►
From YouTube: Black Houses of Worship in Minneapolis, 1860-2021
Description
Listen to panelists Rev. Billy G Russell and Rev. Tracey Gibson talk about the history of Black houses of worship in Minneapolis.
B
C
C
Good
evening,
everyone
thank
you
for
being
here
this
evening.
My
name
is
Antonio
Wilcox
and
I'm,
a
consultant
with
Equity
strategies
and
your
facilitators
tonight.
Thank
you
for
being
here.
This
is
the
third
of
a
series
of
Minneapolis
African-American
Community
engagement
sessions,
a
city-wide
Community
engagement
for
Minneapolis,
African-American,
historic
and
cultural
context.
Style
this
project
is
funded
by
the
City
of
Minneapolis,
and
we
are
grateful
that
Mr
Roberts
kalecki
is
here
from
the
City
of
Minneapolis.
If
you'd,
please
say
a
few
words
about
this
project.
D
C
D
This
project
is
the
result
of
a
grant
that
was
awarded
to
the
city
in
2020.,
that
was
from
The
National
Trust
for
historic
preservation,
the
African-American
cultural
heritage
action
fund-
and
this
is
a
grant
again
as
a
result
of
that
and
as
Antonio
mentioned
I'll
just
let
you
all
know
that
I'm
the
project
contact
for
this.
So
if
you
do
have
any
questions
regarding
the
project
or
you
would
like
more
information,
you
can
feel
free
to
reach
out
to
me
and
I'll
leave
my
contact
information
in
the
chat
here
very
shortly.
D
I
also
want
to
mention
that,
hopefully,
in
the
coming
weeks,
the
city
will
have
outline
submission
form
for
anyone
to
submit
additional
info.
You
know
if
you
want
to
get
in
contact
further.
You
could
definitely
leave
your
information
there,
but
we're
going
to
have
that
live
in
the
weeks
as
well
and
I
wanted
to
make
everyone
aware
of
that.
E
You
Dr
Wilcox,
when
we
talk
about
the
movement
of
black
people
from
enslavement
on
the
northern
border,
with
Canada
and
the
United
States.
We
must
note
that
in
19,
1834
Canada
abolished
slavery,
so
there
was
an
escalation
of
travel
along
the
northern
border,
particularly
in
Canada
and
Northern
Michigan.
E
So
we
will
hear
tonight
about
how
the
black
church
not
only
served
the
community
on
Sunday,
but
also
the
remaining
six
days
a
week
with
health,
education
and
other
programs
to
how
how's
the
community
give
them
jobs
and
allow
them
to
survive
in
a
segregated
Society.
So
we're
so
glad
that
you
could
join
us
this
evening.
E
C
F
San
Antonio
and
thank
you
all
for
being
here
tonight,
I
see
we
have
some
new
new
faces
and
some
familiar
faces.
So,
as
Antonio
said,
I
am
an
architectural
historian
and
I.
My
role
on
the
project
is
to
provide
Heritage
preservation
perspective
and
tie
the
stories
of
the
community
into
the
larger
Heritage
preservation
framework.
F
I.
Think
an
important
thing
to
note
is
that
the
national
register
of
historic
places,
as
well
as
the
current
list
of
local
landmarks
in
Minneapolis,
overwhelmingly
focuses
on
the
contributions
of
white
individuals
and
events
associated
with
white
people
and,
as
a
result,
these
lists
do
not
fully
represent
minneapolis's
history,
and
we
also
know
that
many
important
places
associated
with
African-American
Heritage
in
Minneapolis
have
been
lost
or
erased,
especially
when
we're
talking
about
houses
of
worship
due
to
intentional
arson.
F
Construction
of
interstates
urban
renewal
initiatives,
among
many
other
factors
which
have
created
further
obstacles
to
officially
documenting
and
recognizing
some
of
these
places
on
the
official
lists
of
important
places
in
our
history.
So
through
this
series
of
community
engagement
sessions,
we
are
hoping
to
significantly
expand
the
narrative
and
we'll
be
providing
the
city
with
your
input
about
how
you'd,
like
to
see.
F
So
over
the
course
of
the
evening,
we
invite
you
to
share
any
places
in
the
chat
that
you
feel
are
important
and
related
to
African-American,
American
Heritage
in
Minneapolis,
and
we'll
include
those
notes
in
our
final
report.
So
we
really
thank
you
all
for
being
here
today
and
I.
Look
forward
to
learning,
along
with
all
of
you.
F
G
I've
been
a
researcher
for
judging
for
I
think
about
a
year
now
it's
been
an
honor
to
work
with
her,
and
this
project
is
been
by.
You
know
one
of
the
many
rewarding
tasks
that
I've
been
the
privilege
of
taking
part
in
now.
You
know
it's
so
important
to
keep
our
history
alive.
You
know
if
we
didn't
have
people,
you
know,
like
judge
Lang,
to
keep
it
alive.
C
It
is
my
pleasure
now
to
introduce
to
you
tonight's
finalists,
for
the
theme
places
of
worship
where
African
Americans
left
their
March
mark
I'd
like
to
start
with
the
Reverend
Dr
Billy
G
Russell
at
the
tender
age
of
18
Dr
Billy
G
Russell
gave
himself
to
God
and
has
walked
strong
upon
that
path.
Ever
since
he
received
a
bachelor's
degree,
a
Bachelor's
of
Science
degree
in
physical
education
with
a
minor
in
earth.
C
Science
from
the
University
of
Southern
Mississippi
had
Hattiesburg
Mississippi
a
master's
degree
in
education,
Administration
from
William
Perry,
College,
Harrisburg
master's
degree
in
Christian,
counselor,
Faith
seminary
in
Tacoma
Washington
and
a
doctorate
degree
in
strategic
leadership.
Tacoma
Washington
ESO
Russell
also
attended
New
Orleans
Baptist
Theological
Seminary
in
New
Orleans
Louisiana
and
Reformed
Theological
Seminary
in
Jackson
Mississippi.
C
He
also
served
as
school
administrator
for
more
than
20
years.
Singh
has
always
been
a
passion
of
Dr
Russell,
since
he
was
five
years
old.
He's
a
songwriter
and
recording
artist.
Dr
Russell
recorded
six
projects
which
have
reached
Hearts
around
the
country,
Dr
Russell,
sir,
the
senior
pastor
of
Greater
Friendship
Missionary
Baptist
Church
in
Minneapolis.
C
With
the
biblical
biblical
studies
diploma,
a
partnership
has
been
established
with
Northwestern
Bible
Institute,
which
also
brings
Bible
studies
to
the
community.
Dr
Russell
was
honored
to
serve
as
president
of
Minnesota
Baptist
State
Convention
for
eight
years.
He
also
served
in
Elizabethan
Community
Center
board
Urban
League
as
a
board.
C
Prior
to
this
appointment,
Reverend
Dr
Tracy
was
a
pastor
of
Saint
Mark
African
Methodist
Episcopal
Church
in
Duluth
Minnesota
Reverend,
Dr
Gibson
is
active
in
the
community
and
volunteers
for
several
organizations.
She
serves
on
The
Advisory
board
for
School
Readiness,
Learning
Academy
and
as
a
proud
member
of
the
Board
of
Trustees
of
Luther
Seminary
passionate
about
empowering
women.
She
also
served
on
the
non-profit
board.
C
Women
of
Hope
Tracy
is
a
lifetime
member
of
Delta
Sigma
Theta
sorority,
Incorporated,
Reverend,
Dr,
Tracy
Gibson
completed
a
masters
of
divinity
in
2014
and
a
doctorate
of
ministry
in
2019,
both
from
Luther
Seminary.
