How Minneapolis' Cultural Districts tell their stories through food
From golden raisin lattes to shawarma, the many restaurants of Minneapolis' seven Cultural Districts serve up more than meals — they're an invitation to connect with the history, culture and community that have shaped the city across generations.
The background: Each Cultural District reflects a distinct identity shaped by generations of Indigenous, immigrant and BIPOC communities.
Some districts began as industrial or transit corridors; others were built through necessity as communities of color were denied access to housing and commercial opportunities elsewhere.
Over time, Minneapolis' neighborhoods became home to a layered mix of cultures, from Dakota and other Indigenous nations to Scandinavian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In more recent decades, Latinx, Somali and Hmong communities have added new voices, flavors and traditions to the city's cultural fabric
The impact: That cultural vibrancy comes to life in the restaurants, cafes and markets that anchor each district.
Here are just a few spots where you can eat well and learn more about the communities that make each district unique.
🫓 Maria's Café (Franklin Avenue East)
Located inside the Ancient Traders Market, Maria's is beloved for its Colombian-style sweet corn pancakes and breakfast burritos.
About Franklin Avenue East: This district is home to a thriving Indigenous community. It's a hub for Native-led organizations, artists and food entrepreneurs working to preserve — and evolve — cultural presence.
Plus, plus, plus: Check out All My Relations Arts or take the "Unholy Tour," a guided group tour of the origins of the American Indian Movement and the Indigenous history of the area.
☕️ Bichota Coffee (38th Street District)
Just a short walk from George Floyd Square, this Black- and woman-owned café is known for ethically sourced beans and Capriotadas, or sweet, spicy golden raisin lattes.
Community events and craft nights make it a gathering space as much as a coffee stop.
About 38th Street: The café sits in a district shaped by Black entrepreneurship and resilience — and continues to anchor conversations around justice and healing.
Here's what else: Swing by Listen2Us Studio, a living photographic archive of the 2020 protests, or catch a show at Pillsbury House & Theatre.
🥙 Holy Land (Central Avenue District)
Originally a deli, Holy Land has now grown into a full-service restaurant and market, known for its shawarma, hummus and fresh pita made in-house.
About Central Avenue: Shaped by a working-class population of Lebanese, German, Polish and Eastern European communities brought to the city in the 1930s to work in Northeast's railways, the district has long been a hub for immigrant entrepreneurship and heritage.
🍦 La Michoacana Purepecha (East Lake Street)
A colorful ice cream shop serving mangonadas, paletas and bubblegum-pink piñon (pine nut) ice cream.
About East Lake Street: Surrounded by mercados and murals, this district is a cultural and commercial center for Minneapolis' Latinx and Somali communities.
The takeaway: Across Minneapolis' Cultural Districts, restaurants are more than just places to eat — they're places to linger, to learn and to connect more deeply with the stories rooted in each neighborhood.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Charlotte Launches ‘First-Of-Its-Kind' Black Innovation Hub To Empower Entrepreneurs
Charlotte, North Carolina is one of the country's premier cities when it comes to Black-owned businesses and a new effort from Cauthy Dawkins and other members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce is set to create a hub designed specifically for those businesses. According to The Charlotte Observer, the chamber acquired an unused property and has poured resources into transforming the building into what Dawkins calls a 'one-stop shop for professionals and small businesses,' in hopes of helping entrepreneurs, improving Charlotte's economic growth, and fighting food insecurity. The Innovation Center, as the property is now known, will feature an agri-tech program for farmers, event spaces for business meetings, co-working spaces for startups, entrepreneurs and nonprofits; as well as a retail store and a distribution center for small businesses. To figure out how the space could be best utilized, Dawkins visited other cities with similar hubs, cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C., and nearby Durham, North Carolina, and what he came away with from those tours ultimately led him to create a first-of-its-kind hub for Black-owned businesses and professionals in Charlotte. 'As things in the community get taken away, like federal funding and grants, we want to be a safe space,' Dawkins told the Observer. 'I wanted to create a safe space for business owners and professionals to come get elevated.' The chamber spent approximately $30,000 to acquire the building, and is in the process of launching a $3.7 million fundraising campaign to attract funding for the necessary renovations in order to accommodate the chamber's vision for the space. According to two of the chamber's advisors Kneshia Gabriel and Jeremy Johnson, the space has been needed in the city and the Charlotte metro area in general for quite some time. 'We just want to bring more locals here to help expand their experience and help them figure out what they want to do,' Gabriel told the Observer. 'It's definitely needed and I can see it being a great resource and support system for those looking to thrive in the business community,' Johnson added. According to the fundraiser for the Black Innovation Center, which is listed on the fundraising platform Give Butter, 'Charlotte is evolving. Yet too often, Black entrepreneurs are excluded from the opportunities shaping its future. The Innovation Center–CLT is a bold response—designed to close the gap, elevate ideas, and drive inclusive innovation. We're creating a dynamic space where: Black-owned businesses scale with real support, creatives build brands and media that move culture, communities grow wealth and networks—together. And your investment makes it possible.' RELATED CONTENT: 'We Needed This Forever': Black Business Hub Launches In Wisconsin
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Innergex and MMBC Announce Construction Financial Close of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Wind Project
LONGUEUIL, QC, May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) ("Innergex" or the "Corporation") and Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation ("MMBC") are pleased to announce the closing of the financing for the construction and operation of the 102 MW Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Wind Project. The financing consists in a $163.9 million green loan, an interconnection bridge loan of $41.0 million and a LC facility of $10.2 million with CIBC, Desjardins Group and National Bank of Canada as Lenders, Joint Bookrunners, Coordinating Lead Arrangers and Green Loan Coordinators. The financing was informed by the Green Loan Principles and the Desjardins Group acted as Administrative Agent for the senior lenders syndicate. "We are proud to reach financial close on Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 and to continue advancing a project that is deeply rooted in collaboration, sustainability and regional economic impact," said Michel Letellier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex. "We thank MMBC and the Mi'gmaq communities for their continued trust and partnership. This project is a powerful example of how strong Indigenous-led partnerships and clean energy development go hand in hand to generate economic and environmental value." "This project represents more than megawatts on the grid, it is a testament to Mi'gmaq leadership in the energy transition," said Frederic Vicaire, CEO of MMBC. "Through our equal partnership with Innergex and the support of key financial institutions, we are demonstrating that Indigenous-led clean energy projects can be ambitious, innovative and deeply rooted in reconciliation and economic empowerment." Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 is a 102 MW wind project to be located in the MRC d'Avignon and an extension to the existing 150 MW Mesgi'g Ugju's'n wind facility commissioned in 2016. The wind project is the result of a 50-50 renewed partnership between Innergex and the three Mi'gmaq communities in Quebec – Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj – represented by MMBC. The project recently obtained the government decree authorizing construction and major contract negotiations have advanced significantly, including the execution of the Balance of Plant agreement (BOPA) with Borea Construction and the Turbine Supply Agreement (TSA) with Nordex. These key milestones enable the teams to proceed with construction preparation and pave the way for activities to ramp up in the coming months. Upon its commissioning scheduled in 2026, the electricity to be produced by Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 will be sold under a 30-year "take-or-pay" power purchase agreement indexed to 25% inflation with Hydro-Québec. The project financing includes a subordinated construction loan of $92.5 million and an equity loan of $15.4 million provided by a Canadian financial institution, demonstrating the innovative structuring approach behind this Indigenous-led wind project. Plan A Capital, as mandated financial advisor for MMBC, structured and sourced an equity loan from a Canadian financial institution to Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Holding L.P. About Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Business CorporationMi'gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation ("MMBC") is an organization established by the three Mi'gmaq communities located on the territory of Gespe'gewa'gi, namely, Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj. MMBC is the economic arm of the three Mi'gmaq communities, and its mission is to create and manage wealth, and initiate business opportunities in the sustainable development of natural resources, as well as in services and knowledge industries. Through investments, acquisitions, and the establishment of partnerships and diverse business ventures, MMBC's goal is also to support meaningful improvement in employment and economic security. For more info, see About Innergex Renewable Energy 35 years, Innergex has believed in a world where abundant renewable energy promotes healthier communities and creates shared prosperity. As an independent renewable power producer which develops, acquires, owns and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar farms and energy storage facilities, Innergex is convinced that generating power from renewable sources will lead the way to a better world. Innergex conducts operations in Canada, the United States, France and Chile and manages a large portfolio of high-quality assets currently consisting of interests in 91 operating facilities with an aggregate net installed capacity of 3,737 MW (gross 4,693 MW), including 42 hydroelectric facilities, 36 wind facilities, 10 solar facilities and 3 battery energy storage facilities. Innergex also holds interests in 16 projects under development with a net installed capacity of 915 MW (gross 1,547 MW), 5 of which are under construction, as well as prospective projects at different stages of development with an aggregate gross installed capacity totaling 10,288 MW. Its approach to building shareholder value is to generate sustainable cash flows and provide an attractive risk-adjusted return on invested capital. To learn more, visit or connect with us on LinkedIn. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationTo inform readers of the Corporation's future prospects, this press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("Forward-Looking Information"), including the Corporation's growth targets, power production, prospective projects, successful development, construction and financing (including tax equity funding) of the projects under construction and the advanced-stage prospective projects, sources and impact of funding, project acquisitions, execution of project-level financing (including the timing and amount thereof), and strategic, operational and financial benefits and accretion expected to result from such acquisitions, business strategy, future development and growth prospects, business integration, governance, business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-Looking Information can generally be identified by the use of words such as "approximately", "may", "will", "could", "believes", "expects", "intends", "should", "would", "plans", "potential", "project", "anticipates", "estimates", "scheduled" or "forecasts", or other comparable terms that state that certain events will or will not occur. It represents the projections and expectations of the Corporation relating to future events or results as of the date of this press release. Forward-Looking Information includes future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of securities laws, including information regarding the Corporation's targeted production, the estimated targeted revenues and production tax credits, targeted Revenues and Production Tax Credits Proportionate, targeted Adjusted EBITDA and targeted Adjusted EBITDA Proportionate, targeted Free Cash Flow, targeted Free Cash Flow per Share and intention to pay dividend quarterly, the estimated project size, costs and schedule, including obtainment of permits, start of construction, work conducted and start of commercial operation for Development Projects and Prospective Projects, the Corporation's intent to submit projects under Requests for Proposals, the qualification of U.S. projects for PTCs and ITCs and other statements that are not historical facts. Such information is intended to inform readers of the potential financial impact of expected results, of the expected commissioning of Development Projects, of the potential financial impact of completed and future acquisitions and of the Corporation's ability to pay a dividend and to fund its growth. Such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-Looking Information is based on certain key assumptions made by the Corporation, including, without restriction, those concerning hydrology, wind regimes and solar irradiance; performance of operating facilities, acquisitions and commissioned projects; availability of capital resources and timely performance by third parties of contractual obligations; favourable economic and financial market conditions; average merchant spot prices consistent with external price curves and internal forecasts; no material changes in the current assumed U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar and Euro to Canadian dollar exchange rate; no significant variability in interest rates; the Corporation's success in developing and constructing new facilities; no adverse political and regulatory intervention; successful renewal of PPAs; sufficient human resources to deliver service and execute the capital plan; no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business such as a natural disaster, pandemic or other calamity; continued maintenance of information technology infrastructure and no material breach of cybersecurity. Forward-Looking Information involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed, implied or presented by the Forward-Looking Information. These are referred to in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Annual Report and include, without limitation: equipment supply; global climate change: variability in hydrology, wind regimes and solar irradiance; global climate change: extreme weather events; IT security risks and cyberattacks; increase in water rental cost or changes to regulations applicable to water use; performance of major counterparties, delays, cost overruns; non compliance with project site regulatory requirements leading to penalties, fines and other consequences; impact of failure to comply with project's environmental commitments or requirements throughout project lifetime; equipment failure, unexpected operations and maintenance activity and increased asset maintenance on ageing equipment; health and safety risks; availability and reliability of transmission systems; resource assessment and performance variability; preparedness to facing natural disasters and force majeure; pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies; inability to secure new profitable PPAs; inability to renew PPAs at adequately profitable prices; failure to bring projects into commercial operation within contractually stipulated delay; regulatory and political risks; risks related to U.S. production and investment tax credits, changes in U.S. corporate tax rates and availability of tax equity financing; increases in operational cost and financial uncertainty surrounding development of new facilities; social acceptance of renewable energy projects; inability to secure appropriate land; obtainment of permits; volatility of supply and demand in the energy market; exposure to many different forms of taxation in various jurisdictions; purchaser's inability to