July 11, 2024 - MN Spokesman-Recorder by MN Spokesman Recorder

Taste of Minnesota delivers hometown flavor

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

he final day of this year’s Taste of Minnesota undoubtedly went out with a bang. From July 6-7, the festival drew a large crowd of food and music enthusiasts to downtown Minneapolis to sample food from over 50 food trucks and hear from an impressive musical lineup. The second day started with the three-time Grammy-winning ensemble, the Sounds of Blackness, led by the master-

ful Gary Hines. Their harmonious performance of their biggest hits set a high standard for the rest of the day. Lead singer Jamecia Bennett’s inspiring performance of the hit “Pressure” satisfied every spiritual appetite on the grounds. After the Sounds of Blackness, the stage was set for the highly anticipated starstudded lineup. The packed crowd was buzzing, eagerly awaiting Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’s musical genius and the talents of Morris Day, Ruben Studdard, Shanice Wilson, Ann

Nesby, Lisa Keith, and Jellybean Johnson on drums.

Wilson’s rendition of Janet Jackson’s hits, produced by Flyte Tyme, was a standout moment. It showcased the magic and legacy of the Grammyaward-winning producing team.

When Day and The Time took the stage, the event’s energy soared to new heights. Their question to the crowd,

“What time is it?” was met with a resounding response, further fueling the electric atmosphere. The Minneapolis Sound was front and center, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees. The presence of iconic musicians like Jam and Lewis, Sounds of Blackness, Day, and Johnson added a special hometown flavor to the event, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Overall, the final day of the 2024 Taste of Minnesota was a major success. Diverse musical performances celebrated the region’s rich music history, from soulful harmonies to electrifying performances to all the performers coming together at the end to honor Prince.

This day of music will be remembered for years to come… and the food wasn’t bad either.

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

Flooding forces kayaker to suspend river trek

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

fter 29 days of active paddling on her historic

“Source to Sea” journey, during which time she covered well over 1,000 miles, Devin Brown has been forced to suspend her quest to become the first Black woman to kayak the entire length of the Mississippi River, from the Minnesota headwaters at Lake Itasca to Mile Marker Zero in the Gulf of Mexico.

This summer, unprecedented flooding has occurred along the Mississippi and many of its tributaries, some of which are at or beyond record water levels. Many locks and dams have been closed in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. With no end to the rain in sight, these conditions have made it far too dangerous to continue. Brown took four days off during this journey, three of which she spent celebrating with her son around his graduation. She paddled as many as 60 miles in a single day. Among the sites that she passed in her last week on the river were the cities of Dubuque, Iowa; the Quad Cities (Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline and Rock Island); New Boston, Illinois; Muscatine, Iowa; Burlington, Iowa; Quincy, Illinois; and her final stop at Hannibal, Missouri, the birthplace of ■ See DEVIN BROWN on page 4

By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer

t Southdale Mall one autumn day in October

Kyle Moore felt he was being chased as he was shopping. “Two homeless guys are asking me to use my phone, originally. I said no to them multiple times, and they just started following me,” Moore said in a phone interview. He managed to get far away from the people wanting to use his phone and summoned a police officer. Just over an hour later, he was on the

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

ince the beginning of the 21st century, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died of accidental overdoses caused by the synthetic drug fentanyl. Since 2016 alone, when fentanyl entered the national lexicon following the death of Prince, fentanyl-related deaths have nearly quadrupled. And today, according to data from the Centers for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90 percent of all opioid-related overdose deaths involve fentanyl.

This crisis also remains front and center in Minneapolis, where over the past five years, despite making up approximately only 7.5% of Minnesota’s population, the city has accounted for at least one in five of all opioid-related deaths in the state. Therefore, city leaders have initiated a new pilot program to save lives, placing the first-

ever NARCAN vending machine outside of Fire Station 21 at 3209 East 38th Street. NARCAN, the brand name for one formulation of the medication known as naloxone, is a life-saving antidote designed to instantly reverse the effects of opioid poisoning and restore breathing to those to whom it is administered.

“We know that people across our country are suffering from some form of opioid addiction. We know that this is a drug,

Historica

Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam at the Taste of Minnesota, July 7

Photos by Chris Juhn

Southdale Mall, site of Kyle Moore’s law enforcement encounter Photo by H. Jiahong Pan

Devin Brown Photo by Sarah Whiting Photographic

What time is it? Morris Day shows his coolness to the crowd.

Shanice Wilson joined Jam & Lewis to perform Janet Jackson hits.

Ruben Studdard connects with the Minnesota crowd.

Mpls Mayor Jacob Frey (c), flanked by other city leaders, unveiled new NARCAN machines. Photo by Chris Juhn

Health

Former MPS Supt. Bernadeia Johnson sounds alarm on kidney failure

By Vickie Evans-Nash

Contributing Writer

Bernadeia Johnson served as superintendent for four years in one of Minnesota’s largest school districts. The stress of the job, poor nutritional choices, and not receiving regular medical check-ups led to a health crisis.

A tool used to determine the severity of the crisis allowed Blacks to fall through the cracks. Now on the road to recovery, she tells her story so others can avoid experiencing her health scare. One of the reasons Johnson left Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) was what she refers to as a “succession of deaths.”

Her grandparents were ill, and her husband was battling cancer. “I helped them to transition off this earth,” she says.

“I saw it as a privilege and an act of love to be able to take care of them in their final days.”

Knowing she didn’t want to stop working immediately, she considered a position at Minnesota State UniversityMankato’s College of Education after her grandparents passed. Their teacher licensure program focuses on racial equity. Johnson teaches using techniques she learned at MPS. She joined their faculty

of all those people first, and I came second.”

Canceling a scheduled doctor’s appointment due to urgent district matters was common. Stressful board meetings often ran well past dinnertime.

“I would drive straight for McDonald’s drive-through and get a large French fry with extra salt.”

Before his illness, her husband made her dinner each evening to support healthier eating habits. She would sit down and eat a little before saying she was full. “Then I would get up, get a bag of potato chips, and go make me some red Kool-Aid.”

As a part of her role as superintendent, she met with then-mayor R.T. Ryback rotating monthly between his office and hers. She recalls during a visit to his office an occasion when the elevators were out, forcing them to take the stairs.

eating habits. “I was the superintendent,” she says. “I was overweight, obese, and out of shape. Most people would have been afraid to say something like that to me.”

