On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) presented Tracey Williams-Dillard, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), with a Congressional Record Award, recognizing her more than five decades of service in journalism and her unwavering commitment to amplifying Black voices in Minnesota.
The ceremony took place at the historic MSR headquarters in South Minneapolis, a building designated as a landmark for its role in the civil rights movement. Surrounded by community leaders, journalists, and family members, Williams-Dillard received the honor as part of a formal entry into the Congressional Record, the official proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
“Tracey Williams-Dillard has been a pillar of our community, ensuring that stories of Black Minnesotans are told with integrity and passion,” said Rep. Omar during the presentation. “Her dedication to journalism and to our community is truly commendable.”
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, founded in 1934 by Cecil Earle Newman, is Minnesota’s oldest continuously operated Black newspaper and the state’s longest-lived Black-owned business. Williams-Dillard, Newman’s granddaughter, took over as publisher and CEO in 2007, continuing her family’s legacy of advocacy journalism.
Under her leadership, the MSR has not only chronicled the experiences of Black Minnesotans but has also served as a platform for community engagement and social justice. In 2021, the newspaper’s archives from 1934 to 1964 were digitized, preserving decades of Black history in Minnesota.
“Receiving this recognition is a testament to the hard work of everyone at the MSR and our commitment to serving our community,” said Williams-Dillard. “I’m honored to continue the legacy my grandfather started over 90 years ago.”
The Congressional Record Award highlights Williams-Dillard’s significant contributions to journalism and her role in fostering a more inclusive media landscape. Her work continues to inspire future generations of journalists dedicated to truth and representation.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader response at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com