♪ >> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

I AM MAARJA HEWITT.

BRETT: I AM BRETT SCOTT.

WE ARE HEARING FROM THE DULUTH CHAPTER OF THE NAACP.

MAARJA: PLUS WE ARE MAKING IT UP NORTH AND GETTING A BEHIND LOOK AT THE PROCESS.

BRETT: ST. LOUIS COUNTY WILL HOST TWO SPECIAL EVENTS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25.

THE DAY WILL BEGIN AT 1:30 PM WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING OF A CENTURY OLD TIME CAPSULE.

THE PUBLIC CAN ATTENDED OPEN HOUSE FROM 2:00 TO 4:00.

AND MODERN ENERGY EFFICIENT FACILITY HOSTS LOCAL ART AND MATERIALS.

MAARJA: THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS PROPOSING CHANGES TO FISHING REGULATIONS, ALLOWING LARGER BAIT WITH LONGER HOOK CONFIGURATIONS AND FISHING GEAR THAT SETS THE HOOK AUTOMATICALLY.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE INVITED UNTIL 4:30 P.M. ON MARCH 20.

VISIT THE DNR'S RULEMAKING WEBPAGE.

BRETT: THE CHIPPEWA FALLS PLANNING COMMISSION HAS APPROVED A PERMIT TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL , MARKING A MAJOR STEP IN ADDRESSING MAJOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS.

THE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY, INPATIENT AND PRIMARY CARE.

IT AIMS TO HAVE THE HOSPITAL OPERATIONAL WITHIN 18 MONTHS, PENDING FINAL APPROVALS.

THE NEXT STEP INCLUDES FINALIZING LAND PURCHASES.

MAARJA: THIS WEEK'S BAKING UP NORTH.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> MY BROTHER CAME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA, DULUTH'S BEST BREAD SO WHY NOT CALL IT THAT?

THE FIRST TIME I SIDE PRINTED OUT ON THE SHELF IN FRONT OF OUR PRODUCT I LAUGHED BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE AN AWARD.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT SHELF AND THINKING, WHY NOT PICK THE ONE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY AN AWARD?

I GOT A GOOD LAUGH.

♪ DULUTH'S BEST BREAD IS A EUROPEAN-STYLE BAKERY.

WE DEAL WITH SOURDOUGH, DOING A LOT OF THING BY HAND.

WE ARE DOING CROISSANTS.

A LOT OF THE THINGS ARE TECHNIQUE ORIENTED.

IT IS NOT BASED ON SPEED EVERYTHING TAKES TWO OR THREE DAYS.

WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD A REALLY GOOD FLAVOR.

WE TOOK OUR TIME WITH IT.

IT WAS SOMETHING NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED IN THE AREA.

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO MAKE, A HIGHER BARRIER TO ENTRY IN THE BUSINESS.

WE WANTED TO DO THINGS THAT PEOPLE COULD MAKE AT HOME.

IF YOU KNEW HOW, THEY COULD MAKE IT AT HOME AND THINGS TASTE GOOD.

VERSUS A SPEED, GROCERY STORE TYPE OFFERING.

WE WANTED TO DO THINGS THAT NOBODY HAD ACCESS TO HERE.

I GOT MY FEET WET WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE IN GRAD SCHOOL AND I GREW TO LIKE WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH TECHNIQUE AND VERY FEW INGREDIENTS.

I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING.

I STARTED SELLING AT FARMERS MARKETS AND THAT WAS FULFILLING.

WE DECIDED TO MAKE IT A FULL-TIME BUSINESS WITH MY BROTHER.

>> I AM TAKING NO OUT OF THE -- I AM TAKING DOUGH OUT OF THE BOWL SO I CAN SHAPE IT.

THE DOUGH IS VERY WET.

IF YOU DO NOT MANIPULATE IT -- BY MAKING IT IN A BALL, IT MIXES SO YOU CAN TAKE IT OUT.

THIS IS A PRE-SHAPE.

I AM PORTIONING THE DOUGH SO I HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT FOR TOMORROW OF SMALLS AND LARGES.

I AM WEIGHING THEM SO THEY ARE THE SAME SIZE.

THIS GIVES YOU A FEEL FOR THE DOUGH.

IT GIVES IT A FINAL SHAPE.

AS YOU CAN TELL, THE DOUGH IS VERY LIQUIDY.

