December 21, 2023 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

By Dee Hollins Contributing Writer n a significant gathering that signaled both reflection and forward momentum, the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, a stalwart in the African American community and an esteemed Minnesota institution, hosted its second distinguished business dinner (date). Orchestrated by Tracey Williams-Dillard, this event sets in motion a year-long journey towards the newspaper’s 90th anniversary in 2024.

Held at Williams-Dillard’s residence, the event drew together influential leaders from various sectors in the Twin Cities, showcasing the Spokesman Recorder’s indispensable role in crafting community narratives and driving societal change.

Williams-Dillard, along with other MSR representatives, engaged guests in dialogues that reflected the evening’s core objective: to celebrate

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ebrated the newspaper’s rich history but also unveiled a vision for an innovative future, As the evening drew to a close, Williams-Dillard reflected on the historical impact of her grandfather’s efforts.

“Through the MSR my grandfather opened doors for African American communities nearly 90 years ago to assist with opportunities. Standing on the tall shoulders of his legacy, we are reaping the benefits of history’s actions from long ago, ensuring that African American communities can enjoy 90 more years of history, progress and resilience.” (l-r) Debbie Morrison, MSR; Michael Diehl, MSR; Tracey Williams-Dillard, MSR; Rosemond Owens, BlueCross BlueShield; The evening’s success and Bethany Otuteye, Google; Guest; Ronda Marie Chakolis, president of MN Board of Pharmacy; Bukata Hayes, BlueCross broader implications for the BlueShield; Ed Arias, UnitedHealth Group; Deltreice Gates, BlueCross BlueShield; Patty Graham, Health Partners; Clarence community were highlighted Jones, HueMan Partnership; Debra Jones; Solina Garcia Rose, MSR in Williams-Dillard’s remarks, and reinforce community ties. stating, “The more people we portance of collaboration with publication. “My grandmother emphasizing the Spokesman Central to these discussions reach, the more lives we save, key business leaders to honor introduced me to the MSR at Recorder’s commitment to was the theme of harnessing because of the information we its past while charting a sus- the age of eight, so I bleed ink. positive change and its role the Spokesman Recorder’s disseminate at the MSR.” Her tainable path forward.

The MSR is my legacy. as a beacon of hope. The disrich legacy to pave the way for address further highlighted “As we gear up for our 90th cussions illuminated the imIn a moment of self-refleca promising future. her vision for the newspaper tion, Williams-Dillard openly year, we look forward to mak- portance of intergenerational Williams-Dillard encapsu- as it approaches a significant acknowledged the profound ing it through 90 more,” she dialogue, acknowledging and lated the spirit of the event, milestone, stressing the im- bond she shares with this said. Her speech not only cel- ■ See MSR DINNER on page 5

Camp Nenookaasi eviction delayed indefinitely

Are court-ordered commitments the answer to curbing crime?

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

By Cole Miska Contributing Writer he city has indefinitely postponed the slated eviction of Camp Nenookaasi, an unhoused encampment at 23rd Street and 13th Avenue in south Minneapolis.

The city says it wants to clear the encampment because of complaints of crime and drug use from nearby neighbors and the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID).

The camp, which is populated mostly by Native Americans, has erected yurts equipped with woodfire stoves at the site, including one serving as a kitchen, as well as a program run by camp leaders trying to help residents get sober.

The encampment also has regular trash collection and portable toilets after months of appeals to city officials. Activists say that allowing the encampment to remain is the most humane option, while waiting to secure residents

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Dec. 13 encampment rally permanent housing.

Activists also heavily criticized clearing any encampments in winter with few shelter beds available. On Saturday, only 44 shelter beds were available county-wide— far fewer than the estimated population of about 200 people living at Camp Nenookaasi.

Christin Crabtree, who volunteers at the camp, said that

ne of the problems Downtown Minneapolis boosters point to in attracting people to downtown is the public perception that the area is plagued by drugs and crime.

That image is one that civic boosters are hoping to combat with the increased use of civil commitments—involuntary court-ordered treatment for individuals who are chemically dependent or suffer from Photo by Cole Miska mental illness—to curb crime.

One such booster is Joe the encampment gives people Tamburino, a downtown Minthe stability needed to find neapolis resident who is also permanent housing. “At Ne- a criminal defense attorney. nookaasi, there is the ability “[Every other county] is doing to stay warm, keep one’s belly civil commitments. But Henfull, access to a bathroom, nepin County, we’re not comand outreach from Henne- mitting anyone,” said a fruspin County, as well as several trated Tamburino at a meeting service-providers and organi- at the headquarters of Ryan zations throughout the week,” Companies, located blocks Crabtree said. from U.S. Bank Stadium, in ■ See NENOOKAASI on page 11 late September.

Sidewalk memorial in front of the grocery store where Robert Skafte was killed Photo by H. Jiahong Pan “You don’t have to walk far from here to see people who are obviously a danger to themselves and others, and who are obviously not in the right state of mind and are chronically chemically dependent,” said Tamburino.

But the recent brutal killing of a Loring Park cashier, performer and community organizer by someone who was

once civilly committed has people wondering if civil commitments actually improve public safety. It appears they do not work for those who are dependent on drugs or have sexually harmed others. And it is not entirely clear if they work on those who have a mental illness.

■ See COMMITMENTS on page 5

Turning Point founder Peter Hayden steps aside A pioneer in addiction recovery and community advocacy retires

By Evette Porter MSR Managing Editor fter 47 years, Turning Point founder and CEO Dr. Vincent “Peter” Hayden announced that he is stepping down at the beginning of 2024. Dr. Hayden was instrumental in Turning Point receiving national acclaim for its contributions to addiction recovery and advocacy. He credits Turning Point’s success to the beginning of his own journey of sobriety half a century ago.

Settling in North Minneapolis in the mid-1960s, he recognized the impact of substance abuse and addiction on

the community, something he had struggled with during his time in the military.

After completing his service in the Army in 1964, Dr. Hayden found himself dealing with the same addiction that plagued many in his community. He recalls his social worker’s words on the first day of recovery: “If you accept the program, your life will never be the same.”

Recognizing the need for culturally specific treatment in Minnesota, Turning Point was founded in North Minneapolis in 1976, pioneering a socially and ethnically responsive approach to recovery by integrating a cultural understanding in

the treatment process, specifically for the Black community.

It allowed Turning Point to tailor its treatment to the specific needs of the community, addressing environmental factors crucial to the recovery of its clients.

Over the years, Turning Point expanded its services, providing treatment as well as training other organizations to adopt a similar approach to Turning Point founder Peter Hayden Photo by Chris Juhn recovery. His leadership guided Turning Point in serving 26,000 clients on their path to organization in its next chap- sultant for Turning Point, Dr. recovery. ter. “No one is more equipped Hayden’s legacy endures as he Lori Wilson, who first joined and capable than her to usher takes on a new role. the organization in 2001, and Turning Point into a new era,” In a wide-ranging interview returned as chief financial of- said Dr. Hayden. for the debut of the “Tracey’s ficer in 2022, will lead the As an ambassador and con- Keepin’ it Real” program, MSR

Publisher and CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard (TDW) spoke with Dr. Peter Hayden (PH) and his successor Lori Wilson (LW) about Turning Point’s legacy, its contributions to the community, and what lies ahead.

TDW: Tell me a little bit about how Turning Point got started. I remember doing an internship at Turning Point when I was 14 years old, at the Institute on Black Chemical Abuse (IBCA). Let’s start there.

PH: In 1975, IBCA started.

In 1976, Turning Point started. The reason we did that is because we had to have an ■ See TURNING POINT on page 5

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Affordable housing for formerly incarcerated and homeless at Great River Landing

By Farah Habad Contributing Writer

portant Great River Landing is as an asset, as a resource to the people in this community.

The kinds of supportive servicCity officials and community leaders held an event on es that happen in this building December 12 to showcase a create stability for people. housing project at Great River “One of my best friends Landing, at 813 N. 5th Street, growing up, we played football for those who were formerly together,” Ellison continued. incarcerated and transitioning “He hit a rough patch in his life, from homelessness. Hosted at and he was living in Great Rivthe 180 Degrees and Beacon er Landing. It got him back on Interfaith Housing Collective, his feet. It was the actual comthe event saw dozens show munity asset that he needed.” support for the project, which Originally opened in 2019, Great River Landing dwelling unit seeks to provide 72 units of Great River Landing has served deeply affordable housing and many folks who would other- nonprofit overseeing the proj- Coffey, chief programs officer wrap-around services for folks wise not meet qualifications ect, Better Futures, disbanded. at 180 Degrees, noted, “We are In March of 2023, 180 servants of the men who live in who qualify for assistance. for other housing options. In According to Beacon In2022 there was controversy at Degrees—a nonprofit with this building. We are going to terfaith Housing Collective, Mayor Frey (l) with 180 Degrees Chief Programs Officer the property over more than over 50 years of experience fight for them. We are going to Richard Coffey Photos by Chris Juhn two dozen men being abruptly supporting men transitioning be a voice for them,” he continmoved out of transitional hous- from incarceration—took over ued. “The two main things that “The kinds of Both Minneapolis Mayor Ja- ing with little explanation. The operations at the site. Richard individuals need when they’re “Great River Landing is a stepsupportive services coming out of incarceration are ping stone for men who are ex- cob Frey and City Councilmemthat happen in this housing and jobs. Here, they iting incarceration and home- ber Jeremiah Ellison, whose can access both of those things.” lessness. It’s a place where Ward 5 is where Great River building create The multi-agency partnerstability for people.” they can live, work, meet their Landing is located, spoke at the ship has raised over $1 milevent. “Right here, in this space goals, and find stability.” lion to provide services for the with these people, with 72 residents at Great River Landhomes that have opened and ing and, according to stakeare now being reopened once holders at Beacon Interfaith, again, and with an organization will require an estimated $1.5 like 180 Degrees, this will fill a million in fundraising over the necessary gap,” said Frey. next five years to continue “You shouldn’t be doing a secproviding wrap-around servicond sentence in our city or in es to the individuals who call community once you’ve already Great River Landing home. done your sentence in prison.”

