April 11, 2019 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

April 11-17, 2019 Vol. 85 No. 36 www.spokesman-recorder.com

PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

LIVING LEGEND: Larry Fitzgerald reflects on historic career

THE WRAP-UP

Twin Cities Black community was all over the NCAA

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hile the overwhelming majority of the NCAA basketball players are Black, many noticed the lack of Blacks represented in the stands and in the visiting crowds. However small, though, the Black Twin Cities community (and visitors) played an active role throughout the festivities.

Black Coaches Connect Outside of the big games, the Final Four action took over downtown Minneapolis this past weekend with Tip-Off Tailgate events, basketball camps, concerts, shopping experiences and, of course, championship-themed parties. Among the event highlights was a special night dedicated to NCAA’s Black college coaches. Hosted by

Chad Groth, founder of Area Codes Basketball, the event served as a networking event for Black college coaches who had traveled from all across the country to attend the Final Four. “Being from North Minneapolis and having a relationship with every top Black coach in the industry, I wanted to put on something special where they could network and connect with other coaches from around the country,” said Groth. Among those in attendance were Greate White, CCBC-Catonsville; Edward “Buck” Joyner, Hampton; Justin Hutson, Fresno State; Raymond Broughton, Fayetteville State; Deshawn McCain, Fayetteville State; Robert Jones, Norfolk State; Vince Taylor, UCF; and Kevin Norris, UCF. Minneapolis great

Khalid El-Amin, who was three-time Minnesota State Player of the Year, also made an appearance. The event was hosted at GoldRoom Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Minneapolis, which is also Blackowned. “We wanted to be in a space that was comfortable and allowed us to be ourselves,” said Groth.

Rooftop sounds

Minnesota’s own DJ D.I.M.E. served as the official deejay for Coca-Cola — which was the official drink during the Final Four. “There was a nice representation of us,” said D.I.M.E. of the event crowds. “It’s a national event, so there were people from all over,” she said. noting that ■ See Wrap-up on page 8

Sports columnist Larry Fitzgerald has been a prominent fixture in the sports journalism scene for more than three decades. He has a long-standing career as a radio broadcaster, including as host of a weekly show on 8.99 KMOJ FM. He has also written a column for the MSR for the past 35 years. During the kickoff to the NCAA festivities in Minneapolis last week, Fitzgerald, along with a who’s who list of local leaders, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter III, was honored with an NCAA Legacy Award for his distinguished achievement and community service. Honorees at the April 5 ceremony were referred to as “living legends” and offered a plaque, along with words of appreciation. Below, Fitzgerald took the time to reflect on his NCAA honor and his storied career.

and was dedicated to his community and who shared his successes with the community and his family. MSR: What was the most impactful moment of your career? LF: To single out one thing is hard; there’s been many. I mean, in 1993 to interview Michael Jordan live on [on KFAN] radio and to have [hosted and produced] Dennis Green’s show for eight years. We’re talking about an NFL football coach, the second Black head coach in history. ■ See Legend on page 8

MSR: What did receiving the NCAA Legacy Award mean to you? Larry Fitzgerald: Oh, it means a lot, obviously, because of what the NCAA is and how world-recognized they are. They control the athletes and the institution of [college] sports in all categories. And to recognize me as a living legend is significant. Even though I’ve had disagreements and I’ve been very critical of them over the years, I don’t take it for granted their recognizing my career in its totality. So, I’m very grateful. MSR: What do you want your legacy to be? How would you like to be remembered? LF: Well, I think, I’d like to be known for being a good person. A God-fearing person. A (l-r) Melvin Carter III and Larry Fitzgerald Photo by Ray Richardson great husband. [...]A father who worked hard

BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BLADED BY HAIR LOVE and etches in brows for clients who want thicker, fuller (or just some) eyebrows. And, with changing brow trends, it’s good to know the ink isn’t permanent, fading within 1218 months. Here, the MSR chats with Jallah about the inspiration behind her newest venture and the difference a good brow can make.

TJ: I’m always thinking of new creative ideas and niches to innovate my brand and myself. What really inspired me was knowing that it really wasn’t a big thing up here in Minnesota, yet — at least not within our [Black] community. It was a good way to transition out of just selling hair and into a new lane that hasn’t really been tapped into

hours under a licensed tattoo artist or body art technician. I found someone who [fit the criteria], was teaching classes, and had an opening for apprentices. She said what I had learned [from my certification] was not up to par

and helped me level up. Then I got licensed with the state of Minnesota. MSR: What makes your services stand out? TJ: I’m certified and licensed. ■ See BBS on page 8

“It’s not just about beautification, but also taking back that power.” Taquisha Jallah Believe it or not, studies have shown that of all the features on the face, eyebrows are actually the most important. Eyebrows are our most recognized feature, they affect our day-to-day grooming routines and, perhaps most importantly, help us convey emotions. According to Taquisha Jallah, owner of Bladed by Hair

MSR: You do both microblading and microshading? Submitted photo What’s the difference? Taquisha Jallah: MicrobladLove, a set of well-groomed ing, specifically, is the haireyebrows can also give you a like stroke. Microshading is confidence boost. Jallah first more of the filling in of the launched as a hair extensions brow — like when you fill in provider, but has since ex- your brow with an eyebrow panded into semi-permanent pencil. It’s more of a makeupmakeup services. y look. And, microblading is Now, she helps her custom- the most natural service. ers get their eyebrows in “formation” with microblading, a MSR: What inspired you to tattooing technique for eye- expand your business into brows. She consults, shapes microblading?

up here like that. MSR: How long did it take you to learn that process? TJ: Initially, I went to a socialite on Instagram who was teaching classes in Chicago. That was just a one day, eighthour class and then I was a certified by her. When I came back to Minnesota, I had to learn all the legal state regulations and laws that went along with it. I found out that I needed to do an apprenticeship — 200

Photo by Stephenetta Harmon

Homeownership can be more than a dream…with a bit of planning it card at a time,” he said. “You didn’t ruin your credit overnight and you’re not going to be able to fix it

at a time. I started with my bedroom… then I paid that off. Then I got my living room set and I paid for that… Next thing I know, my credit score started to grow.” Bowman encouraged attendees not to settle for the bare minimum. “Why

are we a culture of people who are getting in with a 580 [credit score] and getting ourselves pigeon-holed into one product [bank loan offer]?” he asked. “Why can’t we shoot for the 680s, 700s, 740s so we can qualify for all the products? Shoot for a high score, so you can ■ See HomeoWnerSHip on page 8

Shawna Frazier fields an audience question The hour-long discussion, held at Lifesource in Minneapolis, remained upbeat even when the conversation Most of us know that African Amertouched on some of the biggest chalicans face the highest disparities when it lenges to buying a home, namely poor comes to homeownership, but don’t let credit. the dismal stats fool you. Through fi“You have to have discipline,” adnancial discipline, education and planvised panelist Trent Bowman, vice presning, homeownership can, indeed, be ident of community development at yours. That was the central takeaway KleinBank, a division of Old National from Sister Spokesman’s most recent Bank. “Build your credit score one credgathering on April 6.

By Paige Elliott Digital Editor

overnight. Talk to your financial coach [at] PRG, PPL [Project for Pride in Living] or the Minneapolis Urban League, and then strategically start rebuilding your credit scores.” He further illustrated his point by sharing a personal story. “I had great credit [but] lost my job and lost everything and had to rebuild. “I rebuilt my credit by buying furniture,” he explained. “I took one room

Photos by Steve Floyd

February 16-22, 2017

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April 11-17, 2019

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Money Matters

Twin Cities nonprofits unite to serve ‘underbanked’ communities

raditional banking doesn’t work for everyone — especially low-income communities. Whether there are issues of mistrust and a desire to avoid fees, bad financial decisions or flat out racism, many financially underserved communities buck the concept of banking with a branch. Often called unbanked or underbanked, these individuals instead use costly services such as check cashers, payday loans and bank accounts that charge excessive fees. According to the Center for Financial Services Innovation 2017 Market Size Study, underserved consumers spent $173 billion in fees and interest. Four Twin Cities nonprofits have teamed up with Prepare + Prosper to serve as distribution partners for the newly launched FAIR (Financial Access in Reach) Financial Solution to help break the cycle of paying to access money and build financial health and wealth. Designed to provide a scalable approach to close the financial inclusion gap, FAIR bundles consumer-designed financial products with lower fees, coupled with financial coaching. Rather than bank branches, the program aims to meet customers where they are, including where they work or receive services. Build Wealth MN, Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties, EMERGE Community Development, and Lutheran Social Services Minnesota - Eastside Financial Center will serve as access points.