THE PRE-SHAPE, YOU DO A PRE- SHAPE AND THEN LET IT REST AND DO A FINAL SHAPE.

THESE ARE BASKETS.

IT WILL SPREAD OUT LIKE A PANCAKE IF I DID NOT PUT IT IN A BASKET.

THE RIGHT SIZE FOR THE LOAF.

WE WILL PUT THESE IN THE REFRIGERATOR NOW.

AT 9:00 TONIGHT AND BEYOND, THE NIGHT SHIFT WILL PULL THEM OUT AND SLIP THEM OUT.

I AM PUTTING THEM UPSIDE DOWN IN THE BASKET.

THIS IS THE TOP.

THIS IS THE BOTTOM NOW.

THEY ARE UPSIDE DOWN.

THEY TURNED THEM OUT AND LOAD THEM INTO THE OVEN.

>> IN GENERAL, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CULTURE, A STARTER CULTURE THAT WILL BE EIGHT FLOUR AND WATER AND IT HAS TO BE INOCULATED WITH A YEAST AND BACTERIA.

SAME TYPE OF BACTERIA IN YOGURT.

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE STRAIN IN A CULTURE.

MORE THAN ONE STRAIN OF YEAST AND BACTERIA.

THEY COME IN PAIRS AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT.

YOU HAVE A STARTER THAT IS CONSISTENTLY CREATING GASES, SO YOU CAN SEE IT RISE AND GET BUBBLY.

AT ITS MOST BASIC YOU USE FLOUR, WATER, SALT ON YOUR STARTER.

ESSENTIALLY IT IS THREE INGREDIENTS.

FLOUR, WATER AND SALT.

YOU MIX THEM TOGETHER AND WAIT ABOUT FOUR HOURS IF IT IS WARM ENOUGH.

YOU DIVIDE YOUR DOUGH AND SHAPE IT.

IT GOES IN THE FRIDGE.

WE START MIXING DOUGH AROUND 10:00 AT NIGHT.

THAT DOUGH GETS SHAPED ANYTIME FROM 2:00 IN THE MORNING TO 8:00 IN THE MORNING.

WE USE THE FRIDGE TO SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS.

IT GETS BAIT THE FOLLOWING NIGHT AT AROUND 9:00 OR 10:00.

IT IS 24 HOURS START TO FINISH.

THAT ALLOWS IT TO DEVELOP SOME FLAVOR.

THE SHEEN, TEXTURE AND APPEARANCE GOES INTO THE TIME AND TEMPERATURE.

ABOUT ONE DAY, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE.

AT ITS SHORTEST IT CAN BE ABOUT 16 HOURS.

♪ BRETT: OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR THE DULUTH CHAPTER OF THE NAACP.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME THIS AFTERNOON.

BRETT: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CORE MISSIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DULUTH BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

>> OUR MAIN MISSION IS TO ENSURE THE POLITICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY OF ALL PERSONS AND TO ELIMINATE RACE-BASED DISCRIMINATION.

MAARJA: HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF THE NAACP?

SUSANA: I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.

I HAVE HELPED WITH THE MLK RALLY IN MARCH COMMITTEE.

ALSO, WE DO A DINNER EVERY YEAR.

THE FREEDOM FUND DINNER.

I HAVE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH THAT.

IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, SIX YEARS, I DECIDED TO BE COCHAIR OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE AND NOW IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE NAACP IS YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER AND ATTEND MEETINGS.

WE HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND JOIN A COMMITTEE AND PEOPLE CAN MAYBE JUST VOLUNTEER IN ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT WE DO.

BRETT: YOU ARE ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE AS YOU MENTIONED.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU FOCUSING ON?

SUSANA: WE HAVE BEEN PARTNERING WITH THE DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SINCE AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, WE STARTED LOOKING AT POTENTIAL STOPS AND TRYING TO HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT ELIMINATING POTENTIAL STOPS.

WE ALSO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE THEM.

WE ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS.

IF YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE, TRY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE.

MAARJA: WHAT ARE SOME SPECIFIC INITIATIVES OR PROGRAMS THAT THE NAACP IN DULUTH IS FOCUSING ON RIGHT NOW?

SUSANA: WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMITTEES.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE, THE ECONOMIC AND POWER COMMITTEE.

THIS YEAR, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAS BEEN THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE.

WE WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH AND START WHAT IS CALLED IGNITE, EMPOWER AND TRANSFORM ENDOWMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE AN OFFICE NOW.

