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‘Rondo: Beyond the Pavement’ shines a light on the intentional destruction of a thriving Black community

NNPA NEWSWIRE — While paying homage to the elders in the Rondo community, Bianca Rhodes used the film as an opportunity to teach the youth about the history of Rondo, a thriving, local Black community in the epicenter of Minnesota’s state capital. She partnered with the High School for Recording Arts to get a group of students who wanted to learn about filmmaking and their local communities. Rhodes taught the youth – many who conducted interviews and operated the cameras – about the history of the community, and after learning about what the construction did to the once thriving community, she said they were eager to get to work.

Published

7 years ago

November 14, 2019

Oakland Post

By Josh Cobb, Twin Cities Association of Black Journalists /Insight News Intern

In the early to mid-20th century, Minnesota’s state capital was the epicenter of a thriving, local Black community; the Rondo neighborhood. It was an essential gathering place, as it was home to businesses, political organizations such as the Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and there was a strong sense of family among its community members.

The community was destroyed and became a shell of itself by the late 1960s due to the construction of Interstate 94. In a process that lasted more than a decade, homes, families and businesses were removed from the heart of the Rondo neighborhood.

Through the years, many have scrutinized the decision to place the highway in the center of a predominantly Black neighborhood instead of a route that would have been near abandoned railroad tracks. Bianca Rhodes, the production manager and venue coordinator at St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) decided to document the history of the community through the stories of people who lived through this time with the film, “Rondo: Beyond the Pavement.”

Rhodes’ love for film began when she, along with her best friend, got to work for the relaunch of a Twin Cities PBS show called “Don’t Believe the Hype.” She got to work as on-air talent and a behind the scenes mentor, while also keeping learning from her mentors Daniel Pierce Bergin and Robin Hickman.

“They were the executive producers of ‘Don’t Believe the Hype,’” said Rhodes. “They were the dynamic duo. They are my mom and dad of media.”

Rhodes’ family ties to the Rondo community led to her being approached by the St. Paul Almanac to participate in an intergenerational conversation about Rondo. The filmmaker said the conversation fueled the decision to make the documentary.

“They’ve (Rondo residents) always looked out for me. It was a way for me to give back by doing that film,” Rhodes said. “I would be honoring the people who always cared about me in their own little ways.”

While paying homage to the elders in the Rondo community, Rhodes also used the film as an opportunity to teach the youth about the history of Rondo. She partnered with the High School for Recording Arts to get a group of students who wanted to learn about filmmaking and their local communities. Rhodes taught the youth – many who conducted interviews and operated the cameras – about the history of the community, and after learning about what the construction did to the once thriving community, she said they were eager to get to work.

“They almost turned into investigative reporters,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes said one of the hardest parts of making the documentary was getting people to talk about their personal experiences with the destruction of Rondo.

“That’s the part that a lot of people don’t understand,” Rhodes said. “There’s a lot of pain behind this. We’re asking people to talk about stuff that they haven’t talked about in many years.”

To combat that obstacle, her team would share a meal at the subject’s home before conducting the interviews. She said this delicate method made the process more genuine and created the space for elders to speak more candidly about their experiences.

After making the film, Rhodes said her love for Rondo has intensified and there is a special place in her heart for the Rondo community.

“I will always be in Rondo and spend money in Rondo,” Rhodes said.

Since the rollout of the film, Rhodes and her team have received tremendous positive feedback.

“What I’m most proud of is being able to do the work that I said I was going to do,” Rhodes said. “I wanted to take both of my passions in social justice and film and tie it together. It inspired me on how I need to do films for the rest of my life.”

In addition to the documentary, there is also a “Rondo: Beyond the Pavement” podcast. The podcast includes extended interviews and addition stories told from Rondo residents.

“Rondo: Beyond the Pavement” is available on Amazon and the podcast is online at www.rondobeyondthepavement.org.

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61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.