02-09-26 Jeremiah Ellis, independent public history researcher and author, talks with Freddie Bell about the overlooked legacy of Black women at the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant

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 highlights how these women moved beyond domestic work into skilled and leadership roles, despite facing discrimination and danger, and how their economic gains helped strengthen Minnesota’s Black middle class. Ellis also explains why these stories were erased for decades and how reclaiming them reshapes our understanding of history, justice, and the foundations of today’s civil rights movements.

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Select programming from KMOJ's airwaves and community voices. Since first going “on the air” in 1976, KMOJ-89.9-FM continues its legacy as the community-oriented station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota airing a predominantly urban adult contemporary format.

“KMOJ’s Community Viewpoint” is one way the station achieves its mission of engaging, supporting and empowering Communities of Color to elevate the way of life of the people of its community and to challenge social and economic disparities, and the persistent consequences of historic racism.
The station call letters, “KMOJ” were inspired by the Swahili word “UMOJA” which means “Unity.” http://kmojfm.com/