Vol 92 / Edition 31 - Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

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More arrests made in Cities Church demonstration; federal agents accused of excessive force

“It feels like they are just coming after anyone who dares open their mouth,”

By Clint Combs Contributing Writer

ederal agents forced a Black English teacher to appear in federal court Feb. 27 wearing only his boxers after arresting him in North Minneapolis before dawn. This is one of several allegations of violent force from federal agents that emerged as Attorney General Pam Bondi announced new charges against 39 people under a law designed to protect abortion clinics.

“Drew is an African American man, and they had him looking like he was escaping from a plantation, which is absolutely absurd,” said civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong.

Andrew Edwards, an English teacher, told reporters he was given no opportunity to

From slavery to ICE: How money shapes Minnesota’s moral battles

By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer

In 1860, Eliza Winston was freed from Mississippi slave owner Richard Christmas in a Minneapolis court after the Christmases brought Winston on their vacation to Minnesota. According to the Library of Economics and Liberty, many white residents in the state were pro-slavery because of their economic benefit, even though it was illegal. Winston’s case is one historical example of how economic arguments have long been used to determine who is deemed worthy of rights, from slavery in Minnesota to contemporary deportation enforcement.

“Minnesotans were conditioned to accept the presence

By Alex

Nellis

uring the 19th century, it was unheard of for a Black woman to become a lawyer. Charlotte Ray refused to let this stop her. In 1872, she became the first African American woman to be a licensed lawyer, breaking through countless barriers. At the time, Black women were usually not allowed to attend college, most did not have jobs, and no women were permitted to take the bar exam. Charlotte defied all these limitations, and her legacy continues to inspire today.

of enslavers and enslaved people since the construction of Fort Snelling in the 1820s,” said Dr. Christopher Lehman, a professor of social sciences at St. Cloud State University.

“At this time, the U.S. Army allowed officers from Missouri to bring one or two enslaved people with them to the military installation.”

“At the same time, residents were conditioned to accept money from slaveholders,” Lehman said.

Fur trading posts owned by enslavers in St. Louis, Missouri, were linked economically to Minnesota. The people who ran these fur trading posts, including Henry Sibley, the first governor of Minnesota, and Henry Mower Rice, one of the state’s first U.S. sena-

tors, were paid by slaveholders for their work. In essence, the region’s early economy was intertwined with the institution of slavery, even as Minnesota itself was a free territory.

In the 1850s, steamboat travel on the Mississippi River became increasingly popular. Because of this, residents in riverside towns of Minnesota began to make significant money from tourism.

“In order to make southerners feel welcome, they have this unspoken arrangement at first, which is that whatever enslaved people the tourists bring with them, Minnesotans won’t pressure them to set them free,” Lehman said. “Even though Minnesota’s a free territory at first.”

dress before agents hauled him out of his home.

“I heard some things outside of my window. So I approached the window, and I seen the officer’s gun, and the brother told me go to the door,” said Edwards. “They took me outside, and the brother started to pull out his Taser, like he was about to tase me.”

Edwards was one of 19 people who appeared in court that Friday following early morning arrests.

Detailed accounts of aggressive agents didn’t stop there. Armstrong and other defendants said federal agents rammed their vehicle of Thomas Tier twice during his arrest at 4:30 in the morning.

“So one vehicle rammed his car from the front, one vehicle rammed his car from the back,” said Armstrong.

Agents also kicked in the doors of both Edwards and David Okar, a reporter who covers protests under the name Brixton Hughes. Armstrong said a neighbor repaired Okar’s door after the arrest. Okar is now the fourth journalist charged in the case, joining Georgia Fort, Don Lemon, and producer Jerome Richardson. Outside the courthouse, a jarring scene unfolded when Zak X arrived outside the St. Paul Courthouse Friday with mace. He was charged in December after photos emerged showing Zak wearing tactical gloves and punching protesters outside the Whipple Federal Building. Defendant Emily Phillips said she pleaded over her megaphone for federal agents inside the courthouse to intervene.

■ See ARREST on page 5

An early example of how

Charlotte’s parents also Meet Charlotte Ray, first licensed

Charlotte’s interest in law As a child, Charlotte’s parents were passionate about ending slavery and challeng-

ing injustice. They were active in the Underground Railroad, opening their home to African Americans escaping slavery. Her father, a minister, devoted his life to helping others. He worked with businesses and other ministers to assist citizens affected by the New York Draft Riots in 1863. Abraham Lincoln had just signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved African Americans. Many workingclass white Americans feared losing jobs to Black workers, sparking riots that killed thousands and displaced families. The empathy and courage Charlotte witnessed in her father inspired her commitment to justice.

“Unbought and Unbossed:” Shiley Chisholm’s

Rent strike looms as Minneapolis residents sing for eviction moratorium

By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer

With more than 200 eviction hearings scheduled in Hennepin County this week and thousands of Minneapolis residents facing mounting rental debt, community members are escalating calls for an eviction moratorium and preparing for a possible rent strike if city leaders do not act.

Minneapolis residents packed into City Hall early morning on Feb. 24 to sing songs of resistance in community and demand an eviction moratorium in Minneapolis.

Formed at the start of the Metro Surge in January, the Singing Resistance of the Twin Cities does weekly actions and partnered with the South Minneapolis Tenants Union this week to sing in City Hall, raising awareness about the need for a moratorium in the face of the Metro Surge aftermath, which organizers say has left many residents unable to pay rent.

“I think music in general is such a great tool for connection, and Minnesota has a huge history of singing on this land for hundreds of years,” Minneapolis resident and member of the Singing Resistance, G, said. He joined the group ten weeks ago and has been a part of the actions

since then.

Singing songs that are easily teachable by ear, the movement is designed to be accessible and easy to join. It draws inspiration from other singing movements during times of protest, including the singing revolution in Estonia and the civil rights movement. Most recently, members joined Brandi Carlile during her Minneapolis show to sing on stage, encouraging the 15,000 audience members to sing along.

“The effect of ICE on our streets has caused so many people hardship, and they are not able to make rent this coming month, so we need an eviction moratorium now,”

Minneapolis resident Maddie said. “Our voices are so powerful, and so powerful through song. I’m very inspired by the Singing Resistance, and we sound beautiful together.”

According to the city, at least 76,000 people, roughly 20% of Minneapolis’ population, are in need of urgent relief assistance. While the City Council has approved $1 million in rent assistance, residents say it is only a fraction of what is needed.

“We need evictions to stop.

People haven’t been able to go to work or pay their rent, and evictions are starting to pile up,” Mina Bravan, mem-

ber of the Twin Cities Tenant Union, said. “Even if we fought against the imminent threat of ice on our streets, we are now facing the imminent threat and crisis that is coming of evictions.”

From a shelter perspective, Director of Communications for People Serving People, Jennifer Gehrig, said the organization has seen a rise in families seeking help, particularly rental assistance. According to an article posted on the nonprofit’s website, 94% of the community People Serving

People assists are residents of color, leaving them among the most vulnerable to evictions.

“We know that immigrant families who are homeless may not seek help because they have to identify themselves to a government agency to get emergency shelter in Hennepin County,” Gehrig said. “Many of these families are hidden and living in spaces that are unsuitable, doubling (and tripling, etc.) up with others, living in vehicles, etc. to keep their families together.”

In Hennepin County alone

this week, over 200 eviction hearings are scheduled. Organizers say many residents are now preparing for a rent strike if a moratorium is not approved soon.

“This would create an economic crisis with rental debt doubling. With an economic crisis, landlords would actually be lobbying for us for once,” Bravan said. “They would be forced to demand what we have been demanding this whole time but have failed to be listened to, and use their power to influence our

Debbie Montgomery: A lifelong legacy of connecting her community

By Alex Nellis Analysis

In a time where we’re grappling with issues of political polarization and police brutality, Miss Debbie Montgomery provides an example worth living by. Miss Debbie is one of the most respected people in the Rondo community of St. Paul, MN. She’s led an incredibly diverse career over the past 50 years. She has served as a police officer, city planner, youth detention lieutenant, Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety, and teacher. Not only this, but she was also the first Black woman police sergeant in St. Paul. In addition, she was the first Black woman ever to serve on the St. Paul City Council. It should come as no surprise that Miss Debbie has left a legacy that her community will never forget.

Miss Debbie’s diverse résumé has an overarching theme: she’s a connector of people. When she speaks about her police work in interviews today, she emphasizes that law enforcement is a service profession, not a correctional profession. In every role, her first goal is always serving her community. Despite the immense impact she’s made, Miss Debbie remains selfless when reflecting on her career. To her, it isn’t about how she’ll be remembered. It’s about how she helped her community become a better place.

Growing up in Rondo: Lessons in community

Miss Debbie grew up in the Rondo community of St. Paul, MN, where she has lived her entire life. Throughout her childhood, she always felt her community was strongly invested in the well-being of

others.

“If you needed something, your neighbors would share with you, and then you would reciprocate back,” Miss Debbie reflects.

She felt Rondo was specifically invested in the next generation, believing young people were the next generation of leaders. She was raised with forward-thinking values that encouraged everyone to push toward progress and inclusivity.