“I’m really excited about Farah Habad welcomes readthis partnership,” said Councilmember Ellison. “I don’t need City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison (r) at Great River Land- er comments at fhabad@spokesRe-entry and transitional housing at Great River Landing man-recorder.com. to tell any of you all how im- ing celebration

Marvin Haynes exonerated after nearly 20 years in prison

By Cole Miska Contributing Writer Marvin Haynes was released from Stillwater prison on Monday, December 11, after nearly 20 years behind bars due to a wrongful conviction in the 2004 murder of Randy Sherer, who was working in his family’s North Minneapolis flower shop.

Haynes, who was 16 years old at the time, was convicted based on the eyewitness testimony of Sherer’s sister, despite the fact that Haynes had a different hairstyle and was significantly shorter and thinner than how she described the killer. Haynes maintained his innocence the entire time he was incarcerated. There was no physical evidence linking Haynes to the crime scene.

Hennepin County Judge William Koch vacated Haynes’s conviction in court on Monday, with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty saying that Haynes’s constitutional rights had been violated. An order signed by Koch stated

quintessential example of how But I’m just glad I’m here.”

Marvina Haynes, Marvin’s flawed eyewitness identifications and problematic police sister, laughed with elation lineup procedures lead to as she approached the microwrongful convictions.” phone at the press conference.

Haynes and his family, “I’m filled with joy. along with his legal team, held “My heart couldn’t be hapa press conference outside the pier,” Marvina said. “After this, Hennepin County courthouse we’re going to go visit my after he was released. Haynes mom. She’s going to be very thanked those who had sup- happy to see my brother.”

Andrew Markquart, one of ported him during his time in prison.

Haynes’s lawyers from GN-IP, “I’m so excited to see my said he was “thrilled” to see family. It’s been years since Haynes released. Markquart I’ve seen a lot of them,” Haynes said he admired Haynes and Marvin Haynes at a Dec. 11 press conference, shortly after his release said.

“I haven’t seen my mom could not wait to see the next Courtesy of Facebook/Great North Innocence Project/Emily Baxter in like three or four years since chapter in Haynes’s life.

“This is someone who has that “absent introduction of Representative Cedrick rable harm on his loved ones every right in the world to “We inflicted harm the unconstitutional eyewit- Frazier of New Hope issued and community… It serves as be bitter, to be angry. But ness identification evidence, it a statement saying he was a stark call to action to dis- on Mr. Haynes and his he’s not,” Markquart said of is doubtful there would have pleased that justice was given mantle any system that will Haynes. “And he carries himfamily, and also been sufficient evidence to for Haynes. “[Haynes’s] wrong- not ensure a just and equitable self with this remarkable sense on Harry Sherer, sustain a conviction.” ful conviction exposed the future for all.” of hope and positivity that is the victim, his family, so admirable.”

Moriarty released a state- devastating consequences of Haynes worked with lawment Monday that called systemic racism and biased yers from the Great Northern This year Marvin Haynes and the community.”

Haynes’s conviction a great practices within the justice sys- Innocence Project (GN-IP) to gets to spend a very merry injustice. “We inflicted harm tem, particularly for Black men,” secure his freedom. The GN-IP Christmas with his family. on Mr. Haynes and his family, Frazier said in his statement. has had 10 other convictions she had her stroke. So that’s and also on Harry Sherer, the “Mr. Haynes’ wrongful con- overturned in Minnesota and been difficult to deal with, to go Cole Miska welcomes reader victim, his family, and the com- viction robbed him of years of the Dakotas. The Innocence through this and not being able comments at cmiska@spokesfreedom and inflicted irrepa- Project called Haynes’s case “a to see them. It’s been a struggle. man-recorder.com. munity,” Moriarty said.

No charges in Khalil Azad death

By Farah Habad Contributing Writer

“The lack of professionalism and the lack of details in the report should concern all of you.”

On December 4, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that her office would not be seeking charges in connection with the death of Khalil Azad. After a traffic encounter with law enforcement in July 2022, Azad’s body was subsequently found in were listed in their actions. The lack of professionalism and the lack of deCrystal Lake.

After the announcement of the tails in the report should concern all Hennepin County Attorney’s decision of you.”

In the following days after Azad’s to not seek charges for any officers in this case, the family of Khalil Azad body was found, photos began cirheld a press conference asking for the culating around social media showcommunity’s help in finding clearer ing his severely disfigured condition. answers to what happened to their This drew concern from communities loved one. Khalil’s mother, Fatomeh all around the Twin Cities following a slate of incidents where African Azad, spoke at the news conference.

“In addition to the lack of timeline,” American men lost their lives after Azad said, “not all agencies involved police encounters, with official re-

Khalil Azad ports leaving more questions than answers for the loved ones of the deceased.

In September 2022, Hennepin County medical examiners ruled

Azad’s death as an accidental camera footage by noting that in the freshwater drowning. Azad’s fam- footage, there seem to be a lot more ily pushed for more information officers than what was noted in the offrom officials but, even now, feel ficial report, leading to further skeptias though the information they re- cism from the family. ceived did not tell the whole story In a statement, the BCA states, of what happened.

“We certainly understand why the The family of Khalil Azad said au- family would want to see the investitopsy photos showed what appeared gative case file and will make it availto be dog bites on his face, information able to them as quickly as possible. that was not present in any official re- Now that the county attorney has isports, and they were skeptical of him sued her decision, we can begin our drowning as he knew how to swim. standard case file closure and redacRobbinsdale Police Chief Patrick tion process, as required by law.”

Foley asked for the Bureau of CrimiThe family of Khalil Azad plans to nal Apprehension to complete their continue to fight for information and own independent investigation of to see all of the information collected the incident and shortly afterward in this case. released body camera footage of offiFarah Habad welcomes reader comcers searching for Azad after a traffic stop, to no avail. ments at fhabad@spokesman-recorder.

Azad’s family responded to the body com.

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Harm reduction and drug use in Black communities Experts discuss solutions at town hall

By Cole Miska Contributing Writer Drug use and harm reduction was the topic of a recent town hall hosted by HueMan Partnership, Standard Edition Women, and a host of community partners. The event, held Dec. 11 at the Center for Changing Lives, started with keynote speaker Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis, followed by a panel discussion and several smaller community discussions. It was moderated by Princess Titus.

Chakolis spoke on how the opioid epidemic has ravaged the Black community. She saw the effects of addiction through alcoholism on both sides of her family and began using opioids at a young age.

Dr. Chakolis became a pharmacist in North Minneapolis in 2009, and initially thought the opioid addiction epidemic would not affect the Black community, as she did not see Black people picking up many prescription medications.

“When I first heard about the opioid epidemic, initially I cheered because for once I knew the African American community wouldn’t be affected,” Chakolis said. “I was wrong, my colleagues were wrong. We got it wrong.”

Chakolis says Black people are three times, and Indigenous people 10 times, more likely to

services will be the steps people need to choose to get sober.

Chakolis noted that since the decriminalization of drug paraphernalia she sees fewer people coming into her pharmacy asking for syringes and no longer sees used syringes littered outside of her pharmacy. Panelist Kaleeca Bible spoke on how chemical dependency is often viewed as a personal choice, and how she believes it should be viewed as a disease. There is still (l-r) Audua Pugh, Sam Simmons, Kaleeca Bible, Princess Titus (moderator) Pearl Evans and Ed- a stigma against drug users in the medical establishment, said Bible. ward Krumpotich “In addition to that perspective, die from an opioid overdose than former addicts. alcohol prohibition in the early what I’ve also seen is your chemithe general population. She conThe first speaker on the panel 20th century. cal dependency becomes your He compared alcohol prohibi- entire body of health,” Bible said. tends that harm reduction, an ap- was Edward Krumpotich, chair proach that provides drug users of the MN Harm Reduction tion to the current laws on drugs. “So, what I mean by that is that with supplies and safe spots to Collaborative and a former his- “The exact same policy to criminal- other comorbidities that might use drugs without threat of arrest tory teacher. He spent six years ize drugs has resulted in the same be occurring are downplayed, igor judgment—while also giving homeless on the streets of Min- exact same problem, but this one nored, and kind of put to the side them support to get clean—is the neapolis while addicted to meth- has lasted three and a half de- because of the stigma around best way to prevent overdoses amphetamine but is now sober. cades,” Krumpotich said. chemical dependency. and help people get sober.

Krumpotich worked with “If you’re in pain, you’re just “We can’t prevent people from Pearl Evans, who is in long-term looking for drugs. If you’re not “We can educate the using certain substances like alco- public and provide people addiction recovery, along with feeling well, it’s the withdrawal other harm reduction activists, from the drugs.” Bible hopes that hol, or opioids, or even cannabis, with access to resources to get language in the Omnibus medical professionals will work or my favorite, coffee,” Chakolis that will allow them to said. “However, we can educate seek treatment in a cul- Health Appropriations Bill earlier together with the community to the public and provide people turally competent way.” this year that legalized the pos- define what needs should be adwith access to resources that will session of drug paraphernalia and dressed regarding addiction. allow them to seek treatment in a Krumpotich spoke on the his- allowed pharmacies to sell more Also on the panel was Sam culturally competent way.” tory of criminalization of drugs than 10 clean needles at a time.

Simmons, a licensed chemical deA panel discussion followed and how enforcement was disEvans, who was also a panelist, pendency counselor who used to Chakolis’s keynote. It included proportionately aimed at people said she hopes that meeting peo- be an addict and drug dealer. He activists, medical experts, and of color, as well as the failures of ple where they are and providing spoke on the historical trauma of

Black people and self-medication to address that trauma.

Simmons recalled how his father, an alcoholic, always needed a beer after experiencing racism at work all day, “or [the whole family] would all pay.”

While working at a chronic pain clinic, Simmons noticed Black men who wanted to get treated were usually denied in their evaluation. Simmons convinced the clinic’s White staff to hire him to do fair, culturally competent evaluations for Black men.

Simmons agreed with the others that harm reduction was the best approach to addiction, and he wants to see more cultural competency among medical staff who treat chemical dependency.

The panel also included Audua Pugh of the Jordan Area Community Council. Pugh was once a crack addict but has been sober for 19 years. She agreed with Simmons, saying generational trauma is the root of drug problems and must be addressed. She stressed that no one tries to get addicted.

After the panel discussion, the panelists engaged with attending community members in small groups to explore solutions.

