River) and the Mnísota Wakpá (Minnesota River) come together is central to Dakota spirituality and history. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding about Dakota people’s relationship to the place we now call Minnesota and will be encouraged to put newfound knowledge into action and further learning.
Please note: This event will primarily be outdoors so dress accordingly. A Minnesota state parks vehicle permit is required (one-day permits are available for $7 and can be purchased online or at any Minnesota state park office).
Registration
Registration for this event must be made through the Great Northern Festival website.
Register Now

St. Paul - Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Black Joy
2024-02-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Minnesota Humanities Center is excited to host, “Feeding Our Souls, the Essence of Cultural Joy,” food series. Food has always played a pivotal role in shaping our identities and communities. It binds families, showcases heritage, and promotes understanding. Our program delves into this unique intersection of food and culture, inviting participants to explore the rich narratives behind every dish. Join us at the Minnesota Humanities Center, where beloved local chefs and cooks will showcase dishes that speak about their cultural backgrounds. Through interactive “taste circles” attendees will be encouraged to share their own memories and traditions related to food, further enriching a collective experience.
Our first event in recognition of Black History Month is Feeding Our Souls, the Essence of Black Joy. Participants will engage in the cultural richness of food, music, and historical research that defines the essence of Black joy.
Featured Chef – Chef Gerard Klass’ culinary expertise is inspired by the richness of his Caribbean and African American heritage. Prior to co-founding Soul Bowl with his wife Brittney, he had over 10 years of experience at Kaskaid Hospitality as Executive Chef where he opened new restaurant concepts in the South, East Coast and Midwest. Soul Bowl has been featured in a number of local, regional and national publications and was awarded one of the top 50 restaurants in Minnesota by Minneapolis Saint Paul Magazine two years in a row.
Food Commentary – Steven Montomery is a social studies/ethnic studies content lead for the Minneapolis Public Schools and designed lessons for educators with a creative approach to teaching the richness and history of Black cuisine. Steven’s family upbringing influenced his interest in food stories that led to his passion for finding ways to inspire students to expand their own pride, self-identity and confidence in themselves.
Special Performance – Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter, & actress. She performs jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, contemporary, and gospel music and regularly appears at local club venues The Dakota Jazz Club & Crooners Supper Club. Ginger is also currently a Teaching Artist with the Vocal Essence Witness Program.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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St. Paul - Language Centered Care: Through the Lens of Elder Care Services
2024-03-22 08:00 - 10:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center is excited to host the March installment of the University of St. Thomas Morrison Family College of Health Breakfast Series. This interactive session aims to highlight the critical role of language in caregiving, particularly in the context of Minnesota’s culturally diverse and aging population. Through authentic stories shared by elders and their caregivers, spanning diverse familial and institutional contexts, participants will gain valuable insights into the importance of language in shaping caregiving dynamics. They’ll also receive practical advice on enhancing care practices to better serve Minnesotans while embracing a global perspective on health and healing.
Breakfast and Networking starts at 8:00 a.m.; program starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Registration
All refunds are available up to 48 hours prior to the event. For questions, comments, or order status, email coh@stthomas.edu and reference your order number.
Registration Questions: wholepersonhealth@stthomas.edu
Register Now

St. Paul - Headscarf Story Circle: Tea Gathering
2024-03-24 13:00 - 15:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
IMPORTANT: We have decided to cancel the March 24 Headscarf Story Circle: Tea Gathering event in order to respect several observances and partner events happening at the same time. Thank you to those who were interested in the event, and thank you to the community members who gave their feedback!
Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host our second year of the Headscarf Story Circle Gatherings. Join us as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, or memories, and beliefs.
Be Our Guest for Tea! The first event features engaging conversations that inspire perseverance, hope and healing, while enjoying several courses of delicious food items and teas. We are honored to have Rose McGee, founder of Headscarf Society TeaLit and a Humanities Officer at MHC, serve as tea host.