Having grown up in the 1950s, Miss Debbie remembers seeing some of the major issues on television. One issue in particular, African Americans’ voting rights, stuck out to her. In the early 1960s, there were significant barriers to African Americans’ ability to vote. Despite the 15th Amendment guaranteeing the right to vote, racist policies like Jim Crow laws created exploitative loopholes in many states. It never sat right with her that minority groups were most affected by these policies yet had no voice to demand change.

Debbie Montgomery has spent more than 50 years serving St. Paul’s Rondo community as a police officer, city planner, teacher, and elected official, breaking barriers as the city’s first Black female sergeant and first Black woman on City Council. Her work continues to inspire young people and strengthen the neighborhood she calls home. Kerem Yücel/MPR

to the world and helping convince the government to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which finally secured African Americans’ ability to vote by closing loopholes that had suppressed their voice.

ing job where she could make a difference.

Answering the call: From city planner to officer

a new mayor was elected and restructured city government, eliminating her city planner position. With no other choice, Miss Debbie remained on the force.

Though she initially had misgivings about being the first female officer on the force, she was determined to prove a woman could do the job as well as any man. She accepted the position and quickly showed her skill in handling difficult assignments. Her first call involved breaking up a wild party hosted by a notorious motorcycle gang, a probable attempt to test and intimidate her. She de-escalated the situation with remarkable communication skills.

One question guided her work: simply asking “why.”

“I finally started using some psychology on them and said, why are you all fighting?” Miss Debbie recounts. “It seems like you don’t know how to get help on whatever this problem was that started the fight.”

state representatives. When we create an economic crisis, that’s when they listen; They listen to the money.”

However, not everyone believes a moratorium is the best solution. CEO of People Serving People, Hoang Murphy, said a moratorium without rental assistance could leave tenants in a deeper financial hole.

“A moratorium without rental assistance is just a debt trap,” Murphy said. “That’s the thing that we’re concerned about, is that if we just push for a moratorium, all we are doing is delaying this issue and taking pressure off the city, the county and the state from what is a much better policy, which is to make sure that the rent gets paid.”

Still, some South Minneapolis residents say they are prepared to refuse to pay rent beginning March 1, if a moratorium is not enacted.

“I like to say it is for protection today and for power tomorrow,” Bravan said. “It’s for the immediate protection of our neighbors, getting everyone what we need, getting good conditions, not living with mold, not living with ice on our streets.”

Izzy Canizares is a freelance journalist and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

tenant in the juvenile unit, a personal highlight. She loved working with kids, teaching them to reflect on decisions, understand their values, and use their gifts. Many of the young people she guided credit her with helping them find better paths in life. Today, she occasionally runs into these kids, who tell her, “I haven’t gotten into any trouble lately, Miss Debbie.”

When she was 17, Miss Debbie decided to do something about it. In 1963, she got on a train to Alabama to participate in the March for Voting Rights. This march involved protesters walking from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital, to fight for African Americans’ voting rights. She remembers walking ten miles every day and sleeping by the side of the road at night. The protests were a huge success, making a statement

During the same year, Miss Debbie was elected to the NAACP National Board. She worked with civil rights pioneers like Rory Wilkins, future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Allie Mae Hampton.

These experiences cemented the importance of community advocacy. The connections she made and the lessons she learned shaped the direction of her career. She would go on to study Political Science at the University of Minnesota and earned a master’s degree in urban law and planning. Her dream was to work in a community-fac-

Miss Debbie had never intended to become a police officer. As a city planner for St. Paul, she was asked by the mayor to enroll in police training. At the time, St. Paul was reforming the department to increase African American representation. The city had mandated ten African American officers, and when one officer dropped out, they needed someone to fill the spot for two weeks. Little did Miss Debbie know, accepting this offer would change the trajectory of her career.

She excelled at police training, passing with flying colors and even tutoring other struggling officers. However, during her two weeks of training,

For Montgomery, policing was never about fear or punishment. She believes law enforcement should help those who stray while holding them accountable. Addressing root problems strengthens the community.

Breaking barriers in law enforcement

In 1987, Miss Debbie graduated from the Senior Police Management Institute at Harvard University and became the first Black female sergeant in St. Paul. Her ability to connect with others made her a natural leader. She used her city planner connections to refer people in need during calls and taught other officers to enforce the law with the same community-minded approach. Later, she became a lieu-

Serving Rondo in City Hall In the late 1990s, Miss Debbie became Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety, overseeing the state’s Public Safety department and shaping law enforcement strategies across Minnesota. She retired in 2003 but soon ran for City Council, encouraged by her community. In 2004, she became the first Black woman ever elected to the St. Paul City Council. Her priorities on the council reflected the same focus on community connection: repairing the Jimmy Lee Community Center, supporting Black-owned businesses in Rondo, creating jobs, and expanding senior housing. She worked across political lines, showing council members why these were community issues, not partisan ones.

Advice for the next generation Today, Miss Debbie reflects on her work at college courses and events, emphasizing the importance of knowing what you care about. In a world full of distractions, she encourages young people to focus on their strengths and passions. By understanding what they can contribute, they can authentically show up for their communities, cutting through the noise and making meaningful impact.

Alex Nellis is a recent Communication graduate who grew up in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He is passionate about social justice and has completed graduate certificates in gender studies and cultural diversity.

Health

ABC wraps month-long campaign screening thousands for heart risks nationwide

By Stacy M. Brown

As Heart Awareness Month concludes, leaders within the Black medical community are urging renewed attention to a crisis that continues to claim Black lives at higher rates, even as overall cardiovascular deaths decline nationwide.

Dr. Anthony Fletcher, the 20th president of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and an interventional cardiologist at CHI St. Vincent Cardiology and Medicine Clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas, said the month provides a necessary moment to pause and confront persistent disparities that remain embedded in the health care system.

“Every month should be Heart Month, and every month should be Black History Month,” Fletcher said in a telephone interview. “This is an opportunity to focus, to pause for a moment, and to think about the significance of both.”

Fletcher was installed as president of the ABC during the organization’s spring 2024 membership meeting in Atlanta. Founded in 1974, ABC has a global membership exceeding 2,000 health professionals and advocates committed to improving cardiovascular outcomes in minority communities.

While advances in cardiovascular care have driven down death rates over time, Fletcher said recent trends are concerning. He pointed to an upswing in cardiovascular deaths that many clinicians associate with rising diabetes and obesity rates.

“Despite the improvements, there is still a gap in deaths among people of African American descent in this coun-

try,” Fletcher said. “The numbers are coming down, but Black people still die at higher percentages compared to our white counterparts.”

Hypertension remains one of the most pressing threats.

A veteran doctor who has served patients across Central Arkansas for more than three decades, specializing in all aspects of clinical cardiology, with an emphasis on patient education and prevention, especially in minority and underserved populations, Fletcher said high blood pressure often develops earlier in Black Americans, sometimes beginning in the late teens, and tends to be more severe.

“It puts us at higher risk for congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke,” he said. “Heart failure overall is rampant in the African American community.”

A graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio, Fletcher also highlighted transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, known as ATTR-CM, a genetic condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans and is frequently overlooked.

“It gets missed, even by doctors,” Fletcher said. “But ATTR is just one of many cardiovascular illnesses that disproportionately affect African Americans.”

Black Americans who have lived through delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialty care said they hope Heart Awareness Month reminds everyone of the importance of paying close attention to health matters.

“By the time I realized the shortness of breath wasn’t just

stress, I had already been to urgent care twice and left feeling brushed off,” said Audrey Wright, 38. “Chest pain is not the only warning sign. Fatigue, jaw pain, nausea, swelling in the legs, and getting winded doing ordinary things can be the heart waving a red flag.”

“Too many people are seen by providers butarenottreated to the goal.”

Maurice Boyd, 52, said geography nearly cost him his life.

“I live in what they call a cardiology desert,” Boyd said. “I learned I couldn’t afford to be passive. I walked into that office with receipts, not vibes. Heart care has to be treated like a plan, not a wish.”

Jeannette Coleman, 67, said family history should never close the conversation.

“My father died young, so

I thought I was ready for this, but you’re never ready,” Coleman said. “Do not normalize high blood pressure, and do not accept ‘It runs in your family’ as the end of the conversation. Family history is information, not a sentence.”

Beyond individual risk factors, Fletcher said geography plays a decisive role in who receives timely care. He described what clinicians call cardiology deserts, areas with limited or no access to cardiologists.

“There are at least three million African Americans who live in areas where they have access to no cardiologists whatsoever,” Fletcher said. “Another 16 million live in places where access is limited.”

To confront those barriers, the ABC launched its Cardiovascular Desert Initiative, a campaign started about five months ago and sponsored in

part by Amgen. The pilot focuses on Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with host cities including Atlanta, Jackson, New Orleans, and Little Rock.

The initiative takes a twopronged approach. One arm focuses on communities, beginning with LDL-C cholesterol screenings and education around modifiable risk factors.

