Read more about “The Devil You Knnow” on page 6.
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
April 14 - 20, 2022
Vol. 88
T
wo hundred and thirty-two years, 116 justices, 108 White men, six women, two Black men, and one Latina woman later, the United States Supreme Court finally has an African American woman serving as an Associate Justice. Judge Ketanji Brown Jack-
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No. 37
Supreme Court Justice Jackson proclaims, ‘We’ve made it. All of us’ By Stacy M. Brown Contributing Writer
son earned confirmation with a 53-47 vote, breaking the glass ceiling after America’s first Black woman vice president, Kamala Harris, presided over the process to confirm her. “It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States,” Jackson proclaimed a day ■ See JACKSON on page 5
(l-r) Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and VP Kamala Harris Courtesy of NNPA
Fate of historic Black golf course remains uncertain By Feven Gerezgiher Contributing Writer The future of the Hiawatha Golf Course is once again in flux as the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board failed to move forward with either the Board’s original plans or an alternative renovation concept by Black golf advocates at an April 6 meeting. The alternative concept was proposed by the Bronze Foundation, a South Minneapolis-based nonprofit promoting equitable access to golf. The organization says Hiawatha, a public facility, was one of the first courses in Minneapolis—and the U.S.—to welcome African Americans. Last year, parks officials proposed and voted down a master plan to improve water management by redesigning and reducing the golf course from 18 to nine holes. The site was once the location of a lake and connected wetland, according to the master plan. The lake was dredged and the wetlands
Stalemate pits Hiawatha’s cultural legacy against sustainable water management
Photo by Paige Elliott
filled in the 1920s, with the golf course opening in the 1920s. Today, the master plan calls such wetland redevelopment “impossible and irresponsible.” In 2014, heavy rains flood-
It’s the law: Schools must inform students, parents of college course options Recent study finds a majority not in compliance
By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) allows Minnesota public and charter school students grades 10-12 to take free college courses either online or on campus. Over 100,000 students have used it over the past three decades since the law was passed in 1985. A new report by People for PSEO released last month looked at 390 district and
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ing incomplete information: • 40% of school district websites are current and complying with state law. • 35 websites provided factually inaccurate information. • 72.5% of charter public schools are up-to-date, compared to 33% of public school districts. • 27 websites don’t provide any PSEO information. MDE offers school districts “suggested language” on PSEO that they essentially can cut and paste on their websites,
Director Zeke Jackson, who authored the report, said that incomplete or no PSEO information is a critical problem. He and other current and former PSEO students testified before the Minnesota Senate K-12 Education Policy Committee on March 23 in support of SF 4087, a bill co-authored by State Sen. Julia Coleman (R-Waconia). “This bill proposes to further enhance the PSEO statute by eliminating limits on post-secondary institutions providing
charter public schools that do not satisfy their statutory obligations.” Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) was listed among 175 websites with missing PSEO information, according to the report. St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) was among the 153 school websites that was “correct and up to date.” The MSR examined the Minneapolis PSEO page and found its information up to date except for information that a student must have reasonable
ed the course for months, revealing that Minneapolis parks were pumping more than 240 gallons of groundwater into Lake Hiawatha to keep the site and the surrounding neighborhood dry.
o charges filed against N Mpls. police in Locke killing
Amir Locke
Photos by Tony Webster/Family of Amir Locke By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer
(l-r) Rani Mukherjee, Beatrice Handlin, Zeke Jackson, State Sen. Julia Coleman, Joe Nathan
charter websites and found that 60% are not following state law, which requires schools to provide “up-todate” PSEO information. Despite constant reminders by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the report also noted that many schools are withholding vital PSEO information or provid-
including information that all PSEO courses are provided at no charge to students; that all courses must meet graduation requirements; and if a school district determines that a student is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in the PSEO program on a term-by-term basis. People for PSEO Executive
information to the high school students and parents through advertising and recruiting [and] requiring better reporting,” stated Coleman at the hearing. Among the report’s recommendations are that MDE “should review and apply appropriate enforcement mechanisms to district and
Photo by Charles Hallman access to their high school building, computers, and other technology resources during regular school hours; and that the PSEO student can stay in the program even if the district determines that they are not on-track to graduate. “MPS staff is currently analyzing our Post Secondary ■ See COLLEGE on page 5
This was in violation of its DNR permit allowing pumping of 36.5 million gallons for irrigation purposes only. With further flooding in 2019, and more heavy rainfall ■ See HIAWATHA on page 5
The decision not to charge a Minneapolis police officer in the February killing of Amir Locke has baffled, among others, his family and friends as well as many in the community. Locke, age 22, was fatally shot during an early morning botched raid at a downtown Minneapolis apartment where he was staying. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman jointly said last week that after an independent investigation, along with their respective offices, all concluded that there was not enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Minneapolis police officer Mark Hanneman violated the Minnesota use of force law. “I have to admit it was shocking,” said Bishop Richard Howell of Shiloh Temple International. His Northside church hosted Locke’s funeral. He told the MSR last week, “The community is still confused by what happened… that there was no crime committed by the police.” A video and a brief bodycam excerpt released by
the City after the shooting showed officers opening the door of the apartment where Locke was staying. Officers didn’t knock before entering but can be heard shouting “police” and “search warrant.” It also shows Locke stirring from underneath a blanket and holding a handgun just before Hanneman shoots him. Another angle shows Locke pointing the gun but not at anyone. Despite earlier reports, Locke was not a suspect and was not connected in any way with a St. Paul homicide case. Nor was he named in the “no-knock” search warrant. According to his family, Locke had no criminal record and had legally purchased a handgun because he feared for his safety as a food delivery driver. They stated they believed he was startled awake, grabbed his gun, and pointed it to the ground as he was trained to do. “We were upset when we saw it,” said Howell of the footage. Last week’s decision by Ellison and Freeman further strained community relations with police, especially among communities of color. Among many unanswered questions ■ See LOCKE on page 5
2 April 14-20, 2022
Metro
ollege ‘answers the call’ C with new racial justice program By Jennifer Cherrier Contributing Writer North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) began exclusively offering a Racial Justice and Social Transformation certificate this past fall as part of the school’s commitment to racial equity, according to college officials. Kathy Hendrikson, dean of Fine and Applied Arts, Global, and Cultural Studies, stated that faculty, administration, staff members, and employees from the City of Brooklyn Park participated in a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation workshop in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta. The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on campus was also involved. That experience, input from staff members of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with student survey results led to the curriculum’s development and approval. Hendrikson stated that the program was really “an answer to a call” after the murder of George Floyd and civil unrest throughout the world. Hendrikson also noted that the population of NHCC mirrors the demographics of the population of Brooklyn Park. NHCC works with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth of Minnesota, an organization created by the cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center to advance positive youth development. Hendrikson hopes the
alliance will have their youth leaders go through the program. According to NHCC’s website, the Racial Justice and Social Transformation Certificate is designed to build a cultural skill set relevant to every career and complements anyone in or pursuing a leadership role. After completing the program, students are better prepared for work in community organizing, management, and cultural fluency education. Through their studies, students learn to: • apply anti-racist approaches to personal and real-world problems to model racial justice advocacy; • explain the social construction of race and systems of oppression in the U.S; • analyze structural racism and the perpetuation of social inequities; • learn aspects of Critical Race Theory within U.S. political, social, cultural, and economic institutions; and • explain how one’s racial and social identities can dismantle systemic injustices or uphold oppressive practices.
