Still We Rise: Rochester's Black Legacy with Pastor Andre Crockett
Join Rev. Andre Crockett of Barbershop Social Services to discuss his new book Rochester Black Legacy. The book collects stories of the local Black community in Rochester and how they shaped our city's history.
| When |
Apr 12, 2026
from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Where | Rochester Public Library |
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Description
There isn't a city in the U.S. where Black people haven't made a contribution, and Rochester is no different. Rochester Black Legacy traces the history of Early African American families that arrived in the 1960s thru 1990's who moved to Rochester, Minnesota, for better jobs, homes, and schools for their children.
Their arrival marked the start of a new chapter for the city, bringing both challenges and opportunities. In those early days, these families found themselves navigating a landscape where familiar resources were scarce, and a sense of community had to be built from the ground up. Yet out of this initial isolation grew a vibrant network of social bonds and mutual support. Through clubs, gatherings, and faith-based communities, these pioneering residents forged a path forward.
They laid the groundwork for a thriving Black community, creating a legacy of resilience and connection. Inside this book, we will explore how these trailblazers made a way for themselves and for those who followed. We will look at the many "firsts" that defined their experience in Rochester from the earliest Black students and professionals to the first Black church and civic leaders and see how their perseverance paved the way for a legacy of Black excellence in the city.