MSR CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Deadliest day in Gaza sparks new round of protests
Ceasefire collapses
By Chris Juhn Contributing Writer
s rush hour approached its peak through downtown Minneapolis on March 18, a cold and windy day, chants from protestors reverberated off buildings downtown. “Free, Free, Palestine!” could be heard from blocks away.
With only a 4-hour notice, around 200 people responded to a last minute call from organizers for an emergency protest over Israel bombing Palestine this month.
That same Tuesday, at least 400 Palestinians were killed by
Israel during a bombing campaign into the Gaza Strip, violating a ceasefire deal that was in place for over two months. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 560 individuals were injured due to these attacks. These attacks mark the deadliest day in Palestine in this 17-month-long war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused the demands of Israel to immediately free the other half of the hostages in phase 2 of the ceasefire deal. Netanyahu said the attacks were “only the beginning” during a public press conference.
■ See PALESTINE on page 5
Dr. Josie R. Johnson: A legacy of activism and education
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
n an autumn morning in 1930, Josie Robinson Johnson was born in San Antonio, Texas, into a society marked by racial inequities. Her parents, Judson W. Robinson Sr. and Josie McCullough Robinson, emphasized the importance of education and civic engagement.
As a teenager in Houston, she accompanied her father while collecting signatures for an antipoll tax petition — an early experience that would shape her future as a civil rights advocate.
Education and early advocacy Dr. Johnson pursued higher education with a strong commitment to social change. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in
sociology from Fisk University, later obtaining a Master’s degree and Doctorate in edu-
Black girls in media and Black girlhood in America
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
epresentation matters, especially when it comes to Black girls in literature and media. For Dr. Lashon Daley, an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at San Diego State University and the director of the National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, the evolving portrayal of Black girlhood is both a personal and a scholarly pursuit.
Her book project, “Black Girl Lit: The Coming of (R)age Performances in Contemporary U.S. Black Girlhood Narratives, 1989-2019,” explores how children’s literature, film, television and social media shape cultural understandings of Black girlhood in America.
When discussing the evolution of Black girl representation over the past few decades, Daley highlights the importance of looking beyond contemporary media. “I realized that I
couldn’t just acknowledge the work of what was happening with contemporary representation of Black girls in media,” she explains. While her research initially centered on modern works like “The Hate U Give (2017)” by Angie Thomas, she found herself tracing back to earlier, more iconic representations.
One such moment is Ruby Bridges’ integration into an all-white school, famously depicted in Norman Rockwell’s The Problem We All Live With.
“Black girls have been used as a way to show a sign of progression and diversity and inclusion,” Daley notes. She argues that Black girls’ images have often been weaponized as symbols of societal progress, even when real systemic change lags behind.
A crucial theme in Daley’s work is the intersection of anger, resistance and self-discovery in Black girl narratives.
“I wanted to sort of pinpoint that rage, while often looked
at negatively when it comes to Black girls — has this power,” she explains. Inspired by Audre Lorde’s writings on anger as a transformative force, Daley reframes rage as a tool for empowerment rather than a negative stereotype. Her research explores how Black girls in the media are often portrayed as “all the rage,” not only experiencing anger but also being at the center of cultural movements. “If Black girls were going to continue to show up as rageful in film, how do we reframe that in a way that’s not making Black girls continue to seem like a negative trope?” she asks.
Surprisingly, Daley’s passion for Black girl representation didn’t start with books — it started with television. “The two books that I remember and that I refer to in my work are ‘Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry’ and ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God,’” she recalls, noting the scarcity of Black girl narratives in her K-12 education. Instead, sitcoms like
cation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her academic background became a foundation for her lifelong dedication to justice and equality.
Career and civil rights work
In the early 1960s, Dr. Johnson lobbied for fair housing and employment legislation and worked with the Minneapolis Urban League, where she led Project ENABLE, an initiative aimed at strengthening families and parenting skills. In 1964, she joined an investigative team documenting civil rights struggles in Jackson, Mississippi, witnessing firsthand the risks activists faced, including the bombing
■ See JOSIE on page 5
“Sister, Sister,” “The Cosby Show,” and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” shaped her early perceptions of Black girlhood. “My first real representations of Black girls that I was seeing were on television,” she emphasizes.
This shift from literature to media plays a significant role in her research. Starting with characters like Judy Winslow from “Family Matters,” Daley examines how Black girls have navigated their visibility — or lack thereof — across different platforms, including social media.
“The thing with social media is literally Black girls can showcase ■ See BLACK REP on page 5
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
bronze sculpture of Cecil Newman, the pioneering publisher and civil rights advocate, was delivered to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) on Wednesday, March 20. The piece, created by the late Vi Runquist, honors Newman’s legacy as a champion of Black journalism and social progress in Minnesota.
Runquist, a renowned sculptor and former president of the Society of Minnesota Sculptors, spent decades creating works that captured the essence of her subjects. Though she passed away in 2015, her artistic contributions continue to impact the community. The Newman sculpture, one of her final major works, was completed before her passing and has now found its home at MSR, Minnesota’s oldest Blackowned newspaper.
“Cecil Newman’s influence on Black media, the Civil Rights Movement, and our place here today in Minnesota is immeasurable,” said his granddaughter and now publisher of MSR, Tracey Williams-Dillard, who was elated during the sculpture’s unveiling.
“Having this piece here at MSR is a fitting tribute to his work and the generations he inspired,” she said.
Newman, who was born in 1917 and passed away in 2011, was a prominent figure in the development of Black media.
As the founder of the then-St. Paul Recorder and Minneapolis Spokesman newspapers, now the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, he played a pivotal role in providing a voice to the African American community and advocating for civil rights.
Newman was not only a publisher but also a tireless advocate for social justice, highlighting the issues of racism, police brutality, and inequality that still resonate today. “He had a purpose,” said Williams-Dillard. In addition to his work within the legacy of MSR, Newman was instrumental in the creation of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which has long been a powerful advocate for the Black Press in the United
States. His leadership helped to ensure that African American communities had access to news that represented their experiences and challenges. The importance of Black Press cannot be overstated, especially in the context of the Civil Rights Movement. According to the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, Black media publishes as much as 6 times more coverage than mainstream outlets on issues of importance to Black communities, including racism, health disparities, and voting access.
Studies have shown that Black newspapers were essential for providing a platform for activism and organizing within African American communities. Research also indicates that Black press outlets play a critical role in shaping public opinion, advocating for legislative change, and serving as a counter-narrative to mainstream media, which has often marginalized Black voices.
Furthermore, Black newspapers like the MSR serve as vital resources in educating and informing African American audiences about issues such as health, education, and political representation, while also offering a space for cultural expression and celebration.
Born in 1926, Runquist was a prolific artist who worked with clay and stone, often drawing inspiration from spirituality and everyday life. She taught sculpture classes, showcased her work in numerous exhibitions, and remained active in Minneapolis’ art community despite losing her sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease.
“Having this piece here at MSR is a fitting tribute to his work and the generations he inspired.”
Her work is featured in various public and private collections, and the Newman sculpture now stands as a testament to both his legacy and Runquist’s artistic vision.
The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder has housed the sculpture in the front of MSR’s office but looks forward to exploring ways to showcase the delightful work in honor of its symbolic standing and in appreciation of the generous gift.
McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Jasmine
Sculpture honoring Cecil Newman gifted to Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Sculpture of Cecil E. Newman by Vi Runquist delivered to MSR March 20
Jasmine McBride/MSR
Chris Juhn/MSR
Dr. Josie R. Johnson with two other Minnesota delegates at the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. Marty Nordstrom
Dr. Lashon Daley, PhD San Diego State University
Courtesy
Threatened Medicaid cuts set off alarms
By Clint Combs Staff Writer
Lawmakers and health care leaders issued urgent warnings about the potential impact of proposed Medicaid cuts at the Hennepin Healthcare Center last Thursday, March 20. Systemic racism has long been embedded in the U.S. health care system, and the proposed cuts threaten to exacerbate existing disparities.
According to a study by Harvard Public Health, 40% of Black adults and 60% of Black children in Minnesota rely on Medicaid for health insurance. Additionally, 80% of Black mothers and those giving birth are covered by Medicaid.
“There has never been any period in American history where the health of Blacks was equal to that of whites. Disparity is built into the system,” medical historian Evelyn Hammonds wrote in the New York Times.
