PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Find out more about the Midwest Greek Step Show on page 6.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
October 17 - 23, 2024
Vol. 91
No. 12
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Healing the wound at its source:
By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer n a time marked by profound social upheaval and in a state that research indicates is among the worst places for Black people to live given its profound racial disparities, Leesa Kelly stands out as a uniting voice for the Black community. As the founder of the grassroots group Memorialize the Movement (MTM), Kelly dedicated herself to preserving the murals created in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Four years have passed, but she knows there is still much work to be done. Among that work is an exhibit and corresponding catalog memorializing Floyd. “Art and Artifact: Murals from the Minneapolis Uprising” is a collaboration between Kelly and Howard Oransky, director of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery at the University of Minnesota. The exhibit runs through Dec. 7.
Memorializing George Floyd
Leesa Kelly
Amira McLendon
The corresponding catalog opens with a quote by Ida B. Wells: “Let the facts speak for themselves, with you as a medium.” What follows is a collection of essays and murals that respond dynamically to that rallying call. “Art and Artifact” is more than just a catalog; it is a curated collection of catharsis, reflection, and the demand for justice. The bound volume features 100 full-page color images and es-
says contributed by Kelly, former MTM and K.E. Nash Gallery intern Amira McLendon, and curators Leslie Guy and Seph Rodney. McLendon, now MTM’s collections manager, also curated the gallery exhibit. Together, they document a vibrant artistic response to systemic racism and police brutality, offering readers a glimpse into the collective grief and resilience of a community determined to ■ See FLOYD on page 5
■ See VOTE on page 5
New Biden rule means healthier water for Black communities EPA mandates water companies nationwide dig up and replace lead pipes
By Jennifer Porter Gore
is widely known as a major public health threat that is e a d - c o n t a m i n a t e d particularly dangerous to indrinking water is a fants and children. Lead expolong-known health sure in public drinking water is hazard that can cause devel- a longstanding issue that has affected opmental problems in children disproportionately and health issues in adults. But the nation’s Black communimany households still get their ties for decades. drinking water from utilities that use lead pipes — especial- Neighborhoods prioritized ly in Black communities. Along with the new rule, the A decade after the Flint, EPA announced $2.6 billion in Michigan water crisis made newly available drinking water national headlines, the Biden infrastructure funding through administration finalized a land- the Bipartisan Infrastructure mark rule this month requir- Law. These funds will support ing water utilities nationwide lead pipe replacement and into locate and replace all lead ventory projects, and 49% of pipes in their infrastructure the funding must go to disadsystems by 2034. vantaged communities as grants Speaking at a public works that do not need to be repaid. field office in Milwaukee, PresThe issue exploded 10 years ident Joe Biden called the new ago when it was revealed rule an overdue environmen- that the entire population of tal justice win for underserved Flint, a predominantly Black communities, which he said city, had been drinking water had “borne the brunt of lead from the Flint River pumped through lead pipes. The scanpoisoning for damn too long.” The Lead and Copper Rule dal erupted when scores of Improvements addresses what residents complained that the
Speaking at a public works field office in Milwaukee, President Joe Biden called the new rule an overdue environmental justice win for underserved communities. foul-smelling, discolored water fully resolved. Two years later, was causing skin rashes, hair authorities found record levels of lead in the drinking water of loss, and itchy skin. The issue has still not been ■ See WATER on page 5
‘Bringing Hope to the City’ Gala raises funds to end gun violence By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor ommy McBrayer Jr. understands the impact of gun violence. Home from college in 2010, he started selling marijuana to make money and get off friends’ floors and couches. After a drug deal turned violent, McBrayer was tied up, shot, and left for dead. “That was an eye-opener for me,” he says. “I knew I had to get on a different path.” McBrayer became a community organizer with CANDO, the Central Area Neighbor-
hood Development Organization, which seeks to build an urban landscape that heals, not harms, by eliminating systemic oppression. He also began hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, a free gathering in his apartment that grew into a significant community event held in public spaces. But even a turnaround in life didn’t protect McBrayer from gun violence. Almost a decade after that near-fatal drug deal, McBrayer was shot twice in the belly during an argument with an intoxicated family friend. The following year, a year in
Tommy McBrayer which Minneapolis registered 98 gun-related deaths, McBrayer founded Don’t Shoot Guns, Shoot Hoops (DSGSH)— a nonprofit committed to ending gun violence. Made up of ■ See GALA on page 5
City to present its vision for George Floyd Square By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
ity, and respect for the social movements that emerged from this tragedy. The city’s engagement goals innesota is at a critical juncture are multifaceted. They include of reconciliation. allowing for racial healing, fosIn the wake of George Floyd’s tering community relationships, murder on May 25, 2020, at the and ensuring that the redesign intersection of 38th Street and reflects the needs of local resiChicago Avenue in Minneapolis, dents. Feedback gathered from the area has been transformed community stakeholders noted by the community into a space the need for economic vitaloffering solace from the pain of ity, safety improvements, and shared heartache. spaces that encourage gatherOfficially designated as ing and reflection. George Perry Floyd Square, As the city moves forward, key the intersection became a fo- design principles have emerged, cal point for memorials, pro- focusing on creating a sacred tests and dialogues surround- space. Notably, officials have ing systemic racism and police stated that there will be no vehicbrutality. The city prepares to ular or transit access to the exact unveil its plans for redevelop- location where Floyd was muring the square at a dinner dia- dered—reinforcing the square’s status as a memorial site. log on Oct. 29. “George Floyd Since March, Square has been the city has col“George Floyd a dynamic comlaborated with the Black-led munity memoSquare is a place architectural rial space since of profound design firm the day George significance for 4RM+ULA and Floyd was murour city, and its the Cultural dered,” said AlWellness Cenexander Kado, development Minneapolis ter to conduct a will reflect our senior project series of dinner commitment to manager. “Comdialogues and visioning workmunity memcommunity-led shops to create bers and local transformation.” a comprehencaretakers have been preservsive blueprint for the square’s redesign. ing the memorials by working Public Works staff em- with artists. Rise and Rememphasized the importance of ber (formerly George Floyd honoring the voices of Black, Global Memorial) has led the Indigenous, and People of preservation effort.” Color (BIPOC) communities, In light of the city’s efforts stating, “This is a significant to reimagine the square, quesopportunity for us all to define tions remain about the path the future of 38th & Chicago.” to repair and forgiveness. Community engagement has Historical precedents, such as been a cornerstone of this memorials for victims of the Viettransformation, with many nam War, illustrate the imporresidents advocating for a tance of thoughtful design and redevelopment process that community involvement in ■ See GFS on page 5 prioritizes healing, inclusiv-
CORRECTION:
The article “Can more be done to help find missing women of color?” appearing in the Sept. 26 issue of MSR misidentified the name of the state office involved. The correct name is the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office, a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.