Black and Funny Improv Festival looking for community support to continue opening doors
"It's kind of a way to carve out space, specifically for black performers and audience members, to see themselves represented on stage," said Jada Pulley.
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"It's kind of a way to carve out space, specifically for black performers and audience members, to see themselves represented on stage," said Jada Pulley.
Jaylen Smith was 18 years old when he was sworn into office as mayor or Earle, Arkansas, a town of 2,000 people.
During this Black History Month, a history maker is sharing his inspiring story here in the Twin Cities. Jaylen Smith is recognized globally as the youngest African American Mayor in U.S. history. WCCO's Reg Chapman explains how he's trying to inspire the next generation of leaders.
The Black and Funny Improv Festival looks to uplift black voices, while breaking down barriers of improvisational comedy, but organizers say they need a little help to make sure they're around for years to come. Our Jason Rantala has the story.
![Jamecia Bennett playing the role of Sister Rosetta Tharpe played the guitar during a play dress rehearsal of Marie and Rosetta, the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe at the Park Square Wednesday November 20, 2018 in St. Paul, MN.] Jerry Holt • Jerry.ho](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/02/22/69a1fd48-5f06-472d-a528-c655c6abd303/thumbnail/640x360/f88a24a770eec6bb62d5f46a3e02cf44/gettyimages-1156602088.jpg#)
Bennett was just 16 when Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis helped her develop live music skills. Her studies continued under Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness founder Gary Hines, but the legacy started even earlier, with family.
The keys to unlocking the doors of Black history may not rest in the pages of school history books, but rather in segregated schools made for Black children.
Born into slavery in Mississippi, Frederick McGhee's family escaped with union soldiers to Tennessee where he got a law degree.
It's a success story even local historians have trouble comprehending. Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield introduces us to a Minnesota leader who shattered every barrier imaginable.
Some St. Paul students had the opportunity to go bring history to life by peering through the lens of their school's namesake, St. Paul's own Gordon Parks. WCCO’s Ubah Ali takes us inside his exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and speaks with a high school student on Parks' lasting impact.
Gordon Parks High School students had the opportunity to bring history to life by peering through the lens of their school's namesake, legendary St. Paul artist Gordon Parks.
They've talked to the president of a building group, a high school ESL teacher, and a man who runs a grill company. They are talking with Black men, but they hope another demographic is listening.
You may think, for a pastor, Sunday is always the big day, but Pastor Jerry McAfee says the days in between matter too.
At New Salem Baptist in North Minneapolis, McAfee’s pulpit is indoors, but he’s proven his ministry is outdoors.
Bringing healing and wellness to people of color is a year-round mission for Carter. That mission is lived out through her two businesses, The Zen Bin wellness studio and Heal, a plant-based café.
You may not know his name but if you've ever been to St. Paul, you've likely seen his work. Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield has the story of a deeply talented architect who defied all odds. It's part of our on-going celebration of Black History Month.
Eig unearthed transformative firsts about Dr. King – many via newly-released government documents. His book reveals, and it debunks.
Patton always dreamed of bringing the music that comes from his heart to the big stage in his hometown, and now that dream is a reality.
The Minnesota History Center's newest exhibit hopes to show Black Americans' fight for racial equity and full citizenship in the years following the Civil War.
For the past 18 years, a local barber has dedicated his talent and time to people experiencing homelessness.
Seena Hodges, founder and CEO of The Woke Coach, visits WCCO to talk about her new book, "From Ally to Accomplice,” and the opportunities we have this holiday season to tackle tough topics with family members.
This month marks 60 years since KKK members bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama – killing four Black girls and injuring at least 20 people. A group of Minnesotans has just returned from Birmingham where they contributed to a conference commemorating that terrorist attack. Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center, joined us Thursday with more.
"There would be more challenges today with [Dr. King's] speech than there was back then," said Dr. Henry Morris. "It has become alright again to be a public bigot."
The new book "Can't Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie like Our Mama" shares a story about family and love that will feel familiar to many Minnesotans.
Seena Hodges, founder and CEO of anti-racism training consultant The Woke Coach, is releasing her debut book, “From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist.” She joined WCCO to talk about the steps we can take to understand our privilege and power and learn to use it for the benefit of others.
New businesses and entrepreneurs are taking up space in a place that was once hard to access.
