The Anika Foundation

Go Polars! 🙌🏽

North High set to exceed state standards in graduation rates — North News By Azhae’la Hanson , Reporter In 2023, North High School's graduation rate was 68%, more than 20 points below the state average. Within two years, North High had sharply narrowed the gap. As of April 2025, its graduation rate had risen to 81%, just 4 percentage points below the state average.

Today there are resources available to make getting a mammogram easier. The Anika Foundation is offering $25 to women who get mammograms. Visit our website to learn about free and/or sliding fee options available through the Minnesota SAGE program. No woman has to walk 20 miles anymore. Take advantage of available screening options near you. Talk to your doctor.

In 1962, a 42-year-old Black woman named Mary felt a lump in her breast. She went to the nearest hospital in Alabama. The receptionist said: “We don’t treat coloreds here. Go to the colored hospital in the next town.”

The “colored hospital” was 20 miles away. Mary had no car. She walked.

She walked 20 miles. She got the mammogram. The lump was benign. She walked 20 miles home.

She walked for 8 hours. She wore out her shoes. She arrived home after dark.

Mary survived. She lived to be 89. She never forgot the walk.

She told her granddaughter: “I walked 20 miles for a test that took 20 minutes. That is America. That is the America I want you to change.”

Her granddaughter became a doctor. She opened a clinic in the same town. She named it after Mary.

The clinic has a mammogram machine. No one has to walk 20 miles anymore.

Based on real accounts of medical racism and the distances Black patients had to travel for care.

It’s amazing seeing all of the graduates!
Keep that energy & EXCELLENCE going!
The Anika Foundation is offering scholarships for a limited time on a rolling basis.
Share this scholarship link with any youth or adult graduates pursuing healthcare careers at any of the Minnesota college, university or other accredited institutions located in Minnesota.

Scholarship Request The ANIKA Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships to graduating scholars who meet our criteria as listed below. Please take a moment and answer a few questions to help us know a little more about you! All fields must be answered. If you don't have a response to a question, write 'NA'. Healthcare...

Join our Partners, the African American Breast Cancer Alliance for this event coming up Saturday!

Stay aware.
Stay safe.
Maintain personal sanitation protocols - all the time.

The Minnesota Department of Health is monitoring one person in Minnesota who may have briefly been exposed overseas to someone who tested positive for hantavirus (Andes virus) after being on board the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Hantavirus has been in the news a lot lately, and we understand that news of a person being monitored in Minnesota may raise concerns. We want to emphasize that the risk to the public remains very low.

Learn more in yesterday's media statement: https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2026/statement051226.html

Check out Juneteenth Celebrations happening around Minnesota near you!

Juneteenth Calendar 2026 | The Anika Foundation Minnesota is gearing up for another powerful season of Juneteenth celebrations in 2026, with events happening across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota focused on freedom, culture, healing, entrepreneurship, music, wellness, and Black excellence. Communities around the state are all planning fest...

Collaboration is KEY!
We need all hands on deck!
We had a great time partnering with Teen Annex encouraging folks to get screened.
Shown are Youth Leaders with Anika Robbins, President & CEO of the ANIKA Foundation and Trina Hollie, Program manager with Teen Annex and ANIKA Foundation Health Coordinator, Olivia Allen.
Stay tuned for more pop-ups coming to YOUR neighborhood!