August 15, 2024 - MN Spokesman-Recorder by MN Spokesman Recorder

Tracey Williams-Dillard leads MSR into the future

By Jerry Freeman Senior Editor and Tony Kiene Staff Writer

racey Williams-Dillard recalls her first job at her family’s newspaper when she was eight. After school, she ran the old addressograph machine under the supervision of her grandmother, Launa Q. Newman. She credits that experience as the formative encounter with the concept of a work ethic when she first learned the meaning of responsibility and the importance of working to earn a living. “I’ve come a long way since then,” she says, “but those values are still my guiding lights.”

Over the next 33 years, Trac-

ey performed a wide range of duties at the paper, including receptionist, billing and advertising, and office manager. However, the path to her current role as president and CEO was not direct; several major detours broadened the range of her experience, beginning with an interest in chemical dependency counseling she acquired as a high school student. That led to an internship with the Institute on Black Chemical Abuse and enrollment at the Minnesota Community and Technical College with a counseling major.

When her career goal shifted toward business, Tracey moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she worked for five years in accounting and human

■ See TWD on page 5

Thank You!

We are deeply honored and grateful for the proclamations issued by both cities designating August 10, 2024, as Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Day. As the current publisher and CEO, it is an incredible honor to be part of a legacy that has served our communities for 90 years. I pause to reflect on the significance of this recognition and the vital role that your municipalities play in both our local history and our collective future.

The Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder has been a beacon of truth and a platform for the

voices of African American residents in the Twin Cities and beyond. Your acknowledgment of our publication’s unwavering commitment to journalism that not only informs but empowers is a true celebration of the spirit of community journalism. The proclamations, led by Councilmembers Anika Bowie, St. Paul, and Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis, highlight recognition of our community’s ongoing struggles and triumphs and our commitment to chronicling them all, echoed by the sentiments expressed in your statements.

In St. Paul, the proclama-

tion elegantly encapsulates our mission: to honor the pillars of the Black community and recognize the dedicated journalists who have followed in the footsteps of industry pioneers like the paper’s founder, Cecil E. Newman. For nearly a century, we have strived to uplift narratives that deserve to be told, ensuring that the stories of African Americans in Minnesota are not merely observed but celebrated, critically examined, and embedded within the larger narrative of American history.

In Minneapolis, the recognition of our unique contributions reinforces a powerful truth: that our voices matter and that the city is committed

to enabling those voices to resonate even louder. Minneapolis’s proclamation reflects your appreciation for the significant strides made through journalism, illustrating the importance of serving our audience with integrity and passion. These proclamations do more than honor our past; they ignite our future. As we commemorate our 90th An-

niversary, we are inspired by your support and motivated to continue our mission of advocacy, representation, and storytelling. We are hopeful that together, we can forge pathways for future journalists and ensure that the diverse narratives of our communities remain at the forefront of public discourse. Thank you once again, Min-

neapolis and St. Paul, for joining us in this celebration and for recognizing our longevity and commitment to both communities.

With heartfelt gratitude, Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder

Pat’s Tidbits

It’s a baby boy for the Bowmans!

Little Brandon Wells Bowman entered the world on Tuesday, April 4th, at 2:04 a.m. at Fairview Riverside Hospital. Baby Brandon tipped the scales at 6 lbs. 6 oz. The proud parents are Dr. Kevin and Lynn Bowman of Highland Park. His big sister, Alexandria, is 3½ years old and excited about her new little brother. The proud grandparents are Lester and Janet Wells (Potomac, Maryland) and Bob and Carol Bowman (Saratoga, Calif).

Wedding bells ring for Debra Ann Carter & James T. Jones Jr.! Debra and James are aglow after recently being married at St. Albans Church of God in Christ in St. Paul. The wellattended reception was held at the Kelly Inn Hotel. Debra is the daughter of Assistant Fire Chief Anthony (Tony) Carter. I wish this special couple a life of joy and happiness.

A blessed union in matrimony for Locquetta Barber & Clinton Veneer will take place next week. Their special ceremony will take place at the St. Paul S.D.A. Church, followed by a reception at the Sheraton Midway Hotel. Locquetta is the daughter of Mrs. Eunice Barber and Milton Barber. The Twin Cities Untouch-

ables social club met at the lovely home of Norma Jones recently. The business is focused on the upcoming New Orleans trip Sept 14th, and plans for an overnight casino trip in the near future. The next meeting is at Irene Kemp’s in April. Essie Pastel is president, and Erma Mazingo is the Social Chairman.

A couple’s baby shower dinner party!

Last Saturday, a small, intimate group gathered for dinner in the lovely Eagan home of Lewis and Graneze Scott. Five couples celebrated the upcoming arrival of Dr. Karen Heidelberg and her husband, Dr. John Barnwell’s baby, due at the end of April. The couples enjoyed a delicious Louisiana-style dinner prepared by the Scotts and

Editor’s Note: As a colorful umbrella of Black social life, Patricia “Pat” Crutchfield’s “Pat’s Tidbits” column stood out as a beloved beacon of celebration and connection. From lavish weddings to intimate gatherings, Pat captured the essence of our community’s milestones and lighter moments, ensuring that no achievement went uncelebrated.

Dr. Frank Snowden and Kitty Snowden.

Dr. Karen Heidellberg is in residency training at the Mayo Clinic, and her husband, Dr. John Barnwell, is conducting research on cancer surgery at Mayo.

Also, Graneze Fretwell and Lewis Scott are both principals for St. Paul Elementary Schools.

Dr. Charles & Laurie Crutchfield, HI, and Dr. Charles & Pat Crutchfield were also in attendance.

The Regalettes Social Club is on the move in 1995! In March, the Regalettes took a group of children to the Children’s Theatre to see the play Amazing Grace. Most of the children who attended the Regalettes had never seen a play before, so it proved very exciting. The Regalettes will be traveling to Orlando, Florida, in April for a

week of rest and relaxation.

Congratulations, Honorable Edward Toussaint, Jr., on your recent appointment as the fifth Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. A swearingin ceremony was held Wednesday at North High School.

Happy Birthday

Dr. Henry T. Smith, Beverly Hawkins, Tony Spears, Laurie Crutchfield, Marvin Campbell!, Rose Marsh, and all others.

