Untangled Roots

We spoke to dozens of Black residents who told us what they think about living in Minnesota.  Some lamented the lack of Black cultural spaces and the prevalence of a form of ‘niceness' that isn't actually nice. However, some told us Minnesota has lots to offer and has the potential for much more. Plus, St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter III gives his ‘elevator pitch' for why Black people should want to live in the capital city.  With co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode of Untangled Roots was inspired by a conversation between co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. If you had a friend coming to town and they said “I want to do the Black ‘thing' in town,” what would you tell them to do? Cities with larger Black communities often have at least one ‘thing' - like a unique cultural festival or some other draw for Black people. Do we have a thing? Do we need a thing? Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Minnesota is home to Fortune 500 companies that hire top Black talent.  However, those employers often struggle to retain African American workers. Too often, Black professionals, especially those recruited from out of state, face isolation on the job and a feeling of disconnection from the larger Black community. With co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Civil rights icon Josie Johnson says it's important for African Americans in Minnesota to connect with each other.  However, that can be particularly tough for African Americans new to the state.  Guests offer ways to build those intra-racial relationships and build a stronger sense of community for Black Minnesotans.  With co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb, who both grew up in Minneapolis, talk about how the city they call home became the center of worldwide attention in 2020.  The killing of George Floyd by a police officer touched off protests around the globe.   Rabb, who was living in California at the time, said the protests and unrest made him move back to the city. But he asks, “Why do I care so much about this place that often does not care about me?” Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Economist Bruce Corrie discusses ways that cities can help secure the viability of these vital community assets. He says incubators and cross-cultural collaborations are possible options. Corrie also says St. Paul cannot afford to lose an enclave like Little Mekong, which contains a variety of southeast Asian-owned businesses. With co hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Va-Megn Thoj of the Asian Economic Development Association, says some immigrants and refugees who start their own businesses, do so out of necessity, not because they want to be their own boss. He says some would rather not have to work the long hours for small profits. But too many can't get hired for other jobs.  With co hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Enclaves like Little Mekong are more than just areas with great places to taste cuisines from around the world.  Places of worship, culturally specific service providers and other businesses are also central to the vibrancy of enclaves. Guests discuss how Mexican American immigrants and refugees from Somalia have benefitted from these institutions.  With co hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Immigrants and refugees from Southeast Asia in a section of St. Paul, known as ‘Little Mekong' have overcome hurdles and restrictions to create this unique enclave.  In this episode of Untangled Roots co hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb introduce us to a business owner who is taking over her family's business. And guests also discuss the potential risks for the enclave during the rise of attacks against Asian Americans. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ethnic enclaves often both benefit members of the communities as well as the wider community. In this episode, Untangled Roots explores the synergy between enclaves and surrounding areas. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

One of the great losses caused by the highway expansion through Rondo was the loss of generational wealth for the residents. For decades, Rondo has struggled to keep pace with other areas of St. Paul. Everyone acknowledges that what happened to Rondo was wrong. The question now, is how do we make it right? Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rondo was forever changed by the highway expansion. But why was Rondo chosen? What happened after the highway physically divided the neighborhood? And how did the sons and daughters of Rondo stay committed to the community they loved so much. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rondo became a place where Black people found ways to provide services for themselves when they were denied by others outside of the neighborhood. But sometimes when progress happens for Black people, others feel threatened. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rondo was a working class neighborhood that was home to new immigrants from troubled parts of the world, as well as African Americans who fled oppression in their own country. While many came to Rondo with few resources, they were able to find work and build a community rich with culture and strong community bonds. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood still embodies the values of a community torn asunder by the construction of Interstate 94. In this first episode we look at how the Rondo neighborhood keeps going and helped make the city's first Black mayor, Melvin Carter III, who followed the “family business” of community service all the way to City Hall. Untangled Roots was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, NPR One or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Untangled Roots celebrates the culture and history of diverse communities across Minnesota and unpacks the issues and events that have impact. This signature podcast of the MPR News North Star Journey project unearths novel angles on familiar topics, hidden stories and fresh voices.