From anchor to accidental trailblazer. Discover the journey of the first Black woman manager at KARE 11, a story of ambition, unexpected leadership, and community building. #BreakingBarriers #NewsAnchor #LeadershipJourney #KARE11 #DiversityInMedia

Abolitionist social justice work demands flexibility. Be ready to shift culture, manage unexpected departures, and prioritize safety, knowing your community supports you. #Abolitionist #SocialJustice #Flexibility #Adaptability #CommunitySupport

Doubts surfaced early in her media career, fueled by nasty comments and a fear of not belonging. But divine guidance and unexpected community support transformed her journey, leading to a profound sense of family. #FaithJourney #OvercomingDoubt #FindingCommunity #MediaCareer #Belonging

LeBrent Speed founded The Better Black Business (B3) Project to intentionally combine commerce and community for Black entrepreneurs and authentic allies. Just over two years in, the professional networking program has more than 100 members and is expanding to other cities.

On this episode of MSR On the Radar, Speed shares how a licensed minister who always aspired to work in business became BNI’s first Black regional director, and why he saw a need for more intentional Black networking spaces. He explains B3’s founding principle of serving over selling, defines networking as the intentional pursuit of impactful relationships, and talks about his nonprofit, The Better Black Business Initiative, which trains Black youth, next-generation allies and justice-impacted people to become entrepreneurs.

Speed also discusses his first book, “The Transformation Code: 5 Keys to Transforming Your Life and Impacting the World,” and how it grew out of one of the lowest periods of his life.

Watch the full conversation.

Dalton Outlaw has been running Element Boxing and Fitness in St. Paul for 15 years. Now he is co-founding something that could change the footprint of an entire St. Paul neighborhood.

In this Black Business Spotlight from the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Outlaw talks about Keg House Commons, a revitalization project converting the historic Schmidt Keg House from a former brewery into a full-service destination hub anchored by local Black ownership.

The vision is ambitious. A boxing and fitness center. A social and sports lounge. An event center that holds up to 500 people. Outdoor patios and green space for activations, events and experiences beyond the building’s walls. And a roster of small business partners including Life Juice, a St. Paul-based Black-owned juice company, and a coffee partner coming into the space to serve drinks throughout the day.

“I think it’s very important that local ownership take part in historic revitalizations.”

Co-founders include Outlaw, St. Paul resident and retired NFL player Michael Floyd, and local developer Sean Divine, who has been Outlaw’s partner in Outlaw Development for the past six years.

Getting the project to the finish line required navigating the complexities of a property that came out of foreclosure, a challenge that made traditional financing difficult. Outlaw credits Sunrise Banks for providing lending on the property and Lisk for facilitating Groundbreak funds that helped close the gap.

“I’m grateful for all of our partners, Groundbreak, Lisk, Sunrise Banks, and our amazing team.”

Keg House Commons is being built as a hub for small business, community and culture, rooted in St. Paul and driven by the people who call it home.

For the first time, Blacklight on Sports welcomes a husband and wife. Reggie Wilson served as the first Black sports director at KARE 11, and Alexis Rogers became the first Black woman in a management role in the station’s history. Together they have navigated layoffs, a new baby, a cross-country career journey and the launch of their own storytelling business, I Speak People.

Hosted by Charles Hallman, the conversation covers Reggie’s scenic route from photographer in Wichita to Minneapolis, Alexis’s path from the Chicago area to the anchor desk, the isolation of arriving during the pandemic, and the night of community love that changed Reggie’s mind about quitting. They also open up about being laid off, how those moments accelerated I Speak People, and their work mentoring young Black journalists through NABJ.

Faith runs through it all, along with advice on staying excellent while still being a work in progress.

Watch the full conversation.