Minnesota Humanities Center

St. Paul - Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History
2024-06-19 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | OMG Studios, 550 Vandalia Street Suite 220, St. Paul, 55102, United States
Co-produced by OMG Studios and the Minnesota Humanities Center, this documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott, and into conversations with current and future scholars. Featuring Akwamu Traditional Area’s King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III and Queen Mother Nana Afrakoma, II, of West Africa, Ghana, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III, MN Humanities CEO Kevin Lindsey, St. Cloud State University American Studies Chair and Minnesota Book Award Winner Dr. Christopher Lehman, and Minnesota creative treasures T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus and concluding with voices of the Black Youth Healing Arts Center (BYHAC).
This year’s documentary film is brought to audiences by Ujamaa Place, St. Paul Public Library, and the City of St. Paul.
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, and Mutual of America.
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St. Paul - Juneteenth Breakfast featuring Bakari Sellers
2024-06-20 08:00 - 10:30 | St. Paul Event Center, 400 Wabasha Street North #320, St. Paul, 55102, United States
One of the premier gatherings of Minnesota’s thought leaders, creative sector and business leaders, the Minnesota Humanities Center’s Juneteenth Breakfast is an opportunity for the community to examine how together we can work toward greater justice and equity.
The 2024 Juneteenth Breakfast will feature a keynote address and community conversation with Bakari Sellers on the thesis of his new book, “The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now.” Sellers is a CNN political analyst and lobbyist for the government of Liberia, and a former member of the South Carolina legislature. This commemoration experience includes a carefully curated breakfast, festive celebration, and a copy of Mr. Sellers’ new book.
In addition to our Partners in Equity sponsors, 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, and Mutual of America.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services will be available at this event.
Registration
Individual Tickets – $100
Individual Tickets
Group Tickets
Full Table (10 Tickets) – $800
Half Table (5 Tickets) – $400
Group Registration
If you encounter any registration issues with group tickets, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org or by phone at 651-772-4249.

Funders and Supporters

St. Paul - Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: Minnesota African American History
2024-07-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
K-12 educators are invited to attend this special film screening and discussion. Co-produced by OMG Studios and the Minnesota Humanities Center, this documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott, and into conversations with current and future scholars. Featuring Akwamu Traditional Area’s King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III and Queen Mother Nana Afrakoma, II, of West Africa, Ghana, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III, MN Humanities CEO Kevin Lindsey, St. Cloud State University American Studies Chair and Minnesota Book Award Winner Dr. Christopher Lehman, and Minnesota creative treasures T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus and concluding with voices of the Black Youth Healing Arts Center (BYHAC).
Following the 40-minute film, there will be a facilitated conversation on how to intentionally bring this history into classrooms.
K-12 educators will receive 2 clock hours.
This year’s documentary film is brought to audiences by Ujamaa Place, St. Paul Public Library, and the City of St. Paul.
Registration
There is no cost to attend this event, however registration is required. Refreshments will be provided.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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Minneapolis - Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History Film Screening & “Where Do We Go From Here?” Community Talk
2024-10-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis, 55411, United States
Award-Winning MN African American History Film Announces Fall 2024 Tour
“Best Short Documentary” (Santa Barbara International Movie Awards) and “Best Producer” (Hollywood Discovery Awards) film, Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History, announces a 5-city tour happening this Fall.
About the Film
This documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott at Fort Snelling, and into conversations with current and future scholars about where we go from here.
Co-produced by: OMG Studios and Minnesota Humanities Center Featuring: King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III & Queen Mother Nana Afrakoma, II (Akwamu Traditional Area, Ghana, AF); Melvin Carter, III (Mayor, St. Paul); Kevin Lindsey (CEO, Minnesota Humanities Center); Dr. Christopher Lehman (Ethnic Studies Chair, Ethnic, Gender, and Women’s Studies, St. Cloud State University); T. Mychael Rambo; Thomasina Petrus; and Voices from Black Youth Healing Arts Center
About OMG Studios
OMG Studios is a multidisciplinary media and production studio located in the Raymond-University district of Saint Paul. Our mission is to build cultural sustainability and community, where music and art are essential to human survival and development. We are driven by love for humanity and a desire to empower, nurture, and improve the health and wellness of youth and families in under-invested communities.
About Minnesota Humanities Center
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) collaborates with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring transformational humanities programming into the lives of Minnesotans throughout the state.
Registration
Admission fee is required to attend the Twin Cities Black Film Festival.
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Waite Park - Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History Film Screening & “Where Do We Go From Here?” Community Talk
2024-10-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Marcus Parkwood Cinema, 1533 Frontage Rd N, Waite Park, MN, 56387, United States
Award-Winning MN African American History Film Announces Fall 2024 Tour
“Best Short Documentary” (Santa Barbara International Movie Awards) and “Best Producer” (Hollywood Discovery Awards) film, Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History, announces a 5-city tour happening this Fall.
About the Film
This documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott at Fort Snelling, and into conversations with current and future scholars about where we go from here.
Co-produced by: OMG Studios and Minnesota Humanities Center Featuring: King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III & Queen Mother Nana Afrakoma, II (Akwamu Traditional Area, Ghana, AF); Melvin Carter, III (Mayor, St. Paul); Kevin Lindsey (CEO, Minnesota Humanities Center); Dr. Christopher Lehman (Ethnic Studies Chair, Ethnic, Gender, and Women’s Studies, St. Cloud State University); T. Mychael Rambo; Thomasina Petrus; and Voices from Black Youth Healing Arts Center
About OMG Studios
OMG Studios is a multidisciplinary media and production studio located in the Raymond-University district of Saint Paul. Our mission is to build cultural sustainability and community, where music and art are essential to human survival and development. We are driven by love for humanity and a desire to empower, nurture, and improve the health and wellness of youth and families in under-invested communities.
About Minnesota Humanities Center
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) collaborates with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring transformational humanities programming into the lives of Minnesotans throughout the state.
Registration
Admission is free. This screening features a post-screening discussion with appearances by those featured in the film.
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St. Louis Park - Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History Film Screening & “Where Do We Go From Here?” Community Talk
2024-10-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Edina Mann Theatre, 3911 W. 5th St., Edina, MN, 55424, United States
Award-Winning MN African American History Film Announces Fall 2024 Tour
“Best Short Documentary” (Santa Barbara International Movie Awards) and “Best Producer” (Hollywood Discovery Awards) film, Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History, announces a 5-city tour happening this Fall.
About the Film
This documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott at Fort Snelling, and into conversations with current and future scholars about where we go from here.
Co-produced by: OMG Studios and Minnesota Humanities Center Featuring: King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III & Queen Mother Nana Afrakoma, II (Akwamu Traditional Area, Ghana, AF); Melvin Carter, III (Mayor, St. Paul); Kevin Lindsey (CEO, Minnesota Humanities Center); Dr. Christopher Lehman (Ethnic Studies Chair, Ethnic, Gender, and Women’s Studies, St. Cloud State University); T. Mychael Rambo; Thomasina Petrus; and Voices from Black Youth Healing Arts Center
About OMG Studios
OMG Studios is a multidisciplinary media and production studio located in the Raymond-University district of Saint Paul. Our mission is to build cultural sustainability and community, where music and art are essential to human survival and development. We are driven by love for humanity and a desire to empower, nurture, and improve the health and wellness of youth and families in under-invested communities.
About Minnesota Humanities Center
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) collaborates with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring transformational humanities programming into the lives of Minnesotans throughout the state.
Registration
Admission fee is required to attend the Twin Cities Film Festival.
Register Now