fulfill contractual obligations or refusal to accept delivery of power under power purchase agreements or power hedges; changes in governmental support to increase electricity to be generated from renewable sources by independent power producers; fluctuations affecting prospective power prices; relationships with Indigenous communities and stakeholders; inability of the Corporation to execute its strategy for building shareholder value; inability to raise additional capital and the state of the capital market; liquidity risks related to derivative financial instruments; interest rate fluctuations and refinancing; foreign exchange fluctuations; changes in general economic conditions; financial leverage and restrictive covenants governing current and future indebtedness; possibility that the Corporation may not declare a dividend or may reduce the amount of the dividend; insufficiency of insurance coverage; litigation; credit rating may not reflect actual performance of the Corporation or a lowering (downgrade) of the credit rating; revenues from certain facilities will vary based on the market (or spot) price of electricity; host country economic, social and political conditions; reliance on intellectual property and confidentiality agreements to protect the Corporation's rights and confidential information; reputational risks arising from misconduct of representatives of the Corporation; and ability to attract new talent or to retain officers or key employees. For more information on the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed, implied or presented by the forward-looking information or on the principal assumptions used to derive this information, please refer to the "Forward-Looking Information" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024. SOURCE Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
South Africa's push to amend BEE laws for Musk's Starlink triggers public backlash
The South African government is facing intense political backlash after changes to its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, potentially allowing Elon Musk's Starlink to operate in the country with exemptions from existing Black ownership requirements. The South African government is facing criticism for proposed changes to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws. The new laws may allow foreign companies, such as Starlink, to bypass Black ownership requirements through alternative contributions. Critics claim this move undermines South Africa's existing empowerment policies aiming to correct historical injustices. As reported by the Financial Times, South Africa's Minister of Communications, Solly Malatsi revealed plans to allow telecom companies like Starlink to sidestep the 30% Black ownership law through ' equity equivalence ' initiatives, such as local partnerships, job creation, or supporting small businesses, in lieu of equity stakes The proposal follows public remarks by Musk that he has been locked out of South Africa's telecom market because he is " not Black." However, the timing and framing of the legislation has sparked intense criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who accuse the government of tailoring laws to benefit a powerful foreign billionaire. Criticism spreads over SA's BEE amendment Build One South Africa (BOSA), a prominent opposition party, has criticized the government's decision as a " backdoor deal" with Musk, arguing it unfairly favors the billionaire's interests over those of local businesses bound by BEE laws. According to BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster " The message being sent is that if you are a powerful foreign billionaire, you can sidestep South Africa's laws, while our local businesses are forced to jump through hoops," BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons also warned that the proposed exemption would allow Starlink to enter the market" under conditions favourable to them, not the country," He called the move " impulsive and reckless." Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema echoed this sentiment, promising to oppose Starlink's entry in Parliament. ' We will not be dictated to by business,' Malema said, accusing the government of prioritizing corporate interests over national policy. Defense grows amid criticism Meanwhile, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has defended BEE as essential to reversing the effects of apartheid, while the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party and a key coalition partner, is suing the government over existing BEE laws. DA MP James Lorimer called the proposed rules ' a death knell for foreign investment' "These ownership demands will crush what little appetite remains for investment in South African mining," He said. " The bill doubles down on failed transformation policies at a time when our economy needs growth." He added. The country's President Cyril Ramaphosa has stood firm against dismantling BEE, attributing South Africa's economic stagnation to concentrated ownership rather than empowerment policies. He said: "It is the partial and exclusive ownership of the means of production in our country that is holding this economy from growing," The controversy is consequent of a major political shift: the ANC, weakened by poor 2024 election results driven by public frustration over crime, unemployment, and inflation, has entered into a 10-party coalition, the first time since the end of apartheid that it has lost its wide majority. As Parliament debates the bill in the coming week, the government faces a balancing act; modernize economic policy to attract foreign innovation and investment or risk undermining the very affirmative action framework that has defined its post-apartheid vision.
