MN Spokesman-Recorder - April 25, 2024

Countingdowntoour90thAnniversary

Community mourns the sudden passing of North Mpls. entrepreneur

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing

Writer

builder of sandwiches and community died suddenly on Sunday, April 21.

Arthur “Sammy” McDowell, 48, reportedly passed during a church service. “The praise and worship team were sing-

ing the benediction as Sammy ‘broke’ into a moment of praise as his lips rejoiced with words in an unknown language,” said Shiloh Temple International Ministries Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr. in a Facebook post. His passing was first publicly shared on North News’ Instagram and Facebook pages. About 50 of his friends, family, and elected officials—namely, Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion—gathered on Monday afternoon to reminisce about McDowell’s life in the space on West Broadway where he opened his sandwich shop, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, in 2012 after years of working

Somali Day returns to the State Capitol Leaders renew call for political advocacy

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

omali Day at the State Capitol returned for its second year on April 16, with dozens of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates gathering with their representatives to spotlight legislative reforms relevant to the Somali community in Minnesota.

Undeterred by a torrential downpour of rain, members of the Somali community came together in the afternoon under the rotunda of the State Capitol building to hear from elected officials representing communities in the metro and greater Minnesota.

Organized by the Somali American Coalition (SAC), Somali Day at the Capitol aims to address issues pertinent to the needs of the state’s Somali diaspora and serves as a platform for several other organizations to spotlight legislation in the current session.

Nimco Ahmed, a founding member of SAC, gave the opening remarks at the capitol building. “For us to gather here today and hold prayer has a big meaning,” she said to the crowd. “We thought establishing an organization such as Somali American Coalition will actually help those organizations that are actually serving our community.”

last March. She also shared that SAC had advocated for legislation such as the Teachers of Color Act, Paid Family and Medical Leave, interest-free homebuyers, and anticrime bills.

We’re entrepreneurs naturally, and we’ve been discouraged by recent actions by the state.

Ahmed highlighted SAC’s past actions since its founding over a year ago. She shared that they had set a legislative agenda in early 2023 and met with Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

Northside riverfront developers make big promises

in the food industry. People shared many memories, including when he gave food to needy people. “When a homeless person came in, and they couldn’t afford to pay, he said, ‘Just make them a sandwich, don’t ask any questions,’” said Lillian Toins, who once worked at Sammy’s.

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Frat Honors Horace Bell

economic mobility. He underscored the fact that Somalis often go into business for themselves and have been impacted by negative stigma due to recent cases of fraud and mismanagement by members of the community.

Sheikh Ahmed Anshur, a member of SAC and local mosque leader, stated that Somali Day at the State Capitol allowed the community to coordinate their messaging and discuss imperative issues with elected officials.

Anshur stressed the importance of advocating for social and economic justice at the capitol and crafting legislation allowing the community to achieve

“We’re entrepreneurs naturally, and we’ve been discouraged by recent actions by the state,” he said. “We feel in our community that there is extra scrutiny, and we’re not supported.”

Anshur referred to an incident in recent years in which 14 Somali daycare businesses were shut down on the same day. Instead of this scrutiny and discrimination, Anshur proposed that the state should provide more opportunities for guidance and training for community members who have an entrepreneurial spirit but may be overwhelmed when navigating the different levels of compliance red tape.

Several politicians stopped by the rotunda

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Not everyone is convinced Rep. Omar’s daughter suspended from college over pro-Palestinian protests

By H.

Pan Contributing Writer

lanners are undertaking a controversial plan to remake what used to be the Upper Harbor Terminal into an outdoor concert venue flanked by affordable housing, production and processing facilities, as well as a new park. The project was approved in 2021, and construction of the street grid is underway. The city anticipates the outdoor amphitheater opening sometime next year. City planners plan to provide an update on a proposed health and wellness hub on the site at a meeting on May 2, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and

Outreach-Engagement Center on Plymouth Avenue.

Residents the MSR spoke with in previous weeks had never heard of the project, but they are excited nonetheless. “If they did that, a lot of crime would go down,” said Paul Johnson as he sat in his truck in the McKinley neighborhood one recent afternoon. Others are worried about the project’s impacts on the community and the environment.

History of the site

The Upper Harbor Terminal has long served as a nexus of industry after settlers took the land from the Dakota. According to the city, a lumber mill sat on the site for 20 years, from the 1880s to the 1900s.

This view from W. River Road N. will soon feature housing and an outdoor music venue.

The city also says the site was undeveloped or used for agriculture from the 1900s to the 1960s.

In the 1930s, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of a harbor on the Mississippi River on the North Side. The harbor’s locks and dams were built between 1948 and 1963. Minneapolis then developed the adjacent site into a barge shipping ter-

minal, where commodities were transferred and stored, which opened in 1968.

Before the shipping terminal closed in 2014, the city planned to better connect the North Side with the waterfront. From 2015 until 2020, Mississippi Mushrooms, a mushroom farming operation, occupied one of the warehouses until the city closed it for code violations.

Moving from industry

The 2015 closing of the St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, which effectively ended barge shipping operations west of the Stone Arch Bridge, spurred the discussion about the Upper Harbor Terminal’s future.

As the mushroom farming operation persisted, the city asked residents about what to do with the site and requested

■ See RIVERFRONT

By Stacy M. Brown

sra Hirsi, the daughter of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, has been suspended from Barnard College for her involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.

Hirsi, a junior at Barnard in New York City, announced her suspension on social media, stating she was one of three students penalized for supporting Palestinians.

“I’ve received notice that

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Political advocates from Minnesota’s Somali community took to the podium to address issues ranging from education and rideshare wages to autism awareness and workforce initiatives. Photos by Chris Juhn

Sammy McDowell Photo by Travis Lee

Photo by H. Jiahong Pan

Metro Mpls to document local Black history, list historic places

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

Last month, the city of Minneapolis voted to accept $75,000 from the National Park Service to continue documenting the history and contribution of Black people to the city.

The effort, which is a part of the Minneapolis African American Historic Context Study, will culminate with the city and its contractors researching the history of 25 local places. The project is also funded in part by a $67,500 Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. The $75,000 will be used primarily to choose three of these places to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This study will help us recognize and celebrate African Americans within the history of Minneapolis. It will also help guide historic preservation planning in Minneapolis related to the city’s African American history,” said city spokesperson Casper Hill. The study stems from the city’s passage of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the city’s blueprint for 2040 that is required by the Metropolitan Council and is currently being held up in court. The plan includes policies to promote and uphold the city’s history and culture, particularly traditionally underrepresented communities.

From what the city learned, it identified 200 places to study to determine their significance to the history of the Black community in Minneapolis.

an architectural, landscape, or engineering achievement?

• Can the place yield information about our past through archaeology?

list a place:

• Is the place more or less 50 years old or over, and does it still look like it did in the past? Or if it’s less than 50 years old, is it “exceptionally” important?

• Is the place associated with important events, activities, developments or people?

• Is the place the subject of

The city would ask permission from the property owner to study and nominate a place for the National Register. However, just because a place is listed on the National Register does not prevent its demolition or destruction. Two previously listed places that were destroyed in recent years include the Nicollet Hotel and the First Church of Christ, Scientist on 15th Street, both in downtown Minneapolis.

