June 20, 2024 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

Countingdowntoour90thAnniversary

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

he Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder were instrumental in chronicling the African American experience during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. These publications, established in 1934 by the visionary Cecil E. Newman, were deeply rooted in a tradition of comprehensive coverage of local, state, and national occurrences that impacted the lives of Black Americans. Over time, they evolved to meet the growing demands for news amidst the changing social and political landscapes. During the 1960s, the United States experienced a seismic shift as the Civil Rights Movement

Why are reparations for Black Americans so hard?

By Marissa Braswell

he topic of restitution for Black Americans is highly contested. Now that the conversation has entered the mainstream, what is the solution?

Over time, the movement for reparations has persisted, grown louder, and pushed the argument forward, but critics insist these efforts lack real weight and don’t answer the most pressing question: Where’s the cash?

“I was frustrated by many who say we should just get over how our country [treated us],”

Filmmaker Yoruba Richen discovered this debate firsthand while making her documentary

“The Cost of Inheritance” in 2023. Part of the film investigates the history of Georgetown University’s reparations.

In 2014, the university admitted that it had sold 272 enslaved people in 1838. In response, the university created The Reconciliation Fund in collaboration with some of the descendants. However, not all descendants are on the same page due to the lack of cash payments.

“There is another group of

Read about Flyt Tyme’s Cynthia Johnson on page 9.

the turbulent ‘60s

gained momentum. The Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder were at the forefront, offering meticulous and impassioned coverage of the fight for racial equality. They covered the monumental strides and harrowing setbacks, providing their readers with relentless reports on key legislation such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These legislative victories were monumental, and the papers celebrated them while simultaneously amplifying the voices of leaders and grassroots activists who were tirelessly advocating for change. The publications also documented the tragic assassinations that rocked the nation.

The deaths of President John F. Kennedy, Medgar Evans, Malcolm X, and Robert Kennedy left deep scars, and the newspapers provided thoughtful reflections and critical analyses on the implications of these losses for the Black community. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 was a particular focal point, as the papers captured the heartbreak and resolve of a community determined to continue his legacy. Civil unrest in major cities such as Watts, Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, Newark, Washington, D.C., and the Twin Cities also marked an era of MSR coverage.

One significant aspect of the Spokesman’s and Recorder’s

coverage was their reporting on the FBI’s war on Black Americans. Under J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI notoriously targeted civil rights leaders and groups. The Black Panther Party was branded as public enemy number one. Newman’s papers did not shy away from exposing these injustices, providing a platform to demystify the misconceptions and present the Panthers’ communityoriented initiatives.

As the 1970s ushered in new challenges, the Spokesman and Recorder remained vigilant. The era saw heated debates over segregation, with busing becoming a flashpoint for racial tensions in schools.

■ See MSR on page 5

Feeding Our Future fraud audit faults MN Dept. of Education

Department officials defend their oversight

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

Last Thursday, Minnesota’s Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released its special report on the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) oversight of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future (FOF) following a major investigation and trial that found individuals linked to the Saint Anthony-based organization guilty of crimes including bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 70 individuals in relation to the nonprofit’s food distribution program. The program was intended to feed underserved children but defrauded government resources of roughly $250 million, becoming the biggest pandemic fraud case in the nation.

The defendants in the financial fraud case have allegedly

used the money to purchase vehicles, homes, a beach resort, and more. On June 7, a jury voted to convict five defendants in the first trial of the FOF fraud case. Two others were acquitted. Eighteen others have already pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.

To conduct the review, the OLA examined documents related to MDE’s oversight of the nonprofit, which spanned application records, meal claims, and monitoring activities. MDE and Feeding Our Future’s executive director, Aimee Bock, provided the OLA with documents that contributed to the audit. Bock has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her relating to the fraud.

In the report, OLA evaluated MDE’s responses to past complaints it received about FOF and its sites. They reviewed the agency’s past com-

munications with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and law enforcement agencies and gathered information through interviews with MDE staff.

OLA stated that MDE failed to follow up on several complaints against the nonprofit and allowed FOF to investigate itself on at least one occasion. The report identified multiple missed opportunities for the agency to deny applications for government funds to continue operating.

In the past, MDE has received praise from federal prosecutors for drawing their attention to concerns with FOF’s handling of funds. The agency reported these suspicions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2020 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation the next year.

During a contentious hearing on the audit report, MDE Commissioner Willie L. Jett

■ See MDE on page 5

Hometown legends Jimmy Jam

& Terry

Lewis strike major deal with Arista Records

s we approach our 90th anniversary on August 10, 2024, this week’s MSR Historic Time Capsule celebrates the remarkable achievements of our hometown talent. On August 31, 2000, we proudly reported on legendary hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis signing a major joint venture with Arista Records. Their work with iconic artists like TLC, Janet Jackson, and Boyz II Men has left an indelible mark on the music industry, showcasing the extraordinary talent that has emerged from our community. As we commemorate this milestone, we honor their legacy and the many stories that have shaped our history.

To read more about this historic event and others, visit our website www.spokesman-recorder.com

The enduring power of family reunions in Black history

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

he aroma of barbecue smoke, the laughter of children playing, the rhythmic sway of music, and the warmth of shared stories are the hallmarks of a Black family reunion, a vibrant tradition deeply rooted in history and resilience. For generations, these gatherings have served as more than just celebrations of kinship; they are powerful testaments to the enduring spirit of the Black community, a testament to the enduring strength of family bonds forged in the crucible of adversity.

The significance of family reunions in Black culture can be traced back to the horrific

legacy of slavery. The institution of slavery, by its very nature, sought to dismantle families, tearing parents from children, husbands from wives, and siblings from each other. The forced separation of families was a deliberate strategy to break the spirit of enslaved Africans and strip them of their cultural heritage.

Following the emancipation proclaimed by the Thirteenth Amendment, the yearning for reunification became a driving force for many Black families. Freed people embarked on journeys across the vast expanse of the United States, driven by the hope of finding long-lost loved ones. Letters were written, inquiries were made, and reunions were eagerly anticipated, often cul-

minating in tearful embraces that had been decades in the making.

These reunions, however, were not always successful. The scars of slavery ran deep, and many families were permanently shattered. Some individuals succumbed to the hardships of their journeys, while others simply could not be located. Despite the pain of loss, the family search continued, fueled by an unwavering determination to reconnect and rebuild the fractured bonds of kinship.

The reunions that did occur were celebrations of survival and a testament to the enduring power of family. These gatherings served

■ See FAMILY REUNIONS on page 5

Publisher Cecil E. Newman sits at his desk, which his granddaughter, Tracey Williams-Dillard still uses today. MSR Photo Archives

Submitted photo

MSR Photo Archives

NAZ takes a collaborative approach to poverty reduction

By Keith Schubert Contributing Writer

Minneapolis’ Northside Achievement Zone would likely not exist in the capacity it does today if it weren’t for the success of another nonprofit more than 1,000 miles away.

Sondra Samuels, president and CEO of NAZ, was leading the PEACE Foundation in the early 2000s to combat violence in North Minneapolis when the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone caught her eye.

The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) focused on boosting education for underserved Black youth in Harlem. “Their whole premise was, ‘We’re going to create in central Harlem, where outcomes were just horrible for Black kids… We’re gonna create a support system for low-income kids that middle-income and upper-income kids take for granted,’” Samuels explained.

Then it struck her: “Why should Harlem be the only place to make a promise and carry it, fulfill it for their children?” In 2009, inspired by the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone, NAZ was founded when the PEACE Foundation and 50 local leaders met to explore whether the HCZ could be replicated in North Minneapolis.

The nonprofit, located at 1964 N. 2nd St., focuses on serving children from prebirth through eighth grade and employs a “comprehensive two-generation approach that works in tandem with families, their scholars, and our net-

work of anchor partners to position both generations for economic prosperity,” according to its website. That approach includes everything from parenting education classes to housing support and financial literacy training. NAZ partners with more than 30 community-based organizations and schools in community wellness, career and finance, expanded learning, K-12 schools, and early childhood to carry out its mission.

Over the last 11 years, it has helped serve more than

3,000 households, Samuels said. And so far, it’s working. A 2022 study posted on its website showed:

• Over half of NAZ early childhood scholars meet or exceed developmental expectations.

• NAZ 3rd- 8th-grade scholars have better attendance at school and higher academic proficiency rates than nonNAZ 3rd-8th-grade scholars.

• More NAZ is better. Deeper and longer engagement in

improve their parenting. More parents graduated from Family Academy than ever before.

According to Samuels, its success has allowed NAZ to expand massively over the years, from $450,000 at its onset to a current yearly operating budget of $19 million and 65 employees. In 2011, it received a $28 million Promise Neighborhood grant.

When those funds wound down in 2016, NAZ turned to local corporate, philanthropic, and individual investments with the NAZ is Working campaign, which landed a $6 million investment from Target and General Mills. The nonprofit receives funding from Minnesota’s most well-known companies, from Medtronic to U.S. Bank to Best Buy. In total, it has more than 40 contribut-

ing businesses and foundations. NAZ puts on a yearly gala that has drawn big names like Jennifer Hudson, Diana Ross, and, this year, Patti LaBelle. Last year, it raised more than $3 million at the gala.

“Everybody has come together, and it will take all of us. We are really the village to support our children.”

“It’s the only place that wealthy people, middle income, low income, Black, white, Asian, Latino, all of the folks come together at one big party to

celebrate together and to raise money,” Samuels said NAZ’s website lays out its goals for the future, including increasing its geographic footprint, deepening its services, and increasing its involvement in impacting policy and systems changes at the city and state levels. However, Samuels says the main goal is to increase collaboration to end multigenerational poverty.

“Everybody has come together, and it will take all of us. We are really the village to support our children and help them be successful in life and school and create generational wealth and wellbeing,” she said.

To donate, visit www.northside achievement.org. For more information, email enrollnaz@ the-naz.org.

Sondra Samuels, president & CEO Photos courtesy of NAZ

Colorful window display at NAZ office

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Metro Youth Link provides life-changing support for young people

By Keith Schubert Contributing Writer

When Rich Melzer was approached by a hiring committee about three years ago to be the new leader of the Minneapolis nonprofit Youth Link, he had never heard of the organization.

“I’d never heard of it before. I did some digging…and realized that this organization had not only been around for nearly half a century but had been doing meaningful work. And in the same neighborhood and city that I grew up in my whole life,” he said.

Now, Melzer is in his second year as Youth Link’s CEO. The organization, located at 41 North 12th St. in downtown Minneapolis, works with young people ages 16-24 experiencing homelessness.

“I’ve always loved working with young people. I’ve always loved working with young adults and know what it’s like. I have the same lived experience as many of these kids,” Melzer shared, emphasizing his connection to the young people Youth Link serves.

In Melzer’s eyes, the organization’s uniqueness is the wide range of services offered and the results they produce. “It’s kind of a one-stop shop.

“If a young person is experiencing homelessness, they can

come here to Youth Link and get all of the services,” he said.

“We have a healthy nutrition kitchen. Then, we have case managers on-site the entire time.

“So, if a young person comes in and wants to maybe decompress a little bit or get off the street, they can seek refuge there, but while they’re here they can meet with our case managers, and we will help get them long-term sustainable housing and all the other resources they need to be successful.”

Melzer knows the organization’s work is productive, too. He pointed to a six-year study by Foldes Consulting

LLC, done in partnership with the University of Minnesota, that showed those accessing Youth Link services and case management had better outcomes. These included being more likely to access permanent housing, less likely to be convicted of a felony, and more likely to earn a GED.

“Those are big takeaways that really make our model of service irrefutable. So, we know it works. It’s not a matter of really reinventing the wheel. It’s just a matter of continuing to do what we do and deliver at a high clip,” he said.

In 2023, Youth Link served 1,945 young people and saw 17,850 visits to its drop-in

center. In the last two years, visits to the drop-in center have doubled.

“Youth Link is subsidizing many of these services ourselves to serve young men and women and people that aren’t even from here.”

“One of the things our team is probably most proud of is not only that we’re serving young people going through some of the greatest hardships a young person can go through, but we’re doing it with a real theme of love and benevolence,” he said.

“I know that sounds warm and fuzzy, but it’s real. There’s a tone and a manner in which we do things that I think are responsible for increasing visits and growth. Young people on the streets are talking about it.”

While Youth Link serves young people from across the metro, Melzer said there has also been an increase in dropins from out-of-state youth.

“A lot of the young people we serve are out-of-towners and then from other states that have fallen their way here, however, and managed to find themselves walking through our doors,” he said.

Melzer is happy that Youth Link can serve more people but said the growth in demand is straining resources.

“Youth Link is subsidizing many of these services ourselves to serve young men and women and people that aren’t even from here,” he said. “And that need has grown exponentially, where we’re still serving on the same resources in 2024 that we had in 2019 and 2020. And that’s not sustainable.”

Youth Link partners with more than 30 local businesses to support its work and receives funding from the state government. Every September, the nonprofit hosts an annual breakfast at the Minneapolis Convention Center to raise awareness and money for the cause.

“We’re hoping to get more funding from the city,” Melzer said, “and we’re really increasing our plan for development and philanthropy. But with the growth and the way things are, we need the influx of some major gifts to continue perpetuating this mission forward.”

Those interested in supporting Youth Link can donate online. Young people ages 16 to 24 looking for help from the program can go to the Youth Link drop-in center at 41 North 12th St. in downtown Minneapolis or call 612-252-1200.

Rich Metzer, Youth Link CEO, is in his second year at the post, which empowers young adults.

Photo by Chris Juhn

MSR

Continued from page 1

Amidst President Nixon’s controversial war on drugs— which many perceived as a veiled war on Black communities—the newspapers maintained an unflinching stance, critically examining policies that disproportionately impacted African Americans. The struggle for affirmative action was also fiercely debated, and Newman’s publications were pivotal in articulating the benefits and pitfalls of such policies.

REPARATIONS

Continued from page 1

descendants who are fighting for cash payments,” said Richen, surprised by the lack of agreement. “They are not interested in a foundation.”

Those who call for cash payments for descendants of enslaved Black Americans point to historical examples. A century ago, the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924 forced the government to pay $1.3 million to the Pueblo for the land they lost. More recently, Natives in Alaska received $1 billion and 44 million acres of land in 1971 to make

MDE

Continued from page 1

II fielded questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Joined by the agency’s general counsel, MDE argued that they had denied past FOF and other organizations that applied to become partner food distributors, but those denials had been overturned.

“The situation with Feeding Our Future was a travesty, a coordinated brazen abuse of a nutrition program meant to ensure access to healthy meals for low-income children,”

Commissioner Jett said. “MDE just didn’t allow fraud to happen. We noticed issues early on and took action.

“The MDE team used the regulatory tools available to respond. The Department of Education contacted our federal partners promptly and co-

FAMILY REUNIONS

Continued from page 1

as crucial touchstones for preserving Black culture and heritage. Family history was passed down from generation to generation through shared stories, traditional songs, and ancestral recipes, keeping the memory of those who came before alive.

Beyond the emotional aspect, family reunions also provided vital support networks for Black communities. In an era of Jim Crow and rampant discrimination, these gatherings offered a safe space for Black families to connect, share resources, and provide mutual support. The community’s collective strength was evident in these gatherings, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity.

Over time, family reunions evolved beyond the initial goal of reuniting scattered families. They became annual celebrations of Black culture, a time to come together, share joy, and reaffirm the importance of family. These gatherings became synonymous with delicious food, lively music, and heartfelt conversations that

The founder passes Cecil E. Newman’s death in 1976 marked the end of an era. At 72, he had left an indelible mark on African American journalism. Under his stewardship, the Twin Cities’ publications had garnered national recognition, becoming a beacon of truth and advocacy for the Black community.

Newman’s contributions were widely acknowledged; in 1974, he received the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews and served as vice chairman of the Minnesota Adviso -

up for destroying their claims to the land. In 1988, victims of Japanese internment camps received $20,000 per person. These examples show that the government has a long history of paying when there’s a mistake made on their part. Critics wonder why there is a hold-up for Black Americans. Even journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who created the 1619 Project, commented, “Why is there such an aversion to doing something similar for descendants of slavery and the living victims of U.S. apartheid?”

In 2020, California became the first state to create a task force to examine the possibil-

operated with their direction to not impede their investigation,” said Jett. The commissioner contended that the agency had much to learn from this experience and laid out some of its shortterm and long-term goals to mend the issues that allowed the fraud to occur under them.

Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder epitomized the power of media for social change.

ry Committee for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. His legacy was immortalized in a New York Times tribute, highlighting his unwavering commitment to civil rights and community service.

ity of reparations for Black Californians affected by the ravages of slavery and discrimination. The only other state that has followed suit is New York, which created a committee in 2023. Some cities have followed suit, with Evanston, Ill., offering up to $400,000 in 2021 to purchase or repair property because of the history of housing discrimination. Despite this momentum, many Black Americans feel that these gestures toward repair don’t go far enough. Those like AL D., who goes by @Colorfullstory on social media, want money. “I was frustrated by many

mentioned a lack of clear and written guidance from the USDA on how to interpret certain federal regulations and how they could implement pandemic-era waivers.

“The situation with Feeding Our Future was a travesty, a coordinated brazen abuse of a nutrition program meant to ensure access to healthy meals for low-income children.”

MDE stated that several issues occurred during the pandemic, which prevented them from curtailing the fraud as it was occurring. One issue they faced was operational challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related waivers issued by the USDA. This made it “difficult” for the agency to observe meal distribution service. They also

stretched into the night. The food, in particular, has become an integral part of the Black family reunion tradition. From slow-smoked ribs and juicy fried chicken to soul-satisfying collard greens and sweet potato pies, the food served at these gatherings often reflects the regional specialties of the family’s ancestral home. This culinary heritage passed down through generations, serves as a tangible connection to the past and a reminder of the resilience of the Black community.

As long as Black families gather, share, and celebrate, the legacy of resilience and unity will live on, echoing through generations.

As we move forward into the 21st century, the significance of family reunions in Black culture remains as significant as ever. They continue to serve as a platform for preserving cultural heritage, strengthening familial bonds, and fostering a sense of community. In a world of-

Forming alliances

Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder epitomized the power of media for social change. Newman forged key relationships that bolstered the papers’ influence and reach. His sincere friendship with political figures such as Hubert H. Humphrey allowed insightful political commentary and advocacy. Organizational alliances with entities like The Way, Hallie Q. Brown Community House, Phyllis Wheatley House, Sabathani Community Center, The Urban League, and the NAACP provided the

who say we should just get over how our country [treated us],” said AL D, a former American history teacher.

The U.S. government first attempted to compensate those formerly enslaved nearly a century ago through Special Order 15, better known colloquially as “40 acres and a mule.”

On January 15, 1865, Union General William T. Sherman issued the order, which promised 400,000 acres of newly gained land, from the coastline of South Carolina down to Florida, to freed Black people in 40-acre increments.

The order never came to pass because President An-

publications with rich, groundlevel perspectives of the community’s needs and aspirations.

These connections enabled the Spokesman and Recorder to present news that was not only informative but also deeply reflective of the lived experiences of African Americans in the Twin Cities. The newspapers’ dedication to transparency and willingness to expose the stark realities of systemic racism made them trusted sources of information.

In conclusion, in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder under Cecil E. Newman’s leadership were more than just

drew Jackson rescinded it by the fall and returned the land to the former owners.

The answer lies less with the government and more with American attitudes.

A Berkeley poll in 2023 found that 60 percent of Californians were not in favor of cash payouts for descendants of chattel slavery. Katherine M. Franke, a Columbia University law professor and the author of the book “Repair: Redeeming the Promise of Abolition,” believes the opposition is twofold.

First, not being able to see, meet, or hear from people who were enslaved seems to make the damage seem long ago and

newspapers; they were pivotal platforms that captured the spirit, struggles, and triumphs of the African American community during a highly transformative era. They provided a vital voice for those who were often marginalized and ensured that their stories were told with authenticity and respect. Newman’s legacy as an editor who used his platform for advocacy continues to inspire, reflecting the enduring power of journalism in the fight for justice and equality.

Al Brown welcomes reader responses at abrown@spokesmanrecorder.com

easier to ignore. “There [were] still plenty of people around who had been encamped during the Holocaust, and the same with Japanese Americans who received reparations,” said Franke. “That campaign was undertaken by people who had been interned.”

She added another piece: “Racism is the answer. Repairing the injuries of white people may be more compelling for white people than repairing the injuries of enslaved Black people.”

This story was originally published by New York Amsterdam News and is reprinted by permission. It was edited for space.

FOF also sued MDE in November 2020, and with this litigation, the agency felt that it had to be clear and intentional about its oversight of the nonprofit. In its lawsuit, FOF accused MDE of discrimination, which posed a serious risk to the agency’s public image. MDE also contended that they didn’t have the investigative authority to address the fraud when it occurred.

The report did respond to some of these points. “This was a limited review, and we

ten marked by division and fragmentation, the Black family reunion stands as a beacon of unity, reminding us of the importance of love, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

More than just a gathering, the Black family reunion is a testament to the enduring legacy of Black resilience. It is a celebration of survival, a tribute to the unyielding spirit of a people who refused to let the horrors of the past define their future. In the laughter, music, and shared stories, we find the echoes of ancestors who fought for their freedom, families, and rights to create a life filled with joy and love. As long as Black families gather, share, and celebrate, the legacy of resilience and unity will live on, echoing through generations. The aroma of barbecue, the laughter of children, and the warmth of shared stories will continue to weave strands of hope, reminding us that family bonds are unbreakable and the spirit of the Black community will forever endure.

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

did not examine some topics that may interest legislators and the public. For example, we did not evaluate the legal merits of Feeding Our Future’s lawsuits against MDE or MDE’s legal strategy in that litigation,” the report stated.

“Because the fraud scheme allegedly began around the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we assessed the impact of MDE’s implementation of federal pandemic-era waivers on its oversight practices. However, we did not evaluate whether these waivers were justified.”

The report included Commissioner Jett’s letter stating, “MDE disputes the OLA’s characterization regarding the adequacy of MDE’s oversight. MDE’s oversight of these programs met applicable standards, and MDE made effective referrals to law enforcement,” he said. He continued that “MDE is committed to program integrity and strong fiscal oversight of [its] programs and the important work [MDE does] on behalf of children and adults across the state.”

Obituary

Jett further noted in his statement that the agency would independently implement changes to strengthen its oversight of other programs by establishing an Office of Inspector General, adding a General Counsel’s Office, providing staff training on the agency’s current fraud-reporting policy, and contracting with a firm to conduct financial reviews of certain entities.

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

Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Norris

Sunrise: March 2, 1931 — Sunset: June 9, 2024

Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Norris passed away peacefully on June 9, 2024. She was sharp of mind until the end of her life’s journey, even as physical illness took its toll.

Betty lit up any room she entered with her big personality and her cackle of laughter. She was amazing. A true trailblazer. She conquered cancer multiple times. She raised three daughters and nurtured countless more people into adulthood as an aunt, neighbor, wise elder, grandma, and trusted confidant.

She spent 30 years working as a clerk for the US Postal Service where she helped elevate and streamline standards. Most of those years were spent on the overnight shift so she would be at home by the time her three daughters returned from school. A lover of books, she talked her supervisors into creating an onsite library in that massive art deco main post office building at the edge of the Mississippi River—an oasis for people like her who worked odd hours and couldn’t always or easily use traditional public libraries.

Betty was a natural teacher. A loyal friend. A fantastic cook. An avid explorer. A passionate fan of the Vikings, the Twins, golf and horseracing. Those who were close to her sometimes called her “Offtrack Betty.”

Betty was born in Duluth on March 2, 1931 to Ione and Jinx Brown. She lived in

Minnesota all her life other than a few years during early childhood when the Brown family lived in Spokane, Washington with her uncle who ran a popular restaurant there named The Harlem Club. She graduated from South High School in Minneapolis.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jinx and Ione Brown, two daughters, Marguerite McGraw and Catherine Rucinda “Cindy” McGraw Haffa, former husbands, Donald McGraw and Belvin Norris and her three siblings, Jimmy Brown, Doris Christopher, and Leah Cole. She is survived by her daughter Michele Norris; sons-in-law, Tim Haffa and Broderick Johnson; grandchildren, Dwight McGraw, Broddy Johnson (Stephanie), Aja Johnson, Norris Johnson, and Olivia Keenan; great-grandchildren, Tatiana Webb, Malik Robertson, and Carter Johnson; and a greatgreat-grandson, Kaiser Henry.

“Grandma Betty” as she was known to all also had several nieces and nephews, and a host of cherished friends.

Betty’s family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who loved her so deeply — especially toward the end of her life when it meant so much as people checked on her with calls, notes, food, visits, love taps, and simple check-ins to provide her with companionship, even on the toughest days. Special appreciation goes to nieces Tracey Newberry and Christine Braziel, and to the team of angels at Park Nicollet Hospice.

The service for Betty Norris will take place on Saturday June 22, 2024 at 10 am at The Cremation Society of Minnesota. 7110 France Ave South Edina, MN 55435

A reception will follow at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty’s name to the Sabathani Community Center.

secure.givelively.org

Simple ways to help picky eaters branch out

Mealtime stress from picky eaters can affect the whole family. Every parent has been there. You know the list of five foods your preschooler is willing to eat this week. But with a few simple tips, you can make the best of a typical childhood phase.

Picky eating is a common experience, often a combination of newly developed independence, caution with new colors/textures/smells, and a decrease in appetite after the baby stage. It’s reassuring to know that research suggests up to 50% of toddlers and young children go through picky eating phases that last several weeks.

Chronic selective eating, on the other hand, seems to be present for under 20% of children.

When to worry

A few days without vegetables isn’t going to create a long-term problem, so don’t fret if some days are rather beige. In general, picky eating in children isn’t problematic unless you’re noticing signs of physical struggles or mental health concerns. If your child eats fewer than 15 total foods, they may be at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies. No matter what, if you have concerns about your child’s health, speak with your pediatrician to see what’s typical.

Make a plan

Successfully navigating picky eating phases is within your control, partly through your pre-meal preparation and rituals. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Nutrition offers excellent tips for proactively managing pickiness before you serve the food.

Share the menu and cooking

When kids help plan the menu and prepare the food, they’re more likely to try new things. Give them a list of meal choices for the week and kid-safe cooking tools. Using “bridge foods” is a good way to help kids select new foods for upcoming menus. “I know you love bananas, and avocados are creamy in the same way. Let’s try adding those this week!”

that your goal is to foster a lifelong healthy habit, not to find a quick fix.

Keep a food journal

Navigating picky eating can be a challenge because you don’t always know what foods will be off the menu any given week. Keeping a food journal is a great way to notice patterns, though. Make sure to keep track of the food and its method of preparation. Your child might ignore steamed broccoli, but roasted broccoli could be a hit.

Learn about food together

Children like to ask “why,” so tap into that innate curiosity and learn about food together. The more they know, the more interested they’ll be in eating something new. Watch videos, read books, and visit a local farm to learn how food is grown. Discuss how foods give our body a variety

of resources. Programs like Kids Eat in Color can provide engaging ways to teach your children about food and its nutritional properties.

Mealtime tips and tricks

The AAP offers advice for serving picky eaters, much of it centered on realistic expectations. A good general approach is to divide zones of mealtime responsibility. Parents decide when and what they serve, while children decide how much (and whether) they’ll eat. Some nights, this division will lead to limited eating, but it will also help you avoid power struggles and meltdowns.

Opt for family-style serving Kids are more likely to eat food if they choose it themselves. While you can’t give them complete control, you can allow them to decide how much of each dish they’ll put on their plate. For toddlers, you can dish the food onto

Yes, yoga is for

their plates but then let them self-feed. Cut foods into appropriate sizes before you place them on the table to minimize disruptions and allow for more child autonomy.

Include a ‘safe food’

Keep meals simple and introduce only one new food at a time. Stay consistent and serve that new item several times over a few weeks; continued exposure is one of the best ways to help kids broaden their appetite. Make sure to include at least one “safe” food with every meal, though, to ensure your child doesn’t give up on the meal before it’s begun.

Be flexible with expectations

Despite the stress you feel around mealtimes with picky eaters, it’s essential to present an air of calm neutrality. Don’t put too much pressure on any one meal or food. Choose your mealtime rules carefully, and

Black men

make sure they’re reinforcing the habits your family values.

Remember that mealtimes aren’t the only way to get kids to try new foods; introducing something in a relaxed snack box at the park might work better, so embrace the flexibility that comes with this phase.

Avoid bribes or punishments

Remember that your goal is to foster a lifelong healthy habit, not to find a quick fix. Bribing a child to eat or threatening punishments might work in the immediate situation. But ultimately, your child won’t develop a healthy relationship with food and nutrition.

Picky eating is stressful for parents and kids alike, but with a few deep breaths and some expert tips, your family can move on to happier mealtimes.

The MSR + Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shares a mission of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of ALL Minnesotans. Our shared vision for health equity in Minnesota, where ALL communities are thriving and ALL people have what they need to be healthy, is the foundation of our partnership to bring readers our feature, Parenting Today. Good health starts with family. To view our weekly collection of stories, go to our website or scan the code.

By Laura Onyeneho

A near-death experience was the turning point that led James Lynn to the world of yoga.

Lynn, a Houston-area breath coach, suffered a left lung collapse in 2018. As a nutrition coach and personal trainer, he was in healthy shape.

He was boxing in a gym at the time the doctors diagnosed him with spontaneous pneumothorax, a condition where air gets inside your chest cavity and creates pressure against your lung, causing it to collapse partially or fully. It’s a condition that happens normally with car accident survivors or athletes in highimpact sports, which was his reality.

“I’ve never been hit hard enough to experience this. The recovery process, however, was four weeks long, and I spent five days in the hospital,” he said. “I could no longer lift weights or do cardio; I could only walk or do yoga, and so I embraced my transition to a different lifestyle.” That is when he began to truly understand the teachings of breath work and yoga and how the power of breathing and being in a state of calm has improved his mental and physical strength.

Black men are defying stereotypes and finding deep healing on the yoga mat.

While the image of yoga studios might still conjure rows of women in designer athleisure, a growing movement is chal-

lenging that perception. This movement emphasizes yoga’s profound impact on Black men, addressing a critical need in a community facing significant health disparities.

“As a Black man, I saw yoga as being a woman-dominated activity. That’s until you get on the mat to attempt extremely difficult poses that most men aren’t flexible enough to do off the bat,” Lynn said. “Yoga is challenging, and there are a lot of life lessons to learn from this.”

“The goal is to get Black men to take off their Superman cape and breathe. They are under stress to be providers and the protectors.”

Studies paint a concerning picture. Black men in the U.S. die younger and experience higher rates of chronic pain and mental health struggles compared to other demographics. The National Institutes of Health, however, point to yoga as a powerful solution. This ancient practice, focusing on physical well-being, breathwork, and stress management, can be a game-changer for Black men’s health.

Breaking down barriers Black men don’t see themselves reflected in the yoga

world. The classes, the instructors, the marketing—it all feels foreign. More Black instructors are needed to create spaces that feel authentic and cater to the specific needs of Black men.

Lynn said there are several challenges Black men experience. “Not only do we deal with systemic racism, but there is pressure to be hypermasculine,” he says. “It’s difficult to be in a space where you can be vulnerable in front of people.”

When he interacts with other Black men, he uses a strategy to put things into perspective for them. Working out in the gym puts more stress on the body to get physical results, but yoga helps with flexibility, strength, balance, and stress relief. Lynn is hosting a class this summer called “Real Men Real Talk” to introduce men to holistic practices.

“You have to speak to men in a language they understand. If you know a man prefers to go to the gym, you have to pitch yoga in a way that will benefit them,” Lynn said. “Yoga after an intense workout improves your heart health recovery time, cools the body, and boosts your mood. That would convince me enough to try.”

Building culturally-relevant spaces

Sydney Alexandria of Houston, TX created a safe space for Black men to be vulnerable after a traumatic domestic violence experience. The Breathe Lounge and Wellness Spa founder almost lost

her life after a violent altercation with her ex-husband, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“He had a manic episode and strangled me with an extension cord. I was going through my divorce and trying to heal,” she said. “I relied on yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and journaling.”

She realized there are a lot of people, including men, who need alternative options outside of just seeking a traditional therapist.

“I believed that people like my ex-husband, who suffers from mental illness, sometimes

they’re not always open to going to a therapist, but they’ll go to the gym,” Alexandria said. “Sometimes it’s easier to get them to do holistic therapy than some of the more traditional psychotherapy methods like talk therapy.”

The spa prioritizes inclusivity, and it includes female instructors to co-teach different classes. They network with other community organizations to amplify the yoga practice and offer free yoga classes at gyms where Black men may occasionally go.

Getting more Black men on the mat requires a multi-

pronged approach. Culturally sensitive studios, affordable classes, and Black instructors are crucial starting points.

“The goal is to get Black men to take off their Superman cape and breathe. They are under stress to be providers and the protectors,” she said. “Yoga will help to regulate emotions. Small effort goes a very long way.”

This article first appeared on the defendernetwork.com Defender Network, and is courtesy of Word In Black. Laura Onyeneho reports for the Houston Defender Network.

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Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer

Jamie Ross established J’s Promotions in 2018. It grew from her love of the house parties she and her mom would throw when Ross was a teenager. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she moved to the Twin Cities 27 years ago at age 13. She now claims Minneapolis as her home.

J’s Promotions is an event planning business. They plan parties and events for special occasions. This includes weddings.

“It’s whatever the wedding couple needs,” says Ross. “Some only need a DJ and a host. Some need help finding a venue [or]decorations.” They plan birthday and graduation parties as well.

As an alum of Patrick Henry High School and a former dance teacher, Ross promotes

events through her strong ties to the community. She was the director and cheerleading coach for the Police Athletic League (PAL) for three years. “I have a lot of involvement in the community,” she says.

While she and her son were looking at events on Facebook, he asked her why there were no special events for moms and sons to attend together. She answered his question by creating an event to honor mothers and their sons. In 2017 she hosted her first mother/son ball. It is now held annually during the second week of March. It is a themed ball that switches each year from formal to simply fun.

“It’s where mothers bring their sons and it’s like a date/ dance.” The event includes food, giveaways, prizes, and a time for positive affirmations. “[The host] will ask the young men ‘What is it about your mom that

makes you love her?’” says Ross. The event also includes a mother-and-son dance-off.

“This year was our formal year,” says Ross. “It was a black-tie

event.” Next year the ball will be pajama-themed. On Saturday, July 27, from 5-9 p.m., J’s Promotions will host Mommy & Me, Barbie vs. Brats, a moth-

er/daughter event. In her continued efforts to create new ways to bring people together for celebrations, two years ago Ross launched Brunch Vibez. It is a brunch held every Saturday in downtown Minneapolis. This event has become the focus of the business.

“I have a lot of involvement in the community.”

“It’s a family-oriented and family-run business,” she says.

“My chefs for the brunch are my cousin and my little brother, and my servers are my children,” who are teenagers.

When she started the business eight years ago, the events were held at El Rodeo, a Mexican restaurant just off Lake Street in South Minneapolis. The building was destroyed by fire from the riots that occurred after the death of George Floyd.

Though Covid caused events

to slow and attendance to drop, her events now attract an average of 150 participants. She uses the event space available through the Underground Music Venue in Minneapolis to host events. “We have a lot of connections within the community,” she says. “That’s how I get the crowds.”

With weekly Saturday brunches, planning their mother/son ball, an upcoming mother/daughter affair and other events, Ross keeps busy while staying connected to her community. “I am a proud Northsider.” As for hosting events, she says, “We try to be communitydriven [and community] based.”

For more information on J’s Promotions, contact Jamie Ross by email at JameJame1283@ gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JRossPromo/.

Vickie Evans-Nash welcomes reader responses to mary_11@ msn.com.

Jamie Ross (l)

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

“No one takes you by the hand and tells you how to do this…how to navigate your way through the music business,” explains Cynthia Johnson, who adds that she encountered more than her fair share of “wolves in sheeps’ clothing” along the way. Yet she’s come out triumphant on the other side, having never compromised her principles and remaining true to the path that “God set forth” for her.

Johnson, one of six kids and the youngest of four girls, similarly recalls the indelible musical influence that her mother, a choir director, had on her and her siblings.

“Whenever there was a big storm outside, mom would gather us kids together and teach us to sing in harmony,” she says. “So I always equated music with love and family. It was a safe space for me.”

She followed in her dad’s footsteps by taking up the saxophone as a fourth grader. By the age of 14, Johnson was singing with two of her sisters in the group Three Days Ahead, which gigged around Lake Street and other local spots. The experience also provided the youngster a glimpse into the kinds of things that she knew simply weren’t for her.

“My sisters were older than me and I saw what was distracting to them. I was not interested in those things. In spite of my age, I was pretty focused musically.”

A couple of years later she found herself performing with some other bands around town,

Arts & Culture

Cynthia Johnson: An exciting journey of music, family, and stardom

although nothing serious. And while she still loved to sing, Johnson was now setting her sights on becoming an actor.

That’s when destiny stepped in— at least for the first time.

Joey Kareem, a guitarist with the teenage musical force that was known as Flyt Tyme, heard Johnson’s voice and asked if she’d like to audition for the band. He brought her over to North Minneapolis where she was instantly as impressed with the “nine young men” she met as they were with her.

“They were just so good, so amazingly talented. They played by ear,” reminisces Johnson, “Plus they had a horn section. I’d never seen a band with a horn section.”

As the only girl in the group, Johnson’s mother worried she might wind up “like Billie Holiday.” However, as Johnson soon found out, that wouldn’t be an issue. There was so much more to like about these guys.

“Flyt Tyme rehearsed every day. They were dedicated, organized, disciplined,” Johnson affirms. “What’s more is that they didn’t do drugs. Weren’t abusive to women.

Were gentlemen to their girlfriends. Treated me with respect. They were someone I could hide behind. I felt safe with them.”

In addition to the love and support her new bandmates provided, they also allowed her creative license. “Terry [Lewis] and David [Eiland] always encouraged me to write my own songs,” notes Johnson, “Sure we did covers, but we were one of the only bands around that played original songs.”

Likewise, Johnson’s personal devotion to Flyt Tyme was demonstrated by the fact that she religiously rode the bus from St. Paul to the North Side to make it to daily rehearsals. “Flyt Tyme was everything to me.”

Upon graduating college, she returned home and sang with a few other bands until fate struck again in 1979, when a friend said to her, “There’s this guy looking for you.”

That guy was record producer Steve Greenberg, who was struggling to find someone who could hit the notes to his latest composition, “Funkytown.” Johnson turned out to be “the one,” and in 1980 that song topped the charts in a total of 28 countries, a world record at the time.

She went on to front Greenberg’s band, Lipps Inc., for a total of three albums, scoring additional hits with songs like “Rock It” and “How Long.” And although she was the “voice” of Lipps Inc., she was never the “face,” appearing in neither of the two videos for “Funkytown,” a single that sold more than eight million copies worldwide in a matter of months.

A former member of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness and a Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee, Johnson has appeared on record alongside Aretha Franklin, Maceo Parker, Stacy Lattisaw, Chico DeBarge, Elisa Fiorillo, Reneé Austin, and so many more, before releasing her own critically acclaimed solo album, “All that I Am,” in 2013.

Johnson continues to sing

all around the world, including an upcoming performance this July at the Pepsi Center WTC in Mexico City.

When she reflects as to where it all started, she can’t help but be reminded of those “young men’’ from Flyt Tyme. “If I was around another band back then, who knows? Things might have turned out differently for me,” she says.

“Jellybean [Johnson], Terry

Tony

welcomes reader

Find inspiration and innovation at the Bakken

Located on the west shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, The Bakken Museum is known as a “hidden gem” that features exceptional education programs, a world-renowned collection of artifacts, and exhibits exploring the wonders of invention, science, technology, plant medicine, and the humanities.

Whether you are a museum fanatic or just looking for a fun outing, The Bakken Museum has something for everyone. Founded by bio-medical pioneer Earl Bakken, the museum has been an institution of STEM learning and research since 1975, with their newest exhibit SPARK opening in 2020. Admission ranges from $1 to $13, and there are yearround public events designed to enjoy with the whole family or as an adults-only night out.

Each space in The Bakken Museum dives into the cycle of innovation and inspiration, and visitors are invited to make connections and ask questions about the world around them.

Throughout your visit, you can meet Mary Shelley, the mother of science fiction and author of “Frankenstein”; test out some of Ben Franklin’s favorite static electricity experiments; search for hidden Lego Minifigures; walk through the historic 1930’s West Winds mansion; and explore over

two acres of meticulously kept grounds and gardens.

This summer The Bakken Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about upcoming events and happenings can be found at thebakken.org.

The Bakken Museum

Visitors enjoy one of the many Baaken Museum exhibits. Submitted photo

Cynthia Johnson Photo by Coach Cross Photography

[Lewis], David [Eiland], Bird [Robert Martin], Chipmunk [Jimmie Anderson], Tony [Johnson], Big Bob [Johnson]. Those guys don’t know how important they were to me. I watched them. They helped shape who I was going to be. And who I wasn’t. They were my foundation.”

Kiene

comments at tkiene@spokesmanrecorder.com.

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With a Trump win, Republican judges will rule the courts—and our lives

By Keith Boykin

If you’re thinking of not voting in the November presidential election, let me give you one important reason why you should vote—the courts.

Let’s say you’re a progressive who wants Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and reparations for Black people. Trump opposes all these things, but Biden is too much of an incrementalist for you. So, you decide not to vote. What’s the worst that could happen, right?

Well, if Trump is elected, he could appoint up to three new right-wing Supreme Court justices and hundreds of lower court federal judges. Why is that important? Because federal judges have lifetime tenure. Many join the bench when they’re in their 40s or 50s and stay in position for decades until they die or retire.

That means that when the next president comes along in 2028, it will be virtually impossible to implement a progressive agenda. Any policies you support will be struck down by Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices and federal judges for the next two to three decades.

We’re seeing it already. In just four years in office, Trump appointed one-third of the U.S. Supreme Court and 242 federal judges. That’s why so many of Joe Biden’s policies have been struck down.

Trying to go to college? The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last year that colleges and universities can no longer use race in admissions to create a

more diverse student body. All six justices who killed affirmative action were appointed by Republican presidents. The three Democratic-appointed justices dissented.

in South Carolina. But all six Republican-appointed justices allowed the map.

And it’s not just the Supreme Court.

Saving Minnesota’s forests for future generations of public school students

By Samuel P. Reed

As a forest and climate ecologist in Minnesota, I am worried that the 2.5 million acres of School Trust land managed by the DNR are not prepared for climate change. By law, these lands are managed to create revenue for Minnesota’s public schools—but durable, long-term revenue streams from natural resources require strong climate action.

With rising temperatures, northern forests are undergoing rapid changes. Profitable tree species like aspen and spruce are declining or will decline with hot summers exacerbated by droughts, wildfires and pests. This jeopardizes future revenue for public schools.

ing forest resilience, but it needs to be adopted at scale on School Trust lands.

In truth, climate adaptation efforts may slow immediate revenue, but climate resilient forests can yield better, longerterm value.

Incorporating climate-adaptive strategies, such as conserving old-growth forests, planting heat-tolerant southerly species, and safeguarding peatlands, can bolster resilience against climate change while sustaining public education funding.

revenue, but climate-resilient forests can yield better longerterm value.

It is also worth stressing that 150,000+ acres of School Trust land are within Tribal reservation boundaries, and Tribal schools have received no School Trust revenue for the last 150 years.

Struggling to pay your student loans? The Supreme Court killed student loan debt relief that would have helped 40 million Americans. Once again, all six justices were Republican appointees.

Need to have an abortion?

The Supreme Court ruled two years ago that women no longer have reproductive rights to control their own bodies. All six justices who overturned Roe v. Wade were Republican appointees.

Any policies you support will be struck down by Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices and federal judges for the next two to three decades.

Did you fall behind on your rent during the pandemic? The Supreme Court ended the nationwide eviction moratorium that protected millions of American renters from being kicked out of their apartments. Once again, a 6-3 Republican decision.

Want to vote for a Black member of Congress? The Supreme Court ruled that Republicans can use a racially gerrymandered voting map that disenfranchised Black voters

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Looking to launch a Black business? A federal judge in Texas ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency, a 55-year-old agency, is now illegal because it discriminates against white people. Once again, the judge was appointed by Donald Trump.

Need startup money for a new firm? A federal appeals court in Georgia ruled that a venture capital fund for Black women called the Fearless Fund can no longer focus on helping Black women. Both judges who voted against Black women in the 2-1 decision were appointed by Donald Trump.

Need help on the farm? A federal judge in Florida stopped President Biden’s debt relief program that helped Black farmers because it was unfair to white farmers. The judge was appointed by Republican President George Bush, exposing the influence of conservative jurists appointed years ago. Then, just a few days ago, a Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas wouldn’t even allow emergency disaster assistance for Black farmers because it was unfair to white men.

Republican-appointed judges in the state courts are just as dangerous for Black people.

Want to wear your natural hair? A Texas judge ruled that a school district could force high school student Darryl George to cut his locs, despite the state’s CROWN Act that prohibits hairstyle discrimination. The judge ran as a Republican.

Want to protest racism?

A Missouri judge just expunged the records of the infamous St. Louis couple who previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Black Lives Matter protesters with guns. The judge was appointed by Missouri’s Republican governor. Elections have consequences. President Biden appointed the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court and appointed more Black judges in his first 1,000 days than any president in history. In fact, he appointed more Black judges than the last four Republican presidents combined.

Trump, on the other hand, was the first president since Richard Nixon 50 years ago to appoint no Black judges to the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Give him another four years, and it’s all over for us.

While we’re busy scrolling through social media every day, hundreds of decisions are happening in courtrooms all around the country that affect our lives. By not vot -

We need proactive management that makes these forests resilient to a changing climate. Governor Walz’s Climate Action Framework offers valuable guidance for enhanc-

Enrolling old-growth forests and peatlands in carbon markets offers a path to generating revenue while conserving carbon-rich ecosystems.

In truth, climate adaptation efforts may slow immediate

As a Minnesota resident, I think the state needs to start disbursing Trust revenue to Tribal schools and support sole or shared Tribal management of these lands. As an ecologist, this has added value because Tribes are leading the way in climateadaptive land management. With these actions, Minnesota can support climatesmart land management while conserving public education revenue for future generations of students.

Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 lays groundwork for Trump dictatorship

By Stacy M. Brown

People of color have made unprecedented progress in policymaking during the BidenHarris administration. This has been overlooked in the misinformation, disinformation, and support of convicted felon and presumed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump by wellknown and influential African Americans such as Ice Cube, Rep. Byron Donalds, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Ben Carson, Sexxy Red and more.

All that progress likely will come to a grinding halt if Trump and his far-right supporters, who are running on a dangerous manifesto, win reelection. Republicans and conservatives want to take America back to the days of Jim Crow and beyond.

And those concerned say the proof is in the proverbial pudding as white nationalist and anti-Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ groups have surged to record levels in the United States, fueled by the mainstreaming of hard-right politics ahead of a presidential election cycle, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

The SPLC, which has published an annual report since 1990, documented 835 active anti-government groups, up 133 from 2022’s count, and 595 hate groups, an increase of 72 over the previous year’s figure.

Notably, white supremacy hate groups saw a 50% surge in 2023, the highest jump ever recorded by the SPLC, growing to 165 from 109 in 2022. However, white power and neo-Nazi rallies across the U.S. decreased to 143 in 2023 from 191 in 2022.

The SPLC also noted a 33% rise in anti-LGBTQ organizations over the last year, bringing the total to 86. “What we’re seeing now should be a wakeup call for all of us,” said Marga-

ing, you’re not helping Black people or promoting the progressive cause. You’re consigning your children to live under a legal regime governed by anti-Black Re -

ret Huang, SPLC’s president and CEO, on a call with reporters.

“Our 2023 report documented more hate and anti-government extremist groups than ever before,” she said. “With a historic election just months away, these groups are multiplying, mobilizing, and making, and in some cases already implementing, plans to undo democracy.”

The SPLC reported an increase in in-person events and leafleting by hate groups, tracking nearly 7,000 flier incidents last year, many featuring language derived from racist and antisemitic conspiracies.

These groups have also launched campaigns to gain influence in mainstream politics, notably through the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 manifesto, which outlines aspirations for antiabortion, anti-free press, and anti-LGBTQ priorities should presumed GOP presidential nominee and convicted felon Donald Trump win in November.

Critics warn that the comprehensive plan could have severe consequences, particularly for communities of color.

The comprehensive federal government overhaul outlined in the 900-page “Mandate for Leadership” includes significant policy shifts and a reimagined executive branch. It covers both domestic and foreign policies, a personnel strategy, and a 180day playbook designed to “rescue the country from the grip of the radical left,” according to the project’s website.

Project 2025 has been criticized for its authoritarian nature, including during a recent House hearing in which Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett challenged Gene Hamilton, one of the project’s authors. “It calls for eliminating the Department of Education, eliminating the Department of Commerce, and deploying the military for the use of domestic law enforce-

publican judges for years to come.

and

and

ment against protesters under the Insurrection Act of 1807,” Crockett said.

“It also has the repealing of Schedule F status for thousands of federal employees to allow a president to replace career civil servants with unqualified partisan loyalists. It also prohibits the FBI from combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation like Russia and China, who are actively trying to interfere with American elections.” Crockett condemned the plan, stating, “I don’t know why or how anybody can support Project 2025… In the United States of America, dictatorships are never funny—and Project 2025 is giving the playbook for authoritarianism, as well as the next dictator, to come in.” Adding to the alarm, Trump declared he would be “a dictator on Day 1” if re-elected.

Additionally, the Center for American Progress highlighted how Project 2025 would devastate local transit systems, particularly affecting communities of color, and undermining economic growth. The plan proposes eliminating funding for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) core programs and discretionary Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.

“Public transit is a vital component of our modern transportation system, providing affordable, safe and efficient mobility to millions of Americans every day,” said Kevin DeGood, director of Infrastructure Policy at CAP. “Project 2025 would badly harm local transit systems that support regional economies from coast to coast and increase costs for commuters.” Rep. Crockett’s warning rings clear: “Project 2025 is giving the playbook for authoritarianism, as well as the next dictator, to come in.”

Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent.

Samuel P. Reed, Ph.D., University of Minnesota - Institute on The Environment

Vote, Black Power,” a collabora

Normandale’s president enjoys leading the charge to do what’s right

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

School has always been a place of comfort for Normandale Community College President Joyce Ester. She recalled her early years in public school as an only child who found a sense of belonging and community among her classmates.

Ester’s ride to school was quite tumultuous, as she was one of the first students to attend desegregated schools in the Chicago suburbs. Once they made it past the hateful mobs, Ester and her classmates were greeted by their supportive teachers, who ensured that their time in school was positive and reassuring.

Fast-forward to her current position as president of Normandale, where Ester works to instill the same sense of belonging in the students who attend her institution.

Higher education wasn’t originally Ester’s calling. She had previously considered going into a career as a social worker. But after working fulltime as a resident director at Whittier College in California, she couldn’t see herself working elsewhere.

She enjoyed helping students navigate higher education and overcome their problems, and in a way, she had reached the type of work she wanted to do as a social worker.

What was supposed to be a one-year stint on the West

Coast turned into a 15-year stay. Ester worked her way up to become the assistant dean of students and was later promoted to assistant vice president. Before taking her job at Normandale, Ester served as the president of KennedyKing College in her native Chicago. Though she enjoyed the work, Ester felt limited in her role there.

“I struggled with working with the system…there, and so it was time for me to look for another opportunity,” she said. “I was looking for another opportunity that really aligned with who I was, what my values were, allowed me to

be the kind of leader that I believe that I am and…the kind of leader I knew I could be.”

Once she came across the position at Normandale, things fell into place for Ester. The school is a transfer-focused institution in a metropolitan area; two things immediately stood out to her in her inquiry.

Once she landed preliminary interviews, Ester spoke to the faculty and staff at Normandale about what they enjoy about the school and what changes they would welcome. Ester said that her ability to listen and learn from others has been an advantage in her work in higher education.

pus and throughout their time in school.

Traditionally, the nursing and dental programs have deployed the cohort model for their students, but other degree-seeking programs at Normandale have utilized this model to guide students toward their goals. Ester believes that this approach to education has helped diverse populations who are more geared toward communal experiences and programming see Normandale as their top choice.

achieve racial equity in outcomes, reach an associate degree completion or transfer rate of over 50%, and support and sustain a culturally competent and service-oriented culture by 2025.

Ester chose to reach these goals five years ahead of the timeline laid out by MinnState simply because she believed they could achieve these goals sooner rather than later. “If you give us time, we will take the time, and so I really challenged our campus to say, if this is really important to us, let’s try to do it quicker,” Ester said.

“I think so often leaders sometimes come in immediately and want to change and move and put their stamp on it, which sometimes that’s absolutely appropriate. But sometimes that is a hindrance for you to be able to get some of the buy-in, some of the support from the folks that you’ll be working with.”

Since Ester arrived at Normandale, the school has nearly doubled its diverse student population. She pointed out that the cohort model the college has been utilizing in some of its degree programs has allowed students to build a sense of community on cam-

“I was looking for another opportunity that really aligned with who I was, what my values were, allowed me to be the kind of leader that I believe that I am and the belief, the kind of leader I knew I could be.”

Looking toward the future, Ester and Normandale’s leadership team has oriented the school’s direction towards a list of goals as part of their effort to promote equity and inclusion. These plans are to

“It was really just a way to signal to myself and the campus that if this is important, if we really want to eliminate gaps and help students achieve, we need to do it sooner.”

In looking toward the future, Ester is optimistic about Normandale’s future and is reassured by the passion shared by faculty and students.

“What I am excited about is that I do believe that there is still a very critical mass of faculty and staff who really want to do good work for our students and who want to see them succeed, and I am really excited about being able to support them in kind of leading the charge to do what’s right for our students in the future.”

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

Normandale Community College President Joyce Ester attends a graduation ceremony dressed in full presidential regalia. Photo courtesy of Normandale Community College

Employment & Legals

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

INVITATION TO BID

A/1

Contract No. 25-046

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

Juvenile and Family

Saint Paul, Minnesota, alleging among

parent(s) or

the

petition, should be terminated upon grounds as

custodian(s) to the

named

filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 West Seventh Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and asking for an order of this Court terminating such parental rights.

2. THEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the matter of said petition requesting to terminate your parental rights will be called for hearing before the Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 West Seventh Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota, on August 07, 2024 at 3:30 PM or as soon after as the Matter can be heard.

3. YOU ARE THEREFORE ORDERED, to appear before said Court at said time and date.

4. You have a right to be represented by counsel.

5. If you fail to appear at the hearing the Court may still conduct the hearing and grant appropriate relief, including terminating your parental right to the child(ren) named in the petition.

WITNESS, the Honorable Leonardo Castro Chief Judge, Second Judicial District Donald W. Harper, Juvenile and Family Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder June 20, 27, July 4, 2024

A/1 Contract No. 25-048 INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130 for SEALANT REPLACEMENT AT RAVOUX HI-RISE, Contract No. 25-048, until 3:00 PM, Local Time, on July 9, 2024 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Teams App. Bids may be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com, or may be delivered as sealed bid to the address above.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM, local time, at Ravoux HiRise, 280 Ravoux St., Saint Paul, MN 55103.

A complete set of bid documents is available by contacting Northstar Imaging at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, SEALANT REPLACEMENT AT RAVOUX HIRISE, Contract No. 25-048. Digital downloads are no charge. Contact Northstar for hard copy pricing.

Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, non-collusive affidavit, EEO form and Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding

AN EQUAL JIM ROONEY

OPPORTUNITY AGENCY PROJECT LEADER (651) 248-4807 JIM.ROONEY@stpha.org

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder June 20, 2024

VIEW

Continued from page 14

“First of all, it’s unfortunate that he had an opportunity to go there and didn’t,” noted Pokey Chatman on Mazzulla’s sidestepping act to a Black reporter in a room full mostly with whites. Chatman is in her third season as Seattle Storm assistant coach and first as Storm assistant GM. She has over 20 years of coaching experience in college, the WNBA and EuroLeague.

“I think it’s huge from the standpoint of the sport…the level that we’re representing to the players that have someone to look up to,” said Chatman. At current count there are three WNBA Black head coaches, two in the Big 10 WBB, and two Black Big 10 MBB coaches. There were 14 Black NBA head coaches at the start of the season, and five of them were fired either during the season or immediately afterwards. Chatman herself has been twice fired from WNBA jobs in Chicago, where she got the Sky to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2013 and

PREP

Continued from page 14

The event was great. I must admit that I teared up when my father’s name was called. Minor’s prediction of the event two hours prior came to fruition.

SOE

Continued from page 14

Atlanta, a team that signed her but she never played for. Two seasons ago, Hiedeman finished fifth in the league in three-point accuracy, a career-best 41 percent. But she can set the table as well— thus far this season Hiedeman has posted a seasonhigh five assists against Phoenix and recorded four assists against Los Angeles.

“It’s going to be an opportunity for the community to get to know the entrepreneurs and nonprofits that will operate out of the space,” he said. “It’s going to be a celebration. You can expect to have fun, hear some great music, and have some

“I think my whole life I’ve always done a little bit of everything, especially growing up until I got to college,” stressed Hiedeman, who was a multisport athlete in high school in her Green Bay, Wis. hometown.

“Once I got to the league I transitioned into more of the one, but definitely capable of playing both. I think it’s a good quality to have.”

Unprecedented WNBA growth WNBA officials last week

PHONE: 612-827-4021

Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130 for L.E.D LIGHTING

PHONE: 612-827-4021

FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

UPGRADES AT IOWA HI-RISE, Contract No. 25-046, until 2:00 PM, Local Time, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Teams App. Bids may be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com, or may be delivered as sealed bid to the address above.

PLEASE CONTACT

ACCOUNTING DEPT

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at 2:00 PM, local time, at IOWA HI-RISE, 1743 IOWA AVE E, SAINT PAUL, MN 55106.

BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

SUMMONS

A complete set of bid documents is available by contacting Northstar Imaging at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, L.E.D LIGHTING UPGRADES AT IOWA HIRISE, Contract No. 25-046. Digital downloads are no charge. Contact Northstar for hard copy pricing.

PREPAID FLAT RATE: $110 X 3 WEEK RUN TOTAL: $320

Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, non-collusive affidavit, EEO form and Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

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

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

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

AN EQUAL

OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KA YANG

PROJECT LEADER (651) 292-6089

KA.YANG@STPHA.ORG Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder June 20, 2024

A/1 Contract No. 25-057

INVITATION TO BID

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130 for COMMUNITY ROOM, COMMUNITY CENTER AND GARAGE ROOF REPLACEMENTS AT DUNEDIN HI-RISE, Contract No. 25-057, until 2:00 PM, Local Time, July 9, 2024, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Teams App. Bids may be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com, or may be delivered as sealed bid to the address above.

PHONE: 612-827-4021

FOR BILLING

FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

PLEASE CONTACT

ACCOUNTING DEPT

BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

SIZE: 2 COL X 4.5”

RATE $18.10 PCI (1ST RUN)

SUBTOTAL: $162.90

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

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

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

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

PHONE: 612-827-4021

INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM, local time, at Dunedin HiRise, 469 Ada Street, St. Paul, MN 55107.

PLEASE CONTACT

ACCOUNTING DEPT

A complete set of bid documents is available by contacting Northstar Imaging at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, for COMMUNITY ROOM, COMMUNITY CENTER AND GARAGE ROOF REPLACEMENTS AT DUNEDIN HI-RISE, Contract No. 25-057. Digital downloads are no charge. Contact Northstar for hard copy pricing. Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, non-collusive affidavit, EEO form and Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

SIZE: 2 COL X 4.5”

RATE $18.10 PCI (1ST RUN)

SUBTOTAL: $162.90

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

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

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding

AN EQUAL

JIM ROONEY OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

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

PROJECT LEADER (651) 248-4807

JIM.ROONEY@stpha.org

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder June 20, 2024

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

the 2014 W Finals, and Indiana, where she led the Fever through its rebuilding process for three seasons.

“We’ve got our most qualified people that we’re not trying to tap into,” said Chatman. “There’s qualified people, but those opportunities have been few and far between. And oftentimes people want to downplay that.

“It’s obviously something that wants to be addressed, needs to be celebrated,” she concluded. “And I’m fortunate to be in a place and a space where it is. And I hope it continues to grow. We’re not

tremendous food by local and Rondo entrepreneurs.”

Minor did add one more prediction with emphasis: “This is only the beginning!”

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

announced that the league posted its best opening month in 26 years. It had the mostwatched start of the season on all its broadcast platforms: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION, and NBA TV.

Also, the most represented demographics in viewership: Black (67%) and Latino (96%) fans have grown 60% from last season. Merchandise sales are seeing a 236% increase. WNBA League Pass subscriptions more than tri-

there yet, so let’s not pretend we are.”

Jerro hired at Wisconsin Frozena Jerro has been hired as an assistant coach on Marisa Moseley’s Wisconsin women’s basketball staff. She has over two decades of collegiate coaching experience, both as an assistant coach and head coach. Jerro recently spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach at Cleveland State.

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

pled in the first two weeks of the season. And WNBA App monthly active users is up 613% from last season.

“The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum,” concluded WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison in a release statement.

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

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $16.32-$31.50 per month and business services are $36.37$62.57 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

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

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

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/ month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

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

A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/ community/community-development/lifeline. html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

Negro Leagues finally embraced as part of

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

n Thursday, June 20, MLB will play tribute to the Negro Leagues in a regular season game between San Francisco and St. Louis at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The ballpark, formerly the home of the Birmingham Black Barons, is considered the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S.

Thursday’s game is the culmination of week-long events that began with a Monday screening and discussion of “Say Hey, Willie Mays!”, an HBO documentary that chronicles the life and career of baseball legend Willie Mays. Other events include local youth playing baseball at Regions Field, where the minor league Birmingham Barons play; a Wednesday luncheon honoring Negro Leagues families; and other community engagement events around the city.

Negro Leaguer and Baseball Hall of Famer Josh Gibson now is MLB’s single-season record holder in batting average (.466 in 1943), slugging percentage (.974 in 1937) and OPS (1.474 in 1937). His career slugging percentage (.718) and OPS (1.177) now surpass Babe Ruth in both categories.

More than 2,300 players who played in the Negro Leagues from 1920 through 1948 will be integrated into MLB’s database. More statistics will continue to be revised and updated as more data and information is uncovered, say MLB officials.

Mays, Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby and Henry Aaron all once played in the Negro Leagues before baseball’s integration in 1947. Now their stats will be integrated and updated: Mays’ hit total is now 3,293, up 10 from his 1948 season in Birmingham. Robinson’s 49 hits with Kansas City raises his total to 1,567. Satchel Paige’s win total is now 125 with his 28 Negro Leagues victories.

Although it was announced last year during the NABJ annual convention held in Birmingham, Thursday’s game also will have added significance as it comes almost two months after MLB announced that Negro Leagues statistics will officially become part of its historical record, elevating them finally to major league status.

“I think it’s definitely way overdue, and something that should have been done a long time ago,” retired major leaguer Denard Span told the MSR. “Those numbers and those players are being recognized and acknowledged. I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”

Span played 11 seasons in the majors—the Twins drafted him in the first round (20th overall) in 2002 out of high school. He played five seasons in Minnesota (2008-12), then Washington (2013-15), San Francisco (2016-17), Tampa Bay and Seat-

tle (2018). He retired from baseball in June 2020.

After working for his hometown Tampa Bay Rays television broadcast team in 2023, Span joined the Twins television team this season as an analyst.

“It came about over the last

couple of years” when he filled in whenever absences occurred during Twins broadcasts, recalls Span. “It was the right time where everything was able to align, and that’s kind of how it materialized in a nutshell.”

Other than being scheduled

ntil our society becomes truly equitable, it is a big deal whenever a Black person, let alone two Blacks, do something significant in sports. Seeing Black coaches in high leadership positions has yet to reach commonplace status.

For the first time since 1975, both teams in the NBA Finals had Black head coaches. Both Dallas’ Jason Kidd and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talked about its importance and symbolism when asked. However, when Yahoo/ Sports Senior Reporter Vincent Goodwill asked Boston’s Joe Mazzulla if two Black coaches in the Finals meant anything to him, the Celtics coach sidestepped the question. Mazzulla instead asked the reporter, “I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches.”

“There was stunned silence in the room because it felt like

an awkward answer,” recalled Goodwill in his post-press conference recap. When I watched the entire press conference, I easily recall once when I asked something similar of a current Black college head coach (we will keep his identity secret). He told me that he doesn’t see color. I shook my head in disbelief. I can only wonder if Goodwill had a similar reaction to Mazzulla, since as in my case both the coach and the reporter are Black. It also bothers me when someone Black says, “I am a [fill in the job title] who happens to be Black.”

ryone Minor’s invitation was hard to turn down.

Minor, who I covered during his track and field days as a state champion sprinter and jumper at St. Paul Central High School during the late 1980s, called me about a month ago to invite me to the grand opening of the Mali Center located in the North End section of St. Paul.

atisha’s Hiedeman’s nickname is “T-Spoon,” the same moniker of Hall-ofFamer and current Chicago Sky Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon. “I literally had that nickname since I was like two [years old],” said the first-year Minnesota Lynx guard proudly.

to work a home series in late July, Span mostly will work Twins road games. “I’m new to this,” he admitted. [Former teammate and current Twins special assistant and television broadcaster] LaTroy Hawkins has been doing it a lot longer than me.”

Although he has yet to perfect his broadcast on-air style, “I tried to keep it as simple as possible,” said Span. He and Hawkins, along with MLB execs Tony Reagins and Tyrone Brooks, will be featured on a panel discussion at the July 31 Minnesota Twins’ 13th annual Diversity Celebration at the team’s ballpark. Span also works with other former MLBers to attract more Blacks to baseball. “I try to talk about the pros, about playing the game of baseball, and about all of the blessings that it brought to me and my families…and how beautiful of a game it is,” he said proudly. “I played basketball and football as well. I just try to encourage and encourage them and tell them honestly baseball has been good to me.”

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

Goodwill also pointed out that Mazzulla at the very least could have publicly acknowledged the significance. “Ignoring race in these matters isn’t progress, because it can infer that seeing someone as Black means something negative,” surmised the veteran NBA reporter. “Colorblindness is impossible, and seeing someone’s Blackness or the Black experience as a positive could be the ultimate sign of progress.”

During an interview with Fox 9 News hours prior to the grand opening, Minor, who has taught physical education at Osseo High School for over two decades, described the Mali Center as a facility for everyone to embrace.

“The Mali Center is a holistic wellness hub that empowers health and diverse entrepreneurs for all communities,” he said during the interview while stressing the close relationships of all involved. “Although we are a health and business hub, we really function more like a family,” he continued. “A lot of the relationships I have with members of the ecosystem predate the Mali Center by 20, 30, and even 40 years.

After leading St. Paul Central to the Class AA state track and field championship in 1989, Minor went on to outstanding collegiate careers at Drake University and the University of Minnesota. When he entered the adult world as an educator, businessman and physical fitness coach, we stayed connected every now and then. So when he called, I couldn’t turn him down.

Oh! I left something out.

My relationship with Minor was about more than that

of a reporter/athlete. We, like most Black people during the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, grew up in the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul. I grew up close friends with Minor’s older brother Roy Lee Griffin. Minor, being six years younger, was in elementary school when we first met.

Though I covered him in high school and remained friends with his brother until his untimely death in 1995, it was my father, Kwame McDonald whom Minor identified as one of the community elders, who influenced him the most. That was his motivation for the personal invite.

“At the opening I want to honor your father and other pillars in the community that were influential not only to myself but the entire Rondo community,” he said. “I wanted to invite you personally.”

The grand opening, held last Saturday from noon-12 p.m., was a memorable event as Minor predicted it would be. He paid homage to the community elders and thanked family, friends, and everyone who was involved, including older brother Rodney Griffin

At the conclusion, he paid tribute to his wife Jamie Minor and mother Willer Pearl Minor, whom Tyrone Minor identified as the “two most important women in my life.

A 2019 second-round pick out of Marquette by Minnesota, Hiedeman was a one-on-one draft night swap as she went to Connecticut, who signed her but waived her nearly a month later. Atlanta later picked her up off waivers, but once again Hiedeman was waived about two weeks later. Connecticut brought back the guard, and Hiedeman finished her 2019 rookie campaign with the Sun.

Hiedeman played for Connecticut for five seasons. Her starts increased each season from four in 2020, five in 2021, to a quantum leap of 31 in 2022, and all 40 contests last season.

Minnesota traded Tiffany Mitchell and a 2024 secondround pick to Connecticut in January for Hiedeman, whose ironwoman playing streak for consecutive games is now over 140 contests.

Whether she starts or not, Hiedeman is a “pest” to oppos-

ing guards. She said she likes being seen as that “in a good way. It’s just like being that energy player,” explained the 5’8” guard. She pointed out that her role whenever she’s on the court is

“I think my whole life I’ve always done a little bit of everything.”

“to be aggressive, take the right shots, make the right passes.”

This past offseason, Hiedeman worked as a women’s assistant coach at Penn State. After her one year there she said she probably would not return to Happy Valley after the season proved so invaluable.

“It definitely taught me a lot of stuff,” she recalled, “understanding everything from a coach’s perspective, a player’s perspective. And then just seeing the game all around as a whole.”

Despite her size, Hiedeman is equally adept at either guard position. Last season she hit a career-best 24 points against

Negro Leagues tribute uniforms Courtesy of X

Denard Span signing autographs Courtesy of MN Twins

Pokey Chatman Photo by Charles Hallman

Tyrone Minor

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

Natisha Hiedeman

Photo by Charles Hallman