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Zoma House: A New Creative Space for Black and BIPOC Artists in Minneapolis | MSR

Zoma House offers a vibrant community space for Black and BIPOC artists in Minneapolis to create and connect offline. Learn how founder Uzoma turned her vision into a reality.

Published

1 month ago

September 8, 2026

Zoma House in Minneapolis, a new creative hub for Black and BIPOC artists

Uzoma’s name is an Igbo word that translates to a good path in life or beautiful way. She took off the U, kept the meaning and built Zoma House around it.

In this Black Business Spotlight from the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, founder Uzoma talks about bringing her vision for an in-person, community-centered creative space to life in Minneapolis through the City of Minneapolis’s Vibrant Storefronts program.

As a filmmaker, Uzoma found herself craving something offline. Something rooted in place, in presence and in the people right around her.

“I was really craving doing work that was offline, in person, hosting events.”

Zoma House is the answer to that craving. A Minneapolis space bringing different forms of art under one roof, hosting social events and giving artists a place to create and showcase their work for an audience that is right here in Minnesota.

“With Zoma House, I can be more intentional about curating work and appealing to an audience that’s right here, exactly where I’m at, which is right here in Minnesota.”

Next on the horizon: expanding Zoma House’s retail side with plans to sell work from local and global Black and BIPOC underrepresented artists, deepening the space’s mission of amplifying voices that are too often overlooked.

This Black Business Spotlight is powered by JPMorganChase.

Full story at msr.media.

Related Topics:featured Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder News video

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Mayor Barbara Lee Holds Special State of the City Address in Deep East Oakland

Published

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BlackPressUSA Newswire

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, left. moderated a community chat with (l.to r.) Selena Wilson, CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center; Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone; Dr. Noha Aboelata, CEO of Roots Health Center and Greg Hodge, CEO of the Brotherhood of Elders.

By Special to The Post

In partnership with Rise East and the 40×40 Council, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee held a special 2026 State of the City East Oakland community conversation on Oct. 14.

The purpose of bringing a State of the City address directly to the community was to celebrate East Oakland, highlight the work underway, and look ahead to what neighbors, local businesses, youth, funders, community organizations, and partners can accomplish together.

Held at the Roots Community Health/Parker Elementary School Campus at 7929 Ney Ave., the event was emceed by special guest Mark Curry, Oakland native, comedian, and actor.

Lee shared how Rise East and the 40×40 Council have brought together the knowledge, relationships, and resources of people and organizations committed to East Oakland.

Residents bring lived experience, community organizations bring trusted relationships and philanthropy, and businesses bring resources and opportunity, she said, then turned to the government’s role: public investment, services and policy.

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“I am committed to listening to residents, working across departments and sectors, and helping open doors to opportunity. We must connect neighborhood priorities to the decisions we make about housing, economic development, safety, health and our young people.

City Hall “must be accountable for the results,” Lee said. “The measure of success is what families experience: greater stability, more opportunity and a stronger sense that they belong and have a future here.

“Tonight is an opportunity to listen to the leaders doing this work, learn what is making a difference and identify where we can do more together,” the mayor said.

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