Charlie Oribamise, scholarship recipient
arts, and more. Two required leadership capstone courses round out the certificate. Hendrikson stated that due to low enrollment, the Foundations of Racial Justice class was not offered during the 2021-2022 school year. But the class will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings this fall. No hard data on enrollment numbers exist at this time. Individuals interested in
“I want fairness. I want justice. I want people to be treated equally.” The 15-credit certificate starts with two courses (although the coursework can be completed in any order). Students continue their coursework with six credits of coursework on cultures, relationships, economics, the
taking the Foundations of Racial Justice class do not have to be enrolled at NHCC. The enrolled student population at NHCC is 46% White, 23% Black or African American, 14% Asian, 8% Hispanic or Latino, and 5% mixed race,
Belinda Gardener, Foundation of Racial justice instructor Photos courtesy of NHCC
according to the school’s 2021 figures. NHCC’s BIPOC graduation rates have increased over the past five years. 2020 saw a rate of 48.23% for BIPOC students and 51.77% for Non-BIPOC. 2021 saw a slight decrease with 46.32% of BIPOC students graduating and 53.68% of Non-BIPOC students. In regards to coursework, “We want to make sure we are doing it right,” Hendrikson said. She added that NHCC will continue to examine and re-examine the coursework to make sure it benefits students and the community. The certificate can be packaged for a business or group of individuals and can be customized to fit within a group’s desired timeframe. A scholarship that aligns with the certificate has been established, with assistance from the NHCC Foundation. Four scholarships for $1,000 have been awarded so far to help students with their college finances. Charlie Oribamise, a 62-year-old non-traditional student studying criminal justice at NHCC, was the first scholarship recipient. According to NHCC’s website, Oribamise ar-
rived in the U.S. in 1981 when he was 22 years old. After arriving here, he quickly learned about America’s racial divide. As a result, he developed a passion for justice. He said in a statement, “If we see people as human beings and go beyond categorizing, we’ll discover we’re not all that different.” He moved to Dallas where he started his studies. “There was a racial issue that was going on at that time that kind of woke me up. There was a Black engineer, who was accused of a robbery. “The people he worked with said he didn’t do anything, but the cops picked him up anyway, Oribamise said. “I was watching this and hearing about it and I said, ‘Is this the activity that belongs in America? Is this the life that I’ve obtained here?’ “I could be picked up too, just like that, because I’m Black,” he continued. “At first, I was just curious, but then it started getting to me. I learned that I have to be very careful where I go, what I say, because you never know. I wasn’t thinking this was the American society I’d be coming into.” His experience ignited his
passion for criminal justice and finding solutions to big questions. “I want fairness. I want justice. I want people to be treated equally.” Phaedra Goff is the most recent recipient of the scholarship. She started at NHCC in 2017 as a junior in high school through the Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO) program. The scholarship application asks applicants to write about a social issue they believe in. Goff was able to write about the abuse she suffered that led to her mental illness and how it affects her now. “I got to write about an issue I’m passionate about… I find that social awareness is one of my passions.” Goff has experience as an early childhood education teacher. This experience included teaching diversity to 2, 3, and 5 year-olds. “I found I had to learn a whole new set of language and practice it for the benefit of the kids…That language…made an invaluable difference in how the kids— and how I—looked at things.” Winning the scholarship helped inspire Goff to apply to the pre-counseling bachelor’s program at Capella University, where has been accepted. She plans to continue her education there in September after graduating from NHCC this summer. Trung Le and Abshir Mohamed were also recipients of the scholarship. Currently, students do not have to be enrolled in the Racial Justice and Social Transformation certificate to be eligible for the scholarship. For more information about the Racial & Social Justice certificate visit bit.ly/NHCCRSJcert Jennifer Cherrier welcomes reader responses to jcherrier@ spokesman-recorder.com.
MN Report: aid helps, but many have trouble escaping poverty By Mike Moen For Minnesota to make big gains in reducing poverty, its safety net needs to be more robust, according to a new report highlighting disparities residents around the state are experiencing while attempting to elevate themselves from hardship. Minnesota’s official poverty rate is 8.7 %, which is below the national average. Angie Fertig, social policy research scientist at the University of Minnesota, said when you dig deeper, there are broad levels of unevenness. The state is known for its racial disparities, and Fertig confirmed BIPOC residents have much higher poverty rates than White residents, and existing support systems only help meet basic needs. “A lot of people believe that Minnesota is a very generous state in terms of its safety net,” Fertig acknowledged. “And that’s generally true. However, there are lots of things that we could do better.” The report calls for state action, such as expanding eligibility for SNAP benefits, to help all families prosper. Despite a large budget surplus, it is unclear if boosting various forms of assistance will happen under a divided Legisla-
Courtesy of MN News Connection ture. The poverty rate for Black residents is 21% and 29% for Native Americans. Fertig pointed out there is also variation when looking at poverty through a geographic lens, with higher rates in certain urban centers, including Duluth and the Twin Cities, and some rural regions as well. Her report calculated separate poverty rates when factoring in federal benefit programs and found it was not much better than the official rate. “What the report reveals is that current policies and programs just aren’t enough to eliminate poverty,” Fertig asserted. “They exactly balance out with the higher costs that living [and] covering your basic needs entail.” Bill Grant, executive direc-
tor of the Minnesota Community Action Partnership, which supported the report, said it is good to have a more accurate measure so organizations such as his know where to ask for legislative support to make them stronger. “While a number of people have benefited from these programs, they aren’t accomplishing the primary objective, which is to lift people out of poverty,” Grant stressed. The new report looked at 2019 data and called for a statewide Commission to End Poverty. Those involved hoped to issue annual findings to track how marginalized residents are faring, especially in light of the pandemic. Mike Moen is a writer for Minnesota News Connection.
April 14-20, 2022
Health & Wellness
3
Ten practical ways to relieve insomnia No sleep, no wellness!
By Dr. Inell Rosario Guest Contributor Great sleep is the foundation for great health. During sleep our physical and mental selves get a chance to relax, rejuvenate and restore themselves so that we can continue to carry out our daily obligations. We all know that sleep is important on many levels. We have all heard that we need to sleep in order to grow, or when we are sick we need to sleep in order to get better. We have long recognized even in our children that if they are not sleeping well their behavior becomes unreasonable. That is demonstrated by watching any toddler who has missed their nap! Great sleep is recognized as important even in our workplace with the sound advice to sleep on a big decision
before making it. Sleep is by definition a state of reversible, often supine, decreased muscular activity with specific brain wave patterns, often with eyes closed and a decreased level of consciousness. Sleep is what we want at the end of a stressful day or when we are not feeling well just to tune out and go off the grid for a little while. How incredibly stressful it becomes, then, when we want to sleep but it eludes us! Insomnia by definition means that we are taking more than half an hour to get to sleep. While there are many causes of insomnia, such as racing mind, pain, sleep apnea, and medications, I will focus on providing some practical solutions to help decrease your chances of ongoing insomnia. 1. Keep a routine bedtime and wake-up schedule. This means trying to go to bed about the same time and getting up about the same time each day. This will help your body’s hormones and circadian rhythm to sync, and this in turn will help you get to sleep and feel more refreshed when you wake up. 2. Do not look at the alarm clock! Be sure that the alarm clock is facing away from you so you are not seeing the time that is passing as you try to fall asleep. Remind yourself that what time it is is not important and the more you see what time it is, the more likely you are to have further delay getting to sleep. The light emitted from the numbers on
the clock can also impair your ability to get to sleep. 3. Set the alarm for the time that does not allow you to snooze. Snoozing more often than not makes you feel more tired, as you are not able to get into as deep a sleep again. This adds to sleep disruption. Hearing the alarm should tell you that you must get up immediately or you will be late. 4. Try to not eat within a couple hours of bedtime. Eating close to bedtime leads to ongoing production of stomach acids and GI irritation, which add to sleep disruption. 5. Control pain. If you have a chronic pain condition, give yourself time to find a comfortable position. If medications are needed, take them as directed so that chronic pain is not preventing you from getting to sleep and staying asleep. 6. Make sure the room you are sleeping in is darkened so that the sun rising earlier than your desired wakeup time does not cause you to wake up sooner than you would like to. You may need to wear an eye mask. 7. Wear earplugs. Keeping your sleep environment as quiet as possible is helpful in maintaining sleep. Having earplugs in if needed helps to block out distracting noises that can cause you to wake up prematurely. For example, if you know that on Tuesday mornings your recycle truck comes for pickup and it is loud, you may choose to wear an ear plug that night at minimum in the ear that is not on
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com the pillow. 8. If you take a medication for sleep, take it as directed and see your prescribing provider if you desire any dosage change. Many of the medications that are prescribed to help with sleep have adverse effects if stopped abruptly. 9. If you have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep, consider setting the mood: • Use blue and green light filters on cell phones and on any backlit electronics and computer screens. This will help to keep your own melatonin level as high as possible, which leads to better sleep.
• Take a bath at night. Feeling and smelling clean, especially using bath salts such as eucalyptus, is relaxing. • Meditate. Browse the many apps that are available, many of which are free! Mediation will help you to slow down your mind and not relive, rewrite and replay the past or perceived future. • Do something relaxing at night such as read a book as opposed to watching a show or another activity that might get you upset. • Turn off social media and notifications when getting ready for bed. 10. Limit your activities in
the bedroom to do those that are sleep-promoting. Consider consulting with a sleep specialist to discuss the details of your sleep problem. They can discuss and, if need be, prescribe cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Dr. Inell Rosario is a boardcertified ENT and sleep physician practicing at Andros ENT & Sleep Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. She has many times been recognized as a Top Doctor and Best Doctor in various Minnesota magazines and can be reached at drrosario@androsent-sleep.com or 651-888-7800.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month Are you enjoying alcohol socially or crossing the line?
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which means many organizations across the nation increase their already significant efforts to educate the public and raise cognizance about alcoholism, its causes, effects, and proper treatment. Studies have shown that large groups of people believe their drinking is solely social. Research shows that in many cases, social
drinking is used as a crutch. Professionals under excess stress, such as police officers, have been studied and correlations found between the stress of fitting in socially with coworkers and drinking. We also know that college drinking can be disastrous for young students away on their journey to a bachelor’s degree. Researchers found that one of
four motives for college drinking was the need to conform to social norms. According to a report published in the academic journal JAMA Psychiatry, almost 33% of adult Americans suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder at some point in their lives. Out of that one-third of Americans, only 20% seek professional help.
