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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934 September 3 - 9, 2026
Vol. 93
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 5
Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong speaks outside Target headquarters in Minneapolis on Aug. 28, 2026, demanding accountability over a Halloween costume criticized as racist. Jasmine McBride/MSR By Jasmine McBride Editor ivil rights leaders gathered outside Target's Minneapolis headquarters Friday to demand accountability after a children's Halloween costume that evoked the imagery of blackface and minstrelsy was pulled from the retailer's shelves and website. The press conference, held at noon at 1000 Nicollet Mall, drew the co-founders of the National Target Boycott along
with community members and at least one self-described former customer. Nekima Levy Armstrong, an attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, opened by noting the date's significance in Black history. She said Emmett Till was murdered 71 years earlier, on Aug. 28, 1955, and that Rosa Parks later said his death was on her mind when she refused to give up her bus seat. Levy Armstrong also noted the March on Washington took place on Aug. 28, 1963.
Target, in a statement post"So August 28th holds significant power and impor- ed to social media, said it retance within the Black com- moved the costume and called munity," Levy Armstrong said. it "an important first step." "We removed an offenLevy Armstrong said Target apologized for the costume sive Halloween costume that but has not answered more should never have been part of our assortment. It is no lonfundamental questions. "How did this happen in the ger for sale," the company said. first place? Who reviewed "As a company, we got this this costume, who approved wrong, and we are deeply sorit, who marketed it, who had ry. We know this is especially the opportunity to stop it, and hurtful for our Black guests, who was in the room when team members and partners. those decisions were made?" ... We are looking closely at she said. "This wasn't one per- how this happened and what needs to change to ensure son's mistake."
“This wasn’t one person’s mistake.” this won't happen again." The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder emailed Target's corporate communications team seeking comment ahead of publication, asking specifically about the costume's internal approval process and how many stages of review it went through; whether it was
designed in-house or sourced from an outside vendor; which teams are required to sign off on new products before they reach the assortment; whether the costume underwent any diversity, equity or cultural-sensitivity review, and whether such a review still ■ See TARGET on page 5
MN15 defense presses AT&T surprises Northside families with free MacBooks at Phyllis Wheatley for more evidence as attorneys allege back-to-school event political prosecution By Jasmine McBride Editor
Tyner, president and CEO of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. “Everybody or families who came signed up just to receive a to the Phyllis Wheatley backpack of school supplies. Community Center on So when Cheryl Riley, the reAug. 28 expecting a backpack gional president, announced full of school supplies, the day that they were receiving Apheld an extra surprise: a free ple MacBooks, the joy and the MacBook for their kids head- surprise on the kids’ faces and on the parents’ faces, I think ing back to school. AT&T and Human-I-T part- that was the best part for me, nered with the Phyllis Wheat- and then just watching the ley Community Center to give kids just enjoy themselves.” Riley, president of AT&T’s away 250 refurbished laptops and 250 backpacks filled with Upper Midwest States, said in school supplies to Minne- a statement that the giveaway apolis families affected by the was about giving students a digital divide. AT&T also do- fair shot at the school year. “Every student deserves nated $50,000 to the center to support its digital literacy the opportunity to start the school year with the tools and programs. “Nobody knew that they confidence they need to sucwere going to be receiving ceed,” Riley said. “We’re proud laptops today,” said Bryan D. to work with Human-I-T and
By Clint Combs Contributing Writer
the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center to surprise Minneapolis families with laptops and backpacks that will help students stay connected, engaged and ready to learn.” Tyner said the partnership came together through Eric
Howell, a Phyllis Wheatley board member with an existing relationship at AT&T. “He was able to tell them that we have this backpack giveaway event and was able to kind of put that partnership together,” Tyner said. “AT&T, they were already putting partnerships together to give away these backpacks and laptops. So it seemed like a natural fit for us, both for us and them.” The center turned the giveaway into a full community event, bringing in food trucks, a mobile clinic offering preschool and sports physicals and vaccinations, a gaming truck and a bouncy house for younger kids. “We try to make it into just more than just a backpack giveaway, but really a community event,” Tyner said. Tyner said the mission behind the giveaway was removing barriers that get in the way AT&T and Human-I-T surprised families with 250 free laptops and backpacks at the Phyllis Wheatley of kids succeeding in school. Community Center’s Back-to-School event Aug. 28 in Minneapolis. Photos courtesy of AT&T ■ See PHYLLIS on page 5
logs from undercover agents, and surveillance reports from Project Keyhole and Operasaac Sant feels confident tion Whipple Shield. "These things should be disthat the conspiracy charges against him and other Min- closed," Riach said. "These are nesota 15 defendants will not ordinary times. This is an extraordinary case." never go to trial. Special Assistant U.S. At"This is a politically motivated prosecution. I believe torney Sommer Honeycutt we're going to beat it," Sant argued that the government said outside the Minneapolis went well beyond the disfederal courthouse on Aug. covery requirements when 27. "It's going to get thrown providing attorneys with 20 out, and the movement's go- terabytes of data, including ing to get stronger for it." 16 terabytes of Signal data.
Supporters rallied outside the Minneapolis federal courthouse Aug. 27, 2026. Courtesy Sant's attorney, Kevin Ri"We have cast a wide net," ach, argued that the govern- Honeycutt said. ment still had not provided "That argument never lands the evidence the defense well with me," Magistrate needs to prove that the Jus- Judge David Schultz said. tice Department engaged in Riach noted that the governvindictive prosecution. ment's investigation extends Riach said the government far beyond Minnesota, pointing should turn over all com- out that SEIU Local 26 was one munications between local of 18 organizations featured prosecutors and the Justice on a grand jury slide, produced Department, text and call ■ See MN15 on page 5
2 September 3 - 9, 2026
Metro
spokesman-recorder.com
North Commons Park renovation nears halfway point amid funding push, budget concerns By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer
The North Commons project is 60 percent public funding and 40 percent private fundThe $45 million North ing, said Minneapolis Parks Commons Park renovation Foundation Executive Director project, which the Minneapo- Martin Wera. His organization lis Park and Recreation Board is raising $20 million for the (MPRB) called the “most sig- large-scale park renovation. “We’re the primary philannificant investment in a Minneapolis neighborhood park,” thropic partner to the Minis nearly halfway completed. neapolis Park and Recreation When finished, the longtime Board. We are a separate Northside park will double in nonprofit from them, but our size from its current 21,537 mission is really to help sussquare feet to 58,563 square tain, grow and encourage a feet and will be able to serve vibrant park system for genat least 8,500 youth and resi- erations to come,” Wera said. dents annually, twice as many “For North Commons, we are trying to raise $23.5 million as the park serves today. “It’s a game changer,” de- total. We have raised to date clared Park Board Commis- nearly $20.7 million.” When completed and sioner At-Large Meg Forney during an Aug. 20 afternoon opened next year, the new tour of the construction site North Commons Park will (L-R): Martin Wera, Meg Forney, Daniel Elias, and Shawn Lewis. Charles Hallman/MSR conducted by officials for MSR. feature a welcome entrance She said there’s no reason the plaza, a community room with The existing building, in- hope it feels welcoming.” city’s largest Black community kitchen, a wellness room, and The ultimate goal is for the cluding the outside mural at shouldn’t have “niceties and a new three-court fieldhouse new North Commons fieldthe park entrance, will remain, everything,” as other large with an overhead walking and house to become “a regional but a new mural will be addparks elsewhere in the city do. running track. destination to draw people,” “Our racial equity matrix has Wera continued. “We hope really been a game changer as “We transform human lives there are tournaments that far as distributing our funding through parks and public spaces are held here that are bringmore equitably and meeting ing teams from the suburbs to a community that’s been unby aligning philanthropic resources play here in North Minneapoderserved hugely,” said Forney with community vision.” lis, instead of making all the of the 20-Year Neighborhood North Minneapolis teams go Park Plan (NPP20) that the there,” he said. ed, along with the basketball A new water park, includboard approved in 2016. “Beyond sports, we’re also Daniel Elias, MPRB’s de- ing a six-lane lap pool and court that was renovated durvery much expecting it to be ing the 2019 NCAA Men’s Fisign project manager, said, an activity play area, will be a community gathering space nal Four, Elias said. “The park has a long-range vi- installed, Elias said. “There’ll for community events, job “We’re really hopeful that sion plan process that began be a little tot pool here. We’ll fairs, any kind of celebration,” folks feel like this facility is in 2017, and our board ad- have a new slide tower sitting Elias added. “This will be the grounded in North Minneopted that plan the same year. up in the northwest corner of single largest reservable space apolis in a way that when you We secured our first funding the park. You’ll be able to see in the park system.” walk in, you couldn’t really be for the actual capital project it from miles down Golden But North Commons will anywhere else,” he said. “We Valley Road,” he predicted. here in 2021.”