The other arm centers on providers, offering education on national guidelines, consultation access, and direct relationships with cardiologists.

Fletcher said there’s a clear call to action. “We want providers to be able to pick up the phone and call a cardiologist when a patient is not responding to treatment,” he said.

“We still have a gap,” Fletcher demanded. “We just need to work harder, enhance the workforce, and improve educational opportunities for early detection and early treatment.”

The decorated physician noted the call to action must remain clear and sustained.

“The first step is awareness,” Fletcher said. “We have risk factors that can be modified, hypertension, cholesterol, weight, activity levels, smoking. People need screening programs, early physicals, and to know their numbers, blood pressure, weight, sugar, cholesterol.”

He said treatment must follow evidence-based goals.

“Too many people are seen by providers but are not treated to the goal,” Fletcher acknowledged. “Access matters. Education matters. Funding matters, so people can be screened and have access to the medications they need. Know your numbers,” he said. “Know your blood pressure, your weight, your sugar, your cholesterol.”

Throughout the month of February, the association and its members have hosted over 30 education and screening events across the country. From urban centers to small towns, ABC has carried the message that every heart counts. The organization provides a wealth of approved information and resources on its website available to the public at www.abccardio.org.

Stacy M. Brown is a senior writer for The Washington Informer and the senior national correspondent for the Black Press of America.

Fletcher added that progress is visible, pointing to a growing number of Black cardiologists and improved enrollment of Black Americans in clinical trials. Still, he said more work remains.

Second annual make hunger history summit

Anya Armentrout

Contributing Writer

Over 450 members gathered at Second Harvest Heartland’s second annual Make Hunger History Summit on Friday, Feb. 27 to advance the organization’s goal of eliminating hunger for at least 90 percent of Minnesotans by 2030. As of September 2025, Second Harvest reported that 1 in 5 Minnesota households are food insecure.

This year’s theme was “Emerging Stronger.” As former mayor Melvin Carter described in his keynote address, “Any one of the handful of things that you all have had to respond to over the last several months could have been the whole year in and of itself, but you did it. … You made sure the families had food on the table.”

For Second Harvest CEO Sarah Moberg, “Emerging Stronger” is “more than just a slogan. It is a promise that despite the strain and the disruptions, despite the growing need, we will not be broken apart.”

parents unable to go to work and many children who rely on school lunches unable to attend school. Moberg estimates that by March the organization will have delivered more than 100,000 boxes of food to Minnesota households impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforce-

tions officer at Second Harvest, said. “So the question then becomes: How do we feed the line, but also shorten the line?”

That’s why Make Hunger History seeks not only to feed people, but to ensure they’re no longer in need of food support. As Carter described,

tor of community partnerships and investment Angelica Klebsch added that they’re also exploring guaranteed income programs.

A key session reviewed the 2025 Statewide Hunger Data. The surveys Second Harvest conducts are unique in that they ask not only whether peo-

ment operations. The Trump administration’s current policies are pushing the hunger relief system to its limits, but the system was already overwhelmed.

"We've realized we are on an unsustainable path"

The federal government shutdown, Operation Metro Surge and rising costs of living have all strained Minnesota’s hunger relief system in recent months. Operation Metro Surge has left many

“The need that food shelves and food banks have been trying to meet for so many years goes up and up and up, and we've realized we are on an unsustainable path,” Elizabeth Cooper, chief external rela-

“You're not fighting hunger. If you think you're fighting hunger, you're missing the point. You're fighting poverty.”

Second Harvest emphasizes expanding its network to partner with organizations that provide housing and health care. Cooper explained, “We've got to create partnerships with the other basic needs folks and figure out how we work together to make sure that people don't cut their food budget because they need to make rent; people don't cut their food budget because they have to pay for their kids’ medicine.” Direc-

ple are struggling with hunger, but also whether they are being supported and whether they need more support, the first surveys in Minnesota to seek that level of detail.

Moberg finds hope in the data: “For the second consecutive year, we have meaningful new data from the statewide hunger study that will guide us. It will tell us which households are most at risk, where the gaps are the widest, and which long-term solutions must take root. The numbers prove that the old way of thinking, when we consider hunger to be inevitable

or too complicated to solve, is exactly the thinking that just keeps people hungry.”

The data was intended to be paired with federal United States Department of Agriculture data, but the Trump administration has revoked access. Michelle Londe, a data analyst at Second Harvest, said many organizations are now turning away from relying on federal data.

Second Harvest is also seeking more qualitative insight. “We are doing something called story banking,” Klebsch said. “We're going to different parts of the community within our service region.

… and we're asking two things.

One is: if you're somebody who has experienced food insecurity, what are some of the things that contribute to that? … We also ask folks who formerly experienced food insecurity but are now in a place of economic stability, what

helped you get there?”

The summit brought together 42 speakers with expertise spanning data analysis and public policy to donor relations and volunteer organizing. This breadth was intentional; while the first conference primarily featured speakers from Second Harvest, this one sought to bring partners into the conversation.

Moberg wants attendees to leave with energy, knowledge from their community and a stronger network.

“Minnesota's hunger relief network [is] one of the strongest in the country,” Moberg said. “That is why today matters. This summit is not just a gathering. It is our chance to build what comes next.”

Anya Armentrout is a freelance journalist, student at Macalester College and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

MULTIMEDIABusiness

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Lizzy Nyoike Contributing Writer

On the corner of 37th and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis, just a block away from George Perry Floyd Square, a memorial site that has come to symbolize both grief and resilience, sits Thrifty Nifty, a Black-owned thrift store built on faith, perseverance and a deep commitment to the surrounding community.

For store owner Mary Ferguson, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, who grew up in South Minneapolis, opening and sustaining Thrifty Nifty has not been easy. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, Thrifty Nifty was located in St. Paul, where Ferguson worked for years to build a steady customer base despite challenges with location and visibility.

during the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest and vandalism following the murder of George Floyd, ultimately forcing Ferguson to make the difficult decision to temporarily relocate her business.

“I couldn’t afford it, so I moved out,” she said.

Instead of closing her doors for good, Ferguson leaned on her faith, family and community support for a fresh start. Thrifty Nifty relocated to Minneapolis, closer to her family and in a neighborhood she felt called to serve.

“I didn’t give up,” she said. Ferguson officially opened her Minneapolis location in December 2025, bringing not only years of experience but a renewed vision rooted in accessibility for all, a vision that traces back to her childhood. Growing up around yard sales

Thrift store creates space for healing and access

need to open up a thrift store. So I decided to save everything that I had.”

Over time, donations began to pile up, and clothes

“It was hard because I was in a corner. Then people would say, ‘I can’t see your sign. Where are you at?’ And then the parking was bad,” she said. Limited parking and foot traffic made it difficult for Ferguson to sustain business, and over time, financial pressures began to pile up. Those challenges were heightened

and shopping at thrift stores, Ferguson experienced firsthand how affordable goods meet real-life needs.

“When I was young, we used to have yard sales and we used to have a lot of stuff. There were a lot of people coming to get the stuff for the low prices,” she said. “So I said I had so much stuff, I think I

were stored in her home and in storage units until she could secure a business location.

Inside Thrifty Nifty today, racks filled with clothing for men, women and children line the space, alongside shoes, jewelry and boutique-styled apparel. What sets Thrifty Nifty apart from other thrift stores is its approach to pric-

ing and purpose.

“I price them by what I can afford,” Ferguson said. “You know, like a pair of pants, $24 brand new tag still on them. That’s how they’re donating them to me. I’m selling it for $10.”

At a time when inflation is impacting everyone, Thrifty Nifty emphasizes quality and affordability. Ferguson sees her shop as an act of service to others in her community. If someone walks through her doors in need, she finds a way to help.

“As long as I see somebody come in here and need something, I got them. I’ll make it happen,” she said. That commitment to service extends beyond clothing. Outside of Thrifty Nifty, Ferguson also leads a weekly recovery group called The Struggle is Over, providing a safe space for people navigating hardship and trauma to share their challenges and be reminded that they have a life beyond them.

“I just want people to feel

that they do have a life out here, you know, because it’s a lot,” she said. “I call it, ‘The Struggle Is Over’ to let them know, we’re going through a lot of stuff right now, but that doesn’t mean the things that you’re going through can’t be over.”

“As long as I see somebody come inhereandneed something, I got them. I’ll make it happen.”

Even with Thrifty Nifty’s strong mission, the business continues to face challenges, including limited visibility and the need for a stronger online presence. Ferguson said she is actively seeking community support to help build a website and expand awareness.

“I want to get big like the Goodwill’s, but I want to be Thrifty Nifty,” she said.

You can visit Thrifty Nifty at 3653 Chicago Ave in Minneapolis.

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

ARREST

Continued from page 1

“I said hi when he drove by, and then he walked up immediately, brandishing mace, and he walked all the way up to the doors of the federal building,” said Phillips. “I was on my megaphone telling the Feds that they should come arrest him, but they called a regular cop who showed up like 30 minutes later.”

