Happy Superbowling to all who celebrate.
It’s been less than 48 hours since I sent out the first episode of I Spent Three Days in Minneapolis. (Are these “episodes”? I don’t know what else to call them. They are more than interviews… Moments? Happenings? Witnessings?) The response from you all has been amazing and truly heartening. It is inspiring to think that me and a small crew turned all this around so quickly AND ALSO that it has found an audience. It really makes me proud. I can’t wait to share more, so leeeeeeeeet’s gooooooooooo!
I’m sending this today, because my subscribers don’t seem like the types of people who’d get upset having their Super Bowl activities interrupted with an incredible conversation. One of the big “gets” that my producer Deshawn Plair chased down was this meet-up with three-time Emmy-winning Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort. Luckily, our film crew, Destiny and Kai, were already working on a project with Georgia, so they helped set this up.
And while I’m always down to talk to an independent Black journalist, this was extremely special. Georgia was only a few days removed from making international news. On January 30, Georgia Fort and my fellow ex-CNNer Don Lemon were arrested for the “crime” of reporting on a news story. Georgia and Don were covering the protest of a church where a pastor is being accused of being a member of I.C.E. (FYI, joining I.C.E. is what Jesus wouldn’t do.)
The Trumped up charges (literally TRUMPED UP) against Georgia and Don are for conspiracy(?) and for interfering with the church-goers’ first amendment rights(??). (Yeah, suuuuuuuuure!) As much as I am mocking the anti-constitutional arrests, these are still FEDERAL charges. Two other people (both Black) were also arrested at the protest.
Let’s not forget that arrests like these are even bigger than our country’s already big need to defend the first amendment. These arrests are about punishing people who the administration simply doesn’t agree with, and the impact extends beyond the people arrested. In addition to being an award-winning independent Black journalist, Georgia is a mom, a wife, a daughter, a mentor to young Black journalists, and a community member who cares. During our talk, Georgia bravely admits to being terrified, but as she declares, “God did not give me a spirit of fear.”
“God did not give me a spirit of fear.” - journalist Georgia Fort
This interview was taped around 5pm on February 3, 2026. Georgia was kind enough to sit with me after she already had a day filled with interviews. As always, shout out to Destiny and Kai for turning this around so quickly. Again, I hope you don’t mind me filling up your inbox.
Thanks again to The McKnight Foundation for partnering with me on this project.
WHO’S WITH ME?
Here’s the video I made the day I learned about the arrests.
I had no idea that I would be talking with Georgia only four days later.
Support Stand With Minnesota!
While I was in the Twin Cities, I talked to many people about the power of mutual aid. Mutual aid is when you just give people money or goods or services without bringing American capitalism into it. Think of it as when you go out to dinner with a friend and you know that you can’t afford the meal and your friend says, “I got you!” Right now, mutual aid is helping Minnesotans who can’t go to work for various reasons. It could be because their workplace is closed during the federal occupation OR because they were laid off due to business being down during the federal occupation OR because they are, understandably, afraid to leave their house during the federal occupation!
I met with organizer Ashley Fairbanks who built the website Stand with Minnesota. That interview will be out eventually, but don’t wait for that. You can help, today!
My WHO’S WITH ME TOUR
April 17 North Bethesda, MD at The Music Center at Strathmore
May 22-24 San Diego at The Mic Drop Comedy Club.
I basically wore nothing but Mahogany Mommies while I was in Minneapolis.
I’m even wearing one of my newest ones in the video with Georgia. It reads, “I will use my breath to speak up for those who can’t breathe.” Joi, the owner of Mahogany Mommies, has an all-new line of shirts that she is calling Conversation Starters. Get yours below, and don’t forget to use my code WKB to get 20% off! The perfect purchase for Black History Month.
