Deb Pleasants, Writer

Sitting behind the reception desk at the International Institute of Minnesota (IIM), Hibo Khalaf displays both poise and professionalism. However, it was not too long ago she stood on the other side of the desk. When her family first arrived here as refugees five years ago, they needed IIM to help with their adjustment to American life. Now as Independence Day looms, Khalaf feels a stronger connection to her adopted homeland. Any day now, she will be sworn in as a US citizen. MORE »

On the day MayKao Hang married, her father told her she was no longer part of their [the Yang] clan. She now belonged to the Hang clan—her husband’s clan. She recalls her father saying, your mother’s womb is what you borrowed. Then he told Hang that her new mother-in-law was now her mother. Hang remembers his words made her cry. MORE »

“On opening night, I thought I was going to be nervous, said Amani Ward. “But as soon as the lights came up, I wasn’t nervous anymore.”

At age ten, Ward already displays a level of self-confidence equal to other members of the esteemed Carter family. Following in the footsteps of grandmother Toni Carter and uncle Melvin Carter III and other family members, this Crossroads Elementary fourth-grader is showing she, too, has acting talent. This week she opened portraying the lead role in Steppingstone Theatre’s latest production Ruby! The Story of Ruby Bridges. MORE »

If it’s true good things come in threes, then 2008 has been a banner year for Peter Blau.

First, the year kicked off in January with the Daily Planet profiling Blau’s volunteer work as a creative writing instructor at Volunteers of America, Regional Correctional Center for Women. Next, members of the VOA administration decided to highlight Blau’s service by republishing (with author permission) the Daily Planet article in the VOA Board of Director’s annual report. That brought him to the attention of Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, which honored Blau (along with nine other volunteers and philanthropists) by placing him in their Volunteer Hall of Fame earlier this month. He and the other recipients each received a plaque as well as $1000 to be donated to a nonprofit agency of their choice. MORE »

“I’m often credited as one of the founders, which is sort of like someone being credited with founding soap.”

That’s what Mel Duncan said while reflecting on his role as the founder and executive director of Nonviolent Peaceforce. After launching Nonviolent Peaceforce in a spare bedroom in his Saint Paul home and watching it grow over the past six years into a highly respected peacekeeping organization, Duncan is getting ready to turn over the reins to a new executive director. MORE »