Art In This Present Moment
TruArtSpeaks
TruArtSpeaks highlights the work of a Krump dancer and ceramicist who center the Black experience in their art.
About the Artists
Herb Johnson III, AKA JDot Tight Eyez, is a dancer, McKnight Fellow and graduate from Perpich Center for the Performing Arts. For three years, he studied at the Lundstrum Center for Arts and now works at the University of Minnesota as an Urban & Street dance instructor. He currently choreographs and performs solo and in groups 612 Crew, DeadPool, and Mixtape. Professional work includes iLuminate from America's Got Talent, Choreographing G-Eazy's Halftime show 2018, and Super Bowl 52 half-time Show 2018 with Justin Timberlake.
Gabrielle Grier is an artist, visionary, facilitator and participant of growth, perspective shifts and intentional responses to social and political change. With a strong focus on the exploration, documentation & claiming of cultural and historic identities, her work is filled with robust imagery, narrative and the essence of her spiritual existence.
Snapshots
Art In This Present Moment
This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, with funding from the McKnight Foundation. We provided grants to 12 Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by over 50 BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.
More Stories
Empowering Change in the Next Generation of Asian Leaders
Minnesota nonprofit Future of Us is helping Asian American Pacific Islander youth find their voices and become agents of change.
See the impact
Women of Faith in Philanthropy — Legacy, Leadership and the Future
A panel event showcased how women of faith are poised to shape and enrich the philanthropic landscape, as they have for generations.
See the impact
Three Minnesota Foundations Launch ‘Our Home State’ Initiative with $20 Million Commitment
The initiative, focused on expanding housing stability and catalyzing local housing solutions, includes Ecolab as an early funder.
See the News
Faith in Action: ISAIAH’s Blueprint for a Multicultural Democracy
A multiracial, multi-faith coalition empowers Minnesotans to shape their communities and secure lasting change.
Watch the video
Meeting the Moment: How the Foundation Expanded Community Support in a Critical Year
A one-time, twenty percent increase in dollars granted reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven solutions, urgent needs and long-term equity.
See the impact
Leading a Path Forward: How Queen Drea Uses Music to Find Her Roots
Sound alchemist Queen Drea seeks reconnection with her family’s heritage through music and storytelling.
See the project
Fall 2025 Food Assistance: What You Can Do
Nonprofits, community partners and food shelves are working swiftly to provide resources to fill in the gap as best they can.
View the list
Fall Harvest: Food Support Nonprofits
Meet a few of our nonprofit partners that provide food access and hunger relief services to the East Metro.
View the list