Vol. 90
Inside this Edition...
Holiday and winter resources on page 9 & 10
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
December 14 - 20, 2023
No. 20
Lt. Gov. Flanagan details state’s efforts to support housing stability By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer t. Governor Peggy Flanagan became a homeowner roughly one month ago, after being a lifelong renter. What she described as a “tremendous undertaking” for her family is a similar journey that many Minnesotans are facing as they begin to navigate the homebuying process. With hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to homeownership programs and rental assistance, state leaders are traveling far and wide to highlight these initiatives aimed at helping individuals secure a home. Flanagan recently toured newly built townhomes in Northfield to highlight the significant housing investments being made in the state. The Spring Creek II project was made possible through investments from the 2019 legislative session and provides project-
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Minnesotans can invest in affordable housing development By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer
Individuals and corpora- ing Commissioner Jennifer tions can contribute $1,000 Ho. “This is a brand new and to $2 million to the fund, and unique opportunity for the innesotans may if eligible, receive a tax credit agency,” she said. “I’m excited be eligible for a tax certificate equaling 85 percent to see how individuals and credit of 85 percent of their total contribution. The companies are taking advanof the amount they contrib- fund will be administered by tage of this new opportunity ute to the Minnesota State Minnesota Housing with tax- to build new revenue units Housing Tax Credit (SHTC) payer contributions being the and homeownership opportuand Contribution Fund, as a only source of funding. nities across the state.” way to help finance affordable “We need as many solutions Developers are still able multifamily and single-family as possible. And this is one of to submit a project to be housing throughout the state. them,” said Minnesota Hous- ■ See MN HOUSING on page 5 The deadline to contribute is December 13. The fund has a limit of $11.6 million for 2023. Earlier this month, a coalition of legislators, affordable housing developers, and contributors came together at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to raise awareness and encourage taxpayers to contribute to Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan Photo by Chris Juhn the fund. Contributions can be made to specific projects or based voucher units for those mentum of housing investment. simply to the general pool, with “As we go into 2024, we funds allocated to various entiwith income restrictions. Referring to the Northfield town- need to continue to build on ties such as cities, developers, homes, Flanagan emphasized each session,” she said. “I think nonprofits, or federally recogthe need to continue the mo■ See FLANAGAN on page 5 nized American Indian tribes. Bimosaedaa rendering Courtesy Beacon Interfaith Housing
City may move elections HQ to former Third Precinct By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer n a snowy Saturday afternoon, a group composed mostly of Third Precinct residents gathered in the lobby of a church in South Minneapolis to discuss the future of public safety. As soon as the news that the city is considering relocating the Elections and Voter Services department from its headquarters in Southeast Minneapolis to the building that formerly housed the Third Precinct head- The current Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services headquarters at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. quarters, the group erupted in a Photos by H. Jiahong Pan collective groan. At a City Council Committee Third Precinct building, which In July, City Council mem- and Minnehaha Avenue. of the Whole meeting on De- was occupied by the Minneapo- bers voted 12-1 to never locate In addition to housing eleccember 5, city staff presented lis Police Department beginning the Third Precinct at that site tions equipment and staff, city their ideas on reusing the build- in 1984, remains vacant after it ever again. In November, coun- officials suggested housing aniing that formerly housed the was abandoned in May 2020, cil members voted 8-5 to locate mal control, an indoor farmers Third Precinct, located at the days after George Floyd was the Third Precinct headquarters market, or one of three public southwest corner of Lake Street murdered by former police of- in the Seward neighborhood, works facilities to address trafand Minnehaha Avenue. The ficer Derek Chauvin. four blocks away at 26th Street fic, water or job training. The
water and training facilities Property Services senior projwere to be built on the Roof ect manager Matt Hanan at the Depot site until state legislators meeting. Hanan added the site and local activists successfully has existing, convenient parkpressured the city to sell the ing and public transportation site to the community earlier access, and that the building this year. still has 25 percent of the site All the repurposed uses for space remaining to accommothe site, except for the election date community use. headquarters, were ruled out because of space constraints. In Lack of community engagement addition, the two parcels that Upon hearing the proposal comprise the Third Precinct site to house the city’s elections prioritize commercial, residen- headquarters at the former tial, institutional, public service, Third Precinct headquarters and “low-impact industrial” use. building, Ward 9 CouncilmemThe city recommended that ber Jason Chavez, who reprethe Third Precinct building be sents the area where the old repurposed as the new election precinct headquarters site was, headquarters, which is currently expressed his disappointment housed in three warehouses at that the community was not 980 E. Hennepin Avenue and engaged in making the decision. leased through 2029. “I think that we need to do en“It would eliminate approxi- gagement—real, authentic enmately $376,000 in annual gagement in this process. Not lease costs,” said Finance and ■ See 3RD PRECINCT on page 5
Smith Foundry under fire for ‘environmental racism’ By Cole Miska Contributing Writer n Saturday afternoon, December 9, around 50 activists gathered outside the Smith Foundry in Minneapolis’s Phillips neighborhood. The group called for the closing of the foundry, citing pollution concerns and the Environmental Control Agency’s (EPA) findings that the Smith Foundry violated the Federal Clean Air Act. The Climate Justice Committee organized the protest, and representatives from multiple local organizations, including labor, healthcare, environmental, and immigrants’ rights groups, showed up to show support. The Smith Foundry, which has been operating since 1923, sits across the street from the Roof Depot, where activists
had a victory earlier this year when they convinced the City of Minneapolis to sell the site to the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute to develop an urban farm. The East Phillips Neighborhood Institute is also part of the coalition fighting to have the Smith Foundry shut down. The Phillips neighborhood surrounding the foundry is racially diverse and is home to many immigrant communities, as well as the Little Earth housing project, a majority Native American community. Montana Hirsch of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Commission said the continued operation of the Smith Foundry in the neighborhood was “environmental racism.” “Many immigrants end up in this country due to forced migrations caused by [United States-backed] imperialist wars,
and it’s shameful that once in the U.S., many immigrants must live in neighborhoods that don’t have clean air and clean water,” Hirsch said. Nicole Mason, an organizer with the American Indian Movement, lives in the area and worries about her and her family’s health. She called a longlasting cough she’s had a “Smith Foundry Cough.” “[Smith Foundry] is putting all of our families in East Phillips and at Little Earth in high danger with their health,” Mason said. “And it’s really scary not to know what the pollution is doing to my family and not to have any control over it for myself.” Doug Gurian-Sherman is a Phillips resident who used to work as a risk assessor for the EPA. Gurian-Sherman was skeptical that any regulatory agencies would step in on their
Signs at a rally to close Smith Foundry
Photos by Chris Juhn
the expense of neighborhoods like East Phillips and Corcoran and all these surrounding neighborhoods.” Peter Molenaar worked at Smith Foundry for 30 years and agrees that the current facility should be shut down due to its location. He said he knows the
health consequences of the facility firsthand. “I’ve had mixed emotions because this place was a source of life. Also, it’s a source of death,” Molenaar said. Molenaar said he and other former foundry workers suffered ■ See FOUNDRY on page 5
own, saying he believed administrators at regulatory agencies were too friendly with manufacturing industries. “It’s not that science isn’t relevant. I think that’s important to understand,” Gurian-Sherman said. “The science is being abused, and it’s being abused at
2 December 14 - 20, 2023
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Activists accuse Hennepin County libraries of mistreatment Patrons say Black and Brown users are unfairly targeted
By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer
one of whom is a former library staffer. They gathered just over a year ago to protest what they Tezzaree El-Amin Champion believe is the Hennepin Coundoesn’t use the libraries any- ty Library’s unfair treatment of more because of a traumatic Black and Brown library users. The protest highlighted just experience he had while using the North Regional Library 10 one of those examples of unyears ago. fair treatment. On October 11, “We were young. We had a union members say they saw lot of energy. Were just a little a security guard grab a ninebit too loud and louder than year-old at the North Regional what they would like. And in- Library’s parking lot, forcibly de-
he didn’t have to “push him and hold him like that.” Hennepin County denies the guard detained the nineyear-old. Instead, they say the guard “put his hand on the youth’s shoulder.” They did not address the security guard taunting witnesses because they had not seen the video, but expect staff to address patrons respectfully. Activists say how the li-
