MN Spokesman-Recorder - May 2, 2024

Siblings scattered when child protection intervenes

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

Editor’s Note: For the times when Child Protection Services has intervened with timely and positive outcomes, there is also a growing swell of African-American voices telling different stories of their CPS experiences, which affected them adversely as individuals and families. The MSR provides an avenue for the families of our community to be heard.

onnie Anderson and Roynell Taylor have been married for over 47 years. They have 35 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In the last 20 years, they’ve had to return to their parenting instincts as they’ve had custody of several grandchildren.

Their twin daughters, Tabitha and Tamara Taylor, have struggled with substance abuse, resulting in them losing custody of

Is today’s NAACP misunderstood or undervalued?

St. Paul Branch

President Rev. Richard Pittman, Sr. shares insights

By Vickie Evans-Nash

Contributing Writer

hough not much is said of the work of the Minnesota NAACP, they are busy working on behalf of the Black community. Community members may experience changes based on their accomplishments but don’t know where to give thanks.

Pastor Richard Pittman, Sr. is currently in his second two-year term as president of the St. Paul branch. Minnesota branches include St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud, but Minnesota also represents North and South Dakota.

Pittman has been involved with the NAACP for 14 years and has been a pastor for over 40.

He was inspired to join the NAACP by his wife’s cousin, Nathaniel Khaliq, who served as president for over 15 years. Pittman’s first position was religious chair, then public safety chair before serving as vice president.

Under Pittman’s leadership, the NAACP has made education a top priority. They are actively addressing the lack of diversity in Minnesota’s teaching staff, as highlighted by The

their children. While Bonnie and Roynell lived in Duluth, Minnesota, they were able to work with the local county office and gain custody as next of kin.

Alonzia Bonita Colbert, 17, Tamara Taylor’s oldest daughter, was just one year old when her grandparents formally adopted her. She has seen her mother over the years but hasn’t had the opportunity to develop a relationship with her.

“I’m at the point where I feel like my grandma has raised me. My granddad and my grandma are my parents,” she said.

Bonnie Taylor, 21, is Tabitha Taylor’s oldest daughter and has lived with her grandparents since she was three. She’s currently studying political science and hopes to become a lawyer to resolve family separation under Child Protective Services (CPS) in the future.

“A lot of what I wanted to do actually did come from what

I’ve been through growing up,” she stated.

Initially, Bonnie wanted to become a social worker, but she learned through her family’s struggle navigating CPS and county agencies that social workers can only do so much. She decided that she needed to dream a bit bigger and aim to change the laws that have caused her and her family so much grief.

While living in Duluth, Anderson and her husband, Roynell, had a good relationship with CPS in St. Louis County. However, once they moved to the Twin Cities metro in 2009, they began encountering difficulties trying to maintain custody of their grandchildren.

Things came to a head in 2021 when their family home in Coon Rapids was shot at one evening. Just days before

■ See CPS on page 5

Coalition for a greener South Minneapolis in motion

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

n Earth Day, something big happened at Sabathani Community Center—big enough to attract two of the state’s congressional members to the neighborhood center, which has provided services to the community since 1966. Senator Tina Smith and U.S.

Representative Ilhan Omar were on hand April 22 to celebrate the center’s sustainability progress and cutting-edge green initiatives—plans call for it to be powered by solar-arrayed rooftops and microgrids. It will also draw energy from a renewable energy geothermal heat pump system, making the nearly century-old building energyefficient and self-sustainable.

Precisely, what is geothermal energy? Wikipedia explains that thermal energy is extracted from the earth’s crust, combining energy from the planet’s formation and radiative decay. Unlike wind and solar energy, geothermal plants produce power at a constant rate without regard to weather conditions. The geothermal system would re-

place the building’s 50-yearold boilers, Thelma and Louise.

Sabathani’s executive director, Scott Redd, was proud of the historical center’s recognition for its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.

“This support says not only to me but also to this community that it recognizes that this is a resilient community

exhibition

This historical capsule, published in the St. Paul Recorder on Jan. 8, 1937, unveils the arrival of Joe Louis, the ‘Brown Bomber‘, for a boxing exhibition in the Twin Cities. His nickname, a testament to his knockout power, has become a part of boxing history.

To keep with authenticity, our Historical articles are placed as they were written when first published and unedited.

oe Louis, who brought professional boxing out of the doldrums in the heavyweight ranks, is going to put his fistic wares at the Minneapolis auditorium the night of January 14 under the sponsorship of The Minneapolis Tribune. Detroit’s fighting idol has agreed to headline a 42-round boxing show. He will appear in a six-round exhibition against three opponents, going two rounds with each. The Tribune committee in charge of arrangements will donate all of the net proceeds to the Parents and Teachers’ Association of Minneapolis.

When Jack Dempsey passed out of the picture as a heavyweight boxing attraction 10 years ago ‘twas often repeated

Read more about Linda Martell on page 6.

Historical Capsule

Histori c a l Capsule

Historica l Capsule

MSR His torical Capsule

Joe Louis, ring idol, coming for boxing

Rev. Richard Pittman, Sr.

Photo courtesy St. Paul NAACP

(l-r) Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Tina Smith and Sabathani Executive Director Scott Redd

Photo by Chris Juhn

By Tommy Wiita Bring Me the News

Bonnie Anderson and Roynell Taylor sit with their grandchildren, Bonita Colbert (left) and Joy Taylor (center) after recently being reunited with the latter. Photo by Chris Juhn

By James L. Stroud, Jr.

Contributing Writer

On April 16, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota campus hosted a private event for more than 70 people to celebrate Dr. Reatha Clark King’s trailblazing life.

The celebration of achievements featured tributes and testimonies from former colleagues, family, and friends. Before the program began, guests stood in line to purchase Dr. King’s new book, “Find a Trail or Blaze One.”

Katie Sample, one of Dr. King’s friends and a 90-yearold church member from Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, said, “I already read the book on Kindle and plan on reading it again. It’s a great story.”

Hailing from humble beginnings in Moultrie, GA., Dr. King developed a robust appetite for learning and problem-solving.

As a 12-year-old, she recalls waking with her sister at 4:00 a.m. to pick 200 lbs. of cotton for six dollars a day to help her mother make ends meet.

During short breaks from cotton picking, Dr. King practiced her multiplication tables on the ground in the dirt with her callused finger.

She didn’t let the expected social and educational limitations for young Black girls get in her way. When she told her

Dr. Reatha Clark King honored at book signing

family that she would graduate from school and major in chemistry, her aunt wanted her to stop her educational pursuits and find a husband. Dr. King respectfully ignored her aunt’s advice and eventually earned a doctorate in chemistry.

Her chemistry degree later paved the way for her to become the first African American woman to work as a research chemist at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in Washington, DC.

Her work at NBS, which included measuring accurate heat levels of gaseous fluorine compound formations, was recognized as a valuable contribution to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) space program.

“I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and my ancestors. I’m running along the trail they have mapped out for me.”

Dr. King later became one of the hidden figures for the NASA space program with her invention of a coiled cooling tube for rocket fuel. The tube prevented the spacecraft from burning up. Dr. King’s invention helped Apollo 11 reach the moon safely in 1969. Breaking barriers was a

regular activity for Dr. King. Some of the many positions she held include the following: the first African American woman and second president of Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, MN, from 1977 to 1988; vice president of General Mills Corporation; and president and executive director of the General Mills Foundation, from 1988 to 2002, to name a few positions. Scott King, her youngest son, welcomed the audience and encouraged them to treasure this moment because book

Arbor Day celebration at McRae Park honors South Minneapolis history

By Paige Elliott Digital Editor

Crowds of community mem-

bers congregated at McRae Park in South Minneapolis to honor Arbor Day, a national observance dedicated to planting, caring for, and preserving trees. The gathering took place on Thursday, April 25, ahead of the national observance, in anticipation of rainy weather on Friday.

