MN Spokesman-Recorder - May 16, 2024

How the cause of civil rights has fared in the State of Minnesota

This historical article takes an interesting look at how the NAACP was perceived by the general public in 1956.

cal Capsule

organization in the U.S. today is the NAACP. Contrary to popular opinion among the white majority, the NAACP is not a “Negro” organization, but was founded by and has had a membership of whites and Negroes since its inception. Since civil rights in varying degrees is an issue whether one lives in the Deep South or in Minnesota, this newspaper asked William Cratic Jr., past president of the Minneapolis NAACP, to write for this edition a resume of the work of this important organization in this area.

MSR His torical Capsule

Editors Note on Feb. 24, 1956: The most talked about

By William A. Cratic

uring the years from 1950 to 1956, the Minneapolis Branch of the National Association

■ See HISTORICAL on page 5

Meet the Minnesota journalist who pioneered covering women’s sports

By A.J. Hilton, WCCO News

t’s a Friday night in April at Target Center, and Charles Hallman is where he usually is, in the media room, several hours before tipoff. Hallman writes for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

It’s the oldest continuously operated Black newspaper in Minnesota.

“I started there in 1990, so I think I’m on 30-some years,” Hallman said.

He’s covered everything throughout his career. Stories on race, politics, and education are commonplace. However, one moment really stands out for Hallman.

Read more about “Beautiful: A Carole King Musical” on page 8.

Publisher talks Spokesman-Recorder with Humphrey Policy Fellows

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

n May 10, Minnesota

Spokesman-Recorder

CEO and Publisher

Tracey Williams-Dillard took part in a media panel for the 2023-2024 cohort of Policy Fellows at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Established by former Vice President Walter Mondale more than three decades ago, the Humphrey School Policy Fellows

program selects approximately three dozen mid-career leaders every year from the arenas of government, business, philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and the Minnesota National Guard.

Heralded around the nation for both its ingenuity and impact, this program fosters leadership development and provides participants the ability to connect with public officials and community leaders, as well as the chance to help design and implement “important projects that benefit the wider community.”

“Perhaps more than ever, when you think about the division in our world, we need something like this,” says Sara Benzkofer, executive director of the program.

“Policy Fellows offers its people the invaluable opportunity to learn other perspectives and to work across their differences.”

Friday’s panel, titled “Today’s Reporting Opportunities and Challenges,” gave the Humphrey Policy Fellows the forum to directly engage local leaders in the field of journalism and collectively address the current

state of news media and its everchanging landscape.

In addition to Williams-Dillard, the panel consisted of Duchesne Drew, senior vice president of American Public Media Group and president of Minnesota Public Radio; and Tim Blotz, news anchor and reporter for Fox 9 and Fox 9+ Television. The moderator was Professor Larry Jacobs, McKnight presidential chair in public affairs, the Walter F. and Joan Mondale chair for political studies, and director of the ■ See HUMPHREY on page 5

Is prison justice fair?

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

ince being incarcerated 18 years ago, Amani Fardan has become an artist. This has helped him connect with himself and his family members.

“I find it therapeutic,” said Fardan. “One of the pieces I was working on was basically a picture of a family dog that passed away. So just trying to do something like that has sentimental value.” His work has been exhibited through an organization called Art From The Inside, most recently at the Minnesota Attorney General’s office.

Sometimes, he experiences difficulty creating artwork. In February, officers at Stillwater prison did a shakedown of the A-East unit where he lived. They found a small half-ounce bottle of ink and powder in Fardan’s cell during their inspection.

In a series of phone calls and emails his father Suluki sent

to the MSR, Fardan says the ink was used to create art. He also says the powder in his cell was used for laundry detergent. Despite being tested negative for drugs, officials believed the powder was drugs, and the ink was used for tattooing.

Fardan was tried on aggravated charges. Though DOC officials told Fardan they planned to withdraw the medication

Congress finally talks about Black male mental health

By Genoa Barrow

ith the 2024 NFL

draft being held virtually, football fans recently saw some selected players celebrating their big day surrounded by large crowds of family and friends who marked the occasion and million-dollar contracts with tears, shouts of joy, and robust hugs. Emotions ran high as the draft was the culmination of years of practice and sacrifice paying off as the players finally made it to the pros.

What’s not shown is the pressure many players feel at carrying their entire families, neighborhoods, and, to some extent, the broader community on their backs and shoulders. Many were the first in their families to go to college and to have the opportunity to make a lot of money. They’re eager to buy their mothers’ houses and cars for the

uncles who came to their games and paid for equipment when their parents couldn’t. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) asked Marcus Smith II, a firstround draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014, to discuss the toll that comes with success for many African American athletes. The prompting came as Smith, who now plays for the Washing-

ton Commanders, joined panelists sharing their work and experiences with members of Congress to help celebrate May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Mayday: Suicide and the Mental Health of Black Men and Boys” was hosted by Florida Rep. Frederica C. Wilson, chair of the Caucus on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men

and Boys, and Commissioner Troy Carter, who moderated. The discussion drove home the need for more attention and resources for Black men and boys around mental health.

Smith said mental illness started for him long before the NFL came calling.

“I had my first anxiety attack when I was 8. Nobody in my community – my mother, my father, nobody—really understood what that really meant. That carried me all the way to high school and into the NFL,” said Smith, who admitted he contemplated suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black men ages 15-24.

“The suicide rate for Black men and boys has increased 160% over the past three decades, and young Black men are at the heart of this. The younger generation (is) taking a gun and taking their

charge, he said he was nonetheless convicted of it and another charge and sent to solitary for 25 days. His unfinished artwork was deemed finished by prison guards and sent to his father.

“I didn’t know these items would be misconstrued and looked at as drugs and weapons; otherwise, I would [have] gotten rid of these items,” said Amani Fardan in an email. Far-

dan also wondered how he was punished on aggravated charges based on a preponderance of evidence.

MnDOC can punish the incarcerated for breaking a rule, but they must follow a process. According to MnDOC policy 303.010, they must first issue a

“notice of violation.” Incarcerees have a right to a hearing, and if

■ See DOC on page 5

Historica

Capsule

Humphrey Policy Fellows panelists (l-r) Dr. Larry Jacobs, Duchesne Drew, Tracey Williams-Dillard, Tim Blotz Photo by Tony Kiene

Hall of Fame Journalist Charles Hallman

Photo by Paige Elliott

■ See HALLMAN on page 5

William A. Cratic

Photo by Julian Myles/Unsplash

Sammy’s Avenue Eatery proprietor remembered in homegoing

Celebrate inspiring Black women

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

About 200 people gathered last Thursday in the sanctuary of Shiloh Temple International Ministries to remember Arthur Michael Sammy McDowell, the late proprietor of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery on West Broadway.

McDowell, 48, died suddenly on April 21 after collapsing during a church service at Shiloh. Friends and family members, who wore yellow in honor of McDowell’s favorite color, remember his introverted, soft-spoken, and determined demeanor amid a somber yet jubilant celebration through song, dance, and spoken remembrances.

The beloved eatery owner was born on March 4, 1976, at the Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago’s far south side. Family members say his entrepreneurial drive began as a child when he worked a paper route and walked a girl to school for money at the age of nine.

“He has always been an entrepreneur. He’s always had an idea of what he wanted to be in life,” said his sister ShaawnDai in a phone interview shortly after the repass, adding he wanted to start a farm to supply food to grocery stores.

Seeking to flee gang violence that plagued the south side, Sammy and his family relocated to Minneapolis in 1991. They stayed with a cousin until they settled at 2303 Golden Valley Road. He enrolled at Patrick Henry High School and began working at a Kentucky Fried Chicken at the Hub Center in Richfield. He was soon joined by family members, and he ended up

managing the store.

Sammy worked at the KFC for ten years before managing a Subway at 46th and Nicollet for another ten years. He ultimately managed two Jimmy John’s in the south metro: one in western Bloomington and another in Eagan for seven years.

a business on the northside!’

the love for church from, right there in Chicago, where we started with being in choir,” said Shaawn-Dai.

It was through singing that he met one of his friends, Courtland Pickens, who he mentored. He and Pickens cultivated what Pickens says was the closest and most consistent friendship he’s had. “He was an incredible worship leader. I wanted to connect with somebody with the same spirit, and he was the first person. And I went up to him after service one day and asked him if he could mentor me. And he turned and gave me the smartest comment. He said, ‘It’s about time people started recognizing me out here,’” said Pickens, who teaches and leads the Known Mpls Choir Group in south Minneapolis.