She
currently
works
for
Anderson
window
and
doors
as
a
vice
president
and
chief
diversity
officer.
C
Prior
experience
includes
the
state
of
Minnesota
under
two
administrations,
both
Governor
Dayton
and
Governor
walls.
She
spent
30
years
at
Cargill
Incorporated,
where
she
held
various
positions
in
the
Financial
Risk
Management
platform,
Global
Treasury
and
Global
inclusion
and
diversity
in
corporate
affairs.
C
C
13
I
can
do
all
things
through
Christ,
which
strengthens
me
Reverend,
Dr,
Tracy
Gibson
has
a
heart
for
the
people.
Welcome
both
of
you.
Thank
you
so
very
much
for
being
here
and
speaking
with
us
on
the
topic
of
what
are
the
residents
in
Minneapolis
know
about
the
history
of
places
of
worship
where
African
Americans
left
their
mark?
H
Tracy
Dr
Tracy.
You
want
to
go
first
because
I
will
probably
be
alone.
So
that's
something
Tracy
I
know
you
so
I,
probably
I'm
Gonna,
Let,
You,
Go.
First,
to
talk
about
the
history
and
and
I'll
come
ahead.
You
know
I
talk
a
lot
of
stuff
back
because
I
want
people
to
ask
me
more
questions,
so
you
go
at
it
first
and
I.
Think
by
the
time
we're
done.
People
have
a
good
understanding
of
what
this
thing
is
like
in
Minneapolis,
Saint
Paul.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you
to
you.
I
Thank
you,
Reverend
Billy.
Thank
you
so
much
it's
an
honor
to
be
here
with
you
today
and
to
be
able
to
talk
about
the
topic
and
thank
you
for
everyone
that
has
organized
this
opportunity
to
just
talk
about
our
faith
and
to
talk
about
the
history
of
the
AME
Church,
the
oldest
African-American
denomination
right,
and
so
as
I
thought
about
this
a
little
bit
yesterday,
I
I
wasn't
sure
where
I
was
gonna
come
from
or
what
I
was
going
to
think
about.
I
But
I
went
back
to
the
roots
into
the
history
in
which
the
AME
Church
was
born
out
of,
and
so
when
you
think
about
this,
and
if
you
don't
know
the
story
about
the
religious
and
social
Alien
Nation
that
happened,
it
all
started
with
white
officials
as
Saint
George,
Methodist
Episcopal
Church
pulling
blacks
off
of
their
knees
at
the
otter.
Why?
I
While
they
were
praying-
and
so
this
is
what
started
the
first
African-American
church,
it
was
started
because
of
racial
discrimination
and
with
everything
that's
happening
in
our
country
today,
I
find
it
interesting
I
find
it
an
opportunity.
I
find
it
a
blessing
for
us
to
be
here
today.
Having
this
conversation,
and
so
the
founder
of
the
AME
Church
is
Richard
Allen.
I
and
he
purchased
his
freedom
from
his
master
and
he
became
a
preacher
of
the
Gospel
of
Jesus
Christ
in
the
Methodist
Church
and
what
happened
was
Richard
Allen.
He.
He
led
a
small
group
of
people
who
were
determined
that
they
were
going
to
remain
methodists
and
and
so
in
1794
Bethel
AME
Church
was
dedicated
in
Bishop.
I
I
So
when
you
think
about
AME,
the
method
of
methodism
really
provides
an
orderly
system
of
rules
and
regular
relations,
and
then,
when
you
think
about
the
E
for
the
Episcopal
is
really
the
form
of
government
under
which
the
church
operates,
and
so
the
chief
executive
and
administrative
offices
are
the
of
our
denomination
is
by
Bishops,
and
so
in
1880
there
were
approximately
400
000
Ames
in
the
the
as
of
faith.
It
was
denomination.
It
was
rapidly
growing
when
I
think
about
the
AME
church
today,
I
think
about.
I
We
have
memberships
in
20
Episcopal
districts.
We
are
in
39
countries,
we
are
on
five
continents,
and
so
the
work
of
the
church
is
really
administered
by
21
active
Bishops
and
we
have
General
officers
who
really
manage
all
of
the
Departments
of
the
church,
and
so
when
we
think
about
the
AME
Church,
our
plight
has
always
been
to
help
those
who
have
been
oppressed
by
racism.
Sexism
and
you
know
economic
disadvantage.
I
When
you
look
at
the
mission
of
the
AME
Church
that
hasn't
changed,
we
are
to
minister
to
the
social,
spiritual
and
the
physical
development
of
all
people.
When
we
come
into
the
state
of
Minnesota,
there
are
six
Amy
churches
in
the
state,
five
of
which
are
in
the
Twin
Cities.
We
have
Wayman
Amy
Church
on
the
north
side
of
Minneapolis.
I
We
have
St
Peter's
on
the
south
side
of
Minneapolis,
lily
of
the
valley
in
Apple,
Valley,
Minnesota,
St,
James,
Amy,
church
and
Saint
Paul,
and
then,
of
course,
the
church
that
started
it
all
the
church
to
them.
The
proud
pastor
of
is
St
James
Amy
Church
in
Minneapolis,
at
3600,
Snelling,
Avenue,
South
and
I
am
excited
about
being
at
mother,
Saint,
James,
and
so
the
church
in
Duluth
is
Saint,
Mark,
AME
church
and
that's
the
sixth
church.
That
is
a
part
of
the
state
of
Minnesota.
I
Saint
Anthony
Falls
had
been
changed
to
the
city
name
of
Minneapolis
and
had
expanded
to
include
both
sides
of
the
Mississippi
River,
and
it
was
during
this
time
that
Saint
Peter's
was
organized.
So
you
had
Minneapolis
on
this
side,
both
now
and
and
where
we're
located,
but
one
on
each
side
and
so
Saint
Peters
was
then
organized
by
John,
Neal
and
then
St
James.
I
The
there
was
a
beautiful
structure
built
at
8th,
Avenue,
South
and
4th
Street,
and
that
property
was
bordered
by
the
railroad
and
because
of
the
expansion
of
the
railroad.
They
were
forced
to
move
and
got
no
value
for
the
property
that
they
had
built
and
during
the
next
few
Decades
of
the
congregation
they
rented
a
number
of
properties
and
in
1918
they
bought
another
building.
I
C
I
Know
so
there
there
are
okay,
it's
it's
at
the
call
of
our
Bishop
and
at
the
call
of
God,
and
so
when
you
think
about
growth,
when
you
think
about
opportunities,
when
you
think
about
lives
that
change
and
things
that
happen
in
different
lives,
it
brings
about
the
opportunity
for
pastors
to
be
moved
from
one
place
to
another.
So
our
structure
allows
us
to
choose.
When
you
go
into
the
ministry,
whether
you
want
to
be
local,
which
means
you
won't
have
to
move
or
whether
you
want
to
be
itinerant.
I
H
Yeah,
unfortunately,
we
don't
get
that
choice
as
Baptists
decided.
We
want
to
be
local
or
in
the
legend
of
whatever
that's
kind
of
given
to
us.
That's
how
I
end
up
in
Minnesota,
because
if
it
was
my
preference
I
would
have
stayed
in
Columbia,
Mississippi,
Blue
Spring,
but
God
had
other
plans.
So
we
do
a
little
different.