Cole Miska welcomes reader responses at cmiska@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Spice up the holiday break with a kids’ cooking challenge Parenting Today presented by

Many holiday events and traditions involve food, so this season is the perfect time to let your kids take on a more active role in the kitchen. With most kids out of school for several weeks this time of year, it’s essential to fill some time with unique experiences that might otherwise be lost in the shuffle of school, sports, and hobbies.

Setting them up to take the reins can also give you a muchneeded break from cooking, even if you need to be on standby to help out. Let your creativity soar this season, and set up fun cooking challenges that your kids won’t soon forget.

How cooking benefits kids Whether you’ve always cooked with your kids or are contemplating getting them involved for the first time, it’s good to note all the benefits children derive from being active in the kitchen. Experts agree that kids use life skills on a smaller scale when they’re cooking, including problem-solving, creativity, math, science, and memory.

Cooking also helps kids connect with the larger world.

Understanding the cultural significance of an ingredient or the cultivation process for their food are real-world lessons that broaden a child’s investment in their community.

Pre-challenge considerations One of the best ways to get kids excited about cooking is to make it fun! A cooking competition or challenge adds extra flair to the activity, but you know your kids best. Create rules and prizes that mesh with their ages, ability levels, and overall temperaments.

You’ll also want to ensure you have child-safe kitchen tools available and discuss rules about using the stovetop and oven.

Extending this event to the entire neighborhood can also be a fun way to foster community, so don’t be afraid to expand your challenge and set up a few extra cooking stations.

Set up your challenge: under 10 and teens crowd Older kids are ready for more Young kids are more capable cooking responsibility, both bein the kitchen than we often re- fore and during meal preparation. alize. While you’ll need to help These challenge variations rewith some steps, kids between quire older kids to plan, prep, and five and 10 can often complete think on their feet in the kitchen. most steps in a recipe indepen- Choose the setup that works dently. Choosing the right recipe best for your kids and schedule. is vital here—set them up for success! Below are two variations Mystery ingredient that you can use multiple times Create a home version of popthroughout school break. ular television shows that give contestants a mystery ingredient they must incorporate into a dish.

Recipe scavenger hunt Choose a holiday recipe your This is a perfect time to introduce kids can complete, and hide the seasonal flavors and produce that ingredients and tools around the might be new in your household. house. Hand out recipe cards Reveal the secret ingredient in (with pictures for pre-readers) advance so kids can flip through and set a timer for the contes- cookbooks or visit the pantry to tants to procure their items! plan their dishes. After cooking is When the timer buzzes, award done, assemble a panel of judges points or a prize to the person to crown the winner! who found the most items, then help the others collect their miss- Cook for the event ing tools. The second round of If your kids are looking for this challenge involves making ways to be more involved with the recipe. Set up a blind taste family traditions and events, let test at the end to choose a win- them cook a special dish for the next gathering. Assign a food catner!

Courtesy of lightfieldstudios via 123RF Favorites, with a twist Every kid knows their favorite food, and they’d be thrilled to learn how to make it. Have each participant write or draw a list of the ingredients and tools necessary for their favorite dish.

Add a surprise element for each contestant (along with cooking instructions), then let them start cooking! They’ll have to find a creative way to incorporate the new item, and they may discover a new twist on an old favorite along the way.

Set up your challenge: tweens

egory to each child (for example, dessert) and give them time to plan, shop for, and prepare the dish before the big day. Proudly display their creations on the buffet table with a sign that gives them full credit for the delicious results.

Cooking competitions can be an excellent way for your kids to have fun, hone skills, and be part of a meaningful holiday tradition this time of year.

MSR + Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) share a mission of protecting, maintain-

ing, and improving the health of ALL Minnesotans. Our shared vision for health equity in Minnesota, where ALL communities are thriving and ALL people have what they need to be healthy is

the foundation of our partnership to bring readers our feature, Parenting Today. Good health starts with family! To view our weekly collection of stories, go to our website or scan the code.

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MSR DINNER

and determined future.

In a world increasingly domContinued from page 1 inated by digital media, the significance of a newspaper like the MSR cannot be overbuilding upon the African stated. For nearly a century American community’s rich it has been a beacon of truth, history and achievements. providing a platform for stoThe event did more than ries that might otherwise have just mark 90 years of journalremained untold. istic excellence; it rekindled a spirit for facing future chalAn invitation lenges and celebrating triThe upcoming dinner series umphs. In its journey towards promises to be an extraorthe 90th-anniversary celebradinary opportunity for busitions, the Spokesman Recordnesses to align themselves er stands as a testament to the with the Minnesota Spokespress’s power in shaping sociman Recorder’s rich legacy etal narratives and inspiring a and its commitment to posicommunity towards a hopeful tive change.

evening of culinary excellence and meaningful conversations as well as open doors to collaboration with a trusted institution.

As the MSR approaches its 90th anniversary, it celebrates not only a rich past but also embraces a future charged with potential. The newspaper remains committed to being a voice for the African American community, upholding justice, Guests enjoying dinner and driving transformation.

In an evolving world, its The MSR is extending a participate in the newspaper’s mission to inform, empower Game Changers Red Enve- journey to its 90th anniversary and lead is more critical than lope dinner invitation to se- in 2024. By joining these gathever. The MSR is poised not lect businesses from various erings, business supporters just to record history but to sectors in the Twin Cities to can immerse themselves in an actively shape the narrative of

the African American experience for future generations.

It’s a chance to celebrate our shared history, honor our past, and chart a sustainable path forward together. Your participation will not only shape the narrative of our community but also amplify the impact of the Spokesman Recorder in shaping societal narratives and inspiring hope for a better future. Join this remarkable journey and help create a lasting legacy for the next 90 years and beyond.

Dee Hollins welcomes readercomments at dhollins@spokesman-recorder.com.

or psychiatrist engage the person in treat- for up to 18 months. An addiBy county, Hennepin has es or if he had a job, though COMMITMENTS ato psychologist evaluate the person. The ment for up to 90 days.” tional 16 percent are commit- the most commitments at over neighbors say he’d complained

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hearing, which can take place up to 44 days after the petition is filed, involves the county atThe process for involuntary torney proving why a person commitment A person can be involuntarily needs to be committed. The committed, that is, forced into person who is the subject of treatment at a hospital for hav- commitment also has the right ing a mental illness or addiction to a lawyer and to prove why to drugs, if they are deemed to they should not be committed.

When someone is commitbe a danger to themselves or others. Minnesota’s process is ted, they can get remanded to called the Minnesota Commit- a hospital’s psychiatric ward. ment Act and was established People with more serious illin 1982, replacing previous ver- nesses can get remanded to the Anoka Metro Regional sions of the law.

Anyone can ask the courts Treatment Center just north to commit someone to men- of downtown Anoka, or the tal health or substance abuse Minnesota Security Hospital treatment. But before the in St. Peter. Those committed courts can decide, the county because they have sexually needs to conduct a pre-pe- harmed others as a result of a tition screening. In this step, mental illness are remanded to doctors and psychologists, the Minnesota Sex Offender among other hospital staff, program in Moose Lake.

We’re waiting until they get evaluate a person’s health, income and lifestyle to deter- very, very sick. [The county atmine if they need to be civ- torneys say] if they’re not willilly committed. It can also start ing to go to treatment volunwith a 72-hour hold, where tarily, there’s nothing we can a health or police officer de- do. Which is true,” said Abdertermines someone will harm holden. “One thing [counties themselves or others because can do is] when [someone’s] they have a mental illness or symptoms are coming back, they can send someone out. drug addiction.

Once someone asks the It could be a peer specialist, courts to commit someone by mental health practitioner— petition, the courts will appoint they could go out and try to

Abderholden says counties ted for more than 18 months. 26,000. Ramsey had the sec- about the Oak Grove Grocery across the state are not doing The data does not show who ond-most commitments at over not accepting food stamps. this for the most part because is released from commitment, 22,000. Cottonwood, Grant, Neighbors and community they lack funding. NAMI plans only to be committed again Red Lake and Traverse coun- members also say Schulz had to lobby the state legislature sometime later. ties in western Minnesota had shoplifted from the store and for funding to support the five commitments each. One assaulted children and animals early intervention program of those committed was Taylor living in his Loring Park apart“You don’t have to this session, which begins in Justin Schulz, who beat Loring ment building. Now, he faces walk far from here to February. Abderholden also Park shopkeeper Robert Skafte charges, perhaps recommitargues the state needs to exto death on December 8. ment, for killing Skafte. see people who are Studies show civil commitpand its programs that help obviously a danger those who have mental illnessDo commitments rehabilitate? ments do not appear to work to themselves and es or chemical dependency so It’s not clear if anyone has well to rehabilitate those who others, and who are those who rely on those proconducted any studies on how have caused sexual harm. A civil commitments affect the 2014 study published in the grams are less likely to relapse. obviously not in the The Minnesota Departright state of mind and mental health of Minnesotans. “Journal of Criminal Justice” on But for Sue Abderholden, who Minnesota inmates who were ment of Employment and are chronically chemi- is the executive director of civilly committed for sexually Economic Development also cally dependent.” the National Alliance on Men- harming others found about received about $5 million this past session to expand their tal Illness Minnesota chapter, 28 percent of them would be Vocational Rehabilitation Serthe civil commitment process convicted again for a similar Of the 83,795 committed, needs to change. offense if they were released. vices program, which provides Schulz, the person who About a third of those released employment support services 1,156 people have been comfor those who have a mental mitted to either the Anoka or beat Loring Park shopkeeper would be convicted within four illness. However, funding from St. Peter facilities. About half Robert Skafte to death, was years of release. The study the legislature will be cut back of the 1,156 who were com- civilly committed in 2021 af- recommended implementing to $2.55 million in 2026, which mitted to either the Anoka ter experiencing schizoaffec- early intervention techniques could require DEED to make or St. Peter facilities— 603 tive disorder and psychosis. to reduce recidivism. cuts to the program. Commit- — were committed because He was eventually released.

Abderholden believes that ments do not usually last more they had some form of mental “Commitments don’t last for- county attorneys need to than six months and can be illness. Just over half of that ever,” said Abderholden. “Once implement a so-called early continued for up to 12 months. number were committed be- the person is doing well, that warning system for those who As of October, courts across cause they were also a danger commitment goes away.” show signs of mental illness. “ the state have committed a to- to either themselves or others.

