Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), was recognized with two prestigious awards during 2025 Juneteenth celebrations, honoring her enduring leadership, legacy and impact in the Twin Cities Black community.

“I am so happy to see MSR getting the recognition it deserves,” said Williams-Dillard. “Anyone who does this work knows that it requires your all, which I continue to give.”

Williams-Dillard received the Senator Champion Legacy Leadership Award on Monday, June 23, during a ceremony at Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis. The award, presented by the Original Juneteenth Committee and Minnesota State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, celebrates individuals and institutions who have made transformative contributions to Black empowerment and cultural preservation.

“Your unwavering commitment to preserving and advancing Black excellence and legacy has not gone unnoticed,” the committee stated in its award announcement. “We are proud to acknowledge the impact you’ve made over the years.”

Originally scheduled for the prior week, the ceremony was postponed due to threats made against elected officials. The rescheduled event allowed community leaders, elected officials, and supporters to come together in an intimate setting, where Senator Champion presented the award in person.

In addition to the Legacy Leadership Award, Williams-Dillard was also honored with a Community Griot Award from The ANIKA Foundation during its Juneteenth – A Family Celebration held June 21 at the Minnesota State Capitol.

The Griot Award, a hallmark of the foundation’s annual celebration, recognizes individuals who uplift and preserve Black voices and culture in Minnesota. In a letter announcing the award, The ANIKA Foundation wrote, “As a trailblazer, you continued building on the legacy charted by your grandparents and parents, exemplifying the true spirit of entrepreneurship, serving as an inspiration to many.”

The dual recognitions reflect Williams-Dillard’s deep ties to Black media and advocacy. As the granddaughter of MSR founder Cecil Newman, she has continued the paper’s 90-year legacy while expanding its reach through digital innovation and community-centered journalism.

“We turn 91 this year, and we’re coming off a trip to a Black media convention with the presence of publications who are 130 years plus,” Williams-Dillards said. “Black media is needed, and I believe it is because of the service it supplies… That’s our focus: service.”

Both events emphasized the importance of legacy, intergenerational leadership, and community celebration as pillars of Juneteenth commemorations in Minnesota.

For more on this year’s Juneteenth events and honorees, visit juneteenthminnesota.com and theanikafoundation.org.

To support the work of the MSR, donate, attend or share our upcoming events: our gala and yacht cruise. For more information, visit our website under the “MSR events” tab.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.

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