no cops and more social workers, youth workers, harm reduction specialists and food. “We want people to be able to meet their basic needs in this space. [Libraries] may be the only warm public spaces [people can go to in the winter],” said Erin Bogle, a former librarian who helped found the Library Patrons Union. Since the Library Patrons Union started, the county’s libraries have made strides in improving how they respond to behaviors the library considers unwelcome. As of August, library staff are now able to learn how to use Narcan, the drug that reverses opioid overdoses. The county says the policy change is Tezzaree El-Amin Champion writes a message on the sidewalk not connected to efforts by the about what libraries should do. Photos by H. Jiahong Pan Library Patrons Union. Moving forward, the Library how many people have been experience trainings and devel- Patrons Union plans to fight for ousted from Hennepin County opment trainings,” said Crystal more money for the county’s libraries for trespassing, as Colbert-Brown, a Northside libraries, as well as to revise the library considers the avail- resident whose nine- and the trespass policy “so that it able data not subject to public 12-year-old children use the serves folks,” said Bogle. Transparency is another review according to state law. library. “For example, what is expect- concern of Bogle and the LPU. Freelance journalist Tony Webster is suing Hennepin County ed of kids, because kids aren’t “I put in a request last Septemfor access to the data, main- going to be quiet all the time,” ber for trespass data, and it taining that the county library said Colbert-Brown. “Part of took me an entire year of goDemonstrators gather in front of the North Regional Library to protest unfair treatment of Black youth. trespass data is not subject the reason they go to the li- ing downtown sitting at a table to data-security provisions in brary is so that they can be with a security guard a couple feet behind me taking photos state law. themselves.” stead of [the librarians] saying, taining the youth. The nine-year- brary treats Black and Brown Activists instead want to As Colbert-Brown talked, ac- of PDFs on a computer.” ‘Hey, you guys need to lower old had been barred twice from patrons is a problem. The con- see libraries provide services tivists began writing with chalk your voice,’ it was, like, ‘Hey, the library for assaulting staff versations LPU members and that address the root causes of on the sidewalk around the liH. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader you gotta leave the library,’” and vandalizing patrons’ vehicles. the MSR have witnessed often troublemaking that happens at brary outlining their demands. comments at hpan@spokesmansaid El-Amin Champion as he In video footage obtained by amount to directives issued by a library. “[They] need human Some of the demands included recorder.com. happened upon a protest at the MSR from someone who security, with security officers issuing trespass orders should patrons attempt to ask why they are being disciplined and forced to leave the library. A county spokesperson said their security officers are supposed to “have conversations” about the county’s trespass policy North Regional Library at 1315 happened to be at the North with patrons and explain what Lowry Ave. North on Saturday, Regional Library shortly after policies they are violating, beDecember 2. “That was such a the incident unfolded, the se- fore evicting them for trespasstraumatic experience for me.” curity guard, a Black man, ap- ing as a last resort. The rally El-Amin Champion pears to later taunt witnesses Activists say the Hennehappened upon was being held who confront him for his be- pin County Library issues user by the Library Patrons Union havior. “What you gonna do trespass orders at least once (LPU), a group of leftist Min- about it?” said the guard in re- a day. The MSR has been unneapolis library users, at least sponse to a youth who told him able to independently verify
“Libraries may be the only warm public spaces people can go to in the winter.”
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Health
4 December 14 - 20, 2023
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Officials find encouraging surge in life expectancy among Black Americans By Stacy M. Brown The latest findings on life expectancy in the United States from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) underscored a noteworthy upswing for the African American population in 2022. With the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, the NCHS has highlighted the positive strides in health outcomes, particularly for Black Americans. The comprehensive report utilizes provisional vital statistics data for 2022, providing crucial insights into the nation’s health landscape. Notably, life expectancy at birth for the entire U.S. population increased, reaching 77.5 years in 2022—a significant rise of 1.1 years from the preceding year. The positive trend is reflected in both genders, with males experiencing a 1.3-year increase (74.8 years) and females seeing a rise of 0.9 years
(80.2 years). The report also highlighted the marked improvement in life expectancy for the Black non-Hispanic population. The data indicated a substantial increase of 1.6 years, elevating life expectancy from 71.2 in 2021 to 72.8 in 2022. Health officials said that represents a step towards narrowing historical disparities but also signals a promising shift in health outcomes for Black Americans. The report attributed a significant portion (84.2%) of the overall increase in life expectancy to decreases in mortality due to COVID-19. Other contributors include reductions in mortality related to heart disease (3.6%), unintentional injuries (2.6%), cancer (2.2%), and homicide (1.5%). However, the gains could have been more pronounced if not for counterbalancing increases in mortality due to influenza and pneumo-
“COVID remains with us and continues to put people in the hospital, and have a substantial mortality rate associated with it, particularly among older people and people who are immunocompromised,” Schaffner said. Schaffner added that the lingering effects of the pandemic and other health challenges serve as a reminder for the United States to continue its comprehensive childhood vaccination program, which typically requires children to be immunized before attending school. “And now we have a slow erosion of that, with increasing vaccine skepticism and more and more parents withholding nia (25.5%), perinatal condi- pectancy doesn’t fully offset 2021 (5.5 years) to 2022 (4.7). their children from compre“There appears to have been hensive vaccination,” Schaffner tions (21.5%), kidney disease the 2.4-year loss observed be(13.0%), nutritional deficien- tween 2019 and 2021 due to some recovery from Covid, said. “We don’t want to erode but we still have a way to go,” these very successful prevencies (12.6%), and congenital the COVID-19 pandemic. Racial and ethnic disparities William Schaffner, an infec- tive health initiatives.” malformations (5.9%). While the report paints an persist, with the White non- tious disease physician at the optimistic picture of health Hispanic advantage over the Vanderbilt University School Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA improvements, it emphasizes Black non-Hispanic popula- of Medicine, told the Wash- Newswire senior national correthat the upswing in life ex- tion decreasing by 14.5% from ington Post. spondent.
The upswing in life expectancy doesn’t fully offset the 2.4-year loss observed between 2019 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AG Keith Ellison charges three in largest-ever Medicaid fraud prosecution By MSR News Service
was convicted of Medicaid fraud, ordered to repay the Minnesota Attorney Gen- State $77,000, and barred from eral Keith Ellison recently working with any Medicaidannounced the largest-ever funded agency. Following his Medicaid fraud prosecution conviction, other agencies opby his office, charging three erated by Said billed the Medicindividuals with defrauding the aid program for providing both Minnesota Medical Assistance home and community-based (Medicaid) program of nearly waivered services and personal $11 million. care assistant (PCA) services.
documented in employee This case resulted from a coltimesheets, and for PCA ser- laboration between the MFCU vices that were not supervised in the Office of Minnesota Atby a qualified professional (as torney General Keith Ellison required by Minnesota law). and the Department of Health Often these findings re- and Human Services’ Office sulted from workers or clients of Inspector General (DHHS/ who said they did not receive OIG), with support from the any services from the agencies, Minnesota Commerce Fraud despite the agencies billing for services provided to them.
“Minnesotans trying to afford their lives have a right to expect that every one of their tax dollars will be put to use properly.” Abdirashid Ismail Said, 48, the principal actor, faces multiple charges, including racketeering, theft by swindle, and perjury for operating three Medicaid-funded home healthcare agencies. Said’s alleged co-conspirators, Ali Abdirizak Ahmed, 37, and Said Awil Ibrahim, 24, are also charged in Hennepin County District Court with racketeering and aiding and abetting theft by swindle. “Minnesotans who receive Medical Assistance have a right to expect that they’ll receive all the care, dignity, and respect they’re entitled to,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Minnesotans trying to afford their lives have a right to expect that every one of their tax dollars will be put to use properly. “People who commit Medicaid fraud violate both of those rights. My office is working aggressively to hold them accountable and will keep doing so.” In 2022, Said
Faym, owned by Ahmed, and Prestige, owned by Ibrahim, billed the Medicaid program for providing home and community-based waivered services. Minnesota Home billed the Medicaid program for providing PCA services. MFCU Investigators interviewed a designated coordinator and manager at Faym who admitted that she created fraudulent documentation for both recipients and workers at the agencies. She further stated that Said and his co-conspirators knew the documentation was fraudulent, and that she was paid to create it. Based on the fraudulent documentation reviewed and the designated coordinator’s statements, MFCU investigators determined that Faym was paid over $4.6 million for services based on this fraudulent documentation. The investigation also found that the agencies routinely billed for services not provided at all, for more services than
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MFCU investigators MGN found that, between all of the agencies, Said and his coconspirators billed $997,000 for recipients who denied receiving services, overbilled for over $300,000, and billed over $5.8 million for services that were not documented or were fraudulently documented. From May 2019 to May 2023, the three owners and their agencies often wrote large checks and transferred funds between each other without any legitimate business purpose. Furthermore, during a probation violation hearing related to his prior conviction, Said testified under oath that he did not have any ownership, management, employee or contractor role at any of the agencies. Based on the voluminous digital evidence, including frequent text messages from Said to the agency owners, employees, or clients about Medicaid-funded services, these statements were false. Four other people have been previously charged as part of this investigation. Additional charges are expected against other individuals, including owners and employees of other agencies, as the investigation continues.
Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Forensic Lab. “Individuals who seek illicit gains from Medicaid do so to the detriment of those beneficiaries who rely on the continued solvency and integrity of these vital federal health care
programs,” said Mario M. Pinto, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Information provided in part by the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
December 14 - 20, 2023
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FLANAGAN
Continued from page 1
based on this past legislative session, we are going to see a pretty significant increase in the housing that’s available for folks. But it’s not going to come online right away.” This past spring, Governor Tim Walz signed the $1.065 billion housing omnibus bill, making it the largest single investment in housing in Minnesota’s history. An additional $250 million from other legislation going to housing brings the total to $1.313 billion. An estimated $625 million will go to existing programs with $440 million going toward new programs and initiatives. Roughly half of the funding is geared toward homeownership and rental development. Largest investment in housing While this is the state’s largest investment in housing, Flanagan shared that these resources must be fully utilized, if these programs are to be offered again in the future. “I think the best way for us to make the case for additional
funding going forward is that we see that people are taking advantage of what is available to them. And that we’re seeing changes in the home ownership gap,” she said.
“Access to affordable housing is an issue in the urban core, in the suburbs, and in greater Minnesota. It just might look a little bit different depending on where you are.” Flanagan is scheduled to visit more housing developments across the state to assess the progress of past projects selected for funding. On December 15, Flanagan and Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho will announce the 2023 housing project selections. Last year’s funding selections totaled over
MN HOUSING
$160 million and supported the creation and preservation of roughly 2,100 homes, apartments, and lots. Flanagan will also travel to Duluth on December 19, to visit projects selected in previous years. She plans to evaluate the progress, speak to residents, and discuss their needs. Despite the fact that Minnesotans in the metro and greater regions have differing needs, they often prioritize the same issues close to home.
for Minnesotans. These considerations are important to state officials as they plan to make the state a place to find a suitable home to raise the next generation of Minnesotans. “The ways that we have approached policymaking or investments in our budget has really been [that] we want Minnesota to be the best place to raise a child,” Flanagan said. While the focus on housing investment has been on rental assistance and pathways to homeownership, there has Statewide priority “I’d say housing and childcare been additional work in the are the two things that I hear legislature aimed at creating most about, regardless of where renter protections. I am in the state,” Flanagan stated. “Access to affordable hous- Increasing protection for ing is an issue in the urban core, renters in the suburbs, [and] in greater The Judiciary and Public Minnesota. It just might look a Safety Bill created a 14-day nolittle bit different depending on tice requirement for landlords, where you are.” prior to filing for an eviction. It No matter where an individu- also provides residents of pubal may reside, the state’s aim has lic housing a right to counsel been to take a holistic approach in breach-of-lease proceedby putting housing in the context ings. Although these legislative of everyday life. Transportation, changes help protect renters, education, and job opportuni- Flanagan believes that more ties are some factors utilized to can be done. “One of the things that didn’t create a broader picture of what housing development looks like get done last session that I think
is important is making sure that you can’t be discriminated against if you have a Section 8 housing voucher,” she said. Flanagan called on those with Section 8 housing vouchers to help make the case for further protections. She pointed to members of the Hmong and Somali communities who had long advocated for development of affordable housing that would accommodate larger families. “It’s something that we’ve heard consistently from the Somali community that we need to have access to giving these grants to folks who are building appropriate housing that meets the needs of families,” Flanagan stated. The administration created a $10 million fee-based home-purchasing program to incentivize homeownership development for interestaverse buyers. Since Muslims are forbidden to engage in interest-bearing loans, they’ve long been unable to buy homes. “I am eager to see the results of that and to be able to do more there because I think it is a significant piece of the homeownership gap when 90 percent of the Muslim community
gram as a unique opportunity early 2025.” Kevin Walker of Beacon Into get more people involved in providing affordable housing terfaith Housing Collaborative is options. also focused on helping people “Folks often ask us, ‘How can facing housing insecurity. The colwe get involved? How do we laborative has two developments assist you in this process?’ We eligible for funding through the say, if you can volunteer with program and both aim to support us, that’s always a great op- individuals and families in search portunity. But this is a way that of stable housing. The first development, Bifolks can contribute monetarily in a way without having to con- mosaedaa, is located in downtribute thousands of dollars.” town Minneapolis and will Kuria is seeking to secure house 48 individuals, primarily financing for Serenity Town- of Indigenous backgrounds, houses, a development project who have experienced chronin partnership with the Rondo ic homelessness. The name for community. the development came from “We are in our funding stages the Ojibwe language, meaning lion. The second project he shared was Nellie Francis Court right now and hopefully receive ‘let’s walk together.’ “We’re partnering with Red at Highland Bridge, which funding for most of our sources would be dedicated to women this year going into early next Lake Nation and Avivo to proyear,” she said. “If all goes well, duce this project and provide coming out of homelessness. Joanne Kuria of Amani Con- we’ll hopefully close in summer supportive services to the resstruction and Development and either break ground in and idents that we will serve at that described the tax credit pro- towards the end of 2024, or in building,” he said. “We expect
is renting,” Flanagan said. Investing in housing stability The state’s housing investment is also aimed at supporting Minnesotans facing eviction or at risk of homelessness by allocating tens of millions of dollars towards funds dedicated to housing stability. The $120 million in funds for the Family Homeless Prevention program helps provide families with assistance on first or last month’s rent. In addition, Flanagan outlined the importance of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, an initiative involving several of Minnesota’s state agencies, aimed at eliminating barriers to housing. “It’s all grounded in health justice, housing justice, and racial justice and it’s probably the first time that the word justice has been embedded in policy documents for the state,” she said. “It has really challenged us to remove a lot of those silos between agencies, making sure that people are working together.” Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.
and discuss their development projects that were eligible for Continued from page 1 the contribution fund. Paul Williams, president considered as a part of the and CEO of Project for Pride Designated Contributions, but in Living, emphasized that the the project “must result in new best way to address the houshousing units or fund the re- ing shortage is a collaborative habilitation of existing housing units.” Funds can be used to finance a variety of aspects including demolition, acquisition, rehabilitation, or affordability gap financing of single-family homeownership projects. “Evictions are on the rise. Family homelessness is on the rise,” said Rep. Mike Howard (D-Richfield), at the December approach. “This is an all-hands1 press conference. “Underlying on-deck situation that we’re all of this is one of the nation’s facing,” he stated. “It’s not just worst housing shortages, es- gonna fall to the government pecially for Minnesotans at the to solve this.” lowest income level,” he said. Williams referred to two A number of developers projects eligible for the contriwere also present to showcase bution fund. The first, Oppor-
tunity Crossing on Lake and Nicollet, would revitalize the area struck by the civil unrest in 2020, following George Floyd’s murder. It would be a mixeduse building with businesses and 110 units of housing with an estimated cost of $60 mil-
where the old Roberts Shoe 3RD PRECINCT Store building once stood at the
where they have to be desper- be distributed among Third Preate, and they have to survive,” cinct residents. said Evans. The Confluence Studio rejects funding from city and state governments because “The community they say the city has done has not said that harm to the communities they they want this site are trying to help. “They say one thing, and they do the for Elections and complete other thing,” said Voter Services.” Gould. “The way they go about it proved to be historically and As for ensuring people feel cumulatively detrimental or safe from being victimized, incredibly violent or abusive Lauren Evans (left, in mask), collaborates with other partici“People would be knowledge- towards people’s lives in large pants to develop a city budget using Legos. able if they need to use some and small ways. “They’ve disregarded us for a to envision how their ideal Min- not believe the city needs any defense measures. [Using] neapolis city budget looked like. form of policing. Evans, who is weapons like firearms is still very, very long time.” Ideas that percolated from Black, believes the city needs up in the air for me,” said Evans, The Confluence Studio’s participants, 75 percent of to be intentional about how it who added that police exist to People’s Assemblies meets whom were Third Precinct resi- addresses those who are un- protect property. In addition to facilitating every second Saturday of the dents, included divesting from housed and addicted to subpolicing and investing in public stances, instead of punishing community discussions, they month at 3 p.m. at New City are also starting an online chat Church, 3104 16th Ave. S. Visit housing, harm reduction, public them. transportation, holistic health, “I would really hope that they room that can only be accessed confluence-studio.org for more and a number to call should would really consider putting by Third Precinct residents after information. they need someone to mediate more resources into making an they are vetted by a member of H. Jiahong Pan welcomes a dispute. infrastructure that takes care of the chat room community. They One of those Third Precinct people, rather than continuous- also plan to launch a print news- reader comments at hpan@ residents, Lauren Evans, does ly puts people in these positions paper called “Paper Internet” to spokesman-recorder.com.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck situation that we’re facing. It’s not just gonna fall to the government to solve this.”