THE GOAL IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO EXPAND THEIR ECONOMIC WEALTH.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

AS WERE AT -- AS WELL AS OUR HEALTH EQUITY COMMITTEE.

GREAT PARTNERSHIPS TO CREATE SOME MORE HEALTH EQUITY.

THE OTHER COMMITTEE THAT IS VERY ACTIVE IS THE EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE.

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DULUTH DISTRICT.

SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT THE WAY EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CLOSE THE EQUITY GAP.

BRETT: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES RIGHT NOW FACING THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE TWIN PORTS REGION?

SUSANA: ALONG WITH MANY OF THE COMMITTEES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, HEALTH, ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY.

THERE ARE SO MANY BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN WE TRY TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, MANY TIMES THEY SAY WE ARE TRYING TO DIVERSIFY OUR WORKFORCE.

ONE OF OUR GOALS IS HOW DO WE PARTNER WITH THEM AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT.

MAARJA: YOU MENTIONED THE DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT, DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, YOU COLLABORATE WITH A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

SUSANA: WHEN WE DO THE MLK DAY AND RALLY, WE COLLABORATE WITH MANY OF THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN TOWN.

WITH THE LOCAL COLLEGES.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH, THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE TO SUPPORT US, AS WELL AS MANY BUSINESSES, LIKE MINNESOTA POWER, THE WHOLE FOODS CO-OP.

JUST TO MENTION A FEW.

I THINK THROUGH THE YEARS WE HAVE CREATED SOME REALLY GOOD PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

BRETT: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOUR ORGANIZATION FACES IN DULUTH?

SUSANA: SOME OF THE CHALLENGES, I FEEL THERE IS A LACK OF EDUCATION SOMETIMES FOR PEOPLE.

AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD I FEEL AS A SOCIETY AND HERE IN DULUTH, PEOPLE WERE CALLING US, WHAT CAN WE DO?

HOW CAN WE CREATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS?

PEOPLE REALLY WANTED TO GET INVOLVED.

I FEEL THAT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I FEEL PEOPLE ARE FORGETTING THAT RACISM STILL EXISTS.

THE INEQUALITIES IN THE WORK COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO EXIST.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING -- WE ARE ABLE TO PUT IN A BOX AND SAY LET'S MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE ALREADY DID THE WORKSHOP OR TRAINING.

I THINK IT TAKES TIME TO CHANGE THE CULTURE IN SOCIETY.

MAARJA: HOW DO YOU INVOLVE KIDS IN WHAT NAACP DOES?

HOW DO YOU INVOLVE THEM IN THE ORGANIZATION?

SUSANA: WE HAVE A YOUNG ADULTS COMMITTEE.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST, WE HAVE A HARD TIME ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE NAACP.

THEY ATTEND EVENTS, THEY PARTICIPATE.

WE ARE HOPING THEY ARE MORE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEM IN THE NAACP.

BRETT: YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE NAACP FOR MANY YEARS.

ARE YOU SEEING GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP?

SUSANA: WE SAW A LOT OF GROWTH, AS I MENTIONED, AFTER 2019, 2018.

MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN STABLE.

IT HAS NOT CONTINUED TO GROW.

MAARJA: HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A MEMBER?

WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER AND HOW DOES THAT LOOK?

SUSANA: ANYONE CAN BECOME A MEMBER.

VISIT THE WEBSITE.

THERE IS A MEMBERSHIP FEE AROUND $30.

WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BECOME A MEMBER AND DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS, WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP.

YOU CAN APPLY ONLINE.

WE BRING CARDS IF PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE REGISTERING ONLINE.

WE HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS.

PEOPLE CAN COME TO THE GENERAL MEETINGS.

THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO T JOIN A COMMITTEE.

BRETT: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PERSONAL HOPES FOR THE DULUTH NAACP MOVING FORWARD?

SUSANA: MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LOVE HER MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

CREATING THOSE PARTNERSHIPS.

ONE ORGANIZATION CANNOT DO IT ALONE.

WE CAN ONLY RELY ON OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN DULUTH THAT WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY.

MAARJA: IN THE 20 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE DULUTH CHAPTER HERE, WHAT KIND OF CHANGE HAVE YOU SEEN?

WHAT HAS BEEN THE EVOLUTION?

SUSANA: INCREASING OUR ENDOWMENT.

.

I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT.

