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Inside this Edition... Read about plans for the Somali Museum on page 7.
Counting down to our 90th Anniversary
August 1 - 7, 2024
Vol. 91
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 1
Vice President Kamala Harris calls for reforms after Sonya Massey shooting
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By Jennifer Porter Gore
“sworn to protect and serve,” Harris said in a statement isice President Kamala sued last week. She was reHarris, the Democrats’ acting to police body camera presumptive presiden- footage of the shooting, which tial nominee, called for police authorities released Monday, reforms after the death of So- July 22. The vice president’s nia Massey, an unarmed Black woman shot to death by a thoughts are also with comwhite officer in her own home munities “whose calls for help in Springfield, Illinois, after re- are often met with suspicion, distrust, and even violence,” ac- Donna Massey (center), mother of Sonya Massey, holds a sign porting a possible burglar. Massey “deserved to be cording to her statement. “The at July 12 protest for her daughter’s July 6 shooting death at the safe” at home but instead disturbing footage released hands of a Sangamon County (Illinois) sheriff’s deputy. died at the hands of an officer ■ See MASSEY on page 5 Photo courtesy of 1221 Photography
MSR Founder and Publisher, Cecil E. Newman’s passing leaves an indelible void Publication Date: March 4, 1976 apsule to r ica l C H i s90th Publisher Cecil E. Newman. n this week’s MSR Anniversary countdown, As we approach the 90th we revisit the community’s anniversary of the MSR, we response to the untimely celebrate the foundational passing of MSR Founder and work Newman established.
MSR: Norma Jean Williams:
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A story of heart, humor, and legacy By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer
Norma Jean Williams
MSR file photo
man, and longtime friends Shirlee Callender and Callie Riser. Dauhn Jackman reminisces n the bustling heart of the Minnesota Spokes- about her youthful days at man-Recorder (MSR), MSR, where she lent a helping Norma Jean Williams’ legacy hand in folding papers for destands tall, radiating warmth livery. “I recall she would host and goodwill. Known for her the bachelor/bachelorette dynamic tenure as the former event at year’s end,” Jackman interim publisher, Williams’ shared, reflecting on her aunt’s impact on the publication commitment to fostering comand the community is fondly munity and social engagement. remembered by many, includ- “So, I would say she left a big ing her niece, Dauhn Jackman, ■ See NORMA JEAN WILLIAMS on page 5 brother, Wallace “Jack” Jack-
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MSR Newspaper Archives To read more about this historic event and others, visit our website www.spokesman-recorder.com.
Eastern Star Sisterhood provides charitable community support By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer
U.S.-established North American They have a Christian rather Freemasonry created for African than mythological foundation. “In our organization, we have Americans in Boston, Massachus a child, Leslie Byrd only setts. It was the first organization in Muslims, we have Christians,” knew the Order of the U.S. history dedicated to improving says Byrd. “So, we have folks of Eastern Star (OES) by social, political, and economic is- different religious backgrounds. their white dresses and sashes. Yet sues. In 1894, Prince Hall Masonic However, you must believe in a her maternal and fraternal grand- Temple was established as the Min- supreme being because we folmothers and great-grandmothers nesota affiliate. low biblical rules.” were members. The passing of The OES is its sisterhood The sisterhood exemplifies the generations before her made organization. “We are not a re- five heroines in the Bible: Adah, Byrd want to pick up the torch ligious group, but we have reli- Ruth, Martha, Electa, and Ester. and continue their legacy. gious beliefs,” says Byrd. “We It tries to emulate these heroHer grandmother’s grandma- try to build bonds of brotherly ines by providing charitable and educational support to its tron connected her with members love and sisterly love.” Much like the Greek frater- community. This includes backin Minnesota, and she became a member in 2001. She served in nal organizations on college pack giveaways and supportmost of the offices as an active campuses, they are a fraternal ing two food shelves: Hallie member and worked her way up organization. Yet, they are not Q. Brown in St. Paul and Sato worthy grand matron, a presid- affiliated with colleges or any bathani Community Center in ing officer of the highest authority. other organization, though they South Minneapolis. Eastern Star members are looking to serve more in the community. In 1784, Prince Hall was the first have state-wide jurisdictions. ■ See EASTERN STAR on page 5 Photo submitted by Eastern Star
Newly crowned Miss Minnesota USA shares entrepreneurial and charitable message By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor When Muna Ali graced the stage at the Ames Center on June 23 during the State Pageant Finals of the Miss Minnesota USA 2024 contest, she had no idea that her years of dedicated hard work would culminate in her literal crowning moment when she was named Miss Minnesota USA. Born in Rome, Italy, and raised in Minneapolis, Muna’s path to becoming Miss Minnesota USA was winding, filled with opportunities for growth and the ability to express her Muna Ali stands center stage moments after being crowned passions on such a large platform. Miss Minnesota USA 2024 on June 23. As the first in her family to Courtesy of Miss Minnesota USA 2024
graduate college, Muna pursued a career in the healthcare field to give back to her community. She graduated as a pre-med major, wanting to become a clinical therapist or physician’s assistant. However, she became interested in opening her own business and having alternative ways to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Before graduating, Muna launched a vending machine business where people could purchase healthy snacks. She learned as she went and could scale her business as her list of clients and locations grew. Unfortunately, she had to take a break and pivot from the business due to the pan-
demic and the closure of would ask me about it conmany schools and businesses. stantly. And I ended up saying, Despite this setback, Muna ‘You know what? I’m going to discovered her passion for turn this into a business,’ and entrepreneurship and was en- the first year did very, very couraged by the successes she well,” she said. Muna saw the requests inexperienced in the venture. Growing up, Muna’s mother creasing and quickly worked treated her colds and illnesses to keep up with demand. She with herbal holistic medi- took many lessons from that cine, which she cherished in venture and hopes to pursue it their relationship. Over time, at a larger scale once she puts Muna’s friends and peers be- more infrastructure in place came interested in her holistic to meet the demands that she practice and asked questions experienced. about the products she used, Outside of her passions for especially her use of nutrient- business and health, Muna has dense sea moss gels, which also done charitable work and took off as a side business of sees this newly awarded plathers. form as Miss Minnesota USA “I was taking sea moss a lot. as an opportunity to spotlight I would post it, and everybody ■ See MS MINNESOTA on page 5