Louise Gooden returns from a long stay in California! Louise recently returned from San Leandro, Calif., after spending seven weeks with her son Royal Jr., his wife Katina, and granddaughter Alexandria. While out West, she went shopping, sightseeing, and visited

with many friends and relatives. She spent some time with Toni Hughes (formerly of Mpls). Her son Royal Jr. flew down to L.A. and hung out with longtime friends Chris McWatt and Donald Mora. Although Louise enjoyed herself, it was good to be home (except for the weather).

Baptized last Sunday were Jorian Matthew Wulf & Yasmine Rodiya Ousley Jorian is the infant son of Michael and Fayette Wulf. Yasmine is the infant daughter of JoAnn Brown and Rodney Ousley. They were both baptized at Camphor United Methodist by Rev. Rufus Campbell.

Pat Crutchfield’s “Pat’s Tidbits” column provided information on social doings and events for many years in the MSR.

MSR would like to recognize the ongoing support from community businesses and nonprofit organizations, by extending a special invitation to celebrate 90 continuous years of publishing with us. Share an elegant evening with friends, family or colleagues at this formal affair commemorating MSR's noteworthy milestone at the iconic Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis’ Mill District.

Experience a one of a kind, walk thru historic photo exhibit and a grand gala that recalls the MSR 90 year legacy that reflects almost a century of events around our local and national community. The evening also features theatrical and musical entertainment, esteemed guests like MPR President Duchesne Drew, and emcee, MPR correspondent, Angela Davis. Your generous contribution of $1000 for five tickets as a "Community Supporter" also secures the name of your organization in a highlighted section of the newspaper and will also be mentioned at the event.

To secure five Community Supporter tickets for $1000, fill out the section below or visit our website at MSR by clicking the UR code. (Additional tickets are available).

I’M A MSR COMMUNITY SUPORTER!

resources for Ardan, the corporate offices of a large retail firm. She returned to Minneapolis to perform office duties at Jay Kline Chevrolet. Then, in 1990, she accepted a full-time position at what was then the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder. (In 2000, the two newspapers merged into a single publication.)

Among Tracey’s proudest achievements is the launch of the Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder’s annual “Graduation Celebration: A Family Affair,” which she established in 1995. This event celebrated the educational milestones of graduating Black seniors and their families, emphasizing the importance of education to the future of Black Americans.

In 2001, Tracey was named president and chief executive officer of the then-67-year-old weekly community newspaper. In 2007, she also became the paper’s owner. Under her leadership, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has never missed a deadline, exemplifying her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering com-

mitment to excellence.

Continuing the community service tradition of her grandfather, MSR founder Cecil E. Newman, Tracey has served on several local boards such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Minneapolis NAACP, Southside Community Collaborative, African American AIDS Project, Twin Cities African American Leadership Forum, Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), Global Women’s Network, the Minnesota Newspaper Association, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). She previously served as the vice president of the Minnesota Minority Media Coalition and is president of the Spokesman-Recorder 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

In her role as president and CEO of the newspaper, Tracey is building on the solid foundation erected by her forebears, a foundation that she describes as including “strong ties to the African American community, a recognized leadership voice, integrity and credibility with readers, and the respect of the business community.” Likewise, Tracey continues to increase the Spokesman-Recorder’s influence by building stronger relationships with the growing African American and African

immigrant populations in both the metro area and greater Minnesota while also reaching out to other communities of color.

A celebrated monthly networking event that offers socializing and learning opportunities tailored specifically to

hope people learn to appreciate the Black Press and the blood, sweat and tears that go into putting out timely and engaging news that our readers can use.”

Yacht Cruise on the St. Croix River and its 90th Anniversary Gala at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, the Depot.

“I want the SpokesmanRecorder to be known as the preferred source of media information serving the needs of all minority communities,” she explains, “My goal is to serve the best of the traditional and the best of the modern without losing roots in the needs and aspirations of our community. It’s especially important to me that we maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity and continue to earn and enjoy the trust of our readers, whatever other changes we may undertake.”

And, as Tracey has noted many times before, the Spokesman-Recorder is “so much more than just a newspaper.”

In the spirit of the Graduation Celebration and other innovations that she’s brought forth, Tracey also established “Sister Spokesman,” which is closing in on its 20th Anniversary.

Black female entrepreneurs and other small business owners, Sister Spokesman’s attendance averages approximately 100 participants at each gathering. Sister Spokesman is also where Tracey coined the popular call and response, “Hey Sista…Soul Sista!”, a tradition that enables those in attendance to bond and pay tribute to this important community event and its opportunities for growth and sisterhood.

In November of 2021, Tracey and the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder were featured in Season 6 of the Deluxe Corporation’s Emmy-nominated television series, “Small Business Revolution.”

“I’m excited about seeing it and sharing the experience of running a historical newspaper with viewers,” she noted in advance of the Season 6 debut. “I

Earlier this year, she launched her brand-new podcast, “Tracey’s Keepin’ it Real.” This podcast is part of the paper’s expansive multi-media strategy and a vital platform that enables her to engage business and community leaders, public officials, and other influential members of the community by posing tough questions that others may hesitate to ask.

This has put Tracey in very high demand as she continues to receive recognition and requests to speak from other media outlets, educational institutions, small businesses, nonprofit agencies, and publicsector organizations.

In addition to several other recent honors, Tracey has been named one of the “MinneapolisSt. Paul Business Journal”’s ten “Most Admired CEOs” of 2024.

The Spokesman-Recorder’s latest project under Tracey’s leadership is a traveling photo exhibit that will document the paper’s extraordinary history.

In August 2024, the Spokesman-Recorder will celebrate 90 years with two unforgettable events: the annual Legacy

During the past few years, Tracey has lost two of the most important people in her life: her husband, Robert Dillard, in 2021 and then her mother, Norma Jean Williams, in 2023. Still, in spite of the pain left by their passing, Tracey finds solace and inspiration in their love and respective legacies, along with those left by her grandfather and grandmother, which help keep her going.

“I still have the energy to help make this newspaper grow, and I want to share that enthusiasm with our staff and the larger community. “I want this newspaper to continue towards national prominence.

“We just received a prestigious NNPA Messenger Award. More and more, our original work is quoted, cited, and sourced by other media outlets. And I only expect our credibility and influence to continue increasing.”

Jerry Freeman welcomes reader comments at jfreeman@ spokesman-recorder.com. Tony Kiene welcomes reader comments at tkiene@spokesmanrecorder.com.