The CDC has also published fact sheets stating that the number of lives lost to alcohol was around 88,000 per year from 2006-2010. So how do you assess when your drinking is stepping into a danger zone or if your motives for drinking are unhealthy? Washington, D.C Licensed Mental Health Counselor Dr. Joanne Frederick outlines the differences between social and problematic drinking. Here are five signs that your drinking has become problematic. 1) You feel the need to hide your drinking Dr. Frederick says, “People who find themselves escalating from social drinking to actual alcoholism attempt to conceal their alcohol consumption from their friends and family.” Dr. Frederick explains that the issue is the cognizance of the drinker that they are taking it to the next level and that those close to them would be alarmed at how much they are drinking. 2) Failing to deliver on your responsibilities “Alcoholics tend to miss work, meetings, and other responsibilities,” Dr. Joanne Frederick says. “If problematic drinking habits begin in college, students may begin to sacrifice study time and class time in order to recuperate from the previous night’s hangover.”
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com
3) Not sticking to your limit Many people set out limits
for themselves before going out with friends. “I’ll only have two drinks tonight!’ they profess. However, Dr. Frederick explains that if you can’t stick to your own parameters, you might have binge drinking tendencies. “If you are making a deal with yourself and you cannot follow your own rule for the night, you need to observe the reasoning. It might be a case of using alcoholism as a crutch to fit in or have fun. When alcohol becomes a stepping stone for ‘fun’ it becomes a necessity, and this is when you can develop a dependency on it,” she says. 4) Blacking out becomes routine Blackouts and hangovers happen to everyone at some point. It is part of learning your limits. But if blacking out becomes routine, Dr. Frederick says this might be a sign you are in the red zone for dependency. “If you become nonchalant about repeatedly blacking out throughout the weekend or in extreme cases throughout the week, there is a problem. “Modern medicine tells us the effects of constant and consistent episodes of blackouts on your brain can be terrible. If you are dissociating these episodes of memory loss, incoherence, and hangovers from the consequences they can bring down the line it could mean you are trying to numb anxieties or insecurities
with alcohol, and you don’t care about the results of such heavy drinking. 5) You need “liquid courage” prior to any new social experience This is common in college students and recent grads who are trying to navigate the world of adulthood and socializing. “Studies show us that one of the major motives why college students overdrink is the need to fit in. They don’t believe they can do so without alcohol. This is problematic because it creates an urgency for the substance to make friends.” What to do if you’re not sure you have a problem Dr. Frederick suggests, “If you are not certain you are an alcoholic, seek the advice of a therapist or counselor. Shadowing an AA meeting and speaking with those who have long-term sobriety can also demystify and destigmatize the notion of seeking help and community. If you begin to realize that you require more than therapy and counseling to stop drinking, inpatient treatment (rehab) may be the course of action you need to get both the therapy and tools to live a sober life.” Dr. Joanne Frederick is a licensed professional mental health counselor Washington, D.C. Find more of her work at www.jflcounseling.org.
4 April 14-20, 2022
Business
Vanlice Local lemonade company Lemonade offers sweet and healthy options
Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Ashley Lauren Contributing Writer Local entrepreneur Vee Washington launched Vanlice Lemonade on behalf of his 5-year-old daughter Hayzel Woo Washington. The Minnesota-based business is growing in popularity and is available in various local stores. Washington is originally from Liberia and came to Minnesota in 1991. He and his family escaped from a civil war at the time. When Washington arrived in Minnesota, he attended middle school in Fridley, and “then I went to Blaine for high school,” he said. He elaborated, “I went to St. Cloud State for business, and that’s when I fell in love with music more. So I went down to this school in Florida for music and I graduated there,” Washington explained. Washington is a singersongwriter, and his background is in “sound designing.” He chose to become an entrepreneur years later. He said, “Just me and my daughter Miss Hayzel—she’s our CEO.” The idea to begin the lemonade business arrived while his daughter was in the womb. Washington explained how the mother of his daughter was craving lemonade at the Carver County Fair. While they stood in line, he noticed how the beverage seemed to generate a lot of sales in a short period of time. So, Washington began
“When you own your own stuff, nobody can take it away from you.’ CEO Hayzel Woo Washington Photos courtesy of Vanlice Lemonade conducting research. Since he had a child on the way, he said, “I gotta figure something out, and something struck me again about the lemonade stand that we saw.” He thought it was a good idea to develop his own product. Formulating Vanlice Lemonade required a bit of trial and error. Washington viewed a variety of videos to learn how to create refreshing lemonade. “Lemonade is actually harder than you think. I thought it was going to be easy,” he said. Initially, “I almost gave up on the business” due to the price of lemons. “The prices kept fluctuating as well.” After trial and error, he developed a crisp, refreshing, and flavorsome brand of lemonade. He added, “My thing is really about health—how can we change the way these kids are growing up? Everything is so
processed. “I figured out four ingredients—fresh-squeezed lemon juice, mineral water, real vanilla bean, and real cane sugar,” he said. “I needed to find the exact amount in everything because lemon juice is sometimes really tart, sweet or watery.” Acid reflux was an issue before he perfected the delicious formula. Through the business, Washington teaches his
daughter, CEO Hayzel Woo Washington, about the value of a dollar and how to save money so she can purchase her own electronics, such as an iPad. He places an emphasis on financial literacy and the independence of being a business owner. “When you own your own stuff, nobody can take it away from you. It teaches her early on that you have to work for stuff,” he said. The Vanlice Lemonade formula was officially developed in 2017. Washington eventually began introducing the lemonade and setting up at the Camden Farmer’s Market. “That was one of the pinnacle moments for me,” Washington said. The first store that held the product was a liquor store in Shoreview, MN. As time passed, the lemonade became available at Hyvee. The products “sold out fast” and were well-received by consumers. “I started seeing it selling every month,” he said. Washington decided to fill
The Vanlice Lemonade team
Photos courtesy of Vanlice Lemonade
his vehicle with his products and travel to several Hyvee stores. They chose to carry Vanlice Lemonade. “There’s a lot of stores—there’s a map that shows all the stores we’re in,” Washington said. Fortunately, the rapid growth in business and high demand prompted Washington to work on building a team. Most recently, “We just added one more [store] downtown at the Dayton’s Project,” Washington explained. Customers can also order online or have the lemonade delivered to their homes. Asked about the mission of the business, Washington said, “My goal really is to be able to change the way that our kids are growing up and eating, what they’re putting in their body. We want to get back to real, that’s the ultimate goal.” He elaborated, “Business-
wise, I want to be able to empower others that look like myself, and minorities—and also teach the youth these skills as they grow older.” Washington hires youth in the summer, which provides them with an opportunity to learn skills about running a business. He said, “I’ll teach them how to upsell, how to handle money, how to count inventory, and how to interact with people.” He offered further advice for youth: “Listen to the people who are actually doing what you want. Learn from them, because those are the ones who can actually tell you the truth.” For more info, visit www.vanlicelemonade.com. Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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April 14-20, 2022
Hiawatha Continued from page 1
expected in the future, the master plan would restore wetlands, aimed at creating a more sustainable system to address lake water quality and accessible recreation opportunities. At Wednesday’s meeting, neighbors and environmental advocates—most of whom appeared to be White—pressed the parks board to accept the master plan. Golfers and Black Minneapolitans, meanwhile, urged the board to prioritize preservation of the course’s cultural legacy as an initially segregated course. “This is an important part of our history because it impacts housing, it impacts parks and recreation, and it impacts the lives of [people of] African descent…as well as others who settled in and around the Hiawatha Golf Course,” said LaJune Lange, retired judge and president of the International Leadership Institute.
