Contributing writer Ray Richardson shares a deeply personal tribute to Larry Fitzgerald Sr., his best friend in Minnesota for more than 30 years, tracing their connection from a Williams Arena media room in 1990 to Super Bowl press boxes and a lifetime of shared memories.
Black journalism
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Fitzgerald got his flowers
MSR sports columnist Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald reflects on accepting a Southside Hall of Fame award on behalf of Charles Hallman and witnessing Larry Fitzgerald Sr. receive his flowers in person, just weeks before Fitzgerald’s passing at age 71.
Posted inLocal & State
Celebration of Life Services Announced for Larry Fitzgerald Sr. “The Original”
The family of Larry Fitzgerald Sr. has announced visitation on Friday, June 12 and a funeral service on Saturday, June 13 in Minneapolis to honor the beloved MSR sportswriter known to many as “The Original.”
Posted inEducation
Lizzy Nyoike – 2026 MSR Grad
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder congratulates contributing writer Lizzy Nyoike on earning two associate degrees debt-free through PSEO before transferring to the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Posted inEducation
Damenica Ellis – 2026 MSR Grad
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder congratulates staff writer and On the Radar host Damenica Ellis on her graduation from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Journalism and Film.
Posted inBlack History
Black press nears 200 years of telling our stories
Black Press Week celebrates 199 years of Black journalism and the enduring legacy of independent media serving Black communities across America.
Posted inNational
Two legacy Black Newspapers close, citing financial pressures
Black newspapers closing in Portland and Richmond highlight the growing financial challenges facing Black media as advertising revenue declines.
Posted inLocal & State
Our Most-Read, Most-Shared, Most-Impactful Stories of 2025
s we enter 2026, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder reflects on the 15 stories that defined 2025, from urgent breaking news to culture, community, and accountability reporting.
Posted inEvents
This Giving Tuesday, Support the Black Press That Tells Our Stories and Protects Our Voice
Independent Black media has carried our stories for generations. This Giving Tuesday, the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder is asking the community to help preserve that legacy. Your support strengthens Black journalism, funds mentorship for young storytellers, and ensures our history continues to be documented with accuracy and care.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
The man who hired me
Wallace “Jack” Jackman is definitely someone who will be missed. Jackman, who recently passed away at the age of 81, had a profound impact on my journey as a photo journalist. It was the summer of 1996 and I was looking for a place to write a sports column and photograph Black high school student […]
Posted inMSR In the News
91st Anniversary Gala balanced celebration with reflection
On August 16, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder celebrated 91 years of service with a gala at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel. The evening honored the Black press’s enduring legacy while affirming its future through music, history, and community reflection.
Posted inMSR In the News
Above all else, gratitude
Senior Editor Jerry Freeman reflects on his 30-year journey with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, honoring the people and purpose behind 91 years of Black Press legacy.
Posted inOpinion
What Ida B. Wells would say about Trump and Epstein
Ida B. Wells didn’t whisper. She published. If she were here today, she’d demand the Epstein files be unsealed and the full truth brought into the light. Because there is no justice without truth—and no healing without reckoning.
Posted inMSR In the News
MSR publisher twice honored during Juneteenth
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, was honored with two Juneteenth awards for her contributions to Black media, legacy, and leadership.
Posted inLocal & State
Tracey Williams-Dillard honored with Congressional Record Award for over 50 Years in journalism
Tracey Williams-Dillard, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, was honored with a Congressional Record Award by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar for more than 50 years of service in journalism and her commitment to amplifying Black voices in Minnesota.
Posted inBooks
‘Black Media in Minnesota’ highlights the legacy and future of Black storytelling
In Black Ink and Macalester College hosted a discussion on the newly released book, Black Media in Minnesota: Tradition, Practice & Vision, which celebrates the voices of Black media and highlights the role of Black media in shaping narratives, advocating for the community, and documenting history.
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman uplifts women of color in media
At the latest Sister Spokesman event, a panel of Black women journalists discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by Black women in the media, highlighting the importance of Black-owned media and the need for more spaces where Black women can lead and tell their own stories.
Posted inOpening the Archives
Opening the Archives: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in Minneapolis
Opening the Archives is a new weekly video series that explores the rich history of the Minneapolis Spokesman, St. Paul Recorder, and Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, with a special tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.