June 13, 2024 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

The MSR’s legacy of ink

90 years of continuing publication have only strengthened its unwavering commitment to

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

n the heart of the Great Depression, amidst the economic turmoil and the harsh realities of Jim Crow segregation, a beacon of hope and truth emerged in the Twin Cities. Founded in 1934 by Cecil E. Newman, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) wasn’t just another newspaper; formerly known in its earlier days as the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder, it was a lifeline,

a platform, and a voice for the Black community in Minnesota. Its genesis, born from a relentless fight for equality and justice, laid the foundation for a legacy that resonates today. Newman, a man of unwavering conviction and commitment, saw the need for a publication that would illuminate the struggles and triumphs of Black Minnesotans. With its bold headlines and powerful editorial stance, the MSR became a crucial source of information, a platform for activism, and a champion for social justice.

truth

The paper’s early years were marked by a fierce spirit of resistance. Newman, the editor and publisher, fearlessly tackled issues like racial discrimination, segregation, and lack of opportunity. His editorials were fiery and passionate, sparking conversations and challenging the status quo. This stark commitment to truth and justice drew in a talented pool of writers and journalists eager to use their skills to effect change.

One such talent was Carl Rowan, whose writing reso-

nated with brilliance and passion. The MSR became Rowan’s launching pad, nurturing his journalistic skills before he went on to write for the Minneapolis Tribune, serve as an ambassador to Finland, and later as the director of the United States Information Agency under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The MSR’s pages also featured the early works of Gordon Parks, a visionary artist whose talent spanned photography, writing, directing

Celebrating Juneteenth, the Enduring Spirit of Black Independence

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

s Juneteenth, com-

memorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, draws near, it’s a time for reflection on a pivotal moment in American history and a celebration of Black people’s unwavering resilience and enduring spirit.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery in the state. This came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, highlighting the stark reality of how deeply entrenched slavery was in

■ See JUNETEENTH on page 5

Kente Circle wants more Blacks to consider therapy

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

J “Soul” Tucker has connected with a wide variety of people in his work as a therapist, yet much of the underlying issues his clients bring to him are universal issues faced by many.

Soul has worked as a licensed therapist at Kente Circle for the past five years. His clientele is roughly 85% Black people, ranging in age from teenagers to adults in their 50s. He’s thankful for the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people not only for his professional development but also for the direct benefit it gives him in his own mental health journey.

Soul doesn’t see his role as a therapist who “ fixes” people; rather, he envisions himself being able to connect with community members and help guide them to their own solutions.

Many of the topics addressed in his sessions relate to identity and race-related issues, oftentimes with interracial couples. Soul specializes in Marriage and Family Therapy, so he sees his fair share of couples and their areas of concern.

“Some of the common themes that I’ve personally

faced have been families who identify as white and have adopted African American children that don’t have the same identity,” he said. Soul has also worked with couples of different backgrounds through difficult conversations around race and systemic issues that came to the forefront after moments

of police brutality. For most, communication seems to be the biggest hurdle.

“I think communication is probably the biggest across all boards,” he said. “Just how do we relay the message that we want to relay in a loving way?” June is dedicated to Men’s Mental Health, and Soul sees it as an opportunity to connect

with men of color and to help them overcome the obstacles keeping them from seeking help.

“Men have a hard time being vulnerable from societal expectations and fear that those closest to them will judge or see them as not valuable. Some ways to support men are by listening and asking curious questions,” Soul suggested.

Asking questions on how to support someone with their health and seeking actionable tasks that you can check back in on later are just some of the ways someone can support a friend struggling with their mental health. According to Soul, simply showing someone you’re invested in their wellbeing can go a long way.

He also advised against using what a man has shared during a time of vulnerability as an attack during a conflict.

The professional landscape in which therapy is conducted has changed drastically over recent years. Developments in telehealth brought on by the pandemic have made it easier for clients and therapists to connect more conveniently.

Soul entered the profession shortly before the onset of the pandemic, so the transition was quick and swift for him.

■ See KENTE CIRCLE on page 5

MSR founder, Cecil E. Newman MSR Archives Sheila E., The Revolution, and Morris Day and the Time brave cold to salute Prince

Photo by Steve Floyd

LJ “Soul” Tucker sits in his office at Kente Circle.

Photo by Chris Juhn

Mayor Hollies Winston Photo by Travis Lee

In Tales from the Northside, Minneapolis Sound lives on Museum would exhibit Northside’s deep-rooted musical traditions

By Al Brown

Assignment Editor

The Capri Theatre in North Minneapolis buzzed with anticipation as the carpet rolled out for the 2nd annual Tales from the Northside event. This year’s gathering featured two distinguished panels of Twin Cities musical royalty.

The first panel consisted of members of Flyt Tyme, although not all were original members. The panel included Jellybean Johnson, Cynthia Johnson, David Eiland, Anton Johnson, Robert Martin, Tom Lund, Monte Moir, Jimmie Anderson, Jawanza Everett, Gary McCray, David Wright and Quinton Speers.

The second panel included David “TC” Ellis, Willie Adams, Terry Esau, Eric (DJ Nevermind) Rogers, Emmanuel Duncan, Sarah Lanier and Heidi Vader, who focused on youth music development in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey welcomed the crowd by

speaking affirmatively about the cause, the neighborhood, and the event. Notable absentees from the night included Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Alexander O’Neal; however, their contributions loomed large over this night of celebration and nostalgia.

The evening’s context quickly became clear—the event served as a fundraiser for the proposed Minneapolis Sound Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing nextgeneration talent in the Twin Cities and preserving the rich legacy of the iconic Minneapolis Sound. As the panelists took the stage, they shared stories and insights reminiscent of those formative years.

David “Batman” Eiland captivated the audience, reiterating Prince’s indelible mark on the music world, attributing the patented Minneapolis Sound directly to the Purple One. The palpable excitement only intensified with performances from Purple Playground, a group

showcasing young local talent.

But the truest magic sparked when Jellybean Johnson and Monique Blakey performed an electrifying duet. Jellybean, renowned not only for his drumming skills but also his exceptional guitar work, then delivered along with band members a stunning rendition of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” The execution was so precise that, with eyes closed, fans could almost believe Prince himself was on stage, affirming Jellybean’s standing as one of the world’s finest guitarists.

Playing drums and providing vocals was KeAndre’ Mack; on keyboards was Christopher Troy, and on bass guitar was Art Haynes.

Other performers on the night included acts like Zay Starr, Dale, and TY Prophecy, all of whom added flair to the celebration. Event moderators Andrea Swenson and Bianca Rhodes, under the graceful guidance of host Wes Smooth,

ensured that the program ran smoothly, with Eric Rodgers seamlessly spinning tracks that anchored the night’s nostalgic yet forward-looking spirit.

As Jellybean concluded his captivating four-song set, an enthusiastic audience demanded more, chanting, “One

more!” The call for an encore underscored the music’s profound connection with its fans and the lingering desire for live performances that carry such rich historical significance.

The 2nd annual Tales from the Northside was more than a fundraiser; it was a poignant testament to the ongoing legacy and the vibrant future of the Minneapolis Sound.

The museum

The grand vision for the Minneapolis Sound Museum includes providing an interactive, inclusive space that allows visitors to explore and engage

with the extensive legacy of musicians and bands integral to the Minneapolis Sound.

This initiative specifically aims to amplify and celebrate the beloved North Side community, highlighting the area’s irreplaceable contributions to music history. The proposed museum aims to educate, inspire, and serve as a transformative cultural hub that celebrates and perpetuates the community’s deep-rooted musical traditions.

As the night came to a close, the sheer volume of talent paraded on stage underscored the enduring vitality of the Minneapolis Sound. The hometown musicians’ talents have not only continued to strike chords within the Twin Cities but have resonated globally, further testament to the irrefutable legacy created all those decades ago.

Prince, a towering figure in this lineage, would undoubtedly beam with pride to see the musical seeds he planted flourish in such a dynamic fashion.

The 2nd annual Tales from the Northside was more than a fundraiser; it was a poignant testament to the ongoing legacy and the vibrant future of the Minneapolis Sound. Through storytelling, electrifying performances, and community engagement, the event exemplified the enduring power of this unique musical style—proof that the spirit of the North Side and the sound it birthed are alive and as influential as ever.

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

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE

Panel of former Flyt Tyme members (l-r) Jellybean Johnson, Anton Johnson, Robert Martin, Tom Lund, Monte Moir, Jimmie Anderson, Jawanza Everett, Gary McCray, David Wright, Quinton Speers, Cynthia Johnson and David Eiland

All photos by Al Brown

Keandre Mack (left on drums), Jellybean Johnson (center), and Christopher Troy (right, on keyboard) perform at the Capri Theater on June 5.

Cynthia Johnson, on hand for the 2nd Annual Tales from the Northside

Many opioid deaths are not overdoses —they’re being poisoned

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that in 2020 the opioid-related death rate among Black Americans exceeded that of their white counterparts for the first time since the opioid crisis was declared in the United States some two decades ago.

In fact, during 2020 alone, deaths among Black Americans due to opioids increased by 44% according to the CDC. For those between the ages of 15 to 24, the death rate nearly doubled. And the numbers keep rising.

Similar national studies have been published recently by the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), just to name a few.

Likewise, the latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that Black Minnesotans are more than three times as likely to die from an “opioid-involved overdose” than are white residents in the North Star State. And Indigenous Minnesotans are dying at approximately 10 times the rate of whites.

Many researchers have cited the flood of fentanyl-laced

drugs, which now account for more than 70,000 American deaths each year, as a principal contributor to this shift. But at the end of the day, “How many studies do we need?” is one of the questions posed by Dr. Ronda Chakolis, president of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

“When I was in graduate school, we learned that it might take 10 years from the time something is studied before strategies and solutions are being implemented,” she continues. “And although disparities have accelerated in the past few years, this trend is not new.”

Also, of particular concern to Chakolis is the continuing use of the term “overdose” when addressing deaths caused by synthetic opioids.

“We’ve normalized the word overdose, suggesting that it’s something that can be simply reversed by Narcan. But I don’t believe that there are a lot of people that set out to use drugs like fentanyl or xylazine. We must distinguish these from prescription opioids.

“And the truth is so many are not overdosing—they’re being poisoned. So I believe we need to shift the language.”

Chakolis proposes a comprehensive “poison control model” to address the issue, noting that existing racial disparities in pain management and general health care make

it very easy for people to turn to much cheaper and readily available street pharmaceuticals, not knowing where those drugs are sourced from or what they may be laced with.

And as it relates to the same inequities that Chakolis mentions. Lester Bentley, a Twin Cities-based mental health clinician, says we must start by addressing the different levels of access to health care, including treatment and other resources for addiction.

“By and large, for people of

color, systemic racism impacts every aspect of their lives,” he says, “be it in housing, education, economics…and health care. And when it comes to health, the access points are different, not to mention scarcer for Black people and other communities of color.”

Likewise, Bentley stresses that we must rectify the incongruity when addressing the issue of substance use in different communities. “In one community it’s considered a ‘medical’ matter, and it’s often

treated privately. In others it’s labeled a social, cultural, and moral issue pre-loaded with certain stigmas and associated pathologies.”

Citing the desperate need for more Black medical professionals, including pharmacists, psychologists, and substance abuse counselors, Bentley also observes that there is hope and there are successful models out there that can be replicated.

“It is easy to say that nothing has changed,” he remarks, “but that’s simply not true. There are programs out there that are making a real difference in people’s lives. They’re just isolated.”

Among the examples Bentley names are the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Substance Use, Prevention and Treatment Division; the groundbreaking work of Dr. Kanika Cunningham in St. Louis; and culturally based treatment services in Detroit.

“It is paramount that we go where the people are.”

And then, of course, there is Turning Point, Inc., right here in the Twin Cities. “Turning Point is the gold standard for culturally competent treat-

ment in the State of Minnesota,” says Bentley. “But do they have enough funding? Do they have enough staffing? And are we doing enough to amplify the treatment and outreach programs they provide?”

It’s also vital, as Chakolis asserts, to directly involve the communities that we seek to serve. “It is paramount that we go where the people are. To ask the right questions. To find out what the issue might be here or there, understanding that things aren’t always the same in different neighborhoods, or for that matter, across generations.

“We must learn their stories. Identify the needs,” she adds. “Consider our young people for example. Kids will tell you everything. We just have to listen.”

For more information on the programs and services offered by Turning Point, Inc., go to https://ourturningpoint.org/. For treatment and other supportive resources across Hennepin County, contact their Addiction and Recovery Services Unit at 612-879-3671, or visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services at https://mn.gov/ dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/ health-care/alcohol-drugs-addictions/get-help/.

Tony Kiene welcomes reader comments to tkiene@spokeman-recorder.com.

MSR would like to recognize the ongoing support from community businesses and nonprofit organizations, by extending a special invitation to celebrate 90 continuous years of publishing with us. Share an elegant evening with friends, family or colleagues at this formal affair commemorating MSR's noteworthy milestone at the iconic Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis’ Mill District.

Experience a one of a kind, walk thru historic photo exhibit and a grand gala that recalls the MSR 90 year legacy that reflects almost a century of events around our local and national community. The evening also features theatrical and musical entertainment, esteemed guests like MPR President Duchesne Drew, and emcee, MPR correspondent, Angela Davis. Your generous contribution of $1000 for five tickets as a "Community Supporter" also secures the name of your organization in a highlighted section of the newspaper and will also be mentioned at the event.

To secure five Community Supporter tickets for $1000, fill out the section below or visit our website at MSR by clicking the UR code. (Additional tickets are available). I’M A MSR COMMUNITY SUPORTER!

NAME EMAIL

ADDRESS

Dr. Ronda Chakolis

Submitted photo

Continued from page 1

and filmmaking. His powerful images and insightful stories provided a glimpse into the lives of Black Americans during a turbulent era. Later, Parks became the first Black director to work for major Hollywood studios.

Another significant figure in the MSR’s early years was Era

Bell Thompson, a gifted writer and editor who joined the paper in 1942. She rose through the ranks, becoming managing editor and later the international editor for Ebony Magazine. Thompson’s contributions to journalism were invaluable. She chronicled the stories of Black Americans and showcased their resilience in the face of adversity. Throughout its history, the MSR has witnessed the changing landscape of the Black

The paper remains a champion for social justice, using its voice to advocate for equality and opportunity for all.

community in Minnesota. It documented the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement, the struggles of the Black Power

era, and the continuing fight for equality in education, housing and employment. It has been a platform for community leaders, activists, and everyday citizens to share their stories, express their concerns, and advocate for positive change.

Today, the MSR remains a vital resource for the Black community. Its pages are filled with stories that reflect the rich tapestry of Black life, from local news and events to na-

tional and international issues.

The paper remains a champion for social justice, using its voice to advocate for equality and opportunity for all.

The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder, born out of the ashes of the Great Depression, has become an enduring symbol of resilience, hope, and unwavering commitment to truth. Its legacy, built on the shoulders of trailblazers like Cecil E. Newman, Launa Q. Newman, Carl

Rowan, Gordon Parks, Era Bell Thompson, and now granddaughter Tracey Williams-Dillard, continues to inspire generations of journalists, activists, and community members. It is a testament to the power of the written word and the unyielding spirit of a community that refused to be silenced.

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

certain parts of the country.

For African Americans, Juneteenth wasn’t just the end of a brutal system of forced labor; it was a beacon of hope, a symbol of their newly found freedom. It represented the opportunity for self-determination, charting their destinies, and building a future free from oppression.

Over the years, Juneteenth evolved from a simple announcement to a vibrant celebration. Communities nationwide, especially in the South, held gatherings to commemo-

from page 1 JUNETEENTH Continued from page 1

He’s noticed that the lifestyle change has brought more people to therapy.

“I think this intense shift to isolation, people being alone or people being stuck with family members for long periods of time, which was normal with their daily routine for the past ten years, really played a role,” he said.

Young people have been an increased client base since the pandemic following the civil unrest brought on by the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. He described it as a wave of people reaching out to him, looking for ways to cope following the unrest.

Soul experienced a similar influx of interest in his services from people following the passing of Sammy McDowell

Continued from page 1

a duty and responsibility for us as those who govern the city to protect our employees,” Winston stated.

The mayor stressed that the censure was not a personal vendetta but a necessary response to an employee complaint. He also acknowledged that Boyd had faced a previous censure stemming from a sexual harassment claim, a separate incident unrelated to the current situation.

Shifting gears to the city’s future, Winston spoke about the importance of affordable housing. While acknowledging Brooklyn Park’s existing affordable housing options, he highlighted the need for economic development to address the city’s financial challenges. “Bloomington has $5.5 billion in commercial property development... Brooklyn Park has two billion, a three-and-ahalf billion-dollar gap,” he explained. “So, if you look at what we have in terms of the tax base, tax revenues, whatever needs we can’t cover through that lack of commercial property, that falls onto property owners in Brooklyn Park who have to pay that difference, or

rate the day. These gatherings became spaces for joy, community, and a shared sense of history.

A tapestry of traditions

The celebrations, often centered around family and community, featured diverse activities. Picnics, barbecues, and feasts were common, with generations coming together to share food, laughter, and stories. These gatherings served as a space to pass down the legacy of freedom to younger generations, ensuring that the struggles and sacrifices of the past were never forgotten.

Music played a central role

of Sammy’s Eatery, who passed away suddenly in April.

Many Black people find insurance a hindrance to seeking therapy, but Soul shared that his practice works to provide clients with the most affordable options possible. Once a client finds an insurance option that works for them, Soul and his colleagues at Kente Circle can accommodate them as best they can.

“What we have done, I think very well, is we’ve kind of removed a lot of the hassle that our therapist and clients have to go through in terms of that

in Juneteenth festivities, with traditional spirituals, blues, and gospel music filling the air. These songs expressed the joy, sorrow, resilience, and hope intertwined within the Black experience.

Parades featuring elaborate floats and colorful costumes brought communities together in a vibrant display of cultural pride. Church services, filled with spiritual songs and powerful sermons, reminded people of the faith and perseverance that sustained Black people through centuries of hardship.

Beyond the festivities

While Juneteenth celebrations offered moments of joy

information,” Soul said of navigating the insurance system. “Sometimes insurance companies can be a little slow with getting back to us, which is a little frustrating, but once we figure that out, there’s no more guessing.”

Nearly half of Soul’s clients pay $20 to $40 for each session, whereas many others pay nothing. Most of his clients start coming in about once a week and may move to once a month.

and collective celebration, they also served as a platform for reflection, remembrance, and activism. The day became a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality, to acknowledge the systemic inequalities still prevalent in American society, and to reaffirm the commitment to building a more just and equitable future for all.

The significance of Juneteenth continues to resonate today, especially as it gains recognition as a national holiday. It is a powerful reminder of the progress and work that still lies ahead. As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us embrace the

For African Americans, Juneteenth wasn’t just the end of a brutal system of forced labor; it was a beacon of hope, a symbol of their newly found freedom.

spirit of freedom, resilience, and hope it embodies. Let us use this occasion to honor the legacy of those who fought

Online platforms such as BetterHelp and Talkspace have helped provide people with more access to therapists across the country as the stigma around mental health has waned. While Soul welcomes this change and increased access, he also believes they have their limits.

“Men have a hard time being vulnerable from societal expectations and fear those closest to them will judge or see them as not valuable. Some ways to support men are by listening and asking curious questions.”

there will be services that we can’t offer.”

To bridge this gap, the city wants to create a biotech district and attract a workforce and market-rate housing. Addressing the city’s transportation needs, Winston acknowledged the limitations faced by Brooklyn Park, which relies heavily on county funding. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of public transportation in the north metro area, particularly the lack of east-west connections. However, he remains optimistic about the potential of the upcoming light rail project to improve accessibility and connect residents to job opportunities. When asked about police

The mayor stressed that the censure was not a personal vendetta but a necessary response to an employee complaint.

reform, public safety, and community trust, Winston emphasized the importance of community engagement and proactive measures. He highlighted the city’s efforts to improve community relations, citing a recent survey indicating increased trust in the police. “I think it’s less about reform... It’s about the infrastructure you put in place,” he stated.

Winston described implementing two initiatives: an alternative response team comprised of a social worker and mental health specialist to de-escalate situations and using violence interrupters with deep cultural understanding to resolve conflicts.

The mayor concluded the interview with an optimistic outlook for Brooklyn Park, highlighting its diverse population and potential for growth.

“I think there is a huge opportunity with Brooklyn Park, which has 60 percent people of color, featuring Nigerians, Liberians, Kenyans, Somalis, AfricanAmericans, Asians, and whites. We really are the American experiment, a snapshot of where America is going.”

Al Brown welcomes reader responses at abrown@spokesmanrecorder.com

“I think as the popularity of therapy increases, it also begins to feel like a trend,” he said. “Finding the right person can also feel draining if you’re not finding the

right person. It can feel like dating sometimes where [someone says] ‘I haven’t found the right therapist for me, so I don’t think therapy works.’”

Soul also believes that meeting the demand for more diverse therapists will help people seeking support find therapists who can directly understand and engage them in their needs. Kente Circle has

for our freedom, celebrate our collective history, and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice for all.

Juneteenth is not just a day of celebration; it’s a call to action. It’s a call to continue the fight for equality and to build a nation where the promise of freedom and opportunity is accessible to all. As we gather with family and friends, let us remember the journey, celebrate the victories, and recommit ourselves to the enduring legacy of freedom that Juneteenth represents.

Al Brown welcomes reader responses at abrown@spokesmanrecorder.com.

worked to provide free and discounted training for college students who want to become counselors.

“We understand that there’s a high turnaround rate for black professionals in the therapy world, so we’re trying to create incentives for them to be there and make the field feel welcoming and more nurturing,” he stated. Kente Circle also provides free supervision for Black professionals, usually at the cost of maintaining their professional licensure to practice. Soul sees this as a way to unburden them and allow them to focus on their work.

Soul and Kente Circle are developing many initiatives to increase access to therapy and provide aspiring professionals with the guidance they need to succeed in the industry.

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader responses to amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

LJ “Soul” Tucker outside Kente Circle. Photo by Chris Juhn

ARA Wealth Strategies

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

ARA Wealth Strategies, led by Ryan Brown, is a wealth management advisor firm dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. Established in 2016, the firm offers a comprehensive range of tailored financial services. It is located in the Northwestern Mutual office at 5201 Eden Avenue, Suite 200, Edina, MN 55436.

By Chris Juhn Contributing Writer

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

Ryan: I came across Opportunity at Northwestern Mutual, and I bet on myself and said, “Yeah, I’ll try it.” And I’m still here eight years later. I’ve hired two people. My life is great, and there’s only room for more growth. So I’m excited about it.

MSR: Explain what a wealth management advisor does.

Ryan: What we do is we help people assess and achieve their financial goals. We help people understand what they want and help them get there by installing worldclass strategies and products. That is across investments and insurance and, most importantly, planning.

MSR: How does your business impact the community?

Ryan: It impacts it in multiple ways. It gives access to people who otherwise would not seek out or think they need a financial advisor to give them the tools they need to succeed financially.

I’m also in leadership, which means I’m also impacting the community by attracting new folks like me and other advisors who can start their

careers as financial advisors.

MSR: How do others begin careers in financial advising?

Ryan: Call me. Like 100% call me. I mean it. I never thought this would be an opportunity for me until I was shown or given the opportunity. I never thought this would be my lifestyle 10 years ago; I’m working less now than 10 years ago and making significantly more money. I’m providing for two employees and my family. I’m home with my family more often. This opportunity is a godsend.

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

Ryan: It’s betting on yourself. It’s going from, “I’m going to go work for somebody else because they could pay me a paycheck no matter what.” Having this sense of security relates to getting hired by somebody. They’re going to pay you a check. They’re going to give health benefits. They’re going to do all this stuff for you. It’s transitioning.

The hardest part is saying, “Well, no, I’m not relying on anybody else but me. It’s up to me to do all this stuff.” That was a hard jump to make, but it was also empowering.

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

Ryan: I get to serve people on a very important matter: their finances. I get to know them on an intimate basis quickly and provide them clarity on something that there’s so much noise around. To give them the peace of mind that they can retire, they can buy their house, they can have that kid, they can get through college, and have the confidence that when they die, the money will get to the people they wanted it to go to.

The other rewarding aspect is that some amazing people are within these walls and under this affiliation with Northwestern Mutual. I love what I do, who I do it with, and who I do it for, and I would not trade that for the world.

Another piece is the freedom it provides. Freedom of money, freedom of time, and freedom of choice.

MSR: What’s your vision/ goals for your business? What does success look like for you?

Ryan: I want to grow my firm in the next 10 years. In the next three years, I want five people on the team. I want to be the go-to wealth management advisor for corporate executives, investment bankers, and attorneys in the Twin Cities and nationally. I want to provide sophisticated advice to sophisticated individuals and solve sophisticated problems.

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

Ryan: Just keep going. The entrepreneur is the one who believes in their vision and keeps fighting for it. Do all you can to keep going. Leave no stone unturned towards your vision. The people who come out on top are the ones who don’t stop.

MSR: For people reading, what could you do for them?

Ryan: We do very good work regarding wealth management planning for many people. We want to work with people who believe in trusted professional advice and have sophisticated problems we can solve. And we’re very passionate about what we do. We can do it for people who want someone like that in their corner from a financial planning standpoint. We will be hiring for our team. So, if anyone’s looking for a career in wealth management and doesn’t want to be a financial advisor, there’s space in our firm for hiring.

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

Ryan: I’d just like to share my story.

I was born in Louisiana. I grew up in Houston. My parents got divorced when I was 10, so I lived in a single-parent household for my entire life with my mom. She worked her butt off

June 22 – Aug 18

to provide me with opportunities, which meant she sacrificed a lot for me to be here where I’m at now, and I am grateful for that opportunity. My grandparents were both educators in the segregated South of Louisiana, but they always pushed that you were in control. You have some control over your trajectory by educating yourself and making the choices.

My mom chose to ensure, in her own words, that “I wasn’t a number,” and she put me in a place to succeed. I went to a high school where about 50% of the students were white and 50% nonwhite, so it was pretty diverse. But I lived in a predominantly white neighborhood.

I share that because if you don’t see the opportunity, you’ll be limited by what you’re surrounded by. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people with bigger visions than I was exposed to. Now, I want to be able to provide for my kids. I’ve got three kids. I’m married. I live in Minneapolis. I moved here three years ago from L.A. I lived in L.A. for nine years before that. I was in New York for two years before that. I was in Austin for two years. Before that, I was in London for two years and went to UConn as an undergrad. Yeah, for four years. Then I lived in Greenwich for five years. So, I am turning 46 this year. I’ve traveled all over the place, and that is very much who I am. I graduated from the University of Connecticut with an undergraduate degree in finance. I then got my MBA from the University of Texas, which is also in finance, so I’ve been in finance my entire life.

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

Ryan Brown, ARA Wealth Management

Photo by Chris Juhn

By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer

As a part of their vision to impart positive messages of Black culture for 53 years, The Sounds of Blackness has been creating and performing music to inspire and encourage listeners. This half-century musical journey began on a St. Paul college campus but evolved into international acclaim.

With an Emmy nomination, as three-time recipients of a Grammy and four-time recipients of Stellar Awards, the group was a part of the evolution of the Minneapolis Sound.

In the late 1960s, McAllister College began the EEO (Expanded Educational Opportunity) program to diversify the students on a predominately white campus. The program resulted in approximately 200 students of color who created student-driven activities and organizations, including a 50-voice choir called McAllister College Black Voices.

In 1971, during his sophomore year, Gary Hines was asked to direct the choir when its previous director graduated, which birthed Sounds of Blackness. Hines says his Godgiven vision was to use Duke Ellington as his template.

“[When we] hear Duke today, we think of jazz, as we should,” says Hines. “But too many people don’t know that Duke wrote, recorded and performed African music,

spirituals, gospel, blues, every sound of Blackness,” hence the group’s name. “He did primarily jazz, but [Ellington] did the music of the culture.”

Besides Ellington, Hines says they drew inspiration from many musicians who came before them. “People know Billie Holiday for many songs,” said Hines. “But Billie Holiday would be the first to say that her theme song was ‘Strange Fruit,’ which was about the lynching of Blacks in the South.”

Aretha Franklin, best known for ‘Respect,’ once told Hines that “To Be Young Gifted and Black” was her theme song. “James Brown, of course, had ‘Cold Sweat,’ and ‘Papa’s got a Brand New Bag,’” Hines said. “But he wrote what I consider the most influential and important piece of music in our history and culture, ‘Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,’’’ when many believed that being Black and connected with

“Every sound of the Black music experience—jazz, blues, gospel, hip-hop, rap, rock and roll, country, R&B, world beat— all of those styles of music are in our repertoire.”

Africa was something to be ashamed of.

Hines first realized the impact of their music in 1974 when the National Urban League’s chairman invited them to perform for their convention in San Francisco. Having no money to make the trip, they held a fundraising party, and with the help of Northwest Airlines and General Mills, they could secure flight tickets.

The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Pointer Sisters, and Abbey Lincoln performed that year. “That was our first truly national stage and exposure, and the reaction to our music and message was overwhelming,” said Hines. Sounds of Blackness evolved

as part of the Minneapolis Sound led by the late Prince. “Our relationship goes back to the ‘70s,” Hines shared of the musician. “I remember my senior year I started hearing rumors at [Minneapolis] Central [High School] about this little guy at Bryant [Junior High School] that was a beast on every instrument.”

Sounds of Blackness would be the first act of the music portion of the Northside Black Festival. Prince, The Time, or Andre Simone would close the show. When the Prince gained international success, Hines says he never forgot them. They performed on their first major motion picture soundtrack at a re-

quest from Prince.

“Prince would call at two or three in the morning like it was noon. And as long as we knew each other he would always say your full name: ‘Gary Hines, I have this idea for Sounds of Blackness… I just need you for a couple of hours,” explained Hines. “Of course, we were there all night.”

They recorded the song “Scandalous” for the first “Batman” movie soundtrack, and shortly after they were signed to Jimmy Jam and Terri Lewis’ record label, Perspective.

Just last month, on May 31, they released “Thankful,” a single written by Jemecia Bennet featuring Andre Locke, the father of Amir Locke who was killed by police. Hines says a few but not enough wellknown entertainers today create culturally conscious music.

The exceptions are Common, which Sounds of Blackness has performed with, and Beyonce.

“The record industry propagates, promulgates, encourages and promotes negativity and self-denigration,” Hines said. “So, when you come out with conscious music it’s not going to get the airplay.”

Over the years, Sounds of Blackness has held onto the vision of message-driven music. This includes the single “Black Lives Matter,” which they sent to the national movement’s co-founders. “The same way the Civil Rights Movement had

“We Shall Overcome” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round,” it seemed fit to present an anthem for that facet of the movement,” Hines said.

When George Floyd was killed just a few blocks from Sabathani Community Center where the group rehearses, they recorded “I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired,” inspired by words from Fanny Lou Hamer with permission from her family and the foundation that honors her legacy, and with authorization from the George Floyd Foundation. You can find their music at Sounds of Blackness.org, and they are on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. Remaining connected with the Minnesota community, Hines stated, “We will correspond with you. You will hear back from us. It won’t be a student or an intern. It will be one of us.” As a nonprofit, some message-driven songs support the causes they represent.

“Every sound of the Black music experience—jazz, blues, gospel, hip hop, rap, rock and roll, country, R&B, world beat—all of those styles of music are in our repertoire,” said Hines. “[And it’s] always about our movement for justice and equality at the center of our message.”

Vickie Evans Nash welcomes reader comments to mary300@ gmail.com.

Gary Hines

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Opinion

Nature is for all of us

By Ben Jealous

When Rodney Smith’s uncle invited him to go to Sedona for a hike, Smith, who is Black, said to himself, “Hiking? That sounds like something white people do.”

Smith went on the hike. And it changed his life.

“I loved everything about it. I loved the scenery. I loved being outdoors. I had that wonderment of a kid… I said, ‘This is my new thing,’ and I got out and started hiking on my own.”

This was following Smith’s release from prison in October 2021 after serving nine years on a 12-year sentence. Smith said, “I was forced to reconsider everything about my life, about my thinking, about the man I was and the man I wanted to become.

“I realized that a lot of what I had been doing was because it was expected, and it was what everyone else was doing. I hadn’t really figured out who I was, and when I got out, I told myself I was going to start trying new things.”

He did start trying new things. In addition to taking up hiking, he started eating a plant-based diet—partially inspired by the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible, who “looked healthier and better nourished” after 10 days of eating only vegetables than any of the young men who ate from the king’s table.

On his ninth day of eating vegan, Smith was in line at a store, describing to someone how he felt “brighter and more energized” from his diet. A woman overheard and invited him to a community garden in South Phoenix, where Smith is from.

Again, Smith thought to himself, “This couldn’t be for me.” He said, “Gardening seemed like something for Martha Stewart…a suburban soccer mom activity.” But when he arrived at the garden, he was immediately overwhelmed by its beauty and the sense of connection he felt.

When Smith received his prison sentence, he did not cry. When he was inside, and his father and both his grandmothers passed away, he did not cry.

When he opened himself up to the connection with nature he felt in the garden, run by Phoenix’s Tiger Mountain Foundation, he finally cried.

For all the barriers Black people face, we should not let social stigmas and stereotypes infect our own minds and keep us from the benefits of nature and being outdoors.

“I’ve heard, ‘If you’re not crying, you’re not healing’… I found a lot of healing in the garden. That feeling of connection made me say, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.’”

Now Smith does community outreach for the Tiger Mountain Foundation, which empowers communities through shared-use community gardens and other cultivated “spaces of opportunity.” He also volunteers with his church’s Adventurers Club,

Black folk cannot ignore the genocide in Gaza

By Oscar H. Blayton

When Joe Biden gave the commencement speech at Morehouse College this year, some students in the audience left while others turned their backs to him in silent protest.

While the protests at the ceremony were silent and not disruptive, off-campus protesters marched with banners and called on motorists passing by to honk their horns to show their disapproval of the current U.S. foreign policy regarding the horrific events taking place in Gaza.

what is taking place.

But because we are our brother’s keeper, we cannot blindly hate anyone because of who they are. People are to be assessed by what they do, not because of their nationality, ethnicity or religious background.

There are many individuals who identify as Jewish and speak out in opposition to the horror we are all witnessing in Gaza. Noam Chomsky, one of the most acclaimed critical thinkers of our day, has this to say about the current events in Gaza:

the Nazi genocide cannot see the genocidal nature of their military assault on Gaza. Norman Finkelstein, the son of two holocaust survivors, has for decades tried to shine a spotlight on the injustices and hardships the Palestinians have suffered at the hands of the Israeli government and its complicit allies.

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which is part of the church’s youth ministry.

When Smith left prison, he felt like he could not go back home to South Phoenix, a particularly under-resourced part of the city, because there was nothing good there for him. Now he says, “With the garden spaces I work in, I don’t leave South Phoenix…and I am one of the community leaders helping to provide resources and opportunity to people who are like I was. I see people come to the garden and shed those tears just like I did.

“I see people struggling with anxiety and depression and addiction; they come to the garden, and they find tranquility and peace. People find their sobriety in the garden; people find their purpose in the garden.”

We know that many people of color, and especially Black people, face unique barriers to enjoying nature. We often have less access to parks and green spaces due to where we live, and we often face discrimination.

You might recall the story of Christian Cooper, the Black bird watcher who had the police called on him for simply requesting that a white woman leash her dog—which she was legally required to do—in New York’s Central Park. The gravity of that racist incident, in which the woman who called the police lied and said Cooper was threatening her, was driven home by George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the police in Minnesota later that same day, Memorial Day 2020.

For all the barriers Black people face, we should not let social stigmas and stereotypes infect our own minds and keep us from the benefits of nature and being outdoors. That is one reason Rodney Smith’s story is so important. It not only speaks to the healing power of nature but to the power of challenging absurd stereotypes about where different kinds of people “belong.”

There are those in our community who do not see how a decades-long conflict taking place 6,500 miles away is relevant to our lives here in the United States. Given the hardships, deprivations, and injustices Black folk suffer in America, many of us believe that we need to tend to our own problems—to the exclusion of everyone else.

But there is a truth that is often paid lip service and little more. That truth is, “We are our brother’s keeper.” This truth is not just to be respected in terms of our family, our race, or our nation. It is a universal truth that, when observed, makes us all better people.

Human history is a long, sad litany of failing to adhere to this truth. These failures are recounted in the cultural admonitions told in the Biblical story of Cain and Abel and the Ancient Egyptian “Tale of Two Brothers.” Tragedies such as the Transatlantic slave trade, the Wounded Knee massacre, the Armenian genocide, and the Holocaust are recorded in history books as instances of these failures.

What has been happening in Gaza in response to the October 7 massacre in Israel cannot be described in any other way than genocide. With the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund estimating that more than 13,000 Palestinian children have perished in Gaza due to Israel’s military action during the past seven months, there is no other way to describe

There are opportunities to connect with nature everywhere in the country, even in big cities. For example, the Chicago Park District’s Outdoor and Environmental Education Unit has nature programs for all ages that include camping, fishing and gardening. Its Nature Oasis program provides outdoor experiences and environmental education

“The incursion and bombardment of Gaza is not about destroying Hamas. It is not about stopping rocket fire into Israel, and it is not about achieving peace. The Israeli decision to rain death and destruction on Gaza, to use lethal weapons of the modern battlefield on a largely defenseless civilian population, is the final phase in a decades-long campaign to ethnically cleanse Palestinians.

“It is not a war, it is murder.”

“Israel uses sophisticated attack jets and naval vessels to bomb densely crowded refugee camps, schools, apartment blocks, mosques and slums to attack a population that has no air force, no air defense, no navy, no heavy weapons, no artillery units, no mechanized armor, no command in control, no army…and calls it a war. It is not a war, it is murder.

“When Israelis in the occupied territories now claim that they have to defend themselves, they are defending themselves in the sense that any military occupier has to defend itself against the population they are crushing. You can’t defend yourself when you’re militarily occupying someone else’s land. That’s not defense. Call it what you like; it’s not a defense.”

It is difficult to understand how a collective group of individuals whose parents and grandparents suffered under

to nearly 18,000 city residents annually.

Another option might be finding a local community organization like Phoenix’s Tiger Mountain Foundation or connecting with an outing group through your Sierra Club state chapter or other environmental organizations. Also, thanks to important federal initiatives like the U.S. Department of

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It is important to remember history, and in doing so, we should remember that as Europe was unmistakenly headed for a second global war in the 1930s, and after that war erupted as World War II, many nations that are now complicit in the genocide of the Palestinians denied entry to Jews fleeing the holocaust. And if they did not deny Jews entry outright, they made it extremely difficult for them to seek asylum. Among those nations are the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The United States State Department and then-president Franklin Roosevelt claimed that the U.S. bar for Jewish immigrants was necessary because they could threaten national security. Norman Finkelstein, reflecting on a lesson he learned from his mother, wrote:

“The time is long past to open our hearts to the rest of humanity’s sufferings. This was the main lesson my mother imparted. I never once heard her say, ‘Do not compare.’

“My mother always compared. In the face of the sufferings of African Americans, Vietnamese, and Palestinians, my mother’s credo always was, “We are all holocaust victims.”

African Americans in America can learn from Mrs. Finkelstein’s words. Wherever there is suffering, “We are all holocaust victims.”

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia. His earlier commentaries may be found at oblayton1.medium.com. This commentary was edited for length in print. Visit spokesman-recorder.com for the full op-ed.

Agriculture’s $1 billion urban forestry investment to expand access to trees and green spaces (made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act), even more opportunities could be on the way.

Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Saint Paul’s East African Magnet School concludes its first year with celebration, reflection

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

It was a lively Friday afternoon as students, parents and teachers gathered together in the gymnasium for the last quarterly awards ceremony at East African Magnet School in St. Paul. East African Magnet School, located on the corner of Edmund Ave. and Arundel St. in Frogtown, is the nation’s first school dedicated to educating children of East African origin.

Students were called up by their grade and with the accomplishment that they were being recognized for. The ceremony came one day after the school’s fifth grade graduation, all serving as a marker to the end of the school’s first school year.

Saint Paul Public Schools reached out to Dr. Abdisalam Adam, a veteran educator in the district, to open a school dedicated to the district’s large Somali population following decades of declining enrollment and requests from parents.

Dr. Adam’s lifelong commitment to learning began at a time when he lived in the countryside of the Somali region in Ethiopia. His older brother, having returned from travels, took it upon himself to take Adam back with him to Nigeria where he would be educated.

Years later, Adam would travel to Saudi Arabia and receive his bachelor’s degree in English, which then took him to the United States in 1991.

Once settled in, Adam moved to Minnesota where he began a career in education, first at Al Amal School in Fridley, eventually finding himself at SPPS in 1997. There he began working as an English as a Second Language teacher and

liaison with parents. Now, 28 years later, Adam has finished his first year as the principal of East African Magnet, a reality he and others could not envision decades ago.

Though the school was first announced in May of last year, the desire to see a culturally inclusive school in the district had been around for years.

Prior to opening the school, Adam had worked as an assistant principal at Highland Senior High for five years. where he worked closely alongside parents to hear their comments and concerns regarding the education of their children.

The Somali Parent Advisory Council, an affiliate group of district parents that meets bimonthly to discuss districtwide needs for students, had raised the proposition of an East African school time and again according to Adam. This request for a culturally responsive school had reached the school’s superintendent, Joe Gathard, and school board members.

“Whenever there’s a meeting, they always express the

desire for cultural language and state that our children are losing their language,” Adam said. “When they have a report at the end of the year, they will always add the language and culture piece.”

“The main reason why we came is to celebrate the culture and instill those values in our children.”

Recognizing this need from parents, the district tasked Adam with laying the groundwork for creating a school. He began this journey by first conducting a feasibility study to help gather the information and data needed to operate the school.

Between February and May of 2023, Adam spoke with parents and other educators from across the city and state to learn more about what it would take to launch this school. They found that there were roughly 1,400 students

Shave a quarter or a semester off your degree program and finish sooner than you planned or get back on track.

mouth, though she had known Dr. Adam for some years. Her older children attended Highland Senior High while Adam was there as an administrator, so she was confident that any school he operated would benefit her children.

“They’ve learned about their language and culture very well along with their other studies in arithmetic,” she said. They’ve put in a lot of time and effort into our kids. They welcome the parents often to feel engaged. Whenever we need to get in touch with staff we’re able to connect and be heard.”

that qualified for the services of the school, but many families had opted to enroll their children in charter schools.

East African Magnet School currently has around 220 students enrolled while offering pre-K through fifth grade. There are about 20 licensed teachers working in the school, most of them having transferred from other districts. Over half of the teachers identify as East African.

Maryan Aden is one of those educators who had left her position at another school to help lay the foundation at East African Magnet. She spent over 12 years working in charter schools, with six of them being in the classroom. Aden currently works as a learning lead where she assists teachers by helping incorporate culturally relevant lessons in their curriculum.

During her last few years at her previous school, Aden became an instructional coach helping facilitate professional development for other teachers and helping them map out their coursework.

As the first school year comes to a close, Aden reflected on the first days at the school. “When I first walked into the building, [I knew] there was a lot to do,” she stated.

In helping set the school up for success, Aden knew they had to put together a schedule code, a curriculum code, and a reward system for students to incentivize their learning. Students receive language and cultural classes once a week in a rotational system.

Aden works to answer questions from teachers and other educators who often seek to find literature or coursework relevant to the academic and cultural development of their students. Aden and other East

African teachers work with their colleagues throughout the day to answer these questions and ensure that students are set up for success through collaboration.

“We have an open door policy where they’re more than welcome to come and ask me a question,” she said. “The same with Dr. Adam, same with our counselor Mohamed, the same with the social worker. So it’s just having the key people being licensed.”

Abdirahman Abi arrived at the school on Friday to witness his daughter Ayaan win an award for her excellence in school. He had heard about the plans to open the school last year and followed up on more information hoping to enroll his children.

“The main reason why we came is to celebrate the culture and instill those values in our children.” he said of the songs and skits performed by students at the assembly. “You saw their performances today.”

Idil Sheikh Ali had also heard about the school’s opening through word of

Dr. Adam remarked that in all his years of teaching, he hadn’t seen parent involvement at this level until he worked at East African Magnet.

As the school year comes to an end, Adam and his team of educators look to expand their efforts in the new school year as they take the lessons of the past year forward with them. They plan to offer sixth grade in the coming school year and already have plans to add an additional 100 students, which would require that they move.

Aden is excited to have her daughter enrolled as a kindergartener this upcoming year and building upon the success of the first year.

“We’re going to start the year very strong because we have a solid foundation.

“We’re going to build on that. We’re going to focus more on training the teachers, especially when it comes to social/ emotional learning, building the confidence of the kids even more.”

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

Abdirahman Abi with his daughter Ayan shortly after she received an award at the school assembly

Students at East African Magnet School with their certificates during a school assembly

Photos by Chris Juhn

Dr. Abdisalam Adam serves as the principal of East African Magnet School.

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Continued from page 12

covered differently than Black players.” She doesn’t deny Clark’s ability and that she “has brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball,” Gibbs pointed out.

Although the Indiana Fever guard was named the league’s top rookie for the month of May, ESPN’s most recent rookie rankings has Clark sixth behind Cameron Brink (1), Angel Reese (2), Kate Martin (3), Rickea Jackson (4), and Julie Vanloo (5).

Social media trolls also have been out in full force, with many of them setting up their racial battle lines in defending Clark. Former ABL and WNBA player Val Whiting, who also was a top college performer at Stanford, has been an unwilling target of such trolls as she regularly comments on what she sees happening this season.

“When I say anything that’s critical of Caitlin Clark’s game,” Whiting told us, “I was called racist. I think a lot of it has to do with, you know, the color of my skin.”

Also, not being duly noted is how the WNBA isn’t taking

full advantage of Clark’s presence the way it should. Instead of spotlighting her at every turn like she is a one-woman show, the league should highlight as well the A’Ja Wilsons, the Napheesa Colliers and the Kahleah Coppers among other stars who are very much deserving of better coverage by the mostly male sports media that have gone completely gaga over Clark. Whiting and others like me who are longtime followers of the W are concerned

that the folks who have suddenly discovered the league or women’s basketball in general like they are Columbus will leave after the newness has in their eyes worn off.

“I try to tell people to appreciate the women’s game for what it is,” said Whiting. “I think the game is great with or without Caitlin Clark. The game is growing,”

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

VIEW

Continued from page 12

of it. He convinced me that I could make just as much money or more at home” with the business management degree she earned at Auburn, she recalled.

She therefore took her father’s advice and worked in the corporate world for three years. But also, at the same time, a coaching opening emerged. “There was a Division III school not far from my parents’ home. I used to work out [there] in the offseason.

“The athlete director at the time offered me an opportunity as an assistant coach that I did part time while I worked full time in the business world. So, I did that for three years.”

Thomas-Swinson began her collegiate coaching career at Columbia Union (MD) College. Then her old college coach came calling.

“Joe Ciampi found out” she was coaching, continued Thomas-Swinson. He said, “OK, if you’re really serious about this thing I’ve got a full-time job if you think you want to take it on,” according

to the coach. “Not many people have an opportunity to go back to their alma mater, and that’s what I was able to do.

“And the rest is history. I’ve been stuck in coaching ever since,” said a smiling ThomasSwinson.

After four years at Auburn, Thomas-Swinson took over as St. John’s head coach (1996-99). During that time, she also was a USA Basketball assistant coach for two teams, the 1998 USA Select Team and the 1999 USA National Team.

Then came an opportunity to join the newly formed WNBA that was too much to pass up. Thomas-Swinson joined Carolyn Peck in Orlando, where Peck was the franchise’s first Black HC/GM.

Peck was the first Black woman to win a national championship at Purdue in 1999. “It was definitely an honor to be able to work for her,” said the coach of Peck.

After Orlando (19992002), Thomas-Swinson also joined Peck as an assistant at Florida (2002-05), then became a head coach at Tulsa (2009-11) where she won the 2006 C-USA regular season and tournament titles, as well as coach of the year.

Her coaching stints have also included Indiana (2012-14) and LSU (2015- 21) under then-HC Nikki Fargus, now current Las Vegas president. Las Vegas became the first WNBA champion in league history led by a Black female team president (Fargus) and Black female GM (Natalie Williams).

All told, Thomas-Swinson has over two decades of combined pro and collegiate coaching experience, along with being married and a mother of two children. She has worked for her college coach, three Black female head coaches—Peck at Orlando and Florida, Felisha Leggett-Jack at Indiana, and Fargus at LSU—and two Black female front office execs.

“It’s been a blessing,” said Thomas-Swinson of her career. “We’re all Black… More importantly, it makes you have a little bit better feeling about yourself when you can walk into an establishment knowing that there is an opportunity where leadership is looking like you.”

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

member of boxing royalty.

“He felt like he knew me before we fought the fight,” recalled Slink on Walsh. “They wrote me off, just another step on his ladder to success. We proved them wrong because that ladder, that step broke. It caved in, and he plummeted all the way back to beginning.”

take the next step again. And I think that this step is still going to be a step that he can’t take and is not ready for.”

On the upcoming rematch with Walsh in a couple weeks, Slink said, “Now he wants to

The Cameroon native thus far has followed Caldwell’s training regimen almost to a T. “The preparation is winding down right now,” stated Slink.

“We’re going to be able to taper it off and turn it down a little bit. I’m fully prepared for the fight.” Slink says he believes he is on the right track on his way to one day going into the ring and winning a world title. “As long as I just stay consistent, I always keep getting better. “I have solidified myself at least in the boxing world as an official boxer. I’m just getting better and better and better and better.”

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

Slink Proper and Caldwell will hold an open workout before his rematch versus Nico Ali Walsh on Tuesday. June 18, 1:30- 3:30 p.m. at

Val Whiting

Courtesy of X

White male sports media go ga-ga over Clark

he Caitlin Clark phenomenon has become a daily staple on TV sports talk shows, sports radio, and especially in social media.

Taj George of the R&B group SWV tweeted last week, “Who is exhausted and wants to watch a @WNBA game without hearing about how Caitlin saved the world? ENOUGH!”

CBC Sports’ Morgan Campbell wrote last week on how any male sports media member “with a megaphone and a halfbaked WNBA take this spring” (since Clark, the WNBA’s top overall pick this season, entered the league) has been too loud and too misinformed.

As an example, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on his “First Take” morning show acted like Superman and treated Clark like Lois Lane after she was the recipient of a Flagrant 1 foul from Chicago’s Chennedy Carter during a game. He suggested that she needs

protection on the court. But ESPN Analyst and longtime W reporter Monica McNutt on that same program took Smith to task on such nonsense and schooled him that the WNBA shouldn’t baby Clark, and that he is now talking about women’s pro hoops when he hardly did so over the past three years. The WNBA is 28 years old and is majority Black, but

Hughes dominates Student athletes honored at Winfield Awards

t was quite a weekend for a track and field athlete and a group of student athletes in St. Paul.

Hughes wins three medals

Juriad Hughes Jr., the Irondale senior who will go down as one of the top track and field athletes in state history, finished his high school career at the 2024 state meet held at St. Michael’s Albertville High School with dominant performances not only in the long jump, but in the sprint as well.

Hughes, who will be attending the University of Arkansas on a scholarship, successfully defended his 2023 long jump title with a leap of 24’05.25”. He also placed first in the 100 with a time of 10.35 seconds and the 200 with a time of 21.22.

He was also one of the best wide receivers in the metro area. Some thought he would follow in the footsteps of his father, Juriad Hughes Sr who starred in basketball at St. Paul Central in the late 1980s and went on to play at New Mexico State and South Dakota State. But the younger

“Black girls and women in sports are expected to compete in this imaginary box of cute and graceful femininity, especially when their rival is White.”

Smith seemingly comes to the defense of Clark, who is white.

“Every player in the @WNBA is jealous, racist, or hates her” George also tweeted last week, referring to the divisive storyline pushed by sports media, when they “should be grateful” to her for drawing more fans to games.

“Black girls and women in sports are expected to compete in this imaginary box of cute and graceful femininity, especially when their rival is White,” wrote The Tribe Editor-in-Chief Tiffany Walden in her June 5 piece.

Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs added, “It’s not disrespectful to point out that the WNBA is a predominately Black league, and that White players are

Hughes dropped basketball to concentrate on football, track and field.

It appears he made the right choice.

Student athletes honored Twenty student athletes hailing from private and public schools in St. Paul were honored recently at the 48th Winfield Awards Student Athlete Banquet held at the Intercontinental St. Paul-Riverfront Hotel.

The student athletes, who were chosen by their schools for their academic and athletic excellence, were part of an annual celebration named in honor of St. Paul Central High School, University of Minnesota, and Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer David M. Winfield

The student athletes honored were: Central High School- Maylena Carter and Kaiden Thiers; Como Park High School- Xee Lee and Baw Reh; Cretin Derham Hall High School- Suraya Hodges and Anthony Knight; Harding High School- Cynthia Dang and Tyler English; Highland Park High School- Phowler Vang and Xavier May; Humboldt High School- Chae Nay Htoo and Albert Wellington; Johnson High School- Jolie Davis and Javion Sanders; St. Agnes High School- Malani Sandifer and Adam Herandez; St. Paul Academy and Summit SchoolAurelia Meza and Maik Hguyen; Washington Technology Magnet School- Ariel Fang and Kwa Min

Each honoree received scholarship support for college.

The 2024 Trail Blazer Award recipient was former Tartan High School and University of Wisconsin Hall-of-Famer Jessie Stomski

The Arline V. Winfield Mother Award, given each year to a woman whose contributions to family and community were unmatched, was presented to Jo Ann Clark

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

harlene Thomas-Swinson has been a coach since completing a stellar playing career at Auburn (1983-87). She has been both a head coach twice and an assistant coach at three different schools, including her alma mater.

Now in her third year as a Las Vegas Aces assistant coach—Thomas-Swinson’s first two seasons resulted in back-to-back WNBA championships and the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup title—the veteran

“Not many people have an opportunity to go back to their alma mater, and that’s what I was able to do.”

coach and I chatted after a shootaround before the May 29 Aces-Lynx contest.

“Coaching found me, I didn’t find it,” admitted ThomasSwinson. “I had an opportunity to go to Germany or Belgium and play. My dad talked me out

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

compelling fight on the June 29 super lightweight title card will be a rematch between Minnesota middleweight box

er Slink Proper and Nico Ali Walsh.

Slink defeated the thenunbeaten Walsh, Muhammed Ali’s grandson, by a decision last August in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both fighters now are 9-1 and the rematch, set for Miami Beach, will be nationally televised on ESPN.

“I know I fought him before,” said Slink last week prior to his daily workout at St. Paul’s Element Gym. It’s his training base, owned by Quincy Caldwell’s Coach Q Training now located at the YWCA St. Paul at Western and Selby.

Caldwell has been Slink’s trainer—the St. Paul Johnson grad and former college basketball player has trained many athletes such as NBA’s Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren,

along with numerous college players, on being both physically and mentally ready for competition.

“I feel like I know him,” continued Slink on Walsh. “And I think that I’m just willing to go further. I’m willing to do more. I’m willing to push myself harder.”

Asked about any concern about ring rust after not fighting for almost a year, the middleweight pointed out, “I feel like I’m in the gym nonstop. I’m always in the gym, so I don’t realize that time is still passing on outside.”

Slink’s last fight last summer was seen by many as a stunning upset. He was a virtual unknown going up against a

Irondale senior Juriad Hughes Jr.

Courtesy Minnesota State High School League

Among the league leaders are (l-r) Napheesa Collier (in top five in scoring), Cameron Brink (in top five in blocks), and DeWanna Bonner (leading her team to league-best record). Courtesy of X

Angel Reese Photo by Charles Hallman

Charlene Thomas-Swinson

Photo by Charles Hallman

Slink Proper

Photo by Charles Hallman