Counter Stories cofounder and cohost Donald Eubanks unexpectedly passed away in March. He was laid to rest next to his mother in the traditional Ojibwe way on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians reservation. On April 13, 2024, the Counter Stories crew was honored to cohost a Celebration of Life event in the Twin Cities. Today, we bring you some of the stories shared at the event. 

Last legislative sessions’ Education Finance Bill included creating a group focused on streamlining computer science education. This year, Representative Liz Lee has proposed a new bill that would put recommendations from that group into action. Alongside Rep. Lee are community organizations that are hoping to expose more urban, BIPOC, and young women to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). Rep. Lee and Vanessa Young, co-founder of 30,000 Feet, an organization that exposes youth to the many tech fields available to them, joins the crew to talk about how to STEAM forward. 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we’ll be joined all month by powerful and inspirational women. This week, that person is Sagal Ali. She joins us to talk about the Muslim holiday, Ramadan. Sagal shares her journey of rediscovering her faith and envisioning her path forward to work on issues that matter to her most. 

We wrap up our celebration of Black History Month with a conversation with James Burroughs, whose worn many hats within community. As the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children’s Hospital, he is challenging systemic racism within the healthcare industry, both in-facing and out-facing. James is also a founding member of the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity, a group that looks at philanthropy, employment, business development, and public safety. He also provides the crew with some simple ways to celebrate Black history outside the month of February. Guest: James Burroughs, Children’s Hospital, Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity   

As we look at Black History Month, we need to also look to the future. How do Black Minnesotans imagine the future through innovative, Black-centered design and connecting to each other through intentional conversation? Our guest, innovation strategist Gabrielle Grier fills the crew in on how this initiative is already underway.  Guest:  Gabrielle Grier, African American Leadership Forum  

As we dig deeper in Black History Month, the crew is joined by Sweet Potato Comfort Pie founder Rose McGee. Digging deeper beyond the surface of culture involves going beyond reading a history book. The history of our people is best told by our people. And sometimes, that’s through food. Every community have their own cultural and comfort food, and when we share it with each other, we connect on a deeper level than just filling our stomachs. 

All together once again, the crew talks Black history. From George Bunga, a Black-Indigenous fur trader from the 1890s to sundown towns, the crew shares what they know and learn a bunch in return. We also talk about Ethel Ray Nance, a Black stenographer for the state of Minnesota; Biddy Mason, a former slave who became an influential L.A. landowner; Toni Stone, an American female professional baseball player; the role Black athletes played in the NHL; the Green Book; Black Beauty; and more.    

As we enter Black History Month, the crew talk about its history, and how they were exposed to Black history growing up. In this Grab Bag show, the crew also talk about a new lawsuit against the Fearless Fund, for providing funding for Black women entrepreneurs and the murder charge brought up against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan for the shooting and killing of Ricky Cobb II. 

Minnesota’s historic tenant protection laws took effect on January 1, 2024, ensuring safe, stable, and affordable housing. Representative Ester Agbaje joins the crew to talk about the new comprehensive laws that provide tenants with the tools and resources to thrive. Guest: Rep. Esther AgbajeLegislation information: https://www.house.mn.gov/hinfo/leginfo/01012024NewLaws.pdf 

What started as a show about self-care during the holiday season, turned into a group therapy session with Dr. Aisha Mgeni. She reassures the crew that having needs doesn’t make you needy, it makes you human; and needs can often masquerade as wants and, especially for BIPOC folks, unmasking to get to those needs is often difficult.  Guest: Dr. Aisha Mgeni, Therapeace Counseling 

The crew invited back artist and designer Adrienne Benjamin to enlighten us about the Jingle Dress. Including its origin (and how it’s different where you go), its meaning, and how some things are just for the community it’s made for and not to be sold to outsiders (and that’s ok!). Guest: Adrienne Benjamin [https://www.yoadrienneb.net/] 

When recreational cannabis became legal to possess and sell (with licenses) on August 1, 2023, the Red Lake Nation was ready. Having already been growing for medicinal use, Red Lake’s legal counsel, Joe Plumer, worked alongside legislators to help pass the new law with a focus on tribal provisions.  Joe joins the crew to shed some light on the new law and how Red Lake and other tribes have been and continue to navigate through it 

When the cost of child care continues to climb, families, especially low-income families, are often left with few options. When this happens, it affects many other parts of our community, including work force and mental health. This year, in order to give some relief, the legislature passed the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program, meant to help families with young children access child care and programs designed to prepare them to begin school. Guest: Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega  

Beginning in 2026, Minnesota will be the 12th state in the union to offer paid family and medical leave for all Minnesotans working in the state. This means Minnesotans will be eligible for up to 20 weeks paid leave for a serious medical condition or to care for a loved one or newborn. With 75% of Minnesota’s workforce unable to access paid leave benefits, this new change is welcomed by Minnesota’s working class, but doesn’t come without tribulations. Author of the bill in the Senate, Alice Mann, joins the crew to talk about the benefits and challenges of the law. 

