January 5, 2022 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

On New Year’s Eve, a U.S. Postal Service van stopped in front of someone blocking traffic to keep people safe as they placed ice lanterns on structures that grace George

Floyd Square in South Minneapolis.

“Why can’t you go around?” the person guarding traffic asked.

“Why can’t you move over three steps?” the driver retorted.

Such is the tension around 38th and Chicago, which became a memorial to George Floyd shortly after Derek Chauvin knelt

on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, murdering him. Floyd’s murder resulted in days of unrest, as well as protesters and journalists losing eyes to rubber bullets and other projectiles and buildings and businesses destroyed.

Some people want the entire memorial demolished and every-

Cryptocurrency meltdown zaps hip hop heavyweights

By Stacy M. Brown

The fall of cryptocurrencies, the recent wave of the investment craze that includes NFTs and trading cards, has not only ruined bank accounts for many but now has the federal government investigating its

dramatic downfall.

FTX, the Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange founded just before the pandemic, paralyzed America and much of the world, landed in bankruptcy this month, leaving federal authorities perplexed over the fall of the $32 billion company.

Some have compared the fall

York

by H. Jiahong Pan

thing to go back to the way it was. Others want 38th and Chicago to continue paying homage to Floyd but have different ways to go about it. Meanwhile, the City has its own plans to rebuild its intersection, and even though it worked with residents for months to craft

■ See GFS on page 5

New managing editor takes the helm at the MSR

MSR News Service

The MSR is pleased to introduce Evette Porter as its new managing editor. A seasoned journalist, Porter is new to Minneapolis having spent most of her career as an editor, writer and publisher in New York City. Her career includes editorial roles at Essence, Black Enterprise, Crain’s New York Business, the Village Voice, Black Issues Book Review, The Root.com, BlackVoices. com, theGriot.com, and BET.com.

As a freelancer, she has written for the New York Daily News, the New York Times, Time Out NY, Vibe, Glamour, and the Huffington Post, among other publications. In addition, she has worked as a freelance editor at HarperCollins, St. Martin’s Press, Simon and Schuster, and Random House, as well as an editorial consultant to digital media startups.

Born in New Orleans and raised in northern Louisiana, Evette has an almost-encyclopedic knowledge of sports and Black athletes, owing in part to her father being a long-time college football coach at HBCUs, and a subscription to Sports Illustrated.

In addition to sports, she has

covered politics, local and national elections, visual arts, theater, film, pop culture and books, as well as social and economic issues. Her passion for journalism began as a photographer for her college newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, and was stoked by the faculty at Columbia J-School, who taught her the tools of the trade.

She moved to Minneapolis a little more than a year ago to take a job as chief communications officer for the Minneapolis Public Schools. However, journalism has always been her passion. She looks forward to working with all the weekly’s writers, editors, photographers, contributors and staff in continuing the legacy of excellence at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Twitter’s Covid misinformation endangers public health

-

By Anjana Susarla

Twitter’s decision to no longer enforce its Covid-19 misinformation policy, quietly posted on the site’s rules page and listed as effective Nov. 23, 2022, has researchers and experts in public health seri-

ously concerned about the possible repercussions.

Health misinformation is not new. A classic case is the misinformation about a purported but now disproven link between autism and the MMR vaccine based on a discredited study published in 1998. Such misinformation has severe con-

sequences for public health. Countries that had stronger anti-vaccine movements against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines faced a higher incidence of pertussis in the late20th century, for example.

As a researcher who studies social media, I believe that

2020 civil unrest draws yet another police assault charge

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

Attorney General Keith Ellison last Wednesday announced third-degree assault charges against a former Minneapolis police officer for his conduct during the social unrest following the murder of George Floyd.

The complaint alleges that former Minneapolis Police Officer Justin Stetson, 34, of the Anoka County community of Nowthen, repeatedly struck Jaleel Stallings for close to 30 seconds. This happened after Stallings fired a gun at a white van, believing the occupants could be the White supremacists that Gov. Walz warned Twin Citians about. When Stallings realized they were Minneapolis police officers, he surrendered and lay on the ground.

Body camera video footage first published in the Minnesota Reformer shows an officer, identified in the complaint as Stetson, saying, “F****** piece of s***” before punching, kicking, and physically slamming Stallings, even after handcuffing him, after the shooting.

The assault left Stallings, an Army veteran,

with a fractured orbital, the bone that surrounds the eye. Stallings was charged but acquitted and ultimately won a $1.5 million lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis in May. He no longer lives in Minnesota because he told the Minnesota Reformer he fears retaliation.

The

Parks Police

He followed in the footsteps

a Minneapolis

2012. In his time in Minneapolis, Stenson amassed 12 complaints according to the Communities United Against Police Brutality complaints database. Three of his cases remain open. He received one letter of reprimand in 2016 for not contacting a supervisor about using force to apprehend someone in front of a restaurant on West Broadway in December 2014. He also lied in his testimony against Stallings in court, according to the Minnesota Reformer.

Stenson left the MPD sometime this year, and his POST license is also inactive; the last training he took to keep it current was in December 2021. The summons does not list a date for when Stetson is to appear in court. He faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Outgoing Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman referred the case to AG Ellison in April because of a conflict of interest.

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@spokesman-recorder.com.

of crypto to Bernie Madoff. “And just as Madoff’s Ponzi scheme fell apart during the 2008 financial crisis, FTX’s collapse arrives amid a broader pullback for the tech industry,” Erin Griffith, a tech writer, penned for the New

Times’s digi

tal newsletter.

Star Tribune reports Stenson joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 2008, with a City of Minnetonka newsletter identifying him as a community service officer. He became a Minnetonka police officer in 2012 and also held non-sworn roles at both the Minneapolis

and the Three Rivers Park District.

of his father, who retired as

police officer in

Photos

MGN

Courtesy of MPD/MGN

Evette Porter

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

George Floyd Square caretakers at a New Year’s Eve gathering.

Lifted

Dr. Verna seeks to inspire and empower with new book

By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer

Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, affectionately known as Dr. Verna, is on an ambitious campaign to encourage people to understand their personal power.

“My mantra to everyone is, you were born with power, and you have enough power to change your life and change the world,” she said.

With “Power Lessons for Life with Dr. Verna,” her fourth self-help book, she offers a practical, hands-on guide and workbook aimed at empowering readers of all ages and backgrounds.

“These power lessons can be applied right now, today, to make lives better. It’s a little book that is designed to be tucked into a bag, taken along in the car, or put on a nightstand,” she said. “It’s loaded with the strategies and everyday wisdom that everyone needs.”

The book’s 10 “power lessons” shed light on common dilemmas like recognizing selfdefeating behavior, finding peace in a chaotic world, and resisting the temptation to solve other people’s problems. The topics are ones

that Dr. Verna has explored on her popular podcast, “Dr. Verna’s Virtues.”