10 compelling benefits of digital banking

Digital banking platforms are revolutionizing the financial services industry. As technology advances, more consumers turn to online banks for their financial needs.

This shift from traditional brick-and-mortar banking to digital platforms brings numerous advantages, including lower fees, better interest rates, and enhanced convenience.

Find out why digital banking is becoming the preferred choice for many consumers.

• No Monthly Maintenance Fees. Digital banks typically offer accounts with no maintenance fees due to their lower operational costs, allowing you to save more.

• No ATM Fees. Many digital banks provide free access to a vast network of ATMs, eliminating traditional banks’ standard ATM fees when you use an outof-network machine.

• Reduced Overdraft Fees. Digital banks often have more lenient overdraft protection programs, waiving or reducing fees associated with overdrawing your account.

Better Interest Rates

• Higher Savings Account Rates. Digital banks generally of-

fer higher interest rates on savings accounts than traditional banks, helping your savings grow faster.

• Lower Loan Rates. Digital banks often provide lower interest rates on personal loans, mortgages, and other credit products, making borrowing more affordable.

Enhanced Convenience

• 24/7 Account Access. With digital banking, you can access your accounts and perform transactions anytime, anywhere, without waiting for the bank to open.

• Online Bill Payments. You can easily manage all your bills from a single platform, setting up automatic payments and scheduling future payments to ensure you never miss a due date.

• Mobile Check Deposits. Deposit checks directly through your smartphone by taking a photo,

saving you a trip to the bank.

Advanced Financial Tools

• Budgeting Tools. Digital banks offer built-in budgeting tools to help you track spending, categorize expenses, and set savings goals, providing valuable insights into your financial habits.

• Financial Planning Resources. From retirement calculators to investment advice, digital banking platforms include resources to help you plan for the future and make informed financial decisions.

• Personalized Alerts. Stay on top of your finances with notifications for low balances, large transactions, and upcoming bill payments. These help you avoid fees and stay in control.

Enhanced Security

• Advanced Security Mea-

Looking back at business

Some digital banks offer cryptocurrency trading services, allowing customers to buy, sell, and hold digital currencies within their banking app.

Accessibility and Inclusion

• Serving Underserved Communities. Digital banks reach underserved communities, providing essential financial services to those who may lack access to traditional banking.

and less reliance on paper, digital banks help reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with traditional banking.

User-Friendly Experience

• Intuitive Interfaces. Digital banking apps are designed with user experience in mind, offering easy-to-navigate interfaces for straightforward financial management.

sures. Digital banks prioritize security with features like twofactor authentication, biometric verification, and real-time fraud monitoring to protect against unauthorized access and fraud.

• Instant Fraud Alerts. If suspicious activity is detected, digital banks provide instant alerts, allowing you to secure your account immediately.

Innovation and Technology

• Seamless Integration with Financial Apps. Digital banking platforms integrate with various financial apps, offering a comprehensive view of your financial health.

• Peer-to-Peer Payments. With peer-to-peer payment services, you can easily send money to friends and family, making transactions quick and convenient.

• Cryptocurrency Trading.

• No Minimum Balance Requirements. Many digital banks eliminate the need to maintain a minimum balance, making banking more accessible to individuals with lower funds.

Customer Support

• 24/7 Customer Service. Digital banks offer round-the-clock customer service via chat, email, or phone, ensuring you can get help whenever needed.

• Comprehensive Online Help Centers. Detailed FAQs, video tutorials, and support articles are readily available for quick and easy answers to your questions.

Eco-Friendly Banking

• Paperless Statements. Digital banks promote sustainability by offering paperless statements, contributing to environmental conservation.

• Reduced Carbon Footprint. With fewer physical branches

• Customizable Dashboard. Personalize your banking experience by customizing your dashboard to show the information and features that are most important to you.

Digital banking platforms are reshaping how we manage our finances, offering numerous benefits that make them an attractive alternative to traditional banks.

As technology continues to evolve, digital banking’s advantages are likely to expand, further solidifying its place as the future of banking. By embracing digital banking, consumers can enjoy a more cost-effective, efficient, and convenient way to manage their financial affairs.

MSR + JPMorgan Chase have partnered to bring you the Finance FYI series. For more from this series, visit spokesman-recorder.com.

Editor’s

Note: This business section’s historical collage reflects the wide range of businesses the MSR has proudly featured throughout the years. It will continue to be a legacy staple of our media company to place Black businesses at the forefront of our community coverage.

Arts & Culture

Editor’s Note: While celebrating over 90 years of continuous publication, the MSR is always eager to share the tremendous stories of our homegrown talents, as was the case with this article first published in 1981. Before turning 20, Prince astoundingly sold three million records, showcasing his prodigious talent and paving the way for a legacy that would redefine the music industry. Tragically, on April 21, 2016, the world lost this icon when he passed away at his Paisley Park home, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage that continues to inspire generations.

A musician who plays 26 instruments and records his albums in a homemade Minneapolis studio should have a lot of formal training. But as Prince confesses, “I had one piano lesson and two guitar lessons as a kid.” At the age of seven, Prince first started

teaching himself to play.

“My dad left home for the first time and left his piano,” Prince says. “He never let anyone play it before. So I taught myself songs from television — Batman, Man from U.N.C.L.E. I learned to play them by ear.” By fifth grade, Prince (his real name) was playing piano in talent shows and, soon after, started writing original songs.

By 13, he had his first band — Champagne. Champagne played hotels and high school dances, but by the time Prince finished high school, he realized he had far greater ambitions.

A break came when Christ Moon, proprietor of a local Minneapolis studio, asked Prince to add some piano tracks to a guitar and voice demo Moon had made. After he put down the piano part,

Prince asked Moon if he wanted bass. Moon accepted, and by the time Prince was done, he added bass, drums, a guitar lead, and overdubbed his own background vocals.

To return the favor, Moon gives Prince some free studio time. After Prince recorded some demo tapes, he set out for New York to find fame and fortune. Even though he was offered two record deals, Prince turned them down because “they wouldn’t let me produce myself. They had a lot of strange ideas — tubas and cellos and stuff. I knew I was going to have to do it myself if it was going to turn out right.”

Prince returned to Minneapolis, where Moon had played Prince’s work for a local manager. The manager was impressed enough to

help Prince get his recording deal with Warner Brothers. At 18, Prince became the youngest artist on the label ever to produce his own record.