Continued from page 1
say, ‘What are you going to use 25 percent of the building for,’” said Chavez. “The community has not said that they want this [site] for Elections and Voter Services.” The city plans to begin community engagement about using the remaining 25 percent of the former Third Precinct headquarters on January 24. Meanwhile, two artists and community organizers are working together to engage the community about the future of public safety, particularly concerning plans for the former Third Precinct headquarters. Third Precinct residents Sam Gould and Duaba Unenra lead the Confluence Studio, a group of artists and organizers. Originally a nonprofit that was organized to engage community members over what should be done with a vacant parcel
northwest corner of Chicago and Lake, they have been supporting and training community members to facilitate conversations around public safety since May of this year. “We’re using the Third Precinct as a bridge to talk about what [the future of public safety] could be,” said Gould as he took a break from facilitating a discussion at the December assembly. “[We want to create] platforms for people to feel they have agency to have conversations about the future of their own lives.” Conversations about Third Precinct site These conversations are often big-picture discussions about what makes participants feel safe. Over the summer, they hosted a barbecue. An exercise Gould facilitated at an assembly earlier this month asked participants to play with Legos
FOUNDRY
the positive health effects less pollution would have on the neighborhood. “We get to see the actual devastation that has been brought on by the Smith Foundry, not just currently but for generations. And every year when more exposure to this air pollution stacks on our old wounds, where do we end up then? We end up a statistic,” Lopez said. At press time, the Smith Foundry had not responded to requests for comment.
Continued from page 1 from silicosis, where particulate matter from quartz crystals accumulates in the lungs. He says three former coworkers have passed away from cancer, which he believes was likely caused by working in the foundry. Toya Lopez, a member of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, says workers are not the only ones impacted by pollution, but the whole neighborhood. Lopez called shutting the foundry down “preventative medicine” due to
Nicole Mason, American Indian Movement
Cole Miska welcomes reader comments at cmiska@spokesman-recorder.com.
to actually have our first resident moved into the building towards the end of this month, and then we should have it fully occupied by next spring.” In case the fund reaches its limit or certain projects are funded beyond their goals, Commissioner Ho said that Minnesota Housing would create housing arrangements to allocate funding elsewhere. “In the event that we get more contributions than the law allows for in 2023, and I certainly hope that happens, we’ll talk to the people that want to make those contributions and see if they want to roll that contribution into the next year,” she said. Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.
“I’ve had mixed emotions because this place was a source of life. Also, it’s a source of death.”
6 December 14 - 20, 2023
Business
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A company dedicated to providing curated self-care experiences
FlowEsScents
Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Chris Juhn Staff Contributor “I’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit because my grandfather was an entrepreneur. Even as a kid, I always knew that I wanted to have my own business,” said 45-year-old Shontelle Flowers, who launched her candle and skincare line FlowEsScents in 2016, a brand that focuses on helping women create self-care experiences that help them de-stress, relax, elevate their mood and find their peace. “As I got older and started to branch out, I started to realize that my passion was truly candles and skin care, because I’ve always been enamored with the beauty industry. That’s when I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur.”
of finding peace wherever you are, especially at home. During COVID, a lot of us were at home. We couldn’t leave. There was so much going on politically and socially. It was really important for us to find peace and to use the tools we had around us to find that peace. And candles, in
were fragrance events where biggest challenge in owning people make their own per- a business? fumes. SF: Time. One of the challenges of owning a business MSR: What would you consid- is working a full-time job, goer your best-selling product? ing to school for my doctorSF: The biggest seller is Co- ate, and then also running a conut Peach. That’s everyone’s business. Time management
MSR: Why did you decide to make candles for your business? SF: I was working as an IT business analyst, which is a very stressful job. I was the only Black woman on my team. I felt like I was left out, like I wasn’t part of the conversations that were happening around me. I’d leave work feeling stressed out and a little defeated. One day, one of my family members went to a candle-making class and she showed me a candle she’d made. That was the moment for me when I was like, ‘That’s what I really need to focus on because I love candles.’ So, I bought a candle-making kit and then I started making candles, did it as a hobby to see if that was something I wanted to turn into a business. I started handing out my can- Flowesscents owner, Shontelle Flowers Photos by Chris Juhn dles as gifts to family members and coworkers. About a year after that I decided to turn it my opinion, was one of those favorite. Even people who say is essential when it comes to ways. into a legitimate business. they don’t like a fruity or coco- owning your business. If I don’t A lot of people said they nut smell, they’re like, “Wow, have good time management use them to de-stress, to relax, I didn’t expect it to smell like I’m all over the place. I feel MSR: How does your business impact the community? whether it was working from that. I love it.” So that’s my top overwhelmed. SF: My business impacts home or school. I also host seller. the community because I re- events that bring the commuMSR: What has been the ally home in on the importance nity together. These events MSR: What has been your most rewarding part of own-
ing your business? SF: The most rewarding part of owning my business is building a community of customers. I like to call them my tribe, my community, and my people. I treat them like family. I treat every customer like they are family. I appreciate everything that they’ve poured into me. I appreciate the people who have been with me since 2016. The most rewarding part is how people respond: “Hey, I got my candles. They smell so good. I’m burning my candle now and I feel so relaxed, I feel so happy. I gave one of my candles to one of my friends or one of my kids took my candle because they felt it smelled good. And now I have to buy another one.”
preneur? SF: I would say do research. Research your industry and make sure it’s something that you really, really want to do. Do some self-awareness and some introspection to determine if owning a business is something you want to do. It’s not as pretty as a lot of the things we see on social media. Be open to being taught things from other people who have been in the business, because we don’t know everything.
MSR: What would you like to add? SF: In business, a lot of times we see people on social media who are doing what we do. They may have started after us, or before us, or whenever. We see them at a level that we want to be, and we start to say, “What is it that I’m doing wrong? Or what are they doing that I’m not on that level?” I would say don’t compare yourself to what you see other people doing. Run your own race. It’s your journey. And your journey is your journey and not anybody else’s. No matter where you start, it’s about how you finish and what you’re doing in the proMSR: What does success cess to make yourself better. look like for you? Make your product better to SF: I want to see my busi- serve the people that you ness grow. I want to eventually want to buy your products. have a brick-and-mortar store You want to make sure that where people can come in and you’re serving them and not curate their own fragrances just selling. and teach people about fraFor more information, visit grance. How it impacts us, our mood, our body chemistry, www.flowesscents.com. and how it makes us feel. Chris Juhn welcomes reader comments at cjuhn@spokesMSR: What advice would you give to an aspiring entre- man-recorder.com.
“Don’t compare yourself to what you see other people doing. Run your own race. It’s your journey.”
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December 14 - 20, 2023
Arts & Culture
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7
“The Niagara Movement”: a documentary on the early battle for civil rights
Unique, ique, Unique, Unique, local local local local ent ntent content content from from from the the from thethe Unique, local an rican African American African American American American content from the mmunity's community's community's community's African American community's (l-r) Booker T. Washington and Niagara Movement leaders Monroe Trotter and W.E.B. DuBois
Courtesy of WNED Buffalo Toronto Public Media
By Nadine Mathews Contributing Writer
The Du Bois and Trotter-led right now.” ton on the other, to secure civil franchisement, and a position Using historical documents rights for Blacks in America. of subservience to Whites in Niagara Movement challenged Speaking to the Minne- the hopes that eventually they injustice in the courts and and commentary by historians, challenged racist caricatures sociologists and biographers, The Niagara Movement, sota Spokesman Recorder, would come around. Hott explained, “At first, in the media by direct protest Hott crafts an incisive look at formed in 1905 by philoso- Hott, who came to filmmaking pher and activist W.E.B. Du through his activism and his people like DuBois accepted it. such as the campaign against the evolution of American civil Bois and businessman William friendship with famed film- But things get worse, and they the White supremacist film rights, the overwhelming influMonroe Trotter, was named maker Ken Burns, stated, “It say this kind of subservience, “The Birth of a Nation,” and by ence Washington possessed, for the Niagara Falls location was an era of terror, and the keeping our heads down, and creating alternative narratives. and the specific strategies used Trotter co-founded the to challenge White supremacy. of the first meeting and the Niagara Movement was try- we’re still being terrorized and The film also includes sear“mighty current” of protest on ing to coalesce and bring the lynched? We have to mobilize.” newspaper the Boston Guardwhole country together.” ing archival images. “We which they would embark. During Reconstruction, 15 thought we’d have to rely on Both were African American Using historical documents and reenactments,” Hott stated, Harvard graduates born and African Americans served in “but we found that there were raised in Massachusetts who the House of Representatives commentary by historians, plenty of visuals such as the were horrified at the increase and two in the Senate. In adpostcards of lynchings.” in violence against Blacks, the dition, there were two Black sociologists and biographers, Though the film was comracist portrayals of Blacks in governors. Roughly 1,500 the news and other media, and Blacks were serving in state missioned by a Black television Hott crafts an incisive look at the the use of laws to retrench legislatures until 1900 when executive, Hott, who is White, evolution of American civil rights. wanted to ensure he handled Black rights at the dawn of the the terror campaign waged by 20th century. racist Whites against Blacks’ the subject with as much care Directed by veteran film- socio-political progress maand respect as possible. “I Hott knew of Washington ian with an editorial bent in knew that you had to involve maker Lawrence Hott, the new tured into the Jim Crow Era documentary “The Niagara that almost completely disen- as a revered historical fig- direct opposition to Washing- the community. I called the AfMovement: The Early Battle franchised Black Americans. ure, but in making the film he ton’s policies. “I didn’t know rican American Studies departfor Civil Rights” is now stream“The Niagara Movement is learned that he was a complex how prevalent and important ment at the U. of Massachume: Name: Name: Name: ing on Buffalo Toronto Public Name:important because we have to figure. “I was surprised to find the Black Press was at the setts. I contacted the DuBois Media’s YouTube Channel, the have some understanding of out just how controversial a time,” said Hott. “One of the Center, where I knew people ddress: Address: Address: what’s come before to under- figure he was,” said Hott. things that angered Trotter on the board. PBS app,Address: and theniagaramoveAddress: Washington also had pow- and Du Bois was how much “I also wanted my crew to ment.org. stand what’s happening now,” y/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: It chronicles the struggle stated Hott. erful White financial backers. power Booker T. Washington reflect my community, such City/State/Zip: between Du Bois and Monroe Washington, a Southerner “People like [Andrew] Carnegie had over the Black Press. Look as our cinematographer, comon one side, and educator and and former slave, urged Blacks were giving millions to Booker at Rupert Murdoch and the poser, and associate producer.” one: Phone: Phone: Phone: Email Email Address: Email Address: Email Address: Address: Phone:to accept segregation, disen- T. Washington,” Email Address: spokesman Booker T. Washingexplained Hott. press. We have that parallel Hott also got Black activists as
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contributors to the film. “We needed contemporary Black activists in the film to just place [the story] in history…” The Niagara Movement” also demonstrates the clear throughline between the Niagara Movement, the formation of the NAACP in 1909, and the Civil Rights Movement of the late 20th century. Over two centuries of disenfranchisement had left the African American community without a capital base. The Niagara Movement was ultimately unable to fund its initiatives and sustain itself. It dissolved in 1908, morphing into the NAACP, which was heavily funded by Whites. The new organization adopted the Niagara Movement’s strategies of organizing nationally and using the legal system to confront racial discrimination. “The Niagara Movement” documentary will be distributed nationally by American Public Television in February 2024. Nadine Matthews welcomes readers’ comments to nmatthews@spokesman-recorder.com.
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by YASMINA REZA translated by CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON directed by KIMBERLY SENIOR
8 December 14 - 20, 2023
Opinion
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PERSPECTIVES FROM WITHIN
“Save Christmas” using early release laws By Jasmine Jones On August 5, 2023, Jasmine Jones, an inmate at Shakopee prison, wrote the following letter to Minnesota DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell requesting release five months before her prison term would end. He responded by denying her early release.
by my family • Graduated from the prison fellowship academy in 2018, a program proven to reduce recidivism • Trained conflict coach (2016-2019) • Graduate of mentor for prison fellowship academy (2018-2020) • Women Healing from Trauma completed 2023 • Organized restorative hat donation to Children’s Hospital cancer floor • Victim impact class 2017 • Women of Wellness (2016 and 2023)
I hope all is well with you. My name is Jasmine Jones, I am in Shakopee Women’s Prison. I am asking to be released from prison by the MRRA law which has now gone into effect. In 2016, I was sentenced to 144 months—serving 96 months in incarceration and the remainI have der on parole. I have currently met the served 91 months in prison. I have been productive and expectations committed to bettering myself of the MRRA law here in Shakopee prison. Listand I am asking ed below are goals I have set and achieved: to be released. • Spark and Stitch parentWhile incarcerated, I was ing courses 2023 first disciplined around 2020. • Bachelor of Arts in ComI have taken action to correct munication minor Business my poor choices, which has Administration, Ashland helped me remain punishment University 2021 against religion even being end. Those being beaten were • Associate of Arts, Ashland free. I have met the expectamentioned outside of calls for not loving the people beating University 2020 tions of the MRRA law (Minnea National Day of Prayer when them, but they were not giving • Paralegal Diploma, Black- sota Rehabilitation and Reindisaster strikes, because of the desired response to justify stone Career Institute 2020, vestment Act) and I am asking false assumptions about the the continuation of the inhu- correspondence course paid to be released. I have a Mnseparation of church and state, mane treatment they were the reality is that prayer and receiving. prayer gatherings where peoWe spread the love by dople pray one for another offset ing what Jesus did when he violent responses to acts of said, “Father forgive them, for hate and harm from others en- they know not what they are doing.” Sometimes “forgivgaged in such conduct. The Civil Rights demonstra- ing” is harder than fighting. By Dr. Stephanie Myers in schools and organizations. tions. in which we saw peace- The solution is encouraging These Peace Circles provided ful gatherings met with dogs the development of personal So far in 2023, the Gun adults and children with foand high-pressure water hoses reflections on the harm and Violence Archive reports rums where they were able to inhumanity that is inflicted on that there have been at least honestly express anger, interothers when we respond in ha- 35,275 people who have died act with peers, analyze their tred to that which either we do from gun violence this year, moods, and to find ways to not understand, dislike, or fear and 50 percent were suicides. resolve conflicts without viobecause of the difference we However, despite Black Wom- lence or suicide. see in someone else. This year, we engaged over en for Positive Change’s 12 Yes, it takes more to “Stop years of outreach to governors, 3,400 adults and children in 84 the Hate and Spread the Love” members of Congress, mayors activities, including peace cirthan just saying it. It takes and national leaders, there has cles, in 15 U.S. states and eight self-examination as to how we been very little response to overseas countries. Children want others to treat us and efforts to start a violence pre- in elementary schools in South realizing we must give that vention movement. Korea, Pittsburgh, Houston, same treatment and respect In September, President Texas, Ivory Coast and Nigeria because the objects of our Joe Biden created the Office opened nonjudgmental diathoughts are just as human as of Violence Prevention, which logues about anger they were we are. with Congress members Gwen feeling and how to resolve it.
It takes more to “Stop the Hate” than saying the words By John E. Warren “Stop the Hate, Spread the Love” are powerful words that convey the idea that we all should be able to get along. But the reality is that it takes more than just words to bring about the desired change in so much of our national attitudes and consciousness. We know that hate is rooted in the idea that the person or persons or groups hating are “better” than the objects of their hate, and that those who are the objects of such hate must first be dehumanized to justify the less-than-human feelings and attitudes against them. Perhaps the answer has always been just in the mirror as we look at ourselves. One of the two golden rules that Jesus taught carries the answer. Simply that “We should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” Another way of stating this is that we should treat others as we would have them treat us. How many people do we know who actually hate themselves? We know that some do and that those have been diagnosed with mental problems. While many people argue
STARR low recidivism score. Before I was incarcerated, I was a salon manager. I plan to pursue the same career and have an employer willing to hire me at Great Clips. I have a place to live while I am on parole. My brother just recently passed away. My parents are struggling with grief and my children need me at home as soon as possible. With my college degrees, parenting classes, and life skills as well as mental health cases, I will be an asset to my community. Thank you for your time. As part of its Home for Good campaign, the Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee organized a rally on Sunday, December 10, to urge the DOC commissioner to give 2,000 men and women, largely parents, a path home now, or by the next holiday season. Home for Good is a campaign of the Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC), a union of prisoners and loved ones working to end mass incarceration in Minnesota. Learn more at homeforgoodmn. org or see posts at facebook. com/tciwoc.