The Minnesota Wild filled a need at their weakest position ahead of the NHL trade deadline by acquiring center Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators.
Inside the rink in Delano, Minnesota, state tournament preparations are ongoing.
The parents of an 11-month-old boy who was suffocated to death by an employee at his day care last fall say they want to make sure the tragedy never happens again.
A rising mixed martial arts fighter from Minnesota on the brink of making his pro debut was one of three people killed in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas early Sunday.
A soldier from Minnesota was among those killed in last weekend's military strikes against Iran, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
A rising mixed martial arts fighter from Minnesota on the brink of making his pro debut was one of three people killed in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas early Sunday.
A federal judge has clashed with Minnesota's top federal prosecutor in what he called a series of "testy and frosty" exchanges.
Runners planning to participate in the 2026 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon can now register for the event.
Gas prices in Minnesota are climbing, mirroring a national trend experts say is at least in part caused by the U.S. and Israel attacking Iran.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified Tuesday that 650 federal agents in her division are still on the ground in Minnesota, a figure that contradicts a sworn declaration by a local field office leader.
Gas prices in Minnesota are climbing, mirroring a national trend experts say is at least in part caused by the U.S. and Israel attacking Iran.
A Twin Cities woman is accused of making violent threats toward Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, including multiple intimations she planned to shoot the GOP official.
As the war in Iran evolves, National Guardsmen from Wisconsin are being recognized for what they are doing in the Middle East.
The Salvation Army is in the midst of its largest food drive of the year, called Meals 4 Minnesota.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
As the war in Iran evolves, National Guardsmen from Wisconsin are being recognized for what they are doing in the Middle East.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
A fire at a hotel in Superior, Wisconsin, Monday night left one person hurt and forced guests to move to new lodgings.
Excitement is in the air in northern Wisconsin with the 52nd annual American Birkebeiner underway.
People from across the nation are traveling to the Twin Cities, but not as tourists. Many want to learn in person from Minnesota protestors to bring that knowledge back to their own cities.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
Karmel Mall has been mostly silent, with shops closed at the building on East Lake Street. Operation Metro Surge has caused many Somalis to stay home.
The ongoing presence of ICE and federal law enforcement in the Minneapolis area has kept many immigrants at home for fear of being arrested. Now, their neighbors are crowdsourcing to cover their rent.
The parents of an 11-month-old boy who was suffocated to death by an employee at his day care last fall say they want to make sure the tragedy never happens again.
The parents of a young child shared the emotional story of their 11-month-old son who was suffocated at day care. They're doing what they can to make sure it never happens to another family. As Caroline Cummings reports, they're starting at the state capitol.
Waymo is already in Minneapolis testing its driverless cars, though right now with a driver behind the wheel and the service isn't available to the public yet. On Wednesday, there will be a hearing here at the Minnesota Capitol on a bill to establish some regulations.
A federal judge clashed Tuesday with Daniel Rosen, Minnesota's top federal prosecutor, in what he called a series of "testy and frosty" exchanges, during an unusual contempt hearing that highlights a growing wave of confrontations across the U.S. between increasingly frustrated judges and Department of Justice officials.
A federal judge has clashed with Minnesota's top federal prosecutor in what he called a series of "testy and frosty" exchanges.
Gas prices in Minnesota are climbing, mirroring a national trend experts say is at least in part caused by the U.S. and Israel attacking Iran.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
As the strikes from U.S. and Israel continue, and Iran strikes back, the violence and turmoil could have significant worldwide ramifications.
On Friday, hundreds of leaders from Minnesota food banks and food shelves came together in Brooklyn Center. Their goal is to find the best ways to help hungry families in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, and while food prices remain high.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
A man who claimed to provide services for children with autism in Minnesota but instead raked in millions of dollars from fraudulent Medicaid billings pleaded guilty on Monday.
A Twin Cities woman is accused of making violent threats toward Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, including multiple intimations she planned to shoot the GOP official.
A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.
A former Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, school counselor accused of recording a teen student changing in his classroom in 2024 has pleaded guilty in connection with the incident, according to court records filed Monday.
A 19-year-old man pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide Monday in a crash that killed an 11-year-old girl in Independence, Minnesota, last year.
Tests of dozens of baby formulas by Consumer Reports found that nearly half contained potentially dangerous chemicals.
