Celebrating90yearsof Blackjournalisticexcellence.
Federal judge dismisses MPD consent decree
By Katrina Pross
federal judge approved the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to walk away from an agreement that would have brought sweeping changes to policing in Minneapolis.
Last week, the DOJ asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit and federal consent decree, a legally binding agreement that would have required the city to create police reforms. The lawsuit came after a federal “pattern or practice” investigation, which followed the police killing of George Floyd, found that Minneapolis police routinely discriminate against people of color and violated residents’ civil rights.
The city and the DOJ negotiated the federal consent decree earlier this year in the final days of the Biden administration,
Mpls mayor pledges reforms will continue
but it needed the signature of a federal judge to become final.
Community members feared that the DOJ would want to dismiss the case if it wasn’t approved by a judge before President Donald Trump took office. Trump’s administration has started fewer “pattern or practice” investigations into police departments than any other president.
they would not back away from their commitment to implementing the decree’s reforms. “The bottom line is that we are doing it anyway,”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement.
“We will implement every reform in the 169-page consent decree. Minneapolis is making great progress on police reform, and we don’t need per-
Trump’s administration has started fewer “pattern or practice” investigations into police departments than any other president.
In an order Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson granted the DOJ’s request, and dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that the agreement can’t be brought forward again in the future.
Minneapolis officials said
mission from Washington or a federal judge to keep pushing forward,” said Frey.
Community activists said last week that they will do what they can to hold the city accountable as they vow to
■ See CONSENT on page 5
MN DFL accused of racial discrimination
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
inneapolis mayoral
candidate Brenda
Short is alleging
racial discrimination and procedural misconduct by both the Minnesota DemocraticFarmer-Labor (DFL) Party and its Minneapolis chapter, claiming the party has attempted to
silence her candidacy and others like hers.
In a public statement, Short said she has been repeatedly disrespected by DFL leadership and deliberately denied access to resources granted to other candidates. “I believe the majority of the Minneapolis DFL voters are trying to silence the voices of our voters,” she said.
Short alleged that despite multiple attempts to contact both state and city DFL chairs, she was denied access to the party’s voter data system, an essential tool used by candidates to contact and mobilize voters. She said she was forced to obtain data from an out-ofstate third-party company.
Short also accused the party of allowing volunteers to manipulate delegate lists and withhold them from candidates following the caucus process and prior to ward conventions. She cited community members who claimed their names were removed from delegate lists
McBride/MSR ■ See DFL on page 5
Sen. Smith decries fed’s withdrawal from MPD oversight
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
In the days following the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota is condemning what she calls a political betrayal: the Trump administration’s recent decision to withdraw from the federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).
“I am deeply disturbed by the Trump administration’s decision to abandon the federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department,” Smith said in a public statement. “This decree was based
■ See SMITH on page 5
The consent decree, established after a sweeping U.S. Department of Justice investigation, was intended to be a critical step toward addressing deep-seated civil rights violations within the city’s police force.
Tracey Williams-Dillard honored with Congressional
Record
By Jasmine McBride
Associate Editor
Award for over 50 years in journalism
n Wednesday, May 28, 2025, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) presented Tracey Williams-Dillard, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), with a Congressional Record Award, recognizing her more than five decades of service in journalism and her unwavering commitment to amplifying Black voices in Minnesota.
The ceremony took place at the historic MSR headquarters in South Minneapolis, a building designated as a landmark for its role in the civil rights
movement. Surrounded by community leaders, journalists, and family members, WilliamsDillard received the honor as part of a formal entry into the Congressional Record, the official proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
ensuring that stories of Black Minnesotans are told with integrity and passion,” said Rep. Omar during the presentation. “Her dedication to journalism and to our community is truly commendable.”
“Her dedication to journalism and to our community is truly commendable.”
“Tracey Williams-Dillard has been a pillar of our community,
The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder, founded in 1934 by Cecil Earle Newman, is
Minnesota’s oldest continuously operated Black newspaper and the state’s longestlived Black-owned business. Williams-Dillard, Newman’s granddaughter, took over as publisher and CEO in 2007, continuing her family’s legacy of advocacy journalism.
Under her leadership, the MSR has not only chronicled the experiences of Black Minnesotans but has also served as a platform for community engagement and social justice. In 2021, the newspaper’s archives from 1934 to 1964 were digitized, preserving decades of Black history in Minnesota. “Receiving this recognition is
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaks at a press conference called by the city in response to the U.S. Department of Justice moving to end a consent decree over the Minneapolis Police Department on May 21, 2025.
Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal
Brenda Short (center) with youth workers hosts a press conference at 255 Plato Blvd. E. on May 30, alleging racial discrimination by the Minnesota DFL and its Minneapolis chapter.
Photo courtesy of Jasmine
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, at podium
Photo courtesy of Smith.Senate.gov
Lost federal funds inspires YWCA Punch-a-Thon
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
Instead of hosting a traditional fundraising gala this year, YWCA St. Paul is trading champagne glasses for boxing gloves.
The nonprofit is launching its first-ever 24-hour Puncha-Thon on June 5, kicking off a month-long effort to raise $2 million to sustain its housing, economic advancement, and wellness programs amid
declining public funding. The live-streamed event will take place from 2 p.m. June 5 to 2 p.m. June 6 at YWCA St. Paul, located at 375 Selby Ave.
“We just felt like having a lavish event at a time like this,
WHAT IS PUNCH-A-THON?
when people are so uncertain financially, didn’t feel right,” said Ashley Booker, executive director of YWCA St. Paul. “So we asked ourselves: What other ways can we engage the community, spread awareness, and raise funds in a way that aligns with the work we do?”
The idea came from Dalton Outlaw, CEO of Element Boxing Gym, a YWCA partner colocated in the same building, who proposed a punch-driven fundraiser. From there, the idea evolved into a high-energy community challenge.
“We just felt like having a lavish event at a time like this, when people are so uncertain financially, didn’t feel right.”
Each punch equals $1, and participants are encouraged to register solo or in teams. Walkins are welcome during the 24-hour event, or individuals can punch from home, post a video, and tag the organization on social media.
The broader “What Moves You?” challenge series will continue throughout the summer,
“This is not just a fundraiser,” Booker said. “This is a movement. We’re trying to punch through barriers — literally — and create opportunities.”
Funds will support:
• safe, stable housing for over 260 individuals and families
• job readiness training for more than 400 participants annually
• scholarships for Health & Fitness Center memberships
• youth leadership programs for young women of color exiting foster care
• financial education, wellness services, and life skills development
Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $20.96-$26.00 per month and business services are $28.25-$48.25 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.
CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.
A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.
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“We’re trying to get ahead of the curve so we’re not completely dependent on public dollars.”
To add to the excitement, the 24-hour Punch-a-Thon will feature a live stream with local DJs, musical artists, and guest appearances from community organizations such as Hallie Q. Brown and Walker West. Booker said the aim is to uplift not only YWCA’s work, but that of other nonprofits serving St. Paul neighborhoods.
“We all need support right now,” she said. “Even if people decide to give to another organization — that’s still a win.”
To participate, donate, or learn more, visit www.ywcastpaul.org/challenge.
