While African Americans comprise just five percent of the total population of Minnesota today, the state boasts many successful, creative, and influential African American residents who have left and continue to leave their mark in a wide range of professional and avocational pursuits. This book honors those individuals. Minnesota's Black Community in the 21st Century shines a spotlight on African American individuals and organizations who are helping to build a better Minnesota. Continuing the tradition established by the pioneering books published by Walter R. Scott Sr. in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the Minnesota Black Community Project highlights the contributions of contemporary black Minnesotans in the fields of the arts, beauty and fashion, community service, education, entertainment, finance, government, labor, law and law enforcement, media and communications, medicine and health care, religion, social services, sports, science and technology, and more. Through a collaborative effort of writers and photographers, the book profiles men, women, and youth from throughout the state and examines the myriad ways in which the black community is engaged in Minnesota politics, business, and culture. Providing a snapshot look at African Americans today, the book offers inspiration for the future and looks forward to where we are heading. “Much of the history of African Americans in Minnesota has fortunately been preserved for the ages thanks to the pioneering work of Walter Scott, whose publications from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s have recently been reissued by the Minnesota Historical Society as The Scott Collection . Now, Mr. Scott’s children, who are board members of Minnesota’s Black Community Project, have undertaken a continuation of their father’s work by bringing his treasuries of historical preservation up to date. “Their new collection, Minnesota’s Black Community in the 21st Century , continues the documentation of Black excellence by highlighting contemporary successful African Americans engaged in a broad range of crafts and professions. The book’s short biographies and photos capture as nothing else can all there is to celebrate in the present generation of Minnesota’s African American community. Together with Walter Scott’s legacy, we are blessed with a panoramic vision of a people’s indomitable pride, dignity, and steady advance. To experience this vision is to be inspired and filled with pride and hope for our future. Enjoy the books, see the vision, and give thanks.” Jerry Freeman , senior editor, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder “Our history as a people is one that must be told, learned, and recorded. Minnesota’s Black Community in the 21st Century is a wonderful and needed continuation of Mr. Walter Scott’s publications. It is a valuable public resource as well as a great reference for educators at all levels.” Benjamin Mchie , founder and president, African American Registry “ Minnesota’s Black Community in the 21st Century continues the important work of Walter Scott and his profiles of prominent African Americans in Minnesota from the 1960s and ’70s. The biographies in this work, compiled by Minnesota’s Black Community Project, will give today’s readers an excellent overview of key figures in the state’s African American community, while also providing vital information for future researchers.” Edward Hathaway , manager, Special Collections, Archives, Preservation and Digitization, Hennepin County Library “All too often, Minnesota history has been whitewashed as the story of voyageurs and senators, and the vibrant cultural and artistic life of Minnesota’s Black community is presented only as an ‘add on’ to a white narrative. In this crucial and necessary book, we see the current and future faces of our state excelling across all dimensions of human endeavor. It is a valuable documentation of where we are now and the promise of our future.” Stephen Brookfield , John Ireland Endowed Chair, University of St. Thomas “Without documentation, history cannot be preserved. Minneapolis publisher Walter R. Scott Sr. knew this when he set out to record the lives and work of Black Minnesotans in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Collectively the photos and biographical sketches in his three books provide more than snapshots of vibrant lives―they give us the feel of an era. Minnesota’s Black Community in the 21st Century extends Scott’s extraordinary vision and puts in our hands the joys and accomplishments of today’s Black professionals in Minnesota, ensuring that Minnesota’s Black history will endure. This highly anticipated publication will serve as an essential resource on Black history in Minnesota and is a welcome addition to the shelves of the Gary Sudduth African American History and Culture Collection at Sumner Library.” Natalie Hart , adult services librarian, Hennepin County Library Sumner Branch “When it comes to researching and preserving the history of postwar African American life