Changing the culture of violence
The reality is that it takes more than just words to bring about the desired change in so much of our national attitudes and consciousness.
Dr. John E. Warren is the pubas well as violence, revealed lisher of The San Diego Voice & that the failure to meet ha- Viewpoint newspaper. The comtred and violence with hatred mentary first appeared in Free and violence won out in the Press of Jacksonville.
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Moore and Maxwell Frost is supporting efforts to address gun violence, along with Everytown for Gun Safety, the National Black Nurses Association, National Association for Community Mediation, 100 Fathers Inc., and law enforcement and faith-based organizations. But this is not enough. Our nation needs a national grassroots movement with citizens and institutions from all sectors. In 2024 we must “Change the Culture of Violence in America and the World” by urging use of new methods for peace and reconciliation. For example, this October during the Month of NonViolence, we focused on “Restorative Justice Peace Circles”
about violence increasing in the U.S. and overseas, we are all alarmed. It is urgent that people come together to implement nonviolent, non-militaristic solutions since history shows that more violence, increased punishment, expanded prisons and lack of mental health for suicidal adults and children are not the answer. Let’s stop ignoring the discipline of violence prevention and start to overhaul the American culture of violence. We must advocate for funding for programs that establish peace circles in schools, make state and local parks and recreation departments safe centers of nonviolence, and build Let’s stop ignoron programs that teach the time-tested philosophies of ing the discipline nonviolence. of violence preOur children, adults, and vention and start law enforcement must learn to overhaul the how to de-escalate violence and how to use different apAmerican culture proaches to resolving disputes of violence. and anger other than shooting family members, co-workers, Global peace discussions fellow students, or themselves. In 2024 we must stop igwere held with health professionals, educators, and law en- noring violence prevention forcement personnel who dis- and take leadership in our cussed how to stop domestic communities. violence, and how to teach deescalation of violence. There Dr. Stephanie Myers is national was even a session on the im- co-chair of Black Women for Posipact of artificial intelligence on tive Change. Contact the organizasociety and how it can be used tion at www.blackwomenforposito foster global peace. tivechange.org. This commentary As we hear news every day has been edited for length.
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Holiday Calendar of Events Winter Salute for Veterans and their families Free holiday event sponsored by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) 833-222-6228. South entrance, Target Field 372 N. 5th Street around the corner from gate 6 or through skyway. December 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free Metro Transit, C lines 5, 14, 22 and light rail. • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch • Housing information
• Employment resources • Dental services
• Care packages • And much more
Holiday Toy Giveaways Senior Holiday Toy Event - Fridley Friday, December 15, 2023, 2-4 pm CT Older adults 70+ can select toys for grand- or great-grandchildren. There are limited slots available; registration is required. To register, send an email to kimberlybrownnetwork@gmail.com
Santa’s Workshop on the Westside Saturday, December 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT Free toy and stuffed animal giveaway in West Saint Paul For more information, call 651-890-9290.
YMCA of the North winter clothing fund drive The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is inviting the community to donate to the winter clothing fund drive to purchase coats, gloves, hats, boots and snow pants for youth served by YMCA Neighborhood Centers. Neighborhood Centers support families by providing access to healthy foods; sharing educational resources and enrichment activities; and assisting with basic necessities, technology access and job support. Many youth are not prepared for cold temperatures and snow. The winter clothing fund drive will support the purchase of winter clothing to help kids stay warm this winter. “The YMCA is committed to removing barriers that may prevent kids and teens from getting the basic necessities to stay warm this winter,” said Mary Britts, vice president of community impact for the YMCA of the North’s Center for Social Impact. “We are grateful for any amount donated to help us make a difference for our youth.” To learn more on how to give the gift of warmth, visit www.ymcanorth.org/give/winter. Any donation will help: $25 – provides a hat and gloves $50 – provides a winter coat $100 – provides a coat, snow pants and boots $125 – provides full winter gear $500 – provides a three-generation family of four with winter gear for the season $1,000 – enables the YMCA to offer free indoor programming days on snowy, cold days when schools are closed A donation in any amount (even $5) makes an impact. WHO: YMCA of the North Neighborhood Centers Locations include: Birchwood in Stillwater Briarhill in Eden Prairie Huntington Place in Brooklyn Park Maple Pond in Maplewood Minnetonka Heights in Minnetonka Montreal Courts in Little Canada WHAT: Winter Clothing Fund Drive WHERE: To donate, go to www.ymcanorth.org/give/winter. WHEN: Dec. 1, 2023, through Jan. 31, 2024
December 14 - 20, 2023
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Holiday and Winter Resources By MSR Staff
To help the community through what can be trying times, the Minnesota uring the holidays and winter season, many of us find it hard Spokesman-Recorder has compiled a list of resources for families in need of food, to make ends meet. With cold weather and seasonal celebra- clothing and shelter during the holidays and winter season. Many of the organizations, keeping food on the table, staying warm, keeping a roof tions listed below offer a variety of services including food, clothing, healthcare over one’s head, or providing holiday gifts and toys can put a services, housing and financial assistance among other services. strain on family budgets. A more extensive list of resources is available on the MSR website.
North-suburban Emergency Assistance Response-NEAR Food Shelf, 5209 West Broadway, Crystal; contact NEAR at 763-533-2836 or www.nearfoodshelf.org
Joyce Uptown Food Shelf, 3041 Fremont Ave. S., Minneapolis; contact Joyce Uptown at 612-825-4431 or www. joyceuptownfoodshelf.org
Community Bridge Food Shelf, 2400 Park Ave., Minneapolis; contact Community Bridge at 612-746-4108 or communitybridgempls.org
Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), 7051 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center; contact CEAP at 763-566-9600 or www.ceap.org
Pillsbury United: Waite House Food Shelf, 2323 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis; contact Pillsbury at 612-721-1681 or pillsburyunited.org
Simpson Food Shelf, 2609 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis; contact Simpson at 612-874-7741 or www.simpsonfoodpantry.org
NorthPoint Community Food Shelf, 1835 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis; contact NorthPoint Food Shelf at 612-7679500 or www.northpointhealth.org/community-foodshelf
Pillsbury United: Brian Coyle Food Shelf, 420 15th Ave. S.; contact Pillsbury at 612- 338-5282 or pillsburyunited. org
Loaves And Fishes, Too, 721 Kasota Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; contact Loaves and Fishes at 612-377-9810 or www.loavesandfishesmn.org
Shiloh Cares Food Shelf - SCFS, 1201 West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis; contact SCFS at shilohcaresfood@ gmail.com or 612-302-1463
Pillsbury United: Oak Park, 1701 Oak Park Ave. N.; contact Pillsbury at 612-377-7000 or pillsburyunited.org
Open Arms Minnesota, 2500 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis; contact Open Arms at 612-872-1152 or www. openarmsmn.org
Friends in Need (FiN), 535 4th St., St. Paul Park; contact FiN at 651-458-0730 or www.finfood.org
Groveland Emergency Food Shelf, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; contact Groveland at 612-871-0277 or www.grovelandfoodshelf.org
Open Arms Minnesota, 380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul; contact Open Arms at 612-872-1152 or www. openarmsmn.org
North Hennepin Community College Food Cupboard, 7411 85th Ave. N. Brooklyn Park; contact the Food Cupboard at 763-493-0502 or bit.ly/nhcccupboard
New Creation Baptist Church (NCBC) Food Shelf, 1414 E. 48th St., Minneapolis: contact NCBC at 612-825-6933 or newcreationbaptistchurchmn.org
Salvation Army Northern Division, 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville; contact SA at 651-746-3400 or centralusa. salvationarmy.org/northern
The Corner Shelf-Woodland Hills, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul; contact The Corner Shelf at 651-287-3000 or whchurch.org/find-support/the-corner-shelf
Sabathani Food Shelf, 310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis; contact Sabathani at 612-821-2396 or sabathani.org
Salvation Army-St Paul, 401 7th Street W., St. Paul; contact SA at 651-224-4316 or centralusa.salvationarmy. org/northern/weststpaul
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center: Basic Needs, 270 North Kent St., St. Paul: contact Hallie Q. at 651-2244607 or www.hallieqbrown.org/site/index.php/foodshelf-order-form
Catholic Charities Food Shelf, 157 Roosevelt Road, Suite 100, St. Cloud; contact Catholic Charities at 320-2294560 or www.ccstcloud.org/food-services
Salvation Army-Minneapolis, 2024 N. Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis; contact SA at 612- 522-6581 or salvationarmynorth.org/twin-cities
Saint Louis Park Emergency Program – STEP, 6812 W. Lake St., Saint Louis Park; contact STEP at 952-925-4899 or www.STEPslp.org
Community Emergency Services (CES) Food Shelf, 1900 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis; contact CES at 612-870-1125 or cesmn.org
For a list of food pantries throughout Minnesota go to www. foodpantries.org to find one near you using your zip code.