Booker said the campaign is urgent, as nearly one-third of the organization’s budget depends on federal funding — a to have 260 people who are suddenly unhoused,” she said.
Element Boxing Gym Executive Director Dalton Outlaw (l) and YWCA Executive Director Ashley Booker
Photos courtesy of the YWCA
Health
Understanding illness and the nervous system: A whole-body perspective
it’s easier to question whether it’s real — or even worthy of attention or treatment.
Let me be clear: If you can feel it, it is real. And because you are feeling it, it is officially worthy of being seen and supported.
sends out messages through large nerve bundles that branch into smaller ones throughout the body.
By Dr. Ayanna Quamina, ND Columnist
The way I typically describe illness to my patients is that although the human body is extremely well-designed, every family line tends to have an organ system that’s more vulnerable than others.
Some people have heart disease or high blood pressure (the cardiovascular system) that runs in their family. Some have diabetes (the metabolic/endocrine system). Others have fibroids or menstrual cycle conditions (the hormonal system) that are common among multiple family members.
Sometimes thinking about health this way can help patients feel less blame, or less alone, in managing their symptoms. It can also be empowering. Instead of treating them
selves like something is broken or they’ve done something wrong, understanding that symptoms may stem from a family vulnerability helps people approach themselves with more patience and support.
This is especially helpful when it comes to mental health. Because it’s not something you can physically see,
How the nervous system works In my world, I consider mental health to be connected to imbalances in the nervous system. The nervous system is complex, with many moving parts, so it helps to have a basic understanding of how it’s organized.
Just like telephone and internet wires send data from house to house, the nervous system serves as the body’s internal wiring. Nerves innervate (connect to) other organs and deliver messages — like telling the stomach to produce acid or prompting the heart to beat faster.
The main controller of this system is the brain, which
The brain is constantly processing information — what we see, feel, and even think. It uses that data to send signals throughout the body. For example, the moment we smell food, the brain alerts the mouth and stomach to get ready to break down that burger we’re about to devour.
This same system is at work in mental health. Here’s a simplified version: When the brain detects negative input, it might respond by releasing positive chemicals like dopamine or serotonin to help rebalance the system. Cortisol is released when the body perceives danger or is under stress.
Some conditions are caused by an overactive nervous system, while others result from an underactive one. When the brain and nervous system are under-stimulated, we tend to feel down, low-energy or de-
Some conditions are caused by an overactive nervous system, while others result from an underactive one. Photo courtesy of ttsz
pressed. On the flip side, symptoms like anxiety, restlessness or difficulty focusing are often linked to overstimulation.
Nervous system + digestive health
When the nervous system needs support, whether it’s overactive or underactive, it often affects the digestive system. This helps explain why symptoms like bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, constipation and excess gas often show up during times of stress.
If you’re dealing with these symptoms, try simple adjustments like eating smaller meals, choosing lighter foods (more vegetables, less red meat and sugar), and reducing alcohol or caffeine, at least until the symptoms pass.
A group of herbs called “carminatives” can help ease
digestion. Adding more rosemary, mint, fennel or ginger into your meals can assist your body in breaking down food and moving it through more smoothly. For symptoms specific to the stomach, herbs like slippery elm or marshmallow root (not the candy!) can help soothe inflamed tissue. Probiotics, L-glutamine and prunes (yes, the fruit) may also help relieve lower digestive issues.
Nervous system + sleep
Those who struggle with sleep — falling asleep, staying asleep, or both — often have an underlying nervous system imbalance.
If this is you, try shifting your nighttime routine about 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Avoid watching or scrolling through anything that might
overstimulate your system (yes, including social media). Instead, opt for calming activities: dim the lights, play soft music, take a warm shower or bath, read a book, or even color.
Herbs and nutrients that support sleep include “hops,” “L-theanine,” “passionflower” and “chamomile” — some of my personal favorites.
Nervous system + cardiovascular health
When patients come in with symptoms like high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, or angina, I also look at supporting the nervous system in addition to the cardiovascular system.
When the body experiences emotional stress, adrenaline is released, stimulating the heart to beat faster. This increase in heart rate can lead to higher blood pressure. So managing stress is crucial when treating cardiovascular issues.
“Passionflower” is one of my go-to herbs in these situations. It gently calms both the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
A final note
Every-thing isn’t for everybody. Before starting any new supplement or herb, check in with your trusted health practitioner.
Learn more about Dr. Ayanna Quamina and her practice at www.drayannaq.com. Email her directly at info@ drayannaq.com.
Mental health is connected to imbalances in the nervous system. Photo courtesy of Jacob Wackerhausen
Truly Natural Hair Studio
Black Business SPOTLIGHT
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
In a cozy studio in Minneapolis’ Bryn-Mawr neighborhood, Chanda McDaniel is helping clients reconnect with the roots they were born with — literally and spiritually. As the owner of Truly Natural Hair Studio, which officially opened on March 26, 2024, McDaniel brings more than three decades of experience in cosmetology and a deep passion for natural hair care to every appointment.
“I’ve been licensed as a cosmetologist since 1992,” she shared, reflecting on her ear-
ly days in the industry. “Back then, I was doing relaxers and chemical treatments. But as the years started to progress, natural hair started becoming a big thing, so I followed the natural flow of that.”
“My
Business
Getting comfortable with your natural self
easy since I’ve been natural for years,” she said.
After a hiatus, McDaniel reinstated her license in 2005 and began leaning into what would become her life’s work.
“My appointments went from 80/20 chemicals to now 80/20 natural,” she explained.
“It’s been mind-blowing. People are coming in wanting to embrace their natural hair.”
That evolution wasn’t just professional; it was also personal. “That transition was
Her path to opening Truly Natural was organic. “I was working at a shop with my brother,
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CAPRW encourages all minority and women owned business enterprises to apply.
doing locs, and it was kind of a natural progression,” she said.
That brother is Ray Reid, owner of Remix Barber & Beauty, a longtime staple just two doors down from McDaniel’s new space at 215 Oliver Ave. S.
Truly Natural Hair Studio stands out not only for McDaniel’s expert techniques, but for the affirming, wellness-centered vibe she cultivates. “It’s an energy thing,” she says. “We don’t have the time it takes to properly nurture natural hair. But that’s what we’ve been given at birth. It’s not a thing to tame, it’s a thing to embrace.”
That mindset permeates every part of her business.
McDaniel handcrafts her own natural oils and butters, blended with essential oils to support scalp health, hair growth, and even emotional wellness through aromatherapy. It’s a holistic approach that emphasizes care and intention over quick fixes. With some clients who have been with her for 20 and even 30 years, McDaniel’s commitment to community runs deep. “You have to be patient with your natural hair,” she says. “The process is what gives you reward.”
Get to know McDaniel and try some of her products at Northtown Mall’s “Loc’d and Loaded event” at the rotunda, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event will feature live music, master classes from natural hair
In a world that often pushes conformity, Chanda McDaniel is offering something radical: a space to feel at home in your natural self. Truly Natural Hair Studio isn’t just about hair; it’s about healing, heritage, and the quiet power of showing up as you are.
Chanda McDaniels in front of Truly Natural Hair Studio, 215 Oliver Ave. S.
Truly Natural Hair Studio offers an array of services from styling, cuts, color, to chemical treatments, with a specialization in textured hair. Photos courtesy of Truly Natural Hair Studio
CONSENT
Continued from page 1
implement the changes. They called the DOJ’s request to dismiss the consent decree just days before the five-year anniversary of Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police “coldhearted.”
The city is already under a
DFL
Continued from page 1
without explanation.
“I myself did not attend the caucus, but a few days before my convention, my name suddenly appeared on the delegate list for my ward,” she said, adding to her concerns over transparency and fairness.
Short claimed that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the incumbent seeking reelection, was given preferential treatment at DFL conventions. “At one convention, they allowed our current mayor to make a speech during our prayer break — disrespecting our reli-
SMITH
Continued from page 1
on the Justice Department’s own investigation, which found a pattern of unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices that have hurt our community — especially Black and Native American people and people with mental illness — for decades.”
The DOJ report, released in 2023, concluded that Minneapolis police officers routinely used excessive force and disproportionately targeted Black individuals and other marginalized communities. The investigation began following Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, when former officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, killing him and igniting one of the largest protest movements in modern U.S. history.
Floyd’s murder became a catalyst for national conversations around police reform, racial injustice and public safety. In Minnesota, where Black residents make up only 7% of the population, they have historically accounted for more than 60% of victims in police shootings.
A 2020 report by the ACLU of Minnesota found that Black residents in Minneapolis were at least seven times more likely to be arrested than white residents for low-level offenses,
AWARD
Continued from page 1
a testament to the hard work of everyone at the MSR and our commitment to serving our community,” said WilliamsDillard. “I’m honored to continue the legacy my grandfather started over 90 years ago.”
state consent decree with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. That agreement is being monitored by the group Effective Law Enforcement for All, or ELEFA. Aaron Rose, a spokesperson for Frey, said that the city has asked ELEFA to monitor the reforms that were outlined in the federal agreement as well as the state agreement.
Advocates say both consent decrees need to be in place, as the state consent decree can
gion and our community members,” she said.
The most serious accusations made by Short involve what she describes as overt racism by DFL volunteers and operatives. In one instance, she said a volunteer made a racially charged comment during a virtual ward meeting, stating, “There’s too many of them running for office,” in reference to candidates of color. She also said the individual explicitly linked denial of data access to candidates’ race.
“It was racism that caused many ward conventions to be affected,” said Short. “Particularly those where people of color were running for office.”
Short further criticized the DFL’s handling of a former par-
such as loitering or disorderly conduct.
“It’s especially painful that this decision came just as the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder was being marked — the very tragedy that sparked this investigation and the urgent push for reform,” Smith added.
The senator has been vocal in demanding federal oversight and previously led calls for the civil rights investigation following Floyd’s death.
“Walking away from this agreement, after confirming the need for it, is unconscionable,” Smith said, highlighting the contradiction in acknowledging systemic abuse and then backing away from accountability mechanisms.
only enforce the Minnesota Human Rights Act, while a federal consent decree can have a broader scope. Federal consent decrees also usually take place over a longer period of time.
Magnuson, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, wrote in his order that he had “grave misgivings about the proposed consent decree serving the public interest.
“In the Court’s view, the
ty chair, who she says resigned following a complaint from a woman of color but has continued to operate in a leadership capacity behind the scenes.
considerable sum of taxpayer money allocated for the proposed consent decree’s oversight and execution, including paying the monitor $750,000 per year, would better fund hiring police officers to bolster the City’s dwindling police force and promote public safety,” Magnuson wrote.
He also wrote in his ruling that he doesn’t think the DOJ’s investigation includes enough data “reflecting the number or
frequency of the City or MPD’s alleged violations of the law.”
The results of the DOJ’s investigation, which had four key findings, were released in 2023:
• Minneapolis police used excessive force.
• Police discriminated against Black and Native residents in traffic stops.
• They violated the rights of people engaged in First Amendment-protected activi-
ties, including protests.
• They discriminated against people with behavioral health disabilities.
Advocates said after the investigation was released that they’ve experienced violent encounters with the Minneapolis police and were often ignored.
This piece was originally published in Sahan Journal. For more information, visit www.sahanjournal.com.
“I will be on the November ballot for mayor of the city of Minneapolis, despite what the DFL wants.”
“The DFL allowed our current chair to resign but still hold his position,” she said. “Instead of transferring power to the co-chair, he is secretly still doing his job.”
In a closing statement, Short alleged she was physically assaulted at two separate conventions and that her
ta Department of Human Rights (MDHR) opens a civil rights investigation into the MPD.
• April 2022: MDHR report finds MPD used force against Black individuals at 12 times the rate of white individuals.
• June 2023: DOJ investigation confirms systemic civil rights violations.
• January 2025: Minneapolis agrees to a federal consent decree with the DOJ.
• May 2025: Trump administration announces withdrawal from the decree.
Despite the federal government’s reversal, Smith emphasized that the fight for justice is far from over. She praised local and state efforts that remain active, specifically referencing the consent decree secured by
Timeline of key events
• May 25, 2020: George Floyd is murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
• June 2, 2020: The Minneso-
The Congressional Record Award highlights Williams-Dillard’s significant contributions to journalism and her role in fostering a more inclusive media landscape. Her work continues to inspire future generations of journalists dedicated to truth and representation.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader response at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.
the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
That agreement, enacted in 2022 following a separate state-level investigation, man-
campaign team was followed and photographed after one event. She said she chose not to report the incidents to law enforcement, citing a history of distrust in the system.
“As a Black woman, I understand the history of white supremacy and assaults. Reporting that would go nowhere,” she said. “But I stand before you today and say, yes — my name is Brenda Short, and I will be on the November ballot for mayor of the City of Minneapo-
dates reforms within the MPD ranging from de-escalation training to transparent discipline processes and meaningful community engagement.
“Thankfully, the city of Minneapolis and Minnesota state leaders continue to stand on the side of justice,” Smith said. “I’m grateful that the statenegotiated consent decree remains in place to continue working toward meaningful reform.”
The state investigation also uncovered a consistent pattern of racial discrimination in MPD’s traffic stops, searches and use-of-force incidents. Smith acknowledged that the department has made some progress since 2020, including a new leadership team, the implementation of body camera audits and the adoption of new training protocols. Still, she warned against assuming that justice has already been achieved.
“The Minneapolis Police Department has taken steps in the right direction and is committed to continuing that work even as the federal government walks away,” she said.
Consent decrees in the United States date back to the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which gave the DOJ authority to investigate and intervene in police departments showing patterns of misconduct. Such decrees have played a vital role in reforming departments in cities like Los Angeles, Fer-
lis, despite what the DFL wants.” Short has since taken legal action, filing a formal complaint in Hennepin County District Court against the Minnesota DFL, its Minneapolis chapter, Chair Conrad Lange Zbikowski (both individually and in his official capacity), and the DFL Building Fund, Inc. Her lawsuit outlines six causes of action, including racial discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, violation of civil rights under the Equal Protection Clause, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the complaint, Short details systemic exclusion of BIPOC candidates, misuse of party infrastructure, and falsified public communi-
cations regarding DFL leadership. She alleges that speaking orders were manipulated in favor of Mayor Frey, delegate list tampering was widespread, and intimidation was used to suppress participation — particularly among Somali, Muslim, and Black Christian community members. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, a court injunction to prevent further discrimination, and a declaration of rights violations, among other remedies.