Phillips questioned why St. Paul police did not make any arrests at Cities Church

on January 18 if the Trump Administration believed the church was unsafe

“It feels like they are just coming after anyone who dares open their mouth,” Phillips added. “The police were on scene that day, and they didn’t arrest anyone on scene.”

For activists and defendant

William Kelly, the restrictions imposed by the court extended into his home. He said agents confiscated his firearms, passport, and barred him from leaving the state.

His wife Ariel Hauptman, who was also released that day, could not possess pepper

opportunities. There is also sometimes an attempt to tie a lack of housing availability to immigrants, she said.

spray as long as she lived with him. Kelly and Hauptman also said DHS took mouth swabs from them during detention, a biometric collection practice from ICE that privacy advocates point out has expanded significantly under Trump. Kelly said he believes the breadth of his restrictions reflects his history of political activism.

“That’s why I think I got the most restrictions, because they really don’t want me to continue going around the country protesting,” said Kelly.

Three days into his presidency, Trump pardoned 23 people convicted under the

same Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The law is now used to prosecute Civil Rights protesters at Cities Church. Among those pardoned was Lauren Handy, who was serving a 57 month sentence. Handy used a fake name to book an appointment at a DC clinic, according to a DOJ indictment. Once inside, her group shoved their way through the door when a clinic employee unlocked it for patients, knocking a nurse to the ground and spraining her ankle.

“WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” Bondi posted on

social media after the Cities Church protests. During her eight years as Florida Attorney General abortion clinics were firebombed and a mosque set on fire on the anniversary of 9/11. Bondi made no public statement calling for FACE Act prosecutions in either case.

For Wayman AME Church’s Reverend Anthondy Galloway, the prosecutions carry a deeper moral dimension.

“Christ said directly the most important commandments: to love God above all, and your neighbor as yourself, on these two principles hang all the law and the prophets,”

system up close and personal.”

said Rev. Galloway. “Empire is something that Christ was on the opposite side of.”

The case is part of a broader pattern of the administration moving against journalists and political dissidents. Last month, federal agents raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, seizing two cell phones, a laptop, and a smartwatch.

“This is not American. This is not justice,” said Kelly. “This is the Department of injustice.”

Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at combs0284@ gmail.com.

The Dred Scott decision of 1857, which denied citizenship and legal protections to Black people, effectively made slavery legal in Minnesota as a territory before it became a free state in 1858. In the months between the decision and statehood, there was an uptick in southern tourists, Lehman said.

Once Minnesota officially became a free state, laws against slavery were often ignored, ensuring a continued hold on the tourism industry. There was even a bill produced by congressman MacKubin (18201863) attempting to change Minnesota into a slave state during certain months each year to accommodate tourists, according to the Ramsey County Historical Society.

“There were plenty of Minnesotans who, even if they didn’t want to own people, were perfectly happy with taking money from people who did,” Lehman said.

Economic rationales were used to justify slavery in Minnesota, and similar rationales are used today to justify mass deportation.

Julia Decker, policy director with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, said a popular talking point from mass deportation supporters is that documented and undocumented immigrants are taking work

CHARLOTTE

Continued from page 1

emphasized the importance of education. When she came of age, she moved to Washington, D.C., to attend college. Despite rampant discrimination and most schools refusing Black students, Charlotte was determined to learn. She was admitted to the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth in Washington, D.C. At school, she was inspired by founder Myrtilla Miner, a strong advocate for educating African

SHIRLEY

Continued from page 1

in Brooklyn. She worked with local Democratic clubs, tenant associations, and education boards. At the time, political leadership in her district was dominated by men who were not interested in sharing power. Chisholm challenged them directly; she ran for the New York State Assembly in 1964 and won, becoming the second Black woman ever elected to that body. But that was just the beginning.

In 1968, she ran for Congress. Her campaign did not rely on traditional political backing. Instead, she walked her district. Door to door. She spoke in churches, schools,

“So many of those arguments, they’re not logical, and they’re very visceral,” Decker said. “They resonate very strongly with people who are having trouble for many, many other reasons affording daily necessities and are struggling to put food on the table. It is very easy to scapegoat a vulnerable group of people.”

“Economics is a powerful thing,” she said, “and that’s why economic arguments are so powerful.”

Immigrant residents in Minnesota have spending power exceeding $12.4 billion each year, and households paid $4.5 billion in taxes in 2019, according to a 2021 report by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The report also highlighted the immigrant community’s contributions to the state’s population growth, agriculture, health care, and food manufacturing sectors, along with improved poverty, unemployment, and homeownership rates.

“The success of Minnesota’s economy, both now and in the future, is intrinsically linked to Minnesota’s immigrant communities,” the Minnesota Chamber Foundation wrote.

In both the case of enslaved people and immigrant communities, Decker said there is a common thread: the exploitation of vulnerable groups.

Americans despite the racist climate of the time. After graduating, Charlotte helped train aspiring teachers at Howard Preparatory School, embodying Miner’s belief that every young person deserves an education, regardless of background.

Charlotte’s law studies Charlotte also dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Inspired by her parents’ fight against injustice, she wanted to make a difference through the law. At the time, law schools did not accept women, and no woman had ever become a licensed lawyer. But Charlotte was determined.

housing projects, and storefronts. Her slogan was simple: “Unbought and Unbossed.”

Chisholm won, becoming the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In Washington, she refused to play the role expected of her. She challenged committee assignments that pushed women and Black representatives into low-influence positions. She demanded a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, even though her urban district had little farming. She argued that food policy was urban policy. Chisholm spoke directly about poverty, education, housing, childcare, and war. She criticized both political parties when necessary. She opposed the Vietnam War and supported welfare expansion. She pushed for universal child-

Another factor she mentioned is that people benefit financially from the immigrant enforcement apparatus, similar to the industrial complex of chattel slavery. Money is allocated by the federal government for mass deportation campaigns, private prisons and detention centers earn revenue based on the number of people they hold, and companies that maintain the facilities are also paid.

ones who are buying and selling people, we’re just taking money from the people who do that.”

The physical and emotional distance from slavery’s atrocities influenced some Minnesotans’ willingness to support the institution. Decker said support for mass deportation has similarly fluctuated over time, and broader resistance appeared to grow when people directly witnessed the human

“I’m sure there are people who today are invested in having their communities look a certain way or have a certain demographic for whatever sense of comfort it brings them, even if it endangers the bottom line of certain businesses.”

“There’s a whole industrial complex that many of us are lightly contributing to and/ or benefiting from,” she said. “Some of us, maybe, don’t even know it.”

“Anytime a new detention center is built, there’s always the jobs argument, like, ‘We want to revitalize a small town; let’s build a jail,’” Decker added. “Incarcerating people for economic benefit seems like a pretty poor business model.”

Lehman, who authored “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State” and “It Took Courage: Eliza Winston’s Quest for Freedom,” cited a quote he found in his research: “We in Minnesota are not beating people or whipping people, we’re not the

Howard University, connected to the school where she taught, accepted women. Charlotte seized this opportunity, continuing to teach during the day while attending law classes at night. In February 1872, she graduated with a law degree. Just two months later, she passed the bar exam, becoming the first African American woman licensed to practice law.

Charlotte’s most famous victory

Charlotte opened her own law practice in 1872. Her most well-known case involved domestic violence. Martha Gadley

care and early education funding long before those ideas were politically safe.

Chisholm did not rely on rhetorical drama. Instead, she used clarity to convey her ideas, speaking in short, firm sentences and asking questions that cut straight to the heart of the matter. She did not soften her voice to make others comfortable.

In 1972, she announced her candidacy for President of the United States. Her campaign sought to upend our understanding of what was possible, to inject a healthy dose of imagination into the American psyche.

She became the first Black person and the first woman to seek the nomination of a major political party. Her campaign faced resistance from white

impact of the policies through initiatives such as Operation Metro Surge.

“Metro Surge has, I think, brought out a much clearer sentiment of supporting your neighbors and community defense and standing up for immigrant and refugee communities in the face of what I think is broadly seen as the federal government violently and vastly overstepping its bounds,” she said.

Before the federal surge, Decker said, people had seen flashes of deportation and may have understood the immigration system’s flaws, “but Metro Surge obviously was maybe the most overt expression of open violence that we had seen by the immigration

sought a divorce from her husband, an alcoholic who became violent when he drank. She had previously been denied, as women at the time had virtually no legal rights in divorce cases.

Charlotte represented Martha in court, presenting compelling arguments that convinced the court to allow the divorce to proceed. This trailblazing victory was extraordinary in an era when women had few legal protections.

Challenges Charlotte faced

As the only licensed African American female lawyer in the country, Charlotte faced enor-

politicians, Black male leaders, and many women who believed the country was not ready. Chisholm did not argue with them. Instead, she traveled and spoke. That old doorto-door beat.

Chisholm forced the Democratic Party to confront a future it had tried to postpone. Her campaign was not symbolic, but structural. It opened doors that others would later walk through.

After the election, Chisholm returned to Congress and continued working on education, social services, and civil rights. She helped found the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Women's Caucus. She retired from Congress in 1983.

In her later years, she taught, wrote, and spoke to students

For many immigration lawyers, she said, these incidents have been happening within the system for many years.