The cuts could disproportionately affect Black Minnesotans who already face significant health challenges compared to Black migrants in the state. A 2014 study of Medicaid recipients shows that Black Minnesotans have higher rates of type 2 diabetes, asthma, depression, and behavioral health issues like substance use disorder.
Black-born Minnesotans experience asthma, heart fail-
ure, and depression at three times the rate of African immigrants. The study also showed that Black-born Minnesotans had the highest rates of asthma, hypertension, and heart failure than any ethnic group among Medicaid recipients.
The proposed cuts would particularly impact the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion group of working-age adults, who often rely on Medicaid for preventive care, mental health services, and emergency care.
Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, emphasized that eliminating Medicaid coverage for this population would create a snowball effect, increasing the strain on the state’s already overburdened emergency departments and health care services.
Hennepin Healthcare, a key safety-net provider in the state, serves a diverse population, including many on Medicaid.
Dr. Tom Wyatt, chair of emer-
“We cannot allow cuts to Medicaid.”
gency medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, warned that these cuts would overwhelm emergency departments, which he says are already constrained by high patient volumes.
“When we talk about, you know, a facility like ours being
in over capacity, we don’t have the ability to take in those new patients, those sick patients that we normally would take in,”Wyatt said. “So I think that it’s not just patients on Medicaid, that becomes everybody, because we receive patients from all over the state and surrounding states for our specialty care.”
The situation is dire for many, including individuals like Linda Fess, who shared her personal experience at the press conference. Fess, who has a congenital heart defect, explained that without Medicaid she wouldn’t be able to afford the care she needs. “Medicaid is a necessary thing that can’t go away,” Fess said.
The press conference also highlighted the impact of Medicaid cuts on services for people with disabilities, including those receiving support through the Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver, which helps individuals live at home or in the community instead of in a nursing home.
A study from the Minnesota Department of Human Services revealed that 44% of Black Minnesotans under 65 are insured through Medicaid, and more than half (64%) of Black children outside the seven-county metro area are also covered by Medicaid.
“We cannot allow cuts to Medicaid,” said Kelly Morrison,
a physician and House Representative for Minnesota’s 4th District. “Medicaid is crucial for our pregnant women, new mothers, and children who need coverage for basic, lifesaving services.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar highlighted the importance of preserving Medicaid funding, noting that just four Republican lawmakers in Minnesota could help block the proposed cuts. “You know, we talk greatly about the four that are needed to stop this catastrophe from taking place in our country, the four Republicans that
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need to be courageous, to be bold, actually, you know, give a damn about the American people.” Omar said.
“Because the reconciliation process gets rid of the filibuster process, which means in the Senate they only need 50, and so the floors really do matter. And that is not a huge number. We here in Minnesota have four Republican members of Congress that could fill that vacuum.”
Clint Combs welcomes reader responses to ccombs@spokesman-recorder.com.
Hennepin Healthcare CEO Jennifer DeCubellis (at podium) flanked by two patients, Linda Fess (seated at left) and Joel Williams (seated at right)
Photos by Clint Combs/MSR
Joel Williams, a Hennepin Healthcare patient, speaks to reporters about the benefits of Medicaid.
Fighting the opioid crisis A push for patient choice and community awareness
Sponsored by
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
Fifteen years ago, Rep. Dave Baker and his family faced a painful lesson in the dangers of opioid prescriptions. When seeking an alternative to opioid-based painkillers for his son Dan’s back surgery, they were met with skepticism from a medical professional. One year later, Dan died of an opioid overdose. Since then, Baker has dedicated his legislative career to ensuring families have greater control over their pain management choices.
Weeks ago, the Minnesota House Health Finance and Policy Committee advanced a bill aimed at giving patients the right to refuse opioid prescriptions. HF1379, which would allow patients to file a voluntary non-opioid directive, is designed to reduce unnecessary exposure to addictive pain medications and provide an additional safeguard for those in recovery. Supporters believe this could be a critical step in combating opioid addiction, which continues to devastate communities across Minnesota.
While the opioid epidemic has often been framed as a predominantly white, rural crisis, Black communities in Minnesota and across the nation have been disproportionately affected – yet often overlooked in public health responses. According to state data, opioid-related deaths in Minnesota spiked in 2020, with fentanyl playing a significant role in overdose fatalities. By 2023, opioid-related deaths had decreased, but nonfatal overdoses remain a persistent issue. Historically, drug crises impacting Black communities have been met with criminalization rather than public health solutions. From the War on Drugs to the crack cocaine epidemic, punitive policies disproportionately targeted Black Americans, leading to mass incarceration rather than comprehensive treatment.
In contrast, the response to
the opioid crisis has leaned toward medical intervention and harm reduction strategies — a shift that highlights stark racial disparities in drug policy enforcement. To understand the disparities, it’s important to understand how opioids work within the body.
How opioids work
Dr. Benjamin Clark, senior program manager of the U of M Department of Neuroscience, stated, “Opioids bind to and activate opioid receptors on neurons, especially the MUsubtype of opioid receptor, and this receptor inhibits signaling and information transfer. The primary reason that opioids provide pain relief is that they bind to these receptors and inhibit the pain signal.
“First, it is important to point out that we don’t have a complete biological picture explaining the neural processes and causes of substance use disor-
ders (SUD) or addiction. We do have some pieces to the puzzle though. One mechanism that we think contributes to the addictive nature of opioids is through disinhibition.
“Basically, opioids play a role by inhibiting neurons in the dopamine/reward system that are meant to put the brakes on reward signaling. This is a little like messing with the brake pads on a car to make it difficult to stop the car. In this case opioids make it difficult for the neurons that are meant to regulate reward signaling to do their job and this can lead to misinformation about what is rewarding and ‘important.’
“Factors contributing to addiction include impaired control over drug use, social consequences, and risky behavior.
Environmental and historical influences also play a role, with systemic barriers — such as lack of access to health care and economic instability
— worsening the crisis in marginalized communities.
“Synthetic opioids like fen-
tanyl have exacerbated the overdose crisis, particularly in urban centers like Minneapolis.”
Clark said. “In 2022, of the 377 opioid-related fatal overdoses in Hennepin County, only 19 did not involve fentanyl.”
In communities skeptical of harm reduction policies, concerns often center around increased public drug use, safety risks near schools, and the visibility of substance use in neighborhoods.
“Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have exacerbated the overdose crisis.”
The potency of fentanyl, often mixed into counterfeit prescription pills, has made drug use more dangerous than ever, contributing to the urgency of harm reduction efforts.
Harm reduction strategies, such as supervised injection sites, naloxone distribution, and fentanyl testing strips, have been effective in reducing deaths. However, these approaches are often met with resistance, fueled by misconceptions that they enable drug use rather than provide lifesaving intervention.
Breaking free: Fighting “Big Tobacco’s” deadly grip on Black communities
By Clint Combs Staff Writer
For the better part of his life, Damone Presley was overwhelmed with tobacco ads plastered on storefronts and convenience stores throughout the Twin Cities. He started with retro candy cigarettes and eventually chose menthols.
“The cigarette of my choice, which is predominantly used by the community of color, is Newports,” Presley said.
“Growing up, I remember advertising was everywhere. It was within our community. They did a lot of promotions like ‘buy one, get one.’”
Presley, now a peer recovery specialist and certified nicotine specialist with Twin Cities Recovery Inc., helps others quit smoking. He remembers receiving $2-off coupons on his Cub grocery receipt like it was yesterday.
Tobacco giants like R.J. Reynolds, the maker of Newport cigarettes, pivoted towards Black consumers after the U.S. Surgeon General restricted advertising to young people in 1965. “I began to
have these conversations with the community, and it was embedded in my thinking process about tobacco,” Presley recalled. “It was in our magazines, newspapers, postal listings, and commercials.”
The targeting of Black consumers by tobacco companies, particularly through menthol ads, is considered one of the deadliest ad campaigns in history. According to the CDC, 81% of Black adults smoke menthols, compared to just 34% of white adults. Menthol cigarettes contain additives like ammonia compounds, sugars, and menthol itself that make it harder for smokers to quit; and they are particularly popular among Black youth.
“It was like a roll of decks when you flip it or the dominoes flip over, it was a continuation. And so when I began to smoke, it was already not something I just did,” Presley said. “It became a natural act.”
