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Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
November 14 - 20, 2024
Vol. 91
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Ending violence against Black women, girls Third in a three-part series By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor rittany Clardy’s family knew something was wrong when she failed to return home on Feb. 11, 2013. Pleas to the police for help went nowhere, even as the family insisted it was out of character for the 18-yearold not to check in.
The crux of the Minnesota Paradox is the simultaneous existence of Minnesota as the best state to live in and the worst state for Blacks to live in. Damir Khabirov economic spheres.” In his groundbreaking research, Dr. Myers notes these discrepancies. Minnesota regularly produces some of the highest By Tonya Jackman Hampton average student test scores. Housing prices are well below the Contributing Writer national median. The state nurtures a large arts community and a robust regional transportation network. Employers like 3M, Best innesota is celebrated as one of the best places to Buy, Cargill, General Mills, Target, and US Bank contribute to a live in the United States. With its high-performing vigorous corporate giving culture in which nonprofits flourish. schools, strong social services, and reputation for “Surprisingly, Minnesota is also putatively one of the worst inclusivity, Minnesota seems to embody the American ideal. places for blacks to live,” Dr. Myers writes. “Measured by racial Earlier this year, a nationwide ranking system using thousands gaps in unemployment rates, wage and salary incomes, incarof data points to measure how well states ceration rates, arrest rates, homeownership perform compared to others called Minnerates, mortgage lending rates, test scores, sota the fourth-best state to live. reported child maltreatment rates, school “These issues Beneath this veneer, however, lies a troudisciplinary and suspension rates, and even are compounded bling reality known as the “Minnesota Paradox.” drowning rates, African Americans are by misconceptions The Minnesota Paradox “highlights the worse off in Minnesota than they are in virstark racial disparities that persist, partually every other state in the nation.” surrounding the ticularly affecting the Black community,” The crux of “The Minnesota Paradox” is performance of says Samuel Myers, Jr., director of the Roy the simultaneous existence of Minnesota as Wilkins Center for Human Relations and the best state to live in and the worst state Black residents.” Social Justice at the Hubert H. Humphrey for Blacks to live in. School of Public Affairs at the University of Dr. Myers says understanding the MinneMinnesota. “While many residents enjoy opportunities for suc- sota Paradox is essential for recognizing how deeply rooted historicess and well-being, systemic issues continue to create signifi- cal and structural inequities shape residents’ lives. An examination cant challenges for Black Minnesotans in both educational and ■ See PARADOX on page 5 First in a six-part series
ReConnect Rondo aims high
By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
mative proposal that will start with the Rondo Land Bridge. ReConnect Rondo held a The construction of Inter- Rondo Plan Discussion and state 94 (I-94) pierced through Dinner at the Wilder Foundathe heart of the Rondo neigh- tion in St. Paul on Nov. 4, detailborhood, devastating the ing its vision for renewing the community. The impact was community. Their “Restorative astronomical. More than 700 Development Neighborhood homes were demolished, nu- Plan” has six key elements: merous businesses were displaced, and a vibrant cultural Transportation: district was torn apart. Rondo will be a place that Now, more than half a cen- provides safe and viable multury later, a community-led timodal transportation options initiative, ReConnect Rondo, is for all while applying innovaworking to restore what was tive approaches to mobility lost with a bold and transfor- and encouraging healthy living.
Keith Baker
Parks and open space: fabric of the Rondo community,” Rondo will foster a neighbor- said Keith Baker, executive dihood where people are connect- rector of ReConnect Rondo. ed to nature and their community. “The freeway cut through the neighborhood, wreaking havoc on the lives of countless Black Economic opportunity: Rondo will be a healthy local and brown families and busieconomy that supports entrepre- nesses. The scars of that deneurship and job opportunities, struction are still felt today.” develops youth, builds intergenReConnect Rondo’s work erational wealth, and is a hub of is grounded in the belief that the African American community. this community can be restored and revitalized. “How do you restore a community Housing opportunity: Rondo will be a place that that has been so devastated? provides equitable and afford- How do we bring economic able housing designed to re- opportunity to a community build the community in a man- that has been impacted in the ner that prevents displacement way Rondo has?” Baker asked. and builds generational wealth. “What happened to Rondo is a story shared by hundreds of communities across the counEnvironment and resilience: Rondo will become more re- try. These questions need ansilient by intentionally cultivating swers, not just for us here in St. its natural and social resources. Paul, but on a national scale.” The project will involve building significant community History, culture and arts: Rondo will sustain and grow assets, including housing, busiits identity, build community, ness incubation, educational and spark economic vitality so opportunities, and the land that Rondo becomes the cen- bridge. ReConnect Rondo has ter of African American cul- spent years working with local, tural institutions for the region. regional and state agencies to For many in Rondo, the de- secure the necessary support struction caused by I-94 was and funding for the project. During the discussion, Renot just a matter of lost homes but the disruption of a thriving, Connect Rondo’s leadership self-sustaining community. “I- team outlined plans to develop 94 destroyed the social, cultur- an Anti-Displacement Toolkit al, economic, civic and spiritual ■ See RONDO on page 5
Brittany Clardy “When my sister went missing, we called the police,” said Lakeisha Lee, now 35. “They said maybe she ran away with her boyfriend. We told them that was not something she would do.” Clardy’s body was discovered hidden under a blanket in the backseat of her car 10 days later when it was towed to an impound lot. Despite having a loving family and community surrounding her, the teen was groomed by a sex trafficker and murdered by a man who solicited sexual services advertised on Backpage. com — a since-shuttered website whose founder was sentenced in August to five years in federal prison for promoting sex trafficking.
overall population. A year after Clardy’s death, Brittany’s Place launched as Minnesota’s first and largest shelter and program for youth experiencing sex trafficking or at risk for sex trafficking. The state is now reaching another milestone as the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office hires staff to ramp up its work. Legislation to establish the office was introduced during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, making Minnesota the first state to establish an office to end the systemic neglect and violence faced by Black women and girls. The goal of the office is to honor the lives of those missing and murdered, elevate their stories, and prevent future tragedies through education, awareness, and transformative action. The office will support and guide families during law enforcement investigations; facilitate communication between investigators, survivors, and family members; develop and distribute missing persons materials; connect victims to mental health services, support groups, and crime victim advocates; and educate youth, families and the community. In March, Kaleena Burkes was hired to lead the office. Burkes formerly worked with
Kaleena Burkes “We had no idea this was going on,” Lee added. “Brittany was exploited by her boyfriend and killed by someone her boyfriend set her up with.” Clardy’s tragic story isn’t unique. According to data, 60% of Black women nationwide report being subjected to coercive sexual contact by the time they turn 18. In Minnesota, the statistics are equally grim: Black women are murdered at a rate 2.7 times higher than white women. In 2020, 40% of domestic violence homicide victims were Black, although they comprise less than 7% of Minnesota’s
the State Guardian ad Litem Board. During her nearly seven years there, she served as a program and training analyst and later became the organizational development manager overseeing statewide strategic issues, contract management, compliance, and the training department. She also formerly served as a research associate at the University of Minnesota Law School’s Robina Institute. As a first-in-the-nation office, there is no blueprint to use as a reference. “Minnesota is leading the charge, [and] it’s ■ See MISSING on page 5