Lehman sees a historical parallel with activists in both eras, with people in each period going out of their way to ensure that individuals are free.

Winston met a free African American woman, Emily Goodridge Grey, who, along with her husband, were abolitionists connected to powerful local figures. Grey and one of her friends filed a legal complaint to help free Winston, according to MNopedia.

“All of the people who have helped targets of ICE in the state are standing on the shoulders of the people who were involved with helping Eliza realize her freedom,” Lehman said.

“It’s also important to note that, just like there were Minnesotans willing to help Eliza out, there were Minnesotans who were invested in making sure she stayed enslaved, and that’s a parallel I see nowadays,” he continued. “[Some] feel there’s just a no-holds-barred approach to treating anybody suspected with as much force as necessary to bring them to heel.”

People who opposed Winston’s freedom worried that it would scare off other southern visitors.

“It wasn’t necessarily that Minnesotans liked slaveholders,” Lehman said. “They just

mous obstacles. Records do not fully document her cases, but she struggled to attract clients. Many people were hesitant to trust a Black woman to argue their cases. By 1879, Charlotte no longer had enough clients to sustain her practice and made the difficult decision to close it. Yet she remained committed to helping others, joining Brooklyn’s public school system as a teacher and advocating for women’s rights through the National Association of Colored Women.

Despite leaving law practice, Charlotte is remembered for her bravery and determination. She broke barriers against

across the country. She told young people that leadership required stamina. She told women that disagreement was not the same as disloyalty. She told Black students that ambition did not require an apology. She died in 2005.

Shirley Chisholm’s legacy does not fit easily into inspirational slogans. She was often isolated and frequently criticized. She was seldom rewarded in her own time. Yet nearly every modern conversation about women in politics traces back to the ground she cleared.

For young people today, Chisholm offers a different lesson than many historical figures. She shows that courage does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like putting in the hard, mundane work, door after door after door.

appreciated that slaveholders were willing to come in as many numbers as they did, with as much money as they did. I’m sure there are people who today are invested in having their communities look a certain way or have a certain demographic for whatever sense of comfort it brings them, even if it endangers the bottom line of certain businesses. It’s more of an emotional connection and emotional satisfaction than a monetary one.” Lehman said there wasn’t a clear majority in either case.

“The majority of people who lived in the area where Eliza was being enslaved were not invested in helping her become free; there were just a select few people who were part of Emily Grey’s abolitionist network,” he said. “Even though there were two mobs that roamed Minneapolis streets to try to bring [Winston] back after she left the courthouse, those mobs did not make up the majority of Minneapolis. Similarly, the people advocating for the undocumented right now are not part of the majority, but neither are the people who support ICE actions.”

For a report conducted by Dr. Christopher Lehman on Eliza Winston, visit www. repository.stcloudstate.edu/ews_facpubs/6/.

Damenica Ellis welcomes reader responses at dellis@ spokesman-recorder.com

overwhelming odds, inspiring women of all races to pursue careers in law.

Her courage paved the way for law schools to take female applicants seriously and ultimately admit women. As the first licensed female African American lawyer, Charlotte Ray’s legacy continues to open doors for future generations.

Alex Nellis is a recent communication graduate who grew up in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He is passionate about social justice and has completed graduate certificates in gender studies and cultural diversity.

She shows us that literacy is not only about reading books. It is about reading power, reading the room. It is about understanding systems well enough to confront them without illusion.

Shirley Chisholm did not wait for history to approve her. She acted first and let history catch up later.

To learn more about Shirley Chisholm, “Chisholm: Champion for Change” by Dr. Tonya Allen from Planting People Growing Justice, can be purchased at www.ppgjbooks.com/product/ shirley-chisholm-champion-ofchange-paperback-/188.

Alex Mason is a Minneapolisbased writer and editor. He has written for nonprofits for nearly a decade.

Finance

Lynn Crump-Caine named Thrivent Board Chair, aims to inspire inclusive leadership

By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer

Lynn Crump-Caine began

serving as the board of directors chair at Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services company, earlier this month. She formerly served as a member on the board since 2016.

Crump-Caine said she is honored to serve in her new capacity as board chair at “one of the most unique and purpose-driven companies in the country.”

There is diverse talent ready to shape corporate boards, Crump-Caine said.

“I’m supportive of efforts to diversify the boardroom and build corporate boards that best represent the clients of those companies. I believe it would serve companies well to broaden their leadership lens and support more inclusive governance and I am very excited about what that could mean in our future,” she said.

“There are many great Black board chairs who have come before me and I’m proud to be in this role today - I hope I can be a positive example and role model for those who aspire to hold this seat in the future.”

When Crump-Caine joined Thrivent’s board she wanted to contribute and support the company’s transformation

and long-term success, she said.

“While I didn’t envision the board chair role at the time, this opportunity reflects both

my commitment to serving where I can add the most value and the trust I’ve worked hard to build along the way.” Bringing decades of lead-

ership experience to the role, Crump-Caine previously served as executive vice president of worldwide operations for the McDonald’s Corporation where she contributed for 30 years, according to Thrivent’s news release. She currently serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards,

and how she leads.

“I’ve built a strong foundation in strategy, governance and leadership development,” she said. “I also believe that people need to know who you are, and what you stand for… what your values are as a leader, if you expect to gain followership from them. These

“This opportunity reflects both my commitment to serving where I can add the mostvalueandthetrust I’ve worked hard to build along the way.”

including as a director of Advocate Health, board chair of Wingstop Inc., and lead director and executive mentor at The ExCo Group.

In 2005, Crump-Caine founded OutsideIn Consulting, which provides executive coaching, strategic planning and operational assessment for clients.

Crump-Caine told the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder that these experiences in corporate leadership, operations, consulting and board service, have each shaped who she is

principles and experiences have built the foundation of my leadership and prepared me to guide the Board and Thrivent into the future.”

Most recently in her time on Thrivent’s board, Crump-Caine served as chair of the Human Resources and Governance committee and a member of the Executive committee.

“As Board Chair, my perspective is now broader,” she said. “The role centers on guiding the Board as we oversee all aspects of Thrivent’s business and transformation,

including critical responsibilities like CEO and executive succession planning.”

Taking on this new role spoke to Crump-Caine’s commitment to advancing Thrivent’s purpose to empower lives of service and faith, she said.

Her priority as board chair is to “build on the strong momentum already underway and help Thrivent continue accelerating its transformation to serve future generations.”

Under the leadership of current CEO, Terry Rasmussen, the company is focused on improving experiences for its financial advisors and clients, informing the public on who they are and updating operations.

“The Board, along with Thrivent’s Executive Leadership Team, will continue this work, staying focused on helping more people build, grow and protect their financial wellbeing through purpose-driven advice,” Crump-Caine said.

For more information, visit www.thrivent.com/about-us/ our-leadership/lynn-crumpcaine.

Damenica Ellis welcomes reader responses at dellis@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Two legacy Black Newspapers close, citing financial pressures

By Stephen Magagnini

Over the last couple of weeks, two of America’s most respected Black newspapers, the Portland Skanner and the Richmond Free Press, have folded after decades of serving their communities.

Both publications cited the political and economic climate, along with mounting digital challenges, as revenue declined beyond recovery.

The Skanner closed after 50 years. The Free Press shut down after 34.

“The problem is advertising has dried up,” Free Press Publisher Jean Boone told The OBSERVER. “And the aura and influence of our national politics is such that corporations have ceased to take seriously or care about the Black community.”

Boone said corporate advertisers no longer see value in investing in Black media.

“Their view is Black consumers will buy anyway,” she said. “I’ve had people in sales told, ‘They’ll come and buy a car anyway.’”

Boone founded the Virginia-based paper in 1992 with her late husband, Raymond H. Boone Sr. She said racism continues to shape corporate decision-making.

“Racism is alive and well in this country and indeed in

Richmond,” Boone said. “DEI, the so-called new words for affirmative action, have permeated the decision-making tables of corporate America, and as such we have been left on the cutting room floor.”

The Free Press was a free weekly sustained by advertising. It published every Thursday.

“We believe there should be no barrier for people getting the information they need and want,” Boone said.

Two major advertising agencies eventually moved away from the paper.

“Their incentive is to work with large-revenue newspapers, for example The New York Times, where they get more of a fee for ad placement than they would with a ‘little pip-squeak weekly,’ as my husband called us,” she said.

At times, the paper waited months to be paid for ads. Meanwhile, digital readership failed to replace lost print revenue.

“A lot of people born in the late 20th century don’t want to read their news online,” Boone said. “They’re oldfashioned. They want a print newspaper.”

The paper operated what Boone described as an “underground distribution center,” placing boxes throughout the city where readers would take copies, often distribut-

ing extras themselves.

Launching a Black newspaper in Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, was never easy, Boone said.

“That aura looms very (heavily) in this city,” she said, referencing the paper’s efforts to push for the removal of Confederate statues from Monument Avenue. Despite threats and vandalism, the publication endured. By the early 2000s, the Free Press had built a weekly circulation of nearly 35,000, reaching an estimated 120,000 readers.

