March 28, 2019 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

March 28 — April 3, 2019 Vol. 85 No. 34 www.spokesman-recorder.com

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Coach McKenzie helps diversify Final Four operations By Ray Richardson Contributing Writer The last time Minneapolis hosted the Final Four in 2001, Minneapolis North Boys’ Basketball Coach Larry McKenzie helped the NCAA run a camp for local youth. That was essentially McKenzie’s only contribution to Photo by Chris Juhn one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events. ic for those who can’t. Those unEighteen years later, McKenfortunate ones wind up subsistzie’s connection to the Final Four ing under bridges, in cars and has gone through a major uptrucks, and in makeshift engrade: from the gym to the board campments like the tent village room. South Minneapolis saw this past “We needed to reach into some winter, amongst other last-ditch networks that we weren’t a part resources. of,” Kate Mortenson, CEO of the “The number of people who Final Four local organizing comcan’t even get into a shelter has mittee, said of McKenzie. “Larry spiked dramatically,” said Leff. “They’re living outside.” MCH hosted Homeless Day on the Hill on March 13 to publicize the dilemma and bring pressure to bear on politicians holding the purse strings. “It was really powerful,” Leff told MSR. “About 850 people turned out from across the state. We filled a hearing room to capacity and they opened an overflow room for us, then a second overflow room. More than anything, people with [homeless] ex-

State action urged to curb rising homelessness The estimation is that, since line will continue,” said Leff in 2015, there was a 62 percent in- a press release. “Encampments crease in homeless who were not will become more frequent, and omelessness, ever-pres- in a formal shelter, and the rate of the number of Minnesotans ent though it is, doesn’t unsheltered children went up 56 sleeping outside in life-threatening temperatures will continue have to be everlast- percent. ing. “It is a totally solvable issue,” said Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) Executive Director Senta Leff. “This is about correcting the system.” Said system, however, has seen a 10 percent increase in the state’s homeless population over the past three years, according to Wilder Research’s 2018 Minnesota Homeless Study released earlier this month. Wilder deployed thousands of volunteers to conduct more than 4,000 in-person interviews with A mother testifies during Homeless Day on the Hill individuals about how they bePhoto by Thai Phan-Quang came homeless and what they “Sixty-three of Minnesota’s 87 to climb.” need to get back on their feet, Leff told the MSR that as bleak which, Leff acknowledged, can’t counties do not have a fixed site take into account those who shelter. If we maintain the sta- as conditions are for those who tus quo, this dangerous trend can find shelter, it is catastrophweren’t surveyed. By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

H

■ See Homeless on page 8

has made a huge difference with his wisdom, support, encouragement and inspiration to make sure the Final Four here is inclusive.” Mortenson reached out to McKenzie two years ago to become a part of the committee’s Impact Advisory Council (IAC), a select group of business and community leaders brought together to ensure the Final Four provided economic and employment opportunities for people of color. McKenzie has been an integral part of strategies that helped the IAC identify minority contractors and young people of color to work on the business side ■ See CoaCH on page 8

Larry McKenzie (c) coaching North High boy’s basketball team Photo by Steve Kotvis

BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: K’S REVOLUTIONARY CATERING

Food that satisfies body and soul

sentially, just through conversation and figuring out that we both had such complementary skills, [realized] that this would be an awesome venture to take on. MSR: Had either of you worked in catering or any sort of food services before? MO: We have a combined total of almost 40 years of working for other people and making them rich. I’ve been in the food service industry for about 23 years. Chef K: I grew up with food. My family’s from New Orleans and Florida, so it’s in my blood. I’ve been cooking since I was a kid, but professionally since I was probably around 18 or 19. I opened up a Mariam Omari (l) and Kotiareenia Taylor (r) meal prepping few local places in Minneapolis and St. Photos by Chris Juhn Paul and worked for some pretty awesome chefs both in New Orleans and Northsiders Mariam Omari and is food,” said Omari. Whereas soci- Minneapolis. Kotiareenia Taylor (known as Chef K) ety looks at it as “Oh my God, you’re a have turned catering into a movement. healthy eater,” we’re saying, “No, I’m MSR: What’s it like working in a partnership? Though they have earned a powerful just eating food.” MO: It’s no different than driving on the word-of-mouth reputation for custom Here, the MSR chats with the two cafreeway. You’ve got to stay in your lane. taco bars and vegan- and meat-friendly terers about their passion for food and Chef is the chef and I am the sous chef East African dishes along with an ever- community and the mission behind and the marketer. We keep our roles disrotating menu of foods from the African their business. tinct. diaspora, the two are more focused on MSR: How did you get started? “normalizing” the idea of healthy eating. Mariam Omari: We were just brain- MSR: What kinds of food do you “To us, it’s not healthy [food], it just storming. We just came together and, es- prepare?

MO: Our main focus is the African diaspora — that includes Asian, African, Latin America, East Africa, and West Africa. CK: One of our most popular entrees is Maharagwe, which is an East African dish made with beans, coconut milk and some other spices.

Kotiareenia Taylor and Mariam Omari MO: It’s inspired by my mother and my aunt. Because we focus on whole foods, we can create menus — vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian — and offer meals that will, as much as possible, satisfy vegans as well as meat eaters. So, if you had Maharagwe and rice you’re going to be just as satisfied whether you’re a meat eater or not. MSR: How did you come up with the name? Revolutionary is a pretty strong term. MO: The thing about K’s Revolutionary

Catering is that [healthy eating] is a revolution. We’ve been conditioned in our community to not understand what authentic food is right now. We’re in an era that boxed food is everything. CK: We want you to eat things that are essentially going to help you with circulation and just uplift your spirit. We use ingredients that will feed your soul. MSR: What’s that process been like in building a business? MO: Chef and I have been building this very organically, meaning that we’re learning the language of business and learning the functionalities of it. Understanding your role within your business, all that stuff is very different. So, we have mentors like NEON [Northside Economic Opportunity Network], and I take classes. MSR: What were some of the challenges in opening? MO: When I say organic, we don’t owe anyone. We don’t have loans out. The first year of business, we committed every dollar we got, we just put it right back in the first year. So, the sacrifice was real, it was gangster. The second year, we made a couple of dollars but nothing regular. This year, we have payroll, we have checks that come every two weeks. We had to take steps, small baby steps. ■ See BBs on page 8

These Minneapolis women broke cheerleading color barriers By Kenneth Foxworth Contributing Writer Few people realize that not only did women’s athletic cheerleading originate right here in Minnesota, but also that several strong African American women made history by breaking the cheerleading color barrier. Until 1923, cheerleading had been an exclusively White male activity. That year, the University of Minnesota became the first school in America to allow female cheerleaders. It remained an allWhite activity there, however, until Dana Purdue Williams became the first African American cheerleader at the U of M in 1975. Below is Williams’ story, along with those of two other earlier cheerleading firsts that inspired her to pursue her own dream. Dana Purdue Williams This 1975 Washburn High School graduate who went on to become the

U of M’s first Black cheerleader. She says that at an early age she watched her mother, Harriet Bowman Solomon, cheerleading in the kitchen, living room, or anywhere else where she had space

and a chance. She watched her mother and her mother’s best friend Gwendolyn Morrow Fraction making moves, all while having fun. Williams recalls her mother enroll-

(l-r) Harriet Bowman Solomon, Gwendolyn Morrow Fraction were honored at St. Peter’s Church in Mpls. by Rev. Carla Mitchell

ing her in ballet classes at the tender age ■ See CHeerleaders on page 8 of six. At age 10, she attended the Minnesota Dance Theater children’s workshop where she became an apprentice and mastered the program by age 15. She thought all of that experience and her mom’s example put her in position to make Minnesota Gopher history. “When I saw the 1975 tryout poster for the University of Minnesota cheerleading squad, I truly knew that I was ready to go complete,” says Williams. “I saw myself being a Gopher cheerleader at the age of seven. I planned this all my life, and no one was going to stop me from pursuing my dream!” As Williams took her inspiration from her mother and Fraction, so did she take their career advice, becoming a flight attendant for 40 years at Delta/ Dana Purdue Williams in 1975

February 16-22, 2017

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

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Money Matters

How to avoid tax refund processing fees TurboTax isn’t the only one catching filers off guard

By Kay Robinson Contributing Writer

In

the search for cheap, fast and convenient tax preparation, many taxpayers look to online services like TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct that promise low-cost and even free filing options. Unfortunately, “free” isn’t always free and convenience can come with some hidden fees. Last year, TurboTax became a trending topic for charging users a $39.99 fee to process their refunds. This was in addition to the original filing service fee — which ranges anywhere from $0 to $89.99. The fee in question is for a “refund process service” option which takes preparation fees directly from your federal tax refund. That basically means you have to pay a fee just to pay your fees. This year, social media is ringing the alarm once again on what has been called a “shady practice” by the service. And, of course, this fee — which is essentially an advance on your tax refund — most affects low-income and non-tax savvy filers. Many get roped in with promises of “free” and “no up-front costs” and upon completion are forced to pay more than necessary. “Be wary of do-it-yourself tax platforms,” says Jonathan Marcello, financial coach and founder Marcellos Solutions, LLC. “The advertised no-fees are often bait-and-switch.” He notes that the fees are similar to those from Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs). “With RACS, an agent creates a temporary bank account/debit card for a customer to get their funds. The tax-preparer gets their filing fees directly from the bank account.” However, Marcello says other fees are often added on as well, including set-up and technology fees. For TurboTax filers, refunds are sent to Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. The group then distributes the refund after taking its processing cut. The process is counterintuitive and most users don’t even see it until they are checking out or, worse after they have already paid it. It would seem simple to just opt to not pay, but

Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images

“Be wary of do-it-yourself tax platforms. The advertised no-fees are often bait-and-switch.” users report having to search through pages of small print to first find out how they got the extra charge and then to deselect the “Refund Processing” option. “[PSA] @TurboTax has some shady practices!” wrote Twitter user AdamGrossTX. “Don’t choose the option to pay with your refund. It will charge you an ADDITIONAL $39.99 on top of your fee for the TurboTax product you are using!! The disclosure is hidden.” “Boo to “Processing Fee”!” wrote anoth-

er user. “@turbotax You are NOT free free. Make your fees abundantly apparent in your commercials instead of down there in the fine print no one can read even with the ad paused.” Ultimately, users can just decide to pay filing fees with a debit or credit card instead of having it pulled from their refund. But, if added, the process to remove the fee is not simple. TurboTax even created a help section on its website with instructions on how to remove the fee: intuit.me/2HErk54. However, you’ll

still have to pay if your return is “in pending or accepted status.” The name, itself — “Refund Processing Service” — is also confusing to many who believe they have to pay the fee in order to process their refunds. So much so, the tax service has also created a Q&A page explaining the fee and that users “do not need Refund Processing Service to e-file and process your refund and refund processing won’t slow down nor speed up your refund.” While TurboTax is taking a serious public relations hit over the fee, they aren’t unique in charging a service fee to pay for filing costs via federal tax refunds. H&R Block also charges $39.95 for in-person services and $34.95 online. TaxAct and TaxSlayer also charge a similar fee. So do other in-person tax agents, so if you’re heading into your local tax preparation office be sure to let them know that you don’t want to pay to cover your filing costs. “Your best bet is to go to an agent and get your taxes prepared by someone who can address all of your questions on the spot,” says Marcello. They are knowledgeable about changing tax laws and might also be able to get you a better refund.” He does warn, however, that local agents also charge a fee for covering filing costs. “Tell them upfront you don’t want the extra fee.” If you are adamant about doing it yourself, try the IRS’ Free File program. Qualifying taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $66K or less can file their federal returns for free via the program. There are also some free state return services, as well. At the end of the today, it’s important to note that most things that sound free, aren’t. So stay alert to avoid paying unnecessary fees. For more information on tax filing, visit bit. ly/2UabDbK Kay Robinson welcomes reader responses to krobinson@spokesman-recorder.com.

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

3

What is autism and how is it treated?

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD This column has been revised, updated and reprinted by popular demand

A

utism is a group of brain development disorders that have a variety of manifestations. The hallmark of autism is the inability to interact normally with others using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Essentially, autism interferes with the affected person’s ability to communicate, interact socially, and behave normally in social situations. Autism affects children of all nationalities and races A cinematic depiction of a person with autism spectrum disorder can be seen in the Academy Award-winning movie Rain Man (1988) starring Dustin Hoffman as “Ray” and Tom Cruise as his brother “Charlie.” In 2013, physicians decided to collectively call the variations and subtypes of autism (including Asperger syndrome) “autism spectrum disorder.” There is no current way to detect autism spectrum disorder in-utero (prior to birth). There is no cure for autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by any one or any combinations of the following: • Difficulties with social interactions • Difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication • Intellectual disabilities • Difficulties with motor coordination • Sleep disturbances • Gastrointestinal problems • Engagement in repetitive behaviors Interestingly, a significant portion of people with autism spectrum disorder is extremely skilled with respect to one or more areas involving visual skills, art, music, problem-solving, memory

skills and mathematics. In many cases, they harbor savant (highly gifted) skills. Autism spectrum disorder probably begins in early brain development, but the outward manifestations become apparent between the ages of one and four. Although the development of all children can vary significantly, early detection can lead to early intervention and treatment, which can dramatically affect outcomes and quality of life for persons with autism spectrum disorder. Improved outcomes are seen with increased learning skills, communication skills, and social skills. Doctors say that the warning signs can be seen as early as one year of age. Over three million persons are affected with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Somewhere between one and two percent of all children are affected with autism spectrum disorder (approximately one in 60 births). Boys are approximately four times more likely to be affected with autism spectrum disorder than girls. Scientists have discovered that the incidence of autism spectrum disorder has been increasing over the past few decades. It is unclear if the increased diagnosis rate is a result of better diagnostic criteria or environmental factors or both. According to the AdCouncil, AutismSpeaks, and the Mayo Clinic, ear-

ly warning signs include: • No large smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or after that • No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months • No babbling by 12 months • No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months • No words by 16 months • No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months • Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age • Fails to respond to one’s name when called • Performs repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping • Extreme sensitivity to light and loud sounds or noises • Engages in ritualistic and repetitive behaviors and may become extremely annoyed if the routine is disrupted • Rarely makes direct eye contact • Does not like to be touched or cuddled or hugged • Does not engage in imaginative play behaviors • May not have a normal pain response • Strange vocal tones and patterns • Delayed speech or loss of speech • Strange or very limited food prefer-

ences • Difficulty expressing feelings or emotions • May become very disruptive in social situations It is important to become familiar with these and other developmental milestones for toddlers. If a parent or caregiver suspects anything amiss, they should talk to their pediatrician about a simple screening test called the “Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers.” The exact diagnosis needs to be made by a physician experienced with autism spectrum disorder. Even though there is no cure, early diagnosis and intensive intervention can improve learning abilities and behavior and increase the ability to interact socially with others. If you suspect a child has autism spectrum disorder, check with your doctor immediately for a screening examination. What causes autism spectrum disorder? The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is generally accepted that the cause is usually a combination of genetic mutations and environmental factors that affect early brain development. These environmental factors include but are not limited to advanced parental age, conditions that decrease avail-

able oxygen to the developing baby, maternal illness during pregnancy, and lack of certain vitamins including folic acid. It should be noted that any one of these does not cause autism spectrum disorder, but rather a complex combination of these with the background of genetic predisposition. Additional risk factors for autism include: • Being male (the male-to-female ratio for autism is 4:1) • Certain other genetic conditions (including, but not limited to, Fragile X syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis, Rett’s syndrome and Tourette’s syndrome) • Pre-term birth • History of other family members with autism After exhaustive research, doctors state emphatically that there is no connection between developing autism and receiving childhood vaccines. Earlier reports linking vaccinations and autism have been completely debunked. How is autism treated? Every person with autism spectrum disorder is unique. As a result, every treatment plan should be customized. The goal is to improve learning skills, attention, behavior, and ability to interact socially. The treatment will involve the entire family, physicians, teachers and skilled therapists. Both behavioral and medicinal treatments may be required, and the treatment program’s goals will evolve as the child grows. There are many great educational programs available for a person with autism spectrum disorder from toddlers to adults. The best improvement in autism spectrum disorder symptoms is directly related to early diagnosis and behavioral intervention. Many people with autism spectrum disorder who receive appropriate intervention and guidance will live independent, rich and rewarding lives. All persons with autism spectrum disorder deserve the opportunity to live meaningful, productive and enjoyable lives with gratifying relationships. With a better understanding and interventional support pro grams, those affected by autism spectrum disorder are living fulfilling and rewarding lives. For more information, visit AutismSpeaks.org.

Drama therapy can help many with autism By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD This column has been revised, updated and reprinted by popular demand Drama therapy is a well-known, well-used approach to help people who have a wide array of conditions that interfere with their ability to interact well with others, including autism. This kind of therapy uses exercises commonly practiced in the theatre such as scene acting, improvisation, and physical acting. For people with autism who also have fundamental verbal skills, the exercises can be both enjoyable and very helpful. Many people with autism have solid verbal skills, but they are challenged when it comes to interacting with others on a social level. An interesting finding is that many persons with autism have a trait called echolalia. In this condition, the echolalic person can repeat, verbatim, words and phrases others say. For example, the other day, I had an autistic patient and it was the first time I had met her. I asked her, “How are you today?” She looked at me and smiled and said right back to me, “How are you today?” Almost everything I said to her, she repeated back to me. Parents have noticed that children with autism and echolalia enjoy watching television and movies. They often can repeat large sections of dialogue perfectly with the same tone and inflections. My autistic patient was no exception. Her mother told me she absolutely loved Disney movies, knew almost every song perfectly, and had an absolutely beautiful voice. The beauty of drama therapy is that it lets persons with autism use their verbal and imitation skills to practice and learn “lines” that they can use in social settings. The goal is to improve and strengthen communication skills that can be applied to real-life situations. Various social situations can be modeled and role-played, giving the child a solid level of com-

fort and familiarity with the situation so that when social interaction is encountered in real life, the child can engage in a more normal manner. As time goes by, in addition to using dialogue that can also be used in social settings, they can develop skills allowing them to improvise and further improve speaking skills, combined with other skills such as recognizing and reacting to the body language of others. It allows those with autism to actually star in their own show, which builds confidence and self-esteem and gains the respect and valid approval of the participating audience. Students engage in practice sets covering a wide variety of social situations encountered by people their age. Although it will not make a person with autism “normal,” all of these learned skills can nevertheless result in more effective, comfortable and successful social interactions in real life. A recognized leader in the field of drama therapy for persons with autism is Cindy Schneider. She has authored a book entitled Acting Antics: A Theatrical Approach to Teaching Social Understanding to Kids and Teens with Asperger Syndrome. According to Schneider, drama therapy allows persons with autism to: • Increase self-confidence not only in performing but in social interactions • Improve self-esteem and pride in their accomplishments • Improve recognition of emotions in others • Improve identification and labeling of their own emotions • Enjoy new leisure-time activity in a group where they can be successful • Enjoy a new awareness of volume levels and beginning modulation of vocal levels • Enjoy new skills for functioning as part of a group • Enjoy new skills for following directions • Improve the ability to interact with peers Because the field of drama therapy for persons with autism and autism spectrum disorder is relatively new, it can be challenging to find a good

drama therapist who is skilled and adept in teaching drama therapy to persons on the autism spectrum. A good alternative is to work with a combination of both a therapist and a seasoned theatrical teacher. But, if you know someone with autism, drama therapy may certainly be worth investigating. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has

a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

Shameful legacies, ongoing neglect

This research is showing what communities of color have known for decades. Structural barriers stopped many people who were not White from buying property and building wealth for most of the last century… Contemporary White residents of Minneapolis like to think their city never had formal segregation. But racial covenants did the work of Jim Crow in northern cities like Minneapolis. – Mapping Prejudice Minneapolis and St. Paul have both gentrified considerably over the past 15 years, with rent outpacing income and more wealthy people attracted to the center of Minneapolis and nearby neighborhoods, and blocks along the Green Line in St. Paul. —Adam Belz

T

here have been a number of themes covered over and over again during the life of this column, including the examination of the Twin Cities’ rampant racial disparities, which have consistently ranked among the worst in the nation. Likewise, there has been a litany of reasons cited for such inequi-

ty, not the least of which are the legacies of both individual and institutional racism. Now, in tandem, those two legacies are highlighted in the recent Twin Cities Public Television documentary Jim Crow of the North. Produced by award-winning filmmaker Daniel Bergin, Jim Crow of the North (featured prominently upon its release in the pages of the MSR), follows the ground-breaking work of Mapping Prejudice, a project based out of the University of Minnesota. Through extensive historical research and analysis, Mapping Prejudice has helped to unearth the shameful history of racial covenants and redlining in Minneapolis dating back more than 100 years. This group also seeks to embark on a project that will pull back the curtains on similarly restrictive covenants in St. Paul.

briefly referenced above. Yet, in spite of the disadvantages they faced, the people in these neighborhoods found a way to buy homes, build successful small businesses, support their public schools, and create strong faith communities that have lasted generations. During the last quarter or so of the 20th century (and into the 21st), the process of gentrification significantly displaced people of color and poor residents from these communities, often under the dubious pretense of urban renewal. Many neighborhoods and their institutions are under constant threat; in fact, some have already been wiped off the map so to speak. Take Albina, for instance, the historic neighborhood in Portland, Oregon where African Americans first started to settle in 1910. In the name of progress, the construction of Interstate 5

tate companies, and community members themselves — consigned African Americans, other people of color and the poor to what were considered the least desirable neighborhoods in our cities. Decades later, after much neglect, they return to push the children and grandchildren of those folks out in favor of plush condominiums, trendy boutiques and restaurants, and so on and so on.

Gentrification is bringing swift and distressing change to Twin Cities neighborhoods. Mapping Prejudice has already skilfully connected modern-day inequities to the systematic oppression and discrimination of the past. This leads to another theme that has been frequently explored on these pages: gentrification. In most American cities throughout the 20th century, people of color, African Americans in particular, were relegated to separate and structurally unequal communities often by means of the practices

through this community initiated the process of gentrification in the 1960s. At the time, the Black population of Albina was 80 percent; today it is less than 20 percent. Of course, on the east side of the Mississippi this sounds all too familiar. St. Paul’s Albina was called Rondo, and its I-5 is our I-94. Again, what we see is a nationwide and decades-long process where, in essence, the law — along with banks, real es-

Around the time that the Green Line was being built from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis, several studies sought to address the potential impacts of gentrification in the Twin Cities. There was also talk from some corners about how gentrification in Minneapolis and St. Paul would look a lot different than it has in other cities. I’m not sure how many people bought that then, and it would appear that much of the

evidence since bears those suspicions out. The most recent report on the subject of gentrification, produced by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota, demonstrates that there are “multiple forms of gentrification in Minneapolis and St. Paul.” According to the report, this includes forms that “sometimes produce racial change and sometimes do not.” I’m sure that’s true, but let’s not equivocate here: Gentrification is bringing swift and distressing change to Twin Cities neighborhoods. For example, the CURA study reveals that in North Minneapolis, residents cite a “new wave of development priorities that neglects their voices.” In St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood, many residents have had to “double-up,” unable to cope with rising rents by themselves. Moreover, the “frequent ‘Coming Soon’ signs” have spiked fears of commercial and retail changes that don’t reflect the historic character of the community.

Which brings me to the new soccer stadium that opens for play in a couple of weeks. I have absolutely nothing against the stadium, the team that will call it home, or the sport of soccer for that matter. Perhaps what concerns me most about the stadium is that it simply looks out of place in the neighborhood it occupies. What concerns me is that the neighborhood will ultimately be forced to change so that the stadium no longer looks and feels out of place. And if it does change, who will benefit from the new jobs, the new housing, and all the rest of this new development? Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104. Image courtesy of Matt Brown’s flickr account.

Memorial to a ‘man’s man’

Russell Gary (right) with Rodney Lewis By Kenneth Foxworth Contributing Writer When you hear people from South Minneapolis talk about the music of the 1970s and ’80s, you will hear them mention names like Prince, Jimmy Jam and Cornbread Harris. When they talk about local sports, they applaud local heroes like Earl Bowman, Doug Demmings, Coach Robinson and Russell Gary. For me personally, Russell Gary, was more than another of Minnesota’s great athletes. I saw him as also someone who had earned an elite status, that of a “man’s man.” What is a man’s man? He’s been described as “the kind of man that anyone can point to as an example of what a man should aspire to be like.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a man’s man as “a man noted or admired for traditionally mas-

culine interests and activities.” Gary died of a heart-attack March 10 at age 59 after working out at a gym. I am writing this memorial to pay my respects to one of Minnesota’s greats and someone who for me fits this definition of a man’s man. He graduated from Central High in 1977 as a three-time letter-winner in track, basketball and football. He earned two scholarship opportunities in both basketball and football. Gary chose football at the University of Nebraska under the legendary Coach Tom Osborne. As a freshman, he started as a running back; his sophomore year he returned as a safety; and after that, the rest is history. In 1980, Gary was named an All-Big Eight defensive back. In 1981, he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and played there for six years. He gave one more year to the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring from professional football in 1987. After retirement, Gary dedicated his life to the inner-city youth of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He worked with the Minneapolis Public Schools creating football clinic programs that would change and enhance the lives of many African American boys. One such program was the University of Minnesota’s ACE program that served over 1,500 African American boys in Minneapolis. From 2004 to the time of his passing, Gary was a well-known defensive back coach at Concordia College in Saint Paul. In 2013 he was was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. Gary used his football craft and other sports to deliver messages such as “Be real!” to the youth he coached and mentored. He often preached that “Football doesn’t last, but education will,” “Do and be all you can be,” and lastly, “Be true to yourself.”

Central High’s 1977 basketball team, Russell Gary, a freshman at the time, standing at far right Says Terryann Nash, a friend of the family, “Russell Gary was a man who inspired us all to be better than great! Though his love and dedication to the community, he inspired our inner greatness.” For these reasons and many more, Gary will be sorely missed by his community as a man’s man who was widely admired and respected by the countless people young and old whose lives he changed.

Visitation for Russell Gary will be held Friday, March 29, 2019, 6 to 9 pm at Estes Funeral Home Chapel, 2201 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019, 12 to 1 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 2608 Blaisdell Ave., Minneapolis. Kenneth Foxworth welcomes reader resposes to kennethfoxworth568@msn.com.

