Featured
Mike Tate on Building North Commons | Blacklight on Sports
For over 50 years, Mike Tate has transformed North Minneapolis youth sports. He joins Blacklight on Sports to discuss the landmark new North Commons fieldhouse.
Mike Tate has been at North Commons Park since 1973. That is more than five decades of coaching, mentoring and advocating for young people on the north side of Minneapolis, mostly without pay and often without recognition.
Tate joins hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald on Blacklight on Sports to talk about the years-long fight to build the new North Commons fieldhouse, a project that came together with state, federal, city and philanthropic support and totals roughly $49 million. He explains why he sees it as a destination center, not just a rec center.
The conversation also covers the collapse of youth sports infrastructure in Minneapolis, his family’s journey from Campbellsville, Kentucky, to Fergus Falls in 1907, the mentors who shaped him, memories of Clyde Turner’s basketball camps, and his litter league now in its seventh year. His message: show up to the meetings, and lead with love.
Watch the full conversation.
Featured
NFN Live Jumua Khatib Ismael Saleem at 2026 CDLC
Watch Khatib Ismael Saleem deliver a powerful Jumua khutbah live from the 2026 CDLC. Tune in now for this insightful spiritual message.
NFN Live Jumua Khatib Ismael Saleem at 2026 CDLC
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Featured
Coach of the Week – Lashunta Mosley
Meet Lashunta Mosley, our featured Coach of the Week. Watch the full spotlight to see how she’s making an impact on the field and in the community.
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Featured
Jamal’s Take: Cowboys Crush Eagles 38–21 as Javonte Williams Goes OFF
The Cowboys snapped their losing streak in a 38–21 blowout win over the Eagles. See Jamal’s breakdown of the game and Javonte Williams’ massive performance.
Jamal talks the big win over the Eagles that snapped the Cowboys out of a losing streak and chalked up big numbers for Javonte Williams.
Keep up with the lates at http://www.northdallasgazette.com
Cowboys End Two-Game Skid and Keep Division Hopes Alive
Featured
The People’s Revival GOTV 2026 Tour | Dallas
Join the People’s Revival GOTV 2026 Tour at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. Powerful mobilization for our future, sponsored by PNBC, AFL-CIO, and PUSH.
The People’s Revival GOTV 2026 Tour | Friendship-West Baptist Church | Dallas | Sponsored by the PNBC, the AFL-CIO and Rainbow PUSH
Featured
What was hidden under the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg #history #facts #americanhistory
Uncover the secrets buried beneath Williamsburg’s historic First Baptist Church. Explore the powerful legacy of one of America’s oldest Black congregations.
The provided sources highlight significant historical and contemporary milestones within Black communities in Virginia, notably celebrating the 250th anniversary of the historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg and its newly reconstructed original meeting house. Additionally, the materials detail the Virginia Union University Gospel Choir earning a first-round consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards for their live recording, “Great Is Yahweh.” Archival excerpts further showcase various past events, including local sports updates, community advocacy against unfavorable municipal land plans and waterfront playground sites, and historical profiles such as Jesse Boland, recognized as Virginia’s pioneering Black aviator in 1920.
Featured
Young Black voters in Houston defy labels
Young Black voters at TSU are rejecting political labels and defining their own priorities ahead of Election Day. Watch them share what actually earns their vote.
The Defender asked five Black Houston voters at Texas Southern University what it takes for a candidate to earn their vote, and the answers don’t fit neatly into any party box.
Students and community leaders from TSU and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women talk party labels, showing up in Third Ward and Fifth Ward before Election Day, rising costs, cuts to special education, the erasing of Black history, and what older generations get wrong about young voters.
In this video, you’ll hear from:
– Arielle Price, President, Texas Southern University NAACP
– Kobe McPhaull, Vice President, Campus Pals, Texas Southern University
– Evan Robinson, Texas Southern University
– Dr. Sierra Orsino, Member, National Coalition of 100 Black Women
– Corey Hawkins, Co-Chair, Public Policy, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Houston Metropolitan Chapter
Chapters
0:00 Democrat, Republican or independent?
0:35 What would it take to earn your trust?
1:08 What issue is hitting home right now?
1:34 What older generations get wrong about young voters
Check your voter registration status and make a plan to vote so your voice is heard.
Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive interviews, local news, and community coverage.
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Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter
Donate/ Support Our Work
NFN Live Jumua Khatib Ismael Saleem at 2026 CDLC
Mike Tate on Building North Commons | Blacklight on Sports
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What was hidden under the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg #history #facts #americanhistory
Young Black voters in Houston defy labels
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