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

Spokesman-Recorder building in 1958

Spokesman-Recorder building in 2024

Photos courtesy of MSR

Healthy Aging study seeks Black elders to help advance research

Nearly 20 percent of older Black Americans are living with a form of dementia

By Kerry Sheets, M.D

Many people think that dementia is not preventable, but there is growing evidence that healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, not smoking tobacco, a healthy Mediterranean-type diet, and staying socially engaged help prevent and delay the onset of dementia.

Dementia, or persistent and often progressive changes in memory and thinking, is about twice as common among U.S. Black older adults compared with U.S. white older adults. The Alzheimer Association estimates that one in five Black older adults are living with dementia.

Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, there are several other primary causes or types.

Vascular dementia develops from strokes and changes in the small blood vessels of the brain. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease all contribute to the development of disease in the small vessels of the brain.

Parkinson’s disease and the related Lewy Body Dementia are additional causes of dementia. Most cases of dementia are due to a combination of two or more causes. The combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia is the most common.

Physical activity is a key component of dementia prevention. In a recent study that combined data from 29 studies and included over one million older adults, those who were

active in their free time had a 17% lower risk of developing dementia. The older adults in these studies participated in a wide range of activities to stay active, including walking for exercise, dancing, and yoga.

Physical activity enhances cognitive function and protects against dementia through multiple mechanisms. Aerobic exercise, such as walking briskly or jogging, increases blood flow to the brain, and increases release of a hormone that stimulates the brain cells (brain-derived neurotropic factor).

It is well known that diabetes and high blood pressure increase risk for dementia. Importantly, physical activity helps your body respond better to insulin and lowers blood pressure. Physical activity may even decrease deposition of proteins (e.g. amyloid and tau) in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise such as brisk walking. In a study that combined data from

over 200,000 adults, walking 500 steps more per day (approximately ¼ mile or four city blocks) was associated with a 7% decreased risk of dying from a heart problem and a 15% decreased overall risk of death by. Similar patterns are seen with dementia prevention. Importantly, any increase in physical activity is good for heart and brain health.

The CDC recommends three types of exercise for older adults—moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking or mowing the lawn; activities that strengthen muscles such as lifting weights or digging in the garden; and activities to improve balance such as Tai Chi or standing on one foot.

You are most likely to engage in activities you enjoy and can incorporate into your daily routine. For example, if you meet friends for coffee, consider getting coffee to-go and walking with your friends. Or, if you live near a community center, consider trying out a yoga or Tai Chi class. Any increase in physical activity will help you, and your brain, stay healthy as you age.

Healthy aging research

Participating in the new

Healthy Aging in the Senior Years—or HATS study—offers a new opportunity to help advance research in dementia in the Black population. The HATS study is designed to identify risk factors for demen-

trial, so no medications will be given—that will measure cardiovascular and other risk factors for dementia in Black community members 55 years and older in the Twin Cities. It is a collaborative study between Dr. Anne Murray and the Berman Center, part of the Hennepin HealthCare Research Institute in downtown Minneapolis, Dr. David Knopman and the Mayo Clinic, and two community engagement partners, HueMan and the Lync. You don’t have to have memory problems to participate in HATS. Their goal is to enroll a broad spectrum of older Black people—from those having no symptoms, to early or moder-

risk of dementia).

It will measure general health (blood pressure, weight, BMI) and collect blood samples to measure cholesterol, as well as the new research blood tests that measure dementia blood biomarkers (such as amyloid and tau proteins), which in the future may provide early detection of dementia.

To be eligible for HATS, you must be 55 years and older, self-identify as Black, reside in the metro Twin Cities area, speak English as your primary language, and not have severe dementia (or be unable to participate in memory tests). HATS researchers also request that each participant have a study partner who knows them very well (family member, close friend, caregiver) to provide a history of the participant’s symptoms.

You don’t have to have memory problems to participate in HATS. Their goal is to enroll a broad spectrum of older Black people.

tia in Black patients to help prevent dementia, and to help with early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study is a five-year observational study—not a clinical

ate dementia. The HATS study will see participants every 15 months for five years and measure cognitive function and physical function (gait speed, grip strength—both can predict

Healthy Aging in the Senior years participants and their study partner will be compensated for their time and contributions to science. The HATS study is funded by a Minnesota Partnership Research Grant, the National Institutes of Health, and philanthropic funds from the Mayo Clinic Rochester.

Kerry Sheets, M.D.

HATS is actively enrolling. If you would like to inquire about or enroll in HATS, call 612- 449-5347, or email HATSstudy@bermancenter.org. By participating you will directly contribute to dementia research in the Black community.

Lawsuit alleges Obamacare plan-switching scheme targeted low-income consumers

By Julie Appleby

A wide-ranging lawsuit filed April 12 outlines a moneymaking scheme by which large insurance sales agency call centers enrolled people into Affordable Care Act plans or switched their coverage, all without their permission.

According to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, two such call centers paid tens of thousands of dollars a day to buy names of people who responded to misleading advertisements touting free government “subsidies” and other rewards. In turn, sales agents used the information to either enroll them in ACA plans or switch their existing policies without their consent.

Unfortunately, there’s so much fraud that legitimate agents who are really trying to help people are also being pushed out.

“We allege there was a plan that targeted the poorest of Americans into enrolling in health insurance through deceptive ads and unauthorized switching,” to gain compensation for the sign-ups or capture the commissions that would have been paid to legitimate insurance agents, said Jason Doss, one of two lawyers who filed the case following a four-month investigation. Doss and Jason Kellogg, the other lawyer on the case, which was filed on behalf of several affected policyholders and agents, are seeking class action status. KFF Health News has in recent weeks reported on similar concerns raised by consumers and insurance agents. Named as defendants are TrueCoverage and Enhance Health, which operate insurance call centers in Florida and

As a result, the lawsuit alleges, consumers lost access to their doctors or medications and faced financial costs, such as owing money toward medical care or having to repay tax credits that were paid toward the unauthorized coverage. Some consumers were switched multiple times or had duplicative policies.

other states; Speridian Technologies, a New Mexico-based limited liability company that owns and controls TrueCoverage; and Number One Prospecting, doing business as Minerva Marketing, which is also a lead-generating company.

The lawsuit also names two people: Brandon Bowsky, founder and CEO of Minerva; and Matthew Herman, CEO of Enhance Health. Attempts to reach the companies for comment were unsuccessful. According to the lawsuit, the call centers had access to policyholder accounts through “enhanced direct enrollment” platforms, including one called Benefitalign, owned by Speridian. Such private sector platforms, which must be approved by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services, streamline enrollment by integrating with the federal ACA marketplace, called healthcare. gov. The ones included in this case were not open to the public, but only to those call center agencies granted permission by the platforms.

One of the plaintiffs, Texas resident Conswallo Turner, signed up for ACA coverage in December through an agent she knew, and expected it to go into effect on Jan. 1, according to the lawsuit. Not long after, Turner saw an ad on Facebook promising a monthly cash card to help with household expenses. She called the number on the ad and provided her name, date of birth, and state, the lawsuit says. Armed with that information, sales agents

then changed her ACA coverage, and the agent listed on it five times in just a few weeks, dropping coverage of her son along the way, all without her consent.

She ended up with a higher-deductible plan along with medical bills for her now-uninsured son, the lawsuit alleges. Her actual agent also lost the commission. The lawsuit contains similar stories from other plaintiffs.

