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Inside this Edition... See more 90th Anniversary photos on page 3.
Counting down to our 90th Anniversary
August 22 - 28, 2024
Vol. 91
No. 4
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
LONGEVITY SERVING THE BLACK COMMUNITY sota but nationally as well,” before referring to the MSR’s recent NNPA Messenger Award. Those fortunate enough to be on the boat were treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet, the chance to shop with Blackowned vendors and take their commemorative MSR 90th Anniversary portrait, purchase brand new MSR merchandise, participate in games and a raffle competition, and even engage Legacy Yacht Cruise sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hue-Man Partnership, U.S. Bank, and Andersen Windows and Doors. Bukata Hayes, vice president and chief equity officer with Blue Cross Blue Shield, the weekend’s premier sponsor, stated, “We are so proud (l-r) Gala host Angela Davis, MSR CEO/PublisherTracey Williams-Dillard, Next Generation of MSR legacy Leticia Alvarez, and award-winning song writer and to support an institution in producer Jimmy “Jam” Harris discuss the MSR’s 90-year legacy during the 90th Anniversary celebration on August 17, in downtown Minneapolis. Photo by Steve Floyd Minnesota celebrating a 90year legacy. The MSR has always been at the forefront, ensuring our voices are heard and valued.” Executive Director of HueMan Partnership Clarence Jones, speaking to why it is important to support the MSR, By Tony Kiene ful night sky high above one who shared a few short stories States, he asked Newman, tribute, as did Dr. Benjamin talked about building authenStaff Writer of America’s original National about Newman and why, in who’d been his confidant and, Chavis, president and CEO of tic relationships and the need 1934, he established what to- in Humphrey’s words, the one the National Newspaper Pub- to have “all hands on deck.” Scenic Riverways. No matter the weather, day remains the oldest African that “brought him up to speed lishers Association (NNPA). “The MSR is essential. It is he Minnesota Spokesman-Record- nothing would dampen this American-owned business in on civil rights,” to join him in Chavis, who, as a teenager, an invaluable resource, prothe White House. began his legendary and wide- viding accurate, culturally aper launched its 90th party, the first of two fabu- the North Star State. “My grandfather politely ranging career as a youth coor- propriate information about “My grandfather moved Anniversary Cel- lous nights paying homage to ebration weekend in style this the vision of founder Cecil E. here from Kansas City, think- declined,” explained Williams- dinator and Dr. Martin Luther health and other vital issues in past Friday night on its annual Newman and the force of na- ing it would be different. But Dillard, noting that Newman King, Jr.’s youngest staffer at our communities.” As always, the Legacy Yacht Legacy Yacht Cruise. Setting ture known as the MSR. it wasn’t, and he knew the Af- said to Humphrey, “‘There is the Southern Christian Leadsail down the St. Croix, the hisPhyllis “Showtime” Braxton, rican American community in still too much for me to do in ership Conference, told the Cruise featured first-class enMinnesota.’” assembled passengers, “The tertainment, including comtoric Majestic Star was at full the evening’s emcee, kicked Minnesota needed a voice.” Minneapolis City Council MSR has long been the eyes, poser and pianist Wenso Ashby, Years later, when Hubert capacity, and a few early spells off the evening, introducing of rain ultimately gave way to current MSR CEO and Pub- H. Humphrey was to become President Andrea Jenkins also ears, heart, and soul not only talented and emerging singer ■ See MSR on page 4 bright sunshine and a beauti- lisher Tracey Williams-Dillard, vice president of the United contributed brief remarks in of this community in Minne-
MSR celebrates its 90th Anniversary in grand style
Sustainability is personal A trip to the grocery store with an environmentalist
By Binta Kanteh Contributing Writer ost of us are mindful of waste and overconsumption to some extent. No matter the varied fluctuations of the economy, our habits around making everyday items as multipurpose as possible stay the course. The dozens of plastic bags in the kitchen cabinet that double as lunch bags and small trash can liners, the vanilla yogurt tubs that are used for other food storage, or the drawer filled with sauce packets and plastic cutlery are some lighthearted indications that, indeed throwing things away that could have another use makes you uncomfortable. I haven’t been inside your place. I just know. Where we are headed with the amount of stuff we consume—food, new clothes, and single-use products—coupled with current methods of industrial waste management is very concerning at best and somber when you understand the first-hand experiences of populations, often because
Environmentalist Filsan Ibrahim takes us grocery shopping. Photos by Chris Juhn of location, class, and/or race, that are forced to endure some of the worst impacts on their quality of life. One person who takes this seriously is Filsan Ibrahim, an environmentalist in her nineto-five job and a mindful consumer daily at all other hours. Over the past decade, Filsan has committed to studying and implementing sustainable
practices in how she purchases items of all kinds and, subsequently, how she disposes of trash. This approach to mindful consumption can be referred to as a low or zerowaste approach. Filsan’s list of to-dos at Cub Foods during a modest grocery run wasn’t long, but she shared a healthy dose of ■ See FILSAN on page 4
Flanagan named co-chair for Democratic National Convention By Izzy Canizares innesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been named as one of the co-chairs of this year’s 2024 Democratic National Convention. The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) named Flanagan, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, and Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (TX) as the four co-chairs for this year’s DNC, which started Monday and runs until Thurs- Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan at right Courtesy of Flickr day, Aug 22. headline speaker last Wednes- served in the House of Repreday, having been selected as sentatives for the state’s 46A the vice-presidential pick of district. “It’s an honor to Democratic candidate Kamala She is the first woman of be named a Harris, who will close the con- color to serve as lieutenant convention vention on Thursday. governor in Minnesota and the Flanagan told The Minne- highest-ranking Indigenous co-chair and sota Star Tribune, “It’s an honwoman elected into office. to highlight the If Harris wins the Novemor to be named a convention excitement co-chair and “to highlight the ber election against Donald around secondsexcitement around seconds- Trump, Flanagan will take over in-command in-command right now.” as governor from Walz and right now.” Flanagan was elected as would become the first Native Governor Tim Walz’s running American governor in Minnemate for his successful guber- sota history. The quartet will oversee natorial run in 2018, ultimately proceedings at the convention. becoming lieutenant governor Izzy Canizares writes for Gov. Tim Walz appeared as the of Minnesota. Before this, she Bring Me The News.