This article appeared first in the Sacramento Observer. For the original, visit https://sacobserver.com/2026/02/digitalchallenges-black-press/.

This poet’s creativity extends ‘Beyond Da Mic’

OnTheRadar:

New podcast spotlights

Minnesota’s Black creatives

From emerging talent to established artists, “On The Radar” shines a spotlight on Minnesota’s Black creatives, sharing their stories, inspirations, and impact on the arts community.

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is proud to launch its newest podcast, “On The Radar,” a multi-platform series highlighting artists across music, visual arts, literary arts, and more.

Every Thursday, a new episode will debut alongside an article and video feature. Through in-depth interviews, listeners, viewers and readers will discover each artist’s journey, creative process, inspirations, and insights for the next generation of makers.

“On The Radar” elevates the voices of artists, makers and storytellers whose work shapes cultural life and community identity across Minnesota. The series aims to connect, inform and inspire the Black arts community while offering practical ways for audiences to engage with performances,

studios, and creative spaces.

Community involvement and voting

A unique feature of “On The Radar” is community participation. Artists featured on the series are nominated by the public, who can also vote for the creatives they feel should be recognized.

Eligible artists must live in Minnesota, be between ages 16 and 65, actively pursue a creative practice, and be willing to participate in interviews, filming and promotion. Disciplines include but are not limited to music, visual arts, writing and poetry, filmmaking, photography, design, fashion, pottery, and other crafts.

Tune in every Thursday to hear the latest episode, meet Minnesota’s talented Black creatives, and cast your vote to help celebrate and support the next generation of artists.

Vote here: https://spokesman-recorder. com/on-the-radar-nominations/

By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer

Se’Anna Johnson began writing poetry regularly around age 14 as a way to battle mental health challenges she was facing. Writing became the only way she knew how to fully express herself. It allowed her, Johnson said, to acknowledge and converse with how she was feeling about herself, life and God. Little did she know that years later she would be recording a full-length studio album.

At 21, Johnson was unexpectedly pulled onto a stage to perform her work for the first time. While attending one of her favorite events at Augsburg College, she found herself drawn into a cypher.

“It was fight or flight,” she said. “I was like, ‘You know what? I know I can do this. They don’t know I can do this, but I know I can do this.’”

Her 16 bars were well received, she said, and from that moment she began performing more often. The Minneapolis Southside native is now a poet and emcee who uses conversational rap, “rhythm and poetry,” to speak more life, truth and light into the world.

Earlier this month, Johnson finished recording her first album. The project, titled “No Vacancy,” will be released March 23.

“[It] has been a really trans-

tural responsiveness around communal needs. She founded Beyond Da Mic, a movement that teaches literacy using what young people already know, hip hop songs and poetry. Her work includes writing rhymes with incarcerated youth as a behavior management and self-regulatory tool, as well as leading workshops and vision-mapping sessions for Black women centered on mental health.

“I’m just out here trying to get as creative as possible about serving my community,” she said.

formative experience for me,” Johnson said. “It’s been four years in the making, and it’s really vulnerable, and it’s really just a healing experience about learning what it means to be at home in your own mind, your own body and really just ridding of the things that no longer serve you so you can make room for the things that do.”

“I think my biggest thing is just figuring out ways to use storytelling to bring about fellowship and just really amplifying artasaresolute restorative means for community.”

Through work with nonprofits, government agencies and schools, Johnson blends her creativity with professional expertise to strengthen cul-

A musician and sociologist, Johnson combines those callings through education and community work. “I think my biggest thing is just figuring out ways to use storytelling to bring about fellowship, and just really amplifying art as a resolute restorative means for community,” she said.

Next, Johnson hopes to launch a collective that creates more spaces and opportunities for creativity across Minneapolis. She has the ideas, she said, but is currently planning, seeking funding, and building visibility for the arts and nontraditional education. Her dreams extend even further. Johnson wants to generate income she can reinvest into her community, and she hopes to own commercial real estate “so we have more spaces that are run by us and are centered on us and can just help us care.”

“I would love to be a touring artist someday, full-time, letting my artistry make room for me,” she said. “I would love more … contract opportunities with the government, so that we make sure the voices of the people are still being incorporated in decision-making processes.”

What felt accidental during her time at Augsburg, Johnson said, was actually God’s divine timing.

Damenica Ellis welcomes reader responses at dellis@ spokesman-recorder.com.

A state of the union: A five-year reflection on Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem

By Alex Nellis Analysis

On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s inauguration. At 23, she was the youngest poet ever selected to read at a presidential inauguration.

The nation had just been shaken following the storming of Capitol Hill. During a divisive time, Gorman tried to unite America through her poetry. Her poem centered around themes of pushing past fear, recognizing America’s struggles, and creating a more united path forward.

Five years later, America has only become more divided. These are times of great fear for most people, regardless of their political affiliation. In the five minutes of her poem, Amanda Gorman shared numerous insights that sought to inspire courage and action.

It is inarguable the political environment has worsened since 2021. However, Gorman’s vision for a better future is not lost. In reflecting back on her inspiring words, a number of the hopes she expressed are still possible.

Pushing past fear

In current times, we often forget that both political parties are having the shared experience of fear. One side feels that America is heading in a direction that’s terrifyingly wrong. The other believes we’ve already gone wrong,

and that we must fix things to be the way they once were.

Gorman’s poem stated “we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.” Since 2021, we’ve become increasingly quick to look for what “side” a perspective is on. Assuming there’s one “right” opinion to represent each political party diminishes diversity of perspective. This line in Gorman’s poem reminds us that political ideologies are a balanced scale, not a binary.

Another line in Gorman’s poem perfectly speaks to this. She says, “if we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made.” Fear has made us forget the importance of building bridges where we can, despite decreasing shared ground.

Gorman’s words remind us that critically engaging with ideas is more complex than simply “Democrat” and “Republican.” She advises us that “We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all.”

“The Hill We Climb” emphasizes the importance of critically engaging with ideas, not political parties. We have moved into a political climate where someone’s party is enough to make us discount anything they say. Gorman’s words encourage us to trust ourselves to engage with ideas, rather than identities.

Gorman’s poem provides

Moving forward

an essential reminder that “we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.” Five years later, this is more relevant than ever. The political polarization will not end by everyone agreeing, or political parties never judging each other’s ideas again. It will end by embracing our differences and imperfections.

Throughout her poem, Gorman highlighted the importance of not viewing the state of our nation as “broken” or “defeated.” She believes America is simply unfinished. This careful word choice highlights the importance of accepting that we’re always a work in progress. There is a point where we must look past the surreal landscape of where we’re at, and move towards

accepting that the current times are a place from which we can move forward.

Gorman’s poem emphasizes that “the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.” Our societal norms are socially constructed. Gorman’s words present a strong reminder that we must not be too quick to declare something is “right.” Fear often does not allow for meaningful critical engagement. It is only when we engage with curiosity and an open mind that we can move forward, and rebuild the bridges that have been burned.

is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” To get past these fearful times, it will take great bravery. Gorman does not mean bravery as being bolder about digging our heels in, or sticking fiercely to our unquestioned perspectives. Gorman’s poem pushes us to remain brave in envisioning a brighter future. This article is not to say there aren’t good reasons for our political division. There are many pressing issues in the world that are being addressed with shocking inad-

“Gorman’s poem provides an essential reminder that ‘we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.’”

Towards the end of the poem, Gorman shared her belief that America will “rebuild, reconcile, and recover.” These words are still true today. It is not about burning bridges in fear that our country cannot return from the state it is in. It is about trying to find shared ground where we can, and remaining open to hearing others’ perspectives.

A call to action

Amanda Gorman ended her poem with a powerful message. She said, “The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there

equacy. However, Gorman’s poem emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our past and present to create a better future. Her words remind us that staying true to our values, and listening with an open ear do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Alex Nellis is a recent communication graduate who grew up in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He is passionate about social justice and has completed graduate certificates in gender studies and cultural diversity.

Opinion

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By Eric Morrissette

At the start of this year, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released a report naming what many Black households and business owners were already living: signs of a Black recession. Not a metaphor, but a documented decline in living standards, marked by record Black unemployment, business contraction, and the cumulative weight of a 2025 policy agenda that has targeted the predictability, programs, and protections that Black economic participation depends on. That warning now looks prescient.

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fluctuates wildly, it becomes nearly impossible to determine how to produce and price your goods. In that environment, simply knowing what fabric costs becomes the foundation upon which every other decision rests. That basic stability has been denied, and this past week’s deliberate reinjection of confusion is not a detour from the pattern. It is the pattern.

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By Morris W. O’Kelly (Mo’Kelly)

I have long had a hate/hate relationship with social media. It’s where people try to impress people they don’t know with knowledge they don’t have, projecting lifestyles they don’t live: anonymous trolls, foreign bots, and bad actors included.

Still, as someone who works in news media, social media is a necessary evil. It’s currency. It’s professional footprint. It can determine job selection, or job exclusion. I left Twitter/X after it devolved into what I saw as a racist hellhole under Elon Musk. For me, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads were enough. I’m old. I’m not cool. I’m fine with it.