Minnesota on Monday sued Trump administration officials Dr. Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in an attempt to stop them from withholding $243 million in Medicaid spending, warning it may have to cut health care for low-income families if the funding is held back.
Thousands of Minnesotans enrolled in Medicaid take a total of millions of trips to their medical appointments each year through nonemergency medical transportation services, a federally required, taxpayer-funded program that's among more than a dozen others Minnesota determined to be at "high risk" for fraud.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
The Minnesota Department of Health said there have been 10 reported cases in the state so far this year. There were five cases as of the last update, which came on Feb. 19.
Actor and filmmaker Bruce Campbell told fans that he is in treatment for cancer and will cancel some upcoming public appearances.
The Minnesota Wild and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced a $600 million plan on Tuesday to renovate the team's arena and connected venues.
The 80-year-old will play at Grand Casino Arena on Sept. 15. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Hillary Knight, Megan Keller and Jack and Quinn Hughes made a surprise appearance during "Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storrie's opening monologue on "SNL."
As a musician and performer, Prince showed a generation that being different wasn't a liability. Now, an author and illustrator are telling the story of Prince's life in a new children's book.
The Minnesota Wild filled a need at their weakest position ahead of the NHL trade deadline by acquiring center Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators.
Inside the rink in Delano, Minnesota, state tournament preparations are ongoing.
After a 3-0 week for the Minnesota Timberwolves, superstar Anthony Edwards earned some recognition from the NBA.
The Minnesota Wild and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced a $600 million plan on Tuesday to renovate the team's arena and connected venues.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed 12-year veteran forward Kyle Anderson to bring back a popular role player after he was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
The month of March will be a pivotal one as Minnesota attempts to emerge from the shadow of massive fraud.
The month of March will be a pivotal one as Minnesota attempts to emerge from the shadow of massive fraud.
In the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, a bill to make it easier for someone to sue the federal government is advancing at the Minnesota Capitol.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.
The GOP is promoting an aggressive anti-fraud agenda while the DFL is hammering hard on the immigration crackdown and the continuing fallout.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Pine trees are a common sight up north. But on a Carlton, Minnesota, road, they're joined by giant lollipops. They serve as the welcoming committee for Sweetly Kismet, one of the largest candy stores in the state.
John Lauritsen shares the story behind a massive snow sculpture that's now become a winter destination.
Northland Arboretum was built half a century ago on top of what was once a city dump. But over time, nature carved its own path with a little help from a Zamboni.
The military strikes against Iran have sparked intense debate in Congress. U.S. lawmakers are not only split on whether to support the operation but also on whether President Trump should have sought congressional approval in advance. WCCO investigates how the Constitution defines declarations of war.
Traveling is already stressful, especially flying, but the deadly conflict south of the border might have some travelers second-guessing their upcoming trips.
Drivers beware. Cities are seeing an uptick in stolen cars this winter.
On the first day of the Minnesota Legislature, artificial intelligence is giving visitors and lawmakers at the State Capitol a new sense of security.
From the flu to the common cold, viruses keep knocking out Minnesotans this winter. A physician with Hennepin Healthcare breaks down how long an individual may be contagious after they start to feel better.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it'll get even warmer the next few days.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
The Twin Cities’ warm streak continues, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
The warming trend continues into next week, with the possibility to top 60 degrees in the near future, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
It'll be a mild few days as temps climb into the 50s, though a spring storm could hit on Thursday night.
Delano will play Mankato West in day one of the boys' hockey state tournament on Wednesday. The Tigers feature one of the best scorers in the state. Ren Clayton stopped by.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it'll get even warmer the next few days.
Minnesotans woke up to biggest increase in gas prices in more than four years. Last week, the average price at the pump for unleaded gasoline was $2.71 a gallon. According to AAA, the price jumped 16 cents in a day from $2.83 on Monday to $2.99 today. Reg Chapman looks at what it could mean for the busy driving season ahead.
We're getting a clearer picture of the stress put on local police during the ICE surge. Frankie McLister joins us from the newsroom with those new numbers.
The parents of a young child shared the emotional story of their 11-month-old son who was suffocated at day care. They're doing what they can to make sure it never happens to another family. As Caroline Cummings reports, they're starting at the state capitol.