PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
May 12–18, 2022 Vol. 88
NO. 41
www.spokesman-recorder.com
Talent Garden grows local youth into healthcare workers By Feven Gerezgiher Contributing Writer A 2019 study conducted in collaboration with University of Minnesota researchers found Black newborns are more likely to survive when Black doctors care for them after birth. In Minnesota, there is only one Black neonatologist in the entire state,
says Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, chief health equity officer at Hennepin Healthcare. “If we only have one Black physician to take care of the sickest of the sick as babies, how many Black babies have suffered and died as a result of that?” said Sederstrom in an interview with the MSR. “That’s a statistic we have to change.” ■ See TALENT on page 5
Metro realtors elect ABORTION RIGHTS UNDER THREAT ACROSS NATION first Black president By Henry Pan Contributing Writer
By Julie Gordon Contributing Writer For nearly 30 years, Denise Mazone has dedicated her life and career to helping Minnesota residents realize the value of homeownership. A Minneapolis native, Mazone’s passion is finding avenues to bring more diversity into the local and national real estate narrative. Recently named president of Minneapolis Area Realtors (MAR), Mazone represents the first Black person to hold the top position in the organization’s 135-year history. The MSR had an opportunity to sit down with Mazone (DM) to understand her viewpoints on where the industry has faltered, and where it is heading to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. MSR: What led you down the path of real estate? DM: I grew up in South Minneapolis, graduating from Central High School and getting a degree at the University of Minnesota. After spending a few years in California, I came back to Minnesota and got my own real estate license. I started calling on everyone in my neighborhood who I grew up with, encouraging them to consider buying a home. I now have my own company,
Denise Mazone Photo by John F. Walsh, Jr.
protested last week. Aaron Silva was one of hundreds who participated A leaked majority Supreme in a University of Minnesota Court opinion shows the student-led march to Sen. landmark case Roe v. Wade Amy Klobuchar’s office to may be struck down. The protest the imminent opinopinion, which was leaked to ion. “I know people who’ve Politico and is supported by been affected personally by five conservative Supreme not having that option in Court justices, may allow different states, specifically states to decide whether southern states, and it’s just not right,” said Silva. abortion is legal. Until Roe v. Wade is struck News of the leak angered pro-choice activ- down, abortion remains legal ists in the Twin Cities, who in all 50 states. Gov. Tim Walz
pledged abortion will remain legal for as long as he is in office. Walz faces re-election this November. The U.S. Senate plans to vote on a bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law this week. Even though the Senate has a de facto Democratic majority, it’s unlikely to pass as Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, as well as every single Republican senator, opposes it. “All of us out here are living amongst wives, sisters, friends,
that are going through situations that call for needed abortions,” said Alemni Yiran, who marched with protesters on Washington Ave. “Making that access difficult is unnecessary and harmful, and kills lots of women across the country.” Look for more on this developing story in upcoming editions of the MSR. Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Mazone Real Estate Group. MSR: What sets you apart from other realtors in the area? DM: While I help all types of clientele, I love focusing on first-time buyers—especially those who are struggling with resources or credit issues. I partner with nonprofit organizations like PPL, who assist homebuyers with building credit and creating long-term stability. Many people do not realize these services are available, so I help them understand that down payment assistance money is within reach. One of my clients got into a house for less than $14, so the days of having 10% or 20% down are not true anymore. Homeownership is for ■ See REALTOR on page 5
Alemni Yiran (center left) holds a sign during the student-led march to Klobuchar’s office.
Photo by Henry Pan
From ‘Purple Rain’ to ‘Dear White People’ How Minnesota’s film industry uplifted Black stories By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer In the summer of ‘86, Van Hayden and his friend Michele Norris attended the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists. That year, attendees were given an exclusive screening of a young Spike Lee’s directorial debut, a film that launched the celebrated director’s decadeslong career. Hayden and Norris left the film amazed. “We were at one of the first screenings of Spike Lee’s first feature film, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ and we were blown away by it,” he said. Hayden had followed in the footsteps of his father, a journalist who wrote for the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder. He had been set on a writing career as well until he viewed another Spike Lee Joint— “Do The Right Thing.” After watching the Brooklyn-based director’s third film, Hayden was determined to join Lee’s production team in New York. He wrote a letter to 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, Lee’s production company, inquiring about a job.
Carl Franklin, director of “Laurel Avenue” and known for movies like “Devil in a Blue Dress.” Sometime afterward he received a call from a production assistant (PA) of the company who relayed that there weren’t any more opportunities available as a PA, an entry-level job in the film industry outside of union representation. Weeks later, Hayden received another call that informed him of an opening in the craft service depart-
stood that he had to leave Minnesota if filmmaking was for him. “I had to go where the jobs were, and that’s the difference now. These jobs are almost everywhere now,” Hayden said. He listed states like Pennsylvania, Minnesota’s tax incentive program Ohio, North Carolina and others that one year in For many years, the film and TV are now go-to locations for the film industries were mainly limited to New and TV industry. Last year, Minnesota legislators York and California. Hayden underment. He jumped at the opportunity. After Hayden established a reputation for hard work, Lee offered him a job with his production company.
Photos courtesy of MN TV Film
passed a bill signed by Governor Tim Walz that created a film production tax credit for production companies that spend at least $1,000,000 in a taxable year for their eligible production costs. The state also has a rebate program that provides 20-25% of a cash reimbursement to production companies that spend at least $100,000. The ■ See FILM on page 5