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.
Tracey Williams-Dillard
Posted inBusiness
Minnesota’s Black Business Week blooms at 38th and Chicago
Minneapolis Black Business Week kicked off at the historic 38th and Chicago intersection, now a vibrant hub of Black entrepreneurship. With five new businesses since 2020 and a powerful panel of local leaders, the week highlights a growing movement rooted in legacy, ownership, and transformation.
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 inMetro
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 inMetro
MSR-hosted event honored George Floyd’s legacy
Marking five years since George Floyd’s murder, MSR hosted a moving event with community leaders, artists, and activists reflecting on justice, grief, and what comes next.
Posted inTracey’s Keepin' It Real
MSR Hosts Powerful Panel on 5-Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder
On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder hosted a powerful panel at UROC in North Minneapolis, bringing together local leaders, advocates, and families impacted by police violence for an honest and urgent conversation.
Posted inEvents
MSR joins Doors Open Minneapolis 2025
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is one of 75 featured sites for Doors Open Minneapolis 2025, offering visitors a chance to explore its historic headquarters and learn about its legacy of truth-telling and community power.
Posted inMetro
Sculpture honoring Cecil Newman delivered to Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
A bronze sculpture of Cecil E. Newman, created by Vi Runquist, was delivered to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder on March 20, 2025, to honor Newman’s legacy as a champion of Black journalism and social progress in Minnesota.
Posted inWomen's History Month
Honoring Minnesota’s women history makers at 1MN History Makers event
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, will be a featured panelist at 1MN History Makers: Women’s History Month, sharing her experiences in leadership, media, and community empowerment.
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 inMSR In the News
MSR’s CEO honored for 50+ years in news
Tracey Williams-Dillard was honored with six others by the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Half Century Club, recognizing her 50 years of service to the newspaper industry.
Posted inNews
MSR wraps up a milestone year with thanks to our readers
The MSR, the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota and one of the longest-running family-owned newspapers in the United States, celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2024, reflecting the rich tapestry of Black life and advocating for equality and opportunity for all.
Posted inArts + Culture, Events, Sister Spokesman, Sister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman takes deep dive into hair care
Runeka Edwards of Unique Fashion and Accessories hosted a hair care event featuring a panel of hair care gurus and vendors dedicated to uplifting Black women and promoting wellness, discussing the science of hair, product choices, and business evolution.
Posted inNews
Tracey Williams-Dillard honored among Most Admired CEOs
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, was recognized as one of the Minneapolis St.Paul Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs for her leadership and commitment to community service.
Posted inNews
The Selby Ave. JazzFest outlasts the threat of rain (photos)
The Selby Jazz Fest 2024 was a resilient and unforgettable event, featuring music, food, and local vendors, and was a celebration of community spirit and the power of jazz to bring people together.
Posted inMSR In the News
Fox 9 News celebrates MSR’s 90th Anniversary
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minnesota’s oldest Black-owned and Black-operated newspaper, recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary with a feature on Fox 9 News, highlighting its legacy of amplifying the voices of the African American community and its commitment to providing relevant news to the Black community.
Posted inMSR In the News
MPR News celebrates MSR’s 90th anniversary with special podcast
MPR News has created a podcast to celebrate the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s 90th anniversary, highlighting its commitment to amplifying Black voices, chronicling civil rights events, and providing essential news coverage.
Posted inMSR In the News
Racket MN Highlights the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s 90-Year Legacy
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minnesota’s oldest Black-owned and Black-operated newspaper, celebrates its 90th anniversary with an article from Racket MN, highlighting its impact on the community and its commitment to providing relevant, impactful journalism.
Posted inMSR In the News
WCCO-TV Celebrates the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s 90th Anniversary
WCCO-TV has featured a news story honoring the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s 90th Anniversary, celebrating the newspaper’s enduring legacy as the state’s oldest Black-owned business and its impact on local journalism and community advocacy.