Read about Operation Holiday Basket on page 2.
MSR wraps up a milestone year with thanks to our readers
2024 in news
January: ‘Emergency’ or not, Covid is still killing people
Four years after the global pandemic, Covid was still taking its toll: by Jan. 18, 2024, 160 people had died from respiratory illness, including 24 from Covidrelated variants.
February: Ousted Civil Rights Director Alberder Gillespie addresses recent firing Alberder Gillespie, the city’s Civil Rights Director, was fired on Feb. 16, roughly two years into her four-year term. Reports indicate that Mayor Jacob Frey terminated Gillespie on the belief that she posed a threat to the city’s ability to
meet its responsibilities in the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement.
March: Housing Stability Act aims to bar discrimination against Section 8 voucher users Minnesota lawmakers advanced legislation to bar discrimination against individuals
s the MSR looks back at our major news stories from 2024 — with its tragedies, uplifts, and everything in between — we wanted to take a moment to thank you, our readers. With your unwavering support and that of the many who came before, the MSR celebrated its 90th year in 2024, making our community newspaper the oldest Blackowned newspaper in Minnesota and one of the longest-running family-owned newspapers in the United States. In the heart of the Great De-
who use rental assistance and reaffirmed the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the status of public assistance.
April: Black families disproportionately affected by Child Protection Services
The MSR published a series of stories on Child Protection
pression, amidst the economic turmoil and the harsh realities of Jim Crow segregation, Cecil E. Newman founded the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder, which merged in 2020. These weren’t ordinary newspapers: They were a lifeline, a platform, and a voice for the Black community.
Throughout its history, the MSR witnessed the changing landscape of the Black community. It documented the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement, the struggles of the Black Power era, and the continuing fight for equal-
Services disproportionately impacting and possibly targeting African American families for interventions.
May: George Floyd: His death moved the world — but the community he died in is still standing
ity. It has been a platform for community leaders, activists, and everyday citizens to share their stories, express their concerns, and advocate for positive change.
At the dawn of 2025, we at the MSR are committed to continuing the legacy of my grandfather, Cecil E. Newman, by providing you with stories that reflect the rich tapestry of Black life and by using our voice to advocate for equality and opportunity for all.
— Tracey Williams-Dillard,
CEO/Publisher
Every Monday at 5:30 p.m., a powerful act of remembrance takes place in South Minneapolis at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, known to the world as George Floyd Square. A makeshift group of percussionists, Brass Solidarity, gathers and fills the somber air with melodies that transcend grief and call for justice.
■ See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 5
Walker West Music Academy scores major grant
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
alker West Music
Academy, a cherished cornerstone of St. Paul’s music and cultural community, has received a transformative $4 million gift from Pat and Gary Sauer — the largest in its history.
For more than three decades, Walker West has been a haven for students of all ages fostering growth, connection, and creativity through the universal language of music. This donation paves the way for a major expansion, allowing the academy to deepen its mission of sharing music inspired by the African American cultural experience.
“This amazing gift not only al-
lows us to move forward quickly on our plans, but it also will save us significant financing fees over the next 10 years,” said Braxton Haulcy, executive director. The $4 million gift will fund the acquisition and renovation of a building at 650 Marshall Ave. Phase 1 of the project will reconfigure the space to house music education studios and administrative offices.
Since its founding in 1988, Walker West has been dedicated to expanding access to quality music education inspired by the African American cultural experience. Located in St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood, the academy plays a pivotal role in preserving Black cultural traditions and fostering musical talent.
The academy provides accessible community education to more than 300 students every week and 5,700 program participants annually. Now, thanks to the Sauers Family Foundation, Walker West is poised to expand its mission and footprint. The foundation supports Minnesotabased organizations that serve at-risk children, including schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other collaborative networks.
Walker West stands apart by emphasizing improvisation and listening as foundational skills in music learning. While classical training is offered, the academy specializes in jazz, gospel, and other improvisational styles. Its founders, the Rev. Carl
By Clint Combs Contributing Writer
iffany Meeks’ path to graduation seemingly hit a dead end. She had to balance working a part-time job, then later a full-time job, while also attending college classes and managing her daughter’s schedule.
“I was facing a lot of life challenges. One of the things I knew for sure is that I wanted to complete school,” Meeks said. It wasn’t until she found support through the Jeremiah Program that she began to see a way forward.
Tiffany Meeks
“Jeremiah was the turning point, I believe, in my trajectory because it provided a safe place for me and my daughter to live,” said Meeks, who gave birth to her daughter, Natalie, while a freshman and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2000. The Jeremiah Program, which focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through a two-generational approach, played a crucial role in helping Meeks navigate the complex demands of school, work and parenthood. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education recently announced the recipients of its $5.3 million statewide 2024 Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) grants. The Jeremiah Program, SPSI’s top recipient, was awarded $1.7 million — enough to fund the program’s expenses for the next two years. This funding will help address the unique challenges faced by Black student parents, who often encounter systemic barriers to education, economic stability, and long-term success. ■ See GRANTS on page 5 Student parents
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
he City of Minneapolis
Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs recently launched its groundbreaking Vibrant Storefronts initiative, a program designed to breathe new life into vacant spaces. The program pairs property owners with local arts organizations, creating a win-win scenario: affordable rent for art groups and stable tenants for landlords.
More than 150 artists and organizations toured eligible properties adjacent to Loring Park, and 43 applied for this year’s grants. Five organizations were winners: Black Business Enterprises, Blackbird Revolt, Flavor World, Skntones, and Twin Cities Pride.
The program offers a twoyear opportunity for these five groups to strengthen their business models while engaging the public through art. By subsidizing rent in previously vacant storefronts, the initiative also helps
By subsidizing rent in previously vacant storefronts, the initiative also helps to revitalize the Harmon Place Historic District on the west end of downtown. Courtesy photo
to revitalize the Harmon Place Historic District on the west end of downtown. The initiative had a first-year budget of $224,202; the department hopes to expand into Uptown in the coming years.
Each storefront will feature quarterly programming, transforming these once-empty spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity and community engagement.
“Turning empty storefronts into
vibrant cultural hubs is a gamechanger for Minneapolis,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “This initiative equips local artists with resources to beautify our city, drive creativity, and energize our community.”
Minneapolis City Council Member Katie Cashman said the program’s inaugural location speaks to the history of the neighborhood. “We are so excited to welcome this new creative
energy into Loring Park, which has been a home and venue for artists for generations.”
“Economic and neighborhood revitalization cannot truly happen without art,” she added. “I am proud to see the city intentionally investing in these partnerships to help write the next chapters for our community.”
This year’s awardees:
Black Business Enterprise
Black Business Enterprise (BBE) provides local artists and business owners a platform to showcase, collaborate, and engage with the community to foster artistic talent, promote cultural equity, and elevate Minneapolis as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity.
“We used to be in the North Loop and unfortunately faced a lot of racial challenges with the residents who told us that Black people don’t belong in the North Loop, so it was a very difficult time,” said Nancy Korsah, president and CEO of BBE. “We now
String students regularly join elite programs like the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and have performed with celebrated acts like Black Violin at the Ordway proving that accessibility, passion and education are intersections of social success. Photo courtesy Walker West Music Academy
Tracey Williams-Dillard CEO/Publisher
Metro
As hunger rises, Operation Holiday Basket still delivers
By MSR Staff
What began as a humble teacher-led effort in 1970 to feed about 50 neighborhood families around the holidays has grown into a major event at Roosevelt High School in South Minneapolis. This year, students vied to gather the most donations for the school’s annual Operation Holiday Basket — resulting in a staggering 3 tons of food gathered for delivery in 305 baskets.
make [Operation Holiday Basket work] accessible to everybody. Everybody is doing something,” Patlan says. “[But basket-making] is always a favorite to participate in. There’s a mad dash when permission
Over its 54-year history, Operation Holiday Basket is estimated to have delivered some
15,000 food parcels to neighborhood families in need. “Our school motto is ‘Enter to learn, leave to serve,’ so it’s very impactful for our students to do this,” says Christine Patlan, who oversees student and family engagement at Roosevelt.