“Listeners have been asking for a book,” Dr. Verna explained. “They tell me they wished they could have these lessons and affirmations at hand. I chose 10 ideas from my podcasts and added to the lessons with more examples.”

Dr. Verna’s background as a human poten-

Remembering Mel

By MSR Editors

Mel’s emotional intensity was on display most days. His passions and penchants were well known to us, as he was not one to keep his thoughts and feelings under wraps. The post-publication meetings in his office, sometimes lasting late into the night, were explorations of ideas and issues that we sorely miss.

Most of all Mel was a man with a big heart and high principles that he was willing and able to defend. With his warrior spirit missing from among us now, we have lost a vital source of energy and inspiration and love, and it’s going to take much longer than a year to somehow get that back.

MN closes loophole on damage transparency for used cars

By Mike Moen

A new Minnesota law took effect January 1 designed to reduce risks for people buying used vehicles. It comes as more Americans lean on the market for previously driven cars.

Industry source Kelley Blue Book says the U.S. saw a 10% increase in used vehicle purchases last year.

Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) said she hopes the “prior salvage” brand provides transparency, but flexibility, too.

“It was trying to find that ‘sweet spot,’” said Youakim, “so that you still had safe, reliable cars on the road that were affordable, but also that the buyer would know exactly what they’re buying.”

The loophole the law ad-

cles. But Youakim said if the prior damage is more cosmetic— say from hail damage—having more affordable cars to choose from right now is important when people need them to get to work and other places.

“That 80% of a prior value on a $3,000 car and it’s just body damage,” said Youakim, “somebody might want to take that chance and say, ‘You know, it’s

tial expert makes her uniquely positioned to share her message of empowerment. Born in the Bahamas where she was raised by her grandmother, Dr. Verna came to the U.S. at age 10 to join her immigrant parents.

She arrived in Minnesota for college in 1982 and began her career as a teacher. She went on to earn a doctorate in educational policy and leadership and has built a 30-year career as an executive coach, corporate consultant, and keynote speaker. She’s also a wife and the mother of four.

“In this book, I share more of me, personally. In my other books and on social media, I’ve rarely mentioned my family, but this time I talk about my children, marriage, being a friend and mentor and entrepreneur,” she said.

The founder of Girls Taking Action, a program for at-risk middle and high school-aged students in Minnesota, Dr. Verna, and her husband Shane Price recently expanded their mission with Boys of Hope. Both organizations prepare youth for success, whether in college or launching their careers.

The programs engage more than one thou-

sand Minnesota youth, enrolling them in activities and pairing them with mentors.

Although the book has just been released, Dr. Verna is already hatching a plan for a sequel with additional power lessons. “This is just the first volume. People will want more power messages, more everyday examples they can use in their lives,” she said.

“There are so many messages in the world that are negative. I’m sitting on a mountain of positive messages that encourage people to do better and be better.”

“Power Lessons for Life with Dr. Verna” is available on Dr. Verna’s website: www.drverna.club/store. She’s scheduled multiple readings and book signings in the community. The Kindle version of “Power Lessons for Life” is also available on Amazon.

Sheletta Brundidge welcomes reader responses to sbrundidge@spokesman-recorder.com.

Prices for those cars have gone up, but so have monthly payments for brand new models—which also have dealt with supply chain issues.

The Minnesota law change gets to the issue of “title washing,” which allowed used fixedup cars with heavy damage in their past to evade a salvage designation.

Bill co-sponsor state Rep.

dresses is specifically for cars coming from other states.

The branding is geared for less expensive vehicles holding a clean Minnesota title, despite incurring damage that costs more than 80% of its value or causes an insurance company to declare the vehicle a total loss.

Insurance matters can be a tricky issue for salvaged vehi-

still drivable, it’s still usable.’”

She said people in those situations will now have this added consumer protection.

The law change stemmed from recommendations offered by a task force that gathered input from lawmakers, insurance companies and repair experts.

Mike Moen writes for the Minnesota News Connection.

Photo by Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters

Dr. Verna Price

Submitted photo

By Dr. Valerie Lemaine Guest Contributor

If you’re like me, you probably don’t drink enough water. And we are not alone: Many Americans don’t drink enough water during the course of their day to stay healthy.

Especially during the cold Minnesota winter, I tend to forget to stay properly hydrated. And honestly, as a surgeon, not drinking during the day means that I don’t have to “go” when I’m in surgery! It’s a win-win situation, right? WRONG.

Adequate hydration is essential for the health and proper functioning of your organs. For example, water lubricates and cushions your spine, and it also helps your kidneys and liver flush your system and remove waste.

Dehydration can lead to an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium), which help carry electrical signals between cells. Electrolyte balance is kept stable by properly functioning kidneys, and this requires that there is always sufficient water

To quickly improve your overall health, drink more water!

in the body.

The most common signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, dry skin, cracked lips, headaches, dizziness, constipation, high blood pressure, dark urine and much more. Severe dehydration can lead to seizures, muscle cramps, and even loss of consciousness and kidney failure.

So how much water do we need to drink daily? Of course, the answer varies based on your gender, but also depends on where you live, your age, your level of physical activity, your body size, and your medical condition. The general recommendation from the Institute of Medicine set the adequate water intake at 11 cups (91 ounces) a day for women, and 15 cups (125 ounces) a day for men

An easy rule of thumb to follow to make sure you drink enough water is to look at your urine. Dark yellow urine usually is a sign of dehydration, while pale yellow urine means that you are properly hydrated.

In my quest to improve my overall health, I committed to drinking one gallon of water every single day for the past three months. That’s five 25-ounce water bottles a day!

At first, I thought there was no way I would be able to do this, but it got easier and now I sometimes catch myself drinking a bit more than one gallon without thinking about it.

It usually takes between 21 and 60 days of continual practice to establish a new habit. Quite frankly, I have experienced so many benefits that I have decided to sustain this new behavior, and I hope to inspire you to drink more water too.

largest organ and it is constantly exposed to toxins. Water helps flush these toxins out of our system. My skin isn’t itchy anymore, and I have been able to quit using lip balm because my lips don’t crack anymore.

• Helps you drop a few extra

more focus and attention, and more mental clarity. That’s because water helps blood and oxygen flow more freely to my organs.

• Lubricates your joints: Water helps hydrate the padding between our joints, making it easi-

phone, or using an app) to challenge yourself to hit your goal.

• Bring a large bottle of water with you everywhere you go and take sips throughout the day.

• If you don’t like the taste of water, you can add zero-calorie, natural flavor packets to your water, or infuse it with cucumber or citrus fruit.

Certain medical conditions, such as heart failure and endstage kidney disease, may require a restricted water intake to avoid fluid overload. Before you embark on this journey, it is best to talk to your doctor about personalized recommendations regarding your daily water intake.

This article was previously published in the MSR and is available on the MSR website with all other Doctor’s Advice articles from the series.

er to move around without pain.

Five benefits of adequate hydration (and there are more)

• Keeps you regular: My digestion is improved, and all this water in my gut helps to rid my body of solid waste. I feel so much better!