Rochester - Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History Film Screening & “Where Do We Go From Here?” Community Talk
2024-10-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Marcus Rochester Cinema, 4340 Maine Ave SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States

Duluth - Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History Film Screening & “Where Do We Go From Here?” Community Talk
2024-11-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Marcus Duluth Cinema, 300 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN, 55802, United States

St. Paul -“Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History” Film Screening
2025-02-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Rd, St. Paul, 55111, United States
Commemorate Black History & Culture with OMG Studio’s Art, Music & Literature Exhibition 2025. Join us to watch this 40-minute film with a Q & A session to follow. Co-produced by OMG Studios and the Minnesota Humanities Center, this documentary challenges our understanding of slavery, its impact on Minnesota, and how we reconcile our past by taking viewers on a present-day journey to Ghana, to the quarters of Harriet and Dred Scott, and into conversations with current and future scholars.
This event is free with regular site admission.
Learn More
Questions
For more information on this event, please visit the link above or email ftsnelling@mnhs.org.

Minneapolis – Reconstruction Destructed Film & Community Conversation
2025-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis, 55411, United States
Reconstruction Destructed, sixth in the “Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery” film series, aims to shine a light on the most misunderstood period in American History and why it remains critically important to understand today. “It challenges our understanding of the impact of slavery and its ongoing impact throughout the United States,” said Monique Linder, Film Director and CEO, OMG Studios. “As our nation struggles to come to grips with our history of racial caste, the legal luminaries, civil rights leaders, and educational scholars are excellent guides not only to illuminate the past but more importantly to provide a path forward,” added Kevin Lindsey, CEO, Minnesota Humanities Center.

The film features Minnesota Federal District Court Judge Jerry Blackwell, Bryan Stevenson, Esq., Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, Dr. Josie R. Johnson, University of Minnesota Regent and First Lady of Minnesota Civil Rights, and Dr. Duchess Harris, Special Assistant to the Provost and American Studies Professor at Macalester College. Some of the Filming of Reconstruction Destructed occurred at The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, one of America’s premiere museums examining America’s history of racial injustice.

K-12 educators will receive 2 clock hours.

Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

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Thank you to our sponsors!

St. Paul - Minnesota Humanities Center at the 2025 MEA Conference
2025-10-16 07:30 - 14:30 | Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55102, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center will be at the annual MEA Conference this year — stop by our table to connect with us and explore resources to bring more diverse voices and perspectives into your classroom. Enter our drawing for a chance to win books and say hello — we’d love to see you!
We’ll be highlighting:

Native American Lives book series – engaging biographies for young readers that center Native stories.
Navigating the U.S. History Eras: Content, Pedagogy, and Inquiry in the Classroom – a new online series supporting history educators with content-rich, inquiry-based approaches.
Reconstruction Destructed: The Most Misunderstood Period in American History – the latest film in the “Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery” series.

We’ll also be sharing more about our broader work and resources for educators.
The MEA Conference is organized by Education Minnesota. It is the state’s largest professional development event for teachers, offering a full day of workshops, networking, and classroom resources.
Exhibits: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
General session: 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Workshops: 10:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Registration
Free and open to Education Minnesota members and students only. Registration through Education Minnesota is required to attend.
Registration Questions: meaconference@edmn.org
Register Now