The routine worked, it alleges, by collecting names of people responding to online and social media ads claiming to offer monthly subsidies to help with rent or groceries. Those calls were recorded, the suit alleges, and the callers’ information obtained by TrueCoverage and Enhance Health. The companies knew peo-

ple were calling on the promise “of cash benefits that do not exist,” the lawsuit said. Instead, call center agents were encouraged to be “vague” about the money mentioned in the ads, which was actually the subsidies paid by the government to insurers toward the ACA plans.

The effort targeted people with low enough incomes to qualify for large subsidies that fully offset the monthly cost of their premium, the lawsuit alleges. The push began after March 2022, when a special enrollment period for low-income people became available, opening up a year-round opportunity to enroll in an ACA plan.

The suit asserts that those involved did not meet the privacy and security rules required for participation in the ACA marketplace. The lawsuit also alleges violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO.

“Health insurance is important for people to have, but it’s also important to be sold properly,” said Doss, who said both consumers and legitimate agents can suffer when it’s not.

“It’s not a victimless crime to get zero-dollar health insurance if you don’t qualify for it and it ends up causing you tax or other problems down the road,” he said. “Unfortunately, there’s so much fraud that legitimate agents who are really trying to help people are also being pushed out.”

Many low-income ACA holders had their healthcare plans switched without their knowledge.

Illustration by KFF

Sponsored by

For many, owning a business is a symbol of the American dream. It can be exciting to imagine becoming your own boss, working for yourself, and offering employment to others –all helping build financial security for your family and community. Building a successful business requires a solid plan and lots of help along the way. However, many budding entrepreneurs soon discover that having a great idea is just the beginning of their small business journey.

Kaltrina Rezniqi, Chase senior business consultant

based

in

Minneapolis,

shares

tips for setting up a small business, what to do, what not to do, and what to watch out for when starting your entrepreneurship journey.

1. Before even starting your small business, what are the top considerations for aspiring entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurs run the gamut from someone with a side gig to someone jumping into the deep end with a business acquisition. Here are a few things that I feel apply to any entrepreneur:

• Passion does not convert to currency, but value does. Make sure to confirm there is a demand for what you are interested in doing and a need that hasn’t been met.

Business

How to start or set up your small business for success

• Everyone doesn’t want to be a CEO. Some entrepreneurs like the freedom of being paid for services rendered. We need to create different swim lanes so business owners understand their journey and how to create milestones along the way.

• Your credit is the business’ credit. There is no other place else to look to gain understanding on how business re-

sponsibilities will be managed.

• There is so much support out there; don’t take this journey by yourself. Join an industry association, chamber, or other resource group. Connect with others having similar challenges and remember that “Iron Sharpens Iron.”

2. Where should entrepreneurs begin to make their small business idea a reality?

Deciding to start a small business can be an exciting time. Aspiring entrepreneurs should set themselves up for success by having a solid plan before taking the leap. A good business plan proves your idea is viable and helps you set important goals that reduce risks and avoid potential pitfalls. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you get started:

• Why do I want to start this business? What’s my reasoning or inspiration?

• How does my business stand out from the competition?

• What is my unique value proposition?

• Who are my target customers? How can I reach them?

• Who is already on my management team? What gaps do I need to fill?

• How can my business make a profit? How soon will it break even?

3. What are some pitfalls for entrepreneurs and small business owners to avoid when starting their businesses?

Entrepreneurs can encounter many pitfalls when starting a business. The most common reasons businesses fail are lack of capital, lack of market impact or need, unresearched pricing (too high or low), explosive growth that drains capital, and stiff competition.

To avoid these, you should have a plan to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and a team of trusted

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE WORTH MORE.

advisors to provide expertise.

All business owners should have a CPA/bookkeeper, attorney, insurance broker, and a business banker they can rely on. Lastly, pivot when you see the markets have changed.

The best way to prepare for future growth is to plan for it.

4. How can small businesses prepare for future growth?

We have talked a lot about planning, but the best way to prepare for future growth is to plan for it. Growth can happen organically, through strategic partnerships or acquisitions, or through increased marketing efforts, but it usually doesn’t happen by accident.

You have to be intentional about your business’s growth plans and take the steps to set yourself and your business up properly for success. Part of planning for growth is securing the capital you need to fuel it when you are ready.

Often, that means securing financing when you don’t need it so you have access to it when you do. But don’t forget the most critical aspect of growth—your people. Sur-

round yourself with people who are smarter than you, and trust that as you expand, they will prove it!

5. What are some of the resources available to help support aspiring and current small business owners with their business needs?

There are a lot of resources— both in person and online—a business owner can tap into to help them understand trends and to see around corners. For example, business owners can head to Chase.com/Business to see a range of free articles, courses, and tools that gear business owners with everything they need to help start, run, and grow their businesses. I also lead a consulting program for entrepreneurs, where business owners can receive one-on-one coaching from an experienced senior business consultant.

Launching your business can be the first step toward a bright financial future, but all entrepreneurs need a great team and a great plan to make that success possible. If you’re hoping to start your own business, start planning today, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local financial institution to get the help you need to make it happen.

MSR + JPMorgan Chase have partnered to bring you the Finance FYI series. For more from this series, visit spokesman-recorder.com.

As Minnesota educators, we believe all students should feel safe and welcome at our public schools. Yet districts across the state are facing staff shortages, impacting our students and the support they receive. We can change that together.

Know more about what our educators are facing:

KimEl’ Henry

Kaltrina Rezniqi, Chase senior business consultant

Continued from page 1

Others remembered him for hiring those who needed “second chances,” perhaps because they had a criminal record. Others recounted how he never raised his voice except to sing.

One of McDowell’s close friends, Shvonne Johnson, believed in his vision because he was warm and friendly. “He was invested in turning North

Minneapolis potentially back into what it was, or making it better than it was.

“When you came here, it was more than just food. It was an experience,” added Johnson, who invested in Sammy’s and went to concerts with McDowell. Johnson donned an orange Reese’s shirt in honor of McDowell’s favorite cookie: the Reese’s Pieces Cookie from Holiday Station stores.

Perhaps he was best known for supporting the community as they protested. In the

days following George Floyd’s murder by then-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, McDowell left his restaurant open so activists and community members had a safe place to gather. “He chose to leave it open so that people would have a place to come to,” said Rose McGee, who runs the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization. McGee was one of three people who came to Sammy’s on Monday morning, April 22, to leave bouquets on his storefront. “He’s just a beautiful person. I admire so many things about him,” said McGee after leaving flowers.

“He was invested in turning North Minneapolis potentially back into what it was, or making it better than it was.”

SOMALI DAY

Continued from page 1

to offer their remarks to the crowd and share their enthusiasm for the Somali community’s involvement in politics at an organized level.

Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL62B) took to the podium as she was joined by her colleagues

Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL-67B) and Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-67A).

“I need you guys to make this building your second home and to get comfortable today,” Hassan said, encouraging the crowd. “You are in your house, and we are your employees, and we work for you. I want you to remember that and take that with you today.”

Hodan, who chairs the House Economic Development Finance and Policy

H. BELL

Continued from page 1

Banquet is Closed

Committee, stated that it was important for those in the community to have an active hand in shaping policy by engaging their representatives.

“Wouldn’t you want whoever is making decisions about your life to know what they’re doing and to hold them accountable?”

“All of us make decisions about you and your life. How your children will be educated, how your businesses are run, how your health will be decided. Wouldn’t you want whoever is making decisions about your life to know what they’re doing and to hold them ac-

countable?” she asked the crowd.

Senator Aric Putnam (DFL14) also took the stage and addressed members of the Somali community with welcoming words of encouragement.

