Insight News ::: 01.23.17

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Insight News January 23 - January 29, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 4• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Transforming North Minneapolis TURN TO PAGE 2

Artist rendering of Thor Companies new headquarters at Penn and Plymouth Avenues

Page 2 • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Insight News

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Thor breaks ground on $100 million development at Penn - Plymouth Avenue

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor The guest list alone demonstrated the significance of the event.

Those who assembled on Jan. 17 at Plymouth Avenue North and Penn Avenue North in North Minneapolis included Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, Target Corporation CEO Brian Cornell, Minneapolis Urban League president and CEO, Steve Belton, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, Hennepin County Commissioner (Dist.2) Linda Higgins, Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson, Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey

and Minnesota Diversity Director James Burroughs just to name a few. All were on hand for the groundbreaking of Thor Companies’ soon-to-be headquarters and combineduse retail and office building.

The $36 million project slated for completion in spring 2018 is being touted as an engine to boost jobs, the economy and the image of North Minneapolis.

“This is a fabulous day for North Minneapolis and a great credit to your company,” said Dayton, speaking about Thor’s decision to relocate to North Minneapolis. “You could have chosen to have your headquarters anywhere in Minnesota and you chose North

Minneapolis. That commitment goes a long way into stabilizing North Minneapolis.”

For Thor Chairman Richard Copeland the new headquarters is somewhat of a homecoming.

“I was born in the projects over here and now I live about 100 yards from where I was born, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t come a long way,” said Copeland, who along with CEO Ravi Norman run Thor, a real estate management, construction and design conglomerate that has participated in some of the largest construction projects in the state including the building of U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Vikings, the 2018 Super Bowl and 2019 Men’s Final

Four.

African-American owned and formed in 1980, Thor is one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States and the largest Black-owned business in Minnesota. The company brought in more than $160 in revenues in 2015. The new headquarters will include 92,000 square feet of retail and office space and will attach to a 620 stall covered parking ramp.

“This is historic. It’s the culmination of 37 years of hard work,” said Norman. “Most importantly, this new building is about the people. It’s about giving people an opportunity to work and to make a difference.

We want this to be a destination

spot for North Minneapolis.”

One of the building’s leaseholders will be Target Corporation.

Target CEO Cornell said its commitment to have office space in the new building signals the value placed on the relationship with Thor and with North Minneapolis.

“This is a sign that change is going to take place,” said Cornell.

That change along the Penn and Plymouth corridor includes the relocation and expansion of Estes Funeral Home and the expansion of Northpoint Health and Wellness. Also anchoring the block are the Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N. and the University of Minnesota

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Gov. Mark Dayton (far right) along with Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (brown jacket), break ground on the site soon to be Thor Companies new headquarters with Thor chairman Richard Copeland (between Smith and Dayton) and (left to right) Craig Taylor, director of the Minneapolis’ Community Planning & Economic Development, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, and Target senior vice president of properties, Mark Schindele.

Ravi Nelson

II N NE EED T o B U Y HEALTH G R O C E R IE S e.. c n a r u s In You can do both. MNsure is the only place to find out if you qualify for financial help to pay insurance premiums - which most people do. See what you qualify for at mnsure.org, or call 1-855-3MNSURE.

Richard Copeland

Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. “We’re going from reducing disparities to maximizing opportunities,” said Norman.

“If you say you want change you must invest in change,” said Champion, who represents the area of North Minneapolis in the Minnesota Senate. “Thor is leading by example.”

Higgins said she is excited to see a transformed Penn and Plymouth.

“In five years this corner will look so different,” said Higgins.

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Insight News • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

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Insight News January 23 - January 29, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 4• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Welch to lead United Way New members added to board

Tim Welsh

Al McFarlane

Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minnesota’s largest nongovernmental social services nonprofit, announced its 2017 board of directors; including 53 incumbents and eight newly ratified members and the ascension of its vice-chair to the role of chair.

Tim Welsh, a senior partner with McKinsey & Co., assumes the role to board chair with the tenure of Lynn Casey ending.

“We have a stellar group of leaders joining the current board and they’ll be led by long-time dedicated United Way volunteer Tim Welsh. With one in four people living in poverty, there

is much work to be done in our region. The combined expertise of these leaders and their understanding of the challenges facing our community will be used – collectively – to help ensure a better future for everyone,” said United Way president and CEO, Sarah Caruso.

Other new board members include Jeff Cotton, managing partner, Deloitte, Reba Dominski, senior vice president, U.S. Bancorp, Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation,

Growing the Legislature’s Black Caucus

By Ingrid Ferlo State Rep. Rena Moran (DFL65A) was in an optimistic mood after being again sworn in to represent her district and the citizens of Minnesota.

Moran, who has served in the legislature for the past 10 years, is happy that finally there are enough Black elected representatives to form a caucus of their own. Moran was referring to the increase in elected black representatives after the November elections.

Moran was a recent guest on the “Conversations with Al McFarlane” (KFAI 90.3 FM) radio. “Conversations” airs every Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. and reaches global audiences on www.kfai.org.

Moran said until the most recent House was sworn in a few weeks ago she was the only Black person in the House for most of her tenure as a representative. But now the tide is slowly changing. Moran is joined in the House by two other women of color, Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL-60B) and Erin Maye Quade (DFL-57A).

In the Senate, Sens. Bobby Joe Champion and Jeff Hayden serve as the only Black senators, bringing the total to five in the entire state legislature.

A Black caucus, according to Moran, will largely widen the representation of communities

UNITED WAY 7

MORAN 9

State Rep. Rena Moran (DFL-65A)

Benjamin Chavis

NNPA’s Chavis receives promise of first press interview with President Trump

By Hazel Trice Edney TriceEdneyWire.com Washington, D.C. – Omarosa Manigault, recently named assistant to the president and director of communications in the Office of Public Liaison for the Trump Administration, has promised the first press interview with President Trump to Benjamin Chavis, president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), according to sources who attended a private meeting with the Trump transition team.

Manigault’s promise of the interview was disclosed after a representative of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) stressed the importance of Black reporters interfacing with the president.

Both Chavis and NABJ representatives participated in

the closed door meeting at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Northwest Washington, D.C. “When NABJ said we need to make sure that somebody Black interviews the president first, (Manigault) said, ‘Oh no.

Ben Chavis and I have already spoken and he’s going to be the first interview,’” recounted veteran civil rights leader Barbara Arnwine, president and CEO of the Transformative Justice Coalition. Arnwine said Chavis then “acknowledged that that was correct that they had already been in touch with him about it.”

No working press was allowed inside the meeting, described as “off the record” for those in attendance. The meeting, billed as a “listening session” with Manigault and other senior members of the Trump transition team,

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I2H

I2H Fitness Challenge – The Motivating Factor

PAGE 5

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)

Franken said Sessions, Trump not right for America

By Ingrid Ferlo “I will be voting against him.”

Those were the declarative words of Sen. Al Franken (DMN) speaking about Sen. Jeff Sessions, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney

Commentary

general. Franken’s reservations, and other senators against Sessions, surged as a result of controversial stances on issues such as prosecutions and deportations of unauthorized immigrants and pulling back from federal monitoring of local police departments, plus longstanding concerns regarding

civil rights enforcement.

Franken was a recent guest on “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which airs on 90.3 FM KFAI every Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. and reaches audiences globally on www.kfai. com.

According to Franken, it is necessary that people

News

Ellison best choice to lead DNC

Guardians of Black culture and history, from past to present

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remain engaged in the political decisions made after elections.

He said greater political and civil organizing might be needed in the coming years.

Minnesota’s junior senator also commented about the dismantling the Affordable Care

FRANKEN 9

Community

Honoring the accomplishments of Minnesota’s Black medical community

PAGE 9

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Business

A cooperative legacy

Until recently, if someone asked where cooperatives originated, many people would cite the Rochdale Pioneers.

