Alumnus Dave Feehan was awarded, along with two other co-authors, a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society for a book entitled “Lest We Forget - Contributions of Minneapolis’ African American Baby Boomers.” The book tells the story of more than 30 African American baby boomers and their life journeys - the contributions they made to their communities, their churches, their human service organizations, other individuals and the cultural life of this city.
Some of the interviewees are well known. Sharon Sayles Belton became the first woman and first African American mayor of Minneapolis. Michelle Norris became co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered. Terry Lewis became half off the song writing and producing duo, “Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis", the Grammy-ward winning pair who produced Janet Jackson among many others.
Others are less well known. Thornton Jones (stage name Pharaoh Black) was an actor who worked for MADDADS and then the Center for Fathering after a career as an actor and radio personality. Harvey Witherspoon became a prominent local minister. Steven Lasley became an English teacher at an inner city high school and a basketball coach. Elizabeth Covington, a Pitt MPH grad, became the first African American woman admitted to Mayo Medical School.
His two co-authors are Judith Hence, former editor in chief of the Minneapolis Spokesman/Recorder, the Twin Cities African American newspaper; and Joyce Marrie, executive director of Crossroads Panorama, a program that uses drama therapy to work with troubled youth.
The book is expected to be completed in early 2023.