“Politics is about relationships and about showing up, and being here to give a speech means nothing,” he said. “I can give you a speech. I can tell you how grateful I am that you’re here, but if I’m not in your community, I don’t mean it.”

Putnam quoted Frederick Douglass in his address stating, “Without struggle there is no progress,” underlining the difficult nature of political advocacy, but also its benefits.

“Politics is not just about elections,” Putnam said. “It’s about making communities stronger every single day, and Americans are not where we began. We are what we become,”

Other elected officials who

Horace Bell, Minnesota’s All-American guard who, at the close of this season, finished three years of stellar football for the U of M.

The banquet in honor of Bell will be closed to the public, and only Alpha Phi Alpha men, members of the Sphinx Club (pledge group), and their company will make up the guest list. Approximately thirty-five Alpha men with their company are expected to attend.

Best Yet’

RIVERFRONT

Continued from page 1

reuse proposals in 2017.

The winning proposal, submitted by Minneapolis-based entertainment company First Avenue and developer United Properties, called for an 8,000-seat outdoor concert venue, around 500 housing units, production facilities, and a park.

Supporters of the plan, namely First Avenue, point out that the Twin Cities lack a permanent venue for outdoor concerts. “Many world-class cities have permanent facilities for outdoor live entertainment, and Minneapolis and our residents deserve the same access

HIRSI

Continued from page 1

I am one of three students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide,” Hirsi wrote on her social media platform. She highlighted her involvement with Columbia University Apartheid Divest and her clean disciplinary record during her three years at Barnard. The suspension comes after Omar’s constant calls for a ceasefire. Earlier this month, Omar and 55 other Democrat-

to art, culture, and entertainment,” said Ashley Ryan, First Avenue’s vice president of marketing, in a written statement.

“This music venue and other cornerstone characteristics of the Upper Harbor Terminal proposal were never up for debate.”

Potential impacts

Not everyone is on board with the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment. Some

ic representatives sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary Blinken, urging them to halt arms assistance to Israel.

An Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid workers, including one American, served as the inspiration for the letter.

The representatives expressed deep concern over Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has exacerbated the region’s descent into famine. They called for a comprehensive investigation into the airstrike and suggested withholding arms transfers to Israel until those re-

In October, McDowell expanded his sandwich business to Golden Thyme Presents, an incubator for BIPOC restaurateurs and food vendors established by the Rondo Community Land Trust. The incubator was formerly occupied by its namesake, Golden Thyme Cafe. He previously had a restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis.

The Rondo Community Land Trust released a statement expressing shock and grief at McDowell’s passing: “We celebrate the life of Sam-

my and send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all those who knew him.” Funeral services are pending at press time. Shiloh Temple International Ministries hosted a gathering to honor McDowell’s life and legacy on Tuesday, April 23, at Shiloh Temple International Ministries. The MSR will follow the story as it develops.

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

Members of the Somali community arrived to

spoke at Somali Day at the State Capitol include Senator Jim Abeler (R-35), Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL-47), Senator Susan Pha (DFL-38), Rep. Dave Baker (DFL-16B), Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL-25A), and Rep. Debra Kiel (R-01B).

The presence of both Republican and Democratic elected officials showcased the bipartisan nature of several issues impacting the Somali community and their presence in several districts across the state.

There were several Somali organizations present at the capitol as well, including the Minnesota Somali Community Center, Minnesota Somali Resettlement Services, Inspire Change Clinic, and disability and autism advocacy groups.

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

John R. Lawrence, Jr., president of Mu chapter in the Twin Cities, at a dinner meeting for the officers of the chapter, made the following comment when the group had rounded out their plans, “Brothers, I feel that this will be a fitting honor to Brother Bell who has made the name of Mu Chapter right throughout the kingdom of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.”

Northsiders believe the project focuses more on the needs of outsiders than on the selfdetermination of those on the North Side. Parks and Power, an organization that brings community members together around issues affecting Minneapolis parks, led a campaign to oppose the Upper Harbor Terminal development.

“The community engagement process that followed was designed to ratify that concept,” said Parks and Power organizer Roxxanne O’Brien in an email. “This music venue and other cornerstone characteristics of the Upper Harbor Terminal proposal were never up for debate. Many North Minneapolis residents feel the process was disingenuous and that it failed to address the en-

sponsible are held accountable.

The letter also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 32,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, nearly half of whom are children. Omar and others noted that Israel’s restrictions on aid flow have further intensified the crisis, with hundreds of aid trucks stranded at the Rafah border crossing due to Israeli constraints.

World Central Kitchen, which has provided over 43 million meals to Palestinians in Gaza, has been forced to suspend its operations follow-

Arrangements for the affair are in charge of John

vironmental and social impacts the proposal will have on the overburdened North Minneapolis community.” First Avenue and United Properties completed a report on mitigating its environmental impacts, which was approved by the city in 2021. They include controlling erosion, requiring buildings to share a stormwater system, installing air quality monitors, addressing hazardous waste, controlling dust, reconfiguring the I-94 ramps at Dowling Avenue, installing bike paths on Dowling and Washington Avenues, controlling where rideshare vehicles can drop off and pick up passengers, as well as getting a noise permit and installing noise reduction features on the housing developments.

ing the attacks on aid workers. They said the absence of this critical support will exacerbate the hunger crisis in the region.

Patton, Norman Light, Elmer Harris, and Walter Goins. The committee has also arranged for Bell to give a ten-minute talk over WTCN on Thursday evening just before the banquet at the Phyllis Wheatley House.

Bell from Akron Horace Bell, who hails from Akron Ohio, came here with the express purpose in mind of “making” the great Minnesota squad. That he saw his dreams come true, no one need deny. He graduates in the June, 1939 class.

But Parks and Power and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy sued the city in 2022, contending the developers failed to account for cumulative environmental impacts and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the project would generate in their environmental impact report. The lawsuit was dismissed on a technicality.

To read this article and more archives, please visit spokesman-recorder.com

United Properties also plans to make 65% of the first 245 housing units accessible to Northside residents earning 30 to 50% of the area median income, or around $37,250 to $62,100 for a family of four.

First Avenue will also allow the public to use the outdoor concert hall for the remaining 300 days per year. When completed, the redevelopment site will feature education and wellness programs, jobs and vocational training, and the opportunity for local vendors to sell concessions.

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

Meanwhile, First Avenue also says it will charge a $3 fee for all tickets purchased at the venue, which will be funneled to the African American Community Development Corporation. Established in 2021, the organization claims to transform Black ideas, capital and action into “lasting benefits” for the Black community, according to a 2023 press release. First Avenue believes this will generate about $500,000 annually.

transfers to Israel, stressing the need for compliance with U.S. and international law.

“I’ve received notice that I am one of three students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide.”

The representatives concluded by urging the Biden administration to reconsider its decision to approve new arms

“And we again urge you to ensure that any future military assistance to Israel, including already authorized transfers, is subject to conditions to ensure it is used in compliance with U.S. and international law.”

Omar has been advocating for a ceasefire since October 2023 and continues to voice her concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Stacy M. Brown is the senior correspondent for NNPA News.

“We again strongly urge you to withhold any offensive weapons transfers until the investigation into the airstrike is concluded. If it is found that this strike violated U.S. or international law, those responsible will be held accountable,” Omar and others wrote.

the State Capitol for a day of advocacy on issues impacting their community, including the recent effort to establish a fair wage for rideshare drivers.