After his release, Schulz tal of 83,795 people in the past An additional 80 were commit- moved into a Loring Park H. Jiahong Pan welcomes decade. Of those committed, ted because they had a chemi- apartment. It’s unclear if he reader comments at hpan@ was receiving county servic- spokesman-recorder.com.

26 percent remain committed cal dependency.

money has done over 47 years TURNING POINT and thousands of people. And

coaches, so clients know what to do when they leave.

We provide other resources such as educational and job resources, so that they can be okay once they leave. We also have mental health counseling, so that you can get to the root causes of the problem—what happened. What happened in someone’s life that started them drinking or doing drugs.

There’s something behind that.

We recently got a grant from Hennepin County for opioid treatment that’s really devastating the community.

Continued from page 1

those people are not the same as they were before.

organization that would pump the energy into a “turning TWD: What was the mispoint.” We got the clients after sion then, when you started [IBCA], because we wanted to Turning Point, compared to make sure who was ready for today? outpatient and who was ready PH: We were a culturally for inpatient treatment. We specific service center. Back had young people like you and then, the emphasis was on older people like myself and Black men and women. And I Peter Bell, and others. We had had no qualms about that. Toa sound group of people who day, it’s a little different. Back could advocate for the com- then, we saw so many Black munity and speak out. men and women not being That’s one of the reasons I served in the community. We brought Lori [Wilson] in. I’m saw a void in that. So our mis80 years old. I’ve been run- sion was, “We find you wherning Turning Point for 47 years. ever you are. It’s our job to It’s time. There comes a time make you healthy.” Our motto for everybody when they de- was, “It’s a time and place to cide what they’re going to do change your mind.” with their lives. You can either stand up or sit down. Either TWD: What were some of way, you gotta be breathing. the qualifications for people Turning Point has done a to get into Turning Point? great job helping over 26,000 PH: We didn’t have any men and women. When we qualifications. If you were an started, we were a co-ed pro- alcoholic, if you had a drug gram and we’re going to go problem, you could come to back to that.

Turning Point.

I’m looking forward to stepping into another phase of TWD: Walk me through life. People say, ‘Oh, you’re what a day is like at Turning retiring?’ No, I’m going to take Point? another step. I’m going to be PH: Back in the day, we had the new ambassador for Turn- a bench that you would sit on ing Point. I’ll get out there and when you first walked in. And let people know what Turning we would ask everyone who Point has done. came in, “Why are you here?”

There are four founda- Ninety-nine percent of the tions that funded us: Cargill, people, it took them three to General Mills, the McKnight four days to figure it out.

Foundation and Honeywell.

They thought that the anI’m going to send them a note swer was complicated. But all and tell them, this is what your they had to say was, “My life

(l-r) Lori Wilson, Peter Hayden, and Tracey Williams-Dillard is unmanageable, and I need someone to help me.”

The program was a year. That’s why the outcomes were so great.

You came there until you got yourself together. Our program was administered around where you were. We used the 12 steps of AA, but we also used the seven steps of Kwanzaa. It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian or Muslim, because you are a drug addict or a drunk.

It’s time to turn the page, and that’s where Lori Wilson comes in

LW: We just received $500,000 from the city that we are planning to use to update some of the programming and facilities at Turning Point.

It’s really about our clients and them getting what they deserve and what they need to be productive citizens. The money from the city will help, but we’re looking at raising money through the bonding bill.

Before the $500,000, we got $1,000,000 from the state through Senator Bobby Joe

“There comes a time for everybody when they decide what they’re going to do with their lives. You can either stand up or sit down.”

Champion. That was an aweTWD: Lori Wilson, can you some experience and thank talk about the future of Turn- you Peter for helping me through that. I had never given ing Point?

TWD: How do people get in touch with Turning Point?

How can they reach out if they testimony before the state leg- need some help? islature before that. But within LW: Sometimes it’s just a weeks we were awarded the phone call. Our number is 612$1,000,000 in funding.

520-4004. We also have a webBut even before that, Coun- site, so that you can connect cilmember Vetaw really put us that way: turningpoint.org. And back on the map. Her mother word-of-mouth. Folks can stop had been through the program by. Folks know where we’re at: some years ago. So, she has a 1500 Golden Valley Road. The vested interest in the program. doors are always open.

We’re trying to reconfigure the One of the things you asked, space so it can hold more peo- Tracey, that I want to get back ple because there’s a real need. to is, what’s the vision. Peter and I have thought about it TWD: How long do they a lot. Turning Point is just in stay with Turning Point, and North Minneapolis right now. what tools do you offer to help Just imagine what it would clients stay sober? be like having Turning Point LW: They stay there for 90 in South Dakota, in Iowa, in days, then they get re-evaluat- Waterloo, in all these different ed. So, if they need to stay lon- satellites. That 26,000—just ger, they can stay longer. We’ve blow that out the water. got a counseling staff of about five, right now. They stay about The “Tracey’s Keepin’ it Real” 90 days and then they move interview was edited for length. to our other residential hous- For the full interview, visit the ing. We have our peer-recovery MSR website.

Photo by Chris Juhn

6 December 21 - 27, 2023

Business It’s always the right time to plan for retirement

spokesman-recorder.com

eral savings? Include these funding sources, if you have them, when projecting how much you’ll have in retirement.

• Keep working. A growing number of people are working in semi-retirement and developing portfolios that produce passive income. Some might continue working full-time for longer than planned to build more savings. If you can generate enough income and are able to wait until age 70 to claim Social Security, it may allow you to maximize benefits over your lifetime.

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Whether you’re just entering the workforce or plan to stop working in a few years, it’s never too early – or too late – to save for retirement.

Ideally, retirement planning and saving should start as soon as you get your first paycheck, but it’s easy to focus on more pressing expenses in your 20s, 30s and 40s, like paying for a house or raising children. By your 50s or 60s, however, you might feel you haven’t saved enough to avoid worrying about financial security in retirement.

There’s always time to make changes. Consider these options to protect your assets, build credit, and maintain and grow your investments for a financially worry-free future. rent financial status, the following steps are the foundation of most retirement plans.

Understanding your • Begin with a 401(k). If current financial picture available, consider joining your employer’s retirement plan, and planning for benefits, like a 401(k). You can set up like Social Security and automatic deposits each pay pensions, are important period, and many employers will match your financial consteps to figuring out how tributions, giving you more much income you may funds for the future.

• Consider opening an IRA. have in retirement.

Find out if you’re eligible for an individual retirement account (IRA) and consider conStart with the basics tributing what you can. You No matter your age or cur- can have an IRA in addition to

or desired lifestyle, here are a few considerations to help get you in a better position.

• Make catch-up contributions. Many tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts, like IRAs and 401(k)s, alPlay catch up Understanding your current low catch-up contributions financial picture and planning for people 50 and over. That for benefits, like Social Secu- means you can contribute rity and pensions, are impor- more than the governmenttant steps to figuring out how set maximum each year, up to much income you may have in a certain amount, to make up for what you didn’t contribute retirement.

If you’re nearing your pro- in the past.

• Make sure you have adjected retirement date and you don’t think you have enough equate insurance. In addition saved to maintain your current to making sure your life insur-

an employer-based plan.

• Put your money to work.

A general investment account has the potential to grow your savings even more.

Make a plan No matter your current financial situation, set aside some time to review your options. There are many helpful tools, including articles, calculators and financial advice from professionals, to help you craft a roadmap to transition This is a royalty free photo. to your years in retirement.

Planning for your unique ance is current, look into longsituation may help you get term care and disability insurcloser to where you want to be ance before you retire to save in retirement, even if you don’t money on future health care feel that you’re there yet. costs.

• Consider your home eqFor more information and uity as part of the equation. online retirement articles, tools If you plan to remain in your and calculators, visit chase.com/ home, a home equity line of retirement or scan here. credit may be another option to fund certain expenses in retirement. If you choose to downsize to a smaller home, it may free up cash in your home’s equity for you to use.

• Tap other sources of income and equity. Do you have taxable brokerage accounts or other gen-

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December 21 - 27, 2023

Arts & Culture

7

Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher dies at 61

By Stacy M. Brown Renowned actor Andre Braugher, celebrated for his compelling performances in iconic television series such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” has died at 61 after a battle with lung cancer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months before his death, his publicist Jennifer Allen told CNN. A two-time Emmy winner, Braugher gained widespread acclaim for portraying Captain Raymond Holt in the police procedural comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” from 2013 to 2021. Braugher’s character, an officer who appeared tough but displayed his care for all, was paired with Andy Samberg’s Detective Jack

mon created, Braugher stood Searles, a free Black man who out due to his intense perfor- joined the first Black regiment. mances.

From there he seamlessly tranIn addition to his Emmy sitioned to television, notably successes, Braugher received appearing in “Kojak,” “Homiacclaim for his role as a master cide: Life on the Street,” “Hack,” criminal in the FX series “Thief,” and “House, M.D.” for which he earned another Braugher’s versatilEmmy in 2006. His multifac- ity extended to the big screen, eted career prompted reflec- where he left an indelible mark tion on the complex portrayal with roles in films such as “City of police officers in the media, of Angels,” “Frequency,” “Poseas discussed in a 2020 Variety idon,” “Primal Fear,” “Duets,” cover story where he empha- “The Mist,” “Fantastic Four: sized the need to address the Rise of the Silver Surfer,” “Salt,” depiction of law enforcement and “The Gambler.” on television collectively.

His wife, Ami Brabson, who Born in Chicago, Braugher also starred in “Homicide: Life Andre Braugher MGN graduated from Stanford Uni- on the Street,” and their three versity before pursuing drama children survive him.

Peralta, the polar opposite of Pembleton on NBC’s “Homi- departed from the series. In at the Juilliard School. His caStacy M. Brown is the NNPA Holt. cide: Life on the Street,” which the critically acclaimed police reer began with a notable role Newswire senior national correas a Union soldier in the film Many may recall Braugh- earned him the title of lead drama that Barry Levinson, “Glory,” portraying Thomas spondent. er’s role as Detective Frank actor Emmy in 1998 when he Tom Fontana and David Si-

Growing demand for event planners signals a post-pandemic boom

By Sheletta Brundige Contributing Writer

full force.” event planners. According to “COVID really did some- the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thing for a lot of people,” said employment for planners is Ever wonder what it Thompson, an introvert who expected to grow 8 percent must’ve been like to be a pro- didn’t mind being at home be- between 2022 to 2032. That fessional party planner when hind the computer. However, adds up to 15,200 planner the global pandemic made it she realizes the pandemic was openings each year over the next decade. impossible for people to get much harder on others.

