Bonus Episode Two: What’s Next for Ghost of a Chance

Summary

Ghost of a Chance: Bonus Episode Two – What’s Next for Ghost of a Chance

In the second bonus episode of Ghost of a Chance by the Minnesota Star Tribune, host Eric Roper and co-host Melissa Townsend delve into the podcast's recent developments, community engagement, and future initiatives celebrating the legacy of Harry and Clementine Robinson. This episode, released on May 2, 2025, coincides with the shared birthday of the Robinsons, marking a poignant moment to reflect on their 144-year legacy and the broader history of race in Minneapolis.

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Special Significance of May 2nd

Eric Roper opens the episode by highlighting the importance of the release date:

“[01:13] Today is May 2nd, which is Harry and Clementine's shared birthday. They would be 144 years old today. And based on Harry's obituary, it also seems that they celebrated their wedding anniversary on this day.”
— Eric Roper

This date serves as a commemorative anchor, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Robinsons and setting the tone for the episode's discussions.

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Community Response and Memorial Fundraiser

Following the podcast’s launch in January, Eric and Melissa share their excitement about the community’s overwhelming response. Listeners have shown deep engagement, leading to actionable initiatives to honor Harry and Clementine Robinson.

Melissa Townsend announces:

“[02:35] So we're here today to announce the official launch of the GoFundMe to raise money for a memorial to the Robinsons.”
— Melissa Townsend

Eric Roper elaborates on the fundraising efforts:

“[02:43] Money will go toward the headstone, and we also plan to set aside money if family members want to come for the installation of the headstone.”
— Eric Roper

The initiative aims to place a proper headstone for Clementine Robinson in Crystal Lake Cemetery, where she currently lies in an unmarked grave. Additionally, funds will support community events, including the Southside Back in the Day festival slated for August 30th at Phelps Park, celebrating the rich history of the Old South neighborhood where the Robinsons resided.

Melissa Townsend adds:

“[02:13] Now the Star Tribune doesn't start a GoFundMe, so Eric had to get creative.”
— Melissa Townsend

A dedicated committee comprising community members Greg McMore, Bill Wells, and Lisa Crawford (from Southside Back in the Day) spearheads the fundraising efforts. The GoFundMe link is conveniently provided in the episode’s show notes and accessible via Bit.ly Robinson Memorial, encouraging widespread participation.

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Connecting Past and Present: From the Robinsons to George Floyd

The episode draws a powerful connection between the historical narrative of Harry and Clementine Robinson and the contemporary struggle for racial justice, particularly in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death five years prior.

Melissa Townsend states:

“[03:40] We will put the link to the GoFundMe in the show Notes, but you can also go to Bit ly Robinson Memorial.”
— Melissa Townsend

Eric Roper reflects on the impact of George Floyd’s death on his research:

“[03:59] You know, that event and the aftermath of that event happened at the very early stages of some of the research I was doing and sort of helped fuel some of my further interest in really digging into their lives.”
— Eric Roper

To further explore this intertwined history, Eric and Melissa announce a live storytelling event:

Melissa Townsend:

“[04:13] So we're hosting a big gathering on Thursday, May 29. It'll be a live storytelling event where we reflect on the long history that led up to the murder of George Floyd and the global racial reckoning that followed.”
— Melissa Townsend

Titled "From the Robinsons to Floyd: The Long History that Got Us Here," the event will feature stories of resistance and resilience from the Old South community and beyond. Scheduled at the Sabathany Community Center in South Minneapolis, the event will include contributions from podcast experts like Yahoo Williams, Kirsten Delegarde, and Greg D'Onofrio.

Eric Roper invites listeners:

“[05:28] And we also want to know if the podcast had an impact for you or in your community. So please let us know.”
— Eric Roper

Listeners are encouraged to attend the event, engage with the ongoing narrative, and contribute to the collective memory and recognition of the Robinsons’ legacy.

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Acknowledgments and Community Engagement

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks and a call to action for continued community involvement.