Jazz

By Robin James Contributing Writer

April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). It was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the heritage of jazz, and there’s plenty to celebrate in the jazz world—familiar jazz releases, birthday shoutouts, and more.

Arts & Culture

Appreciation

Month: April celebrates new music, birthdays, and more

cation is providing a series of interviews with music educators and artists explaining how to get young students acquainted with improvising, and more on their website.

On April 12, the iconic jazz station WBGO 88.3 FM in Newark, New Jersey celebrated its 44th birthday. Many a day I have listened to WBGO and will miss the outstanding radio host, Ron Crocker, who recently passed at the age of 78.

Happy birthday to three jazz ladies who were born in April: Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917), Carmen McRae (April 8, 1920), and Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915). Look out for “ELLA: A Novel” by Diane Richards from Amistad Books (May 7). You can learn about how Fitzgerald’s formative years were shaped before she became the First Lady of Song.

JAM is a good time to get to know the headliners for the 2024 Twin Cities Jazz Festival happening June 21 and 22 at Mears Park located in downtown St. Paul.

On Friday, June 21 vibraphonist Stefon Harris and his band Blackout will perform at 8:30 p.m. Earlier in the eve-

band’s release “Evolution” from Blue Note Records. That album has a beautiful version of Sting’s “Until.” The level of musicianship is out of this world—technically and artistically advanced. I had looked forward to seeing multi-instrumentalist Casey Benjamin, a member of Blackout, but he sadly passed away recently at the age of 45.

Celebrate JAM by shopping on the Verve Records store website for 20%-off music, merch and more at jazz.centerstagestore.com. My pick is “Billie Holiday: Songs For Distingue Lovers” (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) LP.

In honor of JAM, the NAfME Council for Jazz Edu-

I loved to listen to his diversity of songs on a Saturday night. He was someone who truly loved jazz and played his music with as much feeling and soul as some of the artists that he would play during his show. I will miss him dearly. Jazz living legend Herbie Hancock’s only Latin jazz/ modal album, “Inventions and Dimensions,” was released this month 60 years ago back in 1964. Hancock also just celebrated his 84th birthday on April 12.

ning, vocalist Karrin Allyson will perform at 6 p.m. On Saturday, June 22 the line-up includes saxophonist Joe Lovano and his Quartet featuring Kenny Werner, John Lockwood and Francisco Mela at 6 p.m. Also that night, violinist Regina Carter and her Quartet will perform at 8:30 p.m.

Harris hasn’t performed with Blackout here in the Twin Cities in years, but when they did last, it was at the Dakota. This is around the time of the

Jazz living legend Herbie Hancock’s only Latin jazz/modal album, “Inventions and Dimensions” was released this month 60 years ago back in 1964. Hancock just celebrated his 84th birthday on April 12.

Allyson has performed at the Dakota several times throughout the years as she has ties to the Twin Cities. Her 2002 release, “Blue,” is a personal favorite. One standout track from that release is “The Meaning of the Blues.” She’s a great bandleader and has been nominated for GrammyAwards at least five times. Allyson is a masterful interpreter of song and has a way with ballads in particular.

It’s been a while since Lovano has been to the Twin Cities, so it will be nice to welcome him back. On March 8, I caught him via live-stream with the Jazz at Lincoln Cen-

In “ELLA: A Novel” by Diane Richards, you can learn about how Fitzgerald’s formative years were shaped before she became the First Lady of Song. Photo by Robin James

ter Orchestra for a special night of music honoring the late great saxophonist Wayne Shorter. He’s 71 years old and still thrilling audiences with his Grammy-winning robust and swinging artistic expression. Carter hasn’t been here in a minute, either. In the early 2000s, I remember when she performed at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis and blew everyone away. “Paganini: After a Dream” from 2003 is a favorite recording, but her album “Southern Comfort” is equally exquisite. Another reason to appreciate jazz and what’s coming

up next is this: Pianist Christian Sands brings his trio to the Dakota on Tuesday, May 13. He was here with bassist Christian McBride at the TC Jazzfest last year.

If you really want to check him out ahead of time, I suggest listening to him as a member of McBride’s trio on “Live at the Village Vanguard” from 2015. His playing on the track “The Lady in My Life” is simply magnificent. For tickets, visit www.dakotacooks.com.

Robin James welcomes reader comments at jamesonjazz@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Photo by Chris Bair

Capitalism is not a God-ordained economic system

By Aswad Walker

If you were born in or grew up anywhere near the United States (or almost anywhere else, for that matter), you have been taught (consciously and subconsciously) that capitalism is the only viable economic system for people who believe in truth, justice, the American way, freedom, equality and “white” Jesus. We’re constantly bombarded with subtle and over-the-top messaging that capitalism is the way, the truth and the light, and that all other economic vehicles will consign you to that wide road to hell. Well, at the risk of blaspheming before Anglo Christ, I’m here to tell you that just like reality TV, the myth of white supremacy, gluten-free products, and the Dallas Cowboys, God does not ordain capitalism.

Wait, capitalism Is not Biblical?

And this isn’t some new school revelation. Black scholars and activists (i.e. WEB DuBois, Kathleen Cleaver, Ella Baker and many more) have a long history of calling capitalism to the carpet for its purposeful mistreatment of Black people, and really all people who aren’t hyper-wealthy. Yet, you’d never know it by the way those critics of capitalism have been presented to us through history books and lectures. Their call-out of capitalism and its foundational antiBlackness has been deleted as if it never existed. You know, just like the way the African foundations of civilization, science, religion and life are nowhere to be found in so many K-college classrooms.

Economic avenger

However, Malaika Jabali, a modern-day superhero who by day serves as an Ivy League grad, lawyer, journalist, film-

maker, activist and “Essence Magazine” senior news and politics editor (for real; she literally does all those things), argues that we’ve been in a toxic, nowhere relationship with capitalism for far too long, catfished and abused to no end.

Jabali hopes to wake us from our cultish stupor and find another way, which is the point of her best-selling book, “It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism: Why it’s Time to Break Up and How to Move On.” Forgot to mention she’s an author too.

Jabali says of our relationship with capitalism, “For most of us, we have a one-sided, friends-with (occasional)-benefits situation; not a life partner.”

“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to selfdestruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.”

Old school words of warning

But if you’re leery of taking advice from young’uns, Jabali offers critical words from some old-school playas and playettes.

Kathleen Cleaver: “[Capitalism] needs a middle class to function smoothly. It doesn’t need equality. What it needs is inequality. It needs a certain number of people at the elite level, a certain number of people in the middle level, and the rest of the people scrambling and hoping they could get there, all following the same zealous commitment to making money.”

Or if a Black Panther legend’s wisdom doesn’t do it for you, how about words from the oneand-only Reverend Dr. Martin Luther “the” King: “I am con-

Why MAGA policies are detrimental to Black communities

By Ron Reynolds

As a [Texas state] representative deeply invested in the well-being of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.

where the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable health care. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous.

of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.

vinced that capitalism has seen its best days in America, and not only in America, but in the entire world. It is a well-known fact that no social institution can survive when it has outlived its usefulness. This, capitalism has done. It has failed to meet the needs of the masses.”

Or maybe MLK is too “preachy” for you, and you’d rather hear from a legendary intellectual. Here’s just one snippet from the illustrious WEB DuBois: “Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.”