These were the 28 textile mill workers from the town of Rochdale, England, who formed the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society in 1844 in response to poor working conditions, low wages, adulterated food and exploitation. They created the first sustainable cooperative business and are credited

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham

with articulating the guiding principles that became what we know today as the International Cooperative Principles.

The story of cooperation, and furthermore cooperative economics, is not exclusive to Europeans; it has been adopted by countless cultures around the globe.

This is particularly true in African-American history. Cooperative Hall of Famer Jessica Gordon Nembhard opens the door to critical aspects of Black cooperative history in her book “Collective Courage.”

Nembhard continues the research of W.E.B. Du Bois from the early 20th century to catalogue the extensive efforts of African-American cooperatives. She places coops solidly as precursors to and tools used in the Civil Rights Movement.

Tom Pierson, a local research assistant to Nembhard, shared in a recent interview with the filmmakers of “Radical Roots” that the Twin Cities was home to multiple “first wave” cooperative grocery stores – five of which were

predominantly AfricanAmerican based. Many of these started in the early 1940s, more than three decades prior to the majority

The Sumner Cooperative operated in the Harrison neighborhood of North Minneapolis, near the site of the soon-to-open Wirth

African-American co-ops also formed simultaneously with Seward Co-op and other new wave co-ops. As in the 1940s,

Of the five African-American co-ops that existed, a few shared neighborhoods with the food co-ops today.

of “new wave” food co-ops that operate today. Pierson discovered many of these co-ops in his research of the Franklin Cooperative Creamery (FCC) for Seward Co-op. FCC built the Creamery building and supported these first wave co-ops.

Of the five AfricanAmerican co-ops that existed, a few shared neighborhoods with the food co-ops today.

Co-op; the Co-ops, Inc. of Minneapolis that served the Bryant and Central neighborhoods with a store at 41st Street and Chicago Avenue, was near Seward’s current Friendship store and the Credjafawn Co-op Store, a project of the Credjafawn Social Club, was located in St Paul’s Rondo neighborhood near Mississippi Market’s present-day Selby-Dale store.

these were located in North Minneapolis, Rondo and the Bryant-Central neighborhoods. The BryantCentral Co-op opened in the mid-1970s and was started by Moe Burton, uncle of Gary Cunningham, the executive director of Metropolitan Economic Development Association and spouse of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.

Pierson notes that co-

ops in this era were typically run by unpaid volunteers.

However, the Bryant-Central Co-op was a pioneer when it came to paying staff and thinking big. They envisioned a store more than twice the size of most large co-ops today. Unable to raise the capital to build to scale, Bryant-Central Co-op closed in 1978. Burton and others in the community attempted to start a new co-op in the mid1990s, but due to Burton’s untimely death, as well as a lack of resources, the store never materialized.

The Seward Co-op seeks to honor and build on the legacies of past cooperators. People like Du Bois, Burton and groups like the Credjafawn Sociai Club, not to mention, the countless unnamed individuals that did the physical work of starting first wave co-ops are critical in understanding the stories of those who came before.

For quite some time AfricanAmerican communities have used cooperatives in order to end oppression and eradicate injustices, particularly in food justice.

Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Repealing of the Affordable Care Act is the wrong thing to do

By Frank Clemente and Ron Pollack American Forum Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) threaten the health care of 30 million Americans and would erode some rare progress made recently to reverse America’s growing economic inequality.

By taxing rich households and big corporations to subsidize health care for working families, the ACA does what good public policy should … level the playing field to give everyone a shot, not just those at the top. Abolishing the ACA would only further tilt the field in favor of the

wealthy and well-connected.

It turns out that taking away health insurance from struggling families can be a windfall for the well-todo. The top 0.1 percent of households – those with income of at least $3.7 million a year – would receive a tax cut of about $197,000 in 2017, on average, if the ACA is repealed, according to the Tax Policy Center.

Meanwhile, millions of Americans would see the cost of their private health insurance skyrocket because they would lose ACA subsidies used to pay their premiums. The increased costs would range from about $4,000 to $6,000 per family, depending on family income. Taking away

subsidies would make health insurance unaffordable for most of these families.

Denying struggling families quality, affordable health care while giving huge tax breaks to the wealthy and profitable corporations clearly contradicts Presidentelect Donald Trump’s claim of looking out for the little guy.

In addition to shifting resources from the working class to the upper class, repeal of the ACA would also cost about $1 trillion in lost revenues.

This huge revenue loss would make it impossible for Republicans to fund any sort of meaningful “replacement” for the ACA (if that’s in fact their desire). Most likely, millions would simply

lose their health insurance.

It is important to look at who has gained health coverage under the ACA, which is funded mostly by $600 billion in taxes on wealthy families and on thriving health-care industries like insurance, prescription drugs and medical devices.

Since 2010, approximately 20 million Americans have obtained coverage – in all ethnic groups in every region of the country, including nearly 3 million children. Among white adults without a college degree (often viewed as the incoming president’s “base”), more than 6 million people have gained coverage.

The uninsured rate has fallen by more than one-third nationally. Some of the states that saw the biggest drops in their number of uninsured helped elect Donald Trump, including West Virginia (-58.6 percent), Kentucky (-57.1 percent), Michigan (-49.3 percent), and Ohio (-44.7 percent).

Who would gain from abolishing the health-care law and the taxes that fund it? Among the big winners would be wealthy investors, who often don’t have to work for a living but simply live off the proceeds of their fortunes. The ACA places a small 3.8 percent tax on their

investment income from dividends, interest, capital gains and rent. This only affects the top 2 percent of households – couples making more than $250,000 a year.

Much of that passive income is generally taxed at much lower rates than similar amounts of income from wages and salaries, at as little as half the rate. The ACA’s investment-income surtax goes a small way towards closing that tax loophole, which is, of course, just one of many enjoyed by the wealthy.

In order to strengthen Medicare, the ACA also extended a 0.9 percent tax that funds the insurance program for the elderly and disabled, applying it to all the income of the top 2 percent.

Previously, the tax phased out for married couples on any income above $250,000.

Thanks to this tax and other changes made by the ACA, Medicare’s ability to fully serve its 57 million participants was extended by 10 years and important improvements were made to benefits. If this tax were taken away, Medicare beneficiaries would face higher premiums and deductibles.

Repeal of Obamacare presents a stark tradeoff.

Abolishing the ACA gives big tax breaks to the most privileged members of our society while increasing the economic burdens on millions of working Americans, while also endangering their health.

Polls show that voters in November overwhelmingly believed the system is rigged to benefit the rich and powerful. Repealing the ACA will rig the system even more. Those aren’t the skewed priorities the American people voted for.

Frank Clemente is executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness and Ron Pollack is founding executive director of Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers. This op-ed previously appeared in USA Today.

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Insight News • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

I2H Fitness Challenge – The Motivating Factor Afrodescendientes

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Tony Boyd 1969-2016 Motivation takes all kinds of forms; comes in all kinds of shapes.

Reality check is the greatest motivator for current Insight 2 Health (I2H) Fitness Challenge participant John Boyd.

Boyd is at the heaviest weight he’s ever been. He has gone through devastating losses; one after the other, Losing family elders and mentors, two best friends from high school.

More recently, his younger

brother, Tony Boyd, passed away suddenly Oct. 9 from complications of diabetes and dialysis.

The stark realization of poor nutrition within his family, his circle of friends and the Native-American community hit a nerve with Boyd. He is now on a mission to becoming a healthier person. He wants to honor his ancestors by being an example … by living a healthy life and helping break the cycle of poor nutrition and obesity.

Boyd is a special education teacher at Cedar Riverside Community School located in the heart of the Cedar Riverside Housing Plaza Complex in Minneapolis.

The Charter School serves 161 students grades K-8. His life partner, Melissa Olson, produced a documentary on the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy that was presented at PBS.

