Cornerstones and Common Ground: Reflections on the History of North Minneapolis on Thursday, February 23

Date:	Thursday, February 23, 2012
Time:	5 p.m. Community reception 6 p.m. "Cornerstones" screening 7 p.m. Panel discussion
Where:	UROC 2001 Plymouth Avenue North
url:	http://www.uroc.umn.edu/criticalconversations/index.html

The history of Minneapolis's north side is the topic of Critical Conversations, a new series of public discussions with scholars, historians, artists and community leaders on urban issues.

The kick-off conversation will focus on the people in front of—and behind—the camera in the recent university-produced documentary, "Cornerstones: A History of North Minneapolis." The documentary, which premiered in November on Twin Cities Public Television, traces the history of Minneapolis's north side communities through place-based stories interwoven with themes of immigration, race relations and social change. Cornerstone's director and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel Pierce Bergin will moderate a panel of experts, historians and community leaders:

• Roxanne Givens, businesswoman, philanthropist and founder of the Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center;
• Linda Schloff, historian, lecturer and former executive director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest;
• Katherine Solomonson, associate professor in the university's School of Architecture and an architectural historian featured in "Cornerstones;"
• John Wright, professor in the university's Department of African American and African Studies.

Discussion topics will include the stories behind the documentary, social dynamics and changes on Minneapolis's north side landscape over the past century and the importance of neighborhood connections and community common ground. The discussion will be introduced by university Senior Vice President Robert Jones, with a question and answer session to follow. A public reception will precede the event at 5 p.m., followed by screening of "Cornerstones" at 6 p.m.