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Better late than never Congress honors Black female WWII unit
unit formed during World War II, are shown during an inspection in an undated Department of Defense photo.
Minnesotans join worldwide May Day call for worker justice
By Chris Juhn Contributor
ore than 4,000 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday evening May 1 to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, joining one of more than 1,000 labor protests across the United States and hundreds more around the globe. Braving cold and rainy conditions, protesters from more than 50 co-sponsoring organizations — including labor unions, immigrant rights groups, civil rights organizations, and youth activists — called for improved working conditions, fair wages, and stronger protections for marginalized workers.
The event in St. Paul was one of many held globally on May 1, a date that commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, where a peaceful rally for the eight-hour workday turned deadly. In the years since, May Day has become a symbolic date for labor movements worldwide, honoring both victories and sacrifices made in pursuit of economic justice.
“May Day is not just about the past — it’s about today,” said Dieu Do, an organizer with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). “I’m a child of working-class
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
hen the boycott against Target over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) initiatives took root in Minnesota this past February, it felt like more than just a political statement — it was a thunderclap. For many Black Minnesotans, it was the first time in years that collective power had manifested in such a clear, righteous form.
But as the movement gained steam, a different kind of tension bubbled beneath the surface.
At the heart of the boycott is a coalition supported and organized by longtime civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, founder of the Racial Justice Network. Together with other grassroots organizers, includ-
ing Monique Cullars-Doty, aunt to Saint Paul Police murder victim Marcus Golden and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, the coalition called on Target to reinstate its DEI commitments and live up to its post-George Floyd promises to invest in Black communities.
“This is the first time in a long time we’ve seen our community feel like they have a voice and collective power,” said Levy Armstrong. “We knew going in [that] this is going to be a big deal.”
That sense of momentum galvanized local protests, widespread support, and national attention. But it also opened the door to high-profile personalities entering the movement without, according to local leaders, proper coordination or respect.
Among the most contentious developments was the
By Fernanda Figueroa and Matt Brown
he only Black, allfemale unit to serve in Europe during World War II, known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was honored April 29 with the Congressional Gold Medal, following a long-running campaign to recognize their efforts.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was credited with solving a growing mail crisis during its stint in England and, upon their return, serving as a role model to generations of Black women who joined the military. They cleared out a backlog of about 17 million pieces of mail in three months, twice as fast as projected. The battalion would go on to serve in France before returning home.
In 2022, Congress voted 422-0 to bestow its highest honor on the 6888th. At a ceremony held in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol’s visitor center, House Speaker Mike Johnson presented the medal to the family of the unit commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. More than 300 descendants of the women who served in the battalion were present in the crowd.
“This ceremony reflects one of the highest and most cherished traditions of our republic, one thats roots stretch back all the way to General George Washington,” Johnson said.
“The Six Triple Eight are great American patriots, loyal to a nation that, for far too long, failed to return the favor. And I’m glad to say that’s changing,
And like many Black units during World War II, their exploits never got the attention afforded their White counterparts — until now.
■ See SIX TRIPLE EIGHT on page 3
Parole hearing raises concerns over wrongful conviction, rehabilitation
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
fter serving 27 years for the 1998 murder of 77-year-old Ann Prazniak, Bryan Hooper Sr. appeared before the Minnesota Board of Commissioners on April 29 to request a move to a lower security facility and eventual release. Throughout the parole hearing, Hooper maintained his long-standing claim of innocence, a position that has fueled growing community support and renewed scrutiny of the criminal justice system.
Hooper, who is incarcerated at the Minnesota Department of Corrections in Stillwater, participated in the hearing alongside his son and advocate, Bryan Hooper Jr. “I’m not supposed to be here,” Hooper told the commissioners. “I’ve already served enough time for something I did not do.” He added that despite the weight of his conviction, he remains committed to moving forward with his life, expressing hope to reunite with his family and contribute to society.
While the Board’s role does not include exoneration decisions, the commissioners evaluated Hooper’s readiness for reentry based on
■ See PAROLE on page 5 Raj Seku
arrival of Atlanta-based pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Initially, Levy Armstrong had worked to connect Bryant with local clergy.
“[Jamal Bryant] asked me to connect him with Twin Cities
ministers,” she explained. “I did that in good faith. But now, after everything, I wouldn’t want those same people following his leadership.
“I got a call from Tamika [Mallory] basically saying that Jamal Bryant was going to be
launching a Target fast for 40 days. I’m like, well, why was he doing a fast instead of a boycott?”
That fast eventually became TargetFast.org, which evolved into what the website now states is a boycott, a campaign
with its own branding, demands and messaging, much of which, Levy Armstrong said, mirrored efforts already underway in Minnesota.
The website also thanks
150,000 people — influencers, business owners, pastors — who have supported the website or the “Target-fast.”
“[Why would] he set up a website, because none of this got discussed in the coalition meeting,” she said. “It was like her [Tamika Mallory] having a sidebar conversation with me passing along the information. I’m just hearing all of this and just wondering, what is really going on here?” Levy Armstrong recalled visiting the website and noticing key omissions. “It doesn’t mention the fact that there was already an ongoing boycott that had started on February 1st and that it was
In this image provided courtesy of the National Archives, members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an allfemale, all-Black
Community member Alissa Washington chants for labor rights. Photos courtesy of Chris Juhn/MSR
Target made its first-ever donation to a presidential inauguration by contributing $1 million to President Donald Trump’s 2025 Inaugural Committee. Public domain
Metro
Walker|West celebrates its new Rondo home
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
A new era has begun for Walker|West Music Academy. On a sunny spring afternoon last week, the beloved Rondo-based institution opened its doors to the public for a ribbon-cutting and celebration at its brand-new home, located at 650 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul.
The grand opening event drew students, alumni, community members, and local leaders alike to honor Walker|West’s 36-year legacy and to witness a milestone: The academy now owns a building designed for its mission, securing its future as a cultural and educational anchor in the historically Black neighborhood.
“It’s strictly for us,” said cofounder Reverend Carl Walker, standing proudly in the bright, window-lined lobby during the celebration. “We have now gone from a leased space to one that we own and one that is indicative of our style, the African American style.”
“It’s not a building that we tried to make into a music school,” said co-founder Grant West alongside his longtime music partner. “It’s a music school that was designed as a music school. That’s the big difference.”
Founded in 1988 by Rev. Walker and fellow musician West, Walker|West began with one piano and a shared vision.
“Grant taught the right hand, I taught the left,” Walker laughed,
ering areas lined with artwork, creating an atmosphere that invited both learning and connection. For many, the transformation was a powerful moment of reflection and celebration.
One alum, who began at Walker|West as a teenager working the front desk, was visibly moved. “It’s perfect,” she said. “I could literally cry. It’s long overdue. Even back then, you could tell it was a magical place — and now it has a space that reflects that magic.”
recalling how they first brought their piano students together in a duplex on Hague Avenue.
Over the years, they grew into a nationally recognized institution with an unwavering commitment to Black musical excellence.
The journey has been anything but easy. The academy spent decades in rented spaces, including its longtime home at 777 Selby Avenue, which had once been a barbecue restaurant. “It had years and years of grease in the carpeting,” West remembered.
“But people from the community brought in plants, wallpaper, paint, and transformed it.”
That community effort was a vital part of Walker|West’s enduring success. Despite the rough exterior of the Selby corridor in the 1990s, the school became a refuge. “It was a sacred space for the block,” Walker
said. Inside, students of all ages found joy, discipline and belonging through music.
The new facility sits on a site with its own unique history. It was once home to BrownJohnson Elementary, a parochial school that closed in the 1970s. The building later became a corporate office before being acquired by Walker|West in 2021. With the help of supporters, city and state funds, and a community-driven capital campaign, the building has been fully transformed into a vibrant hub for music and culture.
That same spirit was on full display at last week’s grand opening. Inside the new facility, the buzz of the public mingled with the sound of jazz pouring from a live student ensemble.
Attendees explored sunlit classrooms, music studios, and gath-
Walker|West’s new facility includes more than just classrooms and music studios. The academy’s expanded offerings include not only music lessons and ensemble opportunities but also more room for community events, student showcases, and cultural programming rooted in African American traditions. The facility is a space where individuals can immerse themselves in both the history and future of Black music and culture.
“It’s more than brick and mortar. It’s a home for our culture, our creativity, and our future.”