• Makes your skin glow: I noticed I got many compliments on how smooth my skin looks since I committed to drinking more water! Remember, our skin is our

pounds: My brain used to confuse thirst and hunger signals when I was dehydrated, tricking me into overeating. Not anymore! Drinking plenty of water has helped curb my cravings, and I have shed a few pounds without any extra effort!

• Enhances brain function and boosts energy levels: I definitely noticed decreased fatigue,

Print: Mini Clinics - 6 cols x 9.5” (10.5” x 9.5”)

Tips for staying hydrated

• Start your day by drinking a glass of water before you sit down to eat breakfast.

• Drink a glass of water with every meal to help suppress your appetite and avoid overeating.

• Keep a log of your water intake (on paper, on your

Dr. Valerie Lemaine is a topranked, board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Bloomington, MN. She received her M.D. from University of Montreal, Canada. She completed a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Lemaine then accepted a staff position at the prestigious Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) where she taught, practiced and published clinical research. In 2018, she transitioned to private practice and joined Plastic Surgery Consultants and Minnesota Oncology.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING A HEALTHIER, MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR ALL.

That’s why we have partnered with the communities we serve to host 1,000 (and counting) free COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster are still the best way to protect people against severe illness and reduce the chance of it spreading to others. M Health Fairview continues to provide the vaccine for free to our neighbors facing health disparities.

Want more details? Go here.

Spokesman Recorder

Water helps flush toxins out of our system.

Minnesota’s minimum-wage rates were adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2023, to $10.59 an hour for large employers and $8.63 an hour for other state minimum wages.

As of Jan. 1, 2023:

• Large employers – with annual gross revenues of at least $500,000 – must pay at least $10.59 an hour.

• Small employers – with annual gross revenues less than $500,000 – must pay at least $8.63 an hour.

• The training wage rate, $8.63 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive days of employment.

• The youth wage rate, $8.63 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 18 years of age.

The state minimum-wage rates will not apply to work performed in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have higher minimum-wage rates.

Employee notice updates may be required

As part of Minnesota’s employee notice requirement, employers are required to provide each employee with a written notice of any change, before the change takes effect, including a change to the employee’s rate of pay. Learn more about the employee notice requirement at dli.mn.gov/ business/employment-practices/employee-notice.

Required poster updated, available Minnesota law requires employers to display some state-

mandated posters in a location where employees can easily see them. The posters are available at no cost and need to be updated only when Minnesota law changes.

An updated minimum-wage rate poster, as well as other workplace posters, can be found at dli.mn.gov/about-department/workplace-posters. More information about Minnesota’s minimum-wage rates is available at dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/ minimum-wage-minnesota.

2022 Minnesota minimum wage report released

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has released its 2022 Minnesota minimum-wage report.

Key findings

• Actual minimum wages for Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul: The Minnesota minimum wage — $10.33 an hour for large employers in 2022 — is adjusted annually for inflation. The minimum wages for large employers in Minneapolis and macro employers in St. Paul reached $15 in 2022. Minimum wages for other employers of different sizes in Minneapolis and St. Paul will reach

$15 in various years from 2023 to 2027 and will be adjusted for inflation thereafter.

• Actual annual earnings at the minimum wage: For workers earning the Minnesota minimum hourly wage and working 40 hours a week, annual wages in 2022 are $21,486 for workers at large employers and $17,514 for workers at small employers.

• Inflation-adjusted minimum wages: The 2022 Minnesota large-employer minimum wage of $10.33 an hour is below the average rate of the federal minimum wage for 1960 through 1981, which adjusting for inflation was $11.71. When the Minneapolis and St. Paul minimum wages reach $15, they will be higher than the

As of July 1, 2022, workers in Minneapolis earn annual full-time wages of $31,200 at large employers and $28,080 at small employers, while St. Paul workers earn $28,080 at large employers and $24,960 at small employers.

federal minimum wage peak of $13.65, adjusted for inflation, which was reached in 1968.

View the full report at bit.ly/ NewMinimumReport2022.

Source:MN Depart. of Labor and Industry

them, not all community members support the City’s decisions.

Before Floyd was murdered, the Southside intersection of 38th and Chicago was known as a place where people could get gasoline for their vehicles, food at a restaurant or corner store, or see people from the nearby Worldwide Outreach For Christ displaying signs to passersby.

Since then, not only has the intersection became a growing memorial for Floyd, visited annually by thousands of people worldwide in the search for racial justice. It’s also been used as a focal point for protests and community celebrations, including an annual candlelight festival held close to New Year’s Eve.

The area also plays an important role in providing mutual aid such as heated shelter, medical care, and clothing to those who need it. Jenny, who declined to provide a last name, is one of many community members who tend to the People’s Closet, which invites people to peruse, take, and drop off clothing inside one of two Metro Transit bus shelters located on the south side of the Peopleway.

“I bring out winter coats every winter and bring out summer stuff every summer and people—even when I was walking here today—a community member was taking care of it, cleaning it up, taking stuff and putting it away. They donate to it, they take from it, and it’s very important to them to maintain it themselves,” Jenny said.

Shortly after Floyd’s murder, the Minneapolis City Council voted to

TwiTTer

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reducing content moderation is a significant step in the wrong direction, especially in light of the uphill battle social media platforms face in combating misinformation and disinformation. And the stakes are especially high in combating medical misinformation.

Misinformation on social media

There are three key differences between earlier forms of misinformation and disinformation and that spread on social media. First, social media enables misinformation to spread at a much greater scale, speed and scope.

Second, content that is sensational and likely to trigger

rename Chicago Avenue between 37th and 39th Streets after him. Meanwhile, community members at George Floyd Square authored a resolution containing 24 demands the City, Hennepin County, and the State of Minnesota need to meet before they would consent to reopening the intersection to traffic.

The City responded and appears to have met two of the demands thus far.

A third demand—the recall of Mike Freeman—is moot because he retired this week. The City also says some of the demands require action from the state legislature. (More information on the 24 demands will be provided in upcoming issues of the MSR.)

The City also designated 38th Street as one of seven cultural corridors in the city where the City prioritizes public transit and equitable housing investment, as well as uplifting the cultural identities of current residents to prevent displacement. The City also began to provide “enhanced city services” to the area around 38th and Chicago ahead of Chauvin’s trial in February 2021, which included brighter lighting, traffic calming devices, and increased waste pickup.

Months after Floyd was murdered, the City also prepared to reopen the intersection to traffic by distributing a survey to nearby residents addressing two potential options, citing winter conditions. Half of the respondents to the survey addressing the intersection’s reopening did not support either option, with the majority in this camp wanting the intersection to remain closed to traffic until the 24 demands were met. Nonetheless, City crews proceeded anyway, reopening the intersection to traffic on the morning of June 3, 2021.

In spite of this, Metro Transit does not have plans to restore bus service through 38th and Chicago anytime

emotions is more likely to go viral on social media, making falsehoods easier to spread than the truth.