This session, Minnesota joined a growing list of states enacting the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful & Open World for Natural Hair). This amendment to the Minnesota Human Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination due to their natural hair. This comes as more and more stories emerge of BIPOC, specially Black, athletes having to cut their hair to participate and the long running concept that natural hair is “unprofessional.” For our conversation on this form of forced assimilation, we welcome two guest co-hosts: Katya Zepeda and Stephanie Williams. Guest: Rep. Ester AgbajeOne pager on The CROWN Act: https://mn.gov/mdhr/assets/Preventing-Hair-Discrimination-FactSheet_tcm1061-562859.pdf

Several acts passed into law this session focused on reproductive health. The PRO Act established a fundamental right to abortion access and reproductive care, including maternity care, family planning and contraception, among others. The Trans Refuge and Reproductive Freedom Acts makes Minnesota a safe haven for out-of-state people seeking abortions and gender-affirming care for minors, among others. Former House Representative and current CEO of Planned Parenthood, Ruth Richardson, joins the crew to talk through these acts and how they effect communities of color, especially the health disparities when it comes to access, women’s decisions on their bodies and the birthing death disparities seen in the African American and Indigenous communities. Guest: Ruth Richardson, Planned Parenthood

New public safety and gun control measures have been put in place in Minnesota with the goal of keeping everyone safe. This includes what some call the “red flag” law, allowing people to petition a court to suspend someone’s access to guns if they are a danger to themselves or someone else. Additionally, this move expands background checks to private gun transfers. A gun owner herself, Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn invited the crew to her café, Makwa Coffee, to talk about these changes and the complexities of legislative packages. Guest: Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn

Taking a break from our Legislative Wrap Up, the crew gathers to celebrate joys in our latest Grab Bag show. We celebrate the recent accomplishments of many Black athletes, Asian NY Fashion Week, land back, and accessibility to sports for youth.  

In our second installment, the crew discusses the community impact of the new law giving those who have left prison the right to vote. This action brings humanity and civic engagement back to those who had this right taken away from them. Community organizer Jason Sole joins the crew to talk about how felonies can follow a person throughout many aspects of their lives, and how getting their voting right back is a big step toward being an ordinary citizen. Guest: Jason Sole

As many as 55,000 Minnesotans are regaining their right to cast a ballot with the passing of the Restore the Vote bill. The new law means restoring voting rights to Minnesotans who have left prison. Former Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter joins the small crew this week to talk about just how important this bill is. Guests: Former Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter 

After more than two decades, Minnesota passed a law in 2023 allowing anyone in the state to get a driver’s license no matter their immigration status. A big win for the more than 80,000 undocumented immigrants in the state to finally be able to obtain a legal license to drive. Guest: Emilia Avalos Gonzalez, Unidos MN

In this year’s Legislative Wrap Up, the crew discusses the 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2040 requiring utilities offer customers 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The discussion includes equity in climate change efforts, opportunities for Minnesotans to incorporate clean energy in their everyday life, and how more education of these topics is needed in our community Dr. Brenda Casselius and Anjali Bains, Fresh Energy

The Crew digs into what makes a gather an authentic gathering, what foods are present? They talk about the commercialization of foods from their communities, how making traditional foods have changed, and what’s ours. 

The crew discusses what grief looks like for themselves. Having all lost loved ones fairly recently, and not having an outlet to discuss it (as it is often seen as an inappropriate topic for social conversations), the crew talk about death, memories, shared grief, and joy. 

Our latest Grab Bag is covered in SCOTUS rulings. The crew discuss the ups and downs of recent rulings, how these ruling affect our communities, the importance of remembering our history, and more. 

The crew is joined by the St. Paul Parks & Rec Director, a BIPOC hometown boy, to talk about the importance of rec centers and staying active. They reminisce about using rec centers as kids and discuss recent advances in accessibility and safety. Andy Rodriguez, St. Paul Parks & Rec

Juneteenth is now a federal and state (Minnesota) holiday. With celebrations throughout the state, the crew is joined by Lee Jordan, the Midwest and State Director for the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, to talk about the history of and how people celebrate the holiday. Lee Jordan, Juneteenth Speaks 

It’s time we checked in with the crew. Spring is finally here and the crew takes a glance at what they’re looking forward to this summer. From frolicking to camping, the crew discusses what they’re weary of when making summer plans as well as how they best relax as themselves. 

