July 14, 2022 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

July 14 - 20, 2022

Vol. 88

PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

Inside this Edition...

Read more about Darius Dotch on page 8.

www.spokesman-recorder.com

No. 50

​SAVING THE COLISEUM: New life rises from the ashes of violence

By Tony Kiene Contributing Writer

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hough it covers less than one square mile of land in South Minneapolis, Longfellow is undeniably one of the most historic neighborhoods in the City of Lakes. A vital piece of that history, the cultural landmark known as the Coliseum Building, remains standing thanks to community members who view its preservation as a stand against injustice. Named for the 19th-century poet whose epic “The Song of Hiawatha” chronicles the

mythical adventures of its titular enous trade routes along the Mischaracter and his young love Min- sissippi River. The influence of Henry Wadnehaha, Longfellow lies within the ancestral lands of the Dakota sworth Longfellow’s poem is people and was integral to indig■ See COLISEUM on page 5

Left image courtesy of Robyne Robinson; right photo by Tony Kiene

Police killings display flagrant racial double standards By Jon Jeter Contributing Writer

N Jayland Walker’s police shooting has spurred days of protests.

Courtesy of MGN

o sooner had police announced the arrest of the 21-year-old man suspected of opening fire on a suburban Chicago parade than social media exploded with accusations of a racist double standard. Police say that Robert E. Crimo

III squeezed off more than 70 rounds from a Highland Park rooftop on July 4, killing seven and injuring dozens more. After a brief car chase, Crimo was arrested without incident. The same cannot be said for Jayland Walker. In a July 3 press conference, police in Akron, Ohio acknowledged that nine patrol officers shot the 25-year-old Door-

Dash driver more than 60 times during a foot chase. While police contend that Walker fired at them from his car during the initial pursuit following an attempted traffic stop, they concede that he ditched his gun in his vehicle and was unarmed when officers fired more than 90 shots at him as he fled on foot. ■ See WALKER on page 5

Celebrity barber inspires African diaspora By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer

But before he was known for giving fades to top players in the NFL and NBA, Akway s a young kid growing started as a barber for his up in Fridley, Akeem school basketball team at FridAkway rarely encoun- ley High School. Back in 2009, tered successful images of before cutting hair for pro African entrepreneurs. Now ballers, Akway gained notoriety a successful barber, he hopes for his work as the high school that his own attainment of team’s barber, where he would the American Dream can help earn $5 each cut. From there he went on to inspire others. From tailored suits and attend the Moler Barber School sports cars to flashing lights, and afterward work as a barber at all the stops were pulled out at Fhima’s Minneapolis Restaurant on the evening of July 3 to celebrate the seven-year anniversary of Akway’s Sports Barbershop. Friends and family all came out to show love Final Cut in the Maplewood Mall. for the celebrity barber and Roughly six years later, Akway would open his first barbershop Minnesota-raised Akway. “It feels amazing because I in Spring Lake Park, where he wish I had this growing up, but would quickly gain a reputation I didn’t, so it’s up to me to cre- for his hard work, generosity, and celebrity clientele. ate it,” Akway said. Known for sitting courtside at Timberwolves games, Akway Making the cut It took one cut with forhas cut the hair of professional athletes like Anthony Har- mer Minnesota Vikings player ris, Patrick Beverly, Anthony Jerrick McKinnon to get the Edwards and Karl Anthony ball rolling. McKinnon then referred Akway to teammate Towns to name a few.

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Anthony Barr, who then got word to former Timberwolves player and fellow Minnesotan Tyus Jones. For a while, Akway was Jones’s best-kept secret until Timberwolves power forward and center, Towns, began to pry. Once Towns discovered Akway, his work as a celebrity barber took off, even becoming somewhat of an official barber for the Timberwolves. Akway and Towns became close

“In the end, he won. That’s why we’re here to celebrate.” friends over the years with the star player often referring to Akway for sponsored shoots. “As far as the celebrity barbering thing,” Akway said of his success, “I just knew that if I got a chance to cut one guy, that was it. I believed in my skill.” Born in Ethiopia, Akway arrived in the United States at the age of 10. Becoming a business owner wasn’t an easy task for him, and it took years of struggle to arrive where he

Akeem Akway, seen here kneeling, is surrounded by friends and family celebrating his seventh year in business. Photo by Abdi Mohamed is now. “We’re celebrating the adversity,” Akway said behind his shades while wearing an all-white suit. “Sometimes the landlord would say, ‘Y’all got to move cause y’all too loud,’

and we were able to make it through those stages.” Akway, 31, now owns three different barbershops in the Twin Cities metro area. He moved the original store location to Mounds View and pro-

ceeded to open his second store in the Uptown neighborhood in Minneapolis near the intersection of Lake and Lyndale. Last fall, Akway opened his third location at the Twin Cities ■ See BARBER on page 5

Federal court sentences Chauvin to 21 years for civil rights violations By Henry Pan and Cole Miska Contributing Writers

2020 Chauvin placed his knee on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Chauvin’s actions resulted in days of protests, an abandoned Third Precinct, efore former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin many activists and a photojournalist was sentenced to 21 years with with one less eye, many of his former credit for time served at the Federal colleagues filing for workers’ compenCourthouse in St. Paul, his attorney Eric sation because of post-traumatic stress Nelson addressed the court on why he disorder, and a community struggling over what public safety should look like. decided to become a police officer. “I really don’t know why you did “Talking to Chauvin about what he liked best [about being an officer] and what you did, but to put your knee on why specifically the Third Precinct, he another’s neck until they expire is simsaid he felt that was where he could ply wrong. For that you must be subactually make an impact on people’s stantially punished,” said Judge Paul A. Magnuson as he sentenced Chauvin lives,” said Nelson. Indeed, Chauvin, who appeared in to 21 years in federal prison for violatcourt in an orange jumpsuit accompa- ing George Floyd’s civil rights, as well nied by his wife and mother, has made as the civil rights of John Christopher an impact on people’s lives. George Pope, Jr. John Pope (l) and attorney Robert Bennett Chauvin bashed Pope’s head with a Floyd is dead and his family is without their loved one because on May 25, flashlight when Pope was 14 years old.

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Judge Magnuson added that Chauvin also destroyed the lives of J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, two former officers who were working their first days on the job when Chauvin knelt on George’s neck and had them help. Chauvin will serve the sentence concurrently with his state sentence. He will also have to pay restitution, an amount to be determined at a later date. He will also serve five years of supervised release and not be allowed access to guns, lines of credit, any contact with Pope, his family, or George Floyd’s family, nor be a police, security, or corrections officer. He also received credit for time served for when he was in jail between May 2020 and October 2020 and from April 2021 to June 2021. His defense requested 20 years Photo by Cole Miska ■ See CHAUVIN on page 5

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July 14 - July 20, 2022

Metro Faster Hennepin transit in limbo over BIPOC business concerns By Henry Pan Contributing Writer Aaron Stephenson recalled more bad experiences than good with Metro Transit’s Route 6 since he rode the wood-paneled buses as a child using it to get to school, and eventually to work. “Hennepin is always so choked with cars,” said Stephenson. He listed some of his transit frustrations over Twitter private message, among them, “Being late to work when I was working breakfast at Lucia’s, or just generally trying to make [it to] things downtown, but sitting in car traffic on Hennepin for infuriating amounts of time.” Stephenson, who is Black, is among those who support fulltime transit-only lanes on Hennepin Ave. between Douglas Ave. and Lake St. in Uptown. But the transit lanes are imperiled after the Minneapolis City Council failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s June 17 veto on June 30, citing business concerns. For years, the City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit, Uptown-area residents, transit riders, and activists desired faster transit on congestionprone Hennepin Ave. Activists cited climate change, racial justice, and the desire to make streets safe as three of the biggest factors. “Adding in bike facilities… dedicated transit, making it easier for people to walk, reducing the amount of severe or fatal crashes that happen on a street…are proven to be good for business,” said Councilmember Aisha Chugtai, who represents the eastern half of Hennepin. “This isn’t actually a debate about climate versus business. It’s a debate about how do we best build for the future that we know is coming for the most marginalized people and for the health of an entire corridor.” Researchers say transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota, itself a contributor to climate change, and the

“As a parent, it’s really important to me that we try to do everything we can to combat climate change and make sure that my kid and their generation have a planet left to live on,” said Hennepin Ave. resident Jason Garcia, who supports the transit lanes. This also makes sense from a racial justice standpoint, activists say, because those who ride—who are mostly people of color—do so because they have no other way of getting around. In fact, 46% of Route 6 riders are people of color. Five-eighths of the 46% are Black, according to data collected by the Metropolitan Council in late 2021 as part of their ongoing travel behavior inventory. The survey seeks to understand how people in the Twin Cities are using the region’s transit system.

Metro Transit arterial rapid transit bus operates on Route 6 on Hennepin Ave. Photos by Henry Pan The red bus lanes, which buses operate on between 25th Street and Franklin Ave. in the morning heading towards downtown, and between 25th Street and Uptown Transit Station in the afternoon coming from downtown, were a hit, not only because they made the buses run up to 24% faster, but also because they continued to function as parking for businesses when they needed it the most. “I used to open at 9:30, but it makes no sense to open when you can’t park in front of my store [from 7 am to 9 am],” said Fit 1st Running owner Manny Minter of the transit lanes. “[The current arrangement] works perfect for me because I don’t open up till 11 am.”