Third, digital platforms such as Twitter play a gatekeeping role in the way they aggregate, curate and amplify content.

This means that misinformation on emotionally triggering topics such as vaccines can readily gain attention.

The spread of misinformation during the pandemic has been dubbed an infodemic by the World Health Organization. There is considerable evidence that Covid-19-related misinformation on social media reduces vaccine uptake.

Public health experts have cautioned that misinformation on social media seriously hampers progress toward herd immunity, weakening society’s ability to deal with new Covid-19 variants.

Misinformation on social media fuels public doubts about vaccine safety.

soon. Since Floyd was murdered, Route 5—and the D Line, which opened in December—have been detouring using Park and Portland Avenues. The 23 has been operating on 42nd Street between Park, Portland, and Bloomington.

Although Metro Transit driver Stacey Burns prefers 38th and Chicago be reopened to traffic, he says the reopening needs to take time. “We [drivers] would like it so then we could drive straight through instead of zig-zag[ging around],” Burns said as he drove the first revenue D Line bus through the Southside on the first day of service. “[But] because of what happened, it’s necessary to ease back into it instead of just going to say open it up, [because] you’ll have more trouble.”

Project to coordinate a series of monthly meetings to give community members the opportunity to grill and perhaps work with government officials on redesigning George Floyd Square.

Some neighbors differ in whether or not transit service should resume through the Square. Southside native Cynthia Ramsey doesn’t think it should.

“Everyone knows who [George Floyd] is; everyone knows who killed him and how he died and where he died,” Ramsey said as she rode the D Line.

“[We need a] tangible reminder of what happens when White policemen get hold of a Black person, and they start to exert a little bit more authority than they should.”

On the other hand, Jamar Patterson,

“You got this bus running from the Mall of America and tourists. It’s going to run right through there,” Patterson said.

Back at the annual candlelight vigil, which was organized by the George Floyd Global Memorial, Floyd’s aunt Angela Harrelson finds solace and comfort during her frequent visits because of the community that exists who maintain the square. She believes the square should remain as it is to tell the story of Floyd’s murder.

“It would be damaging and cause more harm if they would tear the buildings down, like [as if] nothing [ever] happened here,” Harrelson said as she greeted participants who brought their ice lanterns. “You need that authenticity, that is what makes it real, like this did happen. Because his death changed the world.”

Asante Simmons, who was born and raised on the South Side, thinks the City’s decision to rebuild the street could present an opportunity to make the memorial to Floyd permanent. “[The fist should be in] a real roundabout in there and actually build some little bit more grass and flowers, not just put it on top of the street, but actually build it into the street,” Simmons suggested.

The City received feedback on how George Floyd Square should look at an open house in October. They plan to present a design for community members to review later this winter.

Metro Transit may restore service after the City rebuilds 38th and Chicago. The City wants to rebuild the intersection as the pavement on both streets is nearing the end of its useful life. It has convened a committee of local community members to design the concept.

Both agencies are also working with NEOO Partners and the Public Policy

Studies show that Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy is driven by a misunderstanding of herd immunity and beliefs in conspiracy theories.

Combating misinformation

The social media platforms’ content moderation policies and stances towards misinformation are crucial for combating misinformation. In the absence of strong content moderation policies on Twitter, algorithmic content cura-

also a Southside native, believes the D Line should go through George Floyd Square to support the area’s Blackowned businesses. “One of the biggest things for people in the Black community is public transportation. If you can have [the D Line] going straight through the community, you get more access to those businesses.

exposure to content. Algorithmic bias in recommendation systems could also further accentuate global healthcare disparities and racial disparities in vaccine uptake.

There is evidence that some less-regulated platforms such as Gab may amplify the impact of unreliable sources and increase Covid-19 misinformation. There is also evidence that the misinformation ecosystem can lure people who are on social media platforms

Even with the plans, Jenny pledges the community who comprises George Floyd Square will persist until the 24 demands are met. “The City has a lot of plans,” Jenny said, “but do they have the moral authority to come in here and just take it?”

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@spokesman-recorder.com.

vaccine discourse on Twitter, but that such toxic speech can spill over into other online platforms that may be investing in combating medical misinformation.

The Kaiser Family Foundation Covid-19 vaccine monitor reveals that public trust for Covid-19 information from authoritative sources such as governments has fallen significantly, with serious consequences for public health. For example, the share of Republicans who said they trust the Food and Drug Administration fell from 62% to 43% from December 2020 to October 2022.

In 2021, a U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory identified that social media platforms’ content moderation policies need to:

tion and recommendation are likely to boost the spread of misinformation by increasing echo chamber effects.

For example, it can exacerbate partisan differences in

just financial bigwigs but heavyweights in entertainment like Snoop Dogg, JayZ, Russell Simmons, and Ja Rule as well.

“Tech stocks have crashed. Venture capital funding is drying up. As a result, nearly 800 tech companies have laid off more than 120,000 workers this year, with cuts hitting Meta, Amazon and Twitter,” Griffith noted.

In a CBS News interview recently, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the fall of FTX should warn Americans about investing their money in “extremely risky” financial products traded in a space lacking “appropriate supervision and regulation. I think this is a space where investors and consumers should really be very careful,” Yellen stated.

“We have very strong investor and consumer protection laws for most of our financial markets, but in some ways the crypto space has inadequate regulation.”

Crypto and the hip hop community Yet the crypto space has lured not

Along with friend and business partner Herb Rice, Ja Rule co-founded The Painted House and launched the NFT collection Black Is Beautiful, with a charitable component benefiting historically Black colleges and universities. Earlier this year, Ja Rule told the Black Press that he wanted to create a space for people of color in the crypto world.

“That’s important. We need to be at that table,” Ja Rule said. Simmons, the hip hop architect, and successful businessman, said he leaped into the NFT market because he wanted hip hop pioneers to get their flowers and much-deserved money while still alive.

In collaboration with NFT marketplace Tokau, Simmons’ NFT honored individuals like D.J. Hollywood, Bizzy Bee Starski, and Grandmaster Caz. Snoop Dogg agreed to curate the NFT collection.

“This is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and so many of the younger generation don’t know the shoulders on whom they stand,” Simmons told the Black Press at his launch party. “Some of

that invest in content moderation to accept misinformation that originates on less moderated platforms.

The danger then is that not only will there be greater anti-

these guys [founders] don’t even have bank accounts, but we have to consider, all of us have to consider, none of us would be here without them.”

Simmons insisted that Snoop Dogg “gets it. He wants to be a part of this. That’s why I love him so much. Snoop has such a big heart. He cares about these guys.”

In June, Jay-Z announced that he

teamed with Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey to launch a new “Bitcoin Academy” for underserved residents—particularly those in Brooklyn, New York’s Marcy Houses.

The plan included adding other locations for the program designed in collaboration with Crypto Blockchain Plug and Black Bitcoin Billionaire. Jay-Z and Dorsey said their mission included providing education and empowering the community with knowledge.

