PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Inside this Edition... Read about Black reverse migration reclaiming the South on page 6.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
January 2 - 8, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 23
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Minnesota racism then and now Updating the ongoing struggle
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder just completed a six-part series exploring our state’s persistent racial disparities (The Minnesota Paradox). Addressing these disparities will require more of the persistent, collective effort that overcame slavery and Jim Crow. Since its inception, the state’s NAACP offices have collected data and received calls from groups and individuals detailing their experiences. It is through the NAACP that the MSR tells these stories of our struggles past and present. By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer First of two parts ince African Americans began migrating mainly from the South to Minnesota as newly freed slaves, they have been fighting to obtain equal rights. That fight continues today through everyday people addressing racism and discrimination in their jobs, sharing the history of the struggle, and community activism.
Buster Cooper and Yousef Mgeni have been on the front lines for several years in St. Cloud and St. Paul respectively. Their work has made a lasting impact on the communities they served. Mgeni and St. Paul Yusef Mgeni answered St. Paul NAACP’s emails and voicemails during his retirement. “Generally, [residents] contact us when they are at their wit’s end,” he says. “They are going to get evicted; their car is getting repossessed… ■ See RACISM on page 5
The fight for racial justice
DJ McCoy
Your journey to New Minneapolis sound financial wellness starts now rewrites the rules of hip hop
The MSR launches a new Personal Finance page
By Aria Binns-Zager Staff Writer
bap-y; this one is alternative,” Eris says. “I feel like the range gets more experimental, more messy, noisy. And it definitely goes into ranges that we haven’t quite hit yet.”
a deep connection to Minneapolis’ music scene. She moved to the Twin Cities to pursue a degree in music business with a goal of helping artists succeed. “I get excited
inneapolis’ vibrant music scene has long been a hub for innovation, and MAKR AN ERIS is the latest act to take it by storm. A powerhouse collaboration between veteran artists Sophia Eris and Mark McGee, the duo is rewriting the rules of hip hop with a sound that’s equal parts futuristic, rebellious, and undeniably fun. Their chemistry is palpable, creating music that “This album is an evolution,” when I see people’s gifts and speaks to a new generation of Eris explains. “We’re tapping when they’re true to their purlisteners while staying rooted into new sounds and telling pose,” she says. “If anyone has in hip hop tradition. a powerful story, especially the courage to step up and But what truly sets them from a woman’s perspective. share their gift, I’m going to apart is their commitment to I’m pushing my voice to places cheer them on.” pushing boundaries — musi- I’ve never gone before. It’s fun, That ethos of support has cally and socially — while stay- and I can’t wait to perform it been a constant throughout her career. Eris has been ining rooted in the community live.” McGee adds, “The BPM strumental in uplifting local they call home. Sophia Eris, best known [beats per minute] is higher, artists and groups, including as the DJ for global superstar the energy more in-your-face the Chalice, GRRRL PRTY, and Lizzo, takes center stage as — it’s got a riot vibe.” Absynthe. Her collaboration Eris’ artistic journey reflects the lead vocalist in MAKR AN ■ See ERIS on page 5 ERIS. With sharp rap verses and smooth melodies, Eris seamlessly complements McGee’s turbulent, experimental production. Their music is as much a call to action as it is an invitation to dance. “We throw a little chaos into the mix, but it’s all about pushing boundaries and having fun doing it,” Eris says. Their journey as a duo has already resulted in two albums, including their critically acclaimed project ME 2. Now they’re gearing up for their next release, “Lilith,” an album that dives into themes of rebellion, feminism and empowerment. Inspired by the Biblical figure Lilith, known for her defiance and independence, the album features live drums and experimental sounds that take their artistry to the next level. “I think ‘Lilith’ is way more aggressive, faster, more coherent. I think it truly is alter- What sets MAKR AN ERIS apart is their commitment to pushnative hip hop. I feel like the ing boundaries — musically and socially — while staying rooted Courtesy photo other ones were more boom in the community they call home.
“We’re tapping into new sounds and telling a powerful story, especially from a woman’s perspective.”
Factors impacting the African American community’s financial literacy are systemic and personal. Jacob Wackerhausen By Tiffany Johnson Contributing Writer he New Year is finally here and it is the perfect time for goal-setting. While most resolutions become a distant dream by February, it doesn’t mean we can’t begin making incremental growth. And why not start with our money? No one can promise you’ll be a millionaire by the end of the year, though one can always hope. But it is possible to lay the foundation for a life of financial health and prosperity. This year is about growth. According to the World Economic Forum, financial literacy in the U.S. hovers somewhere around 50%. The Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index), an annual survey that measures competency in financial literacy — including areas of earning, consuming, investing, borrowing, and managing debt — reveals an even greater racial disparity. The P-Fin Index results show that Black Americans answered only 38% of the questions correctly compared to 55% of white adults. Among the survey’s other key findings:
• Men, older people, those ing a Personal Finance page. with more formal education, The page will serve the and people with higher salaries community by promoting fiare more financially literate nancial literacy from the Afin the community of African rican American perspective, Americans than younger people. providing education, expert • African Americans’ best voices, and resources to help score was in borrowing and the community grow their dolmanaging debt. lar, make an intentional eco• The least understood nomic impact, and create genaspect of personal finance erational wealth. among African Americans is insurance, followed closely by The wealth gap in understanding risk, investing, America reveals and recognizing reliable inforthe median wealth for mation sources. a Black household is • In 2019, before Covid-19 just more than and its economic effects, Afri$24,000 compared can Americans were more liketo $188,200 for white ly than whites to lack financial resilience. households. This • Functional financial litinequality is a eracy saves people from rainy barrier to effectively days and debts. managing, saving This study also emphasized and investing. the need for proper financial education to increase the literacy rate. Given the differences The wealth gap in America in financial literacy resources reveals the median wealth for among African Americans out- a Black household is just more lined in research and the finan- than $24,000 compared to cial literacy gap between Afri- $188,200 for white households. can Americans and whites, it is This inequality is a barrier to efcrucial for efforts to address the fectively managing, saving and specific needs of our commu- investing. Furthermore, without nity. This is why the Minnesota ■ See FINANCIAL PAGE on page 5 Spokesman-Recorder is launch-