Tobacco companies have historically exploited Black communities by partnering with organizations like the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus to market their products in exchange for financial support, prioritizing profit over social justice. Similarly, Juul worked with Al
Sharpton’s National Action Network in 2018, offering a $7 million project to improve its image amid a youth vaping crisis and lobbying President Biden to reverse a menthol cigarette ban.
Juul’s strategy also involved paying Black newspapers to promote their products as a healthier alternative, leading critics to argue that the company’s tactics mirror those of Big Tobacco in using Black leaders and media to push its agenda.
“The flavored products that the tobacco industry was putting into the communities had names like Coco, strawberry, vanilla, Fruit Loops, and all the things that kids, young people like.”
The Twin Cities Recovery Project has made significant progress, including a 30% reduction in tobacco storefront signage in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The organization works closely with city council members to pass ordinances addressing tobacco marketing practices that target young Black consumers.
“I began to start to educate
our young people, as the years went by, with [the targeted intention of] the flavor products,” Presley said. “The flavored products that the tobacco industry was putting into the communities had names like Coco, strawberry, vanilla, Fruit Loops, and all the things that kids, young people like,” Presley said Minneapolis raised the minimum price of cigarettes to $15 per pack and now permits the sale of menthol and vape products only at smoke shops. However, some gas stations and convenience stores bypass this regulation by setting up separate business entities that create smoke shops above stores prohibited from selling menthols and vapes.
At a city council meeting last spring, Councilmember LaTrisha Veetaw, along with Twin Cities Recovery, called for higher cigarette prices after St. Paul’s minimum price proved insufficient to encourage smokers to quit.
“Our neighbors in St. Paul did raise the minimum pack price to $10 and found that was gravely insufficient, given
Minnesota’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic have included a mix of harm reduction and policy-driven solutions. Legislation like HF1379 represents a crucial step in empowering patients to take control of their pain management while ensuring providers respect their choices.
As Minnesota continues to address this crisis, it is essential to center the voices of those most affected — particularly within Black communities that have long been marginalized in drug policy discussions. A comprehensive approach that includes medical alternatives, equitable access to treatment, and investment in community-based solutions will be key to breaking the cycle of opioid addiction.
The opioid crisis is not just a medical issue — it’s a racial justice issue, a public health issue, and a community issue. Addressing it requires both policy changes and a shift in societal attitudes, ensuring that harm reduction and recovery resources are available to all, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com
works to
smoking.
inflation, to cause any change in smoking,” said Evalyn Carbrey, senior public health specialist at the Minneapolis Health Department.
Councilmember Robin Wonsley expressed concerns about aspects of the ordinance, noting, “While I’m appreciative that CM [LaTrisha] Veetaw took on such a significant issue, I am also concerned about some of the aspects of the ordinance and would like to see if there’s space for colleagues to fine-tune it before it’s ultimately passed.”
Wonsley also highlighted concerns about vape products remaining unregulated. “I’ve been in conversation with staff about some of the unintended consequences of regulating cigarettes while leaving e-cigarettes alone. It does feel like we’re signaling that e-cigs are the preferred nicotine choice.”
As Minneapolis debates new tobacco control measures, organizations like Twin
Cities Recovery Project remain vigilant against what Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, calls “the most pernicious targeting...latching onto culture.” Through a partnership with the Minneapolis Department of Health, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of commercial menthol tobacco on the African American community, while advocating for an end to menthol tobacco sales and the creation of healthy, smokefree environments.
The work that Damone and his peer recovery specialist partner, Abu As-Sidiq, are doing within this initiative is ongoing. If you are struggling to quit smoking, reach out to them today for valuable resources and support options.
Clint Combs welcomes reader responses to ccombs@spokesman-recorder.com.
By 2023, opioid-related deaths had decreased, but nonfatal overdoses remain a persistent issue. BackyardProductions
HF1379 would allow patients to file a voluntary non-opioid directive. Arkadiusz Warguła
Damone Presley (l) poses with Nicorette gum as he
encourage the community to quit
Courtesy
Black Business SPOTLIGHT Nature’s Syrup Beauty
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
For DeVonna Pittman, the journey to founding Nature’s Syrup Beauty was as much about self-discovery as it was about hair care. Her path began with a personal revelation — learning to embrace her natural hair after years of chemically treating it.
“I only knew how to style my relaxed hair, I had never known how to have a relationship with my hair the way it grew out of my scalp. So after I wrote my first book, “My
Pretty and Its Ugly Truth,” it was as if I came face to face with who I was and who I was meant to be.
“I ended up making the decision to go natural, and like many Black women transitioning to natural, the journey I was on was just to let my hair grow out, with the chemical relaxer on the end and my natural roots growing out of my scalp.
“My hair was very unhappy with that process. It was tangly, it was dry. It was two different textures that needed two different things. My hair
Business Building a legacy brand
just wasn’t compliant. So I made the decision at like 2 o’clock in the morning, to just chop off the chemical relaxer.
“I cut my hair down to 1.5 inches, and the next week I was formulating products because I couldn’t find anything that moisturized my hair and gave it the deep hydration that it needed. That was the beginning of me creating this amazing product — hair butter.”
“People are embracing their natural hair, and I’m honored to be one of the many individuals to make people feel comfortable.”
What started as a personal necessity soon became a thriving business as she shared her creations with others. “People are embracing their natural hair, and I’m honored to be one of the many individuals to make people feel comfortable with their hair. People are inspired through my entrepreneurial journey, but people are also inspired to embrace their natural beauty and walk in that,” Pittman says.
Building a brand
As Nature’s Syrup Beauty grew, so did its impact. Customers fell in love with the brand’s deeply moisturizing hair and body butters, often buying multiple jars at a time.
“I’ve heard stories of husbands and wives fighting over the body butters, getting down to the last corner,” Pittman says
with a smile.
Despite the overwhelming support, Pittman faced her fair share of obstacles. “You’ve gotta have tough skin because you’re gonna get a whole lot of no’s,” she admits. One of her hardest lessons came early on when she unknowingly shared her body butter formula with a local manufacturer and chemist without a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). After the meeting, they refused to return her calls. “I can’t prove that they stole my formula, but that experience taught me never to do business without an NDA.”
Still, she remained committed to pushing forward. “In this business, you always gotta put one foot in front of the other. Every time I felt like I wanted to quit, something incredibly unbelievable happened. And I’m like, ‘Oh my god, if I would have quit last week, none of this would have even mattered.’”
Growth and expansion
Through persistence and determination, Pittman has continued to grow her brand. Nature’s Syrup now enjoys a partnership with Macy’s, helping it reach even more customers. “Ninety percent of people who buy Nature’s Syrup products from Macy’s are from the East Coast,” she notes, emphasizing the brand’s expanding reach.
More recently, she has opened the Curls and Culture Lounge, a brick-and-mortar extension of her manufactur-
ing office that allows her to connect with the community on a more personal level. The lounge hosts pop-up events, hair education sessions, and live networking opportunities, giving customers a space to learn, shop, and celebrate their natural beauty.
A vision for legacy While Pittman remains dedicated to the success of Nature’s Syrup, she is also looking to the future. With a new book on the way, “The Beauty Brand Playbook,” she hopes to guide aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty industry by sharing her knowledge of customer service, brand credibility, and unique selling propositions.
Her definition of success isn’t solely about financial growth — it’s about impact. “Happiness and joy aren’t about what we can get, it’s about what we can give.” That philosophy is reflected in her ultimate goal to see Nature’s Syrup become a global legacy brand.
As she grooms her niece, MonA, who serves as her chief of staff, to take the reins one day, Pittman is focused on ensuring that the brand remains a trusted and beloved part of the community. “I really want it to be a legacy brand. I want it to be something the community can continue to be proud of, whether I’m here or not.” Pittman’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to uplifting the beauty and confidence of Black consumers. Whether through her products, her business journey, or her mentorship, she is paving the way for future entrepreneurs to thrive while embracing the power of their natural selves.
Kiara welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@spokesman-recorder.com.
DeVonna Pittman at work creating Nature’s Syrup products
Nature Syrup’s Curls and Culture Lounge
Shop Nature’s Syrup products online at Macy’s and Walmart
PALESTINE
Continued from page 1
These attacks have sparked protests around the globe. Minneapolis-based activists wanted to make sure to speak out against the attacks as well. They chose the Diana E. Murphy Federal Courthouse to send a message to the Trump administration that they don’t want U.S. tax dollars to continue paying for Israel’s war on Palestine.