STARTING THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, THE FREEDOM FUND DINNER HAS BEEN ANOTHER WAY FOR US TO INCREASE OUR FUNDING AND BE ABLE TO PUT SOME MONEY INTO BEING ABLE TO START SOME CAMPAIGNS, SOME WORK WE WANT TO DO.

THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING I FEEL ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

MAARJA: THE FREEDOM FUND DINNER IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

SUSANA: YES.

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE.

IT WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AT THE DECK.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND PURCHASE TICKETS.

IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO GO WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO BUY TICKETS AND SPONSOR YOUNG PEOPLE NOT ABLE TO PURCHASE A TICKET.

THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO BUY A TICKET FOR THEMSELVES AND MAYBE BUY TICKETS FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THEIR OWN TICKETS.

MAARJA: FEBRUARY 22.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SUSANA: THANK YOU.

MAARJA: WE ARE SENDING YOU TO "ALMANAC NORTH," WHERE WE LEARN ABOUT THE FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER.

>> I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER IN DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

THE FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER STARTED WITH A DREAM WITH THE ELDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CAME TOGETHER BACK IN AROUND 2014.

THEY STARTED HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE LACK OF OWNERSHIP IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

THEY WANTED TO DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP AND PATHWAYS TO INCREASING WEALTH WITHIN BLACK FAMILIES IN THE TWIN PORTS AREA.

THAT CONVERSATION REALLY STARTED A MUCH LARGER CONVERSATION.

WHY ARE WE NOT HERE YET?

THERE HAS BEEN BLACK PEOPLE IN DULUTH FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

WHY DON'T WE OWN A LOT OF THINGS?

WHY DON'T WE HAVE A SOLID STAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY?

MOST CONVERSATIONS STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY.

THE BIGGEST COUPLE OF WORDS IN OUR NAME IS FAMILY.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST PORTION OF WHAT FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER IS ABOUT.

THAT IS WHY IT IS THE FIRST WORD OF OUR NAME.

WEALTH, EMPOWERMENT, OWNERSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE, ALL THESE THINGS COME FROM THE FAMILY.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

WATERS THAT LOOK LIKE?

IT IS NOT JUST MEAN HAVING ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD.

IT MEANS THE FAMILY ITSELF IS SAFE AND SECURE AND STABLE.

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION AS FAMILIES PROGRESS, THERE IS A SOLID PATH UPWARDS IN TERMS OF WHAT THOSE FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

WHAT FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER IS IS A SPACE FOR FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER.

OUR PROGRAMS SERVE EACH GENERATION OF THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MULTI GENERATIONAL PROGRAM AND WE DO THAT BRINGS EVERY GENERATION FROM THE BABIES TO THE ELDERS AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN TOGETHER.

WE HAVE VERY SPECIFIC GENERATIONAL PROGRAMS LIKE ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH, AS WELL AS PARENTING PROGRAMS.

A SPACE FOR PARENTS OF BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH IN DULUTH TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AIMED AT EACH GENERATION OF THE FAMILY AND THE ALL-INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS THAT BRING THE FAMILY TOGETHER.

START STANDS FOR SKILLED, TRAITS, ROBOTICS AND TECHNOLOGY.

IT IS A WORKSHOP THAT INTRODUCES YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS TO CAREER PATHWAYS.

START COVERS EVERYTHING FROM APPAREL TO HAIR AND MAKEUP AND NAILS, BUT ALSO THE CRAFTS OF CARPENTRY, LIGHT WELDING -- WE DO NOT HAVE A WELDING STATION YET BUT ARE WORKING ON IT -- AS WELL AS MUSIC, FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY.

THE OVERALL GOAL OF START IS TO INTRODUCE OUR KIDS TO THE MANY, MANY CAREERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

OFTEN IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WE PREPARE OUR KIDS FOR THE WORKFORCE BUT WE DO NOT NECESSARILY PREPARE THEM TO BE BUSINESS OWNERS THEMSELVES OR TO CREATE NEW THINGS OR REALLY OWN A STAKE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

START FIRST AND FOREMOST IS ABOUT INTRODUCING KIDS TO HOW MANY DIFFERENT CAREERS ARE OUT THERE BUT ALSO GIVING THEM A TASTE OF EACH ONE AND TAKING THEM ON FIELD TRIPS TO THE CARPENTERS UNION, FOR INSTANCE.

