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.
Blacklight On Sports
Go beyond the headlines with Blacklight On Sports as award-winning columnists Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald interview key figures in Twin Cities 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blacklight on Sports: EJ Shelby Brings a New Vision to Anoka High School Football
On this episode of Blacklight on Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with EJ Shelby, the newly named head football coach at Anoka High School, on his long road to a head coaching job and what it means to lead as a Black man in education.
Erick Goodlow on Golf, Legacy, and Leaving Corporate After 30 Years at Medtronic
On this episode of Blacklight on Sports, host Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sits down with Erick Goodlow, co-founder of Fairway Foundation and architectural firm Formula, whose two lives span 25 years of youth golf access and building the only fully Black-owned architecture firm in the Midwest.
Blacklight on Sports: Johnny Allen Jr. and the JK Movement
this episode of Blacklight on Sports, host Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sits down with Johnny Allen Jr., founder of the JK Movement, a St. Paul youth development organization rooted in the Rondo community that has served young people for 15 years.
Rosalyn Smaller on Survival, Service, and Building Community Care
Former athlete Rosalyn Smaller reflects on survival, service, and building community care in a new episode of Blacklight On Sports.
Blacklight On Sports Explores Art, Mentorship, and Legacy With Roosevelt Mansfield
Blacklight On Sports features photographer Roosevelt Mansfield, highlighting creativity, mentorship, and community storytelling.
Blacklight on Sports Featuring Khalid El-Amin
Minneapolis basketball legend Khalid El-Amin reflects on his journey, mindset, and life lessons in a powerful Blacklight on Sports conversation.
A Conversation with Lawrence Ellis on Leadership, Youth Athletics, and the Future of Minnesota Sports
In this episode of MSR Blacklight On Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald talk with Minnesota sports leader Lawrence Ellis about the evolution of youth athletics, policy decisions influencing access and fairness, and the leadership needed to support student-athletes statewide.
Lee Hawkins on Journalism, Identity & Power
Lee Hawkins joins Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald on Blacklight On Sports to discuss his journalism career, music, and why Black representation in media still matters.
Benny Roberts on Legacy, Leadership, and Community
The latest Blacklight on Sports podcast spotlights Benny Roberts, Executive Director of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. A proud Rondo descendant and St. Paul Central grad, Roberts reflects on his journey from athlete to community leader, preserving history while building pathways to health, wellness, and opportunity.
Tramon Van Leer on Life Behind the Camera
In Blacklight on Sports, Tramon Van Leer shares his path from radio personality to Minnesota’s biggest sports arenas, capturing game moments and delivering analysis.
John Robinson – Educator. Coach. Community Leader
North High alum and championship-winning coach John Robinson joins Blacklight On Sports to reflect on decades of leadership in Twin Cities schools, sports, and communities.
Steven Davis Jr. on Life After the Game
Steven Davis Jr. went from Golden Gophers football captain to life coach and founder of Strive Higher After Sports. In this episode of Blacklight On Sports, he joins Hallman and McDonald to discuss mental health, identity, and helping Black athletes find meaning beyond the game.