She and her doctor had discussed deteriorating kidney function, but she never felt a sense of urgency. Undiagnosed diabetes, years of uncontrolled high blood pressure, and excess weight caused her kidney to deteriorate to the point of needing a transplant.

“I wasn’t exercising, so I ignored my physical health. I ignored my mental health. And the one thing I have come to recognize is [that] I ignored my spiritual health,” she says. “You can’t do a job like Minneapolis and not be in somebody’s church on Sunday morning.”

“How can there be urgency when it looked like your kidneys were functioning better than they were because of this algorithm they use?”

“I was huffing and puffing, and I couldn’t blow down the three little pigs’ house if I wanted to,” she says. Ryback

When she was initially put on a transplant list, her weight prevented her from being able to have surgery. “That pushed me into action. I cut out salt, and I lowered my carbs. I started to exercise,” she says.

The Estimated Glomerular

kidney function.

Using race as an indicator negatively impacted 14,000 Black people across the country, who were moved up on the transplant list when awareness of the disparities the test caused was realized.

Johnson believes this is why there was no sense of urgency at appointments. “How can

plant, it was stressful because notifications indicated an available kidney, not a definite transplant. The kidney she received came to her hours after she was prepped for surgery. Her transplanted kidney would come late because a car accident had prevented it from being transported on an earlier flight. Surgery and recovery

are almost four times more likely, and Hispanics or Latinos are 1.3 times more likely to have kidney failure compared to White Americans,” according to the National Kidney Foundation. Johnson advocates for learning healthy eating habits early.

“My grandkids only drink water,” she says. And her son doesn’t allow them to go to McDonald’s. On a rare occasion when her grandson did go, he told her, “I was supposed to get water, and they gave me a Sprite. It was so spicy, I don’t like it.”

The National Kidney Foundation, at www.kidney.org/ kidney-quiz/, offers a quick kidney disease risk assessment. Johnson suggests that those with risks discuss it with their doctor. She also suggests making and keeping regular appointments, maintaining a medical journal, and asking the doctor to clarify confusing diagnoses or health advice.

Negative health impacts on Blacks are exacerbated by low participation in medical trials, Johnson says. “It’s a vicious cycle. On the one hand, we have Black people who are not participating in research at the levels we need them to.

But on the other hand, we have a history of being abused

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

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

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

I’M A MSR COMMUNITY SUPORTER!

AUGUST 17, 2024

Bernadeia Johnson

Submitted photo

This was originally published by Defender Network.

By Laura Onyeneho

We’ve all heard the rallying cry: invest in Black businesses, uplift our community, and be the change we want to see. I wholeheartedly endorse this message, but lately, that endorsement has felt a little more complicated.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe in the power of Black economic empowerment. But as much as I want to champion Black businesses, some experiences have frustrated me. Here’s the thing: advocating for Black businesses shouldn’t mean excusing bad practices.

Let me tell you about this time I went to this clothing shop. I viewed some of their products on social media, checked out some reviews, and decided to support them for a national conference I prepared for. I showed up on time. Except, the shop wasn’t open. The hours of operation sign clearly said they were open, just a closed door.

Finally, an hour later, after several calls, the owner called

Business Supporting Black business is

back to tell me she was closed midday to sell her products at an event. She told me I should come back the next day, and she wasn’t there when I did during business hours. I was

frustrated, like, “Don’t you have employees?” I had to scramble for a last-minute alternative. It was a massive disappointment, but where I went was far better in comparison as far as profes-

sionalism was concerned.

Now, I understand hiccups happen. But imagine my frustration after actively seeking out a Black business, only to be met with such unprofes-

Here’s the thing: advocating for Black businesses shouldn’t mean excusing bad practices.

Black businesses have the potential to be economic powerhouses. But let’s not confuse supporting our own with accepting subpar service. Ultimately, it’s a two-way street. Black businesses need to earn our loyalty, just like any other.

Onyeneho is a multimedia journalist who has reported on social, cultural, lifestyle, and community news.

sionalism. Moments like this make some people hesitant to embrace fully supporting Black businesses. Look, I still believe in the power of our collective spending. But Black businesses need to step up their game. We need reliable hours, clear communication, and a commitment to customer service. We deserve the same level of professionalism expected from any other business.

SOUTHDALE

Continued from page 1

to the hospital, suffering a grand mal seizure, after being chased, tased, and given ketamine. In April, he filed a lawsuit in federal court against the cities of Edina, Richfield, and Bloomington, who all sent officers to detain him, alleging his Fourth Amendment rights were violated.

What happened?

The incident started at around 4:18 p.m. on October 6, 2019, according to a police call log. The call was logged as a mental health psychiatric call, though Moore, who made the call, says he needed to be vague for his safety. “If you have an intruder in your house, you want that to be known. But you can’t really talk if you’re in danger. I didn’t want to get hurt from making a 911 call,” Moore said.

Edina Police Officer Jason Behr was the first to respond to Moore. Behr noted in his report, obtained through a public records request, that Moore was speaking rapidly, was wor-

DEVIN BROWN

ried about being committed again, and also had a history of mental health issues and was looking to go to a hospital. After conversing with Moore, Behr says Moore ran away from him. Behr himself left to respond to a “priority” call.

Behr’s report notes he returned to Southdale after the “priority” call, backed by two officers, after speaking with Moore’s mother. Behr then finds Moore and chases him. Video from a surveillance camera inside the Southdale Macy’s obtained from Moore’s attorneys shows Moore moving backward with his hands up as officers, aiming an object in their right hand, walk towards Moore. Moore subsequently knocks over a display and runs around the store.

Even though officers say in their reports they issued verbal commands, Moore said they did not. Scared for his life, he began to pray. Jeffrey Martin, another Edina police officer who responded, said in his report that Moore was yelling “religious gibberish back at officers.”

Officers say Moore then threw a jar of jam at Behr. Moore denies this. Behr then says in his report he deployed

a taser on him three times. The officers say the taser had no effect, but Moore felt the shocks. “Just start shaking, it’s horrible,” Moore recounted.

At some point, his mouth became bloodied. Officers say Moore spat on them. “I was literally gasping for air, and blood was coming out my mouth because they punched me in the face,” Moore said.

