PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
To Subscribe Scan Here
Inside this Edition...
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
September 19 - 25, 2024
Vol. 91
Read about Tito Jackson on page 8.
No. 8
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
What Walz’s long record on health care means for Black voters Although he represented a rural district in Congress, Gov. Tim Walz favored policies that benefited his Black constituents
Analysis By Jennifer Porter Gore ince President Joe Biden stepped out of the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have reenergized an election that was long on pessimism and short on ideas about the issues. That includes health care, which has long been a contentious issue in presidential campaigns and a signature issue for Walz. As Minnesota’s 41st governor, he oversaw or implemented significant changes in his state’s healthcare system on hot-button issues—from drug costs to gender-affirming
An avid hunter and former care for minors. With Harris as the first National Guard soldier, Walz Black and South Asian woman was a staunch National Rifle to win the nomination of a ma- Association member before jor political party, it’s worth ex- changing his stance, donating amining how Walz’s influence the campaign funds the NRA could shape health care for had given his campaign, and Black people if he and Harris advocating for gun safety laws. This is a crucial health issue: take the White House. While Walz served six Gun violence is the leading terms as a member of Con- cause of death among Black gress representing a rural, Re- children and young adults. Roughly 60% of Ameripublican-leaning Minneapolis suburb, the former high school cans killed by a firearm each teacher and football coach has year are Black, and they are a progressive-leaning health- 11.5 times more likely to die care record, one that’s closely by gunfire than whites. The tied to economic issues. But U.S. Surgeon General has deperhaps the most significant clared gun violence a public impact his record could have health crisis. on Black Americans is in the ■ See WALZ HEALTHCARE U.S. Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running realm of gun violence. on page 6 mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Photo courtesy MGN
African American leaders’ forum calls for connection and community building
By Al Brown Assignment Editor
gathering. “I think we got to a particular point where people understand he Minnesota African our connections across the rivAmerican Leaders Fo- er. So, in that regard, reflecting rum and Dinner, held at on the evening’s successes, I the Saint Paul Intercontinental would say yes, we hit the mark,” Hotel on Sep. 13, marked a Baker explained. The forum Festivalgoers lined the streets for The Selby Jazz Fest 2024. Photos by Steve Floyd pivotal evening for African was not simply a ceremonial American community leaders event, but also a platform for across the nation. With a mis- showcasing the collaborative sion dedicated to gathering, spirit that drives leaders to adconnecting, and building a col- dress pressing issues impacting lective future, the event spoke their communities. The evening drew an imto the strength and resilience By Al Brown sic and were treated to an array of flavors of communities in Minnesota pressive roster of esteemed Assignment Editor that highlighted the local food culture. and beyond. guests from Minneapolis and Organized through a part- St. Paul, including St. Paul n Saturday, September 14, the A changing of the guard nership between the African Mayor Melvin Carter, retired streets of St. Paul were alive with Marie Flowers, director of student serAmerican Leadership Forum Judge LaJune Lange, and forrhythm, laughter, and the unmistakvices and outreach at Walker West, exand Reconnect Rondo, the mer 3M Chief Diversity Ofable sounds of jazz as the Selby Jazz Fest plained that the festival is changing hands night encapsulated unity in ficer Bill English. Also present took center stage. Despite a brief rain scare after many years. She surmised the day and the face of shared challenges. were Kenya McKnight Ahad, earlier in the day, the inclement weather did the threat of rain earlier. Keith Baker, executive director founder and CEO of the Black little to deter jazz lovers from flocking to “No, the light rain did not scare us. Not of Reconnect Rondo, empha- Women’s Wealth Alliance, and the event, showcasing the resilient spirit of at all! We feel this was a perfect day and sized the significance of the ■ See FORUM on page 6 the community. As the evening approached, are grateful. the atmosphere thickened with excitement, Our mayor Melvin Carter proclaimed it culminating in an unforgettable perforto be Selby Jazz Fest Day,” she began. “Under the direction of Michael and mance by headlining artist Jamecia Bennett. Stephanie Wright, we at Walker West MuFrom the moment attendees walked onto the festival grounds, they were greetsic Academy helped make it happen. We’re ed by the aromatic blend of catfish, barbe- Jamecia Bennett commands the stage. grateful for all the vendors and supporters. For the Wrights, who have done a fantastic cue, and chicken wings that wafted through the air, inviting visitors to indulge in the delicious offerings from job of keeping this going all these years, we just want to build local vendors. The vibrant smell of culinary delights was just the upon the legacy they built. The Wrights started this and ushered beginning of the full sensory experience that the Selby Jazz Fest Walker West Music Academy into it.” promised. Attendees found themselves entertained by the mu■ See SELBY JAZZ on page 6 Photos by Al Brown
The Selby Jazz Fest outlasts the threat of rain Delivers on community, culture, and music
Cop who killed Daunte Wright offers use-of-force training
A planned training in Washington state has been canceled By Declan Desmond
Kim Potter, shown here in a Minnesota Dept. of Corrections photo
use-of-force training event for the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board was canceled after officials found out it was going to be led by Kim Potter — the former Brooklyn Center police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright during a 2021 traffic stop. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
called off the training, which was due to be held Sept. 23, after a Seattle Times reporter asked the agency about Potter’s involvement, the paper reported Saturday. Titled “Remorse to Redemption: Lessons Learned,” the training program would have seen Potter share her story with officers enforcing Washington’s liquor and cannabis laws, with the goal of helping them avoid or de-escalate use-
of-force incidents. In the aftermath of the Wright killing, Potter claimed that she mistook her gun for her Taser and did not intend to shoot the 20-year-old; nonetheless, she was convicted on 1st- and 2nd-degree manslaughter charges. She was sentenced to two years in prison but was released in 2023 after serving 16 months. “I think that if we continue to silence thoughtful dis-
cussion and silence training, we’re going to continue to make the same mistakes,” a board spokesperson told the paper. “It was apparent to me that she wanted to do whatever she could to effectuate change.” He added that he and Potter would host the training with another agency “if requested.” Declan Desmond contributes to Bring Me The News.