This is welcome news together?

“People just kinda got tired Sherryln Thompson knows of being by themselves for so to planners like Thompson, all too well. The long-time party planner experienced the immediate downturn in business firsthand.

“When you’re in the business of events and everybody is locked to their house, business completely tanks,” said Thompson, owner of Highly Favored Events & Travel. She ended up taking a traditional nine-to-five job with one of her clients to help pay her family’s bills.

Now almost four years later, event planners and the people who hire them are making up for lost time. “Business now is even better now than it was pre-COIVD,” said Thompson.

“Stuff is really picking up,” so much so that Thompson may need to leave her full-time work to give more time to her Sherryln Thompson Courtesy photo business.

Thompson credits the boom in business to the pent-up de- many years, and now that we whose mother tells stories mand caused by the pandemic. can get out in the world again, about how her little girl loved “Now everyone is in the season they want to be out in the planning, even before she started elementary school. of, ‘I was locked up, and I was world as much as possible.”

“If you’ve seen the movie, Government statistics untrapped for two, three years, and I need to get out,’” she derscore the growing demand “Soul Food,” that was our family said. “Events are coming back for meetings, convention and on Sundays,” recalled Thompson.

“My mom said that I would always plan out what we were going to do and what we were going to have, plan the shopping trip.” Thompson’s mom used to get annoyed when her daughter made her spell out every item on the shopping list. “That was my job,” laughed Thompson.

Years later, Thompson is still a perfectionist who loves attending to the details.

This past weekend, she

$5

made sure the Monitors Foundation Holiday Gala went off without a hitch. Last month it was the Black Men Teach Twin Cities’ big event.

Thompson can’t remember the family gatherings she helped throw as a preschooler, but she knows what it feels like to deliver the goods now.

She smiles when she recalls how pleased Monitors members were after their gala fundraiser. “To see how happy they

were with the way it looked and the amount of work and stress that was taken off of them really made me feel good that I was able to help them,” she said.

For more info about Highly Favored Events & Travel, visit www.highlyfavoredevents.com.

Sheletta Brundige welcomes reader comments at sbrundige@ spokesman-recorder.com.

LifeSource

2225 WEST RIVER ROAD NORTH MINNEAPOLIS MN 55411

The afternoon includes shopping with local vendors, networking, games, food, music, and more!

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8 December 21 - 27, 2023

Opinion

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Supreme Court to revisit Capitol riot charges

By Stacy M. Brown

Infant mortality: A call-to-action for the Black community

By Monique LeNoir and Chanda Nicole Holsey

CDC’s latest findings, there are important actions that we, as a community, must take to conAs a Black mother with two front these disparities head-on: sons, and my colleague who is a 1. Raise Awareness: It is esBlack mother of two daughters sential to raise awareness about who suffered an infant loss at the alarming infant mortality 27 weeks, we are deeply con- rates among Black infants. We cerned about the recent news must engage in open and honest from the CDC, which reports conversations within our comthe largest increase in infant munities, highlighting the dismortality rates in more than parities that continue to plague two decades. While the overall African American women and increase in infant mortality rates children regardless of socioecomay not be significant, the dis- nomic or educational status.

2. Provide Access to Reliable parity in the Black community is nothing short of alarming.

Black infants are experiencBlack infants ing the highest rates of infant are experiencmortality, with nearly 11 deaths per 1,000 births—more than ing the highest double the rate for White inrates of infant fants. This news serves as a stark reminder that systemic mortality, with health disparities continue to nearly 11 deaths plague our community, and it is per 1,000 time for us to act.

In the face of this troubling births—more report, we are faced with a cruthan double the cial question—what do we do about it? Specifically, what can rate for White Black mothers and fathers do to infants. navigate the complex healthcare system effectively and demand the quality care we deserve?

Information: Organizations The African American Well- such as the March of Dimes, ness Project (AAWP) is a trusted and ours, AAWP, are committed resource that empowers indi- to providing accessible and relividuals to navigate the complex able information about effechealthcare system effectively tive ways to address the health and demand the quality care of moms and children, healththey deserve. Our primary focus care options, and navigating the has been to equip individuals healthcare system. Visit such rewith the knowledge and tools liable guides and resources that they need to advocate for and can help you make informed deprotect their health, and our cisions about your health. organization serves as a mega3. Advocate for Change: Emphone for trusted information power yourself with knowledge and vital resources that empow- and become an advocate for change. Join local and national er African Americans.

As we grapple with the initiatives that aim to address

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

In a development with potentially far-reaching implications, the United States Supreme Court announced on Wednesday, December 13, that it will hear an appeal that could unravel hundreds of convictions linked to the deadly January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The case, revolving around charges related to the Capitol riot, includes accusations against the twice-impeached and four-timesindicted former President Donald Trump. The focus of the Supreme Court’s attention is an appellate ruling that reinstated a charge against three defendants accused of obstructing an official proceeding.

The charge explicitly concerns disrupting Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory over Trump, who currently faces more than 90 felony criminal charges and whom a civil jury ruled should pay $5 million in damages for sexually assaulting a writer. The obstruction charge is just one of the four counts in the case that special counsel Jack Smith has made alleging that Trump conspired to tamper with election results and obstruct a legal process.

The court’s decision to review the obstruction charge could dis-

rupt the timeline of Trump’s im- that it did not cover their actions. pending trial, currently scheduled The Supreme Court’s involvefor March 4. The justices are also ment resulted from Fischer’s atdebating whether to quickly rule torneys filing an appeal. on Trump’s claim that he cannot The other defendants inface charges for actions taken volved in the appeal are Edward while he was president, which a Jacob Lang from New York’s Hudfederal judge has already rejected. son Valley and Garret Miller, who has already pleaded guilty to additional charges and received a The court’s deci38-month prison sentence. Notasion to review the bly, Miller, hailing from the Dallas obstruction charge area, may still face prosecution on obstruction charges. could disrupt the U.S. District Judge Carl Nichtimeline of Trump’s ols played a pivotal role by ruling impending trial, cur- that prosecutors stretched the law beyond its intended scope rently scheduled for in those January 6 cases. Nichols March 4. maintained that, under the law, a defendant must have taken speThe Associated Press noted that cific actions concerning a docuthe obstruction charge has been ment, record, or object to obleveled against more than 300 de- struct an official proceeding. The fendants as part of the extensive Justice Department contested federal prosecution following the the ruling, and in April the apviolent insurrection on January 6, peals court in Washington sided 2021, when a mob of Trump sup- with prosecutors, deeming Nichporters stormed the Capitol to ols’ interpretation too restrictive. prevent Biden, a Democrat, from More than 1,200 individuals assuming the presidency. have been charged with federal The case’s origins trace back crimes linked to the Capitol riot, to a lower court judge who dis- and more than 650 defendants missed the obstruction charge have pleaded guilty. against Joseph Fischer, a former Boston police officer, and two Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA Newsother defendants, contending wire senior national correspondent.

healthcare disparities, and let your voice be heard. Demand equal access to quality care for all, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

4. Support Community Initiatives: Support organizations like AAWP that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the African American community. Together, we can create a powerful force for change.

5. Seek Prenatal and Postnatal Care: For expectant Black mothers, seeking prenatal care is crucial. Accessing proper medical guidance throughout pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of infant mortality. Postnatal care is equally important to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and child.

6. Educate Healthcare Pro- By Jerry Freeman refunds as our welfare checks. The porting Americans feeling overviders: Encourage healthcare more the middle and upper classes whelmed by busy schedules with providers to receive cultural Why does so much poverty claim as their share of the federal insufficient time for sleep. How competency training to better persist in the U.S., the richest bounty, the less remains for the poor. likely are they to start monitorunderstand the unique needs country in the world? That’s the Especially galling is that “today ing their local planning boards and challenges faced by Black question Matthew Desmond the biggest beneficiaries of feder- as “poverty abolitionists”? And if patients. Advocate for equitable tries to answer in his book “Pov- al aid are affluent families” to the political action were the key to healthcare practices and policies. erty, By America” out this year. tune of $1.8 trillion lost to their eliminating poverty in a country 7. Practice Radical SelfIt’s the latest in a long tradi- tax breaks in 2021. That does not where politics is our secular reCare: Finally, we know life does tion of efforts to unravel this include another trillion dollars a ligion, it would have disappeared not stop while one is pregnant, supposed conundrum, from Ben year lost to unpaid owed taxes, long ago. but reducing stress during Franklin’s 1776 newspaper “most of it going to tax avoidance Sure, the new anti-poverty pregnancy is critical for pre- editorial “On the Price of Corn, by multinational corporations movement he encourages venting complications for mom and Management of the Poor,” and wealthy families.” would be welcome, but it seems and baby. Be vigilant about to “From the Depths,” a 1957 Compared to these massive a large number of aggrieved inimplementing self-care. Reduce book on the subject, and for my sums, Desmond proposes that terest groups are trying to build stress, cut back on nonessential generation Michael Harrington’s for only $177 billion we could movements these days and the activities, have a good support 1962 “The Other America,” which make “immense headway” in re- competition is stiff. network, seek resources in the helped create support for Lyndon ducing if not eliminating poverty.

Curiously, Desmond, a Princcommunity or from your provid- Johnson’s War on Poverty.

He says we can easily pay for it eton professor, overlooks one of er about ways to help, identify One in eight Americans still by cracking down on tax fraud. the most glaring contributors to the source of your stress and lives in poverty—that’s over 42 an America divided into haves take active steps to remove or million human beings. Millions and have-nots — our dual pubHere’s my lessen it. more live close enough to povlic-private educational system. suggestion Traditionally, the best sourc- erty to feel its hot breath on their For the masses there are the es of information on how to necks knowing that countless state-supported public schools, as to why overcome health disparities things out of their control could community colleges and unipoverty have come from The National plunge them into destitution, versities. For the wealthy (and remains with Institutes of Health and the homelessness, food shelf dea select few others based on us: Many Office of Minority Health. But pendence. Why must so many “merit”) there is the private sysAAWP has emerged as an effec- millions of people endure lives of among us like it. tem comprising some 35,000 tive way to promote health eq- chronic insecurity?