Photo courtesy Getty

“People need financial products and a system that works for them and not against them as they strive to be financially successful.” “People need financial products and a system that works for them and not against them as they strive to be financially successful,” said Tracy Fischman, executive director of Prepare +

Prosper in a recent statement. Prepare + Prosper annually serves 12,500 low- and moderate-income families with free tax preparation, financial services, and coaching.

“The financial inclusion gap is a big problem in the U.S. and in Minnesota,” said Fischman. “It negatively impacts people’s economic footing, well-being, health, and more, and not enough people are talking about it.” According to a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation “National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households,” 33.5 million households in the United States are excluded from the financial mainstream. Of those households, 44 percent are households of color, as compared to the 19 percent that are White. The statistics are even more disparate in the Twin Cities which as 194,432 financially underserved households. The most recent Prosperity Now Scorecard data, broken down by race, found that 54.8 percent of households of color were financially underserved in the Twin Cities, as compared to 15.4 percent of white households. Launched as a pilot program in July 2018 with Sunrise Banks, FAIR was designed and structured around input from more than 150 financially underserved consumers who participated in listening sessions, which shaped FAIR’s design and structure. FAIR tools, issued through Sunrise Banks, includes checking and savings account administration with no overdraft fees or monthly minimum balance requirements. Both require $25 to start. There is also a credit-building loan program with no required credit score to get started. “I have been a part of FAIR since its inception and I am proud to be able to offer the service to

our clients so seamlessly,” said David McGee, executive director of Build Wealth MN. Build Wealth MN primary client base is in North Minneapolis. “Not only are the FAIR products necessary for our clients to transact, save and build credit, the fee structure and guided support will help customers use the products to their fullest benefit.” Clients of Eastside Financial Center, which has also been part of FAIR since pilot launch, will also be able to apply for the FAIR Financial Solution. “Our community, like far too many throughout the region and country, has a plethora of costly financial services which reinforce the widening wealth gap,” said Eva Song Margolis, director of Eastside Financial Center. “The FAIR Financial Solution is an exciting and welcome answer to help us move families toward financial health,” Margolis added. “We’re delighted to be among the first out of the gate to test FAIR’s unique delivery model.” The first 100 FAIR participants will be selected from Prepare + Prosper customers along with those served through the partners. Offerings will be expanded throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota to 500 people in 2019 and beyond. For more information, including fee structure, visit fairfinancial.org. — Information provided by Prepare + Prosper

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April 11-17, 2019

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Foot odor is nothing to tiptoe around 9 Tips To Prevent Foot Odor

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

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oot odor can be annoying, extremely unpleasant, and very embarrassing. Foot odor is caused by smelly chemicals produced by microbes on your feet — namely, bacteria and fungus as they grow in a warm, moist environment. For microbes to produce the foul odor, they need a warm, wet environment to grow. As you can imagine, this can be an everyday problem and may be pronounced for people engaged in athletic endeavors. It is surprising to note that your feet have almost a quarter of a million sweat glands and can produce well over a cup of perspiration daily. Some people have a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, where they produce extreme amounts of perspiration daily. Controlling offensive foot odor is based on this simple principle: If you reduce foot moisture and microbes, you will reduce odor. Read on for nine ways to keep smelly feet at bay.

1. Wash your feet daily with soap and water at the very end of your shower. Use a scrub brush. Lather up! This type of washing must be done daily to remove microbes from your feet. Clean between your toes, too. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce foot odor. If you think about it, as you shower, the soil runs down onto the floor, and you are standing in it. Cleaning your feet with a brush should be the last task accomplished as you complete your bath/shower. Use a brush, not a washcloth. Fewer than 25 percent of people do this daily. 2. Dry your feet entirely before putting on socks and shoes. 3. Use an antiperspirant spray on your feet before putting on socks and shoes. The spray can also be applied to your feet before bed. 4. Wear fresh socks daily. Wash socks in bleach, if possible. 5. Before washing your socks, turn them inside out to allow the surface that touches your skin to get cleaned the best. 6. Use a disinfecting spray in your shoes before and after removing them every use — no exceptions. “Slay” brand athletic shoe spray works well. 7. Use at least two and preferably three pairs of shoes. Rotate them daily. 8. Never wear the same pair of shoes every day. Giving them a break allows them to dry out completely and reduce odor. 9. Use ultraviolet shoe sanitizer “shoe tree lights” in your shoes when not in use.

By precisely employing these principles, 90 percent of people will achieve a significant and acceptable reduction in foot odor. If foot odor is still a problem, consult your doctor. There may be a bacterial or fungal infection complicating the situation. Consult your doctor if your feet itch, peel, have little blisters on the sides, or have white peeling skin between the fourth and little toes. If you have excessive perspiration

on your feet (hyperhidrosis), there are good medical treatments for this condition, too. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the

United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Why forgiveness is essential to healing er, it needs to be on the terms that fit best with your boundaries. Repairing or returning to a relationship is possible, but does not need to always take place. Sometimes letting others go is necessary. The four phases of forgiveness The act of forgiving is a four-step phase. This includes: The Uncovering Phase is when an individual improves their understanding of the pain they have experienced and how it has impacted their lives. This is often a difficult point in the forgiveness process as it forces an individual to accept the pain they have experienced. The Decision Phase is when an individual has to decide what to do with their acceptance of the pain they have endured. Actions are the greatest truth. Planning how to address the pain you have experienced takes a significant amount of bravery and fortitude.

Photo courtesy Getty Many of us have felt wronged or hurt by another person and have tolerated. Accepting pain does not help a been told that forgiveness involves person grow to their full potential. “forgetting” the perceived wrong. However, this is not correct. ChoosWhat forgiveness is ing to forget things does not assist JEGNA The ability to forget what people do with healing — especially when to us is one thing. However, forgiving is those things are harmful and have more about actions than letting things caused pain in our lives. go. The decision to overcome the pain Forgiveness is defined as the proBrandon Jones that was inflicted by another person is cess when an individual who has been wronged chooses to adjust their relation- important for an individual’s growth. Letting go of ship and treatment with the individual(s) who has anger, resentment, shame and other emotions asharmed them. Ultimately, forgiveness is the pro- sociated with injustice, even though they are reacess of creating and maintaining peace with your- sonable feelings, is necessary. Treating the people self about something harmful that has happened who have done you wrong with compassion, even though they are not entitled to it, is hard. Howevto you.

The Deepening Phase is when you learn to manage your emotions around the incident or event that has caused pain. This is the point where one is in control of their emotions and can be as reasonable as possible to assist with moving forward in life. Typically, individuals find meaning in their experiences and recognize ways in which they have grown from past experiences. In short, forgiveness is something we all experience. We have things that happen to us that are unfortunate and uncomfortable. However, these experiences do not have to cripple us, or our futures. We must be able to understand that we have the ability to forgive and move forward in a healthy way. Learning how to forgive is essential for your healing journey. Brandon Jones M.A. is a psychotherapist. He welcomes reader responses to brandon@jegna.org or follow him on Twitter at @UniversalJones.

The Work Phase is when an individual applies the action of forgiveness. This phase may include isolation, limiting time and contact, or possible confrontation with others.

Work and live in your neighborhood!

It is the process of creating and maintaining peace with yourself about something harmful that has happened to you. Yet, many of us have been set up to believe that forgiveness is the process of accepting pain and moving on. However, what does this do for you? What does accepting the pain do for the individual that continues to be abused and mistreated? It teaches people that abuse is apart of their life. It teaches that pain is something you should expect and accept. This is not true and does not have to be

er, it is something that can be done and may take a significant amount of discipline and patience. What forgiveness is not Forgiveness is not forgetting. This is a false understanding and will cause an individual to be vulnerable to more trauma and pain. Reconciliation of harmful relationships is important, howev-

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April 11-17, 2019

Building a more humane world, one cup of coffee at a time

A monthly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change.