Program participants were promised MiFi devices, a one-year lim-

• pay attention to the design of recommendation algorithms;

• prioritize early detection of misinformation; and

ited data plans, and smartphones if needed.

What now?

Each of the artists has yet to speak on the current state of the crypto space. Recently, a new study found that the District of Columbia topped the list of American states and places that have demonstrated the most

• amplify information from credible sources of online health information.

These priorities require partnerships between healthcare organizations and social media platforms to develop best practice guidelines to address healthcare misinformation. Developing and enforcing effective content moderation policies takes planning and resources.

In light of what researchers know about Covid-19 misinformation on Twitter, I believe that the announcement that the company will no longer ban Covid-19-related misinformation is troubling, to say the least.

Anjana Susarla is a professor of Information Systems at Michigan State University.

This article is republished with permission from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Fried, from a lack of security controls to business funds being used to buy employees homes and luxuries.

“From compromised systems integrity and faulty regulatory oversight abroad to the concentration of control in the hands of a very small group of inexperienced, unsophisticated, and potentially compromised individuals, this situation is unprecedented,” said Ray.

He performed cleanup work in the aftermath of the disastrous Enron scandal. Griffin wrote in the New York Times newsletter that it would take time and multiple federal investigations to entirely understand what happened behind the scenes at FTX.

interest in NFTs and cryptocurrency.

The study found that Bitcoin sold for a record $68,000 in November 2021, while NFT sales peaked at $12.6 billion in January 2022. Both have since dropped precipitously.

“Never in my career have I seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here,” John Ray III, the new CEO of FTX, told MSN as he laid out “a damning description of FTX’s operations under its founder Sam Bankman-

However, the impact is already evident. “Lawmakers are calling for more oversight,” Griffin wrote.

“Crypto die-hards are trying to distance themselves. Critics of this sector of finance are crowing. And for those of you who had, until now, managed to ignore the rise and rise and rise of crypto as a phenomenon? First of all, good for you. And second, you may want to watch this one play out.”

Stacy M Brown is the NNPA Newswire senior correspondent.

“Misinformation on social media seriously hampers progress toward herd immunity.”

“Crypto die-hards are trying to distance themselves.”

Legendary sound engineer relishes union leadership role

By Tony Kiene Contributing Writer

In its 129-year history in Minneapolis, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 13 had never elected a business agent who wasn’t a White male. That all changed November 8, 2022 when Wendell Bell, a 33-year veteran of the Twin Cities music and theater scene, was elected in a landslide.

In his new role, Bell, who officially took office Monday, is responsible for a multitude of union business matters from collective bargaining to production values and logistics to payroll and so much more.

He is also tasked with helping make sure that the roster of 3,000 IATSE Local 13 workers—a list that includes technicians, carpenters, wardrobe professionals, sound engineers, hairstylists, upriggers, makeup specialists, lighting designers, and other stagehands—are safely and successfully dispatched to staff various productions across the metro area and beyond.

You might say that, as the liaison between union members and their employers, the business agent is one of the most essential positions in the union, if not the most. Something that Bell seems fated for.

Wendell Bell Submitted photo

Destined for the stage Bell and his siblings all caught the music bug at a young age. “We all saw how skilled our uncle was on the guitar, the piano,” he recalled.

“So, we all gravitated towards music ourselves, picked up in-

ing from New York City and the surrounding area that featured the likes of the Sugar Hill Gang and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

He also quickly took notice of the sound that was emerging right here in his hometown of Minneapolis. By his teenage years, Bell knew “This was the place to be.”

struments, competed in talent contests. It was a big part of our lives.”

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bell was really into Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and a new sound com-

Bell joined a few bands himself and, as he says, “gigged out” as much as he could. Even though he was talented, Bell came to realize that making a living as a young musician isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

“You gotta live, gotta be able to eat,” Bell said.

So after high school, Bell matriculated to Brown College, earning his degree in electronic technology. From there it was on to Music Tech, where he trained to become a recording engineer. It was also during this time that Bell began to moonlight a little in his future field, which among other things included transporting and setting up audio equipment around town.

One of these trips took him out to Paisley Park. “This was around 1988 or 1989,” Bell recalled, “so everything was basically brand new. I couldn’t get over how spotless the place was.” After setting

everything up, he waited for someone to come through and check everything out, whether it be Prince or whomever. But no one came by.

So Bell, realizing that he might be the only person in the building at the time, took a self-guided tour of the place, checking out all the studios, the costume shop, and just about every other room where the door was open.

Hours passed and still no one ever came by to inspect his work, so Bell left. On a second trip out to Paisley Park, where he was setting up shop again, he sensed a presence in the room. He turned his head

and there was Prince.

“Hey,” Prince said. “Hey,” Bell replied. A few seconds passed, before Bell turned again to say something more, but Prince was no longer there. “It was exactly like everyone always says,” Bell laughed. “He’d appear out of nowhere, and then in an instant he was gone.”

Making his mark

While still finishing up his studies, Bell began working as sound designer at Mixed Blood Theatre and soon caught on as an engineer at Metro Recording Studios, where he assisted on The Steeles debut album

Rapper Gangsta Boo of Three 6 Mafia dies at 43

By Stacy M. Brown

Trendsetting hip hop star and the only female member of the mega group Three 6 Mafia Gangsta Boo has reportedly died at the age of 43. Her labelmate DJ Paul confirmed her death on Sunday, Jan. 1.

Born Lola Chantrelle Mitchell in Memphis, Tennessee, Mitchell was counted among the female pioneers in the heavily male-dominated genre.

In the 1990s, Mitchell teamed with DJ Paul, Juicy J, Lord Infamous, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca and others to form Three 6 Mafia. She helped the group form an identity that resonated throughout the world with records “Mystic Stylez’,” “Chapter 1,” and “Choice.”

Mitchell later teamed with artists like OutKast, Eminem, Foxy Brown, and Lil Jon. After leaving Three 6 Mafia, Mitchell

released her first solo album, “Enquiring Minds,” in 1998.

The disc reached No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B/HipHop Albums chart and number 46 on the Billboard 200, with the hit song “Where Dem Dollas At!?”

In 2001, she released her second album, “Both Worlds *69,” reaching the eighth spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart and 29 on the Billboard 200.

Though her third studio album, “Enquiring Minds II: The Soap Opera,” failed to achieve the same success as her previous releases, the record did reach No. 24 on the Independent Albums chart.

In 2015 Mitchell released the mixtape, “Candy, Diamond & Pills,” which catapulted her to the forefront of the underground hip hop scene.

She then toured with Killer Mike and El-P, playing soldout shows across the United

Singer

“You

drama by RICK CUMMINS and JOHN SCOULLAR based on the book by ANTOINE de SAINT-EXUPÉRY directed by DOMINIQUE SERRAND

“Whether in the studio, playing golf, or just hanging out, it was always easy to see that he was the real deal.”

