September 16, 2021 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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Inside this Edition...

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

SEPTEMBER September16 16–22, - 22, 2021 2021

Vol. Vol.88 88

Read about De Shawn Owens on page 10

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NO. NO.77

Another child’s death evokes angst, grief, finger-pointing Young folk’s despair leads to more senseless gun violence

By Mel Reeves Community editor

victim blaming and community self-flagellation, but no real answers have come to the fore. A witness to the shooting, Yet another young person was victimized by violence last week. Danny Braylock, told FOX 9 Twelve-year-old London Michael News that he was at the corner Bean was felled by gun violence of Aldrich and 8th Avenue North last Wednesday, Sept. 8. It was in the Heritage Park neighboraccompanied by the usual grief, hood of North Minneapolis on handwringing, finger-pointing, the afternoon of September 8

with his granddaughter when they noticed two boys in an altercation. “Some dude came running from the side of the house and just shot the kid a couple of times,” said Braylock. The witness said that when he and his granddaughter got in their vehicle to drive away, the shooter started firing at them.

Angela Williams speaks out at a press conference

Submitted photo

Two bullets struck the back passenger side door. The victim’s grandmother said she had just taken him to the Fair days before. Other relatives described him as a fun, silly kid who could quickly turn a negative situation into a positive. Community response “Most are in shock not knowing what to do to make the bloodshed stop,” is how WCCO Channel 4 News Anchor Reg Chapman described the gathering at the site of the shooting the following day, Sept. 9 of those who came to lament and denounce the killing of Bean. Senator Bobby Jo Champion attended the gathering and called for “putting the neighbor back into the hood.” Champion remarked, “This problem requires all hands on deck in order for it to be solved. Think about that—all hands on deck.” “We have to work with law enforcement to solve this problem,” said Al Flowers. “Most of

London Michael Bean, 12, was shot and killed on the North Side Wednesday Submitted photo our community knows this is true. We have to build policecommunity relationships.” History shows that police have been unable or unwilling to stop violence in Black neighborhoods. Internecine violence has nearly become a fixture of urban Black America and has existed for as long as most can

remember. However, in the last 50 years it has been exacerbated by the easy accessibility of guns and has been accelerated by battles over drug turf. Newly appointed Minneapolis Police spokesperson Jarrett Parten commented to news media, “We have those who ■ See BEAN on page 5

After 25 years of ‘ending welfare’, poor people far worse off said, ‘We’re going to take this historic chance to try to recreate the nation’s social bargain with the poor. We’re romising work, not welfare, going to try to change the parameters President Bill Clinton signed of the debate. We’re going to make it into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act 25 years ago this month, abolishing the widely unpopular, 61-year-old cash entitlement program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or AFDC, and fulfilling Clinton’s campaign pledge to reduce poverty by weaning the urban poor—especially African Americans—off the admittedly meager government handouts. “I signed this bill because this is an all new again and see if we can’t crehistoric chance, where Republicans ate a system of incentives which reand Democrats got together and inforce work and family and indepenBy Jon Jeter Contributing writer

P

“It seemed like a form of slavery. It wasn’t that much money.”

dence. We can change what is wrong.’” Then he said the words that continue to resonate: “Today we are ending welfare as we know it.” Indeed, most of what Clinton articulated 25 years ago has come to pass, although not, perhaps, in the way that he had planned. A strong case can be made that his overhaul not only “ended welfare as we know it” but ended the dole in the U.S. entirely by shrinking considerably the pot available for cash assistance and making applicants jump through so many hoops that many simply don’t consider it worthwhile. The result is objectively clear: By any measure, the urban poor, gen- President Bill Clinton signing welfare reform act in 1996 ■ See WELFARE on page 5 Photo courtesy of History.com

No one charged in shotgun killing

Poverty behind COVID’s disparate impact on Blacks By Amudalat Ajasa, Amanda Paule and Ian S. Brundige Contributing writers

S

ince the start of the pandemic in the U.S. in March 2020, Black Americans have borne the brunt of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Black Americans are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to their White counterparts. In the nation’s capital, while Black Americans make up 45% of the population, they account for 76% of the COVID-19 deaths, according to D.C. government data. The centuries of mistreatment that have infused distrust in Black communities impact

Shop owner claimed self-defense during Floyd uprising By Jarrett Ballard Contributing writer

George Thomas of Lowndes County, Alabama, is the county’s only doctor. Submitted photo health, said Gail Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. “The essence of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 had to do with preexisting conditions and excess exposure because of the economic inequity,” Christopher said. What is unclear, longtime activists and advocates say, is whether the systemic racism that was magnified by the pandemic—overrepresentation in poverty, underrepresentation in wealth, lack of access to

housing and transportation— will remain. By August, 71% of Black D.C. residents had not been fully vaccinated, according to D.C. government data. Opportunity gap The gated unit in D.C.’s 5th Ward was once Yolanda Corbett’s hope for stability, but now it’s a source of anxiety. The neighborhood doesn’t compare to the Southeast D.C. community where she grew up. But the red-painted brick ■ See PANDEMIC on page 5

It appears that despite outrage from community and family members, no one is going to be held accountable for the death of Calvin Horton Jr. who was killed on May 27, 2020 during the riots that occurred two days after the murder of George Floyd. A birthday celebration and protest was held in July to keep alive Horton’s memory and to continue to press for justice in the case. In December of last year the Hennepin County Attorney’s office announced that it would not be filing charges against John Rieple, a 60-year-old White man who was identified by a witness as the man who shot Horton as he and others entered the Cadillac Pawn and Jewelry Calvin Horton’s mother holds a sign store on Lake Street in asking for justice. South Minneapolis. File photo

Cadillac Pawn, where Calvin Horton, Jr. was shot on May 27, 2020. Photo by Unicorn Riot The shop owner was taken into custody on May 28 and released days later after claiming self-defense. Rieple sold the shop not long after the shooting and now lives in Galesville, Wisconsin. Horton Jr. was born in Arkansas but grew up in Minneapolis with his father, Calvin Horton Sr., after his mother, ■ See HORTON on page 5

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September 16-22, 2021

Metropolis

Young Somali professionals gather to celebrate culture, inspire success By Abdi Mohamed Contributing writer “Somali Excellence”: That’s the term used to describe the September 4 Somali Diaspora Conference that took place in the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel where over 500 young Somalis from around the globe took part in a two-day conference centered around culture and self-development. “A group of young professionals, including myself, came together and started SNABPI [Somali North American Business and Professionals Inc.] at the end of 2017,” explained event organizer and founder Guled Ibrahim. “We saw the need and we filled the gap. Our purpose is to bring together the best and brightest Somali American minds here in Minnesota and in North America to share knowledge, resources, and make our communities better. SNABPI’s leadership includes lawyers, doctors, educators, health care professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs.” The conference was hosted by SNABPI, a group that aims to engage and celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs and business professionals in the Somali community. Chapters are located in cities with large Somali communities including Minneapolis, Columbus and Toronto. SNABPI hosts annual events in these cities to facilitate networking and forums aimed at creating a global platform

for young Somali professionals to ensure success for the community at large. Personalities like Neima Abdullahi, Ifrah Hussein, and the Twin Cities own Halima Aden were a draw for many. Aden is the super model who had captured the world’s attention when she became the first hijabi model. A chance to connect The day of the conference was shaped by a series of speeches, performances, and breakout panels. Panels covered several topics including what it takes to work at a top technology company, the impact of COVID on health care, and building power through civic engagement. Faye Mohamed and Suleka Abdi are friends who arrived at the conference together seeking professional development and inspiration. Faye, who is an advertising and PR student, attended the social media panel. “I do some content, but I stopped. I went to get some inspiration so I can get back to it,” she said. With an interest in the tech field, Suleka sat in on that panel to learn more about what her options would be after college. “Another panel that I liked was the tech panel ‘cause I’m a computer science student, so I was able to gain a lot of insight from that one,” she said. They both attended a panel titled “Understanding Addiction: How to love someone in recovery,” which was

demically, and Tusaalo hopes that showcasing individuals who have come from the East African community can have an impact on the youth. Another vendor at the conference was PaySii, a mobile money transfer app that helps wire funds in a quick and secure way. The company has been around for nearly three years but recently has expanded to North America. Abdul Suleyman, their chief financial officer, was at the conference. He emphasized how important remittances are to the global Somali community and how the adoption of new platforms like PaySii can keep that tradition alive. “Remittances are something that’s needed in our community, especially for the people back home. It’s an integral part of our community. It’s always been the traditional way of sending money,” he said. According to a World Bank report in 2016, Somalia received $1.4 billion from the diaspora, which supported nearly a quarter of the country’s GDP. The event was made

malis have approached Kahin and told him that he’s been an inspiration for them. “I see that inspiration going far, because I’m sure that kid that got inspired by me will inspire others. I want this to be a cycle. We want to spread love and knowledge.”