Live music filled the air, with a jazz band perched high in a tree via harnesses as they serenaded attendees. Despite the windy conditions, the day proved perfect for the annual event, which featured the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s forestry department and various community partners offering tree-themed activities for all ages. The festivities included tree care tips from arborists, gardening tips from local community gardens like We Garden on 15th Avenue, tree planting, bucket truck rides, food trucks, and more. The event also honored

McRae Park’s rich legacy in community sports. Former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, former coaches Mike Williams, Willie Robinson, and David Maggitt, and current

signings are rare. Former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, a trailblazer in her own right, reflected on a few memories with Dr. King as a trusted friend, confidante, and mentor. Belton and Dr. King first met in 1977, after Dr. King accepted the position as president of Metropolitan State University. Belton said,” I watched her over the years and the vision for Metro State University come to life. Reatha laid the foundation for a stronger Minnesota State University system that we see today.

Sayles Belton praised Dr.

King and General Mills for the Hawthorne Huddle in North Minneapolis and the positive impact their leadership, commitment to community safety, and economic impact had on a troubled area.

Kim Nelson, a mentee of Dr. King’s after meeting her at General Mills in 1988, said, “The relevance of her presence for me meant that I belonged at General Mills. It meant that I could be successful at General Mills. I wasn’t the only beneficiary of Reatha’s influence. She nurtured a genera-

tion of young Black leaders at our company, and many of them are sprinkled through the highest levels of corporate America today.”

Chris Nelson, Dr. King’s nephew, an 18-year-old senior at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, said, “Although I have not read the book or had the privilege of working with my aunt, I can always gain wisdom from her.”

Margarita “Maggie” Rubalcava said in praise of King: “You took a 22-year-old Latina who knew nothing, and you hired me as your assistant. On the first day, you took me to a United Way kickoff and introduced me as your colleague. I almost fell off my chair.”

When Dr. King was introduced, the audience gave a standing ovation. She thanked everyone for their kind words and shared a few excerpts from her book, with a few charming and heartwarming stories. Afterward, a long line formed to have their book autographed.

“I thought the event was fantastic,” Dr. King said. “I saw friends like Mark Belton and his wife; it was heartwarming, and Kim’s remarks were over the top. I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and my ancestors. I’m running along the trail they have mapped out for me.”

James L. Stroud, Jr. welcomes reader responses to jstroud@ spokesman-recorder.com.

members of the park’s athletic programs, including the Green Machine Football and Cheerleading Camp, stopped by to help plant a tree in honor of the park’s football history.

“We’re here to celebrate the history of McRae Park and the football program, which goes

back to the early ’50s, with the great Ed Solomon, who was also superintendent of the Park Board,” said Kedrick Williams, Sr., president of McRae Area Recreational Council (MARC).

“Ed really put down good roots here in Minneapolis. So we’re here to plant a tree to honor the football history and the many kids he helped raise in Minneapolis. We’re celebrating the many good athletes that have come through here.” Paige Elliott welcomes reader responses to pelliott@spokesman-recorder.com.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties, specifically the Energy Conservation Department, is soliciting a Call for Electrical Contractors.

We are looking for Electrical Contractors to partner with us in weatherizing the homes of income-eligible clients in Ramsey, Washington, and Anoka counties.

Contractor will need to perform electrical repairs or upgrades such as knob and tube replacement, panel upgrades, GFCI outlet installations for water heaters, on/ off switches for bathroom exhaust fans, and other allowable and applicable measures. Contractors must be fully licensed and insured. CAPRW encourages all minority/women-owned business enterprises to apply. The Call for Contractors will remain open to the public so long as work is needed.

Please call Seth Johnson at 651-444-5134 or email sjohnson@caprw.org.

Dr. Reatha Clark King speaks to a crowd of well-wishers before the signing of her new book.

Photo by James L. Stroud, Jr.

(l-r) Justice Alan Page, MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura, Jeffrey Grissam, Kedrick Williams of MARC, Inc., Willie Robinson (former coach), David Maggitt (former coach), Mike Andrews (former coach), and Aaron Robinson.

Former athletes and coaches dug in to help plant a tree dedicated to the history of McRae Park’s athletic programs.

Photos by Paige Elliott

Obesity and diabetes reach critical points among children

Modification in diet and more activities are keys to combatting the issue

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

“I’ve been working in healthcare a long time, about 40 years,” explains Tereza Ambroz, “and when I started, we never saw the rates of obesity and diabetes in children that we do today. Kids now are four times more likely to be obese than they were in the 1980s. This is just not normal.”

Ambroz, the supervisor of the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Diabetes and Health Behavior Unit, is leading the launch of a new pilot program designed to analyze and address childhood obesity specifically for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Funded through a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), year one of the MDH program will conduct a landscape analysis, initially focusing on U.S.-born Black American and American Indian children.

Recent studies reveal that the American Indian population has the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes, and the African American community is not far behind. In fact, according to Ambroz, “Cases of diabetes among African American youth have more than doubled over the past two decades.”

“These two communities are where we find the biggest

need for intervention right now,” says Julie Dalton, MDH diabetes prevention strategist.

The program will heavily involve members of the community and other experts in the healthcare field in conducting the landscape analysis. A big part of this will be establishing what the program has termed Community Voices Groups, focus groups that will actively engage children and families in the process.

“We cannot do this work in isolation. We must understand where the needs are,” notes Dalton, “to identify service gaps and some of the other challenges families face. And to provide the tools, resources, and opportunities to assist them.”

Based on the landscape analysis and the participation of the Community Voices Groups, the next step is for MDH to select one of six CDC programs that pair evidencebased curriculum with behav

ior modification.

MDH will then partner with a local clinic to implement and scale the program. It will also utilize professionally trained facilitators to continue engaging parents, caregivers, and the larger community.

Among the critical components of the program will be to help youth develop healthy eating habits, increase exercise, and manage stress. Par-

foods and wider availability of less healthy options, is also a major concern.

As are too much “screen time,” the prevalence of social media, and other things that tend to keep young people away from physical activity and recreation. “This work is so essential,” says Ambroz. “It’s much easier to prevent Type 2 diabetes at an early age. And when we don’t, the complications are potentially devastating. This can be a matter of life and death.”

Encouraging families to eat more fruits and vegetables, replace sugary drinks with water, focus on portion control, reduce the consumption of processed meats, and find other healthy sources of protein are an essential part of this effort.

vices and opportunities, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC. Housing and other supportive services will also be on MDH’s radar.

“I worked with those who’ve had to deal with diabetes while also living in a car,” reveals Ambroz. “Then, there are single parents working two jobs to make ends meet. So, we must make sure that we help families navigate certain challenges. To ensure they can access all the available tools and resources to meet their needs.”

First Lady Michelle Obama famously spoke to the projections that we are welcoming into the world the first generation of kids that will “live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.”

ents and caregivers will also be empowered to serve as advocates.

Both Ambroz and Dalton emphasize the importance of not placing blame on kids and families when considering the current trends in childhood

obesity and the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

“One’s health is closely linked to a variety of circumstances,” explains Ambroz. “This includes genetics, medical issues, but also environmental factors. Such as where people are born, where they live, inequities around resources, and many other social determinants.”

The increased prevalence of both food deserts and food swamps, which denote areas with low access to healthy

“It’s much easier to prevent Type 2 diabetes at an early age. When we don’t, the complications are potentially devastating. This can be a matter of life and death.”

“It’s important that families have options,” adds Ambroz, “and we want to encourage parents to role model healthy behaviors. One of the ways this can be done is by cooking healthy meals at home from scratch.”

In assessing the needs of children and their families, the program will seek to connect participants to additional ser-

However, this does not have to be the case. There is still time to make a difference.

“This is very exciting to me,” Dalton affirms. “I’ve primarily worked in treating and managing diabetes in adults. So, this means a lot to all of us.”

Again, the magnitude of this work is evident. According to Dalton, if we do nothing about this issue, current projections are that three in five of today’s children will be overweight or clinically obese by the time they reach adulthood.

“I hope that this program will provide children everything they need to thrive, reach their full potential, and live long, healthy lives free of chronic disease,” says Dalton.

Tony Kiene welcomes reader responses to tkiene@spokesman-recorder.com.

Experts say getting our kids to eat healthier is challenging. Stock Photo

Pink Pearl Bliss

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Chris Juhn Contributing Writer

Pink Pearl Bliss is a pioneering vaginal relief company founded by Lynn Holman, offering a range of unique services such as yoni steaming, sip and paints, and spiritual readings.

