June 8, 2023 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

The case for juvenile justice reform

By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer

weeping reforms are set to be put in place regarding juvenile justice in Minnesota following Governor Tim Walz’s signing legislation last month that would reform how the system handles juveniles.

Among these reforms is the end of juvenile solitary confinement, restricting the use of strip searches, the creation of the Office of Restorative Practices, and reducing the number of years a juvenile sentenced to life can petition the parole board to review their sentence after 15 years rather than 30 years.

The precedent for these reforms came in 2012, when the Supreme Court ruled that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for juve-

niles was a violation of the 8th Amendment and deemed it cruel and unusual punishment. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, several advocacy groups and communities have worked together over the

years to change Minnesota state law to comply with the high court’s ruling.

Doug Keillor is the director of Juvenile Justice Advocates International, a global organization dedicated to protecting the

Death Notice

Norma Jean Williams

Sunrise, December 28, 1941—Sunset, June 6, 2023

rights of children. Keillor stated that the U.S. is far behind the rest of the world when it comes to these kinds of reforms that work to rehabilitate juveniles in the criminal justice system.

“Within the context of the United States being the only country that allows this, Minnesota is one of the very last

states—meaning it’s one of the very last jurisdictions in the entire world—that has finally gotten rid of life sentences without the possibility of parole for children,” he said.

Though Keillor’s organization is based in Mexico City and has an office in St. Paul, the juvenile justice reform bill was the first piece of leg-

Minneapolis sees drop in gun-related violence so far this year

MSR News Service

ccording to the Minneapolis Police Department, the month of May saw the lowest recorded number of gunshot victims over the past four years.

“Violent crime is dropping and the fact that shootings are even below pre-pandemic levels underscores that what we are doing is working,” said Mayor Jacob Frey in a press release. “It’s not easy to combat the gun violence epidemic we are seeing in Minneapolis and across the nation. But our officers and law enforcement partners have been doing incredible work to get a record number of guns off the street.”

The citywide crime data report issued on June 5, reflects the overall decrease in violent crime in Minneapolis this year, with 75 fewer gunshot-wound victims compared to last year, and 104 fewer gunshot-wound victims compared to the same time in 2021.The data reflects the continued drop in the number of Minneapolis residents who become victims of gun violence, based on the report.

In addition, Minneapolis police officers confiscated 1,100

illegal guns in 2022, setting a department record despite the shortage of officers. Police reports show that so far, 461 guns have been confiscated in 2023, a 16 percent improvement over last year’s record pace.

However, not all the citywide crime data was favorable. Not surprisingly, auto thefts, and to a lesser extent, property vandalism were higher than in previous years. The recorded number of auto thefts citywide through May was more than twice the number over the same period last year. With nearly 4,000 stolen cars so far in 2023, that number far exceeds the previous three-year average of 1,745. Not nearly as troubling as auto thefts, so far this year the increase in property vandalism is up by almost 33 percent. The increase in auto thefts may be related to the failure of manufacturers to install anti-theft devices in

islation in the U.S. that they helped pass despite their international focus.

Perry Moriearty, a professor of criminal law and juvenile justice, has been working on these reforms in Minnesota for the past decade, helping craft bills year after year. She has now finally seen those efforts

■ See MORIARTY on page 5

The future of work, education and AI How artificial intelligence is changing the cultural landscape

By Cole Miska

Contributing Writer

n an open letter signed by more than 350 executives, engineers and researchers working on artificial intelligence (AI), the Center for AI Safety released a statement this week warning of the technology’s dire consequences to humanity and disruption of global markets—even extinction.

Last month, a panel on the future of work and schools was held at The Machine Shop in Northeast Minneapolis that touched on AI and its longterm impact on the economy and different job sectors.

Several hundred people including educators, business people, and a group of middle-school students from

Ella Baker Global Studies and Humanities Magnet School attended the meeting. The event was hosted by the nonprofit World Savvy, an organization

that partners with schools to “reimagine education and create more inclusive, studentcentered, and future-ready learning communities.”

Comprised of three experts—Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, U.S. State Department Senior Ad-

visor Hamse Warfa, and World Savvy CEO Dana Mortenson— the panel was moderated by William Guadelli, dean of the College of Education at Lehigh University. In addition to AI, the discussion covered several work- and education-related topics, including globalization and what educators can do to best prepare students for the future.

Friedman called the current state of AI a “Promethean moment,” referring to the Greek myth in which Prometheus steals the fire from the gods on Mt. Olympus and gives it to humanity to build civilization. He also likened it to the invention of the printing press, but noted that the printing press took centuries to scale and that there could be unintentional damage done by the

much faster speed at which AI technology is advancing.

Friedman said the three things that will be most important for students and workers to successfully utilize AI will be self-motivation, access to technologies, and personal character.

Warfa added that he believed empathy and an inclusive society would also be needed to fully utilize coming technological advancement.

He hopes that the education system will be built to see and hear every student, regardless of background, and believes empathy will be required not only for the future of work but the future of building democracies and communities. Despite the risks, however, AI technology such as ChatGPT

Norma Jean Williams was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Burnsville, MN. She was the daughter of the late publishers, Cecil Newman and Launa Newman.

Additional information about Norma Jean Williams’ passing is forthcoming.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty Submitted photo

■ See CRIME on page 5

Sundis Mohamud, a 7th grader at Ella Baker Global Studies and Humanities Magnet School

Photo by Thomas Ryan

Metro Transit looks to improve safety and conditions on light rail system

State funding to help public transit clean up its image

By H. Jiahong Pan

Contributing Writer

Last Thursday, Metro Transit announced a series of initiatives to make public transportation safer in light of increased crime on their light rail system and the conclusion of one of the most successful legislative sessions in Minnesota history.

The initiatives, funded by a $2 million appropriation from the state legislature, includes deploying social workers and partnering with community organizations to check up on people who are using drugs on public transit or using it as shelter.

Longer-term, the agency will also begin hiring “transit ambassadors” to provide a presence on the Metro system, which includes the system’s light rail and rapid bus routes.

In July, those very ambassadors will also begin enforcing payment when fare evasion will be decriminalized.

The initiatives were first proposed at the state legislature in 2019, following years of distrust around the agency’s police force in handling low-level offenses such as fare evasion. At least one incident involving a fare beater in 2017 almost resulted in their deportation. Past efforts to decriminalize fare evasion were blocked by the GOP-dominated legislature, who were more inclined

to unconditionally support police officers and their work.

DFL legislators were able to get the initiatives passed this year because of a state government trifecta, renewed concerns around crime—the agency experienced close to 2,400 crimes on the entire system during the first three months of 2023—and an ongoing shortage of more than 60 police officers to enforce fare evasion.

The initiative, which began Thursday and will last for 12 weeks, will be focused on some of the agency’s busiest light rail stations, which include Target Field and Lake Street/Midtown Stations in Minneapolis, Central and Union Depot Stations in St. Paul, and the Mall of America transit center.

Nonprofit organizations will provide outreach to those experiencing homelessness or using drugs on the system, as well as provide a presence to deter crime for the first three weeks. Then, for the remaining nine weeks, the agency will flood the system with transit officers.

On a bus ride in February, Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee and the sponsor of the bill, explained the two-phase approach. “We’re pushing a reset button on how we handle the Blue Line and the Green Line and what is expected of transit riders,” said Tabke. “Transit should be an asset that is comfortable and safe for everyone to ride. But if people are smoking, using drugs, or being belligerent on the train, it’s not a

safe or comfortable ride.”

At a press conference, DFL Sen. Scott Dibble explained what this plan means for the youth. “I had several town hall meetings, one of them with sixth through eighth graders,” said Dibble. “They said they don’t want to ride transit because they don’t feel safe. That’s what this is about.”

The agency currently has a partnership with A Mother’s Love to enforce the agency’s rules and connect riders in need of support services. Representatives with A Mothers’ Love said at the press conference that their efforts have been helping.

“When we see problems or troubled areas or troubled children or adults, we’ll approach them. We advise them what the rules are, and then we ask them to abide by the rules. And for the most part, we’re getting a really good response,” said Hortense Hollie of A Mother’s Love.

The agency hopes to bring on more organizations like A Mother’s Love to conduct outreach on transit through a request for proposals they released on June 5.

The Met Council and Metro Transit have also started the process necessary to begin hiring 26 transit ambassadors, who the agency says will provide a presence on the system by keeping the system safe, helping those in need, providing directions to social services, as well as enforcing fare payment starting July 1, when

fare evasion becomes a petty misdemeanor.

Chief Ernest Morales III says they plan to hire the ambassadors in-house as part of the Metro Transit Police Department. Although Morales acknowledges the number of ambassadors they plan to hire

$35 to $100 plus surcharges, as opposed to the current $180 fine. They can also pay the agency money for future rides or participate in community service. It is unclear how the agency’s hiring of ambassadors will be affected by their making two transit routes free for 18 months starting July 1, another directive in the transportation bill that passed this past legislative session.

