Insight News ::: 02.15.16

‘The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats’ brought to life onstage MORE ON PAGE 10 aesthetically speaking

Insight News February 15 - February 21, 2016

Vol. 43 No. 7 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Legacy

Honoring history and heritage, Insight News, in partnership with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, profiles past and emerging leaders from the Twin Cities African American community.

Honoring The Legacy…

Chemist and corporate executive Reatha Clark King, PhD, was born on April 11, 1938 in Pavo, Georgia. She moved with her mother to Moultrie, Georgia after her parents separated when King was in elementary school. The daughter of poorlyeducated sharecroppers, King joined her family in the cotton fields throughout her childhood.

King began her education in a one-room schoolhouse where she excelled in school. In 1954, King graduated as valedictorian from the Moultrie High School for Negro Youth. She then obtained a scholarship to Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, earning her B.S. degree in

Dr. Reatha Clark King

LEGACY TURN TO 4

Morehouse Glee Club comes to Orchestra Hall

US Immigration extends Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese

The internationally-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club is coming to Minneapolis Feb. 21.

The performance, “VocalEssence Witness: Morehouse Glee Club,” at Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, will feature Morehouse College Glee Club conductor David Morrow and VocalEssence associate conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III leading the glee club, the VocalEssence Chorus and a newly formed 200-Voice High School Male Chorus – made up of students from Minneapolis and St. Paul high schools. The

By Mshale Staff As the civil war in South Sudan has worsened, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last week announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of South Sudan. TPS is a special designation that US immigration authorities provide to a country’s nationals when certain emergencies arise in that country if those nationals are already present in United States.

When TPS is extended beneficiaries can live and work in the U.S. and travel in and out of the U.S. for the duration of the TPS without fear of being placed into removal proceedings for overstaying a visa.

Such emergencies include but not limited to civil war and natural disasters.

Civil war has ravaged South Sudan since 2013 as armed conflict between government forces and rebels has escalated.

In the USCIS announcement of TPS for South Sudan, the authorities said South Sudanese currently in the United States that have TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from January 25, 2016 through March 25, 2016.

South Sudanese that currently do not have TPS may file an initial application to register under the recent redesignation.

USCIS has stressed the importance, especially for initial filers, of filing during the 180-day registration period that runs from January 25, 2016 through July 25, 2016.

Visit the TPS page for more information: https:// www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/ temporary-protectedstatus#Maintaining%20TPS

chemistry and mathematics in 1958. King received a Woodrow Wilson fellowship to continue her studies at the University of Chicago. She earned her M.S. and PhD. degrees in physical chemistry in 1960 and 1963, respectively. Her PhD. thesis was entitled “Contributions to the Thermochemistry of the Laves Phases.”

After earning her PhD. degree, King was hired by the National Bureau of Standards, becoming the agency’s first African American female chemist. As a research chemist, she won the Meritorious Publication Award for her paper

CHORUS TURN TO 4

Morehouse Glee Club

NNPA Foundation launches new STEM Program

By Sam P.K. Collins, The Washington Informer

Dr. Thomas Mensah (left) and Al McFarlane, NNPA Foundation board chair

Capitol Pathways Internships create access

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Freddie Allen

The U.S. Department of Education says the number of jobs in most STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-related fields will increase by more than 40 percent by the end of the decade. Such a prediction has prompted calls for educators and community institutions to better equip young people for an increasingly technological society.

Members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) recently accepted that challenge, announcing the launch of a program that aims to boost interest in STEM among African-American youth through events, enrichment activities and connections with industry pioneers. Nearly

100 publishers, editors and newspaper staff persons learned about what’s known as “STEM Reach 2020” during NNPA’s mid-winter conference in Miami last month.

“This is the first time that a national newspaper organization is launching a STEM project for our children,” award-winning chemical engineer Dr. Thomas Mensah said.

