Mike Tate has been at North Commons Park since 1973. On Blacklight on Sports, he talks with Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald about the years-long fight to build the new fieldhouse, the collapse of Minneapolis youth sports and why showing up to meetings matters.
Emmanuel Duncan
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Vince Wright on Building “Sports Done Wright” and Why Minnesota Sports Deserves More Attention
Vince Wright started “Sports Done Wright” with an iPad in his basement and no real plan. On Blacklight on Sports, he talks with Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald about covering Minnesota sports, the missing Black fans at Gophers games and why the university should make peace with Clem Haskins.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Brett Buckner on North Commons, Community Building, and the Work That Never Stops
Brett Buckner does not call himself an activist. He calls himself a servant. On Blacklight on Sports, the North Minneapolis organizer talks with Charles Hallman about the 12-year push for the North Commons fieldhouse, the Blue Line extension, voting and the lessons he took home from Hampton University.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Reggie Wilson and Alexis Rogers on Building Community, Losing Jobs, and Finding Purpose Beyond the Anchor Desk
For the first time, Blacklight on Sports welcomes a husband and wife. Reggie Wilson and Alexis Rogers, who both made history at KARE 11, talk layoffs, faith and building their storytelling business, I Speak People.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Driving change from the ground up: Jonathan on civic engagement and mentorship
Twin Cities activist Jonathan Mason sat down with Black Light on Sports to discuss moving beyond athletics, combatting food deserts, and building the region’s first Black-owned USDA-certified processing facility.
Posted inMSR On the Radar
MSR On the Radar: Devin Boeing is revolutionizing tech education in Minnesota
In the ever-evolving world of technology, 26-year-old Devin Boeing is creating a pipeline for the next generation, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to have a seat at the tech table. Boeing is the CEO and founder of Cryptic Institute, where he teaches technology and finance to everyday people. In a recent […]
Posted inTracey’s Keepin' It Real
Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis return to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder studio to reflect on their Twin Cities roots, the hustle behind the “Minneapolis Sound,” and why authentic Black media matters.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Adrian Turner, David Collier, and Aaron Turner on Leading Programs, Representation, and the Black Coach Mentality
Three Black coaches and administrators from Minnesota suburban high schools join Blacklight on Sports to talk representation, rebuilding programs and what it means to lead systems not always built with them in mind.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Arriel McDonald on Playing for Clem Haskins, a Career Across Eight Countries, and Why He Never Regrets Choosing Minnesota
U of M basketball legend Arriel McDonald joins Blacklight on Sports to break down his epic journey from playing under Clem Haskins to an 18-year international career and why Minnesota remains home.
Posted inOn the Radar
MSR On the Radar: Tommy McNeal, the man behind a new 30,000-square-foot business and event center
Retiring from corporate America to build generational wealth, Tommy McNeal is creating an 8-acre business and event hub in Brooklyn Center featuring a 1,000-seat venue, business incubator, commercial kitchen, and community housing pipeline.
Posted inYouth Financial Education
MSR Youth Financial Education Series: Javon Coen on Bowling Scholarships, Saving Smart, and Building Financial Discipline
A bowling scholarship changed Javon Coen’s life. Now heading into his senior year, he talks with MSR’s Prescott Jones about saving smart, working since 15, and why the years before adulthood are the best window to build financial discipline.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Justus Dayee on State Tournaments, Entrepreneurship, and Carrying the Legacy of Clyde Turner
At 15, Justus Dayee has played state tournament basketball, run his own business, and carries the legacy of his late grandfather, Clyde Turner. He joins Blacklight on Sports to tell his story.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Joshua Brown on Going Pro, Playing for the Lynx, and a 51-Point Farewell to the Canary Islands
From a late-blooming role player at Park Center to a 51-point farewell in the Canary Islands, Joshua Brown joins Blacklight on Sports to talk about five years at Duluth, his first pro season, and life as a Minnesota Lynx practice player.
Posted inTracey’s Keepin' It Real
Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real: Frank Brown and Tina Schlief on Customer Service, Communication, and the Dos and Don’ts of Doing Business
“The customer is always right” is a myth, says Minuteman Press Uptown owner Frank Brown. On this episode of Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real, Brown and consumer Tina Schlief join host Tracey Williams-Dillard for a candid conversation about customer service, communication and why Black-owned businesses need to stop offering discounts on request.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight on Sports: Timberwolves Executive Terrell Battle on Coach Gaines, Stephen A. Smith, and Raising Two Pro Basketball Players
A phone call from Coach “Big House” Gaines sent Terrell Battle to Minnesota in 1992. Three decades, a Timberwolves career and two professional-athlete kids later, he joins Blacklight on Sports to talk about his journey, his friendship with Stephen A. Smith, and raising pros without ever forcing it.
Posted in4UR HEALTH
4UR Health: NC A&T Researcher Dr. Angelo Moore on Men’s Health, Fatherhood, and AI’s Role in Closing Health Disparities
On the MSR 4UR Health podcast, hosts Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis-Hassan and Clarence Jones of Hueman Partnership welcome Dr. Angelo Moore, inaugural executive director of the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Disparities at North Carolina A&T, for a wide-ranging conversation on men’s health, community trust and AI in health care.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
A Father, a Son, and a Golf Club: Jamison and Trey Rusthoven on Legacy, Sacrifice, and Chasing a Dream
On Blacklight on Sports, hosts Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald and Charles Hallman welcome father-and-son duo Jamison and Trey Rusthoven, a Twin Cities coaching legend and a 22-year-old professional golfer pursuing his dream on the APGA Tour.
Posted inMusic
Minneapolis Showed Up for Prince at the Celebration 2026 Block Party and Sing Along
Emmanuel Duncan recaps the Prince Celebration 2026 Block Party and Sing Along, which brought fans, neighbors and music lovers together in downtown Minneapolis for a free celebration of one of the most iconic artists the world has ever known.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Lucas Patterson Has Sent 35-Plus Kids to Division One. Minnesota Still Doesn’t Know His Name.
On Blacklight on Sports, hosts Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald and Charles Hallman sit down with Lucas Patterson, founder of Future Academic Ballers and Minnesota Prep, whose program has sent more than 35 players to Division I programs over nine years.
Posted inOn the Radar
iLLism’s Emanuel and Fancy Are Building Community Through Music, Art, and the Legacy Building
Sponsored by: Hubbs Center – Adult Basic Education – On the Radar host Damenica Ellis sits down with iLLism duo Emanuel and Fancy to discuss their journey from solo artists to community builders, the Legacy Building, the Creative Freedom Fund and what is coming next including Soul of the Southside and Fancy’s debut children’s book.