Online - Beyond Learning from Place: Bdote - Action Planning & Engagement for Accomplices
2024-04-11 11:00 - 13:30 | Online
Since 2013, the Minnesota Humanities Center has collaborated with Dakota community members to offer Learning from Place: Bdote, an immersive experience that brings people to sites of significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Over 3,400 people have participated in this transformative offering, leaving many wanting to learn and do more. We are excited to partner with Native Governance Center to host the first of our Beyond Learning from Place: Bdote online workshops.
Workshop Overview:
Action Planning and Engagement for Accomplices
Presented by Native Governance Center – nativegov.org
Are you interested in taking action to support Native communities? Do you feel unsure about how to get started on building relationships and potential partnerships with Native nations? Join Native Governance Center, a Native-led nonprofit organization, for a deep dive into best practices for meaningful engagement. This interactive presentation will equip participants with tools for creating supportive action steps using Native Governance Center’s action planning framework. Attendees will also learn how to get into a good headspace and understand protocol before partnering with Native nations. Expect content grounded in real-life examples and ample opportunities to engage with presenters and fellow attendees in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment. This presentation is perfect for those wondering “what’s next” after attending a Bdote tour.
Native Governance Center Presenters:

Cree Rose Dueker (Chippewa Cree Tribe, she/they): Program Coordinator – Movement Building
Jessica Glidden (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, she/her/kwe): Program Manager – Leadership Development
Michaela Madrid (Lower Brule Lakota Sioux, she/her): Program Director

Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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St. Paul - Whole Person Health Summit
2024-04-16 08:30 - 16:00 | Anderson Student Center, Woulfe Hall, UST, 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, 55105, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center is excited to sponsor the Second Annual Whole Person Health Summit at the University of St. Thomas.
The Whole Person Health Summit aims to bring together health care leaders, health professionals, policy makers, students, faculty, and community members to share learnings, co-create new ideas, and identify opportunities to collaborate on strategies to advance health equity through culturally responsive, whole-person, collaborative care. The Summit will elevate promising approaches to whole-person care, and will include a breakout session presented by Minnesota Humanities Center. Join us as we strive to create the necessary change in how we care for our neighbors, our friends, and our families.
Registration
All refunds are available up to 48 hours prior to the event. For questions, comments, or order status, email coh@stthomas.edu and reference your order number.
Registration Questions: Melanie Ferris – wholepersonhealth@stthomas.edu
Register Now

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Cedar-Riverside/West Bank
2024-04-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center, 420 South 15th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
The Cedar-Riverside/West Bank neighborhood in Minneapolis is one of the most diverse communities in the Midwest, with a longstanding tradition of activism, cultural diversity, and the arts. The neighborhood has long been a landing place for newly arrived immigrants, with some moving on and some settling in the West Bank more permanently. Today the neighborhood is home to a large East African community, including Somali, Ethiopian, and Oromo people who live alongside neighbors and descendants from earlier waves of immigration. The West Bank continues to welcome new arrivals. Build your cultural understanding during this interactive, in-person experience that includes a walking tour with several stops led by Abdirizak Bihi, host of KFAI’s Somali Link Radio. A food sample from a local restaurant will be provided.
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
This event is a collaboration with Pillsbury United Communities/Brian Coyle Center.
Registration
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Space is limited to 40 participants.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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Learning from Place: Hmong St. Paul
2024-05-04 08:30 - 13:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of St. Paul’s vibrant Hmong community! St. Paul is home to the largest Hmong population in the United States, with deep roots on the East Side. Our guide for the day is Chong Yang, a high school educator who grew up in the neighborhood after coming to Minnesota at the age of six from a refugee camp in Thailand. Our day begins and ends at the Minnesota Humanities Center. During a short bus tour, Chong will share insights and stories while pointing out Hmong businesses and landmarks, such as the Minnesota Memorial to The Special Forces in Laos, commemorating the Hmong involvement in the Southeast Asia War. Our first destination is the Hmong Cultural Center Museum where we will hear a special presentation and have time to explore the exhibits showcasing the rich heritage, traditions, and contributions of the Hmong people in Minnesota. Next, we will visit the iconic HmongTown Marketplace, home to 125 small businesses and food vendors. We will meet the owner and learn about his incredible story, followed by a guided tour of the bustling market. There will be time for independent shopping and lunch.
This is a collaboration with Hmong Cultural Center and HmongTown Marketplace.
K-12 educators will receive 4 clock hours.
Registration
Space is limited to 45 participants.
Please note: Registration cost does not include food. Participants are encouraged to support the financial recovery of small businesses by making purchases from the businesses they learn about on the tour. We recommend bringing cash, as not all vendors accept credit cards.
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2024-05-18 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Indian Mounds Regional Park, followed by a visit to the Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Reuben Kitto Stately
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Reuben Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation and a member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. He is an artist, composer, and rapper who performs under the name Kitto. He is a graduate of Augsburg University with a BA in American Indian Studies and a lifelong Dakhóta language learner. Reuben has been a member of the Minnesota Indian Education Board of Directors since 2019.
There will be about one mile of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