Activist and organizer Meredith Aby-Keirstead of the AntiWar Committee said, “The current bombing campaign in Gaza is an escalation. People were trying to get life back to normal, people were trying to celebrate the holiest month of Ramadan, people were trying to dig their families out from under the rubble. Instead, now a bunch of children and entire families have been killed. The United States is funding this bombing campaign and genocide that Israel is conducting on Palestinians.”
Activists feel the connection with what’s going on in Palestine is also affecting things here at home. Activist Sabry Wazwaz said, “Palestinians and Black people in America have a lot in common with each other. It’s important to know that Derek Chauvin used a choke hold
JOSIE
Continued from page 1
of an open-air freedom school in Warren County.
Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she served as a community liaison to Minneapolis Mayor Arthur Naftalin, helping address civil rights unrest in the city. Her influence extended beyond Minnesota when she became the first African American to serve on the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents in 1971.
She later worked as executive assistant and chief of staff to Colorado’s Lieutenant Governor George Brown, one of the first Black lieutenant governors elected since the Reconstruction era.
Commitment to education
Dr. Johnson has long emphasized the transformative power of education. She has stated, “Our ancestors believed in education, and they equated education with emancipation… The power of education is so strong that the southern states even ruled
BLACK REP
Continued from page 1
their own story,” Daley states.
Unlike traditional media, where Black girl narratives were often filtered through white screenwriters and producers, social media gives young Black women the agency to shape their own identities.
However, this power comes with complications. “Black girls being brutalized is often used as clickbait,” she warns, noting how social media platforms have monetized Black trauma. Despite these challenges, she believes that digital spaces have given Black girls unprecedented opportunities for selfrepresentation.
Beyond academia, Daley
that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) taught Minneapolis police.
“When George Floyd was murdered he was murdered by an IDF tactic. The struggle of Black Americans here at home for liberation and the struggle for Palestinians for liberation are linked,” Sabry said.
“George Jackson, a member of the Black Panthers, was found murdered in his jail cell [by pris-
Al-Qasim]. The connection is there because the struggle for anyone’s rights are connected across the world. Our struggles are one,” said Sabry.
Activists were asked how they thought the war would end.
“This war will continue until the American people stop funding this war. Israelis get free health care, they get free education, they get all these
“The struggles for anyone’s rights are connected across the world. Our struggles are one.”
on guards at San Quentin State Prison in 1971]. They found 2 poems written by a Palestinian poet in his jail cell [“Enemy of the Sun” and “I Defy” by poet Samih
things that the United States is funding for them,” exclaimed Aby-Keirstead. “They don’t have to choose between taking care of their human needs and
this war. If the United States doesn’t pay for it, then they will have to make that choice.
“Americans here are tired of paying for war when our schools are broke, when our neighborhoods are broke, when we have people that are living without homes,” she continued. “That money should be spent on human needs, not war.”
Sabry Wazwaz said the war will end when “more people start realizing that our struggles are one, and politicians understand that if they don’t do what’s right and listen to their constituents they could lose their seats. Unfortunately the majority of Congress only cares about the money they get from AIPEC [American Israeli Public Affairs Committee].
“Former Congress people like Cori Bush and Cynthia McKinney and many others said that once they told AIPEC that they could not in good conscience support Israel no matter what it does, AIPEC spent millions funding the candidate to oust them out of power. Let that sink in.”
Currently Israel has stopped allowing all goods and supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, which includes all humanitarian aid. They plan to continue blocking those items until Hamas accepts the proposal in order to allow aid and to extend the ceasefire deal.
that we could not be educated.” She has also underscored the responsibility of younger generations in continuing this legacy, stating, “Now children need to know their history and their relationship to education, freedom, and full emancipation in order to fully understand that they have a critical role in this process.”
Activism and community engagement
Dr. Johnson has emphasized the importance of col-
actively engages with the public through her YouTube channel, where she discusses her research and reviews books she teaches in her college classroom. One of her most thought-provoking projects involved purchasing an Addy Walker American Girl doll and retracing Addy’s fictional journey on the Underground Railroad.
“My
lective action in social movements. Reflecting on her experience traveling to the March on Washington in 1963, she remarked, “It meant that we were a part of what we considered a historical movement… When we were there, you were no longer this small group from this place that no one knows.”
Awards and recognition
Her contributions have been widely recognized. She has received numerous awards,
whose narrative begins in enslavement is also super problematic too.”
first real representations
of Black girls that I was seeing were on television.”
“It was like a beautiful experience, but it was also really conflicting,” she admits. “I wouldn’t have had that experience had there not been a doll to purchase. But purchasing this doll
This tension between consuming and celebrating Black girlhood is central to her work. “How do we enjoy these dolls who are supposed to represent us? How do we enjoy these television shows and these social media posts when there’s also this tension of what it means to enjoy but also to consume and to discard?” she asks.
Looking ahead as Daley continues her work, she remains committed to amplifying Black girl narratives across various
The original ceasefire deal came in phases. Phase 1 required half of the hostages, both alive and deceased, to be released by the end of the first 7 weeks of the ceasefire. Israel agreed to release around 2,000 Palestinian hostages in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages. Then the release of the rest of the hostages would follow if they could agree on a plan for the end of the war.
Negotiations for a phase 2 of the ceasefire were supposed to happen in Cairo, Egypt, but Hamas and Israeli officials could not come to an agreement. According to the Financial Times, Israel accused Hamas of not releasing all hostages as previously agreed upon, which Israel cited as justification for resuming military operations.
Hamas also claimed that Israel demanding the immedi-
ate release of 59 hostages (24 believed to be alive and 35 believed to be deceased) violates the original conditions of the deal made back in January.
Since the war started back in October 2023, more than 48,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis (military and civilians included) have been killed in this conflict.
Activists here in Minnesota have been active in protesting the Palestinian/Israeli war since the beginning of the conflict. They plan to continue to show their support to the people in Palestine as well as to condemn the war.
Chris Juhn welcomes reader responses at cjuhn@spokesmanrecorder.com.
“Dr. Josie Johnson is a living legend whose impact on civil rights and education is immeasurable.”
including the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Award for Courage and Leadership in Securing Voting Rights, the Committed to the Vision Award from the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Award for Dedication and Leadership to the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
In 1997, the University of Minnesota established the Josie R. Johnson Human Rights and Social Justice Award to honor her lifelong contributions. Civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong describes her as a guiding force, stating, “Dr. Josie Johnson is a living legend whose impact on civil rights and education is immeasurable.”
Legacy
After retiring from the University of Minnesota in 1996, Dr. Johnson founded Josie Robinson Johnson and Associates, continuing her advocacy for social justice. She has served as a trustee for organizations such
as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Minnesota Medical Foundation, and National Public Radio. She remains active in her community, advocating for justice and equality.
Dr. Johnson is the mother
of one deceased and two living daughters, three granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters. Through her lifelong commitment to education and activism, she has shaped history and laid the groundwork for future generations to continue the pursuit of equality.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@ spokesman-recorder.com.
platforms. Whether through academic conferences or digital storytelling, her goal is to ensure that Black girls are not just represented but truly seen.
Her research raises critical questions for readers and scholars alike: In what ways can rage be reframed as an empowering force in Black girl
narratives? And how do social media platforms both amplify and exploit Black girlhood?
Dr. Lashon Daley’s work challenges us to rethink not just how Black girls are portrayed but how their stories shape our collective cultural identity. As Black girl narratives continue to expand, one thing is clear: The future of storytelling is in their hands.
Dr. Lashon Daley is hosting a talk about representations of Black girlhood in children’s literature at the Minnesota History
Issraa [last name undisclosed] holds Palestinian flag
Josie Johnson speaking at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 2018 University of Minnesota
All photos by Chris Juhn
Daley holds an Addy Walker doll in North Carolina during a 10-day research journey. Courtesy
Josie Johnson with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter at the opening of the Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson Community Room for Social Justice at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Bruce Silcox, courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Eric Miller, University of Minnesota
Eliana [last name undisclosed] with the Jewish Voices for Peace, Twin Cities at center carrying megaphone
27th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival set for June 20-21 Arts & Culture
The 27th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival, is scheduled to take place June 20-21 in Mears Park, located in Lowertown St. Paul. As one of the largest jazz festivals in the Midwest, the event is free and open to the public, offering a celebration of jazz music and culture.
