Minneapolis, MN
Entrepreneur creates space for Black professionals aimed toward building community through culture
Entrepreneur creates community through culture
An entrepreneur in Minneapolis is making it her mission to create an inclusive space for Black professionals to fill a void in the Twin Cities.
Recent “Greater MSP” studies have shown the region has improved in retaining people from out of state recruited for employment. However, when it comes to retaining highly educated people of color, it’s a challenge.
Through The B Suite, Jhaelynn Elam, The B Suite CEO, is building community through culture — and she’s seeing the impact first-hand.
Bria Black, a Target Corporation employee, and her husband moved from Louisiana, ready to start from scratch, but the new chapter wasn’t so welcoming.
“We were alone, and everything was not what we thought it would be,” Black said.
Stuck in isolation in 2018, finding a community she identified with felt out of reach.
“I was in my room crying,” Black said. “I was really distraught.”
Elam faced those same feelings when she moved to the Twin Cities three years ago.
“It feels suffocating and very isolating,” Elam said. “I made it my personal mission and I’m determined for Black professionals to never feel like they don’t belong.”
One year ago, Elam opened up “The B Suite” in downtown Minneapolis to create a cultural hub of experiences tailored to Black professionals.
The suite is a co-working space, social setting, and gateway to cultural resources ranging from health and wellness to professional development.
“One of the number one reasons that has been cited why a Black professional, or professional of color would leave the Twin Cities is because of the lack of community and the lack of culturally-specific amenities,” Elam said.
Elam held her own focus groups asking what people want to see in the Twin Cities and having inclusive, culturally competent spaces was a top answer.
“I want people to feel excited to be here. I want people to feel like they belong,” Elam said.
Many see “The B Suite” as a place of hope in the heart of the Twin Cities, giving black professionals a reason to stick around in Minnesota and call it home.
“It was literally a Godsend. It was the best thing that she [Elam] could have done,” Black said. “I think that community is the most important thing for people who want to thrive, live and survive. In Minnesota, you have to have it.”
The official B Suite grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is Saturday, October 26th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
The B Suite credits partners for bringing their vision to life. One of the B Suite’s partners is IKEA, who donated furniture to the space.
“We are excited to support The B Suite through our furniture donation,” said Sanjay Kumar, Market Manager for IKEA in the Twin Cities. “At IKEA, we believe in creating inclusive spaces that allow individuals to connect, learn, and thrive. Our support for The B Suite is a wonderful step toward promoting equality and representation, and we are proud to contribute to a more equitable Twin Cities.”
The B Suite is open to partnerships with businesses and organizations with like-minded goals. Contact Jhaelynn Elam at jhaelynn@b-suite.co for more information.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis salon mixes rock and roll with haircuts: Inside HiFi Hair and Records
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.
A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand
What we know:
HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music.
“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon.
Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.
The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.”
He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment.
“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.
The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene.
Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”
Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub
Why you should care:
Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted.
Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too.
“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.
His goal is simple:
“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford.
He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”
The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going.
“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.
HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.
Minneapolis, MN
Edina shooting leaves 1 dead, suspects on run
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A deadly shooting in Edina sparked a massive police response and forced a lockdown at nearby businesses at Southdale Mall on Wednesday as police are searching for the suspects.
Deadly Edina shooting
What we know:
Edina police responded around 12:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting along West 66th Street near Southdale Mall.
At the scene, officers found one victim with a gunshot wound. Officers tried to revive the victim but say they ultimately died from their wounds.
Local perspective:
Police say the suspects ran from the scene. As a precaution, they advised nearby businesses to go into lockdown. FOX 9 learned that MHealth Fairview also went into lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Aerial video from the scene showed the investigation appeared to be focused around an apartment building across from the mall. Police say the apartment building is described as a transitional housing.
Avoid the area
Big picture view:
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation is underway. Officers have blocked off West 66th for the time being.
Police say they are looking for more than one suspect involved in the shooting.
What we don’t know:
Police say some people were taken into custody at the scene but it’s unclear what their role was in relation to the shooting.
Law enforcement near the 3300 block of W. 66th Street in Edina. (FOX 9)
Minneapolis, MN
Ellison, Minneapolis, St. Paul update lawsuit against Operation Metro Surge with new data
(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis and Saint Paul updated their lawsuit over Operation Metro Surge with new survey data on economic harm.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted two surveys tied to the amended lawsuit. The lawsuit says the federal operation violated the Constitution and caused lasting economic damage.
The first survey was done between February and March and included nearly 1,400 residents. It found workers lost more than $240 million in wages during the operation.
A separate newly released survey of about 900 businesses found more than $600 million in lost revenue. The updated lawsuit from Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul adds that new data to its claims.
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