Tony Boyd 1969-2016 Originally from the Red Lake Reservation, Boyd grew up in St. Paul and lives in

Minneapolis. In the 1980s he graduated from St. Paul Central high school where he was active in sports. He studied construction at Summit Academy and went on to become an indentured apprentice with the St. Paul Carpenters Trade Union.

In 2007 a series of events changed the course of his life.

He was laid off and began to train young adults in the art of finishing and laying hardwood floors for both residential and commercial clients. During that time, he slipped and broke his ankle requiring surgery and seven plate pins.

After a year “on the bench” (waiting to be called by the Carpenters Union) he decided to go back to school and become a teacher. In 2015 Boyd received his B.A. in Special Education with a minor in Native Indian Studies from Augsburg College.

He made the Dean’s List twice

and credits academic advisor Jennifer Simon for successfully guiding him though the academic system.

While earning his degree, his student teaching assignment took him home to The Red Lake Reservation Elementary School.

It was during that assignment that he noticed the results of poor nutrition within his community.

Like a dark cloud, it hovered over him ... nagging him.

But it was the premature death of his brother Tony Boyd, that changed his attitude and has motivated him to participate in the I2H fitness challenge boot camp.

“I want to learn habits to incorporate into my life; not just for the 10 weeks, but for the rest of my life,” said Boyd.

“I want to be healthy and want to be around for my kids and grandkids.”

For more information on

the Insight to Health Challenge call The F.I.T. Lab at (651) 6455242 or www.thefitlabinc.com.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge is a fun, yet challenging, fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes for program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable.

Participants meet up to four times a week in a group class setting. Participants also consult with a nutrition expert and mental health professional.

The program is a collaboration between Insight News’ parent company, McFarlane Media Interests (MMI) and The F.I.T. Lab, 1583 Hamline Ave. N, Falcon Heights, owned by certified personal trainer Tyrone Minor.

Health officials urge flu shots as flu activity increases Flu activity is increasing in the state, and health officials remind all Minnesotans it’s not too late to get their flu shot.

The flu season can last through April, so getting a flu vaccine now will provide protection for the rest of the season. Health officials recommend that everyone ages six months and older get a flu vaccine every year.

Weekly flu statistics released by the Minnesota Department of Health show the state’s flu status has been elevated from local to regional geographic spread. This means certain areas of the state have seen more flu outbreaks

or increases in flu-like illness or lab-confirmed cases of flu.

With flu activity increasing in neighboring states as well, health officials expect cases to continue to go up in the coming weeks.

National early season flu vaccination rates released in November by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that only 40 percent of people ages six months and older had received their flu vaccine. These estimates show a large portion of the population is vulnerable to flu as activity continues to increase across the country.

“The more people who are

vaccinated, the more protection we’ll have in the community to slow or stop the spread, especially to those at high risk for complications from flu,”said Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Flu can be a serious, lifethreatening illness, even for otherwise healthy people.

CDC data show that about half of children hospitalized with flu over the last several years did not have an underlying medical condition.

Parents who got the nasal spray vaccine for their child in

the past should get them a flu shot this year. The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended this year because it was found to not be effective at preventing flu over the three previous flu seasons.

“We know people may be disappointed that they have to get a shot, but the shot is the recommended option this year,” said Ehresmann. “The small poke is far better than being sick with flu and missing days or weeks of school, work or other activities.”

The main flu strain circulating this season is influenza A (H3N2). Adults 65 and older are usually affected more in seasons where H3N2 is

the dominant strain. People in this age group may feel young and healthy, but as we age our immune system has a harder time fighting off the flu. That’s why getting a flu vaccine is really important for this age group.

Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions are also at high risk for complications from flu and should get vaccinated.

Ehresmann noted that this year’s flu vaccine appears to be a good match for the viruses circulating.

Flu vaccines are covered by most insurance plans as a requirement of the Affordable Care Act. However, it is

a good idea to call ahead if unsure of coverage. For those without insurance, the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program and the Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccine program provide free or low-cost vaccines.

The symptoms of flu, which tend to come on suddenly, can include a sore throat, coughing, fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

People who become severely ill with flu-like symptoms should seek medical care.

For more information on flu and flu vaccine, visit www. mdhflu.com.

Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge: Coming full circle Afrodescendientes

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes The kick off to the latest round of the Insight 2 Health (I2H) Challenge began with a bigger fanfare than usual.

The F.I.T. Lab (Fitness Innovation Transformation) celebrated the opening of its new facilities located at 1583 Hamline Ave. N. in Falcon Heights. Due to my schedule I wasn’t able to attend the opening ceremony. Subsequent snow storms, windy and icy conditions kept me from getting to The F.I.T. Lab until Thursday evening.

I missed the great exhilaration associated with the start of a new round of the fitness challenge ... the meeting the participants, being paired with a partner; getting weighed and measured, being welcomed by the dynamic husband and wife team of Tyrone Minor and Jaime Minor and their accomplished team of certified professionals.

I can imagine the 3,000 square foot facility on the corner of Hamline Avenue North explode with excitement as the 30 or so participants took the first steps in the life-altering, life-changing 10-week extensive physical fitness challenge. I’m not trying to be dramatic but the Insight 2 Health Challenge was a life altering event for me.

In May 2015 I completed the grueling 10-week challenge.

For those of you who followed me on the weekly commentaries and daily blog, you might recall my consistent bellyaching and complaining throughout the process. But what I thought was a mere physical boot camp exercise program turned out to be a lifesaving experience that prepared me for the Olympics of survival.

On Aug. 30 of 2015 I was diagnosed with stage three invasive carcinoma grade 2a breast cancer. In September

of that year I had a bilateral lumpectomy and in October 2015 I began 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation. I was burned so badly by the radiation I was not able to complete the full 30 rounds prescribed. This time last year I had no hair, was swollen due to steroids, lost a couple of toe nails, lost some feeling in my finger tips and toes; but I never lost hope.

I never lost the energy resulting from the grueling 10week physical experience. I never lost new habits formed during that time such as walking up and down the stairs, replacing water for my usual 20 cups of coffee a day. I never lost the sound of Tyrone Minor’s voice ringing in my ears to keep going.

I completed the demanding cancer treatment in April 2016 and by August, one year from my diagnoses; I had hair … thick, jet black, long, straight hair – above my lip and on my

chin, that is. The hair on top of my head came in curly, silver white and soft as a bunny’s fur.

My unwavering faith, spiritual strength and humor are the pillars of my foundation … the essence of who I am. Like everyone out there, I have faced many challenges throughout my life. Some I’ve been prepared for. However, I never imagined receiving such a diagnoses and I couldn’t wrap my head around the severity of those words … “you have cancer.”

As I admired the new F.I.T. Lab facilities, I couldn’t help but notice the passion and experience the professionals share with participants and the patience, individualized care and direction they so carefully orchestrate. It became crystal clear that I had come “full circle.”

It was those demanding 10 weeks of detoxing, moving my body, delving into the depths of the “whys” and reprogramming negative behaviors that got me

through a very challenging year.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge prepared me for my greatest battle … the fight for my life.

While I had no intention of participating in this round, I found myself drawn to the familiarity of the drill … the move your body mantra of the more than 25 people huffing, and puffing all around me; sweating, pushing themselves to their limits and beyond. I was drawn

to the music in the background, laughter, a few groans, a few moans and a couple of tears echoing through the room.

Touring the new fitness studio with its storefront windows, mirrored walls, extensive array of equipment and positive affirmations posted everywhere; meeting new participants and reuniting with old friends gave me a sense of belonging.

Suddenly I felt the urge

stirring within me. “Sign me up” I yelled (in my head). I didn’t want to disrupt everyone’s concentration with my sudden outburst at the realization I had indeed “come full circle.”

For more information on the Insight 2 Health Challenge call The F.I.T. Lab at (651) 6455242 or visit www.thefitlabinc. com.

The tobacco industry will stop at nothing to addict teenagers to smoking. Adding flavors like menthol make it easier for kids to start and harder for them to quit.

Currently, 71 percent of African American youth smokers smoke menthol. But if kids don’t start, smoking stops. Learn how we can all help at stopthestartmn.com.

Page 6 • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Insight News

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Commentary Moral courage: Standing up for what is right Child Watch

By Marian Wright Edelman Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle . . . This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action. – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sen. Cory Booker (DNJ) and Rep. John Lewis (DGA) joined the list of speakers testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee against the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for Attorney General of the United States.

Both were assigned to a panel at the very end of the hearing process, a slot fellow panelist Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), the head of the Congressional Black Caucus, called “the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus.” Several Senate committee members who have already publically supported Sessions left before Booker’s and Lewis’ important testimony began.

But that didn’t deter them from speaking out against the threat they see to the civil rights progress our nation has made if Sessions becomes Attorney General.

Congressman Lewis

noted that he was born in rural Alabama too, not far from where Sessions grew up, but as a Black child he inherited a far different society.

“There was no way to escape or deny the chokehold of discrimination and racial hate that surrounded us,” said Lewis.

“A clear majority of Americans say they want this to be a fair, just, and open nation . . . They are concerned that some leaders reject decades of progress and want to return to the dark past, when the power of law was used to deny the freedoms protected by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and its Amendments.

These are the voices I represent today. We can pretend that the law is blind. We can pretend that it is even-handed. But if we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are called upon daily by the people we represent to help them deal with unfairness in how the law is written and enforced. Those who are committed to equal justice in our society wonder whether Sen. Sessions’ call for ‘law and order’ will mean today what it meant in Alabama, when I was coming up back then. The rule of law was used to violate the human and civil rights of the poor, the dispossessed, people of color.”

In additional written remarks Congressman Lewis was even clearer about some of his current fears.

“Some people argue that the 48 years of a fully-operational Voting Rights Act simply erased hundreds of years of hate and violence. This is not ancient history; the scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in our society. This is proven by the thousands of pages of

evidence submitted to Congress which verify continued voting rights discrimination across our nation and in the Deep South.

Representing Alabama on this committee, Sen. Sessions had an opportunity to lead. Instead,

ethnic country . . . (a)nd we cannot avoid the fact that there is a systematic, deliberate attempt to destroy the advances of civil rights in this country and take us back to a period when America declared its greatness on one

We are a multi-racial, multi-ethnic country . . . (a)nd we cannot avoid the fact that there is a systematic, deliberate attempt to destroy the advances of civil rights

the senator turned a blind eye to the persistent and consistent efforts to make it harder and more difficult for minorities, the poor, the elderly, and others to exercise the right to vote . . . After the Shelby v. Holder decision (the 2013 Supreme Court decision striking down key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act), minorities were in mourning as Sen. Sessions was celebrating. He declared the decision was ‘good news for the South.’ Alabama and other states immediately adopted voter ID legislation – making it harder for minorities to execute their right to vote. We must face the truth.

We are a multi-racial, multi-

hand, but fostered the worst kind of racial discrimination on the other.”

Booker, born after the Civil Rights Movement, made it clear that he feels personally indebted to heroes like Lewis, who were attacked and some even killed during the struggle to make America a more just nation — and equally resolute against moving backwards. He took the courageous step of being the first sitting senator to testify against the confirmation of another senator. In his prepared remarks he said, “I want an Attorney General who is committed to supporting law enforcement and securing law and order. But

that is not enough. America was founded heralding not law and order, but justice for all. And critical to that is equal justice under the law. Law and order without justice is unobtainable If there is no justice, there is no peace. The Alabama State Troopers on the Edmund Pettis Bridge were seeking law and order. The marchers were seeking justice – and ultimately the greater peace.”

Booker added, “If confirmed, Sen. Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian Americans, but his record indicates that he won’t.

He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend the rights of immigrants and affirm their human dignity, but his record indicates he won’t. His record indicates that as attorney general he would obstruct the growing national bipartisan movement toward criminal justice reform.

His record indicates that we cannot count on him to support state and national efforts toward bringing justice to a justice system that people on both sides of the aisle readily admit is biased against the poor, drug addicted, mentally ill, and people of color. His record indicates that at a time when even the FBI director is speaking out about implicit racial bias in policing and the need to address it; at a time when the last two attorneys general have taken steps to fix our broken criminal justice system and at a time when the Justice Department he would lead has uncovered

systemic abuses in police departments all over the United States including Ferguson (Mo.), including Newark; Sen. Sessions would not continue to lead urgently needed change . . . Challenges of race in America cannot be addressed if we refuse to confront them. Persistent biases cannot be defeated unless we combat them. The arc of the universe does not just naturally curve toward justice — we must bend it.”

I’m deeply grateful to Sen. Booker and Congressman Lewis for their extraordinary testimony and moral leadership. At the end of his statement Lewis said, “Leadership is not easy. You are expected to make tough decisions – to do what is right, what is just, and what is fair for all the people of this nation who rely on you to speak up and speak out on their behalf.” They spoke on behalf of the majority, millions of Americans, who are afraid of a new onslaught of attempts to push the arc of our nation away from justice – and seek leaders vigilant and determined to keep fighting every step of the way to make America a better and fairer nation. As we celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we all should find the courage to honor him by standing up for what is right to stop a senator who has fought against racial justice over a lifetime from becoming the nation’s chief law enforcement voice. That’s like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org.

Ellison best choice to lead DNC

By William Reed The current Black unemployment rate of 9.2 percent is more than double the 4.4 percent white rate. Are you struggling to find a job? Have you been looking a while? Surely, looking for a job is a complicated process. Many factors need to be in place for the right candidate to find the right job. It takes a special breed to function and thrive in “The American Mainstream.”

Take the case of Rep. Keith Ellison for instance.

The Minneapolis congressman is campaigning to be the Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair but his past ties to the Nation of Islam are putting him in a tenuous position.

Ellison was no Malcolm X. But, now Ellison seeks to lead the governing body for the Democratic Party – the DNC.

The DNC coordinates strategy to support party candidates for local, state and national office throughout the country. The DNC organizes the Democratic National Convention held every four years to nominate and confirm a candidate for president, and formulate the party platform.

The DNC chairperson is elected by the committee composed of chairs and vice-chairs of each state party committee and more than 200 members elected by Democrats in all 50 states and the territories.

The selection of the DNC chair warrants AfricanAmericans watching. Who will sit at the helm of the Democratic Party? Will it be the grassroots or the corporate donors? Many say Ellison is the choice if you want for grassroots-oriented people to control the party. For the “politically correct” Ellison is “the guy to get.” Congress’ first elected-Muslim has been

Rep. Keith Ellison the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District – a geographically urban and suburban district that covers eastern Hennepin Country and city of Minneapolis since 2007.

Ellison’s current bid to move up the political hierarchy has been complicated by questions about his views on Louis Farrakhan,

the politics of Israel and Black Nationalism.

For Blacks and Ellison to function and thrive in America’s “politically correct” mainstream, you must “go along to get along.” In his quest for the DNC job, Ellison is enduring revisions of articles he’d written in praise of Farrakhan while a grad student – 20 years ago. This has prompted prominent Jewish donors and media to call Ellison an anti-Semite.

Proud father of four, Ellison was born and raised in Detroit.

He has lived in Minnesota since earning his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1990. Before being elected to Congress, Ellison spent his time on the Black side of Minneapolis as a community activist and civil rights, employment, and criminal defense lawyer. He was elected to serve two terms in the Minnesota State House. He says his Congressional priorities are building prosperity for working families, promoting peace and advancing civil and human rights. A wealth analysis ranked Ellison 514th of the 538 members of Congress in terms of wealth. The report said his average net worth is -$21,497.

Ellison may be “hustling backwards.” He’s indicated

a willingness to give up his House of Representatives $174,000 salary to take the DNC job. To a small few Ellison lost creditability among African-Americans when he renounced association with the Nation of Islam (NOI) in 2006. During the late 1980s through the 1990s Ellison’s writings and public statements reveal a dialogic admiration for Malcolm X and Farrakhan.