Outside of working and being active in his church, he traveled and supported people living abroad, particularly in African countries, with mosquito nets and water bottles.

In addition to cooking, singing, and spending time alone, he loved seeing other people sing.

“We went to Usher, we went to Randy, we went to Fantasia, we went to a lot of concerts together,” said friend Shvonne Johnson.

He eventually started his own business. He catered before opening his brick-andmortar in the northside, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, despite people dissuading him. “‘People were telling me, don’t start

And he’s, like, ‘no, because that’s where I need to be,’” said his nephew and community organizer Michael McDowell. Those who knew him added that he used his business to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and those who needed help. They also said he kept his business open during the 2020 unrest so those protesting could go somewhere to eat. His business was recognized in a show called Small Business Revolution, and Mayor Jacob Frey decreed March 4 of this year as Sammy McDowell Day. Aside from working in fast food, he was also a spiritual person. He was involved in church and sang in choirs, most recently at the Shiloh Temple International Ministries. “That’s where he got

Family members say he was big on supporting his nieces and nephews, including Michael McDowell. “You can’t wrap Sammy up in two

McDowell, interred at Lakewood Cemetery after the homegoing, is survived by his siblings: Kenneth Pinex, Shaawn-Dai, Michael, Donnell, Angela, and Byron McDowell. He is also survived by his nephews Michael, Jaylen, Jamir, Matthew, Sammy, Jordan, Tavion, and Donnell McDowell, as well as his nieces Pooquelle, Mya, Destiny, Deasia, Jhane, Shirley, and Olivia McDowell. He is predeceased by his parents, Barn and Olivia, as well as siblings, Cynthia and Barn Earl.

missioner for the northside Irene Fernando, Gov. Tim Walz, and 5th Congressional District candidate Don Samuels. Wintana Melekin, a volunteer for Ilhan Omar’s 5th Congressional District campaign, presented a Congressional decree embedded in a glass plaque on Omar’s behalf to those who survived McDowell. Congressmember Omar, who could not attend the service because she was on the House floor, delivered remarks in honor of McDowell on the House floor on April 30.

During the homegoing, Gov. Walz admitted that meeting Sammy initially intimidated him. Bishop Richard D. Howell recommended that he meet to learn more about the northside as he had considered running for governor several years ago. “I will admit to you, I was getting a little bit intimidated because people with one name like Beyonce, that’s scary. Everybody knew this guy,” said Walz.

minutes. It’s gonna be very difficult because I feel like Uncle Sammy was my North Star,” said Michael.

Among those who attended the homegoing were Ward 5 Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison, Hennepin County Com-

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader comments to hpan0003@gmail.com.

If Project Sweetie Pie has its way, North Minneapolis will become greener

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

Project Sweetie Pie’s environmental initiative, Foster Green, aims to make North Minneapolis greener. It will hit full stride on May 18 as Kimbal Musk’s Big Green environmental bus cruises into the Twin Cities. The green celebration will be part of the Rethos/Open Doors event at 1701 Oak Pak Avenue, Mpls.

“North Minneapolis is going Green. Give us a call and learn what we mean!” Michael Chaney, founder and director of Project Sweetie Pie, begins with one of his many catchy calls to action surrounding their Foster Green initiatives.

“Where once was wide urban blight, now sits luscious garden sights; gardens without borders, classrooms without walls; architects of our destinies, access to food, justice for all. And now, like sweet potato vines, our missions and goals all intertwine,” said Chainey in poetic prose, painting a vivid and inspiring picture of the positive changes the initiative could bring to the community.

Chaney reflected on the origins of Project Sweetie Pie, emphasizing the crucial role of the community. “Me, Sam Grant, Setu Jones, Rose Brewer, and Rose McGee, we were all part of this Afro Eco environmental group. We were sitting and commiserating about the threat and possible closing of North High. We felt that the killing of the school was also a

threat to killing the heartbeat of that community. So, in all good conscience, we couldn’t allow that to happen,” He explained. “So, someone told me that North had a green room. So, I approached and asked, ‘If I could get the neighborhood youth to start growing vegetables, would we be able to use the green room?’—they agreed, and thus, with the community’s invaluable support, Project Sweetie Pie was born.”

“Project Sweetie Pie is the story of a community that came together and worked together for the common good of the youth and families of this community—or it takes a village to raise a child. We’re growing good in the neighborhood— good foods, schools, youth, and families. Education never tasted so good,” Chaney continued.

As part of his conversation around the organization’s mission, the term gardens without borders is often heard. According to Chaney, the whole world is our field of dreams. What triggered the environmental visionary was the sight of many abandoned lots throughout urban communities.

“I’ll say it this way—if our children keep their rooms the same way we often keep our neighborhoods, we’d send them to bed without supper. And so, it’s not a good look, and it breaks down the fabric of the community. The way our communities are kept signals distress. And thus, our communities have become disheveled and marginalized. But I want to add, just because they say we are poor does not mean we have to live in those conditions.”

Chaney envisioned turning those garbage and dust-collecting empty lots into a beautiful oasis.

“Part of that,” says Carolyn Fleming, CFO, of Project Sweetie Pie, “is the education and training that we provide in the garden to the youths who assist us with the planting and growing the vegetables. So, it’s not just a matter of working in the soil, which is amazing. However, the kids are amazed by what comes from the efforts of planting and growing foods. Most of them thought the food just came from Cubs Foods. They had no concept of how food is planted and grown. So, it’s an educational experience for them.”

Fleming continued, “There is a cathodic effect on people working in the dirt. It changes how they feel; it changes their attitude.”

She spoke to the challenge of getting Black youth engaged in environmental efforts. “It has always been rumored that our kids wouldn’t be interested in matters of the soil. But that’s a misconception. We’ve touted to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture that the next wave of farmers will come from the urban areas,” she stated. “Our youth are interested. They are interested in the environment and how all of this works together. We initially had some pushback, but now we have walk-up kids who qualify through the Step-up Program.”

Project Sweetie Pie’s environmental initiatives have worked with various age groups, from daycare to young adults. “We’ve had kids who,

when they found their first worm, were so excited, we had to film it,” she continued.

Are the community and funding agencies behind Project Sweetie Pies’s efforts? Chaney says, “We are dealing with historical generational damage and misinformation. But there are numerous career paths they can tap into through what we offer and through agriculture.

Our proudest accomplishment is the creation of the Agri Grant through the Department of Agriculture. The support hasn’t always been there. I wanted to buy a greenhouse in North Minneapolis. It’s sort of like the Will Allen story in Milwaukee. I mean, the last remaining greenhouse in North

Minneapolis, project Sweetie Pie, wanted to buy it—I went to the city, couldn’t get support, went to the county, and couldn’t get support. Someone suggested I take it to the legislators and try to get bonding funding. So, we approached Rep. Papi from Rochester and explained that we wanted to create urban farming. And, of course, I had to explain that urban farming is just as it sounds —farming in urban communities.

I was told it would take time before her fellow legislators could grasp the concept. But we were consistent, and finally, we got a meeting with the agriculture finance committee. They said, “Michael, this is cutting-edge legislation.” The

language that caught their attention was when I said, “In life, you can either be first or you can be forgotten. Everybody knows who Jackie Robinson is— no one knows who is the second African American to play major league baseball.”

Today, Project Sweetie Pie has support in key circles as it has garnered proclamations from Mayor Frey of Minneapolis and Gov. Walz; both will be presented during the May 18 ceremony.

Visit Project Sweetie Pie at www.projectsweetiepie.org.

Al Brown welcomes reader responses to abrown@spokesmanrecorder.com

McDowell’s charismatic photo powered his homegoing. Photos by Chris Juhn

Family of Sammy McDowell shared touching

The five-year year survival rate of colon cancer is 90% if caught early. Which means getting screened for colorectal cancer at age 45 can be life-saving. With our next available appointment scheduling, we make it easy to schedule your colonoscopy, and we have 13 screening locations throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Plus, our system-wide health record means everyone, from your doctor to your specialist, is on the same page. Find an appointment at healthpartners.com/colonhealth

Your guide to family photo nature walks

Spending time together as a family can be fun and fulfilling, but it can also elicit sighs of boredom from uninterested children. If your kids aren’t eager to explore nature as a family, adding the exciting element of photography might be enough to sway them! With minor effort, you can turn a “boring” hike into an art experience. Here’s everything you need to know about a photo nature walk.