“I have a lot of creative control,” explains Prince. “They let me produce my own records, write my own songs, pick the arrangements, and all that. They’re really open. I just do the album, give it to them, and they put it out.”

Although he makes it sound like a modest achievement, Prince’s records have already made a splash. The singles “Soft and Wet” (off For You, his debut) and “I Wanna Be Your Lover” were both R&B hits. “Uptown,” off his latest — Dirty Mind – marks Prince’s third hit.

At 20, Prince may still just be a kid. But it’s clear this is one kid who knows what he’s doing.

By Mildred Brooks

Edward Kennedy Ellington, who is “Duke” to thousands of modern music addicts, was in both a jovial and comfortable mood when he was interviewed by this reporter Wednesday in his dressing room in a local theatre.

The world figure who has carved a permanent place in the Modern Music Hall of Fame is a most gracious person to interview, with none of the mannerisms usually associated with stage figures.

In fact, the “Duke” is definitely a gentleman if interviews with a lady of the press are indicative.

Wants to establish Negro music types

Duke Ellington’s ambition, he said, was to create a school of music, style, and concept, which will more firmly establish and interpret the effect Negro music has had on the modern world.

Has made many experiments Mr. Ellington believes that in addition to the contribution the Negro has already made to popular music, the Negro has other definite contributions which he and others have been experimenting upon for several years.

Five of his original band members with the band It was revealed that five of the original Ellington orchestra members are still with the maestro.

They are Sonny Greer, acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest drummers; Arthur Whitsen, Otto Hardwick, Freddie Guy, and the Duke himself began together in 1923 the trail which led them to the musical big-time.

Five bands within a band

There are five distinct bands in the Ellington outfit, Mr. Ellington explained, which are made up of groups of his musicians who record for the disc companies independent of the Ellington band. His featured singer, Ivy Anderson, is one of the most popular torch singers on the American stage.

Orchestra to appear in Carnegie Hall

The Ellington orchestra is scheduled to appear in the classic Carnegie Hall in New

York this winter. Mr. Ellington jokingly told us of the false report circulated some time ago that he planned to do an opera when as a matter of fact, he had merely told reporters that he was working on a suite of numbers with a Negro motif. Mr. Ellington has written music for two shows, which he says he has not found time to have produced.

Caravan is the latest hit Together with Juan Tizol, a member of his band, the “Duke” has written “Caravan,” a new song that is sweeping the nation. The orchestra is playing an engagement at a Minneapolis theatre.

Mildred Brooks wrote for the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder in the 1930s.

Prince, in a 1981 promo photo for his album “Controversy.” Photo WikiCommons

First published in the Minneapolis Spokesman Feb 5, 1981

First published in the St. Paul Recorder Sept. 10, 1937

Duke Ellington

JOIN THE 90TH CELEBRATION!

As the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder approaches its 90th anniversary, you’re invited to commemorate this historic milestone by donating $90 to celebrate 90 years of continuous publication.

Your generous contribution will support our legacy of dedicated community empowerment through journalism and ensure our vital work continues into the future.

As a “$90-for-90” contributor (non-business), your name will be prominently displayed in our print and digital editions until the week of Aug. 10 — the date of our founding in 1934.

Please consider this unique opportunity to stand collectively with the MSR, honoring 90 years of tradition and community service. For inquiries or to join as a “$90-for-90” supporter, call 612-827-4021, visit our website, or email admin@spokesman-recorder.com.

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Why is there no Malcolm X Day?

It’s unfortunate that Malcolm X doesn’t have a holiday. He clearly is deserving of a holiday. If anyone should have a holiday, it should be him.

I have been trying to think about why he hasn’t gotten one, though he has been honored with a stamp. It’s one of the reasons I was pleased that we put on the First Annual Minnesota Malcolm X Conference last week. It was long overdue.

There are several reasons that come to mind when I contemplate why Malcolm X doesn’t have a day of recognition, though as well known internationally as Martin Luther King, Jr. or even Muhammad Ali. It’s possible he has been shortchanged because of his earlier separatist views and his harsh views and attacks on Whites during his Nation of Islam days (pre-1964). But I don’t think that’s the reason.

Considering the recent climate, it’s likely that he may not be getting his due because of his religion—especially considering the enmity directed at Mus-

lims these days by this government—but I don’t think that is the reason either. I think it has something to do with his uncompromising stand.

Ultimately, I think he has been left off the official pantheon because in the last year of his life he preached openly about what this country’s so-called forefathers preached about and are praised for revolution. Malcolm X spoke openly about the need for revolution in this country and what it takes. And he talked about violence.

This country has a strange relationship with violence. The U.S. is nearly always involved in some kind of violent intervention or outright land grab, and neither the adjective “violent” nor is its noun form “violence” used. But when other folks start to

Malcolm X spoke openly about the need for revolution in this country and what it takes.

defend themselves or take to the street in peaceful protest, too often the one-percent’s documenters out of nowhere begin to talk about the threat of violence.

Unlike King, who can smoothly be folded into an American narrative, if you cut and paste from his seemingly more innocuous statements and speeches, Malcolm X cannot be so easily pasteurized.

While King practiced ac-

We don’t need future historians to look back to see what we already know: that even after celebrating the Fourth of July this past week, America is a split nation and, therefore, a danger-

ous nation. But how will the historians interpret our split of each half hating the other half?

Will they record that we took the dangerous, grim path of the French Revolution’s “By any means necessary,” or that we took the path of hope born of being thankful for America and work instead to heal the split and not make it wider?

Will future historians speak of us, as was spoken about the early 20th-century civil war in Spain: the chilling conclusion the modern Spain that emerged “has

Editor’s Note: In this special Historical issue, we honor the compelling voices of editorial legends Cecil E. Newman, Ron Edwards, Mel Reeves, and Matthew Little. Their bold insights and unwavering commitment to truth and justice resonate through time, inviting readers to embark on a nostalgic journey that celebrates our rich history and enduring legacy. submissions@spokesman-recorder.com submissions@spokesman-recorder.com submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

tive nonviolence and preached about the beloved community and adhered to—promoted the idea—of Christian love for one’s enemies, Malcolm X preached a religious doctrine of justifiable self-defense. He said his God would have no problem with him defending himself.

