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Inside this Edition...
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
October 10 - 16, 2024
Vol. 91
Find out more about “Fresh Cut” on page 7.
No. 11
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Strengthening voter access and equity By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Photo by Lisa Miller
Ellison encourages voters to share the Election Report Form with friends and family before Election Day on Nov. 5. Find it at www.ag.state.mn.us/Election/Report/. Anyone with questions about voting or other concerns about Minnesota’s elections should contact the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office at 877-600-8683.
ith early voting underway in Minnesota and a new law protecting the electoral process, Attorney General Keith Ellison released updated guidance on the right to vote safely in a new electronic Election Report Form that Minnesotans can use if they encounter challenges in exercising their right to vote. “Minnesotans cherish our democracy and our freedom to vote,” Ellison said, “and I am confident Minnesota’s elections will continue to be as safe, free and fair as ever. I do not anticipate Minnesota is setting a precedent for other states to take a clear stance against any attempts to dissuade people from voting. needing to enforce these laws, Photo by Shironosov but I will not hesitate to do so in order to keep our elections Minnesota made a pivotal Landmark pro-voter legisla- to adopt a state-level Voting guard voting rights. free from force, threats, or disin- decision earlier this year to tion, the Minnesota Voting Rights Act—the most recent A ruling last year by the 8th formation weaponized to keep enforce and strengthen Min- Rights Act (MNVRA), made development in the trend of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Minnesotans from the ballot box.” nesotans’ freedom to vote. Minnesota the seventh state states taking action to safe■ See VOTE on page 5
Poll finds surge in support for reparations
Branding HBCUs as places ‘Where Winners Thrive’
An interview with Conference Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes
and all firsts in their roles. JacBy Charles Hallman tions—emphasized the imporContributing Writer queline McWilliams Parker tance of acknowledging the (CIAA) is the first Black womnew study from long-term effects of slavery, r. Kiki Baker Barnes an to serve as commissioner Princeton Univer- redlining, and Jim Crow laws. is the winner of the for NCAA Divisions I, II, and “We just need to speak truth sity, in partnership National Association III; Sonya Stills (MEAC) and Big with Liberation Ventures, of- about history,” Harris told the of Intercollegiate Athletics South Commissioner Sherika fers a comprehensive look at Grio. “We need to speak truth (NAIA) Rise Leader of the Year A. Montgomery are the others. public opinion on reparations about the generational impact of award. She is the NAIA’s only A former Division I athlete in the United States. The 2024 slavery, the generational impact all-Black conference commis- at the University of New OrReparations Beliefs and Senti- of redlining, of Jim Crow laws.” sioner, the Historically Black leans, Barnes later became ments Poll shows that 36% of While Harris advocated for repaColleges and Universities Ath- a basketball coach and then Americans support compre- rations through legislative action, athletic director. She returned letic Conference (HBCUAC). hensive reparations, which in- she did not rule out the possibilFormerly the Gulf Coast to school and earned her docclude cash payments, an apol- ity of executive action. Athletic Conference, Barnes torate in higher education adHarris linked the reparations ogy, and investments in Black became the league’s full-time ministration. Her two previous issue to her broader economic communities. leader in 2022 following three degrees were in mass commuAn additional 19% of re- plan aimed at addressing sysyears as interim commissioner. nication and media studies. spondents are neutral on the temic barriers such as student After a 16-year stint as athletic “I am deeply grateful for issue, while 46% express op- loan debt, medical debt, and radirector at Dillard University in Jacque,” Barnes said in a recent position. According to a Gallup cial bias in home appraisals, as New Orleans, she became the Q&A interview. “We all stay poll, the findings reflect a sig- well as Black maternal mortalconference’s first Black female connected to one another, and nificant shift since 2002, when ity. She emphasized the need commissioner in conference Parker is the one that spearonly 14% of respondents sup- for solutions addressing racial history and the NAIA’s history. headed putting us all together. inequality’s historical and onported cash reparations. The association was founded So, I will say that having her The study going impacts. in 1937 and comprises over step into that role as a mentor, comes as repaDespite 250 member institutions. advisor, confidant, supporter, “We need to growing suprations gain moBarnes also is a member of sister, friend—that has, I think, mentum across port for reparaspeak truth a very elite group of Black fe- made this journey a lot easier.” the country, tions, the poll about the MSR: How is the current male collegiate commissioners, with 23 cithighlights a all leading HBCU conferences college sports landscape at the generational significant gap ies and states impact of between supestablishing co m m i s s i o n s port and belief slavery, the in the past five in the feasibilgenerational years to study ity of federal impact of or implement reparations. reparations polWhile 36% of redlining, of respondents icies. Support Jim Crow laws.” support reparafor reparations is particularly tions, only 11% strong among younger Ameri- believe they will ever be imcans, with nearly half of those plemented at the federal level. aged 18-35 expressing approval. This “hope gap” suggests skepPolitical leanings also play ticism about whether political a role: 49% of Democrats and and public support will trans23% of Independents said a late into actual policy change. candidate’s support for repaPrinceton officials said the rations would increase their 2024 Reparations Beliefs and likelihood of backing that can- Sentiments Poll is the first didate. In comparison, 62% of comprehensive national surRepublicans indicated it would vey on the topic and will be negatively impact their view of conducted regularly to track a candidate. changes in public opinion over Vice President Kamala Har- time. Researchers said that ris recently addressed repa- by establishing a baseline of rations during a 45-minute public attitudes, “the poll will interview with the National help measure how support for Association of Black Journal- reparations evolves in the comists and WHYY public radio, ing years and provide essential making her most extensive data for those working to adcomments on the issue since dress historical racial injustices.” becoming vice president. Harris, who co-sponsored H.R. 40 Stacy M. Brown is NNPA as a senator—a bill to establish Newswire senior national cora commission to study repara- respondent. By Stacy M. Brown
Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes
Submitted photo
NAIA level? es for them? KB: We’re all still trying to How are we working with figure out how to navigate our institutions, collectively, this space, and how do we to move the needle? It doesn’t continue to keep the student matter what level you’re at. athletes at the forefront of Those are core issues that the conversation? How do we’re all working to address at we create quality experienc■ See BARNES on page 5
Twin Cities Black Film Festival rolls on—as does its founder
Natalie Morrow will attend events in the wheelchair she’s used while recovering from a stroke By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor ver its 22-year history, the Twin Cities Black Film Festival has grown into a premier fall event showcasing visual art written, directed, produced and starring multicultural talent from around the world. Not even when a global pandemic forced the festival to shutter its operations temporarily was the film fest’s future ever in doubt. But that changed early this year when its founder and CEO Natalie Morrow suffered a stroke. “Doctors prescribed that I cancel all events to heal, but I didn’t have the heart to cancel the film festival. I have to go with what the doctors say,
Natalie Moore, founder of the Twin Cities Black Film Festival Submitted photo but through the help of family and friends, we were able to honor those who submitted their films to us,” she said. ■ See TCBFF on page 5