Saturday, August 8 | 11am-3pm
Sabathani Community Center
310 E 38th Street, Minneapolis
Celebrate 60 Years of Community at Sabathani
For 60 years, Sabathani Community Center has been a place where neighbors come together, families find support, and generations build community.
Join us as we celebrate this milestone with an afternoon of music, food, activities, storytelling, and connection. Whether Sabathani has been part of your life for decades or you’re visiting for the first time, this is a chance to come together, celebrate our shared history, and look ahead to the future.
This year’s celebration will also honor the remarkable legacies of Clarissa Walker and Launa Q. Newman, two women whose leadership helped shape South Minneapolis and whose impact continues to inspire our community today.
What to Expect
We’re creating a celebration that reflects the Heart of South Minneapolis. Throughout the day, you can look forward to:
- Live music and entertainment featuring Sounds of Blackness, Johnnie Brown, DJ Enferno, Jamela Pettiford, Brother Ra – and hosted by Maya Marchelle!
- Local food trucks, including Bam Bam Barbecue, Golden Grubb, Gouda’s Spot, Jamison’s Hibachi Kitchen, and Cajun Sneaux — with free snow cups for the first 50 children, while supplies last!
- Minnesota State Fair Family Fun Pack Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win one of five Family Fun Packs, each including four admission tickets and a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book.
- Fun for all ages with a bounce house, face painting, games, a fire truck, and more family-friendly activities.
- Community organizations, local businesses, and artisan vendors sharing resources, services, and unique products.
- Opportunities to reconnect with neighbors, make new connections, and celebrate the strength of our community.
- Stories honoring Sabathani’s 60-year legacy and the people who have shaped our history.
Community March Honoring Launa Q. Newman & Clarissa Walker
Kick off the celebration by joining the 37th Street Community March at 11am. Meet at the corner of 37th Street and 4th Avenue beginning at 10:45am to be part of this joyful procession featuring guest speakers, African drummers, dancers, and community members as we march west to 3rd Avenue.
The march will honor the enduring legacies of Launa Q. Newman and Clarissa Walker, whose leadership and service helped shape our community and are commemorated through the neighborhood street names that bear their names. Together, we’ll celebrate the people and stories that continue to inspire Sabathani’s mission and the Heart of South Minneapolis.
Backpack Giveaway
Backpack reservations are now full. Thank you for the incredible community response!
Families who reserved backpacks can pick them up at the Block Party, 12 to 2:30pm. Any unclaimed backpacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis after 2:30pm, while supplies last.
Even if you weren’t able to reserve a backpack, we hope you’ll join us for a day of live music, family activities, food, and community as we celebrate Sabathani’s 60th Anniversary.
Special thanks to the Greater Twin Cities United Way Action Day program for its generous donation of backpacks.
Exhibitors & Vendors
AARP (Sabathani Chapter)
American Red Cross of Minnesota
CenterPoint Energy
Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County
Community Power – Good Energy Connections Program
Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Divine Bling
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Hokes & Associate
KARAMU Closet
Kifaru Youth Children Centre (KYCC)
IME Consulting
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Native Sun Community Power and Development
Secure Path Financial Solutions
Stitch Queen Meria’s Creations
Variety of Afrika
Xcel Energy
Zawdi’s Closet
Show Up & Show Out
Exhibitors & Vendors
Exhibitor and vendor registration is now closed, and all available spaces have been filled.
Volunteer Opportunties
We have a variety of volunteer roles available throughout the day, from assisting with setup and cleanup to greeting and providing general directions for our guests. Fill out the form below to get involved.
Become a Sponsor
Help support a joyful community celebration honoring 60 years of Sabathani’s service and legacy in South Minneapolis. Sponsorship provides visibility for your organization while helping make this free event possible for the community.
A Look at the 2025 Block Party
More Than an Anniversary
For six decades, Sabathani has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community while remaining rooted in the values that brought us together in 1966.
This celebration isn’t just about looking back. It’s about celebrating the relationships, resilience, and collective vision that continue to shape the future of South Minneapolis.
We hope you’ll be part of it.
Map & Directions:
Join us in the Sabathani Community Center Parking Lot, located at 310 E 38th Street in Minneapolis.
- View on Google Maps
- Find us on the 23 bus line, or a short walk from the 11, 5, and 18 bus lines.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Presenting Partners
Coming Home: Sabathani’s 60th Anniversary Block Party is presented by Sabathani Community Center is presented in partnership with Neva Walker and Tracey Williams-Dillard of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.