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.
A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.
It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.
Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.
Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.
One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”
“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”
This story will be updated.
A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.
Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.
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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.
Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.
The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building
Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.
READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage
In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.
Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.
Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
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Minneapolis, MN
Man killed over Louie Vuitton bag, suspect was on bond for suspected carjacking, charges say
Minneapolis police are investigating a homicide on Feb. 24, 2026. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A man is dead after a witness said he refused to give up a Louis Vuitton bag while being robbed by multiple men at gunpoint.
Abdirahman Khayre Khayre, 20, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery for the incident that happened on the evening of Feb. 24 in Minneapolis.
READ MORE: Man fatally shot in south Minneapolis apartment building
Fatal Minneapolis shooting after robbery
The set-up:
Minneapolis police responded around 10:42 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Abbott Apartments, located on the 100 block of East 18th Street in the Stevens Square neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Officers then found a dead man in the lobby who had been shot multiple times.
A witness to the shooting said he and the victim arrived at the apartments to “hang out” with Khayre, according to the criminal complaint.
The witness said he became suspicious when Khayre he left the room multiple times and “appeared to be stalling.”
The robbery:
The complaint states the witness reported three men then came into the room and yelled “Give me everything.” The men were armed with Glock handguns that had extended magazines as well as an AR-style rifle.
They then stole two guns from the witness, and one of them was handed to Khayre.
When the men demanded a Louis Vuitton bag from the victim, he refused, leading to a fight between them all.
The shooting:
The witness said when he walked toward them, Khayre pointed the witness’ stolen gun at him and racked it.
The witness then got out of the room, ran toward the lobby and heard multiple gunshots. He then saw two of the men flee out the back of the building, but didn’t see what direction they went in.
The victim was then found dead.
The aftermath:
Khayre was then identified by the witness in a photo lineup, according to the criminal complaint.
Police say video footage corroborated much of what the witness reported.
Khayre was on conditional release for a suspected carjacking at the time of the shooting, according to the complaint.
The Source: This story uses information gathered from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County and previous FOX 9 reporting.
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