Finding ways to give back Paying it forward was another major theme throughout the conference, as panelists and speakers shared their professional advice with attendees. Yusra Mohamud cohosted the conference. Like many, she discovered SNABPI through social media and has been a member for two years. Seated in the foreground Guled Ibrahim, founder and Giving back has been organizer of SNAPBI, shares a laugh with conference-goers. central to her development Photo by Spiltcocoa as a young Somali profesled by Alliance Wellness Cen- ing to help us find jobs.” sional. Mohamud works in ter, a treatment center based commercial banking at Wells in Bloomington aimed at Fargo, but outside of her job Promoting businesses and helping the East African com- connections she teaches financial literacy munity. They were touched as through Minneapolis and St. The event also served as they heard from two young Paul Public Schools. She also a platform for many vendors men, Abdullahi and Abdirahsits on the board of the Lake to get exposure to conferman, who shared their stories ence attendees and give them Street Council and is part of of substance abuse and how the lending committee for the a chance to grow their busithe center helped them over- ness or organizations. The African Development Center. come their addiction. “A lot of people want vendors included food busi“That one was very powto go back home and make a nesses like Hooyo’s Hands erful,” Faye said. “It touched difference, but we just don’t me because I have family “We’re working hard and we’re sticking have the opportunity to and members who have dealt a lot of people want to come together as a community, especially with addiction.” here. So SNABPI bridges the With graduation around gap,” she said. “Here we’re here in Minnesota.” the corner, Safiya hoped to able to network with people find potential connections to possible by a number of spon- who have never been to Sowho served baked goods, the tech industry and came sors and strategic partners malia or with people who just clothing companies like Cuaway with plenty of contacts. nug Clothing that carries apincluding the Caspian Group, came from Somalia, and we “We networked and met a lot have a lot of professionalism.” parel for babies, and nonprof- Sakoy Cleaning Services, and of people in the tech industry. its such as Tusaalo Mentoring, Afro Deli whose founder, For folks like Suleka Abdi, We got people who were will- which is an organization dedi- Abdirahman Khain, has been setting an example has been a longtime supporter of the cated to providing culturally a key goal in inspiring the responsive mentoring for East organization. During the community. “I feel like me African youth by pairing them conference, Kahin presented succeeding is also a success with young professionals who a scholarship award to four for my people, so I just try to university students for their share the same background. work hard and make sure that

Conference panelist members

Jamal Adam is the director of advancement and evaluation at Tusaalo. He shared that the organization’s biggest request of young professionals in the diaspora is to donate some of their time. Whether it’s through mentorship or leading a workshop, “At the end of the day when they see themselves in you, in someone who has achieved some success and is able to go the distance, they’re more likely to say okay, I can do this too,” Adam explained. He shared that he never had a mentor who looked like him, which made things difficult. Students in the diaspora are struggling aca-

Photo by Spiltcocoa community work and academic achievements. Kahin’s success has been a symbol for Somalis, representing what is possible with hard work while providing an example of how someone in his position can impact the community. He plans to continue his community work with the creation of the Afro Deli Foundation. He hopes to start a $200,000 scholarship fund for African students and tap into his network of business owners to make this work possible. “We’re responsible for our community so we have to give back, and the best way to give back is to be engaged,” he said. Several young So-

I succeed and they can claim me,” Abdi said. Overall, the idea of holding onto the Somali identity and culture has been integral to pushing for a brighter future. “People from back home are able to see we’re not just Americanized or that we’ve lost our culture and we’re just doing our own thing, but no, we’re working hard and we’re sticking together as a community, especially here in Minnesota. There’s a reason we’re called Little Mogadishu,” said Mohamud with a smile. Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader responses to amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

An enthusiastic crowd cheers a speaker. Over 500 hundred Somali Americans attended the second gathering of the conference which brings together Somali from all over the US and Somalia. Photo by Spiltcocoa

September 16-22, 2021

Health & Wellness

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Great news: Dying from COVID is now optional More COVID vaccine questions and answers

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD Q: I heard that the government injected syphilis into Black people about 30 years ago in the Tuskegee experiment. So how do I know this is not another governmental experiment? A: This was a program that was almost 100 years ago. It started in 1932. They did not give anyone syphilis. They only observed those who had syphilis. The tragedy was they offered them no treatment to see what would happen. The U.S. government-sponsored it, and the behavior was both horrific and despicable. Current vaccines go through several layers of approval, including committees sensitive to and containing persons of color. The vaccine is given to all people, not just people of color. This is essential information for the African American community where the full vaccination rate is only 32% and all other Communities of Color. Q: I heard that Bill Gates is having microchips injected into people with the vaccine. Is this true? A: Complete nonsense.

tive. Over one billion doses have been given to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The technology that helped develop the vaccine was already in place, allowing faster development than the old vaccines. It went through all the FDA safety and efficacy steps that all other FDA-approved medicines have. In fact, it was developed by an African American doctor, who took the vaccine and recommends the vaccine for all people including members of the African American community. Q: Some people on the internet say I can take a horse medicine called Ivermectin to prevent getting COVID-19. Will this help me? A: Sometimes Ivermectin is used to treat conditions in humans, but it is prevalent in veterinary medicine as a treatment for worms. There are no studies that support its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19. However, poison control centers are receiving record calls from people who are getting poisoned by this medicine. Do not take Ivermectin.

Q: There are many people on social media who say the vaccine is not safe. Is that correct? A: Just because a person can type on a computer does not mean that they are medically knowledgeable. The surgeon general has issued a strong warning against misinformation found on the internet, especially social media. If you need accurate health information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For example, many people who were anti-vaccination are now sick in the hospital. To a person, they all say that they wish they Q: I heard that the vaccine would make you infertile. had been vaccinated and are recommending vaccination to Is this true? their family and friends. A: Again, complete nonsense. There are over 300 Q: Many religious leadmillion people around the ers, including some pastors, world who have been vacare telling their members cinated. None have become not to get vaccinated. What infertile from the vaccine. should I do with this information? Q: I heard that the vacA: respect my pastor, but cine was developed too fast. We don’t know the long-term when I need spiritual advice, I don’t ask my auto mechanic. effects of the vaccine. Is the By the same reasoning, when vaccine safe? you need accurate health It is both safe and effec-

information, you should talk to your personal physician or pharmacist. The Mayo Clinic has recently conducted an excellent virtual public town hall forum on “Mistrust in the COVID-19 vaccine in the African American Community”. It features Dr. Corbett, an African American who was one of the lead developers of the COVID-19 vaccine. I, Charles E. Crutchfield, III, MD, was also one of the panelists. Four of the most medically knowledgeable and

that can hospitalize and kill you. It will also benefit you by lessening your ability to transmit it to other people around you. If we limit transmission, we will restrict new variants from developing, which helps everyone. The additional community benefit is that if we reach population (herd) immunity, we can resume our normal, everyday activities and enjoy life as we did before the pandemic. Practice good hygiene and disease mitigation tech-

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD has received the complete series of COVID vaccinations. Submitted photo trustworthy people concerning COVID-19 are Dr. Anthony Fauci, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, CNN Medical Editor Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, developer of the vaccine. Information from these four people and other helpful information on vaccination, including essential patient testimonials, can be found at: www.CrutchfieldDermtology.com/Covid. The bottom line Get vaccinated! You do not have to die from COVID-19. Of people who are currently dying from COVID, 99% are NOT vaccinated. Likewise, 90% of hospitalized patients are NOT vaccinated. Like the celebrity Wanda Sykes said, “If you decide to go to Spain and run with the bulls and get a horn up your backside, that’s on you!” Vaccines are readily available across the United States. Getting vaccinated will benefit you by preventing you from getting severe disease

niques. Wear masks, wash hands every time with soap and a good lather for at least 20 seconds. Clean shared surfaces regularly. I also have come to understand that there is another reason for not wanting the vaccine. When I ask carefully, many patients have told me that “I am afraid of having

something foreign injected into me.” I get it. I really do. It is a scary thought. The important thing is to focus on the fact that 99% of the people dying from COVID-19 are not vaccinated. Vaccination has been given safely to hundreds of millions of people. Vaccines have changed the world we live in and our lives. Think about how great other vaccines have served us. Can you imagine living in a world with smallpox, polio, and other such terrible diseases? Without vaccines, our world would be a much worse place to live in. I have received three vaccines, and I am fine. I have had my family and children vaccinated, and they are also just fine. I would never recommend something to a patient that I would not recommend to my family. You may not be ready to get vaccinated today, but think about it. Talk to knowledgeable people and to people you trust. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist. When you are ready to get vaccinated, we are all here, ready to help. Just ask. Vaccination will keep you out of the hospital. Vaccination will keep you from dying. We are offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at Crutchfield Dermatology. Feel free to call 651209-3600, and you can get vaccinated the same day. You can also visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location

nearest to you. Getting vaccinated is good for your health, your family’s health, and our communities’ health. In America, dying from COVID-19 is now optional.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College. He also has a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN. He received his MD and Master’s Degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield specializes in skinof-color and has been selected by physicians and nurses as one of the leading dermatologists in Minnesota for the past 18 years. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. He can be reached at CrutchfieldDermatology.com or by calling 651-209-3600.