States on their “Run the World Tour.”

Following the tour, Mitchell set the music world on fire with an epic Verzuz battle in which she reunited with Three 6 Mafia to battle Bone Thugs-

n-Harmony.

“Rest in peace to legendary female rapper Gangsta Boo from Memphis Tenn,” tweeted famed DJ Mister Cee. “She was one of the female rappers from the South that set the

trends for so many others to come after her. This is a huge loss for Memphis.”

K. Michelle also joined a long list of artists, fans, and others to pay tribute.

already know what it is,” K.

Michelle tweeted. “We [are] forever. Broke my whole heart today. Sis. I love you.”

Stacy M. Brown is an NNPA newswire senior national correspondent.

Lola Chantrelle Mitchell aka Gangsta Boo MGN

Nations of the world must unite to end war

By Lawrence S. Wittner

Russia’s war upon Ukraine should remind us that violent international conflicts not only persist but constitute a plague upon the world.

Over thousands of years, wars have brought immense suffering to people around the globe. In addition to the widespread annihilation of human life, wars have produced vast material losses, including the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, entire cities, the environment, and much of what people value as civilization.

They have also channeled enormous financial resources into military buildups that, even if not employed in battle, deprive other public and private programs of adequate attention and funding. Also, since World War II, when nuclear weapons were first developed and used with terrible effects, the means of waging war have entered a new dimension, giving it the power to destroy virtually all life on earth.

Although in recent centuries, many people have lamented war’s squandering of blood and treasure, as well as the suicidal nature of modern war, they have not yet found an effective way to stop it.

One popular response to war is isolationism, which is designed to keep one’s nation out of the conflict. But this policy (labeled “America First” in the United States) ignores the suffering of other people and, of course, does nothing to stop a war elsewhere.

In addition, it is often accompanied by a military buildup of one’s own nation, a policy that has a poor track record when it comes to preventing war.

Pacifism is on a higher ethical plane, for it deplores the horrors produced by militarism and war. Furthermore, if most people around the world accepted the absolute pacifist position (which rejects military force in all circumstances), pacifists might be able to prevent wars from occurring or continuing.

But this is not the case and, given widespread public support for “just wars” (including defense against invasion), it seems unlikely to become so. Nonviolent resistance, a form of radical pacifism, has greater potential as an alternative to war or surrender, although its full promise has yet to be realized in coping with international war.

tional anarchy, strong nations all too often threaten or wage war upon the weak, and nations often feel insecure unless they maintain a substantial capacity for war.

In short, while nations have established useful governance at the national level, the world lacks effective governance at the international level. As a result, when nations have an international conflict, they are tempted, in the absence of the force of law, to invoke the law of force.

Even so, the nations of the world could unite in the interest of their common security and bolster institutions of global governance. To strengthen the UN Security Council, they could abolish the veto and substitute a rotating membership for the permanent membership of Russia, China, the United States, Britain, and France.

Work release should be expanded Please join the fight

By Terra Noble

To whom this brief message may concern, my name is Terra Noble. I am convicted under the name Terri Campbell. I am currently incarcerated at Shakopee Prison for first-degree assault.

I am a very firm believer in second chances given the circumstances and also being successful in any endeavor of your choosing. However, being a felon comes with many obstacles. Mine being homelessness and addiction.

Violence has never played a part in any of my criminal background. Despite my many obstacles, I had a lot of support in the community.

While on probation I worked with an organization called the F.A.C.T Team. These people had patience and compassion and believed in my growth and worth. I participated in groups and treatment for my mental health. At that time, housing was a more difficult hurdle for me to get through because I was a felon. Homelessness is vast, and that struggle alone left me vulnerable to very dangerous environments.

I value my life and I hold my children and grandchildren’s future close to my heart. I want to be a role model for the

younger generation coming up today. Despite my crime, I have always been a leader and an influencer in any environment that I’m in.

Since being incarcerated, I have obtained a certificate in paralegal. I’ve taken advantage of many groups to identify life barriers and tools on dealing with them. Finally, I am currently writing a memoir about my life in hopes that I can reach anyone who is struggling out there.

tions and individuals who believe in expanding work release in an effort to make our communities safe. I strongly believe that there is power in numbers.

The D.O.C. in my opinion needs to reevaluate the policies and not base their decisions on money and politics. This is at the expense of public safety and a major cost to taxpayers; also it increases crime and homelessness.

It is to my understanding that Minnesota Statute 244.065 allows for inmates to be released on work release after serving half their term of imprisonment. Had I gotten out at half my time, I would be an author and a major positive influence in my community.

We should follow the law and support people in prison, like me, following their dreams. I am doing my part here in Shakopee, working with all of the women alike, and taking steps to make a change. I am asking for grace from anyone who is reading this.

Please join in the fight. I have contacted numerous organiza-

I strongly believe in restorative justice. Statistics show that 70-90% of participants who go through this program are successful. Please do your research. Numbers don’t lie. Transformative justice should also be an option instead of locking many away with a lot of untreated mental health conditions and trauma.

Since being here in Shakopee, I’ve witnessed MANY women that have left the facility and have overdosed and died. Many. Prison is not the solution for MOST.

I’m speaking for every individual that has loved ones in prison or any incarcerated individual that this message applies to. Please join in the fight.

I go as I came. In peace.

Terra Noble is a Shakopee Prison inmate

Unlocking our fifth freedom —the freedom to love

By Dr. Gail C. Christopher

By contrast, within nations there are alternatives to violent behavior that, although not always totally effective, do reduce it substantially. Legislative bodies enact laws, while police and judicial institutions enforce these laws. Unfortunately, on the global level these institutions are so rudimentary and limited in power that they fail to produce an effective check on violence.

Thus, on the national level, governments can restrain violence by individuals, mobs or insurrectionists. But on the international level things proceed much as they did in the American Wild West of yesteryear. In this state of interna-

To strengthen the General Assembly, they could give it additional legislative power, including the power to fund the United Nations through taxation. To enhance the democratic nature of the United Nations, they could establish a world parliament, with representatives elected by the public rather than selected by national governments.

Additional power could also be granted to the International Criminal Court and to the International Court of Justice to conduct investigations, deliver judgments, and enforce their rulings.

These kinds of reform measures have been advocated for years by the World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy and by its U.S. member organization, Citizens for Global Solutions. Strengthened governmental authority on the global level is also supported by world public opinion.

A stronger array of international institutions is not a cure-all for international war. But, like the enforcement of gun control within nations, it would significantly reduce the number of violent incidents.

It would help prevent international aggression. And it would save the world from nuclear war by enforcing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. After thousands of years of blood and plunder, topped off in recent decades by the looming danger of a nuclear holocaust, isn’t it time to give strengthened global governance a try?

Nations of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your wars.

Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a professor of history emeritus at SUNY/ Albany and the author of “Confronting the Bomb” (Stanford University Press).