continue to be a neighborhood park, pledged Minneapolis Parks Foundation Community Relations Manager Shawn Lewis, a longtime city parks advocate. “I often say that parks try to serve the broadest population of people with the least amount of barriers,” he said. When asked if Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s recent budget proposal would adversely affect the North Commons project, Park Board officials said they were hoping it would not. At a recent board meeting, commissioners said “adequate funding” is needed for both Northside projects: North Commons and the 20-acre Upper Harbor Park, a riverfront park slated to open this year. “There’s a difference between what’s going to be budgeted and what’s reality,” Elias said. “There’s the financial reality of whatever the budget negotiation looks like, and then staffing up accordingly. 2028 will be the first full calendar year where everything is fully operated.” “I’m concerned with the budget,” longtime North Commons Youth Sports Coach Mike Tate told MSR last week of Frey’s budget, which proposes staff and funding cuts to city parks. He regularly attends Park Board meetings, holding a sign that reads “So How Are The Children?” and has long pushed for a new North Commons facility. He wants the Park Board to fight against any funding and staffing cuts and to find “creative
Two Flock cameras removed in St. Paul, 10 remain as activists call for cutting ties with Flock and Skydio By Clint Combs Contributing Writer On Aug. 26, privacy activists told the St. Paul City Council to abandon any plans to use drones and automated license plate readers (ALPRs). St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Police Chief Axel Henry announced plans to remove two ALPR Flock cameras following the council's symbolic resolution, according to KSTP. In a statement to the station, the mayor's office said it has held ongoing conversations with the police department about Flock and shares residents' concerns about other jurisdictions accessing camera data during what officials called "Operation Metro Surge." The office said it convened law enforcement partners from across Ramsey County to discuss next steps and is encouraging the Minnesota Legislature to set a statewide standard balancing privacy and public safety. In the meantime, the two cameras owned by the city will be removed. Council Members Anika Bowie and HwaJeong Kim said stronger regulations are needed at the city level. "I do support ending this contract. I also support stronger guardrails, not only just specifically to Flock, but guardrails around surveillance contracts and oversight," Bowie said. "Flock is one piece of the mass surveillance pie in many ways, and there are other worse actors out there," Kim said. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office operates the city's 10 remaining cameras, which Sheriff Bob Fletcher has no
plans to remove, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's list of agencies that use license plate readers. Those cameras are located throughout St. Paul and in neighboring communities including North Oaks, North St. Paul, White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights.
gave Ohio police false information about the company's role in tracking a woman who had self-administered an abortion, according to 404 Media. Activists packed the gallery at the St. Paul Council Chambers, calling on the city to end its contracts with Skydio and
Activists packed the gallery at the St. Paul Council Chambers, calling on the city to end its contracts with Skydio and Flock, Aug. 26, 2026. Clint Combs/MSR "If they get rid of Flock cameras, which I am hoping they won't, St. Paul will become a much more dangerous town," Fletcher told KSTP. "We have used those cameras to solve carjackings, auto thefts, homicides, etc. It's the most effective tool I've seen in 40 years." The decision came amid several high-profile controversies that have dogged Flock on multiple fronts. According to the Star Tribune, local police departments have served as a backdoor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to access camera data. According to CNN, dozens of officers have been caught searching Flock's database to stalk romantic partners and exes. Flock CEO Garrett Langley
Flock, Aug. 26. A dozen cities in Minnesota have canceled or plan to end their contracts with Flock. Hundreds of people rode Lime scooters as part of the Anti-Flock takeover protests. Wyatt Miller, an anti-war activist with the Free Palestine Coalition, called for more transparency regarding the city's contract with Skydio. Minneapolis rejected a 75-day free trial contract with Skydio in July. St. Paul has been operating first-responder drones since 2023. "We don't really know what's going on. We can't find any public record. The contract, we don't know how much money is being spent on it," Miller said. "I urge you
to disclose what that contract is, and to take steps towards canceling that contract." Beryl Lipton, senior investigative researcher for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the secrecy surrounding Skydio is concerning given how surveillance technologies are linked to one another. "Every new node in the surveillance network exacerbates the existing privacy issues with the surveillance network as a whole," Lipton said. "It's really necessary for the public oversight body to ensure that the police department has real guidelines in place for where that information can go and who gets access to it. If you don't have boundaries in place, unfortunately, people will see
ways to make money so we don’t have to close parks early,” he said. Nonetheless, everything is on track for the new North Commons park to be fully opened by the summer of 2027, Elias said. “This has been a very long process, and it really has been a community-wide process,” Wera said. “We’ve had an incredible amount of people donate, everything from $1 to $10 million in support.” He also pointed out that a recent Wilson Foundation matching grant campaign is now underway: “Every dollar that we raise for the next $2 million will be matched by the Wilson Foundation. You give $1, the Wilson Foundation puts in two,” he explained. “We’re getting close to the end of this campaign but still got a ways to go. We invite people to contribute [go to theminneapolisparksfoundation.org] and help support this transformation of a really iconic park,” Wera said. “The parks are saving this city,” Lewis said. “We transform human lives through parks and public spaces by aligning philanthropic resources with community vision.” “There is a real need here,” Forney concluded. “Kids need engagement. It’s just so, so critical.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com. Copyright © Charles Hallman
publicly accessible without a password. Darnella Wade started the Black Truce Peace Organization after her son, D'Onjay how far they can take it." Jackson, was critically woundCedar Larson, of Women ed and paralyzed by gun vioAgainst Military Madness, lence in 2016. She has voiced spoke out against the use of concerns about Flock. Skydio and Flock. She said she "The access to such surveildoesn't support St. Paul con- lance technologies by police tracting with a company that and government agencies, enhas ties to Israel's military. tities with a tendency to abuse "This puts both the vulnera- power, is alarming," Wade said. ble and quite possibly horrible "It is unsettling to imagine a moments of individuals' lives Flock database on our chilon the internet for anyone dren's school bus pickup and to see," Larson said. "Reviews drop-off routines. Police have have found that cameras have used Flock to stalk spouses, filmed hundreds of people bully and coerce people, and and vehicles crossing streets, we deplore that." standing on sidewalks." According to Wired, the Clint Combs is a freelance San Francisco Police Depart- journalist and contributing writment accidentally exposed er for the Minnesota Spokesmanlive drone footage after per- Recorder. He welcomes reader sonnel misconfigured a Sky- responses at combs0284@gmail. dio software link, leaving it com.
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with Nurse Felicia
By Felicia Permenter Columnist
Did you know that during the month of September we lose roughly three minutes of daylight per day? That may not seem like much, especially compared with places like Alaska, where days can shorten by close to 10 minutes in the fall and winter months. As we move into the new season, the sun will rise later and set earlier, and those environmental changes have a direct impact on our health. Light is the primary signal your body uses to keep time and maintain a healthy rhythm. Morning sunlight triggers a natural rise in cortisol, melatonin (the sleep hormone) shuts off, and that cascade tells your body it’s time to wake up and start the day. When that morning signal shifts, it can throw off your hormones, your mood and your schedule. Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as seasonal depression or the “winter
Pot Likker, Column No. 5 Chef Lachelle Cunningham’s monthly column explores food, land and what we carry in our bodies. This month: the women who keep the thread.
