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Inside this Edition... Read about Terrible Monster Leonardo on page 7.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
January 16 - 22, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 25
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
January 2025 King would have made Answering the call: fentanyl crisis a top priority Ways to keep King’s dream alive By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer
swer the call. Timothy Berry, interim associate vice president for faculty artin Luther King affairs and equity initiatives for Day is a time to re- Mankato State University, remember the legacy members the marches and efof the most prominent civil forts to commemorate King’s rights leader in U.S. history. He legacy. From where he lived is one of the few leaders who in North Minneapolis, Berry activated change on a political saw the efforts to put King’s level without being elected to name among those celebrated public office. for their contribution to this Behind every speech he country. gave and every march he led “The holiday is fine, but it’s was a purpose, a call to action. more about the commemoraIn that spirit, many leaders in tion and remembering King in the Minnesota community are the same way that people recommemorating his life and member other so-called great legacy by continuing to an■ See MLK on page 5
By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer
astor Donnell Bratton has served the community through his church, Overcomer’s Victory, since 2008. He was able to help meet their needs through the Covid-19 epidemic and the murder of George Floyd. He now sees an “American crisis” and is calling the community to action inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bratton was a military kid who moved around to different cities. As an adolescent, his father got addicted to crack and ended up spending years behind bars.
VOICES
Khulia Pringle, educator Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s profound question, “What are you doing for others?” challenges us to embrace service as a moral responsibility. His legacy reminds us that true leadership is rooted in uplifting our communities, addressing injustice, and creating opportunities for all. Dr. King understood the power of civil disobedience as a necessary tool to dramatize injustice, awaken public consciousness, and push for meaningful change. I’m committed to honoring his vision by fostering collaboration, empowering families, and advocating for equity. His life inspires us to serve with compassion, courage, and unwavering dedication to justice.
Maria Sorensen, career coordinator, Sabathani Community Center To me, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day is a moment to honor the legacy of a man who fought for justice, equality, and the dignity of all people. I believe for my community this day represents hope, unity and resilience. And as an African American woman, this day reinforces my pride and my responsibility that I have every day. It’s a reminder that the freedoms I enjoy were hard won, and it encourages me to honor those sacrifices by using my voice to live with purpose and to contribute to my community’s progress.
With this essay written by Elder Atum Azzahir, the MSR launches its Community Voices series. Each week throughout 2025, space in these pages will be given to organizations working to end racial injustice across the state. We hope that these informed essays spark policy changes for an equitable Minnesota. By Elder Atum Azzahir Cultural Wellness Center otep! In the searing heat of life’s desert, there is a drive that keeps me forging
Russel Balenger, former St. Paul City Council member, founder of The Circle of Peace Movement When Dr. King was at the height of his career, I was in high school. At that time, we were talking about Black Power and the Black Panthers and what was going on in our community. As we were able to study the work of Martin Luther King, we realized what a great peacemaker he was. It’s the basis for my Circle of Peace movement. We want to have everyone’s voice at our circle; that comes from Dr. King. We know that his life goes on in us, but he should be here.
Pastor Donnell Bratton In his early teens Bratton lived in the rough parts of Denver, Colorado. He became heavily involved with gangs and the drug activity that accompanied it. Local police advised his mother to move her ■ See BRATTON on page 5
s we prepare to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the MSR asked community members to reflect on how his work continues to influence their lives today. See more responses on Page 6.
Pastor Curtis Farrar, senior pastor of Worldwide Outreach for Christ Ministries Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a major influence on me wanting to serve my community and continue to serve these 45 years. His commitment and dedication to serving the rights of the people spoke volumes to me. To this day, I am still impressed and impacted by his courage, and commitment to God and to the people. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a titan of the Civil Rights Movement, transcending the boundaries of race and social injustice to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for pro-
Kelina Morgan, VP of Housing Services of Sabathani Community Center One of the ways Dr. King is most impactful for me was his willingness to risk all for what he believed in — and to live that out, no matter what that would entail for him — to impact the rest of the world and the community that he fought for. In my role, whether it’s housing or working within the social services field, it’s really important that I stand up for those who do not have a voice, and to be in the places that I can be for them and to represent them well.
Tayo Daniel, co-founder of Smart North Dr. King’s legacy represents the fountain of youth, because you can plant seeds in people and it will continue to live far beyond you. I try to live out Dr. King’s dream every day by adding value to my community. We do that here by serving youth and connecting with emerging technology so they can compete in this digital world. A day of service is every day for me. Martin Luther King Day will be the day that I’m gonna be gathering with the community and helping people in their service to others.
found social change. ■ See MLK VOICES on page 6
The healing and health of our memory is our way forward
hope, to study what we do, and This scar on the collective conwhat we have learned from sciousness of Black commuwhat is done that makes us do nities shows us the enduring what we do. wounds of a distorted notion The ancient word “hotep” of what is human that has been means “Be at rest, be at peace, produced by another people and be free.” The symbol for from another psychic predisahead and not giving in. What hotep is a loaf of sweet bread position, a scar on the mind’s drives me is a relentless urge in the center of a table placed eye, leaving us blind to what to study peoplehood and hope. as an offering at all events or has been imposed on us. Peoplehood and hope coexist gatherings. Cultural reconstruction, the in our lives under the shroud of The word “peace” causes building of connection with Blackness. To study Blackness the scars of history to itch. ■ See CV on page 5 Elder Atum Azzahir is to study peace, freedom and