Social, Spiritual and Professional Networks
Worshipping
A large community of Black churches exists in Minneapolis Saint Paul, including numerous African Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches throughout the metro area. Jerry McAfee, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, is currently the president of the state’s Baptist Convention. St. Peter Claver is Catholic church and elementary school in Saint Paul that has served the African American population for more than 100 years.
Fraternal
In Minneapolis Saint Paul, the graduate black Greek community is even stronger than the undergraduate programs. Alumni chapters are active and social. Numerous annual Greek celebrations are popular, including the Kappa’s Black & Gold Ball, a Halloween party by the Omegas and a speaker series by the Deltas.
Family and Child Enrichment
An educated and literate area, a plethora of family programs abound, including:
- Mocha Moms, a social network for stay-at-home black moms, has two chapters here
- Jack and Jill of America’s Minneapolis chapter offers events and forums periodically throughout the year
- ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), is designed to enhance the ability of parents to provide the best environment for their child’s learning and growth
- Numerous cultural outlets, including the Children’s Theatre and Guthrie Theater and McPhail Center for the Arts, provide educational classes for kids
- With locations throughout the area, YMCA provides numerous family, fitness, wellness and childcare programs
Career Development
With 20 Fortune 500 companies located in Minnesota, many large corporations offer social and networking programs for employees of different cultural groups. There is Minnesota Black MBA Association and several community-wide opportunities are also available, like a Friday afternoon gathering of African American professionals at JD Hoyt’s, a popular downtown Minneapolis restaurant.
Sister Spokesman, organized by the Minneapolis Spokesman Recorder, is a monthly gathering of African American women that fosters sisterhood and provides a networking outlet. And the Urban League Young Professionals network connects African Americans who have relocated to the Minneapolis Saint Paul area with African Americans who are long-time residents of the area.
