Event Recordings

September 19, 2024

Join Hmong American writer May Lee-Yang and Somali American writer Anisa Hagi-Mohamed as they explore the intersections of creativity, culture and spicy community tea. They will discuss the unique challenges of navigating the world as writers, business owners, and third culture kids and their deep ties to their communities. Q&A session to follow. 

Panelists: May Yee-Lang and Anisa HagiMohamed

September 7, 2024

Join Dr. Yolanda Williams and Pavielle French brings, two beloved culture bearers of the Twin
Cities Black music community as they recall the path and people that have led to their becoming
composers of songs for the people. This event continues a series of intergenerational discussions
between African American creatives and is co-sponsored by Givens Collection of African
American Literature and Life, the School of Music, More Than A Single Story discussion series
and the In Black Ink publishing arts initiative.

Panelists: Dr. Yolanda Y. Williams and PaviElle French.

June 20, 2024

Join grandfathers Russel Balenger, Ahmed Kaad, David Mura, and Jim Rock as they discuss how historical practices and events impacted the ways they showed up as fathers, what it is like for them now to see their own children as parents, how they connect with their grandchildren, and advice they have for today’s young fathers.

Panelists: Russel Balenger, Ahmed Kaad, David Mura, and Jim Rock

Moderator: Suleiman Adan and Ben Weaver

June 6, 2024

Join Erik Anderson, Jonathan Brown, Linus Chan, Chris Martin and Michael Torres, for an insightful conversation on the joys and complexities of fatherhood. Though they come from a variety of backgrounds-some were raised by present fathers, others by father figures or maternal influences-they are united in navigating the complexities of fatherhood in today’s world.

Panelists: Join Erik Anderson, Jonathan Brown, Linus Chan, Chris Martin and Michael Torres

Moderator: Suleiman Adan

April 23rd, 2024

Join award-winning writers Hawona Sullivan Janzen and Antonio Duke in a conversation on Blackness, history and writing for the stage. As writers, historians, playwrights, actors and scholars, Janzen and Duke believe writing is the only thing that can save us from ourselves. They will discuss their inspirations from the Black spiritual canon derived from Yoruba, Santeria and Voodoo deities and their beliefs in the power of the word. Collaborator: More Than a Single Story. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Panelists: Hawona Sullivan Janzen and Antonio Duke

April 20th, 2024

An African proverb says “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This Embracing our Roots event will focus on two couples: Arts giants Seitu Ken Jones & Soyini Vinelle Guyton with next generation couple, Anura & Rekhet Si-Asar. They will engage in a wide ranging conversation on family, community, and the ways they work and walk together. The conversation will center on couplehood, familyhood and community. They will also speak on how those influences impact their professional work as artists and arts leaders, and how they curate space to build and hold community. The event will include poetry and sharing of some of the art that has beautified, reflected, and uplifted our communities over the years.

Panelists: Seitu Ken Jones, Soyini Vinelle Guyton, Anura & Rekhet Si-Asa

March 30, 2023

Join artists, educators, activists, and mothers, elder Amoke Kubat and elder-in-the-making, Wisdom Young (Mawusi) as they share, build, and heal about their journeys as Black girls, women, and mothers in America. They will discuss how time, place, family, and historic/current events have shaped their identities and their work. They will reflect on the seeds they were given through generations, the seeds they are currently tending, and most importantly, the seeds they are sowing.

Panelists: Amoke Kubat and Wisdom Young (Mawusi)

January 31, 2024

Authors Mélina Mangal and Sarah Warren discuss about why they write for children, how their biracial backgrounds influence their work, and the challenges and joys of writing fiction and nonfiction. Q&A session to follow.

Panelits: Mélina Mangal Sarah Warren

Moderator: Carolyn Holbrook

October 24, 2023

Panelists discuss how we carry personal and collective trauma, grief, and losses experienced over the last few years. Panelists with share how their cultures, beliefs, and community help them remain engaged in life and the transition toward hope and healing.

Panelists: Janice Bad Moccasin (Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota), Marian Hassan, Kinshasha Kambui, and Billy Lor

Moderator: Carolyn Holbrook.

Opening poem: Diane Wilson.