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September 16-22, 2021

Opinion

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

Putting power back in the hands of Northside residents

Democrats and phony politics By Margaret Kimberley Most progressives in this country still remain loyal to the Democratic Party despite decades of deception, overt collusion with ruling class interests, and support of U.S. imperialism. The Democrats use a variety of means to keep the support of millions of people who yearn for something other than the excuses and double-dealing they are constantly offered. Pointing to Republicans as the embodiment of all evil is one of their methods, and no issue suits this strategy more than abortion. Democrats point to Republicans’ strict anti-abortion stance to keep their left members in line. Democrats who want to see progressive initiatives enacted still feel tied to their party and convince themselves they have no choice but to be snookered on a regular basis. This dilemma of going along with treachery is particularly acute for Black people. The Republicans are the proud party of White racism, and few Black Democrats are willing to declare their independence from their corrupt so-called leaders. Enter the state of Texas, which passed a draconian lawmaking abortion illegal after six weeks of pregnancy and giving ordinary citizens the right to sue any provider who might violate this legislation. Democratic party propagandists immediately sprang into action, predicting the end of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, excoriating anyone who dared to question Democrats, and reviving their cynical attacks

on anyone who didn’t support Hillary Clinton in 2016 as being at fault. Of course, it must always be said that Clinton raised more than $1 billion in her campaign but failed to get a mere 78,000 more votes in the swing states that she needed to win. She and her team relied on everything except an old-fashioned get out the vote effort and are responsible for the worst political debacle in U.S. history.

“The U.S. political duopoly is like professional wrestling with phony villains and phony heroes.” Neither she nor anyone else in Democratic party leadership will ever acknowledge how badly they failed their people. They haven’t changed since 2016. They still hope to win by doing as little as they possibly can. The Texas law spawned hand wringing and foolish deification of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But like Clinton, she bore responsibility for the makeup of the current Supreme Court. In 2013, former President Barack Obama asked the 80-year-old, two-time cancer patient to step down, just in case Democrats lost control of the Senate the following year. That is precisely what happened, but truth-

By Kyle Samejima An August 9 article published in the MSR titled “United Nations issues ‘Code Red’ for humanity in climate crisis,” said, “United Nations panel on the climate released a scathing report on Monday, August 9, about a manufactured atmospheric crisis that has jeopardized the world’s future. Immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions must occur, the panel wrote...humaninduced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.” We need swift climate action, and that action has to heal and repair the systems that got us here: systemic racism, extractive capitalism, corporate greed, and disconnection from the systems that sustain us. We need local, equitable climate solutions on the Northside of Minneapolis and all over the city that centers community members, especially those most affected by our inequitable society. There is a local equitable solution right here in North Minneapolis. Did you know there is a community solar garden on the roof of North High School? Did you know it was developed by the only Black solar developer in Minnesota and North High alumni Jamez Staples, president and CEO of Renewable Energy Partners (REP)? Did you know it was installed by an almost all BIPOC crew of solar installers, led by JT Thomas of S3 Solar Service Solutions? Did you know you can subscribe to the community solar garden whether you rent or own your own home and get a credit on your Xcel bill with no money needed upfront in our pay-as-yougo option, and no barrier of a minimum credit score or income requirement? Minneapolis Climate Ac-

tion (MCA), a grassroots local nonprofit focused on equitable climate solutions, partners with REP on outreach and engagement with community members about the opportunity to save money while using renewable energy and being part of a local solution to our climate crisis. MCA and REP are looking for additional rooftop sites for community solar gardens that can bring benefits to the building owners and residents, while increasing opportunities for good-paying renewable energy jobs on the Northside. This means we need skilled workers in these good-

“We need local,

dedication to climate justice and the Northside come to fruition. “I came to this work because I wanted to participate in the global transition to clean energy while also creating economic opportunity for people who have traditionally been left behind. It was sometimes a challenge, but I got up to the top of the hill, and now I’m trying to bring everyone with me,” he said. The REP and MCA partnership is also creating a community solar garden expansion model to partner with neighborhood organizations to create renewable energy projects in all Minneapolis neighborhoods, while providing electric bill credits for residents and income for neighborhood organizations. How does a community solar

telling doesn’t suit the political equitable climate image-makers. solutions on the Even worse, the Democrats lie about their ability to garden work? Northside of protect abortion rights. They The solar panels are Minneapolis and all installed on the roof of North could pass the Women’s Health Protection Act that over the city that High School. Once the garden would make Roe v. Wade goes live the energy flows centers community into the grid and is measured. federal law and do away with all abortion restrictions across You get a credit on your bill members.” the country. each month according to how They could have done much energy the array prothis when Bill Clinton and paying jobs in the renewable duces from the sun and how Barack Obama had demoenergy sector. Renewable En- many subscriptions you have. cratic control of both houses ergy Partners, in partnership You can pay for subscriptions of Congress, and they can still with Northgate Development, upfront, or you can pay as you go. do it now. Democrats have has opened a Regional ApIt’s a win-win for your been lying about their ability prenticeship Training Center pocketbook and the planet. to protect abortion rights for (RATC), an energy skills and We are prioritizing Northside the past 30 years. innovation center on the families for this garden and are The Democrats concorner of Plymouth and Penn setting 80% of the subscripstantly treat their members as in North Minneapolis. tions for community members suckers. They raise millions of RATC is a place for local with low incomes. We believe dollars claiming that they will students and adults to preeveryone should have access stop the Republican onslaught pare for careers in constructo renewable energy and bill against abortions or some tion, energy, and sustainabilcredits, not just the wealthy. other issue that is important ity technologies. to their voters. More training opportuniFind more information and The Women’s Health ties are being added in renewget on our sign-up list for the Protection Act could be able energy, energy efficiency, North High Community Solar passed now but any expectaand building science, energy Garden at www.mpslclimate. tion of that happening is for storage and grid technology, org/community-solar. the suckers to believe. The and electric transportation. This Democrats claim that it would is a game-changer for providing Kyle Samejima is the exbe too hard to pass because of training on the Northside. ecutive director of Minneapolis the filibuster, which they also Jamez Staples is seeing his Climate Action. do nothing about. Round and round they go, with nothing to show except excuses for their inaction. Meanwhile, their paid mouthpieces in corporate media use Over 650,000 Americans their children. every trick in their worn-out By Lindsay Koshgarian have died from COVID-19— And it has paid for the playbook to keep the rank and the equivalent of a 9/11 every government to listen in on file from noticing they have In the 20 years since day for over seven months. our phone calls and target been conned yet again. 9/11, those horrible attacks communities for harassment The dysfunctional relahave been marked by endless The opioid epidemic claims and surveillance without any tionship between the Demowars, harsh immigration crack- another 50,000 lives a year. Meanwhile, extreme evidence of crime or wrongcrats and their members bring downs, and expanded federal weather events like wildfires, doing, eroding the civil liberto mind an old saying. “Fool law enforcement powers that ties of all Americans. me once, shame on you. Fool have cost us our privacy and Fortunately, there’s a me twice, shame on me.” targeted entire communities “We’ve found silver lining: We’ve found that There comes a point based on nothing more than that for just a for just a fraction of what when the abuser can no lonrace, religion, or ethnicity. we’ve spent on militarization ger be blamed. The U.S. poA new report released by fraction of what these last 20 years, we could litical duopoly is like profesthe Institute for Policy Studies, we’ve spent on start to make life much better. sional wrestling with phony found that the federal governFor $4.5 trillion, we could villains and phony heroes. At ment has spent $21 trillion on militarization these build a renewable, upgraded least their fans are in on the war and militarization both last 20 years, we energy grid for the whole joke and know full well that inside the U.S. and around the they are watching a theatrical world over the past 20 years. could start to make country. For $2.3 trillion, we could create five milperformance. That’s roughly the size of the life much better.” lion $15-an-hour jobs with Not so for members of entire U.S. economy. benefits—for 10 years. For just the Democratic party. Their Even while politicians $25 billion, we could vaccinate hurricanes, and floods have progressive idols are afraid or have written blank checks low-income countries against grown in frequency over the uninterested in confronting for militarism year after year, COVID-19, saving lives and past 20 years. The U.S. hasn’t what passes for leadership they’ve said we can’t afford invested nearly enough in either stopping the march of new and and theatrics rule the day. to address our most urgent more threatening virus variants. But the last thing they issues. No wonder these past renewable energy or climate We could do all that and resiliency to deal with the inwant is an engaged group of 20 years have been rough on voters. They thrive on trickery U.S. families and communities. creasing effects climate change more for less than half of what we’ve spent on wars and milihas on our communities. and keeping a seat at the table After strong growth from tarization in the last 20 years. Instead, the human costs of permanent government. 1970 to 2000, household have been staggering. Around With communities across the They can then cut deals with incomes have stagnated for 20 country in dire need of investthe world, the forever wars their bosses in the oligarchy years as Americans struggled ment, the case for avoiding have cost 900,000 lives and while millions of people bethrough two recessions in the more pointless, deadly wars lieve they are being represent- years leading up to the pandemic. left 38 million homeless—and couldn’t be clearer. ed. Only the rubes are really Our public health systems as the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has shown fighting over abortion. have also been chronically Lindsay Koshgarian is us, they were a massive failure. underfunded, leaving the U.S. the program director of the Our militarized spending Margaret Kimberley is helpless to enact the testing, has helped deport five million National Priorities Project. This the executive editor and senior tracing, and quarantining that people over the past 20 years, commentary originally apcolumnist for Blackagendarehelped other countries limit peared in otherwords.org. often taking parents from port.com. the pandemic’s damage.