“We did great with our donations; people were so generous. People are inherently good. This is proof of that.”
“This is truly a case of students feeding students.”
More than 125 students and alumni took over Roosevelt’s gymnasium on Dec. 20 — transforming the space into a massive basket-making assembly line. Each basket contained
everything for a holiday feast, including a turkey provided at cost by Oxendale’s Market, whose owners graduated from the school, and multiple other nonperishable items.
Baskets, each estimated to weigh about 20 pounds, are delivered to neighborhood families, many of whom have students enrolled at the school. About half of Roosevelt’s 1,200 students come from lowincome families. A nearby elementary school also provided donations, making Operation Holiday Basket “truly a case of students feeding students,” Patlan adds.
The entire student body takes part in a week of activities leading up to assembly line day, but space allows only a fraction to make baskets. “We
Combating employer misclassification fraud in MN
By MSR Staff
Minnesota Attorney General
Keith Ellison announced on Dec. 19 that his office has obtained a settlement with Arise Virtual Solutions Inc. (“Arise”) to resolve allegations that the company misclassified its workers as independent contractors instead of employees and violated Minnesota laws that ensure minimum wage, overtime, and rest breaks.
As part of the settlement, Arise agreed to pay $300,000 in restitution to workers and to stop doing business in Minnesota.
Arise is a Florida-based gig work company that connects work-at-home customer service agents to corporations that are seeking to outsource call center services. In the last four years, about 300 customer service agents located in Minnesota worked on the Arise platform. Each worker completed lengthy unpaid training courses before Arise allowed them to work as customer service agents. Because Arise treated these workers as independent contractors, they were not entitled to minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest breaks, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, and other important employment protections.
“Employer misclassification fraud hurts workers who were misclassified and their families, but it also hurts businesses who play by the rules and are under-
cut by competition willing to break the law,” Ellison said. “Misclassification also harms Minnesota taxpayers, because employers who misclassify do not pay what they owe and the rest of us are forced to make up the difference. This settlement against Arise is another welcome
“Employers who misclassify
shortchanged by employers who misclassify and put profits over people.”
Any Minnesota-based worker who trained or performed work on the Arise platform since May 19, 2020, is eligible to receive a portion of the $300,000 settlement fund. A claims administrator will contact eligible workers via mail, email, and/or phone about receiving restitution payments.
Employer misclassification fraud happens when an employer incorrectly classifies an employee as an independent contractor, resulting in that employee losing access to rights, benefits, and protections available only to employees. The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released a report earlier
this year finding that misclassification fraud was a growing problem in Minnesota. Of the workplaces audited, the OLA found that 22% of employers misclassified at least one employee.
In July 2023, Ellison formed an Advisory Task Force on Worker Misclassification to study the issue of worker misclassification
ed to be the hungriest year on record for the third year in a row.
Giselle Ortega, a senior at Roosevelt, participates in Operation Holiday Basket, known fondly by its shorthand, “OHB,” because it brings together community, staff and students to support neighborhood families.
“Operation Holiday Basket, in my opinion, has been one of the best ways to take part in community-building at our school. Students come together in their classrooms during OHB week to decorate their classroom doors, and it makes school a very festive place to be,” she says.
slips go out.”
Overall, hunger rates in Minnesota continue to rise based on the number of visits to area food shelves. According to Second Harvest Heartland, which distributes more than 100 million pounds of food annually across the state, 2024 is expect-
“In our classes, we also collect money and nonperishable food items that go toward the boxes that we distribute throughout our neighborhood at the end of the week. I am happy that I have been able to be a part of OHB, and I think that we should spread the word so that we can keep this Teddy tradition going.”
and its impacts, explore best practices in policy and enforcement, and propose a set of recommendations for both enforcement and regulatory reform.
In early 2024, the task force adopted a policy proposal that helped form the basis for a landmark bill to combat employer misclassification fraud, which passed in the 2024 legislative session. Among other things, the bill created the Intergovernmental Misclassification and Enforcement Partnership, in which the Attorney General works alongside other state enforcers to maximize
efforts to detect, investigate, and deter employee misclassification. The bill also created a private right of action for victims of employer misclassification fraud and increased penalties to provide meaningful deterrence.
Workers with concerns or complaints about misclassification or other systematic violations of state and federal wage laws can contact the Attorney General’s Office through its online complaint form (available in Spanish or English). The Office can also be contacted by calling 651-296-3353.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
Operation Holiday Basket has delivered some 15,000 food parcels in its 54-year history. Photos are courtesy Minneapolis Public Schools
Levi Knudson 10th Lucas Lenz 12th, Sinnea Brown 12th, William Pettis 12th, Alice Lowe 12th, Zoe Olson 10th,, Kate Martin 10th (back) Lily Tan 10th, Clara Stellner 10th, Boontuu Negassa 10th
Principal Christian Ledesma, Superintendent Lisa Sayles Adams, Gary Lewis (started OHB 54 years ago), Teddy
Ayida A 12th, Heidi 10th
Clara Stellner 10th, Boontuu Negassa 10th, Lily Tan 10th
TOP: Cillay Booth 12th, Lily Lunny 11th, Will Kelly 12th, Stella Hiller 10th, Rowan Miller 12th, Maggie Altheimer, Cora Villares 11th BOTTOM: Sofie Harrison 11th, Keira Johnson 11th, Giselle Ortega 12th
By Aria Brent
Recognizing the early signs of domestic abuse can be confusing. The signs often start subtly, making it difficult to identify in the beginning stages, and the damage can take years to heal. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), the effects of an abusive relationship can result in mental health decline, leading to depression and suicidal ideations and attempts.
“Survivors are two times more likely to develop symptoms of depression and three times more likely to develop a major depressive order,” reports NDVH. “Survivors are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and four times more likely to attempt suicide.”
Richa Vikharia, a mental health expert, helps survivors of domestic violence overcome the mental and emotional challenges of what they have experienced. She spoke with AFRO about some of the early signs of an abusive relationship and gave advice on how to recover from the mental trauma.
“It never really goes from all good to all bad really quickly.
Usually, there are a lot of signs, even during the ‘good parts’ of a relationship,” said Vikharia. “If a person is going all in immediately, [saying things] like, ‘You’re the love of my life’ on the third date or if they’re saying they want to marry you without really knowing you.
Things like that are signs of someone who is probably going to engage in some sort of abusive behavior towards you.”
Vikharia noted that taking the time to get to know a partner is vital as it helps one get a true understanding of what the relationship is going to be like. It allows you to figure out how to deal with conflict in a healthy way.
The abuse care expert further explained that most violent relationships happen in a cycle that often goes from good to tense to explosive. “At first it’s really positive — a honeymoon phase. Everything’s calm, and then tensions start to build,” she explained. “When tension starts to
build, you notice little things are ticking off your partner or you’re feeling on edge when you’re around them. And then, as tension keeps building, it leads to an acute explosion, and that’s when the violence happens.”
ner from spending time with friends and family, pressuring a partner to have sex or perform sexual acts they’re not comfortable with, are all warning signs that a relationship could be abusive. Other signs include preventing a partner from making their own decisions about working or attending school.
Vikharia explained that these kinds of behaviors should be closely observed and noted that many of these gestures may come off as sweet or romantic, but they’re actually rooted in controlling someone.
According to NDVH, actions like discouraging a part-
“Look out for little signs in the tension-building phase. That could include your part-
ner telling you, ‘Hey, I don’t like when you wear certain clothes,’ or ‘I don’t like when you wear makeup. You look so beautiful when you’re natural,’ because those are very subvert ways of controlling your partner’s behavior,” she explained.
“If you want to hang out with friends, and they’re saying, ‘Well, I just want to spend a lot of time with you. I feel like we don’t get to spend time [together]. How about we go on a date instead?’ those are subtle tactics to isolate you as well.”