Manny Minter talks about how his business would be affected by the city of Minneapolis’ plans to rebuild Hennepin Avenue. City plans to slow it down by incentivizing other ways to get around. Hennepin Ave. also happens to be due for a rebuild—its last rebuild was 60 years ago. So they worked with Metro Transit to implement part-time bus lanes on Hennepin Ave. in 2018 and 2019. Metro Transit was also already working to implement the E Line, a rapid bus route similar to the A and C Lines that only stops at specially-designed stations along the way and will replace Route 6D when it opens in 2025. They believed lanes just for buses would make it go faster, which would mean more people would ride it instead of driving.

said Minter. “They’re not really walkers or bikers.” The city pledges to form a task force to manage parking availability along where Hennepin is being rebuilt. Nonetheless, Minter supports some aspects of the plan, such as left-turn-only lanes and medians, which the city hopes will slow traffic down and reduce the number of crashes, particularly at 24th, 25th, and the block in between. The block had about one crash about every six weeks between 2016 and March 2019, whereas both intersections combined had about one crash every three weeks between 2013 and March 2019. “A turning lane, with a turning light designed for each way, that right there, I think it’d be a great project,” said Minter.

It’s what the city tried to do after the pilot that makes Minter feel uneasy. Given how popular and effective the transit lanes were, the city decided to dedicate two lanes on Hennepin solely to transit. The city also plans to widen sidewalks and create a two-way bike lane. The plan means Minter would lose all of his parking currently outside his business, which he contends are crucial for the 60% of his clientele who he said comes from as far as North Dakota and Wisconsin. “[They’ve] specifically come to seek me out because of how we fit shoes. Their podiatrist or their chiropractor, their cousin or someone told them about us,”

The plan, backed by advocates and every Minneapolisbased Minnesota State House member, was approved by the Minneapolis City Council on June 16, with Councilmembers Lisa Goodman, Emily Koski, Latrisha Vetaw, Michael Rainville and Linea Palmisano opposing. However, it was vetoed by Mayor Jacob Frey on June 17 because of the impacts it would have on BIPOC businesses. “I cannot support keeping bus-only lanes 24 hours a day when buses do not run 24 hours a day. “This would ignore the countless small businesses, many of them BIPOC-owned, who compromised both for the presence of a protected bike lane and prioritized bus lanes at the expense of a substantial amount of parking,” said Frey in a letter issuing the veto. The city council failed to override his veto on June 30. Consequently, the city council referred the project back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, where they will renegotiate the street layout on July 14. The Metropolitan Council, which distributes federal funds for transportation projects like this, said building part-time transit lanes would not endanger $7 million in federal funds for the project. Regardless of whether or not the city will include full-time transit lanes on the final layout, Metro Transit’s E Line plan will move forward after the Met Council voted to advance its station locations on June 22. Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@spokesmanrecorder.com. Learn more about the Hennepin reconstruction project by visiting www.minneapolismn. gov/government/projects/hennepin-ave-s Learn more about Metro Transit’s E Line project by visiting www.metrotransit.org/e-lineproject

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ADVERTORIAL

People of Color Career Fair seeks to inspire and fill many healthcare roles In an effort to raise awareness and interest in a possible career in healthcare for people of all backgrounds and ethnicities, Hennepin Healthcare is holding its first-ever People of Color Career Fair in downtown Minneapolis on July 16. The career fair will highlight different career paths and available positions for both clinical and non-clinical roles, and everyone in the community is welcome to attend. The event is being held to get more people of color interested in a healthcare career, with the long-term goal in mind of decreasing health disparities. The lack of diversity at the provider level is usually an indicator that the same holds true for most other roles within the healthcare system. It has been proven that healthcare providers of color play a critical role in delivering culturally centered care and decreasing health disparities. “Data has shown us that the quickest way to decrease health disparities in Black and Brown populations is to have a clinician who has the same racial concordance as the patient,” exclaims Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, Chief Health Equity Officer at Hennepin

Healthcare. For an ethnically diverse Twin Cities, it is imperative that healthcare organizations reflect the community and their patients at all levels and positions. The People of Color Healthcare Career Fair will be held on July 16, at Hennepin Healthcare’s downtown Clinic & Specialty Center. From 10 am to 2 pm, participants can get help with their resume and interviewing skills. Stations will be set up to provide information on specific positions and career paths, including: • Health Care Assistant • Registered Nurse • Registration and Scheduling roles • Licensed Practical Nurse • Medical Assistant • Pharmacy Technician • Mental Health Worker • Protection Officer • Surgical Technologist • And many more! Additionally, on-site interviews will even be available for select positions during the event. “There are so many people who are vital in making a hospital run,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Alabi, OBGYN. “Lab techs, phlebotomists, medical assistants, respiratory thera-

pists, and of course nursing, and the list goes on and on. For those of you who are thinking that a career in medicine is something that you want, I definitely encourage you to do so.” Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes a nationally recognized Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, an acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The healthcare system has a large psychiatric program, research institute, philanthropic foundation, and includes Emergency Medical Services, which operates a large fleet of ambulances serving 14 cities in Hennepin County. Hennepin Healthcare is the second largest employer in downtown Minneapolis with 7,000 employees. If you’re looking for a change or have always wanted to work in healthcare, attend the People of Color Healthcare Career Fair on July 16. Learn more about this great opportunity and register to attend the career fair at hennepinhealthcare.org/poccareers. All are welcome to attend.

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When

Conversations on the 4th Friday of each month from 12 to 1 PM Question & Answer time (Q&A) the following Friday from 12 to 1 PM

CIVIAL LEGAL AID PROGRAM FOR SENIORS Eliminating the Black and Brown community wealth gap is a generational challenge. Sabathani is partnering with several MN organizations to bring information, actionable resources, and time to ask questions through monthly multi-generational-building conversations.

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Have questions? Visit our website at sabathani.org to learn more! Call us at (612) 821-2302 or send an email to Sherri Green at sgreen@sabathani.org.

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July 14 - July 20, 2022

Walker Continued from page 1

Adding insult to injury, police handcuffed Walker as he lay fatally injured. A deluge of memes and social media posts have surfaced in the week since the shootings in Highland Park, and while the commentary takes any number of forms, they are all variations of a theme that note three critical differences between the two men: Walker was Black, while Crimo is White; Walker was wanted for a traffic offense, while Crimo was wanted for multiple murders; And lastly, Walker is dead and Crimo is not. One widely circulated tweet adds Walker’s name to a list of three unarmed African Americans: 17-yearold Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer; 23-year-old Sean Bell, who died in a fusillade of 50 shots fired by New York police officers; and Amadou Diallo, a Guinean immigrant who died in a hail

Coliseum Continued from page 1

deeply entrenched in the neighborhood as two of its main avenues respectively bear the names of both the Ojibwe warrior and the Dakota “princess,” as do a multitude of other nearby landmarks. Like much of Minneapolis around the turn of the 20th century, Longfellow was subject to racial housing covenants designed to keep it exclusively White. By the mid-1930s, pro-labor protests resulted in violence as dozens were injured and two killed during clashes with Minneapolis police. Today, just a stone’s throw from the Little Earth community that represents nearly 40 tribal nations, Longfellow is recognized as a proud and progressive workingclass neighborhood, rich in diversity and resilient in the face of its complicated history.

Saving the Coliseum At the corner of East Lake Street and 27th Avenue South sits one of Longfellow’s most iconic structures, the Coliseum Building, which first opened its doors to the community in 1917. In the days following the murder of George Floyd, the Coliseum, just a block or so away from the Third Precinct headquarters of the Minneapolis Police Department, was severely damaged. The Coliseum’s out-of-town proprietors made clear their intentions to raze the building, but some in the community had other ideas. Led by its Director of Property Development Taylor Smrikárova, Redesign, Inc. purchased the Coliseum, thus saving it from the wrecking ball and reenvisioning a brand new future for the space and its meaning to the neighborhood. Phase One of the reclamation project was to wrap the base of the 85,000-square-foot building in vivid graphic design and evocative

Barber Continued from page 1

Premium Outlets in Eagan. One of the folks who saw this journey from the beginning was cousin and business partner Goliath Oboyo. Oboyo hosts the “Addition” Podcast that Akway frequently cohosts. The two discuss topics ranging from finance to sports, pop culture, and how to make it in America as an immigrant. Oboyo knew Akway was well on his way to success when his older cousin began to charge cuts for the family. “When he wouldn’t cut my hair, that’s when I knew,” Oboyo laughed. “I used

chauvin Continued from page 1

with credit for time served, plus five years of supervised release, because of his work ethic and how serving time in prison as a former cop, mostly in segregation, as well as his diagnosis of heart disease, would affect his life. The prosecution opposed the sentence because it would not punish Chauvin for depriving Pope, who is suing Chauvin, of his civil rights. Pope addressed the court before the sentencing, saying what Chauvin did traumatized him. “All of my dreams began to slip out of my hands on September 4, 2017, when I was personally subjected to and experienced police brutality firsthand,” said Pope. “I was a bright school kid full of motivation. I had big dreams. And I tried to achieve good

of 41 bullets fired by the NYPD. These deadly encounters stand in stark contrast to White mass murder suspects such as Peyton Gendron, who is charged with fatally shooting 10 Blacks at a Buffalo grocery store in May, and Dylan Roof who was not only handled with kid gloves by police after murdering nine African Americans in a South Carolina church seven years ago, but was rather famously treated to Burger King by his arresting officers. George Pate, an African American living in Detroit, told the SpokesmanRecorder: “It is beyond frustrating. The American White society sees it as normal, otherwise they would make something happen or some changes. Our cries for change go unheard. “This has been routinely going on since slavery and been openly watched by video for about 20 years! Like l stated years ago, these are modern-day lynchings, killing Black people on live TV.” Statistics are unambiguous. Unarmed Black people are killed by police at a rate three times higher than Whites, research shows, even though Whites who are stopped by police are twice as likely to be carrying a handgun. Moreover, many high-profile police