The crew is joined by local author David Mura, whose most recent book is “The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and our American Narratives." The book takes a deep look at White/BIPOC relations in America. For example, Lincoln was a good American and a racist. We can’t forget the racism that happened hundreds of years ago in America, because it continues to exist today, even in the most progressive people. Guest: David Mura, https://davidmura.com/

What is the truth when it comes the University of Minnesota and its history with the Indigenous peoples of this area? Members of all 11 Minnesota reservations worked together with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and the U of M to answer that question with The TRUTH Report. The results? Not surprising. There has been and continues to be persistent and systemic mistreatment of Indigenous peoples by the U of M for centuries, including land grabs throughout the state through unfair treaties and empty promises. Guests: Misty Blue, Audrianna Goodwin and Laurie Harper; https://mn.gov/indian-affairs/truth-project/ 

March Madness is behind us, but one story remains. That of a Black athlete making a gesture toward a White player who came under fire by sports professionals and social media; even though that same White player made that same gesture just days before. The crew unpacks this (racial and sexist) double standard that doesn’t only exist in sports. 

On this Grab Bag episode, we talk about book bans and other brans coming out of Florida. The crew ask and attempt to answer several questions, including: Why are these bans happening? Is this in response to the browning of America? How can we get away from talking points and focus on what’s happening on the ground? We also had yet another school shooting and check in with our hosts. 

Cohost Anthony Galloway recently traveled to Israel and Palestine with a group of religious leaders, artists and educators. Duluth-based Indigenous artist Moira Villiard, who was among the group, joins the crew this week. They share their experience with the complex political issues in the area, what surprised them most, and what they took away from the trip. Guest: Moira Villiard 

On this special episode, Hlee Lee is joined by three strong women making change in community. The group discuss what it’s like to a proud woman of color, identity crises, and how there’s still a lot of work to be done for justice. Guests: Beverly Bushyhead, Minnesota Peacebuilding  Leadership Institute Deanna Reder, Dabinoo’lgan Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter Sagal Ali, Ayada Leads 

The last few years have been hard on everyone, especially our young people. The loss of connection to community may be part of why we’ve seen so much violence among young people as of late. How do we, as adults, learn the new rhythm of young people to understand a community code? How can young people work with and in societies that are not trauma-informed? If we’ve learned anything from the recent violent crimes among young people, it’s that we need all hands on deck to create a restorative society. Guest: Chauntyll Allen, Saint Paul Public School Board President 

Minnesota’s Hmong population lost a Secret War Veteran this month after Saint Paul Police shot and killed him in his apartment complex. The man, Yia Xiong, who only spoke Hmong and was hard-of-hearing, died when he did not respond to commands made by police. The crew finds themselves, yet again, talking about the unnecessary loss of a BIPOC person at the hands of the police, and are joined by community organizer Marsha Allen as the community continues to demand answers and action. Guest: Marsha Allen, Justice for Yia Xiong

“Pretendians” is a term new to many of us. Really, it’s another term for fraud and cultural appropriation, specific to the Indigenous communities. From academia to the arts, non-Native peoples are faking their cultural background in order to gain recognition and work. Pretendians and cultural frauds cause more harm to the communities they appropriate than just taking away work opportunities. Guests: Guest co-host Emilia Gonzales Avalos, guest Graci Horne of the Mnisota Native Artists Alliance

On this special episode of Counter Stories, producer Hlee Lee is joined by members of the Asian-Pacific Islander community to talk about Lunar New Year and how it’s celebrated differently throughout the world. They also collectively process the recent mass shootings that involved members of the California API community. Guests: May Esperanza Losloso, Kai Hsu, Maryanne Quiroz, and Kurt Rakim 

*trigger warning* With recent shootings in Minnesota (at Washington Tech School, Jerry Lee Rec Center, Mall of America), the crew discusses how these incidents are impacting our lives and our views on what’s happening in community. We ask why people are so willing to kill and how we can, if we can find and make change, while also understanding our own trauma.  

On this special episode, we bring you the keynote speech at the Duluth Martin Luther King Jr Day celebration by none other than Counter Stories’ co-host Anthony Galloway. The day’s celebration included joining the annual national MLK Breakfast (virtually), a march and rally, and speeches and panels featuring community members. Special thanks to the NAACP Duluth chapter.  

The crew talks Hollywood and what movies are on their must-see list, some dating as far back as the 1920s. Movies that make a statement, are inclusive of our communities, resonates with us, and open conversations between communities. Some of our communities have seen Hollywood success, while others are just now being made. 

Is it possible to be your full, unapologetic, authentic self while being a creditable person in your community? The crew talks about what it looks like when people within (and outside) your community look at you as a leader or changemaker while you are simultaneously discovering yourself and how you fit into society. 

We’re happy to present our first Unplugged show – a show we didn’t plan, it’s really just the four of us talking about what’s on our minds. We talk about the families struggling at the border, the scarcity mindset in this country, and this season of “giving.” But who to give to? When there are so many charities, fundraisers, nonprofits and people in need, how can we select who to give our money and time to? Can real change be made when our tax system charges the poor? The crew look forward to 2023 in our final show of the year. 

2022 was the year many strong, talented Asian women finally got flowers. With Michele Yeoh killing it on the national stage, locally, Hmong photographer Pao Houa Her has gained recognition for her photography work and was named Star Tribune’s Artist of the Year. 

People celebrate a variety of things during this time of year. For us, the time off many people get during this time, allows for more gatherings within our communities, keeping culture at the center of it. The excitement of seeing family, eating some good food and hearing historic family stories is sometimes still being overshadowed by COVID. 

Guest co-host Sindy Morales Garcia leads the crew through a conversation about hustling, or as some of us know it, surviving. From youth, many of us have experienced working to help make ends meet for our families, be it working under the table or being a part of mass production from home as children. As adults, we continue to hustle during the gig economy often at the cost of our mental health and coveted family time. 

What does reparations mean? People often believe it’s payment for past displacements, but there’s so more to it. In a system that was built against BIPOC folks, the City of St. Paul’s Reparations Legislative Advisory Committee, worked to address reparations. A draft ordinance for permeant repartitions in the city was presented to the city council with public hearings scheduled before the end of the year. 

Lots of things coming up for us this week, things in the news and community and all the issues below the line. How diverse is too diverse in higher education? From a U of M regent questioning the diversity of Morris’ campus and how that relates to another attempt to overturn affirmative action. Additionally, with the first Dia de los Muertos alter displayed in the state capitol, the crew discusses cultural celebrations honoring our ancestors.  

As election day nears, several things weigh heavy on the minds of voters. There is real fear about the safety of getting their ballots counted, voter intimidation, political parties attempting to staff polling locations, and more. 

With the midterm election just weeks away, the crew talks about why voting is important and what may be causing young people to not vote. We also discuss the barriers making it harder to vote, lack of information, and redistricting. Guest: Victor Yang

On our final episode of our Education Series episode, the crew talks higher education. What does diversity and inclusion look like? We talk with Kha Yang, the inaugural Associate Vice President of Inclusive Excellence, at the University of St. Thomas about her experience and vision for the largest private university in Minnesota. 

Minnesota’s, and possibly the country’s, first female Somali principal joins the crew to talk about her journey to becoming the principal of Gideon Pond school in Burnsville. Her aptness of spreading love and joy is at the core of how she wants to leads her school. 

Many people see environmental work as conservation, protecting the natural spaces throughout this world. But that is only part of the larger environmental justice picture. Our guests Roxxanne O’Brien and Justice Jones have been working in North Minneapolis to educate, empower and encourage urban residents to take a look at how things like air quality, water quality and green spaces effect their daily lives. 

The crew is joined by St. Paul Central’s new principal Cherise Ayers, who plans on making Central work for everyone, where everyone thrives. As an alumnae herself, Ayers has returned with a vision cultivate a Central where everyone thrives. The theme this year: We’re in this together. She takes her responsibly to the school, the community, parents and especially our children very seriously.

Our latest Grab Bag covers a variety of topics, but all with the theme of the lack of empathy and inhumane treating of people, including how a pastor in Alabama was arrested for watering his neighbor’s flowers, the removal of encampments for the un-housed, and those who benefit for student loan forgiveness.

As people are getting prepped to go back to school, a new lawsuit has been filed against Minneapolis Public School’s initiative to support and retain teachers of color. In addition to the halting of The WOKE Act in Florida, the crew discusses how not learning the true history of this country only leaves room to repeat history, or, prevents one from understanding how something like putting cotton on a Black child’s head is inappropriate. 

In the first of a series focusing on the education system, the crew talks about back-to-school jitters. As parents (and auntie) of BIPOC children, we have additional concerns about what our children do and did experience in school. We question whether they’re learning the full history of this country and how we can empower them to stand up to the system. 

On our latest Grab Bag show, we talk about yet another racist review of a movie that doesn’t focus on white people, the latest set back on holding someone accountable for the murder of Emmitt Till, and racist happenings at “family-friendly” theme parks. 

Where do we come from and why is that important? The crew talks about the want and need to, but also the barriers to, finding their roots. Once discovered (what we can), how can we preserve the story of our roots for future generations - not just so they know their history, but so they can embrace it?

This week we tackle the continuous work of debunking Stereotypes inside and outside of our communities. There are many ways to debunk stereotypes, but one thing we know for sure is that authentic relationships outweigh them all.

In what is likely the first of its kind, our guests this week started a conference about eating disorders in BIPOC communities. Intergenerational trauma, accessibility, beauty standards and disability justice are just a few issues that play a role in our relationship with food. Guests: Angela Goens, Whitney Trotter 

Our latest show explores how people of color often experience extractive experiences when in predominantly white spaces. From professional compensation to the reliving of their own experiences, the crew invites listeners to ask themselves, are my personal or professional interactions extracting resource, time, energy from my BIPOC peers? 

Our latest Grab Bag show touches on a variety of topics including the January 6th hearings, the first Indigenous Miss Minnesota, the record settlement between the city of Brooklyn Center and the family of Daunte Wright, and a check in with our co-hosts. 

