KMOJCast

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Chantel Sings speaks with Pamela Weems about her inclusion in The American Flag, a book featuring historic images from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She shares the story behind how her photograph—originally captured for The Washington Post—became part of the museum’s permanent collection, and its connection to the movement following George Floyd’s death...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with Edgar R. Olivo about how the American Red Cross is preparing for an expected increase in disasters this spring. He shares insights on the types of emergencies impacting communities, from home fires to wildfires, and how the Red Cross supports families with shelter, food, and emergency assistance. Olivo emphasizes the importance of preparedness and offers p...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams about the ongoing budget process at Minneapolis Public Schools, including a projected $50 million gap driven by rising costs, declining enrollment, and underfunding. She shares how the district is advocating at the state level for more stable funding while working to minimize cuts to programs and staff. Dr. Sayles-Adams also highlight...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with legendary R&B singer Karyn White about her powerful return to the spotlight with her new single, “You’re Gonna Want Me Back.” She reflects on seeing it climb the Billboard Top 30 R&B chart, marking her first major chart success in decades. White also discusses the global response to the single and how her journey, faith, and life experiences have s...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with Amber Banks about the mission of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs and the role Black-led community development financial institutions play in expanding access to capital. She explains how CDFIs help entrepreneurs start businesses, support homeownership, and invest in communities often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. Banks also d...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with Dr. La Tonya Overton about how Minneapolis Public Schools is celebrating Women’s History Month. She highlights the upcoming “Who’s That Lady?” event at the Davis Center, where students will dress as influential women in history and share their stories with the community. Dr. Overton also reflects on the legacies of trailblazers like Nellie Stone Johnson an...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings speak with Jay Haapala about the spike in IRS imposter scams during tax season. He explains how criminals pose as IRS agents through voicemails, texts, and emails to demand payment, steal personal information, or gain access to devices and financial accounts. Haapala outlines common red flags—including requests for payment by gift cards or cryptocurrency—and reminds ...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell welcomes Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams to share an encouraging message to the Minneapolis Public Schools community following several challenging months. She thanks families and supporters for rallying around students while highlighting continued flexibility with online learning and the inspiring resilience shown across the district. The conversation spotlights achievements incl...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings welcome Christine Tucci Osorio back for another “Chat with Christine” to discuss how things are evolving in District 622. She shares that the community is calmer after last month’s heightened ICE activity, while the district continues outreach, monitoring resources, and providing support such as supervision and food delivery for affected families. Looking ahead, Osor...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell & Chantel Sings speak with G. Phillip Shoultz, III as he discusses the upcoming WITNESS: Symphony of Spirituals concert taking place February 22 at Northrop, highlighting its role in celebrating Black History Month through powerful choral performance. He explains how the WITNESS project honors Black contributions to American arts and why this year’s focus on spirituals is especial...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Chantel Sings speaks with Tephanie Delaney as she shares how her two decades in entertainment and brand strategy led to the creation of UNBX TV, a platform designed to prioritize community, participation, and creator ownership. She explains how the ecosystem differs from traditional streaming models by focusing on collaboration rather than algorithms and competition. Tephanie also unpacks the mean...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Chantel Sings speak with Dr. Andrew Bergersen about a community event offering free PSA testing through the Minnesota Urology Foundation. He explains how the simple blood test helps screen for prostate cancer, a disease that affects 1 in 8 men and disproportionately impacts Black men, who face significantly higher diagnosis and mortality rates. Dr. Bergersen outlines who should consider screening—...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings welcome Alexis Love to discuss her work in Career & Technical Education (CTE) at Minneapolis Public Schools and her vision for the future of public safety. Love shares how her background in law enforcement and ministry shaped her belief that public safety should center on servant leadership, empathy, and “noble character.” She outlines the wide range of CTE pathw...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell speaks with public history researcher Jeremiah Ellis about his Minnesota Historical Society–published article, The Overlooked Legacy: Black Women of the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant. Ellis shares the powerful stories of the “Black Rosies” who worked at the New Brighton plant during World War II, breaking racial and gender barriers while helping power the war effort. The conversation hig...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell welcomes Danielle Hughes, the new principal of Benjamin E. Mays, to discuss the school’s upcoming Afrocentric program launching in fall 2026. Hughes explains how the program centers Black history, cultural pride, and racial identity development to create a rigorous, affirming learning environment for students in grades PreK through 5. She shares how African-centered values and Dr. LaG...

On the KMOJ Morning Show, Freddie Bell and Chantel Sings are joined by Dr. David Mair of the American Red Cross to discuss a serious blood shortage affecting hospitals and patients nationwide. Dr. Mair explains how winter weather, illness, and a severe flu season have led to thousands of missed blood donations, while the need for blood continues every day. He highlights why Black donors are especially important, particular...