President Joe Biden recently signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act. This landmark United States federal law passed by the 117th U.S. Congress repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), requires the U.S. federal government and all U.S. states and territories to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial civil marriages in the U.S., and protects religious liberty.

While we must all applaud this amazing bi-partisan breakthrough, we should all be appalled that such a law was needed in this democratic nation, in this the 21st century. Why is there a need to protect a fundamental human right and freedom for adults to love and marry interracially or to a person of the same gender?

I think the answer is because America is a nation and a democracy that is yet becoming. We are, in the global context, still a young nation learning how to be a multiracial, multi-ethnic, diverse, selfgoverning democracy. We still have a lot of work to do.

Congressional and presidential leadership are a vital part of this important work. I am reminded of the leadership of President Franklin D Roosevelt, who galvanized and lifted the consciousness of the American people by reminding them of the meaning of democracy in a time when the Great Depression was limiting hope.

In his 1941 State of the Union address, President Roosevelt articulated four freedoms—the freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom to be free from want, and freedom from fear. It was another iteration of our founding principles, every person’s right to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness.

But here we are, still needing to codify into law a fifth freedom—a freedom to love. I believe this is our most important freedom. And although it was not articulated by then-

president Roosevelt or by the founding fathers, freedom to love is the required element in a lasting democracy. By signing this legislation, President Biden affirmed this truth.

It is also meaningful that this freedom became law during the same week that the White House hosted a summit of leaders from 49 African countries. During this summit, President Biden spoke directly about what he described as America’s original sin of slavery:

“We remember the stolen men and women and children who were brought to our shores in chains… My nation’s original sin was that period.”

There is a clear relationship and through line from this original sin and the present-day need for the landmark Respect for Marriage Act. Denial of a person’s freedom to love and marry is a denial of a person’s humanity. The institution of enslavement of Africans and the decimation of Native American people could only have been justified by denying our humanity.

It is time for America to

of past wrongs, and create and sustain equitable communities.

The immediate care that our national body politic requires is an investment to create and support a new cultural infrastructure, a psychological emotional infrastructure of love and caring that is strong enough to withstand and repel the attacks of false narratives and hate, driven by nefarious motives for power and control.

The good news is that communities and college campuses are doing this work all across America. Philanthropy is supporting their efforts. But the original sin was committed by this federal government and enforced for centuries by all branches of our government. America’s national, state, and local governments organized and institutionalized lovelessness throughout history.

begin the real work of seeding and growing a democracy capable of valuing the humanity of all people. This requires developing the skills and the capacities to begin to see ourselves in one another, to develop automatic responses of empathy and compassion needed to build bridges of trust that are required for carrying the weight of the truth of our nation’s inhumane and horrific past acts.

While laudable, the Respect for Marriage Act is like a tourniquet applied to the bleeding limb of a wounded soldier; it will only be lifesaving if the body receives the care it needs immediately. For America, that care is the will to move forward, to heal and repair the vestiges

Congressional efforts are currently underway through H.Con. Res.19—urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation and H.R.40— Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, introduced by Congresswoman Barber Lee and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Both H.Con.Res.19 and H.R.40 have significant co-sponsorships—168 and 196, respectively—in the 117th Congress.

In this time of increasing and expanding polarization, congressional and presidential leadership are critically needed to further these efforts to assure the viability of our democracy by building our capacity to love one another equally as human beings.

For America, freedom to love is the beginning of our transformation.

-

logg Foundation.

-

-

Dr. Gail C. Christopher is the executive director of the Nation

al Collaborative for Health Eq

uity, senior scholar at the Center for Advancement of Well-Be

ing at George Mason University, and former senior advisor and vice president of the W. K. Kel

It is time for America to begin the real work of seeding and growing a democracy capable of valuing the humanity of all people.

When nations have an international conflict, they are tempted, in the absence of the force of law, to invoke the law of force.

Prison is not the solution for most.

Free job skills training for young people

Registration

For

HOmE

Continued from page 10

“I’ve been through a lot,” said McGlothan after the Dec. 22 Eastern IllinoisMinnesota contest at The Barn. His coaching experience actually began as a

student manager at Michigan State (2008-10) before transferring to St. Cloud State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2015.

He later was an SCSU assistant women’s basketball coach (2019-20), but his only season there was cut short due to COVID-19

shutting down sports.

“God blessed me with the opportunity,” McGlothan said of being at EIU. “Now I’m here and just trying to make the most out of it.”

really different. I’m always trying to get better.”

Johnson agreed: “I think a big focus has been just improving his perimeter game. So now can he go from a good shooter to an elite type shooter?

“I’m really excited about what he’s gonna bring to the table,” Johnson continued. “He’s got a fundamental skill set. He’s got the ability to score the ball.”

Off the court, Henley is looking to study business marketing as a degree pursuit. Said the freshman of his first

semester in college, “A lot of people around me helped me adjust to school.”

ists is announced during NBA All-Star Weekend in February, many are hoping that the 1982 Cheyney University NCAA Final Four team is among that number.

The Cheyney squad, who played in the first-ever NCAA women’s national championship game, losing to Louisiana Tech 76-62, certainly have the credentials worthy of HOF consideration:

• First and only HBCU to compete in a Final Four and title game

• First and only HBCU to win an NCAA regional title and a trip to the Final Four

• Undefeated at home for four seasons

• Finished ranked No. 2 in the country, the highest national ranking ever for an HBCU basketball team

• 23-game win streak snapped in the finals, finishing 28-3

Delaware State Deputy Athletic Director Kyle Adams is among those pushing hard for that Cheyney State club to get its rightful place in history and fully recognized as such. According to him, “In 1982, 10 years after Title IX, an HBCU with an all-Black women’s coaching staff did the unthinkable.

“Vivian Stringer, Carlotta Shaffer and Ann Hill led Cheyney State to the NCAA Women’s Final Four title game

40 years ago. It’s time to tell their story,” Adams said. Other notables on the 2023 HOF nominees list include the 1976 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team, players Valerie Walker, Bob Love, Paul Silas and Yolanda Laney, contributors Will Robinson and Simon Gourdine, the NBA’s first Black deputy commissioner.

The Class of 2023 will be announced during the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four and will be officially enshrined in the Hall of Fame on August 12.

spokesman-recorder.com.

Will HOF honor Cheyney? When the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023 final-

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@

Cheyney State team, with C. Vivian Stringer coaching Courtesy of Twitter

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

BroolynLynk, a work readiness training program in Brooklyn Park that is designed to prepare young adults for employment in the Northwest suburbs, is now open for registration. Through this program, youth will learn the essential skills needed to successfully land a job and to navigate the workforce.

is free and open to youth looking to build and advance their professional skills. Young people who are looking to participate in the 2023 summer internships should register now.

more info, visit www.brooklynk.works or contact BrookLynk’s program coordinator Jolene Rotich at Jolene.Rotich@brooklynk.works.

Freshmen hoopsters step up for the Gophers

Instate freshmen bond as teammates, roomies

maya Battle at first glance seemingly has the best of worlds as a first-year college student: close to home and family, among other things.

