KMOJCast: Daily Summaries Delivered

06-17-26 Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed, talks about America's history, memory, and the significance of Juneteenth with Freddie Bell

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.

06-17-26 Helen Ferraro, Anti-Racism Collective and MAC Volunteer, and Patrick Bass, Principal of Valley View Middle School, talk with Freddie Bell about the Juneteenth Celebration at Centennial Lakes Park

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.

06-17-26 Kia Bratz, Manager of Marketing Events at Mystic Lake Hotel Casino, talks with Freddie Bell about The Great Midwest Rib Fest and barbecue competition at Mystic Lake

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.

06-16-26 Shawna Frazier, Minnesota Realtor and host of The Next Chapter Home Tour with Fola Badwas, mortgage lending specialist, talks with Chantel Sings about downsizing, new construction opportunities, and preparing for your next move

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.

06-12-26 Leonard Searcy, founder of WestBone Productions, and Brenda Gilbert, award-winning producer and former co-founder of BRON Studios, talk with Freddie Bell about MegaMiXer 2026 and building careers in film, television, music, and entertainment

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.

06-12-26 Shawna Frazier, Minnesota Realtor and host of The Next Chapter Home Tour, talks with Freddie Bell about downsizing, new construction opportunities, and preparing for your next move

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.

06-09-26 Nancy Lieberman, HOF WNBA player and Big3 coach, and Gina Carithers, President & CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, talk with Chantel Sings about the “Check the Box! Saving Lives Together” initiative

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.

06-08-26 Warren McLean, President of Northside Economic Opportunity Network, talks with Freddie Bell about the organization and its connections to the community