“I believe in a religion that believes in freedom. Anytime I have to accept a religion that won’t let me fight a battle for my people, I say to hell with that religion. That’s why I am a Muslim because it’s a religion that teaches you an ‘eye for an eye’ and a ‘tooth for a tooth.’ It teaches you to respect everybody and treat everybody right. But it also teaches you if someone steps on your toe, chop off their foot. And I carry my religious ax with me all the time,” he said.

The birthday of the one who was eulogized at his funeral as our “shining Black prince” is still our prince. And we should pick up his teachings and learn from him. While everything has changed not much has changed.

Let’s continue to say with Malcolm: “We declare our right on this earth…to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”

Mel Reeves was a human rights activist and former columnist and writer at the MSR. He served as the community editor until his death on January 6, 2022.

Violence flares again in our beloved Shangri La

nothing to do with what either side fought and died for.”

At least the U.S. ended slavery and segregation and set us on the path of our yet unfinished project of fully legalizing civil rights, unfinished due to violence against each other and remaining legal barriers.

But how will they say we handled such shootings as those in Minneapolis and St. Paul? As of the writing this column, the top of community and government leaders, and profit and nonprofit leadership, have too often been silent.

In some areas of the Twin Cities—such as East Side St. Paul and Northside Minneapolis — people talk about sleeping in their bathtubs because of the death and injury potential from spraying bullets.

What

is the anger

that seems to be driving violence in America?

I ask again, what is the anger that seems to be driving violence in America? The Star Tribune, the Sunday before the fourth of July, highlighted statements by Minnesota Attorney General (AG) Keith Ellison, who talked about the hatred that is poisoning rural Minnesota as if such hatred is new. It isn’t new. The AG knows that for the 12 years he represented the Fifth Congressional District, it was long a hotbed of casualties and violence.

The Star Tribune’s article is an exception to the usual silence, whereas news stories and columnists of the MSR have regularly reported on the violence, hate, and biases reflecting on

By Cecil E. Newman, Founding Publisher

Time and time again, during our ten years of labor on local Negro weekly journals, we have been told that the colored citizens of these two communities would not support a newspaper devoted to the particular interests of the Negro.

After ten years, we are convinced that there is no truth in such charges. We believe the majority of the people of both St. Paul and Minneapolis will give wholehearted support to any newspaper which actually and consistently serves the best interests of the respective communities.

Providing, of course, that this service is unselfish and without regard to the personal interests of the publishers and editors.

Because we believe in Minnesota and its people and because we are convinced they will support an outspoken Negro organ in each of the cities, we are this week launching two publications, one in each of the cities.

One is the ST. PAUL RECORDER, edited by St. Paul citizens and devoted to the interests of the people of St. Paul. The other is the MINNEAPOLIS SPOKESMAN, edited by Minneapolis people and devoted to the interests of Minneapolis Negroes.

Both publications will be dedicated to the well-being and progress of the Northwestern Negro, as a whole.

In addition to giving in its

Each of the newspapers will be delivered by carrier for five cents weekly. Fifty-two issues or one year’s subscription by mail will be $2. The cost for a six-month subscription will be $1.25, and three months of interesting reading may be had for 75 cents.

We believe the majority of the people of both St. Paul and Minneapolis will give wholehearted support to any newspaper which actually and consistently serves the best interests of the respective communities.

news columns the most important national events, each paper will endeavor to cover the local news field thoroughly and conscientiously. Editorially, both papers will speak out fearlessly and unceasingly against injustices, discriminations, and all imposed inequalities, no matter what group or nationality they are visited upon.

Each newspaper will aid the worthwhile institutions of each city. The churches and fraternities are among the most serviceable institutions; naturally, each newspaper will give considerable space for their activities.

Constructive criticism of both men and measures will be freely offered editorially.

Neither the news nor editorial columns will be for sale. The only salable space will be the advertising columns that will be open to all bonafide business enterprises.

Readers are invited to write to the editors of either paper, offering criticism or approval of news content, editorials, or any pertinent content that they want to write about. It is our desire, and that of the staff members of both publications, to give the people of each of these communities a paper they can trust and of which they may be proud.

In the ST. PAUL RECORDER and the MINNEAPOLIS SPOKESMAN, we feel sure St. Paul and Minneapolis will have real champions of the Race. We intend to merit the support and confidence of the colored people and we feel sure that we will have the encouragement of the best citizens of the other group.

Cecil E. Newman is the founding publisher of the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder. He launched the papers on August 10, 1934, and would run the historic newspaper company until his death in 1976 at age 72.

My 90th birthday celebration, held a couple of weeks ago, was given by my children, grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. It proved to be more than just a pleasant, enjoyable evening; it also revived some wonderful memories.

It recreated some past memories of occasions that kind of made a guy think, “Gee, I would like to have the opportunity to do that again.”

But the single incident that captured my memory most, while adding unexpected zest to the entire evening, was the appearance of Minnesota’s senior U.S. senator, Amy Klobuchar. I find it difficult to even think of her as a U.S. senator when my memory still pictures her as that brighteyed, precocious young daughter of Jim Klobuchar.

Jim, if you remember, was a longtime, very popular columnist with the Minneapolis Morn-

America’s unfinished project of evolving into united we stand instead of malice toward others. A great cause of this sense of anger, frustration, and betrayal is the election of Donald Trump, as seen by the antagonism toward him by both Democrats and Republicans and his support by leading religious groups—whether Roman Catholic, Protestant, or evangelical. Both Democrats and Republicans fostered policies that led to

ing Tribune, later becoming the Star Tribune. He was noted and admired for his unique capacity to uncover stories of ordinary people in our midst who had achieved extraordinary things while still living regular lives.

Among other things, Jim was also an avid outdoors person who enjoyed everything in nature from mountain climbing to water skiing. He not only covered pro sports from an intimate perspective, but he also was equally at home with them in the clubhouse.

Jim retired from daily reporting at a relatively young age, apparently to pursue full-time the life he enjoyed most—travel and portraying the rest of the world from his perspective, undeterred by the constraints of daily newspaper requirements.

The last time I saw Jim, I said jokingly, “When your daughter first ventured into politics, she was identified as the daughter of the indomitable Jim Klobuchar. But now the situation has reversed, and you can best be identified as the father of Minnesota’s senior senator.

But, back to the birthday party: Without fanfare, the senator and her husband John showed up, and instead of just doing the conventional political thing—shaking a few hands, being acknowledged, and moving on to the next gig—

60,000 factories closing, sending millions of America’s jobs to China, Mexico, and beyond.