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
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2600 E. 38th Street. Mpls., MN 55408 612-827-7928 fax: 612-827-3587 website: www.greatfriend.org email: info@greatfriend.org Sunday Church School: 8:30 am Sunday Worship: 9:30 am
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Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Dec 5 2023 9:03 AM State of Minnesota Ramsey County
District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62‐HR‐CV‐23‐1210 Case Type:Harassment
Julia Olmstead vs Paul Helgeson
Notice of Issuance of Harassment Restraining Order by Publication
To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on October 27, 2023. A hearing has not been scheduled. You may request a hearing on this matter by filing a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court administrator’s office at the following address: Ramsey County Juvenile and Family Justice Center 25 W. 7th Street Room B122 Saint Paul, MN 55102 Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to get a copy of the Harassment Restraining Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order. Donald W. Harper Juvenile and Family Court Administrator
District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-23-1138 PHONE: 612-827-4021 Case Type: Domestic Abuse
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In The Matter Of Patrice Nezzie Smith FOR BILLING Vs Markis Williams INQUIRIES
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Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)
To Respondent named above: PL E A S E CON TAC T An order has been issued directing you to appear at the Ramsey County Juvenile and ACCOU N T I NG D E P T Family Justice Center, 25 W 7th St, St. Paul MN 55102 on December 26, 2023 at @ BIwhy L LtheI NG @SPinOK E S -for the Order for 8:15 AM and explain relief sought the Petition M not AN -R E COR D E R .COM Protection should be granted You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the RCourt A MAdministrator’s SEY COU N T Y LEGAL NOT ICES Ramsey County Office. If you do not appear at the hearing, the Petitioner’s request may be grantFLAT R scheduled AT E: $110 ed as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s Order.
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Music School Teacher Orchestra(Chinese Immersion): From Classified
Legal Assistant Wilson Law Group LLC seeks Bilingual Legal Assistants in Minneapolis MN fluent Spanish rqd, to assist attys in prep of legal filings, inc. interview clients, draft forms, prep exh, and mtns, gather docs and comm w/ clients. Bachelor’s deg in Poli Sci, Law, or other rel soc sci. or related req’d. Foreign equiv ok. Mail app to Jessica Westendorp 3019 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis MN 55406 or email jwestendorp@wilsonlg.com
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT PROBATE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-23-1688
From Classified Department/MN Estate of Janet L. Peoples Deceased NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT Spokesman-Recorder
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Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 14, 2023
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Yinghua Academy, Minneapolis, MN Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder Req. Bachelor’s degree in Music, Education, or related field.
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vate Christian college is lo- athletes to get into coaching. “From an execution standcated 40 minutes west of the Continued from page 12 EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY the University of Indianapolis thing that we learned in school, Twin Cities in Saint Bonifacius. point,” the coach pointed out, SIZE: 2 III COL X 1.75 INCHES (2011-14), then at Mississippi that specific type of injury event It is a Division school with “I know my stuff.” On watching R ATE $44.60 PER COL. INCH board of certification exam. coach, even at the collegiate 16 sports, including WBB. State as both an AT and direc- and how to handle it.” Woldeslassie work, “He’s kind EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY SU BTOTAL: $156.10 PER It’s more than just taping tor of the school’s student level, and felt he was ready to “I think my style [of play] is a of WEEK Dotson suggested that one a father [to me]. We still SI ZE: 2 COL X 1.5 I NCH ankles, emphasized Dotson. athletic-training on. little bit more guard [oriented]. communicate about hoops.” the needle internship way to helpRmove AT E $44.60 PER COLmove . I NCH “There’s so much more to it.” “I applied to probably 30 or That’s three or four guards for more Black would $133.80 be He also learned from his program (2014-18). SU BATs TOTAL: Dotson is a member of 40 different [schools]. I want- on the floor at all times,” ex- college coach Doug Novak: Still, through the travels reaching down to high school the University of Minnesota’s and stops in his career, he’s students or+2 ed to get my foot in the door plainedPlease younger “Heemail really confirmation poured a lot of Tusler.proof, His overall re-with W EEKtoS create ON LI NE @$150 respond to how ads@sp 20 full-time athletic medical seen few ATCs that look like more awareness. some way, somehow,” Tusler cruitingman-recorder.com. “I think that’s strategy is focused on to be a good coach into me,” TO TA L : $283.80 staff and mainly covers men’s him. “I would emphasize that the best way to get there, get told the MSR. “I thought I finding players to fit that style. said Tusler. basketball. He returned to the there’s a need for more Black these young people to undermight have been good enough “Our system “I feel I’ve been really allows for almost The MSR handles billing digitally. Gophers in 2020, after a two- athletic trainers.” to get those jobs.” blessed and lucky invoices to be un anything as long as you’re stand that this is aproof, profession Please respond with email confirmation to This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed year stint as a certified athletic He kept his dream coachable,” such great coaches Athletic trainers are fully that they might he added. request aaround like.” ads@spokesman-recorder.com. For pursuing more exposure: you specifically hard copy. trainer/rehabilitation special- equipped for any medical emeras anon Amazon In Tusler’s first season, the who had an incredible impact We are also inviting our while clientsworking to advertise our and working ist in Seattle (2018-2020). gency, including life-threatening Charles Hallman welcomes web site for 2 weeks for adelivery flat netman fee of $150 per part Polars went .500 in confer- on my life in the past 10 years,” time as ad. an assistant coach at ence play (7-7), 14-11 overall. said Tesler, including WoldesPrior to that, Dotson, who ones. “We are prepared for reader comments position with purchase of print at challman@ Macalester College. earned his masters from the these situations,” said Dotson. spokesman-recorder.com. Tusler is among the modest lassie, Novak and his high The MSR handles billing digitally. “It allowed me to watch him,” but growing list of Black col- school coaches. This means you will get recalled e-tears and e-mailed Tusler of ScotsinCoach lege head coaches at Minne“I’m still learning the ropes. voices unless you specifically request a hard Abe Woldeslassie andcopy. his one sota schools. “I try not to think I’m learning every day, but I season at the St. Paul school that people simply aren’t get- also thought it’d be nothing where the Scots made a his- ting hired because they are a better in the world than to be toric run and finished as MIAC certain color,” said Tusler. “At doing basketball.” runners up. the end of the day, I’m gonna Then Crown College came be the man of integrity and Charles Hallman welcomes calling. character… I think that would reader comments at challman@ Founded in 1916, the pri- also inspire more young Black spokesman-recorder.com. By Travis Lee Contributing Writer
Minneapolis Park Board renames Theodore Wirth chalet to honor golf legend Eddie Manderville
On Wednesday, December 6, the Minneapolis Park Board unanimously voted to rename the 107-year-old chalet at Theodore Wirth Regional Park in North Minneapolis to the Eddie Manderville Chalet. The vote was met with excited applause, cheers and tears from a small group of women golfers and supporters who attended the meeting to witness history being made. It would not have happened but for the efforts of golfer and standout senior athlete Martha Arradondo, who was also in attendance. She started this journey two years ago because of her enduring eight-year friendship and mentorship with Manderville. “Eddie and I became friends because of our love for golf, and we both believed that women of color needed to learn the game of golf,” said
Eddie Manderville
Submitted photo
VIEW
Members of Black Women on Course at the park board meeting Photo by Travis Lee Arradondo. “He helped me and Shirley Hughes, daughter of Solomon Hughes, Sr., create the organization Black Women on Course (BWOC)13 years ago. BWOC now has a national database of over 200 golfers.” When Manderville passed away in November 2020, Arradondo started her quest to get the chalet renamed, working with then-park board member and now-city councilmember LaTrisha Vetaw. Manderville was a respected, accomplished golfer with an enduring legacy. He was instrumental in desegregating the men’s association at Theodore Wirth after he was denied access to the clubhouse and is credited with integrating the Theodore Wirth men’s golf club at a time when Black golfers in the Twin Cities were refused entry. Manderville was recently inducted into the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame 2023. He won the 1972 Gross Invitational Tournament; the 1983 Minnesota Professional Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship; and the 1987 Minnesota Golf Association Senior Amateur FourBall Championship with his partner, Dick Bolin. He also qualified and played in the 1986 U.S. Senior Open and the 1991 U.S. Senior Amateur Tournament and won the 1998 Minnesota Golf Association Senior Tour. Travis Lee welcomes reader responses to tlee@ spokesman-recorder.com.