K-12 prep schools and 1,660 uity and yield better outcomes Says Desmond, “When it private colleges and universities. for people of color. The website comes to poverty reduction, How can we make that hapThis system funnels enoraawellnessproject.org provides we’ve had fifty years of nothing.” pen? Unfortunately, Desmond’s mous financial resources into access, guides and resources He points out the obvious, ob- action plan amounts to little more the education of the upper class that can help Black women vious at least to those who have than more of the same. We should and away from the rest of us. Evmake informed decisions about been paying attention to this ob- as consumers be more conscien- ery year the public system must their health. scenity. Exploitation in America is tious about the labor practices go a-begging to state legislaThe CDC’s report is a sober- widespread. This affects everyone, and tax sheltering of the com- tures for tax money to educate ing reminder that our work is far but the poor are especially vulner- panies we buy from. We should the children of poor and working from over. The fact that infant able to predators like slumlords help the poor by better guiding families as well as most of the mortality has increased after and check-cashing sharks and them through the bureaucracies middle class. The private system two decades should serve as a payday loan vultures who move providing aid. We should attend makes do with steep tuitions call-to-action. It is our responsi- in after the big banks have taken local planning board meetings to and enormous endowments bility to respond to these ineq- their cuts in steep fees and service encourage sanctions against bad from wealthy alumni. uities in the healthcare system charges on meager checking ac- landlords. We should “audit” our Here’s my suggestion (not and ensure that every Black counts easily overdrawn. alma maters to see how they are Desmond’s) as to why poverty mother and child receives the He shows how the rest of us, treating their employees and in- remains with us: Many among quality care they deserve. us like it. They like having the non-poor, also exploit the vesting their endowments.

The African American Well- poor by living lives subsidized by We should turn away from someone they can compare ness Project is committed to their labor. We like the low pric- segregation and “give up some themselves to and feel supestanding with our community es made possible by sub-subsis- comforts and familiarities” by rior. Ours is a very competitive, to make meaningful change. To- tence wages for workers who welcoming affordable multi-unit status-conscious culture. It’s gether, we can and must make have to depend on food stamps housing into our single-family reassuring to drive by those a difference. Our children’s lives (now SNAP), just as Walmart (gated?) neighborhoods. Of homeless encampments and depend on it. likes having its workers’ wages course, Desmond also urges the feel that there, but for my hard usual political action: writing let- work and self-discipline and subsidized by our taxes.

Monique LeNoir is executive All of us who claim mortgage in- ters, working on campaigns, vot- good genes, could go I. director and Chanda Nicole Hol- terest deductions on our tax forms ing for candidates committed to sey is a board member of the Af- are receiving a government hand- fighting poverty.

Jerry Freeman is senior editor of rican American Wellness Project.

Consider recent surveys re- the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. out, but few of us acknowledge our

Why are the poor still with us?

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Bulletin

December 21 - 27, 2023

9

Upcoming anti-bullying symposium

By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer On Saturday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Man Up Club is partnering with Community Partnership Collaborative 2.0 (http:// cpcmn.org/) for an anti-bullying symposium at 1018 N. 5th St. in Minneapolis​. The event is for boys who have been the victim of bullying or would like to learn to support those who have. It will include discussions about the harmful effects of bullying and ways to prevent it.

Participants will also have an opportunity to create social-media content on Instagram or TikTok with an anti-bullying message, which The Man Up Club will publish on their website. “Every person who participates in the symposium receives $20,” says Korey Dean, founder and executive director of The Man Up Club.

Korey Dean, founder and executive director of The Man Up Club The club began in 2012 at Photo courtesy of Facebook North St. Paul High School as an afterschool program. It grew out programs cut lawns for community “Looking for volunteers to come in of Dean’s experience at the school members that are free to the el- and help the young men cook or tuas a student advocate for African derly and those with limited abilities. tor the young men or be a chaperone.”

Americans. “[I] recognized that Afri- Their gardening program teaches They also welcome donors who can American males faced the most youth how to grow food organically. would like to make financial conchallenges within the school system They also provide a once-a-month tributions to their cause. Through and wanted to help with some of program called Permission to Grieve. their Suit Up program, the comthose problems and issues that they “Young men can come in who munity can donate slightly used or were having with administration— have been suffering from or deal- new suits. graduation rates and in-school and ing with grief. We have professionout-of-school suspensions.” als that will come in and talk with

On December 23, besides learning about anti-bullying tactics, The Man Up Club will be giving back to the community. “We are doing a toy drive, called Christmas with Scooter, which is a Santa Claus that we have, or Scooter Claus. We will be taking family photos and giving out treats and gifts,” says Dean.

“It will be a day of fun activities and passing out gifts to kids, but at the same time allowing kids to

make some money and put out that anti-bullying message,” he continues. “Any kid that is in the 4th grade to the 12th grade, if they participate in the anti-bullying symposium, they automatically get $20.”

For more information on The Man Up Club, go to www.themanupclub. org, or call 612-584-3125. They are located at 1018 N. 5th St., Minneapolis, MN 55411​.

“Young men can come in who have been suffering from or dealing with grief. We have professionals that will come in and talk with them and counsel them.”

The Man Up Club’s main pro- them and counsel them.” grams are tutoring, one-on-one A recently acquired building in mentoring, and group mentoring. the North Loop area of MinneapoAt North St. Paul High School, their lis offers the opportunity to expand efforts were successful in increas- programming. “We have a rec cening graduation rates and decreasing ter that has pool tables, ping pong suspensions. In 2015, the program tables, air hockey, Xboxes, and became a nonprofit organization PlayStations, anything to keep a so that Dean could partner with young man doing something conother nonprofits, local businesses, structive,” Dean says. churches, and other schools. They This facility has space to provide have different chapters around the a culinary arts program, a fitness Twin Cities. center, and a music program that The Man Up Club serves ages includes music production, music 13-24 and focuses on life skills, so- business, and songwriting. “We cial skills, academic discipline, and also have a program called Youth civil responsibility.

Build, which is a construction train“We have three main goals within ing program, and it’s actually for our Man Up Club organization,” males and females between the Dean explains, “which is to get ages of 16 and 24.” young men to graduate from high Those who would like to become school, to keep them out of the members of The Man Up Club can prison pipeline, and to get them either go to their social media page, to go on to college or have a trade call, or come into the new facility. after high school.” They also take “They can get recommended in by members on field trips and help anybody,” Dean says. “They come with career exploration and job in, fill out an application [and] go readiness. “We bring in different through the orientation.” speakers from different professions Dean also welcomes community to talk with the young men.” support: “We are always looking for Participants in their summer volunteers and partners,” he says.

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By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer

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Dr. Verna Price plays Santa for local students

Anyone passing by the Power of People Leadership Institute on Saturday afternoon, December 9, might have wondered if there was a party going on. “It’s amazing,” recalled Dr. Verna Price.

“We’re screaming and yelling and having a good time.”

There wasn’t a holiday celebration taking place, but an all-hands-on-deck work session. In assembly-line fashion, volunteers were packing gifts for 675 students taking part in the institute’s key programs, Girls Taking Action and Boys of Hope. Even Price’s 87-year-old mother was helping, adding a greeting card to each gift bag.

“We teach our students they are important and loveable, and we teach them that they’re valuable,” said Price, referring to the weekly programs that serve Twin Cities students in grades 6-12. “It’s one thing to have words. It’s another thing to have a gift in your hand come the Christmas and holiday season.”

Price decided to organize the gift drive after realizing some of the young people in her programs might not be

of the schools that offer Girls Taking Action and Boys of Hope have waiting lists for kids to be involved. “Our young people are yearning for people to say something good to them, for someone to tell them, ‘It’s gonna be okay,’” said Price.

Mentors will surprise students with their holiday gift bags throughout the week.

Board members and lead mentors supplied many of the presents. Price is also grateful to corporate partners who stepped up, including Marsden, 3M, Blue Cross Power of People Leadership Institute gift bags for Twin Cities boys and girls

Submitted photo Blue Shield, General Mills, Aveda and Estee Lauder.

“Every student, all 675 of receiving gifts from anyone given up on. Sometimes their teers turned out for the gift- ing Action and Boys of Hope them, will receive a beautiful else. “That has been my ex- parents have given up on packing event. They stuffed programs are offered. gift bag loaded with toys and “It is hands-on, like we are snacks and personal items,” perience,” said Price. “Many them, and so they have a lot each large gift bag with toys, games, art supplies, and in the lives and in the homes said Price. “They will also plenty of stocking-stuffer of our young people,” said have a holiday card from us items. “Every time we finish Price, who co-founded the saying we care, and we are a school,” recalled Price, “all Power of People Leader- here for you.” the volunteers go, ‘Woo- ship Institute in 2007, with Anyone interested in suphoo!’ It was amazing.” her husband, Brother Shane porting Girls Taking Action The packing work was Price. “We are determined to or Boys of Hope by donating fun, admittedly easier than let them know that they are or mentoring can learn more the “gritty community work,” valuable, important, lovable at https://www.popinstitute. like the mentoring and lead- and powerful people in this org. ership training that takes world, and we are on their place each week during and side.”

Sheletta Brundidge welPrice says there’s an ur- comes reader comments at after school. That community work takes place at the 25 gent need for mentoring sbrundidge@spokesman-reof these young people are going on.”

A couple dozen volun- schools where the Girls Tak- young people. In fact, many corder.com. students that schools have

“Our young people are yearning for people to say something good to them, for someone to tell them, ‘It’s gonna be okay.’”

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December 21 - 27, 2023

11

spokesman-recorder.com STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

Estate of Janet L. Peoples Deceased

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT PROBATE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-23-1688 NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Registrar. No will has been presented for probate.

The application has been granted.

Notice is hereby given, that an application for informal probate of the above named decedent’s last will dated June 19, 2002 has been filed with the Registrar herein, and the application has been granted informally probating such will. Any objections may be filed in the above, and the same will be heard by the Court upon notice of hearing fixed for such purpose.

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Everett Pettiford, whose address is 4558 Oliver Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55412, as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent, has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative are empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Cout (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.