Now, hundreds of thousands of immigrants arrive to take existing jobs, play ping-pong with the Census, and put energy into destroying rather than building. Will our middle class continue to disappear as the southern border opens ever wider to new arrivals coming like a flood across the Rio Grande? The debate continues on

Amy began mixing with other guests and stayed all evening, as just another invited guest.

When asked to say a few words, she buried the expected political sound bites and spoke only of the birthday honoree.

It probably isn’t news to you, but since winning that Senate seat, Amy has distinguished herself in that position. She is rapidly becoming one of the most noted members of the U.S. Congress’s upper chamber.

In less than one year’s term, she has become such a fixture that the Republican Party is having trouble finding opposition to run against her. Two of the apparent candidates have already backed out.

I doubt I am the only one to think so, but it is my perception that if Minnesota is to become the home state of the first female U.S. president, the initial of that person’s last name will not start with a “B,” but instead may very well start with a “K.” And I doubt that her home state will be Alaska.

Civil rights leader Matthew Little was a close longtime associate of Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder founder Cecil Newman and wrote for the newspaper for more than 50 years. He wrote a weekly column entitled “Little by Little” on politics and civil rights. He passed away on January 26, 2014.

whether to heed Abraham Lincoln’s prophetic words of “United we stand, divided we fall.” Will we go forward with “malice toward none” or pay, again in Lincoln’s words, the “full measure” of “lives and treasure” if we continue with malice? Stay tuned.

Ron Edwards was an author, activist, and columnist at the MSR for 17 years. He passed away on January 21, 2020.

This Mellaneous column ran in May 2014.

This Through My Eyes column ran in August 2011.

This Little by Little column ran in September 2011.

High court bans school Jim Crow

Washington, D.C., May 17, 1954.-- The United States Supreme Court, the highest American judicial body, Monday rendered the most controversial decision made by the body in the 20th century when it ruled that race segregation in public schools was contrary to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

The court decision, read by Chief Justice Earl Warren, was unanimous and caused a storm of condemnation, some praise in the South, and general approval in the North, where there is generally no school segregation.

Three southern states, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, have indicated through their governors that they will comply with the decision. Kansas, one of the states involved in the suits, has also announced that it has already begun integration of white and Negro children in the same schools.

The decision created a sensation on the international scene, especially in India and other Asian nations where race segregation and race discrimination in the U.S. have been roundly criticized in view of America’s leadership on the world scene.

Access

Editor’s Note: In 1954, the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education shattered racial segregation in American schools, igniting a transformative civil rights movement and redefining the pursuit of equality in education. This historical piece takes a look at the coverage of that time.

Formal defers will be issued by the court after the hearing in which the parties to the suits will be asked to submit plans for implementing the no segregation decision

The court ruled for the Negro parents, plaintiffs representing Negro children in four states and the District of Columbia, who con -

tended through the NAACP legal counsel that the maintenance of separate schools was in violation of their constitutional rights. Except for the South, there have been practically no adverse comments about the decision. As far as possible, no Minnesota leader in the Twin Cities has publicly stated any disagree -

“means going from underserved to unstoppable.”

ment with the decision.

Newman makes a first public statement

The state’s first Minnesota public reaction was voiced on WCCO TV and WCCO radio by Cecil E. Newman, a Minnesota figure and newspaper publisher who told thousands of TV viewers on the Cedric

Adams six o’clock news that the Supreme Court decision banning segregated school was a victory for American Justice and fair play. Newman said the decision would rob Russian propagandists of one of their valid charges and refute the widening views among non-whites of the world that the United States was unfriendly to their legitimate aspirations.

nesota U.S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey was heard on another TV and radio station. The daily papers in both cities commented favorably about the decision in their editorials. While the decision had no direct bearing on Minnesota’s educational system, several persons have stated that it is their opinion the decision will affect Minnesota citizens indirectly.

The state’s first Minnesota public reaction was voiced on WCCO TV and WCCO radio by Cecil E. Newman

The Adams program had a picture roundup of the case with shots and comments from white Southerners. Newman also appeared on Charles McCuen’s 10:30 p.m.TV news program on WCCO-TV.

WCCO’s radio news coverage, which was beamed to millions of Upper Midwest listeners, also quoted the Spokesman and Recorder publisher praising the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Shortly after Newman’s statement came, one by Min-

Shelton Granger, executive secretary of the Minneapolis Urban League, stated when asked, “How will the decision affect Minnesota when the schools and places of public accommodation are open to all people?” Granger replied, “One need not look far for an appropriate answer considering that conservative estimates show that more than 40 percent of the Negroes in the City of Minneapolis were born in one of the Southern states having segregated educational facilities.

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Mrs. Nettie Hunt explains the significance of the Brown’s decision to her daughter, Nickie. UPI Photo

Employment & Legals

HALLMAN

Continued from page 12

Gophers basketball star Linda Roberts’ jersey number retired and hanging in the Willams Arena rafters.

Roberts is the first Black female Gopher so honored 25 years after her last game.

“Kwame McDonald and Charles Hallman started talking about it years ago… They said, ‘Maybe it’s time they retired her jersey,” Roberts said in a Twin Cities Daily Planet article.

I’m often asked about my favorite sports piece, interview, moment, etc. Then, as now, I don’t have an intelligent answer because there are so many memorable ones that might not have happened if I wasn’t at the MSR.

From the start, all my editors recognized that my writing and reporting skills could not and should not be limited to sports. As a result, I’ve written editorials and education, health, and entertainment articles. I’ve reviewed new music, live concerts such as Stevie Wonder, movies, and books.

Midway through the 2000s, my editors suggested that I should add news reporting to my writing duties. This earned me a reputation for being a tough but fair questioner. I covered my share of police killings of Black people and subsequent public protests that followed. I’ve gotten exclusive comments from public officials after they held press conferences.

Three such long-form stories easily come to mind:

One, a year-long investigative report on Minneapolis Park Board Black employees who charged the organization with racial discrimination.

Our reporting later produced changes at the Park Board.

Two, a story on Black St. Paul Black firefighters who complained that department officials were slow in addressing a harassment issue after discovering a monkey doll was hung with a noose and placed in a fire station. Our reporting, which included publishing a photo of it, immediately prompted city officials to hold a press conference to address the subject.