In December 2023, the online journal “Social Psychology and Personality Science” published a study conducted by researchers at the University of Western Ontario. The research included survey answers from 355 participants and resulted in a list of 16 early warning signs that can be used to predict abuse.
Some of the early warning signs that were predicted to lead to abuse according to the study are:
• You feel like you can’t say no to your partner.
• Your partner reacts negatively when you say no to something they want.
• Your partner criticizes you.
• Your partner disregards your reasoning or logic when it doesn’t agree with theirs.
Vikharia said mental and emotional abuse is often felt, but not always seen. “With physical abuse there’s evidence. You see it happening to you. Meanwhile, with mental
abuse you don’t see anything physical happening, so it’s really easy to question whether it’s real,” she said.
“Especially when the person that you’re with most of the time continuously is telling you it’s not real. ‘Your pain is not real. What is happening is not real.’”
With feelings like shame and guilt coming into play alongside fear and grief, many survivors find themselves lost in their emotions as they attempt to navigate their lives after an abusive experience.
“It’s something that can be a long process for some people, because the most immediate feelings I’ve seen come up are shame and inappropriate guilt. They feel shame for why they stayed with that person for so long,” she said.
“The only person to blame in these situations is the abuser. A lot of people have nightmares, heightened anxiety, and feelings of depression. And those are going to come because it’s not like it was only bad. The reason a lot of these people stay in these relationships is because there was a lot of good, so you’re also losing the good parts of that relationship, and some grief comes with that.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with an abusive relationship visit thehotline.org for more information.
Aria Brent is a writer with AFRO American Newspapers.
Affordable
Black Business SPOTLIGHT
By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
Bichota, a coffee shop neighboring the People’s Way, is the third of its kind to attempt to establish itself in this integral area of South Minneapolis. Despite those odds, owner C. Terrence Anderson said the location appealed to his vision.
“Bichota is reflective of antidisplacement, cultural placemaking, joy, rest, and reflection. So obviously, this is the perfect corner for us.”
Anderson aims to offer locals exceptional coffee that reflects the cultural richness of the communities from which the coffee is sourced. “Coffee comes from Black and brown cultures from around the
equator,” Anderson explained. “The more you learn about coffee, the more you’ll realize that it tastes like tierra, the land that it’s grown into. You can take the same plant and plant it somewhere else around the world, and it’s gonna taste different because it takes on the culture of the land that they’re in.”
Bichota, which opened its doors in October, was born from a desire to break barriers within the specialty coffee world, which has often overlooked Black, Latin, and Indigenous communities. He refused to conform to the typical minimalist Scandinavian café design. Anderson’s vision was to curate a space where people could enjoy worldclass coffee while celebrating
Business
This coffee shop has found the perfect corner
the diversity of the lands the coffee originates from.
The name “Bichota” is inspired by Puerto Rican slang, originating from the term “bichote,” which traditionally referred to a powerful gangster. Anderson, inspired by the iconic reggaeton artist Karol G, reinterprets and reenvisions “bichota” to embody a flirtatious confidence and an unapologetic pride in one’s self. He sees it as a symbol of resilience, reflecting the strength of Black and brown people — particularly for those taking up space in settings that tend to exclude them.
Much of Anderson’s career has centered on social justice, urban planning, and public policy. He currently serves as the director of community-based research programs at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), where he oversees programs like the Kris Nelson Community-Based Research Program and the Community Assistantship Program.
Anita Alexander
Torrion Amie
Holly Andersen
Nancy L. Beals
Jonathan Beck
Clara Boykin & Family
Gretchen Bratvold
Amanda Brinkman
Toweya Brown-Ochs
Benjamin F. Bryant
& Dr. Antusa S. Bryant
Deanna Callender
Shirlee L. Callender
Karl Cambronne
Liam Cavin
Janis Clay
Edward Coblentz
Coventry Cowens
Alvin E. Cunningham
Michael Davis
Victoria Davis
Marie Denholm
Michael Diehl
April A. Estes
George Ewing
Elizabeth Fealey
David Fettig
Readus Fletcher
Ken Foxworth
Michael Franks
Ella
Lee Friedman
Kimerlie Geraci
Erick Goodlow
Leota Goodney
Karlene Green
Pamela Hall-Clemens
Charles Hallman
Jeana Hamm
Hendon Group, Inc
Maxine & Kieran
Hughes
Ellen Guettler
& Ben Pofahl
Colnese Hendon
Connie Hudson
Angelo Hughes
Andrew Issacson
Anderson’s business model is informed by his dedication to, and experience in, community work. One of the cornerstones of Bichota’s operations is its commitment to workers. Anderson believes that fair labor practices are essential for building a strong, sustainable enterprise.
He offered his staff the opportunity to unionize before he even opened the shop. He is also deeply committed to paying farmers fairly, ensuring that the people who grow Bichota’s beans are compensated for their work in ways that allow them to thrive.
Anderson’s partnerships are built on a foundation of equity and fairness, much like his business model. He works closely with several organizations that share his commitment to community and sustainability.
Bichota partners with Wesley Andrews, a Minneapolisbased café that works directly with small-scale farmers to ensure fair trade practices. Bi-
Katie Izzo
Ms. Jewelean Jackson & Sir Steven C. Davis
Nina Johnson
Clarence Jones
Debra Jones
Shirley R. Jones
Julie July
Cynthia Kelly & Murry Kelly Jr.
Nathaniel Khaliq
Zena Kocher
Jimmy Lewis
Lisa Lissimore
Michele Livingston
Harlan Luxenberg
MRPP and Associate Communications
Melanie Manaen
Peter McLaughlin
Kyle Meerkins
Deborah Montgomery
Debbie Morrison
Marcia Murray
Mary K. Murray Boyd
Dan Ness
Sanda Noy
The O’Neill Family
dos and casual drinkers alike. Its flavor profile of mixed berries and chocolate offers a unique and accessible taste experience. Another standout is the Mezcla Hanguiar, Bichota’s take on espresso. Sourced from Honduras, Guatemala and Ethiopia, this espresso is vibrant and smooth, with notes of raspberry and macadamia nut. It’s a coffee designed for everyone, whether you’re a traditionalist or an adventurous espresso drinker.
chota also collaborates with Indigenous Food Lab, a professional Indigenous kitchen and training center in the Midtown Global Market, to bring Indigenous ingredients and traditions onto its menu.
“The more you learn about coffee, the more you’ll realize that it tastes like tierra, the land that it’s grown into.”
At Bichota, the menu is as diverse as the farmers from whom Anderson sources his coffee. Offerings include a range of single-origin beans and house blends, with a focus on sustainability and cultural heritage. The Mezcla Gufear is a blend sourced from Guatemala, Ethiopia and China that’s designed to satisfy coffee aficiona-
Minister Dr. Ni Ora Hokes
Liz Oppenheimer & Jeanne Burns
Ray Seville Productions
Mary Quinn McCallum
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Heidi Pemberton
Amy Pfankuch
Patty Ploetz
Mark Ritchie
Lyn Rabinovitch & John Saxhaug
Augustus Ritemon
Carolyn Roberson
Winthrop & Barbara Rockwell
M. Rebecca Ross
St. Paul Saints
Anura Si-Asar
Floyd Smaller
Chanda Smith Baker
South Hill Film
Ronald Spika
Stan Sandiford
Cyriaque Sukam
Timothy Sullivan
Heidi Swank
Dotty Timmons
If you’re looking for something you can’t find easily elsewhere, Bichota offers Brazil Yellow Catuai, a natural anaerobic process coffee that showcases flavors of muddled blueberries, maple syrup, and thyme. This coffee is perfect for pour-over or espresso and offers a complex yet approachable flavor profile.
For those who may have a sensitivity to caffeine, or just prefer a more herbal taste, Bichota offers a unique selection of teas that highlight the richness of flavors from around the world. Indigenous Food Labs Stillness Blend is a soothing herbal tea with passionflower, milky oats, lemon balm, and rose petals.