We
we
kind
of
like
a
lot
where
we
allow
God
to
direct
us
to
the
various
Pathways
we
have
us
ago.
H
So
I
ended
up
in
Minnesota
because
of
God,
not
because
the
Baptist
Church
is
something
to
come
here
and,
of
course,
the
National
Baptist.
Someone
come
here,
but
I
ended
up
here
and
because
of
the
properties
of
God.
So
that's
how
the
Baptist
operating
we
we
got
it
in
a
different.
When
it
comes
down
to
the
governance.
We
are
somewhat
different.
H
Now
I
got
my
I
got
my
sister
who's
in
a
CME
and
I
got
my
niece
who's,
an
outstanding
preacher,
Phaedra
who's,
she's
CME,
and
they
are
governed
according
to
those
standards
where
they
go
and
what
they
do
and
but
in
the
Baptist
Church.
That's
not
even
my
head,
I
mean
it's
whatever
God
says
who
have
God
call
at
that
particular
time.
So
that's
how
I
end
up
in
Minnesota
and
after
all,
these
years,
I'm
still
here
and
leaving
independent
on
God.
H
Particular
topic
because
I
mean
when
I
say:
I
read
a
lot
of
books
on
church
and
black
churches
and
Baptist
churches
and
history.
I
read
a
lot
of
history
books,
a
lot
of
black
books
and
I
was
like
Lord.
How
can
I
get
all
this
in
into
a
few
minutes,
because
you
know
I
even
try
to
teach
preachers
that
what
you
need
to
do?
You
need
to
try
to
get
your
sermon
within
20
minutes.
I
said
so.
H
H
I'm
gonna
say
I
mean
I'm
not
going
to
give
you
a
book
view:
I'm
Gonna,
Give,
You,
My,
Book
View,
because
when
it's
all
said
and
done
out
of
all
the
books,
I've
read.
My
book
is
probably
the
best
book
because
it
is
a
live
book.
It
is
a
now
book
when
it
comes
down
to
the
impact
of
the
black
Baptist
Church
on
the
life
of
the
total
life
of
me
should
I,
say
the
total
life
of
Billy
G
Russell
has
been
because
our
in
the
black
Baptist
Church.
H
So
that's
the
right
I'm
going
to
take
brother
and
trying
to
trying
to
show
you
I'm
trying
to
give
you
a
history
of
that
kind
of
stuff.
I,
probably
say
something
about
history,
because
when
I
look
back
into
the
I
grew
up
in
the
1960s
and
born
in
1956
I'm,
not
ashamed
to
say,
I'm,
not
quite
65
yet
but
I'm.
Almost
65.
H
and
hearing
the
old
people
say
back
in
the
day,
different
thing
that
you
say:
I
used
to
say
the
old
folks
used
to
say,
but
now
I'm,
the
old
folks,
who's
saying
stuff.
So
at
65,
almost
65
I
can
say
that
back
I
grew
up
in
the
60s
and
growing
up
in
the
60s
they're
doing
a
thing
about
the
Martin
Luther
King
and
doing
the
time
of
the
Civil
Rights
Movement.
That's
who
I
am
and
that's
what
I
really
learned
about
the
church.
H
H
If
it
had
not
been
for
the
black
Baptist
Church,
the
black
church
and
I
want
to
go
and
say
Baptist,
because
my
daddy
was
a
a
Methodist
preacher
first,
but
then
they
told
him
he
didn't
preach
like
a
Methodist
preacher,
so
he
had
to
become
a
Baptist
preacher
because
he
preached
like
a
Baptist
and
then
the
Baptist
going
to
put
him
out
because
they
said
he
didn't
preach
like
a
Baptist
preacher,
he's
Church
of
God
in
Christ,
so
I'm.
All
that!
That's
why
you
called
me
called
me
about
the
Costa.
H
H
H
So
that's
who
I
am
I'm
about
to
go
so
get
back
to
my
server
here,
listen
everything
who
I
am
and
what
I
am
and
where
I
come
from
and
where
I'm
going
is
because
of
the
church
when
I
look
into
the
sixes
and
when
they
tried
to
rob
me.
Let
me
just
say:
who
is
the
white
folks
tried
to
rob
me
of
who
I
who
I
was
or
who
I
am
because
we
went
to
a
it?
Was
black
Baptist
preachers?
H
H
That
was
I
mean
that's
like
26
miles
from
us.
Why
do
we
have
to
go
there?
Why
can't
we
go
to
this
community
school
and
why
can't
we
actually
be
a
part
of
that
school?
Ken
Baptist
Baptist
pastors
decided
we're
going
to
make
a
difference
in
this
community
and
we're
going
to
make
this
different
by
putting
our
kids
in
this
school.
It's
the
church
that
did
that
the
church
came
together.
If
the
church
that
came
together
said
segregation
is
no
longer
right,
we
can't
do
segregation,
it's
the
church
that
did
that
I.
H
Remember
those
meetings
and
people
who
was
I,
remember
people
standing
up
in
in
opposition
and
I.
Remember
people
who
come
together
but
I.
Remember
the
shouting,
the
Clapping.
When
people
actually
came
together
and
said:
let's
do
it
and
we
actually
did
it
and
I
remember
I
was
in
the
fourth
grade
when
it
actually
happened.
Look
back
at
me.
Look
at
me
now.
I
was
fourth
grade,
and
here
it
was
by
fifth
grade.
We
actually
took
those
black
pastors
March
into
improved
Community
Schools.
H
We
marched
in
the
improved
commission,
I
was
fifth
grade,
marching
behind
them
and
looking
at
all
of
the
insults
that
was
hurled
at
us
all
day,
the
bricks,
the
the
blocks,
the
spit
I
mean
you
name
it.
It
was
all
put
on
us
as
we
walked
down
this
whole
long
aisle
of
white
people
that
was
trying
to
keep
us
from
going
the
black
preachers.
The
black
church
said
we
going,
and
we
went
in
that
particular
Church
in
that
particular
school
as
a
church
and
registered.
H
It
was
nine
of
us.
That's
why
it's
my
Little
Rock
Nine!
It
was
the
improved
man.
We
went
in
that
school
because
of
the
black
preachers
and
we
registered
because
of
the
black
church
and
out
of
all
the
stuff
they
tried
to
get
us
not
to
do
the
black
church
says
we're
going
to
do
it
and
we
did
it
in
spite
of
all
the
opposition,
in
spite
of
all
the
the
crazy
stuff
that
was
put
on
us
and
I,
and
and
that's
why
I
was
trying
to
figure
out.
H
H
Oh
yeah
I
ended
up
with
some
mental
issues,
a
whole
lot
of
stuff
that
went
on
because
of
the
stuff
that
happened,
but
it
was
because
of
the
worship.
I
look
forward
to
the
worship
on
Sunday
morning
in
that
church,
in
that
little
Community,
Church
I
look
forward
to
the
worship
on
Sunday
morning.
That's
what
kept
me
going.
H
If
it
had
not
been
for
the
power
of
the
black
church,
then
I
wouldn't
be
who
I
am
now?
It
was
a
black
church,
the
worship,
the
singing
I
learned
to
sing
in
the
black
church
and
I
was
singing
about
the
goodness
of
God.
In
spite
of
all
that,
we've
gone
through,
it
was
the
goodness
of
God
I'm
telling
you
it
was
the
goodness
of
God,
because
we
were
going
through
hell
during
the
week.
H
People
were
putting
us
through
hell,
but
the
black
church
brought
us
through
on
Sunday
morning.
I
look
forward
to
Sunday
morning
to
the
power
to
the
worship
of
Sunday
morning,
and
you
know
when
I
look
back
into
the
the
history
of
all
the
books.
I've
read,
it
was
a
black
church.
I
mean
From
Slavery
to
now
it
was
a
black
church.
H
H
It
was
a
church
that
kept
on
saying
we're
going
to
get
through
this
we're
going
to
make
it
somehow
some
some
way
we're
gonna
make
it
and
that's
what
I
feel
within
me
right
now
out
of
all
the
stuff,
we
went
through
I'm,
not
talking
about
what
I
read
from
somebody
else,
I'm
talking
about
what
I
went
through
myself.
It
was
a
black
church
that
got
us
through.
H
My
dad
was
a
pastor
for
over
45
years.
I
listened
to
him
for
45
years,
I
even
questioned
my
dad
I
said
Daddy.
How
can
you
keep
talking
about
goddess
for
us
and
like
look
like
everything?
We're
going
through
God
is
keep
on.
Equipping
us
I
mean
look
like
that
that
Grace
I
mean
because
I'm
black,
if
being
black
a
disease,
I
felt
like
being
black,
was
a
diseased.
H
It
was
just
that
bad,
but
it
was
Sunday
morning
to
let
me
know
you
are
special.
You
are
somebody
looking
at
the
plight
of
the
children
of
Israel.
That's
why
I
learned
how
they
went
through
all
this
stuff
in
Israel
they
went
from,
they
crossed
the
Red
Sea,
and
then
they
made
it
to
the
promised
land.
That's
what
kept
us
doing,
seeing
that
it
actually
happens.
H
So
before
I
preach,
I
can
say
to
the
black
church
and
I
can
say
in
Minneapolis:
listen,
it's
been
Zion,
it's
been
Bethesda,
Zion
and
Bethesda
has
a
very
rich
history
and
I
was
I
would
say
to
you.
Please
read
that
history
because
listen
Daniel
and
Bethesda,
they
didn't
have
it
either.
They
went
through
some
stuff
just
to
keep
the
doors
open,
but
thank
God
that
the
doors
are
still
open.
Thank
you,
Zion.
Thank
you,
Bethesda.
H
H
If
they're
not
been
for
those
churches,
we
wouldn't
have
a
presence
here
and
trust
me
right
now.
If
it's
not
for
the
churches
right
now,
we
don't
have
a
presence
in
the
Twin
Cities
and
I.
Thank
God,
yeah
I've
been
I've,
been
president
of
the
Minnesota
state
Baptist
convention.
Eight
years,
I
was
president
of
the
Council
of
churches
for
four
years,
and
and
I
was
only
Minnesota.
Transport
Minnesota,
Board
and
I
was
pastor
of
Greater
friendship
with
20
years
and
I.
Think
the
bottom
line
is
that
we
made
a
difference.
H
E
H
You
know
what,
when
we
so,
when
we
moved
from
38th
and
30th,
we
actually
got
a
church
building
down
on
2600
East
38th
Street.
That's
where
the
building
is
right.
Now
we
got
that
building
and
everybody
wanted
to
to
be
a
to
buy
that
particular
building
of
that
site,
where
3830
was
everything
from
liquor,
stores
to
churches
or
whatever,
but
the
bottom
line
is
I
hit.
I
asked
I,
asked
God
I
said
God,
please
give
a
Ministry
to
this
particular
community
that
can
live
on.
H
That
can
be
a
prevalence
in
this
community
that
can
really
make
a
difference
in
this
community.
That
was
my
prayer
and
out
of
nowhere
trust
me.
Stewart
Co-op
came
into
the
mix
and
Seward
Co-op.
Now
we
had
a
long
conversation
about
the
difference
they
can
make
in
the
community
and
what
they
could
actually
bring
to
the
community.
H
As
far
as
Ministry
sewer,
Cooperative
sewer
Co-op
is
a
minister
because
I
mean
I
could
have
been
reason,
said:
okay,
we're
gonna,
let
the
liquor
store,
come
liquor,
store,
come
right
here
and
that
could
be
the
ministry,
but
no
I
asked
God
for
a
Ministry
that
will
make
a
difference
in
the
community
and
I
said
and
I
I
pray.
I,
said
God.
We
don't
have
a
place
in
this
area
that
can
bring
good,
solid
whole
food
to
the
community
and
listen
out
of
nowhere.
H
H
H
H
They
hadn't
actually
open
before
I
became
pastor,
but
then
actually
gotten
started
and
I
think
what
happened
was
my
greater
friendship
saw
well
after
John
Bowen
connected
me
with
greater
Friendship
Church,
and
he
connected
me
as
a
singer,
because
I
was
a
quartet
singer
would
digging
brown,
but
then,
when
they
actually
saw
my
little
resume
and
I
turned
in
a
very
small
rhythmic,
because
I
was
not
interested
in
passing.
The
church.
H
I
was
not
interested
in
passing
the
church
in
Minneapolis,
I
was
looking
to
stay
in
Minnesota
about
two
or
three
years,
and
I
was
going
back
to
Minnesota
back
to
Mississippi
I.
Would
let
my
wife
work
at
Mayo
Clinic
for
a
few
years,
then
we
were
getting
up
out
of
here.
I
had
not
planned
to
stay
in
Minnesota.
Let
me
say
that
again:
I
had
not
planned
to
stay
in
Minnesota.
It
was
God
and
when
I
think
greater
friendship
saw
that
I
had
a
record
the
people
who
was
on
that
committee.
H
That
committee
had
been
organized
forever
in
the
day.
I,
don't
know
what
they
were
doing,
but
when
they
saw
on
my
resume
that
I
was
a
former
High
School
principal
and
I
was
being
in
Austin.
I
was
a
administrator
in
in
Austin
Public
Schools
at
an
area,
Learning
Center!
That's
why
I
was
working
and
when
they
thought
it
I
think
that's
my
greater
friendship
called
me
and-
and
they
helped
me
help
us
to
develop
that
particular
School
and
we
developed
the
school.
H
The
school
went
through
a
whole
lot
of
struggles,
a
lot
of
struggles,
but
thank
God
for
people
like
Bobby,
Joe
champion
and
Jeff
Hayden
when
they
tried
to
close
the
school
down
because
of
our
relationship
with
people
because
of
our
relationships
again,
because
my
relationship
with
people,
that's
why
the
school
is
still
open.
Otherwise
the
school
would
have
been
closed
15
years
ago.
H
The
school
they
recognized
at
a
blue
ribbon
school
because
we
worked
hard
and
they
allowed
the
school
to
stay,
open
and
I.
Think
right
now.
Well,
I,
don't
think
I
know
right
now.
That
school
is
probably
is
one
of
the
top
schools
in
the
nation,
because
people
gave
us
an
opportunity
to
stay
open
to
work
with
the
people
we're
working
with
right
now
and
that
I'm
more
grateful
for
that
than
anything
else.
All
the
other
confirmations
at
the
church
for
a
church
they
have
a
school,
that's
nationally
recognized.
I
Reverend
knows
yes:
I
am
honored
to
have
been
able
to
be
up
under
his
feet
to
learn
from
Reverend
Noah
Smith.
He
died
at
107
years
old
and
you
can
truly
and
honestly
say
that
his
steps
were
ordered
by
the
Lord.
You
know
he
was
born
in
Marion
Indiana.
He
was
enriched
with
music
and
art
and
sports
and
the
African
Methodist
Episcopal
church,
and
when
Reverend
Noah
Smith
finished
high
school,
he
joined
a
band.
He
was
the
lead
drummer
in
the
band.
He
was
a
multi-faceted
musician.
I
He
composed
and
wrote
songs
he
performed
in
this
band.
The
band
was
very
successful
and
he
traveled
with
them
for
many
years
and
when
he
left
the
band
he
started
working
on
the
railroad
he
was.
He
worked
on
the
dining
car.
He
was
a
dining
car
waiter
and
then
he
I
I
know
he
received
his
associate's
degree
from
Minneapolis
College
in
1982..
He
received
a
degree
from
he
was
the
recipient.
I
should
say
in
1986
from
McAllister
College
he
earned
earned.
Not
it
was.
I
He
also
had
an
honorary
degree.
He
answered
his
call
to
Ministry
in
1954.
He
was
an
evangelist
at
St
Peter's,
AME
Church.
He
was
ordained
a
minister
in
1960.
He
was
the
first
one.
His
first
pastorate
position
was
at
St
Mark
AME
Church
in
Duluth
Minnesota
in
1988.
He
was
actually
the
pastor,
the
senior
pastor
for
St
James
AME
Church,
where
he
served
until
he
retired
in
1998..
He
was
remarkable.
He
was
amazing.
I
He
was
married
to
the
great
Hallie
Hendrick
Smith,
who
was
her
own
in
her
own
stead
that
that
was
the
queen.
You
know,
Sister
Hallie
was
like
the
queen,
an
educator
all
about
who
she
is,
and
so
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
talk
about
Noah
Smith.
He
when
he
was
almost
100
years
old
I,
went
to
him
and
said
Reverend
Smith.
I
Let's
have
a
birthday
party
for
you
when
you
turn
100
and
he
said
to
me
that
I
never
have
had
a
birthday
party
in
my
life
and
so
myself
and
Reverend
Brenda
Johnson
for
seven
years
got
to
organize
birthday
parties
for
Reverend,
Noah
Smith
and
each
year
they
got
bigger
and
bigger
and
bigger
and
bigger
because
he
made
it
to
be
107
years
old.
So
I
am
thankful
to
have
set
under
his
ministry
under
his
feet
and
under
his
teaching
foreign.
H
Yeah
before
you
do
that,
my
son
ended
up
going
to
a
the
Methodist
Church
in
the
loop
because
of
the
history
he
went
to
the
University
of
Minnesota,
Duluth
and
and
then
there
was
a
Baptist
Church,
another
Methodist
Church,
but
he
liked
better
I'm
going
to
the
Methodist
Church
because
of
what
you
just
shared.
So
thank
you
for
that
and.
I
I
H
I
I
I
Yes,
I
believe
it
has
been
designated
as
a
historical
place
as
a
part
of
the
registry.
You
know
I
want
to
just
say
a
little
bit
more
about
the
AME
church,
because
when
you
think
about
education-
and
this
made
me
think
about
Dr
Haley
Hendrick
Smith,
because
education
was
so
important
to
her,
but
the
AME
Church
has
a
number
of
colleges
that
are
AME
colleges.
So
many
of
us
have
heard
about
Morris
Brown
College,
that's
an
AME
College
Paul
Quinn
college.
I
That's
an
AME,
College
pain,
theological
Seminary
is
a
AME
College.
There
are
a
number
of
AME
colleges
that
are
that
that
our
denomination
is
responsible
for
the
upkeep,
including
Wilbur,
Force
University.
And
so,
if
you
don't
know
the
history,
the
rich
history
of
the
AME
Church
just
go
out
and
Google
colleges.
By
of
the
AME
Church.
There
are
a
number
of
them
out
there
earlier
and
now
their
two-year
colleges,
four-year
colleges
are
theological
seminaries
as
well.
I
One
of
the
requirements
in
order
to
be
a
pastor
in
the
AME
Church
is
that
you
have
to
go
and
get
a
masters
of
divinity.
So
the
denomination
requires
the
educational
piece
and
it
needs
to
be
from
an
accredited
institution
in
which
you
are
to
go
and
get
those
credentials
from.
So
that's
just
a
little
bit
more
about
the
AME
church
and
the
richness
in
our
history
and
Who
We
Are.
H
I
I'm,
a
graduate
of
a
historical
black,
College,
University
I'm,
also
a
graduate
from
Luther
Seminary,
the
the
point
that
you
made
Dr
Russell
earlier
about
the
church
being
inside
of
you
and
what
it
did
for.
You
brought
many
memories
to
life.
While
you
were
talking,
I
grew
up
in
the
AME
Church
I
didn't
have
a
choice.
Growing
up
of
whether
I
was
going
to
go
to
church
or
not.
My
house
said
everybody
in
this
house
goes
to
church,
so
I
had
to
go
to
Sunday.
H
I
I
got
my
speaking,
and
you
had
to
do
your
Easter
speech,
your
Mother's
Day,
your
Christmas
speeches,
I.
My
confidence
was
built
in
the
AME
Church
I
was
told.
I
can
be
anything
that
I
wanted
to
be
anything
that
I
put
my
mind
to.
It
was
a
place
that
just
nourished
it
nourished
you
and
so
I
am
who
I
am
today.
I
am
AME
and
I
will
be
Amy.
H
You
know
what
I
I
was
thinking
about.
I
said,
I
was
doing
a
speech
on
a
Saturday
I.
Think
of
the
at
the
Pilgrim
at
a
boy
scouts
program
and
I
was
and
I
and
I
said
you
got
to
find
something
to
motivate
you
to
do
what
you
need
to
do,
and
you
know
my
dad
had
been
passing
all
those
years
by
the
time.
I
was
nine
years
old.
H
I
was
sick
of
church
I
was
tired
of
church
because
they
made
us
go
to
church
for
everything
we
had
to
go
to
church
but
then,
and
then
revivals
back
then
was
like
it
was
not
no
two
or
three
days.
Revival
were
two
weeks
so
I
had
to
find
something
to
motivate
me
to
go
to
Revival,
and
just
so
happened
that
my
wife
at
nine
years
old
I,
admit
this
little
pretty
young
young
lady.
When
I
was
nine
years
old
I
saw
her
at
church
and
that
motivated
me
to
go
to
church
I
mean
that's.
H
Why
I
went
to
church
I'm
just
being
honest
because
of
her,
not
because
my
phone
was
saying
dude,
look,
they
had
a
champion.
No
more
I
was
like
I
met
this
pretty
girl
at
church.
So
since
I
met
her
at
church,
guess
what
I
was
excited
about
going
to
church
and
in
the
midst
of
it
all
God
got
a
hold
of
him,
so
find
a
reason
to
go
to
church.
You
all
I'm,
telling
everybody
find
the
reason
make
it
your
reason
and
watch
for
God
get
a
hold
of
you
all
right.
I
Yeah
I
don't
know
what
year
Camp
baber
was
established,
but
the
Amy
church
has
a
camp
and
it's
a
camp
that
has
the
opportunity
and
we
own
it,
and
we
maintain
it,
but
it's
a
place
where
you
can
go
and
have
Retreats
it's
a
place
where
you
can
take
young
people,
it's
on
a
lake.
It
has
the
housing,
that's
needed.
It
has
a
chapel
on
the
premises.
There
is
a
pool.
There
are
tennis
courts,
basketball,
courts
and
it's
a
place
for
us
to
come
together.
I
It's
a
place
for
us
to
come
together,
that's
our
own,
and
so
rather
than
having
to
pay
for
a
hotel,
we
can
go
to
camp
baber
and
ourselves
Minister
fellowship
and
learn
about
God.
So
it's
a
blessing.
It's
a
full
kitchen.
It's
a
you
know
it's
a
camp,
it's
a
camp
where
we
could
take
a
list
of
students
from
here
in
Minnesota
from
various
churches,
AME
Baptists
and
let's
go
to
Camp.
H
E
Well,
we
we
will
hopefully
uncover
something
about
Frederick
Douglass
and
his
visit
to
Minneapolis
in
1873
that
I
hope
links
back
to
the
AME
church.
But
it's
it's
a
very
interesting
how
once
we
start
daylighting
this
history,
a
lot
of
people
that
we
know
about
have
come
to
Minnesota
into
Minneapolis.
I
Yeah
a
lot
have
come
to
Minnesota
and
to
Minneapolis
as
well
as
in
Duluth
as
well
there,
the
the
person,
oh
I,
can't
the
name
just
went
out
of
my
head
I'll
think
about
it
in
a
moment
and
just
say
it
in
the
chat
when
it
comes
back,
but
he
started
the
first
NAACP
the
voice.
Thank
you,
boys
in
Duluth
Minnesota,
and
it
happened
when
the
lynching
occurred.
I
C
J
Well,
Reverend
Billy
Russell
said
he
was
65.
I'm
66
and
I'm
from
Louisiana
and
I
grew
up
in
the
in
the
Baptist.
Church
and
I
didn't
have
a
choice
either,
and
you
know
I
just
get
married
after
after
college
and
married
at
AME
and
moved
to
Minnesota
and
found
found
St
James
Amy
and
continue
to
go
to
St
James.
Until
today,.
L
H
Oh
that's
all
when
I
got
here
was
Presbyterian
and
lutherans
in
Rochester
president
here
in
Lutheran,
I
didn't
think
it
was
any
Baptist
churches
in
Minnesota
matter
of
fact
being
in
the
National
Baptist
convention
for
all
those
years,
I
had
never
heard
about
a
Baptist
Church
from
Minnesota
trust.
Me
I
had
been
a
part
of
Baptist
convention,
since
I
was
15
years
old,
but
I
had
never
heard
of
a
Baptist
Church
in
Minnesota.
So
after
getting
here
and
finding
out,
there
are
some
black
people
in
a
black
Baptist
Church
in
Minnesota.
H
You
know,
and
there
was
one
in
Rochester
that
really,
but
it
was
a
Southern
Baptist
Church.
That's
the
church
that
called
me
first
and
I'll
be
honest.
I
was
not
too
excited
about
going
to
a
southern
baptist
black
church.
So
within
two
weeks,
I
got
a
call
from
greater
friendship,
which
was
a
Baptist
Church
I
had
no
clue
about
greater
friendship
and
I
said
a
Baptist
Church
in
Minneapolis.
That's
where
I'm
going
I'm
going
to
see
what
black
folks
go
with
in
many
episodes
about
black
Baptist
Church.
H
That's
how
I
ended
up
in
Minneapolis,
because
otherwise
I
would
have
been
right
here
in
Rochester
pastoring
from
the
very
beginning
with
mostly
white
folks.
Trust
me
when
I
say
that
that
I
was
because
there
was
not
another
black
Baptist
Church
in
Minnesota,
I
didn't
think
so.
Until
I
found
greater
friendship
and
I
found
greater
friendship
and
I
found
those
few
people
there
I
said.
Oh,
we
got
potential
right
here
for
some
black
folks
in
Minnesota
and
that's
how
I
ended
up
there,
because
I
I
grew
up
in
a
National,
Baptist
and
I'm.
H
Still
National
Baptist
today
been
a
lot
of
other
things,
a
lot
of
other
proper
possibilities
to
try
to
lure
me
into
another
Direction
and
steal,
even
them,
but
even
today,
I'm
still
black
National
Baptist,
so
good
for
you
that
you
still
am
me
all
right
and
it's
still
possible.
That's
still,
25
that
there
are
25
black
churches,
black
Baptist,
Churches,
they're,
still
25,
that's
alive
in
Minneapolis
right
now,
Minneapolis
St
Paul.
There
are
25
black
Baptist
Churches.
They
are
alive,
some
of
them
are
on
a
little
on
crutches,
but
they're
still
alive.
All.
J
H
J
B
E
B
K
B
B
B
C
L
L
And
so
we
moved
here
and
we
went
to
St,
James
and
Saint
Paul
because
they
were,
they
helped
us
move
into
our
apartments
and
everything.
And
then
we
went.
Then
we
started
at
St
James
in
Minneapolis
and
we've
been
there
ever
since.
My
wife
is
actually
and
Naomi
chaplain
at
the
VA
in
Marion
Illinois,
but
it's
I.
L
L
L
H
C
H
I
have
always
believed
in
connecting
with
the
community
back
when
I
was
a
young
fellow
growing
up,
my
daddy
always
connected
with
the
community.
He
brought
politicians
to
the
church.
Politicians
spoke
to
us
at
the
church
and
then
you
know
back
then
he
actually
told
us
this
who
we
need
to
vote,
for
this
will
help
us
get
to
the
next
level.
H
You
know
the
federal
federal
government-
probably
these
hinges
on
us
whatever,
but
I
still
believe
that
it's
the
church
that
need
to
connect
with
the
politician,
because
the
church
and
politics
is
gonna,
always
go
together.
I
mean
we
could
say
one
thing
in
the
church,
but
but
if
we
don't
connect
with
people
who
could
actually
make
decisions,
it's
not
going
to
help
us
at
all,
so
I've
always
been
involved
in
the
political.
The
political
part
of
it
and
I
will
continue
to
be
even
more
environmental
fact.
H
I
was
on
phone
calls
today
with
the
governor
of
Minnesota
talking
about
the
possibility
of
the
future,
because
so
my
thing
is
right
now,
I
think
church
and
politics
we
must
go
together.
All
you
got
to
do
is
look
back
at
the
Insurrection
January
6,
and
you
see
why
we
need
to
be
involved
as
a
church.
We
can't
just
say
we're
going
to
sit
around
this
pray
and
not
be
involved
in
all
this
stuff
going
on.
I
Dr
Antonia,
if
I
could
add
to
that
and
when
I
think
about
the
AME
Church.
Specifically,
this
is
a
conversation
yeah.
You
know
I
mentioned
earlier
that
the
AME
Church
has
always
dealt
with
the
plight
of
oppressed
people,
racism,
sexism,
economic
disadvantage,
we've
our
our
mission
is
to
minister
to
the
social,
spiritual
and
physical
development
of
all
people
so
amen.
We
are
connected
and
out
there
and
it's
all
about
the
community.
It's
about
the
people
in
the
community
and
that's
who
we
are
here
to
serve,
and
politics
are
a
part
of
that.
I
When
I
grew
up
in
the
AME
Church,
you
would
have
politicians
coming
in
and
making
their
spills
and
the
pastor
telling
you
who
to
vote
for
kind
of
thing.
Now
we
don't
do
that
anymore
like
this
is
who
you
need
to
vote
for,
but
we
talk
about
it.
We
are
there
we're
bringing
legislation
in
we're,
bringing
it
to
the
vote.
I
That
is
one
example
of
of
how
the
church
has
come
into
the
community
deal
with
the
issues
deal
with
the
needs
and
how
we
go
with
a
a
voice,
that's
United,
and
so
many
times,
I've
been
in
the
rooms
with
Reverend,
Billy
and
others.
Talking
about
some
of
the
important
topics
that
impact
the
community
and
then
in
my
day
and
age,
growing
up
watching
the
pastors,
because
the
church
was
the
central
focus
in
my
life
growing
up,
it
was
the
central
Focus.
H
I
A
H
But
you
know
it's
actually
been.
Chavez
has
been
more
involved
in
that
and
I.
Don't
know
if
he's
on
right
now.
He
might
could
tell
us
more
about
that,
but
it
was
a
dream
born
out
of
the
church
and
the
church
being
involved
in
the
community,
and
but
it's
something
we've
been
doing
all
alone
and
actually
the
21
days
of
peace
is
just
a
new
name
for
something
that
we
started.
H
I
would
say
15
years
ago
when
we
worked
with
the
Urban
League
and
Sabbath,
and
the
communities
I'm
not
Savannah
and
stairstep,
and
we
actually
raised
funds
to
help
people
to
be
out
there
on
the
in
the
streets
and
do
this.
But
Reverend
McAfee
really
brought
all
those
things
back
to
light
a
few
months
ago,
but
it's
something
we
had
been
doing
all
along,
but
we
just
called
the
church
to
a
time
of
action
and
again
what
it
is
and
and
I'm
gonna
hope.
H
Shelbyville
alone
he
can
say,
something's
been
doing
please
join
in,
but
otherwise
the
church
is
doing
right.
Now
what
the
church
has
been
doing
all
along
it's
just
more
in
the
spotlight
now,
because
people
saying
the
church
doing
something.
Well,
we've
been
doing
all
the
time
it's
just
got.
It's
got
some
some
news
right
now.
It's
got
some
press,
but
we've
been
doing
this
all
alone,
even
more
so
because
of
the
pandemic,
the
pandemic
I
mean
you
looking
at
the
new
pandemic
Church
and
people
who
can't
adopt
to
the
pandemic.
H
Church
your
doors
will
probably
end
up
being
closed.
I'm
saying
it's
all
the
churches
right
now,
if
you
cannot
adapt
to
the
new
pandemic
Church,
which
is
involved
in
the
community,
which
is
live
streaming,
which
is
I've
heard
people
who've
told
me,
they've
been
saved,
actually
people
who
will
never
go
to
a
building
but
they've
been
healed
and
delivered
watching
Church
online.
I
Yeah
I'll
add
that
to
that
Reverend
Russo
we've
had
to
think
about
doing
Church
in
a
whole
different
way.
So
when
yeah,
when
the
pandemic
hit
and
and
for
us,
our
Bishop
said
we
can't
go
into
the
buildings
anymore
because
of
people's
safety,
and
so,
if
you're,
the
oldest
African-American
church
in
the
Twin
Cities
in
the
state
of
Minnesota,
do
you
have
technology?
I
No,
we
did
not
have
technology,
and
so
how
do
you
continue
to
minister
to
the
people
you
go
out
to
the
streets
and
you
meet
them
where
they
are
right
and
I?
Think
that
has
a
lot
to
do
with
the
21
days
of
Peace,
and
it's
been
more
than
a
hundred
days
now.
So
the
21
days
was
a
while
ago.
It's
been
past
100
days
and
there
was.
I
There
are
a
couple
of
articles,
I,
think
in
the
Star
and
Tribune
and
other
newspapers
and
on
the
news
channels,
because
we
just
got
together
a
few
weeks
ago
or
earlier
this
month
and
had
a
session
to
talk
about
the
results
and
what
has
happened,
and
so
various
churches
are
coming
together.
They're
going
to
the
hot
spots,
the
police
is
kind
of
telling
the
churches
in
the
community
where
the
hot
spots
are
and
then
we're
here
we're
on
the
corners.
We
are
understanding
what
the
needs
Czar.
I
We
have
maybe
a
barbecue
or
a
hot
dog
or
we're
bringing
clothes
or
we're
we're
having
prayer
with
people
we're
feeding
the
people.
We
are
meeting
the
needs
of
the
people
where
they
are
in
the
21
days
of
Peace
started
because
of
all
the
gun.
Violence,
that's
happening
in
Minneapolis,
and
then
it
also
expanded
to
Saint,
Paul
and
and
because
of
21
days
of
Peace.
There
have
been
a
number
of
guns
that
have
come
off
the
streets.
I
H
Amen
and
that's
that's
what
I've
been
when
I
say
the
new
welcome
to
the
new
pandemic
church.
It's
it's
a
Church,
Without
Walls
I
mean
you
think
you
want
to
sit
inside
of
a
building
and
wait
for
people
to
come
to
you.
That's
not
gonna
happen.
You
got
to
go
to
the
people,
I
mean
and
that's
what
that's?
What
church?
B
Pastor
Russell!
Yes,
yes,
so
I
just
spoke
with
Dr
Chavez.
He
just
literally
hung
up
a
minute
ago
and
he's
at
dinner
with
his
wife.
But
if,
if
I
may
take
a
little
bit
of
Liberty,
I
would
like
to
share
his
testimony
that
he
shared
a
few
weeks
ago,
and
that
is
he
was
you
know
out
fellowshipping
with
the
community
community
on
I,
believe
it's
Lake,
Street
and
there's.
B
But
you
know
what
God
loves
you
and
so
do
I,
and
he
reports
that
the
man,
paused
and
and
tears
ran
down
his
face
and
said
no
one
has
ever
said
anything
like
that
to
me,
and
just
those
simple
words
I
mean
he
he
didn't
preach
like,
like
you
say:
Pastor
Russell,
a
three-point
sermon.
He
just
he
just
simply
said:
God
loves
you
and
so
do
do
I
and
it
changed.
In
that
moment
it
changed
his
heart
where
he
was
talking
about
killing
the
next
person
that
irritated
him.
B
He
went
to
thinking
about
something
completely
different,
so
that
was
just
one
testimony.
I
know,
there's
great
things
happening
out
and
and
that's
helping
helping
to
squash
the
the
violence
and
and,
as
you
all
have
been
saying,
it's
the
the
church.
That's
that's.
The
driver
of
of
this
initiative
of
getting
control
of
our
own
communities
amen.
H
I
Okay,
they
will
be
there,
but
if
we
think
about
our
congregations
and
how
our
congregations
are
aging
and
how,
when
I
think
about
my
membership,
so
I
have
a
small
membership.
78
people
on
the
roll,
a
majority
of
them-
are
individuals
that
are
in
their
60s
or
older,
and
what
we
have
to
do
is
get
out
of
the
Four
Walls
of
the
church.
Go
into
the
community,
understand
the
needs
of
the
community
and
provide
for
those
needs
in
order
to
continue
to
build
and
to
continue
to
grow
the
church.
H
Yeah,
what
that's
my
whole
thing
with
I
retired,
while
I
can
still
work
if
that
makes
sense,
a
lot
of
pastors
have
actually
died
in
the
pulpit
and
couldn't
really
help
nobody
else,
because
they
actually
died
in
the
Pulpit,
but
God
showed
me.
I
need
to
be
in
a
position,
so
I
could
help
the
younger
churches
coming
up
the
younger
people
because,
like
you,
said
people
65
and
old
they're
inside
the
wall,
but
outside
of
that
they
are
still
not
inside
they're,
not
coming
inside
the
wall.
H
So
my
thing
is
now
I
want
to
try
to
bring
up
younger
people.
Train
younger
leaders
to
they
can
actually
get
out
there
and
do
evangelism
and
listen.
Evangelism
is
the
missing
word
in
churches?