The Hiawatha Golf Course clubhouse was recently renamed for pioneering Black golfer Solomon Hughes, Sr. Photo by Paige Elliott Though African American golfers could use the course, they were not allowed into the clubhouse until 1952, thanks to the work of elite golfer Solomon Hughes, Sr. A Hennepin History Museum article details the history of Black golfers in the Twin Cities, dating back to the 1931 founding of the Twin City Golf
Jackson Continued from page 1
after her confirmation during an April 8 ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. “But we’ve made it. We’ve made it. All of us. All of us,” she declared, adding that “Our children are telling me that they see now more than ever that here in America, anything is possible.” Jackson remarked that she had been flooded with thousands of meaningful notes from children and others. She said the letters from young ones touched her deeply. “Because more than anything, they speak directly to the hope and promise of America,” she asserted. “[Children] also tell me that I am a role model, which I take both as an opportunity and as a huge responsibility. “I am feeling up to the task, primar-
Club. It established the Minnesota Negro Open Golf Tournament, later renamed the Upper Midwest Bronze Amateur Open, attracted hundreds of golfers from across the country. For decades, it was held at Hiawatha Golf Course. In hopes of preserving the course, advocates recently pushed to have the Cultural
ily because I know that I am not alone. I am standing on the shoulders of my own role models. Generations of Americans who never had anything close to this kind of opportunity, but who got up every day and went to work believing in the promise of America.” President Joe Biden proudly acknowledged his history-making nomination and the nominee-turnedconfirmed Justice. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart—this is going to let so much sun shine on so many young women, so many young Black women,” Biden offered. “We’re going to look back and see this as a moment of real change in American history.” Harris, who appeared proud and demonstrably nervous as she presided over the Senate vote, said Jackson’s confirmation served a higher purpose. “This will answer fundamental questions about who we are and what kind of country we live in,” Harris stated. “You will inspire generations of leaders. They will watch your confir-
Landscape Foundation designate it as a Landslide site, a nationally significant cultural landscape that is threatened and at-risk. At the April 6 meeting, the Bronze Foundation presented an alternative redesign concept with the help of Minneapolis-based O2 Design and a nationally practicing water
mation hearings and read your decisions in the years to come. Today is indeed a wonderful day,” Harris continued. The arduous and volatile confirmation hearings served to underscore why more than 3,800 individuals have served on federal benches in the United States, but only 70 have been Black women. Following four days of public testi-
engineer. The concept maintained 18 holes with water being redirected into creeks circling the lake. Bronze Foundation President Darwin Dean said, “This team was put together so that we could solve the water issue, secure the cultural history, and save the park board and also the city of Minneapolis funding. We’d like to partner with the park board to solve these issues...and to help create a community for people, youth, and not just golfers,” Dean said. He continued, “A long time ago, before many of us were even a thought, that golf course was used more as a park where people actually came, sat down, picnicked. South Minneapolis was redlined, and you had a large area for a minority population, so they welcomed that particular park. “So when golfers started playing there, it wasn’t just about golf. It was a community event that everyone in the community came, celebrated and enjoyed. We’d like to continue that legacy for youth in that community,” Dean said. Commissioner Cathy Abene
firmation, but Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cut arguments off before the final vote. Ironically, Republicans changed the rules for Supreme Court nominees in 2017 to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch, a pick of former President Donald Trump. That move allowed for a similar majority to vote to limit debate. While all 50 Democrats in the
“We’re going to look back and see this as a moment of real change in American history.” mony and a racially charged grilling of Jackson by Republicans that began on March 21, Senate Judiciary members deadlocked 11-11 on April 4 to move the nomination out of committee. However, Jackson’s nomination moved forward based on Senate rules and a Democrat majority in the upper chamber. On April 7, members again engaged in a debate over con-
5
questioned the foundation’s planning team. The master plan document says the City’s engineers, landscape architects, and golf course architect determined that an 18-hole golf course was not possible. The foundation rebutted that they are not presenting a plan, but rather a concept based on their work with comparable projects. Al Flowers, activist and one-time mayoral candidate, criticized the decision to revisit the master plan less than a year after the initial vote, with the board also now less diverse than before. There is currently only one Black or person of color. “Our history is important. We’re dealing with the situation of Amir Locke, George Floyd…this is a historical site,” Flowers said. Parks commissioners tied 4-4, with one commissioner absent, to not consider the master plan later this month. Feven Gerezgiher welcomes reader responses to fgerezgiher@spokesmanrecorder.com.
emony. “My parents went to racially segregated schools growing up and were the first in their families to have the chance to go to college. “I am also ever buoyed by the leadership of generations past who helped to light the way: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Justice Thurgood Marshall, and my personal heroine, Judge Constance Baker Motley,” Jackson said. “They and so many others did the heavy lifting that made this day possible. I think of them as the true pathbreakers.” She noted that everyone has had someone else come before them: “No one does this on their own. The path was cleared for me so that I might rise to this occasion,” Jackson said. “In the poetic words of Dr. Maya Angelou, ‘I do so now while bringing the gifts my ancestors gave. I am the dream and the hope of the slave.’”
U.S. Senate voted in favor of Jackson, Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only Republicans to cast ballots of approval. “My grandparents on both sides, who had only a grade school education, instilled in my parents the impor- Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA tance of learning,” Jackson said during Newswire Senior National the White House confirmation cer- correspondent.
year I graduated from White other things, the People for Bear Lake High School with PSEO report brought to light 70 college credits because of that nearly one-half of the the PSEO program and I saved school districts throughout Continued from page 1 about $60,000 roughly on my Minnesota aren’t following state PSEO law. This hurts college education.” Handlin wants to see the students and families who Minnesota Legislature pass might want to sign up for Enrollment Options website SF 4087 “because it will do PSEO classes or are currently to determine what, if any, so much for so many students enrolled in such classes. information is missing so it “The PSEO program is really across the state.” can be promptly added,” a “I’m doing full-time PSEO at amazing for students,” he said. spokesperson told the MSR. the U of M,” added Wayzata “MPS is committed to ensurstudent Rani Mukherjee, who The full People for PSEO report ing our students have all the is president of the University can be found at peopleforpseo.org. necessary information related to PSEO so they can take and charter schools to meet sota’s shameful achievement more than $60 million per year. of Minnesota PSEO Student Beatrice Handlin of White Association. “I’d really like to Charles Hallman welcomes advantage of this program the needs of students and fami- gap,” said Center for School reader response to challman@ to further advance their aca- lies as well as fulfill statutory Change Director Joe Nathan. Bear Lake testified and after- see this expanded program.” Jackson said that among spokesman-recorder.com. demic career. Ensuring access requirements,” continued the After he testified to legislators, wards told the MSR, “This last
PSEO
to opportunities for rigorous coursework such as PSEO for students across Minnesota is a priority for MDE,” a spokesperson said. “Our approach is always to provide leadership, partnership and support to school districts
spokesperson. “MDE regularly communicates and supports the expectation that up-todate information about PSEO is available and accessible for students and families.” PSEO “is one of the most powerful ways to close Minne-
he told the MSR, “It’s especially valuable for low-income and BIPOC families because it so clearly helps reduce the graduation gaps.” The People for PSEO report cited research showing the Minnesota PSEO saves families
“PSEO is one of the most powerful ways to close Minnesota’s shameful achievement gap.”
Locke Continued from page 1
is why Minneapolis police sought and received a no-knock warrant that ultimately led to Locke’s death. “I don’t know the answer to this,” responded Howell. “I thought that there was a quarantine or a moratorium that they were not going to use that process.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last Tuesday said he issued a new policy that prohibits no-knock warrants except for extreme circumstances, and that police must wait 20 seconds before entering a premise during the day and 30 seconds for nighttime searches. Howell said he supports Frey’s new directive. Some legal observers were
reported as saying that Ellison and Freeman’s decision was correct in not charging the Minneapolis police officer. Experts noted that police can use deadly force if they feel they are in danger, but a private citizen must retreat and only use deadly force as a last resort. MSR legal analyst Angi Porter, however, did not agree with this assessment. “I empathize with investigating a case and coming to a conclusion that doesn’t feel great,” she said in a series of tweets that the MSR received permission to use. “The question though is not really the law and what the law says here. The question is boldness and how much you want to push on the definitions.” The Georgetown Law School research fellow continued, “Had Amir Locke been the White son of an affluent family, where would we be then? There’d be a whole outrage and a whole policy discussion.” Porter argued, “Where reason-
noted Porter. “People watching the body cam noted how quickly this went down.” Porter, who recently was named American University’s Washington College of Law assistant law professor for the 2022-23 academic year, said, “In a post-Breonna Taylor world, City officials of Minneapolis allowed a no-knock warrant to be issued and carried out in this way? That is beyond despicable.” Howell reaffirmed that the community must not stop fighting for justice for Locke and for changes in the state’s current use-of-force law. “Now the question is how can we “Mr. Locke’s thoughts and inten- tinued. “You know what ‘authorized’ find restoration and recovery…[for] It means permitted or families that have lost lives to police tions remain unknown and sadly can means? never be known,” Porter added. “We approved. This should not be per- violence,” he concluded. “We’re not do not know whether Mr. Locke was mitted or approved in any decent going to just give up and say that awake or asleep when the officers society. there’s nothing more we can do.” “So, what they are saying is that entered the apartment. Nor do we know whether Mr. Locke thought they don’t think they could convince Charles Hallman welcomes reader the persons entering were police a jury that waiting 2.2 seconds to responses to challman@spokeskmanshoot in that situation made sense,” recorder.com. officers [or] intruders. ableness is at issue, put it to a jury. Reasonable minds can differ on what was reasonable here. I think this was a cop-out. I would hate to think it was a politically informed choice. I would definitely say there’s deeply rooted biases here.”