“This is the result of people believing in us,” Walker said, looking around at the vibrant celebration. “We’ve had students from all over, from right here in Rondo to Elk
Capitol rally demands end to forced prison labor
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
The Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee hosted a rally Thursday at the State Capitol to demand an end to forced labor in the state’s correctional institutions.
The rally, dubbed “End Slavery Day on the Hill,” gathered hundreds of participants in a call for change. The six-hour event aimed to raise awareness about the exploitation of incarcerated workers in Minnesota, with a focus on pressuring lawmakers to pass the 2025 Bill to End Slavery in Minnesota.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten and Rep. Cedrick Frazier, seeks to reclassify prisoners as workers with the right to employment, thereby ending forced labor practices in correctional facilities. As of the rally, more than 370 people had responded to the event on Facebook, reflecting growing momentum behind the movement for fair labor conditions for incarcerated individuals.
The rally is part of a larger national and global conversation about prison labor. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), alongside the American Civil Liberties Union and the University of Chicago’s Global Human Rights Clinic, has raised concerns about the United States’ ongoing violations of international labor standards.
Although more than 30 years ago the U.S. ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 105, which prohibits forced labor, the country continues to engage in prison labor practices that conflict with the treaty’s principles.
A report from the ITUC to the ILO highlights the historical and racial roots of prison labor, draw-
ing parallels to post-Civil War convict leasing programs. Under laws such as the Black Codes, Black men were disproportionately arrested and subjected to brutal labor conditions. The legacy of those systems persists today in the form of unpaid or underpaid prison labor, which disproportionately affects people of color.
These systems echo early 20th-century chain gangs, where incarcerated individuals — primarily Black men — were forced to work on public projects while shackled together. Today, prison labor still benefits state governments and private companies. In some cases, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, incarcerated people were compelled to work in dangerous conditions, such as staffing mobile morgues in Texas, for as little as $2 per hour.
zier’s support is seen as critical to the bill’s success, and its passage would mark a major milestone for incarcerated workers and their allies.
At the rally, civil rights advocate Nekima Levy Armstrong delivered a passionate speech to the crowd. “It’s somebody’s birthday and you get those big red balloons. Those balloons of ten have been made inside of our prisons with multimillion-dollar contracts of people working for little to nothing — people who have children to support,” she said.
Students and activists have criticized the partnership, pointing to wages as low as 25 cents per hour for incarcerated workers, while MINNCOR executives earn more than $100,000 annually.
River. People came because they heard about the work we’re doing.” And now, for the first time in its history, the academy has a permanent home that reflects the excellence of that work.
Later this summer, the academy will unveil its next major addition: a 200-seat concert hall located just around the corner.
“We anticipate it being ready around August,” said Walker. A concert grand piano made by a Black piano maker — the only one of its kind in the U.S. — will grace the new performance venue. Walker says this addition represents a bold step forward for the academy, creating even more opportunities for performances, cultural programming, and showcasing the next generation of musicians.
The grand opening also featured an emotional moment as longtime supporter Reverend Walker shared his thoughts on the significance of the new space. “This building stands as a testament to the community that built it,” he said. “It’s more than brick and mortar. It’s a home for our culture, our creativity, and our future.”
nearly 37% of the state’s prison population.
“I’m proud to be a part of a community that is organized today,” Levy Armstrong said. “The U of M was using MINNCOR Industries for their labor services, and guess what? They showed up to meetings and told them enough was enough. You need to cancel this contract.”
She continued, “And because the University of Minnesota didn’t want that smoke, they canceled the contract. Because people are organizing — they mean business.” The crowd roared as congressional staff observed from above the Capitol rotunda.
“This didn’t happen by chance. This didn’t happen through osmosis,” Levy Armstrong said.
“This happened intentionally — to keep certain people enslaved within the walls of the criminal justice system.”
The atmosphere was elec-
Despite the building’s newness, the mission of Walker|West remains unchanged. “This place belongs to the community,” said West. “It’s for everybody. It’s a place where we remember who we are — and imagine who we can become.”
The facility is now not only a music school but also a cultural beacon in the heart of St. Paul.
“We’ve had several former students walk through these doors and cry,” Walker recalled. “They said, ‘This is what we needed back then—and now we have it.’” His words reflect the deep emotional bond that the academy has built with its students and alumni over the years.
For Walker|West, the opening of this building marks the beginning of a new chapter, one rooted in the same commitment to excellence and community that has defined its past. “This is for us,” said West, surveying the lively crowd. “This is for the people who believed in us before we even had a building, and it’s for the people who will keep this place alive for generations to come.”
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com.
and the state accountable. Some participants, fueled by anger over systemic injustice, used explicit language to emphasize their outrage.
“I’ve seen the damage that has been done by the criminal justice system for generations,” said Tanya, a community elder holding a sign that read, “Abolish Slavery.” “Today, we’re saying enough is enough. We’re not going to sit by and let our brothers, sisters and our children be treated like commodities. This system was built on the backs of our people, and it’s time to tear it down.” Minnesota’s legislative efforts are part of a broader national movement to end prison labor exploitation. With growing support from lawmakers, advocates and communities, organizers hope Minnesota will set a new standard for incarcerated workers’ rights across the United States.
The ITUC’s submission to the ILO calls for urgent reforms, including the elimination of coerced prison labor, fair wages for incarcerated workers, and the extension of labor protections behind bars. The movement aims to align U.S. practices with international standards and dismantle the racial and economic inequities rooted in the prison labor system.
In Minnesota, the push for reform is gaining traction. MIWOC has played a leading role in advocating for legislative change. The rally on May 1 was an opportunity to raise awareness, with attendees urging lawmakers to take immediate action. Sen. Verbeten and Rep. Fra-
“These companies are getting rich on the people who have been disenfranchised, marginal ized, treated as less than human. Somebody say, ‘That ain’t right!’”
The crowd responded, “That ain’t right!”
“You know these companies don’t care about us, so we need to start caring about us,” Arm strong continued.
Levy Armstrong also called at tention to MINNCOR Industries, a state-run program within the Minnesota Department of Cor rections. According to mn.gov, MINNCOR provides job training and employment for incarcer ated individuals.
The University of Minnesota has purchased goods and ser vices from MINNCOR, including furniture and laundry services.
Community youth and alumni gather at the Grand Opening of Walker West’ new facility located on Marshall Ave. in Saint Paul Photos courtesy of Aria Binns-Zager/MSR
Founders musician Grant West (r) and Reverend Carl Walker in their new outdoor facility
Health
At Turning Point, ‘We’re gonna love on you’
Sponsored by
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
Addiction is often misunderstood as a moral failing. But at Turning Point, a culturally specific recovery center in North Minneapolis, it’s treated as what it truly is: a chronic disease rooted in trauma and pain.
“It’s impulsiveness to feel different, to escape pain,” said Byron Jeffrey, a former client turned counselor. “It might start as fun, but it grows into something that takes over your life.”
For nearly 49 years, Turning Point has been a trusted space for African Americans seeking freedom from addiction.
Founded by Dr. Peter Hayden to serve Black men in Minnesota, the organization has since evolved into a broader healing hub, led today in part by Clinical Director Omika Johnson.
“When I came into the building, I could feel something in the walls,” Johnson recalled.
“There’s a warm, family-like essence here. It felt like the place I needed to be.”
Both Jeffrey and Johnson agree: To treat addiction effectively, you must understand its roots. “People don’t wake up wanting to be addicts,” Jeffrey said.
“Addiction comes from trauma — childhood abandonment, systemic oppression, a lack of love and safety. It’s a disease of the mind that impacts the whole body.”
Johnson adds that recovery requires long-term, culturally
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and we’re doing that here today,” the House speaker continued.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered remarks alongside the lawmakers who co-sponsored the legislation
relevant support. “We don’t just treat someone for 90 days and send them on their way.
That’s not how healing works,” she said. “Addiction affects every aspect of a person’s life, so we have to walk with them long after treatment ends.”
Turning Point’s care begins with its 90-day residential inpatient program at its main campus on Plymouth Avenue, where clients live and receive programming on-site. Services include group therapy, medical appointments, and access to an in-house mental health practitioner.
After the initial treatment phase, clients transition to sober living at Miss B’s House, located on 16th Avenue North, while continuing outpatient
enabling the medal. At least two dozen members of Congress were in attendance.
“While representation is important, it is important after excellence,” Stanley Earley III, the son of the battalion’s commander, said during the event.