For something more robust, there’s Wesley Andrews Yunnan Black, a Chinese black tea with hints of poppyseed, red clay, and honeysuckle. Each tea is thoughtfully crafted to complement the shop’s coffee offerings and provide a truly global experience.
Bichota is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. Find out more at bichotacoffee.com.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses to ashobe@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Nicholas Upton
Jason Walker
Dr. Betty Webb
Bill Wells
Tracy Wesley
Jeffery Young
Bichota opened its doors in October.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Continued from page 1
June: Feeding Our Future
fraud audit faults Minnesota Department of Education
The state’s Office of the Legislative Auditor determines that the Minnesota Department of Education’s oversight of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future was lacking, following a major investigation and trial that found individuals linked to the Saint Anthony-based organization guilty of crimes including bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering.
July: Joe Biden drops his bid for president; endorses Kamala Harris
In news that was predicted but nonetheless sent shock waves around the world, President Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race
WALKER
Continued from page 1
Walker and Grant West, wanted to make music education available to every student who wished to learn. Students often begin with the music of Stevie Wonder before diving into the works of Bach and Beethoven.
“In 2019, I launched the Rondo Community Music Series, which continues today,” says Rev. Walker. “We’re always performing. We’ve always performed, whether at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, local competitions, or other community events. During COVID, I realized that listening to music is just as vital as learning it. And so that just really gave me the impe-
GRANTS
Continued from page 1
SPSI passed the state legislature in 2023 and was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz. Racial disparities in education and economic mobility continue to hinder progress for Black communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting upward mobility. A 2023 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine underscores that children born into families living below the poverty line are more likely to remain in low-income households as adults.
Black children have a 37% likelihood of experiencing persistent poverty into adulthood — compared to 34% for white children. These disparities are a stark reminder of the systemic challenges Black families face, particularly in areas like housing, employment, and wealth accumulation, where the gaps between Black and white com-
STOREFRONTS
Continued from page 1
have a space for our members to come to, and now we can have vendor events, have artists out, and actually give them a platform to shine without having to ask for permission.”
BBE also empowers the community through financial literacy classes, business planning workshops, and credit repair programs.
“We wake up every day knowing our work helps businesses thrive and families grow,” Korsah said.
“That’s why we exist.”
Blackbird Revolt Blackbird Revolt leverages art and design as tools of change that support justice and collective liberation through anti-racism, antisexism, anti-ableism, and other forms of anti-oppression. The group also produces a podcast,
and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
August: MSR 90th anniversary: Tracey Williams-Dillard guides MSR into the future
The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder celebrated its 90th anniversary in grand style, as Publisher and CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard looked back at the legacy of her family’s newspaper.
September: Can more be done to help find women of color who are missing?
The MSR published a three-
tus to say, we need to have ‘perform’ in our mission.”
Walker West’s mission has always been deeply tied to celebrating and preserving Black culture. Music, as the Rev. Walker explains, has long been a source of resilience and healing for African Americans.
From gospel hymns sung during civil rights marches to the improvisational freedom of jazz, Walker West honors these traditions while fostering new ones.
part series on murdered and missing Black women, culminating in the state’s new Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office ramping up its work. Legislation to establish the office was introduced during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, making Minnesota the first state to establish an office to end the systemic neglect and violence faced by Black women and girls.
October: Police negligent in reign of terror The Minneapolis Police De-
partment admits failure in the aftermath of the shooting of 34-year-old Davis Moturi by neighbor and known white supremacist John Sawchak. Following a year of escalating threats, intimidation and assaults, Sawchak shot Moturi once in the neck— fracturing his spine, breaking two ribs, and causing a concussion.
November: The Minnesota Paradox Minnesota is celebrated as one of the best places to live in the United States. With its high-performing schools, strong social services, and reputation
“In the face of trauma, we were singing. We were marching. Music has always been the thing that just moved us and kept us going despite whatever barriers we were facing. And so even with jazz and gospel, all of that trauma, how do you heal through that? Resilience. And our experience as Black Americans, we have to rely on that and the music,” says Walker. Walker West partnered with Ujamaa Place, a safe space hub for young African American men experiencing inequity and poverty, to create the digital music production program that will teach students ages 13-21 how to make music in a modern way. The curriculum includes learning specific software programs, music fundamentals, and audio recording, among other essential skills for job readiness. What can be most exciting is the opportunity for expansion. Walker West has already reached parts of North Minneapolis, including the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and St. Cloud. Their
munities are substantial.
The funding provided through the SPSI is a critical step in addressing these disparities by providing financial assistance, mentorship and community for student parents.
Karla Benson Rutten, executive director of the Jeremiah Program in St. Paul, emphasized the program’s focus on supporting Black and other marginalized student parents. “At least 85% of our families identify as BIPOC, with the vast majority being Black,” Benson Rutten said.
“The disparities in housing, jobs and salaries in the Twin Cities disproportionately affect these families. This grant allows us to continue supporting them on their journey out of generational poverty, moving them toward the building of generational wealth through education.”
Ally Hanten Ebert, executive director of the Jeremiah Program’s Rochester campus, emphasized the importance of diversified funding to ensure
“The Beak.” Blackbird Revolt was founded in 2016 with a simple but powerful question: “What should we wear to the next protest?”
Initially focused on activistcentered apparel, the company has grown into a platform that amplifies diverse voices and challenges exclusionary narratives.
“Blackbird Revolt was founded because we felt compelled to engage our community through art and design,” said Terresa Moses, co-founder and creative director.
“Through the company’s development, we noticed the continued lack of representation and the intentional exclusion of diverse voices from the dominant narrative. We decided to expand our initial ideas to become an alternative to that exclusion.”
Flavor World Flavor World empowers and inspires creatives through its products and services, including clothing, events, videos, music,
sustainability. “We want to make sure our funding is super diversified so we’re never over-reliant on one source.”
St. Catherine University also received $181,470 from the SPSI to support pregnant and parenting students. Beth Hamer, director of the Access and Success program at St. Kate’s, emphasized how the funding will help Black student parents overcome the additional financial and systemic challenges they face.
In 2022, Access and Success evaluated its operations and programming. One key conclusion: BIPOC student parents who had stronger relationships with social workers were more likely to graduate than those who did not.
St. Kate’s Access and Success program has long been at the forefront of supporting student parents, offering services like childcare assistance, emergency grants, and legal aid. These resources are essential in helping Black student
“We know that when Black student parents feel welcomed and supported, their academic performance improves.”
“We know that when Black student parents feel welcomed and supported, their academic performance improves. This funding will help reduce financial stress and increase a sense of belonging for these students, particularly those from underserved communities,” Hamer said.
and paintings. It was founded in 2018 as a clothing brand but has since grown to include many mediums of art and exists as a supportive institution for the greater Minneapolis art scene.
“There’re a few ways that I think we really benefit from this. One is being a part of the cohort and the arts cluster that they’re making,” said Drew Kinkade, founder and director of Flavor World. “Being in close proximity with these other awardees — they’re a great group of people, so I think it would be great for us to all be so close in communication.”
The rent subsidy provided through the program is another critical benefit. “It’ll free us up to
“Turning empty storefronts into vibrant cultural hubs is a game-changer for Minneapolis.”
for inclusivity, Minnesota seems to embody the American ideal. And yet, research shows that Black Minnesotans are worse off here than in virtually every other state in the nation. This is the “Minnesota Paradox.” The MSR launched a six-part series detailing racial disparities in the state.
December: Reimagining policing – How Brooklyn Park is paving the way In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in 2020,
reach is growing across the region.
“We have online capabilities,” Haulcy says. “We have an Amazing Grace Chorus. This is our dementia-friendly [chorus] that we [host] online, and then in person twice a month, it’s one or the other. Grant West teaches lessons.
He has students in Portland, Atlanta and Dallas. And we also do our Rondo community music series.”
“Each
Walker West’s jazz ensembles have consistently earned accolades, including first-place honors at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival. They remain the only youth ensemble from a non-academic
this grant, especially among students of color.”