By Lachelle Cunningham Columnist This year I have been in circle with elder Michael Chaney, founder of Project Sweetie Pie in North Minneapolis, who has been doing food justice work in this city for decades. He is organizing The Dozens, a gathering on Broadway Avenue on the Northside, part of a larger vision he calls the Nile of the North. Earlier this year, at his request, I volunteered to moderate a panel. He introduced me to an African immigrant farmer doing powerful work on the land and called her a “real” farmer. I sat with that. I am still sitting with it, and I have been answering the question it raised mostly through witnessing women. My mother, Theresa Cunningham, had a gift for growing things that I can only describe as ordained. Whatever she planted came up bigger than it had any right to be. Growing up on Marshall Avenue in the Rondo community of Saint Paul, I remember her digging up a third of our backyard and turning it into a garden that fed us, our friends and neighbors. At the end of tomato season, she would blanch, peel and freeze them so the garden could feed us
September 3 - 9, 2026
Health
As the days shorten, protect your mood and your vitamin D blues,” starts in the fall. It is a form of depression tied to less sunlight and changes in your internal body clock. Common signs include: • Low mood or general sadness • Loss of interest in the things you enjoy • Low energy or excessive tiredness and sleepiness • Eating or craving more carbohydrates Vitamin D can help when you’re feeling SAD. It helps your brain make serotonin, one of the four main “happy hormones,” which is responsible for mood regulation, digestion and sleep. When vitamin D levels drop, serotonin drops too, leading to low mood, poor digestion and disrupted sleep. Our skin absorbs vitamin D from the sun, but people with more melanin need more sun exposure to make enough of it. National survey data has consistently found higher rates of vitamin D insufficiency among Black Americans, and Minnesota’s short fall and winter days do not help. Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, and egg yolks are good food sources of vitamin D, but food alone rarely closes the gap. Ask your doctor whether testing or a supplement makes sense for you. Don’t guess at a dose. More is not always better with vitamin D, and the right amount de-
pends on your levels and what your body needs. “Fall is one of Depression is also underdithe most agnosed and undertreated in Black and Hispanic communidemanding ties, in part because of what seasons we gets missed in the exam room. Depression can show up as have in physical complaints, including Minnesota.” exhaustion, body aches, irritability and trouble concentrating. Screening tools and clinical training tend to lean toward a narrower picture, one focused more on visible sadness and depressive mood. When you talk with your doctor, lead with the pattern rather than the feeling: by that change more than we • Tell your provider when realize. Here’s what you can the symptoms started and do to ease into this seasonal what they actually look like, transition: including sleep, appetite and 1. Get outside in the mornenergy ing. Spend 10 to 15 minutes • Explain what you’ve outside within an hour of stopped doing in your day-to- waking, even on a gray day. day life, especially things that An overcast morning outdoors once brought you joy delivers more natural light • Share that these symp- than any room in your house. toms happened last fall and This is free, and way underseem to happen around the rated. same time every year 2. Consider a light box. • Ask directly about your Bright light therapy is a nonoptions, including light thera- invasive first-line treatment. py, seasonal talk therapy, and Twenty to 30 minutes each vitamin D testing and supple- morning is usually enough. ments Boxes run $50 to $150 and Fall is one of the most de- may sometimes be covered by manding seasons we have in insurance, so ask your doctor Minnesota. It’s the season about this option. Remember, where everything is changing, no staring into the light. and our bodies are affected 3. Keep your wake time
What growers know through winter. That is preservation. That is saying: we will keep what the earth gives us today to nourish us tomorrow. She also kept a book of home remedies in our house, the thing I can point to as the beginning of everything for me as an herbalist. It taught me that healing was already in our kitchen, already in our garden. My mother knew that before she ever read it; she just needed the words to confirm what her hands already understood. She was a farmer confined to a city lot, demonstrating food sovereignty before I knew what that meant. My father, who grew up on a farm and kept a home garden of his own, showed me the same thing. I came from them. At Elder Chaney’s panel, Dr. Michael Luseni said something that stuck with me: words like agriculture, horticulture and even farmer can feel so distant that they keep people away from something that should feel like home, like kin, like calling. Those words were built for institutions. Grower belongs to anybody with a seed and some dirt to plant it in.
steady. A consistent wake time does more for your body clock than a consistent bedtime. 4. Get your vitamin D checked. At your next visit, ask about checking your levels and whether a supplement makes sense for you. 5. Put things on the calendar now. SAD pulls you toward withdrawal, and withdrawal and isolation make depression worse. Standing commitments and prescheduled events help keep you engaged and connected to your community. It’s also good to have someone in your circle who will notice when things are off or if you don’t show up. 6. Keep moving. Regular exercise has a genuine antidepressant effect. Moving your fitness routine to the morning
nothing but a cutting board, a knife and a bowl, never asking a single question, just moving. Everything she made was rustic, real and tasted fantastic. That is what happens when two healers get in a kitchen together: no performance, no hierarchy, just a labor of love through feeding people who tend the earth. Crystal Odin, who runs the flower program at Philly Farm, came through the kitchen too, and I thought about all of it on the drive home: my mother and her garden on MarChef Lachelle Cunningham Photos courtesy shall, Aiyana finding a farm she didn’t see coming, Tegan can still decimate ourselves; for. It is recognition. The land moving through a kitchen like she’d been there before. All we have done it to so many knows me, and I know it. of us growers, building on the Last time I went out there, species already. The only layers laid down before us. thing that interrupts that pat- I brought Tegan Carr, founder A grower is not a credential. tern is intentionality: staying of The Medicine Objective, It is not a job title, a program in relationship with the land, a Minnesota organization or an acreage. It is a practice working at the intersection nurturing it, healing with it. and a relationship. Your grandThe women in my life keep of healing justice, decolonizamother had it. Your great-unshowing me what that looks like. tion, plant medicine and landcle had it. Somebody in your Aiyana Sol Machado is a based practice. She walked lineage had their hands in the Boricua grower and board into the kitchen, wrapped up soil and knew what to do with chair of Philadelphia Commu- her hair, and I handed her a what sprouted up, and they nity Farm, a rural intentional knife I had just sharpened. I passed it on. community on Dakota and told her we had three salsas to You can have and be that Ho-Chunk land along the St. make. She made all three with
Croix River in Osceola, Wisconsin. We have known each other for years, and a couple of years ago I started going out to the farm to cook for the crew, no formal arrangement, just the desire to keep building the relationship through feeding people. Aiyana hangs around the kitchen while I cook, and we talk and vibe about our shared visions. She often says something I keep thinking about: whoever would have thought that we Three-salsa tostada would be doing this? She says it like she’s still surprised, like Growing is just what it the land found her before she sounds like. You put some- thought to look for it. thing in the soil, tend it, learn I understand that feeling. I what it needs. You eat it, run an urban farm and have a heal with it, share it, or let it full food forest at home; I grow breathe the air and clean the things and always have. But water. That is growing, and we when I walk the land at Philly should all be doing it. Farm, forage in the woods, I believe this more deeply feel dirt that has never been every year. With everything paved over, something opens technology promises us, we up in me I don’t have words
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or lunch hour helps you move your body before nightfall and maintain your routine through the long winter. Using these strategies for self-management works well for mild cases of SAD, but you never have to tough it out alone. It may be time to seek professional help if: • Symptoms have lasted more than two weeks and aren’t budging • You’re missing work, school or obligations you care about • You’ve noticed this same pattern for two or more winters • You’ve lost interest in nearly everything, or feel hopeless about it getting better If you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 anytime for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you find yourself sleeping more, craving carbohydrates and pulling away from people as the light drops, that’s a recognized condition with real treatments, and treatment does work. Talk therapy, light therapy and vitamin D supplements are all effective options. Lean on your people and reach out to your care team when you need additional help. We are all in this together. Take care, Nurse Felicia Felicia Permenter, APRN, NBC-HWC, is a family nurse practitioner at Right Spot Wellness in Roseville. For questions or comments, contact her at 651.313.5857, admin@rightspotwellness.com or www.rightspotwellness.com. too, even in a pot on the porch, even in a small square of yard you decide to stop ignoring. This work is happening right now in our communities, at Frogtown Farm in Saint Paul, Philadelphia Community Farm on the St. Croix, Project Sweetie Pie on the Northside and Healthy Roots Institute all over this state. It is being held by people who did not wait for permission or a budget to start growing. If what you are reading moves you, find us. Bring your hands, your resources, your hunger to be in relationship with the land and each other. What are you growing? For the full recipe, including Tegan’s three-salsa tostada formula, view this article online at [insert link]. Chef Lachelle Cunningham is a chef, herbalist and environmental justice writer who believes the pot, the land and the body are one conversation. She is the founder of Healthy Roots Institute, owner of City Food Studio and executive director of Frogtown Farm in Saint Paul.
4 September 3 - 9, 2026
Kelly’s Candles
Business
Turning wax into works of art
That intention carries into her fragrances, which she hand-picks one by one. She said the feedback that means the most to her comes from customers who tell her a scent brought back a memory of a loved one who had died, or of candle. She wanted to make someone else special in their something people could deco- life. rate with, learn from or simply “I feel like that alone is one sit with. reason that people should get “I’m very fond of arts, and I these candles in their home, wanted to create something and you will not regret it,” people can decorate with, can Kelly said. “It’s really the fralearn, or something that can grance, you will not regret it.” invoke memories,” Kelly said. Kelly said the extra time
Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Jasmine McBride Editor For Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Candles, a candle is never just a candle. It’s a sculpture, a keepsake and, for some customers, a way to hold onto the memory of someone they’ve lost. Kelly has run the business for four years, drawing on a lifelong love of art to create pieces that go far beyond a standard jar candle. Her signature pieces include peony candles, each one hand-shaped after being poured, and Roman-inspired statue candles that reflect her fondness for classical sculpture. “I really love the peonies,” Kelly said. “I know they take tons of time, and back pain, but it’s so worth it,” she said, referring to the delicately peony shaped candle art.
“Sometimes people don’t even believe it’s an actual candle.” Each peony candle takes two to three hours to make. Kelly pours the wax into a mold, then goes back in by hand to carve and refine every petal so the detail holds up under a close look. “Sometimes people don’t even believe it’s an actual candle,” she said. “The texture is so amazing.” That reaction is part of what drives her. Kelly said she never wanted to make a plain
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she puts into each piece is what sets her candles apart. Whether it’s a peony or another design, she reworks every candle after it comes out of the mold so the finished piece can stand out on its own in a customer’s home. “I take extra time to make sure that my candles look the way they are,” she said. “It’s either they add an accent to your home or they become the attraction in the home.” The business also holds to a broader environmental commitment. According to Kelly’s
Kelly of Kelly’s Candles at the MN State Fair Grandstand, Aug. 27. Jasmine McBride/MSR
Courtesy
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Candles’ mission statement, the company uses all-natural, biodegradable wax to minimize waste and its carbon footprint, relying on coconut and soy wax that is glutenfree, toxin-free, vegan and paraben- and phthalate-free. The wax is sourced from an FDA-approved supplier that shares the company’s environmental goals, according to the mission statement. Customers can find Kelly’s
Candles beyond its appearances at the Minnesota State Fair, where the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder originally found her, at the Grandstand. Kelly also sells through her website and out of a studio in Bloomington. For more information, visit www.kellyscandles.shop/. Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.