“These soldiers exemplified determination in the face of adversity and demonstrated the ability to go beyond what was thought to be possible. They overcame major obstacles to perceived success and made a substantial difference
services at the main location for four to six months.
“You can’t treat addiction in our community without being part of the community.”
Once clients complete outpatient treatment, they can join the alumni group, which meets regularly with peer recovery coaches. “These are people who’ve graduated but still need a place to check in and be supported,” Johnson explained. “They’re out there living life, but they know they
to the army. They serve as an inspiring role model for young soldiers entering service today, and they are true examples of American excellence,” Earley added.
Kim Guise, senior curator and director of curatorial affairs at the National WWII Museum, said there are only two women still living from the 855 who served in the unit.
“That really shows how long this recognition took,” Guise said. “It is really important to
in the systems with what we offer in here,” Johnson said.
“We’re preparing people to thrive outside these walls.”
And the work doesn’t stop at the door.
“For Earth Day, our clients were out cleaning up the North Side. Our CEO was out there too,” said Johnson.
“We’re not above doing the work this community needs to heal. We’re a part of it.”
Both Johnson and Jeffrey emphasize how representation transforms outcomes.
“When someone walks in and sees staff who look like them — who’ve been through what they’ve been through — it builds trust,” Jeffrey said.
“You can’t treat addiction in our community without being part of the community.”
And that, they say, is the power of Turning Point: It doesn’t just treat addiction — it treats people with care, context and commitment.
“We’re gonna love on you,” Jeffrey said. “A lot of our folks come in with abandonment issues and no support system. That’s what we offer — love, guidance and accountability.”
For more information, visit www.ourturningpoint.org.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@ spokesman-recorder.com.
can come back here when they need us.”
An outpatient program for women is also being relaunched in May, expanding Turning Point’s impact.
“All of our services are rooted in recovery, but also in safety and visibility,” said Johnson. “We want our clients to feel seen and supported as they move into the next chapters of their lives.”
Turning Point also collaborates with Hennepin County and local professionals to deliver cultural health lectures, host mental health groups, and create wellness education tailored to African American experiences.
“Our goal is to integrate the things happening out there
recognize the accomplishments of these women and what they went through to serve their country in wartime.”
Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore, who co-sponsored the legislation to award the medal, called it long overdue.
“This ceremony is a fitting end to a long journey to make sure that we do not forget their service,” said Moore, who represents one of the
recounted meeting five of the battalion members in 2018, “but I do know that the work they did made it possible for millions of young men like my dad to keep up the fight.”
Moran co-sponsored the Gold Medal legislation in the Senate.
“When these women returned home, there was no parade to greet them. No one lined the streets to thank them for their service. That
“The Six Triple Eight are great American patriots, loyal to a nation that, for far too long, failed to return the favor.”
two living members of the battalion. “They did it for the love of country.
“The story reminds us so much that while there’s much that divides our country today, there’s even more than joins us together, like a commitment to service, a commitment to doing something bigger than yourself, to live and volunteer, to go into service in a war zone, even in the face of segregation at home,” said Moore.
“I don’t know if any of the letters between my mom and dad passed through the hands of the Six Triple Eight,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, who
ain’t right. And we’re trying to correct it today,” the Kansas Republican continued.
“It’s overwhelming,” retired Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, who lives in Arizona, told The AP after the vote.
“It’s something I never even thought about.” McClendon joined the Air Force after the military was integrated and retired in 1971. She was the first female to command an all-male squadron with the Strategic Air Command.
The 6888th was sent overseas in 1945, a time when there was growing pressure from African American organizations to include Black
women in what was called the Women’s Army Corps, and allow them to join their White counterparts overseas.
“They kept hollering about wanting us to go overseas, so I guess they found something for us to do overseas: Take care of the mail,” McClendon said. “And there was an awful lot of mail. They expected we were gonna be there about two or three months trying to get it straightened out. Well, I think in about a month, in a month and a half, we had it all straightened out and going in the right direction.”
The 6888th toiled around the clock, processing about 65,000 pieces of mail in each of the three shifts. They created a system using locator cards with service members’ names and unit numbers to ensure mail was delivered.
Over the years, the unit’s story started to gain wider recognition. A monument was erected in 2018 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to honor them, and the 6888th was given the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019. A documentary “The Six Triple Eight” was made about their exploits. In 2024, Tyler Perry directed a movie for Netflix about the unit, starring Kerry Washington.
Director of Treatment Omika Johnson with colleague and Outreach Manager Woodrow Jefferson
Photos courtesy of Kiara Williams/MSR
By Kiara Williams Staff Writer
For Natalia Davis, entrepreneurship isn’t just a career choice — it’s a family legacy and a personal calling. As the owner of Hotworx Union Park, a 24-hour infrared fitness studio located in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, Davis is merging her passion for community health, family values, and generational entrepreneurship into a project that’s already impacting lives.
“I grew up watching my mom, Carolyn Lane, run her own boutique in Houston, Texas,” Davis said. “Entrepreneurship is in our blood.”
Her mother’s boutique, “Cartier Boutique,” catered to churchgoing women, outfitting them with fine hats and suits — an experience Davis credits with teaching her business fundamentals early on.
But it wasn’t just her upbringing that shaped her.
Davis’ husband Malik, a St. Paul firefighter and entrepreneur, brought his own rich legacy of Black entrepreneurship to their family. In addition to their Hotworx venture, the couple own multiple homes throughout the city. Davis is also the founder of a youth wellness initiative called “Take A Breath,” teaching emotional regulation and stress reduction techniques to young people.
Davis’ path to opening Hotworx was deeply personal. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 13 years ago, she became committed to staying mobile and active through diet and exercise.
When she discovered Hotworx’s infrared workouts — which combine saunas, isometric exercise, and virtual instruction — it changed her life. The reduction in inflammation, improved mobility, and overall sense of wellness convinced her that this model could transform the health of others in her community as well.
After three years as a member at another Hotworx location, Davis and her husband decided to open their own franchise, bringing the concept to St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood — an area rich
with history but still recovering from years of economic disinvestment.
Opening Hotworx Midway wasn’t easy, and there were times Davis, a woman of strong faith, questioned if her dream was in God’s will. While construction went smoothly thanks to a reliable contractor, Davis and her team hit an unexpected roadblock: a St. Paul ordinance that prohibited 24-hour, unstaffed gyms — a major component of the Hotworx model.
Apartments, providing quality affordable housing for 40 years.
“We’re honored to be part of bringing business and vitality back to this area,” Davis said. “This intersection was once the busiest, most vibrant in the Twin Cities. I want to be part of that renaissance.”
Future developments across the street, including a hotel, restaurants, and public spaces, promise to amplify that impact. For Davis, success isn’t measured solely by profits or numbers. It’s about family, faith and service.
“Success for me is my kids seeing us fight through challenges,” she said. “It’s being able to go to Central High School tomorrow to teach students about how to regulate their stress response. It’s knowing that our elders, students and neighbors are walking into Hotworx and walking out healthier.”
Instead of giving up, Davis partnered with the Department of Safety and Inspections and the St. Paul City Council to rewrite the ordinance, a process that took nearly a year and culminated in a successful amendment in early 2025.
“There were moments it got scary,” Davis recalled. “But our kids watched us fight through it. They saw us working late nights, sitting at city council meetings, and never giving up.
That alone felt like success to me.”
Throughout the process, Davis and her small team — including students from nearby universities like St. Thomas — staffed the gym manually, maintaining operations and ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for members.
Since officially opening in December 2024, Hotworx Midway has grown to nearly 290 members, many of whom
are residents from the surrounding neighborhood.
“We’re helping people with lupus, MS, high blood pressure — people who just want to feel better,” Davis said. “Especially in communities of color, where chronic illness is so prevalent, this space is about more than fitness. It’s about longevity and health equity.”
Davis emphasizes affordable membership options to make wellness accessible. Ear-
ly members locked in lifetime rates as low as $39 a month.
Family members can join for 50% off.
“This isn’t about making fitness elitist,” Davis said. “It’s about making health possible for everyone.”
The Davis family’s commitment to revitalizing the area aligns with a deep history of Black excellence and resilience in St. Paul. Davis’ inlaws owned Malcolm Shabazz
Above all, Davis stresses doing what you love and trusting in something greater. “If you can, don’t chase the money. Chase your purpose,” she advised aspiring entrepreneurs. “Pray about it. Ask God to guide you. The money will follow when you’re walking in your purpose.”
