MINNEAPOLIS — Live music rightfully set the tone as the community met Friday afternoon at a north Minneapolis intersection.
On that street, there is a home with history.
The Mother of Minneapolis Sound lived there, at 1244 Russell Ave N, and to this day that honorary title still belongs to the late Bernadette Anderson.
That's because, in addition to raising her own six kids, she helped raise one of the world's greatest musicians, Prince Rogers Nelson.
Prince practiced and produced beats in her basement. So did her son, Andre Cymone, who performed with the Minneapolis JAM Band at Friday's block party. So did many more notable northside artists such as Morris Day, Jellybean Johnson, Alexander O'Neal, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
At the block party, Mayor Jacob Frey proclaimed Sept. 13 as Bernadette Anderson Day.
"Well deserved," Frey said. "Long overdue. A special person that lives on."
Anderson's family, including her great-grandchildren, witnessed the street when their historic home became Bernadette Anderson Way. The new street sign was covered for most of the event but was unveiled after the heartfelt speeches and lively performances. Nearly everyone had their phones out to live stream or record.
The new Bernadette Anderson Way stretches one block, from 12th Ave N to Plymouth Ave N, on what was previously the 1200 block of Russell Ave N.
But her reach extends even further.
"I bet you're probably wondering why is the fire chief up here," Chief Bryan Tyner said in his time on stage. "I was one of those kids that was raised or partially raised by Ms. Bernadette, by Ms. Sylvia and the Anderson family."
Sylvia Amos is Anderson's daughter.
For more than two decades, Anderson worked at the Ruth Hawkins YWCA, where she developed programming meant to empower children. She later worked at Minneapolis Urban League's Street Academy, where she coordinated the lunch program and served as a mentor. She was a civil rights activist with a love for all children - and tough love when needed.
"She took care of all of us," said Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (59, DFL). "She was our community mother. There's nothing you could do and get away with it if Bernadette was around."
"There was a "hey" that she could say that would stop traffic, freeze people," said Makeda Zulu, who emceed the event alongside Chaise Dennis, Anderson's great-grandson.
On Aug. 3, 2023, a portion of Highway 5 in Chanhassen was renamed to Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway.