Empire - Jan 24 by Michels Communications Corporation

EMPIRE A

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Kelsey Geraets S TA K I N G H E R C L A I M

PHOTOGR APHY B Y SHANE MONAH AN

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CONTRIBUTORS team of writers Andrea Van Essen, Lauren Johnson, Erica Wilcox, Trisha K. Gaudig and Stacey Kracht

Account Executives Jill Foley 712-490-8506 | jill@michelscom.com Kevin Culhane 605-661-8509 | kevin@michelscom.com Chris Hilson 605-661-9940 | chris@michelscom.com

Editor Heather Jordan heather@michelscom.com

Photography Shane Monahan Photography www.shanemonahanphotography.com Chris Berke chrisberke.com/about/ Chad Coppess chadsphoto.wixsite.com/dakotagraph

graphic designers Makenzie Jorgenson Ashley Carrison Flint Farley

DIRECTOR OF DIGITIAL MARKETING Cory Johnsen cory@michelscom.com

chief of operations Hanna Michels 605-760-4269 | hanna@michelscom.com

WWW.EMPIRELIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM PO Box 91606, Sioux Falls, SD 57109 | 605-332-0421

We encourage local professionals and businesses to submit articles. All articles are subject to publisher’s editing and approval. Empire Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. Every month Empire showcases local human interest stories along with beauty, fashion, family, home, career, health and nutrition information all with beautiful photography. We also feature businesses, men and women and homes in the Sioux Falls region. Want to subscribe to Empire? One year subscription is only $40.

© Copyright 2024 Michels Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission from the publisher. Empire does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 7

Kelsey Geraets S TA K I N G H E R C L A I M

By: Andrea Van Essen | Photos By: Shane Monahan Photography

Kelsey Geraets always knew she would end up on the family farm. “I knew I had something special here — I always thought that, and my parents could see it in me, too. I took on a lot of responsibility from a young age, and I have a lot of pride in this place,” Kelsey shared. “Whether I liked to admit it or not, I always wanted to be here.” Kelsey represents the second generation of her family to operate the farm in Colton, South Dakota, but she comes from a much longer line of farmers. “I couldn’t even tell you how many generations it goes back,” she said. Her dad was one of nine children, and he decided to let his siblings manage the original family farm while he struck out on his own to purchase a different operation. Kelsey is one of three kids, and she says, of her siblings, she is the most attached to the farm.

Kelsey also served as FFA president and was surrounded by many peers who understood the farming lifestyle. Her parents encouraged her to go to college, but told her she was always welcome to come back to the farm if she wanted to. “They said, ‘There’s always a place for you, but it has to be your passion. You have to be all in.’” She attended South Dakota State University (SDSU) where she earned bachelor’s degrees in animal science and agricultural science with minors in agricultural business and marketing. Though the majority of the skills she possesses, in terms of farming, were learned hands-on, Kelsey says her time at SDSU was incredibly valuable. “I learned a lot at State about networking and business, and I met so many amazing people. I made that decision and paid for college myself with no student debt, and I have no regrets about it.”

It all started when they would take on cull cows — animals no longer being used for production — and some would end up pregnant and giving birth on the farm.

She says she hopes other young people who hope to farm seriously consider attending college, noting that understanding how to market your product is a critical part of being successful in farming.

“I immediately fell in love with those calves. I think they’re the cutest things that have ever walked the earth, and I’m so fascinated by the whole process and the attachment between mom and baby,” she explained.

“It’s very important — you have to learn how to tap into different markets and diversify your operation in order to not feel like you’re drowning all the time. You want to get a leg up and mitigate those risks,” she said.

Kelsey worked with the calves throughout middle and high school, bottle-feeding and raising them. The experience kindled a fire in her for nurturing the animals and being part of the farm. Growing up near a small town — she attended Chester High School — many families were involved in the agriculture industry, and Kelsey says she would sometimes be excused from school to help out on the farm.

When it comes to dealing with the risky aspects of farming, Kelsey says mental health is an issue that isn’t talked about enough in the industry. The commitment it takes to maintain a successful farm is enormous, and she says it can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining some days.

“I appreciate how true the community stayed to its roots,” she said.

“Mental health for farmers is seemingly a little different than for the average person. I find myself getting more involved in my work every day, and I do a lot of it by myself, sitting in my tractor or my feed truck. It’s a lot of time by

myself and in my thoughts, and that can be draining. You’re sitting there thinking about how you could lose this place with one bad judgment call — which isn’t exactly true — but if you have a family you’re trying to support and feed, you really have to fight those thoughts.” She adds that farmers don’t typically have the same support systems as most people. “Farmers don’t like to ask for help. It’s easier to keep to yourself and pretend there isn’t a problem, and it’s hard to find people who understand.” Kelsey is grateful to her parents, with whom she shares the responsibilities of farming, for giving her space to rest and recharge when necessary. “If I need a moment, I’ll tell them I need to get away for an evening to go see my friends or just go somewhere, and they’re pretty flexible, especially with the amount of involvement I have. They’re very much advocates of making sure I’m okay,” she said. When she has time to get out, one of her favorite pastimes is live music. “I love concerts, especially country music, but I’ll go to pretty much anything. There’s just something about live music.” She also discovered a love for travel after having the opportunity to go to New Zealand in college, and she says she hopes to find more time for it in the future. “I would have thought of myself as a homebody, but I loved getting out there and having more real world experiences. I think culturally expanding yourself just makes you a more well-rounded person.” And Kelsey is committed to being well-rounded, both personally and professionally. She serves on the South Dakota Corn Growers Board, where she is the first female to serve as a board member, and she was recently named the 2023 Dakotafest Woman Farmer/Rancher of the Year. She also serves as president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Auxiliary and as a member of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council board. Between putting in all of these efforts to ensure the farm’s success and prioritizing her mental health and wellbeing, Kelsey hopes to be an example for other young people and show that farming can be a positive and fulfilling career path. “There’s a real disconnect with the food system now, and kids don’t see farming as a real job anymore. It’s not attractive to the youth.” Particularly as a woman, it’s a path that requires determination. Kelsey says that while she felt a shift in the amount of women pursuing farming in college — around two-thirds of her class were women — she still faces some pushback in the workplace. “There were a lot of women in my major in college, so I didn’t think we were going to be the minority still, but there’s definitely still a stigma.”

“THEY SAID, ‘THERE’S ALWAYS A PLACE FOR YOU, BUT IT HAS TO BE YOUR PASSION. YOU HAVE TO BE ALL IN.’”

-Kelsey Geraets

Kelsey’s family, her biggest support system, at DakotaFest after she had just been awarded Women Farmer/Rancher of the year

Kelsey and Drew Edleman with senator John Thune in D.C. promoting animal agriculture (Photo By: John Thune’s office)

But Kelsey says parents have always been her number one supporter, and they are always willing to teach her anything she wants to learn. She experiences the most pushback from people who don’t know her, such as truck or delivery drivers that visit the farm. “I understand their distrust — I’m a physically small person, and it can make people nervous that I won’t be able to handle certain things — but it is frustrating having to prove myself when I know my male counterparts don’t have to. There’s a lot of pressure not to slip up.” Ultimately though, Kelsey’s confidence and determination seem to outweigh any frustrations.

Kelsey’s family (Photo By: Haley Zacharias Photography)

“My overall goal right now is to learn how to run everything,” she said. “I want to be able to do it all — to jump into a piece of machinery and not have to ask for help, to be as versatile as I can so I can jump in, and my dad doesn’t have to worry about me.” Looking forward, she hopes to take over the cattle side of the operation to relieve some of her dad’s workload so that he can focus on crops. Currently, Kelsey and her parents are the only full-time workers, and they have a few people who help out part-time, as needed.

Kelsey doing her acceptance speech after she was awarded 2023 DakotaFest Women Farmer/Rancher of the year (Photo By: SD Corn). 12 n EMPIRE

“My parents built this place, and they have so much love for it. I don’t think they could ever leave,” she said. Together, they make a strong team, and Kelsey looks forward to carrying the farm on into the next generation.

FIVE THINGS ABOUT

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Kelsey Geraets

I was the “hydration specialist” (the water girl) for the SDSU Jackrabbits football team in college. My first trip out of the country was a nearly 18 hour flight to New Zealand for 2 weeks

Kelsey at the chute drawing vaccines into a syringe

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I rarely have a meal that doesn’t end in some kind of dessert. I am a BIG dessert girl.

My favorite cut of beef is a ribeye. You can never go wrong with a good ole ribeye.

I coach the vet science CDE team at Chester Area FFA chapter.

Kelsey with U.S. Senator Mike Rounds at DakotaFest talking about the farm bill (Photo By: SD Corn)

Kelsey at a hungry for truth event representing SD Corn VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 13

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D O W N

T O W N

JANUARY 1-31 Taste your way through downtownʼs best burgers all month long!

Beat the winter chill with downtown warmth. From battling burgers to day-brightening shop displays, youʼll find something great. Find events and more at DTSF.com

A fresh take on Just like that, a new year has begun. We’re starting our fresh calendars, jotting down events for the upcoming year and reminiscing over 2023. You may be finding yourself looking at resolutions you’re looking to tackle in year 2024. For many, fitness goals, personal development, closet clean-outs and organizing might be on your list this year. When we see our lists, we often look at them as daunting with restrictive deadlines, or maybe even just as unachievable. My challenge to you is to change your mindset around each resolution. Instead of a particular number or date of completion, start with your reason why it’s on your list in the first place, prioritize it by importance and break it down into step-by-step achievable tasks. For example, if weight loss is on your list, instead of looking at your resolution as needing to “lose 30lbs,” break down this goal on how you plan to achieve that. 1. Get a gym/fitness membership. 2. Buy new workout gear 3. Put gym schedule/classes in your calendar 4. Grocery shop for meal prep, etc. Statistics show that when we put lofty goals on our to-do lists, we start off as seeing them as unachievable and quickly get discouraged, therefore losing interest in the goal altogether. One of my family’s goals for 2024 is to better organize spaces in our home. Some “hot spots” are the pantry, garage, toy areas and kids closet’s. Life happens, things get put everywhere and it creates not only unorganized spaces, but an unsettling feeling in those spaces of clutter and disarray. Our resolution, in steps, is to: 1. Order organizing systems for said spaces. 2. Prioritize the order for spaces. 3. Schedule time on the calendar to clean out each space. 4. Donate unused items at your local donation drop-off site. If you have this same goal, here are some favorites that we ordered to declutter and organize in the new year!

2024 By: Erica Wilcox

This label set includes 70 labels and 8 metal basket clips: it’s pre-labeled perfection for giving ideas of items to organize and can stick on any organizing bin. If you have wooden or wicker baskets, simply use one of the included clips. The internet is virtually filled with any type of organizer, size, and specifications. To maximize space, we chose a few of these tiered slide-out drawers that you can easily see what’s inside while being able to access without removing lids. Creating systems creates new habits which will eventually turn into your everyday routines.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, I’ve been obsessed with fashion since I could dress myself. I was one of those kids who dressed up every day for school, no sweatpants here! My first taste of real fashion was my first retail job at 15. Working in fashion and living it through my everyday outfits, I noticed that everyone would always ask me about my outfits! I’d often get personal shopping requests or asked for fashion advice. My passion kept growing to the point where I knew this was what I wanted to further my education in. I went on to get my bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in business at South Dakota State University. After completing an internship and study trip, I knew that this was my calling, but I was not sure where to go with it. After doing some corporate buying and retail management, I was grateful for the experiences but needed more. After years and many individuals telling me to start a blog, I finally did. Best Dressed Blonde was born… an everyday fashion, clean beauty and lifestyle brand. Sharing through my personal website, Instagram and other fashion platforms is the perfect way to express and showcase my passions!

Is one of your resolutions to clean up the toxic ingredients found in your everyday cosmetic products? That was one resolution I completed last year by switching out the makeup and skincare products that I use in my daily routine. Ready to detox your makeup drawer?

Scan me Be sure to follow me on Instagram and the free shopping app, LTK, to see more organizers and home-hacks for the new year! @bestdressedblonde

On Best Dressed Blonde, you’ll find me sharing daily deals and sales, makeup tutorials, try-ons and a little bit of everyday life! My passion has also grown into my clean beauty business with Crunchi where I help women detox their skincare and makeup with truly high-performing and clean products.

FOLLOW ME FOR MORE OUTFIT INSPIRATION!

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 21

Prepare your tastebuds for

BATTLE! By: Lauren Johnson | Photography By: Argus Leader

The 11th Annual Downtown Burger Battle presented by First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard kicks off January 1, 2024, for the entire month. It's always a great event to look forward to in January and, not to mention, delicious! Participating downtown restaurants will show off their burger culinary skills by putting a brand new spin on the classic burger. Come dine downtown or choose a takeout or delivery option, enjoy a burger, and then rate it to have your say in which restaurant is crowned champion at the end of the month! “The Downtown Burger Battle is a fun and delicious way to support local restaurants and downtown businesses, especially in the slow season after the holidays,” says Tenley Schwartz, marketing director for Downtown Sioux Falls (dtsf.com). “People tend to 22 n EMPIRE

retreat indoors when it’s so cold. The Burger Battle really energizes everyone—whether it’s meeting up with friends, creating spreadsheets on the burgers they want to try, or enjoying new flavors—and there’s so much activity downtown because of it.” All participating restaurants create a brand new burger for the competition, and the burgers are judged in five categories: • Patty • Toppings • Bun • Presentation • Flavor “One new thing this year is opening up the burger category a little bit,” says Tenley. “Previously it’s been all beef, but this year alternative options can be created, so we’re excited to see what variety comes from that.”

Burger tasters can assign up to ten points in each of five categories for every featured burger they try. The burger with the highest average points at the conclusion of the battle will be the winner!

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Kelsey Geraets

The winner of this year’s Burger Battle will be announced the first week in February, and the champion will be the proud keeper of the traveling trophy for all of 2024.

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You can try only one or as many burgers as you like throughout January. “The average depends on the person,” says Tenley. “Some ate over 30 burgers last year, and some folks like to try just the one that is most interesting to them. The battle gets crazy.”

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The list of participating restaurants will be available by the end of December at dtsf. com, and that’s also where you can download the voting app. “Burger lovers go into the restaurants, try the burgers, and they’re given a special code for each restaurant that gives access to voting,” says Tenley. “Open the app, enter the code, and then vote and rate the burger in each category. At the end of month, we tally all those votes, and the one with the highest ranking wins. It really is the people’s choice.”

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Superior Quality. Targeted Distribution. Cost-Effective Rates.

Join the fun and get ready to vote by downloading the official app at passport.dtsf.com. Post a photo of one of the participating burger contenders to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the restaurant name and the hashtag #BurgerBattle24 to be featured on DTSF social media!

BEYOND MEDIA Superior Quality. Targeted Distribution. Cost-Effective Rates. 605.332.0421 | MICHELSCOM.COM VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 23

NEEDED! Raise your paw to help dogs in need! Transporting is your chance to be a lifeline to dogs in need. Transporting needs vary from short trips with one dog to vet appointments or meet and greets, to longer trips with multiple dogs to our partner rescues in other states.

While volunteers do have the option of using their personal vehicle, B-Squad provides the official B-Squad Subaru or van, crates, gas, and quick training. Transporting is a great way to volunteer with family members or get some quiet time on the road!

Scan to apply to be a SUPERHERO today!

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Adopt Foster Donate Volunteer

WONDERING HOW ELSE

YOU CAN HELP?

Donate As a small, 100% volunteer-run organization,

we rely solely on private donations to raise the funds needed to rescue and care for the dogs in our program. Your generous contribution will have an immediate impact on dogs in need today!

Adopt Dogs in our program reside in foster homes

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Donate here:

Foster Fosters are the heart and soul of B-Squad

Dog Rescue! If you have a love for animals, making a difference, and a can-do attitude, you may be the perfect foster!

Volunteer We truly couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers! Our ability to change lives is directly dependent on the number of volunteers we have. If you want to help save dogs while having fun with a group of like-minded people, we hope you’ll consider joining us!

Donations can also be made at BSquadDogRescue.com /Donate

for your convenience

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 25

RASE 2023 HOUSING MARKET STATISTICAL REPORTING 12-MONTH PERIOD SPANNING 12/2022 THROUGH 11/2023

-2.0%

+8.7%

+9.5%

Change in Closed Sales

Change in Inventory

Change in Median Sales Price

Low inventory, elevated sales prices, and decades-high interest rates continue to weigh on the housing market, causing sales of existing homes to fall to their slowest pace since August 2010. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), U.S. existing-home sales declined 4.1% month-over-month and 14.6% year-over-year as of last measure, as prospective buyers, faced with rising homeownership costs, wait for mortgage rates, and home prices, to drop. New Listings in the Sioux Falls region increased 18.3% to 473. Pending Sales were up 28.9% to 401. Inventory levels rose 8.7% to 1,404 units. Prices continued to gain traction. The Median Sales Price increased 9.5% to $313,175. Days on Market was up 8.6% to 76 days. Buyers felt empowered as Months Supply of Homes for Sale was up 25.0% to 4.0 months. Inventory remains at historically low levels nationwide, with only 1.15 million homes for sale heading into November, a 5.7% decline compared to the same time last year, for a 3.6 months’ supply at the current sales pace. The shortage of available properties for sale has kept pressure on home prices, which have continued to climb despite the slowdown in sales. According to NAR, the U.S. median existing-home sales price increased 3.4% from a year ago to $391,800, an all-time high for the month, with annual price gains reported in all four regions of the country.