For more information, visit www.hotworx.net.
Kiara welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@spokesman-recorder.com.
Franchise owners Natalia and Malik Davis at their Hotworx location
Snelling Ave. N.
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immigrants, and that’s what brought me out here. We’re still fighting many of the same battles.”
Among the featured speakers was Marsha Howard, president of the teaching chapter of MFT Local 59, who urged the crowd to recognize their collective power. “I need you to think about your neighbor and your co-worker,” Howard said.
“The immigrants we are talking about are your neighbor. They are your co-worker. They are the schoolchildren that go to school with your children.”
Quoting civil rights activist
Angela Davis, Howard added: “If they come for me in the morning, they’ll be coming for you at night. History will judge us. Where will you be when someone looks back and sees your photo in a history book? Will they see you on the right side?”
Sarah Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, emphasized the ongoing fight for fair contracts in the airline industry.
“United Airlines flight atten-
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risk assessments, behavioral history, and program participation. Some members of the board raised concerns about perceived unresolved anger and past conflicts while incar-
dants are fighting for an industry-leading contract,” she said.
“Our union is also fighting a greedy business model that pays some flight attendants 45% less for doing the same job. Meanwhile, 29,000 Delta flight attendants are organizing for their first union contract.”
“Social
“Our fight is the same as the entire working class,” Nelson continued. “Social justice is tied directly to economic justice. And it’s time we exercise
years from now. In a phone interview following the hearing, Hooper expressed disappointment at the Board’s framing of his behavior. “They say I’m aggressive and angry, but I haven’t hurt nobody in 27 years under this situation,” he said. He also addressed the incident referenced by the board
cerated. Others acknowledged that Hooper had applied for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and had taken steps to prepare for reintegration, including requesting a transfer to a medium-security facility. Ultimately, the Board voted to approve Hooper’s transfer to the Lionell Lakes facility, with a review set for three
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launched in the Twin Cities, where Target is headquartered,” she said.
“So I thought that was weird. And I’m wondering, if we’re in a coalition, why wouldn’t you reference the fact that your coalition partners already launched a boycott?”
involving a potential altercation when Hooper refused to participate in a work strike within the penitentiary. “I didn’t attack anyone — I had a stick near me for protection after threats were made,” Hooper said. “That was it.”
Responding to concerns about substance use, Hooper stated that he was sober at
one who is historically marginalized that DEI benefits.”
Despite their measured tone, both leaders expressed disillusionment with how the campaign had been reshaped in the national spotlight.
“Someone had shared our media release with them,” said Cullars-Doty. “And then they wanted to meet with Nekima and she freely shared, not gatekeeping it off. I guess they decided to take it and run with it.
“We want people to be in-
“During the Civil Rights Movement there were disagreements, but leaders knew when to hash that out privately and present a unified front.”
Cullars-Doty reinforced the legitimacy and scope of the local effort. “We simply wrote the press release, sent it out, then we had the launch,” she said. “We started the National Target Boycott. We talked about LGBTQ, BIPOC, disabled people, veterans, every-
volved. We want people to really take the Target boycott seriously,” she continued. “But I always say it is important to stand in integrity and give credit where credit is due.”
Levy Armstrong emphasized that the criticism wasn’t about ego, but about ensuring
downtown St. Paul, led by a group of sixth graders who chanted through a microphone. Their words echoed through the wet streets: “What’s disgusting? Union busting! What’s outrageous? Poverty wages!”
Minnesota’s labor landscape
our power — together.”
Among those in the crowd was Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, whose birthday falls on May 1. Before entering politics, Pérez-Vega was an artist and activist. Protesters sang her “Happy Birthday” in Spanish before she took the microphone.
“I’m proud to stand here in my district,” she said. “When I was a little girl, my cousins were cleaning the skyways downtown. You are one tribe — the engine. Whether you’re contracted as custodians, builders, nurses or teachers, you power this state.”
Following the speeches, the crowd marched for more than two and a half miles through
the time of his arrest and has remained drug-free in prison. “I’ve had opportunities to use drugs in here, but I haven’t,” he said. “They say all kinds of stuff that don’t make sense.”
Supporters who attended the hearing expressed frustration at the tone of the interrogation and the broader implications of Hooper’s incarceration. Brianna Hooper, his daughter, said the process felt dehumanizing. “They want to determine someone’s character in an hour,” she said. “Wouldn’t you be angry if you were wrongfully stuck in a cage?”
Brianna and her brother, Bryan Jr., described their father as a source of strength and guidance, even from behind bars. Bryan Jr., now an educator and doctoral student, credited his father’s support for helping him recover from his own trauma. “Even from prison, he’s been the most supportive person in my life,” he said.
Raj Seku, a community leader present at the hearing, criticized the process as emotionally ungrounded. “It’s not a commission that’s set up to help the community,” he said. “They weaponized his trauma instead of hearing his truth.”
Among the marchers was Abdullahi Abshair, a rideshare driver advocating for union representation for Uber and Lyft drivers. “Most of the money goes to Uber and Lyft,” he said. “We just get exploited as immigrant drivers. We don’t get health care, paid time off, or even the guaranteed minimum wage some days. We’re organizing not because we want to fight, but because we want fairness.”
Thursday’s protest comes amid a shifting labor landscape in Minnesota. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 14.2% of Minnesota’s workforce was unionized in 2023 — nearly double the national average of 10.0%. The state added over 30,000 union members last year, reflecting a nationwide surge in labor organizing.
Sectors such as education, health care, and public service remain heavily unionized, while organizing drives have recently emerged in logistics, retail, and the gig economy. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, union campaigns among Amazon workers, food service employees, and transportation
Advocate Peace Shantae described the system as “slavery by another name” and praised Hooper’s resilience while voicing her agitation. “For this brother, Bryan Hooper, to blatantly say that he did not commit this crime and then to sit here and watch the commission twist his intention — it felt like antagonization. They honed in on his anger when this man has stood firm on his innocence for 27 years,” she said.
Community member Natasha Bennett also questioned the board’s ability to recognize growth in incarcerated individuals. “A man like Bryan Hooper, with all the things that he’s accomplished in prison, and having successful children in society, you would think the board would have recognized him as someone who can actually bring a positive impact to our world,” she said. “Instead, I think they perceived his communication as anger, when it was really just the product of
authenticity and community ownership. “During the Civil Rights Movement there were disagreements, but leaders knew when to hash that out privately and present a unified front,” she said.
What raised further alarm was the overlap in messaging. “Meanwhile, I noticed that on the TargetFast.org website, two of the four demands listed
were the exact same ones I had shared with Tamika,” Levy Armstrong said. “Out of four total demands, two came directly from us.”
Those two demands were that Target reverse its rollback on DEI efforts, and that the corporation be held accountable for its $2 billion pledge made after the murder of George Floyd. That pledge
drivers have gained traction. Despite the growth, income inequality and workplace protections remain key concerns. A 2023 report by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development found that Black, Latino, and Indigenous workers in Minnesota consistently earn less than their white counterparts, even when controlling for education and experience.
Organizers say this inequality drives the continued urgency of May Day actions. “We want to remind people that labor rights and immigrant rights are inseparable,” said Dieu Do. “When corporations roll back protections, it’s always the most vulnerable who get hit first.”
Thursday’s demonstration was part of a global wave of May Day protests spanning from New York to Istanbul, Tokyo to London. In cities across the world, workers rallied for higher wages, union rights, and dignity on the job.
In Minnesota, the message was clear: The fight for worker justice is far from over.
Chris Juhn is a freelance photographer and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
27 years behind bars.”
In his call, Hooper also raised concerns about programs that require an admission of guilt for successful completion. “I’m not going to lie on myself just to graduate a program,” he said. “If it means never going home, then so be it. I won’t give up my truth, and the truth is I’m innocent” Hooper and his family are now pursuing exoneration while continuing to advocate for reform. “My whole case was a political ploy,” he said.
“They built it on falsehoods and jailhouse informants. I urge people to read my file, follow the chain of events. I just want people to know I’m not going away.”
Brianna Hooper confirmed that the Hennepin County
included commitments to increase sales of Black-owned brands, improve Black customer experience, supplier diversity, and the hiring and promotion of Black employees.