September 3 - 9, 2026
spokesman-recorder.com diversity, equity and inclusion commitments in early 2025, Continued from page 1 following President Donald Trump's executive order targeting DEI practices, set the exists following Target's 2025 stage for the incident. She rollback of its DEI program; said Target donated $1 million whether any employee or re- to the Trump-Vance inaugural viewer flagged concerns about committee and did not push the costume before it was back against federal immigralisted for sale; what changes, if tion enforcement activity in any, Target is making to its ap- its stores during what organizproval process going forward; ers referred to as "Operation how the company responds to Metro Surge." Target has not fulfilled the critics, including the Rev. Jamal Bryant and SOC Investment $2.1 billion pledge it made Group's Tejal Patel, who say to Black communities followthe incident reflects a lack of ing the 2020 police killing of diversity among Target's deci- George Floyd, Levy Armstrong sion-makers; whether Target is said, along with commitments conducting or planning an in- on hiring, promotion and ternal review and, if so, wheth- stocking more Black-owned er findings will be made public; brands. "Target profited off of those and whether a spokesperson or executive would be available promises because it posifor an on-the-record interview. tioned itself as the poster Target did not respond by the child for diversity, equity and inclusion," she said. requested deadline. Monique Cullars-Doty, coOrganizers said an apology is not enough. Levy Armstrong founder of Black Lives Matter cited actress Viola Davis, who Minnesota, said the National posted publicly that she does Target Boycott began in Minnesota, not with national fignot accept Target's apology. Levy Armstrong said Tar- ures who she said later tried get's decision to scale back its to claim credit for it.
TARGET
reason. "Let's talk a little bit about "I am a white woman calling I'm Monique Cullars-Doty, on other people who look like co-founder of the original Name to step up, cut up your Tartional Target Boycott, which started here, not Jamal Bryget card, stay away from the ant, not Tamika Mallory, not stores," Persigehl said. "There Nina Turner," she said. "It was are many other places to buy started right here in the great school supplies. There are state of Minnesota." many other places to buy HalCullars-Doty said the cosloween candy and costumes, tume was not a mistake. "That and there are many other costume was made because places to buy your Christmas somebody commissioned it to presents. Start planning now." be made," she said. "It was inTiffany Lappe' Dunlap, a tentional, and the history bemember of the public, delivhind minstrel shows and that ered brief remarks expressing costume is known." Picture of the retracted Target Halloween costume beside a anger at the company. Cullars-Doty also raised the minstrel character for comparison. "We hate you, and we're not Courtesy case of a man she identified as playing around," Dunlap said. Mari Ali, saying he was wrong- Sunday," Hussein said. "This is saying the union's members "You done pissed us off." fully convicted as a teenager shoppers across this country had already been supporting The National Target Boybased on testimony from a Tar- who have chosen to stand up the existing boycott and that cott began Feb. 1, 2025, and get-run crime lab, and called for their values." outside groups should not organizers have described it for his release. She separately Hussein said Target has create confusion about who as indefinite. The group is callsaid Target funded the Hen- suffered significant stock leads it. ing on Target to disclose how nepin County Attorney's office losses since the boycott beCheryl Persigehl, who de- the costume passed through during a period when incarcer- gan and characterized the scribed herself as a former its review process, restore its ation rates for Black boys and company's financial position Target customer of 40 years, DEI commitments, and promen rose sharply. as dire, saying Target received said she stopped shopping at vide a full public accounting of Jaylani Hussein, executive government support tied to Target 20 months ago after its $2.1 billion pledge to Black director of CAIR-Minnesota, tariffs. He also addressed a re- the company scaled back its communities. said the boycott is not com- cent American Federation of DEI commitments, and cited parable to a passing consumer Teachers announcement urg- the company's posture during Jasmine McBride welcomes trend. ing members to avoid back- immigration enforcement ac- reader responses at jmcbride@ "This is not the NFL on a to-school shopping at Target, tivity in its stores as a further spokesman-recorder.com.
PHYLLIS
Bryan D. Tyner (far right), president and CEO of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, poses with staff and partners while holding a $50,000 check donated by AT&T to support the center’s digital literacy programs. Photos courtesy of AT&T
sent my own children here to the Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center for preschool. I served as a volunteer on the board, and when it was time for me to retire from the fire department, I didn’t think I was ready to just kind of sit at home yet, and so I was looking for another way that I could serve the community. This opportunity was available, and so it just seemed like a natural fit to me.” The Phyllis Wheatley Community Center has more community events planned in the
coming months. In September, the center will host a heart health clinic in partnership with Shayla Rees of WCCO. October brings a trunk-ortreat event, followed by a turkey giveaway in November and a Santa breakfast in December, both in partnership with the Kappas. The center will also hold a gala Oct. 3 at the Metropolitan Ballroom to raise money for its programming.
ington Avenue in Minneapolis, Trump signed the National and the Nov. 18 raid at the Security Presidential MemoBro-Tex warehouse in St. Paul. randum-7, directing Joint Ter"Federal agents executing rorism Task Forces to deploy a search warrant were sur- counterterrorism tools, financial surveillance and interagency intelligence to track anti-ICE activism. The memo“We can’t assume that they’re acting in randum directs the Treasury Department to make resourcgood faith, that they’re following the es available "to identify and rules and the law and the Constitution.” disrupt financial networks that fund domestic terrorism and political violence." "Most of that is baloney," Riadministrative subpoenas, a rounded by protesters who financial tool meant for na- began to throw rocks, damag- ach said. Attorney Jordan Kushner tional security threats, to ing vehicles," Honeycutt wrote target the internal records of in court filings. "Agents had to called the charges politically leave the search early for their motivated, arguing that the SEIU Local 26. Justice Department has aban"This is information that ex- own safety." Honeycutt did not note doned many ethical norms. tends beyond this case but is "These prosecutors, acting relevant to impeaching these that none of the Minnesota agents as to what the heck is 15 were charged in the pro- at the behest of the Trump tests on June 3 and Nov. 18. regime in so many different going on here," Riach said. Honeycutt justified the sur- She also did not mention instances, both in Minnesota veillance operation by point- that the federal government and around the country, have ing to protest responses to downgraded Isabella Lopez's violated the norms and the rules," Kushner said. "We can't two raids last year: a June 3 charges to a misdemeanor. Last September, President assume that they're acting in raid at Lake Street and Bloom-
good faith, that they're following the rules and the law and the Constitution." Schultz rejected the government's request to delay last Thursday's hearing after U.S. Attorney Tory Sailer filed a motion to appear in court, then removed himself from the docket. Schultz asked Honeycutt why she wasn't able to respond to Riach's 37page motion. "I exist in a 24-hour continuum," Honeycutt said. In the District of Minnesota, 64 assistant U.S. attorneys have left the office since 2025, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has brought in special assistant U.S. attorneys and Judge Advocate General's Corps officers to fill the gap. Rosen told the AP his office had 64 assistant U.S. attorneys on his predecessor's last day, 47 on his own first day, and is now down to 36, though
he said he is hiring new prosecutors at a "good clip" and his office still has the capacity to prosecute major crimes. Kushner said vacancies in the U.S. Attorney's Office prompted the Justice Department to push underqualified lawyers into major federal court cases. Kushner, an attorney who has represented other MN15 defendants, was sharply critical of DeAbre's qualifications, saying: "He's so dumb, there's no way you could imagine him being an assistant U.S. attorney." Judges Katherine Menendez and Schultz said they will issue written rulings on the no-contact and discovery orders, respectively.
successful in the learning environment and in other environments as well.” Tyner came into the role in mid-January, following “It’s hard enough learning what he described as a 31math and reading and history year career in the fire service, and all of those things just on the last five as fire chief for its own, but when you don’t the city of Minneapolis. He have the proper equipment said stepping into the Phyllis and the proper things to do Wheatley role felt like a natuthat, whether that just be ral continuation of his ties to pencils, pens, notebooks and the center. all of those things, and in this “I actually used to hang out case, even a laptop, it makes here as a kid, play basketball it that much harder,” Tyner and football, and do all the said. “So we want to remove things that the kids are dothe barriers to our kids being ing here today,” Tyner said. “I Continued from page 1
e an
after video recordings failed to support Ribner's account of the arrest, Democracy Now reported. Riach argued that Ribner is deploying FinCEN
MN15
Continued from page 1
by Homeland Security Investigations, alleging a broad conspiracy centered around Direct Action MN. Riach argued that the federal government is using improper administrative subpoenas, rather than judicial warrants, to sweep up private financial and organizational records of the SEIU, according to court filings reviewed by MSR. Homeland Security Investigations Agent Ryan Ribner submitted a sworn affidavit charging California labor leader David Huerta with federal obstruction during a 2025 anti-ICE demonstration, according to court records. Federal prosecutors dropped the criminal case against Huerta
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Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Clint Combs is a freelance journalist and contributing writer for the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder. He welcomes reader responses at combs0284@gmail. com.
6 September 3 - 9, 2026
Arts & Culture
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Lenny McAllister’s new book challenges echo chambers, calls for a return to faith and second chances By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer We first met Lenny McAllister, a longtime, unabashed Black Republican, while covering the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, and have kept in touch over the years. McAllister is a radio talk show host and frequent commentator on outlets such as CNN and Fox. His latest book, “A Venn Diagram of One: An American Story,” was released Aug. 11. He talked to MSR prior to the release. “I know who I am as a Republican, and I know my history as a Republican,” he reaffirmed. “I still can be a Republican and look at the people that have hijacked this party ... There’s a lot of things that have transpired with this iteration of the Republican Party and many of its leaders that contravene what being a real Republican is.” “A Venn Diagram of One” “is not a sanitized memoir or a tidy policy manual,” according to the book’s press release. “McAllister shares the story behind the labels, and shows how his life became proof that America’s best strength has always been found at the intersections: out of many, one.” McAllister was born in Pittsburgh in 1972; he and his mother almost died during childbirth. His mother, Carol, ran a daycare out of the family home before her death in 2006, and his father, Leonard
Sr., was a computer technician and an electrician for a local steel mill. The McAllisters lived in Penn Hills, a Pittsburgh suburb where their son grew up playing football, basketball and baseball. Lenny later enrolled at Davidson College in 1989 and was going to walk on to the school’s basketball team, but
declined after the coach left, and instead was a pitcher on the baseball team. He eventually left school in 1992 for a sabbatical that lasted a decade, during which time McAllister became a first-time father at age 21. He later reenrolled at Davidson and graduated with a history degree. He unsuccessfully ran for po-
litical office several times, losing once by only 56 votes, and represented the Hip Hop Republicans at the 2008 GOP convention. He has hosted talk shows on Pittsburgh cable, Pittsburgh’s KDKA Radio and Chicago’s WVON over the years, and provided timely commentary from an Afro-centric perspective on political panels. McAllister’s latest book ex- Lenny McAllister Courtesy photos plores several themes: knock down the echo chamber the pride, the long-term memso that we can hear each other ory and the fortitude necessary Faith “Faith is how I got here. Faith once again,” McAllister stressed. to move past those obstacles is also how America has gotten “We can’t only look in our echo to get to those second acts,” to this point in our career, in chamber for the solutions, be- McAllister stressed. “There’s our lives, in our families, in our cause all that does is reinforce a lot of generations now that communities, whatever the the flaws, reinforces bad no- don’t remember the Cold War, case may be,” McAllister said. tions, bad behavior, flawed don’t remember a whole lot of “America is supposed to live up information or misinformation. economic angst until the Great to those principles and these Let’s knock down the echo Recession and COVID, and promises. If you have faith that chambers, and let’s reembrace they look at these times as the those things will be there, you what makes us different in or- most divisive times we’ve ever der to help make us great again.” been through. will eventually find your way.” The author-commentator “You and I can both remember is on the road promoting “A the aftermath of the Civil Rights Second acts “In America, we’re sup- Venn Diagram of One.” era going into the ‘70s, and then McAllister reaffirmed that what the ‘60s were like,” McAlposed to be able to provide people the opportunity to re- the book “reminds all Ameri- lister concluded. “It’s important invent themselves and be able cans that, one, we need to to remind Americans, not just to find that pursuit of happi- know our history. Two, we young Americans but Ameriness in an ongoing fashion,” he need to understand that we cans overall. We’re a tough lot continued. “I bring up a lot of have all been through strug- that have succeeded in spite of second acts in the book ... I gles, regardless of who we ourselves, and there is a litany of talk about second acts in the are. We have all gone through 250 years of examples.” book from my parents to my some form of discrimination, For more information on some form of obstacle and the book, visit www.lennymlovely wife, to myself ...” some form of disappointment, callister.com/. and we cannot allow the disilBreaking down echo lusionment to be the foundachambers and reunifying Charles Hallman welcomes tional feeling.” as a nation reader responses at challman@ Especially Black Americans, spokesman-recorder.com. “We are a nation of over 300 million residents and citi- he surmised. “We have to allow the faith, zens. We need to be able to Copyright © Charles Hallman
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Education
September 3 - 9, 2026
7
James Weldon Johnson: The man behind six careers and a civil rights anthem songs for the musical stage. It of its kind, and later publishing Johnson kept teaching. He was there that Johnson began God’s Trombones, a collection joined Fisk University in 1931 building the relationships that of poems styled after Black as a professor of creative writwould carry him into public folk sermons. But his activism ing and literature, a role he What if one man could be a service. Along the way, in 1904, ran just as deep as his art. In held until he died in a car aclawyer, a poet, a diplomat and he earned a master’s degree 1917, he helped organize the cident in 1938. the writer of an anthem still from Atlanta University and Negro Silent Protest Parade, sung today? Sounds imposLook at that list again: edulater took graduate courses at in which about 10,000 people cator, lawyer, songwriter, dipsible, right? Meet James WelColumbia University. In 1906, marched down Fifth Avenue lomat, novelist, poet and acdon Johnson. President Theodore Roosevelt against lynching and racial vi- tivist. Johnson did not choose Johnson was born at a time appointed him U.S. consul to olence. He joined the NAACP one identity and perfect it. He when education was reserved Venezuela, and in 1909 he was as field secretary in 1916 and moved through a courtroom, a for the privileged, but into a moved to Nicaragua. While in became executive secretary in consulate, a pulpit and a stage, home where it mattered deepthe foreign service, he married 1920, a role he held for a de- using every one of those platly. That foundation carried him Grace Nail and began writing cade. In his first year alone, he forms toward the same end: through Atlanta University. In what would become his best- helped launch 13 new South- proving, in word and in action, 1894, he graduated and came known literary work, The Au- ern branches, significantly that Black excellence was not back home to Jacksonville, tobiography of an Ex-Colored expanding the organization’s up for debate. Florida. Once back, he became Man, published anonymously reach. In 1919, under his leadprincipal of the Stanton School, At Planting People Growing in 1912. Johnson left the dip- ership, the NAACP released Justice Leadership Institute his alma mater. Johnson did not lomatic corps in 1913. By 1914, “Thirty Years of Lynching in the (PPGJLI), we know literacy is limit himself to the classroom. he had become an editor at United States, 1889-1918,” a one of the best ways to make He launched a newspaper, The the New York Age, one of the documented report of more a real difference. Johnson’s Daily American, while teaching. country’s most influential Black than 3,000 lynchings that fed life shows it: reading, writIt was one of the country’s first newspapers, a post he held for directly into congressional ing and staying curious are Black newspapers. It folded lobbying and laid the ground- what built everything he did. a decade. after a year because funding work for racial justice advo- Want to hear the whole story? ran out, but he kept pushing. James Weldon Johnson Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1932 cacy. This effort helped push Check out PPGJLI’s forthcomAt the same time he was run“Even in his later the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill ing book in the Difference ning the school, he studied law Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. tional Anthem,” later adopted through the House in 1922, Makers series, James Weldon under a local attorney. In 1898, His brother, John Rosamond by the NAACP. Johnson later years, Johnson though it stalled in the Senate. Johnson: Voice for Change. he became the first Black man Johnson, a composer, set it to called writing those lyrics the kept teaching.” For his civil rights work, John- Keep his legacy going and the admitted to the Florida Bar music. The poem became “Lift most satisfying accomplishson received the NAACP’s love of reading alive. since Reconstruction. This was Every Voice and Sing.” Five ment of his life. Spingarn Medal in 1925 and Johnson’s career kept exmonumental, especially in a le- hundred schoolchildren in In 1901, restless in Jacksongal system that did not exactly Jacksonville performed it first. ville and unsettled by the racism panding. He became a lead- a Julius Rosenwald Fellowship, Christabel Annor is an inwhich funded Black Manhating voice of the Harlem Rewant him there. tern at Planting People GrowIt spread from Black churches he saw around him, Johnson Two years later, in 1900, to civic gatherings across the and his brother moved to New naissance, editing The Book tan (1930), his history of Black ing Justice Leadership Institute Johnson drafted a poem for a South, and by the 1920s it York City to write for Broadway. of American Negro Poetry in life in New York City. (PPGJLI). For more information Even in his later years, on PPGJLI, visit www.ppgjli.org/. school celebration honoring was known as the “Black Na- Together, they composed 200 1922, the first major anthology By Christabel Annor Contributing Writer
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8 September 3 - 9, 2026
Opinion
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Engineer: From Ads YOUR VOICE MATTERS — send your opinionDevSecOps (400-600 words) to submissions@spokesman-recorder.com! COUNTY OF HENNEPIN DISTRICT COURT Plymouth, MN STATE OF MINNESOTA
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Gun violence is changing our FOR BILLING communities. We have to change INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS the conversation PLEASE CONTACT By Shakur Smith
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 10, 2025
The price on your screen is fiction By Christopher Elliot
A gunshot can last less than a second. The impact lasts a lifetime. I know that because I have lived it. I was shot in the chest. At that moment, gun violence stopped being something I heard about on the news. It became something that happened to me. But my story is only one story. If we make gun violence only about one person, we miss the bigger picture: a community carrying thousands of stories. In Minnesota, 549 people died from gun violence in 2025. 119 (22.2%) were homicides, and 374 (70.6%) were suicides. Gun violence includes homicide, suicide, domestic violence and the trauma that follows a shooting. Black Minnesotans were 26 times more likely than white Minnesotans to die by firearm homicide in 2025. Black males ages 15 to 34 made up about 1.2% of Minnesota’s population but accounted for 40% of all gun-homicide deaths that year. Those numbers should stop us. Not because Black communities are the problem, but because something is happening in certain communities that demands our attention, our resources and our action. Behind every percentage is a person, a family, a community. When someone
In Re: Estate of
OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Deanne Marie Hild, FILE NO. 27-PA-PR-25-934 also known as, Deanne Marie Bratton and Deanne Marie Elmquist, Deceased
Nnot T Iend NG enforcement, at the same table. isTO killed, theACCOU loss does ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ANDDEPT CREDITORS: We need to stop only asking when the police tape comes @that BILLI NG@SPOKESNotice is given an application for informal appointment of personal represenyoung people why doing down. A mother loses a child. tative has beenM filed with the Registrar.DER No will.COM has been presented for they’re probate. The A N-R ECOR Neighborhoods lose a sense this, and start asking what application has been granted. of safety. Much of that trauma they need. Somewhere safe to Notice is hereby given that informal appointment of Michael Ryan Hild, whose adreaches people never touched go. Someone who believes in DISPLAY dress is 4034EMPLOYMENT 40th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55406 as personal representative of bytheaestate bullet. That is the part them. Someone to call before a SIZE 2 COLdecedent, X 2 INCH of the above-named has been made. Any heir, devisee or other statistics cannot capture. conflict becomes a crisis. interested person may be entitled PCI to appointment as personal representative or may RATE: $44.60 My toexperience object the appointmenthas of thetaught personal representative and the personal represenPolicy matters too. Community TOTAL: $178.40 tativewe is empowered to fully administer including,responsible after 30 days from me cannot only talkthe estate programs, gunthelaws, date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, about what happens after safe firearm storage and mental unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and someone gets shot. We health resources all matter. But the Court otherwise orders. have to Please talk about what none workconfirmation alone. proof, respond withcan email to ad happens before: opportunity, Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate areour I don’t believe spokesman-recorder.com required to present theemployment, same to said personalcommunities representative or to the Court I education, areProbate broken. Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be mentorship, mental health, believe they are hurting. The MSR handles billing digitally. barred. safe spaces. Broken are thrown ThisNone meansof youthat will get e-tearsthings and e-mailed invoice excuses violence. But if we away. Hurting things are unless you specifically request a hard copy. are serious preventing cared Lindy Dated: June 24,about 2025 for. Scanlon it, we have to understand the MyRegistrar life could have ended conditions that let it grow. the day I was shot. It didn’t. ProSe Sara Gonsalves Young people should be Because it didn’t, I feel a District Court Administrator part of the solution, not responsibility to use my voice. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder July 10, 17, 2025 just potential victims or Not just mine, but the voice of perpetrators. They know survivors, families and young where the tension is in their people tired of attending neighborhoods, and what funerals and watching potential resources are missing. That is disappear. one reason I’m building Too Survival, to me, is deciding Turnt Auto LLC into more what you do with the life you than an automotive business, still have. I choose to use and to a place where young mine to speak, and I hope our people are taught trade skills communities choose to listen. and the value of a career built Not with fear, but with action. with their hands. The future of our communities Prevention cannot begin shouldn’t be measured by the moment somebody pulls a how many people we teach to trigger. It must begin long before. survive gun violence. It should Survivors have a voice. Families be measured by how many who have lost loved ones have lives we prevent it from taking a voice. Those voices must be in the first place. part of the decisions made about how we prevent violence Shakur Smith is the founder alongside schools, policymakers, of Too Turnt Auto LLC. For more health professionals and law information.
or deceptive fees took effect actual court. A state attorney barring hidden total prices for general can subpoena it. A What if a grocery store live-event tickets and short- plaintiff’s lawyer can quote charges you more for milk term lodging, a partial victory it to a jury. Companies don’t because it knows how many that the FTC narrowed from change their ways because kids you have in your house? Or an original proposal covering shoppers squint at fine a ride app quotes you a higher restaurants, food delivery and print. They reform because fare because you haven’t car rentals. So a hotel has to someone made them write installed a competitor’s app on show you the all-in number down the sentence, and it for your room. The car rental went viral. Oops. your phone? counter in that hotel’s garage Those aren’t random “what What an honest price looks doesn’t. ifs.” They’re scenarios the like Sure, there have been other Federal Trade Commission When you go grocery small advances. StubHub (FTC) published as examples shopping in Paris or Berlin, agreed to refund $10 million of pricing that would raise the number on the shelf is over deceptive ticket pricing legal concerns under the the total amount you pay. in an FTC action announced law, an uncharacteristically pro-consumer position from earlier this year. But it’s not European law defines the an agency that seems to go nearly enough. This business- selling price as the final price, out of its way to protect the friendly administration has including VAT and all other been dragging its feet on taxes, and requires that any interests of businesses. A few months ago, I argued protecting consumers, but advertised price cut reflect that banning surveillance now it appears to have finally the lowest price charged in the prior 30 days. No invented pricing, as some states have drawn a line in the sand. done, was the wrong move. Requiring disclosure was the answer. Make them show any publicity is good publicity, By Joseph Williams their work. Several readers even when it proves your critics wrote to say this consumer Stephen A. Smith said NABJ’s right. advocate had gone soft. So it I was in the banquet hall Thumbs Down Award was was a little surreal when the “Christmas arriving early.” But when NABJ put Smith on its FTC agreed with me last week. “was” number. Australia’s his furious reaction to criticism “naughty” list alongside FCC Why disclosure could work The FTC said Congress competition regulator requires from an organization he once Chairman Brendan Carr, CBS What the agency wants The government has hasn’t given it the authority to the same: a single total figure, embraced reveals something News and Black media mogul interesting about DuJuan McCoy, all cited for proposed a rule requiring prohibit personalized pricing. including taxes, duties and more power, accountability and his undermining press freedom or businesses to clearly disclose Disclosure is the next best any unavoidable fee. That’s the standard we relationship with Black America. pushing out Black staff. When when a price is personalized, thing. As a sports journalist-turned- Smith’s headshot flashed When a company has to deserve. One price. No base along with the basis for it and the types of data behind put in writing that it charged fares, no pre-tax subtotals and media personality with political on the jumbo screens, the it. FTC Chairman Andrew you more because your data no drip pricing that hides the ambitions, Stephen A. Smith has room gasped, chuckled, then never met a room he couldn’t fill applauded. Ferguson said shoppers suggested you’d pay it, that real number until checkout. NABJ’s leaders looked at his We’re not getting it this with the sound of his own voice. expect everyone to see the sentence becomes evidence, So when the National body of work and concluded not just in the court of public year. What we have instead same price. Last year, a rule on unfair opinion, but potentially in an is a weakened commission Association of Black Journalists his commentary about Black arguing that companies handed ESPN’s flagship Black women causes real damage. should at least have to explain commentator a “Thumbs Down” Consider Rep. Jasmine Crockett, themselves, still better than award Aug. 16 at its annual D-Texas, a former civil rights the complete lack of oversight conference in Atlanta, citing attorney Smith spent weeks what it called Smith’s “recurring attacking last fall over her we had a month ago. public pattern of disparaging “rhetoric for the streets.” By commentary directed at his standards, Crockett was Say something Comments go to the FTC prominent Black women across too Black, too Southern, too website, and the deadline is politics, sports and media,” the unbothered by his notion of Sept. 18. Mine will say what only shocking part was that respectability, so he scolded her this column says: Disclosing anyone expected him to sit with on his podcast and questioned whether her style would “help a personalized price is a it. Rather than brush it off, her district.” good start, but we shouldn’t The backlash came fast. stop there. Until then, when defend himself or pause for submissions@spokesman-recorder.com a price appears on your reflection, Smith came in hot. Rapper Willie D put it plainly: screen, consider it a work of He posted on X that the award “Dude is sitting on one of the fiction. Ask yourself: Is this was “the epitome of Christmas biggest mics in America, and everything? If the answer is arriving early” before promising instead of using it to uplift, he’s to “come for” the organization tearing down a Black woman no, walk away. that dared to say publicly what who’s out here putting in Christopher Elliott is an a lot of Black Americans have real work.” Smith eventually author, consumer advocate said privately for years. “I’ve shut apologized, kind of, after and journalist. He founded my mouth for years. Now y’all President Donald Trump piled submissions@spokesman-recorder.com on Crockett with Smith’s own Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit started something,” he wrote. He acknowledged Hard to believe Smith, who’s insults. organization that helps solve consumer problems. He paid millions of dollars a year his words had “given [Trump] publishes Elliott Confidential, to freely speak his mind, has ammunition,” but insisted the ads@spokesman-recorder.com a travel newsletter, and the shut his mouth for five minutes, suggestion he indulged in Elliott Report, a news site about much less years. By Monday, misogynoir was “emphatically customer service. If you need as the online mockery peaked, false.” submissions@spokesman-recorder.com. It’s the same energy Smith help with a consumer problem, Smith took his grievances to you can reach him here or email conservative white media, proof brought when he scolded that in the attention economy, former President Barack Obama him at chris@elliott.org.
