{"id":24003,"date":"2026-08-14T14:33:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T19:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sabathani.webaloolabs.com\/?p=24003"},"modified":"2026-09-02T13:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T18:15:09","slug":"coming-back-home-celebrating-60-years-of-sabathani","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sabathani.webaloolabs.com\/?p=24003","title":{"rendered":"Coming Back Home: Celebrating 60 Years of Sabathani\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunshine. Music. Dancing. Laughter. Neighbors reconnecting and new connections\u00a0being\u00a0made.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Saturday, August 8, an estim<\/span>ated\u00a0800+\u00a0people ca<\/span>me together at Sabathani Community Center for\u00a0<\/span>Coming Back Home: Sabathani’s 60th Anniversary Block Party<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u2014 and the Heart of South Minneapolis was truly alive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our parking lot and the surrounding neighborhood filled with music, food, family activities, local businesses, community resources, and generations of people celebrating together. The day was joyful and peaceful, and everywhere you looked, you could feel the spirit of the Southside.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, it was a celebration created\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span><\/i>\u00a0the community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u00a0joined\u00a0us in any capacity \u2014 as an attendee, volunteer, performer, vendor, exhibitor, partner, sponsor, or staff member \u2014\u00a0thank you. You made this a day for the books.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And we want to hear from you.<\/span><\/b> If you attended the Block Party, please take a few minutes to <\/span>share your feedback here<\/a>. Everyone who completes the survey by Sunday, August 23 <\/span>will be entered into a drawing to win one of\u00a0nine Blue Ribbon Bargain Books for the Minnesota State\u00a0Fair.<\/p>\n

Scroll on for highlights from the day and slideshow of photos by Chris Holden.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Honoring the Women Who Helped Shape Our Community<\/h3>\n

Before the music began on our main stage, the celebration started where it belonged: in the neighborhood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Community members gathered at 37th Street and 4th Avenue for a recognition march honoring the lives and legacies of\u00a0<\/span>Clarissa Walker and Launa Q. Newman<\/span><\/b>,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0two extraordinary women whose leadership helped shape South Minneapolis.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their dau<\/span>ghters,\u00a0Neva Walker and Tracey Williams-Dillard, spoke a<\/span>bout their mothers alongside family, friends, and community members before the group made a joyful \u2014 and at times tearful \u2014 procession down 37th Street.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch the Community Recognition March here \u2192<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n