This year’s festival will feature an impressive lineup of headliners, including vocalist Catherine Russell with pianist Sean Mason and the Emmet Cohen Trio, with special guests The Four Freshmen. While the full schedule will be announced next month, several acts were unveiled on March 11.
Lineup so far:
June 20:
• 8:30 pm – Emmet Cohen Trio with The Four Freshmen
• 6 pm – Doreen Ketchens’
Jazz New Orleans
• 4 pm – Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra featuring Jennifer Grimm
June 21:
• 8:30 pm – Catherine Russell with pianist Sean Mason
• 6 pm – L.A. Buckner and Big Homie
• 4 pm – Patty Peterson presents Jazz Women All Stars
• 2 pm – Society of Chemists Additionally, other exciting performances include:
• June 20, 7:30 pm – Las Guaracheras (all-female Salsa Band) at the 5th Street Stage
• June 21, 4 pm – Leslie Parker
scribes Chestnut’s playing as a blend of rhythmic precision, emotive touch, and improvisational brilliance, with a band that complements his artistry with both subtlety and drive. As noted by album liner notes writer Willard Jenkins, Chestnut’s mastery at the piano is shaped by his “impeccable taste in note selection” and “soulful approach derived from both his familial upbringing and Black church experience.” Chestnut’s virtuosity can also be heard on previous
Dance Project with a live jazz band at the Cedar Cultural Center
Headliners in focus Russell, Mason, and Cohen represent some of the best talent in contemporary jazz. Russell and Mason’s most recent collaboration, “My Ideal,” earned them a Grammy nomination in 2024 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. It’s likely the duo will perform selections from this acclaimed release, though surprises are always possible. In October, Mason also released “Southern Suite” via Blue Engine Records. Cohen, who resides in Harlem, is known for his popular streaming series, “Live from Emmet’s Place.” His latest release, “Vibe Provider” (Mack
Avenue), continues his success and marks his return to the Twin Cities after his 2021 performance at the festival.
New release from Cyrus Chestnut
In other exciting jazz news, master pianist Cyrus Chestnut will release his highly anticipated album “Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony” on April 25 through HighNote Records. The album features his quartet — Stacy Dillard on tenor and soprano saxophones, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Chris Beck on drums — and primarily showcases Chestnut’s original compositions, along with jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves” and “Moonlight in Vermont.”
The album press release de-
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Anita Alexander
Torrion Amie
Holly Andersen
Richard Anderson
Nancy L. Beals
Jonathan Beck
Clara Boykin & Family
Gretchen Bratvold
Amanda Brinkman
Toweya Brown-Ochs
Benjamin F. Bryant
& Dr. Antusa S. Bryant
Deanna Callender
Shirlee L. Callender
Karl Cambronne
Liam Cavin
Janis Clay
Edward Coblentz
Coventry Cowens
Alvin E. Cunningham
Michael Davis
Victoria Davis
Marie Denholm
Michael Diehl
April A. Estes
George Ewing
Elizabeth Fealey
David Fettig
Readus Fletcher
Ken Foxworth
Michael Franks
Lee Friedman
Ella Gates-Mahmoud
Kimerlie Geraci
Erick Goodlow
Leota Goodney
Walter Greason
Karlene Green
Pamela Hall-Clemens
Charles Hallman
Jeana Hamm
Hendon Group, Inc
Thomas Hill
Maxine & Kieran
Hughes
Ellen Guettler
& Ben Pofahl
Colnese Hendon
HighNote recordings, including “My Father’s Hands,” “There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit,” and “A Million Colors in Your Mind.” For fans of Chestnut, his rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” remains a standout.
Upcoming shows at the Dakota Jazz lovers can also look forward to a fantastic lineup of shows at the Dakota. Here’s a preview of some upcoming performances: • March 22 – The Bill Charlap Trio • April 1-2 – Joe Lovano’s
Paramount • April 8-9 – Hiromi’s Sonicwonder • April 28 – Joey Alexander • April 29-30 – Branford Marsalis Quartet
For tickets and more information, visit dakotacooks.com. For additional details on the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, visit twincitiesjazzfestival.com.
Robin James welcomes reader responses at jamesonjazz@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Ronald Curtis Brown (Ronnie)
Ronald Curtis Brown, affectionately known as “Ronnie,” passed away on March 20, 2025 at the age of 72. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 5, 1952, Ronnie was a man whose presence filled every room with laughter, warmth, and unwavering love for his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Maxine Wyonna Brown;
his father, Isaiah Brown; his wife, Trenese Brown; and his brother, Robert “Bobby” McIntosh.
Ronnie leaves behind a legacy of love and strength through his children: Ebony Jeter, Terrance Anthony, Givonn Logan, Veronica Brown, Rochelle Brown, and Gabrielle Brannon. He also leaves behind a host of grandchildren and great- grandchildren who will carry on his memory.
Ronnie’s life was defined by his carefree way of living, his unwavering friendships, and his ability to make everyone feel seen and loved. He was known for his infectious laugh, his quick-witted quotes, and his genuine personality that made him a friend to all. He touched the hearts of many and will be remembered by his extended family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family will announce the details of a memorial service at a future date.
Ronnie’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes buried in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his mother. In lieu of flowers, financial contributions can be sent to Gabrielle Brannon via cashapp $gbrannon26. Any cards can be sent to Rochelle Brown at the following address: 803 Larkspur Court, Shakopee, MN, 55379.
27, 2025
Anura Si-Asar
Connie Hudson
Angelo Hughes
Andrew Issacson
Katie Izzo
Ms. Jewelean Jackson
& Sir Steven C. Davis
Nina Johnson
Clarence Jones
Debra Jones
Shirley R. Jones
Julie July
Cynthia Kelly & Murry Kelly Jr.
Nathaniel Khaliq
Zena Kocher
Jimmy Lewis
Lisa Lissimore
Michele Livingston
Harlan Luxenberg
MRPP and Associate Communications
Melanie Manaen
Rose McGee
Peter McLaughlin
Jeffrey McVay
Kyle Meerkins
Deborah Montgomery
Debbie Morrison
Marcia Murray
Mary K. Murray Boyd
Dan Ness
Sanda Noy
Amethyst O’Connell
The O’Neill Family
Minister Dr. Ni Ora Hokes
Liz Oppenheimer & Jeanne Burns
Tamara Pollard
Fiona Pradhan
Ray Seville Productions
Mary Quinn McCallum
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Heidi Pemberton
Amy Pfankuch
Patty Ploetz
Catherine Pruszynski
Mark Ritchie
Lyn Rabinovitch & John Saxhaug
Augustus Ritemon
Carolyn Roberson
Winthrop & Barbara
Rockwell
M. Rebecca Ross
Floyd Smaller
Chanda Smith Baker
South Hill Film
Ronald Spika
Stan Sandiford
Cyriaque Sukam
Timothy Sullivan
Heidi Swank
Gregory Tillman
Dotty Timmons
Nicholas Upton
Kelsi Ustipak
Jason Walker
Dr. Betty Webb
Bill Wells
Tracy Wesley
Gary & Kathy Wilde
Jeffery Young
Catherine Russell and Sean Mason will headline the 27th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival.
Courtesy of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival
Education
Pioneering neurosurgeon overcame racial and gender barriers
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
Dr. Alexa Irene Canady
made history as the first African American woman neurosurgeon in the United States, paving the way for countless others in medicine. Her journey to success was marked by resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Specializing in pediatric neurosurgery, she spent much of her career at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where she became the chief of neurosurgery in 1987. Dr. Canady’s impact in the medical field extends beyond her surgical expertise. Her compassionate
care left an indelible mark on her patients and their families.
Breaking barriers in neurosurgery
In 1981, Dr. Canady shattered a significant barrier, becoming the first African American woman in the U.S. to pursue a career in neurosurgery. Her path to this pioneering achievement was not easy. She faced racial and genderbased challenges from the outset, including dismissive comments from colleagues. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Canady’s commitment to her patients and her craft never wavered. “I was the first African American woman [in the department],” she recalled.
