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 Agbaje
Legislation 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/]