With a philosophy centered on holistic well-being, Holman views her business as a simple service aimed at providing relief on multiple levels.

A passionate entrepreneur with a deep-rooted desire to help others, Holman envisions expanding her business to mobile services, using vans to navigate the Twin Cities, and hosting steaming parties.

Holman, who opened her business in 2019, says her mission is to offer a transformative experience that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of her clients, making Pink Pearl Bliss a haven for holistic wellness seekers.

MSR: What inspired you to launch/start your business?

LH: I was dealing with a lot of issues with womb health and things like that. I

got tired of going to the doctor and the questions they’d ask. They would always tell me, “Well, this is your body going through changes.” I just couldn’t accept it. I got tired of the pills, the creams, and I just wanted some relief.

So I went and Googled “natural vaginal remedies.” Then yoni steaming popped up. I’m like, “What is yoni steaming? I’m the type of person I try anything once.

I ordered it, and it was a bag of herbs and a plastic bowl. The first time, I burnt myself. The second time, it wasn’t that warm. And the third time, I mastered it and my menstrual cycle was different. I wasn’t cramping, I wasn’t bloating, I didn’t have headaches. So, I kept doing it and felt relieved.

I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to find a school where I can learn to teach and serve other women?” And the rest is history. I was the first to introduce this service to the Twin Cities.

MSR: How does steaming help?

LH: A woman sits on one of the boxes. Different herbs have different properties. I make my blends myself. I went

A holistic cleanse for the womb

to school for this. When I put the herbs in the pot, they get on top of the box, and the steam goes into the vagina and into the vaginal canal, cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, anal cavity, and bladder. It provides the cleanest recirculation, and that’s how they get relief.

MSR: How does your business impact the community?

LH: Some women have told me the methods helped them get pregnant and provided relief from infections. They didn’t have to go to the doctor

Inaugural Small Business Summit and Expo held in St.Paul

The St. Paul Area Chamber and its partners at the Minnesota Black Chamber and the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce welcomed esteemed members of the Twin Cities business community to the inaugural Small Business Summit and Expo held at the Intercontinental Hotel Saint Paul Riverfront.

The April 26 gathering welcomed nearly 300 individuals and 50 exhibitors. It offered seven workshop sessions and a panel discussion moderated by MSR Publisher/CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard and panelists Monique Green, founder of Mullur’e Cosmetics, and Marc Heu, co-owner and executive pastry chef of Patisserie Paris, and Charles Lovejoy, a hospitality veteran and founder of Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix. Event sponsors included Wells Fargo, Ramsey County,

Travelers, Allianz, Bremer Bank, Clifton Larson Allen, Comcast Business, Grand Casino and Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Jones Financial Group, McGough, The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, Seven Hills Benefit Partners, Sunrise Bank, U.S. Bank, and Xcel Energy.

For more event photos, visit spokesman-recorder.com.

as much. This was due to better womb circulation, which leads to better health. Fewer doctor visits mean more time to do other things.

MSR: What does Yoni steaming help with?

LH: Yoni steaming helps with all kinds of issues. It’s basically like your vagina is drinking tea. It helps with infertility; it helps with cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and other things.

MSR: What would you consider your business’ hero service or product?

LH: The yoni steaming.

MSR: What has been your biggest challenge in owning a business?

LH: I would say marketing. Because sometimes it’s like when you put it in front of someone, they’re like “Oh, what’s that?” Or, “Does something have to be wrong with me to do that?” No, you get your hair done, and you get

“I love to hear how women found relief with steaming.”

your nails done. It’s basically maintenance for your womb.

MSR: What has been the most rewarding part of owning your business?

LH: I love to hear how women found relief with steaming.

MSR: What’s the most powerful story you’ve heard?

LH: The most powerful story I heard was when a woman, she was telling me she was like “Lynn, [doctor] is telling me that I’m going through pre-menopause.” And we’re the same age. And I was like, “I don’t think it’s pre-menopause.” I was so confident I said, “I won’t even charge you. Let me steam you for free.” I steamed her three times within six months. Later she found out she was pregnant with her son.

MSR: What’s your vision/ goals for your business?

What does success look like for you?

LH: I really want to add a mobile service. I can see myself getting a van and going through the Twin Cities and going into servicing with steam parties. But at the same time still having my location.

MSR: What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

LH: Do not give up. There are times when I feel as though I want to throw in the towel because being an entrepreneur is hard. Not only is it dedication, but you really have to ask yourself, is this what you really want? Is this what you really want to be doing for the rest of your life? Because you’re going to have highs, lows, some good days, and some bad days. But at the end of the day, it’s worth it because you’re changing someone’s life with the service that you’re giving.

MSR: Would you like to add that has not been covered?

LH: I just have a passion for helping people. I love helping people find relief on all levels. I think it’s what God wants me doing, and it’s what I’m doing.

For more information, visit www.pinkpearlbliss.com. Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Sunday and Monday.

Chris Juhn welcomes reader responses to cjuhn@spokesman-recorder.com.

has everything you need to foster growth this spring season. Whether you’re selecting soil to re-pot a dear plant, picking new seeds or starter plants for your garden, or choosing a houseplant to brighten up this Mother’s Day, we’re here to help you bloom.

Lynn Holman, Pink Pearl Bliss

Photo by Chris Juhn

(l-r) B Kyle, St. Paul Area Chamber CEO/president; Charles Lovejoy, Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix founder; Monique Green, Mullur’e Cosmetics founder; Tracey Williams-Dillard, MSR CEO/publisher, and Marc Heu, co-owner and executive pastry chef of Patisserie Pari Photos courtesy of the MSR

Continued from page 1

Thanksgiving, the family was gathered together around six o’clock when shots rang out. A few bullets had pierced through their home, but they were left unscathed.

Hearing word of the shooting, CPS investigators came to the home and took the two youngest children, Bryden and Joy Blessing, who were both infants.

At the time, their family was the only Black family in the neighborhood. They felt as though they had been targeted racially for the shooting as they had no other justification.

Roynell expressed his frustration at the time when he suddenly lost his grandchildren. “You just don’t just take nobody’s family out,” he said. “It’s just like slavery.”

Continued from page 1

Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota (www. tocaimn.com).

“We’ve been to several school board meetings, sitting down with different schools in the Black community,’ explains Pittman. “[We are] dealing with issues as far as our children being able to see people that look like them inside of the schools, in leadership and other facets.”

They are also working with schools to decrease the state’s persistent achievement gap in the K-12 system. Disparities continue at the college level.

Among 25-to-44-year-olds, Native American, Hispanic and Black Minnesotans have lower associate degree or above attainment rates, at 29.5, 32.6, and 39.7 percent, respectively, compared to 68.4 percent for whites.

The nationwide housing shortage, specifically afford-

Continued from page 1

that needs to be heard and noticed for its efforts for equitable justice and sustainability, especially where the environment is concerned,” he said.

“It means that they are listening to us and converting what they hear into action.”

More specific to what environment and sustainability look like in the community, Redd continued, “For one, it looks like access to clean, green jobs. The African-American community has often not had access to or awareness of these jobs and positions. As we talk about sustainable jobs, these are great family-sus-

Continued from page 1

that the days of the “milliondollar” gate in professional

Roynell had been weary of being singled out. His grandfather was killed by the Klan, so it wasn’t too far-fetched that his family was now being targeted. According to his wife, Anderson, the family was subject to many CPS reports by the neighbors while living in Coon Rapids because they allowed their grandchildren to play in the backyard where there was no fence.

“They were trying to take the kids out because I didn’t have a gate,” she said. “Bryden used to walk outside all the time, but he was going back to where the swing set was. The white people kept calling in on me.”

Danielle Taylor, the older sister of Tabitha and Tamara, has been working to gain custody of her nephews and nieces but has confronted obstacles in dealing with Hennepin County. She stated that her name had been red-flagged for

able housing, affects Black Minnesotans as well. “We deal with many homeless youths now,” Pittman says. “Kids that are going to school but don’t have a place to go after school, don’t have shelter.”