“Cops get really scared and they just unload.” shooting of Philando Castile by a St. Anthony police officer. In April, a police officer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christopher Schurr, fatally shot a Congolese immigrant, Patrick Lyoya, following a traffic stop. In an interview with the Spokesman-Recorder, Jack Glaser, a professor of social psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, said that the empirical evidence makes clear that police approach African Americans and Whites differently in effecting

verse featuring some of the Twin Cities’ foremost visual and literary artists from the BIPOC community. “When Redesign first approached me, I jumped at the chance to help,” explained Robyne Robinson, whose national firm, five X five art consultants, curated the call for artists that brought the project to fruition.

traffic stops. The problem, however, is that Whites tend to gaslight these fatal incidents by explaining, for instance, that Walker allegedly fired at police, or musing that Crimo followed police commands. “Whites want to believe that the world is generally fair, and there are people who just don’t want to believe that there is a group of people who are much more vulnerable to state violence than they are,” said Glaser, the author of Suspect Race: Causes and Consequences of Racial Profiling. “They want to believe in a just world and that they deserve their advantages and privileges. It’s more comforting to think you hit a triple rather than being born on third [base].” Police, on the other hand, are motivated by an even more primal emotion: fear. Buying into stereotypes of Blacks as “animalistic” and possessed of superhuman strength, police respond with both prejudice and excessive force. The proof of their fear is in the volume of shots that often characterize the violent apprehension of unarmed African Americans, Glaser said, pointing out that at most police academies officers are trained to fire in short

face of injustice and police violence. He added that the “equitable redevelopment of the Coliseum Building will mark an important milestone in the history of Lake Street, the Longfellow neighborhood, the city of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota.” Additional speakers included Tish Jones, founder and executive

“What is being done here with the Coliseum project is different. It is presenting Longfellow residents with emotional equity.” Robinson further noted that this display of public art is vital as it “adds to the resolute spirit, strength and legacy of the people of Longfellow.” Approximately a year after Phase One was commissioned, the Coliseum’s new art was unveiled to the public Friday morning, July 8, 2022. During the presentation, Smrikárova acknowledged that this effort is part of “our stand” in the

to ask him, ‘Aye bro, can I get a haircut?’ He says, ‘It’s business cuz.’” But, said Oboyo, “He’s a very humble guy. He’s helped a lot of people in this city be where they’re at today, and that’s why I’m here to support him and let him know we’re here for him.” Fine artist and friend Flahn Manly recalled first meeting Akeem over a decade ago. He noticed how dedicated Akway was to his craft, but was also proud to see a fellow African brother following his passion. For a member of the African diaspora, that image of success can travel far and wide. “Akeem is the epitome of the American Dream,” Manly said, “doing whatever it takes and making the ultimate sacrifice to better yourself and serving people too. In the end, he won.

grades in school and chase my dreams and go to college. I was looking forward to [having] a positive impact in my community. “The day I met Derek Chauvin was the day that I feared for my life,” Pope said in his statement. “Sometimes I get very emotional to the point where I don’t want to think about it anymore and want it to go away. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself.” Addressing the media outside of the courtroom, Pope said he feels powerless and out of control. “I’m still figuring it out, mentally getting to a place I want to be.” Philonise Floyd addressed the court on behalf of the family, saying how he still has nightmares as his brother George begged for his life, the smirk on Chauvin’s face forever etched into his consciousness. “My family and I have been given a life sentence. We would never be able to get George back,” said Floyd. Floyd later told reporters out-

killings of Blacks in recent years were predicated on routine traffic stops. These include Daunte Wright by a Brooklyn Center police officer, Kim Potter, in 2021, and the 2016 fatal

director of the St. Paul-based collective TruArtSpeaks, and Ward 2 Councilmember ​​Robin Wonsley. The colorful graphic designs that now adorn the Coliseum Building were created by artists Precious Wallace, Darren Hill, Emma Eubanks, and Noah Lawrence-Holder. Likewise, the written contributions came from poets Marcie Rendon and Isha Camara, along with the spoken

Inmate Derek Chauvin

why,” said Floyd. George’s fiancé Courtney Ross provided a victim impact statement that was read aloud in court by court staff. “I do not

Courtesy of MGN

“The day I met Derek Chauvin was the day that I feared for my life.” picture. He had his knee on my brother’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Chauvin showed that he had no conscience, he showed no empathy, he showed no compassion. I just don’t understand, in this world,

hate you, Mr. Chauvin. I’m working on forgiving you because that is what Floyd would want me to do,” said Ross in her statement. “I hope you use this time in your life to change your life, change your mindset, and try

bursts of three until the perceived threat is extinguished. “But cops get really scared and they just unload,” Glaser said. “I’ve spoken to police officers who’ve told me that they’ve soiled themselves” during violent encounters with Blacks. The tragic irony is that fear is also precisely what motivates some Blacks, like Walker, to flee police who they believe, with some justification, have a “shoot-first” mentality. Walker, for instance, had no criminal record, and both his family and attorney dispute police accounts that he fired at pursuing officers, noting that the gun found on the front seat of his car was unloaded and seemed to have been planted by police to cover their tracks. “It’s the terror of knowing that no matter what you do, this may not end well,” Kerwin Webb, an African American who heads a job and life skills program for young Black men in Asbury Park, New Jersey, told CNN. “It’s an ingrained fear for your life. What is the best way for me to try to survive? It’s the reality of being Black in America.” Jon Jeter welcomes reader responses to jjeter@spokesman-recorder.com.

word artist known as See More Perspective. Rendon’s poem, titled “Even though you can’t see us, we never left,” contrasts the Emancipation Proclamation with another executive order from Abraham Lincoln that, on the day after Christmas 1862, authorized the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato— which remains the largest mass execution ever on American soil. Two more were hung in early 1863 as the remaining Dakota were exiled from the North Star State. Phase Two of the project, which will renovate the interior of the building, is on track to start in the fall of 2022. Space will be dedicated to supporting Black and Indigenous creative artists as well as BIPOC-owned businesses and community organizations.

bestows respect, and appropriately acknowledges the experiences and the history of resistance in this community.” She continued, “Most developers don’t consider the people that are already there. Those that are the heart and soul of a neighborhood. What is being done here with the Coliseum project is different. It is presenting Longfellow residents with emotional equity.” Asked what the ultimate legacy of this project looks like to her, Robinson visualizes a grandparent who, while walking along Lake Street with their grandchildren, can point to the Coliseum Building and say, “I helped make that happen. To me, that’s what legacy is all about.” The Coliseum Building is located at 2700 East Lake Street in Minneapolis.

Building a legacy In reflecting on the magnitude and meaning in all of this, Robin- Tony Kiene welcomes reader son observed that the reimagined responses to tkiene@spokesmanColiseum Building “gives hope, recorder.com.

On the grind That’s why we’re here to celebrate.” Going into his eighth year of busiWhile Akway can often be found at one of his three locations, he’s made ness, the barber-turned-entrepreneur sure to curate an image on social shows no signs of slowing down and has media that showcases the lifestyle expanded into a new venture: coffee. He recently helped launch a coffee he’s earned. This inspiration has led several young men and women to go brand, Afro Grind, with his brother and on to work at Akway’s barbershops fellow creative Omot Akway. Omot and launch their own businesses after first taught Akway how to cut hair, which started his journey to launchworking with him. Having watched Akway’s growth ing his business, and joined in on this over the years, Oboyo noted that venture to support his brother. The coffee, sourced directly from one thing Akway continues to do that garners him more success is the African countries of Kenya, Ethiosupport others. “In the business pia and Tanzania, is a testament to the world, when you get older you got to grind and dedication of Africans. They have the younger people who bring hope to launch a storefront in the near you that energy. He finds the young future to help foster a spirit of collaboartists that are doing something and ration and networking. Manly, who is an ambassador to the he helps them out.”

side of the courthouse that he wished Chauvin was sentenced to life in prison. “I just thought [what] everybody seen on the video…was a motion cinema

5

brand, stated that Afro Grind is a way of connecting Africans together globally. “The concept of Afro Grind is compassionate capitalism to provide jobs for our people back home. The coffee brand is more of a bridge than anything,” he said. Having sent many of his now-fellow barbers to school, Akway is planning to open his own program one day. “I’m looking forward to putting a lot of people through barber school, and I’m like, why don’t I open my own barber school? But for right now, I’m going to keep building my brand on social media and dropping haircut tutorials on YouTube,” Akway said. Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader responses to amohamed@spokesmanrecorder.com.

to change others so they do not follow in your footsteps.” Chauvin, his family, and his defense generally continued to evade responsibility for George’s murder, attempting to shift the blame elsewhere in their statements. Fighting back tears, Chauvin’s mother Carolyn Pawlenty pleaded for leniency for her son, attesting to his work ethic. “Many know that Derek has dedicated almost 20 years to the Minneapolis Police Department, a department I believe in my own eyes who have failed to back their own,” said Pawlenty. “Derek is a caring man who also put his family and friends’ needs before his own. My son did not wake up…and decide ‘I’m going to go out today and kill someone.’” Addressing the court before he was sentenced, Chauvin did not apologize to his victims but instead wished them a good life. “To the Pope family, I hope you are able to have an adequate relationship with your mother

and sister, and I hope you are able to get the best education to live a productive and rewarding life. To the Floyd family…I just wish [his children] all the best in their life and hope they have excellent guidance in becoming great adults.” The three officers involved in murdering George Floyd and violating his civil rights, Kueng, Lane, and Tou Thao, will be sentenced in federal court at a later date. Kueng and Thao await trial in state court over charges of aiding and abetting Floyd’s murder, which will begin in October. Lane will be sentenced in state court on September 21 after reaching a plea agreement on the same charges. Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan@ spokesman-recorder.com. Cole Miska welcomes reader responses to cmiska@ spokesman-recorder.com.

6 July 14 - July 20, 2022

Health

Monkeypox

What is it? What is being done about it? animals from that area. An outbreak within the United States was first seen in 2003 and linked to contact with infected pet prairie dogs that had been imported.

By Sean J. Ennevor, MD Guest Contributor

Symptoms The timing of symptoms varies. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is five to 21 days. Symptoms that last 14 to 30 days include: • fever • malaise • headache • sore throat with cough • swollen Lymph nodes • blistering rash on any part of the body (face, hands, feet, chest, genitals, inside the mouth, etc.) • muscle pains The swollen lymph nodes (anywhere on the body) usually present after a fever, followed one to two days later by the rash. The swollen glands indicate a clinical difference from smallpox that includes all of the above symptoms but usually does not have the swelling of lymph nodes. The rash is visible to others and presents as a lesion that evolves to a fluid-filled blister eventually crusting over. This rash can be very painful initially, but as it heals it may itch extremely.

Monkeypox is a viral disease that was identified within laboratory monkeys after an outbreak in the 1950s, thus the name. It is actually unknown where the virus originated, and to date it is rarely fatal if contracted. Interestingly, it is more common in rats, mice, rabbits and squirrels, all of which may possess the virus and infect humans. This virus, which is specifically an orthopoxvirus, is related to smallpox, and anyone is susceptible to contracting the virus. Within tropical rain forest areas of central and western Africa, this family of viruses is prevalent and common, also known as endemic, but it has spread to other areas of the world. The first human case was identified in 1970’s Africa with an early presentation very similar to flu symptoms and then a progression to smallpox-like illness. Most human cases thereaf- Transmission ter were due to international Transmission occurs durtravel to or from the endemic ing the two to four weeks of area or due to the import of symptoms through:

• direct contact with rash, likely the fluid from within a blister or lesion; • respiratory secretions especially when the contact is prolonged such as during kissing or repeated face-to-face contact; • contact with items that were in contact with the rash or fluids of an infected person; • transmission from infected animals via bite, scratch, or consuming infected animal meat. Diagnosis 1. A sample is taken from a lesion and a (PCR) test is done to identify the virus. 2. Blood test to check for virus particles or antibodies to the pox virus. Complications • secondary skin infections at the open sores • eye infections • pneumonia • encephalitis (brain inflammation) Prevention—what can one do? • Do not touch the lesions. wear PPE when caring for infected individuals. • Avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals. • Do not touch the bedding, towels or clothing of symptomatic individuals without gloves. • Disinfect surfaces that infected individuals come in contact with. • Hand wash frequently with soap and water as well as alcohol-based products

• comfort measures for the painful rash and other symptoms • hydration • pain relievers for headaches and flu-like symptoms • antibiotics for secondary infections • future antiviral medications may become available Vaccines for smallpox historically also prevented monkeypox, but these vaccines are not in ample supply. As a result, they are recommended for immunocompromised atrisk individuals. One such vaccine the FDA has approved is made by Jynneos. It is effective Treatment Fortunately most people in preventing disease four get better without any treat- days after exposure and may reduce severity of symptoms ment. Treatment can include: • Avoid contact with rodents and primates if traveling to central or western Africa. Since it is a virus, there are differing strains, and most have limited human-to-human spread, while others are quite contagious. An individual is most contagious during the rash presentation, but also potentially during the symptoms prior to the rash appearance. For instance, when a patient has fever, headache, or sore throat without rash, one should be cautious if an outbreak is noted.

if given up to two weeks after exposure. The production of this vaccine is being increased, but supply increase will take time. Sean J. Ennevor, M.D. graduated with a B.A.S. in biology and economics from Stanford University, and as a Dean’s Scholar from UCLA School of Medicine where he received his MD. He completed his medical residency and fellowship in anesthesiology at Yale University, where he was chief resident and on staff. He practiced medicine in the Twin Cities for over 14 years, and presently serves as an advisor and investor for medical technology companies throughout the country.

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Strive

Community Publishing

Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Anglea Rose Myers Contributing Writer Black literacy starts with more Black books. Strive Community Publishing, started in 2018, is the manifestation of a vision set out by former teacher and Strive founder Mary Taris to solve the problem of underrepresentation of Black people in children’s books and the lack of support for Black authors. Since then, Strive has grown as a community-informed publishing company that seeks to foster new author’s voices, as well as encourage reading and literacy for Black folk of all ages. Taris grew up in North Minneapolis and became a teacher in the Minneapolis and Robbinsdale Public School systems. One of her greatest challenges while growing up and then while teaching was trying to find culturally relevant books for her students. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a book lover,” said Taris. “The only problem with that is that I never saw myself

Mary Taris reading “Blend in or Fade Out.” Photos courtesy of Strive don’t want to read. “I really feel like they don’t want to read because there aren’t enough books that represent them, that really engage them. It’s not like they don’t have the ability to read, but I mean, why would you want to read when you never see yourself?” When she started teaching, “I could not believe that there still were not that many books by Black people for my students,” Taris continued. “And I taught for years, but every

On July 20, Strive will host its grand opening celebration. represented in books. So I’ve realized as an adult that it affected me, because I just remember always wanting to be someone else instead of being affirmed or inspired to be the Black girl that I was.” This issue of Black representation persisted when she became a teacher. Taris saw students’ disinterest with material and saw student achievement flounder due to lack of representation. “It’s affecting our children’s reading achievement, because they

year I always had to make an extra effort and even spent my own money to get books and resources for our children. “I kept saying, somebody’s got to do something about this! And I finally realized, I’m gonna have to do something. So I just decided I’m going to start a book publishing company and get more books into the world that our children can relate to.” However, starting a Black publishing company did not come without its challenges for Taris. Due to her student

Business

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) recently gathered at The Hutton House for its annual Achieve! Awards to celebrate five outstanding members from the Minnesota chapter. Receiving the ‘Emerging Woman Business Owner of the Year’ was Rondo native Tameka Jones, founder and CEO of Lip Esteem, a startup cosmetic business newly located on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. “Our organization helps owners like Tameka build their networks to find resources for business growth,” shared NAWBO president, Mary Younggren. Since 1975, NAWBO has served over 10 million women-owned businesses across the U.S., providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs from all types of industries. “In Minnesota, we are connecting with a diverse community of women business owners to grow their networks,”

teacher,” Taris said. “But after George Floyd was murdered, we started to get so many manuscripts and inquiries from people who wanted to be able to tell their stories. You know, they just want to be heard. “And so that, to me, just told me that we need to open up the doors and find a way to help people be heard, so Colnese M. Hendon’s book ‘Blend in or Fade Out’ is our first adult memoir. Because we know that is what the community needs and also what the community wants. “We will continue to publish children’s books, but ultimately we’re trying to find ways to help people be heard. That “We’re looking to goes beyond publishing a book.” Taris continued, “We’ve be a resource for been doing writing workpeople who want to shops and book talks throughknow more about out the community… We also have publishing resources on Black literature.” the website. So if people just really does not represent our don’t even know where to community… When I first start, we have some resource started, I didn’t think there videos, and we also have a litwere any other Black pub- erary consultant. “So let’s say you’re not even lishers, but every time I met someone, I was like, ‘Hey! We sure what a manuscript could need to stick together and try to look like, or you have this idea for a book and it’s not develwork together.’” These partnerships also oped. She could work with led Strive to get a brick-and- you on that.” Another exciting book to mortar store in downtown Minneapolis. Taris stated, “We look out for this summer is are actually a part of a co-op. It’s called ‘the Sister Co-op’. The co-op was created by the Downtown Council’s Community Consortium, which promotes minority-owned businesses. They help businesses find affordable retail spaces. So we’re on the Skyway level of the IDS center, who partners with them.” Strive is working to support the community through their Black Joy Literacy book clubs, upcoming summer events, and through supporting authors. “We strive to be a community-informed organization. So we’re out in the community, but also we really try to listen to what the community wants and needs. “I started out publishing children’s books just out of my experience of being a frustrated loans while obtaining a master’s degree, she was unable to secure a business loan and had to raise capital through other means. “It’s kind of ironic that, you know, I spent all this time and money to become educated, then when I really need to be able to use my education to bring more resources to our community, I couldn’t get a business loan.” But lack of funds did not stop her as she honed her collaborative spirit, leading her to create the Minnesota Black Publishing Arts collective, which includes In Black inc, Papyrus, and Wise Inc. “The publishing industry