Ellison is a champion for “the mainstream.” Chameleonlike, Ellison now says that his political beliefs moderated over time. The candidate for DNC chief has had decades-long involvement in the NOI and numerous defenses of radical Black leaders. In his letter renouncing the NOI, Ellison told Jewish groups he’d seen the Nation and the Million Man March as positive efforts to promote responsibility and economic development in the Black community.

The African-American community should come to Ellison’s defense in support of him becoming the next DNC chair.

William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for at Busxchng@his.com.

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Insight News • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Page 7

Guardians of Black culture and history, from past to present

By Ingrid Ferlo The custodianship of AfricanAmerican culture and history is a narrative that is imperative for the Black community.

For centuries, history has been dictated by colonizers and slave masters. And the narrative has been shaped to justify their doings and dehumanize other ethnicities. In many ways this has shaped Black people’s identity until the present day.

On the “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” host Al McFarlane, along with guests, author Mary Whitney and poet Abiodun Ehindero, discussed that narrative and the responsibility that poets and authors have to be the authentic voice of the Black community.

The Black experience in America is a vast one to

document. It ranges from historic genealogy hailing from the diverse continent of Africa to the present diversity in the African-American communities in the United States and other regions.

To document that virile past that forms the roots of the African-American community poet Ehindero recently published his poetry anthology, “Season of Musings,” which consists of 178 poems. Ehindero, who belongs to the Yoruba tribe, writes about the beauty of Yoruba traditions and also about a vast number of topics ranging from romantic poetry to politics.

“When you look at these poems you feel that I wrote my life. You have to live the life you are writing about,” said Ehindero, who said that the beauty of African life can be felt palpably through his poetry. “I feel proud that I am presenting the African days in this book.”

Mary Whitney Ehindero spoke about the importance of community in

the Yoruba community and of elderly leadership. He is visiting

the United States and said he is proud to see the correlation between history and present identities manifest in the way Black leaders in America are striving to advance the causes of Black communities.

Representing the voice of the current African history in the making, author Whitney shared painful experiences of going through trauma, yet rising to success. Whitney documented her journey towards a healthy mental state after being sexually abuse for years.

In her book “Robbed of a Childhood, Raped by the System” she shares her story of being abused as a child by two stepbrothers and later in adulthood being accused falsely of prostitution. She talked about her experience in a court being pressured to plead guilty to the false accusation.

Getting to a healthy place took a lot of therapeutic

work and good mentors, said Whitney. She is now returning that mentorship, reaching out to young people.

“Sometimes people see us as angry Black women, (and) I was an angry young adult,” said Whitney.

A teacher at Paladin Career and Technical High School in Blaine, Whitney said around 60 percent of young people that attend the institute struggle with issues such as homelessness and other traumatic issues.

She there is a need to communicate with the youth and consult with them in regards to their needs.

“How can we serve them if we do not know them,” asked Whitney.

“Conversations” airs Tuesdays at 9 a.m. on 90.3 KFAI FM and on the web at www.kfai. org.

Art as the vanguard of revolution in the current political climate

By Ingrid Ferlo Presidential transitions in the United States are usually smooth and full of optimism.

The inauguration of President Donald Trump however has been full of unrest and scandals. The President was sworn in amidst the lowest popularity ratings in modern history at an unprecedented 30 percent favorable rating. Various activists held anti-Trump events in various cities on Inauguration Day and the day after. Roger Cummings, artists and founder of Juxtaposition, an art center at 2007 Emerson Ave. N in North Minneapolis and author and professor, Mahmoud El-Kati discussed the contemporary political atmosphere and the role of art to foster revolutions.

Cummings and El-Kati spoke at length on politics and the

United Way From 3

Mahmoud El-Kati

Roger Cummings role of the artists to inspire and reflect movements on the weekly radio show, “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which airs live every Tuesday at 9 a.m. on 90.3 KFAI FM and reaches global audiences on www.kfai.org.

El-Kati said he was expecting Trump to be elected

president.

“Undercurrent of politics is emotional, it transcends votes and being on the right side of issues,” said El-Kati about the reason why he believed Trump was elected.

He said racism contributed to Trump’s election and said

people of color need to demand politicians take their issues seriously, something that has not been done since the beginning of the constitution.

“Every ideal that America claims is contradicted by white supremacy,” said El-Kati.

In times of revolution, art

encapsulates the feeling of the time and also serves to inspire others. Cummings said art is the vanguard of revolution.

“Artists are not neutral in a political climate,” said Cummings, emphasizing that the art is being used to express oppression and even civil

AFL-CIO, Lynne Harrington, managing director, Nuveen, Joe Hobot, president and chief executive officer, American Indian OIC, Michael Langley,

chief executive officer, Greater MSP, Al McFarlane, president and editor-in-chief, Insight News and owner, McFarlane Media Interests and Jim Zappa,

executive vice president and general counsel of CHS, Inc. United Way’s board of directors guides and provides strategic direction to the

nonprofit and aids the senior staff with executing the organization’s mission. The Greater Twin Cities United Way serves Anoka, Carver, Chisago,

disobedience.

Cummings said in oppressed communities art is an outlet that expresses intimate moments of pain and rebellion.

Cummings advocated for the use of art as an entrepreneurial endeavor in communities of color. Teaching young people the monetization of their artistic creations is one of the main roles of the labs at Juxtaposition.

“The people who have the money decide whose work get out there and that becomes problematic,” said Cummings, saying patrons are more likely to fund expressions that seem nonthreatening and appeal to them therefore making many Black artists outcast.

“The political reality is if artists wanted to get anywhere they had to come under the rubric of these artists,” added El-Kati, advocating on the importance of entrepreneurial art as a medium of freedom for the Black artist.

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Page 8 • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Insight News

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Lifestyle The fight for freedom and justice continues Man Talk

By Timothy Houston On the heel of the presidential inauguration, I find myself in a state of reflection.

When members of the Congressional Black Caucus decided not attend the event, and when John Lewis, a civil rights icon, passionately spoke out about his concerns, it let me

know there is work yet to be done in the fight for freedom and equality. In times like these, our conscious, morals and values must be our guide. Each and every one of us has things that motivate us to action. Here are a few of my guiding principles that I use as the fight for freedom and justice continues on.

First, never give up the fight. Don’t give up, don’t give out, and don’t give in. Although the inauguration is over, the fight for freedom and justice continues on. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everyone.” We must continue to fight in every clime and place until justice runs downs like a river and righteousness like a

mighty stream. We must never stop fighting the good fight of faith. I am committed to freedom and justice for all; therefore, I am committed to never give up the fight.

Also, I can always do something. Edward Everett Hale lets me know, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. I know that one person can make a difference. I will never determine my impact by the number of people who feel the same way. I am not a thermometer, rising and falling with the changing environment.

On the contrary, I am a thermostat created and designed

to influence my environment.

The fight for freedom and justice needs me. It needs my hands, heart, back, and brain, and although I am only one, I can always do something.”

Changing what I see changes what I say. If all I see is what is in front of me, my words will only reflect this limited view. My view is upward. The Apostle Paul lets us know that if we have hope in this life only, we are above all men most miserable. I know that I am the head and not the tail; I am above and not beneath. Although life and death are forever before me, I will only speak life because like King, I too have been to the mountain top, and I have seen the promise land.

Know that only love can conquer hate. If love is not your guiding principle, your actions will be contrary to the good you hope to accomplish.

Violence begets violence, and hate brings forth more hate, but love conquers all. Those that believe violence is the answer do not understand this principle.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” said King.

Love is not a passive emotion reducing us to doormats and punching bags. Love is a gift from God given to us to ensure that hate never prevails, because love never fails.