The new funding will also expand services that focus on mental health support, legal aid, and child care assistance, directly addressing the unique challenges faced by Black student parents. “With this funding we aim to strengthen degree completion rates among Black student parents, offering them the tools and support they need to overcome systemic obstacles, “Hamer said.
elected officials across the state vowed to make changes to policies and practices that govern interactions with police. From a statewide ban on chokeholds to the removal of student resource officers in St. Paul Public Schools, policies were implemented to reduce harm and instill trust within the Black community. One Minneapolis suburb has found success by focusing on initiatives that cultivate relationships, trust, wellness and accessibility in unprecedented ways.
school to compete on such a level.
String students regularly join elite programs like the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and have performed with celebrated acts like Black Violin at the Ordway, proving that accessibility, passion and education are intersections of social success.
“I’m trying to develop Grammy award-winning humans. Not Grammy award-winning musicians — Grammy award-winning humans,” Haulcy says. “Each kid should have music in their lives or art in their lives. And we’re here to make sure that happens as much as possible, and as Grant West would say: ‘There are no bad notes.’”
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses to abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com.
the University of Minnesota’s Student Parent Help Center, also emphasized the impact of emergency funding for Black students.
“Emergency funding is awarded based on need and urgency. In compliance with federal guidelines, factors such as student demographics, including race, are not considered in the awarding process,” Warfield said.
parents persist in their educational journey, where systemic barriers can often derail progress.
“Last academic year, 25% of the student parents we worked with identified as Black or African American,” Hamer said. “We hope to see an increase in the utilization of services funded by
For pregnant and new mothers, St. Kate’s will partner with the Redleaf Center MotherBaby Program, which offers outpatient mental health and parenting support for individuals during pregnancy and the parenting of children ages 0-5 years. Access and Success social workers are trained to screen student parents for public benefits, ensuring they can access other financial resources they may be eligible for.
Susan Warfield, director of
get more creative and do more projects that we currently have on the back burner because we don’t have the money to fund them,” Kinkade said.
Skntones Skntones launched in 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd with the slogan “As you dream, we create” after cofounder and Creative Director Stephon Atuti realized there was a space for creative professionals
in commercial business. Its mission is to light the way for more creative professionals and hobbyists using various mottos on their apparel packaging. The studio and office space marks a major milestone for Skntones to drive the brand’s product development, design, content production, and community initiatives. It will also serve as a platform to host art exhibitions and galleries featuring work from local artists, with a focus on un-
“Last year, the majority of emergency grants provided were given to BIPOC students. These grants impact students in really positive ways, allowing them to continue pursuing their education at the University of Minnesota.” For Black student parents, this funding represents more than just financial assistance: These grants offer crucial support to families who are striving to overcome the compounded challenges of education, parenting, and systemic racism.
Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at ccombs@spokesmanrecorder.com.
derrepresented voices.
Twin Cities Pride Twin Cities Pride’s mission is to empower every LGBTQ+ person to live as their true self and be valued and celebrated for who they are. The program represents an opportunity to amplify oftenoverlooked voices and expand their reach in the community.
“[The grant] is allowing us to create the Pride Cultural Arts Center,” said Andi Otto, executive director. “We have an artistin-residence program that allows artists and residents to join this program, be given studio space, and have their artwork uplifted. … There will be gallery space, a way for them to showcase their art because we know they are a marginalized community and don’t always get access to those things.”
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses to abinns@ spokesman-recorder.com.
The music academy’s founders, the Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West, wanted to make music education available to every student who wished to learn. Photo courtesy Walker West Music Academy
Members of this year’s awardee organizations — Black Business Enterprises, Blackbird Revolt, Flavor World, Skntones, and Twin Cities Pride — with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (second from right) Courtesy of Flavor World
By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
Changó Cummings is reshaping the landscape of architecture, employing art and design as a tool to challenge traditional norms while strengthening and supporting marginalized communities. His work blends creativity with activism, turning public spaces into tokens of support and solidarity.
Cummings is a multidisciplinary architectural designer whose practice spans multiple disciplines, from sculpture to guerrilla urbanism. His work goes beyond aesthetics aiming to engage with social issues, particularly the lived experiences of Black communities, and reshape the built environment as a tool for healing.
Cummings is adamant about his work reflecting the voices and needs of the communities it exists within. He wants to reclaim space and offer restorative experiences for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).
“I was born and raised in the warehouse district of Minneapolis,” Cummings said. “My basis for my art, my design, and my play all was majorly developed on the intersection of Broadway and Emerson at [Juxtaposition Arts].”
Raised in a family of creatives, Cummings realized the power of artistic expression early on, particularly through his involvement with Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA). Founded
Arts & Culture Architectural design as a tool for community healing
in 1995 by his parents, Roger and DeAnna Cummings, JXTA has served as a hub for young artists in North Minneapolis, offering mentorship and resources to youth from historically underestimated backgrounds. It was here that he connected with mentors and peers who would support him throughout his career.
Cummings was one of JXTA’s earliest apprentices, and his experiences there helped shape his vision for art that not only challenges societal norms but also addresses the needs of the people. Throughout his years at JXTA, he became deeply involved in several public art projects in North Minneapolis, including Juxta Pocket Park and the creation of benches at the Emerson and West Broadway bus station.
“My basis for my art, my design, and my play all was majorly developed on the intersection of Broadway and Emerson at Juxtaposition Arts.”
These initiatives were designed to beautify the community while serving functional and restorative purposes. These early experiences solidified his belief that architecture can be a tool utilized to amplify and regenerate a commu-
Changó Cummings
nity’s lived experience.
As his artistic practice grew, so did the scope of his work. One of his notable projects, Through the Glass Eyes, was a multifaceted performance, sculpture, and mural showcased at the 2018 Northern Spark all-night free art festival. The work tackled the issue of mass surveillance in Black communities, particularly in North Minneapolis, where CCTV cameras have been used disproportionately to monitor Black and brown people. By projecting the true narratives of Black people, Cummings sought to dismantle the systemic stigmas that often frame these communities as criminal or suspicious. Cummings’ other works re-
flect his commitment to creating spaces that merge cultural significance with physical utility. His Pod Pavilion for ITS Fest in 2021 was a spherical performance space built using plywood and digital fabrication techniques.
Drawing inspiration from indigenous hut structures, the pavilion was designed as a 360-degree stage with an afrofuturist lens. The structure represents a fusion of ancestral knowledge with modern design principles and served as a performance space for the festival.
Hattiesburg House ties directly to his own family’s history in Hattiesburg, Miss. His grandparents were the first Black people to own a Hattiesburg house and farm since
it was established in the early 1900s. Cummings has been envisioning a regenerative design project to create sustainable housing and farming practices on the 50-acre plot of land. This project blends environmental sustainability with his personal history, offering a vision for a future where Black families can thrive on their own terms.
Cummings graduated from the Parsons School of Design, a prestigious but predominantly white institution, with a BFA in architecture. “I looked around and realized that these kids probably had never experienced being in such close proximity with a Black American,” Cummings recalled.
“Students would look at me like, ‘What are you doing here? What are you doing in this space?’ It was very alienating and disorienting at times. I was blessed enough to find the Obsidian Group, which was the Black designers cohort that I was able to use as my anchor.”
The first of its kind at The New School, Obsidian is a collective that supports the advancement of students who identify as members of the African Diaspora. It is an organization that fosters and promotes Black scholarship, creativity, and professional opportunities across various disciplines including visual arts and music.
In 2021, Cummings led the organization of The Black (Critique) at Parsons, an event designed to celebrate the
graduation of Black students while providing feedback and mentorship from Black professionals. The event featured key speakers like Emory Douglas, a former Revolutionary Artist and Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, along with James Garret Jr., a mentor to Cummings, who led conversations around Black creativity.