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

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

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Resilience is not one of the R’s at North High Mellaneous By Mel Reeves Contributing Commentator

There is no such thing as ‘Black Identity Extremists’ By Nusrat Choudhury and Malkia Cyril Guest Commentators At a time when violence by White supremacists is on the rise, the FBI appears to be targeting Black people in a secret intelligence program concerning so-called “Black Identity Extremists” — an inflammatory term for a group that doesn’t even exist. The bureau’s practice echoes earlier, shameful government surveillance programs that sought to discredit civil rights and Black power activists who were critical to advancing racial equality — and it echoes modern-day spying that impacts immigrants and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities.

test police and state violence. And, we know that programs that diminish already weakened mechanisms for police accountability can lead to harm and death for Black people stopped by police. There are too many stories of Black men, women, and transgender people that underscore this truth. In 2018, the Center for Media Justice and ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request for records to inform the public about how the “Black Identity Extremist” label is being used. Still, the FBI continues to keep critical information secret without any valid justification, and it has even refused to search for entire categories of records. And we aren’t the only ones wanting more infor-

We demand answers about why and how the FBI is targeting Black people based on racial stereotypes. That’s probably why the government doesn’t want us to get information about this program. It is also why the ACLU and the Center for Media Justice are taking the FBI to court. In August 2017, the FBI issued an intelligence assessment that designated “Black Identity Extremists Likely Motivated to Target Law Enforcement Officers” a new domestic terror threat. Disseminated to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies, the intelligence assessment claims, without evidence, that Black people involved in unrelated police killings shared an ideology that motivated their actions. It also focuses on Black people who, in the bureau’s own words, “perceive racism and injustice in American society.” The intelligence assessment is built on anti-Black racial stereotypes. It is so deeply flawed and of such “poor analytic quality” that even some law enforcement acknowledge that no group of so-called “Black Identity Extremists” even exists. The intelligence assessment sparked an avalanche of concern from elected officials, Black activists, and Black-led organizations, including the Center for Media Justice and Color of Change. The dissemination of a racialized threat label to law enforcement nationwide holds the potential to spark baseless police harassment of Black activists who pro-

mation about government surveillance of Black activists. Color of Change and the Center for Constitutional Rights submitted earlier records requests with the FBI and Department of Homeland security. Today, we filed Center for Media Justice v. FBI, to get these FBI records. As a Blackled organization and the nation’s largest racial-justice network for media and technology rights, access, and representation, the Center for Media Justice (CMJ) represents organizations vulnerable to FBI surveillance under the BIE label. CMJ and ACLU stand together to demand answers about why and how the FBI is targeting Black people based on racial stereotypes rather than true security threats based on evidence. The fabrication of a “Black Identity Extremist” threat is the latest example in a sordid history of efforts to harass, discredit, and disrupt Black activists who dare to use their voices to call out White supremacy. At the turn of the 20th century, law enforcement targeted Ida B. Wells and Marcus Garvey as “race agitators.” The FBI’s Counterintelligence Program (“COINTELPRO”) deployed covert activities against Martin Luther King, Jr., the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Black Panther Party, el-Hajj Malik elShabazz (previously known as “Malcolm X”), and Ella

Baker in the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1960s and 1970s, the FBI surveilled and investigated Black-owned bookstores on the grounds of targeting purported centers of extremism. But, progress toward racial justice has been made precisely because Black people have bravely raised their voices to hold America accountable to our principles of equality and liberty. Black activism was central to breaking the hold of chattel slavery and legalized racial segregation, and it paved the way for greater power and freedoms for immigrants, women, and AMEMSA and LGBTQ communities, as Black people are part of every one of these groups. These are precisely the voices we need now to dismantle 21st-century barriers to racial equality in the criminal legal system, the economy, education, housing, and every aspect of our society that bears the mark of more than 200 years of the forced servitude of Black people, followed by 90 years of Jim Crow. There has been no sign that the FBI has retracted its flawed “Black Identity Extremist” threat label despite calls to do so from the Congressional Black Caucus and some law enforcement. Meanwhile, violent White supremacists pose increasing threats as recognized by a 2017 joint intelligence bulletin and the tragic killings of Black people, Jews, Muslims, and anti-racist protesters across the country. The FBI must turn over documents shedding light on the creation and use of the “Black Identity Extremist” label. If the FBI refuses to provide this information, Congress should use every tool at its disposal to ensure the records are made public. Knowing is only the beginning. Freedom from the mass profiling, policing, and punishment of Black bodies requires that the FBI stop targeting Black people because of their race and protected speech. Government crackdowns on Black protests were wrong in the past and have no place in our present. That is why, despite the chilling effect of the FBI’s racialized designation for Black activists, we continue to organize to the beat of an old civil rights song, “We shall not be moved.” Nusrat Choudhury is deputy director for ACLU Racial Justice Program and Malkia Cyril is executive director of Center for Media Justice.

If words count, then the Star Tribune headline, “At North High lessons include reading, writing and resilience,” and its accompanying article sent more than a few messages in one. The feature story, which if taken out of the context of our times, seems harmless, but it does damage to the Minneapolis North High image by centering violence only in that school and its community. Why did the headline leave out arithmetic? After all, schooling usually consists of mastering the Three R’s with one of them being ‘rithmetic, not resilience. Maybe the Star Tribune left it out subconsciously. After all, Black folks supposedly aren’t good at math and science. And, substituting the learning of resilience for the learning of arithmetic implies that (from their perspective as a mouthpiece for the power structure) it is more important for Black kids in the inner city. Interestingly, they chose resilience which the American Psychological Association defines as the ability to adapt to one’s circumstances — more specifically “adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.” It hearkens to the Indian, “Lone Watie” (Chief Dan George), in the movie The Outlaw Josey Walesfac, who repeatedly tells Wales (played by Clint Eastwood), that the government told him and his people to “endeavor to persevere.” Rather than learning to be resilient (which does not have to be taught — they are actually adapting to their circumstance on their own) — students would be better off studying why their community is treated differently. They could gain more from understanding why the local “big business” press would send a Black reporter to talk about violence, rather than the progress made by a school that was facing closure only a few years ago. It would be more beneficial for the students to examine why their outstanding journalism program, which produces its own community newspaper, North News, wasn’t discussed, or why their in-house radio station that gives students an opportunity to learn the craft was not focused on. It would also be more beneficial to ask why their academic programs or academic accomplishments were not a focus of the article. Students would be better-served understanding why the school only receives attention when something negative happens — that did not occur within the school itself nor is part of the school’s experience. If the Star Tribune wanted to talk about violence on the Northside of Minneapolis, it didn’t need North High School to highlight that issue. Moreover, rather than resilience, students should learn how apparently good intentions by the broader community can wind up having them painted with a negative brush. They should learn why, though we live in a violent society in which Whites, not Blacks, are much more often serial killers or commit mass murder, violence is seen as the purview of Black people only. And centering violence in Black communities is inaccurate since the U.S. government exports violence on a regular basis. The U.S. has been at war in Afghanistan and Iraq for nearly 20 years and, as a result, U.S. forces have left several hundred thousand dead civilians, or non-combatants, in their wake. In-

cidentally, these countries did not attack the U.S. If an R should be added, then students should be taught about “Racism,” including the subconscious kind that motivated the Star Tribune to write about their experience with violence without providing “balance.” A balanced article would have mentioned the source, the roots of violence in Black communities. Unless, of course, the point is to make it appear that Black folks are just naturally violent, that is, born with a genetic predisposition toward violence. Fairness insists that one cannot talk about violence in the Black inner city community without talking about the lack of jobs, the lack of real opportunity, redlining, the subprime rip off, the policing that sends the message that inner-city residents are second class, the constant undermining of Black success that tells kids what’s the use, hiring and promotion discrimination, the implication that they have to be twice as good, and the psychological warfare waged against Black children who when they visit Minnetonka or Edina High realize that they have been lied to — some kids count more than them.

If R’s are to be added, there should be an R for “Resist” and students should be taught about “Racism.” If R’s are to be added, there should be an R for “Resist.” The students should be taught that the advancement of Black people did not come out of slavery or Jim Crow segregation by adapting to their circumstances, but by resisting them. It seems that rather than teaching students to adapt, they would be better served by finding ways to change their circumstances and work to change a society that insists on having ghettos or ghettoized communities. They would be better served to change a system that requires or allows for substandard education in one neighborhood while allowing for quality public education in another. Incidentally, there have been no stories on Jordan High School or Becker High School focusing on why some students at those schools decided it was proper to bring Trump banners to basketball games in which the opponent’s team was predominantly Black and the kind of violence that implies! There is nothing wrong with writing about resilience and the struggles kids are experiencing at North High, but the whole story, the complete story, the balanced story has to be told. But the Star Tribune is right about one thing: Black students should be taught a few other R’s, like the history and reality of racism in the U.S. and how it has been resisted and why it is necessary to stand up for themselves and be vigilant for their rights if they are going to succeed in the U.S. Mel Reeves has a blog fighthepowerjournal.com and welcomes reader responses at mellaneous19@ yahoo.com.

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

Actress Caroline Chikezie on the importance of representation

Caroline Chikezie plays a boss, Dr. Major Nichole Sykes. Photos courtesy of Fox By Nadine Matthews Contributing Writer Caroline Chikezie’s character Dr. Major Nichole Sykes on Fox’s new show The Passage is not just a scientist. She is the head of a government lab tasked with dealing with a rapidly spreading epidemic that threatens to wipe out humanity. The potential cure requires answers to some tough ethical questions about

the use of incarcerated individuals, the working class, and the under-aged in medical trials. Instead of resolving things, Dr. Sykes’ ultimate choice just ratchets up the conflict. The Passage will likely bring up some mixed feelings for those who are aware of the tainted history of Black American men and women such as Henrietta Lacks and the men in the Tuskegee Institute experiment, being used for medical research.