The fight for freedom and justice continues on. Don’t ever

give up the fight. I know we must all stay engaged because we can always do something. When you do something, you empower yourself to be more than what you see. As we move forward into this new uncertainty, this is one thing we can have confidence in; love conquers all.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

To get copies of his books, or for questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

Transform your life in 2017 Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson This is a new year and I am sure that you have lots of new goals

Chavis From 3 drew dozens of Black leaders representing approximately 30 different mostly non-partisan and non-profit organizations.

Leaving the meeting, Chavis gave no details on what happened inside.

However, reached by phone, he gave a general statement. “(This year) marks the 190th year of the Black Press in America. And the tradition of the Black press has been to engage

that you’ve decided to work on.

I’m excited about my new journey and where this journey is taking me. Like you, I have many things I plan on working on this year and for some reason most of my friends are doing some sort of transformation in their lives as well.

I recently met with a young lady who told me that she has decided to transform her life completely. She has started with changing her eating habits, she’ll exercise more, she has even

decided to change the way she looks at life. This was interesting to me. I had lots of questions and she was very willing to share with me the meaning behind this change.

The idea of changing the way you look at life starts with the way you view life. I am aware that many times we all may have to deal with disappointments and let downs. The key is to use those negative experiences as lessons. There is a lesson in every mistake and a solution

to every problem. You just have to be open to receiving it.

Another way to change the way you look at life is to be open to new things and not be afraid to try a different approach to doing them. Maybe your old way hasn’t been working out and you just need to switch up a few things. Maybe you still have goals that you haven’t completed yet and can’t understand why you seem to be at the same spot for that past few months. This could be a time when you may

need to go back to the beginning and rethink your plans of completion. The answer may be right in front of you and all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

There have been many successful people who had to evaluate the way they looked at themselves and how they deal with things not going exactly as they planned. These individuals didn’t give up, they just became more determined to take control and make their dreams a reality.

And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject. com.

whoever is in the White House on behalf of Black America.

There are issues that affect our quality of life and we cannot afford to be excluded from the position and the power that would impact the quality of life of Black people,” said Chavis.

Manigault and Trump team members departed after the meeting without making any comments to the media.

During the Obama administration, despite numerous requests, no one-onone interviews were awarded to NNPA representatives during his two terms, however, Obama did grant interviews to Black radio

talk show hosts Al Sharpton and Joe Madison. Journalist and communications specialist Jeff Johnson also interviewed the president on BET amidst racial unrest following police shootings of Black people two years ago.

It remains to be seen whether Chavis’ interview with Trump will reveal what sensitivities Trump may have to African-American issues.

So far, the president-elect has only spoken of dealing with the high homicide rates in Black communities and building the infrastructure in “inner cities.” He has said little or nothing in favor of civil rights

agendas or of police shootings and abuses of Black people.

Trump’s presidential campaign was marked by racial animus. Since his election to the presidency, he has called for America to unite across divisive political and racial lines while simultaneously making nominations and appointments of people who are racial lightning rods. His appointments include Steve Bannon, former head of the socalled “alt-right,” – a movement linked to white supremacy, as a chief advisor. He has also nominated Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general.

Civil rights leaders and more than 1,000 law professors are protesting Sessions confirmation because of what they describe as a history of racial insensitivity.

According to multiple sources who were inside the meeting, some civil rights representatives expressed

strong opposition to the controversial nomination of Sessions.

However, based on interviews, the Trump team remained in “listening mode” on that topic, simply nodding without comment.

Arnwine, widely known for her passion on civil rights and social justice issues, said she told the Trump team that the president-elect needed to “withdraw the nomination of Sessions and that there would be no real rapport with the African-American community until that was done. And that no matter what they did, that would be something that they could not overcome. There was chill in there. You could tell they (members of Trump’s transition team) were pissed off.”

Sessions has not been removed from consideration and the Senate last week held hearings on his possible confirmation.

Manigault was joined

by a number of transition colleagues, including Ken Blackwell, Trump’s domestic policy chair, and Katrina Pierson, a chief advisor.

Hilary Shelton, director of the Washington Bureau of the NAACP, said it is a “tough thing to gauge” where the relationships between the Trump Administration and Black leaders will go from here. He quoted Sessions as having described the NAACP as “one of the most un-American organizations in the United States of America.” For trying to, “shove civil rights down the throats of the American people.”

Questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee about his posture on racerelated civil rights issues, Sessions insisted during confirmation hearings that he will uphold civil rights laws.

Most of the organizations represented in the meeting were non-partisan, with Black Republicans and Democrats participating. Among others observed leaving the meeting were Melanie Campbell of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Dr. Barbara Skinner of the Skinner Leadership Institute, Deana Bass of Bass Public Affairs, Dr. Elsie Scott of the Ron Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University, Ron Busby of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., Harry Alford of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Dr. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black women, the Rev. Charles Steele of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Lezli Baskerville of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and Janice Mathis of the National Council of Negro Women. Journalist Jeff Johnson was also seen leaving.

According to interviews with Arnwine and other organizational representatives, the Trump team mostly just listened, but appeared overtly interested in the organizations’ positions on school choice and vouchers. Some civil rights leaders say school vouchers siphon money away from public schools.

“They asked every single group what’s your position on vouchers,” said Arnwine, describing the Trump team as “laser focused” on that issue. “They were really trying to get the optics of how the groups would react to school choice and voucher initiatives. That was very clear.”

They also seemed overtly interested in the funding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as building up the infrastructure of the nation, sources said.

Shelton praised Manigault for her handling of the meeting, saying he has known her for years.

“It will be fascinating to see how things move ahead with her.

I have a lot of respect for her,” said Shelton. “The question is how affective will Omarosa be able to be in an administration like this one.”

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Insight News • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Page 9

Community Honoring the accomplishments of Minnesota’s Black medical community, past and present

By Dr. Chaunda L. Scott In celebration of Black History Month, a presentation giving honor to Minnesota’s Black medical community past and present will be held on Saturday Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central branch, 300 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis, in the Doty Board Room.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Included in this presentation will be a tribute to the legendary Brown family of physicians; Dr. Robert Brown, Dr. W. Donald Brown, Sr., and Dr. W. Ronald Brown, Jr., who collectively practiced medicine in Minneapolis from 1890 through 1991. A panel discussion will also take place featuring Minnesota’s distinguished Crutchfield family trio of physicians, Dr. Charles Cruthchfield II, Dr. Susan Crutchfield-Mitsch and

Dr. Charles Cruthchfield III, who have served as Minnesota physicians in the medical fields of obstetrics/gynecology, family practice, and dermatology for more than five decades to the present. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Entertainment will be provided by the George Scott Trio along with light refreshments.

This Black History Month presentation is being sponsored by Minnesota’s Black Community Project, a nonprofit organization that acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of Minnesota’s Black Community past and present, along with the Hennepin County Library Special Collections, Preservation and Digitization Unit and the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians (National Medical Association Affiliate).

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Anthony Scott, Sr. at anthony.scott@comcast.net or (612) 578-0171.

Photograph provided by Dr. Charles Crutchfield III

(From left to right) A 1963 photo of Dr. Charles Crutchfield III, Dr. Charles Crutchfield II and Dr. Susan Crutchfield-Mitsch

Capri Theater and Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church present ‘Northside Celebration’

Northsiders involved in planning the Northside Celebration: Dennis Spears (Capri Theater) and Sanford Moore (Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church).

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO), the Capri Theater and Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church present “Northside Celebration” March 18 and March 19 at 4 p.m. at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 3355 N. 4th Street, Minneapolis.

The two collaborative concerts will celebrate North Minneapolis through music.

Tickets are free, but reservations are required and can be made at www.thespco.org/northside, or by calling the SPCO Ticket Office at (651) 291-1144.

The centerpiece of the concerts will be the world premiere of “True North,” a work for choir and chamber orchestra commissioned by the SPCO for the “Northside Celebration,” composed by North Minneapolis resident Timothy Takach with lyrics by spoken word and hip-hop artist Desdamona.