The Minnesota DFL declined a request to comment on the matter.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.
guson and Baltimore. Many say removing federal oversight in Minneapolis now threatens to undo that progress.
For Smith, the issue goes beyond local governance — it represents a broader test of American democracy and equity.
“Every Minnesotan deserves to be safe in their homes and neighborhoods, and that safety must include freedom from unconstitutional and discriminatory policing,” she said. “This work isn’t finished yet, and we will keep holding ourselves accountable.”
As the anniversary of Floyd’s death was marked with vigils, town halls and art installations across Minneapolis, the tension between federal disengagement and local resolve has never been clearer.
The path to justice and public safety reform remains long. But in Minneapolis and beyond, the fight continues.
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com
Protesters gather in Minneapolis to rally against George Floyd’s murder and for MPD reform, June 2020.
Photo courtesy of Aria Binns-Zager/MSR
State and DOJ investigations uncovered a consistent pattern of racial discrimination in MPD’s traffic stops, searches, and use-offorce incidents. Photo courtesy of Lucas Jackson/REUTERS
US Presidency openly for sale Congress turns a blind eye to Trump profiteering
By Stacy M. Brown
More than any president in modern history, Donald Trump has turned the White House into a source of personal wealth, with a scale of profiteering that experts say eclipses all previous administrations — and with little political consequence.
“I’ve been watching and writing about corruption for 50 years,” said Michael Johnston, professor emeritus at Colgate University and author of several books on corruption “and my head is still spinning.”
Investigations by multiple news outlets, including the New York Times, Bloomberg News, PBS, and Open Secrets, reveal that since returning to power, Trump and his family have significantly expanded their business empire, using the presidency as leverage to
capitalize on a level of influence and impunity that has redrawn the boundaries of acceptable conduct in Washington.
From cryptocurrency schemes and high-dollar memberships to foreign gifts and real estate ventures, the Trump family has raked in hundreds of millions. Since his reelection, Trump has reportedly doubled his net worth.
The Trump name has driven more than $10 billion in real estate transactions and generated over $500 million from a single cryptocurrency venture. His newly formed $TRUMP coin was launched just before taking office in January, with access to private investor dinners sold based on personal investment — not campaign contributions.
Bloomberg News reported that Trump’s ventures now span financial services, gun
sales, and drone part manufacturing. His family members have secured corporate appointments, including at least seven executive roles for Donald Trump Jr. The brazenness has raised alarm among longtime observers.
“By conventional Washington standards, the still-young
Open Road Fund offers gifts, not grants
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
As philanthropic promises around racial equity continue to face political and institutional pushback, one Minnesota-based initiative is radically changing lives and reshaping what community-driven investments can look like in practice.
The Open Road Fund, a bold $50 million wealth-building initiative managed by Nexus Community Partners, is more than just a grant program. It’s a deeply intentional act of restorative investment into Black and brown communities and people.
Designed to address historic and ongoing economic harms to Black Americans, the fund distributes $50,000 direct gifts to individuals across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota who identify as descendants of the transatlantic slave trade.
“This wasn’t about work,” said Danielle Mkali, vice presi-
dent of programs and strategies. “It was about a gift — the ability to get resources into the hands of Black folks across three states. And to leverage our experience was a very powerful gift for us.”
Mkali previously served as senior director of community wealth building at Nexus and led the Open Road Fund’s early implementation. Since launching in 2022, the fund has awarded more than $10 million to 200 Black individuals, supporting wealthbuilding plans ranging from homeownership and business investment to education and cultural reclamation. But just as important as the money is the philosophy behind it: the belief that Black people — who have endured centuries of systemic wealth extraction — deserve not just opportunity, but restoration.
“We’ve always had this deep sense that who owns matters,” said Repa Mekha, founder and CEO of Nexus. “Economic sta-
bility matters. And all of our work has been rooted in cultural communities.”
The name “Open Road” is tied to long-standing struggles and opportunities for Black communities — a continuation of a journey. “When we heard about it, it was like, wait a minute, are we being called to do work that has [a] lineage to it over the years?” Mekha said.
“The second layer of lineage for us was we just knew that there were so many people that went before us who had lost their lives during the struggle. To tap into people’s sense of hope and possibility in their dreams and aspirations.”
The word “road” here becomes metaphorical, a path shaped by ancestral resistance, sacrifice and perseverance.
Unlike most philanthropic models that funnel dollars through 501(c)(3) organizations, the Open Road Fund puts money directly into the hands of Black individuals, al-
Trump administration is a candidate for the most brazen use of government office in American history,” wrote Peter Baker of the New York Times, citing the potential to eclipse even Watergate and the Teapot Dome scandal.
One of the more glaring examples occurred recently when
lowing them to define what wealth means to them. The process is guided not by résumés or rigid metrics, but by lineage, lived experience, and self-determined dreams.
Applicants are not asked for deeds or bank records, but to describe, to the best of their knowledge, their ancestry as descendants of enslaved people.
“On the surface, it’s simple,” Mkali explained. “But for a fund working to invest in people with this lineage, it gets more complex. How we know we’re Black is often that we don’t know our ancestry.”
That complexity is embraced, not penalized. In fact, one of the fund’s wealth-building categories allows recipients to use a portion of their gift to research their genealogy.
And while applicants must live in Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota, Nexus staff are quick to note that the fund is not just for residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul. One story shared during the interview described a 60-year-old woman in South Dakota who received the gift and used it to purchase a home to open a daycare — her lifelong dream.
“She had already found the house,” Mkali recalled. “And
Jeff Bezos reportedly agreed to finance a promotional film for Melania Trump following a dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The $28 million deal — 280 times the amount Hillary Clinton once earned from a 1980s cattle futures investment that sparked weeks of scandal — has gone largely unnoticed in Washington.
In another instance, Qatar handed over a luxury aircraft valued at up to $400 million, officially donated to the Air Force but intended for Trump’s use, including his future presidential library.
Unlike his predecessors, Trump has refused to divest or establish a blind trust for his business interests. Instead, he retains control of a family-run trust that allows him to profit directly from decisions made in office. According to Open Secrets, special interests have adapted accordingly — hosting fundraisers and galas at Trump-owned properties, effectively turning campaign events into revenue streams for the president.
What once would have
she was just asking us, is there any way we can make sure she gets the gift in time for closing?”
But even access to wealth comes with obstacles.
“No one has ever asked us how we want to build wealth. It’s always, ‘How will you survive?’”
“We’ve had recipients, especially in North and South Dakota, be harassed by their banks. Accounts shut down.
Loans questioned,” Mkali said. “One lender even asked for a woman’s entire fund application. The financial system still doesn’t trust us with our own liberation.”
To address this, Nexus created letters and verification systems for financial institutions to ensure recipients aren’t left to defend their own legitimacy.
“People want to do so well when they receive this gift,” Mkali said. “So much so that we have to remind them: this is a gift. You don’t have to be perfect. You deserve this.”