And why didn’t we ever read this in our textbooks when learning about the founding of America: “Direct slavery is as much the pivot of our industrialism today as machinery, credit, etc. Without slavery no cotton; without cotton no modern industry. Slavery has given value to the colonies; the colonies have created world trade; world trade is the necessary condition of large-scale machine industry… Slavery is, therefore an economic category of the highest importance.”

Oh, I know why—because it was said by some dude the priests of capitalism have labeled the antiChrist (Karl Marx).

But MLK, DuBois, Kwame Nkrumah, Bayard Rustin, Assata Shakur, Charles Barron, and many others made/make the same points Jabali makes— that capitalism was built on anti-Blackness.

You’re not a capitalist if…

And if you think you’re a capitalist by default because you work a job and enjoy buying nice things, think again. You don’t own all the means of production, the resources needed to make stuff, the banks who make loans, and the elected officials who make pro-gazillionaire policies.

You’re just somebody who gets paid a tenth (or less) of the money you generate for your J-O-B in order to enrich the “forreal” owners and shareholders, who give you just enough pennies to convince you not to revolt, but not enough scratch to scratch out the kind of living and life you and yours truly deserve.

So, the next time someone comes to you preaching that old-time capitalist religion, school them on the fact that it was never good enough for dad and mother, it was never good enough for the Hebrew children, and it’s certainly not good enough for you and yours.

Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to health care to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice.

Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Health care is another area

And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The most insidious message

As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made. Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.

Ron Reynolds is Texas State Representative for Fort Bend County.

Stupid is as stupid does. C’mon people!

By Jim Clingman

In March of 2018, after 25 years of doing so, I submitted my final Blackonomics column to the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The article was titled “The Last Dance,” and I wrote it because I could no longer use my computer. ALS had made its way to my arms and hands, preventing me from doing something else I loved doing.

Since then, I have gotten back to writing, only now with my eyes on my eye gaze computer. You can check out my work on ALS News Today online.

But this is not about me. It’s about us, Black people. So I humbly ask the NNPA and all Black news outlets (I don’t think this will appear in the New York Times or the Washington Post)— whether print or online—to indulge me again because I have to speak to my family.

While our overall political status leaves much to be desired, I want to hone in on one slice of it: The slice called DEI. Trump and others of his ilk are constantly railing against diversity, equity, and inclusion. In my opinion, it’s the new N-word. Let’s take a different look at these issues. It’s hilarious that Trump thinks DEI is terrible when he uses it to boost his popularity. Diversity? Inclusion? He has insulted Hispanics by calling them rapists and criminals. He said they are poisoning the blood of this country.

He insults women in so many ways, questioning their intelligence and competency when it comes to what they think is suitable for their bodies. He insulted Muslims when he issued a ban against their entrance to this country. He insulted Jews by questioning their beliefs and saying those among them who vote for Democrats are not Jewish.

He insults Christians in a variety of ways, the latest of which includes hawking over-priced

bibles that he can’t recite one verse from. He says he gets forgiveness by drinking a little wine and eating a cracker.

He insulted Puerto Ricans by throwing paper towels at them after they suffered one of the worst hurricanes in their history. He insulted veterans by calling their dead “suckers and losers.”

And to think some members of all those groups want him to be their president is mind-boggling to me.

Now, let’s look at Black people, my people. Trump called for the death penalty for five Black teens wrongly accused of crimes. He insulted Obama by questioning his citizenship. Trump has insulted others like “my African American” and his waterboy, Tim Scott, who then insulted himself by responding, “I just love you.”

The most insidious message of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. Diversity and inclusion, when used as Trump does, are despicable and evil.

To top it all off, he insulted African countries by calling them s---hole nations, which is also an insult to our ancestors. It’s obvious Trump knows nothing about African history, but even if he did, it would not change his insults.

He knows nothing about the greatness of Songhai, Mali, Timbuktu, Kemet, Ethiopia, and many other African nations of then and now. He said people from Congo are diseased and a bunch of criminals.

It is funny that King Leopold II of Belgium and other heads of state didn’t feel they were s---holes. Leopold coveted the Congo, during which time he caused the deaths of as many as 10 million Congolese and walked away with one billion dollars. He wanted the land and the free labor to work

on rubber tree plantations but tortured the people and their children in the process. Has Trump ever heard of the Belgian Congo and Leopoldville?

What hurts is that some members of our group will also vote for the pumpkin. With Black-skinned folks like Clarence Thomas, Byron Donalds, Candace Owens, and Tim Scott leading the way, some pitiful Black people will follow them to the gallows.

That staged event in Atlanta was certainly one for the books. Trump planted a Black stooge in a Chick-fil-A, who hugged and swooned over him, all of which was set up. Instead of paper towels, he gave the Black folks milkshakes and chicken to get their votes.

By the way, do you know how many Black workers are in government jobs? Trump and Steven Miller have plans to downsize when they get back in charge. Black unemployment increase? You betcha.

Diversity and inclusion, when used as Trump does, are despicable and evil. His insults and name-calling are as diverse and inclusive as they come. Appropriately used, DEI is simply a tool to assist in the repair of Black people. Long overdue.

But what about equity?

Well, that means “the quality of being fair and impartial,” something the anti-DEI crowd would do well to learn and implement. Brothers and sisters, if you want an even more corrupt Supreme Court and Congress, if you want to see even more racists in public office, and if you don’t mind having a king and dictator rather than a president, Trump is your guy.

But please don’t allow him to insult your intelligence, and please have enough pride and resolve not to insult yourself. C’mon people. Please don’t be stupid.

Jim Clingman is a former NNPA opinion contributor.

By Dr. Artika R. Tyner

Growing up, the library was my home; books were my refuge and strength. I traveled the world through books. I visited the Serengeti National Park, walked along the Great Wall, and enjoyed the beautiful beaches of Sierra Leone. This was an amazing adventure for a young girl, especially since my daily life did not expand beyond the mile radius of my Rondo neighborhood.

Reading unleashed the power of my imagination while helping me see the world’s beauty and connect with my cultural heritage. This experience began at my local Saint Paul Public Library.

I could not wait for my weekly library visit with my mother. We would leave with totes of books on cooking, crafts and gardening. Summer months were our favorite. I could also visit the bookmobile in addition to my weekly library visits. This meant double the reading fun.

Later in my life, I traveled to all of the places that I imagined through my book expeditions. The books I read early on connected me with diverse cultures, languages and experiences. I also read about career pathways. I read about traveling through space as an astronaut like Mae C. Jemison and leading change like Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. This inspired me as a first-generation student to attend college and

By Aziah Siid

It seemed to be an outrageous case of a teacher abusing a student, captured on videotape.

In September 2022, surveillance cameras captured Amber Hall, then a teacher at Tipps Elementary School in Houston, dragging a young special needs student by his ankle. According to court documents, Hall allegedly dragged the student approximately 143 feet on tiled and carpeted floors before reaching the Life Skills Classroom, where the kindergartener was handed off to another teacher. Hall said she was untrained in handling unruly students with special needs, and she was merely trying to find a qualified teacher to deal with the boy, who is Black. The teacher, who was fired, pleaded guilty to injuring a child and is awaiting sentencing. But the incident also underscored twin problems schools are facing: a drastic shortage of qualified special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and aides who can help in the classroom, and a growing number of Black special needs students. And, as study after study shows that Black

achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer. My love for books also motivated me to become an author. I have written several leadership books and over 30 children’s books.