9/11 represents decades of lost opportunity

September 16-22, 2021

and downright absurd, others repeated old tropes: blaming the failure of the Black family, accusing Blacks of beContinued from page 1 ing unwilling to work, and blaming the community for not being willing or able have no respect for the sanctity of to pull itself up by its own bootstraps. life.” During his turn at the microphone Many others revealed a mindset of cogon Thursday, Mayor Jacob Frey said, nitive dissonance. “Crime and violence is a result of deepseated injustice. Enough is enough. This has to be the last one.” However, when Star Tribune columnist Myron Medcalf addressed the “Minnesota wasn’t established as a place broader community in a Sept. 11 column and tried to make sense of the for Black folks to thrive. The economic, medikilling by breaking down the social con- cal and educational disparities have stretched tributors, his perspective was greeted across generations,” wrote Medcalf. “That’s why the gun is not the first by many who disagreed vociferously. While a few of the more than 700 problem. It’s just the last and most pivreader comments (see sample below) otal problem. It starts at the beginning. could have been categorized as racist Young people, of any background, be-

Bean

come more reckless when they are offered few reasons to believe they have bright futures. The police brutality, the violence, the pandemic and the financial devastation bombarding the Twin Cities’ Black community right now have only encouraged that unfortunate outlook for some of the young Black men

young shooters.” Medcalf ended his column with an even more profound remark: “But it’s not untethered violence. It is the seedling of despair, which has been inflamed by inequality.”

mum wage is about a dime more per-hour than it was 25 years ago. Continued from page 1 The ratio of African American households who own their erally, and African Americans own home has dropped to its specifically, are far worse off lowest number, 42%, in more than they were in 1996 when than 50 years. Homelessness Clinton replaced AFDC with has exploded in cities that the Temporary Aid to Needy span the width and breadth of the country. Families, or TANF, program. The most distinguishing For starters, the labor force participation rate—which feature of the TANF program measures the percentage of is its restructuring of AFDC’s workers over the age of 16 means- tested entitlement, with jobs—has continued its which meant that everyone 60-year-slump, declining from who qualified for the cash every two-in-three workers in benefit got it, at least in theory. 1996 to six-in-10 today, even Under TANF, the U.S. Departbefore the onset of the CO- ment of Health and Human VID-19 pandemic. And those Services administers the prowho are fortunate enough to gram as a fixed block grant, find work have seen no in- reducing both the number of crease in pay; when adjusted households served and the for inflation, the federal mini- benefit amount.

Pandemic Continued from page 1 townhome is at least a roof over her family’s head—an improvement from their previous rental, where the ceiling caved in on them. But as the pandemic started, she was about to be evicted. The nationwide moratorium temporarily spared her family. Her current reality of applying for food stamps and relying on community members to provide food for her and her children is far from the future she would’ve chosen while majoring in psychology at Talladega College in Alabama. “At the end of the day, my wallet doesn’t match up with my intellect,” she said. “That part is the part that always weighs me down… It’s not for lack of drive or ideas, it’s for lack of access. And that part, for a person who likes to control their own destiny, is the most frustrating part.” Corbett’s experience exemplifies a preexisting housing crisis in D.C. and the rest of the nation. Zillah Wesley, a co-chair of the Poor People’s

Horton Continued from page 1 Mae Roberts, allowed him to move in with his father at the age of 10. He attended Minneapolis North High. According to his mother, Horton Jr. was a loving son, father, brother, and kind-hearted person to those who knew him. “In Horton’s spare time he enjoyed listening to rap and hip-hop, spending time with his family, and watching sports,” Roberts said. “Calvin was also a sports fan, and he enjoyed watching football and basketball games with his brother.” According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, a large group of people behaved maliciously and physically and

Since 1996, TANF’s average monthly caseload nationwide has fallen dramatically even as poverty spread. In 2019, 4.5 million families with children were living in poverty, yet for every 100 destitute families, only 23 received cash assistance, down from 68 families in 1996 when AFDC was repealed. “If TANF had the same reach now as AFDC did in 1996,” the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities wrote in a recent report, “the program would have reached 3.1 million families living in poverty in 2019, 3 million more families than were actually reached by TANF. In fact, TANF’s maze of red tape, rigorous job search requirements and paltry payouts make the cash benefit so inaccessible that enrollment in the state of Pennsylvania actually

Campaign, estimates that affording a two-bedroom apartment in the city, without utilities, requires an income of more than $33 an hour. But with a minimum wage of $15.20 an hour, many Black D.C. residents can’t afford housing, as rent rates increase faster than workingclass incomes, according to the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. In D.C. more than one in every five Black people live below the poverty line. “We’re always told, ‘Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you’ll make it work,’” Wesley said. “But a lot of people don’t even have boots.” The nation’s capital is a microcosm of the inequity playing out in commu-

“Housing and health go hand in hand.” nities across the country. Christopher, of the health equity collaborative, argues that social determinants—such as access to employment, transportation, food and safe neighborhoods—

verbally attacked officers, so they had to move Horton to a “nearby business while they tried to keep him alive.” However, a video recording from the owner of Taqueria Las Cuatro Milpas suggests that people were following the officers’ orders by staying back. One bystander is heard cursing the officers while another bystander continuously shouted, “My people, be good” as he also told the crowd of people, “They didn’t do that,” meaning the officers had not shot Horton. He was transported to Hennepin Healthcare’s emergency room where he later died from a shotgun blast wound. However, it is speculated that Horton may have died on the scene as an officer used chest compressions in an effort to revive him.

community. Black family needs to get a father involved and a lot of this violence will end.” (moron100) “I’ve said many times that the key to this is ending the problem of black kids being raised without fathers. the welfare system penalizes marriage and has created most of these issues.” (Yolando Smith)

The broader community’s responses to Medcalf’s column: “In the end, the change needs to start “It must be nice to always have somewith the community itself. It’s not going to be handed to you no matter how hard to push, one else to blame for your problems rather protest or blame someone else.” (Jcrew45) than taking ownership and doing the who’ve decided the gun is a necessary work.” (skolmen) “Sorry mr Medcalf the blame is on the paraccessory,” wrote Medcalf. “Too many Black kids in this place ents and the culture they live in. Leave the The issue is “liberal society blaming the do not believe there is anything bet- rest of Minnesota out of your blame.” (dizkid) White man for all of the Black man’s probter behind Door No. 2. And if that’s not lems. (gonejohnson) “He says it is a Minnesota problem. Soraddressed, then the list [of those] shot this year will grow. There is a long line ry, it is a Black problem mainly. The Black Mel Reeves welcomes reader responsof young victims and, in many cases, family is broken for a subset of the Black es to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.

“Minnesota wasn’t established as a place for Black folks to thrive.”

Welfare

5

fell by more than 15,000 since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the economic hardships caused by lockdowns. Alisha Gillespie, 32, an unemployed hospital worker from a Philadelphia suburb with three children ages six, nine and 13, said that she’d been on TANF for nearly five years, receiving about $400 a month in cash benefits, or roughly the same she would’ve received in 1990. “It seemed like a form of slavery,” she told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “It wasn’t that much money. I wanted to use it to further my education, but they kept telling me to find a job.” The problem is that Clinton’s welfare reform didn’t occur in a vacuum but coincided with a

are largely responsible for a community’s health. Rather than focus on health care, which emphasizes treatment, Christopher argues that the government should invest in systems that prevent poor health, like housing. “We have a policy for housing that is driven by a profiteering real estate industry,” Christopher said. “That is one issue that I think we must address, because housing and health go hand in hand.” Poverty’s cycle The slow-paced, porch-culture community of Lowndes County, Alabama, spans more than 700 square miles. It has 10,000 residents, one physician and no hospital. It also experienced one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the state, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. George Thomas, the county’s only doctor, laments the systematic lack of access in a county that is 75% Black and where one in every three Black residents lives below the poverty line. “It’s not just endemic in Lowndes County, it’s all the counties, because all of them are facing pretty much the same issues,” Thomas said. “And basi-

Ben Crump, along with Jeff Storms, represented the Horton family for the case. After a six-month investigation, Rieple wasn’t charged with killing Horton Jr. because he claimed self-defense in court and Freeman’s office said they

cally it’s poverty. With poverty, you don’t have access to certain things that you need to survive or thrive.” Thomas and several other public health and community officials in Lowndes, Montgomery and Macon Counties cited Alabama’s failure to expand its Medicaid program as a major reason for COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on its poorer residents. The restrictions mean an estimated 324,000 of Alabama’s residents who would otherwise be covered are uninsured and therefore unable to access primary and preventive care services, according to a study by the Urban Institute. And rural hospitals face a closure crisis. Over the past decade, an average of 12 rural hospitals have closed each year, often due to unexpanded Medicaid leading to large portions of local patients being unable to afford hospital services, according to the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “You need primary care, you need preventive care, when you’re dealing with chronic disease,” Christopher said. “And remember, it was the chronic diseases, the obesity, the diabetes, the heart disease, the kidney disease, the asthma, cancer, which are all, again,

“When the police arrested him, the first thing they should’ve done was confiscate the surveillance cameras and the weapon because that’s the obvious decision,” Roberts said. However, according to

“It was overkill for him to shoot my son multiple times with a shotgun when he wasn’t a threat.” couldn’t charge him because of a lack of evidence. Looters destroyed all the video and there was insufficient evidence to overcome a self-defense argument. The missing evidence included security cameras and other recordings that would’ve shown how Rieple killed Horton and if Rieple’s self-defense claim was warranted.