The transportation bill also requires the agency to adopt a code of conduct and cleaning standards. The code of conduct establishes how riders should behave on public transit or they will be removed by a police officer. The public is invited to comment on this code—see below.

Toward the end of the press conference, Morales stressed patience as the agency works to make the system safe. “Change comes, but it takes time, so please be patient,” he said. “But please hold my feet to the fire if I haven’t delivered.”

is not enough, he says they are working on building up their law enforcement ranks, which currently has a staffing shortage of more than 60 full-time officers.

In addition, Metro Transit is also leveraging contracted security, which was being deployed to six transit stations beginning this month.

With the imminent decriminalization of fare evasion, riders caught fare-beating can pay a fine of anywhere from

The agency is currently soliciting feedback on what should be in their code of conduct at bit.ly/CustomerCodeSurvey

Full disclosure: The writer testified in support of legislation to decriminalize fare evasion.

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

“Transit should be an asset that is comfortable and safe for everyone to ride. But if people are smoking, using drugs, or being belligerent on the train, it’s not a safe or comfortable ride.”

(c-r) Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III, Adonis Frazier, Rep. Brad Tabke Photos by H. Jiahong Pan

(l-r) DonEsther Anderson and Hortense Hollie of A Mother’s Love

Mobile campaign aims to heighten mental health awareness

By Sheletta Brundidge

Contributing Writer

Helping Hennepin County residents connect to tools, resources and solutions to strengthen their mental health is the goal of a new year-long campaign called See Mental Health. The campaign also aims to normalize talk about mental health, reducing the stigma that can get in the way of seeking help or support.

According to a fact sheet from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota, 819,000 Minnesota adults have a mental health condition.

“See Mental Health is a reminder that mental and emotional health challenges are both common and addressable,” explained Jocelyn McQuirter, project manager of the Hennepin County mental health awareness campaign.

“We want to let people know they are not alone if they are facing challenges with their mental health.”

The See Mental Health website can assist people who are in the midst of a mental health emergency. But a large component of the campaign concerns everyday connections with the

to

message “You’re not alone and there’s a way forward.”

“We are trying to elevate all the ways people may see mental health in their everyday lives and how we can build meaningful connections and illuminate ways people can move forward,” McQuirter said . See Mental Health offers

practical, wellness-boosting reminders about self-care, noting that creating self-care routines has been clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety and increase happiness. See Mental Health also shares the value of meaningful relationships and reaching out with a call or a text, both when individuals

April

need support or can provide support.

“This topic is complex. A lot of historical trauma exists in a number of different communities, including the Black community. We all process and talk about this differently,” she added.

There’s been a quadrupling of anxiety and depression

since the pandemic, including among young people. According to the American Psychological Association Mental Health Survey, 57,000 Minnesota youth between the ages of 12-17 have been diagnosed with depression, and the impact of that can be longlasting. NAMI statistics show

that high school students with depression are twice as likely to drop out as their peers.

“The pandemic brought on a lot of isolation, and we know Covid wasn’t the only thing. There were other stressors in the community,” McQuirter said.

“Coming out of Covid-19, it is so important that we reflect and ask these questions and remind ourselves of who our people are, who our connections in the community are.”

The See Mental Health campaign will be sharing its message in the community. Its mobile unit and booth will be present at many of Hennepin County’s festivals, events and activities this summer. The van recently rolled out to Cinco de Mayo Lake Street in Minneapolis and will be present at Juneteenth and Pride celebrations later this month.

“We have coloring sheets for the kids, and adults can color too, because coloring is great for mindfulness,” McQuirter said.

For more information, visit the See Mental Health website at www.seementalhealth.org. See Mental Health messages are available in multiple languages. The campaign aims to reach youth, veterans, seniors, and communities of color through a variety of multimedia channels.

Sheletta Brundidge welcomes reader responses to sbrundidge@ spokesman-recorder.com.

A traveling van takes the See Mental Health campaign to the community.

Courtesy of Hennepin County

“You’re not alone and there’s a way forward.”

Sweet Heaven by Nne A business that is icing on the cake

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Chris Juhn Staff Contributor

“After I finished grad school some years ago, I was bored. I was looking for something to keep me busy,” said 39-year-old Nneka Onuma, owner of Sweet Heaven by Nne. “So, I took a cake decorating class, kind of a basiclevel class,” said Onuma, who specializes in custom-designed cakes. “It was kind of a lightbulb moment.

I said, ‘Let me just give it a shot.’”

Sweet Heaven, which Onuma launched during the pandemic in January 2021, is run out of her home. “I got to a point where I realized that I was quite skilled at [creating cakes] and it gives me an opportunity to make some additional income.”

MSR: What inspired you to start your business?

NO: I have been around baking all my life. My mother got me into baking at a young age. In high school, I worked at a Dairy Queen. At one point, the cake decorator was leaving, so I had asked the supervisor, ‘Instead of hiring a new cake decorator, why don’t you just train me?’ And that’s exactly what he did.

MSR: How does your business impact the community?

NO: I like to say that I’m in the happiness business. Often times, when clients send me photos of my cakes at events, there’s always someone smiling at the cake or smiling because of the cake. I think my business contributes directly to the joy that I bring to the community that that I serve.

In this day and age, we need so much more of that positivity, and bringing a smile to someone’s face impacts the community. I pride myself in the fact that I bring that joy and happiness and positivity to my community.

MSR: What’s your most popular item?

NO: I love making cupcakes, and custom-designed cakes are my specialty. I can create a cake based on any theme. I’ve made everything from fire-breathing dragons to an edible chess board cake. I’ve made a lot of floral cakes with fresh flowers.

I consider myself an artist. And cakes are really just the medium that I’ve chosen to share my artistic expression with the world. Each cake is just that—an art project for me.

MSR: Is there a favorite cake or a memorable cake that you created?

NO: I always ask my son what cake he wants for his birthday. He told me he wanted a firebreathing dragon. I didn’t have a clue how I was gonna do it at the time, but I was determined to give him exactly that. I was able to accomplish that, and it made me really proud. It looked pretty cool.

MSR: What’s your biggest challenge in running your business?

NO: I work full time for Hennepin County. My business is part-time, and it’s my side hustle. I do have young children, so I have a lot of other things that require my time as well. I have to balance my business, family and work.

For now, I’m a one-woman company. That makes it challenging because I’m doing everything from baking cakes to marketing to whatever I need to do. I have to do it by myself.

MSR: What’s the most rewarding part of your business?

NO: The most rewarding part of my business is that it’s a creative outlet for me. Even if I never got paid to design cakes, the fact that I’m creating a cake is enough of a reward for me. It brings me joy. But the most rewarding part is the fact that I make other people happy. It’s not just a cake, it’s so much more than that.

I’m honored for my cakes to be the centerpieces of the cel-

ebrations that my clients are celebrating. Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, an anniversary, or graduation, I just really, really love that I make people happy.

MSR: What’s your vision for your business and where do you want to go with it?

NO: I definitely want to grow my business. I see the potential for cake decorating to be used in unique spaces. I think it is a really important tool that brings people together. It’s not one you may necessarily think about when you think about relation-

ship-building, but it does bring people together.

I would love to provide more services that are curated events and experiences for people, which are centered around cake decorating. For example, it could be a professional development exercise for organizations, or a group of girlfriends getting together, or guys who want to do something fun and unique that they’ve never done before.

I have an event that’s coming up on July 15. I invited Porsha Kimble, who’s a national cake decorating instructor and an art-

ist. She’s coming to Minneapolis, and we are having a cake workshop. She’s going to be teaching a class where we have another local artist—Liana’s Cake Pops. We’ll be doing some demonstrations about how to make certain treats.

It’s a workshop that serves as a learning experience for lots of other aspiring and established cake artists. It’s also a space that’s going to allow us to network with each other, learn from each other, and be in a space where you have a common passion with other people. I’m looking for more people to register for that event, as well as any potential sponsors looking for organizations to partner with.

MSR: What does success look like for you in your business?

NO: Success for me is at the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I’ve made a difference. And that shows up in so many different ways. It could be a couple of friends who book a class with me and become a little bit closer. It’s that a five-yearold boy saw his dinosaur cake and thought it was the coolest thing in the world. It’s that even though I’m tired, I’m fulfilled.

MSR: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

NO: I would encourage other aspiring business owners to “just do it” like the Nike slogan. Just go out there and do it. That’s the hardest thing. You can kind of figure it out as you go.

For more information about cake-decorating classes and workshops, or to inquire about ordering a custom-designed cake, go to www.sweetheavenbynne.com, or call 612-234-2724. You can also follow Nneka Onuma’s cake designs on Instagram (@sweetheavenbynne, and on Facebook.

Chris Juhn welcomes reader comments at cjuhn@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Alternative homebuyer financing options

Sponsored Content

This week, the Minnesota Homeownership Center looks at two alternative homebuyer financing options geared toward whose religious beliefs prohibit the payment of interest (specifically Muslims), and those who don’t qualify for a U.S. social security number.

We’ll look at non-interestbearing financing first. To be clear, this does not mean you can get a traditional mortgage with zero-percent interest. It simply encompasses alternative options determined by Islamic scholars to be free of interest payments.

In Islamic law, the term riba’ is used to mean unwarranted gains, interest or usury. The Qur’an forbids riba’ because it symbolizes profiting at another’s expense or making money from money instead of from tangible assets. The prohibition of riba’ limits the financial transactions in which some Muslims can participate. This has led to the development of financial products that avoid riba’.

Non-interest-bearing financing

There are three models of non-interest-bearing financing products:

1) Murabaha, an installment sale arrangement;

2) Musharaka, a co-ownership arrangement; and 3) Ijara, a

partnership, where each partner contributes capital to the home purchase, though not necessarily in equal amounts. The partner with the larger investment has proportionally more control over any

products compared to each other or compared to interest-bearing loans may differ. For example, some up-front costs may be more expensive. Further, such products don’t always work with down pay-

Individual Taxpayer ID Number

Loans

lease-to-own arrangement.

Murabaha is an installment credit agreement for the sale of tangible goods. In the home purchase transaction, the seller acquires the home, which the buyer then agrees to purchase at some point in the future. The seller is entitled to a profit as long as the exact markup is disclosed in the contract, and buyer payments may be spread out over time.

Musharaka is an equity

decisions that are made and absorbs a larger percentage of any potential losses. Profitsharing ratios must be specified in an agreement.

Ijara is a leasing agreement where the owner of the home transfers its use to a lessee in exchange for cash payments. The owner receives a profit as compensation for assuming the majority of the risk in the transaction. The costs associated with non-interest-bearing financing

ment assistance programs. Fortunately, buyers can work with a homeownership advisor to evaluate their options.

A full guide to non-interest-bearing financing products in Minnesota, including a cost breakdown comparison between an FHA mortgage and a Murabaha transaction, is available on the Minnesota Homeownership Center website at hocmn.org/NonInterestFinancing.

For

Now let’s turn our attention to Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) loans. There are many reasons why an individual may not qualify for a U.S. social security number, despite living and working in the United States. Green card holders, for example, are non-citizen permanent residents with the right to legally live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. Recent immigrants pursuing citizenship are another group, as are non-immigrants living in the U.S. for a specific period of time. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number facilitates the collection of taxes on income earned by these individuals.

Anyone may purchase and own property in the United States, regardless of residency or immigration status. For those without a social security number, securing a traditional mortgage is very difficult. In response, some lenders have created ITIN mortgages. ITIN mortgages typically have more flexible underwriting criteria, allowing for alternative income verification and alternate credit history considerations. Down payment requirements tend to be higher, and down payment assistance programs often cannot be utilized.

As with non-interest-bearing financing products, the services of a homeownership advisor can make navigating the ITIN loan process smoother and easier for homebuyers utilizing this financial tool. A full guide to ITIN Mortgages, including providers offering ITIN loans in Minnesota, is available on the Minnesota Homeownership Center website at hocmn.org/ITIN. Homeownership is possible. We can show you how.

For more information on the Minnesota Homeownership Center and its advisor and education services, visit www.HOCMN.org.

Photos courtesy of Ari Reynolds

Even if I never got paid to design cakes, the fact that I’m creating a cake is enough of a reward for me. It brings me joy.

those without a social security number, securing a traditional mortgage is very difficult.

Nneka Onuma, owner of Sweet Heaven by Nne Photo courtesy of Facebook

MORIARTY

Continued from page 1

rewarded. She co-directs the Child Advocacy in Juvenile Justice Clinic, which in recent years has gained attention for its representation of Myon Burrell who was sentenced to life in prison at 16. According to Moriearty, a majority of those who will be impacted by these reforms are Black and Brown.

“Ninety-seven people are currently serving sentences of 15 years or more for juvenile offenses. Of those, 82 percent are Black or Brown. When you look at those serving, when you bump up to 20 years those serving consecutive sentences for multiple victim cases, 92 percent are Black or Brown,” she said.

Avra Anagnostis, the founder of Juvenile Sentencing Reform MN, has also worked alongside others to ensure that legislatures passed these reforms. Anagnostis launched her organization in 2020, as a way to continue her fight for her childhood best friend, Roberto Lopez-Rios, to be released. Lopez-Rios was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 16 in 2001 for being involved in a drive-by shooting, though he was not the gunman.

Three years after launching her organization, Anagnostis is now working with 50 individuals who were incarcerated as juveniles serving life sentences. Many of them have expressed remorse for their crimes and share that they don’t have an accurate memory of the events for which they’ve been sent to prison.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty campaigned on juvenile justice reform and testified at the state capitol in favor of restorative justice practices for juveniles caught in the system. Moriarty said that with these new laws, her office will now have new tools to help examine the cases that come before them.

“It was a very productive session on public safety and particularly people who were juveniles

CRIME

Continued from page 1

certain models, but the rash of auto thefts and property vandalism reflects a growing trend in non-violent crimes.

Nevertheless, the MPD is focused on the positive drop in gun-related violent crime.

“I am incredibly thankful for the tireless work by MPD officers to continue removing

AI PANEL

Continued from page 1

could be a valuable tool in education. “The reality is that inside schools you can lean into technology like generative AI to free up space to spend more time on the things that make us more uniquely human,” Mortenson said, [such as] “things that technology can’t do—enable empathy, collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and group work.”

He said diversification of the education system is important, pointing out that more than 50 percent of students are now BIPOC but that teachers are still predominantly White and monolingual.

Although he is confident that AI will not be able to replace teachers, he believes that it will be useful for tutoring stu-

at the time,” she said. “We’re still sorting through all of the different new tools we have to make sure that we are implementing them in a transparent way.”

Science of juvenile justice reform

Much of the argument in favor of juvenile justice reform is the science of brain development and the lack of impulse control young people have compared to adults. Some legal and developmental experts state that because of this reality, in most cases, juveniles should not be tried as adults.

Professor Moriearty also believes that juveniles have a better chance of being rehabilitated as well.

“By virtue of their documented neurodevelopmental differences, that they are immature, that their culpability is less than that of an adult, their capacity for change is enhanced by their young age. We should take that into account and sentence them differently than adults,” Moriearty said.

“Our bill gives anyone sentenced to prison as a juvenile eligibility for review and release after 15 years with a few exceptions. I want to reemphasize that review and release does not mean automatic release.”

With this change, juveniles will have the ability to go in front of the Juvenile Review Board made up of the Department of Corrections Commissioner, four appointees from both parties, and two experts in the areas of neurological development. There are a number of factors that go into the decision that will help the review board decide whether or not someone is eligible for release during a life sentence.

Mary Moriarty points to assessments that a psychologist may conduct or a review of an inmate’s time in prison and what they might have accomplished while behind bars.

“Has this person completed some type of degree? Have they reached out and been a mentor to others, maybe young people who come into the prison? It isn’t necessarily a onesize-fits-all. There are certain

illegal guns from our streets and ensuring we continue to see fewer families touched by gun violence in our city,” said MPD Chief Brian O’Hara. “Together with our law enforcement and community-based partners, we will remain vigilant and continue to do everything possible to ensure we reduce the number of victims of serious street crime and build trust in our communities.”

tests that can be administered and certainly the opinions of psychologists,” she said.

When it comes to prosecuting crime in Hennepin County, Moriarty seeks to have a holistic approach to each case and factor in key aspects of each juvenile’s life and record to best assess what the appropriate sentence could be. She looks at their history, the options available for rehabilitation, and the particular crime that they have committed. Rather than have a one-size-fits-all approach, Moriarty believes she needs to take each case on individually.

McKeever case and plea deal

In recent months, the Hennepin County attorney’s approach to juvenile justice has been in the headlines following Gov. Walz’s appointment of Attorney General Keith Ellison to a murder case involving two juveniles that Moriarty was prosecuting.

The victim, Zaria McKeever, was killed on the night of November 8, after a break-in involving a 15 and 17-year-old, who were instructed by Erick Haynes, the victim’s boyfriend, who drove them to her home and allegedly purchased the murder weapon. Haynes and two other adults are being tried for the murder, and face life in prison, while Moriarty’s office offered

a plea deal to the juveniles in exchange for their testimony against the adults.

The victim’s family members objected to the plea deal and felt as though the two years in the juvenile detention center followed by an extended juvenile justice sentence wasn’t right in this case, and the governor, as well as Attorney General Ellison, agreed.

Moriarty stands by her decision to offer the plea deal and the decision to offer two years in juvenile detention followed by an extended juvenile justice sentence, which would serve as a probationary period, where either offender would be sent to an adult prison for 150 months (12 ½ years) if they violate the terms of their probation.

She expressed her empathy for McKeever’s family but stated that she took several factors into consideration in making her decision.

“Something horrific happened to their daughter and loved one and I have nothing but empathy and compassion for them. I’m sure it was difficult for them to be told one thing then I got into

office, and I did what I said that I would do during the campaign, which was to look at individual cases and try to see what was in the best interest of public safety,” she said.

For any criticism of her office not certifying certain juveniles as adults, Moriarty points to the case of Avon Semaj Longstreet, a 17-year-old who was charged with murder despite no previous history for his involvement in the Mall of America shooting in December 2022.

“My recollection is that he had no history, but it was appropriate to certify him as an adult,” Moriarty said. “We look at each and every individual case and we looked at all of those factors and decided it simply didn’t serve public safety by keeping him in the juvenile system.”

When it comes to the 15-year-old involved in McKeever’s death, Moriarty wonders what benefit it would bring to the community for him to serve a long sentence and return to the community after a traumatic experience of being held in prison with adults.

Youth crime intervention

Many of the changes in which prosecutors like Moriarty are examining are the preventive initiatives that keep juveniles out of the system before they commit a felony.

“One of the things that I think is really positive about the new legislation is that it does allow us to intervene early on. For instance, there are restorative justice grants there to establish restorative justice practices, which we know are very successful,” she said. “There’s also crime victim services funding. I testified in favor of this, grants established for organizations that provide direct services to crime victims.”

Moriarty also mentioned working on diversion programs with the Minneapolis Police Department and housing situations to catch children at risk of incarceration early on and set them on a better path with the right support system put in place.

Many of the cases in which restorative justice practices are used are property crimes and other non-violent offenses. However, there are conversations on what justice looks like for the juvenile offender and the victim when a violent crime is involved.

Going forward, Anagnostis believes that the answer to figuring out how to address the issues around juvenile justice reform can come from the individuals who are currently serving life sentences and have had time to reflect on their situation.

“The majority of them really recognize the harm they’ve caused, and they want to also work to change and prevent those cycles of violence and that pain from continuing for both the victims and for the incarcerated kids themselves,” she said.

This is part of an ongoing MSR series about crime and juvenile justice in Black communities.

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

dents and assisting in the education process.

Mortenson discussed the importance of an education that prepares students for a

future in which, she says, “85 percent of the jobs that will exist when [current students] go out into the world don’t exist today.” She also said it was

important to be able to consider programs that can meet diverse needs of students of different backgrounds, noting that both rural and urban

classrooms in Minnesota have undergone large demographic shifts in the past couple of decades.

Ella Baker students asked

about the disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and questioned what can be done to catch up on the education of any students whose learning was affected by the pandemic.

Mortenson responded on behalf of the panel and was optimistic, saying that the educational disruption caused by COVID could be an opportunity to improve the education system for the future by “leveraging technologies to meet students where they are.”

Mortenson mentioned programs at Ella Baker, such as the community ambassadors’ program, as an example of a model that could be used to build empathy and collaboration in the learning environment.

Cole Miska welcomes reader comments at cmiska@spokesman-recorder.com.

Moriarty stands by her decision to offer the plea deal and the decision to offer two years in juvenile detention followed by an extended juvenile justice sentence…

(l-r) Dr. William Gaudelli, Thomas Friedman, Hamse Warfa, and Dana Mortenson

Photo by Thomas Ryan

Avra Anagnostis, founder of Juvenile Sentencing Reform MN

Photo by Chris Juhn

By Tony Kiene

Contributing

Writer

All 7 Years: The Past, Present, and Future of Prince Studies

June 7 | 1-3:30 pm

University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach Center (UROC)

2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis

Join local, national and international authors as they explore the impressive volume of research and scholarship around the life, legacy, and indelible impact of Prince Rogers Nelson since his tragic and untimely passing in 2016.

Sponsored by the International Centre 4 Prince Studies, panelists scheduled to participate include Dr. Kirsty Fairclough, De Angela Duff, Dr. Elliot Powell, Andrea Swensson, Kristen Zschomler, and Zaheer Ali. Admission is free, but advance registration is encouraged.

For more info, visit bit.ly/PrinceStudiesPastPresentFuture

Tales from the Northside: Stories of the Minneapolis Sound

June 7 | 6-10 pm

The Capri Theater

2027 West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis

Arts & Culture

7

ways

Prince’s to celebrate enduring legacy

A community fundraising event to benefit the future Minneapolis Sound Museum, “Tales from the Northside” will showcase oral histories from many of those that helped shape what the world has come to know as the Minneapolis Sound.

Guests include Jellybean Johnson, Pepé Willie, Sue Ann Carwell, Walter “Q-Bear” Banks, Pierre Lewis, Lisa Keith, James “Popeye” Greer, Bobby

Vandell, Spike Moss, Vaughn Terry, Craig Rice and Owen Husney. The night will conclude with a live musical performance featuring other special guests. For more info, visit bit.ly/ TalesfromNorthside

Forever in My Life: A Birthday

Tribute to Prince

Featuring Dr. Mambo’s Combo

June 7 | 7:30 pm

The Parkway Theater

4814 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis

Celebrate the music of Prince on what would have been his 65th birthday, with Twin Cities legends Dr. Mambo’s Combo. Featuring veterans of the Minneapolis Sound such as Sonny Thompson, Margie Cox and Julius Collins, the Combo will delve deep into Prince’s inimitable musical catalog, including his work with The Revolution, New Power Generation, and songs he composed for other artists. For more info, visit bit.ly/ DrMambosCombo.

The Dance Electric: Celebrating the

Summer watchlist: movies and TV shows: June 15-21

By Nadine Matthews

Contributing Writer

Below are highlights of upcoming series and movies scheduled to premiere or return to our screens in June that feature notable Black talent. We’ll continue to roll out our screen picks each week.

June 15

Jagged Mind - Hulu movie

In this horror thriller Billie is plagued by blackouts and strange visions that lead her to discover she’s stuck in a series of time loops, possibly related to her mysterious new girlfriend. Features Maisie Richardson Sellers (The Kissing Booth 2), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Tears of the Sun).

Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50 - BET+ Mini-series

Celebrated actress Gabrielle Union is turning 50, and she’s embarking on an adventure through four countries in Africa with her closest loved ones. On this journey she will experience the birthday bash of a lifetime.

June 16

The Blackening - theatrical release

Seven Black friends go away for the weekend only to find

themselves trapped in a cabin with a killer who has a vendetta. Will their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies help them stay alive? Probably not. Features Antoinette Robinson (Dear White People), Grace Byers (Harlem), Jermaine Fowler (Sorry To Bother You), Yvonne Orji (Insecure), Jay Pharoah (White Famous).

Moonlight Soul - TBD

A young mother dealing with mental health tries to balance her new troubled marriage and attempt to rekindle her relationship with her resentful 13-year-old daughter but cannot escape her troubled past.

Features Clifton Powell (Ray, Deep Rising), Asha Bee (Cassidy Blues)

Courtesy of Nat Geo Wild

June 17

Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Continues Kendra’s story as she finds herself in a failing marriage and must deal with her life decisions. When Ben comes back into her life, she is backed into a crisis point and must dig deep to find the strength to take control of her life. Featuring Ajiona Alexus (13 Reasons Why), Da’Vinchi (The Way Back).

Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper - Nat Geo Wild Series

Lifelong birder Christian Cooper reveals the wild, wonderful, and unpredictable world of birds.

June 19

Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White - Bounce Documentary celebrates the life of perhaps the most unheralded civil rights icon and African American pioneer of our time.

June 20

Phelps High - TBD

Loyalty amongst friends isn’t always the case, when your life is on the line. Featuring Omari Hardwick (Power, Being Mary Jane), Elise Neal (Hustle & Flow), Allen Maldonado (Black-ish, The Last O.G.)

65th Birthday of You Know Who

June 7 | 8 pm

First Avenue 701 First Ave. N. (aka Prince Rogers Nelson Way), Minneapolis

Hosted by the one and only Walter “Q Bear” Banks, The Dance Electric features DJ Dudley D and DJ Espada playing Prince tracks all night long—some you know, some you might not—in the space that Minneapolis’ favorite son made world famous. For more info, visit bit.ly/

FirstAvePrince2023

Screening of Purple Rain and Premovie Costume Contest

June 8 | 7:30 pm

The Parkway Theater

4814 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis

Never seen “Purple Rain” on the big screen? Now’s your chance. Come witness the 1984 motion picture that made Prince an international superstar and made Minneapolis cool. There is also a prescreening costume party, where

Surrounded - theatrical release

Former Buffalo Soldier Mo Washington travels West to lay claim on a gold mine. After her stagecoach is ambushed, Mo is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free

you can dress as your favorite character from the movie. Hosted by local actor and improviser Ryan Nel son. For more info, visit theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/purple-rain-23

Celebration 2023

June 8–11

Paisley Park Studios

7801 Audubon Rd., Chanhassen

The annual four-day gathering at Paisley Park brings people together from around the world to honor Prince’s life, legend, cultural influence, and musical legacy.

This year’s performers include: the Sounds of Blackness, The Steeles, Mint Condition’s Stokley Williams, Shelby J, DJ Rashida, Known MPLS, and members of the New Power Generation. The celebration also includes special appearances by 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chaka Khan, and hip hop legends Chuck D, D-Nice, and Doug E. Fresh. For tickets, including single-day tickets for Friday and Saturday, visit www.paisleypark.com/celebration2023.

Purple Playground’s Gangster Glam Skate Party

June 11 | 4-6 pm

Skateville

201 River Ridge Circle S., Burnsville Purple Playground’s annual rollerskating party celebrates the birth month of Prince Rogers Nelson, while also raising funds for the Academy of Prince—a free music program where teens learn to write and record their original compositions in a professional recording studio.

The Gangster Glam Skate Party is fun for the whole family. For info, visit bit.ly/PurplePlayground. To learn more about the Academy of Prince, visit bit.ly/AOPSummer2023.

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

him. Featuring Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire, Lovecraft Country).

June 21

Secret Invasion - Disney+ series Fury and Talos try to stop the Skrulls who have infiltrat -

ed the highest spheres of the Marvel Universe. Featuring Samuel Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Carmen Ejogo (Your Honor, The Girlfriend Experience).

Nadine Matthews welcomes reader responses to nmatthews@ spokesman-recorder.com

Wear Orange Support ending gun violence

By Marian Wright Edelman

May 29 was Memorial Day in the United States, and the long weekend that is traditionally observed with shared American remembrance made headlines again for the shared all-American epidemic of gun violence.

The nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which keeps track of American gun violence incidents, noted there were at least 175 people killed and another 496 injured during the Memorial Day weekend, and 20 mass shootings in which four or more people were injured or killed. This included the mass shooting on a crowded beachside promenade in Hollywood, Florida that injured nine people, including four children, the youngest just one year old.

Other shootings happened during neighborhood or community conflicts. Many happened at home, with a family member’s own gun. The Gun Violence Archive now calculates that more than 17,000 people have died so far this year in the U.S. from guns, including more than 100 children under age 12.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and June 2-4 is Wear Orange Weekend to join thousands of others across the country calling for an end to gun violence in all of its forms, including domestic violence, suicide, and city gun violence. The Wear Orange movement began in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, an honors student and drum majorette who was shot and killed on a Chicago

playground in January 2013 just days after she had performed in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. As President Obama gave his State of the Union speech that year, he remembered Hadiya: “She was 15 years old. She loved Fig Newtons and lip gloss… She was so good to her friends, they all thought they were her best friend. Just three weeks ago, she was here, in Washington, with her classmates, performing for her country at my inauguration. And a week later, she was shot and killed in a Chicago park after school, just a mile away from my house.”

and ‘yes’ to a great future.” Hadiya could have meant a future like her own; the talented high school sophomore was excelling at her college preparatory school, doing everything right, with the world ahead of her.

But all that changed because of a gun. Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015, the day that would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday. It is now observed nationally every year on the first Friday in June and the weekend that follows. It was Hadiya’s friends who originally chose to remember her by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.

Hadiya Pendleton deserved to be protected. She, and the thousands of other children who have been killed by guns in our nation in the 10 years since she died, deserved the freedom to grow up. Last year, former First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled plans for the Hadiya Pendleton Winter Garden at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

By Ben Jealous

Tatum is an East Texas town of about 1,300 people, closer to Shreveport than Dallas. It’s on the north shore of Martin Lake. Across the water sits a coalfired power plant named after the lake that happens to be the single largest sulfur dioxide polluter in the United States.

Paulette Goree, who has lived in the area her entire life, gets a daily reminder of the Martin Lake Power Plant. “I use a personal air monitor every day to figure out if I should spend much time outdoors.”

She thinks the air pollution contributed to the deaths of family members and the respiratory problems she and her husband have. A Sierra Club report estimated that, in the two counties surrounding Tatum, coal plant pollution contributes to two premature deaths every year. That’s a fraction of the 154 people who die annually in part due to what’s spewed out of Martin Lake’s smokestacks, according to Clean Air Task Force.

It’s why Paulette and other volunteers across the United States are fighting for the federal government to enforce clean air standards already on the books and to strengthen those requirements to reflect what technology can do now to make the air breathable again.

“It just isn’t right, and the EPA needs to do better,” she said. “It’s too late for me and my generation, but we need to

improve the air for our younger generations.”

It’s a fight I’ve been part of for more than a decade, one that led me to launch the Climate Justice Program at the NAACP. It’s still true that these coal powered killers and other industrial polluters more often than not sit in communities of color and where residents have the least economic power. Thankfully, we’ve been able to get hundreds of those power plants retired.

of controlling their damage, plants are forcing Americans to bear higher healthcare costs from coal pollution. We should no longer subsidize coal generation, and the electric bills of some Americans, with the lungs of Americans who live in Tatum or Cheshire, Ohio, or New Madrid, Missouri—anywhere the remaining 158 coal plants operate.

And we don’t have to. The cost of coal power generation is rising while the cost of electricity from renewable solar and wind farms is falling steadily. Only one coal plant nationally operates for less than a clean energy alternative that could replace it. It’s one reason why the historic clean economy funding that President Biden and Congress approved in 2021 and 2022 is vital. We have the money to put an end to coal power once and for all.

The unmistakable injustice is that nearly two thirds of the remaining coal-fired power plants in this country could and would have to address their deadly pollution if we were enforcing and strengthening the Clean Air Act, as the Sierra Club’s report showed. Effective pollution control technology exists. But instead of taking on the expense

There are 154 people who live downwind of Martin Lake who can’t afford a delay of another year. And 154 the year after that. For them it’s a matter of life and death. We have proven ways to make the air cleaner and we have a law that demands that. We need to act now.

Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. He is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free,” published in January.

As a sixth-grader Hadiya had appeared in an anti-gang video to encourage other young people to avoid gang violence, saying, “It’s your job as students to say ‘no’ to gangs

Mrs. Obama said, “I never had the chance to meet Hadiya while she was alive, but after she died, I was able to spend some time with her loved ones. I learned about how she was an honor student, how much she loved music, how she loved going out to get ice cream with her friends. And the more I heard, the more I understood the extraordinary potential inside her—a potential that was stolen by the epidemic of gun violence.”

She continued: “Like me, Hadiya was raised by parents who wanted to give her opportunities they never had. They signed her up for volleyball, cheerleading, and a dance ministry at church. They supported her education, and with their encouragement, she became a star student. From an early age, Hadiya’s parents made sacrifices to introduce her to opportunities throughout Chicago so that she could one day find her place in the world.”

Hadiya, who should be turning 26 right now, never got that chance. We must never tire of the really hard work demanded to transform the pervasive culture of violence and pervasive presence of guns in America.

We must love our children more than the gun manufacturers and some NRA members love their guns. We must love our country enough to ensure the safety of our children and of all of us and demand the future free from gun violence that all of our children deserve.

Marian Wright Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.

War in Ukraine rages on as American allies add money to Russian coffers

By Hamil R. Harris

When Russia invaded Ukraine, President Biden said that the impact of such aggression would be met with international sanctions so severe that it would cripple Vladimir Putin and his generals.

But 18 months later, Russia continues to get millions from multinational corporations, an example of moral hypocrisy that renews an old debate about how effective economic sanctions have been and what can be done to punish or shame companies that refuse to say no to Russia’s trading partners.

As the war in Ukraine rages, most Americans believe more than mere reputational damage should come to those who continue to do business with Russia. America, as usual, is doing more than its part in supplying aid to Ukraine, even as American citizens languish in food lines. Many are growing weary and believe America must take a stand when requiring that allies bear their fair share of the responsibility and not violate the spirit of the sanctions.

One example of why this is necessary is the behavior of commodities traders like Niels Troost, a Dutch oil trader and founder and owner at Paramount Energy and Commodities SA, a Switzerland-based commodities trading firm.

Even though the US and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Rus-

sia’s oil and gas sector, Troost’s company continued to trade with Russian companies. As a result, observers are keen to examine the possible engagement with or around US sanctions.

As reported by The Financial Times, Troost has spoken publicly about the importance of global food security. Yet, his company’s actions show they are willing to put profit above everything else, including the suffering of people in Ukraine, by buying oil from Russia above the sanctioned price.

the same name as the original company, global observers are interested in understanding if this move allowed them to continue to profit from Russian oil while sidestepping the sanctions.

It has been widely reported that other Swiss-based companies continue to support Russia because, according to the country’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, “legally independent subsidiaries” of Swiss companies are not bound by Swiss sanctions.

The European Union, more strident in its sanctions, does not allow subsidiaries to circumvent the sanctions with creative business structuring.

The behavior of companies that flaunt the sanctions highlights the need for stronger measures against those who continue to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. America cannot be left holding the bag and the responsibility of policing the bad guys of the world.

For those not paying attention, the Russians are, without question, the bad actors. America’s allies, particularly the Swiss, must take a tougher stance against companies that violate the spirit of the sanctions and continue to prop up Russia.

To continue trade with Russia despite the sanctions, Paramount Energy and Commodities SA established a new company in Dubai called Paramount Energy and Commodities DMCC. With practically

We must never tire of the really hard work demanded to transform the pervasive culture of violence and pervasive presence of guns in America.

Hamil R. Harris is an awardwinning journalist and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland College Park and has been a lecturer at Morgan State University.

Coal-fired power plants still threaten Americans’ health

It’s still true that these coal powered killers and other industrial polluters more often than not sit in communities of color and where residents have the least economic power.

The behavior of companies that flaunt the sanctions highlights the need for stronger measures against those who continue to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Summer Guide

The MSR will publish a weekly guide to summer festivals, concerts, fireworks, and fun activities through Labor Day weekend and the fall equinox. The calendar will include events for foodies, stargazers, art and music lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy over the summer.

The Blind Boys of Alabama

Celebration 2023

June 8 – 11

Paisley Park

7801 Audubon Road, Chanhassen

The annual gathering of Prince fam brings together people from all over the world to honor Prince’s life, creative works, and outstanding legacy and share stories about his creative and cultural impact. This year’s musical performers include: Sounds of Blackness, The Steeles, Stokely, Shelby J, DJ Rashida, members of the New Power Generation, with special appearances by Chaka Khan, Chuck D, and Doug E. Fresh. For more info, visit paisleypark.com/ celebration2023.

SCAN HERE SUBSCRIBE

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kylee J. Jackman - Class of 2023

Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School

It’s a wrap! The 12 years are over and it’s time for 8 more - I mean if you really want to. These last 4 years of school have been challenging for some, and easy for others. Author Landon Parham said “Life isn’t just about darkness or light, rather it’s about finding light within the darkness”.

As we move forward with life, for a moment let’s stop thinking about the what ifs, and first find the positive outcomes. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but for the last 4 years, half of my decisions have come from fairytale movies where the protagonist gets everything at the end, in hopes that I will get the same conclusion. I have learned this is not the case.

Because here I am, still -without my career decision, without my 10 year plan, and without my star roof benz . At the end of the day I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m convinced the class of 2023 has got to have the toughest skin. In 2019 we started with a raft, and through the storms and winds of 2020 and 2021 we persevered and now we still got the raft -and a tan! I cannot voice the amount of times where I have just gotten angry at not knowing what’s next, and I still don’t know. But this tough skin aint gonna crack. At some point I will figure out my main purpose in life. But until then

I’ll live, laugh and learn.

June 9 – 7:00 p.m.

The Dakota 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Recording Academy/Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five Grammy Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years. For more info, visit www.dakotacooks.com.

The Black Market

June 10 – 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The Case Building 767 North Eustis Street, St. Paul

The Black Market invites you to come eat, shop, vibe, and connect. A vibrant new monthly market highlighting Black businesses, food and culture. Admission is free. For more info, visit bit.ly/ JuneBlackMarket.

■ See SUMMER GUIDE on page 9

IFRI LLC presents the 2nd Annual BIPOC Business Expo

June 10 – 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Obituary

Hosea Timothy Roberson

Sunrise, January 12, 1923—Sunset, May 28, 2023

Food Ministry. He delivered bread to shut-ins and to Bethesda’s food shelf for 13 years.

In 2022, Hosea was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Montford Point Marine. He was also honored by the Minnesota Twins, raising the flag before the game.

Hosea departed this life on May 28, 2023, surrounded by his children and granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his parents; son Timothy Ford Roberson; wife Delores Catherine Roberson. Surviving to remember his spirit are his daughter Joyce K. Roberson, his son Mark H. Roberson, and granddaughter Louisa C. Roberson

East Side Neighborhood Services

1700 NE Second Street, Minneapolis

This expo was organized to bridge the gap that BIPOC businesses face while bringing awareness to these businesses’ product(s) and service(s). For more info, visit bit.ly/BIPOCBizExpo.

Meshell Ndegeocello

June 13 and 14 – Two shows both nights (6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)

The Dakota

1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Acclaimed Grammy-winning, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello makes her Blue Note Records debut with “The Omnichord Real Book,” a visionary, expansive, and deeply jazz-influenced album that marks the start of a new chapter in her trailblazing career. For more info, visit www.dakotacooks.com.

View

Continued from page 12

two of the Lynx’s championship teams.

Damiris Dantas (2014-15; 2019-22)

Tonya Edwards (1999) – “I like her,” said Montgomery of the team’s first-ever All-Star.

Renee Montgomery (no relation) – “I really like her. My girl.”

Taj McWilliams-Franklin (2011-12)

Monica Wright (2010-15) –“I really liked Monica. She did a good job when she was here.”

Teresa Edwards (2003-04)

Nicky Anosike (2008-10)

Charde Houston (2008-11)

Candice Wiggins (2008-12)

Sheri Sam (2003)

Devereaux Peters (2012-15)

Odyssey Sims (2019-20, 2022) – “She was a Lynx killer when she was with LA. She was kind of on and off with me,” recalled Montgomery.

Betty Lennox (2000-02) –“Oh, my girl Betty.”

Tamika Williams (2002-07)

Brandy Reed (1999) – “She didn’t win a championship. She didn’t score 1,000 points. She didn’t make an All-Star team.” But Montgomery ad-

mired her athleticism.

Tasha Butts (2004) – “She was a guard that played with Katie Smith.”

Crystal Dangerfield (202021) – “You have a little spitfire with her.”

Amber Harris (2011-13) –“Amber was good.”

Helen Darling (2004) –“She was the first woman [in the WNBA] to have triplets.”

Sonja Tate (1999-2000)

Rachel Banham (2020 – present)

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

Hosea Timothy Roberson was born January 12, 1923, in Eldorado, Kansas, to Samuel and Willa (Fischer) Roberson. Hosea completed his primary education in Atchison, Kansas, where he met his future wife of 65 years, Delores Majors in 8th grade. They met at Lincoln School and later married in 1947. They were very involved with Bethesda Baptist Church.

Hosea enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1942, training at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. At that time Black soldiers were trained but not allowed to fight on the front lines. Their camp was known as Montford Point. They eventually were called to the front lines to fight.

Hosea spent most of his career with Firestone Corporation as a mechanic and later as sales-service manager, retiring in 1991, after 32 years. He continued with ongoing classes, attending the University of Minnesota.

Hosea loved his role as a volunteer for the

Hosea was also the last remaining survivor of the seven brothers and sisters in his family. His celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4343 Nicollet Ave South, Minneapolis, MN, (612) 825-2435. Visitation is from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. The service is from 9:30 –10:30 a.m., with Reverend Arthur Agnew officiating. Interment will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, (612) 7261127.

In lieu of flowers, the family will accept cards or feel free to donate to Hosea’s favorite charities, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Wounded Warriors Project.

The Roberson family wish to thank Brighton Hospice Care, Veteran’s Administration for their care and kindness. Thank you to our family and friends for their care and kindness throughout this difficult time.

Obituary

Henry Leroy Sullivan, Jr

Sunrise, August 14, 1945—Sunset, May 22, 2023

masters restaurants in North Minneapolis.

Henry was preceded in death by his father, Henry Sullivan, Sr.; his mother Ida Belle Nichols Sullivan; brother, John Sullivan; sister, Lucille Williams; and grandson, Nicholas Janzen.

Henry Leroy Sullivan, Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 14, 1945, to Henry Sullivan, Sr., and Ida Belle Nichols Sullivan. The longtime North Minneapolis resident, moved to Brooklyn Center in recent years, and passed away on May 22, 2023. He was the co-founder of Turning Point, and Lucille’s Kitchen and Wing-

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters Hawona Sullivan Janzen (Mark), Jermara Turner and Maya Sullivan; grandchildren Dajone Turner (LaQuandra), Khadijah Turner, Anna Janzen, Ashiyah Turner, Lemarr Grimes, Nia Sullivan Glenn and Imani Sullivan Glenn; great grandchildren De’Ayjah Harris, Dai’Kirah Harris, De’ariyah Harris and Island Turner. He is also survived by his sisters Edith Sullivan and Henrietta Thomas (Donnell), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and members of the “Village.”

His celebration of life service will take place Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 2018 Aldrich Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411. The “Family and Friends” hour will take place from 10–11 a.m., with services at 11 a.m.

Employment & Legals

STATE OF MINNESOTA IN DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Case Type: Condemnation COURT FILE NO. 27-CV-23-7018

State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. 2545 Boatman, LLC Respondents. IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES NOTICE

To the Respondents hereinabove named:

You, and each of you, are hereby notified that on September 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, before Judge Francis J. Magill, in the Government Center at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, via remote hearing, the Petitioner will present a Petition now on file herein for the condemnation of certain lands for trunk highway purposes. This hearing will not be in person at the Courthouse. The remote hearing may be accessed by video at https://Zoomgov.com/ join, or by phone at 833-568-8864. For either method, the Meeting ID is 160 407 2732 and the Meeting Password is 309514. A copy of the Petition is attached hereto and incorporated herein.

YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that Petitioner will also move the court for an order transferring title and possession to Petitioner of the parcels described in the Petition in accordance with Minn. Stat. §117.042, as of October 10, 2023.

YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that all persons occupying the property described in the petition must VACATE THE AREA BEING ACQUIRED AND MOVE ALL OF YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM THE AREA BEING ACQUIRED ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 10, 2023. All advertising signs or devices located in the area being acquired must be removed by October 10, 2023. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that (1) a party wishing to challenge the public use or public purpose, necessity, or authority for a taking must appear at the court hearing and state the objection or must appeal within 60 days of a court order; and (2) a court order approving the public use or public purpose, necessity, and authority for the taking is final unless an appeal is brought within 60 days after service of the order on the party.

Dated: May 25, 2023

KEITH ELISON Attorney General State of Minnesota

s/Mathew Ferche MATHEW FERCHE Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 0391282 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400 St. Paul, MN 55101-2134 (651) 757-1457 (Voice) (651) 282-2525(TTY ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Case Type: Condemnation - - - -State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. 2545 Boatman, LLC, SH Bloomington, LLC, 2510 Boatman, LLC, State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources, Wintrust Bank, National Association, Bank Of America, National Association, Wings Financial Credit Union, GN Hearing Care Corporation, County of Hennepin, Gary E. Zywotko, Pioneer Bank, successor in interest by corporate merger, consolidation, amendment, or conversion to Farmers State Bank of Madelia, Inc., GNMN002, LLC, Computer Connection Corporation, Meridian Crossings, LLC, Corporate Eats Inc., Equitable advisors, LLC, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., VSA, LLC, City & County Credit Union, Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, Walgreen Co., El Guanaco Bakery and Cafe, LLC, Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., Family Dollar, Inc., Toppers Pizza LLC, Health Center, LLC, The Lambi Corporation, Relaxing Minnesota, Inc., Pilgrim Dry Cleaners, Inc., CSM Investors, Inc., TRANSAMERICA

Life Insurance Company, Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., Burlington

Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Sierra Trading Post, Inc., Baby Superstore, Inc, Sportmart, Inc, Golf Galaxy, LLC, Freeman Enterprises, LLLP, AnchorBank FSB, Regions Financial Corporation, TBS Mart Inc., doing business as TBS Mart International Foods, an unregistered assumed name, $5 Tan, Inc., doing business as $5 Tan, Hong Kong Garden 55420 Inc, Yasmin Abu Inc, Kabobs Indian Grill, L.L.C., Fantasy House, Inc, Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Bill Smith, doing business as Ott’s Liquors, an unregistered assumed name, Pizza Hut of America, LLC, Robinson A. Cordon Morales, Cricket Wireless LLC, Jackson Hewitt Inc., Subway Real Estate, LLC, SuperCash Inc., doing business as SuperCash, Concierge Apartments

Property Owner, LLC, Fannie Mae, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC, Roger W. Simonson, U.S. Bank National Association, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Saravanh Phommakhy, also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest or lien in the real estate described in the Petition herein, Respondents. - - - -IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES - - - -PETITION

To the District Court above named the State of Minnesota brings this Petition and respectfully states and alleges:

I.

That Trunk Highway Legislative Routes numbered 394 and 393, which has been renumbered 35W and 494, respectively, and which has been located according to law and designated as controlled access highways, pass over the lands herein described.

That it is duly covered by Right of Way Plat Orders numbered 99798, 99799, 99920, 99921, and 99922; Designation Orders numbered 28880 and 29050; Centerline Order numbered 28000; Amended Width Order 99952; and Temporary Order numbered 99952. II.

That the Commissioner of Transportation deems it necessary that the State of Minnesota for trunk highway purposes obtain the lands herein described in fee simple absolute, and an easement as to Parcel 322E, together with the following rights:

To acquire all trees, shrubs, grass and herbage within the right of way herein to be taken, and to keep and have the exclusive control of the same, to acquire from the owners whose lands front thereon any existing right of access to said highway in those cases which are herein particularly mentioned, and to keep and have the exclusive control of all access to said highway in accordance with the law governing controlled access highways, and to acquire a temporary easement in those cases which are herein particularly mentioned.

With reference to Parcels 340, it is the intention of this proceeding to except all severed mineral rights, not including rights to sand and gravel, and reserve to the owners of the severed mineral rights, their heirs, successors and assigns, the rights and privileges to explore for, mine, and remove the minerals, but only in such manner that will not interfere with the use of said land for highway purposes or with the safe and continuous operation of any public highway thereon, and further the severed mineral owners reserve the right to relocate the highway at the mineral owners’ expense pursuant to Minn. Stat. §l60.l0 as such may be amended.

It is the intention of the above-named Petitioner to move the court for an order authorizing the Court Administrator to accept and deposit payments, in an interestbearing account, from the Petitioner to the court pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 117.042.

Further, it is the intention of the above-named Petitioner to move the court for an order transferring title and possession of the parcels herein described, prior to the filing of an award by the court appointed commissioners, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §117.042.

The Petitioner reserves its right to recover costs of clean up and testing and all other damages arising from the presence of pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous materials on the property described herein, from all potential responsible parties, including respondents herein where appropriate, in a separate legal action to the extent permitted by law.

III.

That the following described lands in these proceedings taken are situated in Hennepin County, Minnesota; that the names of all persons appearing of record or known to your Petitioner to be the owners of said lands or interested therein,

including all whom your Petitioner has been able by investigation and inquiry to discover, together with the nature of the ownership of each, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as follows:

FEE ACQUISITION Parcel 340 C.S. 2782 (35W=394) 913 S.P. 2785-424RW

All of the following:

That part of Lot 1, Block 1, CONTROL DATA ADDITION, shown as Parcel 340 on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-243 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Titles in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota; the title thereto being registered as evidenced by Certificate of Title No. 1413670; together with other rights as set forth below, forming and being part of said Parcel 340: Access: All right of access as shown on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-243 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Titles in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by the access control symbol(s). Temporary Easement: A temporary easement for highway purposes, shown as Parcel 340 on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plats Numbered 27-242 and 27-243 as the same are on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Titles in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by the temporary easement symbol, said easement shall cease on December 1, 2028, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes.

Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest:

Boatman, LLC Fee

Boatman, LLC Fee

of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources Mineral Rights Wintrust Bank, National Association Mortgage BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Mortgage Wings Financial Credit Union Mortgage GN Hearing Care Corporation Lessee County of Hennepin Taxes Parcel 340A C.S. 2782 (35W=394) 913

S.P. 2785-424RW

All of the following: A temporary easement for highway purposes in that part of the Northeast Quarter of Section 4, Township 27 North, Range 24 West, shown as Parcel 340A on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-242 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Titles in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by the temporary easement symbol; the title thereto being registered as evidenced by Certificate of Title No. 727766, said easement shall cease on December 1, 2028, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes.

Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest:

Gary E. Zywotko Fee Pioneer Bank, successor in interest by corporate merger, Mortgage consolidation, amendment, or conversion to Farmers State Bank of Madelia, Inc., and Nicollet County Bank of St. Peter GNMN002, LLC Easement Computer Connection Corporation Lessee County of Hennepin Taxes Parcel 310A C.S. 2782 (35W=394) 914 S.P. 2785-424RW

All of the following:

A temporary easement for highway purposes in that part of Lot 3, Block 3, CLOVERLEAF ADDITION, shown as Parcel 310A on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-242 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by the temporary easement symbol, said easement shall cease on December 1, 2028, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes.

Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest: Meridian Crossings, LLC Fee Corporate Eats Inc. Lessee U.S. Bank National Association Lessee

Equitable advisors, LLC Lessee

PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC. Lessee County of Hennepin

West, shown as Parcel 316 on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Plat Numbered 27-244 as the same is on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by the temporary easement symbol, said easement shall cease on December 1, 2028, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes.

Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest:

Commercial Mortgage LLC County of Hennepin

Taxes and Special Assessments

EASEMENT ACQUISITION

Parcel 322E C.S. 2785 (494=393) 904

S.P. 2785-424RW

That part of Tract A described below:

Tract A. Lot 1, Block 1, LAKEVIEW HIGHLANDS 1st ADDITION, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota; the title thereto being registered as evidenced by Certificate of Title No. 1230104; which lies northeasterly of Line 1 described below: Line 1. Beginning at a point on the north line of said Lot 1, distant 12 feet westerly of the northeast corner thereof; thence southeasterly to a point on the east line of said Lot 1, distant 26 feet south of said northeast corner and there terminating; containing 156 square feet, more or less; also a right to use the following described strip for highway purposes, which right shall cease on December 1, 2028, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes: A strip being that part of Tract A hereinbefore described, adjoining and southwesterly of the above described strip, which lies northeasterly of a line run parallel with and distant 5 feet southwesterly of the southwesterly line of the above described strip and its extensions; containing 176 square feet, more or less.

Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest:

Roger W. Simonson Fee

U.S. Bank National Association Mortgage Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. Saravanh Phommakhy Lessee County of Hennepin Taxes and Special Assessments

WHEREFORE, Your Petitioner prays that commissioners be appointed to appraise the damages which may be occasioned by such taking, and that such proceedings may be had herein as are provided by law.

Dated: May 9, 2023

KEITH ELLISON

Attorney General State of Minnesota

s/Mathew Ferche

MATHEW FERCHE

Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 0391282

445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1800 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2134 (651) 757-1457 (Voice) (651) 297-4077 (Fax) mathew.ferche@ag.state.mn.us

Lynx top legends recognized on team’s 25th anniversary

One fan’s All-Black All-25 team

I thought that these players brought that to the floor.”

Here is Montgomery’s list of all-time Lynx Black players, in no particular order:

19 players on Lynx All-25 team are

Black

The MSR is alone among local media for having covered the Minnesota Lynx from the start of its 25-year existence, which the team is celebrating this season. This week we devote our sports section to the Twin Cities’ most successful pro franchise in the last two decades.

ebbie Montgomery and her late husband Robert were among the original Minnesota Lynx season ticket holders. It is only fitting that the St. Paul native gets to share her 25-plus-1 all-time Lynx sistas.

The “Core Four” are the four Minnesota players who played on all four WNBA title clubs (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017): Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore and ‘honorary sista’ Lindsay Whalen.

Sylvia Fowles – Played on

n March, the Minnesota Lynx unveiled its All-25 team for its 25th anniversary season. Nineteen of the 25 selected players are Black. The qualifications for the honor are 1,000+ points, 500+ rebounds, 50+ games started,

member of at least two WNBA championship teams, at least one All-Star game, and/or won individual awards as a Lynx. Here are the 25 players, in no particular order:

Nicky Anosike, center, 2008-10: 2008 All-Rookie team, 2009 first team All-Defensive, played in 2009 WASG.

Crystal Dangerfield, guard, 2020-21: Fifth MN player ever to win Rookie of the Year (2020), started 19 of her final 20 games in her debut season in the Wubble.

Montgomery’s criteria is simple. “First of all, they have good character…great character, great charisma,” she said.

“They were prolific at playing the game of basketball. One of the things that I like is the way that they meshed as a team and how they worked as a team.

“Even on the losing teams, they still play together as a team,” said Montgomery, a star athlete during her youth growing up in Rondo. “They gave their best with what they had, and they knew how to tap into each other’s strengths so everyone could shine in their own way. Even in losing, there’s winning aspects. And

Charde Houston, small forward, 2008-11: Scored 16 points in 2009 WASG, won 2011 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, member of Minnesota’s first WNBA championship team in 2011.

Devereaux Peters, power forward, 2012-15: Member of two Lynx championship teams (2013, 2015), led all 2012 rookies in shooting (56 percent). Played in every game as a reserve in 2013.

Odyssey Sims, guard, 201920, 2022: Started all 34 games and led team in scoring and assists (2019). Played in her first All-Star game and scored 10

points in 2019. Damaris Dantas, power forward, 2014-15, 2019-22: Fourth player in team history

‘Flintstones’ Lynx legend thrives on high expectations

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

ver the years, Flint, Michigan, has been known for its athletics. Many “Flintstones” went on to successful college and pro careers. Tonya Edwards is one of nearly 30 basketball players from Flint; and she’s also among a handful of Flintborn hoopsters who played on championship teams.

Edwards scored over 2,300 points for Flint Northwestern High School (1982-85), won two state titles as a player (1983, 1984) and a third as a coach there, and became the first person in Michigan history to play for and coach a state girls basketball championship team.

She later helped Tennessee win two national titles (1987 and 1989) and was the 1987 Final Four MVP as a freshman. Then as a professional, Edwards won the only two American Basketball League titles with Columbus (1996-97

and 1997-98) then played in the WNBA from 1999-2002.

“Championships are hard to come by,” said the former guard, who was inducted into

the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. “They’re not just given out.”

This weekend, Edwards is one of 25 Minnesota Lynx

legends honored as the team celebrates its 25th anniversary. She was selected by Minnesota with the seventh overall pick in 1999, and was the team’s first All-Star in its inaugural 1999 season.

“I was just looking at the [Lynx’s home] floor when we came in and I saw ’25.’ I was like, wow! It’s been 25 years,” marveled Edwards, who has been a Chicago Sky assistant coach since 2021, during a shootaround preparing for the May 19 season opener against Minnesota.

She has a WNBA championship ring from her time as an assistant coach for the 2016 Los Angeles Sparks, when they defeated Minnesota in five games. She was on the Sparks staff for three seasons.

“It’s just exciting to see how the league has grown and just continues to grow,” added Edwards. “We were just in Canada [Chicago played Minnesota in the first preseason game in Toronto]. It’s good to see the

Holloman giving back

Community Center in St. Paul for children ages 8-15.

camp.

“This is a good camp,’ he said.

WNBA brand crossing borders, and people are really starting to catch on to women’s basketball as a true professional sport.”

home, and that was where I got my foundation and my character development there.”

She is working towards a head coaching opportunity in the pros one day. “We don’t have enough representation on the sidelines,” noted Edwards.

The league this season has only three Black HCs—Chicago’s James Wade, Noelle Quinn in Seattle, and Tanisha Wright in Atlanta. “You know we’ll see more and more people of color coaching and in head coaching. You see [Blacks] play the game, know the game. So I think they can teach the game.”

re Holloman just finished his freshman season as a point guard for the men’s basketball team at Michigan State University, and the former Cretin Derham Hall star is already giving back to the community.

Last month, the 2022 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year held the first annual Basketball Skill & Drills with the Tre Holloman clinic at Oxford

The co-ed clinic was free, and featured current and former basketball greats leading participants in skills and drills. The clinic concluded with a 3-on-3 tournament, a free lunch and t-shirts, and a question and answer session with Holloman.

“I’m hoping that with camp, they [youth] can make their dreams a reality,” said Holloman, who engaged with participants in all activities. “I just want to inspire them,” he continued. “They definitely inspire me.”

Donnie Diaz, a 2000 graduate of St. Paul Johnson, who excelled in football and basketball during his prep career, had two of his sons at the

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to learn about basketball and life skills.”

“We need this in St. Paul,” said former St. Paul Central girls basketball standout and

event my children will participate in.”

Holloman indicated that there was one person who was very instrumental in the clinic coming to fruition—his mother.

Flint, a former University of Minnesota women’s basketball standout during the 1990s, is program manager of girls basketball through the Sanneh Foundation, one of the sponsors of the camp.

“It’s been a journey,” said Edwards, who has also been a college head coach (Alcorn State, 2008-15). “I’ve had the opportunity to coach some phenomenal young ladies and then work alongside great people.”

Edwards is always proud to be a Flintstone. “Flint is an awesome place. It is indeed

“One day, I’ll be at the helm at the professional level [of the league]. That’s always a dream of mine,” said Edwards. “That’s one thing—you can never stop dreaming and having high expectations for yourself.”

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

1996 graduate Toya Poole.

“The kids learn about more than just basketball. Any event in which Crystal Flint [Holloman’s mother] is involved is an

Holloman thanked her and reaffirmed his motivation for developing the clinic. “I want to give thanks to my mom,” he said. “She helped make this all possible. It’s all about giving back.”

Original Lynx season ticket holder Debbie Montgomery, left, with Lynx broadcaster Lea B. Olsen

Photo by Charles Hallman

“You know we’ll see more and more people of color coaching and in head coaching.”

Claire Smith Courtesy of Temple University

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

Tre Holloman (Michigan State University)

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

“I just want to inspire them. They definitely inspire me.”

■ See VIEW on page 9

Betty Lennox

Rachel Banham

“Even in losing, there’s winning aspects. And I thought that these players brought that to the floor.”

(l-r) Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, and Rebekkah Brunson; with Sylvia Fowles, far right