Dated: December 6, 2023

Lindy Scanlon, Registrar

Dated: December 6, 2023

Sara Gonsalve Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 14,21, 2023

From Classified Staff Researcher: Department/MN JAMF Software, LLC, Minneapolis, MN. Spokesman-Recorder

Req. Bachelor’s in Mgmt Info. Systems (MIS), Comp. Science, Req. Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related field, & 8 yrs Math, Human Resources Mgmt or rel. field & 5 yrs of progresexp. as a Staff Security Researcher or similar occupation in PHONE: 612-827-4021 PHONE: 612-827-4021 sive post-baccalaureate exp. as a Computer Systems Engineer, mobile field security research. Req. min. 8 yrs exp. w/ each: Software Systems Developer, Software Programmer, Software researching novel vulnerabilities and/or exploits on macOS, FOR BILLING Applications Engineer, or related occupation. Must possess 5 iOS or Android; identifying & solving cyber security vulneraFOR INQUIRIES yrs of exp. w/ BILLING the following: Implementing the Oracle Retail bilities & intrusion detections; analyzing & reviewing incident Product INQUIRIES Suite of applications- Oracle Retail Xstore, Oracle TEARSHEETS responses; & researching & analyzing network protocols (TCP, Retail Xoffice, Oracle Retail Customer Engagement, & Oracle & TEARSHEETS HTTP/S etc.); mobile security; PLconducting E A SE CON TAC T reverse eng’g, static Retail EFTLink Payment Please contactIntegrations; Creating & reviewing & dynamicACCOU analysis ofNmobile applications; programming w/ T I NG DE P T Technical design feasibility one or more scripting languages (Bash, Perl, Python, Ruby); & Accounting Deptanalysis; Contributing to developBILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM ment of project estimates, scheduling, & deliverables; Mainanalyzing customer value focus and iterating based on emerging billing@spokesman-recorder.com taining & enhancing software applications & making necesthreats & customer feedback. Remote work permitted anywhere sary modifications; Software system programming & technical within the PROBATE US. To apply, visit https://www.jamf.com/about/cadocumentation; Source Code review for system modifications reers/, select Req. #5028312004.

No agencies or phone calls 2 WEEK RUN EMPLOYMENT & development, as well asDISPLAY systems management & integration please. FLAT R ATE $215.00 PREPAID SI ZE: 2 COL Requirements X 3 INCH gathering, functional & functions; Integration ATE $44.60 PER COL .strategy INCH for developing the technicalRanalysis, design feasibility Please Note:FOR NewRENT email address for all future ads is product & SUsuccessfully B TOTAL:integrating $267.60 it into existing systems; Daads@spokesman-recorder.com tabase management systems (including Oracle & SQL Server), Find your place with us! We’re At Home Apartments, with locations Programming languages (including Java or J2EE), Application +2 WEEK S ONLINE @$150 throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Call 651-224-1234 or Servers (Including WebLogic, Tomcat, Jetty) & source code reThe MSR handles billing digitally.

TOTA L : $417.60 visit AtHomeApartments.com to check availability of view at an advanced level.

Remote work permitted anywhere in This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices an apartment or townhome. Equal Housing Opportunity. the United States.

For confidential consideration, please submit unless you specifically request a hard copy. résumé to https://careers.btmglobal.com/careers. Requisition Please proof, respond with email confirmation to #16349076.

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From Legal Secretary/Office Manager ads@spokesman-recorder.com. For more exposure: Department/MN Central Minnesota Legal Services – Minneapolis Office We are also inviting our clients to advertise on our Spokesman-Recorder Full-time Legal Secretary/Office Manager position in MPLS web site for 2 weeks for a flat net fee of $150 per Legal Assistant office. Tasks include receptionist duties, answering phones and position with purchase of print ad.

PHONE: 612-827-4021 screening calls, assisting with timekeeping, some accounting Wilson Law Group LLC seeks Bilingual Legal Assistants in Mintasks, preparation of reports, drafting correspondence, filing, ocbilling digitally. neapolisThe MN MSR fluent handles Spanish rqd, to assist attys in prep of legal filcasional transcription, and other duties as requested to facilitate This means you will get e-tears and and e-mailed inings, inc. interview clients, draft forms, prep exh, mtns, gathFOR BILLING office functions. Microsoft Office Suite. Second Language+. Salvoices unless you specifically request a hard copy. er docs and comm w/ clients.

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Find your place with us! cerns at the camp, including

NENOOKAASI open drug use and sex acts.

Continued from page 1

“Not only are crimes being committed regularly, but they are also being hidden from po“Nenookaasi is imperfect lice with threats of, and physibecause people are imperfect. cal acts of, violence to those Every day is a practice in learn- who would normally report,” ing and doing better. We are “Nenookaasi is interrupting harm and increasimperfect because ing survival. You have to surpeople are imperfect. vive to be housed. You have to Every day is a survive to heal.” practice in learning Sarah McKenzie, the media and doing better.” relations coordinator for Minneapolis, cited “several public safety and health concerns” as Salmon alleged in the letter. the city’s reason for wanting Since Camp Nenookaasi to close the camp. McKenzie emerged several months ago, referenced a letter from Ryan 45-year-old Tyrone Mohr was faSalmon, the interim chair of tally shot at the encampment on Metropolitan Urban Indian Dec. 12, and a baby was found Directors (MUID), demanding dead at the camp in October. the camp be closed. Salmon Nicole Mason, one of the alleged numerous safety con- leaders of the camp, acknowl-

From Classified Technical Lead: Department/MN BTM Global Consulting, LLC, Minneapolis, Mn. Spokesman-Recorder

We’re Home Apartments, locations Thewithcamp was originally edges the camp hasAthad some throughout the Twin Cities metro area. eviction on Deissues, but said that people scheduled for Callto651-224-1234 visit AtHomeApartments.com were able heal in theorencember 14, but the date was to check availability or townhome. pushed ahead to December campment.

Mason is trying of toan apartment The city has since delayed help get residentsEqual into Housing drug 19.

Opportunity. treatment programs and uses the encampment eviction date traditional Native American indefinitely, saying it needs techniques to try and help time to find social services people in the camp get sober. partners to support unhoused She believes that Nenookaasi people at the camp.

“Once we have a plan in place is being unjustly targeted because it is a majority Native with those partners, the cloAmerican camp. sure will happen because we “We are known as the camp need to address the ongoing with the dead baby. You public health and safety issues know, the shooting,” Mason at the encampment, including a said. “But this happens all over fatal shooting in the encampthe South Side. It happens ment last week,” McKenzie said. in peoples’ homes. And very Crabtree believes the real little police or press attention reason for the delays is the gets targeted towards crimes large-scale activists’ orgathat happen across our city’s nizing tactics such that they homes, because it’s not an en- could not be ignored. She saw campment or because they’re the delay as a victory for the encampment and activists. not Indigenous people.”

billing@spokesman-recorder.com

“The pause on eviction cre- sure is achieved by housing resEMPLOYMENT ates an opportunity for us to DISPLAY act idents.” They also want to see SI ZE: 2 COL X 2.25 I NC H on our collective responsibility, the opening of a cultural healR AT E $44.60 PER COL . I NC H chart a new path forward, and ing center and create a location SU B TOTAL: $200.70 create the possibility for mean- where Camp Nenookaasi can ingful policy change,” Crabtree be permanently established. +2 W EEK S ON LI NE @$150 “That’s all I want is for our said. “I think a lot of people lack T O TA L : $350.70 information on how systems ac- people to heal. I want more cultually work, or don’t. And I think turally based recovery services, many of us lack proof, curiosity.

We with with traditional healings. That’s Please respond email confirmation to need to askads@spokesman-recorder.com. more questions.” what ourFor people need,” Mason more exposure: Activists a rally and our said.

“A lottoofadvertise them didn’t Weheld are also inviting clients on know our marched to the of net our fee traditions.” web siteencampment for 2 weeks fora alotflat of $150 per on December 13. with One purchase camp position ofMcKenzie print ad. has confirmed resident cried at the sight of that one of their social serhandles billing digitally. the crowdThe andMSR said she did not vices partners has managed you will get e-mailed in- enknow so This manymeans people cared toe-tears get 45and residents of the voices unless you specifically request a hard copy. about the unhoused. campment into permanent Leaders of the camp have housing, with 46 more schedput out the “Nenookaasi uled to move into permanent Homeless Response Action housing soon.

Plan,” outlining their principles, goals, and proposed protocols.

Cole Miska welcomes reader One of the protocols in the ac- comments at cmiska@spokestion plan says that “camp clo- man-recorder.com.

points in Case: with 2,174 At Home Apartments (AHA) - For Rent eighth in the conference with a senior, Porter, who was a walkThe boy winners include x 1 “It’s herSize: high school3.4167 career. seven rebounds per game. on for the Badgers last sea- Redd Overton (1980), Brett Continued from page 12 Continued from page 12 Date: her5/12/22 to watch play.”

“It’s extra impressive at her funRun son following an outstand- McNeal (1985), Derek ReuAd Options: For an additional $300.00 you can get online Homecoming number one size,” noted Moseley on Poring prep career, is now the ben (1988), and Khalid Elas well.

Porter’s next ter’s board work. “She has the is in the books. advertising Dhamani Tucker added 19 team’s starting point guard. mind the whole game.”

Amin (1997), while Tamara two opportunities to play in for the defending St. Paul “Even though my shots heart of a lion.”

Hill, herself an outstand- Moore (1998) and Mauri “Everybody always talks town will be February 20, at City Conference champions. weren’t falling, I definitely ing player during her high Horton (1999) represent the about her height,” said Smith, Williams Arena and in March, The Tommies were led by school career and currently girls who captured the award. found a way to involve myself the guard tandem of junior a junior, is in the Tommies’ in the game, helping my team- “but Ronnie is just an all- at the Big Ten Tournament in Banners representing the downtown Minneapolis.

Sam Young, who led the way starting lineup. mates score or being a defen- around basketball player.” winners are draped on the “It definitely will be better Added Porter, “There was with a game-high 21 points, sive threat,” noted Porter.

Wisconsin, a member of school’s gymnasium walls. next time,” promised Porter really no days off for me.

I and senior Deidrick Taylor, the Big Ten Conference, de“I think she might be a little Overton led North to the who contributed 20. over-anxious because of ev- know what I am capable of. feated Summitt League Con- Class AA title in 1980. Mcerybody that came to see My teammates help me get to Finally… ference member St. Thomas Neal led them to runner-up Wisconsin is now 3-0 all[her] play today,” observed the point I am today.