According to a 2024 Minn Post article, though 70% of White families are homeowners in the Twin Cities, the ownership rate for Black families is 20%. Their current housing chair deals with a plethora of housing issues. “We were just made aware of a Black couple selling their home,” says Pittman. “It [was appraised] for $300,000 less than it was worth.”

Their work on public safety has gotten a lot of traction by working with legislators on revising laws regarding pretextual traffic stops. “Individuals [were] getting stopped, pulled over, and then their backgrounds were searched,” says Pittman.

Data analyzed from 20162020 “found that Black drivers in Saint Paul were nearly four times more likely than White drivers to be pulled over and

tainable jobs that pay $70-80 thousand, so people can have a piece of the American reality, not the American dream. Second, it means that this community has some of the highest asthma rates in Minnesota, and we will now be able to improve in that area while eliminating some of the area’s pollution, starting with our building. We should be the example our community should see, leading in cleaner air and other sustainability areas.

over 18 years, and she has just recently been granted a foster care license despite having applied over two years ago.

Danielle was working with Family Alternatives, a foster care service based in Minneapolis, to gain custody of her relatives but stated that she had been put under investigation for no [apparent] reason. She believes that Family Alternatives and Hennepin County are working together on her family’s case and have no intention of having her foster her nieces and nephews.

“I

Continued from page 1

public health step.”

The ordinance will now go to Mayor Jacob Frey’s desk for approval. He has supported the proposal since its introduction and is expected to sign off.

The original amendment included the ban on indoor smoking for all cigar shops, hookah

“We’ve been an integral part of making our community a desirable place again, so it’s only

boxing was gone forever, and with the fight game at its lowest ebb since Dempsey’s era, there didn’t appear a fighter on the horizon to bring the boxing fans clicking through the turnstiles again as of a decade ago.

lounges, and other businesses that currently allow it. However, Anthony’s Pipe & Cigar Lounge in the Uptown neighborhood will be “grandfathered” and continue allowing customers to light up inside the lounge. Councilmember Aisha Chughtai proposed the “grandfather” amendment.

Otherwise, the new law will restrict sampling of any tobacco for more than 15 minutes in a “single visit” when

this is the same agency that cost me to lose Bryden and Joy,” she said. “I had a good shot, at least I thought, and they’re doing it again with these other children in the system.”

Three of the children are in the custody of a woman named Joanne, a foster parent in Minneapolis with whom the family has built a relationship. They share Sunday dinners with the children in Joanne’s care and constantly communicate.

just feel like it’s wrong how they’ll take somebody out of their family and place them with random people and never let them see their family again.”

“What really hurts is that they still keep coming at me to block me from getting my family, and

nine times more likely to have their vehicle searched,” according to the Pioneer Press.

Pittman says these stops are also more likely to end in death for Black men. A December 2022 Minnesota Department of Health report that analyzed fatality data between 20162021 “associated with a law enforcement call for service or encounter” found that “Twenty-two percent were Black, African, or African American, though only seven percent of all Minnesotans are Black, African, or African American.”

Pittman sees the result of their work in much fewer stops for things like a broken taillight, expired plates, or tinted windows. “Those are changes that have been made since I’ve been president from working with the Ramsey County Attorney [John Choi] and working with the chief of police.” This includes monthly meetings going over the statistics of not only traffic stops but also robberies and other criminal activities that affect communities of color.

right that we lead the charge by staying in this community and doing our part to make it safer for everyone here,” Redd continued. “We must ensure that our kids and families are doing well in every aspect, especially the environment.”

Rep. Omar spoke about the importance and her commitment to the large community energy project. “Sabathani proves that our transition to renewable energy can uplift workers and underserved

According to Danielle, Joanne shared that individuals at Hennepin County told her never to contact the children’s biological family and labeled them as dangerous.

The St. Paul NAACP has over 20 different chairing positions, but filling them is sometimes challenging. “You have to find people willing to volunteer,” Pittman says. “We are a nonprofit organization, so we don’t get paid a salary to do what we do.”

“We are forefront people—we are out there. We’re at the school meetings, public safety meetings, and city council.”

Every third Thursday, they hold general meetings that are open to the public. At these meetings, community members can voice concerns, receive updates from the organization, and ask questions. “It is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,” says Pittman. However, “We try to ensure that all marginalized communities...are getting fair and equal treatment.”

Pittman is not only president

prioritize investments that directly benefit the Black, brown, and Indigenous neighborhoods too often sacrificed to polluters’ greed,” she stated.

“That’s why I am proud to have secured $500,000 in Community Project Funding to replace their rooftop that is now solar-ready. Our office also worked to advance funding to build the geothermal system, partially funded through the American Rescue Plan, and will help make it a sustainable hand for future generations. Sen. Smith and I will keep fighting for initiatives like those at Sabathani, where sustainability and environmental justice go hand-in-hand.”

When asked for comment regarding the county’s policies regarding relative placement, a Hennepin County Human Services spokesperson replied with the following:

“For children who must be separated from their parents, our goal is to reduce trauma by placing them with relatives. These relatives must go through a licensing process, which can be complex. We support relatives through the process whether they’re being licensed by Hennepin County or another agency.”

A fear among older children is that their younger siblings will grow up estranged from them, and they will become unrecognizable to the younger children.

Colbert was recently celebrating her younger sister Keonna’s fourth birthday. Keonna is under the care of her father’s eldest daughter, so

of the St. Paul branch, but also interim president for the state and the Dakotas. State meetings are held quarterly to discuss what each branch is working on and recent accomplishments.

“In the meetings that I’ve been in, the branches have been very busy, and some of them are doing great things to advocate for the community,” says Pittman. However, their efforts are not consistently recognized by the communities they serve.

“Sometimes people become upset if they think we aren’t doing everything we’re supposed to,” says Pittman. “They don’t realize we have full-time jobs, sometimes two or three, and that this is volunteer work.”

NAACP members are not exempt from what everyone else does to support themselves and their families. “Any efforts made by these people volunteering their services to ensure the work of the NAACP continues is important. It’s crucial.”

As a pastor, Pittman says he has a natural capacity for compassion for his community. He

like Scott Redd. “Black leaders have long been on the frontlines of addressing the most pressing issues we face, including the climate emergency and environmental justice. The Sabathani Community Center is the beating heart of South Minneapolis, and they’ve been on a mission to make their organization and community greener,” said Sen. Smith.

she’s become more familiar with her father’s side than her mother’s.

“I went to her birthday party, and it was just so sad because she didn’t know me,” Colbert said. “She just sat there, looked at me, and asked me my name. My whole chest hurt.” Colbert fears that her siblings will grow up with a sense of abandonment if they cannot reunite them and have some semblance of a relationship. “I just feel like it’s wrong how they’ll take somebody out of their family and place them with random people and never let them see their family again,” she said.

“Then when they grow up, the kids feel that their family abandoned them, but they really tried.”

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

spends a lot of time traveling and in meetings. He feels compensated by being a part of the organization’s legacy and seeing how the community benefits from its accomplishments. He encourages people to connect with their local NAACP branch.

“I was sitting in a barbershop one day and [heard] a horrible acronym for the NAACP,” says Pittman. “I just started laughing and saying, ‘Wow, that’s just a shallow view of what the NAACP actually does.’

“We are forefront people— we are out there. We’re at the school meetings, public safety meetings, and city council,” he says. “You may not think that the NAACP is doing something for you, but when you see a change, know that we are in there and a part of the solution that has lightened that load for you.”

The St. Paul NAACP is at 270 Kent St., Saint Paul, MN. They can be reached at 651- 6490520 or naacpstpaul4052@ gmail.com. Visit their website at naacp-stpaul.org.

of work we should celebrate on Earth Day,” the senator explained.

communities rather than leaving them behind. As we build a green economy, we must

But there appeared out of the Golden Glove amateur ranks a young fighter destined to set the boxing colony afire with his devastating punch and coolness under fire. His name is on every tongue in the fistie

“These changes will protect youth and communities of color from tobacco industry targeting.”

the ordinance officially goes into effect on Dec. 1. The rule change will mean any patron

Sen. Smith also spoke about the significance of the moment and community leaders

world today but as recent as two years ago little was known of the Brown Bomber as he came to be known because of his explosive punching.