it’s getting better,” Chayla surmised. “There’s a lot more Continued from page 12 we need to do to get [hockey] more diverse, more sistahs in rivalry series against the Cana- this environment, to get more dian team at various locations kids of color in hockey. Just in the U.S. and Canada. Six have showing that Black girls can already been played, and the do this…and have fun doing it, final will be in St. Paul Feb. 11. and completely be ourselves.” Asked if this will conflict with her Wisconsin obligations, Laila More firsts said, “I try not to let it interfere.” The University of WisconWinning the national sin is celebrating 50 years of championship “was a thrill, re- Title IX. During Big Ten media ally fun to win together,” said days back in October, WBB Chayla of playing alongside Coach Marisa Moseley said her sister in Duluth, the site that her school hiring the first of the 2023 Frozen Four. “Our Black women’s head basketfamily was there and [I was] ball coach in the Big Ten (Edlooking at my sister every now wina Quallis, 1976-1986) has and then and saying, ‘Wow, a significance worth noting. this is something.” In the same summer of 1976, The sisters Edwards are UW hired Bill Cofield, the first fully aware of the need to see Black coach in the Big Ten. more Black hockey players Quallis was hired after a that look like them. “I think successful high school coach-
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ing career in her native Connecticut. When she resigned in 1986, Quallis posted five winning seasons, including a second-place Big Ten finish, and she still holds the Badgers’ best conference record (13-5) in school history. “I think that representation is so important,” said Moseley, one of two Black WBB head coaches in the conference this season. “I would love for us to get to a point where we’re not having to talk about the first of anything, that it just becomes part of the fabric of who we are… The first woman to do this, or the first woman to do that.” Wisconsin visits St. Thomas Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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Black women hockey players on the rise The Edwards sisters say it’s a dream come true
t would be perfectly fine to call 2023 “the year of the Black female hockey player.” This year, Canadian native Sophia Jacques won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation’s best women’s collegiate hockey player. The Ohio State graduate later became the only Black player drafted in the new PWHL, which starts in January 2024. Sarah Nurse, another Canadian, was the only Black player signed as a free agent earlier this year. Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to make the US national women’s ice hockey team. She and sister Chayla both made history
The Edwards sisters in action: Chayla (#10) at left, Laila (#25) at right Photos by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletics Chayla (l) and Laila Edwards as the first Black sisters to play on a Division I national championship team in March, defeating Jacques’ Ohio State squad. Jacques, the Edwards sisters, and Minnesota’s Crystalyn Jenkins were among the nearly 30 Black women hockey players on
ful, the two siblings pointed out. A glimpse at the Edwards Photo by Charles Hallman “Some dreams are harder to be- resumes lieve and to come true than othChayla, 5’9” defense: threetime Academic All-WCHA and Division I and Division III teams ers,” stated Laila. The Edwards are following in this past season. The MSR last weekend chat- Blake Bolden’s historic footsteps, “It was a thrill, ted with the Edwards sisters, the first Black woman to play pro really fun to win who were in town for the annu- hockey. The Ohio native once al Minnesota-Wisconsin Border spoke to Laila’s youth hockey the championship team. The Edwards are also from Battle series. together.” Being trailblazers is wonder- Ohio (Cleveland Heights).
Crown College coach ‘blessed’ to have learned from his own coaches t’s not unusual to hear a hoopster, whether male or female, put at the top of their list of future goals to someday play pro ball. But on the flip side, hearing a youngster say he or she one day wants to be a coach or a game official is rare indeed. “I would say I think I knew I wanted to be a coach pretty early on,” admitted Bridgeport Tusler, now in his second season at the helm of the Crown College women’s basketball program. He was hired in 2022. Tusler was the starting point guard, a training ground for future coaches at Osseo, where his team won the 2012 Class 4A state championship. Before he graduated in 2013, he also was the 2012 AP Player of the Year, Metro Player of the Year, and Mr. Football.
Academic All-Big 10; two-time Big 10 Sportsmanship Award winner. Laila, 6’1” forward: MVP at the 2022 IIHF under-18 Women’s World Championships, appeared in all 41 games for Wisconsin last season. Throughout this season, Team USA is playing a seven-game ■ See VIEW on page 11
Athletic trainers do much more than tape ankles By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist he athletic trainer is typically the first trained medical professional an athlete sees when they are shaken up during play. However, fewer than nine percent of athletic trainers (ATs) are Black. When we first met Ryan Dotson, he was a University of Minnesota graduate student studying to be a certified athletic trainer (ATC) back in the mid-2000s, when fewer than 10 percent of all ATs were Black. Unfortunately, that percentage has not changed much after all these years. The most recent demographics, according to Zippia.com (2023), of nearly 4,000 ATs in the U.S., around 70 percent are males, 31 percent female. Three percent of ATs work in pro sports and 24 percent in college sports. Of these, Blacks comprise 8.4 percent, Asians 8.5 percent,
“I would emphasize that there’s a need for more Black athletic trainers.”
Ryan Dotson
Courtesy of Minnesota Athletics
were no Black athletic trainers on staff. We have three females and myself,” said Dotson of the “I often try not to think current Minnesota athletic training staff. simply that people aren’t According to the Mayo Clinic’s health cagetting hired because they reers fact sheet, ATs can evaluate injuries, Bridgeport Tusler Submitted photo implement rehabilitation programs for injured are a certain color.” athletes, and develop injury prevention proLatinos 15.8 percent and Whites 61.5 percent. Furthermore, HBCU schools have a higher grams among other roles and responsibilities A 2018 Bethel graduate, Tusler first spent his honors, was a three-time all-league selection, and helped the Royals win the 2016-17 MIAC percentage of Black and POC athletic train- for the athletic trainer. A trainer must be a high freshman year in college at South Dakota State title as a four-year starter on the basketball team. ers than PWIs, with Division I schools having a school graduate and earn at least a bachelor’s and played football there before transferring to Tusler coached boys basketball at Monticello greater racial and ethnic diversity compared to degree, graduate from an accredited athletic Bethel, where he was a two-sport athlete at the High School for two seasons. He knew he could training education program, and then pass the Division II and Division III. MIAC school (football and basketball). In bas■ See SOE on page 11 ■ See GOPHER AT on page 11 “When I was a GA back in 2010, 2011, there ketball, Tusler won All-Rookie and All-Defensive
Como defeats North in non-conference matchup
he high school girls basketball season is off and running as showcased in St. Paul Como Park’s 75-66 victory over Minneapolis North last week. Not only did the game feature metro-area teams led by two of the state’s top coaches in Olonda England (St. Paul Como Park) and Brianna Edwards (Minneapolis North), but
the game also honored Damon Walker. Walker, who passed away this past summer, was a member of the Como Park faithful as his daughter, guard Shakyla Walker, helped lead the Cougars to a third-place finish in the Class AAA state tournament before spending last season as a guard at North Iowa Area Community College. The fast-paced game was quite the treat for the capacity crown that showed up in Como Park’s gymnasium. The Cougars raced to a 4234 halftime lead behind the outstanding play of Makayia Kenney, Saha Hinton, Naijiona Shaw, Alice Wagner-Hemstad, Jailyn Walker, and Greta Seppanen. Kenney scored a game-high 37 points, Shaw had 17, and
St. Paul Como Park forward Makiya Kenney shoots over a Minneapolis North defender on Tuesday, December 5, at Como Park High School.
Hinton chipped in 11 as Como Park remained undefeated with a 5-0 record. Brooklyn Pettis’ 31 points led North, while Classie Carroll and Essence Williams each chipped in 10 with contributions coming from Mahogany Brown, Giana Johnson, and Kennedy Robinson. North’s first loss of the season dropped them to 3-1, but the Polars increased their win total a couple of nights later as Pettis scored 23 points in a 7356 victory over North St. Paul. That same evening Como Park suffered its first setback of the season 74-59 to St. Croix Lutheran with Kenney leading the 5-1 Cougars with 13 points. North, which has improved since last season, is striving for the Minneapolis City Conference crown held by Roosevelt
last season. Como Park is shooting for their 10th consecutive St. Paul City Conference championship and Twin Cities title appearance. England, who played high school basketball at St. Paul Highland Park, is in her third year as head coach of the Cougars, while Edwards, who starred at her alma mater before embarking on a collegiate career at Providence College, is in her second year leading the Polars. A good start to the season for both teams.
Minneapolis North guard Brooklyn Pettis shoots for three against St. Paul Como Park on Tuesday, December 5, at Como Park High School.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments at mcdeezy05@gmail.com. Photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald