Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) holds the distinction of being the longest-running Black-owned business in Minnesota. Founded in August 1934 by Cecil E. Newman, this newspaper continues to be family-operated. It is both African American and woman-owned, currently managed by CEO and Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard, who is the granddaughter of Mr. Newman.

Local, African-American/Black

English

Newspaper

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Global

#763807

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#210236

News and Media

#6731

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Articles

Cindy Brunson Paves the Way for Black Women in Sports

5 days ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

Black females historically have been underrepresented in sports broadcasting. But Cindy Brunson as a youngster found a Black woman who would serve as an inspiration for her to eventually go into broadcasting herself. “The first person I saw that looked like me on TV talking about sports was Jayne Kennedy,” recalled Brunson of Kennedy (now Overton), the first Black woman to host a national sports broadcast, CBS NFL Today in 1975. “I just thought she was stunning.
Sky Fans Weigh In on All-Black Coaching Staff

6 days ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

CHICAGO, ILL. — It’s not often that when I am in a city covering a separate event I also take in a WNBA game, but this longtime reporter did just this last Thursday. Instead of my media row seat provided by the home team, I had a much better seat — third row up, center court at the Chicago Sky’s 2025 home opener against the visiting New York Liberty.
Transfer Portal, NIL Increase Pressure on Black Coaches

6 days ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

The double-edged new normal in college athletics today is the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness). Since it was introduced in 2019, the number of men’s and women’s basketball players in the portal has increased each year from hundreds in 2019 to thousands in 2025. College football transfers also are up.
Michelle Gross on George Floyd, CUAPB, and the Power of Coalition Work

1 week ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Michelle Gross

May 25, 2020 was an unusual Memorial Day. Covid-19 was in full bloom and everything was shut down. I had planned to grill dinner that evening and celebrate my daughter’s birthday with her the next day. Then, suddenly, my phone started blowing up with texts urging me to watch a video on Facebook. It was the now-infamous footage captured by Darnella Frazier.
Chicago Sky Makes History With First All-Black Coaching Staff in WNBA

1 week ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

The Minnesota Lynx and Napheesa Collier are oft-mentioned throughout the annual WNBA general manager survey. The 13 team general managers, including expansion Golden State, responded to 40 different questions on such topics as best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves.
Byron Buxton Leads Twins by Example On and Off the Field

1 week ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is the second fastest player on the basepaths in Major League Baseball. According to Statcast, Buxton is averaging 30.2 feet per second, his highest speed since 2019. MLB Network before the season listed Buxton as the third-best center fielder in the majors.
Burnsville’s Paul Jones II Shines in Maryland Baseball Homecoming

1 week ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

Freshman infielder Paul Jones II is the only Minnesotan on the University of Maryland baseball team. The Burnsville native and Cretin-Durham Hall graduate’s recent homecoming was a big hit, as Jones played a big role in his team’s three-game sweep over the host University of Minnesota Golden Gophers May 9-11 at Siebert Field. “This was my first time coming home, first time playing here in college,” the six-foot Jones told the MSR after the Terps’ 8-5 victory May 10.
Cindy Brunson Reflects on Unexpected Exit from Mercury Broadcast Team

2 weeks ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Charles Hallman

Veteran broadcaster Cindy Brunson is taking her first summer off from calling WNBA games since 2022, but it was not in her original plans. The Phoenix Mercury, after interviewing her several weeks ago, decided not to hire her for their regular broadcast team. Almost immediately after the team announcement, Brunson wanted to head off any rumors that too often spread whenever changes in broadcasting are made.
Racial bias debate surrounds Shedeur Sanders' NFL draft

2 weeks ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Lambers Fisher

The roar of the NFL Draft has faded, the hopeful cries of newly selected players echoing into the professional arena. For approximately 250 college athletes, a lifelong dream has materialized — the chance to continue playing the game they love at the highest level. Among them, a select few, the perceived elite, are expected not just to be chosen, but to lead legions of seasoned professionals.
Pell Grant changes could hinder low-income students' progress

2 weeks ago | spokesman-recorder.com | Quintessa Williams

As delays, glitches and uncertainty continue to cloud their college plans, Black high school students across the country are facing a new financial aid crisis — one that could leave many Black, low-income students unsure if a bachelor’s degree is financially within reach. Congress has advanced a bill which would raise the number of credit hours students must take to qualify for the maximum Pell Grant from 12 to 15 per semester.