Wednesday December 13, 78-55.

AA finishes in ‘84 and ’85.

“My coaches and the staff, time against St. Thomas, but Ronnie Smith, a Como Park 2023: Two former metro prep Reuben helped them earn a girls assistant coach who there was never a day where 1-0 as fellow Division I memstars compete fourth place AA finish in ‘86, History lesson: Minneapolis coached Porter in high school. they weren’t on me and I bers. Last Wednesday’s game Former St. Paul Como North’s Mr. and Miss Basket- and with El-Amin, state titles UW Coach Marisa Mose- wasn’t on myself. I’m proud of was part of UST’s “Beat WisPark girls basketball great ball legacy came in ‘95, ’96 and ’97. consin” week.

Ronnie Porter (University of ley added, “She put pressure myself,” said Porter.

Moore led the Polars to Part of the legacy of Min“It’s about me helping her Moseley says of her Wisconsin Badgers) and Jade neapolis North High School their first-ever girls basketon herself to play well in front understand how to continue school’s newest Border BatHill (University of St. Thomas girls and boys basketball is ball title at the Class AAA of the home crowd.” to be a floor general and be tle series with a Minnesota Tommies), who starred for on display for all to see when level in 1998, and Horton Since arriving on campus Minneapolis South as a stu- attending a game. The Polars duplicated the feat in ‘99. as a walk-on to later earning able to be a scoring point school, “I think Ruth [Sinn, a scholarship, Porter is now a guard,” noted Coach Moseley. UST coach] has done a great dent athlete, matched up as have produced four Mr. BasQuite the legacy. full-time starter in her second “It’s understanding things and job. I think whenever you can their teams squared off in ketball winners and two playyear at Wisconsin. She played when to push and when to get a Border Battle, whether a nonconference womens ers who were named Miss Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonit’s [U of M] or St. Thomas, it’s around seven minutes per pull back. She can play.” basketball game last week at Basketball for the state of ald welcomes reader comments “I wish she would shoot the great for both programs.” game last season and now is UST. Minnesota. at mcdeezy05@gmail.com. ball a little bit more,” said her second in the Big Ten in minCharles Hallman welcomes utes, playing 34.2 minutes former assistant coach Smith, referring to Porter’s nearly reader comments at challman@ per game. She leads the conNot superficial. I want them to miss them,” said Miller.

23-point scoring average as spokesman-recorder.com. ference in steals (2.8), and is In April she announced to do as well as they possibly Continued from page 12 her retirement as Hamline can, to give it their all.

“Watching them, seeing president, effective next ago with the women’s basket- them grow, seeing them en- June. In next week’s View, newspaper wanted to speak porters said nothing. I do apball team. The coach had me joy the love of the sport. They Miller talks about her upto her that day, because no preciate any type of recogniworking out with them in an do it because they love it, be- coming departure from the Continued from page 12 other local media reached tion that we can get.” actual practice. I was awful, cause they’re not on scholar- St. Paul school. out to her before or after the but it was fun. ship. That’s what I take great game. “This is the first game help us,” said Simmons.

Charles Hallman welcomes “That’s the kind of relation- pride in.

Charles Hallman welcomes Simmons appreciated that we played [this season] reader comments at challman@ ship I have with the students.

“These are my kids. These reader comments at challman@ that the state’s oldest Black where the other teams’ re- spokesman-recorder.com.

They know I care about them. are my babies. And I’m going spokesman-recorder.com.

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HBCU SPORTS

12 December 21 - 27, 2023

Sports

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Hamline’s President Miller has soft spot for student athletes

First of two parts s a young girl growing up, to enjoying a successful academic career as a Black woman serving as Hamline University’s president, sports have been important to Dr. Fayneese Miller in so many ways. Recently, while sitting in her office, she shared with the MSR her fondest memories of sports and their impact on her.

She humbly attributed her love of sports to her father. “My dad loves sports,” said Miller. “I’m the youngest girl. So, when you

Dr. Faynesse Miller

get four siblings older than you, sharing time with your dad is precious,” explained Miller, who is the middle child among seven siblings. “I think it was spending time with my father that I liked.”

“I’m this little girl sitting next to my dad. I don’t know what

Photo by Charles Hallman

in the world is going on. Dad “I was a cheerleader in middle is enjoying it, happy when he’s school. I was a cheerleader in cheering even though I’m not high school, but wasn’t good quite sure why.” enough. I tried out [for] the Miller also accompanied her cheering squad my first year dad to baseball games. “My fa- in college,” but saw it was too dangerous and dropped the ther was a big baseball fan.”

As a youngster, she recalls, sport, admitted Miller.

There was no Title IX when who was about four-years-old she was in high school—no at the time, was watching Tiger competitive prep sports for Woods win his first Masters. girls. “You could do it recre- “My son saw an athlete that he ationally, because I played soft- said looked like him…and he ball all the time. I played volley- wanted golf lessons. I got him ball. All those things…but Title into golf and I followed him shortly thereafter.

IX came afterwards.”

“It was a way to bond. Most When Miller later became a mother and a wife, she used of the time he and I would be sports as a bonding experience the only people of color, [just] the two of us. But we really as well. didn’t care. Just fun time for us.”

“They know I care Miller was hired as Hamline’s about them. I want 20th president in 2015, the them to do as well as first Black and second woman they possibly can, to be named president there.

But she didn’t isolate herself in to give it their all.” the proverbial ivory tower like “My son was actively involved many college presidents, keepin sports,” said Miller. “I decided ing her distance from athletics. to play golf, because I wanted Instead, Miller bonded with to have a sport that I could play her Hamline students as much as with him. I wanted something possible. Throughout her presithat I could really do with him dency, she maintained an openand do well. He was in elemen- door policy for student-athletes.

“I know all the football playtary school when he and I started playing golf together.” ers. I worked out not too long ■ See VIEW on page 11 Miller recalled when her son,

Funding disparities keep HBCU sports at a disadvantage

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist he longstanding disparities between HBCUs and PWIs is too often only discussed whenever a lopsided athletic contest’s final score is reported.

“Financial support is almost more important than the cheering section.”

Sports journalist Chloe Clark said in her April 2021 article, “Athletic Programs: PWI versus HBCU,” reported that “Without the proper funding…

HBCUs remain unequal. The difference in facilities…is a pure example of systematic racism that persists even within college athletics.”

Back in 2020, Rickey L. Jones, an opinion contributor

ing the University of Minne- cause I think they might have sota, should share their sports cheered a little bit more [for us],” Simmons afterwards told wealth with HBCU schools.

“It breaks my heart as a the MSR. “For me, just trying coach, because I can’t provide to be a better representation, [my players] with the things showing that it is possible that were second nature to us people that look like you can when I was at Troy,” said Gram- be successful and do that at a bling WBB coach Courtney high level.”

“I just finished telling my Simmons, now in her first year after 10 years as an assistant team that all of this that we’re coach at Troy University, a PWI. doing is so much bigger than Her Tigers played Minnesota the game of basketball,” the last week, a first-time meeting Tigers HC said.

During our postgame interbetween the two schools. The Gophers prevailed 96-64 in the view, Simmons stressed that “Field Trip Game” for thousands Black schools such as hers need of youth at the mid-morning more financial support. She non-conference contest. pointed out that if the tables For many of these youth, who were turned, and PWI coaches literally cheered and screamed changed places with her and her from the time they got off the fellow HBCU coaches, disparibus until they got back on it, this ties would still exist. might have been the first time “I’ll tell a lot of people that if Courtney Simmons they saw an all-Black female basyou take the SWAC coaches Photo by Charles Hallman ketball team with a Black coach- who are designed to do a lot for the Louisville Courier-Jour- ing staff in action. with very little or nothing and nal, strongly suggested that the “I wish the score could have you give them the resources 65 Power Five schools, includ- been a little bit closer, be- that a Minnesota has,” things

Coaches, players, and a legacy

Tomekia Reed would look remarkably different in the HBCUs’ favor. “We don’t have the resources, but it just means we play a lot harder.

“I think just getting people to understand that financial support is almost more important than the cheering section,” continued the coach. As a result, a spotlight should always be shined on HBCU coaches like Tomekia Reed at Jackson State, said Simmons.

Courtesy of X

“I look at what Reed has done at Jackson State and she should get all her flowers right now, because she’s done a tremendous job. She was doing this before Deion Sanders [now at Colorado] got there.

“If we can get more people to shine a light on the fact that finally we need support.

We need those donors. Need those boosters to come in and ■ See HBCU SPORTS on page 11

A case of hometown nerves UW guard Porter promises better play her next home visit

t was the first of three scheduled “homecomings” for Wisconsin sophomore and St. Paul native Ronnie Porter.

Her team defeated St. Thomas 78-55 last Wednesday, to snap a two-game losing streak.

The 5’4” point guard didn’t hit her 10-point average that night, but had a solid all-around floor game with five assists, four steals, and six rebounds along with five points.

his week’s column tells the stories of two metro-area boys basketball coaches who led their teams in a nonconference game, “I think she might two former metro-area girls be a little overbasketball stars competing at anxious because the collegiate level, and a his- Metro area boys basketball coaches Ahmil Jihad (at left, Mintorical look at some of the best neapolis Edison) and Colin Moore (St. Paul Johnson) of everybody that players ever at a school known Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald came to see her for its success in boys and girls Ronnie Porter Photo by Charles Hallman play today.” basketball.

Ahmil Jihad (Minneapolis Edi- non-conference showdown other well-wishers on Decem- she told the MSR afterwards. son Tommies) were on hand 76-60.

Many who were at the game ber 13, at the Tommies’ Schoe- “Just not wanting to disappoint Tuesday, December 12, 2023: Sophomore forward Kenas their teams competed in Coaches lead metro-area teams the crowd that came to see me a boys basketball game last neth Turner led Johnson with attributed her 2-for-8 shooting necker Arena.

Coaches Colin Moore (St. week at Johnson High School. 20 points, while senior guard night to trying to do too much Porter admitted as much. is really something I had on my Paul Johnson Governors) and ■ See PREP on page 11 in front of family, friends, and “Pressure definitely was a thing,” ■ See SOE on page 11 The Governors won the