Chikezie admits that though she of scientists,” she says. “I love that she is times for very brief periods. It was alunderstands the decisions her charac- the boss. She commands the guys, she ways a foreign place to her. “At the time ter makes, in real life couldn’t stomach is ex-Army and has a little swagger. I al- I was against it but now I’m so gratethem. “I just couldn’t do it,” she says. so love that as a Black woman I’m play- ful. I speak my language, I know Igbo, I know my land and I know the food. It “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, ing a doctor.” As a little girl in London, shows like was the best thing for me.” although, I must say, Nichole was able to make that decision because she did Fame starring Debbie Allen, sparked Chikezie has lived in Los Angeles all the research and was satisfied at the Chikezie’s ambition to act. “I gravitat- for the past 10 years. However, after ed to shows with people of color and filming The Passage in Atlanta over the end that it would all be okay.” Her character’s decision has a mon- thank everybody who went before me. past year, she is ready to relocate. “I love umental impact on the character of Like Viola Davis said, ‘Representation Atlanta! I love how green it is and how Amy Belafonte (Saniyya Sidney), who matters.’ Growing up, Fame, Fresh Prince it’s not charged. It’s calming, not overis in her early teens. Chikezie has ob- of Bel Air and Cosby Show blew my head crowded, I just love it there!” vious admiration for her young co- off!” Many parents struggle with their star. “Saniyya is amazing. She is an efSeason one of The Passage concludfortlessly brilliant actress who could child’s desire to act but Chikezie’s par- ed with a two-hour finale on March 11. Go put any adult to shame! This girl is the ents took extreme steps — about 4,000 to fox.com/the-passage to watch the full seamiles worth of them. “I was sent to son online. If renewed for a second season, truth!” The British-born Chikezie light- Nigeria for boarding school for three the anticipated start date would be the end heartedly compares her career to her years,” she recalls. “I was shocked to be of 2019. dating life. “I read every [script] I get taken to boarding school in a country I and see which way I gravitate. The Pas- wasn’t familiar with and to be depositNadine Matthews welcomes reader resage was the one for me. It’s like when ed there. It was very confusing for me sponses to nadine@deeniemedia.com. you meet a guy and he feels like the at the time but now I’m glad they did.” Prior to this experience, Chikezie right guy. It was just the one,” she had only visited Nigeria a handful of laughs. Still, she was “dumbfounded” when her agent told her the role was hers. “I was convinced I wasn’t gonna get it,” she recalls, “but I thought, ‘It’s nice that they’re testing me. I had my speech ready for when I got the call saying I didn’t get it.” There are some aspects of her character on The Passage that Chikezie takes delight in sharing. “I love that she knows her own mind. That’s something that me and my character have in common. I don’t care what anyone says, If I think X, I’m gonna do X. If there are consequences that arise, she’s willing to face them.” She is also keenly aware of her character’s career in terms of representation. “Dr. Sykes is also the head of the team Saniyya Sidney (left) and Caroline Chikezie in The Passage

Jordan Peele’s Us makes a killing with $70M+ debut

Elba makes directorial debut with gritty coming-of-age drama By Kam Williams Contributing Writer

By Paige Elliott Digital Editor There was no sophomore slump for Jordan Peele. His latest film Us earned a staggering $70 million, marking the biggest opening weekend for an original horror movie. Unseating Disney’s Captain Marvel, the Universal suspense-thriller easily surpassed the $40 million predicted by industry analysts. The film also topped opening weekend numbers for Peele’s 2017 directorial debut breakout, Get Out, which opened to $33 million and went on to make $255 million worldwide. Us marks the first starring vehicle for actress Lupita Nyong’o, who received rave reviews for

her performance. She, along with her Black Panther co-star Winston Duke, play parents of a middle-to-upper class Black family who do battle against their evil, murderous twins. Like Get Out, Us is laced with multilayered socio-political commentary and scored high with critics. Moviegoers can look forward to more thoughtful thrills from Peele in the near future as his upcoming projects include a remake of the cult classic movie The Candyman and a reboot of The Twilight Zone.

Dennis “D” Campbell (Aml Ameen) had the misfortune of growing up in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the ’70s at a time when the ’hood was infested with drugs. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by an older brother he admired, Jerry (Everaldo Creary). Besides serving as a surrogate father, Jerry was a peacemaker who risked his life pressuring the gangs ruining the community to end their bloody turf war. But Dennis was left traumatized at 13 when his sibling was senselessly shot dead by Clancy (Raheem Edwards), a young member of the Tappa crew.

Fast forward a half-dozen years and we find Dennis doing the bidding of King Fox (Sheldon Shepherd), the leader of Spicer, Tappa’s rival gang. When he is asked to smuggle a kilo of cocaine on a plane bound for London, he leaps at the opportunity because not only does Clancy live there now, but so too does Dennis’ daughter (MylaRae Hutchinson-Dunwell). So, the risky assignment will afford him an opportunity to avenge his brother’s murder while reuniting with loved ones. Though slightly marred by a tendency to telegraph its punches, the coming-of-age drama marks Elba’s noteworthy directorial debut. Adapted from Victor Headley’s 1992 novel of the same name, the intriguing set up is narrated by its intrep-

id protagonist, a conflicted soul eternally torn between good and evil. Very Good (3 stars) Unrated Running time: 101 minutes Production Companies: Warp Films / BFI Film Fund / Studio Canal Distributor: Rialto Pictures Yardie opened nationwide March 15 and is currently playing at Emagine Willow Creek (as we go to press). Check local listings for show times. For more info, visit warpfilms.com/feature/yardie. Kam Williams welcomes readers responses to kam_williams@ hotmail.com. Poster courtesy of Warp Films

Us opened nationwide on March 22. Check local listings for show times. For more info, visit www.usmovie.com. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

SMALL WONDERS. HUGE FUN. FARM BABIES | MAR. 22 - APR. 30

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

BULLETIN

UROC’s 2019 Summer Resource Fair

City of Minneapolis observes earth hour Residents and businesses are invited to join the City of Minneapolis in switching off their lights between 8:30-9:30 pm on March 30 in honor of Earth Hour. Beginning as a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement to burn less fossil fuel. Organizers state that when fossil fuels are burned such as coal and gas, more and more carbon dioxide is pumped into the atmosphere. This buildup creates a blanket effect, trapping in heat around the world. If nothing is done to halt this process, the planet will become hotter with more violent weather, fewer species and disrupted systems such as food chains. In 2015, 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minneapolis came from electricity. The City has set targets of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025 (using 2006 as a baseline) and 80 percent by 2050. Emissions from citywide activities decreased 17.8 percent in 2015 from the 2006 baseline, exceeding the first reduction goal of 15 percent by 2015. The Minneapolis Climate Action Plan, adopted in June 2013, provides a roadmap for reducing citywide carbon dioxide pollution. To learn more about Minneapolis’ sustainable policies and practices, visit minneapolismn.gov/sustainability. For more info about actions to benefit the planet beyond the hour, go to bit.ly/2JwyD0n. —Info and photo provided by the City of Minneapolis

Get a jump on summer and learn about fun-filled and educational activities for youth at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and OutreachEngagement Center’s (UROC) annual Summer Resource Fair. Staff from organizations representing opportunities for youth in such areas as sports, performing arts, and small business ventures, will be on hand to answer questions about scholarships opportunities and registration. The gathering is from 11 am to 2 pm Sat., March 30 at UROC, located at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N in Minneapolis The event is co-sponsored by the Black Storytellers Alliance and UROC’s Community Affairs Leadership Council and is free and open to the public.

—Information provided by UROC. Submitted photos

FRee mental health FiRst aid couRse in minneaPolis NAMI Minnesota will hold a free Mental Health First Aid training course designed to teach the basic first aid skills needed to help a person who is experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. This eight-hour course is aimed at improving mental health literacy. It will be held on Tues., April 9, from 8 am to 5 pm, at the American Red Cross Regional Office, 1201 West River Pkwy., in Minneapolis. Participants will receive a course manual and certificate for completing the course.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

QPR - suicide PRevention classes in st. Paul QPR is a free, one-hour presentation sponsored by NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) that covers the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide: Question, Persuade and Refer. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the U.S., and more than one million adults have been trained in classroom settings in more than 48 states. The QPR classes will be offered on April 3, from 5:30-6:30 pm, and April 25, from 12-1 pm at NAMI Minnesota, 1919 University Ave., W. in Suite 400 in Minneapolis. For more info or to register, call 651-645-2948 x198 or see “classes” at namimn.org.

To register (required), see “classes” at namimn.org. For more info, contact NAMI at 651-645-2948.

