Nina Simon’s Young Gifted & Black performed by Thomasina Petrus at the MN Humanities Center.
The series of events celebrates Black history and culture in America, with an emphasis on the contributions to art, music and literature. Presented by Saint Paul Public Library, Minnesota Humanities Center, Ujamaa Place, and Public Art Saint Paul in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment, Young Rembrandts (Twin Cities) and OMG Media,
About MN Humanities Center
The Minnesota Humanities Center connects our past, present, and future by bringing people together to increase understanding and spark change. A just society that is connected, curious, and compassionate. The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) collaborates with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring transformational humanities programming into the lives of Minnesotans throughout the state. Using story as a catalyst, we produce, create, and support projects and programs that explore a range of subjects. Founded in 1971, MHC is an independent nonprofit affiliated with and supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. MHC is also a grantmaking organization and operates a full-service event center in a historic building on St. Paul’s East Side. In 2019, MHC completed a new strategic framework that affirms our identity and key priorities. Through educational opportunities, cultural experiences, and public engagement, we are committed to making the humanities more broadly relevant and accessible to people across the state. mnhum.org
About Thomasina Petrus
Thomasina Petrus is a 30year equity actor and premier jazz vocalist in the Twin Cities. She is a founding member of New Dawn Theatre, a company member of Penumbra Theatre, and Brownbody.org, and has collaborated with the Twin Cities’most beloved artists, mentors and friends. James “Cornbread” Harris, Sr., Javetta Steele, T. Mychael Rambo, Stokley, Walter Chancellor, AusteneVan, and Prince encouraged her to launch ThomasinaProduction, creating specialized exceptional music and theatre. Select original productions include: ‘The Best of Billie & Me’, ‘Etta James… Dreams to Remember’, ‘Hot Chocolate Holiday’ (theatre musical and concert series), a 5-women a cappella ensemble ‘The Sound Effects’, and “HOLD“, a musical poem-play with incarcerated women for HCL, ‘BROWNBODY(.org), a celebration of the Black experience on Ice’, and Lady Day @ Emerson’s Bar & Grill, by Lanie Robertson. Petrus is a Playwright Center McKnight Theatre Arts Fellow, African American Registry Artist, Ivey Award winner, MN Theatre Award Winner, and Star Tribune Honoree. Last but definitely not least, creator of Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle (.com), featured at the MN State Fair, local retailers and online. Visit Thomasinascashewbrittle.com