“Minnesota law authorizes peace officers to use deadly force when it is reasonably likely that the person would cause death or great bodily harm, absent action by the peace officer and when delay in doing so would be unreasonable,” she con-
“I think this was a cop-out. I would definitely say there’s deeply rooted biases here.”
6 April 14-20, 2022
Arts & Culture Movie Review: ‘The Devil You Know’ This drama could use a bit more teeth
By Dwight Brown Marcus and Drew are like Cain and Abel, two brothers both loving and jealous. In the Bible, only Cain survived. Should one of them be worried? Producer (“Sons of Anarchy”), writer (“Luke Cage”), and director (“Things Never Said”) Charles Murray’s home turf is television. The limitations of his small-screen producing, writing, and directing style may become apparent to
The mildly intriguing storyline starts with an intriguing murder, segues into a very personal rehab narrative, a budding romance, betrayals, and a family unit that gets challenged day-by-day. Fortyish Marcus Cowans (Omar Epps, “Love & Basketball”) has just gotten out of prison and is on the road to redemption. He attends AA meetings to shake his alcohol dependence. His dad (Glynn Turman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”)
Last Days of Ptolemy Grey”) support him. He is loved. The rest is up to him. Meanwhile Drew, who’s life looked far more stable than Marcus’, has been hanging around dubious types. Stacey (B.J. Britt, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) and Al (Theo Rossi, “Sons of Anarchy”) run a local barbershop and live a life of crime. It’s almost as if Marcus and Drew are changing personas, one walking out of trouble, the other walking in. The Cowans are generic but
Ashley Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Keisha Epps costar in “The Devil You Know”
Omar Epps in “The Devil You Know” theater audiences expecting big idea filmmaking on a widescreen format. Moviegoers may be underwhelmed by the few locations, dull action scenes and overabundant interior shots. Regardless, Murray paints a warmhearted family portrait with relatable working-class people and casts respected actors and Black B-movie staples (e.g., Michael Ealy).
has wrangled a bus driver job for him. At a family dinner, his sister Tisha (Keisha Epps) sets him up on a blind date with a kind nurse named Eva (Erica Tazel). The two hit it off. Mom (Vanessa Bell Calloway), sister Loren (Ashley Williams), young preacher brother Terry (Vaughn W. Hebron), older brother Anthony (Curtiss Cook) and sullen brother Drew (William Catlett, “The
Photos courtesy of Lionsgate likable folks. Most are on the straight and narrow, a few are wayward, and that imperfection makes them even more relatable. The four-brother setup might be two too many. Anthony and Terry seem superfluous. Drew and Marcus are enough. And if their parts had been developed fully, with a more intense rivalry and fierce competition for their father’s attention, the
drama on view would be biblical and could have elevated this project to a theatricalrelease-worthy film. Turman is quite adept at portraying the loving family patriarch, in ways only an actor of his caliber could. Pity the script didn’t make him an overbearing dad lording over his two sons— that would have added an edge. Halloway brings a natural tone to her role as mom. Jovial, pushy, nurturing—it’s almost like you know her. The rest of the supporting family member cast blends into the background. Britt and Rossi are just evil enough to be hardened sociopaths, and Tazel’s kindness and understanding is affecting. Catlett dials up his envy and resentment to monstrous
proportions as the film progresses. Epps has established a long-respected career as the quintessential everyman actor. His characters tend to be accessible even if they’re imperfect. He’s so likable. Nondescript tech elements also contribute to the film’s indistinct feel. Nothing stands out—the cinematography (Ludovica Isiddori), production design (Adriana Serrano), costumes (Makysha Barksdale), editing (Geofrey Hildrew, Scott Pellet) or musical score. Murray’s direction and writing are safe and not as risky as one would hope. The violence is tame, the love scenes G-rated, curse words are few. There’s barely enough drama for a soap opera and just enough criminality for a “Law
& Order” episode. However, he does instill spiritual overtones, and his take on romance is compelling too. Eva: “I kind of gave up on brothers trying to get themselves together. But now I realize we’re all trying to get ourselves together.” For “The Devil You Know,” cable or streaming programming seems more in line than film fans thronging to the cineplex for a view. Pity the Cain and Abel aspects of this fable didn’t go further. Pity Drew wasn’t a more evil antagonist. Where’s the real devil when you need him? In theaters now. Check local listings for show times. For more reviews by NNPA News Wire film critic Dwight Brown, visit DwightBrownInk. com and BlackPressUSA.com.
Will Smith barred from Oscars for 10 years over Chris Rock slap MSR News Service Almost two weeks after Will Smith shocked viewing audiences by slapping comedian Chris Rock for joking about his wife at the 94th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that it was banning the Best Actor winner from attending the ceremony for 10 years. Although barred from attending for a decade, Smith will not have his Oscar revoked and will remain eligible for future Oscar nominations. The controversial moment
occurred when Rock, who was there to present the Oscar for Best Documentary, told an impromptu joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, reportedly unaware that the actress suffers from alopecia, which causes hair loss. Smith at first appeared to laugh at the joke, but then went on stage and slapped Rock, stunning audience members and the show’s producers, effectively derailing the rest of the ceremony. In a statement released Friday, April 8, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences addressed the criti-
cism it received for not removing the actor after the assault. Instead, Smith was allowed to return to his seat where he shouted obscenities at Rock. Later in the evening, Smith collected the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father Richard Williams in “King Richard” and received a standing ovation from some in the crowd. “During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room,” the Academy noted in its statement. “For this, we are sorry.
Will Smith This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers, and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short—unprepared for the unprecedented. “Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation. The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or vir-
tually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.” The release went on to say, “We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast. “This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our perform-
MGN
ers and guests and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.” Smith offered an apology in a statement on social media after the incident and resigned from the Academy. He has reportedly accepted the 10-year ban. Rock, meanwhile, has not publicly commented on the assault, telling sold-out comedy show audiences that he was still “processing” the incident and will address it in the future.
April 14-20, 2022
Opinion
7
Designate Hiawatha Golf Course a historic landmark today By Judge Lajune Lange
ar-right smears of F Judge Jackson show why we can’t let them take power By Ben Jealous Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history last week when the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. That is cause for celebration. When Judge Jackson is sworn in as Justice Jackson later this year, she will become the first Black woman to serve on our highest court. And she will become the first justice ever to have served as a public defender. She will bring a much-needed “justice for all” perspective to the court. Judge Jackson’s nomination has inspired millions of Americans. Her bipartisan support from Americans and senators is a sign that our country can continue to move toward a “more perfect union.” The confirmation process, however, showed us something else. Something far more disturbing about the current state of that union. The far-right wing of the conservative movement, which is currently the dominant force in the Republican Party, set out to smear Judge Jackson and anyone—Republican or Democrat—who supported her. They made it clear why we cannot allow them to take power in this year’s elections. They dragged Judge Jackson into dishonest and dishonorable far-right political campaigns that were already underway. For example, far-right activists and their Republican allies have been waging a
campaign to silence teaching about racism in U.S. history and institutions. The far-right has devoted a huge amount of energy to making critical race theory (CRT)—a way of studying the impact of racism—something sinister. They want to scare conservative voters into turning out for school board elections and this year’s congressional elections. The extremist think-tank activist who started the CRT scare has admitted that his goal was just to apply that label to anything that right-wing culture warriors didn’t like. And for sure, they tried to slap it on Judge Jackson.
I f we let these extremists get control of the House and Senate, we will be putting our future in the hands of people like Greene, Hawley, and Cruz. Another far-right campaign sweeping the country is an attack on the legal equality of LGBTQ Americans. That campaign taps into some of the oldest and ugliest smears against LGBTQ people— claims that they are a threat to children. And it draws energy from the conspiracy theories promoted by QAnon activists about a network of
powerful pedophiles. Shameless senators like Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz tried to drag Judge Jackson into that cesspool by distorting her record as a judge and portraying this mother of two daughters as sympathetic to child abusers. Now, keep in mind that Judge Jackson is from a law enforcement family, and was endorsed by organizations representing both police chiefs and police officers. That didn’t stop the smears. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene made it clear that this was a political weapon. She outrageously attacked three Republican senators who voted to confirm Judge Jackson, calling them “pro-pedophile.” And she attacked Democrats as “the party of pedophiles.” The Family Research Council suggested that it would try to make Democratic senators explain their support for someone who is “lenient on child offenders.” Others used far worse language. This is beyond unprincipled. It is dangerous. And it shows us how much is at stake in this year’s elections. If we let these extremists get control of the House and Senate, we will be putting our future in the hands of people like Greene, Hawley, and Cruz. And we will put our courts in the hands of Mitch McConnell, who kept many of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees, including a Supreme Court nominee, from even getting a vote. Judge Jackson’s nomination was part of an exceptional effort that President Joe Biden has made to put more Black women, and a more diverse group of judges, on the courts. But Sen. Lindsey Graham made it clear that Republicans would put an end to that. He said if Republicans had been in control of the Senate, Judge Jackson wouldn’t have even gotten a hearing—because Republican senators would have forced President Biden to name someone else. What a loss that would have been for our country—and for all the people who are inspired by Judge Jackson. Let’s not give the far-right a veto over our courts and our future. Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and professor of the Practice in the Africana Studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania where he teaches leadership. Jealous has decades of experience as a leader, coalition builder, campaigner for social justice, and seasoned nonprofit executive.