As Juneteenth becomes a more mainstream celebration, we wondered if those benefiting from the holiday know the history behind it. Rose McGee, the brains behind Sweet Potato Comfort Pie and author of Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story joins the crew to dig deeper into the history of the emancipation proclamation and the recent resurgence of interest in the importance of June 19th.  Rose McGee, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie 

There are many complexities to mental health. Those complexities increase when you’re a person of color. Sam Choo sought to bring those complexities to the surface as the, up until recently, content producer for the public radio show Call to Mind; bringing personal experience, cultural perspectives and the ability to bring the conversation to the public. 

On this episode, we vent about where we are as the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder coincides with a recent string of mass shootings raising the question, when will enough be enough?Counter Stories is a co-production of the Counter Stories crew, the other media group, and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities. With support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Sarah Lancaster is many things. She is a public school teacher, a coach, a director of school plays, president of the local civic association, and as the only teacher of color in her rural school district, she’s an important connection between her students and the education system. Onamia is majority Indigenous students, and having grown up in the community, Lancaster made her journey back to make sure students were learning about and seeing themselves reflected in their education. Guest: Sarah Lancaster, 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

May is Foster Awareness month. Hoang Murphy joins the crew to talk about his personal experience in the foster system and how his organization, Foster Advocates, is giving the power to the young people living this often-invisible reality. Guest: Hoang Murphy, Foster Advocates

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is posing two questions to their enrolled members this year regarding blood quantum, or BQ as it is often seen as a derogatory term. BQ was established by the colonizers and continues today. The questions will inform the tribe leadership about whether BQ should be removed as a requirement to be a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and allow the tribe to determine its own membership requirement. But it’s not that simple. Our guests join us to unravel just the top few layers of this complex issue. Guest: Wayne Ducheneaux, Native Governance Center [https://nativegov.org/] Sally Fineday, MN Chippewa Tribe member 

A question about the lack of Black players on Argentina’s national futbol team between colleagues, sparks a conversation about blaqueamiento. Blaqueamiento is a racial whitening practice that occurred in some previously-colonized countries in the Americans and Caribbean. This practice of idealizing and preferring European features, continues to this day throughout the world. 

In this special episode, we bring you the conversation our producer, Hlee Lee, moderated at a recent event celebrating the 20th anniversary of ThreeSixty Journalism, a nonprofit providing journalism training to the youth of color. The five panelists are all graduates of the program, have taken what they learned and applied it to their careers in various fields. Guests: Evan Odegard Pereira, Amolak Sing, Victoria Turcios Laparra, Feven Gerezgiher, Aaliyah Demry

Counter StoriesThere has been a lot of news about labor recently with the unionizing of Amazon workers in New York and recent teachers strikes in Minnesota. In this episode, the crew talks with Alanna Galloway and Daniel Perez about their work in the labor movement and how people of color have an important, albeit complicated history with labor unions.---Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. 

Overt racism is more and more prominent. From hotels banning Native Americans to the crew’s own personal experiences in racist housing practices, from it taking more than a hundred years to pass an anti-lynching law to recent conflicts between communities of color. Racism has gone from hidden and passive-aggressive to open and overt. 

On this Grab Bag show, we talk about making those in dominant culture UNCOMFORTABLE. Including, the nonsensical questions Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is facing from senators, a big red panda making white people mad, more cases of Anti-Asian hate a year after the murders of six API women in Atlanta, and the confirmation of the Mille Lacs Reservation. On this Grab Bag show, we talk about making those in dominate culture UNCOMFORTABLE. Including, the nonsensical questions Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is facing from senators, a big red panda making white people mad, more cases of Anti-Asian hate a year after the murders of six API women in Atlanta, and the confirmation of the Mille Lacs Reservation. 

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the Crew immediately looked around to see how we could help the people suffering from the war. Our guest currently resides in Germany and has utilized social media to connect with a group of women to bring supplies from Germany to Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Guest: Heidi Inman.To support her work, monetary donations can be made to: Paypal - @innie07 Venmo - #Heidi-Inman-2 If you need a code, it is 8732 

There’s a lot happening internationally and here at home. On this Grab Bag show, Luz explains the ridiculousness of a political pundits demanding potential SCOTUS Judge Jackson’s LSAT score, we react to the Minnesota State High School League’s slow and lacking response to racist incidents at school games, and we touch on the public school teacher strike in Minneapolis. 