People
don't
talk
about
these
a
little
more
I
mean,
but
but
you
know
what,
for
the
events,
a
little
Islam
is
making
sure
your
live
streaming
is
on
point:
that's
how
you're
gonna
reach
the
young
people,
so
my
thing
is
trying
to
teach
people
how
to
do
that,
trying
to
teach
the
young
Minister
back.
H
It's
not
about
you
getting
to
the
pulpit
and
just
just
really
hooping
and
hollering,
and
no
you
got
to
know
how
to
reach
people.
Otherwise
the
church
is
going
to
be
dead.
They're
not
going
to
be
anybody
in
the
building.
So
God
allowed
me
to
retire.
So
I
could
well.
I
still
got
a
lot
of
energy
to
try
to
show
the
Next
Generation.
That's
what
you
have
to
be
going
for.
I
know
what
it
took
for
me,
but
now
he
has
shown
me
over
the
years.
H
This
was
going
to
take
for
the
church
to
say
to
say
alive.
So
that's
that's.
Who
I
am
right
now
is
helping
the
church
stay
alive,
I'm
not
looking
to
pass
I'm,
not
I'm,
I'm,
I
and
trust.
Me
I've
had
many
opportunities
since
I've
left,
I've,
retired,
greater
friendship,
I
had
many
opportunities
to
go
past,
the
other
churches.
I,
don't
want
a
pastor,
but
I
want
to
pass
out
of
state
a
greater
friendship.
My
thing
is
helping
Pastor
helping
churches
to
go
forward
to
be
the
best
you
can
possibly.
So
that's.
H
E
H
I
H
Amen,
you
know
what
and
and
the
thing
about
it
is
right
now
that
a
lot
of
churches
have
still
have
not
opened
up,
especially
in
the
South
who've
been
giving
us
a
whole
lot
of
chatter
should
I
say
because
they
want
us
to
help
them
come
back
on,
but
it's
going
to
be
interesting.
Come
the
first
of
the
year.
I'll
say
it
like
that
to
see
what
happens
with
the
church
is
going
for
in
this
new
day,
but
we're
here
we're
ready.
I
H
C
C
We
would
like
to
ask
that
the
people
who
came-
and
thank
you
so
much
for
being
here
if
you
could
spend
just
a
few
more
minutes,
we're
going
to
post
some
questions.
It's
a
short
survey
in
which
you
would
like
to
ask
for
your
opinion
about
how
we
are
to
document
as
well
as
make
sure
that
others
learn
about
this
important
history
in
our
lives
here
in
Minneapolis
Minnesota.
H
H
B
G
C
It
is,
you
do
think
that
it's
important
to
document
honor
and
preserve
these
events
places
and
his
history
is
100
percent
of
you
said
yes,
how
should
we
preserve
these
places
and
people's
history?
100
of
you
said
recordings
and
then
another
45
and
82
percent
museums
in
Minneapolis,
which
is
just
wonderful
and
then
the
last
question?
C
F
Thank
you
Antonio
for
calling
attention
to
that
question.
Certainly
I've
been
taking
various
notes,
as
our
wonderful
speakers
have
been
talking,
and
you
know,
we've
captured
the
the
places
of
houses
of
worship
throughout
the
city
and
really
anything
that
you
that
you
think
is
important,
whether
it's
a
community
Gathering
space,
the
site
of
a
specific
event
that
was
really
impactful,
the
home
of
someone
that
you
think
is
really
important
in
the
community.
C
And
here
is
the
Reverend
Dr
Gibson,
first
black
Firehouse
or
first
black
Restaurant
West
Broadway
was
very
important
part
of
the
city
in
the
past.
So
thank
you
for
that
and
if
you'd
please
know
then
send
us
some
more
I
have
been
remiss
in
thanking
Jonathan,
Carter
and
Emery
Carter,
who
are
our
producers
so
every
evening
when
we
have
been
meeting,
they
prepare
the
music
and
the
slides.
C
As
our
panel
members
are
talking,
they
highlight
these
slides
that
reflect
what
they're
talking
about
and
I
appreciate,
both
of
you
very
much
because
without
your
support,
we
couldn't
make
these
sessions
as
interesting
and
as
compelling.
So
thank
you
very
much
and
my
apologies,
if
I
have
failed
to
thank
you
before,
are
there
any
more
questions
for
the
sheer
reverence
we're
about
to
close
our
evening
and
George
Legend
Lang
will
have
a
few
words.
E
I
think
there
is
a
question
about
the
first
black
firehouse
and
we
have
been
working
with
the
current
owners
of
former
station
24
at
4501,
Hiawatha
Avenue
and
the
106
group
has
also
been
formally
involved
in
the
historic
preservation
study
and
Aaron.
Is
there
anything
that
you
can
add
with
regard
to
the
status
of
the
fire
station?
At
this
point,
the
former
all
black
fire
station.
F
I
You
know
I
think
that's
an
important
point
if
we
think
about
prominent
African
Americans,
you
know
from
you
know
the
City
of
Minneapolis.
How
can
we
name
something
after
them?
Name
a
street
after
them
and
for
students
to
learn
about
the
history
in
schools
and
so
what
about
a
Black,
History,
Month
curriculum,
or
what
about
the
opportunity
to
tell
people
about
the
great
Reverend,
Dr,
Billy,
Russell
and
all
of
his
accolades?
That
came
that
we're.
You
know
when
I
think
about
I'm
standing
on
somebody
else's
shoulders.
I
I
wouldn't
be
here
today
without
someone
else
doing
some
of
the
things
that
they've
done
to
make
it
possible.
That's
why
it
drives
me
crazy.
When
young
people
don't
go
out
and
vote
when
I'm
able
to
say
people
died
for
the
right
for
you
to
be
able
to
vote,
and
you
don't
want
to
cash
your
vote
because
you
don't
care
about
who's
running
for
president
of
the
United
States
or
mayor
or
whatever
it
is
your
vote.
People
died
for
it.
E
Well,
thank
you
for
that
cue,
Reverend
Tracy.
Our
team
is
creating
a
youth
Scholars
Program
with
friendship
academy
for
the
Arts,
where
they
will
have
a
curriculum
with
historic
preservation
and
be
able
to
write
about,
in
particular
in
their
own
Community.
The
12th
Ward,
some
of
the
important
historic
sites
so
St
James
AME
and
the
founders
greater
friendship.
The
fire
station
24
will
be
part
of
their
curriculum.
So
we
will
have
you
right
in
the
middle
of
everything.
H
Amen
and
we
will
have
on
further
living
on
a
Sunday
night.
You
probably
want
to
join
us
because
we're
going
to
have
Bobby
Joe
champion
and
other
people
we're
going
to
be
talking
about
the
election
coming
up
and
how
important
it
is
for
everybody
to
get
out,
because
people
don't
realize
what
an
important
election
we're
facing
right
now.
So,
if
you
want
to
hear
all
the
details,
you
probably
want
to
join
on
prayer
of
the
living
on
Sunday
and
guess
what
I
can
say
what
I
want
to
say.
K
I
E
E
H
E
H
E
So
please
keep
the
ideas
coming.
Ask
your
grandparents
and
your
relatives
to
see
if
they
remember
any
notable
places,
any
notable
things
to
remember
about
what
happened
in
Minneapolis
during
their
lifetime,
so
that
we
can
have
as
complete
a
picture
as
possible
about
the
city
and
with
that
I
think
we
will
close
Dr,
Wilcox
and
I'll.
Let
you
close
us
out.