In 1906, Theodore Wirth became the superintendent of the Minneapolis Park System. During his 30-year tenure the park system grew to 144 properties covering 1,800 acres. Beauty, leisure and equity were the hallmarks of Wirth’s design and acquisition policy. A park was to be within six blocks of every resident. In response to calls from South Minneapolis residents for an 18-hole regulation-size golf course, Wirth completed the improvements to Hiawatha Lake and opened Hiawatha Golf Course in 1933. Hiawatha Golf Course is a historic resource that African Americans have been part of the historic narrative in the 1930s when segregated private clubs denied them membership or access to the courses even during national golf tournaments. The Bronze Tournament was created and drew dozens of nationally recognized golfers, including boxing champion Joe Lewis, to Minneapolis.
Local civic leaders and golf enthusiasts Jimmy Slemmons, Solomon Hughes, Earl Bowman, William Berry, Eddie Manderville, Harry Davis, Sr. and Harry Davis, Jr., Charles Rogers, a young Tiger Woods, and many others followed in the footsteps of early Black players who could not be served in the clubhouse or receive a handicap because of the color of their skin. The period of segregated public facilities in Minneapolis
through historic structures and resources that have been carefully identified through the preservation process with a complete narrative including economic, social, cultural and emotional aspects. The newly elected park board does not have the guidance of a superintendent like Theodore Wirth. The current superintendent’s recommendation on this issue is unknown. They are considering spending $43 million without an advisory committee report or a Cultural Context Study of the historic Black community in the region. The Black community watched in horror and disbelief when the Park Board allowed half of Nicollet Park on 41st Street to be used for a freeway for suburban commuters. They returned a few decades later trying to take more land for a dog biffy from the renamed Martin Luther King Park. This historic quadrant deserves nomination for landmark designation today.
The period of segregated public facilities in Minneapolis represents an important period in the development of the city and the parks.
represents an important period in the development of the city and the parks. The City of Minneapolis’ 2040 plan states that a function of heritage preservation is the ability to help residents LaJune Lange is a retired judge see themselves and their cul- and president of the Internatural identity within the city tional Leadership Institute.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
U.S. hypocrisy exposed with Russia-Ukraine ‘war’ When our government and its state-controlled media tells us that the world is not safe with Putin in power, what they are really saying is, the White world is not safe because Putin is comfortable attacking White Christians the same as the U.S. is comfortable attacking Muslims. White America has been butchering Muslims for 20
years in the Middle East and put millions of Muslim lives at risk, but amazingly, America does not see this as the world not being safe. Only when Whites are in danger is the world not a safe place. Muslims are not seen as worthy of having a safe world to livin in. There is nothing else to separate this Ukraine “war” from the Iraq “war” other
than the U.S. accusing Russia of intentionally targeting civilians and the U.S. saying it does not intentionally target civilians. For the U.S., the hundreds of thousands of Muslms killed by the U.S. in Iraq who were innocents were all killed by “tragic mistakes.” Not much separation here. Frank Erickson, Minneapolis
We need to close loopholes in drug pricing program As we enter year three of fighting the coronavirus pandemic, we must acknowledge our healthcare system’s strengths while working to fix our weaknesses. It’s disappointing that at this time, hospitals are actively exploiting federal policies meant to help vulnerable patients. The most egregious example of this exploitation is the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a federal program established under the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992. The program’s goal is to make healthcare affordable for uninsured and low-income patients seeking care at community health centers and nonprofit hospitals. Unfortunately, 340B never explicitly defined how savings from the program were to be used and left the eligibility criteria broad and unregulated. This lack of regulation has allowed huge hospital corporations that give away very little charity care to take advantage of the program. A recent national study
of 340B hospitals by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) found that not only do “nonprofit” 340B hospitals make 37% more in profits compared to the average of all hospitals, but these 340B hospitals that are supposed to providing charity care give
FY 2017 but gave away tiny fractions of this net patient revenue (0.03 percent, 1.19 percent, and 0.73 percent respectively) to charity care in FY 2018 or FY 2017. Our federal government certainly had the right intentions when creating the 340B
This lack of regulation has allowed huge hospital corporations that give away very little charity care to take advantage of the program. 22% less of their net patient revenue to charity care than all hospitals. PRI’s study also took a detailed look at three of Minnesota’s healthcare entities: St. Cloud Hospital, Regions Hospital, and Essentia Health (St. Mary’s Medical Center was used for Essentia Health’s charity care numbers). All entities generated hundreds of millions in net patient revenue for FY 2018 or
program, which was meant to provide much-needed drug discounts to hospitals providing charity care to low-income and uninsured patients. However, it’s clear we need to close the loopholes in the program to stop greedy hospital corporations from manipulating the system and profiting off the patients they are supposed to be helping. Brett Buckner, Minneapolis
8 April 14-20, 2022
Nominations are open for 50 over 50
AARP and Pollen to honor 50 Minnesotans over the age of 50 AARP Minnesota and Pollen are teaming up for the sixth consecutive year to honor 50 incredible individuals from across Minnesota over the age of 50. 50 Over 50 celebrates people from across Minnesota who build community, strengthen and grow our nonprofit sector, create a thriving culture, steward our economic resources and talent, and infuse the energy of innovation into all that can improve our lives. Nominees do not have to be AARP members or volunteers to be considered but must be over the age of 50 and live in Minnesota.
BULLETIN
thropic sectors including educational institutions. • Art: Artists, writers, musicians, performers, thespians, filmmakers, and other creatives who contribute to Minnesota’s thriving culture. • Business: Business leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs who are growing Minnesota’s economy while being good stewards of our resources and talent. • Community: Individuals working to make their communities stronger by volunteering, organizing, or serving in public office. • Disruption: People who challenge the status quo, tear down obstacles for change, see opportunity where others don’t, break new ground, and shake things up to make life better for all Minnesotans. To nominate someone for the 50 Over 50 list, visit 50over50mn.org and tell us how your nominee is improving your community or enhancing the lives of others. Nominations must be submitted by April 30, 2022. Nominations will be evaluated by a review panel, and the 50 Over 50 list will be published in August.
NAMI Minnesota offers free mental health support groups
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a variety of free online and in-person peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/partners, as well as parents of children and teens. African American, GLBTQ and BIPOC community-focused groups are also offered. Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com ing on “Support Groups” or go straight to namimn.org/support/nami-minnesotasupport-groups.
Find a complete listing of group meetings and how to join in by going to namimn.org and click-
Nominations are accepted in one of the following five categories: • Nonprofit: People working to grow Learn more about previous honorees and and strengthen the nonprofit and philan- the program at www.50over50mn.org.
Lapchick
Contunued from page 10 across all sports” in gender hiring, said TIDES Director Richard Lapchick. “We’re still talking about these huge discrepancies… especially college sports.” College sport, which TIDES points out “remains one of the very worst diversity statistics in sport,” saw about a 5% drop in racial hiring, the largest decline among all reports. The MLS had the largest increase (4.8%) in gender hiring, and the NFL had the second-largest improvement (3%). The 2021 report cards were the first time “bonus points” were awarded for hiring milestones and special social justice initiatives, and for the first time racial and gender grades for team CEOs/presidents. But in the three positions of head coach, general manager and president, “This is where leagues do not do as well,” continued Lapchick. The WNBA (41.7 persons of color) and MLS (42.9 persons
of color) both got A+ in this regard, followed by the NBA (30%, A), MLB (20%, B+) and NFL (almost 16%, C+). Pro football has been under fire of late as the Brian Flores racial hiring lawsuit for racial discrimination last week added two more Black coaches. Earlier this month the NFL announced that all 32 teams must have a female or POC as an offensive assistant for the 2022 season. “I believe that the Commissioner’s Office is making a sincere effort to try to get it done,” observed Lapchick, “because the Rooney Rule obviously has not by itself produced the results that they want.” But the longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion and TIDES director quickly warns that the majority-White team owners are slow to change. “We have a group of owners who are making the [hiring] decisions,” he noted. “I probably said that when we talked about the NFL’s 32 owners that supported Donald Trump, which tells me that they’re not necessarily going to be particularly
enthusiastic about who’s coaching on their field…who don’t look like themselves.” College sport is dragging its diversity feet as well: “That’s frustrating for me,” admitted Lapchick. “We’ve been advocating for [more diversity], and the NCAA has consistently said that the individual schools won’t agree to it.” However, the West Coast Conference in 2020 became the first collegiate league to adopt diversity hiring standards—the Bill Russell Rule, which requires that each member school interview at least one qualified Black or POC candidate for head coach, assistant coach and senior administrative positions, including athletic director. “We’re talking to other conferences as well,” said Lapchick. TIDES is now working on the 2022 report cards, beginning with MLB, which are expected out sometime this month. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Employment & Legals State of Minnesota
Case Type: Personal Injury
County of Ramsey
District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-CV-22-1964 The Honorable: Robert Awsumb
Janet Oppong-Agyei,
SUMMONS
Plaintiff,
For Sale For Sale – MnDOT owned vacant land, located SW of TH61(7th Ave) and 12th St, Newport, Washington County. Approximately 15,887 sf to be sold by sealed bid on 5/10/2022 at 2:00 at Central Office, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul. Bid Form, http://www.dot. state.mn.us/row/propsales.html . Info LandSales. MN.DOT@state.mn.us
v. Brian Lemke and Barclay Construction LLC, Defendant. THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiffs Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons. 2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.