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March 28 — April 3, 2019

CoaCh Continued from page 1

tions or facilities that could benefit from additional resources. The North Minneapolis recreation center received a $200,000 grant from the NCAA Legacy Project in 2018. McKenzie said the money was used to give North Commons a complete “makeover,” including a new gym floor. A grand opening dedication at North Commons is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at 10 am. “I don’t know many people who benefitted when the Super Bowl was here [in 2018],” McKenzie said. “The way things have gone with this initiative for the Final Four, we could be a model for other cities. This takes away the excuse that diversity can’t happen.” The 2019 Final Four will be a memorable experience for McKenzie, who is slated to receive two awards that week for his contributions over the past two decades. He will be presented the Final Four Legacy Award on April 3 by the NCAA’s Inclusion Committee, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches will present him with the Guardians of the Game Pillar Award for Education on April 7. At the Final Four Legacy Award, hosted by the Center for Economic Inclusion in St. Paul, McKenzie will be honored alongside St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., former NBA player Devean George, and longtime basketball referee supervisor James Robinson. During McKenzie’s 20-year high school coaching career at Patrick Henry, Academy of Holy Angels and North, he’s had 27 players play for NCAA Division I schools, and all of his seniors, whether or not they earned a scholarship, graduated and went to college. He’s also earned the distinct honor of being the first and only African American to date inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. McKenzie has won six state championships — four at Patrick Henry (Class 3A) and two at North (Class 1A). Since joining North in 2013, he has built a 150-41 record (.785). McKenzie’s career record of 418-149 (.737) ranks among the all-time leaders in Minnesota high school basketball. “It’s a gratifying feeling when people see you as more than a person blowing a whistle in practice,” McKenzie said.

of the Final Four’s operations. With the Final Four only a few days away, McKenzie is confident the work he and the IAC have done has been successful. “Without a doubt, the organizing committee has gone beyond what was expected to include people of color in this process,” he said. “Everybody can’t benefit, but what I’m pleased about is how they went about the bidding and selection. There was genuine discussion about inclusion every time we met.” Chuck Hill was among the first Black business owners to get a contract with the local organizing committee. Hill’s company, Programming Solutions Inc., based in Brooklyn Park, set up the communications systems for the committee’s downtown Minneapolis offices in 2018. Hill’s staff installed phone lines, computers, internet and other communications requirements for Mortenson and her team. “This has been a wonderful opportunity for my company,” said Hill. “I’ve been able to establish connections and network with people I ordinarily would not have been able to meet.” Through referrals from the IAC, Mortenson said, the committee also agreed to a “six-figure contract” with Barry Rogers of BWK Rogers PC, a Blackowned certified public accounting firm in downtown Minneapolis. Rogers’ company was hired to handle the committee’s bookkeeping and financial support. And for the major task of coordinating the numerous Final Four events, Cydni Bickerstaff, an African American woman and sister of former Timberwolves assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff, was hired by Mortenson as vice president of operations. Bickerstaff, who moved to the Twin Cities from Washington, D.C. to take on the role, functions as second-in-command behind Mortenson on the committee’s management team. “We have 60 percent female on our staff and 60 percent people of color working for us,” Mortenson said. “Too often, we have professional talent and qualified people who are under-utilized. We wanted to address that from day one.” Ray Richardson welcomes reader responses to One of McKenzie’s key triumphs with his comrrichardson@spokesman-recorder.com. mittee role was recommending North Commons Park Recreation Center to the NCAA for its annual Legacy Project Grant. In every Final Four city, the NCAA looks for community athletic organiza-

to run a Black female-owned business — and we’re doing it out here on our own and we’re Continued from page 1 making a way and we have the support of our community behind us. To me that is success. MSR: What one thing do you MO: Success for me is everywish you knew before launchthing Chef just said, as well as ing? establishing a legacy. Being able MO: I wish I knew accountto teach my son and let him also ing. I wish I understood the IRS. teach his children. If I can even I wish a lot of things, but you have just helped a few people know, sometimes experience is just change a little bit, that’s sucthe best teacher. cess to me. Separating the business from who you are is imperative. MSR: You also created your K’s Revolutionary Catering is own drink? not Mariam nor is it Kotiareenia. MO: We created a beverage We’re employees of our busi- called the Stay Well Tonic. It’s ness. We might own it, but we a super good alternative to sokeep our money separate. Oth- das, because, again, we normalize healthy eating. It’s made erwise, [we’d] be broke. with tumeric, ginger and natuMSR: Would you ever open ral sweeteners and it’s served your own brick-and-mortar? hot or cold. MO: Within the next five years we anticipate having a building MSR: Any plans for distribuand a place where we’re build- tion? ing and teaching people how to MO: In the future. We want to be able to have a co-packing produce real food. manufacturing facility where MSR: What does success look we’re co-packing for other peolike to you? ple and hiring hundreds of peoCK: For me, [it’s] being able

ple. So, we’d have the education piece and then also have the production piece. Both of those things combined is a beautiful recipe of education for our community. CK: Another aspiration is to also have an institution where we are learning about entrepreneurship, food, how to grow your own food, agriculture, economics. We need to get back to that as a community. We work with people’s budget and everything. That’s why we don’t even have prices on our menu because…we try to make sure everybody can get a piece of the wealth. That’s good health.

encing homelessness.” The overall picture is also compounded by a problem endemic to society in general: racism. “It’s an issue rooted in systemic racism. [African Americans] are more likely to experience homelessness than their White counterparts,” said Leff. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 63 percent of people experiencing homelessness identify as people of color or Indigenous peoples. The National Alliance to End Homelessness observed in a January report, “The effects of longstanding discrimination linger

working with partners on both sides of the [political] aisle to invest in housing as a basic form of infrastructure.” As such, the MCH is advocating for legislation to provide $15M every two years for the Emergency Services Program (ESP). ESP, which is the state’s primary source for emergency shelter and services, presently operates on $844,000 annually. The requested funds would go well beyond merely maintaining a status quo that does not meet the rising housing demands; rather, the funds would greatly strengthen efforts to actually reverse and eventually

SBS

homeleSS Continued from page 1

perience spoke to the issue and were heard.” Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan were among those in attendance. Governor Walz said at the event, “It’s a moral imperative to make sure people have a safe place that they can call home, a safe place to raise their children. It’s absolutely foundational.” Among the institutions on hand was Tubman, formerly the Harriet Tubman Center, one of 200 members of Homes for All. According to the center, the vast majority of women who seek shelter are victims of domestic violence. Accordingly, the National Network to End Domestic Violence documented as of 2017 that between 22 and 57 percent of homelessness among women is caused by domestic violence. More than 90 percent of homeless women experience severe physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, and 63 percent have been victims of intimate partner violence. In addition, Wilder reported last year that an estimated 6,000 Minnesota youth subsist on the street with almost half of homeless females having had children and 41 percent trying to care for their young without a roof overhead. “Which is why,” said Leff, “we’re advocating for the Homeless Youth Act to provide housing and services for at-risk youth and young adults who, in dangerous situations, are at risk [to become] homeless or are experi-

K’s Revolutionary Catering is offering MSR readers 10 percent off their next group order for 20 people or more now through April 30. For more info, visit bit.ly/2CGLhEu. Interview conducted and edited for clarity by Stephenetta Harmon.

“It’s the system that’s broken, not the people interacting with it.” and perpetuate disparities in poverty, housing, criminal justice, and health care, among other areas. These disparities, in turn, can contribute to more African Americans experiencing homelessness. “Any effort to end homelessness in the United States must address the range of issues that have resulted from racial inequity. This includes assuring affordable, stable housing for all. Systems, programs and individuals that serve people experiencing homelessness should monitor outcomes to eliminate disparities,” according to the Alliance. Leff believes the government’s power structure has let Americans down. “The federal government slashed the HUD budget by about 70 percent back in the ’80s. The modern-day version of homelessness [began] at that point,” she said. “We can trace what we see now back to that point. We are

CheerleaderS Continued from page 1

Northwest Orient Airlines. She now works as an ambassador for Delta Airlines, visiting their headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. to inspire and motivate future flight attendants. Williams has also has been giving back to her community through the years by helping young inner-city girls and working with football camps at McRae Park in South Minneapolis.

end chronic destitution by providing stable, short-term housing and resources. For Leff, it’s about righting the system’s wrongs. “We’re just setting the clock back 30 years,” Leff told the MSR. “There are services and organizations [intervening] in people’s lives, and we need that until we solve this problem. But the root of it is upstream. It’s the system that’s broken, not the people interacting with it. So that’s what we have to address: policy and resources.” To view the 2018 Homeless Study, visit mnhomeless.org. For more info about the MN Homeless Coalition, visit mnhomelesscoalition.org. Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to dhobbes@spokesmanrecorder.com.

er worked for Northenwestem Bell. After retirement in 1995, she volunteered at McRae Park. Edward C. Solomon Park near Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis was named after Harriet’s husband for his outstanding contribution to the Minneapolis park system as a board member and a volunteer at McRae Park. Gwendolyn Morrow Fraction Solomon’s best friend Fraction graduated Minneapolis North High School in 1950. The year prior, in 1949, she became the first African American cheerleader in the state of Minnesota. Upon graduation, she worked for Northwestern Bell and in banking, insurance, and accounting. At age 85, Fraction still volunteers in the community and is known for her beautiful voice. Fraction not only left an indelible impression on Williams, but also her own daughter Cindy, who became a cheerleader for Washburn High School. Cindy graduated in 1983 and is now program director of research at the University of St. Thomas.

