The Black economy of Minnesota is an estimated $14 billion which includes income, residential real estate. In addition there are 164,000 Black workers and another 141000 Black students in our educational system. Blacks pay $80 million in monthly rental payments and contribute at least $800 million in state and local taxes. There are over 20,000 Black owned businesses with an annual payroll of half a billion dollars and providing 21000 jobs to the community. The rich Black Cultural capital is reflected in the Rondo and Little Africa Cultural Destination Area in Saint Paul, in cultural districts in Minneapolis and in the vibrant food, art, theater and music venues from the Penumbra Theater to Golden Thyme Coffee Shop. This rich cultural heritage in Saint Paul has been recently documented in a new report by community leaders like Nieeta Presley in partnership with the Saint Paul Heritage Commission.