Melissa Townsend expresses gratitude:

“[05:46] Jenny Pinkley: Ghost of a Chance is reported by Eric Roper and written and produced by me, Melissa Townsend... Our website is startribune.com ghostofachance there you can see pictures and documents from the podcast...”
— Melissa Townsend

Listeners are urged to subscribe to the Minnesota Star Tribune to support such impactful storytelling and to stay informed about upcoming events and discussions.

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Notable Quotes

• Eric Roper on the significance of the memorial:

  “[03:18] It’s very moving to me and very touching that so many people wanted to do this... to give them a proper tribute.”
  — Eric Roper

• Melissa Townsend on the event’s purpose:

  “[04:13] So we're hosting a big gathering... Their stories are filled with resistance and resilience in the face of injustice.”
  — Melissa Townsend

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Conclusion

Bonus Episode Two of Ghost of a Chance serves as both a reflection on the podcast’s impact and a call to action for the community to honor Harry and Clementine Robinson’s legacy. Through fundraising for memorials and organizing events that bridge historical and contemporary struggles for racial justice, Eric Roper and Melissa Townsend demonstrate the profound influence of storytelling in fostering community engagement and remembrance.

Listeners are encouraged to participate in the ongoing initiatives, attend the live event on May 29th, and contribute to building a more informed and connected community.

For more information, listeners can visit the Ghost of a Chance website and join the conversation via email at [e-mail].

Transcript

[Hasan Minhaj]

I'm Hasan Minhaj and I have been lying to you. I only pretended to be a comedian so I could trick important people into coming on my podcast. Hassan Minhaj doesn't know to ask them the tough questions that real journalists are way too afraid to ask. People like Senator Elizabeth Warren. Is America too dumb for democracy?

[Liz Craft]

Outrageous.

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[Megan]

It's a good question.

[Hasan Minhaj]

Listen to Hasan Minhaj doesn't know. From Lemonada Media. Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Liz Craft]

Lemonada.

[Eric Roper]

You're listening to Ghost of a Chance from the Minnesota Star Tribune. This is the story of my search to find out what happened to Harry and Clementine Robinson. I'm Eric Roper.

[Melissa Townsend]

I'm Melissa Townsend.

[Eric Roper]

This is bonus episode number two.

[Melissa Townsend]

Hi there, Melissa here and Eric, it's been a very exciting couple of months since we launched Ghost of a Chance back in January. And we're in your ears today to tell you about a few things that are happening because we thought you'd want to know. I should say we're releasing this episode on a very special day.

[Eric Roper]

Today is May 2nd, which is Harry and Clementine's shared birthday. They would be 144 years old today. And based on Harry's obituary, it also seems that they celebrated their wedding anniversary on this day. A little less certain on that one, but certainly this was the. So it was a very special day in the Robinsons lives.

[Melissa Townsend]

And Eric continues to learn more about Harry and Clementine, but his attention has been focused on emails and messages from people like you who have listened to the podcast. And there's one request that several of you have made.

[Eric Roper]

So after the podcast came out, a number of people reached out and wanted to donate toward a headstone for Clementine Robinson. Cause if you recall, she's in an unmarked grave in Crystal Lake Cemetery. So initially I get these requests and you know, I'm a reporter. Reporters don't typically start fundraisers, but we wanted this to happen, right? Like we had talked a little bit during the production that this was probably something that we were going to be involved in at some point.

[Melissa Townsend]

Now the Star Tribune doesn't start a GoFundMe, so Eric had to get creative.

[Eric Roper]

So we gathered a small committee of community members who you heard in the podcast. So it was Greg McMore, Bill Wells, and Lisa Crawford. And Lisa Crawford runs Southside Back in the Day, which is is what holds the annual Southside Back in the Day festival, which you hear in episode six of the podcast.

[Melissa Townsend]

So we're here today to announce the official launch of the GoFundMe to raise money for a memorial to the Robinsons.

[Eric Roper]

Money will go toward the headstone, and we also plan to set aside money if family members want to come for the installation of the headstone. And then the other two places where this would go is the festival, which is going to happen this year on August 30th in Phelps park, and then some other commemorations of history of the Old south, which was the black community where they lived in South Minneapolis for more than three decades.