Yet Louis proved to be boxing’s “Moses”. He delivered

of Anthony’s will be allowed to smoke just one cigar per visit.

Outdoor smoking will not be impacted and will still be allowed through the ordinance. Vape and e-cigarette prices will also remain unchanged.

Public health specialist Evalyn Carbrey said at a previous city council committee meeting that raising the price will deter people from smoking, which is the leading cause of preventable death in Minnesota as well

“From updating their building lighting to LED, partnering with Xcel to become a Resilience Hub for emergency outages, replacing boilers with energy-efficient geothermal systems, to securing federal funding to make their rooftop solar-ready, they’re leading the way towards a more sustainable and equitable future. This is exactly the type

the sport from its lowest ebb.

She said in conclusion, “Black communities and other communities of color have borne the brunt of environmental injustice for far too long,” pointing out that Congress has the responsibility to repair the decades of racist policies and practices that have caused these disparities.

“Supporting projects like the one to replace the rooftop at the Sabathani Community Center so that it’s solar-ready is one way the federal government can partner in addressing environmental injustices.”

Al Brown welcomes reader comments at abrown@spokesman-recorder.com.

And today it is thriving only because of the color that Louis injected into the sport with his string of knockout victories against any and all opponents. Notwithstanding his defeat to Max Schmeling last June, Louis still remains the outstanding figure in the boxing game.

as the rest of the country.

Carbrey highlighted that one-third of adult smokers use tobacco coupons or discounts every time they see one. “Low prices on commercial tobacco products are associated with increased initiation in the use of tobacco products and make it harder for people to quit when they want to,” Carbrey said.

She also mentioned studies that show when a 10% increase is made to the price of

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

tobacco products, a decrease of usage is seen across different demographics. For adults, it drops from 3-5%, and 6-7% among youth.

Some argued against the ordinance, saying the price hike would be too much for most people, especially those in lower-income neighborhoods, to afford.

Tommy Wiita writes for Bring Me The News.

“The Sabathani Community Center is the beating heart of South Minneapolis, and they’ve been on a mission to make their organization and community greener.”

By William Nash

One of the most impressive parts of Beyoncé’s new album, “Cowboy Carter,” is her roster of collaborators, which includes rising country artist Shaboozey alongside country superstars

Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

But to me, the most important guest voice is the one least likely to be familiar to Beyoncé’s listeners: Linda Martell, the first commercially successful Black female country music artist.

Two tracks on “Cowboy Carter,” “Spaghettii,” and “The Linda Martell Show” include spoken-word commentary from Martell. By giving Martell a platform, Beyoncé simultaneously credits her predecessor while staking her own place in the country music tradition.

In “Spaghettii,” Martell confronts the conundrums of genre:

“Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?. … In theory, they have a simple little definition that’s easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined.”

Confinement was the essence of Martell’s brief musical career—and it’s the exact sort of fate that Beyoncé has sought to avoid as she has moved from bubblegum pop singer to Afrofuturist oracle and country music scion.

Martell’s rapid ascendancy to prominence as a country

Arts & Culture

The most important voice on Beyoncé’s new album

musician and her equally precipitous decline offers a lesson about the challenges Black artists faced in the 1970s.

Born in South Carolina, Martell first began to sing as a child, forming a group with her sisters that performed R&B and gospel songs. After the sisters parted ways artistically, Martell often performed as a solo act.

During a performance at Charleston Air Force Base in 1969, Duke Rayner, Martell’s soon-to-be agent, was in the audience. Rayner, who believed Martell could be “a female Charley Pride,” persuaded her to try her hand at country music.

Having recently released the hit “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me),” Pride was proving that Black country music artists could succeed.

For a time, Martell was similarly popular. She went to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a country version of “Color Him Father,” a soul song by The Winstons that had hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.

Martell’s version reached No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles— the highest position any Black woman had reached on that chart until Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1 in February 2024.

Martell followed that single with a Country Top 40 album, “Color Me Country.” One reviewer proved Rayner’s prophecy correct, opining: “Linda

Martell’s success opened doors for her in Nashville. She was invited to join a host of country artists on tour, including Waylon Jennings and

often wondered why people couldn’t “just sit there and enjoy the music.”

Martell also faced thinly veiled racism from the people

white artists, Jeanne C. Riley, recorded the smash hit “Harper Valley PTA,” Singleton threw all of his energy and attention behind Riley.

With her record company promoting what essentially amounted to a one-hit wonder at her expense, Martell tried to switch labels.

Singleton responded by essentially blackballing her in Nashville, ensuring no other label would sign her. Martell all but disappeared from the public eye by 1974.

She tried returning to R&B, but her career ultimately fizzled.

In the 2005 documentary, “Waiting in the Wings,” Martell offers words of advice for any who would follow in her footsteps: “A woman of color, if you go into country music—if the record stations don’t play you, you’re not going anywhere. Brace yourself. But don’t give up.”

Martell’s industry exile resonates with one element of “Cowboy Carter,” in particular.

Beyoncé has said that she made the album, in part, as a response to a time when she “felt excluded.” She has never said when, exactly, that time was, but I think she could well be alluding to her performance of “Daddy Lessons” with the Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards.

Members of the audience were cool to her presence, at best; one country music mainstay, Alan Jackson, got up from the front row and walked out in the middle of the song.

With “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has triumphantly returned, kicking the doors open and marching through them with Martell proudly by her side, giving the 82-year-old country star the recognition that has long eluded her.

Beyoncé seems to know that no cultural box can contain her, and I see “Cowboy Carter” as a revolutionary album because Beyoncé is paving the way for more musicians to take creative risks, to refuse to be pigeonholed and to break the artificial boundaries of genre.

William Nash is a professor of American Studies and English

This story was republished with permission from The Con-

Linda Martell poses for a photograph in 1969.

Photo by Bruno Bernard

Black

Some recent polls surprisingly showed that if the presidential election was held today, 17% of Black voters say they would vote for Trump.

By Donald M Suggs St. Louis American - Word in Black

The fact that exit polls showed that Donald Trump received 9% of the Black vote in 2016, the highest number since George Bush in 2000, and then won 12% in the presidential race in 2020 should be a cause for concern.

Moreover, some recent polls surprisingly showed that if the presidential election was held today, 17% of Black voters say they would vote for Trump, and even more troubling, 20% say they would vote for someone other than either Trump or President Biden.

Black voters have been the largest and most loyal voting bloc for Democrats for years, but there has been a shift in the number of Black voters who consider themselves Democrats.

That trend could be explained partially by a number of younger Black voters with no direct experience with the Civil Rights Movement. They have scant knowledge and no direct personal memory. They feel disappointed with Democrats and the Biden administration and seem willing to consider Trump despite his blatant and toxic racial baggage.

This disconnection with the Democratic party is felt most strongly by some young Black males, many in critical battleground states like Michigan,

Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, where Democrats need every vote.

Most of these states have large concentrations of Black voters in their urban areas. This is a special issue in potentially close races like this one because the Electoral College gives Republicans a massive advantage in federal elections. This system allows them to govern with a minority of the popular vote.

However, there is also data that shows that the Democratic candidate for president over the last five presidential elections since 2000 has averaged 90% of the Black vote with an average of only 8% for the GOP candidate.

A Trump victory would be a grave threat to the well-being of Black Americans for certain.

In addition, the overwhelming concern of most Black voters continues to be race and racism, with a particular aversion to the reprehensible and duplicitous Trump, who has repeatedly shown that he is an instigator of racial hate. Any relationship he has with Black voters has been deceptive and disingenuous.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of Black voters cannot be bamboozled or deceived because we know the record of his stance on health care with his recent

Dear residents of Saint Paul,

I am writing to you today with immense pride and gratitude as we reflect on the recent accomplishments and milestones achieved by the City Council. It is with great pleasure that I share with you the remarkable progress we have made in enhancing the vibrancy, inclusivity, and heritage of our beloved city.

Paul. Moreover, our commitment to preserving our heritage and legacy has never been stronger.

attacks on Obamacare, opposition to greater diversity in the workplace, and efforts to restrict our voting rights as well as his racist, conspiracist “birther campaign” that sought to undermine the then-president, Barack Obama.

