PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
November 3 - 9, 2022
Vol. 89
No. 14
Phone: 612-827-4021
www.spokesman-recorder.com
‘50 Over 50’ event recognizes diverse Black Men’s Legacy Summit delivers needed hope and energy leaders from across Minnesota By Julie Gordan Contributing Writer
upside—wisdom, experience, and the inner power to make change. Just ask the hundreds of guests and honorees who attended the 50 over 50 event at Quincy Hall in Minneapolis. Sponsored by AARP and Pollen, a nonprofit dedicated to helping society become more free, just and loving, last week’s event celebrated and recognized 50 Minnesotans who are making an enormous impact in their communities.
A
ge milestones tend to trigger quips and quotes, oftentimes meant to soften the dawn of a new decade and possibly hide the fact we are all aging. And while “40 is the new 30” or “age is just a number” are adages typically shared with a wink, they do overlook the reality of aging’s
Ranging from artists to media professionals to nonprofit superheroes, these changemakers are blazing trails for the next generation. “Disruptors come in all sizes and shapes. Some are quiet, and some are loud,” said Wokie Weah, co-emcee and a recent 50 over 50 recipient. She added, “They do what they need to do, whether it is running towards risk or feeding on ■ See 50 OVER 50 on page 5
Courtesy of ANIKA & Friends Leaders and community members gathered for the summit By Alvin Brown Contributing Writer
T (l-r) AARP Director Cathy Corkill McLeer, KMOJ General Manager Freddie Bell, and MSR Publisher/CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard. Photo by Terryann Nash
he recent Black Men’s Legacy Summit featured a powerful group of panelists and moderators. The Oct. 29 event in North Minneapolis showcased Black men who are widely respected and highly knowledgeable in their disciplines,
as well as many being dynamic speakers. The Summit, held at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, opened with remarks by BuildWealth MN’s David McGee and Jeff Robinson. They were followed by Rev. Alford Babington of the Stairstep Foundation and Trent Bowman of Midwest One Bank. They addressed the question: Why are we
here? Their remarks then led to a sit-down pen-and-paper session with Dr. Mahmoud El-Kati—one of the more renowned and respected historians in the world—giving a profound presentation titled “How did we get Here?” Dr. El Kati set the the tone—any conversation following him would have to ■ See SUMMIT on page 5
Homeless advocates demand winter moratorium on encampment evictions
By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) held a press conference outside Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s house on Oct. 28 to demand a moratorium on all unhoused encampment evictions. The group also held an “encampment protest” outside of Frey’s residence on Oct. 30, along with a supply drive. “We are here because housing is a human right, and for hundreds of people in this city every day that right is being denied,” said Simeon Aitken, who gave the opening speech at the press conference. “Now more than ever with subzero temperatures only weeks away, unhoused people face literal mortal danger, a danger that will kill people if they don’t have access to housing and basic necessities. “Now more than ever, strong Mayor Jacob Frey has the power to make immediate changes that would protect the right to housing and save lives but consistently refuses to use it.” The press conference followed four encampment sweeps in October, including an encampment protest where several unhoused Minneapolis residents set up their tents on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall. Timothy James McCarter, who is known in the local unhoused community as “Cowboy,” was evicted from the Near
to survive are being stolen from them, ripped apart, ransacked, and they’re being mistreated. Just like a lot of our families are being mistreated. It’s a connection—I stand up for humanity.” Young Eagle, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, has spent years living on the streets. “The first thing you experience when you’re on the streets is to be ‘othered,’ to be lessthan,” said Young Eagle. “People don’t see you. They don’t hear you; your words don’t seem to have the same effect or impact that they used to. They’ll walk right by you. I don’t care if you don’t hand me some spare change, but the fact that you don’t see me—that’s compelling. That says a Timothy James McCarter speaks at Oct. 28 press A tent outside of a city hall encampment protest in Oct. conference. Photos by Cole Miska lot about society and what’s wrong with society.” Michelle Gross, president of North encampment when it was awareness of the recent sweeps. Families Supporting Families Against CUAPB, said the organization was swept by Minneapolis police earlier “How else are you going to get people Police Violence, compared the plight of taking action because they were to listen?” said Trujillo. “You can’t the homeless to the plight of the famithis month. lies her organization assists who have “fed up with using our City’s resourc“It was a raid. They blocked it off keep the voices in your head.” es to engage in violent evictions. Trujillo wants people to get to had family members slain by police. for four blocks to make sure that no “It’s not as if the City has a lot of Garraway Allen said she was not one with cameras can even get in and know unhoused residents of Minneextra resources to house people record the cutting up of the tents,” apolis and to “treat them like people. at the conference as an activist or and they’re choosing not to be Go to a homeless camp and shake founder of an organization, but as “a said McCarter. housed. There are no resources for “I lost things that can never be hands with these people; they’re human being who witnessed other people,” said Gross. bought back,” said McCarter while your neighbors at the end of the day,” human beings being mistreated. “And when we go to the City and They’re having the last little bit of wiping away a tear. He lost mementos said Trujillo. we’ve been going to the city coun“Bring them food, material stuff what they have stolen from them just from his late mother in the sweep and cil, we’ve been going to the mayor they can’t afford to buy themselves. like we had our loved ones stolen has been unable to get them back. for weeks on end now, and we say from us,” said Garraway Allen. Alfredo Trujillo helped organize Take them out to lunch.” “The last little items that they have Toshira Garraway Allen, founder of the press conference to help spread ■ See EVICTIONS on page 11
Black votes decisive across the nation By Stacy M. Brown In-depth new research examining the priorities and concerns of Black voters over the age of 50 offers optimism and concern for Democrats and Republicans alike as America heads to the polls on Nov. 8. Individuals aged 50 and over, which includes millions of Black men and women, comprise the largest voting bloc in America and are considered the nation’s most potent voters. In detailed research conducted shortly before the elections, AARPsponsored data revealed how
older Black voters plan to cast their ballots, their significant concerns, and their likely influence. “Black voters 50-plus are going to be decisive in key elections across the country. That’s going to be especially true in the importance of determining control of the Senate,” said Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research. “Data does show Republicans are doing a lot better with Black voters 50-plus than they have historically,” Hogan reported from the extensive research. “I think both parties have a real opportunity
women, a critical cohort often overlooked by political candidates. “Black women say they are less secure than they expected,” said Margie Omero, a principal at GBAO Strategies, who participated in the poll. “While women over 50 are motivated to vote by dislike of a candidate, Black women are motivated by civic participation to make their voice heard or because it’s their duty to vote,” Omero noted. Courtesy of NNPA Omero further noted that Hogan counted as part of many Black women over 50 to boost their margins by protecting Social Security and the AARP and NNPA Pollster are changing in response to Medicare and lowering the Roundtable that included higher living costs. And similar a particular focus on Black to other women in the same cost of prescription drugs.”
age bracket, Black women believe that lowering the cost of food, reducing the cost of prescriptions, and protecting Social Security from cuts will help them the most. In a “She’s the Difference” poll of likely voters, eight in 10 said they support a Democrat on a generic congressional ballot. Most Black women 50 and older said they are still making up their minds about how they will vote in November. “This cohort is strongly motivated to vote, and making their voices heard is the biggest motivating factor,” Omero added. ■ See VOTERS on page 10