— See Layer Up on pg. 7
PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 December 14-20, 2017 Vol. 84 No. 19 www.spokesman-recorder.com
2019 Final Four planners honor North Commons’ legacy By Charles Hallman Staff Writer
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orth Commons Park will soon have new basketball courts, thanks to the NCAA. The 25-plus acre site, located in North Minneapolis, was first purchased in 1907. The basketball goals and other playground equipment were installed there in 1908, and North Commons soon became one of the city’s most heavily used parks. The park was selected as part of the NCAA Legacy Restorations project, which is usually held in the host city of an NCAA championship event. NCAA.com says it is in conjunction with the host city Local Organizing Committees “to identify locations in the community in need of repairs and updating to provide residents with a safe, functional and attractive place to gather for
sports, wellness and recreational activities.” As a result, the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC) is working with the NCAA in hosting the 2019 Men’s Basketball Final Four. The MLOC includes the host institution University of Minnesota, Sports Minneapolis and Hall Elementary School Students in front. Adults standing in back (l-r): Kate Mortenson, JoAnn Scott, Gov. Mark Dayton, 2019 Men’s Basketball Committee Chair Bernard Muir, Dan Gavitt, Tyrize Cox Photos by Charles Hallman ■ See NCAA on page 5
Little things can mean a lot Especially to homeless people trying to work
Thomas continues, “it is ex- have groceries and a place hausting, and it is daunting. of your own. What we do is You don’t get to go home lift a couple of heavy burWhen people say, “Small every day and recharge dens on terms of getting things add up,” the nonprof- and get yourself organized back on that path and getit organization Small Sums, established in 2005, would agree. That insight is what informs their work helping hopeless people get and keep jobs by providing what some people might see as small things. Terre Thomas, executive director of Small Sums since 2013, says, “We aid…people who’ve experienced homelessness who have found a job and need some work items to take the job. Most typically we provide work shoes, work clothes, bus passes and tools if they are needed in their trade.” Thomas expects to help a little over 600 people this year. “We expect the number will go up to seven hundred Small Sums client (name unavailable) next year.” Photo courtesy Small Sums Focusing on gainful employment as a key factor in helping homeless individuals get out of their homeless situation, the sole purpose of Small Sums is to help homeless individuals who found have work and need items to start the new job, Thomas notes, “With our practical and timely assis- again, because you do not ting back to home.” Small Sums is located in tance that few other agencies have a place to call home. “If you are going to a shel- a small warehouse district provide, we remove obstacles that often prevent home- ter, often the shelters do not on University Avenue beless workers from being able open until 6, 7, 8 o’clock at tween Hamline and Lexto take a job.” The agency night. If you are about to get ington Avenues in St. Paul; provides work clothes and a job, that means that you however, they serve the enshoes, trade tools, profes- are probably up at about 5 tire seven-county area, and sional licenses or union dues, o’clock to get out the door, their location allows clients and bus passes so their cli- to catch the bus to get to easy access with the Green ents have a reliable way to work. So, it is exhausting Line light rail. About 50 perget to work every day until and daunting and expen- cent of Small Sums’ clients live in Minneapolis, about sive.” they receive a paycheck. According to Thomas, “Half of the clients are referred to us by other organizations that work with people [who] are poor or homeless. They work in food service, retail or customer service, warehouse and For people who are 40 percent in St. Paul. manufacturing, healthcare Where did the idea of and hospitality. They also homeless, Thomas said, Sums originate? work as general laborers and “there are also free meals. Small But you are eating out all construction workers. “When you are homeless,” the time because you do not ■ See LittLe thiNgs on page 5 By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer
“When you are homeless, finding work is exhausting and daunting. You don’t get to go home every day and recharge.”
Mpls Blacks find cause for hope in new MPD chief “As chief of police, it obviously comes with a great deal of responsibility,” said Arradondo. “With that responsibility, I have to be really foOn a typical December night in Minneapolis cused in making sure I lead this department to — low temperature and below-zero wind chills provide the best service to our communities free — the Urban League office at 2100 Plymouth Ave N. was filled with expressions of warmth and triumph as Northside residents celebrated and honored MPD Chief Medaria Arradondo. The Dec. 6 event was coordinated by the Urban League and the African American Leadership Forum (AALF). “We are in a unique moment of celebration and history, “said Urban League CEO and President Steve Belton, “to celebrate one of our own being elevated into this historic position for our community.” The celebratory mood was enhanced by smooth jazz from Trio Milie and a variety of finger-food treats. As Belton stated, this is a unique moment in Min- Chief Arradondo neapolis history as African Americans assume new positions of power and political office, including Jeremiah Ellison (son of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison) elected to the city council in North Minneapolis’ Fifth Ward, Phillipe Cunning- of discrimination, free of hate and free of biases.” The death of Justine Damond (with the ethham’s election to the council from the North Side’s Fourth Ward, and St. Paul’s first elected nic backgrounds of victim and police literally reBlack mayor Melvin Carter. Minneapolis ap- versed from previous incidents) has become the pointed Arradondo its 53rd police chief on Sep- third police shooting in the Twin Cities to gain tember 8, 2017, the city’s first Black chief in the national and global attention. “Not only do I recognize the history of policcity’s 150-year history. ing, I recognize what that history of policing has resulted in. Policing our country has not served African Americans. It was never intended to serve us. I use that history to make sure when I am directing the vision of our police department to keep that in the back of my mind.” Following the shooting and killing of Damond by a Minneapolis police officer, Mayor Betsy Hodges decided that Janee Harteau should step down as police chief and Arradondo would be her replacement. By Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writer
“I do not get a pass. You have to hold me accountable.”
Steve Belton, president and CEO Mpls. Urban League, standing at right
■ See Chief on page 5