Still, we can’t simply ignore the reports that Trump is possibly making inroads with Black voters while Biden is losing support from us. Granted polls have been shown not to be reliable predictors of what Black voters will do.

Actually, our biggest worry should probably be third-party voting (third-party presidential candidates have no chance of winning. This is a binary election, and only a Democrat or Republican can win) and potential voter apathy, despite the high stakes in this contest to determine whether Donald Trump is elected again.

Clay Cane, a Sirius XM radio host, rightly said that the 2024 presidential election is not just a choice between the lesser of two evils but this is an election to see if we can stop Trump and his pernicious plans to institute a future dictatorship to carry out his vile policies. A Trump victory would be a grave threat to the well-being of Black Americans for certain.

In any case, the Democratic party must recognize the seriousness of the disenchantment of many Black voters who don’t feel motivated to make it to the polls and campaign more directly and intentionally in our community.

Furthermore, we ourselves must make an unprecedented and determined push to get to the polls in greater numbers to help stop this monstrous man and his MAGA minions from regaining control of the White House.

Donald M Suggs is the publisher and owner of The St. Louis American. Local Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable trust that provides support for the Word In Black collaborative.

First and foremost, I am thrilled to announce the successful adoption of the Historic Bike Plan, a monumental initiative that has ushered in 100 miles of bike lanes across our city. This plan not only promotes sustainable transportation but also fosters a sense of community and connectivity among our residents.

With safer and more accessible biking infrastructure, we are not just building lanes; we are building a healthier and more interconnected Saint

Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism and determination as we continue to build upon these successes.

The restoration of Rondo Avenue stands as a testament to our dedication to honoring the rich history and cultural significance of our neighborhoods. By bringing back this vital artery, we are not only reconnecting communities but also ensuring that the stories of the past continue to resonate with future generations.

Additionally, I am delighted to highlight our efforts in

championing heritage and legacy preservation on an international stage. Representing the City of Saint Paul at the United Nations Office of Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, was a humbling experience.

Meeting with members of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent reaffirmed our commitment to amplifying diverse voices and advocating for justice and equity on a global scale.

Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism and determination as we continue to build upon these successes. Together, let us forge ahead with unwavering resolve, knowing that our collective efforts will shape a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,

Anika Bowie Saint Paul City Council Member

By Brett Buckner

Last year, Minnesota established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). Amid ongoing discussions about healthcare and medication affordability, the board negotiates drug prices to manage patient prescription costs.

However, the complexities of our healthcare system mean that no single solution can fit all scenarios, and it is more complex than setting a cap on drug prices.

We must account for the expenses related to our advanced healthcare infrastructure and the reality of being the largest consumer and third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals. Our significant investments and innovation in healthcare have resulted in the development of numerous medications, including many specialized drugs for rare diseases.

While the PDAB may make sense for some medications, it could disrupt the supply of specialized drugs requiring specific storage and transport. Given our existing racial and socioeconomic healthcare disparities, any shortage could disproportionately affect communities of color.

The PDAB’s efforts could discourage pharmaceutical companies from researching and developing drugs for rare diseases due to the high costs and complexities of production and distribution.

If manufacturers find it un-

economical to produce these specialized drugs, patients will have fewer treatment options. If manufacturers cannot cover costs, they might stop supplying such drugs. In both cases, it would particularly impact Black and other minority communities where diseases are more prevalent and healthcare is less accessible.

While the PDAB may make sense for some medications, it could ultimately disrupt the supply of specialized drugs requiring specific storage and transport.

Logistical flexibility in production, delivery, and storage is crucial to ensure patients receive their medication promptly and in the correct dosage. The PDAB’s pressure to reduce costs could limit this flexibility, potentially leading manufacturers to reduce the production of specialized medications or cease production altogether.

Additionally, treatment plans for rare diseases often involve personalized care, coordinated services, and patient compliance support, which extend beyond just administer-

ing medications.

These services are essential, not optional. A state-appointed board focused on reducing drug prices might not account for the resources necessary to support these services, potentially undermining crucial care and support systems. This could reduce the overall quality of treatment for many patients. Understanding that not all treatment plans or medications are the same when addressing healthcare costs is crucial.

Although the PDAB is a positive step, it may not be the comprehensive solution we hope for in reducing healthcare costs. We need to consider the complexities of specialized medications, including their production, storage, and distribution. This will help forecast the outcomes and reduce the unintended consequences across various cultural groups already facing disparities in healthcare access and disease susceptibility. Solutions should be flexible and acknowledge the unique challenges of making medications affordable without sacrificing access or the quality of care.

Brett Buckner is the managing director of OneMN.org, a research-based advocacy and communications project that provides public policy recommendations that support and propel racial, social, and economic equity across Minnesota.

Affordable advertising packages are available for small to medium-sized businesses, corporations and non-profit organizations in print & online.

By Stacy M. Brown

President Joe Biden’s upcoming commencement address at Morehouse College has ignited controversy among students and alums, even as the twice-impeached and four-times indicted former President Donald Trump faced new legal challenges in Michigan and Arizona.

On Tuesday, April 23, Morehouse College students gathered in a campus auditorium to protest the college’s decision to invite Biden to deliver the commencement address next month.

The dissatisfaction extends beyond the student body, with alums and officials from Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta University urging the college to rescind its invitation.

In a letter on Wednesday, concerned alums criticized Biden’s role in a recent foreign aid package, which included funding for Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

The letter highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning Biden’s leader-

ship as contributing to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians. The alumni called on Morehouse to stand against injustice and not allow its platform to be used to “launder consent for genocide.”

Faculty members from the three Atlanta institutions expressed similar concerns, questioning the decision to invite Biden to a historically Black college, especially given Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as an advocate for social justice.

is a hell that diminishes us all as human beings, and that our moral conscience compels us to speak out against it.”

Biden’s foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, have sparked protests on university campuses nationwide. Biden recently signed a $95 billion war aid measure, allocating approximately $26 billion for Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Biden em-

were not consulted,” Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine wrote.

“College and university administrators have an obligation to include students and faculty members in decisions that will affect them. This decision will do lasting harm to everyone associated with the College.

By Vickie Evans-Nash

Contributing Writer

Just last week, the Minneapolis Public School district averted a strike regarding higher wages for teaching staff.

Yet, in a community meeting held last fall, their chief financial officer made it clear that they were already facing tight budget constraints.

“COVID was bad, is bad, and we know that,” said MPS Senior Officer of Finance and Operations Ibrahima Diop during an October 2, 2023, EDTalks event in South Minneapolis. “But in terms of finance, it allowed the district to raise its cash balance because of the [staff] vacancies that we had plus the absolute amount values of the federal dollars that we received.”

This was 77.8 million in ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) dollars, which allowed them to increase their fund balance by $38 million. However, in 2017, their budget projected a fiscal crisis within

“Like any group of alumni of any college or university, political and ethical commitments among us are not unanimous,” the alum wrote. “There are many among us, however, who stand on the prophetic vision of our most famous alumnus, who said in 1967 that war

phasized the need for Israel to ensure the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

In a Michigan court hearing related to a false elector’s scheme aimed at overturning Biden’s victory, Trump, along with former aides Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and Jenna

Ellis, was identified as an “unindicted co-conspirator.” The charges stem from a scheme falsely claiming Trump’s victory over Biden in Michigan. Meanwhile, in Arizona, a state grand jury has indicted several individuals, including former Arizona GOP chair Kelli Ward and state legislators Anthony Kern and Jake Hoffman, for their involvement in signing false elector certificates supporting Trump. Trump is referenced as “Unindicted Co-conspirator 1” in the Arizona indictment, facing allegations of plotting to

overturn his election loss.

The controversies surrounding Biden and Trump come as the November election approaches, adding complexity to an already polarized political landscape. While Trump navigates legal challenges and allegations, Biden’s foreign policy decisions have drawn criticism from within his voter base, potentially impacting the upcoming elections.

“We understand that the decision to platform Biden was made solely by the Morehouse administration and that students and faculty members

“It will do serious reputational damage to Morehouse and other schools in the Atlanta University Center consortium. It will alienate donors. It will discourage new applications from a youth generation that overwhelmingly supports a ceasefire.

“It will prompt significant protest among current students and faculty, subjecting them to discipline and, potentially, dangerous confrontations with the police. It is not too late to correct the course. There is no reason why Morehouse cannot rescind this invitation. Indeed, the College must do so.”

Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent.

the next two years.

“We have to do better about educating our community about that point,” said MPS Board Member Sharon El-Amin.

“There is only so much money in the bank…We have to be financially responsible. That’s what we were elected for.” Federal funds tied to the pandemic offset a challenging budget as MPS experienced years of declining enrollment.

“We cannot continue to operate from a budget of 50,000 students when we only have less than 30,000,” El-Amin said. “Yes, our teachers need to be compensated. I don’t think there is a debate around that, but that means something is going to decrease.”

El-Amin has made Minneapolis her home for 30 years and has been an MPS board member since 2021. “Education is the key,” she said. “If we educate our youth, they grow up to want to be able to give back to their community.”

The board is currently looking at ways to transform schools so that teachers are

compensated while the budget is adhered to, which will result in school closure within the next two years. School closures will begin with conversations with families and community members.

“That is a conversation that we need to be having now,” she said, “so we can learn what would make you want to send your child to MPS. What does that ideal school look like? It is our job to go back and try to put that puzzle together and then bring it back to the community to see if we can get the approval and then make those adjustments in a collective manner.”

Besides the budget, for ElAmin, safety is the most important issue for students, with youth involvement in gangs becoming more common.

“How can we, from an education lens, change that paradigm and give them more safe space? Whether it’s in our schools, in our community centers, or our religious facilities—our churches, our mosques—those different

things that make up a community?” she questioned.

El-Amin is the executive director of McKinley Community Center, where youth can go after school, on school release days, and during spring and winter break when they have a lot of unstructured time. They offer things like book clubs and opportunities to speak with community leaders.

“I see [this] as a mechanism to give back to the community and create the healthy community that we want within North Minneapolis,” she said.

The board’s current focus is on academics, especially reading literacy. Over the years, there has been a decline in grade-level literacy rates among Black and brown students that preceded the pandemic.

“From a board standpoint we are recognizing that the old traditional way of educating our children is no longer working,” she said. “Our children were failing before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and they still continue

to fail. COVID exposed it a lot more, but the decline in our children was way before.”

Though Minneapolis is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the state, with a student body that reflects that diversity, like other districts, its teaching staff does not. Its Grow Your Own program encourages current staff members, like Education Support Professionals (ESPs), to work toward their teaching license. Still, increasing diversity is just as challenging as maintaining recruits.

“That goes to the culture that they are walking into within our district,” said ElAmin. “When you hire a Black educator that’s coming into a more white-dominated circle, how do we make sure that we have resources to make sure that they are seen, valued, and heard?”

Over the next few weeks, Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams will be sharing her progress on the 100-day plan that she introduced when she began in February. The plan prioritizes the district’s concerns with plans to address them. The community event for the Northside will be held on May 6 at Bethune Elementary School. Budget conversations are already occurring, but they will be ramping up with community meetings during the summer months.

El-Amin doesn’t expect school closures in the 20242025 school year. “We have put our community through enough, so we don’t need to shock them in that way,” she said.

“We need to keep communication open so that families know that the school that they’re choosing will be the school that [students will] attend in the upcoming year.”

Vickie Evans-Nash welcomes reader responses to vnash@ spokesman-recorder.com.

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NJE Holdings, LLC, Assignee of Minneapolis Property, LLC, Assignee of EnviroBate, Inc., Judgment Creditor, vs. Judith Pierce, Judgment Debtor.

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That under and by virtue of an Execution issued out of and under the seal of the District Court of the State of Minnesota, in and for the Fourth Judicial District and County of Hennepin on the 30th day of October, 2023, upon a judgment rendered and docketed in said Court and County in an action therein, in favor of NJE Holdings, LLC as assignee and against Judith Pierce, to satisfy the amount found and adjudged due, and WHEREAS, said judgment was docketed in the District Court of Hennepin County on the 22nd day of September, 2020, in Hennepin County District Court File No. 27-CV-20-11925, and the sum of $2,671.83 is now actually due thereon, plus additional interest computed up to and including the date of sale and all of my fees, costs and disbursements of levy and sale, and WHEREAS, said Execution has to me as Sheriff of Hennepin County been duly directed and delivered, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that I have levied upon and will sell at public auction, to the highest bidder, for cash, on May 23, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Room 190, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, all right, title and interest that Judith Pierce had on the 22nd day of September, 2020, (that being the date of docketing of said judgment in Hennepin County) in and to the real estate hereinafter described, or any interest therein which said defendant has since that day acquired, the description of the property being as follows, to-wit: East 42 feet of Lots 29 and 30, Block 12, Lawndale, Hennepin County, Minnesota Said property being commonly known as 3809 E 39th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, PID No. 07-028-23-12-0145.

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Continued from page 10

had one common denominator, and that was the great Vivian Stringer.” Adams, who once coached at Cheyney and is now Delaware State deputy athletic director, added, “They didn’t have to go to Cheyney. They chose to go to that school because they felt a connection to their coaches but also the heritage and mission of the institution.” Walker strongly advised all within the sound of her voice, “If you want to really understand the history of women’s NCAA championships, you have to go back to the first year … and I want you to investigate us. “Forty-two years ago was a really long time,” she continued. “I wonder why it took so long for us to be on this stage?”

She and her teammates recalled how Cheyney State was treated going into that first NCAA title game. “The commentators didn’t even bother to learn how to pronounce our names. They called us Cheyanne State.

The T-shirts that were being sold for the first NCAA championship and Final

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Four—only three teams were on the shirt, not us.”

As wonderful as last Saturday night was here in Knoxville, watching these proud Black women standing on the stage, receiving individual WBHOF rings and supporting Walker as she stood behind the podium, they still want the Cheyney State story to be a continuous one and not a closed chapter in history.

“I think the Hall of Fame needs to go even deeper,” said Keith Johnson, who played on the Cheyney State’s men’s team at the same time as their female counterparts. “The story still needs to be told; need to dig a little deeper and put up all the accomplishments that these young ladies did.”

Nonetheless, the 1982 Lady Wolves are in the WBHOF for all to see and know.

“It is a blessing,” concluded Faith Wilds, a senior center.

For more on our time in Knoxville and the other HOF inductees, visit spokesmanrecorder.com.

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

SOE

Continued from page 10

remembered Woods Richardson. “But I came out and still had six or seven wins in the second half.”

He’s working on “a couple new pitches, but it’s all of them, just trying to hone in on the same delivery,” said Woods Richardson on his array of pitches.

Last Thursday, Woods Richardson was with the big club, started and pitched five innings but didn’t get credit for the Twins’ 6-3 win. Yet he pitched well enough to earn a spot in the rotation and is with the club on its road trip.

Finally, despite his young age and whether he’s in St. Paul or Minnesota, Woods Richardson could be considered a grizzled veteran of sorts as one of the very few with MLB experience, albeit brief.

“I’ve been in professional baseball since I was 17 years old,” he said. “I’m always

still learning. I’m always still gonna be the youngest guy in the clubhouse.”

Next: Woods Richardson is one of two Black players on this year’s Saints roster. We speak with his teammate next week.

Seth Jones joins 2024 U.S. hockey team

Seth Jones, who leads with four medals, is one of the first 15 players on the 2024 U.S. Men’s National Hockey Team to play in the IIHF Men’s World Championships May 10-26 in Ostrava and Prague, Czechia. He is the only Black player on the squad and joins Laila Edwards, who was the only Black player on the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Jones was the fourth overall pick by Nashville in 2013 and has played for four NHL clubs.

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

markets across the country and on Sirius XM.

“Major League Baseball has Jackie Robinson Day, then what does Major League Baseball do after that?” asked Ware.

How well are the MLB clubs promoting the game in the Black community? Ware remembers the difficulty in getting an MLB club to fulfill his interview request for a Black player: “I probably put in 40 requests over a 10year period,” Ware recalled.

“I love baseball. I’ve coached baseball. Grew up loving the game,” noted Ware, “and by the way, I don’t just request Black players either.”

“How is Major League Baseball promoting itself?” Ware questioned, “and the clubs for that matter … in marketing to the Black community and spending dol-

lars with your newspaper or other Black mediums. I don’t see it.”

“I think Major League Baseball is disconnected from the Black community,” believed Ware.

In regard to player availability, he blames MLB teams’ media relations personnel. Many of them probably don’t understand the importance of Black media—

“You allow the players to make a decision [to do an interview]. Sometimes you just got to tell the players… to do this,” said Ware.

Finally, Ware challenges MLB as a league and its individual clubs to do better if it is really serious about growing the game of baseball.

“What are you really doing to increase that number or to grow the game in the Black community?” stressed Ware.

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

Sports

noxville, Tenn. — The story of the 1982 Cheyney State team, despite finally receiving Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) recognition, is far from being complete.

“It is way past time for … historically Black college basketball to be recognized,”

Freda Glover-Doxey (Cheyney, 1977-81) told us after last Saturday’s WBHOF 2024 Induction Ceremony.

Before the seven individu-

Cheyney State Lady

Wolves

inducted into Women’s

als, including former Minnesota Lynx stars Taj McWilliamsFranklin, Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore-Irons, and referee Violet Palmer, were individually introduced and inducted, the 1981-82 Cheyney State

“The

T-shirts that were being sold for the first NCAA championship and Final Four—only three teams were on the shirt, not us.”

Lady Wolves were inducted as a team as Trailblazers of The Game. This recognition extended to the 11 Black women players, the all-Black female

Basketball Hall of Fame

coaching staff, and other essential personnel.

A Division II school with limited resources but featured eight high school All-Americans and a future WBHOF and Naismith HOF Coach C.

Vivian Stringer, but finished the 1981-82 season second-

ranked in the nation and runners-up in the first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship game with a 28-3 record.

They remain the sole HBCU to have ever competed for an NCAA women’s Division I title.

“I was here in 2019 … there was nothing speaking to those teams that Coach Stringer had.”

Karen Draughn, a sophomore guard from Connecticut, wanted to go to a small school, “which happened to be a historically Black college,” she said. “I was inspired by the style of play. Everybody on the team could play.”

Pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson continues

aseball can be frustrating with its typically slow path for a player from amateur to professional.

Simeon Woods Richardson’s ultimate goal is to make a major league pitching roster. He’s had only a few short stints with the Minnesota Twins. His latest stopover came when the parent club called him up to pitch the second game of the April 13 doubleheader in Detroit.

Woods Richardson pitched six innings, allowed a run on two hits, and struck out five to earn his career first major league win. He retired his final 14 batters.

However, the 23-year-old pitcher and Texas native is back in St. Paul, the Twins AAA farm club, with a 1-1 MLB career record. Ironically, he made his big league debut against the Tigers in October 2022.

“I’m always still working to get better at my craft,” Woods Richardson told the MSR before the Saints’ season started in late March. “We’re just trying to really define and hone in and clean up those mechanics, and my job is to be ready to help the big league team no matter when or where.”

Black

By Charles Hallman Sports columnist

Woods Richardson, a righthander drafted 48th overall by

the New York Mets in 2018, was later traded to Toronto. He logged pitching time with several minor league clubs in the Mets and Blue Jays farm systems before he was again

traded to Minnesota in July 2021. The pitcher was again assigned to the minors and eventually promoted to TripleA St. Paul.

Since then, we have talked several times, and if Woods Richardson is frustrated, he hides it well. He stays upbeat despite the ups and downs and the number of times he’s pitched well enough but didn’t get the win.

“I’m always still working to get better at my craft.”

At Indianapolis, Woods Richardson pitched five solid innings, striking out four and only allowing two runs on six hits while walking one. But St. Paul suffered a 7-2 defeat after a five-run eighth inning by the home team.

“I think everybody knows the first half of my season last year wasn’t the greatest,”

representation in MLB remains stubbornly low

LB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day every April 15th, when every player, coach, and manager wears number 42 for Robinson, the first US-born Black player in the majors in the 20th century. But not even four days later, only one Black player (Minnesota’s Byron Buxton) was on the field between both the Twins and Detroit Tigers.

“How is Major League Baseball promoting itself? Spending dollars with your newspaper or other Black mediums— I don’t see it.”

It’s the same sad old story that baseball struggles with the low number of Black players in the majors: only 6.2% of this year’s rosters on opening day were Black.

The Twins, however, have three Blacks or 11.5% of its 2024 roster. Although this is above the average, it is still way down from 1991, when 18% of MLB players were Black, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), which began tracking this in 1991.

Many inside and outside baseball have long debated the various reasons regularly offered for such low numbers of Black baseball players, whether in the majors, minors, college, or prep. MLB officials constantly tout its RBI youth program, which, in part, has helped produce Black players who were drafted by big league clubs. Black players made up 10 of the first 50 draftees in 2023, and four of the first five selections in 2022 were Black.

However, this seemingly hasn’t bumped MLB numbers as far as Black players are concerned.

“It’s still not enough. It’s the same story,” noted sports

“I thank God for Vivian Stringer, the coaches and players of 1982 that broke that ceiling so that others [who] come after us can also do incredible things,” Glover-Doxey said.

Kyle Adams, who has been pushing the WBHOF for several years to finally recognize the Cheyney team, recalled:

During her acceptance speech, Valerie Walker, a senior center, told the audience at the Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville, “When you look at our team, we were part of God’s plan … a team of All-American, all-state players turning down scholarships [from larger schools] but we

Former metro area prep stars on NBA playoff rosters

hile the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the verge of one of their most memorable playoff runs in team history, a few former metro area players are also involved in the NBA postseason.

Here are the players, along with their positions, NBA, college, and high school teams, and a brief summary of their careers.

Zeke Nnaji,

Nnaji has played a valuable role in his team’s defense of an NBA title this season. Before his outstanding season in college, he led his high school to the Class 4A championship in 2019, averaging 24.1 points per game.

Amir Coffey, 6’7” guard, Los Angeles Clippers, University of Minnesota, Hopkins High School Coffey became a valuable member of his NBA team during his fifth season. Before an outstanding three-year collegiate career, he led his high school to the Class 4A state championship in 2016, the same year he was named Mr. Basketball and the Star Tribune Player of the Year.

Chet Holmgren, 7’1” center, Oklahoma Thunder, Gonzaga University, Minnehaha Academy

Holmgren had an outstanding season and is an NBA Rookie of the Year favorite.

Before embarking on an outstanding one-year stint in college, he led his school to four state boys basketball championships while earning Mr. Basketball and McDonald AllAmerican honors in 2021.

Jalen Suggs, 6’4”guard, Orlando Magic, Gonzaga University, Minnehaha Academy

The third year appears to be the charm, as Suggs has developed into one of the league’s most talented guards. Before starring for one collegiate season while leading his team to a runner-up finish in the 2021 NCAA Final Four, he led his high school team to three consecutive state titles, capturing Mr. Basketball honors and selection to the McDonald’s AllAmerican honors in 2020.

Rey Jesuit High School Sims had a promising start to his NBA career despite a series of injuries. Before his outstanding three-year collegiate career, he finished high school as his school’s all-time leading scorer.

Kendall Brown, 6’7” guard, Indiana Pacers, Baylor University, East Ridge High School, Sunrise Christian Academy

After signing a two-way contract in 2022 and another in 2023, Brown signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Pacers in March 2024. Before playing in his only collegiate season, he led his high school team to its first-ever state tournament appearance. He transferred after that season and was named to the McDonald’s All-American team.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

show host Donal Ware of

Second of two parts

The 1981-82 Cheyney State team with Valerie Walker at the podium Photo by Charles Hallman

6’9” forward, Denver Nuggets, University of Arizona, Hopkins High School

Jericho Sims, 6’10” forward, New York Knicks, University of Texas, Cristo

New York Knicks forward Jericho Sims (45) battled Minnesota Timberwolves guard Naz Reid during a regular season NBA game in November at Target Center.

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

First of two parts

Simeon Woods Richardson

Photo by Charles Hallman

Donal Ware Courtesy of Twitter/ Donal Ware