[Melissa Townsend]

We will put the link to the GoFundMe in the show Notes, but you can also go to Bit ly Robinson Memorial. I love that this is happening.

[Eric Roper]

It's very moving to me and very touching that so many people wanted to do this. This was for a long time, kind of my private personal interest. And to have people out there that want to give Clementine and Harry, because Harry's this headstone as well, to give them a proper tribute. It's been very touching to have people reach out.

[Melissa Townsend]

There's one more thing I want to tell you about. You may already know that this month marks five years since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. Here in this city, many of us are thinking back to that terrible moment and the global uprising that came afterwards.

[Eric Roper]

You know, that event and the aftermath of that event happened at the very early stages of some of the research I was doing and sort of helped fuel some of my further interest in really digging into their lives.

[Melissa Townsend]

So we're hosting a big gathering on Thursday, May 29. It'll be a live storytelling event where we reflect on the long history that led up to the murder of George Floyd and the global racial reckoning that followed. That history includes Harry and Clementine Robinson, but it also includes many more people that you might not know about. Their stories are filled with resistance and resilience in the face of injustice. So come join us on May 29th. We'll be at the Sabathany Community center in the Old south side in Minneapolis. Eric and I will be there and we'll be joined by some of the experts in the podcast, including Yahoo. Williams, Kirsten Delegarde and Greg D'Onofrio. The event is called from the Robinsons to Floyd, the Long History that Got Us Here. You can find a link to the event page in our show notes and you can also go online and search Star Tribune, Floyd Robinsons finally, we want to say thank you. Thank you for spending time with us and with Harry and Clementine Robinson. Eric has had tons of requests for us to speak with groups about the story. So reach out if you're interested in having us come speak to your community.

[Eric Roper]

And we also want to know if the podcast had an impact for you or in your community. So please let us know. Send us a note at ghost of a chanceartribune.com so all that information is.

[Melissa Townsend]

In the show notes and we look forward to seeing some of you on the 29th.

[Jenny Pinkley]

Ghost of a Chance is reported by Eric Roper and written and produced by me, Melissa Townsend. Our Executive Producer is Jenny Pinkley. Our editor is Mary Jo Webson Webster. Fact Checking by Eric Roper and Mary Jo Webster. Our contributing editors are Star Tribune Managing Editor Maria Reeve and Star Tribune Editor and Senior Vice President Suki Dardarian. Legal review from Randy Lebedoff. The art for our show comes from Anna Boone and Brock Kaplan. Special thanks to Kendall Harkness, Zoe Jackson, Laura McCollum, James Schiffer, Nancy Yang, Casey Darnell, Laura Ewan, Tame Danger, and members of the local community who served as our advisors. Our website is startribune.com ghostofachance there you can see pictures and documents from the podcast and you can also sign up to receive news about discussion guides and events. Our email is ghostofachanceartribune.com get in touch if you have a question or feedback or a tip related to the Robinson story. We'd also love to know if this story motivated you to do something in your community, so let us know. You can help pay for this incredible story and others like it with a subscription to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Go to our website, star tribune.com.

[Megan]

Hi, I'm Megan and I've got a new podcast I think you're going to love. It's called Confessions of a Female Founder, a show where I chat with female entrepreneurs and friends about the sleepless nights, the lessons learned, and the laser focus that got them to where they are today. And through it all, I'm building a business of my own and getting all sorts of practical advice along the way that I am so excited to share with you. Confessions of a Female Founder is out now. Hear new episodes each week ad free on Amazon Music. You can also ask Alexa Alexa, play Confessions of a Female Founder with Megan on Amazon Music and she will.

[Liz Craft]

Does your office have an evil donut bringer? Do you have a personal canary in a coal mine? Are you guilty of over apologizing? I'm Liz Craft. And I'm Sarah Fain. We're television writers and showrunners and the hosts of Happier in Hollywood, a podcast where we share all the juicy details of our career in television and offer tips and strategies that will help you and us have an even more successful, satisfying and fun career. Whether you're in Hollywood, Dollywood or somewhere in between. Check out Happier in Hollywood every Thursday from Lemonada Media.