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.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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