But what little social media I used was essential to my profession as a political and cultural commentator discussing everything from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein to Palestine. My blue checkmarks were earned through years of credibility construction, not a paid subscription. That matters.

And then, just like that, it disappeared.

Recently, my Instagram and Threads accounts were disabled and deleted for alleg-

edly violating terms of service regarding the depiction of children. According to Meta, my account either:

• Showed a child’s genitals

• Showed sexual activity involving children

• Sexualized children

Meta’s notice read: “No one can see or find your account, and you can’t use it. All your information will be permanently deleted. You cannot request another review of this decision.” No offending post identified. No recourse. No appeal. It gets worse. Meta also stated it is “required by law to report suspected cases of child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).”

Was it a discussion of Jeffrey Epstein misinterpreted by AI? Was my account hacked? I can’t tell you, and Meta won’t, because I “cannot request another review.” I’ve never been suspended on any platform. Meanwhile, trolls routinely call me every racial slur imaginable without consequence.

Years of posts, commentary, and professional engagement across two platforms, gone. I can’t even confirm which platform triggered the decision. Being a verified user once meant proving your identity and submitting a government

ID. That layer of verification means Meta’s report could carry legal or professional consequences. I work with children and must undergo Live Scan fingerprinting tied to DOJ and FBI databases. The repercussions of a report, even an erroneous one, are unpredictable.

Let me be clear: nothing remotely involving the sexualization of children has ever graced anything I do. Not privately. Not publicly. I’ve served on a federal grand jury that handled child pornography cases. I’ve worked as an advocate for women pre- and postMe Too. My life’s work is public.

There is no pornography on my phone. No hidden life. No behavior to explain. The problem is, I cannot prove that, and I cannot plead my case.

Today it’s me. Tomorrow it may be you.

Against the backdrop of increasing politicization of media, it is reasonable to ask whether this is merely algorithmic error, or something more intentional. We’ve seen pressures on major outlets, investigations into performers, firings of journalists, and open hostility toward dissenting voices. I can’t definitively say my account was targeted. But I can’t rule it out either.

My account didn’t disappear in a vacuum.

Top print, broadcast, and social platforms are increasingly controlled by owners aligned with political power. Whether I am a victim of unforgiving terms of service or part of a broader suppression effort, who can say? I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I also won’t ignore observable patterns.

This administration may be temporary. The internet is forever.

I’m not sure what my future social media involvement will be. If I hated it before, I hate it more now. At minimum, this moment should serve as a warning about how fragile digital identity has become, and how that danger extends to all of us. Even you.

This commentary appeared first in Black Press USA. It has been edited for style and length. For the original version, visit www. blackpressusa.com/ op-ed-meta-deleted-me-i-stilldont-know-why-and-neitherwill-you/.

Hours after the Supreme Court ruled the President’s tariff policy unconstitutional, a ruling that, whatever its complications, injected a measure of clarity into markets that have been starved of it, the President addressed the country and promptly injected further uncertainty, announcing he would impose different tariffs to offset those struck down. For Americans struggling with affordability, it was another whiplash moment. For Black-owned small businesses and the communities they serve, it was something more: the latest entry in a pattern of policy choices that have made planning, survival, and growth measurably harder.

Uncertainty is the policy

Uncertainty is one of the most disruptive forces for a small business. Simply put, you can’t plan if everything keeps changing. If you own a clothing business and the price of fabric

The Federal Reserve has been monitoring tariff policy carefully, and its officials have been unusually candid. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic described how businesses are processing the whipsaw of tariff moves: “We are all doing calculus now, trying to figure out sort of how this feeds through to our individual businesses, as well as to our partners, our suppliers, and then to consumers.” He noted that businesses were already passing tariff costs on to consumers and expected higher prices through the first half of the year. New York Fed research grounds that concern in data: 90% of the economic burden from 2025 tariffs fell on U.S. firms and consumers.

When small businesses contract

Small businesses are the country’s leading private sector employer, and when they contract, entire communities feel it. Black-owned small businesses face a compounding burden: broad economic headwinds from tariff uncertainty and the targeted dismantling of equity programs and administrative structures.

The data bears this out. Black unemployment reached its highest level in four years in 2025, while tariffs have driven up both input costs and retail prices. Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, the size category that includes most Black-owned firms, have shed 62,000 jobs since January 2025. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities was direct: “The standard of living for Black households and small businesses faltered in 2025 due to a variety of targeted policies… including tariffs.”

This is what the Joint Center meant by signs of a Black recession, conditions that, applied to the broader population, would meet the textbook definition of one. It is an accumulation of choices.

The Supreme Court’s ruling represented a narrow opportunity for stability. Instead, that opening was closed within hours. Congress can reassert its authority over trade policy. The administration can acknowledge that the uncertainty it is generating has measurable costs borne disproportionately by communities not positioned to bounce back.

As we close Black History Month, those communities deserve more than acknowledgment. They deserve relief, stability, and political prioritization.

This commentary appeared first in Word in Black. It has been edited for style and length. For the original version, visit www. wordinblack.com/2026/02/ tariff-whiplash-and-a-risingblack-recession/.

Women of color shape our past and future

By Sharon M. Holder

Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to pause and honor the women whose courage, intellect, and leadership have shaped our world. This year, that invitation feels especially urgent. We are living in a time when history is being rewritten, when DEI is being recast as a threat, and when the stories we choose to uplift matter more than ever. The stories of women of color must be centered, celebrated, and carried forward with intention.

For centuries, women of color have been architects of progress, even when history tried to confine them to the margins. They have led movements, built institutions, transformed culture, and expanded the boundaries of justice, leadership, and community. Their contributions are not postscripts; they are landmarks. Yet too often, their brilliance has been acknowledged only in hindsight. Women’s History Month offers a chance to correct that imbalance, not only by remembering the past, but by recognizing their leadership unfolding before us.

This legacy lives in Harriet Tubman, whose courage and strategic brilliance transformed the Underground Railroad into one of the boldest freedom operations in American history. In Barbara Jordan, whose moral clarity reshaped the nation’s understanding of justice and constitutional responsibility. In Madam C. J.

Walker, expanding both the beauty industry and the economic horizons of Black women. It dances in Josephine Baker, who challenged racism and resisted fascism. In Ida B. Wells and Dolores Huerta, who wielded truth and determination in pursuit of justice.

In Chien-Shiung Wu, whose experiments altered science, and Shirley Chisholm, whose political courage expanded the very definition of leadership. These women did more than break barriers; they built new worlds.

A powerful throughline in the leadership of women of color is how they lead: collaboratively, creatively, relationally, and with deep responsibility to community. Their leadership is grounded not in hierarchy but in connection, in the belief that progress is something we build together.

We see this in Kamala Harris, whose presence expands the boundaries of possibility; in Ketanji Brown Jackson; in Oprah Winfrey; and in Toni Morrison, who insisted that the interior lives of Black women are essential to the human story. It resonates in Simone Biles and Serena Williams, redefining strength through excellence and self-belief.

Today, women of color continue to drive breakthroughs in medicine, technology, the arts, politics, and environmental justice. Their leadership appears not only in boardrooms or public office, but in mentorship, advocacy, and the daily navigation of systems never

designed

and

whose work helped launch a nation into space. Celebration is important, but it is not enough. Honoring women of color requires intentional action rooted in equity. It means creating environments where their voices are valued, challenging the biases that shape who is recognized, and ensuring progress is shared.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us honor women of color not as symbols, but as leaders whose work continues to guide us. When we uplift women of color, we honor history and shape the future.

Dr. Sharon M. Holder lives in South Carolina. She holds a PhD/MPhil in Gerontology from the Center for Research on Aging at the University of Southampton, UK; a Master of Science in Gerontology from the Institute of Gerontology at King’s College London, UK; and a Master of Social Work from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, Texas. Dr. Holder discovered her love of poetry at the University of Houston–Downtown, where she published in The Bayou Review and the Anthology of Poetry. Today, she writes poetry as a practice of gratitude alongside her academic research.

Employment & Legals

State of Minnesota Fourth Judicial District County of Hennepin Probate Division Court File Number: 27-PA-PR-26-79

Estate of: Matthew Robert Lytwyn, a/k/a Matt Lytwyn, Decedent

Notice and Order for Hearing on Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy, Determination of Heirs, and Appointment of Personal Representative and Notice to Creditors

It is Ordered:

A hearing will be held via Zoom at 10:30 AM on March 30, 2026 by this court for the formal adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirs of the Decedent, and for the appointment of George Andrew Lytwyn, whose address is 15225 – 47th Avenue N. Plymouth, Minnesota 55446 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an UNSUPERVISED administration. If proper and if no objections are filed, the Personal Representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate.

To join the hearing log into https://zoomgov.com/join and enter the Meeting ID 161 201 2699 and Passcode 1234. If you do not have the ability to join by internet, you may join by telephone by calling tollfree 1-833-568-8864. Enter the same meeting ID and passcode and press *6 to unmute. Visit https://www.mncourts.gov/Remote-Hearings for more information and options for joining remote hearings.

