The legacy of Black leadership in South Minneapolis will take center stage on Thursday, August 28, as Sabathani Community Center hosts the 2025 Southside Heroes Hall Unveiling. The free, family-friendly event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and will honor community members whose voices and vision shaped Southside Minneapolis and beyond.
Guests will enjoy an evening of music, storytelling, and community tributes, capped by a special performance from Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness.
2025 Inductees
This year’s inductees represent a powerful cross-section of cultural, political, and community leadership:
- Pete Rhodes III & Kimberly Bedell Rhodes – Media innovators, founders of the Minnesota Black Music Awards and Black Music America Networks.
- Dr. Ralph Crowder – Afrocentric educator, columnist, and coach.
- Doris Hines – Legendary jazz vocalist, cultural icon, and mother of Sounds of Blackness director Gary Hines.
- Congresswoman Ilhan Omar – U.S. Congresswoman and changemaker.
- Ed Solomon – Park commissioner, youth advocate, and neighborhood leader.
Evening Program
- 6:00–7:00 p.m. – Social hour and exhibit browsing
- 7:00–7:30 p.m. – Program, inductee presentations, and Sounds of Blackness performance
- 7:30–8:00 p.m. – Continued browsing and community connection
A Living History
The Southside Heroes Hall is part of Sabathani’s Living History Museum, which celebrates the legacies of Black leaders nominated by the public and selected by a community committee. By preserving and elevating these stories, the Hall ensures that future generations know the contributions and sacrifices of those who built the foundation for progress…