Each day, I share the gift that my mother gave me by inspiring the next generation to discover the joy of reading. My goal is to open up those windows of infinite possibilities for them to see the world, imagine their future careers, and discover the leader within.

This is an opportunity to turn the education data around. Imagine a future where every Black child in Minnesota reads at grade level, instead of nearly two out of every three children struggling with reading. What type of communities will we create?

What type of society will we create?

The possibilities will be endless.

A call to action

This new column, First Educator, will serve as a community resource to share information and knowledge about the importance of reading and learning. I chose the name First Educator to serve as a call to action for all caring adults to support our children as they learn, grow and lead.

“First Educator” refers to the fundamental primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals and behaviors.

The role of the First Educator is often overlooked and undervalued. When in discussion with parents and community members, many believe learning happens only at school and

With each book read, you are helping to increase the child’s vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Create a comfortable reading environment

Make it a family affair to build your home library. You can start with a small space and add a bookshelf. Decorate it with inspiring quotes like, “Education is the key to unlock the golden door to freedom.” (Dr. George Washington Carver)

Join a book or reading club

an invitation to serve as the First Educator for children in our community. It is the recognition that learning opportunities abound in our daily lives at home and in the community. Here are three key tips for success as a First Educator:

Connect with other readers and their families at your local library or bookstore. You can participate in storytime events and author readings. At Planting People Growing Justice, we are building intergenerational reading circles for children, parents and community.

that learning outcomes are the responsibility of teachers.

This is an opportunity to extend

students make greater gains with teachers who look like them, it’s even more difficult to find Black special education teachers.

Recruitment difficulties

Educators who work with students with disabilities have difficult jobs. They typically must provide intense academic, emotional, and sometimes even physical support, depending on the severity of a stu-

dents’ disability. During the 2022-23 school year, there were some 7.3 million disabled students in U.S. public schools, making up 15% of total enrollment. Of those disabled students, 17% of them were Black according to Pew Research.

Similar to difficulties in the recruiting of teachers, particularly Black teachers, into the profession, school districts also struggle to get qualified special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and

Set aside time to read Reading should be a daily routine. Research shows a one-million-word gap for children with a daily reading routine when compared to those without. “Young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to,” according to a new study from Ohio State University. Make a commitment today to read to children in your community circle.

We chose this approach to foster a culture of reading in our Rondo community. We host a monthly Leaders are Readers program where we feature an author read aloud and provide learning activities for the entire family.

Dr. Artika Tyner is a passionate educator, award-winning author, civil rights attorney, sought-after speaker, and advocate for justice. She is the founder of the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute.

other teacher aides who assist.

Needed: qualified teachers

Whether it’s due to students actually needing the assistance, or the intensity in which they’re funneled into the special education pipeline, Black kids lead all racial demographics of students receiving special education services under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to 2018 data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Similar to the school-to-prison pipeline, however, education analysts believe there is a special education-toprison pipeline that contributes to the disproportionate number of disabled Black students who are disciplined or referred to law enforcement at higher rates than students without disabilities.

Federal data show that Black students with disabilities are especially vulnerable to experiencing that level

of discipline: They have the highest risk for hyper-surveillance and suspension among all students with disabilities.

The federal IDEA legislation guarantees students with disabilities have access to fully licensed special educators, which could help minimize the pipeline. But those teachers can be hard to find. In 2019, 44 states reported special education teacher shortages, according to an NPR report. By the 2022 school year, the number of states with shortages jumped to 48. Indiana, California, Virginia, and Maryland are among the states that offer provisional licenses to help staff special education classrooms and ease the shortage. Federal law allows schools to hire people who aren’t fully qualified as long as they’re actively pursuing a certification in special education.

This practice worries experts, who believe placing people who aren’t fully trained for the job could harm some of the most vulnerable students, especially those from extenuating backgrounds.

Aziah Siid is a contributor to Word in Black. He welcomes reader comments to aziah.siid@localmedia.org.

Photo by Yan

Employment & Legals

Laney: “It was no accident that Cheyney State College made it to the NCAA’s inaugural Women’s Basketball game. It was by design and destiny. It will forever be written in the history of sports that a team with high school All-Americans chose to attend a small HBCU 25 miles outside of Philadelphia. The Cheyney State women’s basketball team should have been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame years ago.”

SOFTBALL

Continued from page 10

As are the Cheyney Lady Wolves.

As soon as the WBHOF announcement came out last November, Deb Walker made me promise that I would make this Saturday’s induction ceremony.

Next week: Our promise is fulfilled.

Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Taj McWilliamsFranklin all played together in Minnesota and won WNBA championships. Violet Palmer was the first NBA Black female official and worked five NCAA Final Fours during her more than two decades of officiating. All four Black women are part of the seven-member 25th anniversary WBHOF class.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com. VIEW Continued from page 10

the mound, which is different from high school. “It was definitely an experience. I definitely want to do it again,” she said. The Twins covered the costs for bringing the two high school softball teams to the ‘U.’ However, it wasn’t any better seeing more Blacks playing softball when we watched a double header between Minnesota (one Black player) against Wisconsin (zero Black players) last week.

“I feel like we’re getting better,” said Gopher soph outfielder Breezy Burnett. “Still sometimes, even at the collegiate level, we go and play places and sometimes I’m the only one on the field to be found.”

SOE

Continued from page 10 tournament and the first and only HBCU team to compete in the tournament. We fought all kinds of obstacles.”

The NCAA reported that 1,207 Black females played college softball in 2023, up four from a year earlier, compared to 15,686 white female players. There are 25 Black softball players in the Big Ten this season, including the 5-7 Burnett who leads the Gophers with 11 stolen bases. Minnesota last weekend hosted Rutgers, which has two Black players. “When I do get to see [Black players], I get to connect with them a lot,” said Burnett. “I just hope that we can be an example for other Black girls to get out here and play the sport, and do a great job at that.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

but all athletes of color,” observed Murray.

Ifill made the Big East AllAcademic team in 2022-23. The St. Paul native plans to major in computer science. Before coming to Marquette, she set the Eagan school track and field record in the triple jump—36 feet, 1.5 inches. Her school volleyball team went 62-6, a conference title and sectional runner-up finish in her final three seasons. She also was a 2021

Minnesota Ms. Volleyball finalist, three time all-league, first team All-State and AllMetro, and East Metro Volleyball Player of the Year.

Murray was a unanimous All-Big East last season and two-time All-Academic. A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as a high school senior she was ranked fourth-best volleyball player in Missouri. She hopes to pursue a career in sports law.

The Minnesota exhibition, one of five scheduled for the Marquette team, along with the others help prepare her and her teammates for the upcoming fall campaign, Murray said. “I think that

these spring matches give us a different perspective on how we’re playing as a team, how we stack up against other teams.”

“Spring volleyball matches are really helpful in getting us prepared for that next step,” noted Ifill.

Like most Gopher matches, whether it’s spring or fall, it’s not unusual seeing very few or any Blacks in attendance. When asked about the Marquette home matches, Murray said seeing Blacks in the stands is improving.

“We are starting to see a lot more young Black girls” at Golden Eagles matches, reported Murray. “I’ve seen a lot more than I have in my first few years, which is awesome.”

The two Marquette teammates—Murray is going into her fifth year using her Covid extra year, and Ifill is going into her junior year— both predict that in a few years they will see a marked growth in Blacks playing volleyball.

“Volleyball is growing,” concluded Ifill.