“Companies don’t change their ways because shoppers squint at fine print.”
Stephen A. Smith’s problem isn’t his opinions. It’s accountability for telling Black men to examine their reluctance to vote for a Black woman for president. Nuance isn’t missing from his commentary, it’s been surgically removed. That’s hard to reconcile with a man who, stung by the NABJ critique, bypassed Black media to serve up more bombast to Sean Hannity and Chris Cuomo. Perhaps most telling: NABJ’s current president, Errin Haines, is a Black woman. To be clear, Smith has the right to his opinions, and Crockett, Obama and other Black public figures aren’t above criticism. But if he chooses to spew hot takes targeting influential Black women, he should be held accountable for misogynoir. NABJ didn’t ambush him; this is an organization he has walked into at past conventions with music blasting and arms wide, soaking up the love. Rather than reflecting, Smith vowed revenge, and did it on white media. That’s not the response of a man interested in growth. It’s the response of someone who has built an empire on being the loudest voice in the room, cashing checks for it and never answering to anyone with the power to say he’s wrong. NABJ handed him a mirror. True to form, Smith wants to use it as a weapon. This op-ed appeared first in Word in Black. It has been cut for length. For the original, visit www.wordinblack. com/2026/08/stephen-as m i t h s - p ro b l e m - i s n t - h i s opinions-its-accountability/. Joseph Williams is a contributing writer for Word in Black.
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and All-Metro at Walled Lake Western High School, outside Detroit in Walled Lake, Mich. He later enrolled in Minnesota in January 2023. But the Minnesota back didn’t leave behind his roots, his inner passion to succeed back at home. “I think coming out of Detroit,” Taylor said, “that’s allowed me to be the way I am.” “I would say just how hard I work and how hard I wanted to play, I wanted to get my family in a better situation,” said Taylor on his life growing up as one of seven siblings, the only male among six
17 Big Ten players and one of sisters. “My family would say I was 30 running backs put on the born with it,” said Taylor of list last month. The Gophers open their his Detroit toughness and corresponding passion. He 2026 season Thursday, Sept. runs so hard with every carry. 3, at home against Eastern Before speaking with Illinois. Taylor said the key us, Taylor told reporters is for him and his mates to when asked on his goal of “stick together ... not getting staying healthy this season, “I too up and too low, staying understand how to fluctuate even keel and understanding my weight. I’m able to go up that the job’s not finished,” he in weight, go down in weight concluded. “We have to keep because I’m paying attention going and finish the game.” to those macros and how Charles Hallman welcomes much calories I’m taking in.” Taylor is on the Maxwell reader responses at challman@ Football Club’s watch list spokesman-recorder.com. for the outstanding college Copyright © Charles Hallman football player award, one of
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Coming back to Minnesota actually was a no-brainer for Continued from page 10 Smith, the Shippensburg, Pa. native: “I think every single year we’ve fell short” of very blessed that I got invited winning the conference or to go out there,” said Smith. getting into a bigger bowl, “I got to be the young pup he reiterated. “We’re very that weekend” as opposed fortunate to have the (2025) to his current status with the season that we had,” he said Gophers. “I’m the old head of of the Gophers’ 8-5 overall the group,” he said, smiling record, tied for seventh in the conference with a 5-4 mark but matter-of-factly.
defensive players that made and Rate Bowl winner. “I think this year is the the list. Finally, when this reporter year that we’re going to do it,” predicted Smith of the remarked on Smith’s looking 2026 season, which starts slim and trim for this fall, Thursday, Sept. 3, at home “Seriously, I’m heavier. I’m 285 right now,” he said proudly. against Eastern Illinois. Along with being picked Charles Hallman welcomes preseason All-Big Ten, Smith is one of 50 players on the reader responses at challman@ 2026 Walter Camp Football spokesman-recorder.com. Foundation Player of the Year Copyright © Charles Hallman watch list, one of only nine
recognized employment arrangement would be called a tuition benefit. They can accept endorsements only as long as those endorsements players association. The are not “pay for play.” At 18, PCSA does nothing to they are obligated to comply address that imbalance. The with a 418-page manual that NCAA and its conferences legal scholars and federal could earn an antitrust judges struggle to untangle, exemption the way the one that claims their athletic NFL did, through legitimate work requires no more than negotiation and collective 20 hours a week despite bargaining with their players. everyone in the system Facing massive damages knowing athletes generally from college athlete work 40 to 60. allegations of price fixing, Since athletes won the the NCAA agreed in 2025 right to profit from their to a $2.8 billion settlement name, image and likeness in House v. NCAA. The and to move more freely settlement provides through the transfer portal, backpay to some athletes college sport executives who suffered financial and members of Congress losses under NCAA rules have been unrelenting that barred them from in claiming the system is endorsement deals, and a in “crisis,” demanding the provision moving forward federal government fix a for athletes to share in the manufactured problem. Yet revenue they generate. the Sport Business Journal While often called “seismic,” reported college football its backpay provisions viewership hit a high in 2025, consider only athletes with the College Football who competed from 2016 Playoff alone generating through 2024, as if college $1.3 billion a year. That is athletes did not suffer hardly a sign of an industry economic harms before that. in crisis. It is true that $2.8 Framing college athletes billion is a big number. It as “greedy,” “ungrateful” doesn’t seem quite as big and “disloyal,” college sport once the $750 million that executives have employed went to legal fees is taken classic management messaging into account. Nor does it in making athletes the problem. capture the harm done to As Chris Corr, a professor of young adults confronted sport leadership at Clemson with a system that makes and director of the College something as fundamentally Sport Research Institute at the American as being paid University of South Carolina, fairly for your work sinful points out, the rate at which and worthy of punishment. college athletes transfer The people in charge not reflects rational labor market only profit off the labor of decisions, not disloyalty. college athletes, they use Members of the U.S. the revenue athletes earn Senate should be wary of to control them. The NCAA what they are doing if they and conferences, funded approve the Protect College largely by football and men’s Sports Act. The intention basketball players, have is in the name, but this used that money to wage is not about protecting legal battles against those college athletes. It is about same players and have protecting the college sport invested millions since 2014 industry and those in control lobbying Congress to undo of it. the modest gains athletes NCAA President Charlie have made through the Baker testified before courts. the Senate Judiciary College athletes are clearly Committee in 2023 that in recruited for their athletic conversations with more ability, or there wouldn’t be than a thousand college public rating systems with athletes, he hadn’t met five-star valuations. They one who supported being are offered scholarships recognized as an employee. as “compensation” but not That claim is hard to square for that ability, which in a with reality: Northwestern
football players signed union cards in 2014, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team voted to join the Service Employees International Union in 2024, the Stanford football team organized a chapter of the College Football Players Association in 2026, and 100 Division I women’s basketball players, including an Oregon State team backed by the AFL-CIO, signed union cards in 2026. The PCSA gives the NCAA and its member conferences and institutions antitrust immunity without any obligation to negotiate with players, preempts states from challenging NCAA rules and narrowly limits an athlete’s right to sue. If this bill passes and the NCAA gets what it has spent millions lobbying
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Assumed Name | Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333
Read the instructions before completing this form. Filing Fee: $50 for expedited service in-person and online filings, $30 if submitted by mail The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable consumers to be able to identify those conducting business. Note: Information provided when filing a business entity is public data and may be viewable online. This includes but is not limited to all individual names and addresses. 1. Assumed Name: (Required) List the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Chanson Voice and Music Academy 2. Principal Place of Business: (Required) Street Address (A PO Box by itself is not acceptable) 795 Raymond Avenue City: St Paul State: MN Zip: 55114 3. Mailing Address: If you would like to receive mail at an address other than the principal place of business address, please provide a mailing address. Street Address: ______________________________________ City: ____________ State: ______ Zip: ______ 4. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, AND/OR if the above Assumed Name is held by a business entity – such as a corporation, limited liability company, etc. – provide the entity name and address. Name: Thomas McNellis Street: 795 Raymond Avenue City: St Paul State: MN Zip: 55114 5. I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document in his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. Signature: _______________________ Date: 6-9-26 Signature (Only one Applicant or an Authorized Agent is required to sign) Print Name and Title: Thomas D McNellis, director of vocal pedagogy Email Address for Official Notices Enter an email address to which the Secretary of State can forward official notices required by law and other notices: tdmcnellis@gmail.com Check here to have your email address excluded from requests for bulk data, to the extent allowed by Minnesota law. Work Item 1657842400058 Original File Number 1657842400058 STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FILED 07/27/2026 11:59 PM Steve Simon Secretary of State
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, September 3 & 10, 2026
BCSR
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Grace era continues at Howard Ty Grace has led Howard women’s basketball to three MEAC regular season titles, two league tournament titles, two NCAAs, including the first-ever tournament win in program history this past spring, and a WNIT bid since Howard Coach Ty Grace her arrival in 2015. Last week, Courtesy of Howard Athletics the school gave Grace a multiyear contract extension. “It is an honor and a WBB (2): Southern, Nov. privilege to be part of the 10; Grambling, Dec. 20 Howard legacy and I am incredibly proud of what this Also, in perhaps a first program represents,” Grace at The Barn, a men’s/ said in a released statement. women’s HBCU basketball doubleheader when the Finally … Gophers’ men’s team The University of plays Alcorn State and Minnesota basketball teams the women’s team plays this season will host five Black Grambling on Dec. 20. college teams during its 202627 non-conference schedule. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@ MBB (3): Southern, Nov. spokesman-recorder.com. 12; Texas Southern, Dec. 16; Alcorn State, Dec. 20 Copyright © Charles Hallman
coaches I’ve had,” stressed the Gopher. “He was a friend before he was my coach. So, it’s been really cool to have him in and be able to have those conversations.” The 6-0, 215-pound Taylor played in 10 games last season, carried the ball 143 times for 670 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 34 passes for 245 yards. He missed three games due to injury. Back in Motown, Taylor was All-State, All-Conference
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for, its bad faith will be on full display, and Congress will have betrayed the interests of college athlete workers who are citizens deserving protection. The views in this op-ed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Michele Roberts is the former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association and the first woman to lead a major North American professional sports union. Ellen J. Staurowsky is a professor of sports media (retired) at Ithaca College and co-author of “College Athletes for Hire” and “Exploitation of College Profit Athletes.”
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fter last weekend’s M E A C / S W A C Challenge Kickoff that was nationally televised from Atlanta between Alabama A&M (SWAC) and Howard (MEAC), won by Howard 3124, nearly every Black college football team is now in full 2026 season mode. “HBCU football is the SWAC,” Grambling State Head Coach Mickey Joseph said before the Challenge Kickoff on the SWAC weekly coaches media call August 24, which MSR regularly participates. The Tigers (1-0) host Central State Sept. 5. Jackson State Head Coach T. C. Taylor said when asked about the conference preseason rankings that has JSU finishing second behind Alabama State in the SWAC East Division, “We just got to get out there and play our schedule and be in a position to play football in November.” The Bulldogs (1-0) play Edward Waters Sept. 5. “Everyone wants a championship season,” stressed
Sports
spokesman-recorder.com admitted Faulk, who was hired last November on his first head coaching opportunity. “Football is a team game and the team that plays the better as a team usually wins,” he said. The Jaguars (0-1) play Kentucky State Sept. 5.
SWAC coaches sound off as HBCU football season kicks into gear
Legal challenges continue There have been a growing number of legal challenges to the NCAA’s eligibility rules since the governing organization changed its rules in June that allowed athletes to play five seasons during a five-year timespan. Both the SEC and Big Ten recently in response put in new rules barring formerly pro athletes from coming back to play in college, but a Dallas judge last week ordered the SEC not to block athletes from returning. When asked, Prairie View A&M Coach Tremaine Jackson simply said, “There’s so much stuff going on in college football. It’s changing every single day. I love it the way it Courtesy of SWAC/Twitter Courtesy of SWAC/Twitter is. I love the chaos. Alabama State Coach Eddie The Wildcats play UCF Sept. 3. (1-0) Coach Alonzo Hampton. Football Hall of Famer “You gotta learn to be Marshall Faulk at Southern. successful in chaos,” the coach Robinson Jr., whose squad (1-0) “We got a lot of young guys They face Missouri Sept. 3. This season the SWAC FAMU (1-0) plays South said. “Whether it is, we’ll that are competing.” plays Lane on Sept. 5. two first-year Carolina State Sept. 6. “We have 105 players, features “We are improving every improve and adapt to it and we’ll “I’m the rookie here being a keep moving.” day,” Bethune-Cookman’s the most we’ve had here,” coaches in Florida A&M’s Raymond Woodle pointed out. admitted Arkansas-Pine Bluff Quinn Gray Sr. and Pro head coach on the sidelines,” ■ See BCSR on page 9
Howell has outstanding coaching career at Taylor, Smith give Gophers reasons for optimism St. Paul Central There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University Sports Columnist
Football (2000-2026) Howell took over as head coach following his high school coach and Hall of Famer Floyd Smaller. What followed was a very successful run. He led the Minutemen to seven St. Paul City Conference championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Howell coached the remainder of his tenure after the City Conference was disbanded in 2014.
of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2025-26 academic and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher football players Darius Taylor and Anthony Smith
A Detroit upbringing and a new position coach fuel his game
A shot at a title brought the sack leader back for one more year
arius Taylor came to nthony Smith could Dinkytown several have gone into the seasons ago as a NFL Draft this past highly rated running back spring, but opted instead from Detroit. He eventually to return to Minnesota for became one of the Big Ten’s his fifth season as a redshirt best, a three-time conference senior defensive lineman. Sports Columnist Player of the Week honoree in his freshman season. or the first time since “I was very Taylor’s running back coach 2000, Scott Howell will fortunate and is former Gopher Mohamed not be on the sidelines Ibrahim, a two-time Allvery blessed that when St. Paul Central opens American and 2020 Big Ten its football season this week, Basketball (2000-2025) I got invited to Though Howell didn’t play Running Back of the Year, who nor will he be present when go out there.” the basketball team takes the basketball at the varsity level, went on to run in the NFL for court for the 2026-27 season. he experienced quite a bit of two seasons before turning to coaching. This is Ibrahim’s The 6-6 player told Howell, who retired as head success on the court. first season as running backs reporters during media day Darius Taylor He did play and coach for boys basketball coach after coach. in late July, “I’m going to my Charles Hallman/MSR the 2024-25 season, repeated former St. Paul Highland Park Hall second year of being an actual the act as head football coach of Famer Charles Portis while at true starter. Being a leader on different things,” said Taylor “My family after 2025, bringing a close St. Paul Ramsey Junior High. this team, I definitely have on Ibrahim after meeting Whatever his experience, it to one of the state’s most would say I was learned a lot from last year.” with local reporters. He led to success. celebrated careers. born with it.” Smith last season had 17.5 and Ibrahim once were teammates, and the latter was tackles for loss and led the Big “I say the biggest thing with his recruiting guide during the Ten with 12.5 sacks. He made Coach Mo is he’s given me former’s official campus visit All-Big Ten in 2025 and has 31 the ability to have somebody during high school. tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks to talk to on a personal level “I think that’s something for his career. about the things that are that sets him apart from other Speaking to MSR, the going on in life, on the field, ■ See SOE - TAYLOR on page 9 young man recalled a recent
Anthony Smith Charles Hallman/MSR experience with NFL defensive players that gave him a fresh perspective as he enters his final collegiate season: “I was one of two college players that got invited to it. It’s called the Sacks Summit. I think there were 60 NFL players there,” Smith pointed out. “I was very fortunate and ■ See SOE - SMITH on page 9
College football kicks off over Labor Day weekend, but players are still not employees Scott Howell
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald/MSR
Before becoming one of the metro area’s top coaches in two varsity sports, Howell had an outstanding prep career. The 1984 St. Paul Central graduate starred in football and baseball, earning AllConference honors in both. From there, he attended St. Cloud State University on a football scholarship from 1984-88. After coaching both sports at the junior varsity level, Howell found himself coaching those same sports at the varsity level at his alma mater.
ANOTHER
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Under his leadership, the Minutemen won or shared nine City Conference championships By Michele in 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019, Roberts & 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. Ellen J. They made a Class 3A state S taurowsky tournament appearance in 2014 after upsetting topranked St. Paul Johnson in the s the college football section championship. Courtesy season gets underway Michele Roberts Not many get the chance over the Labor Day to give back to their alma weekend, the U.S. Senate is member schools, which have mater as Howell has. He had contemplating a bill called been serial violators of federal a nice career. the Protect College Sports antitrust law (NCAA v. Board Act (PCSA). It offers, against of Regents, 1984; O’Bannon v. Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald all logic, an unprecedented NCAA, 2015; NCAA v. Alston, welcomes reader responses at antitrust exemption to the 2021). If the PCSA passes, it mcdeezy05@gmail.com. NCAA and its conferences and would reward organizations
Ellen J. Staurowsky
Courtesy
that have engaged in blatant illegal behavior over decades, transforming bad actors into victims. To be clear, the NCAA and its conferences are no victims. They have done nothing to warrant the legal
“Members of the U.S. Senate should be wary of what they are doing if they approve the Protect College Sports Act.” protections they seek. What ails the college sport system is its unwillingness to recognize athletes as employees and negotiate with them through an independent ■ See VIEW on page 9