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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
February 2 - 8, 2023
Vol. 89
Phone: 612-827-4021
No. 27
Nichols killing fuels local demands for police reform By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
street surveillance footage show several officers striking Nichols’s head with a baton ootage of the police and kicking Nichols while he is killing of Tyre Nichols, held down on the ground. The after a traffic stop in five officers, who were all Black, Memphis, Tennessee, have since been terminated was released Friday, Jan. 27. and charged with secondNichols died from injuries degree murder over the killing sustained from being struck of Nichols. dozens of times over several Several Minneapolis orgaminutes by former Memphis nizations reacted to the news police officers after he was already restrained. The bodycam and overhead
Public safety requires a community united against violence
director of CAIR Minnesota, called the video of the killing “truly difficult to watch.” “For America and here in Minnesota today we’re By Abdi Mohamed waking up to what we have Contributing Writer always woken up to—sympathies, empty words, and s a 24-year nothing ever getting done to veteran actually hold police accountof the St. able and to actually call out Paul Police ■ See NICHOLS on page 5 D e p a r t m e n t (SPPD), Axel Henry (AH) has held various leadership roles in his career, which ultimately led to his appoint- SPPD Chief Axel Henry ment as chief by Photo by Jiahong H. Pan Mayor Melvin Carter last November. The new chief of SPPD enters the job at a time when the city has seen a rise in homicides and continues to battle gun violence. With several challenges facing the department, Henry believes that a system solely reliant on the police will not succeed, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in solving crime but more importantly preventing it. Henry has made a name for himself in the department, having led officer training sessions and recently commanding the Narcotics, Financial Intelligence, and Human Trafficking Division. When the department needed a leader to implement new Jaylani Hussein at the Jan. 27 press conference Toshira Garraway Allen speaking at the Jan. 29 rally programs and set an example for other officers, Henry was Photo by Cole Miska Photo by Chris Juhn ■ See HENRY on page 5
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on Friday and Saturday. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called the killing “brutal” and hosted a press conference with representatives from Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence (FSFAPV), and other local organizations. Jaylani Hussein, executive
www.spokesman-recorder.com
An interview with St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry
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Elders showcase artistry, share wisdom By Travis Lee Contributing Writer “Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.” — Unknown
Teaching artist Esther Osayande
social enrichment opportunities and reconnect with their communities after years of Covid restrictions and various degrees of isolation. Both programs collaborated to offer free, six-week
art and well-being classes at the three respective sites. “Many older adults lost their social muscle during the pandemic. Their will to engage outside their home had atrophied,”
Too often, the need of seniors to continue to grow and share their talents in their golden years gets overlooked or ignored. But on Sat., Jan. 21, MPS Community Ed and the Magnet Program met this need head-on as families, friends, and City officials came together for a joyful afternoon of art and storytelling. The occasion highlighted and celebrated the creativity and wisdom of elders across three Minneapolis communities—North Market (Northside), Sabathani Community Center (Southside), and Westminster Presbyterian Church (downtown). The “Sharing Our Wisdom” artist showcase is part of a larger project led by Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Community Education in collaboration with the Magnet Senior Program at Westminster. Organizers recognized a need for older adults to have Tommie shows off his artwork
said Angelique Kingsbury, coordinator of the Magnet Senior Program. “This project allowed them to get out in the community again, meet new friends, and ■ See ELDERS on page 5
Photos provided by Angelique Kingsbury
Concussions among many risks to Black men’s brain health Black Men’s Brain Health Conference during Super Bowl week no coincidence
By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer The Alzheimer’s Association, the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University, the NFL Alumni Association, and the National Institute on Aging are among the sponsors of the second annual Black Men’s Brain Health Conference, scheduled for Feb. 8-9 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. The two-day conference will examine how various risk factors contribute to Black men’s higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other brain disorders, and also will explore how the brain’s ability to adapt to significant sources of stress affects Black men’s cognitive health. The in-person and virtual conference being staged during Super
Bowl week—in the Glendale, Arizona-area where the game will be played—is not coincidental, according to George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Assistant Professor Robert W. Turner II. “We know that there’s no bigger event in the world than the Super Bowl, particularly in America,” Turner, a former pro football player, told the MSR. “Why is it that all of us who have played are not exposed to the same factors that can lead to CTE and other forms of neurodegenerative diseases, but others are? “What can we learn from each
other by studying this group that will rise, according to the national orgahelp protect us, will minimize our risk nization’s fact sheet: and help really focus on what makes • 99,000 people aged 65 and older us resilient. That’s are living with Alzheimer’s in Minwhy we decided to nesota. do this,” said Turner. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Facts and Figures report, Black Americans are about twice as likely as White Americans to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Because of missed diagnoses, older Blacks also suffer from this disease and other health issues more than older Whites. Alzheimer’s disease is also growRobert W. Turner II ing in Minnesota and projected to Submitted photo
• Almost nine percent of those aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline. • 171,000 family caregivers statewide bear the burden of the disease. • 156 million hours of unpaid care is provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers. • $905 million is the estimated cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program. Black Americans and Alzheimer’s: • Only 48 percent of Blacks report being confident they can access culturally competent care. • Only 53 percent of Blacks believe that a cure will be distributed fairly without regard to race. • Only 35 percent of Blacks say ■ See BRAIN on page 5