KMOJCast

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Anika Robbins, Founder and CEO of the ANIKA Foundation, joins Chantel Sings to discuss Juneteenth Minnesota 2026: A Family Celebration, taking place June 19 at the Minnesota State Capitol. The free, family-friendly event commemorates the 160th anniversary of emancipation while celebrating Black history, culture, music, and community through live performances, educational resources, food, art, and entrepreneurship. Robbins highlights performances by Billboard-charting R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn, local musicians, and the event’s recognition of community leaders through the Community Griot Awards. The conversation also explores the importance of Juneteenth, the impact of scholarship opportunities for students and adult learners, and how the celebration continues to unite generations through reflection, empowerment, and joy.

On the KMOJ Morning Show, best-selling author, poet, and journalist Clint Smith joins Freddie Bell to discuss his acclaimed book How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America and his upcoming appearance as the featured speaker at the Minnesota Humanities Center's Juneteenth Brunch. Smith reflects on why confronting the history of slavery is essential to understanding the United States today, how communities can build a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, and why efforts to erase African American history are ultimately unsuccessful. The conversation explores the power of storytelling, historical memory, and public dialogue in shaping a more informed and equitable future. Smith also shares insights from his work as a writer and educator and discusses the enduring importance of Juneteenth as a moment for reflection, celebration, and collective learning. 

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Helen Ferraro and Patrick Bass join Freddie Bell to discuss the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration at Centennial Lakes Park in Edina. The event brings together community organizations, local leaders, Black-owned businesses, artists, performers, and resource providers for an afternoon focused on empowerment, education, culture, and connection. Attendees can enjoy live music, dance, spoken word performances, youth activities, book giveaways, interactive art experiences, and more than 30 community resource tables. Organized through partnerships between the Anti-Racism Collective, the Joint Community Police Partnership Liaison, the Cities of Edina and Richfield, and numerous community volunteers, the celebration honors the spirit of Juneteenth while creating opportunities for learning, unity, and community engagement. 

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Kia Bratz, Manager of Marketing Events at Mystic Lake Hotel Casino, joins Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings to preview The Great Midwest Rib Fest, taking place June 25–27 in Prior Lake. She discusses the family-friendly event featuring award-winning pitmasters from across the country, free live entertainment, food vendors, and the opportunity for attendees to vote for their favorite ribs. Kia also highlights the growing rivalry between Minnesota-based Just North of Memphis BBQ and Carolina BBQ, two family-connected teams competing for top honors. The conversation includes details about the World Rib Eating Championship, cash prizes for competitors, and what visitors can expect during one of the region’s biggest summer food festivals. 

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Shawna Frazier and Fola Badwas join Chantel Sings to discuss The Next Chapter Home Tour, a special event designed to help individuals and families explore downsizing, right-sizing, and new construction options with confidence. Shawna explains why more homeowners are reconsidering what they need in a home and shares common questions people have about building new, financing options, and builder incentives available in today’s market. Listeners will also hear practical advice about what to know before selling one home and buying another, along with how touring multiple communities in one day can provide clarity—even for those not planning an immediate move. The conversation also highlights event details for the Saturday, June 20 tour, including a complimentary lunch, mortgage insights from special guest speaker Fola Badwas, and how to register by texting “NEXT” to 952-220-0582.

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Emmy Award-winning actor, director, and producer Leonard Searcy, alongside acclaimed producer Brenda Gilbert joins Freddie Bell to discuss MegaMiXer 2026, a three-day event bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, and entertainment professionals from across film, television, music, sports, fashion, and media. Leonard shares how MegaMiXer was created to open doors, create opportunities, and showcase Minnesota’s untapped creative talent while giving attendees direct access to industry leaders and decision-makers. Brenda reflects on her remarkable journey co-founding BRON Studios, producing award-winning films, and her upcoming fireside chat, “Peaks & Perils: Founding Your Production Company,” where she’ll discuss the highs, challenges, and lessons of building a production company. Together, they explore why collaboration across entertainment industries matters, why Minnesota is poised to become a creative powerhouse, and how MegaMiXer is helping diverse voices find their place in the global entertainment economy.

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Minnesota Realtor Shawna Frazier joins Freddie Bell to discuss The Next Chapter Home Tour, a special event designed to help individuals and families explore downsizing, right-sizing, and new construction options with confidence. Shawna explains why more homeowners are reconsidering what they need in a home and shares common questions people have about building new, financing options, and builder incentives available in today’s market. Listeners will also hear practical advice about what to know before selling one home and buying another, along with how touring multiple communities in one day can provide clarity—even for those not planning an immediate move. The conversation also highlights event details for the Saturday, June 20 tour, including a complimentary lunch, mortgage insights from special guest speaker Fola Badwas, and how to register by texting “NEXT” to 952-220-0582.

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Basketball Hall of Famer & Big3 coach Nancy Lieberman and Prostate Cancer Foundation President & CEO Gina Carithers join Freddie Bell to discuss a powerful new partnership between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league aimed at saving lives through early prostate cancer detection. They explain the “Check the Box! Saving Lives Together” campaign, which encourages men—especially Black men who face significantly higher risks—to take three simple steps: talk to a doctor, take a PSA blood test, and learn their PSA score. The conversation highlights the urgent need for awareness, the role sports can play in reaching communities, and how free screening opportunities at select BIG3 events are helping remove barriers to care. Lieberman also shares why using basketball as a platform for health advocacy can inspire action both on and off the court. 

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Malik Rucker, founding Executive Director of V3 Sports, joined Freddie Bell for the "Community Builders Series" to discuss his North Minneapolis roots and the experiences that inspired his mission to invest in the community through health, wellness, and opportunity. A fifth-generation Northsider, Rucker reflected on the vision behind V3 Sports and how the organization has grown from a one-person operation into a major nonprofit serving families through fitness, aquatics, youth programming, and education. He explained that V3’s mission extends far beyond athletics, focusing on building healthier communities, creating access, and strengthening economic empowerment through intentional partnerships with Northside businesses. Rucker also shared the pride he feels seeing the completed first phase of the V3 Center in action and looked ahead to Phase II, which will bring an Olympic-sized pool and expanded programming to further serve the community.