On a crisp Minneapolis evening, stepping into the Guthrie Theater felt like entering a world where art and imagination intertwine. The sheer grandeur of the space set the stage for a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that was nothing short of enchanting. Under the direction of Joseph Haj, this timeless Shakespearean comedy unfolded with a depth of emotion, a striking visual palette, and a celebration of diversity that made it feel as urgent and relevant as ever. From the moment the play began, the authenticity of the old English dialogue was striking. Rather than feeling like a barrier, the actors delivered it with such passion and clarity that the language became second nature, carrying the audience seamlessly into Shakespeare’s world. The performances were both dynamic and deeply felt, Helena’s yearning, Puck’s mischievous delight, and Oberon’s quiet intensity made the characters leap from the text with a freshness that resonated beyond the stage. The audience was in love, bursting into laughter at the play’s comedic moments and holding their breath in anticipation of its unfolding twists.
One of the most striking elements of this production was its commitment to diversity. Seeing a richly representative cast breathe life into one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works was both refreshing and necessary. It underscored a truth that should never be forgotten: the themes of love, power, and transformation belong to everyone. In an era where representation in storytelling is more important than ever, this production set a powerful example, proving that the classics do not belong to the past but to the future we are shaping.
Visually, the production was a masterpiece. The set design seamlessly transitioned between the ordered, structured world of Athens and the dreamlike chaos of the enchanted forest. The electric lighting became its own kind of poetry, mirroring the shifting emotions of the characters and the magic of their surroundings. Jack Herrick’s live score was a perfect complement, swelling at moments of heightened drama and softening in the play’s more tender exchanges. The attention to detail extended to the makeup and costumes, which further emphasized the play’s duality of reality and fantasy. Titania and Oberon’s regal, otherworldly aesthetic stood in contrast to the human lovers, grounding the tension between the mortal and magical realms.
The Mechanicals, with their delightfully exaggerated attire, became a source of riotous laughter, their earnestness adding depth to the play’s exploration of art and performance.
One of the most compelling aspects of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is its theme of awakening—both literal and metaphorical. As dawn breaks over the enchanted forest, characters emerge from a night of mischief and misdirection with newfound clarity, mirroring the very real process of personal growth and self-discovery. For Gen Z, this journey of awakening is all too familiar. We are a generation that has stepped into adulthood amid social, political, and environmental upheaval, constantly navigating the tension between imposed
expectations and our own evolving identities. Just as the lovers awaken to a world reshaped by their experiences, so too does Gen Z find itself forging new paths, rejecting outdated norms, and redefining what love, justice, and progress look like. Perhaps no character embodies this transformation more than Bottom. His absurd but strangely profound experience, being turned into a donkey, adored by a fairy queen, and then restored to his human form, reflects a deeper truth about self-acceptance. He returns to the real world unchanged in appearance but fundamentally altered in perspective, much like the way personal trials often reshape our understanding of ourselves. His journey is a reminder that even the most bizarre and humbling experiences can be catalysts
for growth. In a time when young people are embracing their voices and identities with greater conviction than ever before, Bottom’s whimsical yet profound transformation serves as an allegory for the way Gen Z is coming into its own, boldly, unapologetically, and with a vision for a future shaped by self-awareness and authenticity. Bottom’s journey, like that of the lovers, reminds us that transformation often comes through chaos, and only through self-discovery can true clarity emerge. This idea extends beyond individual growth to one of the play’s most profound messages: love, when forced or manipulated, can only lead to chaos. In a world where expectations, societal norms, and even digital culture often shape the way we pursue connection, Shakespeare’s
wisdom remains timeless: love must be free, authentic, and chosen. As the play reached its joyous conclusion, I was struck by how much we, as a society, need more joy, more laughter, and above all, more love and acceptance. Walking out of the Guthrie, surrounded by the hum of excited conversation, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. This production was not just an evening of theater, it was an experience of what storytelling can be at its very best: a space for reflection, connection, and transformation. A Midsummer Night’s Dream may have begun as a dream, but at the Guthrie, it was nothing short of a vision, a vision of the power of art, of inclusivity, and of love in all its forms.
Columnist
By Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
By Rev. Ian D. Bethel Chair ADOS Social Advocacy Initiative
We are disappointed that TakeAction and its allies have charged leading members of our Minneapolis community in government and in the community with threatening officials and homophobia. We call on TakeAction to stand down because the things they are accusing people of did not happen. We need tolerance from TakeAction and others who may be reacting emotionally to what Reverend McAfee is saying rather than hearing his appeal to the council to work with the community to respond to the violence that is, and historically has been, such a burden to the African American
community. Fear of Black men who challenge those with privilege is a common response in our society. Minneapolis claims to be better than that.
Reverend McAfee’s anger, as he said, comes from dealing with the trauma in his community for decades. Stop averting your gaze and work with us to repair the harm to those who have been exploited and excluded from the promise of America.
By De’Vonna Pittman, M.Sc.
I just returned from a beautiful girls’ trip to celebrate my cousin’s 45th birthday. Between the laughs, the love, and the shenanigans, I was voted “Most Likely to Fight.” Funny—but oh, so true. I’ve always been the one to speak up when something isn’t right. I stand on business.
One thing I didn’t consider when running for office was that if I had actually won, my most difficult challenge wouldn’t have been policy or politics—it would have been holding my tongue. But since I came up just 1,292 votes short out of 85,000, I KNOW my duty remains: to speak up. And so, this is my open letter.
An open letter to corporations, nonprofits, and you—the mighty consumer. As we close out Black History Month, let’s just say—it’s been a LONG month already. And as we reflect, I want to ask you: How have you supported Black businesses, Black youth, Black communities, and the Black economic ecosystem? For those who have truly committed to uplifting Black businesses—thank you. Your support is vital. But for those who haven’t yet made it a priority, I challenge you to look deeper. Because supporting Black businesses isn’t just about dollars spent—it’s about opportunity, equity, and the future we’re building together. The road ahead is long. The political climate we are in will affect everything we have built. This is a call to action for friends, corporate leaders, decision-makers, and those with influence—consider your commitment. Not just in February, but every single day. Nature’s Syrup Beauty is a testament to what can happen when vision, resilience, and community come together. We’ve come so far, but we have so much further to go. My story is not just my own— it belongs to every founder, every entrepreneur fighting to
create something bigger than themselves. We must continue to thrive, and that only happens when we stand together.