BUT ALSO SHOWING THEM HOW WE DIFFERENT JOBS EXIST IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY OR THE APPAREL INDUSTRY TO HELP THEM BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS AND SEE WHAT IS OUT THERE TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM BIG.

ONCE THEY SHOW AN INTEREST IN SOMETHING, START IS ALL ABOUT PUSHING THEM TO THE NEXT STAGE.

OK, LET'S GET YOU INTO CLASSES OF HOW TO DO HERE, LET'S GET YOU INTO BARBARA SCHOOL OR MUSIC WORKSHOPS.

LET'S GET YOU INTO APPAREL DESIGN AND REALLY HELPING KIDS FROM A YOUNG AGE LEARN HOW TO WORK FOR THEMSELVES, HOW TO CREATE SOMETHING WITH THEIR HANDS, BUT ALSO HOW TO OWN.

HOW TO OWN A PIECE OF THEIR OWN LIVES.

OFTENTIMES THE BEST WAY TO OWN SOMETHING IS -- WE FOCUS VERY MUCH ON YOUTH ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT.

AS MY FATHER USED TO SAY, IF YOU ARE NOT AT THE TABLE YOU ARE PROBABLY ON THE MENU, WHICH IS OFTEN THE CASE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE DULUTH AREA.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING ABOUT US BUT WITHOUT US.

WE DECIDED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF OUR ORGANIZATION THAT WE WOULD GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE.

WE BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO THE TABLE.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, MY VIEW.

WE BRING EACH GENERATION TO THE TABLE AND ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS.

EVEN THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT US AS AN ORGANIZATION.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

DOES IT WORK?

HOW ARE THINGS GOING ON AT HOME?

DO YOU NEED SUPPORT?

ARE THERE MORE WE COULD DO TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS AN ORGANIZATION AND IN STRENGTHENING AND EMPOWERING THE FAMILY?

PARK COMMUNITY IS NOT SHY.

IF THINGS DO NOT WORK, WE WILL KNOW.

IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADJUST AND BE ADAPTABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS SOMETHING I PRIDE OUR ORGANIZATION ON, MAKING SURE OUR FAMILIES ALWAYS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

WE WELCOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO COME TO COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE.

WE DO NOT JUST WANT OUR PERSPECTIVE.

IN THE DULUTH AREA, PEOPLE GET IN THEIR GROUPS AND THEY DO NOT LISTEN A LOT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM.

FAMILY FREEDOM CENTER WAS BUILT TO BE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT, TO BE AN INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR REAL DISCUSSIONS TO TAKE PLACE.

WE WELCOME PEOPLE TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

BRETT: BEFORE WE GO THIS EVENING, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU MIGHT BE UP TO THIS WEEKEND.

STARTING OUT IN ASHLAND, THE 2025 BOOK ACROSS THE BAY WINTER CARNIVAL STARTS AT 10:00 A.M. AND RUNS ALL DAY.

THE EVENT INCLUDES LIVE MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS, A SELECTION OF CHILDREN ACTIVITIES, THE KITE FESTIVAL AND A RACE.

THE FESTIVAL IS OPEN TO ANYONE AND COSTS $5 TO ATTEND.

MAARJA: SATURDAY FROM 830 TIME A.M. UNTIL 3:00 P.M., ANYONE CAN ATTEND THE BEE SYMPOSIUM.

VENDORS, TABLES, GUEST SPEAKERS AND BEE EXPERTS WILL SHARE EVERYTHING FROM BEGINNING BEEKEEPING AND THE ROLES PLAYED BY BEES INHUMAN HEALTH.

REGISTRATION CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.

BRETT: DO YOU KNOW IT GOES WELL WITH FRESH HONEY?

FRESH BREAD.

MAARJA: YES!

BRETT: I'M THINKING ABOUT DULUTH'S VEST BREAD.

I HAVE STARTED MAKING SOURDOUGH.

THAT IS MY LOAF.

MAARJA: THAT LOOKS PROFESSIONAL.

HOW DO YOU GET THE LINES?

BRETT: YOU SCORE IT.

MAARJA: HOW DID IT TASTE?

BRETT: VERY GOOD.

IT WAS MY FIRST LOAF I GOT A STARTER FROM MY FRIEND.

MAARJA: FRESH BREAD NEXT WEEK.

BRETT: THAT IS IT FOR THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

I AM BRETT SCOTT.

MAARJA: I AM MAARJA HEWITT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