“It’s definitely important because there’s times where I’ll just go home for a couple of

them a call and really see them,” admitted the 5-11 guard from Hopkins who starred at Hopkins High School.

She and fellow in-state freshmen Niamaya Holloway (Eden Prairie), Mallory Heyer (Chaska) and Mara Braun (Wayzata) arrived at Minnesota as a much-heralded recruiting class by fifth-year Gopher Coach Lindsay Whalen and staff.

Californian adapts to Minnesota winter, college hoops

he Christmastime winter storm that gripped most of the country, including Minnesota, was a new experience for Jaden Henley.

“It’s my first time actually meeting this type of weather,” admitted the Ontario, CA native during a phone interview—our scheduled in-person one-onone was shelved due to the weather. Henley is in his first

tion period. He made his collegiate debut Nov. 7 and played 23 minutes. Then four days later (Nov. 11) he led the Gophers with a 16-point performance.

“I think that’s one of the most exciting things about him is he really, really works,” Minnesota Coach Ben Johnson told the MSR when asked to briefly assess the guard/forward to date.

hours because I can, and it’s nice to have that, people who have helped me on and off the court grow as a person and player. I can just swing by, give

Furthermore, Battle, Braun and Heyer join redshirt frosh Katie Borowicz and soph Rose Micheaux as Minnesota’s current starting lineup with an average age of 19 years and four months. The Gophers are the only Big Ten team this season to start four freshmen thus far. Also, almost 64 percent of its scoring comes from this group.

At guard, Battle is proving to

year at Minnesota, leaving the West Coast state where he was a top prospect as a high schooler.

Because of injuries, the 6-7 Henley is unexpectedly seeing action early in his college career, getting a crash course in college hoops during his transi-

“He’s excited to be here every day. He loves to play. He loves to work on his game.

“He loves to be in the gym,” continued the second-year coach.

“He’s a sponge, a team-first guy, and he’s really developed and gotten better.”

Forced to adapt to the colder winter environment, Henley said, “I’m adjusted pretty well,” On college ball thus far, “It’s ■ See SOE on page 8

Fab Five 0f 2022

gustine Media Award for his coverage of the Division III conference. He was the first Black person to receive the honor.

his column highlights five important events that took place during 2022. Here is my 2022 Fab Five.

Charles Hallman: Minnesota Spokesman Recorder columnist and Minneapolis South High School assistant boys’ basketball coach

The year 2022 was a memorable one for this esteemed MSR columnist.

In April, Hallman was inducted into the US Basketball Writers of America (USBWA) Hall of Fame during the NCAA Women’s Final Four held at the Target Center. He was the first columnist from a Black newspaper publication to be inducted.

In October, Hallman was awarded the MIAC Mike Au-

A sports columnist for nearly four decades, Hallman was inducted last month into the Minneapolis South High School athletic Hall of Fame after serving as an assistant coach for the boys’ basketball team since 1995.

Tara Starks: Hopkins High School head girls’ basketball coach

Starks led the Royals to the Class AAAA girls’ basketball championship last March with a 72-56 victory over St. Michael Albertville.

Starks had an outstanding prep career at Minneapolis North during the mid-1990s before becoming one of the state’s top coaches in high school and AAU. She also led Hopkins to a No. 3 ranking nationally.

James Ware: Park Center High School head boys’ bas-

ketball coach Ware led the Pirates to the Class AAAA state boys’ basketball championship last March with a 58-53 victory over Wayzata.

Ware came on the Minnesota high school basketball scene as a junior guard/forward leading Hopkins High School to a Class AA (there was only Class A and Class AA competition at the time) state tournament runner-up finish in 1994.

Ware was an all-metro performer the following season who played collegiately at Colorado State and Texas Tech before assistant coaching stints at Minnesota, Utah State and Santa Clara.

Dawn Staley: University of South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Staley led the Gamecocks to the 2022 NCAA Division I women’s basketball champi-

onship

C. Vivian Stringer: Rutgers University women’s basketball coach

After 25 years as head coach, Stringer, already a Hall of Famer, was honored in December by having the court in Jersey Mike’s Arena named after her during a victory over Ohio State University.

Home for break

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

eing home for the first time as a college freshman is always special, especially during the student’s first winter break. It’s a time to reconnect with family and friends, not to mention enjoy some good oldfashioned home cooking.

James Spencer III (Lamar University) and Mouhamed Diawara (University of Sioux Falls) were among several old high school chums who braved the frigid temps to watch and support Gopher freshman and former Park Center High School teammate Braeden Carrington at a recent Minnesota contest at Williams Arena. The two spoke to the MSR during halftime of the contest against Chicago State Dec. 22.

“Everyone’s bigger,” admitted Diawara, a 6-5 defensive lineman at USF.

The 6-6 Spencer, who’s playing basketball at Lamar added, “It is way different from what I thought it would be. It’s better than I thought it would be.

“I’m enjoying everything, just learning as a freshman. I like the challenge. It has been great for me,” Spencer said.

Their former high school coach, Park Center’s James Ware, also was there, checking on his former player Carrington as well as spending time

with his former student-athletes.

On the 6-4 Carrington, a first-year guard, Ware said, “I’d like to see him defend a little better. I thought he defended as a high school player better than what I’m seeing as a college player.”

Nonetheless, Ware believed that Ben Johnson is the perfect coach for him. “I’m really excited for the Gophers to have [Carrington] here for four years. Once he settles in, I think people are gonna be really excited about what they see.”

Ware also was happy to see his former players such as Spencer and Diawara and said he’s very proud of them individually and collectively. “It just brings a huge smile on my face to see all these guys sticking together, coming together.”

Said Diawara, “We all dream to see all [of us] play at the college level. It is something great to see.”

“It’s honestly amazing to see how we all grew as people, where we are now and what we’re doing,” noted Spencer. “It’s cool that you can support your homies.”

Blessed with opportunity

Marqus McGlothan is in his first year as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Eastern Illinois. He was hired this past August.

Prior to EIU, McGlothan co-founded DTA (Development Through Athletics) Academy and was a successful AAU coach (North Tartan in Minnesota).

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the school year and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher freshmen Amaya Battle and Jaden Henley.

Amaya Battle

Courtesy of Twitter

■ See View on page 9

“It’s a really good connection that we all have with each other, and I really enjoy it.”

Jaden Henley

Courtesy U of M Athletic

“I’m always trying to get better.”

in April by defeating UCONN 64-49 for their second title at the Target Center.

Charles Hallman, MSR Hall of Fame columnist and South High School Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach and Hall of Fame inductee

Hopkins Girls’ Basketball Coach Tara Starks

Park Center Boys’ Basketball Coach James Ware

University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley

Rutgers University Women’s Basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

(l-r) Mouhamed Diawara, James Spencer III Photos by Charles Hallman

Eastern Illinois Asst WBB Coach Marqus McGlothan