Nexus’ work goes beyond financial transactions. The Open
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“There will be no official investigations because Mr. Trump has made sure of it.”
prompted congressional hearings and federal investigations now barely moves the political needle. Trump has replaced watchdogs and ethics officials with loyalists and ensured that allies lead the Justice Department, the FBI, and other key agencies. With a Republican-controlled Congress declining to investigate, Democrats and watchdog groups have found it nearly impossible to hold Trump accountable. “There will be no official investigations because Mr. Trump has made sure of it,” Baker wrote.
This piece was originally published in Black Press USA. Stacy M. Brown is the Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent. For more information, visit www. blackpressusa.com.
Road Fund is intentionally designed to support a cultural shift toward dignity, self-determination, and long-overdue healing. Community members are brought together to plan their financial futures — often for the first time in their lives.
“For many of us,” Mkali said, “no one has ever asked us how we want to build wealth. It’s always, ‘How will you survive?’”
To receive the gift is affirmation that Black life, labor and dreams are worth investing in — not just surviving, but thriving. And while Nexus makes clear that this fund is not reparations in the formal, governmental sense, they call it “a reparative act” rooted in ancestral accountability.
“We believe reparations ought to come from the government,” they said. “But foundations whose wealth was built on stolen labor also have a role. This is a model that proves it can be done.”
The Open Road Fund opens to applicants June 19, 2025. For more information, visit nexuscp.org.
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Arts & Culture FilmNorth opens new St. Paul media center
By Tiffany Johnson Contributing Writer
For the past 35 years, FilmNorth has supported creatives in the film and media industry.
It is now the largest and leading filmmaker support organization in the Upper Midwest, offering a wide range of resources, including access to grants, professional-grade media equipment, education, and editing space.
On July 19, FilmNorth will celebrate the grand opening of its new home, a state-of-theart media center in St. Paul.
“We support media artists, not just filmmakers. This includes everything from gaming to podcasting. Each year, we award four unrestricted $25,000 grants to media artists who live and work in Minnesota,” said Rob Ndondo-Lay, director of engagement and advancement at FilmNorth.
Ndondo-Lay earned his undergraduate degree in film from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts before attending the University of Southern California’s MFA program in film and television. It was there that he discovered his passion for media arts education.
“It became really apparent to me, in addition to my own personal filmmaking career and efforts, that it was important to give back at the same time,” he said.
Now in his third year with
the organization, FilmNorth has become a natural place for Ndondo-Lay to continue making an impact at the intersection of media and education.
“I’m a Midwest kid. I really like the Midwest. I like the people here, my family is here, and the culture and opportunities I was fortunate to enjoy before heading out to work on the West Coast.”
The Midwest carries its own significance in the film space. In the 1990s, Minnesota experienced a boom in entertainment, with 62 movies filmed at least in part in the state. This includes “Grumpy Old Men” (1992), “Fargo” (1996), “Jingle All the Way” (1996), and leading into the ’90s, the cult classic “Purple Rain” (1984).
More recently, Minneapolis has been regaining popularity in the media space with projects such as “Dear White People” (2014) and “Love Is Blind” Season 8, which was released in February 2025.
Local actor and acting coach Leonard Searcy has contributed to this resurgence through his “Mixer” networking events, hosted by his company, Westbone Productions. Natalie Morrow, founder of The Morrow Group, has also maintained momentum with the annual Twin Cities Black Film Festival.
“People often refer to the 1990s as a ‘Golden Age’ for Minnesota film,” said NdondoLay. “That was a time when we
saw not only a surge of creative talent in general, but also a significant number of Black creatives emerging from the state.
“What’s exciting now is that, as our Black, brown and immigrant populations continue to grow, we’re also seeing increased involvement in the film and arts scene. That’s the cultural shift happening on the ground right now.”
queer-identifying people and women. Diversity is multifaceted,” he said.
With the current administration’s recent cancellation of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants, many artistic enterprises have faced significant budget cuts, including arts organizations in Minnesota — among them, FilmNorth.
“It has peripherally affected
As director of engagement and advancement, Ndondo-Lay focuses on creating accessible pathways for BIPOC and other underrepresented communities.
“A large part of my job involves everything from outreach to professional development.
“In fact, those two areas often intersect — with the goal of addressing disparities faced by BIPOC individuals, people with disabilities, undocumented migrants, and those who are not from the Twin Cities, including individuals from rural areas or low-income backgrounds. This also includes
African American Community
WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. WHERE: Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway, North Minneapolis Sponsored by Minnesota’s Black Community Project Directed by Craig Rice
Distinguished Minnesota individuals featured in this documentary include: Mayor Melvin Carter, Toni Carter, Dr. Charles Crutchfield Sr., Pete and Kim Rhodes, Tracey Williams Dillard, Rose McGee, Andrea Jenkins, the late Christopher Crutchfield, Judge James Cannon, Lois Cannon, Pastor Arthur Agnew, Pastor Charles Gill, Gary Hines, Ginger Commodore, Natalie Hart, Craig Rice, Seitu Jones, Benji McHie, Kamal Baker, Dr. Mahmoud El-Kati, Adine Momoh, Anthony Scott, Frank White, Dr. Mark Holder, Demaris Johnson, Steve Winfield, Roxane Battle, Dr. Jeanetta Sims, and Edward Hathaway.
Music in this documentary is provided by George J. Scott and Smoove G.
This documentary premiere is free to attend, although monetary donations are greatly appreciated. The emcee for the event will be the illustrious Roxane Battle, and entertainment will be provided by the legendary Walter Chancellor and Friends. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available. Books by Minnesota’s Black Community Project will also be available for $30.00 each, along with CDs by Walter Chancellor and George J. Scott.
Minnesota’s Black Community Project is a leading nonprofit organization that furthers the legacy of the late Walter R. Scott Sr. by publicly highlighting the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of Minnesota’s intergenerational African American community through books, documentaries, articles, interviews, and podcasts.
contact Anthony R. Scott, President
Black Community Project, at 612-578-0171
us. But what that has allowed us to do, actually, is to proverbially put our arms around a lot of our community partners that we work with,” said Ndondo-Lay.
Among those impacted efforts are FilmNorth’s partnerships with organizations like QUEERSPACE Collective and MIGIZI, an Indigenous workforce training program, as well as the organization’s fourth annual Inclusivity and Socially Conscious Filmmaking Lab. The lab promotes socially responsible filmmaking at all career stages, with the goal of driving social change.
fact, we generate 70% of our own power on-site. It’s also ADA-compliant, and we’ve made a strong effort to include input from deaf, hearing and visually impaired communities to ensure the space is accessible and thoughtfully designed for all. Artists, the city, the state, foundations, individuals, donors — everyone had a role in shaping this,” he said.
In a public response to NEA restrictions, FilmNorth stated:
“We stand with every person and every organization whose very existence is being challenged by this administration, which seeks to diminish, injure, punish and disenfranchise those who dare to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). If this country ever deserved to be called great, it is when we lift up, support and celebrate one another.”
The timing of FilmNorth’s new space couldn’t be more fitting, as it reflects a renewed and ongoing commitment to the transformative power of art in a diverse community.
“To look at a more positive lens, we were fortunate in that we were able to complete the building before a lot of this [NEA] shift came through,” Ndondo-Lay said.
The 10,000-square-foot media arts center is equipped with everything filmmakers need, including dedicated areas for post-production, editing, and cinema-quality screening spaces.
“The building itself is designed to be a gold standard. It’s an all-electric building powered by solar energy — in
Like the community that contributes to FilmNorth’s continued success, NdondoLay stressed the organization’s commitment to embracing all who are driving meaningful change through the power of media production.
“Especially for people from communities of color and lowincome neighborhoods, which I come from — as well as the child of an immigrant — I want them to know that you do not have to choose between financial sustainability and working in the arts. There are literally tens of thousands of jobs in film alone.
When you include media arts, it opens the door to hundreds of thousands of opportunities where you can earn a livable wage and lead a fulfilling life. So if there is ever any doubt, I would say: Pick up a camera with intention and find a mentor. My door is always open,” he said.
FilmNorth will host its grand opening on July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. For more information or to get involved, contact Rob Ndondo-Lay at rndondolay@ filmnorth.org.
Tiffany Nicole Johnson is a marketer, writer and musician based in Minneapolis. She is also the associate director of marketing at Saint Paul’s historic Penumbra Theater.
Rob Ndondo-Lay, director of engagement and advancement at FilmNorth
New building auditorium seats Photos courtesy of FilmNorth
‘Justice for All’ can’t account
the
Felon’s crimes
By James Preston Allen
These days Memorial Day seems like nothing more than a good time for a barbecue, a vacation to Laughlin, or a round of golf while others plant flags on the graves of veterans. Long forgotten is the memory of why this holiday came about in the first place.
Memorial Day emerged after the bloodiest conflict in United States history — the American Civil War — in which some 700,000 were killed, many more wounded (more dead than all the other wars we’ve ever fought). It was a war that divided our nation not unlike we are divided today. Now, oddly enough, it’s a culture war over many issues we thought were long settled that are residual from that war.
Memorial Day is now relegated to mourning all veterans of all wars, even the ones we as a nation should never have fought. Vietnam and Iraq come to mind.
The coincidence of this day with our Fleet Week US Navy recruitment exposition adds another layer of complexity that elevates the art of war but ignores the costs of blood and treasure to our nation. We show off all the hi-tech weapons and mili-
tary might, but not so much the sacrifices that come with deployment and combat. Ask any veteran with PTSD about being in a war zone.
is no longer the home of the brave and land of the free, but a form of servitude to the oligarchs.
The original Decoration Day was started by the mothers and widows of the dead of that gruesome war. You might even imagine that it was a protest of sorts that would emerge in the 20th Century as Mothers for Peace. It was a radical idea that caught on, and 1868 was adopted by the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. One early Memorial Day account occurred in Boalsburg, PA, where a trio of women decorated the graves of fallen soldiers in October 1864. Another was held in Charleston, SC, where Black freedmen and white “Northern abolitionist allies” hosted an enormous and historically significant pro-
A seven-word phrase Black men should give up
By Lawrence Ware
When a single Black woman does anything, there is a 99.9 and a half percent chance she will hear seven words from a Black man. “That’s why you don’t have a man.”
Brothers. We gotta do better. We’re starting to sound like Diddy.
Sean Combs’ former assistant Capricorn Clark told a story on the stand of his trial Tuesday (May 27) that illustrates a problem Black women have been dealing with for years. In 2010 Combs and his assistant shared a meal at Diddy’s LA home, and the topic of why Capricorn doesn’t have a boyfriend comes up.
damn chest, “You b*tches don’t want to do that. And that’s why you don’t have a man.”
Diddy probably thought he was being funny. To keep her job, it would not be surprising if Ms. Clark laughed along. But it is clear the laughter was not genuine. Otherwise, she would not have talked about it on the stand.
gram on May 1, 1865, at the “Martyrs of the Race Course” cemetery where 257 Union dead were buried.
This was clearly a radical idea for its day. There were no BBQ’s or baseball games.
The first version of the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Union Army officer in the Civil War who later authored a book on how to teach patriotism to children in public schools: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
In 1892, Francis Bellamy revised Balch’s verse as part of a magazine promotion surrounding the World’s Columbian Exposition, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.
Francis Bellamy, was a Baptist minister, a Christian socialist, and the cousin of the author Edward Bellamy, author, journalist, and political activist most famous for his utopian novel “Looking Backward.”
The idea of the pledge was the idea of unifying the nation after this most bloody civil war, that even 20 years later still divided this country.
Diddy called Cassie into the room and told her to do three things: sit down, stand up and turn around. Three requests she promptly obeyed. (Yeah, it’s weird. It brings to mind the scene in “Coming To America” where Akeem had a potential bride bark like a dog and hop on one leg.)
Diddy then looks at Capricorn and says, with his whole
However, the very ideals of the pledge — “with liberty and justice for all” — still seem as radical today with Black Lives Matter and the attacks on ”wokeness” and critical race theory. We are still in a civil war over the “for all” part of our justice system that seems to be for some, mostly rich and definitely privileged and not all equally.
How else to explain how the Orange Felon has avoided prison on multiple felony counts and then once elected president having all cases summarily dropped? How else to account for his bribery, his violation of the emoluments clause, and his pardoning of the majority of the January 6 insurrectionists?
We do have a biased and often weak judiciary that even now as lower courts rule against the Orange Felon he tries to intimidate and even gets away with not following court orders on deporting immigrants. These are acts that would place the average citizen in jail, but not him.
So here we are in the first
Let’s get clear on this, gentlemen. It is time to have a conversation about this phrase. It’s narcissistic. Or, if you don’t like big words, let me put it like Black folks from earlier generations used to put it: You’re smelling yourself.
There are all kinds of reasons why a Black woman may be single. Maybe it is because Black women outnumber Black men. Or because they, on average, are more successful and make more money. Ya know, it could be that 25% of Black men, when they do go to the altar, marry someone of a different race. (Looking at you RG3.)
This piece was originally published in The Root. For more information, visit www.theroot.com.
A Black woman doesn’t need to be with anyone, but for the sake of conversation, suppose she wants to. That doesn’t mean she should be willing to do whatever a dude tells her to earn the distinct privilege to be with him. GTFOH. That phrase is usually uttered by men directly to a Black woman in the hopes that she might feel insecure, or it is said to a romantic partner about one of her friends when the man feels insecure about her friendship with a single woman. In both cases it is, I’m looking for a better, more articulate word here…whack.
quarter of a new century, 250 years after our founding of the first modern democratic republic, and wondering if the next July 4th we will still have that republic.
Will we remember amidst all the flag waving and barbecues that this is something that our ancestors fought and died for, birthright citizenship, that bright light held up by the Statue of Liberty that was a beacon to the world at large for the oppressed and the homeless fleeing political oppression and autocracies abroad? Or will we now just be silent and submit to the censorship of contemporary fascism?
It happens incrementally by going after the undocumented immigrants first, then those who speak up for the oppressed, then the academics and the news media who write or report on the abuses of power. Will they go after the artists like Bruce Springsteen who speak out and deplore the actions of the Orange Felon? And then who is next?