What is a photo nature walk?

Head out for a walk in nature alone or with your family, take photos along the way, and you’ve done it! A photo nature walk is as straightforward as it sounds, and the benefits to yourself and your family can be surprising. If you incorporate this practice into your regular family-outing routine, you’ll notice how much everyone comes to enjoy it. Fortunately, you need minimal supplies for this adventure.

Phone cameras are more than sufficient for the task. Basic hiking or walking necessities are easy to pack. And your list of potential shots can be stored on someone’s phone or printed on small sheets.

Perks of outdoor family time

Spending time together as a family is essential, and there are many ways to prioritize these interactions. And walking through nature adds new dimensions. Being outdoors is beneficial for health and overall wellness, so you’ll be

modeling healthy habits for your kids when you venture outside.

You’ll also be learning a new skill alongside your children. When kids see their parents eagerly attempting to do something new, they feel encouraged as well. It’s also important to let your kids take the lead during family activities. A nature walk is a perfect place for this independence. Everyone is collaborating towards a shared goal, furthering the bonding experience.

Benefits of photo walking

Aside from the family bonding that a walk through nature gives you, the act of purposefully noticing your surroundings can have a positive impact

on your mood. Many photographers recognize the powerful connection between artist and subject, and taking amateur photos on a walk is no different. There are many reasons why a photo walk can help boost your mood: It encour-

You’ll enhance the physical benefits of walking with these mental and emotional ones. The memories you bring back from the walk can serve as reminders of fun times for years to come. Photo walking is an excellent way to explore

family trip you take. And, who knows? You may also notice new things about your familiar surroundings back home, too!

What to look for on your walk

The exact photos you take will depend on your location, the time of year, and how adventurous your group wants to be. If you’re making this activity a new staple, create a list of photographs that you’ll always try to find. Looking back at previous walks and comparing images is another way to extend this family activity beyond the walk itself. Here are examples to include on your list:

• A manmade object

ages you to notice the small things, connect with your surroundings, and find inspiration.

a new city or area on vacation, so you’ll have this routine in your back pocket for the next

• Something that looks like a letter

• A heart shape

• Water • Animal tracks

• Something broken

• Unexpected shadows

• Interesting light

• Every color of the rainbow

• Something alive that’s smaller than your hand

• Something alive that’s bigger than yourself

• Something surprising!

Your kids can have fun being creative to find items that fit the categories. You can even make it into a friendly competition and have each family member try to find something different for every item!

Head outside as a family and get started with your first photo walk. Chances are, your kids will quickly become invested in this new activity and not want to turn toward home anytime soon! The

HISTORICAL

Continued from page 1

for the Advancement of Colored

People archived its greatest degree of recognition, both locally and nationally, as a forceful, militant, and effective organization dedicated to the complete elimination of all forms of discrimination and segregation.

Prior to these years, the NAACP had for years been very active in Minneapolis in combatting discriminatory practices but failed to realize the recognition it

HUMPHREY

Continued from page 1

Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota.

The first question to the panelists addressed the notion that you “cannot have an informed citizenry unless you have a free press.” Drew expressed his concern around the issue of media literacy.

“In our society,” he stated, “frankly, I think too many younger folks are growing up without the tools and the framing around how do you interpret and separate something that is real versus something that is, if not a complete lie, has been twisted, or key facts have been left out to help form a particular reaction or opinion.”

Dr. Jacobs then turned the conversation to Williams-Dillard:

Continued from page 1

they face time in segregation, serve a longer sentence, or pay at least $100.01 in restitution, they can have witnesses and representatives at those hearings. Incarcerees can also waive their right to a hearing and accept whatever punishment MnDOC staff offers them.

If an inmate is found guilty of an offense while incarcerated, MnDOC says they can be punished by having privileges withheld, be relegated to a segregated unit, or be incarcerated for longer than their sentence.

They can also receive aggravated punishments if they have been convicted for committing the act three times before, acted with premeditation, or with multiple participants. Incarcerees can also receive aggravated

Continued from page 1

own lives. I refuse to let this go unnoticed,” Wilson said.

“As a mother of a young Black man whose life was taken by gun violence, the health and safety of our Black men and boys is extremely critical and important to me,” said Commissioner Lucy McBath, a U.S. representative from Georgia.

McBath’s son 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot in 2012 by a white man who objected to loud music being played inside a car occupied by Davis and his friends.

The panel discussed the importance of mental health aware-

Continued from page 1

“I interviewed Mrs. King, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. And I will never forget interviewing her one-on-one,” he said.

When Hallman was in college, he started writing about women’s sports. “At orientation, I met some young ladies who played for the basketball team

deserved for its efforts. In retrospect, several reasons can be cited for the improved

1950 also was the year when Negro bowlers entered and completed the Minneapolis Tribune Bowling Classic for the first time.

standing attained in recent years.

The first reason was that a more active public relations program was established in 1950.

“The information that many Americans get from the media, particularly people of color, doesn’t reflect their lives. It’s not their voices, it’s not their interests or concerns,” said Jacobs, before asking, “Do you think the media is reflective of the diversity in America?”

“No, I do not,” responded Williams-Dillard, “which is why there still is a need to have different media voices such as the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.”

For his part, while underscoring Williams-Dillard’s comments with regard to the importance of representation in the media, Blotz shared a poignant and compelling story about a former colleague of his, Bill Taylor, who became one of first Black television reporters in Milwaukee when he joined the staff at WTMJ-4 in the early 1970s.

“Taylor, who passed away at the age of 79 last Wednesday night, once took a call from a high school

punishments for committing an act while living in a “restrictive” or “high-risk” setting, or benefitting a “security threat group”. “A high-risk setting is one where there is the potential of collateral consequences or for the conduct to escalate beyond the original incident,” said MnDOC spokesperson Aaron Swanum. Examples Swanum provided include if two people were to fight in a fully-occupied dining hall or if an incarceree did “something while being transported in the presence of the public.”

“There isn’t a defined list per se, since any area could be high risk depending on who’s present or what occurring,” added Swanum.

Hearing officers determine guilt based on a “preponderance of evidence” standard. This differs from the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in the criminal court system. Mn-

ness and normalization.

Smith, who runs Circle of M, a nonprofit that provides healing circles for youth dealing with anxiety and depression, called mental health a journey.

“We have to speak about it in order to free ourselves,” he said.

Award-winning recording artist Raheem DeVaughn also shared his lived experiences with mental illness. The singer, dubbed the “Love King,” was a primary caregiver for his father, cellist Abdul Wadud, who lived with schizophrenia. DeVaughn coped with losing his father in 2022 by seeking therapy for the first time at age 40.

“It gives you tools … tools you’ll use forever,” he said.

Speakers emphasized the

at Michigan State, and we got to know each other. So they would tell me, ‘Come watch our games.’

At that time, games were free. This was before the NCAA took over women’s sports. So I watched the game, and I enjoyed it,” he said. “But there was nobody there covering them, you know. Wonder why?

So I started watching and started looking at women’s sports, not in male chauvinist ways, but watching them and these wom-

A monthly newsletter was instituted to address problems encountered by the association on a national scale. This medium has a wide circulation, and excerpts from the newsletter are included in nearly every issue of Crisis, the NAACP national magazine.

In recent years, NAACP branch officers and executive board members began to make appearances on radio and television programs as speakers and members of panel discussions and symposia before church, civic, labor, and social groups, outlining the programs of NAACP and getting before the public in general.

valedictorian who had information that ultimately helped solve a major crime. That student sought Taylor out specifically because, like himself, Taylor was African American, and the young man felt Taylor was “the only one that would listen to him,” said Blotz.

From there the discussion tackled an array of topics that included for-profit versus nonprofit news models; the growing shift from print to digital and other multimedia platforms; the science of writing headlines; how news organizations can successfully partner with one another; challenges in recruiting and retaining young journalists; and the importance of covering mental health in a time of increasing anxiety.

Considering the fierce competition between media outlets and the trend toward sensationalism, one audience member, Peter Ingraham of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, asked the panel,

DOC says they use this standard because of a 1974 consent decree. They also say they continue to use the standard because the courts tell them it is fair to use. “It has also been litigated in Minnesota and upheld as providing sufficient due process for prison disciplinary hearings,” said Swanum.

Concurrent with increased public relations programs and publicity through the press was the formation of a new and more forceful legal redress committee which has remained intact until the present. Spearheaded by Jonas G. Schwartz and Sidney Lorber, well-known Minneapolis attorneys, this committee has made an enviable record in combatting discrimination through the use of legal processes.