On this special episode, crew member Anthony Galloway talks with a group of Black Men about how they’re feeling during the past few weeks, months, and years as their community continues to be under scrutiny in the wake of police brutality, school disciplinary inequities, and more. Guests: Kassius Benson, D.A. Bullock, Anthony Williams 

In this episode, the crew explores the history of Freedom Schools with May Esperanza Losloso of the Children’s Defense Fund and the legislation and movements to limit what schools teach. They also explore recent racist encounters in school athletics and the overall climate that begs for deeper learning about our nation's history. Guest: May Esperanza Losloso

Public school districts are having a hard time retaining teachers of color. But what’s behind this? Could it be the first in-first out process, where newer teachers are let go whenever there is a budget cut? Is it because teachers of color are not feeling supported? Is it both? As one parent put it, all students need mirrors and windows in education - so they see themselves and their peers reflected in their teachers. Guest: Kenneth Eban, Advancing Equity Coalition

Well, here we are again. Minneapolis Police have killed another Black man in a no-knock raid on an apartment. In 9 seconds, police entered an apartment and shot Amir Locke, who was a licensed gun owner and was asleep on the sofa. It forces the question: Is change possible? Guest: Toussaint Morrison, On Site Public Media  

When an Asian American journalist receives a call from a viewer complaining about a her being “very Asian,” anchor Michelle Li didn’t let that get her down. Instead she teamed up with Minnesota’s own Gia Vang to create an entire movement, reclaiming the phrase “very Asian,” even creating hats and t-shirts. But that begs the question - who gets to sport the gear? Guest: Gia Vang, KARE 11 News https://twitter.com/MichelleLiTV/status/1477493641732149248 

Community leader and journalist Mel Reeves left a huge impact on the Minnesota community when he passed earlier in January. His work spanned decades and he touched the lives of so many through his dedication to justice. Guests: Toussaint Morrison, On Site Public Media

Our community lost a giant recently with the passing of Clyde Bellecourt, a co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The crew takes a look back at AIM’s early days and where they are now. We pay tribute to Clyde’s legacy through the people he inspired in the movement for justice. Guests: Lisa Bellanger, AIM Executive Director

One year after the attack on the nation’s capitol, the Crew reflects on its impact on ourselves, our country and democracy.

The crew plans to talk about their hopes for 2022, get sidetracked by a discussion about female safety, then discuss about the verdict in the Kimberly Potter case. Just a typical conversation in the lives of our crew members.

The holidays are among us, but each of our families celebrate in very different ways. The crew talks about the traditions their families observe during the final months and days of each year and find out just how similar we all really are.

ER Doctor Alice Mann joins the crew to talk about the seriousness of the continuing coronavirus pandemic. From having to turn away sick people to trying to convince people to take preventative measures to losing loved ones, the world of fact versus conspiracy theory is vast and dangerous. Dr. Mann gives us a first hand view into the life of the frontline workers in the medial industry.

What is American art? And, who is considered an American Artist? Just a few of the questions we had as we welcome Dr. Kate Beane who will be taking up the position of Executive Director at the Minnesota Museum of American Art.

On our latest Grab Bag show, we cover topics from school walkouts, representation both in front and behind the camera on TV to current trials of so-called vigilantes and upcoming trials of police-involved shootings.

The number of people who report experiencing discrimination in Minnesota is the areas of policing, employment and housing. Our guest this week, Craig Helmstetter (our first white guest!) joins us to go over the results of the survey: https://www.apmresearchlab.org/mdc-survey/discrimination

Minnesota recently committed to $1.3 million over two years for Indigenous education. Students will be able to learn a more accurate history of the Indigenous peoples in Minnesota schools. 

A family-owned Minnesota business publicly apologized for appropriating Indigenous artwork. Taking their apology seriously, Minnetonka Moccasins brought on reconciliation advisor Adrienne Benjamin to help make meaningful changes. Adrienne joins the Counter Stories crew to talk about her new role.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Counter Stories crew is joined by another survivor-advocate to shed light on the need for culturally specific services.

When there are too many topics to hit, you get a Grab Bag Show! With so much happening, we couldn’t decide on a single topic. So, with a time limit in place, we’ll pick through our grab bag of current events and get through as many as we can. This week we touch on the resignation of Proctor, MN coach Derek Parendo, the leaked emails from NFL coach John Gruden, continued police brutality as witnessed in Indiana, and Dia De Los Muertos.

Sexual assault survivors Sarah Super and Asma Mohammad came together and worked for four years to eliminate the statute of limitations on reporting sexual violence. They join the Counter Stories crew to talk about their journey as survivors and advocates.

CounterStories.comCounter Stories is a production of the other media group and Ampers, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities and is made possible by the Minnesota Art's and Cultural Heritage fund.

We discuss race, identity, social justice and culture in a region grappling with demographic changes. Hosts: Anthony Galloway, Luz Maria Frias, Don Eubanks and Hlee Lee.Minnesota is known for its abundance of natural outdoor spaces, but not everyone feels safe, knowledgeable or comfortable utilizing these spaces. Camping and fishing are among the most popular outdoor activities of the crew and our special guest, Asha Shoffner, who organizes and leads outings by and for the BIPOC community.

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Two Afghan organizers join the Counter Stories crew to give us a brief lesson on the history of Afghanistan and colonization. We talk about the US interference that caused the recent Taliban takeover of Kabul and how it is impacting the vast Afghan diaspora. Guests: Nasreen Sajady, Arash Yousufi 

In the fourth segment of our policymakers series, Representative Jamie Becker-Finn joins the crew to discuss how she’s disruption the cycle of trauma through her work. She authored the Healthy Start Act, granting more parental rights to incarcerated expecting mothers. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. 

