Prominent Black sports journalist Marc Spears took to social media to express his disappointment and frustration after he and his friends were racially profiled at a store in Healdsburg, California. In an Instagram post, Spears detailed the incident, explaining that he and his African-American friends were at a store called Anthem Interiors when they experienced racial profiling by two employees. He expressed his anger and the pressure he felt to prove his worth by buying something expensive, but refrained from doing so.

Spears then described an encounter with one of the employees when he asked for the nearest bathroom. The employee suggested he go to the Healdsburg Police Department across the street, which confused Spears. When he asked why he would go to a police station for a bathroom, the employee responded by saying he wouldn't be arrested. This interaction further added to Spears' frustration and highlighted the racial bias he felt during the incident.

Anthem Interiors founder Janelle Loevner personally reached out to Spears to apologize for the incident. Loevner expressed deep sorrow and devastation over Spears' experience, stating that she had worked hard to build a solid business and cared deeply about the community and her employees. Spears accepted the apology, acknowledging that he felt it was sincere.

Despite the incident, Spears emphasized his love for the city of Healdsburg and stated that it would not prevent him from returning. He thanked those who show love and denounced ignorance and racism.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Loevner's response to the incident. She expressed shock and regret, stating that she believed it was a "perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances" and not a racist act. However, she recognized the offensiveness of one of her employees suggesting that the group would worry about being arrested by the police. Loevner acknowledged that as a white woman, she couldn't fully understand Spears' experiences as a Black man in America.

Marc Spears, a senior NBA writer for ESPN, is known for his insightful coverage of the league. This incident sheds light on the persistent issue of racial profiling and discrimination that many Black individuals face in their daily lives.