“Convincing myself that someone would give me a chance to work as a neurosurgeon was one of my greatest obstacles.”
Her medical career spanned over two decades, focusing on pediatric neurosurgery.
Throughout that time, Dr. Canady helped thousands of children facing life-threatening conditions such as hydrocephalus, gunshot wounds, head trauma, and brain injuries. Her patients’ stories speak to her profound impact. Former patient Britni Smith shared online, “Dr. Canady was my neurosurgeon up until she retired. I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at six weeks old, and she did my last VP shunt replacement when I was about 12. Life has been amazing for me, and I can’t help but credit Dr. Canady for that.”
Educational foundations
Dr. Canady’s journey into medicine was deeply influenced by her upbringing. “My
family valued education, and the question was never whether you were going to school, but where you were going and what you were going to do,” she reflected. This drive for education helped her excel academically from a young age.
While initially pursuing a mathematics degree at the University of Michigan, Dr. Canady shifted her focus to medicine after realizing her passion for the field during a summer program for minority students at the university. “I fell in love with medicine,” she recalls. Her time at the University of Michigan marked the beginning of her academic and professional journey. After earning her B.S. in zoology in 1971, she graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1975. Despite early doubts and challenges, including a crisis of confidence as an undergraduate, Dr. Canady per-
severed, moving from strength to strength.
One formative moment in her youth occurred when her grandmother, a college professor, took a test she had completed and discovered discrepancies in her grades. This incident led to a revelation: “That’s how it came to light that my teacher had been lying about my test scores in school,” Dr. Canady said. “I was
allowed to skip the third grade, and that was enough to spark a new confidence in me.”
Making history Though Dr. Canady faced prejudices early in her career, she continued to thrive, proving her worth in a field where women, especially Black women, were underrepresented.
Dr. Canady’s early residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital in
complex brain conditions.
Her ability to make patients feel at ease in some of the most tense situations is what made Dr. Canady a beloved figure in the field. She once said of her approach to patient care, “I tried hard to be accessible to my patients and to make them unafraid of me so we could have free and open conversations.”
“I tried hard to be accessible to my patients and to make them unafraid of me so we could have free and open conversations.”
1975 was marked by such dismissive encounters. Despite these experiences, she would go on to become a respected neurosurgeon, known for her clinical excellence and the trust she earned from her patients and colleagues alike.
In 1987, Dr. Canady was named chief of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, a position she held until her retirement in 2001. She was instrumental in transforming pediatric neurosurgery, providing care to children with
students, particularly in terms of inadequate staffing and low expectations. She says given the present disparities, these potential cuts could exacerbate the educational cracks of inadequate support.
“Class
By Clint Combs Staff Writer
Minneapolis Public Schools
(MPS) is facing a projected $75 million budget deficit, a situation acknowledged by Superintendent Dr. Lisa SaylesAdams. However, the specifics of how this deficit will be addressed remain unclear. Only proposed allocations have been shared so far, leading to uncertainty within special education departments.
“Special education will see a year-over-year increase of $3 million. Department allocations are still in process, and more information will be shared at the March 25 Finance Committee,” said Dr. Sayles-Adams.
While the district is expected to finalize its budget by June 10, it has not confirmed
whether cuts will affect staffing or programs.
Special education impact
The looming budget shortfall has raised concerns about the quality of specialized education, especially in light of the district’s already strained resources. Catina Taylor, president of the education support professionals at MFT Local 59, emphasized the critical role of
staff in maintaining safe and secure environments for students.
“It’s all about staffing and making sure we have enough adults in the buildings to keep our kids safe,” Taylor said. She noted that while new hires are made regularly, high turnover rates remain a significant challenge.
The budget crisis could potentially result in cuts to special education services, which are vital for students with disabilities. Christina Brantner, a music therapist at MPS, explained how her role supports students’ social, emotional, and academic development, especially those with special needs.
“My therapy helps students connect their learning goals with social skills through music,” Brantner said. She described using songs to reinforce concepts like readiness and social interaction, which
are central to the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) of many students.
Brantner expressed concern that cuts to special education funding could limit the ability to provide this kind of tailored support. “Music therapy helps students build confidence and self-expression, which is crucial for those who struggle with communication and social interactions,” she explained.
Funding challenges
Despite the ongoing budget challenges, MPS continues to allocate funds from its $30 million Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund to support intervention programs. These programs include licensed educators working with two full-time assistants at Bethune Elementary. MPS spokesperson Donnie Belcher confirmed that the district plans to invest an additional $3 million into special education services, in line with the proposed allocations.
However, concerns about the adequacy of these resources remain. Paula Luxenberg, a parent and volunteer at Bethune Elementary, pointed to systemic failures that contribute to disproportionate challenges for Black
“We fail Black kids by not setting high enough expectations, and by not fully staffing the programs they need,” Luxenberg said. “This is a systemic issue that needs addressing.”
Staffing and school-specific cuts
While exact details about potential cuts are still unclear, sources suggest that reductions could be implemented on a school-by-school basis.
Mentorship and legacy
Dr. Canady’s legacy as a mentor is also a key aspect of her career. She credits several of her own mentors with helping shape her path, including Dr. Art Bloom, who introduced her to the joy of life and medicine, and Dr. Luis Schut, former chair at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who guided her surgical training. Dr. Canady also admired Dr. Shelby Chou, her residency mentor, for his intelligence and surgical skill.
Dr. Canady’s story serves as a testament to the importance of resilience, the value of mentorship, and the power of knowing your purpose. Through her pioneering work in pediatric neurosurgery, she continues to leave an enduring legacy that will inspire future generations of doctors, particularly those who, like her, once felt overlooked but never gave up on their dreams.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Taylor mentioned hearing that cuts might be “done building by building,” though the district has not confirmed this approach.
Jill Hartman, a science teacher at Edison High School, shared her concerns about increasing class sizes and decreasing support staff. “Class sizes are out of control across the district,” Hartman said. She also noted the impact of previous budget cuts on her own child’s education, particularly when he was not accepted into a program due to funding limitations.
Uncertainty
As MPS faces its budget crisis, the future of special education remains uncertain. While the district has outlined some proposed allocations, many questions about staffing and program cuts remain unanswered. The coming months will be critical as the district works to finalize its budget and address the concerns of students, parents and educators.
Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at ccombs@spokesman-recorder.com
Canady with youth patient Hugh Grannum/ Detroit Free Press
Canady featured in The Lansing State Journal on Nov. 6, 1966 Courtesy
Clint Combs/MSR
Trump moves to close Dept. of Education
It’s been tried before
By Fred L. Pincus
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 20 that calls for closing the U.S. Department of Education.
The president needs congressional approval to shutter the department. The order, however, directs Education
Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
The executive order reflects many recommendations from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative political initiative to revamp the federal government. But it’s worth noting that the foundation’s attempt to abolish the Education Department goes back more than 40 years.
The think tank first called for limiting the federal role in education in 1981. That’s when it issued its first Mandate for Leadership, a book offering conservative policy recommendations.
As a sociology professor focused on diversity and social inequality, I’ve followed the Heritage Foundation’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education since 1981. Although the idea didn’t garner enough support 44 years ago, the current political climate makes conditions more favorable.
Mandate 1981
In its 1981 mandate, the Heritage Foundation struck now-familiar themes. Its education policy recommenda-
tions included closing the Department of Education and “reducing its controls over American education.”
Additionally, the think tank called on lawmakers to repeal the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which provides federal funding for disadvantaged students in K-12, so that “the department’s influence on state and local education policy and practice through discretionary grant authority would disappear.”
And the Heritage Foundation called for ending federal support for programs it claimed were designed to “turn elementary- and secondary-school classrooms into vehicles for liberal-left social and political change.”
days, longer school years and better-trained teachers.
But they all saw the need for a strong federal role in education. Nevertheless, President Ronald Reagan tried unsuccessfully to abolish the Department of Education in 1983.
Project 2025
Jumping ahead more than 40 years, Project 2025 reflects many of the main themes the Heritage Foundation addressed in the 1981 mandate. The first line of Project 2025’s chapter on education states: “Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.”
The charges of leftist indoctrination have expanded. Now,
Trump’s executive order does not abolish the Education Department. He needs congressional approval to do that.