In our third installment, Rep. Carlos Mariani highlights some of the initiatives he led and continues to lead at the Minnesota House of Representatives

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.We’re celebrating hometown hero Sunisa Lee, the first Hmong-American to compete at the Olympics. She held a whole community, a team, and the country on her shoulders. We talk about the pressures and barriers for athletes like Sunisa and Simone Biles. 

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.In our second installment, Rep. Ruth Richardson returns to highlight some of the initiatives she led and continues to lead at the Minnesota House of Representatives this past season.

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.In our newest series, the Counter Stories crew talks with Minnesota Representative Ruth Richardson about her journey to the House and the passing of one of her bills: Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act.

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.The crew digs into another element of Indigenous trauma: boarding schools. More and more bodies of children sent to these boarding schools are being discovered, shedding more light on the intentional erasing of Indigenous language and culture. https://boardingschoolhealing.org/

In this episode, the crew tackles the nuance of cultural membership in their respective communities. What does it mean to be a card-carrying member within communities of color?  And how do we hold on to that which is most sacred and recognizable to us as our cultural community’s shift?Communities of color often navigate questions of membership and authenticity within our communities. In this episode, the crew tackles the nuance of cultural membership in their respective communities. What does it mean to be a card-carrying member within communities of color?  And how do we hold on to that which is most sacred and recognizable to us as our cultural community’s shift? 

On our first in-person show in over a year, the crew traveled to the Mille Lacs Band of Obijwe Reservation. The guests on this deep and emotional show share their first hand experiences around missing and murdered Indigenous women. Follow Missy Whiteman on Instagram for more of her work: @missy_whiteman Why Should You Listen?Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans.https://counterstoriespodcast.org/

Juneteenth is officially a national holiday in the US. All this happening while groups throughout the country try to ban critical race theory in schools. We dig into just some of the nuances of this topic on this week’s Counter Stories. Why Should You Listen?Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans.https://counterstoriespodcast.org/

Protests have traction. We’ve seen historically and just recently how protests have successfully brought attention to crucial issues. People coming together to express their discontent with the powers that be have a huge impact on how we move the needle in the fight for justice. Why Should You Listen?Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans.https://counterstoriespodcast.org/

On this episode, we tackle how new efforts aim to limit or erase important history and context. From bodies discovered in a former Indian Boarding school in Canada to new legislation banning Critical Race theory in the wake of the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, how do we handle the resistance to learning about these important truths? Why Should You Listen?Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans.https://counterstoriespodcast.org/

Counter stories is an extremely valuable radio program for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at CounterStories.com.

When there are too many topics to hit, you get a Grab Bag Show! With so much happening, we couldn’t decide on a single topic. So, with a time limit in place, we’ll pick through our grab bag of current events and get through as many as we can. Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at CounterStories.com.

We’ve been in and continue to be going through a stressful time. Amid all the chaos, we can finally be outside and gather safely (with appropriate precautions) again. The crew looks ahead at this summer and how gathering is so important to keep ourselves and our communities grounded. Also, find out what some of our favorite summer songs are!Counter stories is an extremely valuable podcast for Minnesota. Counter Stories is like “a podcast for the rest of us“ as it discusses Minnesota issues through the lens of people of color and our shared experiences.But more than a great program for Minnesotans of color, this podcast is valuable for all Minnesotans to get a full understanding of what is happening in our great state and how it is being perceived by all Minnesotans. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at CounterStories.com.

From redlining to voter suppression, there are historical patterns to how people of color’s fight for equity has been blocked. On this episode, we dig into those patterns that continue to impact our communities today. https://counterstoriespodcast.org/Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. 

The crew share stories of when the first became conscious of race and racial tensions as well as recent experiences. Memories from Pre-K to getting in trouble in high school to burning soup in college, the patterns of biases and microaggressions are similar for each crew member. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group and Ampers, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities. Counter Stories is made possible by the Minnesota Art's and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at www.CounterStories.com

Guilty on all three charges. Not justice, but accountability. A short-lived sigh of relief came across Minnesota and the entire country, before news of a black teenager killed by police in Columbus, Ohio, brought us back to reality. There’s so much more work to be done. www.counterstories.comWe discuss race, identity, social justice and culture in a region grappling with demographic changes. Hosts: Anthony Galloway, Luz Maria Frias, Don Eubanks and Hlee Lee.Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

As we find ourselves mourning for another unarmed Black man killed by police, the Counter Stories crew reflect on the trauma our communities are experiencing. We’re joined by lawyer and mother Calandra Revering who penned a letter to her son that touched the hearts of all who read it. Guest: Sindy Morales Garcia, co-founder of Courageous Change Collective Calandra Revering, a lawyer and entrepreneur CounterStories.com

Description In this special podcast only episode the Counter Stories crew take some time to reflect on the first two weeks of the Derek Chauvin trial along with Georgia Fort from the Bearing Witness program. www.counterstories.com

We’ve known that oppression is alive and real in America, but it seems “whole” white people are just discovering it. It’s important to acknowledge the intersectionality of oppression through our communities. What does authentic solidarity looks like and what does it require from each of us to stand together that is transformative. Guest: Sindy Morales Garcia, co-founder of Courageous Change Collectivehttps://counterstoriespodcast.org/

Six years ago, Mankwe Ndosi joined us to talk about Hub and Spoke - the concept that communities of color (the spoke) are constantly living in relation to the dominant white culture (the hub). Today we pick up where we left off focusing on solidarity between our communities. To listen to part 1, visit: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/07/17/counter-stories-episode-45Find Counter Stories on the web at CounterStories.com

The murder of six Asian women in Georgia, on top of three murder-suicides, on top of vicious attacks on Asian elders, on top of a global pandemic is exhausting. On this week’s special episode of Counter Stories, four Asian women talk about healing and moving forward. Guests: Jennifer Nguyen-Moore, Linda Her, Megan Boyle Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.Online at https://counterstories.com/

The crew is joined by the Juror Project founder Will Snowden to talk about the jury selection process and how it has historically disenfranchised communities of color. Guest: Will Snowden, founder of The Juror Project

We’re a few months into the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. But who’s getting them? And does the distrust of the American healthcare system in our communities prevent us from getting vaccinated? Communities of color have a long history of being mistreated, experimented upon, and ignored by healthcare professionals. Now with more vaccines becoming available, how can we educate our communities on the benefits of and where to get access to vaccines? The crew is joined by Reuben Moore, President and Executive Officer of Minnesota Community Care.

Introducing a new podcast in our family. Bearing Witness with Anthony and Georgia is a production of Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice, a journalism initiative from Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, KMOJ Radio, and the Minnesota Humanities Center. Join Anthony Galloway and Georgia Fort as they cover the trials of the officers accused of killing George Floyd, the community’s reaction, and exploring the changes needed to create a more just society. Listen, share, and subscribe! https://racialreckoningmn.org/

On this episode of Counter Stories, we talk about the importance of our elders and how we can combat anti-Asian violence against them. The crew is joined by Chanida Phaengdara Potter, Executive Director of The SEAD Project (The SouthEast Asian Diaspora Project; www.theseadproject.org). Plus, the introduction a new collaborative project with KMOJ, Ampers and some of our crew members called Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice.

Public Media, notoriously a white-led institution, has a race problem. It lacks diverse voices and equitable work environments. And it hasn’t improved in the last 50 years. The crew is joined by veteran reporter and former co-host Marianne Combs on the recently published article that was co-signed by more than 200 journalists.  https://celesteheadlee.medium.com/an-anti-racist-future-a-vision-and-plan-for-the-transformation-of-public-media-224149ab37e6

The Counter Stories crew talk about the anxiety that we are all facing during this pandemic and how that impacts the media we are taking in and the activities we partake in our homes. From rewatching comfortable classics to cleaning house, we’re all just trying to maintain control. 

Minnesota schools are starting to resume in-person learning. But is it a good idea? Parents have the option to continue distance learning. But teachers don’t. There are a lot of questions and concerns around safety for both students and educators. St. Paul Public School Board Vice-Chair Jim Vue sits in on the first half of the conversation. The crew is also joined by parent and educator Daniel Perez, and takes comments from our listeners.

The Counter Stories crew share their reactions to the events that unfolded in the US Capitol on January 6th examining the intersections of race, religion and history, and how these powerful elements have repeatedly been used to subjugate the lives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community.America has a history of changing the narrative to benefit the powerful, namely, white males. And this is no different.  When part of the country stops acknowledging the facts of reality, it creates conflicting definitions of “patriotism” and “heroes.” They discuss how the actions taken by the terrorists and the inaction of law enforcement are being compared to racial justice protests. When one is trying to overthrow a government, the other is fighting for justice. Yet, there is a large portion of the American population that refuse to recognize the realities of the experiences of the BIPOC community. Can America move forward? Can we “heal” without honesty? 

The Counter Stories crew looks back at 2020 with a focus on all the possibilities 20201 holds. From how the racial tension have sparked civic action to President-Elect Biden’s cabinet picks: optimism and skepticism abound. 

What does it mean when BIPOC are told to "bring their authentic selves?" The crew discusses how we often have to provide context when in predominantly white spaces versus when in community, where we don't have to provide the context because folks live these things, like microaggressions, daily.

We're back! The Counter Stories Crew returns to speak truth to the many layers of issues communities of color face on a daily basis. A lot has happened since the last episode: Joe Biden was elected as the next President of the United States, coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise at an alarming rate, especially in communities of color, and there's talk of a vaccine being ready soon. All this leading up to a problematic holiday. The crew touches on all of these in a new format with a new radio partnership.