After earning his degree, Cummings returned to Minnesota, where he has taken on several influential roles, including adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design. His courses, such as Build/Destroy and Livable Cities: Design & Culture in Australia, emphasize the intersection of design, social justice, and civic collaboration. His students are encouraged to challenge traditional architectural paradigms and to create spaces that address both the physical and spiritual needs of marginalized communities.
Cummings also serves as the Environmental Design Lab lead at Juxtaposition Arts, where he continues to mentor youth and guide them in designing sustainable, community-focused projects. His work at JXTA has expanded to include more youth employment opportunities, providing apprenticeships in design fields like architecture, environmental design, and public art.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses at ashobe@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Reclaiming full-spectrum Black femininity
By ReShonda Tate
For centuries, Black women have been subjected to a narrative that casts us as unwavering pillars of strength — stoic, resilient, and always capable of bearing the weight of the world.
This characterization often is a response to the brutal realities of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism. In an attempt to survive the unimaginable, Black women were forced to endure hardship without complaint, to nurture their families despite being denied basic human dignity, and to fight for rights that others took for granted.
But somewhere along the way, this portrayal of strength became not only a survival mechanism but also an expectation — a false idol that has overshadowed the depth and nuance of Black womanhood.
The “strong Black woman” stereotype, while often lauded as a badge of honor, has a dark side. It erases the humanity, complexity and vulnerability of Black women, pushing us to perform to an impossible standard. It demands that we endure pain silently, carry burdens alone, and never show weakness — reinforcing the idea that to be Black and female is to be impervious to suffering.
This narrative is not only unfair; it’s dangerous.
From being forced to care
for families under the cruelty of slavery to being tasked with maintaining the strength of entire communities while battling racial and gender discrim
ination, Black women have been expected to soldier on without pause. This expectation has permeated our personal, professional and social lives.
Studies have shown that the stereotype of the “strong Black woman” can contribute to mental health issues. According to the American Psychological Association, Black women often feel pressured to appear strong and self-sufficient, resulting in higher rates of chronic stress and health disparities, including hypertension and depression. The notion that we must always be unbreakable can also deter us from seeking help when we need it.
This image of Black women as emotionally invulnerable has a profound impact on our relationships and our sense of self. It teaches that we must put our needs last, that vulnerability is a weakness, and that to be human is to be inauthentic. Yet, this narrative ignores the truth: Black women, like all women, possess multifaceted identities that include strength and vulnerability, power and tenderness, resilience and fragility. We are not defined by one trait alone; our humanity is far more complex. A powerful shift has begun
in recent years. Black women are starting to reclaim the space to be both strong and vulnerable. This includes acknowledging our emotions, embracing our fragility, and rejecting the myth that showing vulnerability somehow diminishes our worth or strength. It’s a radical act to exist outside the confines of a stereotype.
For example, public figures like Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Taraji P. Henson have publicly spoken about the pressure to be “strong” and how they have learned to embrace their vulnerability. In her book ”Becoming,” Michelle Obama speaks openly
about the struggles she faced balancing her career, family life and personal identity. In doing so, she challenges the myth that Black women must always present as flawless warriors in a world that constantly demands more.
Beyoncé’s album ”Lemonade” is another example of a public figure embracing both strength and vulnerability, using her art to explore themes of pain, forgiveness, empowerment, and love. These women show us that we do not need to be onedimensional to be successful.
As we continue to evolve, we must work towards a more nuanced understanding of Black femininity — one that
honors both our strength and our vulnerability. Acknowledging the full spectrum of Black womanhood doesn’t diminish our power; it enhances it. Strength and softness are not mutually exclusive; they coexist in a way that is deeply empowering. We are not weak because we cry. We are not fragile because we ask for help. We are not any less powerful for admitting we are struggling.
Reclaiming Black femininity means rejecting the harmful stereotypes that have been thrust upon us and replacing them with a fuller, more honest understanding of who we are. It means acknowledging that we are both warriors and nurturers, survivors and dreamers, strong and soft. It means giving ourselves the grace to exist as we are — whole, complex and unapologetic.
Acknowledging the full spectrum of Black womanhood doesn’t diminish our power; it enhances it.
The next time someone calls a Black woman “strong,” let us remember that strength doesn’t mean invulnerability. It means having the courage to face adversity, to rise despite setbacks, and to honor the full spectrum of our humanity, including the parts that are soft, fragile, and needing care.
ReShonda Tate is a journalist and a national best-selling author of more than 50 books.
A study from the University of Michigan found that emotional expression — especially in supportive environments — can significantly reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. When Black women are encouraged to express their vulnerabilities without judgment, we not only create space for healing but also for deeper, more authentic connections with each other and with the world around us.
Education
Colonial Williamsburg restores oldest Black schoolhouse
By Stacy M. Brown
Colonial Williamsburg is nearing completion on the restoration of the Williamsburg Bray School, the oldest surviving schoolhouse for Black children in America. Founded in 1760 by the Associates of Dr. Bray, a British Anglican charity, the school was established to teach enslaved and free Black children to read, albeit through a curriculum that promoted religious submission to slavery.
Yet, for the hundreds of students who passed through its doors, literacy opened possibilities far beyond their assigned roles.
The school’s dedication marked a milestone in the project’s meticulous restoration efforts, with public tours set to begin in the spring. Located on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg in partnership with William & Mary’s Bray School Lab, the Williamsburg Bray School stands as a testament to the oppression and resilience woven into early American history.
Colonial Williamsburg’s research, attended the Bray School in the 1760s. Among them was Isaac Bee, who later emancipated himself. His enslaver placed ads in the Virginia Gazette warning that Bee “can read.”
Aberdeen, Bristol and Phoebe — ages 5, 7, and 3 — were among other students taught by Ann Wager, the school’s only teacher, who instructed over 300 Black children in reading, Christianity, and obedience. Despite the pro-slavery curriculum, many students quietly resisted by sharing literacy with others in their communities.
“It’s a story of resilience and resistance,” Maureen Elgersman Lee, the Bray School Lab director, told the Associated Press. “The Bray School’s teachings may have been rooted in pro-slavery ideology, but education had a way of empowering these children.”
Lee and her team continue researching descendants, with several students tracing their
“The Bray School’s teachings may have been rooted in pro-slavery ideology, but education had a way of empowering these children.”
The Smithsonian’s Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III emphasized the significance of the structure by saying that it has “extraordinary potential” to demonstrate how a small number of people’s dreams helped shape the values of many people.
Dendrochronology — a method of dating wood by its growth rings — helped identify the schoolhouse in 2020, confirming that it was built in the winter of 1759 or spring of 1760. Colonial Williamsburg’s team, under the direction of architectural preservation director Matt Webster, has now identified the 89th original structure in Williamsburg’s Historic Area.
More than 80 former students, now identified through
ancestry to Black households such as the Jones and Ashby families. Janice Canaday, a descendant of former students Elisha and Mary Jones, is now Colonial Williamsburg’s African American community engagement manager. Reflecting on her heritage, Canaday shared, “To know what your family has come through — that’s where your power is.”
The Bray School was an exception in a time when most colonies prohibited educating Black people. Though Virginia imposed anti-literacy laws later in the 1800s, Colonial Williamsburg has uncovered evidence suggesting Bray students went on to influence their communities. Jody Allen, director of the Lemon Project,
noted that the students likely taught siblings and others what they learned, enabling literacy as an act of defiance.
Since its rediscovery, the Bray School has undergone extensive preservation efforts overseen by Colonial Williamsburg. The team restored historically accurate wooden sills and brickwork, maintaining nearly 75% of the original structure. Officials said the preserved building will anchor research on the intersections of race, religion and education, shedding light on a part of America’s past often overlooked. “This is an incredibly important opportunity both to understand the Bray School and to understand Williamsburg in the 18th century,” Webster stated.
The school, originally recommended by Benjamin Franklin as a site for Black education, also illuminates the lives of early Black educators in Virginia. William & Mary Professor Emeritus Terry Meyers said the Bray School likely fostered Virginia’s first Black teachers.