By Vina Kay

and Kevin Reese Contributing Writers Kevin: As the first day of spring rolls in and the favorable weather that goes along with it, I couldn’t help but think about the tumultuous winter that we just survived, with its record snowfalls and frigid weather that at times felt like it would never end. But here we are at the dawn of spring and the weather is right where it should be.

During one of my checkins with Vina, we took some time to reflect on this resilient act of the earth and think about what our new work plans look like. I’m ready to blossom and transition back into the community just like the spring. I’m excited to pick up the baton and continue the BRIDGE work. I’m gearing up to join the Voices for Racial Justice team in my role as director of criminal justice reform, where I aim to work with local organizers and organizations and use my 14 years of experience to do my part to end mass incarceration. I also look forward to the great honor of facilitating the BRIDGE organizing cohort to end mass incarceration that I have been developing since last year with a group of formerly incarcerated people as well as family members of the incarcerated. In this space, we will bring people coming from different experiences to be in community together. We will go through a deep and thoughtful shared learning that will plant the seeds for each person to live as a more informed, inclusive and passionate organizer. Vina: I, too, am preparing for transition as I step into a new role at Race Forward as vice president of movement and capacity building. Just as the new life of spring is emerging, I am in a space of deep observation and learning. It is good to be in that openness of newness, slowly being introduced to a different cast of characters and taking in a different organizational culture and a wide

spite thinking we were ready to burst open, the soil and conditions for true sprouting of the seeds of change are not always ready with us.

“That dream of a cup of coffee has always been the other side of the bridge that we were building together.” landscape of work for racial justice. As I emerge in this new space, like Kevin, I will also be bringing who I am and what I have learned along with me. That includes all that Kevin and I have done and experienced together. Through Kevin, I have learned the power of organizing to change not just our communities and systems, but actually change ourselves in the process. As

we have pushed the boundaries of what organizing and community look like from both sides of prison walls, we have transformed the way of doing this work. But the thing I hold on to most is the power of relationships. With the deep trust and partnership we have developed, we can move through the barriers the system puts up. I have also learned that some change takes time to emerge. De-

Kevin: In the embryonic stages of our partnership, Vina would always ask what she could do to support me. I would always say, “Vina, just your partnership is enough, and maybe when I’m home you could buy me a cup of coffee.” This dream of working through all of the barriers of the system just so we can share a cup of coffee was always symbolic of the humane treatment we were pushing the criminal justice system to adopt in its dealings with the incarcerated population. That dream of a cup of coffee has always been the prize in our eyes and the other side of the bridge that we were building together. Now, as the end of my time in this space is fast approaching, I greatly anticipate this cup of coffee so we can discuss how to build more bridges both locally and nationally. Vina: Kevin has recently been classified to minimum security, meaning that he could be eligible for work release and rejoining the community soon. I would like to say that the soil of community is ready to receive Kevin and others like him as they leave prison. Although my friends and I at Voices are ready to support Kevin’s leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, I also know that our larger society has

not truly prepared the soil and conditions for people to return to community from prison. As we have said from the beginning of our work together, some of that readiness is the responsibility of the community through job and housing opportunities, mental and other health care, family support, and other reentry support. Some of that preparation needs to happen inside prisons, through education, health care, and the support for people to thrive in ways that may not have been possible before. Our long-awaited coffee together is coming soon, and in those steaming cups are our dreams of a more humane and just world where this simple practice of being together and envisioning the change we need can be realized. It may seem small, but I believe that our coffee together will be the beginning of something big. Vina Kay and Kevin Reese are participants in Voices for Racial Justice’s “BRIDGE Partnership.” Vina and Kevin plan to continue their dialogue monthly, culminating in Kevin’s release in 2019. Reader responses are welcome to info@ v oic e sf o r rac i alju st ic e . o rg. To learn more about the organization’s work, visit www. voicesforracialjustice.org.

How digital media is putting a human face on poverty Our mission is to provide a voice for America’s invisible poor. By sharing their stories, we hope to shed light on the men, women, and children of America’s poverty. Our intent is to make complicated stories too often reduced to two-dimensional stereotypes. And, in exploring why and how people fall into, or remain mired in, poverty — using issues like housing, employment, wages, healthcare access, and education resources as lenses on their conditions — we hope to point the way to possible solutions. —Voices of Poverty But these are the stories (about poverty) that are out there to be told, begging to be told, and I am here to tell you that, contrary to the beliefs and fears of editors and executive producers, these are deeply personal stories that, when told, do captivate the audience of readers, listeners, and viewers. — Barbara Raab In 1990, Vincent Fanelli published his one and only book, The Human Face of Poverty: A Chronicle of Urban America. In this text, Fanelli, a long-time anti-poverty activist and member of the ADT Fourth World Volunteer Corps (an organization dedicated to a “world without poverty”), chronicles the lives of those living in poverty in one New York City neighborhood from the beginning of the War on Poverty up until 1980. What was particularly revolutionary about this book was that it sought to present the issue of poverty from the viewpoint of the poor. In spite of Fanelli’s efforts and important contribution to the dialogue, one of the dominant refrains in this nation’s discourse on poverty was that the poor were to blame for their own plight. And as such, many Americans continue to view people living in poverty with either pity or scorn. For decades, the media didn’t help matters as they repeatedly treated the poor as nameless, faceless abstractions. Still, there have always been those who have pushed back against these trends and practices. Even before Fanelli, author and educator, Jonathan Kozol, was presenting (and still is) personal accounts of poverty

and the inequities in America’s public school systems. And there have been a lot of recent efforts to further humanize poverty and amplify the voices of the poor.

man face on poverty and empower people to tell their own stories has come in the form of online repositories such as TheVoicesofPoverty.org, TalkPoverty.org, SpotlightonPov-

This new movement to “change the national conversation around poverty and economic insecurity” is vital to this fight. On the documentary side of things, there have been poignant real-life films such as Poor Kids and Class Divide. There was also The Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience, a five-episode television series that followed the travels of Tavis Smiley and Cornel West as they visited some of the poorest communities in the country. There have also been a number of other important ventures by activists, authors, filmmakers, and the like. Yet, some of the newest, most innovative, and perhaps most salient efforts to put a hu-

erty.org, and PovertyUSA.org. Not only are these websites highlighting first-person stories by the thousands, but they also provide critical resources to those in need and call on the larger community to learn, understand, and act in the struggle against poverty. Then there’s the Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP) that actively employs “culture-jamming strategy to get our stories into media outlets that rarely cover poverty.” Moreover, the EHRP features a significant number of journalists who have

experienced or continue to experience poverty themselves. Of course, stories are not enough to end poverty. However, this new movement to “change the national conversation around poverty and economic insecurity” (as stated in EHRP’s mission) is vital to this fight. The dignity and honor of all human beings are at stake. We all have names. We all have voices. No one should be invisible. No one should be ignored. Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104

April 11-17, 2019

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

Mellaneous

Will Mohamed Noor be found ‘Black’ or ‘blue’? By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer Local news outlets have claimed the whole world will be watching Minneapolis because of Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor’s trial. If that is true, then it will be to see the U.S. justice system jail one of its own. However, Black folks will likely not be as curious — they have a deep suspicion of how this will turn out. They know the rules: in the U.S., if a Black man kills a White woman, he goes to jail, period! Add to that the fact that Noor is Muslim and an immigrant and it is safe to say things are not looking good for this cop. On the night of July 17, 2017, Noor shot and killed Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a White Australian woman in an affluent section of the city. According to reports on the crime, (that’s what it was) Damond had called the police to report that she heard a woman screaming in the alley behind her house and told police she feared someone was being raped.

be the temptation by some to hope that Noor gets off like the rest of the cops because he is Black. But that would be wrong-headed. As the saying goes, “wrong is wrong and right is right.” The hundreds of others that have gotten off without as much as an indictment should have been prosecuted, as well. This Black man is serving as one of the armed people carrying out the intimidation, harassment, humiliation and, sometimes, violent assaults on everyday people — usually Black, Brown, immigrant and “other” — in the service of the power structure. In this instance, he carried out the job of the cops to its logical conclusion. Noor killed a woman who had done nothing to him and for that he should go to prison. There have been several cases, especially over the last few decades, that should have undoubtedly been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But, Hennepin County prosecutors — including presidential-hopeful Amy “hang ‘em high” Klobuchar