If a rich white man says prisons are racist, it must be true
By Stacy M. Brown and April D. Ryan
Just days after being pardoned by Donald Trump, reality TV star Todd Chrisley used his platform to call out the racism he witnessed firsthand in federal prison — shining a rare spotlight from within the system on the unequal treatment of Black inmates. At a Nashville press conference, Chrisley described how young Black men were routinely denied access to programs and opportunities that he, a wealthy white man, easily received.
“I was not denied that,” he admitted. “But we know why I wasn’t.” While some dismissed his remarks as too little too late, others acknowledged that his privilege could force long-overdue conversations about how the prison system devalues and dehumanizes Black lives.
Chrisley’s words matter — not because they’re new, but because they come from someone many in mainstream America might finally listen to. His experience adds a surprising voice to the chorus of Black activists who’ve spent decades calling out discrimination in prisons.
“The disparities I know all too well,” Yusef Salaam, a member of the Central Park Five— now the Exonerated Five — and a New York City councilman, told Black Press USA. “I welcome the support and advocacy of anyone joining the fight to right these wrongs. We need all hands on deck.” Salaam and others said the moment raises key points that cannot be ignored. Here are 10 reasons why Chrisley’s remarks matter for Black Americans: 1. Confirmation from inside: Chrisley’s statements echo
what Black inmates and advocates have long said — now backed by someone with direct access and a national spotlight.
2. White privilege named and claimed: He openly acknowledged that his race gave him access others were denied, making a rare public admission of systemic bias.
3. Media visibility: His high profile ensures major media coverage, potentially elevating prison reform back into public debate.
4. Cross-audience impact: As a white conservative figure, his words may sway audiences who’ve ignored or dismissed Black voices.
5. Exposure of policy gaps: His account reveals how policies meant to provide rehabilitation are unequally applied based on race.
6. Support for advocates: Organizations pushing for prison
True freedom is still a very radical ideal, one that must be defended in each generation, and our greatest enemy is now not from abroad but from within, by people who venerate the wealthy, bow to abuses of political power, and never question the authority of those who act with impunity and injustice against those without power or money.
This is a time for the reset button on our liberties where we have the temerity to ask, “What exactly does it mean to be free in this moment?” For many, it’s come down to being shackled by debt, homeless out of greed, and powerless to speak out of fear of retribution. This is no longer the home of the brave and land of the free, but a form of servitude to the oligarchs. And I feel that there’s a reckoning coming. Will you be the next one to speak out?
This piece was originally published in LA Progressive. For more information, visit www. laprogressive.com.
reform can now cite his experience as additional validation.
7. Disruption of the “Equal Justice” myth: His experience directly challenges the belief that prisons treat all inmates the same.
8. Call for accountability: He has publicly pledged to fight for the men he left behind, raising expectations for follow-through.
9. New pressure on the system: Public figures spotlighting injustice create momentum for lawmakers to act.
10. Moral imperative: His faith-driven message — “When you know better, you do better” — calls others to speak up, especially those with privilege.
Stacy M. Brown is Black Press USA senior national correspondent. April D. Ryan is Black Press USA Washington bureau chief & senior White House correspondent. This piece was originally published in Black Press USA. For more information, visit www. blackpressusa.com.
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have been down due to the anti-DEI fervor whipped up politically in every aspect of life in America. Nonetheless, Black student athletes from coast to coast, across all three NCAA divisions, NAIA and HBCUs, were here to listen to various speakers besides Moore and participate in breakout sessions and other related activities designed for Black athletes. “I’m just built to fight,”
Employment & Legals
SOE
Continued from page 10
Moore told the students.
“I’m just built to stand, and it’s just how God uses me,” he said of his life mission.
“It’s just in my DNA.
“I can’t help it sometimes. It’s impacted my career, but I’m okay with that.”
Next: She first began checking in attendees and is now on the BSA leadership team — our interview with University of Massachusetts Professor A.J. Keaton.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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I tend to perform, because that gives me more of a push instead of if I’m too laid back, I don’t really perform like I’m supposed to.”
Junior Breezy Burnett was among five Gopher softball players named last week to the College Sports Communicators 2025 Academic All-District Team. She was a 2024 Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
The Florida native started all 50 games for Minnesota this year and led the team with three triples, second with two stolen bases, and third with 24 RBI.
“I still got next year, so I’m excited to keep chipping away,” said Burnett. “School is really good.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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him as first base coach in 1996. He later served as third base coach and infield coach, developing a reputation for teaching players how to play baseball the right way.
Then his chance to be a big league manager finally came when Texas hired Washington in 2006. “The opportunity presented itself for me,” he recalled.
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“I’ve always been a leader, so when that opportunity presented itself, I took advantage of the fact that I got an interview and I won the interview.”
viewing for two separate managerial openings.
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However, Washington stepped down from the Rangers job in 2014 for personal reasons. He was only the second Texas manager to lead the team to the postseason, the first to win a playoff series (2010) and the franchise’s first World Series (2010), which he did again in 2011.
But getting another managerial job, despite not being fired, became a long ride on the MLB manager-go-round for a few seasons.
“Even though I lost a job in Texas, I didn’t run away from the game,” continued Washington. “I didn’t lose what I could offer to the game.
“I could have stayed home and had the chip on my shoulder about I’m not managing anymore,” Washington pointed out. “But these kids in this game need people like me, and that’s why I stayed in the game, and that’s why the Angels gave me another opportunity to manage.” Washington and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dave Roberts are MLB’s only Black managers — only 15 Black men have ever managed in Major League Baseball. Three have won World Series titles — Cito Gaston, Dusty Baker and Roberts. Washington is only the third Black manager to twice manage a team in the World Series (2010 and 2011).
“I think we all would like to see more Blacks in the managing core because there are some guys that can do it,” said Washington as we wrapped up our chat. “But the biggest key for me is not giving us a job, just giving us an opportunity to prove to you that we can do the job.
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“I stayed in the game and kept myself relevant, and by keeping myself relevant, I got another opportunity and I made a difference,” he said of Oakland, who hired Washington in 2015 as an infield coach and third base coach.
“You gotta nail the interview, man,” he stressed. “You gotta nail the interview because they’re not gonna give us anything. So, you gotta go in there and nail the interview.
“That was just for me, just selling you,” concluded Washington. “I think as we move forward and in years to come in the game of baseball, hopefully it’ll get better, because there are some guys out there, Black guys out there, that can run a baseball team.”
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However, in the meantime he was unsuccessful inter-
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PREP
Continued from page 10
EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY SIZE: 2COL X 2 INCH RATE: $44.60 PER COL. INCH TOTAL: $178.40
shot at crucial times.
Rudy Gobert (center, 12.0 points per game) was always there to anchor the defense with his shot-blocking and scoring at will once he received the ball in the paint.
celled on the defensive end.
Donte DiVincenz (guard, 11.7 points per game) provided an immediate spark off the bench running the point and shooting threes.
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker (guard, 9.4 points per game) had a fine season as a reserve and exceeded all team expectations.
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Jaden McDaniels (forward, 12.7 points per game) provided excitement with his timely dunks, drives to the basket, and baseline jumpers.
Naz Reid (14.2 points per game) remained one of the top sixth men in the NBA as he consistently knocked down three-pointers and ex-
Terrence Shannon Jr. (guardforward, 4.3 points per game) was a fan favorite who came alive during the playoffs.