“Hockey is for Everyone,” a children’s book by Anthony Walsh that discusses confronting microaggressions in children’s sports written from a child’s perspective. Former high school hockey

“Hockey is for Everyone” will launch July 15. player and current children’s author Walsh, with the support of Strive, will be launching “Hockey is for Everyone” July 15, just in time for readers to get their copies at the upcoming grand opening of Strive Community Publishing’s storefront. “So on July 20, we’re having our grand opening celebration, and Anthony Walsh is our featured author,” said Taris. “This bookstore opening is gonna kick off our Summer Author Series, so people will be able to meet all of our Strive authors. “And then also we’re plan-

ning other events, and this is a great, beautiful space to have events. We’re looking to collaborate with anybody who wants to hold an important event in a Black space. “You know, we’re looking to be a resource for people who want to know more about Black literature. And we want to be a space also [where folks can] connect across cultures.” Strive Community Publishing is fostering authors, growing the field of Black authors in Minnesota, and also making sure our community is engaged and excited about reading from childhood to adulthood. Strive started as a business that asked how they can fill the gap of Black under-representation in children’s books. It is growing into a community-minded publisher that strives to authentically uplift the voices and experiences of Black people. You can find out more about Strive Community Publishing by going to their store at www. strivepublishing.com and their storefront in the IDS building at 80 South 8th Street, Suite 254, Minneapolis, MN 55402. Anglea Rose Myers welcomes reader responses to amyers@spokesman-recorder.com.

To Protect Yourself and Others from Covid-19 If you feel sick...

ward to the next generation of female entrepreneurs. “One of the reasons Lip Esteem continues to grow is due to the wonderful connections and support from my NAWBO peers. I am so grateful,” said Jones. Many readers of the MSR may recognize Jones from her early days selling Lip Esteem at local farmer’s markets, as well as being featured as one of six Black-owned businessTameka Jones es highlighted in the EmmyPhoto by Julie Gordon nominated show “Small Business Revolution.” “The filming of the ‘Small added Younggren. “This helps them in a myriad of ways, in- Business Revolution’ will cluding the how-to’s of scal- go down as one of the best ing a business, learning the things I’ve done in my life,” risks to shield against, finding said Jones, “especially since it people to hire, and learning shined a light on Minnesota’s how others have scaled their Black community. Let’s continue to build together!” businesses.”

“Let’s continue to build together!”

7

Finding ways to help people be heard

Women-owned business group boosts Rondo entrepreneur By Julie Gordon Contributing Writer

July 14 - July 20, 2022

To learn more about NAWBO’s Catalyst Fund and its DEI&B work, please visit their program page at https://bit.ly/ NAWBO2022.

Jones joined NAWBO in July 2021 as one of 15 recipiJulie Gordon welcomes ents of the Catalyst Fund, a program designed for women reader responses to jgordon@ business owners to pay it for- spokesman-recorder.com.

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8 July 14 - July 20, 2022

Arts & Culture

Local Renaissance man charts his own unique path By Tiffany Johnson Contributing Writer Darius Dotch is a Louisiana native who has made his mark in Minnesota in more ways than one. An actor, recording artist, fitness instructor and podcaster, Dotch is a Renaissance man paving a unique path for himself and creating an inspiring way of life for others. As an actor, Dotch has starred on many stages including the History Theatre in St. Paul and Penumbra Theatre. Following his recent debut at the Guthrie Theater as an understudy in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” Dotch will be starring in the Guthrie Theater’s

upcoming production of “Sweat.” In 2021, Dotch was also featured in the film “39 Seconds”—a story by local filmmaker Paul Irmiter—and in 2020 he was the sole actor in one of ESPN’s Final Four commercials. “We shot it here in the Twin Cities, in the same studio where Prince recorded a lot of his music,” Dotch recalled. “The room was called ‘The Quietest Place on Earth,’ and that’s literally what it is—the quietest place on earth. “It feels like when you speak, that you’re not talking loud enough. You feel like you need to yell, and it feels like your sound is being sucked away from you in this room,” he said. As quarantine threatened to stifle the

“Your path is your own path. Don’t try and be what someone else wants you to be.”

sound of so many artists, Dotch persevered and found a way to leverage a season that may have seemed crippling for others. He continued to pursue his songwriting as well as fitness from home. In 2021, he even released a new single entitled “Soul Food,” a beautiful celebration of his Southern roots and the essence of soul in the Black community. “Everybody at that point was going through their own mental thing, whether it was negative or positive. If you were depressed, had anxiety, whatever it was, we were all going through something at some point during the pandemic,” he shared. During that time Dotch was also learning more about himself and what it meant to maintain mindfulness. He became inspired to start a podcast to share his personal life lessons with fitness clients and others who might be on a similar journey. “It’s not an easy thing to go after a goal or to go after a dream,” Dotch said, “because if it was, it wouldn’t be a goal and it wouldn’t be a dream.” Now, as opportunities for Dotch continue to pour in, it is not without reciprocation. As an artist and fitness instructor in the Twin Cities community, he has become a role model for people young and old, and even this is with intention. “Something that my mama told me a long time ago—I was less than 12 when she told me that my name meant ‘help from God.’ Then the older I got, the more I started to pay attention to how things happen in my life. I realized that it was kind of manifesting itself.”

Darius Dotch

Submitted photos

As a full-time multi-talented entrepreneur juggling multiple expeditions between the arts, fitness and podcasting, Dotch has also made himself a generous conduit of wisdom—an open ear to peers, clients, family and friends, and an example to people pursuing dreams. “Your path is your own path. Don’t try and be what someone else wants you to be,” he said. “Don’t compare yourself to other people’s path because yours is unique to you. And if you come across a setback, or you make a mistake, or you have failure, just know that it was meant to be. “We all fail. We all have setbacks. But the last thing you should do is to stop.” Darius Dotch’s “Mastering the Mindset” podcast can be heard at: masteringthemindsetdariusdotch.buzzsprout.com Darius Dotch Music: linktr.ee/DariusDotch Darius Dotch upcoming performance, Guthrie Theatre’s “Sweat” www.guthrietheater.org/ shows-and-tickets/2021-2022-season/sweat Tiffany Johnson welcomes reader responses to tjohnson@spokesman-recorder.com.

Summertime jazz opportunities By Robin James Contributing Writer

jazz book-reading, and jazz concert-going recommendations. From Blue Note Records, Yeah, summer is here, and with it comes chances for the classic vinyl edition of some good record-listening, Sonny Clark’s “Dial ‘S’ for Son-

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ny” will be released July 29. The pianist’s 1957 Blue Note debut features an A-class sextet with Curtis Fuller, Art Farmer, Wilbur Ware, Hank Mobley and Louis Hayes. On July 5, Blue Note artist Derrick Hodge celebrated a birthday. Check out the composer’s 2020 album, “Color of Noize.” The late Blue Note artist and Hammond B3 organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith was born on July 3, 1942. His final album for Blue Note was titled “Breathe.” Speaking of Blue Note Records, now you can watch the great saxophonist Charles Lloyd discuss his “Trio of Trios” project with Blue Note President Don Was. His latest episode of the Blue Note interview series “First Look”: CharlesLloyd.Ink.to/FirstLook. “Trio: Chapel,” featuring Lloyd with bassist Thomas Morgan and guitarist Bill Frisell, is out now on Blue Note Records. It’s summertime and a great time for some good reading. Here’s a quick list of jazz books to check out next time you head to the beach or anywhere else where you like to read. 1. Herbie Hancock, “Possibilities” with Lisa Dickey (Penguin Random House) 2. “Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century” by Nate Chinen (Vintage; Reprint edition, July 23, 2019) 3. “The History of Jazz” by Ted Gioia (Oxford University Press, 3rd edition, March 1, 2021) 4. “Jazz: A History of America’s Music” by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns (Knopf; 1st edition November 7, 2000) 5. “What to Listen for in Jazz” by Barry Kernfeld (Yale University Press, Dec 1, 1997) 6. “Listening to Jazz” by Benjamin Bierman (Oxford University Press; 1st edition February 16, 2015) Looking ahead, new music from Miles Davis (well, sort of) is coming from Columbia/ Legacy’s Bootleg Series. This 3-CD Boxed set, “Miles Davis—

Kamasi Washington That’s What Happened 19821985,” The Bootleg Series Vol.7, is due out on Sept 16. Recently Gio Russonello and Nate Chinen joined Jon Caramanica on The New York Times Popcast to talk about where jazz lives now, as well as highlights of Meghan Stabile, a jazz promoter who passed away this month at 39.

Courtesy of Brainfeeder Records Johnny Hartman” to the beach for some soulful easy listening? Album personnel includes Hartman on vocals, Coltrane on tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on double bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. While you’re at it, take JazzTimes Magazine’s lead and check out one of their 10 clas-

It’s summertime and a great time for some good reading. During that Popcast they played a little music, too. That’s when I learned of pianist, drummer and producer Julius Rodriguez, who I’m not sure how I missed. They played new music from his new album “Let Sound Tell All.” To be exact, they played Rodriguez’s version of Stevie Wonder’s song “All I Do.” It blew me away! He’s definitely someone to watch. Rodriguez recently signed with Verve Records, who put out the new album that was released in June. July also marks the birthday of singer Johnny Hartman, who was born on July 3, 1923. Why not take Impulse Records “John Coltrane and

sic Hard Bop albums. Here’s one: “Clifford Brown and Max Roach: At Basin Street” (EmArcy, 1956). The quintet’s lineup includes the great saxophonist Sonny Rollins. A favorite tune of mine here is “Gertrude’s Bounce.” Looking further ahead, at the Dakota, saxophonist Kamasi Washington is set to perform on Aug 26-27. This is indeed exciting news! To gear up for this date, check out his 2015 release “The Epic.” Washington is not to be missed. Visit www.kamasiwashington.com. Robin James welcomes reader responses to jamesonjazz@ spokesman-recorder.com.

July 14 - July 20, 2022

Opinion

9

Jan. 6 hearings’ in-your-face truths are undeniable By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.

Start now to take back the Supreme Court By Ben Jealous

disabilities, and low-income people. Already in Missouri, a Did you ever wonder major healthcare system will whether elections really mat- no longer treat rape victims ter? Well, the Trump Supreme with emergency contracepCourt majority has answered tion because the state abortion ban puts medical care that question for good. Or, more accurately, they have answered it for bad. In the term that has just ended, the new far rightwing majority on the Supreme Court went on a rampage. They have torn up decades of legal precedent to diminish Americans’ rights and legal protections. To justify the results they wanted, they lied in their rulings the way some of them lied to get on the court. It has been a shameful display of power politics disguised as judging. Not surprisingly, the most attention has been paid to the providers at legal risk. Anti-abortion state legislaCourt majority overturning the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade tors seem to be in competidecision. A constitutional tion to see who can pass the right that has made a huge most extreme, intrusive and difference in the lives of gen- controlling laws. Some are erations of women was wiped even trying to limit people’s away. The impact will be dev- right to travel from one state to another, targeting anyone astating and deadly. Millions of individuals and who helps a person from a couples dealing with unwant- state that bans abortion get ed pregnancies, the trauma of care in a state that permits it. rape or incest, life-threatening It reminds me of the old fupregnancy complications, or gitive slave laws that forced even a miscarriage that some free states to help slave states intrusive government offi- deny people their freedom. Unfortunately, overturning cial decides is suspicious, will have their options severely Roe is just one of the harmful limited or eliminated entirely. decisions handed down by the We know that those re- Trump Court. The Court also strictions and their conse- intervened in voting rights quences will fall most harshly cases to protect gerrymanon already vulnerable people, dering designed to limit Black including Black people, LG- voters’ access to political BTQ+ people, people with power. This comes on top of

It reminds me of the old fugitive slave laws that forced free states to help slave states deny people their freedom.

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

other rulings gutting the Voting Rights Act. The Trump Court went after sensible regulation of guns. The far-right justices overturned a New York law more than 100 years old that required people to show a good cause to get a permit to carry concealed firearms. Communities that are already suffering from the effects of gun crime are likely to experience even greater violence now that the court has robbed public officials of options and given the extremist pro-gun political agenda the power of law. The court also further dismantled the separation of church and state, which protects religious freedom and preserves equality under law for people regardless of their religious beliefs. The Trump court took a wrecking ball to this pillar of American society. It is forcing states to divert tax dollars to religious schools, like some southern states did when they funded White evangelical segregationist academies that emerged in resistance to the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision outlawing racially segregated public schools. This court has made it easier for public officials, like teachers, to coerce students into prayer or other religious practices. This is a very clear threat to anyone whose faith is different from the one dominant in their community or state. In other words, the U.S. Supreme Court, which we counted on for generations to uphold civil rights and tear down obstacles to equality, is now acting as an arm of the increasingly aggressive farright political movement. How did we get here? Simple. Thanks to the antidemocratic Electoral College, Donald Trump was elected in 2016 even though almost three million more Americans voted for Hillary Clinton. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell prevented the Senate from even considering President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nomination so that Trump could fill it instead—and then rushed Trump’s third justice onto the court even as voters were casting ballots to remove Trump from office. Behind Trump and McConnell was a massively funded, decadeslong campaign to build the political power to take control of the judiciary. In other words, winning the presidency and controlling the Senate gave the far right the power to force its harmful

Will the January 6 hearings result in men and women going to prison? If I had to guess, I would probably say no. Will these hearings change the minds of some people about what happened on January 6? My answer to that question would be yes. They will jump off the bandwagon of wrong and jump to the bandwagon of right. The inyour-face truth has a strange effect on people. These hearings, now in their third week, have made an indelible impression on a lot of us. The culprits and cronies are even more guilty than we originally thought they were. Their denial of the facts is both laughable and pathetic. As the January 6 hearings have unfolded, it revealed that the former president of the United States did put pressure on government officials at all levels. Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, at the time, testified that the former president wanted the Justice Department to be a part of this dishonest scheme. The former president said, “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the GOP Congressmen.” Who was corrupt in this matter? We know the answer to that question. We have heard many in the Republican Party state that nothing illegal or illicit happened. Their constant refrain is: Why are these hearings taking place? What is the big deal? How does any reasonable person who watched

this attack say that nothing transpired? Of course, the key words in the last statement are “reasonable person.” Many people outside of the political arena have also voiced their opinion on what happened. The latest is Jack Del Rio, a professional football coach with the Washington Commanders, who recently said that the January 6 insurrection was not a “major deal.” Coach Del Rio was fined $100,000. His fine will be donated to the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

These hearings have made an indelible impression on a lot of us.

use his political influence to use the Department of Justice to his advantage.” To some, and not to all, the former president did try to use his political influence. He failed. Joe Biden is the president of the United States of America now. The former president’s vile and incendiary comments on January 6 led to charges and jail time for many participants. Some could make a valid argument that he is responsible for their actions and subsequent consequences. According to Time Magazine, more than 840 people have been arrested, with more to come. Roughly 185 individuals have received sentences, with more awaiting trials. Those awaiting arrests and trials are anxious and nervous. In other words, they are “sweating bricks.” Every knock on the door could mean their January 6 reckoning is upon them. If I were one of them, I wouldn’t make any long-range plans. If you did the crime, then you must do the time. As the January 6 hearings continue, more people will testify, and more evidence will come out. If you are a doubter, then just keep watching! What will be the ramifications of the January 6 hearings? Right now, we don’t know. However, remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

The hypocrisy of some Republicans is both dastardly and dubious. They say no problem, but they know there is a problem. If everything is peachy keen, then why did some of them run to Trump and ask for pardons? According to reports, Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, asked for pardons. Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia is also included in this report. Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who This commentary by James B. is a member of the committee, Ewers Jr., Ed.D first appeared in said, “The president must not the Houston Forward Times.

Hiawatha is significant to community—keep the 18 holes In response to the article “Hiawatha Golf Course still in limbo” by Charles Hallman, on July 9, 2022, Garrett Gill commented on spokesman-recorder.com: Hiawatha is a significant course of substantial merit for Minneapolis, Minnesota and the region. Having worked on

PGA with the renovation of the historic Joseph Bartholomew golf course for the City of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Hiawatha is every bit as significant to this community.

Hiawatha in the past, I know its challenges. I fully support the efforts of the Bronze Foundation to keep the course as 18 holes and make the necessary improvements to ensure its continued legacy. We assisted Kelly Gibson,

Garrett Gill, golf course architect

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

When things get ugly, Whites circle the wagons The fact that Whites in Europe are so quick to help Ukraine when they are unjustly attacked by a superpower but did not do the same for Iraqis when they were also unjustly attacked by a superpower in 2003 shows that the driving force for Whites in Europe is not grounded in truth and justice. agenda on the American public long after voters rejected Trump. Taking the Court back from the extremists who now control it will be a long-term project. It starts with this

The fight is not about truth or justice; the fight and standing up to the fake “war” is only about protecting White Christians who are attacked by a murderous fake “war.” Muslims are on their own when attacked with a murderous fake “war” by a superpower. “Shock and awe” was a vicious unprovoked attack, so year’s elections. Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsyl-

why didn’t Europe help Iraqis when the United States attacked in 2003? When things really got nasty, when the stuff really hits the fan, Whites circle the wagons and stick together—even when Whites are committing murder. Frank Erickson is a Minneapolis resident. vania. A New York Times bestselling author, his next book “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” will be published by Harper Collins in December 2022.

10 July 14 - July 20, 2022

Miss Juneteenth Open Call on July 16, 2022, 1-4 pm @ Minneapolis Urban League 2100 Plymouth Ave North This scholarship program is designed to encourage young ladies to embrace their diversity and culture while pursuing higher education goals. Juneteenth Speaks believes it is important to assist young ladies in their educational aspirations while showcasing women of color in a way that inspires the youth to see young black women represented on a national pageant platform.

Fencing

Contunued from page 12 to be a fencer: “Each blade is like $200,” said Crum. “Each piece of equipment is around $150 to $200, and then you have to pay your own costs and tournaments.” Her Minneapolis trip? “I would probably say like $1500 or $2000.” “It’s not the cheapest [sport],” added Aljinee Snelson of Dallas. Her 16-year-old son Aahil Cunningham-Snelson has competed in fencing (saber) for seven years. He told us after a preliminary match, “It is my first nationals. I did Junior Olympics, but it’s been a while.” “He’s done well in several tournaments,” said parent

Our scholarship program gives young ladies the opportunity to be a role-model nationally and celebrate their culture. Eligibility requirements: ● Age: 15-17 ● Minimum GPA of 2.5 For more information call Lee H. Jordan, Midwest Regional Juneteenth director, at 612-860-4974.

Wayne Thornhill of Charlotte, North Carolina who was about to watch his son Kwasi, age 16, compete in his match. “He’s been in the nationals the last three years.” Nolan Williams of New Jersey now attends Ohio State. “I’ve been fencing since I was seven years old,” he recalled. “I started fencing because my private school had a poster for fencing…and I thought I was going to be a ninja. So I tried it… I ended up sticking with it.” Quinn remembered seeing a fencing demonstration at her grade school when she was six, and she told her mother that’s what she wanted to do. “I actually am coming back now after a two-year break,” said the 2019 Columbia University grad now work-

ing as a talent manager. Andrea Wilkinson of Dallas said that fencing has helped her 15-year-old son, a fencer for three years, become a better student. “This has helped a lot of him to grow and become much more mature,” she said. “I’m actually excited that he chose to participate in this… but you don’t see many people like us at all. And when we see each other, we gravitate toward one another.” “This is important that others see us in the game,” concluded Thornhill of fencing’s need for more Blacks. “It’s also exposure for African American kids.”

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Employment & Legals State of Minnesota Ramsey County Richard Joseph Brennan

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

Estate of Ruth E. Menken, Decedent

In the Matter of Joanna Howe vs Richard Joseph Brennan To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator's office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator's office at the following address: Ramsey County District Court 25 West Seventh Street St Paul MN 55102 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense toprosecution for violation of the Court's order. Dated: July 8, 2022

Donald W. Harper Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022

State of Minnesota Ramsey County

District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-22-590 Case Type: Domestic Abuse

In The Matter Of Karen Chavarria Vs Pedro Gonzalez

Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

To Respondent named above: An order has been issued directing you to appear at the Ramsey County Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 W 7th St, St. Paul MN 55102 on July 25, 2022 at 8:15 am and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted. You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Ramsey County Court Administrator's Office. If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner's request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's Order.

In The Matter Of Sierra Quinn Sahulka Vs Christopher Lawrence Bollman To Respondent named above:

District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-22-585 Case Type: Domestic Abuse Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

An order has been issued directing you to appear at the Ramsey County Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 W 7th St, St. Paul MN 55102 on July 29, 2022 at 8:15am, SEE NOTICE OF HEARING and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted. You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Ramsey County Court Administrator's Office. If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner's request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's Order. Court Administrator Ramsey County District Court Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022

State of Minnesota Ramsey County

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Lenny Dominguez

Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

In the Matter of Nicole Rose Sandstrom vs Lenny Dominguez To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator's office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator's office at the following address: Ramsey County District Court 25 West Seventh Street St Paul MN 55102 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's order. Dated: July 1, 2022

From Classified assistants, but GMs as well.” Department/MN Tanisha Wright, a retired Spokesman-Recorder Contunued from page 12 10-year W veteran player,

SOE

is in her first season as Atfor them, because that’s what lanta HC. PHONE: 612-827-4021 AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL Veteran coach Fred Wilthe team deserves,” Chatman REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS liams originally was leavpointed out. FOR BILLING Notice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent’s Will, dated DecemFOR isBILLING ing the Los Angeles Sparks Johnson in her second ber 22, 2008, (“Will”),INQUIRIES has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted. INQUIRIES sometime this season to season with Dallas and led &theTEARSHEETS Notice is also given that Registrar has informally appointed Marvin L. Menken, whose & TEARSHEETS the Wings to the playoffs for return to college coaching, address is 19695 County Rd. 452, Deer River, Minnesota, 56636, as personal representative PLEASE of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, CONTACT devisee or other interested person may be entitled CONTACT the firstPLEASE time since 2018 in but in June he was named to appointment as personal representative or may objectDEPT to the appointment of the personal ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING DEPT interim head coach for the representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes her first season. A 13-year section 524.3-607) and@BILLING@SPOKESM the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power AN-RECORDER. veteran player, Johnson was rest of the season. He has to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, leaseCOM or distribute real estate. @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM hired by then-San Antonio been a WNBA head coach Any objections to the probate of the Will or appointment of the Personal Representative must as an assistant coach for for three clubs in his three be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition seven seasons RAMSEY COUNTY PROBATEbefore spend- decades of experience. and proper notice of hearing. Carlos Knox was hired as ing one year as head coach. Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to an assistant coach in Indiana She rejoined the team when 2 WEEK RUN 1 WEEK RUN the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be last it relocated to Las Vegas in FLAT RATE $200.00 PREPAID December—he became barred. FLAT RATE $100.00 Dated: July 8, 2022 2018 as an assistant before the Fever interim head coach Alonna J. Warns Registrar in May. “I created some great her current position. Please Note: New email address for all future ads is Please Note: New email address for all future ads is ads@ Dated: July 8, 2022Classified From relationships with [the play“I think it’s important for spokesman-recorder.com Sarah Lindahl-Pfieffer ads@spokesman-recorder.com Court Administrator Department/MN the league to recognize ers], so they were actually exSpokesman-Recorder cited about me coming over Black coaches, give them Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14 and July 21, 2022 The MSR handles billing digitally. and being a coach,” invoices said Knox. opportunities, give This means youus will opget e-tears and e-mailed unles just copy. want to do right by our portunities in high positions,” you specifically request a“Ihard PHONE: 612-827-4021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE Johnson told the MSR. “I players.” HELD AT HARARE CASE NO HC 218 /22 think it’s important for the FOR BILLING In the matter between: Charles Hallman welcomes league to be represented by INQUIRIES reader responses to challman@ former players as well, not SANYAMAHWE JOHN PLAINTIFF & TEARSHEETS and spokesman-recorder.com. only as head coaches and TIRIWEPI MABEL TAFARA DEFENDANT

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TO: TIRIWEPI MABEL TAFARA formerly of United States of America.

Prep

Contunued from page 12

High Court of Zimbabwe, Harare for leave to sue you, the Defendant by publication.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022

Donald W. Harper Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

RAMSEY COUNTY I Biostatistician

From Display Ad Department/MN where she served for a deiewSpokesman-Recorder

V

1 WEEK RUN HHRI seeks a Biostatistician I in Mpls, MN. Participate in the design,From analysis, and interpretation of results from medical Classified FLAT RATE $100.00 cade. More importantly, she Contunued from page 12 administrative claims datasets; write methods and results Department/MN watched and learned from PHONE: 612-827-4021 sections of manuscripts and reports. Req. Master’s degree in Spokesman-Recorder Please Note: New email address for all future ads is room,” continued Join this Dennis as well. Biostatistics, statistics, or related field, plus at least seph. “I’m appreciative of That is why Joseph is not ads@spokesman-recorder.com 6 (six) months of FTE industry or academic experience perFOR BILLING the opportunity.” at all afraid of succeeding PHONE: 612-827-4021 forming biostatistical analysis. In addition, must have docuINQUIRIES Joseph&had an illustria legendary coach such as mented experience with the following: 1) interaction with TEARSHEETS a diverse population; 2) using epidemiologic methods and ous track career at Ohio Dennis. “I have a job to do, FOR BILLING PLEASE CONTACT methods for dealing with confounding; and 3) applying knowlState, where she won six and I have a family,” she said. INQUIRIES ACCOUNTING DEPT edge of statistics to perform Multivariable regression, ANOVA, Big Ten triple jump and “I’m not doing this just for TEARSHEETS @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.C logistic&regression, survival analysis and related statistical techlong jump titles, twice winfun… This is my livelihood. niques.PLEASE ExperienceCONTACT may have been gained concurrently with or ning All-American honors. “The administration was EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY while ACCOUNTING pursuing graduate degree program. Per HRSA program DEPT But coaching for her was happy that I was ready,” requirements, candidates must have the ability to obtain and SIZE: 2 COL X 4 INCHES = 8 @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM the next step: “I always concluded Joseph. “I think hold a Public Trust Investigation; and non-U.S. RATE $42.08 PER COL. INCH liked being around young it’s important that I have to citizen candidates must have lived in the U.S. 3 of the past 5 TOTAL: $336.64 people…to be able to mold rely on that.” years. RAMSEY Please applyCOUNTY online at https://www.hhrinstitute.org/ young lives.” career-opportunities/ to req #7268 or by mailing resume and cover 1letter to Danielle After a stint at Auburn, her Charles Hallman welWEEK RUN Hennen at HHRI, 825 South 8th Street, Suite PP4.430, Minneapolis, MN 55404 former coach Dennis brought comes reader responses to FLAT RATE $100.00 Please proof, respond with email confirmation to Joseph back to campus as challman@spokesman-reads@spokesman-recorder.com. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022 one of her assistant coaches, corder.com. Please Note: New email address for all future ads is ads@

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Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904

www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm

Children's Bible Class 7 pm

this fall. One of the top prep prospects in the country this past year, Smith was one of five finalists for Mr. Baseball. Bond, at 6’2”, started for the football team at tight end. As one of the most dominant centers in basketball, he led the Minutemen to a third-place Class AA finish in the 1981 state tournament, and then led them back to the tournament in 1982. It ended up being quite the conversation.

at any level, catching 69 passes for 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging From Classified 14.5 yards per catch and Pleaseyou Note: Newareemail address for allfailfuture AND FURTHER, the Defendant required to take note that, if you to enter anads is ads@ 100 yards per game this past Department/MN appearance to defend as aforesaid the Plaintiffs claim as set out above will be heard and adjudispokesman-recorder.com cated upon in the High Court of Zimbabwe. season as a sophomore at Spokesman-Recorder Augsburg University. THUS DONE AND ISSUED IN THE HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE ON THIS ON THIS DAY OF JULY 2022 The MIAC All-Conference PHONE: 612-827-4021 E. GJIMAATTORNEYS Plaintifrs Legal receiver also played basketPractitioners 17 McGowan Road ball and baseball at White Milton Park Harare (YM/tm) FOR BILLING To: Bear Lake. The REGISTRAR INQUIRIES HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE Derrick Smith, a 6’2” HARARE & TEARSHEETS 195-pound right-hand pitchPLEASE And To: TIRIWEPI MABEL TAFARA CONTACT er, recently completed a 2800 Pleasant Avenue South Apt 4 DEPT Minneapolis MNACCOUNTING 55408, brilliant pre-baseball career UNITED STATES OF AMERICA @BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER. Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonat White Bear Lake and will Minnesota COMSpokesman-Recorder July 14, 2022 attend North Carolina State ald welcomes reader responses University on scholarship to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

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NOW THEREFORE, THE SAID Honourable Court having taken the prayer of the Plaintiff into consideration and granted the Defendant either in person or by proxy to enter an appearance to defend with the Assistant Registrar of the said Honourable Court at Harare within twelve (12) days hereof to answer the said Plaintiff SANYAMAHWE JOHN in action wherein he claims decree of divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.

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RAMSEY COUNTY WHEREAS , SANYAMAHWE JOHN the Plaintiff did on the 14th January 2022 apply to the

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INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

12 July 14 - July 20, 2022

HICAGO – The WNBA this season boasts the highest number of Black head coaches, six, since 1998—exactly one-half of the league’s 12 HCs. At her All-Star pregame press conference Sunday in Chicago, the MSR asked Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to comment on this season’s coaching diversity. “As you mentioned,” Engelbert replied, “we have six out of 12, and now we have seven out of 12 women, and there were only a couple when I came into the league [in 2019]. I think we’re

Vickie Johnson

Sports looking at diversity broadly, both gender and race.” Based simply on years on the job, Chicago’s James Wade (three seasons) has the longest tenure. Wade on Sunday was the first Black AllStar coach since 2015 (Pokey

Black head coaches now lead half the WNBA

be able to represent and be July 26 in Chicago. He will considered in this era of all be the second Black coach those top coaches is a really to coach in the now-annual amazing feeling for me.” He in-season title game. (Noelle Quinn led Seattle to a win last “I think it’s important for the league to recognize season.) Quinn and Dallas’ Vickie Black coaches, give them opportunities, Johnson are former W playgive us opportunities in high positions.” ers—the former played 12 Chatman) and only the third coached Team Stewart to a seasons, then became an assistant coach in Seattle. She Black to do so (Michael Coo- 134-112 victory Sunday. Wade’s Sky will host Las became HC last June after per did it thrice). Wade told the MSR last Vegas in the second Commis- Dan Hughes stepped down. week in Minneapolis, “Just to sioner’s Cup championship Quinn was elevated to associ-

ate head coach in June 2020. “We have three of the best players in the league (Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird) on our team and [we are] building around that and adding the additions that we did in the offseason,” said Quinn. “It was a process that I didn’t get last season… I didn’t get a chance to do that last year, to build systems, to have my style.” The Storm coach brought

in veteran Pokey Chatman on her staff this season. “She’s so experienced, and she’s been a GM and a head coach in this league,” noted Quinn. “She understands the grind. She helps me with things…a consummate professional and just someone who I had to lean on for advice, not only in basketball or just life… She has my back.” “I make sure I’m getting better

Pokey Chatman

W Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

James Wade All photos by Charles Hallman

Carlos Knox

Noelle Quinn

Black women pass the coaching baton at Ohio State For only the second time this year, a Big Ten school hired a Black female coach to succeed a retiring Black coach: Rutgers this spring in women’s basketball (Coquese Washington for C. Vivian Stringer) and Ohio State in May in men’s and women’s track and field and cross country. The MSR recently talked to Karen Dennis and Rosalind Joseph in separate phone interviews. Karen Dennis retires on top She originally went to college to earn a degree and help out farmers as an administrator, but instead Karen Dennis spent nearly a half-century as one of the most successful college track coaches. Not too many coaches can say that they retired on top. Dennis announced her retirement in early June after completing her 20th and final season at Ohio State, where

head coach in 2006. She was later hired as director of the school’s men’s and women’s track and field and cross country programs. Dennis retires with 12 conference titles, tops for an Ohio State female coach, and as a 12time Big Ten coach of the year and six-time regional coach of the year. Her athletes won 118 Karen Dennis Big Ten individual titles and 22 Photos courtesy of Ohio State relay crowns—all total, Dennis her Buckeyes men and women has 140 league titles. She also tracksters won their respec- was HC at Michigan State, her tive Big Ten outdoor track alma mater (11 seasons), and championships this spring, and 10 years at UNLV. she saw 22 of her athletes “I’d love people to have degrees and have professional ca“I think that we have reers,” said Dennis of her athletes. to really support each Now, Dennis hands her sucother and create cessful program over to Rosaopportunities for lind Joseph, who competed each other.” for her at Ohio State and later worked as an assistant coach compete in this year’s NCAAs. for a decade before she be“I just felt gratified that I came Southern Illinois head could retire at a point where coach for five seasons. the program’s healthy,” said “She’s prepared herself,” said Dennis, who was hired at OSU Dennis of her successor. “I in 2002 as a women’s assistant think that we have to really track coach, then promoted to support each other and create

Fencing:

get head coaching experience somewhere that would someday attract an athletic director to hire her for their HC vacancy. She went to Southern Illinois, a mid-major school, where she was hired in 2018. Nearly four years later, Smith hired her to succeed Karen Dennis as OSU track and field director. Rosalind Joseph opportunities for each other. That’s what I tried to do at Ohio State, and I’m gonna continue to try to do that in my retirement right now.” Rosalind Joseph takes the reins During her assistant coaching days at Ohio State, Rosalind Joseph actively asked her bosses what she needed to do to eventually become a head coach. “I was having those kinds of con versations,” she recalled. “I really was asking, ‘How do they hire? What are you looking for?’” The simple answer came from Ohio State AD Gene Smith, who advised Joseph to

“I really felt a responsibility to make sure that I do set a precedent.” A Black AD hiring a Black coach to succeed a Black coach. “Initially you don’t want to be seen as the Black woman,” explained Joseph. “You want to be respected. Then I said that I really felt a responsibility to make sure that I do set a precedent, and that’s really what I understood.” She saw what Dennis was doing for her, and Smith undoubtedly saw that giving Joseph the reins was the right thing to do. “I’m extremely excited to be

“You don’t see many people like us at all. And when we see each other, we gravitate toward one another.”

It is more than the dueling swords such as seen in movies. There are actually three disciplined combat sports: foil, epee and saber, each using a different kind of weapon and having a different set of rules. It’s not a sport typically asThe sport of fencing first sociated with Blacks, although developed in Europe between fencing has had its share of the 17th and 19th centuries. outstanding Black fencers

Phone call proved more than just conversation

phone conversation can develop into more than just an exchange between two people. That is what happened when a childhood friend and former high school basketball teammate gave me a call last week. That conversation with former St. Paul Central alum and student athlete Marvin Bond, who starred for the Minutemen in football and basketball from 1980-82, proved to be interesting yet informative. During the conversation Bond, now 56, talked about two fam-

■ See View on page 11

The cost of competing can be prohibitive

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist Over 4,500 fencers from around the country and some from as far as Japan visited Minneapolis for 10 days July 2-11. Inside three Minneapolis Convention Center exhibit halls with a combined square footage of 277,200, fencers as young as seven and as old as in their 80s—average age was 20—competed in pool matches for the 2022 USA Fencing Na- Nolan Williams tional Championships.

■ See SOE on page11

Dominic Smith Courtesy Augsburg University

Aljinee Snelson (l) and Aahil Cunningham-Snelson over the years. These include Ruth White, the first Black to win a US national fencing title (1969); Sharon Monplasir, a two-time Pan American gold medalist (1987, 1991); Errin Smart, the first U.S. Black female to medal in Olympic fencing (2008) and a five-time US Division I National champion; and Nikki Franke, a two-time

Quinn Crum Photos by Charles Hallman

Olympian, two-time U.S. women’s foil champ who started the Temple women’s fencing team and developed a winning program from scratch. After a quick tutorial by a USA Fencing spokesperson, the MSR literally walked the MCC rooms of fencing matches, watching and waiting to see if anyone was Black. We

found several. The consensus among them is that the sport they love isn’t very diverse, but it could be. “It’s very, very expensive,” 24-year-old Quinn Crum explained. Now living and working in California, the Connecticut native offered her best estimates of what it cost her

■ See Fencing on page 10

ily members, nephews of his wife Sherri Smith-Bond, who are carving out legacies of their own as student athletes. Brothers Dominic Smith and Derrick Smith, former prep standouts at White Bear Lake High School, appear to be doing just that. Their father Eric Smith played football and basketball at St. Paul Central before graduating in 1986. “Eric’s sons are doing good,” Bond said proudly. “They are really making their mark.” After an outstanding prep career as a wide receiver for the football team, Dominic Smith, at 6’3” 185 pounds, has blossomed into one of the top receivers in college football

■ See Prep on page 11