Harriet Bowman Solomon A 1951 Central High School graduate, Williams’ mother Solomon was born into a family of athletics and history makers. She watched her brothers play football and other extracurricular activities. Her brother Earl Wesley Bowman attended college on a football scholarship, played baseball at a major university, played semi-pro football, and became the first African American president of Minneapolis Community College. Her other brother, Henry Bowman, was a memThis article has been edited for length, see full stober of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as a Big 10 rery at MSRNewsOnline. Kenneth Foxworth welcomes gional player. reader responses to kennethfoxworth568@msn.com. Harriet wanted to establish her own legacy and accomplished this through cheerleading. She was the first African American cheerleader at Minneapolis Central High in 1950 and lat-

March 28 — April 3, 2019

9

Legals Contract No.19-136 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Sealed proposals will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In the Estate of MARY ANN MILLER , Decedent

Paul at the Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E. Arch Street, St. Paul,

NOTICE OF INFORMAL , APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Minnesota, 55130, for BOILER OPERATION SERVICES until 4:30 PM, Local Time, on April 9, 2019. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on March 28, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., in the Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E Arch Street, St. Paul. All questions arising from this pre-proposal conference will be addressed by addendum, if necessary. Complete sets of bid documents are available by contacting Northstar Imaging, at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, public plan room BOILER OPERATION SERVICES, Contract No. 19-136. Digital downloads are no charge; contact Northstar for hard copy pricing. Proposals must be accompanied by a Non-Collusive Affidavit, Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit, and an Equal Employment Opportunity Form. The successful proposer will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond and separate payment bond. The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the bidding process. AN EQUAL

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-

Notice is hereby given, that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Registrar herein. No will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted. Notice is hereby further given that the informal appointment of Mark Miller, whose address is 6345 ZANE AVENUE NORTH, #104, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55429 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the above-named Decedent, has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to the appointment of the personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative is empowered to fully administer the Estate, including , after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders. Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred Dated: March 8, 2019 Kate Fogarty District Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 14, 21 & 28, 2019

TIM BRAUN

OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

Contract No.19-139

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 28, 2019

Sealed proposals will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at the Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E. Arch Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55130, for APPRENTICE PIPEFITTER SERVICES until 4:30 PM,

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is given that an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar, along with a Will dated April 7, 2004. The Registrar accepted the application and appointed Kristin L. Coyle, whose address is 1255 Alameda St., St. Paul, MN 551 17, to serve as the personal representative 0f the decedent’s estate. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Any objection to the appointment of the personal representative must be filed With the Court, and any properly filed objection will be heard by the Court after notice is provided to interested persons of the date of hearing on the objection. Unless objections are filed, and unless the Court orders otherwise, the personal representative has the full power to administer the estate, including, after thirty (30) days from the issuance of letters testamentary, the power to sell, encumber, lease, 0r distribute any interest in real estate owned by the decedent. Notice is further given that, subj ect to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the decedent’s estate are required to present the claims t0 the personal representative or to the Court within four (4) months after the date 0f this notice or the claims will be barred. Dated: March 22, 2019 Julie Peterson Registrar

Fitz

Continued from page 10

Contract No.19-138 A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on March 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., in the Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E Arch Street, St. Paul. All quesSealed proposals will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint

tions arising from this pre-proposal conference will be addressed by addendum, if

Paul at the Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E. Arch Street, St. Paul,

necessary.

Minnesota, 55130, for JOURNEYMAN PIPEFITTER SERVICES until 4:30 PM, Local Time, on April 9, 2019.

Complete sets of bid documents are available by contacting Northstar Imaging, at

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on March 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., in the

PIPEFITTER SERVICES, Contract No. 19-139. Digital downloads are no

Maintenance Contracts Department Office, 200 E Arch Street, St. Paul. All ques-

charge; contact Northstar for hard copy pricing.

651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, public plan room APPRENTICE

tions arising from this pre-proposal conference will be addressed by addendum, if Proposals must be accompanied by a Non-Collusive Affidavit, Responsible Con-

necessary.

tractor Compliance Affidavit, and an Equal Employment Opportunity Form. The Complete sets of bid documents are available by contacting Northstar Imaging, at

successful proposer will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond and

651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, public plan room JOURNEYMAN

separate payment bond.

PIPEFITTER SERVICES, Contract No. 19-138. Digital downloads are no The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informal-

charge; contact Northstar for hard copy pricing.

ities in the bidding process. Proposals must be accompanied by a Non-Collusive Affidavit, Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit, and an Equal Employment Opportunity Form. The

AN EQUAL

successful proposer will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond and

OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

TIM BRAUN CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGER

separate payment bond.

(651) 292-6082

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 28, 2019

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the bidding process. AN EQUAL

TIM BRAUN

OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGER (651) 292-6082

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 28, 2019

INVITATION TO BID Project: 410 West Lake St Apartments 410 West Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55408

Description: Rental Apartment (111) units

Bidding: On behalf of Developer, Lake Street Apartments LLC, Frana Companies is accepting bids for divisions 1-16 including but not limited to Site Work, Concrete, Masonry, Metals, Carpentry, Thermal & Moisture Protection, Doors & Windows,

To place your legal, probate, housing and employment ads

call the MSR at

612-827-4021

Finishes, Specialties, Furnishings, Special Construction, Elevators, Fire Protection,

3744 4th Ave. South • Minneapolis, MN 55409 Phone: 612-827-4021 • Fax: 612-827-0577

TraCey williams-DillarD

CeCil e. NewmaN

Publisher/CEO

Founder-Publisher 1934-1976

wallaCe (JaCk) JaCkmaN Co-Publisher Emeritus

lauNa Q. NewmaN CEO/Publisher 1976-2000

Norma JeaN williams Vice President Emeritus

Bids Due: SEALED BIDS DUE: Thursday, April 4th 2019 at 4:00pm at Frana Companies. Bid opening is public: EMAIL, PHONE, OR FAX BIDS NOT ACCEPTED Project Manager: Landon Schmitz 952-405-7303 lschmitz@frana.com

Special Notes: 1. This project will include Minneapolis Small and Underutilized Business Program (SUBP) Contracting Goals of 8% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and 8%Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Certifications listed on MNUCP Website http://mnucp.org. The MnUCP list of certified contractors is included in the bid documents dated January 4th, 2019. 2. The Workforce Goals on this project will be 20% of the total project trade hours to be performed by females and 32% of the total project trade hours to be performed 3. Prevailing wage rates are required, and the bid documents include the preliminary wage decision. All subcontractors performing labor hours will be required to submit certified payroll reports using LCP tracker Reporting System on bi-weekly (every other week) basis. 4. Site work is expected to commence May 1st, 2019. A (14) month construction schedule is anticipated. 5. The attached Contractor Profile Form and List of Subcontractor & Suppliers Form is required to be submitted with your bid.

Contributing Writers

Sports Writers

6. This project is not LEED certified, but will be built under MHFA Green Com-

Jerry Freeman

Kenneth Brown Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III Dr. Deirdre Golden Solomon Gustava Charles Hallman Dr. Clarence Hightower Dwight Hobbes Brandon Jones Tony Kiene Nekima Levy-Armstrong Issa A. Mansaray Tammy McIntyre Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Ivan Phifer Nicole Pillow I. Angela Rae James L. Stroud, Jr.

Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald

7. Procedure for Bid Inquiries and Questions:

Stephenetta Harmon

Digital Editor Paige Elliott

Desktop Publisher Laura Poehlman

Editoral Intern Chris Juhn

Distribution Manuel Alvarez

Account Representatives Monisha Washington Cecilia Viel

Opinion Writers Myrle Cooper Ron Edwards Frank Erikson Rev. Irene Monroe Mel Reeves Lucky Rosenbloom

munities Criteria. a. All inquiries must be submitted in writing with reference to specification section and/or drawing.

The project is being financed through the AFL CIO investment funds, therefore

Chris Juhn

unions, affiliated with local building and construction trades council.

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Publications are published every Thursday by the Spokesman-Recorder Publishing Co., Inc. Editorial/Business office is at 3744 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409 POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, P.O. Box 8558, Minneapolis, MN 55408

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:In-state $35 yearly • Outside Minnesota $40 yearly All subscriptions payable in advance.

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

Minnesota, among the eight Big Ten schools that made the NCAAs, had the worst GSR disparity gap — 63 percent for Blacks and 100 percent for Whites, a 37 percent difference. Women college basketball players historically post higher GSRs than their male counterparts, graduating at 92 percent, 11 percent better than the 81 percent for men. Yet the graduation disparity gap between Black and White female players persists as well: It grew five percent from last year, 96 percent for Whites and 88 percent for Blacks,

The entire TIDES report can be found at www.tiedsport.org. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

PreP

Continued from page 10

Plan Review Options: Frana FTP Site:

1. https://frana.sharefile.com 2. Email: franabids@frana.com 3. Password: Franabids1!

Minnesota Newspaper Association • National Newspaper Publishers Association The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Continued from page 10

an eight percent differential. (The U of M women made the WNIT, and Lapchick doesn’t report on the schools that make the field.) “Race remains a continuing academic issue,” Lapchick surmised. Twenty-nine of 64 women’s teams had 100 percent GSRs for both their Black and White players compared to only 16 of 68 men’s teams. Four schools posted both their teams with 100 percent GSRs.

lschmitz@frana.com. 8. AFL – CIO Financing/ Requirements: all on-site labor is required to be performed by workers (members) represented by

Onika Nicole Craven Steve Floyd Travis Lee

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold. com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

b. All inquiries must be submitted to Landon Schmitz, Frana Companies,

Staff Photographer Contributing Photographers

View

Project Assistant: Allie Killion 952-908-2660 akillion@frana.com

Senior Editor Editor in Chief

number-one seed and the home court in the playoffs. The Warriors are the NBA’s highest scoring team at 117 per game and the best shooting team at 48.7 percent from the field. They’re the best passing team with 29.1 assists per game. In the victory over Minnesota, they had 39 that night. Yet, they have been accused by some critics of coasting this season. Winning is not easy even if you do it more than everyone else. I’m a firm believer in making progress, and that means seizing every moment. This year’s team also leads the NBA in blocked shots per game, 6.42, which means they can defend. “We’ve experimented a lot, especially over the last few years,” Curry said. “With different rotations and from year to year, things have changed. “Obviously with the weapons we have, you don’t

really know from night to night how shots are going to come [or] who’s really going to be featured. And that’s the beauty of what we do,” he continued, “highlighting the guy who’s hot and playing within our system on offense. When we’re really dialed in, we’re not forcing anything, and it helps for me to have a flow, make or miss shots but be aggressive.” The Warriors are clearly in position to win it again. They’ve been down this road before.