Charles Hallman welcomes

he 1981-82 Cheyney State women’s basketball team competed in the first-ever NCAA women’s national title game, losing to Louisiana Tech. It was an allBlack team coached by an allBlack female staff at an HBCU located near Philadelphia.

The first and still only Black school to play for a national Division I title, Cheyney State’s achievement is a historical fact that for too long has been overlooked and underreported. But this Saturday, April 27 in Knoxville, Tenn., that will be finally corrected.

Philadelphia: “I would like for current and future generations to know that Cheyney State’s rightful place in women’s college basketball history cannot be erased.”

Cheyney featured eight high school All-Americans and C. Vivian Stringer, originally hired as a professor but who later volunteered to coach both volleyball and women’s hoops. She eventually would

nized 40-plus years later is a wonderful feeling. Although this should have been a part of history that should not have been pushed to the sidelines.”

Long overdue, say the Black players.

Ann Strong, 6-1 freshman, Toledo, Ohio: “Being recog-

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) Class of 2024 includes four players (three of them former Minnesota Lynx stars), two coaches, and one contributor, a “stellar group” its press release claims. And it includes the 1981-82 Cheyney Lady Wolves, who are going in the Hall as “Trailblazer of the Game.”

Shay Taylor, 6-4 soph, Jersey City, NJ: “It feels like the veil has been lifted and the recognition is now being applied.”

Yolanda Laney, 5-10 soph,

“It was no accident that Cheyney State College made it to the NCAA’s inaugural Women’s Basketball game. It was by design and destiny.”

make the Hall of Fame and retire with over 1,000 victories.

Besides Strong, Taylor and Laney, the other Lady Wolves players were frosh Paulette Bigelow; sophs Sandra Giddings, Karen Draughn and Rosetta Gulliford; juniors Lena Dabney and Debra Walker; and seniors

Faith Wilds and Valerie Walker, the team’s co-captains. The small Black school took on bigger schools, reached No. 2 nationally, and finished 28-3. Its third defeat of the season came against No.1 Louisiana Tech, snapping a 23-game winning streak. Stringer went on to lead two other schools, Iowa and Rutgers, to the Women’s Final

Four, the only coach to take three different schools to the final quartet.

I knew about Cheyney. I met Deb Walker and two of her teammates here in town for the 2022 Final Four. They told me the whole story about the Cheyney all-sistah squad.

Strong: “Our team was the pioneers for the first NCAA

have covered college volleyball for over 40 years, and seeing no more than a couple of Blacks playing is still commonplace, whether it’s spring ball or the regular season in the fall. According to the latest NCAA demographics, there are 2,041 Blacks females playing D1, D2, D3 volleyball, down five from 2022, compared to 12,648 white female players.

“I think you see a lot more diverse kids joining, so that’s been really cool to see.”

The April 13 spring exhibition between Minnesota and Marquette at Maturi Pavilion featured two sistahs on each side of the net: Phoebe Awoleye and Calissa Minatee (Gophers), and Carsen Murray and Eagan graduate Sienna Ifill for Marquette.

“I think it has been growing,” Murray said of the sport’s diversity. The 6-4 middle blocker is

one of four All-Big East players returning for the Golden Eagles. The 6-1 right side hitter Ifill added, “I think when I was younger there were a lot of times where I was the only one. I think you see a lot more

diverse kids joining, so that’s been really cool to see.”

“I think that a lot of different communities are starting to get more opportunities, not just specifically Black athletes

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

fter the conclusion of the April 25 Minnesota Twins-Chicago White Sox game, a high school doubleheader will be played, first with Prior Lake versus Shakopee and then Minneapolis Edison versus Saint Paul Johnson. Thursday’s baseball ‘tripleheader’ is part of the Twins hosting six high school baseball games at their ballpark this season. This is the most regular-season contests in the ballpark’s 15-year history.

change lives for the better, young athletes and their communities,” said Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter in a press release.

ast month, Minneapolis Roosevelt girls basketball Head

Coach Tyesha Wright, Assistant Michael Walker, and an experienced group of outstanding players led their team to the City Conference and Twin Cities championships, a Class 3A Section 3 title, and first-ever state tournament appearance, finishing in the consolation round.

Seniors Olivia Wren, Jaida Walker, Jayla Bennett, Tamara Behl, Kiara

Behl, Cady Davis and Jazmyne Armstrong led Roosevelt to one of their best seasons ever. The Teddies’ climb wasn’t an easy one, however, but with patience and perseverance in the end it was worth the struggle.

(2018-19) Jaida Walker, one of the metro area’s top shooting guards, joined the team as a seventh grader as Roosevelt finished with a 1-11 city conference record and 5-19 overall.

(2019-20) Wren, an outstanding scorer, rebounder, and defender, and Davis, a forward who also provided help on the boards, joined Walker as the eighth grade trio improved the Teddies’ record to a 3-9 in conference play record and 12-14 overall.

(2020-21) Roster changes ensued, but ninth graders Wren, Davis and Walker remained constant as Roosevelt finished with an overall 4-12 record and 3-9 conference finish.

(2021-22) Armstrong, a sopho-

Fans wishing to support these teams can contact the specific school for ticket information, as proceeds from tickets bought through the school will be used to support their

more guard, joined Wren, Davis and Walker as the Teddies overall record improved to 19-7 while finishing second in the city at 10-2.

(2022-23) With arrival of juniors Tamara Behl, Kiara Behl and Bennett, Roosevelt placed first in the conference with an 11-1 record, a Twin Cities title, and 25-4 finish overall as Wren and Walker reached the 1000-point career scoring mark. This 2023-24 season is when the Teddies’ play came to full fruition. In addition to the state tournament appearance, Wren was named Minneapolis City Conference Player of the Year, and Wright and Michael Walker were named the top Class 3A Section 3 head and assistant coaches, respectively.

For Wright and Michael Walker, this season really hits close to home. Wright was an all-conference point

man Shakalyn Williams. “I’m

“I’ve been playing softball since I was about five years old,” added Johnson frosh Adriana Adams. “I’ve met so Softball “keeps them busy,”ams. He and his wife Shannon Adams both played sports inport their children playing asters. “They would rather be on a softball field than anywhere

“I just hope that we can be an example for other Black girls to get out here and play the sport.” ■

else,” added Shannon.

Tabathia Gonnigan said that she wanted her daughter Shakalyn to play softball “so she could be very versatile in different sports. She started playing in the last two years. She plays with her brother.” Adams loves the opportunity to play on a college softball field, especially pitching from

At the softball game on a sunny Saturday afternoon, there weren’t a lot of people there save for parents, family members and fellow schoolmates. Both schools had at least one Black player in their-

guard and 2010 Roosevelt alum. Walker, a 1994 graduate and member of the boys basketball team during that time, went on to an outstanding four-year career at Southwest State University.

For Walker, it hit even closer to home after her daughter Jaida Walker’s freshman year. “I was head coach of the boys program,” Michael Walker recalled. “After her freshman year [2020-21] my daughter asked me if I would coach the girls team with Coach Wright,” he continued. “I asked Coach Wright if I could volunteer, and she said yes.” Michael Walker was on the bench the next three seasons. Everything turned out just right.

Jaida Walker

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

Shakalyn Williams Photos by Charles Hallman Adriana Adams

Carsen Murray (l) and Sierra Ifill Photo by Charles Hallman

First of two parts Cheyney State team huddled around Coach C. Vivian Stringer

Cheyney State team photo Photos courtesy of Deb Walker/X