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Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
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St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2024-06-10 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Indian Mounds Regional Park, followed by a visit to the Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Marlena Myles
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Marlena Myles is an enrolled Spirit Lake Dakota artist located in St Paul, Minnesota. Her art brings modernity to Indigenous history, languages and oral traditions while using the land as a teacher. She has installed three site-specific augmented reality public art installations: the Dakota Spirit Walk (Saint Paul), the Sacred Hoop Walk (MN Landscape Arboretum) and the Wodakota Walk (Caponi Art Park). In 2023, she was awarded the Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship, Joyce Award and Rise25 Mozilla Honoree.
There will be about one mile of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

Learn More
Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
Watch Now

Minneapolis - Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story
2024-06-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Northrop, 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, 55455, United States
Minnesota Humanities Center & Northrop Present: Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story
Minnesota Humanities Center and Northrop are proud to bring Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story to the Twin Cities in collaboration with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, The Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, and local organizations. In 2021, Juneteenth was written into law as a national day of observance. Following, on February 3rd, 2023, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Minnesota. Although awareness has grown, many people are still unfamiliar with why we celebrate Juneteenth and the insight it offers in addressing current social injustice.
Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story Performance
Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story, written by Rose McGee, is a 90-minute fictitious, two-act play that addresses a factual and traumatic time in our history was deliberately withheld that the Civil War was over and Black people were no longer to be kept as slaves with states in rebellion. Storytelling and music weave together mesmerizing scenes. Although tragedy is depicted, this play within a play is tremendously uplifting. The story begins with a Prologue set in the early 1800s in a small West African village where a young mother and her small son are being abducted from their home by slave catchers. Act One: Scene One is set in present time in a popular North Minneapolis soul-food restaurant where a group of youths and adults ultimately end up discussing what Juneteenth means. Before long they all agree to attend a play about Juneteenth. The story then shifts into 1863 on the Turner Plantation in Tyler, Texas with the character Frederick Douglass as Narrator. Immediately following the play, Dr. Amelious Whyte, University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts Interim Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will moderate a 20-minute Q&A with cast, bringing the play back to present time.
Interpretation is best suited for ages 8 and up.
Join us for pre-show activities starting at 10:30 a.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services will be available at this event.
Funding for this project is provided in part by Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the African American Leadership Forum, the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, Minnesota Association for Black Lawyers, Mortenson, Mutual of America, and The University of Minnesota Imagine Fund.
Thank you to our partners: Northrop, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, The Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
Registration
Registration for the performance through the Northrop Box Office.
Registration Questions: umntix@umn.edu
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Funders and Supporters

St. Paul – Headscarf Story Circle Gathering – The Nibi Walk
2024-07-28 13:00 - 16:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognizes the strength and resiliency of women. Join us as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, or memories, and beliefs.
The July 28 Headscarf Story Circle Gathering will feature the Nibi Walk and its healing connectedness to women. Join us for this remarkable immersive experience guided by Sharon Day, leader of Nibi Walks and Executive Director of the Indigenous People’s Task Force. This special Nibi Walk has been tailored to include a short physical walk from the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) over to Lake Phalen where the water ritual will take place and then participants will return to MHC for reflections. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk from MHC to Lake Phalen will be 5-8 minutes. To prepare and understand with greater respect, please visit the Nibi Walk website.
To learn more about Headscarf Story Circle, watch our program video.

Registration
There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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Birmingham, AL - Alabama Civil Rights Field Study
2024-08-04 - 2024-08-10 | Sonesta Inns and Suites, 50 State Farm Pkwy, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
The Alabama Civil Rights Field Study offers a profound, seven-day, six-night exploration into the heart of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. This immersive experience is designed for educators who seek to deepen their understanding of the pivotal role that Alabama played in making the promises of the U.S. Constitution a greater reality for more Americans and its ties to Minnesota today. Journey through key historical sites in Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, and witness firsthand the landmarks of courage and struggle that changed our nation.
Using a combination of lectures, first-hand accounts from history makers, travel, and primary and secondary source documents, educators will examine how the political, social, economic, and cultural institutions of the United States of America were changed as a result of the events that took place in Alabama.