Desdamona’s

Moran From 3 of color in Minnesota and frame the conversation about the particular needs of the community.

“We know better what works for our communities” said

Franken From 3 Act (ACA).

“They (Republicans) have to come up with a plan, and I

Sanford Moore

Dennis Spears

the community, and with the support of Sanford Moore and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Understanding the power of music and coupling this with themes of hope, pride, collaboration and strong community connections, the “Northside Celebration” was born.

“There are a number of different cultures living and thriving here in North Minneapolis,” said Spears.

“Through this concert, we will bring together a rainbow of residents and shine a powerful ray of hope and love all across this community. We will light up the Northside with songs, music, dance and spoken word.”

“This collaborative effort of bringing together artists, musicians, singers and audiences from different backgrounds and experiences is a testament to this community, this city, this state and this world that we can come together in one voice and demonstrate that respect, grace and appreciation of one another are something to celebrate,” said Moore.

lyrics were inspired by writings of students in the Capri After School Theater (CAST) Program, as well as students from PYC Arts & Technology High School.

Narration and readings of stories, reflections and poetry

by North Minneapolis artists will be woven throughout the musical selections.

“The SPCO is thrilled to expand our partnership with the Capri Theater and join forces with Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church to create and

premiere a new work that celebrates the vitality of the Northside,” said SPCO artistic director and principal violin, Kyu-Young Kim. The 90-minute concerts will also feature performances by a specially formed “Northside Celebration” choir made up of singers from Fellowship and other North Minneapolis church choirs, directed by Fellowship’s minister of music, Sanford Moore. In addition, an ensemble of SPCO musicians will perform “Strum” by acclaimed American

composer Jessie Montgomery.

A reception will be held after each concert, and the atrium of the church will feature an exhibit of Bill Cottman’s photos that artfully depict life in North Minneapolis.

The inspiration for this concert originated three years ago during a luncheon with Northside community residents and representatives from the SPCO and the Capri. Amidst avid support for a continued SPCO presence at the Capri, several themes surfaced during

the discussion, including intense community pride in the face of adversity, a desire for opportunities to collaborate and feature local artists, and a desire to emphasize connection and strengthen relationships in the community.

In response to this feedback, Dennis Spears, artistic director of the Capri’s “Legends” series, suggested that the two organizations take their partnership to the next level by collaborating to make music together, with

Moran.

She said disparities that exist in Minnesota – particularly in home ownership and education – are in part due to the lack of black representatives at the legislative branch.

“We are allowing someone who (doesn’t) know what works best for us to make decisions for us and (now) we are going to stop it,” said Moran.

But for the five in the legislature, Moran said the community must rally behind them in order for their leadership to be most effective, saying for Black people, participation is a right, duty and responsibility.

“Often when I talk with people from the community, I will hear, ‘no, no, no I don’t do politics.’ Well quite frankly I don’t like politics, but politics

(drives) what happens back in our communities – what happens in our schools … whether we have enough investment for our communities,” said Moran.

The St. Paul representative also spoke about the community holding elected officials from both parties accountable. She said the community must engage both Democrats and Republicans and keep demanding resources

be allocated for the people and not get distracted by divisionary politics.

One of the issues Moran hopes to address with a newly formed Black caucus is increased long-term funding for communities of color.

“If you are just going to give us one-time funding just keep it because you are setting us up for failure,” said Moran, who

said organizations need three to four years to start producing transformational results.

“We have to know that the need is great and we need to keep an institution like the legislature accountable for the resources that we need to bring into our community to be transformational,” said Moran.

haven’t seen anything that they have suggested to provide health care,” said Franken, adding that it is dangerous to dismantle the ACA without an alternative health care plan.

The senator also spoke out about the inflammatory and divisive statements Trump made

against groups such as Muslims.

“It does not reflect truth about the contributions Muslims make to the (nation),” said Franken.

He said Minnesota’s Somali community has integrated well the state and that the difference of Muslim communities in

Europe and the United States is that here they are integrated into the society as full citizens.

With the reality that Trump is in the White House, Franken said he has personally witnessed anxieties among some area Somali students.

Franken cautioned progress

is filled with setbacks but people need to be dedicated to justice.

“We have some difficult days, no doubt about it,” said Franken.

The vocal opponent of Trump called on people to remember the work that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,

Jr. had done, cautioning that progress does not come easy.

Though there may be turbulent times ahead, Franken asked the American people to remain committed in the fight for justice.

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Phone: 612.588.1313

TOWNHOME FOR RENT Brand New 2, 3, 4 Bedroom Townhomes Available February 1, 2017!

Income Restrictions Apply Call 952-229-4288 www.premierhousingmanagement.com TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer with Kids at East Side Learning Center. At East Side Learning Center build a life changing relationship by meeting the individual needs of diverse children on St. Paul’s East Side through one-on-one reading tutoring with K-2nd graders. Tutoring opportunities available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers tutor a minimum of one child, once a week for about 45 minutes. Training, materials, and on-site support are provided. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-793-7364 for more information on this or other volunteer opportunities or visit www.eastsidelearningcenter.org

Child Care Assistant Volunteer/ Volunteer Drivers Make a difference in the life of a child. The Mothers First program provides prevention and intervention services for pregnant women who are abusing chemicals. Mothers First is seeking a Child Care Assistant volunteer to help agency staff in providing supervision and care for the children with our Mothers First program while mom is attending counseling sessions. Volunteer Drivers are also needed to provide transportation to mothers in recovery to/ from groups with our Mothers First program. Reimbursement for mileage is provided. Contact Ramsey County Health & Wellness Service Team — Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

South Shore Park 255 Mill Street Excelsior, MN 55331 (952) 474-9036

Volunteer Customer Service Assistants

Project-Based Section 8/202; rent based on income for qualified applicants. Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org from 9am January 1, 2017 until 12pm January 31, 2017.

Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered, on or before January 31, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Hennepin County is seeking volunteer greeters for its North Minneapolis human service center at 1001 Plymouth Avenue North to welcome and guide visitors, answer questions and assist with special projects. Reliable adults who enjoy working with people and who are available for a few hours twice a week are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be able to volunteer for a minimum of three months. Volunteers are integral to Hennepin County’s mission of enhancing the health, safety and quality of life of its residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way.

Get involved by visiting http://www.hennepin. us/humanservicevolunteer and submitting a volunteer application.

Westonka Estates 2461 Commerce Boulevard Mound, MN 55364 952-472-4952

Oak Terrace 1171 Hadley Avenue North Oakdale, MN 55128 (651) 730-6440

NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST

NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST

Project-Based Section 8/202; rent based on income for qualified applicants. Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org from 9am January 1, 2017 until 12pm January 31, 2017.

Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered, on or before January 31, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST

Applications may be downloaded at www. commonbond.org from 9am January 15, 2017 until 12pm February 28, 2017. Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered, on or before February 28, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Page 10 • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Ashley Dubose

Jan. 23 – Jan. 29

Monday, Jan. 23 FILM Nourish Film Series St. Olaf Lutheran Church 2901 Emerson Ave. N., Minneapolis 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 Jan. 29, 2017

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking.

Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Check out this new film series on the Northside.

Monday’s film, “Urban Fruit,” is the story of a handful of diverse city dwellers growing food in Los Angeles intent on reclaiming a skill lost to the industrial food complex.

Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. $10 advance, $12 door Celebrate Pledge Empire Records going off to Canada for the first time. The show features performances

by DJ Airman Heat, Niko Slim, Sieed Brown, Yare, Rob-1 and Pharaoh.

Wednesday, January 25 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE

HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE

Farr Well Party 2.0: “Chameleon LifeStyles” Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $5

Prince Carlton and Pledge Empire Records Present “Away to Canada”

Since killing his alter-ego (AZ Tek) in 2014, Farrington Llewellyn has made

Tuesday, Jan. 24

several transformations, further peeling back the layers of self and societal influence. His Nomad performance also features Khem Clan, G.P. Jacob, Mike Queenz, and Satyrday.