Education experts disputed these proposed reforms just a few years later. Four educational task forces, composed mainly of educators, corporate executives and politicians, published reports on education in 1983. All four reports were critical of the more liberal education policies of the 1960s and 1970s — such as an emphasis on student feelings about race, for example, rather than a focus on basic skills.
The four reports blamed the U.S. educational system for losing ground to Japan and Western Europe. And all called for more required courses rather than the “curriculum smorgasbord” that had become the norm in many public schools. They all wanted longer school
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Why Black folks are sitting this one out
By Lawrence Ware
Ever since Donald Trump moseyed back into office in January, his administration’s every move has seemingly been geared toward goading Black folks to come outside and fight. Every attempt they make to rid the government of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts just screams code for “Get these N-words up outta here” (despite the fact that we’re, like, last in line for groups to benefit from DEI).
Thing is, we know what happens if we do come out to fight. And we’re not going for the bait.
Earlier this month, pressure from Republicans to paint over the massive Black Lives Matter mural in Washington D.C., lest the district get its federal funding cut, scared Mayor Muriel Bowser into doing just that. But we didn’t march.
Also earlier this month, the New York Times released a list of words disappearing in the federal government during its assault on all things “woke,” which includes the word “Black.” Infuriating stuff, but not a sign was raised out in these streets.
Just this week, the Trump administration — clearly operating on Jim Crow Time — decided to remove the ban on “segregated facilities” that’s been in place since some of y’all’s grandparents were kids to prevent things like “whites only” water foun-
tains being a legal thing. Do you see any roads being blocked off with protests? I don’t. Nah, we’re not taking to the streets this time around. Look no further than this white lady on TikTok who calls herself the “Laughing Lawyer” going viral for her pleas to “stand up” and “march” on the front lines to keep Black folks’ rights to exist in, y’know, the 21st Century.
Even though she insists in her video that white folks need to head up the charge this time, Black folks in her comments are letting her know that we, without qualification, are sitting this one out.
Black folks are simply catching the vibes — we know that it’s dangerous to kick up a fuss out here right now.
You see, we recognize that if we step out and protest again, the Trump administration — which had zero problem with the Nazi salute getting tossed out twice at its inauguration — will pop out and start whacking us upside the head in a manner that we didn’t have to worry about with presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Back in 2020, when police killed George Floyd and jumpstarted a movement, so many companies sided with BLM. Pizza Hut made a statement.
conservative advocates are calling to eliminate anything that has to do with diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Other executive orders that Trump has signed reflect these attitudes. For example, they call for defending women from “gender ideology extremism” and eliminating “radical” DEI policies.
According to Project 2025, school choice—which gives students the freedom to choose schools that best fit their needs—should be promoted through tuition tax credits and vouchers that provide students with public funds to attend private school. And federal education programs should either be dismantled or moved to other federal departments.
Current political climate
In the 1980s, the Heritage Foundation was seen as part of the New Right, a coalition that opposed issues such as abortion, homosexuality and affirmative action. The GOP’s alliance with conservative evangelical Christians, mobilized by advocacy groups such as Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, was picking up steam, but it was still seen as marginal.
By 2025, things have moved significantly to the right. Conservative Republicans in Congress view the Heritage Foundation as an important voice in educational politics.
The far right is emboldened by Trump after his Cabinet appointments and pardons of Jan. 6 rioters. And Christian Nationalism—the belief that the United States is defined by Christianity — has grown.
Trump’s executive order does not abolish the Education Department. He needs congressional approval to do that. But he has already weakened it. His administration re-
By Stacy M. Brown
A crumbling economy, the mass firing of government workers, and the overall instability in President Donald Trump’s America has the country on the brink. With tariffs and verbal attacks against Canada and other allies, even the United States’ most loyal friends have questioned the stability of the nation.
Trump’s second term, many observe, has already been defined by authoritarianism, race-baiting, and an unrelenting assault on democracy. With a weak Democratic opposition surrendering at every turn — most notably Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s capitulation on the just-passed continuing resolution — Trump has been handed unchecked power to accelerate the destruction of America as we know it.
Even many of his own supporters are turning against him. Across social media and on mainstream news platforms, former MAGA loyalists have voiced deep regret for voting Trump back into office. Many have acknowledged the economic collapse, loss of freedoms, and authoritarian overreach they failed to see coming.
Some now openly admit they were manipulated by propaganda and disinformation, realizing too late that Trump’s agenda benefits only himself
But now, private companies are capitulating to Trump’s administration by rolling back their DEI policies, and Black folks are simply catching the vibes — we know that it’s dangerous to kick up a fuss out here right now while we’re just trying to eke out a living amid the assault on federal jobs. (Working for the government has historically been the way that many Black folks have gained economic upward mobility — we make up around 13% of the U.S. population, but 19% of the Federal workforce.)
Indeed, Black folks will prevail. We will get through whatever Trump and his supporters will cook up for us. We are alarmed, but not dismayed. Disappointed, but not surprised. White progressives and scared knee-grows can flee the country and move to Canada, but that will not be how most of us will respond. Our ancestors built this nation, and despite a litany of offenses we have endured.
Lawrence Ware is a professor of philosophy at Oklahoma State University and co-director of the Center for Africana Studies.
Walmart took a stand. Even Wrangler Jeans (I’m willing to bet that not even 5% of the Black American population has even tried on a pair of these jeans) felt the need to make a statement.
America in free fall under corrupt Trump admin
and his inner circle.
A presidency built on criminality Trump’s record of economic failure is undeniable. He is the only president in U.S. history to increase the deficit every year he was in office. Under his leadership, the national debt exploded, with the debtto-GDP ratio never falling below 100%.
His first presidency saw the highest annual budget deficit, the most added to the national debt in a single term, the most new unemployment claims, and the largest singleday point drop in the stock market’s history.
Further, Trump presided over the longest government shutdown in history — even with his own party controlling both chambers of Congress.
On top of the economic devastation, Trump’s personal legal troubles are staggering:
• 91 criminal charges
• 34 felony convictions
• four indictments
• two impeachments
• two convicted companies
• 26 sexual assault allegations
• one fake university shut down
($25 million fraud settlement)
• one fake charity shut down
($2 million charity abuse judgment)
• $5 million sexual abuse
verdict
• $93 million in sexual abuse judgments
• $400+ million fraud judgment
• Fined $10,000 for violating a gag order during his New York civil fraud trial in 2024
• Banned from operating businesses in New York for three years
Further, Trump’s presidency has been described as the most corrupt in history. His national security advisor pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. His campaign chairman was convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud.
His personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, was convicted of campaign finance violations. His chief strategist, Steve Bannon, was indicted for fraud related to a border wall scheme. His deputy campaign manager, Rick Gates, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. His inaugural committee was investigated for misusing $107 million in donations.
He is the first president to have a mugshot, the first to be impeached twice, and the first to have bipartisan support for his conviction — both times.
His administration holds the record for the most indictments, guilty pleas, and criminal convictions of any in U.S. history.
This is a portion of Stacy M. Brown’s “America in Free Fall: Trump’s Corruption, Racism, and Weak Opposition Leave Democracy Hanging by a Thread.” To read more, visit washingtonreformer.com.
cently canceled nearly $900 million in contracts at the Institute of Education Sciences, the independent research arm of the Education Department. Despite public reluctance to eliminate the department — in February, 63% of U.S. residents said they opposed its elimination — it looks like Heritage Foundation influence could cause significant damage with the additional firing of staff members and the reduced distribution of funds. McMahon sent a directive to department employees in early March calling the dismantling of their agency a “final mission.”
Fred L. Pincus is the emeritus professor of sociology at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.
Even in the current climate where all references to diversity, inclusion and equity are being scrubbed off websites and silenced in almost every facet of American life since January, there are still some of us who are not scared to speak about its importance, especially in coaching.
“Diversity is important,” Jermaine Woods, the Coppin State women’s head women’s basketball coach, told me at the MEAC tournament shortly after Johnson was fired at Minnesota two weeks ago.
“Everybody needs diversity. How much diversity do we need? That’s up to the athletic directors and the administrators to decide that.
“The best-qualified candidates should always have a shot at the job no matter what color they are,” Woods continued. “I appreciate the opportunity that I have. I’m a HBCU guy and love it where I am.”
Howard Sinker, the former Minnesota Star Tribune editor, asked me for comment for his Sports Take newsletter after Ben Johnson was fired at Minnesota two weeks ago.