In the summer of 1950, the NAACP legal redress committee, augmented by several other prominent Minneapolis attorneys, filed briefs as “friends of the court”

“In the new media, [is it] clicks versus informing the public? How do you balance that?”

Both Drew and Blotz admitted that while clicks definitely matter, the goal must always be to get the story right. “We’re not in the business of catering to the left or the right,” explained Drew. “We’re just trying to get it right. To make sure the story is based in fact.”

“We work hard on getting it right. It’s essential that our community believes in us. That they trust us.”

“The beauty of our paper being a weekly as opposed to a daily is that we don’t have to be first,” Williams-Dillard added. “We’re not trying to break the news. We

However, Fardan says a warden in Stillwater prison said it was an unknown substance. Fardan wanted the powder tested and even offered to do so on his behalf. However, Fardan reported in his correspondence with prison officials they did not appear interested in testing the substance.

“So I got found guilty on something that was never tested? How can they be so sure this unknown substance was medication without even bothering to test it?”

Fardan does not believe the preponderance standard does justice to his case because he believes the powder the DOC found in his cell was laundry powder and not drugs. Swanum, of the DOC, confirms laundry powder is readily available for purchase through its canteen.

need to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and prioritize mental wellness. They also highlighted the impact of COVID-19 and social injustices on mental health and stressed the importance of cultural humility and innovative solutions to address mental health challenges in marginalized communities.

“COVID has ripped the BandAid off and begun to really show across the country, and especially in our communities, communities of color, the crises we’re facing with young Black men and boys,” McBath said. “They’re the fastest growing demographic in the country that are suffering from mental health. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s definitely unacceptable.”

Anthony Estreet, CEO of the

en can play. And, you know, why aren’t they getting recognized? And so it’s been fortunate that I went on.”

Here’s what Mr. Hallman won’t tell you: He’s been honored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association; the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center put him on its Title IX Honor Roll; and he’s been inducted into the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame. That last honor was a little

“We don’t test medication, and we don’t send that out due to cost,” said Lt. Michael Warner in a message to Fardan on March 21, 2024. The message appears to contradict statements from the DOC, which says they do test substances, adding they do not disclose the process for se-

National Association of Social Workers, called for more Black mental health providers and incentives for individuals to enter the field. Rep. Carter pointed to the Mental Health Workforce Act he introduced last year to address the lack of diversity. The bill incentivizes students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to pursue careers as mental health care practitioners by offering student loan forgiveness to those who commit five years to serve communities of color after graduation.

Panelists acknowledged the leadership of Rep. Wilson in addressing the mental health crisis affecting Black men and boys. They emphasized the need for empathy and understanding in

much for Hallman, so he asked his retired pastor to bless him. “He said, ‘You’ve never promoted yourself. You always put everybody ahead of you. So now God [is saying] you need your reward now,’” he said.

“And when he told me that, [it] made it a little bit easier. It’s still hard.”

This article first ran on May 12 on WCCO-CBS Minnesota and is republished with permission.

in the case of Paulson vs. Kellar, a lawsuit in which the seller of the property contended that the buyer had misrepresented her race, thus voiding the sale. In a decision that established a precedent in property transactions, Judge Theodore B. Knutson of Hennepin County District Court ruled that the race of the buyer was not to be considered as a factor in a real estate transaction.1950 also was the year when Negro bowlers entered and completed the Minneapolis Tribune Bowling Classic for the first time. This entry was financed and directed by the legal redress committee of the Minneapolis branch, and was instituted as a test of the “white only” restrictions in membership in the American Bowling Congress. These restrictions were removed soon afterward and the Minneapolis Branch and the Minnesota State Conference of NAACP was active in a successful and nationwide protest against these restrictive membership clauses.

work hard on getting it right. It’s essential that our community believes in us. That they trust us.”

One of the last questions from a Policy Fellow came from Jason Jackson of Minnesota Management and Budget, who congratulated Williams-Dillard on the MSR’s 90th Anniversary and asked, “Going into the next 90 years for the Spokesman-Recorder, what are you hopeful for?”

Williams-Dillard, the thirdgeneration publisher of the state’s oldest Black newspaper, had already shared some of the story of her grandfather, Cecil E. Newman, who in addition to founding the MSR in 1934 served as a close friend and advisor to none other than Hubert H. Humphrey himself.

“It was the love of the community that drove my grandfather. Money wasn’t the driving factor,” she reflected, noting that Newman actually used his pay as a

curity reasons. “We use a variety of technologies that allow us to positively identify substances,” said Swanum.

Meanwhile, Warden William Bolin said in a note to Fardan that there wouldn’t be any point in testing the substances. “The preponderance of evidence was met. The hearing findings and penalties were appropriate,” said Bolin.

“So I got found guilty on something that was never tested? How can Warner and [another warden] be so sure this unknown substance was medication without even bothering to test it,” wondered Fardan.

Fardan also believes DOC officials arbitrarily applied aggravated enhancements to his charges. “All of my charges were Aggravated, even though I haven’t been in trouble for so long, and when I asked staff why everything was Aggravated, I was told that was how it was

addressing these complex issues.

“In your darkest hour, you are not alone,” Carter told young men attending the briefing.

Other participants included Arthur Evans, CEO of the American Psychological Association; Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association; Daniel Gillison Jr., CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness; veteran Rep. Danny Davis; and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford.

The Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys was established in 2020 to conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men and boys, including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, death

DOORS OPEN

Continued from page 1

history, space, and impact on the Minneapolis community. Join us for tours that will expand your understanding of the MSR’s historical building and insights into the importance of the Black Press in Minnesota.. Whether you’re a local resident, a curious traveler, or an

To read this and other historical articles published in the Spokesman-Recorder, go to www.spokesman-recorder.com.

Pullman porter to help subsidize the newspaper in its early days.

In speaking directly to Jackson’s question, Williams-Dillard brought up her succession plan and the hope that one day her daughter will take the reins, while also addressing her desire to bring more and more young people into the fold, in her words, to “help those young people really get excited about being a part of true African American journalism that speaks to a community whose voices need to be heard and need to be represented.

“So that when my daughter takes the paper over, it’s even more powerful than the day my grandfather started it,” concluded Williams-Dillard, drawing a passionate round of applause from all those in attendance.

Tony Kiene welcomes reader comments at tkiene@spokesmanrecorder.com.

now,” said Fardan in an email.

“In order for a charge to [be] aggravated, it needs to meet one of six factors, and these factors must be documented in the [Notice of Violation], correct? None of this has been done, and none of my charges meets the criteria to be considered aggravated, not according to the Offender Discipline Rulebook,” added Fardan.

To this day, Fardan wonders how his charges could have been aggravated. “For over three years, I have been in complete behavioral control and discipline-free, employed as a GED tutor in Higher Ed, and actively engaged in positive programming,” said Fardan. Fardan, who is enrolled in classes at Metro State University, has tried to appeal his charges to no avail.

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes comments at hpan@spokesmanrecorder.com

rates, health, and academic performance. It’s also charged with proposing policy and government reform to alleviate these pressing issues. Wilson said she and Davis had tried six times to have Congress care about the issue of Black men and boys to no avail. The bill that established the commission passed into law only after the death of George Floyd at the hands or knee of a white Minneapolis police officer.

Genoa Barrow is a senior staff writer for the Sacramento Observer.

The article Congress Finally Talks Black Male Mental Health appeared first in The Sacramento Observer and is republished courtesy of Word in Black.

architecture enthusiast, Doors Open Minneapolis offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of our city’s history, architecture, and culture. Join us for this extraordinary celebration as we open our doors to the public and share the stories that define us.

The MSR is located at 3744 4th Avenue in South Minneapolis. For more info, go www.doorsopenminneapolis.org.

Sponsored by

In a world of online tools that let you make banking transactions with the touch of a button, the idea of visiting a branch might seem unnecessary. However, if you haven’t visited your local branch recently, you might be surprised by what it has to offer.

Your branch is much more than a place to deposit and withdraw money—it can offer the opportunity to build valuable relationships with people who can help you achieve financial independence.

Diedra Porché talks about how the bank model has evolved to maximize the branch experience for customers, and how connecting with your local branch team can help you think differently about money and investing for your future.

Q: How can a customer feel connected to a bank branch?

I love that question because we ask ourselves the same thing every day. Being part of the community means meeting with local leaders to find out what they need from us and then designing our branches around that.

For example, at some of our community branches we have what we call a living room where we can host financial workshops, small business pop-up shops or nonprofit organization meetings. We also hire locally. You feel much more connected

talking about financial aspirations with people from your community who went to the same high school, place of worship or maybe frequented the same recreation center down

the street when they grew up.

Q: How can I build a relationship with my bank? Customers should feel comfortable

sharing their goals, needs and wants with their banker. You might have a short-term or long-term goal to open a business, build your credit, become debt-free, buy a home, or save for retirement, and our community team can help.

At Chase, we strive to make dreams possible for everyone, everywhere, every day. Your financial future starts with building those relationships.

Q: How can customers change negative perceptions they have about managing their money?

Far too often, customers are intimidated when they visit a bank. Our goal is to demystify banking and money myths empowering people to make the right decisions. For example, a big myth is assuming you need a lot of money to have a bank account. You don’t!

Another myth is you need to carry a balance on your credit card to build credit -- actively using your credit card can demonstrate that you can use credit responsibly, but carrying a balance won’t necessarily improve your credit score. Finally, having an understanding of mobile and online banking safety is key. There are so many safeguards and protections in place to guard your personal information and funds.

Q: What’s an easy step one can take to shift their financial behavior right now?

Cultivating self-awareness is a good

first step. Start by taking inventory of your spending. Be honest with yourself about what you need and what you want. Too often, people confuse the two, which leads to bad decisions. Rent is something you need to pay. An extra pair of shoes is something you may want but before you buy them ask yourself if that’s the best use of your hard earned money. Too often, our beliefs and our fears shape our financial realities. If any of those beliefs are limiting your financial behavior, it’s important to question and examine them, and then decide you’re open to learning something different.

Q: What’s one perception about banking that you’d like to change?

I think folks are surprised there are so many resources available and accessible both at our branches and online. It’s always a good idea to visit a nearby branch and speak to a community manager or banker. Outside of what we offer in-branch, our teams also work with local neighborhood partners who provide a variety of services to support the community, businesses and residents. I had a unique piece of feedback from an employee who started with the bank and had lived in the same community his whole life. When he visited his local community branch, he said, “Diedra, when I walked in, I felt dignified.” Every time I recount that story, it warms my heart because that’s what we want—we want our centers to belong to the community.

Diedra Porché, Head of Community and Business Development at Chase

JOIN THE 90TH CELEBRATION!

As the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder approaches its 90th anniversary, you’re invited to commemorate this historic milestone by donating $90 to celebrate 90 years of continuous publication.

Your generous contribution will support our legacy of dedicated community empowerment through journalism and ensure our vital work continues into the future.

As a “$90-for-90” contributor (non-business), your name will be prominently displayed in our print and digital editions until the week of Aug. 10 — the date of our founding in 1934.

Please consider this unique opportunity to stand collectively with the MSR, honoring 90 years of tradition and community service. For inquiries or to join as a “$90-for-90” supporter, call 612-827-4021, visit our website, or email admin@spokesman-recorder.com.

Ray Seville Productions

Ray Seville Productions

Kimerlie Geraci

Kimerlie Geraci

David Fettig

David Fettig

Tracy Wesley

Tracy Wesley

The O’Neill Family

The O’Neill Family

Liam Cavin

Liam Cavin

Shirlee L. Callender

Your Name Here

Deanna Callender

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Y Name Here

Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s (CDT) latest show, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” has received positive reviews from publications for the production’s ability to capture stellar performances from its actors and go beyond the limits of a jukebox musical to tell a captivating story about a nostalgic era of music.

“Beautiful” is the first time that father daughter duo Michael and Cat Brindisi directed a show together.

Set predominantly in the 1960s, “Beautiful” tells the story of Carol King, the songwriter and musician behind some of the biggest tunes of the last century. It captures her difficult relationship with her husband and collaborator Gerry Goffin and her own journey as a performer.

New York actress Monet Sabel was tapped for the role of King at CDT though she has had experience working as an understudy on the show in Rhode Island.

As the artistic director of CDT for over 37 years, Michael has been at the helm with every show, but had always wanted to work alongside his daughter. Cat, who is a longtime actress with several shows under her belt, had also looked forward to the opportunity to direct at CDT, a place that she always considered a second home.

“Beautiful” gave the pair the opportunity to work together and help tell a timeless story

Arts & Culture

to a wider audience made up of generations familiar and unfamiliar with the era.

“The material is so fascinating in itself that we really tried to find ways to let the story present itself by itself without adding a lot on top of it,” Cat said.

Michael spoke to his collaborative approach to working with his daughter who worked to capture the heart of the story.

“The material is so fascinating in itself that we really tried to find

“A lot of things that I was throwing out there she was taking off the table,” he said.

“That really helped us to focus on the storytelling, to keep it minimalistic and focused on the story and the actors and I think it really paid off.

Though CDT often works with many of the same actors in different productions, they had 11 new contracts with “Beautiful,” which isn’t typical according to Michael.

This local rendition of the successful and widely acclaimed Broadway show also gave opportunity to highlight the talents of local Twin Cities actors, especially those who brought to life the stories of Black characters on stage.

John Jamison II, KateMarie Andrews, and Quin Lorez are among the leading actors of “Beautiful” and portray some of the performers that King had once written songs for in the era. They all held several different roles on the production, but delivered some of the biggest performances of the show as members of these iconic groups from the 1950s and 60s. Jamison portrayed the lead member of the Drifters, Lorez portrayed the lead of the Shirelles, and Andrews portrayed Little Eva who was once King’s babysitter. They each had varying connections to the songs, but knew

little about King’s involvement prior to joining the cast.

“I didn’t realize how prolific of a songwriter she was. A lot of [the songs] I was just familiar with being on the radio or growing up with parents of that generation,” Lorez said. “I think Natural Woman is probably the one I knew the most of just because of Aretha Franklin.”

“I did a lot of research on Little Eva,” she said. “First, a fun fact was finding out that me and Little Eva have the exact same birthday, June 29th.”

Andrews also discovered that the real Little Eva, known as Eva Narcissus Boyd had only made $50 total from her hit song, “The Loco-motion,” highlighting the bad business deals and contracts many Black performers were in under White music labels.

Jamison echoed her surprise in that discovery which challenged his assumption that notoriety brought riches to these artists.

“I still fall into that habit of if I see somebody who’s on screen or performing, I do make that assumption that this stardom equates to this fruition of money, but it’s just not the case,” he said.

Andrews shared that with each role she takes on, she goes through a deep dive researching the show and her character to get a better sense of direction in her performance.

Michael and Kat wanted their production of “Beautiful” to highlight the lives of these performers who brought King’s songs to life. They viewed the script as

somewhat outdated in its use of the Black performers and shaped the show in a way to highlight the Black members of the cast by centering their performances in the show.

Lorez found that the play helped shed some light on the performers of the day when the lead member of the Shirelles tells King that she wants their records seen as mainstream and not segregated like other records from Black performers.

“I found a sense of humanity in that,” she said. “Trying to convey in a very short amount of time to the audience that we are in the time that we are in and race is playing a part in this show.”

In their collaboration, Micahel and Kat hope that the show connects with audiences who are fans of that King and her work and the younger crowd who may be discovering her work for the first time.

Their collaborative effort as a father daughter team has given audiences the ability to revisit this past era of music to appreciate and interrogate the cultural landscape in which these hits were made, all the while appreciating the lasting impact of King’s work alongside the many talented artists she collaborated with.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” runs through Sept. 28 at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Tickets are available online.

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

John Jamison II (center right) leads the Drifters on stage at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” Photos Courtesy of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

The importance of organizing in the Black community

By Aswad Walker

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, arguably the greatest and most under-appreciated Black leader in history, said, “The greatest weapon used against the Negro is disorganization.”

Garvey, who organized and led the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), a Pan-Africanist movement in the 1920s that boasted over six million members globally, also stated and fully believed that “God is really on the side of the strongest peoples because God made all [people] equal and He never gave superior power to any one class or group of people over another, and anyone who can get the advantage over another is pleasing God.”

Both quotes are Garvey’s plea to Black people to get organized and to work together through organizations, because fighting against organized, institutionalized oppression and injustice can only be done via groups—organized groups.

With the first quote, Garvey’s message and meaning is clear—if we’re disorganized, if we shun the work of getting organized, if we operate amid disorganization, we’re only hurting ourselves, our families, and the causes and principles in which we believe.

The second quote may be a little less clear to some regarding its relationship with (dis)organization. What does Garvey mean when he says, “God is really on the side of the strongest people”?

What he’s saying is, an organized people is a strong people. An organized people is a

people who take seriously God’s charge in Genesis to “have dominion over all of God’s creation” (i.e. taking responsibility for). And the best way to do that is via organization— coming together, working together for common goals.

The challenges for us taking heed to this call are many. First, from our enslavement to this very day, society has sought to condition us against organization, against working together. We were taught and conditioned and rewarded daily for 246 years of enslavement, and even beyond, for not coming together.

Either we come together and organize to create the world we want or the world other folk want, the world that runs off our pain, will run over us.

So, even if we may want to work together and organize for empowerment, that conditioning is still in us, and something we have to be aware of and actively fight to defeat.

Second, part of that conditioning to shun working together is the history of how this nation treats those women and men who dare work to bring our people together—to register us to vote, to create empowering educational curricula,

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

to speak truth to power and call out injustice.

If we believe our children, families, communities, hopes, dreams, and futures are worth it, we’ll put in whatever effort is necessary to organize, to join an organization and give real commitment.

Time and time again, we’ve seen the full weight of racist institutions (groups organized to do us harm) be brought down on Blacks willing to bring our people together.

We see how this society gunned down, imprisoned and defamed countless Black women, men and organizations. And we consciously or subconsciously tell ourselves, for our own safety, we best leave getting together with other Blackfolk to fight for causes is something not worth our time. It’s literally too dangerous.

Third, coming together to organize and work for a better community, a better education system, a better world, is hard work. It means we have to move out of our comfort zone. It means we have to compromise and confront ourselves and others. It means we have to willingly place ourselves in emotionally vulnerable positions if we’re going to really grow and connect with others so we can build the kind of strong and lasting organizations we need.

Fourth, organizing and building organizations is thankless work. Oftentimes, the very people you’re giving your time and energy to organize for are the very people who don’t appreciate your commitment; who challenge you to give it up; who don’t believe your efforts will amount to anything. That can be disheartening.

Moreover, the way society is fashioned, the vast majority of us are on what my mentor calls “The Devil’s Treadmill.” We’re so caught up in the rat race of working ourselves to death at the job, coming home with just enough energy to eat and then go to sleep, and then wake up and start the process all over again.

The bills, the debt, the stress, the second and third and fourth job, the overwork just to be underpaid—it’s literally designed to keep you so worn out that you have little or no time to devote to your own dreams or connecting with others in the community (physical or virtual) to work together for some worthy common cause.

Allowing prisoners to bury their loved ones is important for healing

By Alfredo Rosillo

When I came to prison, I never thought I would experience the type of loss and pain of losing a loved one while incarcerated—someone like a father, mother, or wife. There’s nothing like the pain that hits us.

Then, all the things come after—mainly the grieving process. Being able to say goodbye and lay your loved ones to rest is a significant part of the healing process. Inmates are being denied this process.

Why? Does being incarcerated make us less than human?

Since being in prison, I’ve seen people lose loved ones many times and seen the pain in many inmates. Previously, that pain was somewhat milder because of the ability to go to the funerals of our loved ones. But that no longer happens.

In 2015, my father passed, and the rules had changed for funerals, and I wasn’t able to properly say goodbye. The DOC said it could be recorded, and I’d be able to view the

funeral at the prison. Unfortunately, DOC made excuses, and I was never able to view the funeral. This affected me more than anyone knows. I still feel the pain from not saying my goodbyes.

I still feel the pain from not saying my goodbyes.

In 2023, my mother passed away, and again, there was no option for me to bury my mother. Even the phone call about my mother’s death was censored by the case manager. I was told what I could and couldn’t talk about. And the call was on speakerphone.

Now, on 4-11-24, my wife passed away. And again, I’m not able to bury my wife, say my goodbyes and emotionally heal properly.

When my father died, I was

in closed custody in Stillwater prison. But now I’ve worked my way to a medium custody prison and should have more options to deal with this type of situation. Unfortunately, being good and being able to come to a medium custody prison means you have more rules and restrictions instead of loosening the rules and giving more privileges for a better transition into the community.

No wonder inmates are culture-shocked and have a hard time readjusting to society.

The [Corrections] commissioner has been saying that the prisons will soon be fully staffed. If this is true, or if it is not, something must change in the DOC. Our mental health is being affected by the loss of our loved ones, and secondly, by not being allowed to grieve and lay our people to rest properly.

an

He welcomes reader responses through letters at jpay.com.

Let’s prioritize communitybased anti-violence solutions

By Monaye Johnson and Damala Denny

Each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), the all-too-common experience of sexual violence is thrust into mainstream culture. News organizations run stories spotlighting survivors leading important advocacy work.

Local and national organizations launch campaigns laying out the crisis of sexual assault in the U.S., documenting the myriad ways this violence is experienced in structural and unique ways, especially by Black women and Black TGNCI (transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex) folks. Corporations create social media ads, and millions are spent promoting SAAM online. All of the above are important, as they help inform our communities about the insidiousness of sexual violence. But SAAM is over, and survivors and those committed to survivor justice are calling on us to make sure the conversation continues and to focus on the data.

When we think about the most vulnerable among us, the stats are clear: Black women and girls are still disproportionately at risk of sexual violence. Nearly one in five Black women are survivors of rape; 41% of Black women experience sexual coercion and other forms of unwanted sexual contact; and 60% of Black girls will experience sexual violence before the age of 18.

For every Black woman or girl who reports rape, at least 15 do not report it. Even after the “me too” movement transformed the mainstream perception of survivor justice, attacking the cultural stigmas that previously left millions without the support to

disclose their assaults, so many survivors still do not report their assault.

We know why: The system fails survivors consistently, as is blatantly apparent with the recent news of Harvey Weinstien’s overturned conviction, which shows just how hard it is to achieve justice inside a system that was never designed to protect us.

The system fails survivors consistently, as is blatantly apparent with the recent news of Harvey Weinstein’s overturned conviction.

We know that discrimination, harassment and violence against Black TGNCI people are so systemic that our people cannot rely on any system to protect them. Reports repeatedly show that Black trans women and gender-nonconforming people, in particular, experience some of the highest levels of killings, violence, poverty, policing, criminalization and incarceration of any group in the U.S.

Add to all of that the fact that Black survivors who do report sexual assault or violence are less likely to be believed than their white counterparts.

In the midst of political tension and electoral drama, we need to remind those who care deeply about ending sexual and gender-based violence that several strategies and solutions are available that were developed through decades of community organizing.

First and foremost, we call for deep investment in Black communities. Chronic divestment in our communities creates and fosters the conditions where violence is more likely

to occur.

Second, we must divest from policing. People ask what we would do about harm and violence in our communities without policing. However, they’re not considering that divestment from policing would create more non-carceral responses to emergencies in our communities.

Survivors have already started the work of both envisioning and building a reality where safety is determined by the people. And we’re inviting more people into that work.

Our first question is whether this current system is working. Is it keeping you safe? Is it stopping perpetrators? The answer is overwhelmingly no.

The myth that police protect us falls apart when we look at Black survivors of sexual assault. Police sexual misconduct is deeply ingrained in the structure of law enforcement, as countless studies have shown. This system doesn’t prevent sexual violence; it often inflicts violence or creates more trauma for survivors. And it does nothing to change the behavior of perpetrators or the culture that creates them.

As we close out SAAM, then, let’s remember the data and let it anchor the next phase of our work. More importantly, let’s recommit to building a world where we don’t have to track data points about rates of assault and violence, where organizing paves our way to a future that is safe, affirming, and healing for everyone.

This article is shared courtesy of Word in Black. It was originally published in New York Amsterdam News.

Monaye Johnson and Damala Denny work with Girls for Gender Equity.

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

All of these are daunting hurdles, but what’s the alternative? Either we come together and organize to create the world we want, or the world other folk want, the world that runs off our pain, will run over us. Even with those many roadblocks,

we whose ancestors gave the world, religion, art, science and civilization, have still been able to be world changers and world builders and overcomers.

If we believe our children, families, communities, hopes, dreams, and futures are worth it, we’ll put in whatever effort is necessary to join an organization and give real commitment, and to work through problems and drama to stick with it and stick together rather than walking away and letting something potentially world-changing fall apart. I believe we are worth the effort. And I absolutely believe that I’m not alone. Let’s organize, y’all.

Alfredo Rosillo #191234 is

inmate at Faribault Prison.

Aswad Walker is an associate editor of the Defender Network where this post was originally published. The article is courtesy of Word in Black.

Summit Academy welcomes prospective students and touts new programs

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

Summit Academy OIC held its second annual open house on April 25, welcoming dozens of potential students to explore their programs. Individuals interested in attending Summit took part in information sessions related to careers in construction, cybersecurity, and food manufacturing.

Summit Academy is an accredited nonprofit career and technical education institute which combines academic knowledge and occupational skills to prepare students for careers in a range of industries, predominantly in the trades.

There are five cohorts a year at Summit, bringing in a yearly attendance of roughly 1000 students according to Sharon Shelton, the manager of recruitment at Summit. Typically, the school would hold five different open houses for their different programs, but began to hold these larger open house events just last year.

Students at Summit come from all walks of life and choose the school for a whole host of reasons.

“We do have people that want to switch their career, or their current career isn’t working for them, or their current degree isn’t working for them,” Shelton said. “We’ve had people come through our program that already have a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and in some cases even a master’s degree.

Many people come through their doors after hearing about the various programs through word-of-mouth from a friend

or family member.

“Usually they say because they’ve heard great things about it, or they know someone personally who’s gone through the program and is doing very well. And that they’re, they want to change so we welcome them,” she said.

Shelton described the passion that Summit’s staff have for their students and that they were their number one priority as an institution.

They call us their home away from home and in some cases we are home for the day,” she said. “We have students that have come through here that are homeless and so during the day we are it.”

Located in North Minneapolis, just off Olson Memorial Highway, Summit Academy works with students through their 20 weeks of training and prepares them for their careers through resume writing, job fairs, and mock interviews.

The tuition is 100% covered for Summit students due to donor and foundation funding,

but they also receive resources through state contracts as well.

Summit also offers pathways for students to obtain their GED and a six week food manufacturing program.

Chief Operating Officer

Hope Patterson led an information session on the school’s new financial services program during the open house.

As their latest initiative, Summit kicked off their financial services program in late March, and plans to support their students in financially oriented career paths such as mortgage lending and accounting.

Patterson shared that there is a desire to see more Black and Brown people in the financial sector given the large financial disparities impacting minority communities. By having more representation in these crucial roles, Patterson believes more people will become receptive to becoming financially literate and engage

these roles,” she said. “They’ll leave here with an industry recognized credential which is stackable. Once they get inside of the organization of their choice

I’m sure they’re going to send them to school work based learning where they can

continue to stack those industry recognized credentials.”

Like many of the other accredited training programs at Summit, the financial services path also takes students 20 weeks to complete. Since the current cohort is the school’s pilot group, administrators plan to take everything they’ve learned through that experience and incorporate it into the next group.

Students who graduate

“This time of the year is really booming for our carpentry and electricians. Some of them are walking out of here early with jobs.”

from the financial services program are expected to have an average starting wage of $23.50 an hour and could go into roles such as an insurance broker, mortgage loan officer,

accountant, and more.

Chiquita Gary, director of education and training at Summit Academy stated that carpentry, electrician, and their IT technical support program are among their most popular accredited programs.

The school has built a relationship with several companies across the state which actively recruit their students, often before they even graduate.

“This time of the year is really booming for our carpentry and electricians. Some of them are walking out of here early with jobs,” Gary explained. “We do have what we call on the job training. If students do get jobs within the last few weeks of their training, we will substitute that job training, that on the job training, with their classroom credit work.”

Summit has also established partnerships with Kowalski’s and General Mills to help place their students in the food manufacturing program with jobs as soon as they graduate from the program.

There are roughly 20 students in a cohort, but the two most popular programs in carpentry and electrician hold roughly up to 40 students.

Summit is currently taking applications for its next group of cohorts. Individuals interested in attending the school can also attend their weekly information session every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

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

Prospective students line up in the cafeteria at Summit Academy to learn more information about financial aid and food manufacturing.

Photos by Chris Juhn

Chiquita Gary, the director of education and training at Summit Academy, poses for a picture in between infor-

Employment & Legals

dscott@frana.com Ryan Meissner (952) 908-2668, rmeissner@frana.com

AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Judith Gidali Baron, FILE NO. 27-PA-PR-24-560 Deceased

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

Please proof, respond with email confirmation to ads@spokesman-recorder.com

Notice is hereby given, that an application for informal probate of the above named decedent’s last will dated August 14, 2001 has been filed with the Registrar herein, and the application has been granted informally probating such will. Any objections may be filed in the above, and the same will be heard by the Court upon notice of hearing fixed for such purpose.

The MSR handles billing digitally.

This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy. STATE OF

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Susan Lee Baron Miller, whose address is 3505 GreenRidge Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55305, as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent, has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative are empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within

months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.

Continued from page 12

and do that interview,” he said in between plays. “When can we do it?”

One might think that Hughes, the former St. Paul Central hoops star who earned Metro Player of the Year, was a Mr. Basketball finalist as a senior in 1989, and went on to star collegiately at New Mexico State University and South Dakota State University might be referring to himself as the focus of the story. This, however, was not the case.

Hughes, a 6’-1” guard who torched opponents with his athleticism and outside shooting while at Central, was talking about his son, nine-yearold Juriad Hughes Jr.

“He’s been having a real good season,” Juriad Hughes Sr. said with pride at the time. Plans were made to meet at the University of St. Thomas, where Juriad Hughes Jr. was competing.

The younger Hughes was not participating in a basketball tournament like his father would have at his age. He was at the USA Track and Field (USATF) State Championship

OF

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

MENTAL

JUDICIAL

DIVISION In Re: Estate of NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Rosalyn Goldie Bernstein, also known as, Rosalyn Bernstein,

PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

Deceased

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

PROBATE 2 WEEK RUN FLAT RATE $215.00 PREPAID

Notice is hereby given, that an amended application for informal probate of the above named decedent’s last will dated July 22, 1999, has been filed with the Registrar herein, and the application has been granted informally probating such will. Any objections may be filed in the above, and the same will be heard by the Court upon notice of hearing fixed for such purpose.

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Susan Bernstein, whose address is 6105 Lincoln Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55436, as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent, has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative are empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Please Note: New email address for all future ads is ads@spokesman-recorder.com

The MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.

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

Dated: April 22, 2024

Yvette M. Andrade Registrar ProSe Sara Gonsalves District Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, May 9, 16, 2024

participating as a sprinter while establishing himself as one of the top track and field athletes in the nation for his age group (nine-ten-year-olds).

He broke a 17-year-old record in 100 meters with a time of 13.47 (shattering a personal best of 13.53) and placed first in the 200 (28.74) and 400 (1:10.80). He was named the USATF Minnesota Athlete of the Year in 2013 and 2014. Of the 36 medals Juriad Hughes Jr. had earned up to that point during his brief career, 34 were gold. Quite a bit has happened

since then.

In a day and time in which fathers want their sons to follow in their athletic footsteps, the elder Hughes seemed cool with the path his son ended up taking. “Basketball was my love,” he said at the time. “But I wanted my son to try other sports besides basketball. Track and field seems to be what he is good at. He likes it and he’s having fun.”

It seems as if Juriad Hughes Jr. made the right choice.

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

Website Administrator Full-Time; Asian Media Access, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55411

DUTIES: Manage Web presence. Reqs: Bach. in Comp. Sci. or related + 2 yrs exp in Web admin for nonprofits. Full job desc & reqs at https://minnesotaworks.net/, Job Order # 14061623; To apply, send resume to amamedia@amamedia.org.

MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices

through his college years and now into his working career.

“Ten years later, I’m now 28,” said Ways. “About a year ago, Rob gave me a call and he said, ‘Hey Moe, I have this idea that I’ve been kind of pondering for a few years… to start the first Black sports radio. I want to launch in Detroit, and I want you to be a part of the team.

“When I got that call, I was speechless,” added Ways.

Parker stressed that Motown is big enough for two sports talk radio stations. “Detroit has been listening to ‘American Bandstand’ for too long. We’re gonna give it ‘Soul Train,’” he quipped. “This is historic for the city. It’s been a long time coming.”

The new Sports Rap Radio

lineup will be locally based from 7 a.m-7 p.m. Then Parker and co-host Chris Broussard’s “The Odd Couple” nationally syndicated show will air 7-10 p.m. Parker said he hopes to air podcasts featuring Black hosts for the overnight hours, and wants the new station to be a launching pad for young Black sports talk hosts and journalists. Sports Rap Radio will be streamed on the Audacy app and other platforms as well. “I would ask that everybody support [the station]…whether it’s sharing the feed, or posting or reposting things on social media, telling a friend, whatever,” concluded Ways.

“I hope everybody buys into that and feels that way. This is ours. Let’s do this.”

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

Sports

first began listening to sports talk radio during my college years back in the 1970s. Ever since, except for very few exceptions, sports radio has been all white. Well, it’s about time for an all-Black sports talk station. And what better place to roll it out than in one of America’s Blackest cities, Detroit.

Sports Rap Radio is scheduled to launch at 7 a.m. Eastern time on May 16 on WXYT 1270

AM. WXYT is one of six Detroit stations owned by Audacy, which owns more than 200 stations across the nation, including WCCO-AM, 102.9 FM. and 104.1 FM in the Twin Cities.

WXYT (formerly WXYZ)

once aired old radio shows like The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet. Then it became a Top 40 station and played adult contemporary and middle-ofthe-road music before becoming an all-talk station in 1978. It changed its call letters to WXYT

Sports

Rap

Radio: Black voices all day and all night

in 1984 and later became an allsports station in 2000.

Now, the legendary Motown radio station will have Black voices all day and all night long. It’s about time. “No doubt,” Rob Parker told me by phone.

Parker, a former Detroit sports columnist and television commentator, and his three business partners reached an agreement to lease WXYT studios in Southfield, Mich.

All four owners are Black and have Detroit ties: former NBA player and local high school star B.J. Armstrong, now an NBA agent; Dave Kenney, an asset manager and former Connecticut football and track

athlete; and Maurice “Moe”

Ways, a former Michigan and local prep football player who now works at ESPN.

Under the lease agreement, Sports Rap Radio would have its own sales team and sell its own ads.

Parker, who is heard nightly

Black writers and podcasters, said that he first came up with an all-Black sports radio idea in the 2000s.

Detroit and nationwide, Blacks and other people of color have been historically underrepresented on sports radio stations. Finally, the vanilla sports talk ceiling that existed for far too long has been broken through.

“When I was in high school, I met Rob Parker in Detroit, and he was on air at a time at one of our local radio networks,” recalled Ways in a recent MSR phone interview. “For my senior project, we had to work a corporate job for about two weeks. So, I monitored Rob Parker.

“Detroit has been listening to ‘American Bandstand’ for too long. We’re gonna give it ‘Soul Train.’” Hughes has come a long way

on Fox Sports Radio, a 2023 NABJ Hall of Fame inductee and founder of MLBbro.com, which provides coverage of Black and brown Major League Baseball players by mostly

“He made it very clear, ‘I’m here for you. Any questions… just ask me,” Ways said of the beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship that has lasted

Irondale High School senior Juriad Hughes Jr., who recently committed to the University of Arkansas, is one of the top track and field athletes in the country as a

sprinter and jumper. As a junior last year, he broke the 41-year-old state long jump record set by St. Paul Central’s Von Sheppard in 1982.

The first time I met Juriad Hughes Jr. he was at the beginning of what has become quite the athletic career. In 2015 Juriad Hughes Sr. was officiating a summer league basketball game at Concordia University when he spotted a columnist of a local newspaper taking in the action.

“We need to get together

WNBA Black head coaches drop from

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

The 2024 WNBA season in its 28th year begins this week.

The 40-game regular season began on Tuesday, May 14.

An underreported story should be spotlighted—a majority-Black women’s league has only three Black head coaches, 25 percent of the 12 total coaches.

Just two seasons ago, onehalf of the W coaches were Black, an all-time high according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) annual racial and gender report card.

“The WNBA had a decline in their racial scores for players, coaches, assistant coaches, and general managers, “said the recent report. “Black or African American head coaches decreased from six in 2022 to only three in 2023…25.0 percent of WNBA head coaches.”

Only New York has not

hired a Black HC in its history. Chicago (6), Phoenix (6), Los Angeles (6) and Washington (6) all have hired the most, followed by Dallas (4) and Atlanta (3). The Minnesota Lynx have hired two.

This season Noelle Quinn (Seattle), Tanisha Wright (Atlanta) and Teresa Weatherspoon (Chicago) are the league’s only three Black head coaches. Weatherspoon is the Sky’s sixth consecutive Black HC hired.

“It’s not many of us,” admitted Quinn.

“Of course we’re qualified and we’re capable.”

“Noelle’s done an amazing job there in Seattle,” said Wright of Quinn. “I’m excited

to have ‘Spoon’ on the sidelines as well.”

Said Weatherspoon, “Of course we’re qualified and we’re capable. [There are] plenty [Black] ladies…who can coach this game.”

Weatherspoon is one of the WNBA original players (19972004) who also coached in college (Louisiana Tech associate HC, 2008-09; head coach, 2009-14) and pro (NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach, 2020-23).

Wright played 14 WNBA seasons before becoming an assistant coach (Charlotte 2017-20; Las Vegas, 2020-21) and Atlanta HC since 2021.

Quinn has been Seattle’s coach since 2021 after being promoted from associate HC (2020-21) and Storm assistant coach (2019). She also played 11 W seasons.

“To be able to live in my purpose, to be a light to encourage these guys to be at their best and to continue to be the

best version of myself,” noted Quinn. “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” Wright stressed the importance of former players being hired as coaches: “It’s really important that we continue

to create these opportunities,” she pointed out.

“Everything is about timing,” said Weatherspoon. “Then when you get here and you have the opportunity to utilize your platform,” you must take

full advantage.

The time spent in the NBA proved invaluable, said Weatherspoon, especially working with former longtime veteran coaches Alvin Gentry and Stan Van Gundy.

“They wanted me to have the best coaching career possible. I learned so much,” said T-Spoon, who intends to share her experiences as a first-year WNBA head coach.

Said Wright, “I understand that the more success that I have, the more opportunities that will create for people who look like me. Every time that I step out there…that this is a great opportunity to have that great privilege to be out there.

“So I never take that lightly.” Read more on the 2024 WNBA season opener on MSROnLine.

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

Jackson finds pro niche as relief pitcher

ay Jackson has traveled the baseball world since being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the ninth round in 2008. Though he never played for the Cubs he has, however, logged MLB time in San Diego (2015), Milwaukee (2019), San Francisco (2021), Atlanta (2022) and Toronto (2023).

Minnesota back in February signed the 6-1 pitcher as a free agent.

All total, Jackson has nearly 20 years as a pro baseball player. He will reach 100 big league games sometime this season. After his MLB debut in 2015, Jackson has spent time with five organizations— now six—as well as playing four years in Japan.

“I was a starter and it just didn’t work out,” noted Jackson. “So obviously being a reliever ended up being better for my career. I’ve always said early in my career [that]

whichever way I can help the team more early in my career” he is willing to do.

“It takes a community to build one person to be successful. You don’t really ever do it by yourself.”

“I tell people all the time…I just take every day as a blessing and enjoy every single moment of every day,” said

Jackson before he headed out for stretching and pitching work before a recent Twins game.

Jackson’s arsenal of pitches: slider, four-seam fastball, changeup and sinker.

“I was a two-way player in high school” at Greenville, S.C.’s Christ Church Episcopal where he was a three-time all-region player and all-state his senior year, then a firstteam selection when Jackson pitched at Furman (S.C.) University. “But I got drafted as a pitcher coming out of college,” he said.

A righthander, Jackson has been a starter in the minors (126 starts) but only once in the majors. As a reliever he has appeared in over 400 games total, and earned his first big league win last season with Toronto.

Jackson’s off-field pursuits include a clothing line, Jaxland, whose motto is “in

smiles we trust.” The clothing line donates a portion of its proceeds to charities that support neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or hospitals.

“It takes a community to build one person to be successful. You don’t really ever do it by yourself,” explained Jackson. “If I’m able to help other people around me,” he’s all for that.

Now in Minnesota, Jackson said he’s looking forward to getting more involved in the local community. “I’m gonna go and try to find some places and some things to do to help and be impactful, and figure out some things in ways that I can help the community to help bring baseball to people and people to baseball.”

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

Rob Parker Photos/artwork courtesy of X

(l-r) Juriad Hughes Sr. and Juriad Hughes Jr. Photo courtesy of LinkedIn

Teresa Weatherspoon

Photo by Charles Hallman

Jay Jackson Courtesy of MN Twins