tectonic reorganization of the global economy that augured not only the end of welfare but work as well. The enactment of Clinton’s North American Free Trade Agreement was shipping decent-paying, unionized jobs abroad, and deregulation of the financial sector was saddling consumers with more and more debt. Meanwhile, TANF’s inflexible work requirements “come from a legacy of enslavement and forced labor, and this belief that Black people are lazy and undeserving of support and if we don’t coerce them to work, they won’t,” Ife Floyd, director of TANF research and analysis for the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities (CBPP), told reporters earlier this month. “So, harsh TANF work requirements with dif-

criminal defense lawyer Joe Tamburino, business owners aren’t allowed to use deadly force to protect their property, but they can use physical, non-lethal force to keep them out. A person can defend themselves if they’re physically being attacked, but the retaliation needs to be comparable to the attacker. For example, if two people

ficult paperwork obligations and time limits served to punish rather than help families.” The CBPP found that TANF benefits are lowest in Southern states with large Black populations, with benefit levels either at or below 20% of the poverty line. (Minnesota’s benefit levels are among the highest in the nation, according to the CBPP report, with benefit levels at 102% of the poverty line). “I couldn’t always be at job centers looking for work when my kid was sick in the hospital with asthma issues. They act like you don’t have trials and tribulations. In the end, TANF was just a ball and chain,” said Gillespie of her decision to leave the program. Jon Jeter welcomes reader responses to jeterjon@gmail.com.

disproportionately experienced by African Americans.” Ozelle Hubert, who lives in Clarke County, worked for decades as a pharmacist in Lowndes and before that in Cook County, Illinois. He said he sees the same health care access issues in Lowndes as he saw in Chicago. “When you’re in urban areas where you have poverty, where you have projects, health care disparity, it’s no different, in my opinion, than it is in the rural areas,” Hubert said. “It means a lack of access or lack of quality care.” Hubert commutes two hours to Lowndes to consult with county officials on economic development and health care. Now president and chief executive officer of the newly established Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, he wants a hospital in a county that has never had one. “So when we do have a pandemic like this [in the future] … guess what? We can take care of our residents,” Hubert said. This story was excerpted from a larger story and republished with permission from News21, a Carnegie-Knight national investigative project.

use their fists to fight and someone pulls out a firearm against that unarmed person, the law in Minnesota would deem it unacceptable. Stand-your-ground laws exclude the duty to retreat, but Minnesota doesn’t have stand-your-ground laws, so a person must first attempt to escape a deadly situation before using deadly force to protect themselves. On the other hand, if someone broke into your home, you’re allowed to use force or deadly force in self-defense. “I think this guy should’ve been charged because it was overkill for him to shoot my son multiple times with a shotgun when he wasn’t a threat to him,” said Roberts. “He also could’ve shot his gun in the air because that would’ve scared people off.”

A common question posed by activists and community members is: “If Calvin Horton Jr. was White, would John Rieple have been charged?” In America, when dealing with crime, the historical norm has been that White people are given the benefit of the doubt until proven guilty, while Black people are guilty until proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt. Roberts and her family remain hopeful that new information will surface to help bring closure and justice for their family and Calvin Horton Jr., who was the father of three daughters, four sons and two grandchildren. He also has four brothers and four sisters. Jarrett Ballard welcomes reader responses to jarrettballard1@gmail.com.

6

September 16-22, 2021

Business

Plant-based pop-up offers healthy cuisines in North Mpls

Keiko’s Kitchen Black Business SPOTLIGHT I noticed I got tired of eating salads, so I just started looking more into cooking,” Jackson said. She desired more vegan options. As a result, Jackson formulated an array of unique and nutritious dishes. Jackson said, “When I first transitioned to vegan—after looking into the alkaline diet and taking the alkaline herbs By Ashley Lauren and seeing the benefits and Contributing writer watching alkaline cooking reci pes—I ended up starting Keiko’s Mykela Jackson aka “Keiko” Kitchen.” Now, she aims to help is on a mission to help others others become conscientious improve their health. She is about their overall health and it the owner of Keiko’s Kitchen, a starts with food. plant-based, pop-up restaurant There’s a special purpose located in North Minneapolis. behind KK. Jackson said, “My The place is known for its flabusiness started as me wanting vorsome and healthy cuisines. people to pretty much learn Jackson grew up in South how to cook vegan.” She added, Minneapolis. She attended “It blossomed more into me Ramsey Elementary, Washburn trying to bring affordable and High School, and graduated accessible food systems into from South High School in 2016. the community,” due to the She said, “I graduated food desert in the Twin Cities. high school and then went to Jackson noted the differChicago to stay with a friend, ence between plant-based and and they were vegan—afvegan diets. “A plant-based diet ter two months, I became is exactly what it says—your fully vegan and then came diet consists mainly of plants. back home.” When Jackson You typically transition to returned to Minneapolis she plant-based when you’re more adhered to a vegan diet. in it for your health,” Jackson “After a while, six months,

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explained. “They’re basically the same basis, no meat, no dairy [but] vegan tends to be more processed than plantbased,” she added. Keiko’s Kitchen was established in 2019. Jackson had a plan for her new business venture. She recalled, “I remember my mom told me if I was serious about it to go register myself, get a bank account, and she would give me $1,000 to start.” After Jackson completed the tasks, she began working with a local organization to launch her food business. Jackson decided to acquire help and business assistance from NEON (Northside Economic Opportunity Network). “I worked with Ann Fix [of NEON Food],” and the guidance was very helpful. Jackson learned priceless lessons that helped her maximize productivity. The KK pop-up enterprise was launched in North Minneapolis. “My first pop-up was at Breaking Bread, April 8, 2019, and from there—once people started coming to the pop-ups— it got bigger,” Jackson said. The collectivism and support from the community helped launch her wonderful pop-up kitchen. An important key to success is having a positive mindset. “You’ve got to have dedication and passion for what you want to do—dream it as big as you want it to be,” said Jackson. She further explained,

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“Shaping your business model to work for you—once you start noticing that’s not what you really want and have passion for other things, just pursue those.” Jackson emphasized, “Everything you need is right in front of you— make sure you’re grinding and setting time aside.” Furthermore, customers can expect many flavorful food options at Keiko’s Kitchen. Jackson said, “I create a lot of culturally diverse foods, but the main thing is fried oyster mushrooms— that’s a chicken replacement.” She also prepares a delicious portobello mushroom steak. Jackson said, “I’ve done alkaline cornbread, sea moss mac and cheese, blueberry pancakes, strawberry waffles— everything is made from scratch and with love.” All of the products on the menu are high-quality and affordable. The price range is from $5-$12. A plethora of mouthwatering desserts are also available at the popular KK. “I make edible cookies dough balls, mango chili ice cream, brownie dates dipped in chocolate, cookies, lemon coconut bars,” Jackson said. She also offers catering. Operating a business can be challenging and rewarding. “On my journey, there wasn’t a lot of doubt, but when those doubts come, just being able to redirect it and just know everything happens for a reason,” Jackson said. She remains focused on her purpose of living by example. There are rewarding aspects to running a business. Jackson joyfully exclaimed, “The

Owner Mykela Jackson All photos courtesy of Keiko’s Kitchen best thing is just being there for people in the community and being able to help!” She enjoys using her business to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Jackson advises budding entrepreneurs and young people to “do it, whatever you want to do, do it! The money is gonna come and the money is gonna go. As soon as you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, everything will align.” She added, “Social media is a powerful tool so use it wisely.”

Jackson also emphasized the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses: “Everything comes from Black people— we’re all-natural hustlers and trying to get it. If people are out here putting the work in, give credit where it’s due.” For more info, visit Keiko’s Kitchen at www.keikoskitchen. us or call 612-806-8184. Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Arts & Culture

September 16-22, 2021

7

TRAVEL INSIGHTS

Discover Atlanta’s emerging Black cuisine and city sights

By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire travel writer Explore Atlanta, Georgia, arguably the capital of the New South, and you’ll be embraced by a multicultural city, led by a Black mayor and blessed with forwardthinking electorates who made Fulton County the most pivotal voting bloc in the country. These erudite Atlanteans are forging a new world, creating a vibrant food scene, supporting the arts, respecting their historic districts and welcoming anyone who wants to share the experience.

Eat ‘em up – dining around Atlanta

Soul Food & Culture—nuevo soul food Chef Todd Richards (“SOUL: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes”) and Chef Josh Lee conceived the Soul Food & Culture restaurant, an innovative eatery that’s on the crest of a new wave of soul food cooking. SF&C stands out at the Krog Street Market, a historic food hall located in what was once Tyler Perry’s first studio and before that an iron-pan factory (circa 1889). Secret spices, glutenfree options and innovation propel this contemporary restaurant to the top of ATL’s most contemporary food scene. How inventive? How new? They’ve created “Waffles Infused with Collard Greens!” It’s ingenious! The bitterness of the greens, the flaky light waffle, the fat from a dab of butter, and the sweetness of maple syrup blend together in a way that will make your tastebuds scream: “Wow!” Richards and Lee are going places African American restauranteurs have never been. Lee: “We are the only minority Black-owned restaurant on the Beltline.” Their ambitious menu is redefining what soul food can be. Hot Picks: 1.) Deviled Eggs (with Benton’s bacon jam, crispy onions) 2.) Fried Green Tomatoes (spicy remoulade sauce, pimento cheese). 3.) Hot Fried Catfish Sandwich (as crispy as a potato chip) 4.) Catfish ‘n Waffles (regular or go for the collard waffle). 9 Mile Station—up on the roof The in-crowd in ATL gathers at Ponce City Market in the Old Fourth Ward. This former Sears ​​catalogue facility (circa 1926) has evolved into a multi-purpose, cultural/food/retail space/ amusement park that’s funtime central. Popular cafés, restau-

collard green pesto.” The open kitchen lets customers watch as the smoke masters create their magic. If you can’t make the tough decision on what to eat, sample them all: pork, chicken, and beef. Choose your sauces: Carolina Mustard, Chicago Red, or Whiskey BBQ. At L&OBBQ. Any decision you make is the right decision. Hot picks: 1.) “Devilish” Eggs (Pork, brisket, pimento). 2.) Brisket (10 oz. Coffee, pepper rub, 14hour smoked) with a side of Collard Green Fried Rice. 3.) Fried Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream.

parties. But the place has another secret weapon. Fish! Executive Chef Jamarius “J.” Banks, a former contestant on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” turns food from the ocean and lakes into delectable dishes with a supreme focus on oysters served in ways that surprise and please patrons. Pull up a chair, stool, or stand, sway to the neo-soul music and let the beer flow where it may. Hot picks: 1.) Bier Saigon (Saison) or Black Don’t Crack (Stout) Chocolate Cream Pie 2.) Oyster Collardfeller (With Collard Greens and smoked turkey, topped with Rockefeller

Museum of Art with shows like Calder-Picasso. 4) View fashion design at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, like the Ruth E. Carter exhibit. 5) Rest your head at the trendy Wylie Hotel located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. 6) Dine on Avocado Tartine and Char-Grilled NY Steak at Mrs. P’s Bar & Kitchen. 7) Follow the late-night crowd for a dessert fix at the Sugar Factory and grub on Red Velvet Cake. 8) Baseball and Hank Aaron fans can sojourn to ​​Truist rants , and bakeries line fresh air chowing down on Park for Atlanta Braves the first floor. A five-floor food that tastes like it came baseball games. elevator ride takes you to a from their momma’s kitchen— 9) Shop at the hip Atlantic rooftop with unobstructed if their moms were influStation commercial district for Nike, H&M, and street vendors’ items. 10) Explore the ever-evolving panoramic views. Gaze at enced by Black and interna33-mile BeltLine, former ATL’s multitude of skylines: tional cuisines. The food is railroad tracks now walkdowntown, BeltLine, Piedcomforting, the atmosphere ing and biking paths. mont Park and surrounding laissez-faire. You come in 11) Lodge at Loews Atlanta neighborhoods and the with a smile that only grows Hotel—it’s walking disbeauty envelopes you. bigger as your meal is served tance to museums and What’s surprising and and crowned with dessert. has the Exhale Spa. pleasing is the potpourri of Hot picks: 1.) Brown 12) Have drinks and dinner at families, couples, singles, Butter Scallops (Brocthe Lowes lobby restauBlacks, Whites, Latinos and coli Chimichurri, Peach Corn rant Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar. BBQ meat platter at Lake and Oak Neighborhood BBQ 13) Venture into vintage All photos by Dwight Brown shops in Little Five Points, a funky neighborhood Cheese sauce.) 3.) Alligator Hippin Hops Brewery & like NYC’s East Village. Po’boy (topped with our Hip- 14) Visit the birth home of Dr. Oyster Bar—bringing suds pin Hop’s Hippin remoulade to East Atlanta Village Martin Luther King, Jr. to sauce). 4.) Cajun Shrimp Georgia’s first Blacksee where he grew up. Deviled Egg. owned brewery has put 15) Ride on top SkyView stakes down in the East Atlanta, a 20-story Ferris Atlanta Village district of Wheel in Centennial Park Explore these 16 ATL. Co-owners Donnica in a gondola. must-see ATL places and Clarence Boston are the & things to do 16) Drive down Buford Highvisionary pioneers whose way to the La Pastorcita 1) Take an illuminating signature ales and lagers Mexican restaurant for Atlanta history tour with have made their brewery/ their Enchiladas Verdes. the Black-owned tour Pork-belly sliders at 9 Mile Station restaurant a go-to hub in a company ATL-Cruzers. burgeoning neighborhood Visit NNPA News Wire 2) Learn about our past at where the nightlife buzzes. travel writer Dwight Brown The National Center for Asians, gay, straight young, Salsa). 2.) Hoisin Glazed OxTheir three-barrel brewat DwightBrownInk.com and Civil and Human Rights. and old. The kids are riding tails (with Vegetable Basmati house produces a variety of BlackPressUSA.com. 3) Get cultured at High on amusement park rides Rice, Sauteed Garlic Ginger or hurtling down big slides. Adults engage in mini-golf. There are several eateries on the massive veranda and 9 Mile Station is the key one. Eat indoors at the popular bar, sip on craft beers and ogle the open kitchen. Or sit outdoors for the amazing vistas, the main attraction. Owners Kelvin and Mandy Slater welcome customers like family. The vibe alone is Pan-seared jerk snapper at Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours alluring. Add in the comfort food and it’s no wonder reservations are required. The handcrafted beers made with place is packed! Bok Choy) 3.) Pan-Seared fresh, all-natural ingredients. Hot Picks: 1.) The Snake Jerk Snapper (with Escovitch HHB&OB suds are the Chef Jamarius Banks (l) and owner Clarence Boston of Hippin Inside the Watermelon Slaw, Cilantro Butter Basmati main attraction for the hip Hops Brewery and Oyster Bar Cocktail (Old Grandad BIB Rice, Sea Island Pea Puree) hop crowd that gathers and Bourbon, Lemon, Water4.) Bourbon Peach Cobbler. melon, Ginger) 2.) Pork Belly Sliders (Pineapple Chutney, Lake & Oak Neighborhood Jalapeño, House Pickles) 3.) BBQ—BBQ this Steak Frites (New York Strip, Opening July 4th weekHouse-Made Fries). end 2020 on the border of ATL’s East Lake and Oakhurst Twisted Soul Cookhouse & districts, this savory BBQ Pours—meet me on the West joint has become the bridge Side between the two neighborChef Deborah VanTrece hoods. The amiable personhas created a friendly envialities of co-chefs/owners ronment that pulls locals in Todd Richards and Chef Josh the quiet West Side neighLee have produced a warm, borhood from their homes to convivial atmosphere. her oasis restaurant for lunch, Their down-home brindinner, drinks, and socializing. ing, smoking, and cooking Her restaurant is a mecca techniques can be tasted in for African American, LGBQT every savory item. Charcoal and other cultures that meet, and white oak and pecan greet, and eat. Everyone is woods add taste and flavor. welcomed. Everyone is there. Novel seasoning and innovaVanTrece’s modern tive techniques take their interpretations and global BBQ to another planet. influences on traditional Richards: “The lamb Southern soul food set her ribs are seasoned with a establishment apart. Diners coffee rub… diners can have sit inside or outside in the chicken breasts coated with

8

September 16-22, 2021

Obituary

Celebration of Life for

Lucille Anderson

Lucille Anderson, best known to her family and friends as Ludy, succumbed to COVID-19 on April 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Ruth Majors, brothers Andrew and Henry (Hank) Majors, and her sisters Ruth Griffin and Marion McElroy.

rie T.M. Anderson of Seattle, Washington (Virginia), and daughter Cydnae Anderson of Minneapolis. Her loss is also mourned by three grandchildren: Marc A. Majors, director of employment and training at the MN DEED; Virginia E. Anderson, staff supervisor for Children Hospital of Seattle; Dr. Chase T.M. Anderson of San Francisco; and great grandson Savoy Davis-Hardy of Minneapolis. In addition, she leaves behind nine nieces and nephews and a host of great and greatgreat nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Lucille L. Anderson will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 2-4 pm (rain or shine) at Minneapolis’s Bradshaw Funeral Home, 3131 Minnehaha Avenue South. If you plan to attend, please be prepared to wear a mask.

Ludy is survived by daughter Alberteen Anderson of New York City, son Dr. CorMinnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 16 - 22, 2021

In Loving Memory

Michael Eric Turner

Michael Eric Turner, age 70, passed away on September 6, 2021. He was preceded in death by parents Oliver and

Fayetta (Crews). He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters Tionna and Taylor Turner; granddaughters Laila and Nyela Bacon; sisters Cynthia Turner and Regina Turner-Byrd; nephew Lamonte Turner (Leah); niece Chauntel Turner (Jason); great nephews Aamir Turner and De’Aamar Ali; great niece Breyana Turner and a host of cousins and friends. There will be a visitation, Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 10-10:30am, with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 am at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 2600 E 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406. The service will be live streamed on Facebook. Donations are graciously received and appreciated.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 16 - 22, 2021

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Fred Athen “Paco” Lee, IV

Writers invited to join the Spokesman-Recorder The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, weekly African American community newspaper (print and online), welcomes inquiries from freelance writers interested in writing compelling news stories and features. Looking for writers intimately familiar with the African American experience, interested in telling its stories. Experience in journalistic writing preferred. Payment is per article and is commensurate with experience. Send inquiries to Mel Reeves (Community editor), at mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.

December 14, 1978 - September 15, 1998 Sometimes memories of you sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 16 - 22, 2021

Employment & Legals STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF WASHINGTON TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ------------------------------------------------------IN THE MATTER OF THE CHILD OF: ORDER FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Alisha Richert and James Norgaard, III Parent(s) ------------------------------------------------------Court File No. 82-JV-21-365 County Attorney File No. JV-2021-728 That Betsey A. Urbas, Assistant Washington County Attorney, representing Petitioner, Washington County Community Services, Stillwater, Minnesota, has filed in this Court a Petition to Transfer Permanent Legal and Physical Custody of parents Alisha Richert and James Norgaard, III, seeking to permanently transfer the custodial rights of mother Alisha Richert, as to child N.R., dob 4/23/20, to maternal grandparents Lisa and Greg Richert. THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition be heard by the Court at the Washington County Law Enforcement Center, 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, on September 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, and on any subsequent hearing dates set on this matter. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice hereof be given to the father of said child, by publication in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, a legal newspaper, for three weeks as provided by law and by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail to the natural father’s last known address of 1222 Lincoln St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Dated: August 20, 2021

Judge Freeman Judge of District Court

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 2, 9, & 16, 2021

September 16-22, 2021

9

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

From Classified

State ofDepartment/MN Minnesota District Court Washington County Tenth Judicial District Spokesman-Recorder Court File Number: 82-JV-21-365 Case Type: CHIPS - Permanency PHONE: 612-827-4021

PHONE: 612-827-4021

In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child(ren) of: Alisha FOR BILLING RichertINQUIRIES and James Norgaard, III,

& TEARSHEETS Summons and Notice PLEASE CONTACT Child In Need of Protection ACCOUNTING DEPT or Services Matter @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

NOTICE TO: Above-named parent(s) or legal LEGAL NOTICES custodian(s). SIZE: COLofXProtection 4.5 = 9 INCHES 1. A Child In 2Need or Services Petition has RATE $15.53 PCI RUN) been filed in the Office of (1ST the Clerk of Juvenile Court located SUBTOTAL: $139.78 at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box 3802 Stillwater MN 55082, alleging that the child(ren) of the above-named parent(s) or RATE $10.35 PCIin(PER RUN) $ legal custodian(s) is/are need ADDITIONAL of protection or services.

FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECOR COM SUMMONS FLAT RATE $200

SUBTOTAL: $93.15 X 2 = $186.30 Total: $326.08 2. Notice is hereby given that the matter of said Child In

Need of Protection or Services Petition will be called for hearingPlease before proof, the Juvenile Courtwith located at 14949 - 62nd respond email confirmation to display@ St. N; PO Box 3802 Stillwater MN 55082, on September 21, spokesman-recorder.com 2021 at 10:00AM or as soon after as the Matter can be heard.

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

The MSR handles billing digitally.

3. YOU ARE ORDERED to get appear before thee-mailed Juvenile invoices unless This means you will e-tears and you request a hard copy. Court at thespecifically scheduled time and date.

Fighter

finished him off with a left 4. You have a right to be represented by counsel. hook to Ogundo’s rib cage, flooring him to the canvas. 5. If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still Continued from page 10 The referee waved Ogundo conduct the hearing and grant appropriate relief, including taking permanent custody of the child/ren named in the out when he wasn’t able to amateur fights, winning 10 Petition. get up before the count of state and regional titles. At WITNESS, the Honorable Judge Freeman 10. 5’-10” and with a 73.5-inch Judge of District Court “It was a nice body shot,” reach, Owens looks to fight BY: said the victorious Owens. for a title one day. He beAnnette Fritz lieves the win over Ogundo “Those body shots were Court Administrator breaking him down.” (16-13), will get him a step Owens’ trainer Adonis closer. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 2, 9, & 16, 2021 Frazier told us that Ogundo “Initially I wanted to do had nothing to lose. “A more rounds,” he told me. “I journeyman sometimes haven’t been to the 7th, 8th is more dangerous for a round in a while.” It looked like it might be prospect [like Owens],” he starting streak (248 games), said. Ogundo’s record can’t either a long fight or short 2004 steals co-leader, 2004 be overlooked or underestione as Ogundo went after second team. mated, added Frazier. “This Owens early with rabbit Continued from page 10 NIKKI TEASLEY (2002kid’s got experience.” punches. But the Kenyan 08) – 2002 champion, 2-time but she decided to play overOgundo indeed was a native made a mistake—he All Star, 2003 All Star Game seas in Russia full time due to challenge, admitted Owens, cut Owens’ eye in the secMVP, 2-time 2nd team, salary reasons,” said @JasTayler. who trains at the Circle of ond round with one of his 2-time assists leader. CHAMIQUE HOLDDiscipline gym in South Minelbows. TANGELA SMITH (1998SCLAW (1999-07; 2009-10) neapolis. “He was exactly “I got mad, and I never 2012) – 2-time champion, how I expected—very sturdy, – Rookie of The Year, 6-time All get mad,” explained the 2006 All Star. Only missed 15 Star, 3-time 2nd Team, 2002 very strong. He was a lot eventual winner. “He kept games her entire career. scoring and rebounding champ, elbowing, constantly elbow- quicker than I thought.” RENEE MONTGOMERY It was only Owens’ sec- 2-time rebounding champion. ing. He [also] hit me in the (2009-20) – 2-time chamDAWN STALEY (1999ond fight this year after scorback of the head extremely pion, 2012 6th Woman of 2006) – WNBA Top 15 ing a TKO win June 27, also hard. I was blurred the rest the Year, 2011 All Star. First (2011), 6-time All Star. “One at the Armory. We watched of the fight.” former player to become a of the greatest basketball him fight that night as well. This pushed Owens co-owner (Atlanta, 2020). minds on the planet,” said @ “There’s always work to even harder to go after MWADI MABIKA JasTayler. “One of the greatbe done,” said Owens. Ogundo in the fourth and (1997-2008) – 3-time All est defenders ever.” deciding round. He caught Star, 2-time champion, 2002 TERESA EDWARDS Charles Hallman welhis opponent with a right 1st team. Zaire-born, U.S. (2003-04) – The oldest comes reader responses to uppercut to his body that challman@spokesman-record- rookie ever drafted (38 years citizen since 2011. stunned him, sending him ALANA BEARD (2004old). Led Minnesota to its er.com. to the ropes. There Owens 19) – 2016 champion, 4-time first two playoff appearances All Star, 2006 2nd team, (2003-04). 2-time Defensive Player of TAJ MCWILLIAMSthe Year, 5-time All-DefenFRANKLIN (1999-2012) – for another year.” 2-time champion, 6-time All sive 1st team, 4-time 2nd Brown wants to major Star, 2-time 2nd team, 2005 team. in communications studies. DEWANNA BONNER All Defensive 2nd team, allHer father is Chucky Brown, (2009-present) – 2-time time offensive rebounder Continued from page 10 a former college star who champion, 4-time All Star, leader. cent in 2005. A 2007 Diverse played 13 years in the NBA. 2015 1st team, 2020 2nd TERESA WITHERWas there any pressure to Education article pointed team, 3-time 6th Woman. follow in her dad’s footsteps? SPOON (1997-04) – One out “a litany of factors and KRISTI TOLIVER of the W’s original players. “I would say there’s a lot circumstances” behind such (2009-present) – 2-time League’s first Defensive of pressure,” but not from low numbers, including cost champion, 2012 2nd team, her father, Brown responded. Player of the Year (1997, factors. Rutgers Professor 3-time All Star, 2012 Most 1998), 2-time steals champ, “My dad says pressure is Emmett Gill has estimated Improved. 5-time All Star, W’s Top 15 the cost of developing a SHAVONTE ZELLOUS (2011), Top 20@20 (2016). “My dad says female soccer player (training, (2009-present) – 2012 Started first five All Star equipment, team fees, travel champion, 2013 All Star, pressure is when Games. Forever known for and other expenses associat2013 Most Improved, 2009 “The Shot” she made in the ed with the sport), beginning you don’t know All Rookie. 1999 Finals. in 5th grade over a sevenNATALIE WILLIAMS PERROT (1997what you’re doing.” 98) –KIM year period, can be upwards (1999-2005) – 4-time All 3-time champion, died of $14 million. Star, 3-time 1st team. of cancer at age 32 in 1999. Mississippi State had CHELSEY GRAY Sportsmanship Award is when you don’t know what seven Blacks, making with (2014-present) – 2016 named for her. you’re doing.” the Gopher three a grand champion, 4-time All Star, JANETH ARCAIN When not playing, Intotal of 10 sistahs. “They 2019 1st team (1997-03, 2005) – 4-time niss loves to paint. “It’s just had a lot,” noted the Gopher SKYLAR DIGGINSchampion, 2001 All Star, something that I don’t really players of the visitors. SMITH (2013-present) – 2001 Most Improved Player, need to be thinking about Ward, a sports man5-time All Star, 2-time 1st team, what I’m doing,” she noted. “I 1st team All-W (2001). agement major, is on the 2-time 2nd team, 2013 All VICKIE JOHNSON school’s career lists in assists just want to create. Nothing Rookie, 2014 Most Improved. (1997-09) – First New York (tied for first), points (tied for really particular, but I tend A’JA WILSON Liberty player to score 2,000 to like drawing and painting third), and shots (fifth). “I’m (2018-present) – 2020 MVP, points, 2-time All Star, 2008 nature.” planning on graduating this 3-time All Star, 2018 Rookie Kim Perrot Sportsmanship December, and I do plan on of The Year, 2020 1st team, Award. Minnesota’s next game hopefully pursuing a master’s 2020 All Defensive 2nd team, CANDICE DUPREE is Sept. 18 at home against degree,” she said proudly. 2020 blocks leader. (2006-present) – 2004 “I think it’s going to be in Wisconsin, 6 pm. champion, 7-time All Star, Charles Hallman welexercise physiology. Not sure Charles Hallman wel2006 All-Rookie Team. comes reader responses to whether that will be here or comes reader responses to NYKESHA SALES someplace else. But I do plan challman@spokesman-recordchallman@spokesman-record(1999-07) – 8-time All Star. er.com. to continue playing soccer Once had the second longest er.com.

Prep Continued from page 10 with 116 yards rushing. It was quite the game with two of the state’s top coaches. North Coach Charles Adams III has led the Polars to the state playoffs since 2014, including a Class A state title in 2016.

by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. As I was leaving the game, I ran into former Minneapolis Central and North football coach Richard Robinson and had a short but informative conversation with him. Robinson was recently enshrined into the MFCA Hall of Fame.

WNBA

Ten Sistas

Fridley quarterback MJ Newton attempts to escape the grasp of Minneapolis North defensive end Gani Stevens. Photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Justin Reese has been the head coach at Fridley since 2015 and led the Tigers to the state playoffs in 2020. He was recently named the 2020 Coach of the Year

Makemma

Not a bad way to enjoy a Friday evening. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

diversity, at least in the SEC. I can’t really speak for the other conferences.” Continued from page 10 Softball became Dowcampus visit earlier this year. ell’s sport of choice early on. “I had two older brothers and “When I went on campus,” they play baseball. My dad she recalled, “I just kind of played baseball. So from a fell in love, and the coachreally young age I was out ing staff was very different in the yard, trying to be like from Auburn. I was looking one of the brothers.” for something different, and She is in her high I felt [Minnesota] fit me as a school’s hall of fame at person and an athlete.” North Gwinnett (Ga.) High Dowell is the GoSchool, where she was a phers’ only Black player four-time all-county selecthis season. She is among tion and an all-stater as she the 11 percent of Division led her school to three reI softball players who are gional championships along Black, up from five percent with a state title. between 2014 to 2019. “We had some good “It is getting better,” runs every year,” said Dowell She says she “I felt Minnesota fit proudly. believes it will take at least me as a person and three semesters to complete her master’s degree work. an athlete.” After graduation, “I want to be a sports psychologist.” she believed. “Of course, I Charles Hallman always think there’s imwelcomes reader responses provement. I think recently to challman@spokesmanwithin these last few years, recorder.com there has been a lot more

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September 16-22, 2021

Sports

Circle of Discipline fighter advances By Charles Hallman Sports columnist

T

here were nine scheduled fights at the Armory on Labor Day eve. Minneapolis’ own De Shawn

Another View’s WNBA all-time top 25

place on national television. Whether through stubbornness or persistence, this reporter sat through all nine fights hoping to speak to the local fighter afterwards, win or lose.

T

he WNBA unveiled over Labor Day weekend its 25 all-time players list, but as usual it got mostly ignored by the male-dominated sports media save for Dawn Staley

De Shawn Owens

Photo by Charles Hallman

Owens’ eight-round super lightweight bout was the

“I haven’t been to the 7th, 8th round in a while.” last on the card that night, at least an hour after the two scheduled main fights took

Owens knocked out Michael Ogundo in the fourth round, his 12th KO in front of me, a few spectators, and the television crew packing up their equipment around ringside, improving him to 13-2. “I wasn’t expecting to be the last [on the card],” he said afterwards. The 30-year-old turned professional after over 120 ■ See Fighter on page 9

Rebekkah Brunson

#WNBA Twitter. “I wanted to recognize the greats who are somewhat underappreciated, so that’s why a few players are missing,” tweeted @JasTayler, who gave the MSR permission to use her tweets where warranted. The selection criteria that a group of chosen media commentators and others used were that players must have played at least two seasons and met four of seven criteria: 1. won a major individual award 2. selected to All-WNBA First or Second Team 3. selected to All-Defensive

First or Second Team 4. selected to WNBA All-Star Games 5. won a championship 6. currently ranked among the top 40 leaders in one major statistical category 7. received the WNBA Community Assist Award. Our criteria included the above, but also the impact the player had on the league’s 25-year existence. More importantly, our W25 all-time list, in no particular order, are all Black women. CHERYL FORD (200309) – 3-time champion, 2-time 2nd team all-W, 2007 All Star MVP, 2003 Rookie of the Year, 2-time rebounding

Photos courtesy of Twitter champion. REBEKKAH BRUNSON (2004-18) – Only W player to win five championships, five-time All Star, 2011 First Team All-Defensive, 6-time 2nd team All Defensive. PLENETTE PIERSON (2003-17) – 3-time champion, 2007 6th Woman of the Year, 2015 All Star. DEANNA “TWEETY” NOLAN (2001-09) – 3-time champion, 2006 Finals MVP, 5-time All Star, 2-time First Team All-W, 2003 Second Team, WNBA Top 20@20 (2016). “[Her] career in the WNBA could’ve been longer ■ See WNBA on page 9

Four Black athletes play Gopher women’s soccer and softball

Keziah Inniss, Izzy Brown, Patricia Ward

Photo by Charles Hallman

Photo courtesy U of M

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2021-22 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher soccer players senior Patricia Ward and juniors Keziah Inniss and Izzy Brown; and Gopher softball player Makenna Dowell

Ten sistas on the field could be a record here At a recent Minnesota soccer match, an 0-0 two overtime tie with Mississippi State, we noticed just one Black woman sitting among the nearly 300 persons that afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. “That’s my mom,” said Izzy Brown, one of

the home team’s three Black players. This is Brown’s first season with the Gophers after two seasons at North Carolina. “Soccer is a predominately White sport,” noted senior Patricia Ward on the scarcity of Blacks in the stands at games. “I don’t think that

we’re not intentionally not watched [by Blacks]. The general public in Minnesota is majority-White.” Around seven percent of all Division I soccer players are Black, up from five per■ See Ten sistas on page 9

Team’s lone Black sees more softball diversity Makenna Dowell makes her Gopher softball debut this Saturday as Minnesota opens its five-game fall schedule against Dakota Wesleyan University. The graduate student is completing her final year of eligibility after a stellar career at Auburn.

Dowell helped the Tigers to three NCAA tournaments, including the 2019 regional finals, and was the only member on the team to start all 51 games last season. “I’m in the graduate program for sports management,” she said in a recent MSR phone interview.

“I believe Minnesota has one of the better ones.” A psychology degree earner from Auburn and a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree, Dowell chose the Gophers after a ■ See Makemma on page 9

Fridley defeats North in game between the state’s best

T

he stands were packed last Friday evening at Minneapolis North High School for the host Polars’ football game against Fridley, and for good reason. Fridley won 28-21, but there was also a stadium

dedication and an inspiring message from state senator and North alumnus Bobby Joe Champion, not to mention a game between two of the state’s top football teams, ending with the 28-21 Fridley victory. It was a great game. Both defensive units dominated the first quarter, keeping one another scoreless by the end of the opening period. Fridley was led by defensive backs Devin Williams, Zachary Dotsch, Jose Vargas and Dylan Starck; linebackers Kerome Thompson and Guinahi Douche; and defensive linemen Jaxson Elles-

Minneapolis North receiver Rio Sanders catches a 20-yard touchdown in the second period as Fridley’s Zach Gotsch and Anthony Borum defend.

tad, Tayjion Lee, Marquis Anderson, Daniel Pobuda and Romero Henry. North countered with the defensive unit of linebackers Moziah Thomas, Cashmere Hamilton Grumu, and Khalil Brown; defensive linemen Gani Stevens, AuVon Sager, Jeremiah Sims and Chester Watley; and defensive backs Willie Wilson, Jahiem Abdullah, Kameron Clay and Jaivon Hill. Williams led Fridley with eight tackles. Both teams got things going the second period. The offensive line, consisting of Lee, Ellestad, Pobuda, Ezra Diedrich and

Zack Lamont, paved the way for Gotsch to score on an 11-yard touchdown for the visiting Tigers. The Polars responded with two scores of their own as linemen Anthony Harrell, Azrie Yeager, Jisiah Walker, Donta Kanatzer and Jeremiah Sims provided enough protection for quarterback Deshaun Hill to connect with Rio Sanders (20 yards) and Zashon Rich (23 yards), giving them a 14-7 halftime lead. The teams exchanged scores in the third period. De’Meiko Anderson caught Hill’s third touchdown pass of the game to make it 21-7. Quarterback MJ

Newton’s six-yard touchdown run with about a minute remaining in the quarter proved to be a momentum changer. Not only did the score make it a 21-14 ballgame, but it also seemed to energize Newton. The junior ran for two more touchdowns in the final quarter, including a gamewinning 56-yard run with a minute remaining, leading to victory. Newton finished with 240 yards rushing and averaged 13.3 per carry along with three touchdowns. North running back Jaylon Washington led North ■ See Prep Scene on page 9