If you object to this petition, you must file a written objection with the court by 4:30pm on March 27, 2026. Written objections may be filed with the required filing fee the following ways: 1) Mailed to Hennepin County District Court – Probate/Mental Health Division, 300 South Sixth Street – C4 Govt. Ctr., Minneapolis, MN 55487-0340; or 2) Electronically filed using the electronic filing system.

It is further ordered that notice shall be given by: 1) publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper in Hennepin County, the last publication of which is to be at least ten (10) days before the deadline for objections; and 2) mailing via U.S. Postal Service a copy of this Notice and Order postmarked at least fourteen (14) days prior to the deadline for objections to all interested persons as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 524.1-401 and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 524.3-204.

Any charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceeding be given to theattorney general pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 501B.41, subdivision 5.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes § 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the court within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

Date: February 23, 2026 Judge Koch Judge of District Court

Attorneys for Petitioner

Name: Gregory L. Singleton, MN 0395661

Donna R. Whipple, MN 0506740

Firm: Signature Law, PLLC

Address: 901 Twelve Oaks Center Drive #903

Wayzata, MN 55391

Phone: (612) 428-4002

Fax: (612) 428-4003

Email: gregory@signaturelawpllc.com

donna@signaturelawpllc.com

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder March 5 &12, 2026

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Morara’s tone-setting was in full bloom last Friday in helping Oakwood advance to the semifinals in their comefrom-behind 85-84 quarterfinal win over Talladega. The guard knocked the ball away and set up his teammate for the winning bucket with 10 seconds left, then repeated the feat to seal the victory.

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Oakwood had trailed by as much as 13 points in the second half.

Coach Jacob afterwards said of Morara, “He’s very passionate. He exemplifies the toughness we want to play with. When he’s playing hard, we’re tough.”

Rust College head coach Jalessa Sams guided a shorthanded roster through the HBCU Athletic Conference tournament, adjusting her defensive schemes to keep the Lady Bearcats competitive.

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Continued from page 10

and Mar. 1), marking the only HBCU on the Gophers’ 2026 schedule.

Big Ten play starts March 6 at Indiana.

“We definitely want to make the Big Ten Tournament this year,” Cosgriff said. “That’s one of our goals, to make the Big Ten and have a .500 or above winning season.”

Gopher 100 update Redshirt junior Anthonett Nabwe (Brooklyn Park) continues to rack up individual honors. After a recent weight throw last month, Nabwe earned her ninth Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week award.

From

(L-R) Coach Peter Miller and Anthonett Nabwe share a moment of success at the Big Ten Indoor Championships, where Nabwe claimed second place in the weight throw. Gopher Athletics

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Last weekend in Indianapolis, Nabwe finished 2nd in the weight throw and 5th in the shot put at the Big Ten Indoor Championships.

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After the win, Morara downplayed his performance: “This was a win or go home game and we showed up. I didn’t affect the scoreboard but I showed up in the moments when we needed it. It’s all about the heart.”

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A two-time reigning Big Ten champion, Nabwe currently holds three of the top-10 all-time throws in Gopher history. She is now preparing for the 2026 outdoor season, which begins March 20 at the USF Alumni Invitational in Tampa, Fla.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Morara had 11 points as Oakwood lost 80-71 to Tougaloo in last Saturday’s semifinals.

Fisk plays in memory of a fallen teammate

The Fisk University men’s basketball team entered the tournament honoring a slain teammate – 20-year-old sophomore guard Andre Bell was shot and killed in a targeted highway shooting in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 11. The Bulldogs lost to SUNO 109-84 in the quarterfinals.

Short-handed Rust refuses to fold Rust College and Paul Quinn College met last Friday in the women’s quarterfinals –both teams had six players.

“I started the season with 17 kids,” reiterated Rust Coach Jalessa Sams. “After Christmas break, I had six kids who didn’t want to play anymore.”

Hired in 2024, Sams is in her second year as head coach – she quickly pointed out that this season at Rust probably was her most challenging.

“Coaching this year and these kids, it’s been tough,” Sams admitted.

Please proof, respond with email comfirmation to ads@spokesman-recorder. com

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The Lady Bearcats’ shorthandedness again didn’t get in the way as they fought back from a 12-1 deficit to start the contest, then later erased a 10-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Oakwood 74-71 last Saturday and advance to the tournament finals against Talladega.

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College guard Patsy Johnson, the HBCU Athletic Conference Player of the Year, led the Lady Bearcats in scoring during their tournament run at Stillman College.

Johnson again led all scorers with 23 points. “We don’t give up even though we only got seven (players). We’re all we got and never give up,” declared the conference player of the year, who led the HBCUAC in scoring (18.1 ppg), was second in three-point field goals, scored at least 20 points 11 times, and once posted a 30-point game.

Sams said, “Patsy Johnson is a lovable kid. She loves the game of basketball and is a team player. She got Player of the Year because she is a team player.”

“As a head coach, your job is to know how to pivot,” reiterated Sams, who noted she usually is a man-to-man coach. “I did some research, learn some things to teach my kids. I do a 3-2 and a 2-3 (zone).”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

“It makes us go harder,” 5-7 guard Patsy Johnson told MSR after her team’s 78-49 win over Huston-Tillotson University last Wednesday – Johnson finished with 17 points. She later led all scorers with 24 points in Rust’s 72-58 quarterfinal victory over Paul Quinn.

Final Black History Month spotlight

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

he Committee Sports Group during Black History Month in February used its social media site to highlight Black coaches and athletes, and their historic accomplishments.

MSR received permission to reprint several of the Committee’s selections:

All artwork courtesy of Committee Sports Group.

Back to softball Gopher 100 update

There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 202526 academic and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Sophomore softball player Jae Cosgriff amd junior Anthonett Nabwe

he 2026 Minnesota softball season couldn’t have come fast enough for sophomore outfielder Jae Cosgriff (Livermore, CA.).

“I say it was too long. We couldn’t wait to play and get out on the field,” said Cosgriff after a game during the Gopher Indoor Classic (Feb. 20-22) at the Vikings’ downtown stadium.

Cosgriff, who played in 49 games and started 45 as a freshman in 2025, is eager to build upon her first collegiate season. With senior Breezy Burnett out for the season due to injury, Cosgriff is the only Black player on the Gophers’ roster this season. She was recently featured in a Black History Month spotlight on the school’s social media, as was

and has been my coach since I started playing softball.”

uscaloosa, Ala. – March Madness isn’t just socalled big-time schools playing post-season basketball.

“Win or go home” neutral-site games exist at all levels, especially the NAIA, where the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only all-Black conference at that level.

over Philander Smith University – his three-game week earned him the school’s Player of the Week honors for the week ending Feb. 15.

The 6-0 Farmington, Minn., guard had 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals in the team’s opening round 79-66 win last Tuesday against Wiley University, overcoming a onepoint halftime deficit. He had seven points and two boards in the 80-66 win over Dillard University the following night.

Burnett earlier in the month.

“It seems to be going very well compared to last season, my freshman season,” said Cosgriff, a biological sciences major. “I know how to handle my schedule and manage my time better.”

She had the chance to visit home during winter break, a time she described as emotional.

“I was able to get home and practice with my dad,” Cosgriff recalled. “It got very emotional a lot of the time because he’s always been there for me

Back on campus, her personal goal is to play just as much, or even more, than last year. “Just help our team be successful. Just have fun,” Cosgriff emphasized.

The Gophers played in Arizona last weekend with stops in both Phoenix and Tucson.

Cosgriff went 1-for-2 last Saturday in a 7-0 loss to Long Beach State, and she scored a run in a 4-1 victory over Howard on Feb. 27. Minnesota played Howard twice (Feb. 27

■ See SOE on page 9

For the second consecutive season, we were the only Northern-based media at the 2026 HBCUAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship at Stillman College, only my second time in Tuscaloosa, a town more known for the larger University of Alabama, nearly 15 minutes away from Stillman’s historic campus.

Rarely if ever do we see college basketball played by allBlack teams, especially in Minnesota, watching it among folk who look like me, where the crowds, bands and cheerleaders all have rhythm and soul.

“The difference… DI is athletically,” said Fisk MBB Assistant Coach Will Jennings. “They are also athletic in D2. In NAIA, the players are very scrappy. The skill level is very high.”

All four finalists, Tougaloo

College and Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) on the men’s side, and Rust College and Talladega College on the women’s side, are assured NAIA tournament berths. This year, SUNO won the men’s title and Rust College captured the women’s championship to earn automatic bids, while Tougaloo and Talladega received at-large bids.

Minnesota guard sets the tone at Oakwood Oakwood senior Naftal Morara is the only Minnesotan on an HBCUAC roster this season.

Morara earlier averaged nearly 21 points and three rebounds, including 24 points in a victory

“My role on the team is to be contiguous,” he told us after the win. “I try to set the tone in games.”

Oakwood Head Coach Simon Jacob said of Morara, “He leads by example. We gave him an opportunity (to become a

Fab Five Photos: South wins Twin City Title