Assistant Office Manager CarePoint Dental, Columbia Heights, MN seek Assistant Office Manager, FT, M-F. Will assist manager to directly supervise the Dental Assistants, Dental Clinic Administrative support personnel. Will also partner with the supervisor of the front desk team and billing teams to ensure smooth clinic flow for patients and staff. B.A/B.Sc required. Resume to carepointdental@gmail.com
You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called
View
Contunued from page 10
“This sensory-friendly room allows families and parents who have kids with special needs to take their kids somewhere, calm them down, and then continue to enjoy the game so we don’t have to leave,” she pointed out. Hodson added, “We will have sensory kits that can be checked out free of charge for guests throughout the ballpark. All Guest Services staff will be trained to be able to identify folks [who] might be uncomfortable and might need a place to calm down…
April 14-20, 2022
9
have that respite from the sound or whatever in the environment has perhaps agitated them.” Now the Twins can say that their ballpark is for everyone, which in the past wasn’t necessarily the case. “We are very proud to offer an environment now that everyone can feel they can come and enjoy Twins baseball,” said Hodson. Next: The Twins “triple down” on 2022 stadium game-day food diversity. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.
an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at:
MENTORING PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Brantingham Law Office, P.A. 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details, go to https://mylegalaid.org/employment
to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer. 4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint. 5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer
Sterilization Assistant CarePoint Dental, Columbia Heights seeks Sterilization Assistant, FT, M-F. Technician helps the dental team by successfully managing sterilization protocols. Set Client: DOT Land up treatmentMN rooms for- Vacant the next patient, carefully Size: x 1.5needs of the patient for the next setting up to 3.4167 meet the Run Date: High 3/24/22 - 4/7/22 procedure. School/GED required. Resume to Ad Options: For an additional $300.00 you can get online carepointdental@gmail.com advertising as well.
to protect your rights or you may lose the case. 6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.
Office Assistant/Technician CarePoint Dental, Columbia Heights seeks Office Assistant/Technician. Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair; prepare work area for treatments. Help dentists during a procedure; preparing the treatment room and making sure that instruments and equipment are sterile, help document the procedure that is done and schedule follow-up appointments. High School/GED required. Resume to carepointdental@gmail.com
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder April 14, 21,28, 2022
State of Minnesota
Case Type: Personal Injury
County of Hennepin
District Court Fourth Judicial District Court File Number: 27-CV-22-3554 The Honorable: Patrick D. Robben
Fatima Yusuf,
SUMMONS
Plaintiff, v. Christian Villanueva, Defendant.
Case: Lemke Barclay 62-CV-22-1964 THIS SUMMONSOppong-Agyei IS DIRECTED TO thevabove-named Defendant: Size:1. YOU ARE BEING 3.4167SUED. x 8.75 The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. Ad The Run: 4/14/22 - 4/28/22 Plaintiffs Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers Ad away. Options: -- papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even They are official though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons. 2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Brantingham Law Office, P.A. 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer. 4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS
Client: MN Legal Aid - Mentorship Prog. Coordinator Size: 3.4167 x 1 Care Coordinator Patient Run Date: 4/14/22 CarePoint Heights, seek Patient Ad Options:Dental, For an Columbia additional $300.00 youMN can get online Care Coordinator. Answering multi-line telephones; advertising as well.
Schedule new and follow-up appointments; Checking patients in and out of clinic; Creating and explaining Client: CarePoint Dental - Asst Office Mgr financial estimates; Verifying Insurance and X-ray Size: 3.4167 x 1.75 Eligibility; Posting patient and insurance payments and Run Date: 4/14/22 adjustments; Tracking and working open and Ad Options: For an additional $300.00 you canclaims get online patient past due balances. B.A/B.Sc required. Resume to advertising as well. carepointdental@gmail.com
Data Architect & Developer-Patient Access Data Architect & Developer-Patient Access: Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. Req. Master’s deg in Data Sci, Stat, Comp Sci or Soft Engr & 5 years’ exp using Big Data tech. Must possess 5 years’ exp with each: SQL syntax & SQL Server; Advance visualization, data analysis, & data transformation; Tableau, Spotfire, or Qlickview; R, Python, SQL, PL/SQL or T-SQL; Database devt for ORACLE and SQL Server; Identifying user interface bugs & devl & performing test protocols. Position is open to remote work from anywhere in the Client: CarePoint Dental - Sterilization Assistant US. To apply, visit select Size: 3.4167 xhttps://jobs.medtronic.com/, 1.75 Req. #220006UA. No agencies or phone calls please. Run Date: 4/14/22 Medtronic ananequal opportunity employer committed Ad Options: isFor additional $300.00 you can get online to cultural diversity inasthewell. workplace. All individuals advertising are encouraged to apply.
SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint. 5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case. 6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 31, April 7, 14, 2022
Senior Reliability Engineer - Pre-Market Sr. Reliability Engineer-Pre-Market: Medtronic, Inc., Mounds View, MN. Req. Bachelor’s degree or foreign Client: CarePoint Dental - Office Assistant/Technician equ. in Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering Size: 3.4167 x Biomedical, 1.75 plus 4 yrs. exp. in engineering in the medical device Run Date: 4/14/22 industry. Must possess at min. 4 yrs. with each of Ad Options: For an additional $300.00 youexp. can get online the following: ISO 13485, ISO 14971, ISO 10555-1 and advertising as well. 21 CFR Part 820; Heart anatomy and atrial arrhythmia disease; Test method development and validation; devel. and maint. of Risk Files; Root cause analysis, CAPA; Internal and external audits and regulatory submissions to FDA/EU Notified Bodies; and DOE, ANOVA, Confidence and Tolerance Limits, Gage R&R. Apply at https://jobs.medtronic.com/, Req. #220006RL. Client: - Patient Care No agenciesCarePoint or phone Dental calls. Medtronic is Coordinator an equal Size: 3.4167 x 2 opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in Run Date: 4/14/22 the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply. Ad Options: For an additional $300.00 you can get online advertising as well.
SOE
Contunued from page 10
raising awareness for autism and his Brick Road to Success foundation he and his wife started several years ago. It annually hosts a golf tournament for that purpose, among others. The Haley’s have three sons, one of whom has autism. “My son A.J. is on the spectrum. He’s functional,” says the proud father of his son, now in his early twenties. “There’s so many misconceptions of [autism]. It’s not that they can’t learn. It’s not that they’re not smart. They’re actually some of the most brilliant people in the world. “For me…one of the things that I had to learn was patience,” said Haley. “And I think my son helped me become a better coach. I had to be patient with him and do the things that I needed to do to make him understand how things would go. I’ve seen a lot of things…through this foundation that have been earthshaking to me, and that includes how smart [persons with autism] really are.” Asked if his next move is to be a head coach one day, Haley responded, “I did [want that] at one point in time. I don’t know if I aspire to be a head coach right now. As I was a younger coach, that was something that was really, really important to me. And I had an opportunity to interview for a job, but it didn’t pan out. “The thing that you want to do is, you got to be better, not bitter,” concluded Haley.
an offer from one of the TV stations there in town,” recalled Haley. “So, I chose a path to coaching instead of going into television.” Along his coaching journey, Brick said there were naturally some adjustments he had to make as he progressed. “I think it’s always an adjustment period where you’re dealing with a different element of individuals,” he explained. “High school—there’s the growth level there and the maturity level. Then in college, it gets a little bit more mature. And then in the NFL it was grown men, and the approach that you take there is that they were coming to work every day. That was their job and they had families. They had a whole different approach, and the maturity level was very much higher. “As you move up the ladder of this profession,” said Brick, “you see so many different phases of the game. The details are probably more detailed in college than it was in high school, more detailed in the NFL than it was in college. “But it all goes back to the same thing. It’s taking care of the little things and being elite at the things that you do. I think that’s one thing that has been really inspiring to me since I’ve been here,” said Brick of his current coaching position with the Gophers. Charles Hallman welcomes As passionate as he is about his coaching, Brick is reader responses to challman@ equally as passionate about spokesman-recorder.com.
er (Mounds View), Kevin Lynch (Bloomington JefferContunued from page 10 son), Tom Nordland (Minneapolis Roosevelt), coach Fame’s third—were coach Ziggy Quals, Dave TschBrian Cosgriff (Hopkins), imperle (Hopkins), Frank pioneering girls’ referee Wachlarowicz (Little Falls), and administrator Vicki and Barry Wohler (Bird IsDavis, Annie Adamczak- land-Lake Lillian). Glavan (Moose Lake), Sam Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonJacobson (Park of Cottage Grove), Terry Kunze (Duluth ald welcomes reader responses Central), Mark Landsberg- to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
Prep
Wanted: Assignment Editor The MSR seeks an assignment editor to help identify, cultivate, and connect writers to news stories that center the voices of African Americans in Minnesota, as well as shine a light on issues of inequality and inequity. The ideal candidate will have a passion for discovering news and happenings in Minnesota. A degree in journalism or experience as a journalist is required. Must also have strong organizational and people skills, with an ability to coordinate assignments and work with writers of various levels of experience. Pay commensurate with experience. To apply, send a resume to twilliams@spokesman-recorder.com.
10 April 14-20, 2022
Sports
Twins create quiet retreat from stadium noise
First of a two-part column ll the high-tech bells and whistles at the Minnesota Twins ballpark might thrill many who attend the games, but for others the unnatural outdoor noise can be quite disturbing and too often forces them to leave the ball game altogether. Sheletta Brundidge, WCCO Radio host, author, and podcast maven, has four children, three with autism: Brandon, 9; Cameron, 8; and Daniel, 7. She has persistently brought
up to team officials that a place within the ballpark where children like hers, who sometimes need a break from the noise, can retreat, regroup, then return to their paid seats to finish watching the game. “I have a son who is in high school [15-year-old Andrew] who does not have autism but has three younger siblings who do,” noted Brundidge. “He has had to leave the game because he can’t stay because [his siblings] will have a meltdown, and we have nowhere to take them to calm down.” Brundidge and other families with special needs children and adults last week toured the new suite-level Sensory Room the Twins installed for use this season and beyond. “She’s been very outspoken to me about it,” Matt Hodson, the Twins’ senior business communications manager, told us of Brundidge’s insistence.
“All Guest Services staff will be trained to identify folks who might be uncomfortable and might need a place to calm down.”
The Twins’ new suite-level Sensory Room “She now would feel comfortable to bring her children here where she wasn’t before.” The spacious Sensory Suite, formerly a $200,000 suite for sale called “Suite 1,” has unique, separated spaces specifically designed to meet different needs of children and adults. It is the result of a partnership with the Twins
Gophers football coach learned patience from autistic son rick Haley brings his three-decades-plus experience and passion to the Gophers football team. He joined the coaching staff as an assistant in January. Haley’s coaching experience, which began shortly after his college playing career at Alabama A&M concluded
‘You got to be better, not bitter.” (1985-88), has mainly been on the defensive side of the ball at 10 different colleges as well as a couple of years in the NFL (Chicago, 2007-08). He got his start at Enterprise High School (Alabama) in 1989. “It was kind of a surprise to me,” recalled Haley. “I was a communications minor, so I always thought that I’d be a camera guy and things like that. Then one of
and UnitedHealthcare, who provided training for Twins game-day staff to work with fans whenever needed. “There’s a room more focused towards the children,” explained Hodson. “There is an area that has a view of the playing field. This is really unique as far as we know. We’ve been able to find only
Photos courtesy of Sheletta Brundidge
one other major league baseball stadium [Pittsburgh] that offers a sensory suite that has a view of the playing surface. “This will allow guests to still feel involved and also to help ease the transition back to [their seats],” stressed Hodson. The new suite is available to all paying patrons, he added. “It’s a game changer,” said
Brundidge, who left behind copies of her new book, “Brandon Spots His Sign,” for use by Sensory Suite visitors. “In times past we’ve had to leave the game and not come back, and this was money wasted, time wasted, and the other kids who don’t have autism are disappointed.
■ See View on page 9
Sports report card finds racial hiring up, gender hiring down By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist he impact of the racial reckoning on American society in this postGeorge Floyd pandemic world has been enormous, especially in professional and college sport. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) recently released a comprehensive review and analysis of the hiring practices of Major League Baseball, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the National Football Gopher Asst FB Coach Brick Haley
“We’ve been advocating for more diversity, and the NCAA has consistently said that the individual schools won’t agree to it.”
The 2021 Complete Racial and Gender Report Card The WNBA was the only pro league with an A or better overall grade (A+), and the NBA (B+) was second. MLS and NFL both got Bs, a C+ for MLB, and Gopher Asst FB Coach Brick Haley Photo by Charles Hallman a C for College Sport. my coaches that I played for in coach there; the freshly gradFor racial hiring practices, college said, ‘Hey, they got this uated young man interviewed the WNBA again tops the high school job opening up you for the opening and got hired. League, the National Basket- pros (A+), and MLS and NBA Ironically, “A week later I got ball Association, Major League both got As, followed by NFL should apply for.’” His former coach knew the and MLB (both with B+). ■ See SOE on page 9 Soccer and College Sport
Photo by Charles Hallman
However, for gender hiring, four of the five leagues and College Sport showed decreases. NFL (C+) and MLS (C) only saw increases, but the NBA (B) and WNBA (A+) earned above-average grades in their respective reports. College Sport, MLB and MLS all received Cs. “The biggest disappointment is the continued decline
■ See Lapchick on page 8
Hill, McKenzie, Robinson inducted into Hall of Fame
ayler Hill, Larry McKenzie and Jim Robinson were among 15 inductees in the Minnesota High School Hall of Fame last week before a capacity crowd at the Lumber Exchange Building in downtown Minneapolis. Hill, a 5’11” guard who was a two-time Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and 2009 Miss Basketball winner who went on to star at Ohio State University. Hill, who further enjoyed a six-year career in the WNBA, cited a couple of memorable moments from her outstanding high school career. “The 47 points I scored during our championship game against Centennial [which South won to capture the 2009 Class 4A title] stands out,” she told the audience.
“But I will never forget our fans. The Minneapolis South students that came to those games, if I think about high school basketball, I think about those student sections and the crazy support we had.” Hill also let it be known that the battles with her team’s main rival during those time remain crystal clear. “If I remember anything it’s the battle’s with St. Paul Central in those Twin City games and state championships [2007 and 2008],” she stressed. “I can never forget those games.” Central defeated South in both games before breaking through against Centennial the third time. Hill concluded her remarks by introducing her very talented family members who have excelled in basketball as well: Brother P.J. Hill, the point guard from Minneapolis North who played at Ohio State; sisters Tanysha Scott (DeLaSalle, University of Minnesota-Duluth), who coached Roseville to a fourth-place finish in Class 4A competition last month; Morgan Hill
Tayler Hill
Photo courtesy Facebook
(Minneapolis South), who just graduated after four years as a player at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga; Jade Hill (Minneapolis South), who just finished her first freshman season at the University of St. Thomas; Angel Hill (Minnehaha Academy), a guard who led her team to a Class 2A third-place finish last March; and brother Malachi Hill (Minneapolis South), who played for the junior varsity as a seventh grader.
Larry McKenzie
Photo courtesy Facebook
McKenzie is always recognized for the Class 3A fourpeat he accomplished as head coach at Minneapolis Patrick Henry from 2000-2003, but the 21-year veteran also won a couple of Class 2A titles in 2016 and 2017. Through it all, it wasn’t just the victories and championships that McKenzie highlighted as standout moments during his illustrious coaching career. “The four-peat was special,” he expressed in his remarks to
Jim Robinson
the audience. “But what was even more special was that my son Lawrence [McKenzie] was a member of all four championship teams. That makes the accomplishment even more memorable.” Dr. James Robinson accepted for his father Jim Robinson, the officiating pioneer and first African American to referee a boys’ state basketball tournament in 1971, who passed away in 2020 He humorously recalled the one and
Photo by Charles Hallman
only time his father officiated one of his games. “I was nine years old, and he fouled me out pretty quickly,” he said as the room filled with laughter. “He never officiated another game of mine.” Continuing in a more serious tone, he said, “The most important thing he always talked about was mentoring and helping others.” Others inducted in the Class of 2022—the Hall of
■ See Prep on page 9