Collaborator: More Than a Single Story. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

June 2, 2023

This podcast is called Emerging Already, Sustaining Now featuring Resmaa Menakem, Erin Sharkey, and Douglas Kearney. This event was a part of More Than a Single Story’s weekend retreat for Black writers and artists. This was recorded on June 2, 2023.

Panelists: Resmaa Menakem, Erin Sharkey, and Douglas Kearney.

March 18, 2023

How does community start? And how does it germinate in order to empower people and authentic voices? How do you build on the movements that came before you? The Loft and More Than a Single Story invited a panel of seasoned BIPOC writers and arts activists to share the trials and triumphs they faced while building the powerful arts community we are all benefitting from today.

Panelists: Daniel Pierce Bergin, Juanita Corbine Espinosa, Kathryn Haddad, Carolyn Holbrook, Alberto Justiniano, and David Mura.

Moderator: Vickie Benson.

Opening Poem: Louis Alemayehu.

December 6, 2022

Despite the challenges of the last few years, our communities have always found reasons to celebrate. Join notable chefs and food writers Sean Sherman, Yia Vang, Mecca Bos and Natalia Mendez in a conversation about their communities and the historical and contemporary ways food serves as a backdrop for cultural celebrations.

Moderator: Tess Montgomery.
Opening poem: Zenobia L. Silas Carson.

October 15, 2022

Up and coming drummer and storyteller, Joshua Gillespie (Brotha Ase’) joins his grandparents, the master storytellers, Nothando and Vusumusi Zulu, in a conversation about the power of storytelling to lift our people up, and about the Black Storytellers Alliance in Minnesota, of which Nothando and Vusi are co-founding members.

June 14th, 2022

On Tuesday June 14, 2022, up and coming journalist, podcaster and spoken word artist, Jasmine McBride will join Emmy award winning actor, vocalist and educator, T. Mychael Rambo in a conversation about Mr. Rambo’s celebrated career here in Minnesota and beyond. They will also reflect on Ms. McBride’s growing career, and much more. Embracing our Roots: African Americans Rooted and Rising is a collaboration with More Than a Single Story, Black Table Arts and In Black Ink.

September 13, 2022

Author and playwright Marcie Rendon (White Earth Nation) and documentary producer Leya Hale (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Diné Nations) discuss issues that affect their Indigenous communities.

In her TEDx talk, Carolyn Holbrook speaks on how she is a legacy of where she comes from and her personal belief that we live our legacy everyday.

June 14, 2022

Up and coming journalist, podcaster and spoken word artist, Jasmine McBride joins Emmy award winning actor, vocalist and educator, T. Mychael Rambo in a conversation about Mr. Rambo’s celebrated career here in Minnesota and beyond. They also reflect on Ms. McBride’s growing career.

May 22, 2022

Somali author Ayaan Adan, Uruguayan author Tessa Bridal, genderqueer Afghani writer and professor of Global Studies Ahmad Qais Munhazim, and Hmong community leader Terri Thao have a discussion on what home and exile means to them.

May 4th, 2022

Writers Ed Bok Lee and Kevin Yang reflect on their identities as Asian American artists living in Minnesota and creating art for themselves vs. creating art for their communities and explore writing in different languages.

April 30, 2022

Presented by TruArtSpeaks in collaboration with More Than A Single Story, this performance and panel discussion closed out poetry month with an invitation to “be a menace” for all things good, through the power of the written and spoken word.

Mar. 17, 2022

Mary Moore Easter, author of four poetry books and Founder/Director of Carleton College’s dance program shares her experiences with Genesia Williams, a creative social change leader, writer and designer.

Feb. 17, 2022

Spoken Word Artist/Arts Educator, Brittany Delaney joined Distinguished Professor Emeritus John S. Wright in a conversation about Dr. Wright’s storied career.

February 15, 2022

Reading from We Are Meant to Rise by Mary Moore Easter, Anika Fajardo, Ezekiel Joubert III & Mona Susan Power. This event was part of the Soul Bone Literary Festival from Maharishi International University’s MFA program in creative writing.

January 13, 2022

This panel discussion highlights co-editors Carolyn Holbrook and David Mura alongside writers Marcie Rendon, Suleiman Adan and Kevin Yang as they talk about the book and their experiences as BIPOC writers.