Colonial Williamsburg President Cliff Fleet also stressed
the educational significance of the school’s story. William & Mary President Katherine Rowe noted that the restored building will serve as a “living testament to the resilience and strength of the Black students who defied their roles by embracing literacy.”
The research will continue as scholars, descendants,
and visitors explore the Bray School’s historical role. Researchers hope to relocate the building to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, preserving the space where generations of Black children gained the knowledge that helped shape their futures.
“This project honors not just the children who learned
here, but their courage to transcend the limitations set before them,” said Bunch, “a resilience that endures in the story of our nation.”
Stacy M. Brown is a senior writer for The Washington
former and the senior national correspondent for the Black Press of America.
The school was an exception in a time when most colonies prohibited educating Black people. Courtesy Colonial Williamsburg
In
HBCUs keep doing more with less
By Roy Betts
HBCUs have long been pillars of educational excellence and economic engines, driving prosperity in their communities and across the nation.
Despite these contributions, chronic underfunding threatens their ability to sustain this impact.
“Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs” underscores the urgent need for equitable and sustainable funding to ensure HBCUs can continue their vital role in promoting social mobility and economic growth and calls on the public to advocate for these essential institutions.
“As UNCF observes its 80th anniversary, one of the highlights of our yearlong celebration is the release of the sequel to our groundbreaking 2017 report. This report reaffirms what we have always known about the resilience of HBCUs: Despite a deadly pandemic, social unrest caused by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the economic uncertainties of the past seven years, HBCUs continue to do more with less — not only in preparing the next generation of leaders but also in contributing to our nation’s economic impact,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF.
“At this critical moment…we all must immediately actualize our commitment to these cornerstone institutions.”
Key findings in the “2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report” include:
HBCUs generate $16.5 billion in direct economic impact nationally.
If they were a company, the nation’s HBCUs would place in the top 50 of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies in job creation.
Collectively, 136,048 jobs exist because of HBCUs.
On average, for each job created on campus, 1.5 offcampus jobs exist because of spending related to the institution.
HBCUs are far more accessible to students and more successful at moving students from the bottom 40% of a country’s income distribution to the top 60%, signaling social mobility.
The 51,269 HBCU graduates in the class of 2021 can
HCBUs. This resource allows users to explore the localized impact, emphasizing the critical role HBCUs play in communities across the nation.
This report “represents the latest chapter in a longitudinal research initiative by UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute,” said Dr. Nadrea R. Njoku, assistant vice president of Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, UNCF. “By leveraging robust methodology and extensive data, we highlight how HBCUs continue to be critical drivers of economic growth and social mobility.
“This report not only underscores the substantial eco-
“Now, more than ever, we must recognize the indispensable role HBCUs play in shaping not just the future of their students but the future of our nation.”
expect work-life earnings of $146 billion, 57% ($53 billion) more than the $93 billion they could expect without their degrees or certificates.
The “2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report” is a continuation of the landmark 2017 study ”HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” which showed that HBCUs’ economic benefits extend beyond the students they educate.
In addition to the comprehensive report, a website has been launched where users can explore state-specific data and insights for individual
Dr. John E. Warren
With the coming of a second Trump administration, a number of people are experiencing high levels of uncertainty. We should not think that life as we know it has ended. This is a defeatist attitude. What we should remember, especially as Black people, is that if we survived slavery and past Republican presidents, we can survive four years of Donald Trump. What we must do is reset our thinking as to what is important and what we must do as a collective people going forward.
Our first order of business during this time must be a return to prayer rather than party politics. We must remember that it was collective prayer by those who came before us that brought us this far.
We must learn to act collectively “in spite of” and not “because of” the obstacles in front of us. While this is easier said than done, each of us
must start at our own personal level of interaction with those around us, many of whom we may not like.
This is not a time for fear, but a time for planning and faith in the fact that we can win even under adverse circumstances.
Next, we must adopt an attitude of “no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interest.” This means that we must re-educate ourselves to how the government works. We have two years to prepare to take back the House of Representatives, which the Republican Party has won by a very small number of
seats, perhaps less than five.
While we are looking at retaking national parts of government in terms of what’s in our own best interest, we must not ignore local and state issues that will be influenced by the Trump administration. History has taught us that local attitudes are influenced by national attitudes, and the national attitudes have shifted to the extreme right based on Trump’s election.
This is not a time for fear, but a time for planning and faith in the fact that we can win even under adverse circumstances.
We must restart our local discussion groups. The Black Press, our most trusted messenger, should play a key role in providing such forums but in conjunction with other organizations and groups in our communities.
What do you think?
John E. Warren is the publisher of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint Newspaper.
How credit card swipe fees make life harder for
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
America’s financial system is quietly reinforcing old inequities. Black American communities — historically denied access to wealth-building tools due to practices like redlining and restrictive banking — now face a new predatory financial hurdle: credit card swipe fees.
counterparts, which can further harm their credit scores and financial stability.
for merchants while blocking out competitors.
nomic benefits generated by HBCUs, but also contextualizes the broader challenges they have faced over the past three years, including the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the threats of violence that have been levied against many of these institutions,”said Dr. Njoku.
“Now, more than ever, we must recognize the indispensable role HBCUs play in shaping not just the future of their students but the future of our nation,” said Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at UNCF. “This report is not just a call to awareness but a call to action.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that we leverage this data to galvanize our communities and demand the necessary support from our policymakers by voting for HBCUs. We urge every supporter to make their voices heard, to advocate for the equitable funding our HBCUs deserve, and to ensure that these institutions can continue to thrive and contribute to America’s future.”
Roy Betts is a writer-editor with the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation and a former White House correspondent.
For Black Americans, swipe fees — which credit card companies use to fund luxury points programs — act as yet another layer of systemic discrimination, forcing many to pay more while receiving less in return.
Consider how credit card swipe fees work. Every time someone uses a credit card, the merchant is charged a fee — usually between 2% and 4% — which is often passed on to consumers through higher prices. Wealthier cardholders benefit from this system, recouping costs through rewards like fancy hotel stays and airline miles.
But a legacy of discrimination has left Black families with fewer wealth-building opportunities, resulting in lower homeownership rates, lower credit scores, and higher debt burdens — putting those premium credit cards and their luxury rewards out of reach for many.
In simple terms, Black Americans and other communities of color are left to foot the bill for the flights and perks of those who are considerably more affluent.
Black Americans are less likely to hold credit cards — 72% ownership compared to 88% for White Americans — and often face higher interest rates. 58% of Black Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings, compared to 30% of White Americans. Black college graduates carry $25,000 more in student loan debt than their White
It’s a painful irony: Black Americans, who are systematically excluded from wealthbuilding tools, end up paying more to access the same basic financial services. These financial pressures make it hard to escape revolving debt, and harder still to enjoy the rewards that banks offer.
The promise of “free” rewards from swipe fees is an illusion for those who can barely afford to pay down their balance every month. While swipe fees aren’t solely responsible for racial wealth disparities, they compound existing financial burdens, making it even harder for Black families to build savings and financial security.
Black Americans are far from the only group that would
Swipe fee reform isn’t radical; it’s about fair competition and a level playing field. The Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) — a bipartisan bill being considered in Congress — aims to introduce competition into this marketplace by requiring at least two competing processing networks on each credit card. This could save American consumers and businesses an estimated $15 billion annually.
The CCCA won’t end rewards programs — only the banks that offer them can decide that. In fact, a recent study found that the CCCA would have little to no impact on rewards. What the bill would do is end a broken system that preys on those with the least and benefits those with the most.
Black Americans have paid more to receive less for too long. It’s time for that to change.
benefit from comprehensive swipe fees reform: Small business owners and advocates across the country have been sounding the alarm and leading the calls. For small merchants, swipe fees are often their second-highest monthly cost after labor.
These businesses — which operate on razor-thin profit margins — are forced to raise prices to stay afloat. The average American family pays more than $1,100 a year in higher prices due to these fees.