So I ask you—what’s your role in this movement?
How will you ensure that Black businesses don’t just survive, but flourish?
The time for commitment is now. The time for action is now.
Devonna Pitman is 2024 SBA Woman in Biz Champion, founder & CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty . A threetime published author|, speaker and social entrepreneur, she champions natural hair care, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
No one said anything homophobic. We are not homophobic because we don’t agree with your views. He was challenging the treatment of the Black community. The Black community was one of the strongest allies of the LGBTQ community in the vote for the 2012 marriage amendment, and we helped push it over the top. And please recall that last year when Council Member Vetaw
By Simon Burris
was called the N word in a council session, no one stood up to defend her. Our ADOS community is still waiting to learn from TakeAction what happened to the $35 million that Black Vision Collective raised in response to the killing of George Floyd and that TakeAction is the fiscal agent for. Can you send us the information on how you transferred the money to Nexus?
There needs to be accountability and transparency on that. That would help us address the issues Reverend McAfee is talking about. Confronting these difficult issues is the hard work our leaders must take up. America has failed to recognize its history for too long. Let’s recognize it, and deal with it, together.
President Donald Trump’s latest maneuver, an executive order to cut U.S. aid to South Africa while extending refugee status to white South Africans, is yet another calculated exercise in race-baiting and historical revisionism. Trump claims that Afrikaners, the white descendants of Dutch and French settlers who own the vast majority of South Africa’s farmland, are victims of persecution under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s land reform efforts. Yet, the reality of land
ownership in South Africa tells a different story, and Trump’s feigned concern for land rights is made even more absurd when compared to the systematic land dispossession endured by Black Americans in the United States. South Africa’s land reform efforts aim to redress the racial inequities created by apartheid, a regime that systematically transferred land from the Black majority to the white minority. Despite the official end of apartheid three decades ago, white South Africans still control between 70 to 80 percent of the country’s arable land. Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) government has introduced expropriation policies to
correct this historic injustice, ensuring that land reform is in the public interest and within the constitutional framework. Yet, Trump has chosen to distort the issue, parroting the narrative pushed by AfriForum,
an Afrikaner lobby group that claims white South Africans face racial discrimination. Even AfriForum, however, does not accept Trump’s offer of refugee status. “Emigration only offers an
of restoring law and order.”
opportunity for Afrikaners who are willing to risk potentially sacrificing their descendants’ cultural identity as Afrikaners. The price for that is simply too high,” said AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel. The hypocrisy of Trump’s sudden interest in land rights is stark when viewed against the backdrop of America’s history of racialized land theft. While Trump amplifies the supposed plight of white South Africans, his own country has a long and well-documented history of dispossessing Black Americans of their land through legal and extralegal means. According to Inequality.org, at the beginning of the 20th century, Black Americans owned at least 14
The Black Press warned Americans. The NAACP warned Americans. Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett warned Americans. Several others who paid attention to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 sounded the alarm too. Yet, despite Donald Trump’s lies and attempts to distance himself from the plan’s hateful and destructive mandate, reality has
set in. Less than one month into his presidency, Politico noted that Project 2025 has shown up in 37 of Trump’s executive orders, placing its architects squarely in power and moving swiftly to reshape the nation’s policies. Despite public denials, the fingerprints of the far-right Heritage Foundation’s sweeping agenda are unmistakable. Among the immediate actions are Trump’s reinstatement of harsh immigration policies, directives rolling back civil rights protections, and a push to gut the Department of Education’s diversity
programs—each item aligning with the Project 2025 blueprint. Executive orders dismantling environmental safeguards, restricting reproductive rights, and granting broad powers to law enforcement have followed, echoing the project’s call for a return to what its authors describe as “traditional American values.”
“This is exactly what we warned about,” Rep. Crockett said. “They’re moving with precision, targeting the most vulnerable communities first— immigrants, Black and brown people, LGBTQ+ folks—and they’re doing it under the guise
The Black Press of America issued numerous reports before the election detailing how Project 2025 aims to strip away civil liberties and concentrate power in the executive branch. Critics say the speed at which these policies are being implemented proves that Trump’s earlier denials were calculated deception. The NAACP released a statement emphasizing the stakes: “This is not about politics—this is about survival,” officials at the nation’s oldest civil rights organization stated. “Communities of color will bear the brunt of these policies. We told you this was coming.”
The NAACP and BET announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will receive the prestigious Chairman’s Award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards, airing live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 PM ET on BET and CBS. The broadcast, an annual celebration of Black excellence, has been extended by 30 minutes to run for 2.5 hours. According to a news release, the Chairman’s Award is presented to individuals who excel in public service and use their
platform to drive meaningful change. Past recipients include Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Vice President Harris made history as the first woman, Black American, and South Asian American U.S. Vice President. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for reproductive rights, gun safety, voting rights, and economic opportunity. Under the Biden-Harris administration, she played a key role in record job growth and cast tie-breaking votes to lower prescription drug costs
and secure historic climate and infrastructure investments.
