Anne Adabra

RESIDENT, Mother, Artist & Educator

There is diversity in the North End, there are a lot of Immigrants like me. I feel related to the neighborhood. There Is a bond and so I have always stayed here.

mabruka ahmed

Artist & friend of the North End

A video portrait of a young writer and recent immigrant to Saint Paul. Mabruka Ahmed is of Ethopian decent, having traveled from the country of Yemen to reunite with her parents. She comes to In Progress on a regular basis to receive mentorship in her screenwriting. She has big dreams to create epic love stories and tell her story as an artist of the north end.

Clara “toni” Armstrong

Resident, Parent & Gardener

Living in the McDonough community is like living on a safe campus.  Most of us don’t know each other by name but we know each other by what we look like. We see each other everyday as neighbors. We smile at each other. Maybe see each other at the community center, the garden, bus stop or whatever. 

Charlie DueTschz

Resident, Historian atSt. bernards Church

When I grew up here were were a very close knit culture and then in the 1960s a lot of the people I went to school with left for the suburbs. There has been a lot change over the years. It used to be a place where we all knew each other but now so many of the cultures are insulated from one another. My roots have always been on Rice Street. It’s why I came back!

Bobi Eric

Resident, Parent & Chef

The story of a local music artist that has been producing songs, performing and teaching others in the north end neighborhood. Eric talks about his immigration experience, what it means to be connected to his Togo traditions and how he uses music to heal and spread positivity.

Zatra gartner

Resident, Parent & Chef

I came here from Chicago in 1998.  I haven’t had any problems living in this neighborhood. People are nice. They share. The kids get along. I haven’t been made to feel different. That’s why I stayed here. I raised four children here. I never had any problems. The Mississippi School is wonderful to the kids, neighborhood and parents. When I felt that and saw that -  that’s what I was looking for and that’s why I stayed

Mike “BONES” Hartzel (RIP)

THARON “PRINCE”chambers (RIP)

Homeless RESIDENTs & Protectors of the neighborhood

Tharon Prince was an artist. He knew most everyone in the neighborhood and made sure they knew him as well.

“Bones” as most knew him, spent most of his life on Rice Street. He too knew the neighborhood well and looked out for local businesses and neighbors.

Tharon passed at age 31 in 2015 and we lost Bones in 2018. Both considered Rice Street to be their home.

Sarah & Tabu Henry

Students & Friends of the North End

The North End is where a lot of people call home. It is really vibrant here. People might have their assumptions about certain places but you don’t know until you come here.

Charles Hill & Sadie Jones Hill

RESIDENTS & family

The North End holds many family traditions - one of mine being family and friends coming together to watch football games in the garage. Everyone comes to share in the experience and to relish in the sense of community bonding.  Our house is like a second home to our neighbors. It has become known as a place of comfort, support, and fun.

Quanisha Hill

RESIDENT, Artist & Student

My mom has been a positive influence on me because she is very caring which influences me to be kind.  

Thaw Hso & Saw Soe

Residents, Students & Artists

What you’re building, whatever you put out there is what you get. I see that the neighborhood is strong; our neighborhood is like a fruit of their own doing. I see that the neighborhood has a lot of kids and they grow old here. There are generations and we’re in our own personal battle. I’m blessed by the love here.

JACYLYNN JONES

RESIDENT & PARENT

The North End is a safe, quiet place.  I have been living here for six years now and my kids work and also attend school in the neighborhood.

The North end neighborhood is a very safe and clean place to raise a family.  I love living here!

Mary & Shannon Magnan

Life long residentS

The North End is a working person's neighborhood. It’s diverse and you can learn so much from the people that live here because of the diversity. You are exposed to all social and economic groups - all ages and races.  You can learn respect from certain cultures. I believe the person that gave me the connection to this neighborhood is my father. He was always really respectful of the people in the area. I remember a thing he would say about Rice Street - “Rice Street never goes down hill. It just kind of stays the same.”

Aaliyah McQueen

resident, student, poet & artist

We are the voices of the north end. The north end is a melting pot – a place where different people, styles and beliefs are mixed together. In this community, we thrive on each other’s cultural identity. We are rich in diversity. All ages live here but youth are the future. Raising young minds over time. We are the builders of this community and always remember that you are the voices of the north end.

Kathy Mouacheupao

RESIDENT, ArTIST & Administrator

There are a lot of good resettlement programs here. I think there are a lot of federal government policies and resources that were located in the Twin Cities. This is why there are so many Hmong people here. That’s really how we ended up here. I think that’s why I love it so much here. 

I think that the community here is strong. It’s been quite a privilege to be surrounded by a vibrant Hmong community my entire life.

Jennifer Nguyen Moore

Kendric Moore

RESIDENTs & community leaders

I think that sense of cultural community is engrained in a lot of cultures within this community. There is a lot of folks from different areas from Vietnam, Burma, Laos to Germany and all these different areas. I think we all have the same bonding in that aspect.

Where we like to get to know one another. We are all friendly. I think when you have that friendly atmosphere it makes it easier to build that community and to feel welcomed in the community.

thelmalee titus

resident, student, poet & artist

We are the voices of the north end. The north end is a melting pot – a place where different people, styles and beliefs are mixed together. In this community, we thrive on each other’s cultural identity. We are rich in diversity. All ages live here but youth are the future. Raising young minds over time. We are the builders of this community and always remember that you are the voices of the north end.

Chia Xiong

RESIDENT, Gardener & Elder

Every year, I wait for the ground to thaw, and for spring to make its way so I can spend my days growing food and medicine in my garden. I migrated from Laos many years ago with my husband.

The North End has been home since we came to the United States.

Thao Xiong

Resident, Community Organizer & Owner  of *50 for 50*

I got released from prison in November 2016 and I literally woke up one morning and I remember thinking “I'm gonna’ become somebody that will champion my community.”  Every morning I wake up I have to challenge -  challenge the police, challenge the district council, challenge our local government officials…. all these people.  But every morning I wake up and the only person I have to challenge is the person I'm staring at in the mirror.  Every day I challenge that person to be better than the person yesterday. 

BOUA TANG YANG

RESIDENT & Veteran of the Secret War in Laos

Boua Tong Yang was wounded 3 times during his service in the Secret Army of the Vietnam War. Before serving in the war, he was an elementary school teacher. Before migrating to the United States, he received a purple heart, along with other medals for heroic service and is recognized as a U.S. Veteran. In Yang’s own words: “I am extremely lucky to be alive and fortunate to be here with everyone.

Houa Yang 

RESIDENT, Warrior & Elder

I love this neighborhood. No one is mean to me. But I'm getting evicted, and I have depression.  Sometimes, I imagine that I am back in Laos, just to get away from reality.  I don't even know anyone personally living in this neighborhood. But I fought for this country during the aftermath of the Vietnam war.  But I'm getting evicted soon.