Video footage from the Macy’s shows around six officers from Richfield and Bloomington pinning Moore on the ground.

“They just piled up on top of me,” Moore said.

Paramedics from the Edina Fire Department eventually arrived and administered ketamine. Moore says law enforcement told paramedics to give him ketamine. However, a filing written by an attorney representing the cities of Edina, Richfield and Bloomington says the paramedic was “concerned that Plaintiff’s vigorous resis tance and profound agitation could result in life-threatening conditions for the Plaintiff.”

Moore was taken to Hen nepin County Medical Center. A filing by his attorneys says he now has a bevy of medical

problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, injuries to the kidney, “high probability of imminent life or limb-threatening deterioration,” as well as a seizure. Moore says he was put in a coma for two days. Moore wants accountability for what he went through. “These officers are still in power. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth because I was almost murdered. If I were to do that at my job, I’d be fired; if not, put in jail,” Moore said.

“These officers are still in power. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth because I was almost murdered.”

Ketamine controversy

Ketamine is a relatively new drug that is used primarily as an anesthetic. It is also used to

sia and in even lower doses to address depression. For example, a person weighing 180 pounds, or 81.65 kilograms, would require about 40 milligrams of ketamine to address depression and around 367 milligrams to be sedated for surgery. Moore‘s attorney, referencing Moore’s medical records, says he was given 500 mg of ketamine. That’s the same dose Elijah McClain received in Colorado from paramedics about six weeks before. McClain was a violinist and bodyworker whose treatment by law enforcement and paramedics received national attention.

McClain died a week later.

A paramedic and lieutenant involved were convicted, with the lieutenant being sentenced to five years in prison.

rienced a diabetic seizure. He was put on a ventilator for two days. The Star Tribune also reported in 2018 that Hennepin County paramedics sedated people with ketamine, sometimes at the direction of law enforcement, and in some cases enrolled them in a drug trial without their consent.

Though Hennepin Healthcare officials say they ended the study in 2018, a Hennepin Healthcare spokesperson wrote in an email that paramedics continue to use ketamine, among other drugs, to ensure patients don’t hurt themselves.

Closer to home, Minneapolis resident Max Johnson was injected with 500 mg of ketamine in 2020 after he expe-

The Minnesota Department of Health does not track how often paramedics use ketamine to sedate someone. Though they plan to start tracking that use, they don’t have a timeline. “The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease team is working with others to resolve data quality issues that impact our ability to track chemical restraints,” MDH spokesperson Garry Bowman said.

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan300@ gmail.com.

Mark Twain. Brown, who plans to take on the river again in the future, shared the following statement with those who’ve championed her along the way: “Hi! Thank you for your support on this journey. Every morning around 4:30/5 am the river would call me. I could feel her current in my entire body, inviting me to her waters. Sat-

Continued from page 1 NARCAN

Continued from page 1

and specifically fentanyl, that has taken control of people’s lives like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Mayor Jacob Frey, who was joined by Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, Health Commissioner Damōn Chaplin, and Deputy Health Commissioner Heidi Ritchie, at a July 3 press conference outside of Fire Station 21.

“And we know we have the tools to help,” the Mayor continued. “We have the tools to prevent someone from dying in the form of this NARCAN vending machine. We also have the tools to help people get better. So, that’s what we are working toward in the city of Minneapolis.”

Station 21 was selected as the site of the vending machine due to the elevated number of overdoses that have occurred in the surrounding area during the past few years. According to the city, there were a total of 38 opioid-related deaths in this area from 2017 to 2021. Through the first six months of 2024, there have already been 74 suspected overdoses, including four opioid-related deaths in the neighborhood.

The NARCAN vending machine is easy to use and “free to community members with no barriers.” In addition, the machine is available 24 hours a day and contains more than 100 boxes of NARCAN, each with two doses.

urday, after a debris-filled day paddling from Quincy, Illinois, to Hannibal, Missouri, the call from the river was no longer a call; it was a warning. “I decided to pause my trip, booked a U-Haul, and headed home. There was talk of a pause happening before me, getting affirmation from the river herself. The dam failure in Minnesota, the locks moving slowly with impending closures due to catastrophic flooding—so many factors, in addition to the river herself communicating, aided in my decision to pause.

“Our community focus is to proactively engage in dialogue, share information, and initiate prevention services to effectively minimize the risk to life, property, and the environment,” explained Chief Tyner.

“And that is exactly what we are doing today with this NARCAN machine… We are proud to partner with Mayor Frey, the Minneapolis Health Department, and the community by placing the first life-saving NARCAN vending machine outside Fire Station 21.”

“This opioid crisis hits home for many of us like myself, who have several family members who are in long-term recovery,” added Commissioner Chaplin.

“I came to Minneapolis with a mission to find solutions and instill hope in those who are struggling or suffering from substance misuse.

“The city’s $10,000-plus investment in this vending machine will pay immediate dividends. And hopefully, like the mayor said, save lives.”

“Unfortunately, the rains aren’t letting up, and I was scheduled to wrap up around July 12. I am so thankful for the time spent on the river. It wouldn’t have been possible without you, and I pray lots of prayers. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I’ll make it to the ocean when the time is right!!! Until then, I’m safe at home with my son. Until next time.” - Devin

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

Chaplin also took a moment to acknowledge Deputy Commissioner Ritchie, “who had the vision to bring the vending machine to Minneapolis,” and the city’s Opioid Response

Team, “who ran with the idea once she presented it.”

Assembled media and community members also heard from Christopher Burks, who is now three-plus years into his tenure as program director of the Twin Cities Recovery Project. Burks shared his personal experience with addiction, which has lasted more than three decades.

“I’m a person in long-term recovery. What that means today is that it’s been four years since I’ve had the use of any substance,” he explained.

“NARCAN has saved my life seven different times… Naloxone saves lives. I wouldn’t be standing here if it didn’t. What the city of Minneapolis is saying at Station 21 with this vending machine is that

they care about their community members.”

Mayor Frey, who told the MSR that the city is also cur-

rently working on other methods of NARCAN distribution, demonstrated how easy it is to use the vending machine while adding, “The ability to get free NARCAN at a moment’s notice is a critical component of making sure that people can stay alive. And then making sure that they can get better.”

Likewise, Commissioner Chaplin stated that allowing people to access this life-saving medication at any time is subject to “no judgment and no stigma.”

For more information about the city’s new NARCAN vending machine at Fire Station 21 and other opioid and substance abuse resources, visit bit.ly/OpioidsHelpMinneapolis

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

Health Commissioner Damon Chaplin (l), Deputy Health Commissioner Heidi Ritchie (back), and Mpls Fire Chief Bryan Tyner (c) join Mayor Frey.

Photo by Chris Juhn

Arts & Culture

play spotlights challenges faced by young Black artists

By Junie Edwards

“A Pick For The Hair Of Black Kids Who Don’t Wanna Be Gangtaz” is a choreo poem piece that follows the story of six poet friends readying themselves for a slam poetry competition. When they take a break from rehearsing they travel down a long and weighted path as they play a game confessing their deepest secrets and fears pertaining to the Black community. This piece is an ode to the voices of our younger Black generations. As time evolves, the urge for Black teens to hold their tongue lessens. Historically the adolescent voice of the Black community has always been loud, but not often heard. We are sexually abused, kidnapped, ostracized, demonized, and forcefully succumb to the cards we are dealt by society.

It is our age plus our survival through these experiences that makes us gangstaz.

While our voices continue to be ignored, others inside and outside our community continue to advocate for us with tainted tongues and minds of white supremacy.

I wrote this piece because the younger Black generation voices need to be heard unfiltered, whether it makes people uncomfortable or not.

For too long has the story of the adolescent Black individual been told by the older.

It has become apparent that in order for change in our future generations, the younger must step up and reclaim autonomy.

The production’s goal is to curate an appropriate environment to call out the older generation of Black people on their flaws that have negatively impacted their children,

grandchildren, etc.

The play was developed over the last year at the Growing Stage theater in New Jersey and at the Pillsbury House and Theatre here in Minnesota.

Junie Edwards is a Detroitborn actor and emerging playwright. Acting credits include: “Merrily We Roll Along” (SPCPA); “Diennsel Heart;” “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” (History Theatre); “Marie Antoinette” (Emerging Professional Ensemble); “Something Happened In Our Town;” and “Locomotion” (Children’s Theatre Company).

Writing credits include the 2023 published play “Afroyo” with Drama Notebook, the 2023 Scholastic Silver Key Award, the 2023 New Plays Workshop at Growing Stage in New Jersey, Pillsbury House and Theatre Workshop in Minnesota.

Junie Edwards (seated left) and his fellow performers pose for a photo Photo courtesy of Junie Edwards

JOIN THE 90TH CELEBRATION!

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

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

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

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

Torrion Amie

Ray Seville Productions

Holly Andersen

Kimerlie Geraci

Jonathan Beck

David Fettig

Clara Boykin & Family

Tracy Wesley

Gretchen Bratvold

The O’Neill Family

Amanda Brinkman

Liam Cavin

Toweya Brown-Ochs

Deanna Callender

Your Name Here

Shirlee L. Callender

Your Name Here

Liam Cavin

Your Name Here

Janis Clay

Your Name Here

Edward Coblentz

Your Name Here

Michael Davis

Victoria Davis

Your Name Here

Michael Diehl

Your Name Here

April A. Estes

Your Name Here

George Ewing

Your Name Here

Elizabeth Fealey

Your Name Here

David Fettig

Your Name Here

Readus Fletcher

Ken Foxworth

Your Name Here

Lee Friedman

Your Name Here

Ella Gates-Mahmoud

Your Name Here

Kimerlie Geraci

Your Name Here

Erick Goodlow

Your Name Here

Leota Goodney

Your Name Here

Colnese Hendon

Your Name Here

Angelo Hughes

Your Name Here

Katie Izzo

Nina Johnson

Your Name Here

Clarence Jones

Your Name Here

Debra Jones

Your Name Here

Nathaniel Khaliq

Your Name Here

Zena Kocher

Your Name Here

Lisa Lissimore

Michele Livingston

Your Name Here

Harlan Luxenberg

Your Name Here

Melanie Manaen

Your Name Here

Kyle Meerkins

Your Name Here

Deborah Montgomery

Debbie Morrison

Your Name Here

Marcia Murray

Your Name Here

The O’Neill Family

Your Name Here

Liz Oppenheimer & Jeanne Burns

Your Name Here

Ray Seville Productions

Your Name Here

Mary Quinn McCallum

Your Name Here

Amy Pfankuch

Your Name Here

Patty Ploetz

Your Name Here

Mark Ritchie

Your Name Here

Lyn Rabinovitch & John Saxhaug

Your Name Here

Augustus Ritemon

Your Name Here

Carolyn Roberson

St. Paul Saints

Your Name Here

Elizabeth Schutz

Your Name Here

Floyd Smaller

Your Name Here

Timothy Sullivan

Heidi Swank

Your Name Here

Dotty Timmons

Your Name Here

Nicholas Upton

Your Name Here

Bill Wells

Your Name Here

Tracy Wesley

Your Name Here

Jeffery Young

Your Name Here

Opinion

Three paths forward in immigration policy

By Andrew Moss

This November voters will choose between two radically different paths of immigration policy. Should Donald Trump be re-elected president, the nation will embark on a path of deportation, or the attempted deportation, of millions of people living in the U.S.

Should Joe Biden or another Democrat occupy the White House next year, the country will likely continue its present course of political compromise: continued restrictions at the border, along with continued or new accommodations for immigrants living here without green cards or citizenship.

But there’s a third path forward, a path of activism and nonviolent resistance. Knowing about the path doesn’t preclude voting. But knowing about it can help a voter make a more informed choice this November.

But first, consider the path to deportation. According to 2021 Pew Research Center estimates, approximately 10.5 million people live in the U.S. who lack citizenship or green cards, and the figure may have grown since then. Many of these individuals have lived here for at least 10 years or more.

Once inaugurated as the 47th president, Trump would begin a massive sweep of these individuals in cities and rural areas throughout the country, using Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, reassigned federal agents, National Guard

soldiers, and deputized local law enforcement officials to do the job.

The officers would round up people on the streets, from their homes, and from their workplaces, sending them to large camps constructed on the border and deporting them as soon as possible to their home countries.

Painting undocumented immigrants as a threat to the safety, well-being, and economic security of American citizens, Trump has pushed aside the reality that they pay taxes and contribute in myriad ways to the economic health and cultural vitality of their communities.

Nonviolent activists play a critical role: They affirm the dignity, humanity and rights of immigrants, and they pressure the political system to expand its capacities.

Since many undocumented individuals live in “mixed-status” households, i.e., where they reside with family members possessing green cards or citizenship, the planned mass deportation would wrench parent from child, family member from family member. Many young people voting

Biden will protect workers from extreme heat—if he’s reelected

By Willy Blackmore

As yet another heatwave roasts parts of the country— in California, temperatures could hit the mid-90s even in normally temperate San Francisco—President Biden’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced proposed federal heat protections for workers. While some states, including California, have long had rules to keep outdoor workers cool on the job, the proposal is the first national effort to keep workers both indoors and out safe in an ever-hotter climate.

outdoor jobs.

That includes not only farm labor and construction workers but also mail carriers, delivery people, and warehouse and logistics employees—all sectors that rely on a significant number of Black employees.

“Every

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

for the first time this year were children when, in 2017, the Trump administration widened the classification of people liable to detainment and began sweeping them up for deportation. By contrast, the path of compromise can be likened to a kind of pinball ricocheting between aspirations for a just, rational and humane immigration policy and the intense pressures of fear stoked by demagoguery.

In its first year, the Biden administration proposed a comprehensive immigration bill that would, among other things, set out a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants living here. But that bill died in Congress, and since then we’ve seen a zig-zagging between fortitude and fear.

Just last month, Biden announced tighter restrictions on the processing of asylum claims at the border; then two weeks later he issued an executive order allowing undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to gain a pathway to citizenship without having to return to their home countries and endure lengthy waiting times while doing so.

When a miasma of fear becomes so thick that even plain facts and realities are obscured, it becomes necessary to trumpet those facts wherever and whenever possible. These are the facts: that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans, and that the American economy needs immigrants in order to replenish the labor force as birth rates decline and older workers retire.

That’s why nonviolent activists play a critical role: They affirm the dignity, humanity and rights of immigrants, and they pressure the political system to expand its capacities as a multiracial democracy.

When in 2006 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a punitive measure (the “Sensenbrenner Bill”) that would have, among other things, criminalized the provision of benefits to undocumented immigrants, more than a million people, many high school and middle school students, rose up in “megamarches” in 140 cities to protest the bill, climaxing these actions on May 1 with a nationwide boycott (“The Great American Boycott,” or “A Day Without an Immigrant”). The bill subsequently died in the Senate.

When the Obama administration failed to provide any support to hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented people brought

“The purpose of this rule is simple: to significantly reduce the number of injuries, illnesses and deaths suffered by workers subject to excessive heat while simply doing their jobs,” a Biden official told reporters.

However, the proposed rule would not go into effect until 2026 at the earliest. And it is another White House climate-related initiative that could quickly be undone if former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, wins in November.

Nevertheless, the proposal is historic, and would apply to workers across all 50 states, including Florida and Texas, where state laws ban similar worker protections. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that the rule would protect as many 36 million workers, both at indoor and

significant heat safety regulation in America at the state, and now federal, level was written in the blood of farm workers.”

The rule includes several new ideas, such as a heatacclimation period for new employees (most heat-related incidents occur in the first weeks at a new job) and the introduction of heat safety coordinators at workplaces.

But most of what will keep workers safe is more straightforward: access to shade, water and air conditioning, and mandatory breaks during periods of extreme heat.

Under the rule, there will be two heat-index thresholds—80 and 90 degrees—at which different cooling requirements will kick in. When indoor or outdoor workplace temperatures pass 80 degrees, employers will be required to provide water and climatecontrolled break areas.

At or above a heat index (or “feels like” temperature, which accounts for the humidity level) of 90 degrees, employers must also include mandatory 15-minute breaks every two hours and monitor employees for signs of heatrelated illnesses.

While workplace safety advocates applaud the rule, there is some sense that it’s coming too late. According to OSHA, there have been 815 heatrelated deaths of workers over the past 25 years, but that is almost universally understood to be a significant undercount.

“This is a bittersweet moment for farm workers,” Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers union, said in a statement. “Every significant heat safety regulation in America at the state, and now federal, level was written in the blood of farm workers. Every year, farm workers are killed by heat—with known deaths likely drastically outnumbered by the unknown, uncounted deaths.” It also comes too late for Eugene Gates Jr., a Black postal worker who died on the job in Dallas, Texas, during a hot day last summer. And it can’t help so many other workers who died when the job got too hot.

Willy Blackmore is a freelance writer and editor covering food, culture and the environment. He lives in Brooklyn. This commentary is republished with permission from Word on Black.

Summer plans for parents and students

By James Jerome Hankins

Here’s an excerpt from my book “What We Blacks Need to Do Part 2” for preschool, elementary and middle school students.

Parents, you must stress the need for your children to study for a grade of 100. Most school tests require a 70 (D) to pass. An egg or hamburger cooked 70% may be OK for some people, but not “fried chicken, pork chops, barbeque ribs or French fries.”

Start your children off right in “your” home preschool. Buy only one book and put their date of birth and name in it so they learn to pronounce and spell their name.

You teach them everything on one page: colors, animals, words, numbers, grass, sky, people, objects, and punctuation. Then, read that same page again the next day and test them to see what they learned. Tell them that it is their book, which teaches them ownership.

Keep your money; don’t buy any other books. You can check them out from your public library free. There are

here as children, many “came out” courageously as undocumented in 2012, pressuring Congress and shutting down an Obama campaign headquarters with a hunger strike. Shortly thereafter, Obama issued an executive order creating DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

many books and programs that will help you practice real learning skills during this long, sweltering summer for elementary and middle school.

Most will not be fun because the education system was not designed for entertainment. That is why class learning is six hours, and recess and lunch are one hour.

My wife and I used a terrific book titled “What Your 1st through 8th Grader Needs to Know.” It helped us prepare our son for each grade, and we used it every summer with other proven educational exercises like reading one book every long holiday and two during the summer.

Those proven practices helped him obtain maximum learning. Parents can let teachers and the school system completely control your children’s education or be “partners” in controlling what they learn.

Those of you who attend church services know that a good sermon you heard in church last Sunday became clearer when you did as the minister said and read the whole chapter. The minis-

ter only spoke on one verse, about 10%, and the teacher was only teaching a small part of a chapter.

Our son excelled in high school and earned a teaching fellowship to obtain a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree. Parents, if needed, seek the help of a current or retired teacher or church to set up a lesson plan for you and your children. You work hard at your “regular job, so demand they work hard at their “job,” which is being a “good” student. Your reward is a paycheck with a few raises and promotions; their job, if satisfactory, gives them a promotion every year, increasing knowledge and a possible college/trade school scholarship. Please tell your children this African proverb: “You are beautiful, but learn to study and work, for you cannot eat your beauty.”

James Jerome Hankins is an author, realtor, raconteur, Army veteran, caregiver, past NAACP local branch president, 100% voter, AFT union member, 34-year retired “shop” teacher, and NC A&T State University 1971 graduate.

This November, voters have four choices regarding immigration. Three of the choices directly or indirectly enable the mass deportation of many people: a vote for Donald Trump, a vote for a third-party candidate (likely favoring Trump), or the option of not voting at all (again, likely favoring Trump).

On the other hand, a vote for political compromise, represented by Biden or another Democratic candidate, car-

In addition, these kinds of courageous acts have been complemented by the work of countless other activists: allies who helped create “sanctuary city” designations for many municipalities during the Trump years, and who stood up innumerable times to protect immigrants from detainment and deportation.

ries major uncertainties, but it holds out hope for greater responsiveness to the kind of sustained, engaged activism described above.

With enough engagement and the right kinds of pressure, we might just get the kind of immigration system our nation needs.

Andrew Moss, syndicated by PeaceVoice, writes on labor, nonviolence, and culture from Los Angeles. He is an emeritus professor (Nonviolence Studies, English) from the California State University.

The ‘Mis-Education’ of the Negro and its relevance in 2024

By Kenneth C. Foxworth

Contributing Writer

Carter G. Woodson’s influential work, “The Miseducation of the Negro,” published in 1933, scrutinizes the education system’s role in perpetuating the subjugation of African Americans. Woodson argued that African Americans were being culturally indoctrinated rather than educated, fostering a sense of inferiority and dependency. This article explores the historical context of Woodson’s work and examines whether the miseducation of African Americans persists in 2024.

In “The Miseducation of the Negro,” Woodson critiques an education system designed to transform African Americans into a subservient role within a majority-white society. He contended that the curriculum was Eurocentric, disregarding African and African American history, contributions, and perspectives. This led to a distorted self-image among African Americans and a lack of critical thinking skills necessary for societal advancement. Woodson’s insights highlighted systemic issues, including: Eurocentric curriculum: The emphasis on Western history and achievements marginalized African contributions, eroding African American selfesteem and identity. Vocational training: Schools often funneled African Americans into vocational training, limiting their professional opportunities and reinforcing socioeconomic disparities. Internalized inferiority: The education

system instilled a sense of inferiority among African Americans, hindering their potential to challenge and change societal structures

While noteworthy progress has been made since Woodson’s era, the question remains if the miseducation of African Americans is still prevalent today. The answer is complex, but the contemporary conservative push against African and other cultural studies is evidence that the white supremacy agenda in public edu-

cation is still a thing. There are many challenges with diversifying the education system from educators to the curriculum, including those listed below:

There have been efforts to diversify curricula, incorporating African American history and contributions. However, the extent and quality of these efforts vary widely across different states and school districts. The Eurocentric focus still dominates in many places, and textbooks often provide a

limited or sanitized version of African American history. The inclusion of African American studies in higher education has increased, but the impact at the K-12 level remains inconsistent.

Resource disparities between schools attended by predominantly white and predominantly African American students continue to be significant. Schools in African American communities often face underfunding, leading to larger class sizes, outdated materials, and inadequate facilities. These disparities perpetuate a cycle of limited opportunities and lower educational attainment.

Despite the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954, de facto segregation remains a reality. African American students are more likely to attend schools in impoverished areas, further entrenching educational and socioeconomic inequalities. Additionally, systemic biases, such as disproportionate disciplinary actions against African American students, contribute to an environment that undermines their educational experience and outcomes.

Vocational tracking in the modern education system still affects many African American students, subtly steering them towards vocational programs or less challenging academic tracks. This limits their exposure to advanced coursework and comprehensive college preparation. The practice, though less blatant than in the past, perpetuates a cycle where African American stu-

dents are funneled into specific societal roles reminiscent of the constraints discussed by Carter G. Woodson. This systemic issue narrows these students’ academic and career opportunities and reinforces long-standing stereotypes about the professions they should pursue.

Pushing athletics as a career expectation further complicates African American students’ educational and professional landscape. Emphasizing sports as a primary avenue for success can overshadow other academic and vocational opportunities, creating a narrow path to achievement fraught with challenges.

While athletics offers significant opportunities, relying on it as a primary career route can be precarious due to the limited number of professional opportunities and the short career span in sports. This focus can inadvertently devalue academic accomplishments and reduce the pursuit of diverse career paths, perpetuating a cycle where athletic prowess is seen as one of the few viable paths to success for African American students.

There has been a growing recognition of the importance of cultural and identity education. Programs and initiatives

celebrating African American heritage and history are becoming more common. However, these programs often face resistance or are implemented in a way that fails to address the broader systemic issues identified by Woodson.

While The Miseducation of the Negro was published over 90 years ago, many of the concerns Carter G. Woodson raised remain relevant in 2024. The miseducation of African Americans continues in various forms, perpetuated by systemic biases, resource disparities, and curricular shortcomings. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to overhaul the education system, ensuring that it empowers rather than subjugates African American students. True educational equity will only be achieved when African American history and contributions are fully integrated into the curriculum, resources are equitably distributed, and systemic biases are dismantled. Only then can we move beyond the miseducation of the Negro and towards a future of genuine educational justice.

Ken Foxworth welcomes reader responses to kennethfoxworth568@gmail.com.

Dated:

Employment & Legals

STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF HENNEPIN PROBATE DIVISION FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-24-576

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

PHONE: 612-827-4021

NOTICE OF INFORMALAPPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS (INTESTATE)

Estate of AUDREY LA JUNE STORM, DECEDENT.

FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

Notice is hereby given that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Registrar. No will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

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

Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Pamela Resch, whose address is 413 John Street, Edina, MN 55343, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3B607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative hasfull power to administer the Estate including, after 28 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.

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

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

Any objections to the appointment of the personal representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutessection

all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to

(651)

jeremy@aaronfergusonlaw.com Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 11, 18, 25, 2024

OF INCOME OR PRESERVATION OF ASSETS, (i) BY AN AGREEMENT IN WRITING, OR ( `ii) FOR RETAINING COUNSEL TO CARRY ON OR TO CONTEST THIS PROCEEDING: (2) NEITHER PARTY MAY HARASS THE OTHER PARTY; AND (3) ALL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INSURANCE COVERAGE MUST BE MAINTAINED AND CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE IN COVERAGE OR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION.

IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT. Respectfully Submitted, Dated: March 4th, 2024

adiyialaw@gmail.com

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 4, 11, 18, 2024

Continued from page 10

sports talk radio station.

Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, the team’s third Black player, continues to show progress. He currently ranks eighth among MLB rookies with his 3.41 ERA.

“I really like watching him pitch right now,” said Lewis of Woods Richardson. “He’s got a good flow. He got some swag on the mound, and he’s really controlling the game at a high level. So it’s impressive.”

After his July 2 start, a strong 5.2 inning effort against Detroit which the Twins won, “I thought it was just another quality outing for him,” noted Minnesota Manager Rocco Baldelli, although Woods Richardson didn’t figure in the decision.

The skipper afterwards told us that the rookie hur-

dler is improving each time he starts. “I would say the consistency by which the young man is succeeding, that’s probably the most impressive thing. He has been on point every time he’s taken the mound for us.”

It’s that consistency that is sometimes hard to maintain, but that’s his goal, says Aaron Robinson, a certified sports specific trainer who works with Woods Richardson in the offseason. “That’s been our model ever since he started. We can give him the tools, but he’s the one who’s got to put the shoes on and go for it.”

“There’s no reason why he can’t do what he’s supposed to do when he has these players in front of him,” concluded Robinson.

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

Dated: June 21, 2024

Attorney for Personal Representative

Bradley R. Janzen

Bradley R. Janzen, P.A. 574 Prairie Center Dr. Suite 135 – 262 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Attorney License No: 0049712 Telephone: 612 – 817 – 2481 Email: mnlawyer@gmail.com Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 4, 11, 2024

& TEARSHEETS

Lead Data Engineer: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Minneapolis, MN.

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

Req. a min. of a Bach. or foreign equivalent in Applied Comp. Sci., Mgmt. Info. Systems, Comp. Sci., or a rel. field & 5 yrs of progressively responsible post-bacc. Exp. as a data engineer, specialist or consultant, or closely rel. occupation. Req. at least 5 yrs. exp. In each of following: data engineering experience using Big Data Technologies: Apache Spark and Hadoop; experience with JVM Languages such as Java or Scala; experience building data pipelines, CICD pipelines, and fit for purpose data stores; experience working with Spark streaming and Kafka; designing and architecting data pipelines. Req. at least 3 yrs. exp. With each of the following: working with AWS and Azure; working with DB2 and other relational databases; working with Snowflake and Databricks; working with Elastic Search, Kibana and Tableau; working with Airflow; working with Jenkins and GitHub; working in an agile environment using JIRA. Req. demonstrable exp. with each of the following: datawarehouse model using STAR schema; modeling data in Snowflake and Databricks; building reusable frameworks to reduce manual effort; experience developing and executing test cases; providing technical guidance to teams by defining and executing POCs; acting as a subject matter expertise in data analysis, building optimized data pipelines, deploy and maintain for the large volume of heterogenous data to create enterprise data lake; participating in setting strategy and standards through data architecture and implementation leveraging big data and analytics tools and technologies. Position is based out of and reports to Thrivent Financial’s HQ in Minneapolis, MN, but allows for the option to telecommute from a home office anywhere in the United States. For confidential consideration, please apply at https://careers.thrivent.com/. Requsition #: REQ-39143. No agencies or phone calls please.

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

PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

PROBATE 2 WEEK RUN FLAT RATE: $215.00 PREPAID

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

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

Please contact Accounting Dept @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM SUMMONS This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless

Follow us!

VIEW

Continued from page 10

Ben Johnson. But he warned, “I don’t want it always to be a money grab.”

Minnesota Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Plitzuweit pointed out, “It’s something that is so new… how now we can be actively engaged in what…wasn’t permissible even six months ago.”

Johnson continued, “In the world of pro sports, the agents play a role in terms of negotiating, of being that middleman. College has turned this page, and you’re dealing financially with the dollars, you’re dealing with kind of a pro model.

“Now agents are involved,” said the fourth-year Gopher coach. “It’s understanding that right now that’s part of the situation, just being able to adapt to that. There’s people you enjoy dealing with, and maybe there’s people with an agenda. But there’s going to be people that have an agenda.”

“The reason you get into coaching is to be a transformational coach and to help young ladies grow into confident young women, not just on the basketball court

but in so many different facets of their life,” explained Coach P, now in her second season.

Surmised Johnson on the annual rash of transfers, “As a coach, you don’t have too many surprises. So, you kind of get a feeling as the year goes on what could potentially happen [at season’s end].

So, you’re prepared for it.

“Don’t get bent out of shape about it,” he concluded. “Some of these guys had some significant financial opportunities. I can’t necessarily fault them for pursuing something that they were able to potentially get. “We’ll continue to build it, to develop the guys that we have.”

Finally…

NAIA’s only all-Black conference officially changed its name on July 1 from Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) and added three new schools, bringing it to 13 members and having two automatic bids in volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball to the NAIA national championships.

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

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 11, 2024

Lead Data Engineer: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Minneapolis, MN.

Req. a min. of a Bach. or foreign equivalent in Management Information Systems, Comp. Sci. and Eng, or a rel. field & 4 yrs. exp. as a software developer, data engr., or rel. occupation, Req. a min. of 4 yrs. exp. in data engineering working with Big Data Technologies: Apache Spark, Pyspark, Hadoop, and DataBricks with delta lake; 3 yrs. exp. working with JVM Languages including Java or Scala; 2 yrs. exp. building data pipelines, CICD pipelines; and 1 yr. exp. working with the following Cloud technologies: AWS, Azure, GitHub, Bamboo, Chef or Terraform. Must have demonstrable exp. in each of the following: exp. with Apache Airflow, Hive, Snowflake, Kafka, Python; exp. in ETL, SQL, Informatica, Power exchange, Databases like SQL server, DB2, Oracle; exp. with Data warehouse model with STAR schema; exp. with BI development and reports; exp. with developing, executing test cases, UAT, and integration test. Position allows for telecommuting from anywhere in the US but reports to HQs in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For confidential consideration, please apply at https://careers.thrivent.com/. Requisition #: REQ-39106. No agencies or phone calls please.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 11, 2024

Black Twins players boosting team morale

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

ob Parker’s MLBbro. com mission statement says it all: “We will chronicle the paths of both present and past Black players, highlight their achievements in the game right now and from a historical standpoint,” it states unabashedly.

Senior Writer Kevin Moore’s July 1 “Bro Bombers” spotlighted two of the three Minnesota Twins Black players—Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton. “When these two players are in the lineup, it puts the Twins in a good position to win games,” said Moore. “Their energy rubs off on their teammates and boosts the entire morale of the team.”

Buxton since June 7 has been hitting over .340 and has a .429 hard hit percentage. Before his injury last week, Lewis also has been tearing the cover off the baseball, hitting

over .300. He became the first Twin in history to hit at least one home run in his first three games of the season.

“I think it’s very special,” Lewis told us last week when informed of Moore’s article. “I very much appreciate it. Being a person of color in this game is special to me, and I love that I’m able to have such a

his week’s “Fab Five Photos” feature two WNBA players from the metro area (Rachel Banham and Nia Coffey), two Minnesota Lynx players selected to play in the league’s all-star game (Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride), and a former WNBA player who recently made a comeback.

Check out the pics.

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

All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

“Being a person of color in this game is special to me.”

big mentor and brother Byron Buxton to learn from.”

Parker’s site has nearly 80 Blacks, including himself, submitting daily audio, video and written pieces. “That was my dream and my goal,” he told me at last month’s MLB Game at (Birmingham’s) Rickwood Field.

“And it’s twofold. Obviously to make sure that we don’t forget Black baseball players, past and present, and give them recognition, but also to help develop younger Black baseball writers, guys and girls who love the game, who want to cover the game.

“So, we’re giving them a platform to be able to experience that,” noted Parker, a tri-owner of Detroit’s Sports Rap Radio, the nation’s first all-Black

■ See BROTHERS on page 9

Fab Five Photos A

WNBA photo spread

NIL becomes college sports’ free agency

he Power 5 is now history. July 1 welcomed the most drastic conference realignment in over a decade.

four new members, there are three new members in the ACC, and the Pac-12 is now only two schools.

The conference dominoes actually began to fall in the summer of 2021. Then it escalated that following summer after former Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren invited USC and UCLA from the Pac12 to join the conference.

Later, two other Pac-12 members, Oregon and Washington, came aboard to in essence create college sports’

“College has turned this page, and you’re dealing financially with the dollars, you’re dealing with kind of a pro model.”

There are now two super conferences (Big Ten and SEC) largely based on size and media deals. The Big 12 added

first super conference along with the biggest media deal in NCAA history, a $7 million plus deal with Fox, CBS and NBC.

Front Office Sports called this “another indicator that college sports have become more commercialized than ever.”

Let’s not forget the everpresent, ever-changing NIL. So how is coaching today in the new era of NIL?

The two Minnesota head basketball coaches recently reflected on the fact that no longer can they look past one year at a time in planning because of this new college sport landscape. NIL is college sports’ free agency as players now shop around to find the school that can make them extra money besides scholarship, room and board and books.

“I do like the fact that guys can financially have some freedom, and I’m never gonna hold somebody back for financial decisions,” admitted MBB HC

St. Kates golfer proud of her team’s accomplishments

“I’m still in school and I have golf.”

aycee Rhodes’ summer thus far consists of working and playing golf. The latter also involves competing in summer golf tournaments as she prepares for her final collegiate season at St. Catherine’s.

As promised, we’ve followed the school’s and the MIAC’s only Black golfer since Rhodes, a St. Paul native, arrived at college during the Covid year in 2020. Now armed with her bachelor’s degree in business administration and sales with minor studies in leadership, the golfer now is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

“I’m still in school and I have golf,” Rhodes said proudly.

The first Black student athlete to win State in gold in Minnesota, Rhodes’ academic and athletic resume at St. Kate’s include three times an NCAA women’s golf participant, repeatedly all academic All-American, and four times on the Dean’s List.

Rhodes also is especially proud of St. Kate’s title run, finishing fifth in this year’s NCAA. “It went really well on how our team finished up,” she pointed out.

When we first were introduced by her father in the summer of 2020, Rhodes said she had hoped to have a good college experience. Along with golf, she was nominated to participate in the NCAA Student

Immersion Program, attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum and the Emerging Leaders Seminar. She also was active in several on campus committees.

Back to golf, “I’ve never been on a team that was so heavily motivated to make each other better,” she said, reaffirming her choice to attend St. Kate’s.

At the start of the May 8 Women Of Color Leadership Series speech, St. Catherine’s President ReBecca Koenig Roloff introduced Rhodes—who was scheduled to formally introduce the featured speaker, South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley—by sharing Rhodes’ many accomplishments be-

fore a packed house. “I felt so blessed to be able to hear those things [said out loud],” recalled Rhodes. Her summer job involves teaching youngsters at the Solomon Hughes Golf Academy for local underrepresented youth, working with high school-age golf beginners. The students often ask her about everything from golf to college to everything in between, and Rhodes said she’s more than happy to oblige. “I’ve learned to absolutely love all the questions.”

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

Connecticut Sun guard Veronica Butler

Connecticut Sun guard Rachel Banham (Lakeville)

Atlanta Dream guard Nia Coffey (Hopkins)

WNBA all-star and Minnesota Lynx guard Napheesa Collier

WNBA all-star guard and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride

Royce Lewis talking with reporters

Photos by Charles Hallman

Simeon Woods Richardson (l) and Aaron Robinson

Coach Dawn Plitzuweit

Photos by Charles Hallman

Coach Ben Johnson

■ See VIEW on page 9

Jaycee Rhodes Courtesy of MIAC