In 2024, she became the first Black and South Asian woman nominated for president by a
HBO is set to debut Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest (19772015), the latest chapter of the groundbreaking documentary series that has long served as a definitive account of the fight for racial justice in America. The six-part series, executive produced by Dawn Porter, premieres Tuesday, February 25, with two episodes airing back-to-back on HBO. All six episodes will be available to stream on Max. Building on the foundation of Henry Hampton’s
1987 documentary Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement, this new installment shifts the timeline beyond the traditional civil rights era, highlighting the continued struggle for justice from the late 1970s through 2015. The series captures pivotal moments in Black activism through archival footage and firsthand accounts, from grassroots battles over housing and healthcare to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., who appears in multiple episodes, played a key role in the history explored in the series. As a leader in the fight for racial equity, Dr. Chavis was the principal national organizer of the Million Man March in
1995 and the environmental justice movement in 1982 that challenged corporate and government negligence in Black communities. The series revisits both turning points, featuring voices from the front lines who fought for justice in the face of systemic resistance. The first episode, America, Don’t Look Away (1977-1988), explores community activism in New York’s South Bronx and Philadelphia. Local leaders took on fair housing and healthcare inequities during the final years of the Carter administration and the onset of Reaganomics. The episode includes former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, public health officials, and activists who fought for Black communities
major political party, garnering over 75 million votes in the shortest general election campaign in modern history. Before her tenure as vice
amid the AIDS crisis. As the series progresses, it turns to the criminal justice system’s impact on Black communities. Trapped (1989-1995) follows public defenders in Washington, D.C., and organizers in South Central Los Angeles who took on policies that disproportionately targeted Black residents. The documentary highlights the work of figures such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters and former U.S. attorney Robert Wilkins. The third episode focuses on one of the most defining moments of modern Black activism—the Million Man March. The 1995 gathering in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1995, drew over one million Black men to assemble in
president, Harris served as a U.S. senator and California attorney general, focusing on housing relief, healthcare access, and criminal justice reform. Inspired by her activist parents, she has remained committed to justice, equality, and uplifting the next generation.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is more than a leader—she is a force of change, driven by an unwavering passion to shape a brighter, more equitable future,” said Leon W. Russell, chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “Her legacy is built on courage, compassion, and a profound commitment to uplifting those who need it most.” Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET Media Group, called Harris deeply
deserving” of the award, citing her historic accomplishments and lifelong dedication to justice. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson added, Vice President Harris embodies the power, grace, and unyielding courage that Black women have long brought to the heart of the United States.” The 56th NAACP Image Awards will also highlight efforts to support communities impacted by recent wildfires in Southern California. BET Media Group, NAACP, JSSK, and WME have partnered with LA County and local organizations to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, which aims to protect homeowners from displacement and
responsibility, and community
the day-long gathering in a call for unity,
upliftment. Chavis, who was the National
Director and a key organizer of the march, is featured alongside Rev. Al Sharpton,
Behind the scenes,
Trump has appointed several
Kamala
Corporate America abandons DE&I, but Black-Owned brands are the future
By Stacy M. Brown
Newswire Senior
While corporations retreat, Black entrepreneurs continue to build, innovate, and thrive.
According to NBC Select, over three million Black-owned brands are in the U.S., spanning every industry imaginable. As corporate America abandons its DE&I commitments, the power shifts to conscious consumers who invest in businesses that uplift and sustain marginalized communities.
Here are just a few
standout Black-owned brands leading the charge:
Clothing & Accessories
Telfar – The brand that revolutionized luxury fashion with its motto: “Not for you—for everyone.”
Hanifa – A trailblazing womenswear brand founded by Anifa Mvuemba, known for its stunning digital fashion shows.
Pyer Moss – Founded by Kerby Jean-Raymond, this label merges activism and high fashion.
Grayscale – A streetwear brand bringing bold aesthetics and social commentary to the forefront.
Sassy Jones – A standout accessories brand built on bold, unapologetic selfexpression.
Beauty & Skincare
Fenty Beauty –Rihanna’s globally inclusive beauty empire that set a new standard for shade diversity.
Mented Cosmetics – Beauty products created specifically for deeper skin tones.
The Lip Bar – A Black-woman-owned brand disrupting the beauty industry with bold, non-toxic lipstick shades.
Pattern Beauty –Founded by Tracee Ellis Ross, specializing in products for textured hair.
Alikay Naturals –Natural haircare products with a devoted following.
Home & Lifestyle
Estelle Colored Glass – Hand-blown glassware that brings Black excellence to fine dining.
Jungalow – A home décor brand from designer Justina Blakeney, blending culture and bohemian flair. Linoto – Luxury linen bedding made with sustainability in mind.
Yowie – A modern design studio curating unique home goods from independent artists.
Food & Beverage
Partake Foods – A Black-owned snack company offering allergen-friendly cookies and treats.
McBride Sisters Wine Collection – The largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S., run by two sisters redefining the industry.
Uncle Nearest Whiskey – Honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green, the Black distiller behind Jack Daniel’s original recipe.
Capital City Mambo Sauce – The D.C. favorite taking over the condiment industry.
Meanwhile, corporate America’s performative commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is unraveling at an alarming rate. In the years following the murder of George Floyd, corporations made bold promises to support marginalized communities, pledging billions in investments to level the playing field. But as the political landscape shifts and accountability wanes, those commitments are being discarded. A staggering number of major corporations have scaled back or eliminated DE&I programs: Amazon, Target, Amtrak, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Deloitte, PBS, Google, Pepsi, General Motors (GM), GE, Intel, PayPal, Chipotle, Comcast, Accenture, The Smithsonian Institution, the FBI, Meta, Walmart, Boeing, Molson Coors, Ford Motor Co., Harley-Davidson, and John Deere have all abandoned or severely reduced their diversity efforts. The very companies that once paraded
their commitment to racial equity in multimillion-dollar ad campaigns are now quietly erasing those initiatives from their bottom lines. Not everyone is staying silent. Dr. Jamal Bryant, the influential pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in metro Atlanta, is leading a 40-day economic fast—or boycott— of Target in direct response to the retailer’s decision to phase out its DE&I initiatives. Target, headquartered in Minneapolis—the city where George Floyd was murdered in 2020—originally pledged $2 billion in investments toward Black-owned businesses. That commitment was due in December 2025, but on January 24, Target announced it would end its DE&I efforts, effectively abandoning that financial commitment. Bryant, appearing on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known news program, condemned the move. “After the murder of George Floyd, they
made a $2 billion commitment to invest in Black businesses,” he said. “When they pulled out of the DE&I agreement in January, they also canceled that $2 billion commitment.” Target is just the beginning. Bryant calls for 100,000 people to halt their spending at the retail giant as a direct challenge to corporate America’s retreat from racial equity. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” he said. “Because of how many dollars are spent there and the absence of commitment to our community, we are focusing on Target first.” The boycott, designed to coincide with Lent, aims to leverage Black economic power to hold corporations accountable. Within just one week, 50,000 people had already signed the petition at targetfast.org, signaling the growing momentum behind the movement.
Bryant’s demands go beyond reinstating DE&I. “White women are the number one beneficiary of DE&I,” he noted. “What I am asking for is a quarter of a billion dollars to be invested in Black banks so that our Black businesses can scale.” He also called for Target to partner with HBCUs by integrating their business departments into its supply chain infrastructure. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)—the nation’s largest Black-owned media organization—has announced its own national public education and selective buying campaign in response to corporate America’s retreat from DE&I. “We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or
nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” said NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. reinforced the need for financial realignment. “Black Americans spend $2 trillion annually. We must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us. These contradictions will not go unchallenged.” In response, Bryant has partnered with Ron Busby, president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, to provide consumers with a directory of 300,000 Blackowned businesses. “You can’t tell people what not to do without showing them what to do,” Bryant said. “If you’re not going to Target or Walmart but need essentials like toilet paper, soap, or detergent, we’ll show you where to get them and reinvest in Black businesses.” And the impact of the boycott is already felt. Since Black consumers began boycotting Target, the company’s stock has dropped by $11, Bryant noted. Stockholders are now suing Target due to the adverse effects of the boycott on its stock value. Bryant said the question is no longer whether corporate America will keep its promises—it’s clear that it won’t. He said the same companies that plastered Black squares on social media and made grand statements about inclusion are now proving where their true priorities lie. “America has shown us time and time again: if it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense,”
NAACP sues Trump Administration over dismantling of consumer financial protection bureau
By Stacy M. Brown
The NAACP has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The civil rights organization argues that the move undermines protections for Black, elderly, and vulnerable consumers, leaving them exposed to financial
exploitation. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson condemned the administration’s actions, calling them a reckless assault on consumer protections. “Once again, we are witnessing the dangerous impacts of an overreaching executive office. The Trump Administration’s decision to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau opens the floodgates for unethical and predatory practices to run rampant,” Johnson stated. “We refuse to stand idly by as our most vulnerable communities are left unprotected due to irresponsible leaders. From seniors and retirees, disabled people, and
victims of disaster to so many more, our nation stands to face immense financial hardship and adversity as a result of the elimination of the CFPB. If our President refuses to put people over profit, the NAACP will use every tool possible to put Americans first.”
The lawsuit comes after a series of drastic actions following the ouster of CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. President Trump replaced Chopra with Russell Vought, who immediately instructed staff not to perform any work tasks and ordered the closure of the agency’s headquarters, taking steps to cancel its lease. Vought also suspended all investigations, rulemaking, public communications, and enforcement actions. Keisha D. Bross, NAACP Director of Opportunity, Race, and Justice, said the organization maintains its commitment to restoring the bureau’s critical role in protecting consumers.
“The CFPB is an agency of the people. From the protection from junk fees to fighting excessive overdraft fees, providing assistance to impacted victims of natural disasters, and holding predatory practices accountable, the NAACP stands firm in bringing back the CFPB,” Bross said.
“The NAACP will fight to hold
financial entities responsible for the years of inequitable practices from big banks and lenders.”
The lawsuit, filed alongside the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the National Consumer Law Center, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, and the CFPB Employee Association, argues that the administration’s actions violate the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act.
According to the complaint, the Trump administration has taken deliberate steps to dismantle the CFPB, including firing 70 employees via form email, canceling over $100 million in vendor contracts, and shutting down the agency’s consumer complaint system, which processes hundreds of thousands of cases monthly.
The plaintiffs warn that these actions will leave millions of Americans defenseless against financial fraud and predatory lending practices.
The lawsuit details the harm already inflicted by the agency’s closure. Among those affected is Rev. Eva Steege, an 83-yearold pastor with a terminal illness who was seeking student loan forgiveness through a CFPB-facilitated program. Her meeting with CFPB staff was abruptly canceled, leaving her without recourse to resolve her debt before passing.
The NAACP and other plaintiffs seek an immediate injunction to halt the administration’s actions and restore the CFPB’s operations.
The legal challenge argues that the President has no unilateral authority to dismantle an agency created by Congress and that Vought’s appointment as acting director is unlawful. President Trump has made no secret of his desire to eliminate the CFPB, confirming last week that his administration was working to “totally eliminate” the agency. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a key player in Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” celebrated the move with a social media post reading “CFPB RIP.” If successful, the lawsuit could force the administration to reinstate the agency and resume its enforcement actions against financial institutions accused of predatory practices. “Neither the President nor the head of the CFPB has the power to dismantle an agency that Congress established,” the plaintiffs argue. “With each day the agency remains shut down, financial institutions that seek to prey on consumers are emboldened—harming their law-abiding competitors and the consumers who fall victim to them.”
Minnesota coffee shops voted among the best in the country for remote work
Survey of 3,013 business executives and remote workers to identify the best coffee shops in the country for working away from the office. Wild Grind Coffee (Minneapolis), Luminary Coffeehouse (Saint Paul) + Spyhouse Rochester (Rochester) included in the rankings. Long before the pandemic redefined the workplace, major business deals were already happening far from the traditional boardroom. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and WhatsApp’s Jan Koum famously discussed their $19 billion acquisition at Koum’s favorite coffee shop in Los Altos. And Michael Jordan, initially set on Adidas, was swayed to sign with Nike—one of the most lucrative endorsement deals in history—after a pitch delivered during a casual tennis match. Today, coffee shops have emerged as popular hubs for both remote work and conducting business in general. Digital nomads, freelancers, and remote employees use these spaces as productive
alternatives to their homes, while executives gather there to negotiate, strategize, and seal major agreements. MarketBeat.com, a leading financial media company, carried out a survey of 3,013 business executives and remote workers to identify the best coffee shops in the country for working away from the office. 3 coffee shops in Minnesota emerged among the best in the country for remote work: #66. Wild Grind Coffee (Minneapolis) Wild Grind Coffee in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a specialty coffee shop and roasting company situated within Wild Mind Ales. It’s a favorite for its consciously sourced, locally roasted beans and eclectic mix of signature beverages, such as the Neapolitan Latte and seasonal coffee flights. The café offers comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and a dogfriendly environment, making it an ideal spot for remote work, casual meetings, or enjoying a quality coffee experience.
#96. Luminary Coffeehouse (Saint Paul) Luminary Coffeehouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is an independently owned café known for its welcoming atmosphere and community focus. It offers a variety of coffee beverages, including their signature Lunar Latte, a twist on a Café Miel with honey, vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The café also serves a selection of teas, pastries, and light fare, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. #103. Spyhouse Rochester (Rochester) Spyhouse Coffee Roasters in Rochester, Minnesota, is a modern café known for its expertly crafted coffee and inviting atmosphere. It offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, including espresso, pour-over coffee, and unique seasonal lattes, along with freshly baked pastries. The café is celebrated for its clean, minimalist design and inviting space, making it an ideal spot for remote work, casual meetings, or simply enjoying a quality cup of coffee. With reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a friendly staff, Spyhouse Coffee Roasters provides the perfect environment for both productivity and relaxation. The top 10 co
Kaimuki,
(Tennessee).
#8. Novela Cafe Social, Miami (Florida).
#9. HiCO KailuaKona, Kailua-Kona (Hawaii). #10. Dark Horse
Anchorage (Alaska).
From 3
among multiple descendants, making it difficult for families to retain ownership. Tax sales preyed on Black families with fixed incomes, forcing them to auction off land they had no intention of selling. The Torrens Act allowed land to be sold without notifying all co-owners, stripping Black families of their property without legal recourse.
The impact of this systematic theft is immeasurable. In Mississippi alone, between 1950 and 1964, nearly 800,000 acres of Black-owned land were stolen, amounting to a present-day valuation of up to $6.6 billion. The wealth lost through land
Project 2025 2025
From 3
Heritage Foundation affiliates to top White House positions. John McEntee, one of Project 2025’s key contributors, now oversees
3
journalist Michael Cottman, and Professor Emerita Angela Davis. The episode details both the controversy and the lasting impact of the historic event.
Environmental justice takes center stage in the fourth installment, which examines the fight against industrial pollution and toxic waste in Black communities. Activists in North Carolina, West Virginia, and
dispossession remains one of the most enduring factors in the racial wealth gap, where the typical white family still has eight times the wealth of the typical Black family. Trump’s selective outrage over land redistribution in South Africa stands in direct contrast to his administration’s complete disregard for the historical theft of Black land in the U.S. His policies consistently benefited white landowners while neglecting the Black farmers and families who had been systematically robbed of their property for generations. His administration dismantled the civil rights division of the USDA, an agency long accused of discriminating against Black farmers and ignored efforts to provide restitution to those who had suffered under racist policies. The irony deepens when one considers
personnel decisions, ensuring federal agencies align with the agenda’s hardline stance. Meanwhile, another architect of the plan, Russell Vought, plays a central role in rewriting federal budget priorities to defund programs that benefit marginalized groups. The executive orders have included
preserve cultural heritage. The awards ceremony will announce winners in various categories, with nontelevised awards presented
Florida battled corporations and government agencies that failed to protect Black neighborhoods from environmental hazards. Dr. Chavis, Deputy Executive Director of the Commission for Racial Justice of the United Church of Christ at the time, is featured along with Dr. Robert Bullard, widely regarded as one of the founders of the Environmental Justice Movement (EJM) along with Chavis, and former Vice President Al Gore. The final two episodes focus on legal and political battles over race in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. One installment
Trump’s well-documented hostility toward refugees. His administration slashed refugee admissions to record lows, imposed draconian immigration bans, and separated children from their families at the border. But now, white South Africans—who remain the most economically privileged demographic in their country— are suddenly deemed worthy of asylum. Black and brown refugees fleeing war, famine, and persecution were demonized as threats under Trump’s watch, yet white Afrikaners are welcomed with open arms.
Ziyad Motala, writing in the Middle East Monitor, noted that Trump’s claim of white South African persecution “would be an amusing episode of alternate history if it were not so transparently false.”
White South Africans continue to dominate the country’s
eliminating funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across government agencies, establishing federal penalties for “disruptive” protests, and reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy.
“Donald Trump can pretend he’s not involved,
virtually on February 18 and 19 via the NAACP Image Awards’ YouTube channel. The Creative Honors ceremony will be held on February 21.
looks at affirmative action and the shifting landscape of school desegregation, featuring UCLA law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw and civil rights leader Dr. William J. Barber II. The last episode explores the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement during the Obama years, as police killings of unarmed Black citizens galvanized a new generation of activists. It includes BLM co-founders Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors, as well as Rev. Al Sharpton. The series arrives at a time when the fight for racial justice remains urgent,
economy, with the top earners and corporate executives overwhelmingly white. Motala further pointed out that Trump’s narrative is being bolstered by figures like Elon Musk, whose family directly benefited from apartheid’s racially engineered economic system. Musk’s political pivot toward white grievance politics aligns seamlessly with Trump’s latest efforts to manufacture a racial crisis where none exists. Moreover, South Africa’s judiciary, bound by constitutional supremacy, has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to legality and justice, something that Trump’s presidency consistently undermined. Unlike Trump, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has held former leaders accountable who openly flouted the rule of law and sought unchecked power. When former
but look at the people in his administration,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. “Look at the policies being pushed through with record speed. This is Project 2025 in action.” Many of Trump’s moves echo those listed in the Heritage Foundation’s publicly available 920-page blueprint.
Widely regarded as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the NAACP Image Awards continue to celebrate the artists, leaders,
and the Black Press continues to document these struggles as it has been for nearly two centuries. Founded in 1827 with Freedom’s Journal, the Black Press of America was created to give Black communities a voice when mainstream media ignored or distorted their stories. That mission continues today through the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing over 230 Black-owned newspapers nationwide. Chavis, who leads the NNPA, has also co-authored a new book with NNPA Senior National Correspondent Stacy M. Brown. The Transatlantic
South African President Jacob Zuma ignored court orders, he was held in contempt and sentenced to prison. By contrast, Trump’s abuse of presidential pardons saw convicted war criminals and insurrectionists absolved simply for their loyalty.
Trump’s real motivation in targeting South Africa likely has little to do with land reform and everything to do with South Africa’s stance on international justice. The country’s decision to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza has drawn Washington’s ire, and Trump, ever eager to shield Israel from scrutiny, has now concocted yet another race-based distraction. The hypocrisy is glaring. Trump, who has spent his political career demonizing Black and brown asylum seekers, now fashions himself a humanitarian
The document outlines plans to overhaul the Department of Justice, weaken protections against police brutality, and limit LGBTQ+ rights, all of which have been reflected in Trump’s recent directives.
Civil rights organizations are rallying to fight back, filing lawsuits, and
and activists who advance justice and equity. Previous attendees included Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, and Dwayne
Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy is a deep examination of the lasting impact of one of history’s greatest atrocities. Covering the period from 1500 to 2024, the book details how the forced removal and brutal exploitation of millions of Africans laid the foundation for the systemic racism that persists today.
“The transatlantic slave trade isn’t just history—it is the root of the struggles we continue to face,” Chavis said. “To understand the present, we must confront the past.” Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Public Enemy frontman Chuck
for white South Africans. The same man who dismissed systemic racism in America and worked to dismantle civil rights protections now suddenly professes concern for racial discrimination—so long as the supposed victims are white. “For all the talk of ‘America First,’ Trump’s policies have never been about national interest but rather about the consolidation of power through fearmongering and race-baiting,” Motala observed. “South Africa, in its commitment to legal accountability, human rights, and constitutional integrity, exposes precisely what Trump and his enablers despise: a legal order where power is constrained, the rule of law prevails, and privilege is not an eternal birthright.”
urging Americans to mobilize. Still, the road ahead remains steep, with Republicancontrolled legislatures supporting many of these initiatives. “There’s no time for complacency,” Rep. Crockett said. “What we are witnessing is the normalization of fascism disguised as patriotism.”
D wrote the book’s foreword, recognizing its role in providing historical context for the challenges Black Americans still endure. With the release of Eyes on the Prize III and The Transatlantic Slave Trade, the importance of truth-telling remains clear. “For 198 years, the Black Press has ensured that our history is recorded accurately,” Chavis said. “We must continue to tell our own stories and ensure the truth is never erased.”
By Brian Basham
Rep. Elliott Engen (R-White Bear Township) believes there
is a con
flict of interest when a nonpro
fit or other organization receives state funding, then is allowed to donate that money as a political contribution to a friendly candidate.
“The bill before you today would simply ensure that the tax dollars received by nonprofit organizations are not being spent on influencing the outcome of elections, but rather, being used to benefit the public good,” he told the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee Monday.
Engen sponsors HF72, which would prohibit any organization receiving state funding, including nonprofits, from making political contributions or expending money for a political purpose.
The bill was approved 6-5 on a party-line vote and sent to the House Floor.
Engen said the bill would return political influence in the state to voters rather than organizations.
“This bill would bring
to heel a large portion of the unethical and irresponsible dark money campaign apparatus that voters on both the left and the right have agreed needs to end,” Engen said.
Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL-Mpls) said the bill would repeat laws already on the books because certain nonprofits already cannot make political contributions.
“We make grants to 501(c)(3)s; they’re already prohibited from doing that by federal IRS law,” she said. “They cannot spend money on elections. That’s what makes you a tax-exempt charity.”
Engen countered that current law allows a 501(c) (3) to funnel state money to a third party to make a political donation, and the bill would end that practice.
“It is a little bit of a Catch-22,” he said. “They’ll use a different apparatus to continue that influencing of elections.” Democrats unsuccessfully offered three amendments that would have prohibited all corporations and any entity receiving a state tax deduction
transfers
By Rob Hubbard
rejected
now, while we’re moving to the EV model across the state and the country, our roads and bridges are funded by the gas tax,” Zeleznikar said. “So we’re not going to have funds going into the roads and bridges like we have historically.”
The current surcharge from the state when purchasing an all-electric vehicle is $75, but that would double to $150. The bill also includes new surcharges
for other classes of electric vehicles that would be imposed annually as part of motor vehicle registration, including:
$75 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; $30 for allelectric motorcycles; and $15 for plug-in hybrid electric motorcycles.
Speaking against the bill was Nick Haeg, senior associate of electric vehicles for renewable energy advocacy organization Fresh Energy.
“According to the
Minnesota Department of Transportation’s November 2024 report on options to
Photo by Andrew VonBank
Rep. Elliott Engen listens Feb. 17 as an amendment is offered to HF72, a bill that would prohibit any entity or organization that receives state funding from making campaign expenditures or spending money for political purposes.
Photo by Michele Jokinen
Nick Haeg, senior associate of electric vehicles for Fresh Energy, testifies
Education
From the classroom to the living room: Three ways families can help children build early literacy skills
By Nicol Russell, Ed.D.
As a young child, I’d help my dad comb through coupons in the Sunday newspaper each week. With his guidance, I’d find familiar pictures and letters and pieces together to recognize words, connecting the text with meaningful ideas and objects from my life before I could even read. I didn’t know it then, but this weekly activity not only created fond memories with my father, but it helped build a foundation of important pre-reading skills that would support my journey to literacy. Today, just one in three fourth graders are reading on grade level, signaling an urgent need to ensure all children can build reading and writing skills even before they enter kindergarten.
State lawmakers have responded to the nation’s call for action. Most states have adopted policies to transform classroom instruction to teach young children to become competent, confident emerging readers through evidencebased pedagogy aligned with the science of reading. Now, it’s time to turn those policies into strong practice — from the classroom to the living room. As an early childhood curriculum leader who started her career in the classroom, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of ensuring educators — including those who teach children in the critical year before kindergarten — have access to high-quality curriculum, assessments to measure learning progress over time, and meaningful training
on how to best use those tools with their unique students.
I’ve also seen, in my work and as the parent of a young reader, the importance of building a strong homeschool connection. In a recent survey, 91% of early childhood educators underscored the importance of parent/caregiver engagement for developing early literacy skills in young students. This echoes a wide body of research that shows the positive links between involved families and student achievement. So, how can families help young children build a strong foundation for reading and writing? Here are some suggestions that are both fun and free. Read.
It seems like an obvious suggestion, but the power of reading — as families and independently — cannot be overstated. Research shows the number of different types of literacy materials in the home, the amount of home reading, and the opportunity to discuss reading are all related to reading proficiency. Families can start their literacy journey together by taking a trip to the public library together. At the library, children can engage in storytime events and explore the stacks for books and magazines that catch their attention. Adults, too, should pick titles they are interested in reading independently, as modeling good reading habits is also beneficial. Back at home, families are encouraged to set aside time each day to read
together. Families can make storytime more engaging for children by pausing throughout the story to ask questions about the plot or about how certain themes in the story make their child feel; using different voices for the different characters; or even acting out the story with toys.
Incorporate literacy skills into everyday activities. Families don’t have to spend a lot of money on activities or programs to help their children on their journey to literacy. There are many ways to incorporate reading and writing skills into everyday life that are both free and fun. Try, for example, simply making a list. Lists are an easy way to get your
child to write. Consider:
Making a grocery list. Ask your child about their favorite meal or treat and work together to write down all of the ingredients you’ll need to make it. For younger children, you can read your grocery list aloud, playfully emphasizing the letter sounds and showing them the ingredients at the market to keep them engaged.
Writing the steps of an everyday chore. Invite your child to write and illustrate the steps in an everyday chore, like doing laundry. Then use that list for your child’s future reference
Taking an order.
Role play you are dining in a restaurant, and encourage your child to write down your order.
At the end of the day, ask
specific questions.
It can be difficult for young children to remember what they did during the day so asking, “What did you do today?” may not generate a lot of conversation. So, ask different, more specific questions to help them recall some events, such as:
“What story did you hear or book you read today? What was it about?” Retelling stories encourages comprehension, sequencing, and use of narrative language, which are essential for literacy.
“What was the best song you sang or heard today?” Songs and rhymes strengthen phonological awareness and help children recognize sound patterns in words.
“What new word did you hear today? Help me learn what it means.” Discussing or introducing new vocabulary enhances a child’s language skills and comprehension.
The nation is grappling with a literacy crisis that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. We have an opportunity to reverse course — but a new law, curriculum, or literacy coach alone won’t bring about the real change our children need. Policymakers, educators, advocates, and families alike must unite to support our young readers. And even simple actions, like combing through the Sunday newspaper for coupons, can have a lasting impact.
Dr. Nicol Russell is the Chief Academic Officer at Teaching Strategies.
How young children learn by going outside
By Head Start
Spending time outdoors every day is a rich and important part of Head Start’s chosen research-based curriculum for infants and toddlers. From the very beginning, young children satisfy their curiosity by exploring with their senses. Being outside “presents a new world of sights, sounds, smells, and tactile experiences.” Regardless of whether children live in urban, suburban, or rural communities, the outdoor world provides opportunities to observe, discover, and learn that are not available indoors. The following are examples of Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework knowledge and skills that young children develop through the curriculum’s outdoor experiences.
Social and Emotional
Development
Infants and toddlers learn to play together when they take turns using pails and shovels, share a ride in a wagon, and chase each other. Through direct, hands-on experiences, young children learn to be gentle with living things and with each other. “Deep bonds can form between children or children and adults when they share experiences with nature. When children have daily opportunities to care for plants, trees, animals, and insects, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in kind and gentle ways with people as well.”
Gross Motor, Fine Motor, and Perceptual Development
Because outdoor play spaces are often more varied and less structured than indoor spaces, infants and toddlers have more freedom of movement to develop their gross motor skills in novel ways. This may include crawling or rolling on grassy hills, standing and
or unlevel surfaces, and jumping over puddles and sidewalk cracks. Small motor muscles are developed as
pincer
Nicol Russell, Ed.D.
A loving father sits on the couch at home and reads a storybook to his preschool age daughter.
Aesthetically It
Zeitgeist at Vanguard New Music Series
The second installment of the 2025 Vanguard New Music Series, will take place at 7pm on Thursday, March 20 at Zion Community Commons in Saint Paul’s Midway neighborhood. The concert will feature Zeitgeist performing a program of premieres created by local composers through their annual Sounding Ground residency. The featured composers for the evening will be May Klug, Leyna Marika Papach, and Sarah M. Greer with special guest composer JC Sanford.
The concert is presented by Twin Cities-based nonprofit RenegadeEnsemble in collaboration with the Vanguard New Music Series, which launched in 2022 with a mission to promote and perform works by living composers in Minnesota and has resulted in the world premieres of more than 30 works. The 2025 season
kicked off in January with a program centered around electroacoustic by Ryann Daisy Swimmer, and Benjamin Mansavage Klein. Concerts will continue all year long. Founded in 2004 as a vocal ensemble at the University of Minnesota, RenegadeEnsemble has performed a large variety of
modern music, including such 20th century staples as Erik Saties’s Vexations, George Antheil’s Ballet Mécanique, Terry Riley’s In C, and Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Stimmung as well as new works by living composers. In 2022, RenegadeEnsemble refocused its mission towards vocal and
instrumental chamber music written primarily by composers connected to Minnesota and the upper Midwest to better foster a community of local performers and audiences interested in new music. Lauded for providing “a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventurous concertgoers,” Zeitgeist is a new music chamber ensemble comprised of two percussion, piano and woodwinds. One of the longest established new music groups in the country, Zeitgeist commissions and presents a wide variety of new music for audiences in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Zeitgeist collaborates with sound artists of all types
to create imaginative new work that challenges the boundaries of traditional chamber music.
Lauded for providing “a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventurous concertgoers,” Zeitgeist is a new music chamber ensemble comprised of two percussion, piano and woodwinds. One of the longest established new music groups in the country, Zeitgeist commissions and presents a wide variety of new music for audiences in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Zeitgeist collaborates with sound artists of all types to create imaginative new work that challenges the boundaries of traditional chamber music. The members of Zeitgeist are: Heather Barringer, percussion; Patti Cudd, percussion; Pat O’Keefe, woodwinds; Nicola Melville, piano.
Freedom blooms in flowers
By Brittany Friedman
Don’t leave me, I cried.
Now is a time of ruin, they say.
For once, they could be right. Cracked is all I see.
You were once a great hero. To everyone, not just me.
There is no need for clocks and things as time waits for thee.
I look to the sky and not a drop in sight.
Freedom blooms in flowers, they say.
But I can’t feel your might.
Nourish me, oh fleeting one, send your thunder our way.
Crack your hammer and pierce the sky.
Make us believe this day.
When freedom blooms in flowers, my sun, our pain will cease to play.
I shall call your song and dance your spell, so you know we remember you.
Gaia calls us one by one to bloom like flowers do.
Zeitgeist
Zeitgeist
Nicola Melville
Pat O’Keefe
Patti Cudd
Heather Barringer
Brittany Friedman
Desire For You, from her Island Embers series
By W.D. Foster-Graham
DESIRE FOR YOU
By Cheryl Barton
Black History Month takes place in February, and so does Valentine’s Day. Since I am all about Black Love, I would be remiss if I didn’t include romance this month in my reviews. That being said, it is my good pleasure to bring to you Cheryl Barton’s Desire For You, from her Island Embers series.
Byrum Blackstone is the eldest of the Blackstone brothers. Together, they have built high-end romantic island resorts, and Silent Whisper is Byrum’s project. At the age of 37, he can have any woman he wants, and no woman can tame him—except the one he can’t have, his executive assistant Keiko Lee. After being burned by Valencia, Byrum doubts that he will ever trust another woman with his heart.
Keiko Lee, a stunning African American/Asian woman, has had problems of her own. Divorced from her despicable controlling ex DeConnor, Keiko’s eyes are wide open to how unappreciated she was by him, treated as a possession who exists only to satisfy his self-centered needs. The one good thing that came out of their marriage is their five-year-old son Tru, and in an effort to control Keiko once again, DeConnor is suing for full custody of their son.
There is an element of truth in the saying, “What one man won’t do, another man will,” and it shows up in the chemistry between Byrum and Keiko. That chemistry heats up at the wedding of Byrum’s brother Tellum and Cheyenne Reddick, where they finally admit to their blazing desire for each other. Will they stand the test of meddling, interfering exes, and possible repercussions to their careers? Will they heal the wounds to their hearts and embrace the love they have for each other? I love the way Barton’s characters work through their issues by talking them out, and at the end of the day, love wins out. The bonds of friendship and sisterhood are solid, and families are there for each other, even when they screw up (as Callum did in this story). Let’s not forget
Blackstone had that uncanny knack for knowing the women who were meant for her sons before they did. Last but not least, there is the love between Byrum’s parents that has stood the test of time.
Desire For You is available through Amazon and her website www.cherylbarton. net.
Insight 2 Health
Creating Pathways Home
By Rachel Perry
Greater Twin Cities United Way launched Pathways Home in 2023 to prevent homelessness among young people in transition, helping them build stable lives. This approach was rooted in the community challenge that, despite understanding the risk factors contributing to homelessness, existing support systems often respond only after a crisis.
Pathways Home supports nonprofits working to prevent homelessness for foster youth and adults transitioning from incarceration. This initiative builds on the success
of previous programs, tackling complex system gaps requiring deep mobilization.
The first phase, launched in summer 2023, supports a cohort of 11 organizations over 18 months. These organizations collaborate to provide coordinated services, taking a collective action approach. Pathways Home ensures young people transitioning out of foster care or incarceration receive seamless support.
The initiative expands access to trauma-sensitive and diverse-responsive supports, improving health and opening opportunities for employment and education. Partners provide services such as family
reconnection, mental health support, and culturally relevant food and coach young adults in skills development and employment.
United Way granted $1.2 million to 11 nonprofit organizations serving youth exiting foster care or transitioning from incarceration. The initiative includes training and peer-to-peer learning in a Community of Practice. Leading corporate supporters include 3M, Securian Financial, and Wells Fargo.
United Way is providing new resources and support systems to prevent homelessness for those most at risk.
Dr. Jesse Roach, SVP of Government Relations of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and a nephrologist sounded the alarm on the recent terminations at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
According to NKF, in the United States, more than 35 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)-and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanic people experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
“While it is certainly appropriate to try to identify inefficiencies in government, the weekend terminations across HHS will negatively affect the lives of kidney patients in the United States. NKF is deeply concerned about these actions, which appear to be haphazard and indiscriminate,” Dr Roach said in a statement to the press last week.
He said, “Among the more alarming cuts we’ve learned of are:
* A significant number of
employees at HRSA’s Division of Transplantation who have been working on modernizing the organ transplant system. Mass layoffs stand in direct opposition to the goals of transplant system reform to improve efficiency, transparency, and the ability of government to respond to the needs of people who rely on the system. Chaotic terminations of the employees charged with implementing reforms will ensure the status quo persists.
* Staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services responsible for the safety of organ procurement, transplantation, and dialysis, ensuring that patients with chronic kidney disease receive high quality medical care, and increasing the number of kidneys available for transplant.
* Staff at the National Institutes of Health, who have been developing new treatments for patient’s kidney disease so that fewer Americans progress to kidney failure.
Significant cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose staff among other things work to prevent dialysis related infections, tracking and preventing diseases that can put immunocompromised patients at risk, and monitoring the overall health of Americans It is unclear if any prior thought was given to the effects these mass terminations will have on the ability of these agencies to function or the effects these cuts will have on everyday Americans. Right now, the journey to recovery just became harder for those waiting on a transplant, for patients who rely on dialysis to be safe, and those hoping for a cure or treatment for their chronic illnesses. There will
also be an incalculable loss of talent, expertise and experience that will be difficult, if not impossible, to ever replace. We urge the Administration and Congress to reconsider and roll back these actions immediately so potential cuts can be made in a thoughtful and safer manner. To do otherwise may result in absolute tragedy for the American people.”
For more information about kidney disease, organ donation, and the National Kidney Foundation’s advocacy efforts, visit www.kidney.org. About Kidney Disease About National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is the largest patientcentric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease. It is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www. kidney.org/.
