In this episode of MSR Blacklight On Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, Ed.D. sit down with Lawrence Ellis—a longtime leader in Minnesota athletics and community service.

Ellis, a former Michigan State basketball player and accomplished track athlete, has dedicated decades to shaping sports and education in Minnesota. From coaching under legendary Gopher coach Jim Dutcher to serving on the governing board at Totino-Grace and being appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to the Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors, Ellis brings a rare blend of athletic insight, leadership experience, and community impact.

Together, the trio dives into the evolution of high school sports, the role of governance in student-athlete development, and the ongoing work needed to keep Minnesota athletics fair, competitive, and community-centered. This episode shines a light on the people and policies that shape the future of youth sports.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

Lee Hawkins is a news reporter, editor, journalist and musician. He grew up in Maplewood, Minnesota. Hawkins attended the University
of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating with a degree in political science. Hawkins began his career as a business reporter for
the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Wisconsin State Journal. He is also a reporter and news editor for The Wall Street Journal.
Since 2011 he has also done on-camera interviews for the WSJ website and their sister site WSJ Live. He has interviewed celebrities
from the business, sports and entertainment worlds. Hawkins has recently authored the book I am Nobody’s Slave. Email:
[email protected]

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

Steven Davis Jr. is a servant leader, design thinker, author, and athlete transition coach. A former football standout at the University of Minnesota, Davis was a four-year starter and senior captain for the Golden Gophers, earning his B.A. in Mass Communications in 2008.

Today, Davis is the founder of Strive Higher After Sports, an organization dedicated to helping athletes navigate the often difficult transition from sports to life. A certified life coach, he mentors athletes to embrace growth, purpose, and identity beyond the field. His life mantra—“Strive Higher Every Day”—guides his work, his coaching, and his own personal journey of lifelong learning.

In this episode of Blacklight On Sports, Davis joins Hallman and McDonald for an honest conversation about mental health, identity loss after athletics, and how Black men can reimagine success outside of sports. He reflects on his own transition and shares what fuels his passion for helping the next generation of athletes find meaning and momentum beyond the game.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

This week on the Blacklight On Sports podcast, Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with John Robinson, a longtime educator, coach, mentor, and community voice in the Twin Cities.

A proud North High (Class of ’79) graduate, Robinson has spent decades shaping young lives through basketball and education. He’s made his mark coaching both boys and girls basketball at St. Paul Como Park and as an assistant coach at St. Paul Central, helping the girls’ team secure back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008.

But Robinson’s legacy goes beyond the court. He currently serves as:

• An educator at Hazel Park Preparatory Academy
• A community ambassador for the City of St. Paul
• A member of the prestigious Minnesota Mr. Basketball Committee

With a lifetime of leadership, mentorship, and service to youth, John Robinson’s story is one of impact, legacy, and heart.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

In this episode of Blacklight On Sports, Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcome Nekima Levy Armstrong, a powerhouse in both the courtroom and the streets, whose leadership has shaped the fight for racial equity across Minneapolis and beyond.

From her early days as a law professor at the University of St. Thomas to her impactful presidency of the Minneapolis NAACP, Nekima has long stood at the intersection of justice, community, and activism. She brings that same fire to the conversation in this episode—taking on the tough questions around race, equity, sports, and the role of athletes as agents of change.

Nekima’s unfiltered voice continues to inspire and challenge leaders across generations. Now the executive director of the Wayfinder Foundation, she remains on the frontlines of advocacy, mentoring, and movement-building.

Contact Nekima Levy Armstrong
📧 [email protected]

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

In this episode of Blacklight On Sports, Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with sport psychologist Dr. Kirbi Kidd, Psy.D., to explore the mental challenges athletes face—and how they can overcome them.

A former collegiate basketball player turned clinical psychologist, Dr. Kidd brings a powerful combination of personal experience and academic training to the conversation. From the emotional toll of competition to strategies for building resilience, she shares practical tools to help athletes perform under pressure and maintain their mental well-being.

Topics include:

• The psychological demands of competitive sports
• Building confidence and breaking through mental blocks
• Why trust and rapport matter in sport psychology
• The impact of culturally competent care for athletes of color

Dr. Kidd earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Springfield College and now works directly with athletes to help them achieve both performance and personal goals.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or fan, this episode offers powerful insights into the mind behind the game.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

On this episode of Blacklight On Sports, Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald talk with Brianna Edwards, a North High alum, former college and professional basketball player, and now head girls basketball coach at her former school. 

She’s also the founder of Trust The Process Consulting, a firm dedicated to athlete leadership and development. Brianna shares her journey of returning home to mentor the next generation, how sports shaped her path, and why leadership development is critical for young athletes.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
 🎓 Providence College, Class of 2013
 🏀 TrustTheProcessConsulting.com

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

In this inspiring episode of Blacklight on Sports, we welcome Crystal Flint—a Minnesota basketball legend whose impact extends far beyond the court. Crystal made history in 1994 by leading the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Since then, she's coached players of all ages, officiated seven state tournaments, and founded the acclaimed Triple Threat Girls Basketball camp.

Now serving as Director at Conway Community Center with The Sanneh Foundation, Crystal remains dedicated to mentoring youth, championing education, and creating lasting community change.

Listen in as Crystal discusses leadership, the power of representation, and her lifelong mission of uplifting the next generation through sports.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

In this powerful episode of Blacklight on Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with Sam Willis—former basketball standout turned entrepreneur and youth mentor. Hailing from Minneapolis Roosevelt’s legendary 1993 squad, Willis went on to play college and professional ball before returning home with a new mission: serving his community.

Today, Willis is the proud owner of Just Turkey in South Minneapolis and a familiar face in the world of local journalism, having appeared on WCCO and SPNN. He opens up about his journey from athlete to business owner, his work with Save Our Sons, and how he's using food, mentorship, and storytelling to give back to the city that raised him.

Whether you're a sports fan, entrepreneur, or someone who believes in the power of second chapters, this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe to Blacklight on Sports and catch the full video on the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder YouTube channel.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

In this episode of Blacklight on Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with Minnesota basketball legend Angel Robinson. A high school and collegiate Hall of Famer, Angel led St. Paul Central to a state title, earned Miss Basketball honors, and went on to shine at Marquette before playing professionally overseas. 

Today, she’s shaping lives as the head girls basketball coach at Tartan High School and a special education teacher at St. Paul Johnson. Tune in as Angel reflects on her journey, what it means to give back, and how she's using her platform to mentor the next generation.

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher
Tracey Williams-Dillard

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
3744 4th Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55409
612-827-4021

MSR Digital Studio
Ray Seville

Charles Hallman
MSR Sports Columnist

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE.
MSR Sports Columnist

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY
MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934