The future looks bright for the Timberwolves if they keep their current roster intact. After all, experience is the best teacher.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
Breezy Burnett Photo by Charles Hallman
Coaching While Black
This occasional series will highlight Black coaches at all levels of sport. This week: Los Angeles Angels Manager Ron Washington.
ajor League Baseball is one of the hardest leagues for second chances that aren’t often afforded, especially as manager, and especially when you’re Black. Ron Washington is a rare exception.
Since 2024, he has been the Los Angeles Angels manager; his first managerial job was at Texas (2007-2014). He played nine MLB seasons with five clubs, including Minnesota (1981-86).
“I had a single room. They made
me go room with Kirby [Puckett],” recalled Washington of his time with the late Hall-of-Famer.
A middle infielder for most of his career, Washington also played first base, left field, and center field throughout his playing years. But after retiring as a player in July 1989, Washington said he wasn’t ready yet to leave the game.
“My dream was to be a third base coach, infield coach,” said Washington as he sat in the visitors’ dugout before a game against Minnesota in April after his mandatory pre-game meeting with reporters.
Washington coached in the New York Mets organization for 5 years before Oakland hired
Sports
The MSR recently attended the 2025 Black Student Athlete (BSA) Summit in Chicago, a fourday experience (May 21-24). It brings together both students and professionals from all backgrounds across the college sports ecosystem. In an occasional series we will feature interviews and panel discussions from the BSA. This week: What is the Black Student Athlete Summit?
HICAGO, IL. – Now in its 10th year, the Black Student Athlete Summit (BSA Summit) is the brainchild of Dr. Leonard Moore, a longtime history professor and
Summit focuses on needs of Black student athletes
author to address the needs of Black college and university student athletes. This year the BSA Summit was held away from a college campus for the first time since it was founded in 2015. Whether on stage, or sitting in the front row at McCormick Place main ballroom, or walking to and fro with Black students and professionals, speaking to them in evangelistic tones, Moore is unabashedly pro-Black as he spreads the gospel of the importance of being your authentic self no
Top 100 elite youth camp wants only the best of the best
By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist
he National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will hold its annual Top 100 elite youth camp in Rock Hill, S.C. June 9-13. Now in its 31st year, top high school sophomores and juniors from around the country, as well as international players, participate in several days of skill development, instruction, and related activities.
“It is very important for us to get the best of the best,” Christopher Jean, NBPA THINK450 associate vice president of business development and basketball activation, told the MSR last week via Zoom.
This year the NBPA introduced a new system for inviting participants, including nominations from elite youth basketball circuits, and using evaluations from 25 top scouts to vote and rank nominees. “We have a lot of folk nominating kids…the right kids and diamonds in the rough,” added Jean.
Former campers and current NBA players include the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, “and a
host of others,” said Jean. Also new this year is a camp director. Phil Handy, who recently coached in the first year of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league and is a longtime NBA assistant coach, will serve in that capacity.
Other elements at the camp include an NBPA Coaching Program for participating NBA players; legendary coaches like Tubby Smith and Phil Martelli as instructors; an NBPA Parent Program; and educational sessions on such topics as NIL, mental health and wellness, and financial literacy.
“It’s one thing to make them better on the court, but also make them better off the court as well,” stressed Jean, who added that each camper at the conclusion of the camp will receive a report card and “real time feedback from their coaches.”
Rock Hill Sports and Events Center is the campsite for the first time. “We want to make
sure we use every inch of the facility,” Jean declared of the state-of-the-art camp.
The NBPA is the NBA players union, and THINK450 is the group’s licensing and partnership engine.
“It’s
one thing to make them
Gopher 100 update
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 school year and sports year, the MSR will
highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher honorees
Anthonett Nabwe, a Liberian native who came to North Dakota before her high school freshman year, is one of the country’s best throwers. The redshirt sophomore last weekend was among 39 Minnesota athletes who competed in the 2005 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field First Round May 29-31 at Texas A&M University. Nabwe came into the field events 19th in the shot put, 6th in the discus and 4th in the hammer throw. She was ranked first in both the hammer throw and the discus, and seventh in the shot put at the 2025 Big Ten Championships.
“I’m still striving for more,” said Nabwe earlier this year to the MSR, “because I’m trying to make it to the [2028] Olympics, get on the big stage. The more nervous I am, the better
then at the University of Texas at Austin (2007-present), and has authored four books. In addition to being a husband and father of three children, Moore ranks the BSA Summit among his greatest contributions.
It was my first time at the Summit, and my first time meeting Moore. In what was originally intended as a short sit-down interview based on time, the history professor switched roles and started interviewing this longtime reporter.
matter where or what.
“It’s not about the title but about doing the work,” preached Moore in his “What do I do with my life?” opening night address. “Do what God called you to do.”
“We don’t talk about this in the Black community a lot. When Black athletes are done playing, we kind of forget about them.”
Moore said he accepted his calling after high school, showing the audience his senior year transcript on the overhead screens — a D average. “I never had any academic stress,” he joked. He went on to college and graduated from Jackson State, an HBCU, in 1993, then went to Ohio State where he earned his doctorate in history in 1998. He taught at LSU (1998-2007),
“Come on, Charles,” pleaded Moore, eager to hear more about me and satisfy his curiosity once he learned that I was coming to the BSA and wanting to meet me in person. “When you emailed me saying you’re coming, I said yeah,” he admitted.
“At LSU and at Texas, I saw young men and women who, when they finished playing ball, didn’t know what was next,” said Moore when asked what led him to start the BSA Summit. “We don’t talk about this in the Black community a lot. When [Black athletes] are done playing, we kind of forget about them.”
As a result, the Summit is “basically designed to bring people together from across the country to find ways to better support Black student athletes, but also to help athletes themselves maximize these opportunities,” explained Moore.
The first year in 2015 it involved around 70 student-athletes; it has grown to over 1,000 this year. The numbers might
■ See VIEW on page 9
he Minnesota Timberwolves reached the NBA Western Conference finals for a second consecutive season, and for the second consecutive season they were eliminated very quickly. While some would view this from a negative perspective, positive aspects have revealed themselves from the 2024-25 season.
First, this is the first time in team history that the Timberwolves made back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference finals. Not an easy task
in such a competitive conference. Though Minnesota lost the series 4-1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder — the last a 12494 blowout — that does not take away from the contribution players gave to another outstanding regular season and playoff run. Here are the main contributors to this season’s success.
Anthony Edwards (guard, 27.9 points per game) continued to blossom as one of league’s top players with his penetration and outside shooting.
Julius Randle (forward, 18.7 points per game) displayed a variety of skills — rebounding, shot blocking outside and mid-range shooting — letting it be known that the trade with Karl-Anthony Towns worked.
Mike Conley (guard, 8.2 points per game) showed that he is still capable of starting at the point, running the show, and hitting the three-point
Ron Washington Photo by Charles Hallman
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Dr. Leonard Moore
Photo by Charles Hallman
Christopher Jean Courtesy of LinkedIn
Anthonett Nabwe (center on podium)
Courtesy of Gopher Athletics
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tries to stop Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley.
Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald