Food Co-ops Sustain Community
Seward Co-op in Minneapolis. Q. How do food cooperatives help to create sustainable local communities? A. By definition, food cooperatives encourage and create sustainable, local communities. The birth of the modern day food cooperative came to be out of necessity for the community. Community members sought a source for healthy food choices, and when they couldn’t find them...
To Be Black and an Environmentalist by Jeremiah
When you hear the words “Black” and “Environmentalist” what comes to mind? What images start to surface as you place these two terms together? Some would consider Black environmentalism to be a rarity, or a new phenomenon. Yet Jeremiah Ellis points out that the connection between people of African descent and environmental thought and stewardship...
“Soul Food Junkies:” A Review by Shelley
Can we fix food systems in the Black community? Yes we can! How do we do it? According to Shelley, by scaling back and taking it down to a personal commitment of eating food that tastes good and is good for you. Her reaction to Soul Food Junkies, the widely well-received offering from creator and...
Mapping Your Environment: A Q & A Session w/ Tunde
People learn to read books because they see the benefits but maps, for one reason or another, get taken for granted. Funnily enough, almost everyone seems to know the adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ If it’s not socially acceptable to forego learning to read, then it shouldn’t be socially acceptable to forego...
A “Lovelee Day” with Xavier Marquis
Here at IYE, one thing we love is some positive, soulful, and plain ol’ funky melodies and lyrics. Local Twin Cities hip-hop artist Xavier Marquis knows exactly what that sounds like. Because he creates it. A few weeks back, I had my radio tuned into 91.1. Nina Clark did a story for Minnesota Public Radio’s Art Hounds,...
For the Love of the Authentic Narrative
In honor of Black History Month, IYE is dedicated to highlighting inspiring community members of the Twin Cities to share their stories, and personal connections and unique perspectives on the history we celebrate as a nation. Meet Chaun Webster. I thought it fitting to seek out someone in the Twin Cities’ literary community to highlight Black...
The Gift of You
This holiday season, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with pressure to buy things for everyone on our gift list. In case you are feeling upset that you can’t buy everyone you care about what you really want, it’s alright. Here’s a secret: when you give from your heart, and not necessarily give a...