Online - From Mountains to Lakes: Stories of Hmong Women
2024-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
In 2021, Minnesota Humanities Center collaborated with several institutions, scholars, and artists to host From Mountains to Lakes: Hmong Educational Forum. The event provided meaningful insight to include Hmong diaspora, health disparities, the importance of data disaggregation, identity and intersectionality. Videos of these presentations are available to view online.
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This year, Minnesota Humanities Center is proud to collaborate with Hmong Women Achieving Together (HWAT) to host From Mountains to Lakes: Stories of Hmong Women. Our first event was held in October and aimed at recognizing the perseverance and contributions of Hmong women in Minnesota since arriving to the US nearly 50 years ago. Following the gathering, HWAT hosted several intergenerational listening groups to identify stories and themes that are critical for community growth and on-going resiliency. Join HWAT board member, Dr. MayKao Hang and MHC Chief Humanities Officer MayKao Fredericks as they share the report and offer reflections.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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St. Paul - Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Latine Joy
2024-10-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Savory entrees and delectable desserts will again fill the tables at the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) as we commemorate Latine Cultural Heritage Month through food and the beloved stories behind them that bring community joy. Cuisine and entertainment will be showcased by some of the Twin Cities’ finest chefs and musicians.
Featured Chef: Manuel Gonzalez
Manuel Gonzalez is from Mexico City. He moved to the United States In 1982, after finishing culinary school in Mexico. Having always dreamed of opening his own business, he applied and was chosen as one of the first restaurants to be part of the Latine Business Development Project, opening in their first restaurant in 1999. He invited his sister Victoria, to participate in this adventure, because she has a background in hospitality management and business consulting experience. Together they run Manny’s Tortas inside the Midtown Global Market and a booth in the food building at the Minnesota State Fair. Manny is frequently a guest speaker for economic development programs, and a guest chef at locations such as Macy’s Department Store and Midtown Global Market. He also teaches cooking classes for different events.
Featured Musician: Jesus Guzman
Born in Vargas, Venezuela, Jesus began to study violin at the age of 7 in the National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela, also known as El Sistema. He has studied in the Latin American Violin Academy in Caracas with the violin master, Francisco Del Castillo. In addition, Jesus has participated in masterclasses with violin virtuosos, Guy Braunstein, Thibault Vieux, and Alexis Cardenas. Jesus has an extensive performing career, notably the five years he spent as member of 1st Violin of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela under conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Diego Matheuz. In 2022 He won an award in the Z-film Festival in Minneapolis, MN, for his composition and video edition as a best original song of “Añoranza” Lastly, He is part of the staff of teachers for GTCYS (Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies) working as a violin teacher in the Harmony program in Riverview West School of Excellence – St. Paul (MN), and teaching around the Twin cities.
Program Emcee: Melissa Gonzalez Vazquez
Melissa Gonzalez Vazquez is Communications and Community Engagement Manager at LatinoLEAD. Drawing from her firsthand encounters with the transformative impact of Latine-focused nonprofits, Melissa is dedicated to enhancing our community’s access, visibility, and success through purposeful programming, cross-sector partnerships, impactful narratives, and cross-cultural coalition building efforts. She believes that Minnesota is an excellent hub to foster Latine leadership infrastructure and strategies. She is dedicated to connecting emerging vanguards across industries and highlighting our Latine community’s assets. Her background in congressional campaign communications and designing nationwide Latine leadership programming reinforced her passion for aligning Latine efforts and amplifying its collective influence through narrative writing, digital marketing and graphic design.
Registration
Registration is required for this free event.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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St. Paul - Latine Film Project - Inspiring the Next Generation
2024-10-30 08:30 - 11:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us for an exclusive preview of a new project created in collaboration with MHC and LatinoLEAD that amplifies the stories of Latine individuals who have exemplified strength and resiliency to pursue unconventional paths to success. Through inspiring stories along with supporting learning materials, the project seeks to inspire future leaders and foster community pride and understanding across Minnesota. During the session, you’ll gain insight from community listening reports, connect with project contributors, and view a sneak peek of the video content. Participants will also have the opportunity to provide input and explore ideas for expanding the project’s reach and impact. An authentic Mexican breakfast will be served.
This event is offered as part of the St. Paul Area Chamber’s Equity Leadership Series. For more information about the series contact events@stpaulchamber.com.
Limited seats are available for non-St. Paul Area Chamber members through MHC’s registration link below.
Registration
If cost is a concern, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. To request a complimentary spot, please register with Discount Code WAIVE24.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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Online - Beyond Learning from Place: Bdote - Action Planning & Engagement for Accomplices
2024-11-07 12:30 - 15:00 | Online
Since 2013, the Minnesota Humanities Center has collaborated with Dakota community members to offer Learning from Place: Bdote, an immersive experience that brings people to sites of significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Over 3,400 people have participated in this transformative offering, leaving many wanting to learn and do more. We are excited to partner with Native Governance Center to host the first of our Beyond Learning from Place: Bdote online workshops.
Workshop Overview:
Action Planning and Engagement for Accomplices
Presented by Native Governance Center – nativegov.org
Are you interested in taking action to support Native communities? Do you feel unsure about how to get started on building relationships and potential partnerships with Native nations? Join Native Governance Center, a Native-led nonprofit organization, for a deep dive into best practices for meaningful engagement. This interactive presentation will equip participants with tools for creating supportive action steps using Native Governance Center’s action planning framework. Attendees will also learn how to get into a good headspace and understand protocol before partnering with Native nations. Expect content grounded in real-life examples and ample opportunities to engage with presenters and fellow attendees in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment. This presentation is perfect for those wondering “what’s next” after attending a Bdote tour.
Native Governance Center Presenters:

Cree Rose Dueker (Chippewa Cree Tribe): Program Manager for Community Engagement
Sage Phillips (Penobscot Nation): Program Coordinator for Community Engagement

Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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Online - Headscarf Story Circle Gathering: Health and Humanities - Reaching Women Across Minnesota
2024-11-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Headscarf Story Circles have created a welcoming space where women of all ethnicities, religions, and ages come together in unity, connected by the shared significance of the headscarf. This video captures the essence and purpose. Metaphorically, each thread of the headscarf is intricately woven to form a profound tapestry, symbolizing the complexity and beauty of our shared commonality.
This virtual experience will be a health and humanities focus – “Headscarf Story Circle Gathering: The Silent Subject of Menopause.” Women of all ages agree that menopause has not been an open or common discussion, yet it comes with many questions, concerns, and myths. Participants will hear from experts in women’s health and have a chance to share their own stories of experiences, fears, and remedies.
We are excited to also have the following Greater Minnesota community ambassadors join us as they prepare to bring Headscarf Story Circle into their communities.
Ambassador Bios
Tawonda Burks of Rochester, Minnesota is the current Director of Operations at RAEDI (Rochester Area Economic Development Inc.). She is the founder and owner of ELOCINA, LLC, President-Elect of Southeast Minnesota BDPA, Board of Trustee member of the Jeremiah Program, Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, Leadership Table at Cradle 2 Career, and committee member with Center for Chronic Disease Reduction & Equity Promotion Across America.
Julia Freeman of St. Paul is Director of Community Engagement for Voices for Racial Justice where she has (since 2007) led the Education Equity work using a healing and racial justice lens. She has helped districts and schools use co-created tools that put students and parents in the center of equity solutions. She is a racial justice trainer, coach, and the grandmother of ten.
Hodan Omar is the founder and Executive Director of Hooyo Hour Organization. Recognizing the growing need to support mothers, she established Hooyo Hour as a nonprofit to provide community resources, educational support, and programs that empower women to become self-sufficient. A dedicated community connector, Hodan was honored with the Social Trust Award from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, recognizing her efforts in building social trust across the greater St. Cloud community.
Emily Fuerste Swanson is co-owner/proprietor of Oldenburg House, a B&B next to the St. Louis River and Jay Cooke State Park in the little town of Carlton (near Duluth). Oldenburg House is named for Margaret Oldenburg, a citizen scientist and explorer who grew up in this historic house, and her story shaped Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community (OACC). OACC works with local creatives to nurture connections to each other and the abundant and irreplaceable cultural and natural resources in this beautiful place we call home.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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