While this promise defaulted, Target made its first-ever donation to a presidential inauguration by contributing $1 million to President Donald Trump’s 2025 Inaugural Committee, adding to controversy. Target imports around 50% of its merchandise and is susceptible to Trump’s tariffs.
Further complicating matters was the appearance of new strategies that had never been discussed. “The site mentioned plans to collaborate with the Black Chamber of Commerce, something that had never been brought up in any of our coalition meetings. These decisions were clearly made by him [Jamal Bryant] and his team independently.
So I sent a text asking, ‘What’s going on here?’
The disconnect became ap-
Conviction Integrity Unit is currently reviewing her father’s case. The unit investigates criminal convictions in the county where there is a plausible claim that an innocent person was convicted. When asked how the public can support his fight, Hooper urged voters to hold officials accountable. “Policies play too much into these wrongful convictions,” he said. As the conversation around wrongful convictions and parole reform continues, Hooper’s case remains a focal point for advocates demanding a more equitable and rehabilitative justice system.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@ spokesman-recorder.com.
parent to others as well. “A CNN reporter reached out to me, surprised to learn about our involvement,” said Levy Armstrong. “She had been working on a story featuring Jamal Bryant and had no idea we were connected to the boycott.” When contacted for comment, Mallory offered no clear stance on the subject. Pastor Bryant, contacted multiple times, was unavailable to interview.
In the face of growing attention and fractured leadership, both Levy Armstrong and Cullars-Doty remain clear on their goal: justice and equity for marginalized communities.
“We didn’t want to fracture the community or take the focus off what really matters,” said Levy Armstrong. “But at the same time, when the foundation starts to feel warped, it’s hard to stay silent.”
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com.
justice is tied directly to economic justice. And it’s time we exercise our power — together.”
Educator Marcia Howard speaks to the crowd. Photos courtesy of Chris Juhn/MSR
Thousands gathered at the Capitol on May 1.
“Even from prison, he’s been the most supportive person in my life.”
Supporters of Bryan Hooper TD
Nekima Levy Armstrong (r), founder of the Racial Justice Network Nekimalevyarmstrong.com
Finance
How to budget and set goals
Creating a budget is one of the smartest moves you can make to take control of your finances. It helps you track your income and expenses, live within your means, and work toward the goals that matter to you most.
Understanding how to spend and save can help you achieve those big dreams of owning a home, starting a business, or contributing to your child’s college fund. Whatever your financial goals, Chase Bank is committed to helping you build a budget using trusted techniques to set you up for financial freedom.
Step 1: Understand what you own and owe
Before learning how to make a budget, assess your current financial landscape by acknowledging your assets (what you own) and your liabilities (what you owe). Assets and liabilities can also determine where you should focus your budgeting.
For example, if you owe more than you own, you may want to focus on paying down debt. However, if you own more than what you owe, you can begin allocating some of your income to your savings budget or invest that savings to meet some of your longterm goals.
Step 2: Analyze your income and expenses
Building a budget starts with understanding the basics: the money you earn (income) compared to how much you spend (expenses). It’s important to ensure you’re not spending beyond what you earn, which can create a negative cash flow.
Chase offers a Monthly Budget Worksheet that makes tracking expenses simple.
Just enter your recurring income and expenses to get a clear picture of your monthly spending habits. Don’t forget recurring monthly expenses
like rent, insurance, and utilities. These expenses can add up quickly. With this budgeting tool, you can see the power of your spending choices.
Once you know where your money goes, it’s easier to cut back in certain areas. That might mean skipping a takeout order here and there or swapping a night out for a cozy evening inside.
Step 3: How to make a budget that aligns with your goals
Even if you are starting small, budgeting puts you in a stronger position for a financially sound future. Armed with an understanding of your assets, liabilities, income and expenses, you are ready to build your budget.
Setting SMART goals
Start by setting goals that move your financial dreams forward. SMART goals help turn big dreams into clear, actionable steps. Instead of vague goals like “save more,” this commonly used goal-setting framework can help keep you focused, giving you a roadmap to make real progress.
• Specific: Clearly state your intention with what you want to achieve. An example could be, “I want to allocate 2% of my monthly income to begin building a 3-month emergency fund.” This makes the goal feel tangible and does not leave anything up to question.
• Measurable: You should be able to determine if you meet your goals by measuring a specific number. For example, “If I’m budgeting 2% of my income, in 3 months, I will have $240 saved in my emergency fund.”
• Achievable: Segmenting your goal into small achievements can help you stay on track and remain motivated.
Setting a goal of saving 80% of your monthly income might be setting yourself up for failure; you need to live, pay for daily expenses, and enjoy life. Start with a realistic plan and celebrate the small wins along the way to build initial momentum.
• Relevant: Your goals
should reflect what is important to you. For example, paying down significant credit card debt might be more important than saving for a vacation. Choose to focus on areas that are most valuable to your future financial well-being.
• Time: Be clear about your deadline for achieving your financial goal. Attaching a deadline for achievements can help you stay on track. Stating that you are going to pay off your $15,000 in student loans sounds overwhelming, but creating a plan to pay off that $15,000 in 10 years may feel within reach.
Align spending with goals
Take a look at your completed Monthly Budget Worksheet. Here, you can categorize your purchases as essential, niceto-have, and non-essential. By being intentional with your spending and aligning it with your priorities, you can create a clearer path toward achieving what matters most to you.
Essential expenses to consider Essential expenses are non-
negotiables. Rent, utilities, groceries, and all of the immediate needs to survive fall under “essential.” These are areas you must allocate funds, without question. A car payment or other fixed auto-pay expenses may also fall within this category.
With
Non-essential expenses to consider
Nice-to-have expenses are non-essential but increase your quality of life. This category can include general entertainment, streaming subscription services, a daily iced coffee, and more. These expenses are the first you’ll want to reduce when it comes to building a budget. You don’t have to cut things out completely, but prioritize what
brings you the most value and reduce spending on things that aren’t as important.
Saving for a big purchase
After reviewing your nonessential expenses, consider what you might be able to live without. It isn’t fair to reduce non-essential spending entire-
Life happens, and so do new and unexpected costs. Sticking to your budget is important because the money you may have saved while budgeting can help you through those inevitable, unexpected, abrupt financial strains, like car repairs or a trip to the doctor.
Your future finances
Creating a budget is about financial freedom to pursue your goals, handle life’s surprises, and build the future you envision. With a clear understanding of what you own, what you owe, and where your money goes each month, you are already on the path to stronger financial health.
ly. Spending on entertainment can boost daily satisfaction, but it is worth looking into what areas you can reduce in an effort to set your future self up for success.
Step 4: Staying on track with your budget
Budgeting is not something you can do once and expect change. It’s a living plan that should evolve with your life, your needs, and your goals.
Start where you are, set SMART goals, and give yourself grace to ebb and flow with your budget as you get used to decreasing spend in some areas and growing wealth in others.
Saving for a big purchase can initially seem daunting, but with Chase’s trusted budgeting tools and guide, you can look forward to a healthy financial future.
Jacob Wackerhausen
International students still stuck in Trump limbo Education
By Becky Z. Dernbach
The Trump administration’s policy on international students is changing so quickly, its own lawyers are having trouble keeping up.
News reports on April 25 indicated that the administration would change course on the mass cancellations of legal status for international students. But in a hearing Monday in St. Paul, a Trump administration lawyer told a federal judge that while he understood there was a new policy, he did not know what that new policy was.
“I have not seen the policy so I cannot speak to what its contents are,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Bahram Samie told U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan.
Samie said he had learned Monday morning that a new policy was created Sunday evening. He noted that “activity has occurred” regarding reinstatement of many students’ legal status across the country.
But David Wilson, an attorney representing international students, said that it was not clear whether this as-yet-unseen policy would protect his clients.
The exchange took place during a hearing regarding two international students, Rattanand Ratsantiboon, a Thai nursing student at Metro State, and Ziliang Jin, a Chinese geographic and information science student at the University of Minnesota.
Like many international students in Minnesota and across the country, both Ratsantiboon and Jin saw their legal status terminated in recent weeks in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a federal computer system that tracks inter-
national students.
According to an Associated Press count, more than 1,200 international students have lost their visa or legal status in recent weeks.
Both Ratsantiboon and Jin’s records showed that their legal status had been terminated following a criminal records check.
Ratsantiboon had a gross misdemeanor drunk driving conviction from 2018; Jin had a series of petty misdemeanor traffic infractions, including a speeding ticket and a series of parking violations related to Minnesota winter parking rules.
Typically, international students’ legal status can only be terminated over failures to maintain good standing as a student, or for a crime of violence resulting in imprisonment for more than a year, Wilson argued in court filings.
Federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders for both Ratsantiboon and Jin, ordering Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reinstate their legal status effective to the date that it was terminated. Monday’s hearing was scheduled to discuss whether to extend the temporary restraining orders or turn them into preliminary injunctions.
On Friday, news reports indicated that the Trump administration was changing course on its mass revocations of legal status for international students. But it is not yet clear what the new course will be.
The New York Times quoted Department of Homeland Security officials saying that the agency would restore many students’ status while they developed a new policy. But those students could still have their
status revoked in the future. And the Department of Homeland Security emphasized it had not restored any visas that had been revoked. The visa governs students’ entry into the country, while the SEVIS status determines whether they are legally present in the country after they have arrived.
More
In a St. Paul courtroom Monday, Samie argued that the reinstatement of many students’ legal status showed that
the harm had been mitigated.
But Wilson said that because both students’ status had been reinstated only because a court order mandated the reinstatement, it was not clear whether the statuses would remain in place once those court orders expired. He also said that it was not clear what the new policy would be.
ment of status if the student had a criminal history? There are “so many variants that could be coming out as we are both sitting here punting as to what it could be,” he said. Wilson urged Bryan to extend the temporary restraining order for good cause, “because there’s simply a lack of clarity.” Bryan indicated that he agreed with Wilson on that point. He took the matter under advisement, meaning he will issue a written order later. In the meantime, he urged the two sides to think about what a resolution to their case could look like.
“It’s hard to know which direction this will go,” he said. For example, would the new policy allow for the reinstate-
This article was originally published in Sahan Journal. For more information, visit sahanjournal.com.
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At this rate, we won’t survive Trump’s next 100 days
By Robert Reich
Last Wednesday marked its first 100 days of the odious Trump regime. We are now in the 14th week and the U.S. Constitution is in peril. Civil and human rights are being trampled upon. The economy is in disarray.
At this rate, we won’t make it through the second hundred days. Federal judges in more than 120 cases so far have sought to stop Trump — judges appointed by Republicans as well as Democrats, some appointed by Trump himself — but the regime is either ignoring or appealing their orders. It has even arrested a municipal judge in Milwaukee who merely sought to hear a case involving an undocumented defendant.
Recently, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit — an eminent conservative Reagan appointee who is revered by the Federalist Society — issued a scathing rebuke of the Trump regime. In response to its assertion that it can abduct residents of the United States and put them into foreign prisons without due process, Wilkinson wrote:
“If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders, what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home? And what assurance shall there be that
the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies? The threat, even if not the actuality, would always be present, and the Executive’s obligation to ‘take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed’ would lose its meaning.”
Judge Wilkinson’s fears are already being realized. Early Friday morning, ICE deported three U.S. citizens — aged 2, 4, and 7 — when their mothers were deported to Honduras.
One of the children, having Stage 4 cancer, was sent out of the United States without medication or consultation with doctors.
Every American with any shred of authority must loudly and boldly sound the alarm.
Meanwhile, the regime continues to attack all the independent institutions in this country that have traditionally served as bulwarks against tyranny — universities, nonprofits, lawyers and law firms, the media and journalists, science and researchers, libraries and museums, the civil service, and independent agencies — threatening them with extermination or loss of funding if they don’t submit to its oversight and demands.
Trump has even instructed the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue, the platform that handles the fund-
By Karl Mayes
Let’s take the “elephant out of the room” once and for all.
When American football player Archie Manning stood proudly behind his sons Peyton and Eli, guiding them, advising them, and leveraging every ounce of his influence and wisdom to make sure his sons had the best shot at success, America called it “legacy.”
They called it “great parenting.” They praised Archie for “being involved,” for “setting the standard,” for “making sure his boys were protected” from the ugly business side of football.
Suddenly, it’s “helicopter parenting.”
Suddenly, it’s “antics.”
Suddenly, his son Shedeur is seen as “baggage” simply because his father stands beside him, not behind him.
Ask yourself, why the different energy? Why is one seen as “legacy,” and the other seen as “liability?’
role. Be grateful you’re here.” That’s the silent message that echoes behind closed doors. And many don’t even realize they’re repeating it out loud.
Deion Sanders guiding his sons is no different from Archie Manning guiding his. The only difference is the skin they’re in.
Deion Sanders guiding his sons is no different from Archie Manning guiding his. The only difference is the skin they’re in. submissions@spokesman-recorder.com submissions@spokesman-recorder.com
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raising for almost all Democratic candidates and the issues Democrats support.
At the same time, Trump is actively destroying the economy. His proposed tariffs are already raising prices. His attacks on Fed chief Jerome Powell are causing tremors around the world.
Trump wants total power, even at the cost of our democracy and economy. His polls are dropping, yet many Americans are still in denial. “He’s getting things done!” some say.
“He’s tough and strong!”
Every American with any shred of authority must loudly and boldly sound the alarm.
A few Democrats and progressives in Congress (Bernie Sanders, AOC, Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy) have expressed outrage, but most seem oddly quiet.
Granted, they have no direct power to stop what is occurring, but they cannot and must not appear to acquiesce. They need to be heard, every day — protesting, demanding, resisting, refusing.
Barack Obama has spoken up at least once, to his credit, but where is my old boss, Bill Clinton? Where is George W. Bush? Where are their former vice presidents — Al Gore and Dick Cheney? Where are their former Cabinet members? They all must be heard too.
What about Republican members of Congress? Are none willing to stand up against what is occurring? And what of Republican governors and state legislators? If there were ever a time for courage and integrity, it is now. Their silence is inexcusable.
Over 400 university presidents have finally issued a letter opposing “the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” Good. Now they must speak out against the overreach endangering all of American democracy.
Hundreds of law firms have joined a friend-of-the-court brief in support of law firm Perkins Coie’s appeal of the regime’s demands. Fine. Now, they, along with the American Bar Association and every major law school, must sound the alarm about Trump’s vindictive and abusive use of the Justice Department.
America’s religious leaders have a moral obligation to speak out. They have a spiritual duty to their congregations and to themselves to make their voices heard.
Robert Bernard Reich is an American professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator.
It was a beautiful thing. And it was because that’s what fathers are supposed to do. Especially in a brutal business like the NFL, where players are often seen as disposable after their prime. Archie maneuvered the system masterfully and the public applauded him for it.
Fast forward to Deion Sanders.
Deion, a man who reached the absolute peak of his sport, a Hall of Famer, a businessman, a mentor, a coach, and yes, a proud father, dares to do the exact same thing: Advocate for his sons, protect them, teach them the game beyond the field, and use his hard-earned influence to guide their paths.
And suddenly, it’s a “problem.”
By Marcus Garvey
The American dollar is still low. The Pound Sterling still values more than the $5 bill, and so another world financial situation is at hand. Business people everywhere who have been dealing with the dollar have had to change suddenly their methods either for good or ill.
This will affect America toward one way or the other. Some business people had been dealing with the English pound rather than the American dollar for some time, because it was of greater advantage to them. Now that the dollar is gone down, there is a switch from the pound to the dollar, and so there is an up and down in finance; but have we ever stopped to think why this inflation and deflation go on?
It is simply because a school of scientific financiers and speculators have worked out a system by which they can upset the pocket-book of every citizen, and take out of it as much change as they want from time to time. Sometimes they take out extract change for the English pound and then at another time they do
The answer is uncomfortable but simple: “Complexion.”
The Manning family fits the mold the NFL and its culture have long been built around: familiar, comfortable, “safe.”
The Sanders family represents everything the system was never designed to empower: independent, unapologetic, culturally rich, self-made Black excellence that refuses to bow.
The NFL is, at its core, still a “Billionaire Boys Club.” It’s not just about football, it’s about maintaining a structure where Black bodies are celebrated “as long as they entertain” but scrutinized, sidelined or shamed the moment they start commanding power, ownership and voice.
“Stay in your place. Play your
And until we, collectively, are willing to confront that uncomfortable truth, we’ll keep seeing young Black men judged not just by their talent, but by how small they are willing to make themselves to fit into a world that was never designed with their full humanity in mind.
Shedeur Sanders deserves to be judged by his play, his leadership, and his preparation, not by the discomfort some feel because his father refuses to shrink. Legacy looks different depending on whose lens you’re looking through. But truth? Truth needs no permission.
Karl Mayes is a Houstonbased entrepreneur and former professor at Houston Community College.
the same thing for the American dollar and the French franc and the German mark.
But when a totalization takes place, the difference of change goes to the financiers and to the speculators and the citizens go back to work again to fill their pocket-books. This is not highway robbery; it can be better called international burglary.
waste populations and countries with their ammunition of the sword and bullet. But today humanity and the world are being laid waste by the scientific financier who sits at his desk and manipulates not soldiers but the exchanges of the world.
financiers are burglarizing the pocket-books of the world’s
The financiers are burglarizing the pocket-books of the world’s citizens, and they will continue doing it until statesmen like President Roosevelt let loose on them and the people of the world become educated enough to know that nothing is wrong with the pound or dollar, but the thing that is wrong is their upholding certain people to rob them because they are fools.
Once upon a time the most dangerous man in the world was the Napoleonic class of soldier, in that they used to lay
For the peace of the world, and particularly of Europe, they had to send Napoleon to St. Helena and then to Elba. When the people are courageous enough to send some of the bankers either to Siberia, Devil’s Island or the North Pole, then they will be able to feel satisfied that there will be no fluctuations in finances to affect their pocket-books on which so many people have their eyes at the present time.
From Marcus Garvey’s “The American Dollar” in The Blackman: A Monthly Magazine of Negro Thought and Opinion 1 no. 2 (January 1934).
Employment & Legals
as personal representative (executor) of the Estate of the Decedent. Any
or
be entitled to appointment as personal
or
to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.
Any objections to the probate of the Will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.
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.
A charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceedings be given to the Attorney General pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 501B.41, subdivision 5.
Dated: April 11, 2025 Yvette M. Andrade Registrar
Dated: April 11, 2025 Sara Gonsalves Court Administrator
Attorney for Applicant
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Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder May 8, 15, 2025
STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURTCOUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE/MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION Court File No. 27-PA-PR-25-145
NOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRS, AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In re the Estate of: Christopher Thomas Lyle, Decedent.
IT IS ORDERED AND NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to Minnesota Supreme Court Order ADM20-8001 a hearing will be heard remotely on June 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. by this Court for the formal adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirs of the Decedent, and for the appointment of Judy Cooper Lyle, whose address is 2619 Logan Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the Decedent.
If proper and if no objections are filed, the Personal Representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate.
If you wish to appear at the hearing, please contact the court by phone at (612) 348-6000 so that arrangements can be made for you to appear.
If you object to the relief sought, you must file a written objection with the court by 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2025. Written objections not filed by the ordered date and time will not be considered. Written objections may be filed with the required filing fee one of two ways: 1) Mailed to Hennepin County District Court – Probate/Mental Health Division, 300 South Sixth Street – C4 Govt. Ctr., Minneapolis, MN 55487-0340; or 2) Electronically filed using the electronic filing system.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice shall be given by: 1) publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper in Hennepin County, the last publication of which is to be at least ten (10) days before the deadline for objections; and 2) mailing via U.S. Postal Service a copy of this Notice and Order postmarked at least fourteen (14) days prior to the deadline for objections to all interested persons as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 524.1-401 and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 524.3-204. Any charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceeding be given to the attorney general pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 501B.41, subdivision 5.
NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that (subject to Minnesota Statutes § 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the court within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.
April 15, 2025 BY THE COURT: Julia Dayton Klein Judge of District Court Self-Represented
From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder
STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURTCOUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
DISSOLUTION WITHOUT CHILDREN Court File No. 27-FA-25-1646
SUMMONS WITHOUT REAL ESTATE
PHONE: 612-827-4021
In Re the Marriage of: Billclinton Odada, Petitioner and Regina Kwamboka Nyariki Respondent
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PLEASE CONTACT
ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKEMAN-RECORDER.COM
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT:
PROBATE FLAT FEE: $215
WARNING: Your sppuse has filed a lawsuit against you for dissolution of your marriage. A copy of the paperwork regarding the lawsuit is served on you with this summons. This summons is an official document from the court that affects your rights. Read this summons carefully. If you do not understand it, contact an attorney for legal advice.
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1. The Petitioner (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for a dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons.
The MSR handles billing digitally.
This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.
2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Court Administrator’s office. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
3. This proceeding does not involve real property.
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS
Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the court or the proceeding is dismissed.
(1)Neither party may dispose of any assets except (a) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets, (b) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (c) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding.
(2) Neither party may harass the other party.
(3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation.
(4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the court administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider or a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or threats as defined in Minnesota Statues, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the court in later proceedings.
IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT.
Dated: 03/20/25
Hennepin, MN
Name: Billclinton Odada Address: 6800 63rd Ave N Apt 201 City/State/Zip: Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 Telephone: 763-339-0768
Email address: billclintonodada001@gmail.com
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder May 8, 15, 22, 2025
From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder
PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS
INVITATION TO BID
From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder
PHONE: 612-827-4021
FOR BILLING
INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS
PLEASE CONTACT
ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKEMAN-RECORDER.COM
SUMMONS FLAT FEE: $320
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The MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.
A/1 Contract No. 26-027
Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130 for EXTERIOR LIGHTING UPGRADE AT WILSON HI RISE, Contract No. 26-027 until 2:00 PM, Local Time, on MAY 29, 2025, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Teams App. Bids may be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, to NorthStar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com, or may be delivered as sealed bid to the address above.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 10:00 AM, local time, at Wilson Hi-Rise, 1300 Wilson Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55106.
PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKEMAN-RECORDER.COM
PROBATE FLAT FEE: $215
A complete set of bid documents is available by contacting NorthStar Imaging at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com, under the public plan room, for EXTERIOR LIGHTING UPGRADE AT WILSON HI RISE, Contract No. 26-027. Digital downloads are no charge. Contact Northstar for hard copy pricing.
Please proof, respond with email confirmation to display@spokesman-recorder.com
Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, non-collusive affidavit, EEO form and Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.
The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.
SOE
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start coaching. “I was very, very fortunate to have some amazing coaches throughout my career,” she continued. “All of them have been great mentors to me, but they just really impacted my life. The way they impacted me, it made me want to get into the business and be able to impact [others].”
Admittedly, Osahor found making the transition from playing to coaching was at first hard. “My first year was really hard because it was my very first job being a GA [grad assistant], and so just navigating what it was like to be a coach made me miss playing basketball. It was a real struggle for me.”
The MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.
AN EQUAL
VICTOR FATUNSIN OPPORTUNITY AGENCY
PROJECT LEADER (651) 292-6250
VICTOR.FATUNSIN@STPHA.ORG
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder May 8, 2025
VIEW
Continued from page 10
then can talk you through plays and stuff like that.”
The Lynx play the second of two preseason games against Chicago at home Saturday. May 10 is the final day by which WNBA teams must finalize their 12-player season rosters, and the 2025 regular season begins on May 14.
Finally, Johnson here in Minnesota got the shot she was looking for. This is what all of us wanted for her too, because she plays much bigger than her size.
Osahor was right. “We were so lucky to add Chantel,” said the HC.
From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder
“When I was sick for a month,” said Fortier, a cancer survivor, “she was my voice because she’s got that loud, moving voice. She makes us rebound—she’s watching our rebounding and every day she’s watching film with players. She’s been great for us.” Osahor wants to help dispel the notion that Black coaches can only recruit. “I do think that’s a really bad stigma and stereotype that’s been on Black people, specifically Black women,” she stressed.
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She didn’t realize just how involved coaching is, Osahor said. “I think when you are a student-athlete, you just don’t know what coaches go through and how much work they have to do. You only see them for a couple of hours in practice, and you don’t realize they’ve been there for hours before, and hours well after.”
“I think I do a good job in that area [of recruiting], but I am pretty, pretty good at seeing the game and knowing the game. And on the X’s and O’s part, I would definitely say that is the strongest thing for me.”
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“She thinks about the game in different ways.”
SIZE: 2 COL X 5” RATE $18.10 PCI (1ST RUN) SUBTOTAL: $181
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But after getting comfortable in her new career, Osahor got better and better at it.
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Gonzaga Coach Lisa Fortier told the MSR after the Zags played at Minnesota in the WBIT this season that hiring
SOFTBALL
Continued from page 10
5’-7” utility player, after the team’s postgame celebration. UST split the doubleheader the day before and wanted to win last Saturday not only for the school’s first league crown but also because it was Senior Day.
Fortier agrees: “She thinks about the game in different ways.” “I would say that I’ve always been fortunate to have really good knowledge of the game,” said Osahor. “I see things a lot differently than other people do, and I think from an authentic side of the game.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
together,” recalled Trotter, “and we just were really excited to be around the team. Everybody just has the same goal in mind—just here to win and here to have fun and compete. That’s what we really were excited to do.”
“We’re playing for them… and letting the day take us where it takes us, and just really enjoying it together,” added Trotter, the 5’-5” outfielder.
On being the only Black players on the Tommies, “Our coach does a great job of just recruiting good people and wanting to have a diverse team, and she knows that’s really important,” stressed Trotter.
“I think that is their goal,” added Wichman on the importance of diversity.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
“I definitely was happy to see people rooting for me and fighting for me,” said Johnson. “I know y’all [support] definitely was part of the reason why I got this contract. I definitely appreciate that.”
The two first-year players met on their recruiting visit last year. “We had our visit
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Diamond Johnson off-court
Photo by Charles Hallman
Knowledge of the game gives hoops coach an edge
ometimes it’s best to step back, take a break and get a different perspective in order to move forward, a needed time to inhale so to speak. This is exactly what Chantel Osahor has done after completing her first season as Gonzaga WBB assistant coach.
Once named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 30 Under 30 Class in 2023, Osahor is considered as one of the nation’s youngest coaching stars. However, after successful stops at Drake, Arkansas and Oklahoma, Osahor soon found herself on a fast track — perhaps a bit too fast for her liking, she explained during a recent MSR phone interview.
“Basketball was all I did, and it became pretty stressful for me,” recalled Osahor. “I did not
do a good job of finding a way to balance work and finding other things to do. So, I took a year [off] just to take a breath.”
Osahor was an All-American player at Washington, one of just two players in school history to post at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career. Her senior season she led the nation with 15.3 rebounds a game and 30 double-doubles.
“I never wanted to be a coach,” admitted Osahor, who was drafted 21st overall by Chicago in the 2017 WNBA Draft, but put in time overseas, including playing 3-on3. “I was one of the first to do that up there [playing 3-on-3], which was really, really fun. Really enjoyed it, but after doing it, I knew I really wanted to
This week’s Fab Four
those who made significant contributions to
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any of us wanted Diamond Johnson to be drafted by a WNBA team in last month’s draft.
Historically, only seven HBCU players have ever been selected in league history — Angel Jackson (Jackson State) was the last in 2024. Those of us who regularly cover Black college women’s basketball had dearly hoped that Johnson, the former Norfolk State guard, would become number eight.
The 5’5” Johnson, a native of Philadelphia, was a high school star, then first went to Rutgers, then North Carolina State before finishing her last two collegiate seasons at Norfolk State.
A two-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year, she averaged nearly 30 points a game and once scored 54 points in a district championship game.
As a freshman at Rutgers, Johnson torched Minnesota for the first of two 26-point performances in a 27-point win, then later against Iowa in the Big Ten quarterfinals. She won ACC Sixth Player of the Year as a sophomore at NC State. And she was all-MEAC in her two seasons at Norfolk State.
Johnson’s final season concluded with a second consecutive MEAC title and championship MVP. She led the league in scoring (20.2 ppg), won Player of the Year honors, and was
nesota to victory.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
‘Bigger than her size’ Diamond gets fair shot with Lynx
named most valuable player at the first-ever HBCU women’s basketball all-star game during the Final Four.
Johnson was crushed when she was bypassed through the three-round draft. “I was more so disappointed and hurt,” she remembers, “especially coming off the season I had.”
I watched her play at the MEAC tournament in March. Johnson plays much bigger than five-foot-five, and as a longtime WNBA reporter I believed that, if given a fair
chance, she could help a team.
Asheika Alexander in 2021 was the first HBCU player signed by the Minnesota Lynx.
Just days before this year’s training camp, Johnson became the second Black college player the Lynx brought in.
“They called my agent on Wednesday,” recalled Johnson last week after a workout at the Lynx practice facility, “and [the agent] contacted me. ‘Hey, we got you a training camp contract,’ she pointed out. I was excited, and I was like, O.K. where? The Minnesota Lynx.”
“At that moment, I was just super happy. I was super proud. I had to leave on Friday. It was a quick turnaround but super grateful,” Johnson said smiling.
Johnson and I chatted after a three-hour practice, then an extra shooting session with Lynx Assistant Coach Lindsay Whalen: “I want to get shots up,” she stressed afterwards.
The last time we talked, Johnson stressed that all she wanted was a chance to make a WNBA roster. “The WNBA is the only goal that’s always been since I started playing basketball,” she admitted. “A lot of people say I need a plan B. This was A-all.
“I didn’t stop working out,” she pointed out. “I kept going and I was just staying ready.”
“I definitely was happy to see people rooting for me and fighting for me.”
“I said, I’m still so mad at you for those 30 points she scored on us when she was a freshman at Rutgers,” joked Whalen on Johnson.
Working with Whalen, a four-year W champion and HOF, Johnson said, “It’s good to have a player that loves to be in the gym with you and
Few Black players on college softball rosters
By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist
ollege softball in Minnesota and elsewhere remains primarily white. Annual NCAA data show six percent of softball players are Black — it was five percent from 2014 to 2019.
The MSR last weekend, in separate games, talked to the only three Blacks on the state’s two Division I softball teams. One starts at Minnesota, and two are first-year players at St. Thomas. All three Black females are acutely aware that they are the only ones out there either on the field or in the dugouts, as their respective opponents had zero Blacks on their rosters.
Gophers’ Breezy Burnett Breezy Burnett’s third Gopher season concluded last weekend. The 5’7” junior outfielder along with her teammates braved the March-like
temps (in the low 40s at game time) and defeated visiting Michigan 4-0 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
“I’m just staying moving,” said Burnett afterwards. She started in centerfield and got on base via a walk in the victo-
ry last Friday. “I use a lot of HotHands,” she admitted as a way to cope with the cold. “I got HotHands in my back pocket. And I just try to mentally block it out because I’ve played in very worse conditions.
“I
always look just to see if there’s another Black player. That’s crazy.”
“I always compare it to games where it was like 10 times colder than it was today,” noted the Jacksonville, Fla. native. She caught one of six fly balls the Wolverines hit and kept a Michigan runner from advancing.
Starting pitcher Sydney Schwartz pitched a masterful gem, striking out five and only giving up three hits in her complete game win.
“She works hard day in and day out, and just literally
mowed down [opposing batters] every game,” marveled Burnett of her teammate. “It’s no surprise to me because I knew she can do it.”
It also came as no surprise that she didn’t see any other players that look like herself, added Burnett, who has been a regular with the Gophers during her entire college career thus far. She started every game this season, had a .400 slugging percentage — almost 30 points better than her career average — and went 2-for-2 in base stealing, 17for-18 for her career.
“I definitely always notice,” said Burnett. “I always look just to see if there’s another one. That’s crazy.” Burnett said she looks forward to next season, her final at Minnesota, and hopes one day of seeing more Blacks playing softball at non-HBCU schools. “I still got next year, so I’m excited to keep chipping away.”
Tommies’ Wichman and Trotter
The University of St. Thomas Tommies won their first Summit League softball title by defeating North Dakota State
two of three games last weekend at South Field.
Freshmen Miley Wichman and Zoe Trotter, the team’s only Black players, each had a hand in their team’s 9-0 victory last Saturday that clinched the title. Both were pinch runners, and Wichman scored a run.
“We flushed it and we came back stronger,” said Wichman, a
Chantel Osahor (l) coaches a player Photo courtesy of Gonzaga University Athletics
Diamond Johnson suited up
Photo courtesy of X
With Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels leading the way, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs.
photos feature
the Timberwolves’ recent tri
umph.
The clutch play of forward Naz Reid, center Rudy Gobert, shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, and point guard Mike Conley propelled Min-
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert
Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo All photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Timberwolves forward Naz Reid
Breezy Burnett
“We’re letting the day take us where it takes us, and just really enjoying it together.”
Miley Wichman (l) and Zoe Trotter All photos by Charles Hallman