Mechanical and Electrical.

by minorities.

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER

Dated: March 22, 2019 Sarah Lindahl-Pfieffer Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, March 28, April 4 & 11, 2019

Local Time, on April 9, 2019.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-19-345

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

MANAGER (651) 292-6082

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In the Estate of CLARA CAROLINE SWEENEY, Decedent

4. Direct Link to Project: https://frana.sharefile.com/d-s99a8d05e275426fa Frana Companies:

633 2nd Ave. S, Hopkins, MN 55343 Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm Please contact Allie Killion, Project Assistant, by email at akillion@frana.com to order a Flash Drive with PDF Plans & Specs for no $0. EQUAL HOUSING & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY-

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 14, 21 & 28 , 2019

in 1986. Older brother Riley Dearring starred at Minnetonka and was a Mr. Basketball finalist in 2013. Minnehaha Academy forward Naveah Galloway’s father Angelo Dungey starred at St. Paul Central from 19982000, and her grandfather is retired St. Paul Central athletic director Nate Galloway. Gary New, teammate Avery New’s father, was a standout in football and basketball, leading St. Paul Central to a victory in the third-place game of the state boys’ basketball tournament in 1986. Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

10

March 28 — April 3, 2019

S

HERE COME THE WARRIORS — AGAIN

ports fans have grown accustomed to comparing the excitement of today’s game with yesterday’s, with great player and team comparisons like, “Is LeBron James better than Michael Jordan?” or “Is Jordan better than Bill Russell?” The Minneapolis Lakers back in the 1950s won four NBA titles in five years. The Boston Celtics during the 1960s also won four NBA titles in five years. Are any teams today comparable to these greats? During the Jordan years in the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls won six NBA titles. Twice they won three years in a row, but not since the Lakers and Celtics has an NBA team won four NBA titles in five years. The 2018-19 Warriors return

to Minneapolis on Friday; they have won 50 or more games six years in a row. With less than 10 games remaining, they are gearing up for another title run. They are going for their third title in a row and fourth in five years. Coach Steve Kerr could join coaches John Kundla and Red Auerbach as the only NBA coaches to achieve such a feat. Superstar Stephen Curry averages 28 points a game, third in the NBA in scoring. On March 19 at Target Center, in a 117-107 win over the Timberwolves, he scored 36 points, 22 of them in the third quarter. When he gets in the Curry zone, he sometimes does a little dance shimmy. “There is no criteria,” said Curry of this move.

“Sometimes I immediately regret it after I do it, but that happens from time to time. When you’re having fun and get it going, especially in a quarter, you just have fun.” The Warriors a few years ago won an NBA-record 73 games in the regular season. Curry was the MVP that year. He is regarded as the greatest long-range shooting guard in NBA history. He’s made more three-point shots in one season than any player in history. In fact, he is the reason most NBA teams are attempting and making more long-range three-point shots. The Warriors are loaded. Kevin Durant averages 27.4 points per game and was the NBA Finals MVP the last two years. Curry and Klay Thompson are called “the splash brothers” because of their long-range shooting ability. Thompson averages

Sports odds and ends By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer A group of University of Minnesota students studying event management are getting hands-on experience working with the Men’s Final Four. Event Management in Sport is a graduate-level class that has been meeting every Wednesday evening this semester. Along with a required reading list and submitting short papers, the nearly 30 students, thanks to a partnership with the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four, are connecting “theory to practice” for a better understanding of what it takes to put on such a large-scale sporting event. “If [the class] wasn’t partnered with the Final Four, we would still look at similar content as far as marketing and planning events,” Instructor Dr. Vicki Schull told the MSR in her Cooke Hall campus office. She taught a similar class

last year at Mankato State in which her students worked with Super Bowl volunteers at the same Vikings Stadium where the Final Four will be held in a couple of weeks. The seven-course objectives include creating and implementing a volunteer management plan for the Final Four.

Draymond Green and Stephen Curry celebrate a win. 22.4 points a game. Then there’s Draymond Green, who does virtually everything for the War-

Photo courtesy of Larry-Fitzgerald.com

riors — he rebounds, defends, passes, sets screens and scores. The Warriors are battling

Denver and Houston in the rugged Western Conference for the ■ See Fitx on page 9

Final Four a lesson in large-event planning “This class is offering a little bit more,” Schull explained. Her students are serving as Final Four “point guards” working with volunteers. “This is much more experience-based, so their grades [nearly 70 percent] are based on training the volunteers,” the professor said. An estimated 1,000-plus volunteers participated in an orientation session Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena

noted that the group is diverse as well: “Asian to Latino to African American [and] Native [American].” Her was among the event’s scheduled speakers who included top officials from the school’s athletic department, the NCAA, and others who spoke to her class, Schull said. “With this class, we are more integrated with behindthe-scenes [hands-on experience] and

nal Four is one of the bigger events.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder. com.

“This class is offering a little bit more. It is much more experience-based.”

Dr. Vicki Schull

and the Gopher football stadium. “We have 2,000 volunteers,” said Sheila Her of the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC). “We have people of all ages, 18 to 80-plus, people from all over Minnesota, the U.S. We even have someone coming from Australia.” She

Legacies prevaLent at state tournaments

played with power and guard, teammate and classState champions intensity, and sharp- mate on the same team. Minnehaha AcadHopkins point guard Jalen shooting freshman emy (Class AA), guard Donavon Smith Dearring’s father Darren DeDeLaSalle (Class had me flashing back to arring led DeLaSalle to a runAA) and Hopner-up finish in 1992 and was the mid-1990s. kins (Class AAAA) Johnson’s father Mr. Basketball finalist that brought home basketball titles from PreP Scene Dridge Johnson was year. His uncle Michael Dean all-state player as a arring — a Mr. Basketball fithe girls’ and boys’ Dr. mitChell tournaments re- Palmer mCDonalD senior forward for St. nalist in 1987 — starred at St. Paul Humboldt in 1995. Paul Central, leading them to spectively while Joe Smith, Donavon’s a third-place Class AA finish continuing legacies dad, was a dynamic point that reach back in time. ■ See PreP on page 9 After covering my 32nd boys’ and girls’ state basketball tournaments the past two weeks, here are a few such legacies that come to mind. DeLaSalle Coach Travis Bledsoe, a Mr. Basketball finalist in 2005, led his alma mater to the Class 3A state title. While forward Jalen Travis was leading his team to the state crown last week, his brother Reid Travis — who accomplished the same feat three times from 20122014 and earned McDonald All-American honors — was leading Kentucky to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Travis Bledsoe (clapping hands) encourages his team during tournament. Minnehaha Academy the Class 3A state boys’ basketball championship game. Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald guards Kaden Johnson, who

learning from industry professionals.” With Minnesota slated to host more such large-scale events in the next few years, Schull said similar classes could well be offered in the future. “I definitely would like to see it continued. I think it might be scaled back, [because] the Fi-

Sheila Her

Photos by Charles Hallman

COME READY TO

Black-White grad gap shrinks While countless Americans bemoaned their busted brackets on the road to the Final Four that winds up here in Minneapolis next week, two elCharles ephant-in-the-room hallman issues still get overlooked annually: The players still don’t get a dime of Richard Lapchick the millions they generate, and MSR file photo the graduation disparity gaps between Black and White male mind us of the latter issue. The TIDES graduation rates and female basketball players report on this year’s NCAA still exist. Thank goodness Richard men’s and women’s tournament Lapchick and his team at The In- teams released last week showed stitute for Diversity and Ethics that overall Graduation Success in Sport (TIDES) stay true to re- Rates (GSRs) for Black male play-

ANOTHER

VIEW

ers is up five percent (from 74 to 79 percent) from a year ago, but overall GSRs for Whites also increased three percent (from 78 to 81 percent) at the same time. The report also points out that the GSR gap between Black and White players has decreased four percent (from 17 to 13). Nonetheless, the disparity still exists. “[This is] the smallest gap recorded between graduation rates of White and African American male basketball student-athletes since we started issuing the reports more than 16 years ago,” Lapchick wrote in his executive summary. ■ See View on page 9

INTERACTIVE GAMES, AUTOGRAPHS, FREE OPEN TEAM PRACTICES & SO MUCH MORE A P R I L

5 - 8

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N C A A . C O M / F I N A L F O U R

NCA A and Final Four are trademarks owned by the National Collegiate Athletic A ssociation.