The current swipe fee structure exists because the VisaMastercard duopoly controls 90% of the U.S. credit card processing market, allowing them to set and increase rates
Reducing swipe fees through pro-competition reform won’t undo generations of economic inequality, but it’s a step toward dismantling one of the structures that reinforce it. A fairer financial landscape benefits everyone, not just those most impacted — and Black Americans have paid more to receive less for too long.
It’s time for that to change. An inequality anywhere is a threat to equality everywhere.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association representing the Black Press of America and executive producer of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV Network.
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and trans kids playing kids sports are doing it under the guise of protecting women’s sports. And these are not people who have ever cared about women’s sports until just now. So, I think it’s really disingenuous when people try and use women’s sports as a console to discriminate against trans kids.
MSR: This year we have seen meaningful investment in women’s sports both from a financial standpoint and a media standpoint. The PWHL is in its second year and is already talking about expansion. The WNBA will add three new teams in the next three years. And the NWSL is talking expansion as well.
KD: The NWSL has been around for a while and has a real loyal fan base. If we look at the success of the W, which we know, the W’s been around for [over] 25 years. So, let’s not discredit that.
MSR: Please explain what you mean about “infrastructure things” when it pertains to women’s sports.
KD: You now have ESPN finally putting [WNBA] games on during prime time and on actual ESPN and ABC channels, not ESPN News. You don’t have to search for them. The exposure and the visibility of these games is what’s going to help leagues like the NWSL and the PWHL grow. I’ve been a sports business reporter for my whole career, for more than 10 years. I’ve been yelling about people leaving money on the table and how much growth potential, how much money there is to be made from women’s sports, and they’re only now paying attention to it, which I am glad to see.
But investment is still not where it needs to be. And sometimes that means investment is losing money for the first couple of years. It took 50 years for the NBA, for the NFL, and for Major League Baseball to reach profitability.
MSR: What does your crystal ball say about 2025 in regard to women’s sports?
KD: I don’t mean to get political, but if Presidentelect Trump does decide to get rid of the Department of Education as he has said
I.G.S.D. (DOB: 05/11/2015) minor child, Marisol Steffany Dimas Castro, Petitioner, and Yohana Steffany Dimas Castro and Franklin Rene Soto Lemus Respondents.
TO: Yohana Steffany Dimas Castro and Franklin Rene Soto Lemus:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon the Petitioner’s attorney response to the Petition, which is herewith served upon you, within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.
Dated: December 17 , 2024 ___s/s Kelly Clark_____________ Kelly K. Clark (0392134) Heinz Law, PLLC 699 East 7th Street St. Paul, MN 55106 (612) 888-0099 Phone (612) 888-8708 Fax Kelly@heinzlawoffice.com Attorney for Petitioner
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 26, 2024
that he might, what does that mean for Title IX? What does that mean for enforcement, because the Department of Education is in charge of enforcement of Title IX. That’s something that I’ll definitely be looking at for next year.
On the positive side of things, continued growth in the WNBA. [The players] just opted out of their CBA because they have this huge infusion of money from the new NBA and WNBA TV deals. But these negotiations are going to be contentious. Every labor negotiation is contentious, and just because they’re women doesn’t make that any different.
I think you’ll finally start to see other leagues or other ways in which athletes and players can be compensated.
MSR: You wrote your excellent book four years ago. In your opinion, have things gotten better in its aftermath?
KD: I think everything always gets better. I think it’s really easy to say that things are terrible. Now, in a lot of ways, things are bad, but I think if you’re comparing them to 50 years ago, they’re just objectively better. There are always
going to be things that we need to fix, and there are always going to be ways in which sports don’t love us back. It does mirror the country.
While that was the title and the premise of the book, the reason that we criticize things that we love this much is because we know how much good there can be in sports, and we just want them to get there.
MSR: I miss Real Sports [The HBO sports show that left the air last December after 29 seasons]. It was the last of such shows that did serious sports journalism and often featured women’s sports. That is mainly absent today.
KD: I was on Real Sports, that was my last regular dayto-day grind job. I think it’s a real loss for our industry that we don’t have that kind of journalism around anymore in sports.
MSR: So in your humble opinion, the future of women’s sports is bright?
KD: Absolutely right. This is not some fad.
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he soon-to-end year 2024 will be remembered as a milestone year for women’s sports.
It’s no secret that sports have great personal significance for the athletes that participate in them, and perhaps there is no greater example of this than the growth of women’s sports. Women’s games across the world are growing at unprecedented rates, giving girls across the country an opportunity to believe that they can do anything, just like their favorite players on the national and global stages.
Emmy-winning journalist Kavitha Davidson co-authored “Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back” (2020). She often offers us expert analysis on the intersection of sports, race, and gender.
Davidson’s experience includes roles at The Athletic, HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, ESPN, and Bloomberg. Her work has been featured in such publications at “Rolling Stone” and “The Guardian” and was noted in “Best American Sports Writing.” She also hosts a female-led podcast, Sportly.
In a recent Zoom interview, the two of us discussed the present and future of women’s sports.
MSR: Is the future of women’s sports as bright as it seems these days based on its newfound popularity?
KD: The future is not just bright, it’s just here. This isn’t a moment, it’s the movement.
The WNBA, for example — Caitlin Clark has been only good for this league. But this movement and this growth started well before her. If you just look back at the last two, three, four years of Finals ratings and overall league ratings, and attendance figures, and merch sales,
his week’s Fab Five photo display includes highlights from Minneapolis South’s 88-84 boys basketball victory over Minneapolis North on Wednesday, December 11. The photos include two South play
ers who led them with 22 points each (DeAmontre Scott and Eugene Brown), the player who scored 22 points to lead North (JMarion Sanders), North’s point guard who scored 14 points (Allen Hill), and a former Marshall University High School and Augsburg University great officiating the game (Ronnie Henderson). Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
The future of women’s sports is looking bright
An extended interview with sports journalist Kavitha Davidson
it’s all been leaning to this point, and Caitlin Clark came along at exactly the right time.
MSR: However, when it comes to women’s sports, sports talk and sports media and social media have been basically reduced to blaming, shaming, and false fandom.
KD: All of social media is loud and divisive, and it’s better for everyone’s mental health to be less online in general, whether we’re talking about women’s sports or not. There are some real conversations that we can have in a hopefully nuanced way and not yelling at each other about the racial dynamics of why a lot of fans only started to pay attention to the W when a White player like Caitlin Clark [shows up]. I feel like anytime we have this conversation, we should reiterate that
she is of a talent level that deserves as much accolades and hype as she’s getting.
But the idea that there was no talent in the W before, or that there were no marketable stars before Caitlin Clark… I’m old enough to remember when Lisa Leslie and T-Spoon (Teresa Weatherspoon) had a shoe. But we can also be really honest about the fact that this league itself for a long time shied away from its gay fan base, and from acknowledging that so many of its players are not white and not straight. Now we’re embracing those identities and those dynamics, and that’s obviously lovely to see.
“This league itself for a long time shied away from its gay fan base, and from acknowledging that so many of its players are not white and not straight. Now we’re embracing those identities and those dynamics, and that’s obviously lovely to see.”
MSR: During the November election campaign, some politicians used the transgender issue as a scare tactic.
KD: This is a complicated issue. I have friends who are trans, but I also understand people across the country who don’t know any trans people…and they might have ques-
Fab Five Photos South defeats North
tions, and it’s OK to have questions, and they shouldn’t be told that they’re stupid or bigoted because they don’t know everything here.
You know, less than 1% of athletes that we know of that are competing are trans athletes. It tends to be at a very low level in kids and youth sports. This really isn’t that big a deal as I think people are making it out to be, that trans kids exist and they have a right to exist and they have a right to play sports. What I find really galling about this is a lot of the people coming out against trans athletes
■ See VIEW on page 9
Kavitha Davidson Courtesy of X
Scott (Minneapolis South)
Marion Sanders (Minneapolis North)
Referee Ronnie Henderson (officiating at Marshall University High)
Eugene Brown (Minneapolis South)