Three, a series of stories in 2009, beginning with a Black St. Cloud State football player charged with assault after a fight outside an apartment complex. He argued that other players were also involved, but he was singled out and only charged. We follow him through his ordeal, from being charged to his arrangement and trial. That

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goal was to mention as many African American student-athletes as possible.

As time progressed, a gradual change in demographics allowed me to expand my coverage to the suburbs.

In 2016, my coverage broadened.

Since then, my column has also reflected accomplishments at the collegiate and professional levels and those of African American studentathletes.

While I covered many conference and state champions

sparked several stories on St. Cloud State Black athletes living in St. Cloud.

This often had my editors joking that the MSR should open a St. Cloud bureau because of my constant trips to the Central Minnesota city with a troubled racial history.

Over the years, my reporting has also earned me several oneon-one interview requests from elected and public officials. I sat down with Keith Ellison, former US Senator Al Franken, Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors, and City Council members from both cities. It was my first time sitting in the Minnesota Governor’s Office, as Governor Tim Walz asked to sit down with me.

Also, covering the two inaugurations of America’s first Black president in person will always be a personal journalistic highlight for me.

Since its founding 90 years ago, the MSR has impacted the community in so many influential ways that can’t be undervalued, underestimated, or margin-

-- in football, basketball, and track and field -- across the Twin Cities metro area, my most memorable columns have come from focusing on profiles and narratives.

My start in photojournalism

My first photo—of St. Paul Central football player Rashem Sharpe—was published in the fall of 1998 after my father, who took pictures for my column, was asked to broadcast a football game for SPNN between St. Paul Central and St. Paul Highland Park. Since then, I have taken the majority of photos that connect with my column. For the past years, my col-

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alized. I am both fortunate and blessed that I’ve had just a small part in it, not missing a deadline in my 34 years at the oldest Black newspaper in Minnesota. Personally, I have been honored statewide (Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day committee), nationally (US Basketball Writers Hall of Fame), collegiately (MIAC), and by my Black journalist peers (NABJ Sports Task Force).

But although I’ve received these honors for my work, the best honor I’ve ever received was many years ago from legendary Black history professor Mahmoud El-Kati, who told me that Cecil Newman, the late MSR founder who I never met, would have been very proud of my work.

Such an honor from a man who is one of our living embodiments of Black history in this town is priceless.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

umn has featured a spread known as Fab Five Photos.

Why I write for MSR Writing and taking pictures at MSR has allowed me to have a voice I would not otherwise have at a mainstream paper. It has allowed me to change the narrative. I remember one of the professionals at CSU telling me that a mainstream newspaper would be best for me. Thank goodness I didn’t listen. I followed my heart. All in all, it was a good decision.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT billing@spokesman-recorder.com

EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 15, 2024 From Display Ad Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

SIZE: 2 COL X 2.5 INCHES

RATE $44.60 PER COL. INCH

+ TWO WEEKS

SUBTOTAL: $223.00 PER WEEK

Performing live in Minnesota for the ﬁrst time in

Entertainment in Every

Editor’s Note: Welcome to a celebration of sports journalism excellence, honoring iconic columnists Charles Hallman, the late Kwame McDonald, Dr. Mitchell McDonald, and Larry Fitzerald, Sr. Through impactful, historical and engaging narratives, their insightful commentaries have influenced sports and inspired countless readers. This Anniversary issue features some of their most widely-read past works.

Legendary sports writer reflects on MSR years

o inform, inspire, and engage -- three of the MSR’s key mission planks is what I tried to do each week since joining this historic newspaper in May 1990.

Originally brought in to fill in for an ailing sportswriter, my coverage included the NBA, local colleges, women’s sports, and later the WNBA. I have written on local, national, and international issues and topics on the intersection of race and sports, sports and society, and race, sports, and social justice. Later, my cover-

age expanded to include writing about the Minnesota Twins and St. Paul Saints baseball teams, the Minnesota Wild, and two local women’s pro hockey teams.

I also covered big-time events staged locally, such as the NBA and NHL All-Star Games (once each), the WNBA All-Star Game hosted here once, two minor league all-star games, two Super Bowls, three NCAA Men’s Final Fours, two Women’s Final Fours, a NCAA women’s volleyball semifinals and finals, several college sport championships, and the

Vikings get Donovan McNabb!

ive the Vikings ownership credit: They are doing everything it seems possible to win. They have a deal with Arden Hills on a proposed new Vikings stadium site that awaits state approval. In fact, the historic State government shutdown has hurt their cause. Governor Mark Dayton called their stadium proposal “sloppy.” They are two years removed from the NFC Championship game overtime loss to New Orleans when Brett Favre was the quarterback, and last year they fired Brad Childress after a 3-7 start. Having the roof collapse at their home stadium, the Mall of America Field at the Metrodome, after a record snowstorm, the Vikings, you might say, have patched things up. Leslie Frazier as interim head coach was 3-3; he, like everybody else, has endured the four months-plus NFL lockout where coaches had no contact, no communication, no meetings, no film study and no practices with players. But after a week of being back in business, the NFL Vikings are in Mankato for the 46th straight year. Gone is Favre, Sidney Rice, Ray Edwards, Pat Williams, Madieu Williams and others. Donovan McNabb, one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks of the last 10 years, is the 2011 starting

Minnesota Lynx’s historic championship runs of four league titles, something that no other local pro team has done thus far.

Over the years, our sports page has been recognized for its emphasis on women’s sports like no other local medium: a Minnesota State Legislature study once found that the MSR produced more women’s sports stories than the two local mainstream print media combined.

Over the years, I have unabashedly written about Black coaches, advocating their hirings and bemoaning their firings, as well as individual Black athletes and officials. For several summers before the WNBA emerged in 1997, the MSR was the official newspaper of record for the Howard Pulley Pro-Am summer leagues, as I reported game results and standings each week.

Before mainstream media took notice, I wrote on gender equity, the disparity of Black college and pro coaches, and Black female portrayals in media.

My first front-page story in the MSR came in 2000 when I reported on the investigation of a University of Minnesota head coach. The story included an exclusive one-on-one interview with a former player who was at the center of the investigation.

I always strive for exclusivity in my reporting so the reader won’t find it anywhere else but the MSR. I adopted this trait early in my career.