What pray-tell could be the difference in this case? Undoubtedly, it is because Noor is a Black Muslim Somali cop who shot a White Australian woman. The police administration’s abandonment makes suckers out of cops of color who portend that they are all in this together, this gang of “blue lives.” Obviously, the “blue code” is tossed out if a cop of color physically violates or, as in this case, kills someone who is White and middle to upper class. And this is not to cast disparagement upon Damond. According to her neighbors and everyone who knew her, she was the kindest of souls, a spiritual woman who even held workshops around spirituality. But, this is in direct contradiction to the fact that when a person puts on the “blue,” they have chosen the side of the power structure and have sworn allegiance to it and everything and everybody that carries out its will. It’s why there is a “blue wall of silence” and the socalled nice guy cops fail to

No matter how this plays out, there will be lots of questions. Police responded and, according to them, she was shot after she apparently ran out of her house and banged on the car to get the squad’s attention. Noor supposedly responded to the noise by shooting Damond. Incredibly, Damond was at the driver’s side window when Noor, sitting in the passenger seat, shot past his partner killing the woman. Nothing about the incident makes sense. And yes, the “rule” applies in the land of the great “middle of the fencers” Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale. Noor will not be on trial alone. U.S. race relations will be on full display. What will also be on trial is the North American idea of fairness and fair play. If he is convicted it will raise questions because everyone knows that cops don’t go to jail in the U.S. for killing people, unless…. Ironically, prison is where this cop should be sent. No doubt, there will

and Michael Freeman (who has held the post on and off for nearly 25 years) — have always declared the cops justified in killing unarmed human beings. During that time, they have made jurisprudence history with the tales they have spun to clear officers, who were clearly guilty of, at the very least misconduct or malfeasance of duty and, at worst, manslaughter or murder. Why were there no elaborate tales spun to clear Noor? Why were there no calls for empathy, no crocodile tears for the usually unrepentant, unregenerate, unremorseful and cowardly back-shooters? Why was there no knee-jerk rush to defend Noor by the usually loquacious, opinionated and bigoted president of the Minneapolis Police Federation at the time? There was also no rushed statement automatically defending Noor or justifying his actions by Minneapolis police administration.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The MSR welcomes letters to the editors. Letters should be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point font and must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. A telephone number or email address must be included for verification. Letters of 250 words or less are more likely to be published. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length.

SEND LETTERS TO: Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder- Letters to the Editor P.O. Box 8558 * Minneapolis, MN * 55408-0558 Or email your letters/commentary to sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com

READER SERVICE • Circulation Department/Billing Department If you have any questions regarding your invoice or subscription, call 612-827-4021. 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Thursday. • News Department To report a news event, call 612-827-4021 or email to sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com • Advertising Department To reach our advertising departments call 612-827-4021 or email to: display@spokesman-recorder.com

CORRECTION POLICY If we make an error, we want to correct it. If you believe that an error has been made email sharmon@spokesman-recorder.com. If a correction is warranted, it will be printed the next week.

turn in the thumpers, sociopaths and avowed bigots who are consciously recruited to maintain capitalist social relations, which is a fancy way of saying rich White folks on top and everybody else on the bottom. People of color have to be absolutely clear on this point: when their community member puts on that uniform, they indeed may remain decent and fairminded, but they have chosen a side. No matter how this plays out, there will be lots of questions. Ultimately, Noor’s fate rests on the question of how the jury views him. Will they seem him as Black or Blue? Justice, then peace. Mel Reeves has a blog fighthepowerjournal.com and welcomes reader responses at mellaneous19@yahoo.com.

Remembering Dr. King and Adam Clayton Powell By Dr. John E. Warren Guest Commentator

er education laws, school lunch programs and the arts and humanities.

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tenn. On April 4, 1972, the late Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of New York, died of cancer in a Miami, Fl. hospital. His death came four years, four months and four days after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 51 years later, we have a generation that knows neither Dr. King nor Congressman Powell. And what is even more tragic is that this generation is so social media-addicted that they don’t even want to read or hear about anything that is not about them. We must remember the death of Dr. King beyond the news clips and the images of cities burning and people rioting. Those actions, while not excusable, were expressions of the pain and anger over his death. We must remember Dr. King beyond having a dream. We must remember that he died because of his commitment to our future and life as we now know it. Dr. King was in Memphis because of the death of two garbage workers who faced discrimination and were denied shelter during an electrical storm. We must remember that he gave away the money he received from winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and he moved into public housing with his family in Chicago at one time to demonstrate his commitment to equal housing. We must also remember the Rev. Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, who fought for civil rights before there was a Congressional Black Caucus. Under his leadership as chair, the House Committee on Education and Labor passed, and the Congress enacted, 60 major pieces of legislation in six years that affected such issues as high-

Their legislation established or impacted the: • Americans with Disabilities Act • Fair Labor Standards Act amendments • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (now the Every Student Success Act, as an amendment) • Intergovernmental Personnel Act • The Economic Opportunity Act (which many remember as Model Cities) • Americans or Age Discrimination in Employment Act • Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act, known as Public Accommodations. The Public Accommodations amendment made it a matter of law that there could be no discrimination in the use of anything public where federal dollars are involved. This meant that schools could not segregate students in a building or recreation center and the South could not deny Blacks the use of a public pool because Whites used it. It was Powell that made President Lyndon B. Johnson’s idea of a “Great Society” a reality. Powell also acknowledged the anniversary of the independence of each African nation in the Congressional Record on the date of their establishment as a nation. These two men must not only be remembered on this, the occasion of their deaths, but this should also be another opportunity to remember how they lived and the sacrifices they made for the quality of life we enjoy today. Dr. John E. Warren is the publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Access to driver’s license is basic right for all By Hedy Tripp Guest Commentator It is time to restore a basic human right: the access to driver’s licenses for all immigrants, regardless of their country of origin. Rep. Fue Lee, assistant majority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, said “there has been widespread support from law enforcement, clergy, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, some labor unions, and agricultural organizations, to allow for undocumented immigrants to be able to legally drive in Minnesota — for public safety reasons and self-respect purposes.” Seventy-two percent of Minnesota’s undocumented population serve our state in areas of accommodation like hotels, food services, arts, entertainment, recreation, and manufacturing. They are an integral part of Minnesota’s workforce and pay taxes. In 2014, they paid an estimated $83.2 million in state and local taxes. According to the Migration Policy Institute, they are not just from Mexico, but also from countries in Asia (19 percent), Africa (10 percent), and

Europe (6 percent). This is truly a human rights issue, in that all the people of Minnesota should have full access to obtaining a driver’s license. To have taken away this access in 2003, [when former Gov. Tim Pawlenty denied driving privileges to immigrants] who were undocumented is illogical. Public transportation in Minnesota is not often available in the more rural outlying areas. This can cause great hardship for those without a license to bring children to school, get to employment, emergency health care, and many other places that most of us take for granted. For example, my mother, who is legally blind, never had a driver’s license and did not like imposing on people. She, therefore, depended on public transportation. It sometimes took her many hours to get somewhere that a car ride would take in less than an hour. She also had many warnings because she was late for the bus pick up — this caused her great anxiety. Inherent to obtaining a driver’s license, one must pass knowledge and road tests. Some of us take this over and over again as the testers can

be quite strict. However, this gives greater assurance that a driver who has obtained a license knows most of the rules and can safely negotiate traffic. Even though I have driven all over the world for the past 50 years, I am constantly learning new rules and appreciating refresher courses (for example, through AARP) that give me the self-confidence to keep myself and other drivers safe on the road. This innate feeling of selfrespect in being given the recognition and responsibility of being an accepted driver will make that driver less likely to be involved in a fatal accident or leave the scene of an accident. The Minnesota House of representatives has been strongly supportive of the Freedom to Drive bill, HF 1500 – licenses for all. The St. Cloud chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum also strongly supports this in partnership with Asamblea de Derechos Civiles and many other organizations who uphold human rights and social justice. Hedy Tripp lives in St Cloud.

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April 11-17, 2019

Watch List: 5 Black films to get into this spring MOVIE SPOTLIGHT

F

rom the breakout success of Girls Trip, Hidden Figures and Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us to the Black Panther phenomenon, Black talent continues to shine at the box office. Of particular note are the number of Black writers, directors, and producers who have helped power these projects behind the scenes. Below, we’ve highlighted a few films that are currently in theaters or will be coming to one near you very soon.

Credit: Universal Pictures

Us

Credit: Universal Pictures

Little

Pro tip: Make sure to keep an eye on the pages of the MSR each week for passes to free advance movie screenings. Us

Jordan Peele’s Us had a massive $70M+ debut in March and broke records for having the largest weekend gross for an original horror movie. Is the movie truly horrifying or merely haunting? That’s a matter of personal taste and much online debate. One thing is for certain: the movie is a hit! Starring Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke as parents fighting off their family’s evil doppelgangers, the thriller has already scared up $152M+ domestically and has solidified Peele’s growing power in Hollywood. Rated R. Release date: March 22, 2019; now playing nationwide Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss

Credit: STX Entertainment

The Best of Enemies Director: Jordan Peele Screenplay: Jordan Peele Producers: Jordan Peele, Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum Info: usmovie.com The Best of Enemies Taraji P. Henson stars as Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a local Ku Klux Klan leader (Sam Rockwell) as theyT:5.25” co-chair a school

desegregation summit. The film follows in the footsteps of Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman and Green Book in that it is based on a true story that serves as a microcosm of race relations in America. Rated P-G 13. Release date: April 5, 2019; now playing nationwide Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay Director: Robin Bissell Screenplay: Robin Bissell

THINK THIS AD IS BIG?

Producers: Tobey Maguire, Robin Bissell, Danny Strong, Matthew Plouffe, Matt Berenson, Dominique Telson, Fred Bernstein Info: thebestofenemies.movie Little The story centers on a longsuffering assistant (Insecure’s Issa Rae) whose cutthroat boss (Regina Hall of Girls Trip) transforms into a 13-year-old girl (Marsai Martin of Black-ish). The film is based on an idea by 14-year-old Martin, who serves as executive producer — reportedly the youngest to hold such a title. Tina Gordon directs (writer, Drumline) with a story by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip) and a screenplay by Oliver and Gordon. Rated PG. Release date: April 12, 2019 Director: Tina Gordon Producers: Will Packer, Kenya Barris, James Lopez, Marsai Martin Screenplay: Tina Gordon, Tracy Oliver Info: universalpictures.com/ movies/little The Intruder Michael Ealy and Meagan Good are no strangers to suspense-thrillers, but thankfully, Ealy is not the psychopath this time out (see The Perfect Guy). No, that distinction belongs to Dennis Quaid, whose character sells his property to the newlyweds and then proceeds to turn T:10.5”

JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT A BILLION DOLLAR COMMERCIAL LOOKS LIKE.

Credit: Screen Gems

The Intruder

Credit: Warner Bros.

The Sun Is Also A Star their Napa Valley dream home into a house of horrors. Deon Taylor (Dead Zone, BET’s Nite Tales: The Series) directs and produces. Rated PG-13. Release date: May 3, 2019 Starring: Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Dennis Quaid Director: Deon Taylor Screenplay: David Loughery Producers: Deon Taylor, Bradley Kaplan, Roxanne Avent, Jonathan Schwartz Info: sonypictures.com/movies/ theintruder The Sun Is Also A Star Story: Yara Shahidi (Black-ish) stars as a young girl faced with a

dilemma of the heart as she falls in love right before her family is set to be deported back to Jamaica. The film is based on the New York Times best-seller from Nicola Yoon. Tracy Oliver helms the screenplay. Release Date: May 17, 2019 Starring: Yara Shahidi, Charles Melton, Camrus Johnson Director: Tina Gordon Screenplay: Tina Gordon, Tracy Oliver Producers: Will Packer, Kenya Barris, James Lopez Info: warnerbros.com/movies/ sun-also-star Compiled by Paige Elliott.

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April 11-17, 2019

BULLETIN Make your voice heard on city of Mpls. transportation plans The City of Minneapolis is hosting community workshops to inform City staff as they develop the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan and the Vision Zero Action Plan. The Transportation Action Plan will be a 10-year plan to implement the transportation vision outlined in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It will develop strategies and actions on the following topics: advanced mobility, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, freight, street operations and street design. The Vision Zero Action Plan will be a three-year plan to advance the City’s commitment to ending traffic fatalities and severe injuries resulting from traffic crashes on our streets by 2027. Find workshop locations below: South Thurs., April 11, 5-7 pm Longfellow Recreation Center, 3435 36th Ave., S., Mpls. East Tues., April 16, 4-6pm Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St. N.E., Mpls. Downtown Mon. April 22, 4–6pm Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.

FREE CONSTRUCTION TRAINING Merrick Community Services is offering a no-cost Construction Training Program for women from April 13 to June 14 in partnership with St Paul College. The six-week career training provides the following certificates: OSHA 30, forklift, first aid, MIG welding, trades math and blueprint reading. A training stipend is available for those who qualify. Enrollment requirements: A high school diploma or GED; a valid driver’s license; demonstrated basic math/reading skills, and the ability to pass a drug test. For more info, go to merrickcs.org/community-services/careers or call Robert at 651-219-5555. —Info and photo provided by Merrick Community Services.

Online Open House (Facebook Live) Tue. April 30, 6:30–7:30pm City of Minneapolis Facebook page You can also help the City prioritize efforts in the Vision Zero Action Plan by completing a 10-minute survey at bit.ly/VisionZeroMpls. Find more info about the Vision Zero at visionzerompls.com. Find more info about the Transportation Action Plan at go.minneapolismn.gov. —Info provided by the City of Minneapolis

North Wed. April 24, 5–7pm Fairview Recreation Center, 621 N 29th Ave., Mpls.

Computer not working right? Get a free tune-up! As part of Minneapolis Tech Month in April, FixIt Tech will host a free Fix-It session at Takoda Institute in Minneapolis. Bring your laptops and desktop towers, with power cords, to work with volunteers to repair your device. Fix-It Tech event goals are three-fold: Educate the community: Residents can get their items fixed, as well as get tech questions answered and find tips on how to maintain and protect personal devices. Experience for IT students: IT students can gain experience in tech support alongside IT professionals and connect with residents concerning their technology needs. Raise awareness of technology programs: The event provides a venue to promote free digital literacy training resources, low-cost computer and Internet options, local IT education programs, and IT careers. What: Fix-It Tech Where: Takoda Institute/American Indian OIC, 1845 E Franklin Ave., Mpls. When: Tuesday, April 23, 3-7 pm Cost: Free

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April 11-17, 2019

Homeownership Continued from page 1

qualify for all the products.” Panelists Angela Lindquist of Wells Fargo, one of the event sponsors, agreed with Bowman and noted that getting a credit score up into the 680-740 range, a sweet spot for better loan rates, doesn’t take as long as one might think. “It’s going to be different for everyone,” she explained. “Some people can get there in a year, if you’re looking at a 500 credit score. Others can get there in six to nine months. You have to be consistent and aggressive.” The panelists, rounded out by Shawna Frazier, of Remax Results, and Julie Gugin, of the Minnesota Homeownership Center, all agreed that first-time home buyers should seek out financial counseling to best assess their financial situation, set goals, and utilize the various resources in the community. Many of these resources, like Minnesota Housing, PRG, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and event sponsor Homeownership

Opportunity Alliance, were in attendance and available for attendees to follow-up with questions after the discussion. Sherrie Martin, 48, of Burnsville said that after the discussion, she felt emboldened to venture out and begin the homeownership process. “I just moved back here from Mississippi about a year ago,” said Martin, a firsttime Sister Spokesman attendee. “I have never owned a home — always rented all my life. Growing up, I’ve never had it in my head. I didn’t know a homeowner. It was just never in my ear or thought about, really. “But now that I’m older, I’m asking myself where is my money going? I have to own something. Also, I have grandchildren and I’d like to leave something for them if anything ever happens to me, leave some generational wealth. “So, a lot of the questions I had written down, I got answered today. Now I feel like, you know what, I think I can do this!”

Legend Continued from page 1

And he was in the playoffs eight times in 10 years. That’s very significant. Those are huge things for me. I’ve covered 38 Super Bowls and to be the only guy who had a son who has played in a Super Bowl while he happened to be covering a Super Bowl is pretty significant, when you think about it. I’m honored to have been in that position.

(l-r) Angela Lindquist, Shawna Frazier, Trent Bowman, Tracey Williams-Dillard and Julie Gugin Tammy Pollard, regional vice president of Primerica, stressed that it is the lack of knowledge, not wealth that prevents many African Americans from buying a home. “We’re not broke [as a people], we’re just overpaying for things, that’s the problem,” Pollard told the MSR. “We need to look around our financial house and

television -- [especially] as a journalist who at one time played the game, got my education, got a scholarship to Indiana State University. As a journalist I formulate an overview of where the Black athlete is and his/her relationship to America, and the enormous growth and wealth that’s being generated in sports, whether that be professionally, NCAA or amateur athletics.

MSR: We’d be remiss if we didn’t ask about your annual fundraiser on April 13. The event is now in its 15th year. Why is that important to you to do every year? LF: Year 15 is important since losing Carol [his MSR: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned wife who passed away from breast cancer] who throughout your journey? was my high school sweet. She had a commitLF: That faith can carry you a long way. To have ment to the community, to me, and our family, vision, to have belief and to trust that you can roll and when you lose somebody that you grew up up your sleeves and work hard every day. with, that was your girlfriend and became your You can not be the most talented guy, maybe, wife and partner and your spiritual partner – bebut yet, if you’re willing to work hard, set goals, cause God was first in our family – it’s so imporand believe in yourself, put it in God’s hands and tant to continue to make people aware of who she then go do it, you can achieve so many things. was. MSR: Why is it so important for us to tell our own (Black) stories in media? LF: Well, the dominant athlete in America is the Black athlete and sometimes when you say that, the so-called majority media wants to be like, “Ohhh, can he say that? Is he being hyperbolic?!” No, I’m telling it like it is. The NBA is 90 percent Black players, the National Football League is 75 percent Black players, the Major League Baseball only 8 percent, the National Hockey League only 3 percent. I’m always aware of the numbers. And then you look at it from a college standpoint, and the NCAA is making a zillion dollars off of literally, the backs of athletes — particularly the Black athlete. So, as a journalist, I think you have to make those connections and make it clear to the readers or people who listen or watch on

MSR: So, the event benefits various causes dear to your family? HIV Awareness? Breast cancer? LF: Yep, breast cancer prevention, HIV prevention and urban education. She [Carol] started the National AIDS Force right here in Minneapolis. She worked for the Minnesota Department of Health, and HIV has ravaged many people in our community...She cared about these things, our family cares about these issues and it’s important to continue on in her name. Interview conducted by Paige Elliott. For more on Larry Fitzgerald’s NCAA Legacy Award honor, visit msrnewsonline.com.

Wrap-up

look where that money is going... People are just not educated. When people are educated, they can make informed choices. “And if people can pay rent, then you can afford a home,” she continued. “Owning a home brings you equity. You’re paying off someone’s home or leaving an inheritance for your landlord’s beneficiaries — why not

Photos by Steve Floyd

leave that for your own? Why of hair care, will take place on May 4 from 12-4 pm at Thor not leave a legacy?” Companies in Minneapolis. Visit @ Visit msrnewsonline.com for SisterSpokesman on Facebook for more photos and video from the more info. Homeownership Can Be Yours, as Paige Elliott welcomes readers well as more homeownership reresponses to pelliott@spokesmansources. recorder.com. Home photo courtesy Sister Spokesman’s next event, of Shutterstock “Wear Your Crown,” a discussion

BBS

minutes. We can train each other up, get educated and provide these services for MSR: What is the biggest not only ourselves but other challenge in running your people, too, and help keep own business? our dollars in our commuTJ: Honestly, it’s just getnities longer. ting others to believe in me — people who aren’t neces- MSR: What’s one thing sarily friends or family — you wish you knew before getting them to understand launching your business? what it is that I’m doing, the TJ: That everybody doesn’t value, the need for what I’m want to see you win. They doing and then trusting me could be right there in your to provide that service for own camp — and not want to see you eat. It’s like onthem. ly one person can excel in a MSR: What’s been the most certain industry. No — we rewarding part? all can all eat; we all can sit TJ: The reaction from my at the table. And, when we clients, the internal feelcollaborate and come toing that it gives me. When gether, we can reach more I started doing this, my dad, ground. who has alopecia, was like, “can you draw me on some Bladed By Hair Love is lobrows?” He’s never asked cated at 7860 Vinewood Ln N me for anything, but for me #29 in Maple Grove. For into give him some eyebrows fo, call 612-568-3499. Firstafter 30-plus years of suffertime MSR readers who book ing from alopecia, that’s full through April 30 will receive circle right there. $50 off any service. MSR: How do you see your business and services imInterview conducted by pacting the community? Stephenetta Harmon. TJ: It’s not just about beautification, but also taking back that power. Black people are always the consumer. Why can’t we be the owner? Why can’t we be the service provider? Why are we spending our dollars elsewhere? Back in the day, the Black dollar used to circulate within the community 10, 11, 20 times. Now, it’s like 30 that’s professional and can be a reputable place to go.

Continued from page 1

I’ve noticed some girls who have started doing the microshading. Their price may be dramatically cheaper, but in a lot of cases, they’re not licensed by Minnesota. They only have that certification portion of it and they [often] don’t have their own private studio. I have my own little private suite in Maple Grove. Also, I think my price as compared to others is pretty reasonable — even on the cheaper side. MSR: What’s your vision and goal? What does success look like? TJ: I want to start off teaching more women who look like me this craft so we can become more of the service providers and not always [the ones] getting services. We’re like the number one buyers [of beauty] as Black women, so, why aren’t we getting a profit of some of that? Eventually, I really want to open or build my own [version] of Salon Concepts or a Salon by JC’s building that has nail techs, eyelash techs, and microbladers all housed under one roof

Continued from page 1

most of the people she talked to were in town visiting. “I thought the city did a really good job,” she added. “A lot of the events were free, so you could bring your whole family and it was very inviting and there were plenty of activities to get into.” Even HBCU students got in on the action via the Rho-

den Fellows Initiative which helps prepare the next generation of sports journalists. See Charles Hallman’s SOE story on page 10 to learn about their work during the Final Four. Front photo courtesy GoldRoom

Simply fill out the subscription form below and mail with payment to: Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, PO Box 8558, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 (All subscriptions must be pre-paid. One year subscription $35, out-of-state $40.)

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(l-r) Greate White, Stephenetta Harmon, Edward “Buck” Joyner and Kevin Norris. Photo by Travis Lee

April 11-17, 2019

Legals

9

Employment

STATE OF MINNESOTA

DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF ANOKA

TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF HEARING FOR PUBLICATION

Samakia Suzette Jordan and OBO Minor Children, Petitioner

Case No. 02-FA-19-383

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: Music Box Karaoke and Sushi Lounge PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 2111 E. Franklin Avenue Suite 1 Minneapolis, MN 55404 USA NAMEHOLDER: Jing Jay Mei

Vs Terrell Copelin Phillips, Respondent. TO: Terrell Copelin Phillips, THE ABOVE NAMED RESPONDENT: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Respondent personally appear at the Anoka Connty Courthouse, 2100 3’d Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303 on April 30,2019,at 9:00(a.m.) and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted. If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner’s request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s Order. BY ORDER OF THE COURT

2906 S. Parnell Ave Chicago, IL 60616 USA I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: Jing Jay Mei, owner EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: encorekaraoke.jm@gmail.com DATED: 2/07/2019 11:59 PM

LORI O’BRIEN

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder April 11 & 18, 2019

COURT ADMINISTRATOR DATED: April 2,2019

BY: C.Boza

State of Minnesota

Deputy

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, April 11, 2019

District Court

Ramsey County

Second Judicial District

DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF ANOKA

Notice of Issuance of Harassment

TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File Number: 02-FA-19-517s

Order For Relief by Publication Teresa Nixon Vs Davielee Lewis Fondrew

Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For more info go to www.mylegalaid.org/jobs.

612-827-4021

Software Developer Augusoft is seeking to fill two positions of Software Developer, Product Maintenance in its Golden Valley, MN office. The individual in this position’s primary responsibility is for resolving the queue of bugs as prioritized by severity and impact for Augusoft’s web-based products by writing dynamic web-based applications. Requires a BS degree in IT, computer science or related or foreign equivalent as well as 12 months experience in Coldfusion, T-SQL, and HTML/CSS development experience. Send resume/letter to itjobs@augusoft.net

State of Minnesota

District Court

Ramsey County

Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-17-473 Notice of Issuance of Emergency

Katama Mulbah

Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for

TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT AD OR LEGAL NOTICE CALL

Court File Number:62-HR-CV-19-173 Case Type:Harassment

STATE OF MINNESOTA

Office Support Secretary / Client Services Intake (FT or PT)

(Ex Parte) Order for

To Respondent named above:

Protection by Publication

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Harassment Order For Relief has been is-

(Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

sued in the above matter. You may request a hearing on this matter if you file a Request For Hearing with the

In the Matter of JODY LYNN CRAIG vs Carlos M Clayburn

Court within 20 days of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ha-

To Respondent:

rassment Order For Relief from the court administrator's office at the following ad-

In the Matter of Kathryn Grace Anderson vs Katama Mulbah

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this

dress: JFJC, 25 W. 7th Street, St. Paul MN 55102.

To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in

case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex

Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to obtain a copy of the Harassment Or-

this case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office

Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court admin-

der for Relief will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's order.

within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of

4/3/2019

administrator’s office at the following address:

istrator’s office at the following address: Anoka County District Court

Tama L. Hall

Ramsey County District Court

Special Court Administrator

2100 3rd Avenue Anoka MN 55303-2489

25 West Seventh Street

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, April 11, 2019

St Paul MN 55102

Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a

Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a

defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order. DATED: April 5,2019

defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

BY: Lori O’Brien Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, April 11, 2019

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In the Estate of CLARA CAROLINE SWEENEY, Decedent

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-19-345

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is given that an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar, along with a Will dated April 7, 2004. The Registrar accepted the application and appointed Kristin L. Coyle, whose address is 1255 Alameda St., St. Paul, MN 551 17, to serve as the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Any objection to the appointment of the personal representative must be filed With the Court, and any properly filed objection will be heard by the Court after notice is provided to interested persons of the date of hearing on the objection. Unless objections are filed, and unless the Court orders otherwise, the personal representative has the full power to administer the estate, including, after thirty (30) days from the issuance of letters testamentary, the power to sell, encumber, lease, or distribute any interest in real estate owned by the decedent. Notice is further given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the decedent’s estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court within four (4) months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred. Dated: March 22, 2019 Julie Peterson Registrar

the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court

Dated: March 22, 2019 Sarah Lindahl-Pfieffer Court Administrator

Tralle Law, LLC Claire Tralle (0393454) 2021 East Hennepin Ave, Suite 200-21 Minneapolis, MN 55413 Telephone: 612-787-2553 Email: Claire@TralleLaw.com

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, March 28, April 4 & 11, 2019

Fitz

Continued from page 10

hit the 22-foot 3-point shot to tie the game 68-68 with 1.0 seconds left. The championship Overtime on Monday night for the National Championship? Do you think Texas Tech Coach Chris Beard is second-guessing himself today about not fouling Virginia before the game-tying three made by Hunter? Virginia ran away from Texas Tech in overtime to win it 85-77. Hunter had five points in the first half. He scored 22 of his game-high 27 points during the second half and overtime and hit seven of eight shots. He was unstoppable! Guy was also steady with 24 points. He was named the NCAA’s Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Virginia also outrebounded Texas Tech 39-32 and beat the Red Raiders up the floor in transition and got good looks at threes. They made

11 of 24 three-point shots. It’s the third time (Duke twice) the Atlantic Coast Conference school has come to Minneapolis and won the NCAA Championship Final Four. The ACC has now won 11 NCAA titles since 1985, the Big East has won eight, the South Eastern Conference has won six, the Big Ten won three and the Pac12 two. The Twin Cities did a great job hosting the Final Four; many people told me they love it here and that they had a great time. Don’t you love it? Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larryfitzgerald.com or visit LarryFitzgerald.com.

DATED: April 8,2019

Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, April 11, 2019

Khalid El-Amin

SOE Continued from page 10

A proud HBCU grad (Morgan State) whose first job was at the Afro-American in 1972, Rhoden has, over the years, written for Ebony and theNew York Times.

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Photo by Charles Hallman Now at The Undefeated, Rhoden said he loves the freedom it offers him: “It’s been a great writing experience being on a Black-run website. I’m pleased with it,” he said. FINALLY — It’s a safe bet that there probably were more Blacks as stadium workers at the Final Four than covering it, or it seemed that way. “The Final Four is a special event every year,” CBS Analyst Clark Kellogg said of his 23rd time covering it. “I’m just grateful and enjoy what I do.” Northside native Khalid El-Amin worked his first Final Four for CBS Sports Network as an analyst. As a player, El-Amin helped lead UConn to the 1999 NCAA title. “It has been a whole lot of fun being able to cover the game from a different standpoint,” he said. Charles Hallman welcomes readers responses to challman@spokesman-recorder. com.

10

April 11-17, 2019

CAVALIERS GO OVERTIME FOR REDEMPTION

Sports odds and ends

Black scholars find fresh career insights at Final Four By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer our members of the Rhoden Fellows Class of 2019 were among the 2,442 credentialed media at this year’s Final Four in Minneapolis. The Rhoden Fellows Initiative started two years ago and is operated through ESPN’s The Undefeated for the next generation of sports journalists, primarily for HBCU students. “This is my first Final Four,” said Rhoden Fellow and Morgan State senior Isaiah George. “We’re here to shadow different jobs within the NCAA and also the host school, the University of Minnesota, and how they put on the event.” George posted social media stories: “It’s been interesting working with the digital team,” he said. The fellowship is named for its founder, awardwinning journalist William C. Rhoden and The Undefeated writer-at-large. “It basically first started up for journalism, then it dawned on me that these kids need to learn the entire industry and what goes on,” Rhoden told the MSR before Monday’s Texas Tech-Virginia finals. “We, as Blacks, aren’t in those spaces — Black folk are few and far between. I thought it was important that they see the totality of the industry, not just journalism or the press box.” On Sunday night, Tiffany Hoyd, a senior at Howard, and Deja Harrison, a Grambling sophomore, got an unplanned on-air appearance on KMOJ while visiting. “We weren’t expecting to be on the air, and me and Tiffany had a real good debate about a Beyoncé song. To come in here and be on the air live, it was an amazing experience!”

F

T

here is nothing that quite compares to the memory of a first kiss, your first love or your first championship. The Virginia Cavaliers will never forget Minneapolis where they became champions of men’s college basketball after surviving the determined, tenacious, and hounding pressure of Texas Tech to win their first NCAA Crown. History will say that the 353 Cavaliers were the best team all year— one of three teams from the powerful Atlantic Coast Conference seeded number-one in the field of 68 teams, favored to reach the Final Four. North Carolina and Duke lost on the road to Minneapolis, so Virginia came to town the clear favorites as, I like to say, “paper champions.” They are champions now for all-time, after winning one of the most controversial Final

Courtesy of MGN Four games in recent history over poor Auburn. In the final seconds, the clock was showing 0.00 when the U.S. Bank Stadium P.A. announcer said Auburn 62-Virginia 60. Hold the phone! Virginia guard Kyle Guy was fouled on his last-second three-point attempt with 0.6 seconds left. Guy had ice in his veins like a surgeon with a steady hand. He made all three free throws. And Virginia escaped 63-62. Should the official in that situation have called a foul that late? History will always ask that question. Earlier, Texas Tech put the clamps on Michigan State 6151 in the other National SemiFinal. The Spartans, the Big Ten Champions, upset Duke 68-67 in the Elite 8 and ruined virtually 70 percent of three million tournament brackets. The Zion Williamson circus, Duke College’s player of the year, never got to town.

Instead, on Monday night, CBS got exactly what it needed: a competitive and exciting championship game that went to overtime with no big-name heavyweight schools like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas in sight. Left standing were two teams, Texas Tech, and Virginia, with no championship history between them and from smaller regions of the country. Why would a national TV audience be compelled to watch them? Virginia led throughout the title game building huge leads by upwards of 10 points in both the first and second halves. But, relentless Texas Tech kept fighting back using their bench advantage to grab a 68-65 lead with 22 seconds left. Coach Tony Bennett called time out and Virginia got the ball in the hands of the hothanded De’Andre Hunter, a future NBA lottery pick. He ■ See Fitz on page 9

Inductees bring back fond memories The Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame inductions of Ronnie Henderson (Marshall-U player), Tracy Henderson (Minneapolis Patrick Henry player), and Ed Prohofsky (Marshall-U coach) on March 26 rekindled some fond memories for this columnist. Let’s take a look:

Tiffany Hoyd

said Harrison. “I’ve learned there is a lot that goes into this,” Hoyd said on the Final Four. The three Rhoden Fellows the MSR spoke to are all striving to be in sports media, as well as thrive in it: George and Hoyd will graduate from college next month and Harrison in a couple of years. “When I graduate, I can do [just as well], if not better than my counterparts and my peers in this industry,” predicted George. “I haven’t necessarily decided” what lies ahead for her after graduation, said Hoyd. “I have a couple of options,” she noted. “I’m learning a lot from Mr. Rhoden on how to make it to where, when I do make it in this space, I will be successful.” Harrison added, “This is what we want to do when we graduate college. My Final Four experience has been really great. I’m able to be here because Bill Rhoden wrote a fellows program for us.” “I thought it was great to get them to see how stuff goes,” Rhoden said of his “Final Four” fellows. Rhoden’s first Final Four was in 1985. He was one of four inductees Monday in the United States Basketball Writers Association’s 2019 Hall of Fame class. “I was surprised and proud in that order,” he told us. “I was surprised when I got the call — anytime you get recognized [because] there are so many outstanding people doing what we do. You never take that stuff for granted.”

Isaiah George

if she’s there, Notre Unlike other pro Dame’s 5’8” Ogunleagues’ drafts, the bowale would be Minthree-round annunesota’s first pick. al women’s pro bas“I like her as much ketball draft is rareas I like any prospect in ly discussed outside this draft,” ESPN Anaof WNBA fans, folCharles lyst Kara Lawson said of lowers, and other inhallman Ogunbowale. “She can terested parties. create her own shot and Mock drafts aside, Wednesday’s 2019 WN- has become a better passer.” Others predicted MinnesoBA Draft was still an important day for 36 young women hoop- ta selecting UConn’s 6’2” forsters. Dreams became reality as ward Napheesa Collier at No. 6. they waited to exhale, hoping “Napheesa Collier is a tremento hear their name announced dous basketball player,” Reeve by their first post-college em- said. “She is not limited on how she can play. She will have her ployer.

VIEW

Dr. mitChell Palmer mCDonalD

Ronnie Henderson During the summer of 1980, Henderson, a 5’7” guard, was scrimmaging with players at a basketball camp hosted by former University of Minnesota and NBA great Mychal Thompson. On Henderson’s team that summer afternoon at Macalester College was then-Philadelphia 76ers NBA star Julius “Dr. J” Erving. I was a 14-year-old participant in the camp at that time, and I watched as Henderson, running a fast break, threw the ball off the backboard as Dr. J slammed dunked it. “Who was the guy that threw it off the backboard?,” I asked my father. “That’s Ronnie Henderson,” he replied. The expression on his face as he answered the question gave me the impression that I should have known who he was. I never forgot after that. Tracy Henderson At the beginning of the 1989-90 girls’ basketball season, my father, the late Kwame McDonald, was in town visiting when he told me there was a freshmen player he had to see. He kept hearing about her being the next great one, but in addition to that, she was playing for Minneapolis Patrick Henry, where he and I had taught the year before. We went to see her play and the 6’3” Henderson did not disappoint. My father turned to me and said: “She is going to be a great one!” Indeed, he was right, as Henderson capped an outstanding four-year run earning Metro Player of the Year, All-State and All-America honors. She went on to represent the University of Georgia Women’s basketball team at the 1995 NCAA Final Four at the Target Center — along with fellow sophomore and former Minneapolis North standout Brandi Decker-Lewis. It amazes me to this day that, despite her accomplishments, Henderson was not named Ms. Basketball her senior year. Ed Prohofsky As a young reporter, I attended the Twin City Girls basketball game between Cretin-Derham

It was the Lynx’s highest pick since 2012, after several seasons picking last or next to it Tracy Henderson Photo courtesy Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Hall and Minneapolis Roosevelt at Washburn High School in March of 1989 with the purpose of covering it. At the time I was writing for Insight News, a local African American-owned newspaper. The athletic director wouldn’t let me in because I wasn’t on the past list. I showed him my business card and identification and he still wouldn’t budge. I spotted Prohofsky, then the director of athletics for Minneapolis Public Schools, in attendance. “Talk to Ed Prohofsky, he knows me,” I stated quickly. He [the athletic director] went to talk with him about my status. Now mind you, I had only met Prohofsky briefly after my father introduced us a few weeks before. A minute later, the athletic director let me in. It happened that fast. I thanked him and sat with him for part of the game — a very nice gesture that I’ve never forgotten. Unforgettable moments from three greats! Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

Deja Harrison All photos by Charles Hallman

2019 W Draft Day Musings ANOTHER

PreP Scene

■ See SOE on page 9

At press time, Teaira McCowan, Arike Ogunbowale, Kristine Anigwe, Kalani Brown, and Asia Durr were among the top prospects expected to go somewhere in the first round. Minnesota (6th) was scheduled to pick after Las Vegas, New York, Indiana, Chicago and Dallas. It was the Lynx’s highest pick since 2012, after several seasons picking last or next to it — the two annual spots reserved for the previous year’s champion and runnersup. The team also had three second-round picks (16, 18 and 20), and its third-round pick (30). “I do think that 3-4 spot is probably where we need to get athletic,” Lynx-Timberwolves Reporter/Analyst Lea B. Olsen told me last week. “We will get a good player,” Minnesota Coach/GM Cheryl Reeve predicted on last week’s pre-draft conference call with reporters, including the MSR. On Sunday, espnW’s Mechelle Voepel forecasted that

work cut out for her as a small forward in this league. [But] she could do well and have a long career in the WNBA.” “She is the best player in the draft,” Lawson assessed of Collier. “She is somebody that can score the basketball [and] can move very well without the basketball, which is a very important [trait] that I look at for players making the transition [to the pros].” Another not-often-discussed fact of the WNBA Draft — it isn’t a sure thing, even as a first-rounder with only 12 required spots on the 12-team WNBA rosters — annually, there are very few turnovers in rosters, as well. “You may see some first-rounders not make

it,” said Las Vegas Coach/GM Bill Laimbeer. “It is so hard to make a team in our league right now.” “Even if you are a clear cut draft pick, the way our rosters are constructed, it will be very hard to stick. There are not a lot of [roster] spots,” noted Derek Fisher, first-year coach for Los Angeles. Finally, the transition from college star to potential pine time in the pros during their first season is tough for many players, Lawson added. “A lot of players who are used to being the center of the offense, and one of the [needed] adjustments you have to make to go to a league with 12 teams and with players that are elite, you have to find a way to make an impact without the basketball in your hands.”

“The biggest challenge is the quickness of this league — the speed, the athleticism at the next level is nothing that these players get to experience in college,” Lawson’s fellow ESPN Analyst LaChina Robinson said. “I think the 4-spot is the hardest position to play because a lot of teams run their offenses through the 4. You really have to be a playmaker. “If you make a roster and you become a 10th, 11th, 12th player, it’s about coming in and making a difference,” Robinson concluded. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.