+38.0%

Price Range With the Strongest Sales: $800,001 to 900,000

+20.3%

+1.6%

Construction Status With Strongest Sales: New Construction

Property Type With Strongest Sales: Condo-Townhouse Attached

+22.3% Change in New Listings

+2.0% Change in Closed Sales

+7.9% Change in Median Sales Price

The overall Median Sales Price was up 5.0% to $306,000. The construction type with the largest price gain was the New Construction segment, where prices increased 4.4% to $365,400. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $100K to $150K range at 61 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $700K to $800K range at 103 days. Market-wide, inventory levels were up 8.7%. The construction type that gained the most inventory was the New Construction segment, where it increased 13.7%. That amounts to 3.8 months supply for Single-Family homes and 4.5 months supply for Condos.

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LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT MATCH 2816 S Oriya Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57106 A modern lifestyle fits perfectly in this contemporary home that is ideal for entertaining and comfortable daily living. A total of 3 bedrooms, office area with wet bar, 3.5 baths, 2,533 square feet finished plus another 674 in the finished garage with in-floor-heat, built-in cabinetry, full bath, storage closet, and epoxy floor. Outstanding location for convenience with easy access to every need within minutes including a walk around the lake. Private end unit. Maintenance-free lifestyle with HOA.

1909 W Grand Point Circle • Sioux Falls, SD, 57108 This stunning twinhome offers modern décor, superb condition, and high-quality construction. Walkout ranch has zero-step entry with gracious accessibility. There are 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 3508 square feet finished plus storage. Open floor plan delivers a casual lifestyle for everyone. Doors to the upper-level deck offering a spectacular southeastern view of greenway and mother nature. There is a spacious 3 car heated garage. HOA takes care of lawn, snow, and garbage.

8608 W Shoreline Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57107 Outstanding new luxury twin-home is located on the waterfront at Cherry Lake Village. Living room has floor-to-ceiling sliding windows, gas fireplace, and vaulted ceilings. Huge composite deck overlooks the lake. A total of 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,720 square feet finished. Add up to 1,400 square feet of living space by finishing the lower level. 3 car heated garage is finished and has epoxy floor. HOA takes care of lawn, snow, streets. Monthly HOA fee of $210.

8613 W Shoreline Place • Sioux Falls, SD, 57107 Cherry Lake Village offers a rare opportunity in Sioux Falls. Enjoy the private lake’s immediate accessibility for watersports, walking trail, park, and play. This beautiful, high-quality townhome has comfortable one level living plus outside maintenance provided by an HOA. Main level has a master bedroom suite, a great room with living-kitchen-eating area with fireplace, laundry room, and guest bath plus zero-step entry to an oversized (680 square feet) heated two-car garage. A total of 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 2170 square feet of living. $210 Monthly HOA.

Our team of professionals and our proven Dream Home Process™ helps you save time, minimize inconvenience, maximize your dollars, and enjoy peace of mind while buying or selling a home. Call us to learn how we can work for you.

605-359-4100 | DreamHomeVision.com

6300 S. CONNIE AVENUE | SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 27

Your Family Deserves the Best.

Do you like to write stories? We are searching for an experienced freelance writer to interview and write cover articles, public interest pieces and community interest stories. If you have these qualities we want to hear from you! • • • • •

Writing articles based on editorial and formatting guidelines. Communicating with the client to explicate assignment-related expectations. Maintaining originality in your work. Proofreading your articles. Submitting completed articles on time. We’d love to see:

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Prior writing experience and/or references. Portfolio of completed works. Own personal or laptop computer. Excellent communication and time management skills. Capacity to work with minimal supervision. Self-motivated, disciplined approach to work.

Please send your resume and link to your portfolio to heather@michelscom.com.