I told him, “I am always concerned about the local media and elsewhere who act like pseudo-search committees and float names openly and boldly who they feel are excellent candidates — who often aren’t Black.”
The 2024-25 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches Watch List by the Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) released last week continues to stress the importance of ra-
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cial equity in sports, especially at this time when coaches are being fired and hired.
“During this time of the year,” said ABIS Founder-CEO Gary Charles, “our committee really takes a hard look at coaches who are prepared and ready for their first head coaching position or those who desire to transition to the next level.”
This year’s MBB list includes 16 Black mid-major head coaches, and 20 Black assistant coaches. On the women’s side there are 15 Black HCs (10 females, five males) and 25 Black assistants (18 females and seven males).
Among the listed coaches are MBB HCs Daniyal Robinson (Cleveland State) and James Jones (Yale), both featured in the MSR’s “Coaching While Black” recurring series, and WBB Assistant Wendale Farrow.
While many are suggesting we stop talking about the importance of diversity, discussing this at every opportunity is so much more needed these days.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
In Re: Estate of Douglas G. Tigges, Decedent
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the country have not been synonymous for quite some time.
“For us to change the narrative in Minnesota basketball,” admitted Coyle, “we have to have consistency. And for some reason, we have not been able to figure it out.
“I don’t like to put up guidelines for my search because I think when you put up guidelines, you automatically eliminate people you can talk to,” explained Coyle in answer to our question whether diversity again will be considered in hir-
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continued the player and future lawyer. “This year I definitely had a deeper gratitude for the sport,” he added. Unfortunately, he dealt with not being fully healthy all season, “and it was kind of discouraging,” Joshua pointed out.
This also included suffering from a concussion. He says it made him become introspec-
ing the new U of M coach.
“We have vetted a diverse pool of candidates, and it’s our job to bring in the right person that will help Minnesota win on a consistent basis. So, we can find the right person who understands Minnesota, embraces Minnesota, and can help us have the success in men’s basketball.”
A quick Google search showed that the MSR since 2021 has published at least a dozen stories and columns on the importance of coaching diversity at the “U” and elsewhere. Our “Coaching While Black” recurring series has featured Yale’s James Jones and
tive going forward “on what the Higher Power is trying to show me with this.”
Nonetheless he earned the trust and respect of his coaches and teammates, who voted Strong co-captain.
“I think I’ve grown a lot and become more reflective, but also I think I’ve gotten the taste of what a championship team looks like from last year, and that’s something I could say I am forever grateful for.”
Strong is looking forward to
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Daniyal Robinson of Cleveland State, among others. Four years ago, there were five Black head coaches (two WBB and three MBB) in the Big Ten, including Johnson. All five are now history. Johnson, Indiana’s Mike Woodson, Rutgers’ Coquese Washington and Marisa Moseley, now the former Wisconsin WBB coach, were this season’s only Black coaches in the conference. Washington was hired in 2022. It is very likely that when the 2025-26 men’s and women’s basketball season begins this fall, the Big Ten will have only one Black HC, the lowest number among the Power 4 conferences.
someday competing on another court: “I’m probably gonna go into this law firm that I’ve been working with last summer,” he declared. “They’re like a corporate law firm, and I want to get into the areas like private equity and fund formation and things like that.” With this experience, Strong hopes to work with Black communities and others in economic empowerment.
“Nobody can change his mind about anything that he set his mind to,” marveled his mother
Unless it turns out otherwise, Minnesota has only one Black head coach (women’s tennis’ Lois Arterberry) in its athletics department. Johnson was the school’s fourth Black men’s coach, the only former Minnesota player and assistant coach ever hired. We can only hope that Coyle doesn’t believe in oneand-done when hiring Black HCs and can successfully find someone like Johnson, who according to the AD “bleeds maroon and gold.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Lori Strong. “We’re honored that God has used our kids.” Said his brother, 20-year-old Micaiah, “He’s just an inspiration for people all over the place.” Concluded Paul Strong, “My dad never had an opportunity to finish school, and to see his grandkids reaching heights that he could only dream about, I’m just thankful.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
VIEW
Jermaine Woods
This occasional series will highlight Black coaches at all levels of sport. This week: the 4th annual ABIS Black Coaches Watch List.
By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist
ccording to the NCAA, the number of Black head coaches has grown by 31% in the past decade, with the largest growth in Division III (48%) during this time.
Yet in Division I, where there’s barely over 1,000 Black head coaches, 15% of all DI coaches — it doesn’t appear that progress has been widely achieved. Historically Black head coaches “faced more obstacles to reach the top,” said a recent article in “Revolt.”
“The 2024-25 season has been a disappointment for North Carolina,” said a recent Fayetteville Observer article on Tar Heels Head Coach
Hubert Davis, who like Ben Johnson was hired to his first head coaching job. “Is he the right person to continue to lead one of college basketball’s true bluebloods?”
Morgan State Men’s Coach Kevin Broadus told the MSR, “I hate to see our Black coaches” get fired “because there are so few of us…”
At current count, at least 15 Black men’s head coaches were fired and two stepped down. Only around 5 Black coaches have found new employment.
f the local and national mainstream media — the selfappointed search committee — are sadly correct, the University of Minnesota Gophers’ next men’s basketball coach will not be Black.
Since former coach Ben Johnson’s dismissal was announced March 13, the PWM — primarily white media — have suggested only white candidates. Not one of the 16 current Black head coaches and 20 Black assistant coaches on the Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) 20242025 Men’s Basketball Coaches Watchlist are mentioned.
(See more on the latest ABIS watchlist in this week’s MSR sports section.)
“The media here is interesting,” said Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle during our sitdown interview in his Athletes Village/Bierman Building office last Tuesday.
Admittedly, Johnson’s last game—a 72-64 defeat to Northwestern in the Big Ten tourna-
ment — was a bad one. But Coyle quickly pointed out that it was not the final straw that ultimately led to the former coach’s demise.
“But
and we weren’t having that success on a consistent basis that we were looking for.”
Except for a few instances —
“Ben is a wonderful person. Not for a second do I doubt his work ethic, his commitment to doing things the right way, his commitment to his student-athletes, his commitment to the
Bill Musselman, Clem Haskins, Tubby Smith and Richard Pitino — Minnesota men’s hoops haven’t been relevant outside
“It’s always good to see some-
thing that hasn’t been done before,” said Strong after his last collegiate basketball game at the MEAC tournament earlier this month. “I’ve always been taught to be humble with all these sorts of things, so it’s just become more of my life.”
It might seem that with Strong as a surname, it would be natural for him to exhibit such traits. “The kid don’t take no for the final answer,” said Paul Strong about his son. He, his wife Lori Strong and Joshua’s youngest brother Micaiah Strong all traveled to Norfolk to watch Joshua and the Howard Bison men’s team play Morgan State in a tournament quarterfinals game.
“As a parent, you want all your kids to have confidence that where they’re going is directed by God,” Paul explained beforehand of Joshua, the sec-
ond-youngest of five children (a daughter and four sons).
“Listening to [Joshua] say that I’m here for a greater purpose than basketball, for him to get to see a bigger picture of what he can do for my community and how education can help other African American males embrace it and don’t keep ourselves in a box.
“As a dad,” Paul continued, “when I look at my sons and see that they’re all blazing their own trail, I’m just thankful. I’m just thankful that nobody can take credit for it. And that’s the beautiful thing.”
The 22-year-old Joshua graduated summa cum laude in only two years at Minnesota Duluth, where he also played basketball.
Then he enrolled at Howard and played his last two seasons of athletic eligibility.
“Last year wasn’t the best year for me in terms of production,” Joshua recalled. “It was just kind of an up-and-down year, not very consistent. It was the first time I really had that happen to me, so I had to learn how to deal
Christian Wiggins (Wayzata) Chace Watley (Totino-Grace)
Miles Newton (Breck)
Monteff Dixon (Cretin Derham Hall) All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Deron Russell (Waseca)
Coaching While Black
2024-25 ABIS Watch Lists
Courtesy of ABIS
Strong family (l-r) Lori Strong, Paul Strong, Micaiah Strong
Photo by Charles Hallman
Mark Coyle
Photos by Charles Hallman
Ben Johnson
Joshua Strong Courtesy of Howard Athletics