In the 1920s, Rondo, Saint Paul’s largest African American neighborhood, was flourishing. With music, theater, African American newspapers, and businesses booming, the community was thriving. Rondo was an integrated neighborhood through Jim Crow, it was a close knit neighborhood with upper, middle, and working class Black families. There was even interracial marrying and dating. The integrated nature of Rondo attracted many Black families from the south. Rondo felt safe to many families.

This thriving community began to falter in September of 1956, when construction of Interstate 94 tore through the Rondo community. This construction was a part of a national effort from the U.S government to break up Black communities. Rondo homeowners resisted the construction, and protests began. Residents were forcefully removed from their homes. Thousands of Rondo homeowners were displaced. Homes and successful businesses were demolished, and a community was torn apart. The construction of 94 shattered homes, businesses, and families. It did not shatter Rondo’s spirit.

Rondo continues to be a resilient community.

This audio documentary was produced by youth producers Indigo Davitt-Liu and Jacy Landi, with mentorship from Katharine DeCelle and Listen Up Youth Radio. Original music created by Jevrye Morris. 

This project is a partnership between Saint Paul Almanac, SPNN and WFNU Frogtown Community Radio. More information available at https://saintpaulalmanac.org/projects/rooted-in-rondo/

Rooted in Rondo: a youth produced audio documentary

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Our words have the power to change lives. Sounds Powerful knows how important recording the spoken word is.  Recording audio stories lets us capture a moment, an idea, a celebration, a revolution to be listened to and re-lived by many, for years to come.

From recording stories at your grandmother's 80th birthday party, to editing and marketing your podcast to recording and editing your your graduation speech, Sounds Powerful is here for all your audio needs. 

You create the content, we create the podcasting magic.

Visit us at www.soundspowerful.com for more info and rates. 
Your voice is powerful. let it be heard.

Rooted in Rondo: a youth produced audio documentary

Sounds Powerful Productions

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