Freelance Writer

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 29

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s

Visit to Sioux Falls By: Stacey Kracht | Photos By: Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Sioux Falls in January of 1961 to speak at the Sioux Falls Knife and Fork Club and at the St. John’s Baptist Church, which was in downtown Sioux Falls at the time. Dr. King couldn’t stay in a hotel due to segregation, so he stayed at the St. John’s parsonage. Despite overall feeling somewhat unwelcome in Sioux Falls, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did feel supported, uplifted, heard, and embraced by the African American families he met. A life-sized statue of Dr. King was sculpted by local artist and founder of the South Dakota African American History Museum,

Created by local sculptor Porter Williams, the statue is located near the site of the former parsonage where Dr. King spoke when he visited Sioux Falls in January 1961. 30 n EMPIRE

Porter Williams. The sculpture stands in Van Eps Park – where St. John’s was located at the time of King’s Sioux Falls visit – to commemorate the historical significance of this event to the Sioux Falls community. Hopefully, it was also a memorable moment for Dr. King, expresses Zach Van Harris, researcher and curator for the South Dakota African American History Museum in Sioux Falls. The St. John’s Baptist Church that hosted Dr. King was more than a worship space, says Zach Van Harris. It was instrumental as a gathering space for the black community of the city at the time. When an

Artist Porter Williams speaks at the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Sioux Falls.

African American family moved to town, the church embraced them. Baptisms, birthdays, barbeques, and weddings were all celebrated at St. John’s. Discrimination and hardships were faced together with a sense of unity and resilience. St. John’s Baptist was eventually purchased and demolished, and a lot of pain came with that, Van Harris shares. Other churches were created, but the sacred ground that the church had offered the black community was no more. Losing the church was like losing a loved one.

and hat and went to a downtown establishment. He was mocked because others considered his attire to be overdressed. He stepped outside, reportedly pulling out a weapon and threatening to “blow their heads off.” A police officer tried to confiscate Brown’s weapon, Brown shot the officer, and a manhunt ensued. Hundreds of people mobbed together in search of Brown, who was found near Falls Park and fatally shot by authorities. While the story is still tragic, there is significance to the fact that it didn’t end in a lynching, which was happening in other parts of the country at the time.

A pivotal moment in black history in Sioux Falls is the story of Willie Brown, who had come to town in the early 1900s. One night, he dressed up in a suit

Sharing stories of black history like this one is so important for future generations. “The future belongs to the storytellers,” say Van Harris.

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 n 31 Porter Williams, the artist behind the Martin Luther King Jr. statue, discusses his work following the dedication.

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VA’s Million Veteran Program Makes History:

1 Millionth Veteran Joins MVP By, Patrick Kolker, Research Coordinator

As the nation honors Veterans during November, National Veterans and Military Families Month, the Veterans in VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) made history: the one-millionth Veteran joined MVP on November 8, 2023. This historic milestone highlights VA’s deep commitment to improving the future of health care for America’s Veterans. The Sioux Falls VA is extremely proud to have played its part in this effort, with more than twenty-five hundred local Veterans joining MVP at our facility. MVP: History in the Making Since its inception in 2011, MVP’s goal has been to improve overall health and wellness for all Veterans—regardless of race, gender, age, or service branch. Since then, MVP has become the largest and most diverse genetic research program in the world. Every Veteran who has joined MVP gives researchers the opportunity to explore how genetics, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect various health conditions that matter to

Veterans. This work is already yielding outcomes with real-world applications— outcomes that will positively affect the future of health care for America’s Veterans and beyond. Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar, MVP’s Program Director, expressed immense pride in reaching one million participants while thanking the Veterans who make MVP possible. “MVP’s success starts with Veterans—it’s because of their willingness to continue to serve that we were able to reach this historic milestone and continue this research that will improve health care for generations to come,” says Dr. Muralidhar. “We’re incredibly grateful to these Veterans, and to each and every member of the MVP team throughout the country who dedicates their time and energy to this work every day.” Improving the Future of Veteran Health Care Even as MVP celebrates this momentous occasion, the program

remains focused on the work to come. This past year, MVP researchers found genetic markers associated with prostate cancer in male Veterans from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds. These markers are now being tested in a clinical trial to see if they can better predict who is at a higher risk for prostate cancer. Research like this is proof—one million is just the start. If you’d like to learn more about the discoveries MVP is making on the

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