Nicole and AJ Soul, Joe Adams, RÅDĮØ ÅHŁËË, DJ Miss Brit and a healing drum circle with Babatunde Lea.

Thursday, Jan. 26

PARTY

JAZZ/SPOKEN WORD The Feels (Feel Good Revolution) featuring Ashley DuBose Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

21-plus $8 The Feels, presented

by Jazz 88 and Soul Tools Entertainment, is where hip-hop and jazz meet. It’s a night of live instrumentation featuring singers, poets, emcees, comedians and more. This edition of The Feels features Ashley DuBose, Tiffany

Friday, Jan. 27 Silk Haze presents: DJ Keezy’s Birthday Bash Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 10 p.m.

21-plus $5 Celebrate the birth of DJ Keezy with performances by BdotCroc and K.Raydio.

Saturday, Jan. 28 WINE & DESSERT TASTING Social Intercourse Presents the Khemistry Lab

H. White Men’s Room 1500 North 44th Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. $10 – $20 The Khemistry Lab (4Seen Media and The Winners Circle) bring you an exclusive wine and dessert tasting.

Sunday, Jan. 29 HIP-HOP/R&B/ PERFORMANCE “Definition of Ill” Album Release Party 7th Street Entry 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m.

18-plus $7 advance, $10 door Twin Cities based duo iLLism drops “Definition of Ill: B Side” with performances by Jay Hollywood and DJ D.I.M.E.

insightnews.com

Insight News • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Page 11

Celebrating Dr. King

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Myrlie Evers-Williams is still a dedicated freedom fighter at nearly 84-years-old. “I’m tired, but I’m still standing,” said Evers-Williams.

Throughout the Twin Cities celebrations were held this past Monday (Jan. 16) in honor of freedom fighter, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For the 27th consecutive year, the General Mills Foundation and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) presented the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast. More than 2,000 people packed the

Minneapolis Convention Center to participate in the celebration that was keynoted by civil rights stalwart, Myrlie EversWilliams. Evers-Williams, a past chair of the NAACP, is the wife of slain civil rights activist, Medgar Evers. Likening today to the turbulent times of the 1960s, Evers-Williams said it is in times of turmoil that greatness rises above.

Sounds of Blackness reminding everyone in the audience at the Ordway Theater that they are like their hit song, “Royalty.”

“Sometimes it takes that (hostile actions of others) to push us forward,” said EversWilliams, who said she had hoped we had progressed further that we have when it comes to racism in America. “I may be tired, but I’m still standing. Dr. King gave his life for freedom.

Medgar gave his life for freedom. Must we continue to give our lives for freedom?”

East of Minneapolis in St. Paul as a part of the State of Minnesota Governor’s Council Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration, hundreds marched from the Capitol Building to the Ordway Theater to hear from Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Sounds of Blackness, students who led a walkout at Maple Grove Senior High

Caroline Wanga delivering an animated and inspiring keynote address at the State of Minnesota Governor’s Council Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration.

School following the discovery of racist graffiti the day after the November General Election and dynamic keynote speaker, Caroline Wanga, chief diversity officer for Target Corporation.

Wanga said justice isn’t found in the waiting room and if the elevator to justice is out of order that still doesn’t stop the pursuit.

“I’m tired of people sitting

in the waiting room of justice.

The elevator of justice is malfunctioning, so we’re going to have to take the stairs,” said Wanga. “Dr. King took the stairs.”

The governor’s celebration was hosted by James Burroughs, chief inclusion officer for the state of Minnesota and KSTPTV anchor, Brandi Powell.

Michael Eric Dyson pens new book

images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com

Michael Eric Dyson

By Kam Williams America is in trouble, and a lot of that trouble – perhaps most of it – has to do with race. Everywhere we turn, there is discord, division, death and destruction.

When we survey the land, we see a country full of suffering that it cannot fully understand, and a history that it can no longer deny. Slavery casts a long shadow across our lives...

Black and white people... seem to occupy different universes with worldviews that are fatally opposed to one another... What, then, can we do?

What I need to say can only be said as a sermon... I offer this sermon to you, my dear white friends... I do so in the interest of healing our our nation through honest, often blunt, talk... Without white America wrestling with these truths and confronting these realities, we may not survive.

To paraphrase the Bible, to whom much is given, much is expected. And, you my friends, have been given so much. And the Lord knows, what wasn’t given, you simply took, took, and took, and took.

But the time is here for reckoning with the past... and moving together to redeem the nation for the future.” – Excerpted from “A Sermon to White America” Michael Eric Dyson, who teaches sociology at Georgetown University, and is the prolific author of 20 bestsellers and a popular face on

the television talk show circuit has released a new book.

In his new book, “Tears We Cannot Stop,” he reminds us that, “Although I am a scholar, a cultural and political critic, and a social activist, I am, before, and above anything else, an ordained Baptist minister.” That helps explain the profusion of captivating, flowery rhetoric whenever the brother’s been handed a microphone.

While his previous works were aimed at a Black audience, this is his first intended to be read by whites. It is also written in a unique literary style, namely, as a sermon designed to keep Caucasians standing on their feet like an inspired congregation of holy rollers.

The chapters are even laid out like a church service, starting with the “Call to Worship,” followed by “Hymns of Praise,” an “Invocation,” and the “Scripture Reading” leading to the “Sermon,” and concluding with the “Benediction.” The meat of the message can be found in the “Sermon” section which opens with the iconoclastic suggestion that there is no such thing as a white race.

Dyson’s point there is that whiteness is an arbitrary (as opposed to a scientific) construct which affords one group advantages and privileges at the expense of others. He argues that “whiteness is made up, and that white history disguised as American history is a fantasy, as much a fantasy as white superiority and white purity.”

If I were Dyson, I wouldn’t be holding my breath for a

astore.amazon.com

positive reception from his intended audience, given the ascension of Donald Trump and

the celebration of everything non-Black in the runaway best seller, “Hillbilly Elegy.” Dyson

might be better off redirecting his sermon to the African-American community and changing

his incendiary opus’ subtitle to “Preaching to the Choir.”

Can I get an amen?

Page 12 • January 23 - January 29, 2017 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Shed G comedy show closes Mall of America run, moves to new location For more than two years Rick Brunson’s House of Comedy inside Mall of America was the monthly home of the Shed G Comedy Series, but that all changes starting next month.

Closing out the run in superb fashion, Shed treated his more than 250 guests to surprise headliner Erica Clark. Clark, who recently taped with Kevin Hart for Comedy Central, is also

the daughter of “A Team” and “Rocky III” actor, Mr. T. Joking about growing up the daughter of Mr. T and about her career as a school teacher, Clark had the crowd in stitches.

Beginning Feb. 15, Shed G’s monthly show will move to Famous Dave’s in Calhoun Square in Uptown. Headlining the move will be funnyman Brandon “Hot Sauce” Glover.

Glover is a comedy veteran having appeared on BET’s “Comic View,” Comedy Central’s “Russell Simmons Presents Live at the El Ray,” had a 30-minute special on Showtime and headlined Aspire TV’s “We Got Next.”

The Shed G Comedy Series is the third Wednesday of every month.

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Erica Clark headlining as a part of Shed G’s Comedy Series. Clark is the daughter of Mr. T.

Shed G closing out his two year run at Rick Brunson’s House of Comedy. Feb. 15 Shed G moves his monthly show to Famous Dave’s in Calhoun Square with headliner, Brandon “Hot Sauce” Glover.

Khalil Battle (left) and father, Robert Battle, hanging out at the Shed G Comedy Show.

Recent transplants, husband and wife (left to right), Houston Jones and Samantha Jones.

Comedian Brandude McIntyre flexes his comedy muscles.

Comedian Pierre Douglas having a ball on stage.

David Jones selling cars and telling jokes.