One thing among many that I’m proud of is what my late colleague Kwame McDonald and I did when we waged a two-man writing campaign for several years that finally, in 2006, got St. Paul native and Minnesota

■ See HALLMAN on page 11

efore writing about my history as a prep sports columnist and photographer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), which began in the fall of 1996, it is important to inform readers about myself on a more personal level.

My Story

As a St. Paul native, my life was full of experiences immediately after my birth on August 4, 1965.

My parents were Kwame McDonald and Mary McDonald. Both were contributors to MSR. My father wrote a sports column entitled Kwame’s Kapsles and a conversation piece known as Wise Owl. My mother wrote about her experiences in education as an elementary school teacher.

Because of my parents’ zest for life and different experiences, the first 12 years of my life were spent living in Durham, NC, New York City, New Brunswick, NJ, and Washington, D.C.

After completing sixth grade, we moved to St. Paul, where I attended Highland Park Junior High School and later graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1983.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in journalism (1987) from Central State University (Ohio). I then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin River Falls (1992) and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University-Twin Cities (2013).

My Beginning

Upon graduation from CSU, my goal was to write sports for

My journey to MSR The Prep Scene

a major newspaper. At the time, my dream job was to become a sportswriter for either the St. Paul Pioneer Press or the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Midway through that summer of 1987, my interest shifted.

The realization that the African American narrative was being written about and reported through the lens of mainstream America became prevalent when exploring the media from the perspective of a Black man.

Writing for an African-American-owned newspaper became more of an interest as my father had written columns in three such publications --- MSR, Insight News, and Twin Cities Courier (TCC) --- during the mid-1980s.

When TCC ceased to exist in 1986, my first request to become a sports reporter was extended to Insight News.

During this period, the excitement reached its zenith as I was happy to be working as a sportswriter for an African-Americanowned newspaper.

My move to the MSR In 1996, Insight News stopped publishing sports articles. Contacting MSR was promising as the newspaper hired me as a prep sports columnist and photographer.

Writing Style

Since my MSR career started, my mission has been to highlight African American studentathletes in various ways. Writing styles were used to focus on the world of high school athletics through the African American narrative.

For the first 20 years, I dedicated my column to highlighting African American studentathletes. My focus was football, basketball (boys and girls), and track and field (boys and girls). My focus was on covering basketball games and track and field. Most students highlighted during this period competed in the St. Paul and Minneapolis City Conferences. The main ■ See VIEW on page 11

Vikings quarterback.

When Head Coach Frazier said recently that number-one pick quarterback Christian Ponder was his starting quarterback, I said to myself, “Is he kidding us?” After I personally saw Ponder work out for two days with my son Larry, Jr. at the U of M, I was not impressed. I realize now that Frazier might be pretty good at poker.

McNabb has thrown for 36,000 yards and 230 touchdowns, and his QB rating is 85.7.

Last year was the worst of his career, his first year in Washington. He agreed to a restructured twoyear contract after being traded from Washington for two sixthround draft picks. The Vikings have also signed Michael Jenkins from Atlanta at wide receiver. So like it or not, the show must go on and the Vikings believe they are ready for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions in the NFC North. The flurry of activity that has highlighted the return of football has been unprecedented. On paper, the Philadelphia Eagles are the team to beat. They are loaded; New England, New York Jets, Atlanta and Green Bay have all reloaded.

here are only a precious few people in these twin towns for whom the mere mention of their first name is enough identification: Kirby, Prince, Dessa, and Maya. Kwame.

“He had a presence when he walked into events. He wasn’t looking for the attention, but because of the way he carried himself and the way he approached people, he lit up the room, and people were really happy to be in his presence,” notes Sara Eisenhauer of the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership. Her group next Wednesday, Feb. 4, will twice honor Kwame McDonald, the late MSR senior columnist, with their annual media award at a noontime ceremony at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. McDonald, who died in 2011, is among 18 individuals and one program receiving awards in seven categories at the 29th an-

nual Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day (MGWSD). The award recipients are nominated by schools, community organizations, rec centers, and amateur and professional sports organizations. It is part of the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which is celebrated nationwide.

Eisenhauer, the St. Catherine University sports information director, says she didn’t know McDonald but points out, “We started talking to people who knew him and had great things to say about him.”

People such as Minnesota State High School League Associate Director Lisa Lissimore and Jennifer Jacobs, a former St. Paul prep star, now at Augsburg College as an assistant volleyball coach and assistant athletic director.

“It was nice to learn about an individual who emerged as doing something [for women and girls in sport],” continues Eisenhauer.

“Kwame spent his adult life advocating, supporting, and promoting sports participation for girls and women at every level of sport,” adds Lissimore.

“He was always a person who just wanted to help no matter what,” says his son Mitchell, the MSR prep sportswriter and photographer. His father pledged that women athletes should get

balanced media coverage and “have equal access to opportunities as men had,” recalls Mitchell.

After Mitchell accepts his father’s posthumous award, Kwame will be permanently honored. “We thought it would be a real nice way to first honor him with the media award for the work he did as a media member,” explains Eisenhauer, “and then renaming the award after him for all the future [award winners].”

Henceforth, the Kwame McDonald Girls’ and Women’s Sports in the Media Award joins the Wilma Rudolph Award for Courage and Inspiration, which are the two awards MGWSD annually gives out that are named for a Black individual.

Shortly after his death, Concordia University renamed its home men’s and women’s basketball player-of-the-game award after Kwame and, beginning next week, the MGWSD media award. It’s way past time for the other sports entities in these towns to step up as well:

The Twins? All Kwame did was help find housing for their Black players in their early days after relocating from Washington, D.C.

The Gophers? All Kwame did was help counsel Black youth, convincing them to stay home and attend the state’s largest university. Or help convince outof-town Black youth to stay after being recruited and arriving only to find themselves on an unwelcoming campus. The Wolves and Lynx? All Kwame did was lend his ear and listen to many of their Black players, offering sage advice when asked.

Besides the perfunctory Black History Month minute-long recognitions during timeouts at sports events, these teams and programs could instead do something more lasting, more meaningful, more tribute-fitting for Kwame, who was well-known and well-loved on both sides of the Mississippi and elsewhere.

“He had an impact on everybody he met. It’s very rare to have a media member do that,” concludes Eisenhauer. “We are really excited to be able to do something and honor somebody who is definitely well deserving.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Charles Hallman

Fitz Beat by Larry Fitzgerald, Sr.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

Kwame McDonald, shown here relaxing, wrote for the MSR for several decades.