Last month, Mensah and NNPA Foundation board members, unveiled the “STEM Reach 2020” project at the NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Miami, Florida. Mensah described “STEM Reach 2020” as an attempt to increase Black scholastic achievement and show children of African descent that what they’re learning in school has practical use in their daily lives.

During a Jan. 28th keynote address at the Mayfair Hotel

STEM TURN TO 9

Health Care

Education

Lifestyle

Sheriffs support senators’ call to maintain pretrial health care coverage

How many Februarys will it take for America to believe Black children are the future, too?

I am Black history

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Capitol Pathways internships create access A program in Minnesota is seeking to attract more young people of color to state government.

The Citizens League’s Capitol Pathways program will place nearly 30 college students of color from around the state with government offices, nonprofits and lobbying firms where they can build experience and relationships in Minnesota politics. Program organizers said the Capitol Pathways program was created to strengthen Minnesota government by making it more representative of the state’s population.

Representatives from Pathways said despite growing diversity throughout Minnesota, people of color are largely absent from legislative decision making in the state.

Students will be exposed to various career paths allowing them to build relationships with established leaders, gain realworld experience in the field and build a strong professional resume.

“The Capitol Pathways

Adrian Benjamin internship is an inspiring program that opens opportunities for students of color to have realworld Capitol experience,” said Secretary of State Steve Simon.

“I’m excited for my office to host and mentor one of its students.”

“Having worked for many years in politics and policy, I know state government is slow to become representative of the state population,” said Juventino Meza, a co-founder of the program and Citizens League board member. “The Minnesota Capitol Pathways Program shows how a few people who are willing to use their time and connections can hurry history and create a

Benjamin Schroeder

David A. Collier

Diana Vega Vega

Hamza Ali

Tao Vang

Tenzin Gakyi

Imann Hodleh

Robert Harper

Capitol that truly reflects our state.”

Interns are being hosted in the government relations offices of various organizations, including the Office of the Secretary of

State, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the City of Saint Paul, Education Minnesota, MinnCAN, Fresh Energy,

Minnesota Environmental Partnership, NAMI Minnesota, Lutheran Social Services, the Citizens League and others.

The 2016 program launched Feb. 5. For more information,

including intern bios and photos and a complete list of participating organizations, visit www.citizensleague. org/minnesota-capitolpathways-2016.

Breaking down beliefs of racial hierarchy

By Dr. Gail C. Christopher, America’s Wire Writers Group Washington, DC (BlackNews. com) -- Fifty years ago, the Civil Rights Movement led to a series of laws banning public discrimination. African Americans were no longer barred from certain restaurants, some schools were integrated and fair housing laws created more living options. But today, it’s clear that court rulings and legislation didn’t change the root cause of conscious and unconscious bias – the widespread belief in racial hierarchy still exists. As a nation, we didn’t understand the power of this belief, this misguided notion that some people are either superior or inferior because of the color of their skin.

This bias manifests in many ways. Unarmed men and women are killed by police and civilians, the justice system seems tilted toward whites, and there remains unequal treatment for children and adults when it comes to health, education, housing and employment.

David R. Williams, a sociology professor at Harvard University, cites studies showing that when whites, blacks and Hispanics visited hospital emergency rooms with the same ailment, white patients received pain medication more frequently than people of color.

Does that make the physicians racist?

That may not be the case.

With the advancements in neuroscience, we now know much more about the power of the mind. We understand that unconscious beliefs are deeply held, that centuries

of this belief system have unconsciously shaped how some of us respond. But now, 21st century technology – YouTube, cell phones, dashboard cameras, body cameras – are leveraged to shape new beliefs about our humanity. They are capturing and exposing vivid samples of people of color abused and dehumanized. We must move beyond the absurd notion that some people have more value than others.

What’s promising is that recent polling data demonstrates a palpable desire for a positive change in how we view one another and how we shape our society to reflect the inherent value of all people. We have carried the burden and the weight of this mythology of a hierarchy of human value, allowing it to weigh our country down for centuries. We must jettison that belief and move forward with

the truth of our equal values as a human family.

It’s significant that a polling analysis conducted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in conjunction the Northeastern University School of Journalism has found that a majority of whites now acknowledge that racism still exists, and that it creates bias in structures such as the criminal justice system.

Furthermore, a majority of Americans believe more needs to be done to eliminate racism.

In a poll last year, 53 percent of whites said more changes needed to be made to give blacks equal rights with whites, up from just 39 percent a year earlier.

Those findings underscore that now is the time for the Truth Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) process, which the Kellogg Foundation launched on Jan. 28. More than 70 diverse organizations and individuals

ranging from the National Civic League to the YWCA USA to the NAACP are partners in the TRHT process. This broad coalition seeks to move the nation beyond dialogues about race and ethnicity to unearthing historic and contemporary patterns that are barriers to success, healing those wounds and creating opportunities for all children.

Specifically, the TRHT process will prioritize inclusive, community-based healing activities and policy design that seek to change collective community narratives and broaden the understanding that Americans have for their diverse experiences. TRHT will assemble national and local commissions that will hold public forums on the consequences of racial inequity and work toward mobilizing systems and structures to create

more equitable opportunities. In the forums, we will also discuss racial hierarchy and how best to dismantle it.

Clearly, there must be broader knowledge of the harm that comes from the devaluation and from the structures of inequality. They create physical harm, they create mental and emotional harm, and when there’s harm, healing is needed.

When an unarmed black person is killed, I have a bodily reaction to that tragedy. I relive losses of my own, such as when I was a teenager in Cleveland. My first cousin was shot and killed by a white thrill-seeker in our segregated neighborhood. I recall that we buried her that week, while he enlisted in the Navy and left the city. It was the first funeral I ever attended.

Despite all the joyful moments

RACE TURN TO 9

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Insight News • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Page 3

Sheriffs support senators’ call to maintain pretrial health care coverage “Medicaid is crucial to fulfilling our obligations to these individuals, whom have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders than the general population,” said Borgeson. “We urge CMS

to increase flexibility in the Medicaid program to better enable counties to coordinate systems of care for these populations – improving health outcomes, reducing recidivism rates and ultimately providing savings to local taxpayers.”

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek (at podium) speaking on the pretrial health care coverage issue in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, February 9. Standing with Stanek far-left: Sen. Edward J. Markey (D - MA), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Sheriff Stanek and far-right: Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian.

Washington, D.C. – The Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCSA), National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Association of Counties (NACo) joined members of the United States Senate in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to revise federal guidance in an effort to allow for improved access to Medicaid for pretrial detainees.

As CMS prepares to release updated guidance on Medicaid coverage for inmates, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a letter to CMS requesting the reexamination of Medicaid coverage for those who have been arrested, but not tried or convicted of a crime. Currently, individuals who have been arrested and are able to post bail maintain Medicaid coverage, while those who remain in custody lose it despite not having been convicted of the crime for which they have been charged. Supporters of the extended coverage say the result

leads to a gap in coverage for pretrial detainees who are in the greatest need of care, increased bureaucratic government red tape as individuals are shut off and then must reenroll and an unpredictable budgetary burden for sheriffs’ offices forced to pay the medical bills.

“Right now, many Medicaid recipients who are caught up in the justice system – these could be offenders with mental illnesses or substance abuse issues – aren’t able to access their health care coverage, and it’s costing our taxpayers and stressing local budgets,” said Franken. “That means cities, municipalities and counties are being forced to cobble together funds to pick up the slack and it also means gaps in treatments and care for individuals that don’t have private insurance.

This is a real problem, and it’s one that needs to be addressed quickly, which is why I recently pressed the national Medicaid office to change its coverage policies for beneficiaries who have been arrested and are

awaiting trials. I was pleased to be joined by Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek on Capitol Hill to highlight why this issue is important to Minnesota, and what can be done to fix it.”

“On any given day, we house between 200 and 300 individuals at the Hennepin County Jail who suffer from mental illness,” said Stanek. “Current federal law cuts many of these individuals off from Medicaid funding the moment they are booked into our jail. This creates an unnecessary gap in health care coverage for those that are the most vulnerable and in-need of health-care-related services.”

“If we are to stop the revolving door to the criminal justice system and reduce the rates of opioid overdoses in this country, we need a seismic shift in how we provide health care to this population,” said Markey.

“Today, if you are arrested and cannot afford bail, you can be denied critical health services paid for by Medicaid, even though you have not been tried or convicted. That practice is

discriminatory and must end. We need to ensure that states do not terminate Medicaid coverage for pre-trial individuals so they can continue to access critical health services such as substance abuse and mental health treatment.”

Supporters said denying Medicare comes at a high cost to taxpayers.

“Pretrial inmates, regardless of their station in life, should not be denied essential Medicaid benefits by the federal government,” said Oakland County (Mich.) Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “At a heavy cost to local communities, often times those who are in need of health care services are not residents of the county where they are booked – they just happen to (be charged with) crime there.”

According to National Association of Counties Health Steering Committee Chair Mary Ann Borgeson, counties are responsible for providing health care to approximately 11.4 million individuals who are booked into 91 percent of all local jails each year.

Study seeks to get more Somali men tested for colorectal cancer In light of cancer being the leading cause of death in Minnesota, Dr. Charles Rogers will be conducting a study with hopes of boosting colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Somali men.

Rogers, a post-doctoral associate in the Program in Health Disparities Research at the University of Minnesota, said the playing field is not even as it relates to obtaining early detection screening for CRC for Somali immigrants in Minnesota. Somali residents in Minnesota have a CRC screening rate of 22 percent

compared to 71 percent for whites.

“There is a critical need for exploring the complex, understudied factors influencing Somali men’s enablers and barriers to obtaining screening for CRC in Minnesota,” said Rogers.

“Ultimately, this research will contribute to translational solutions eliminating disparities in health, cancer, and healthcare, moving closer to the long-term goal of achieving health equity for all in the U.S.” Those qualified to participate in the study are

Somali males between 50 and 74 years old living in Minnesota. There are four focus groups occurring two weeks in February at People’s Center Health Services. The total time of the study takes approximately two hours.

Those who complete the focus groups will receive free food from AfroDeli, a $10 gift card, and be eligible to enter a random drawing for either an Apple iPod Shuffle, Apple TV 1080P or a$60 Target gift card.

For more information, contact Rogers at: crrogers@ umn.edu or (612) 626-3894.

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Page 4 • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Insight News

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Young activists ‘Standing on the Shoulders’ of mentors

By Edna Kane-Williams When Jajuan Chain, a history major at Morehouse College in Atlanta, needed to interview someone for a class assignment, he reached out to 1960s civil rights icon Lonnie C. King Jr., a founding member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and founding chairman of The Committee on Appeal for Human Rights.

After their first encounter, neither King, 79, nor Chain, 22, ever expected that within weeks they would become mentor and protégé working on an organizational project involving Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other universities in Atlanta that Chain believes will impact the rest of his life.

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Chain says that King is taking the time to share his experience to train him as a young leader.

And their collaboration is working. “We want more than a movement,” Chain says. “We want something that’s going to last for generations, something that’s going to have substance that will not only have a national impact, but an international impact.”

Unlike King and Chain, clarity and understanding between young and older generations has not always been the case during recent uprisings against police killings of unarmed African Americans over the past several years.

Photographer Sheila Pree Bright, who documented recent demonstrations in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore, has been an eyewitness to the friction.

“Based on my experience from being on the ground, a lot of young people are angry at the elders from the civil rights movement,” she says. “They said that it seems that after Dr. King got assassinated they dropped the ball and they feel like they are fighting the same fight that their parents and grandparents were fighting.”

Bright recently organized a

Sheila Pree Bright

Morehouse College student Jajuan Chain and Georgia State University student Samaria Muhammad listen as civil rights veteran Lonnie King explain principles of leadership and organization. forum featuring young activists on a panel and elders in the audience. She discovered that the youth needed to be heard.

But when young people also listen, they are sometimes “lost for words when asked how they

are going to do certain things...

We don’t know how powerful we are together.”

That’s where the wisdom of the elders come in, Chain says. “If you want to go far, you really have to learn from

Chorus From 1 ensembles will sing everything from classical favorites to the Morehouse College Glee Club anthem, “Betelehemu.” Morrow visited Minnesota three times in preparation for the concert to work with the young men from the 200-Voice High School Male Chorus.

The show has garnered the praise of several luminaries in music and art including Mick Jagger and James Earl Jones. Sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the

Legacy From 1 on fluoride flame calorimetry.

In 1968, King moved to New

VocalEssence Chorus

Bruce Silcox

Arts, “Witness,” now in its 26th year, has grown to become one of the nation’s premier initiatives celebrating the contributions

of African-Americans to their shared American heritage. In addition to an annual concert and recordings, “VocalEssence

York City where she became an assistant professor at York College of the City University of New York in Jamaica, Queens.

There, King quickly advanced her career, becoming associate dean for the Division of Natural

Science and Mathematics in 1970, and associate dean for academic affairs in 1974.

In 1977, King left York College to become the second president of Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis and

someone who’s done it before you. They may not be caught up in the same social evolution as you with technology and other things. But they understand the principles, and that’s something that I’ve been adopting in my Witness” offers a comprehensive school program with teaching artists conducting in-school workshops for more than 5,000 students.

Participating schools are invited to attend one of three Young People’s Concerts on Monday, Feb. 22 at Orchestra Hall. These concerts for students in grades four – 12 are a 50-minute version of the public concert featuring the Morehouse College Glee Club, the Male Chorus and VocalEssence Chorus.

“At VocalEssence, we celebrate Minnesota’s cultural heritage through transformative programming in schools, like ‘Witness,’” said Shoultz. “And

St Paul, Minnesota. Prior to her departure from New York, King received her M.B.A. degree from Columbia University. After eleven years at Metropolitan State University, King was hired at General Mills in Minneapolis, Minnesota as executive director of the General Mills Foundation and vice president of the General Mills Corporation. She retired in 2002, but remained with General Mills for one additional year as chair of the board of directors.

Since 1979, King has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, including the Exxon Mobil Company, H.B. Fuller Company, Wells Fargo & Company, Minnesota Mutual Insurance Company, University of Chicago, American Council on Education and the Council on Foundations. In 2011, she began her service with Allina Health Systems as a corporate director.

Currently, King also serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors and is Emeritus Trustee of the University of Chicago.

She has received many awards for her achievements including National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Director of the Year, Defender of Democracy Award from the Washington, DC. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. and Exceptional Black Scientist Award from the CIBA-GEIGY Corporation and 14 honorary doctorate degrees. She is married to N. the late Judge King and they have two children, N. Judge King, III and Scott King.

Leadership Profile Dr. Abul M Omari understands the commitment and dedication of Dr. King. He also is dedicated to educating and empowering community.

Omari is the CEO and founder of AMO Enterprise.

AMO Enterprise is a firm which helps people better connect in individual and team settings through leadership seminars, keynotes, and mentoring. The biracial son of two immigrant parents raised in South Minneapolis, as a child Omari was exposed to various cultures and diverse experiences.

He is determined to use his perspectives to help people connect and recognize the value of lived experiences. Omari helps his clients understand how their life experiences affect their personal leadership styles and relationships with others.

Omari holds a B.A. in global studies, a master’s of public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and a PhD in comparative and international development

life.”

So far, King says he has taught Chain and his co-leaders key battle strategies and how to organize people to make lasting change. “Marches and rallies don’t solve problems, but basically raise people’s awareness of what’s going on,” King says. “You’ve got to have that backdrop of organization if you’re talking about institutional change.”

Following King’s advice, Chain is organizing a multiracial student group consisting of blacks, Latinos and forwardthinking white students who may have different perspectives on the same problem. Seeing his vision coming together, Chain says he is amazed at what he is achieving by listening to King.

“He’s showing us how to create a mass organization and how to organize people. And he’s shaping me on how to be a more profound leader and how to develop well thoughtout ideas,” Chain says. “He’s actually molding me to become a leader. And I’m truly grateful for that.”

Edna Kane-Williams is senior vice president for multicultural leadership at AARP. this year we’re celebrating 26 wonderful years of this successful program.

Both Morehouse College and its century-old Glee Club are pioneering institutions.

So, to share the stage with this very talented group really makes this celebration all the more special; and engaging young men in our community with this opportunity to learn and perform with them is an exciting and inspirational new twist.”

“VocalEssence Witness: Morehouse College Glee Club” takes place Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 – $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (612) 371-5656 or visit www.vocalessence.org.

Dr. Abdul M. Omari education from the University of Minnesota. His research is focused on the perceptions of mentoring and the role of Cultural Intelligence within mentoring relationships. For several years, he has taught leadership courses for college students. Omari is an elected member of the Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota.

He also serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA Greater Twin Cities, AchieveMpls, and Civic Eagle.

What Motivates You I am inspired by situations.

My parents’ meek beginnings motivated me to finish my PhD program and pay off previously accumulated student debt before graduating. Today, their meek childhoods, coupled with my own, continue to drive me to be a good financial steward and work to change the mentality about wealth within communities and my younger family members.

Most Rewarding Work Experience I am most proud when I facilitate a seminar or deliver a keynote and audience members email me examples of how their personal discoveries have impacted their leadership capabilities as well as other aspects of their lives.

Because I am on several boards, I am intertwined with policy and its impact. Too often there is a physical disparity between who’s in office and on boards and who is most affected by policy. My work, in many ways, is to bridge the space between those in the boardroom and those impacted by the decisions within the boardroom. Now, more than ever, it is critical to understand that we cannot move forward as a society without that bridge.

True relationships are at the core of it all.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Start with “why” you want to start a business. When you focus on the why, and allow passion to be your compass – everything else will fall into place. I highly recommend the book “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.

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Insight News • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Page 5

Philanthropy is alive and well in the African American community FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Here’s a stereotype to bust: Philanthropy is about large gifts from the rich and the powerful who give to organizations and institutions that serve those in need. Here’s an expanded definition: philanthropy includes everyday African Americans who give freely of their treasure.

So much of African American philanthropy is impactful, but unrecorded. We have a history

of digging deep and calling on each other for the good of our community. Ever since we landed on these shores that’s what we have done. It’s part of our DNA, though rarely recorded.

Our philanthropy is a rite of passage. It arises out of necessity.

It empowers us to address needs within our community. It also gives us an independence. It’s how we survived for decades after the end of slavery and through to modern times: being able to share our resources, our knowledge, and our treasure.

We would not enjoy the quality of life that we do without the traditions of philanthropy within our community. Those traditions still stand today.

For most of us, the quality and character of our lives are

measured by our philanthropy: by how we advocate, share, mobilize, and volunteer so we can upgrade the quality of life in our community.

This Christmas we were given a most beautiful book – Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists. It was created by the members of New Generation of African American Philanthropists – a giving circle in Charlotte, NC that is hosted by the Foundation for The Carolinas.

The book includes photos, stories, tributes, quotes, statistics and poetry. The author is Valaida Fullwood and the photographer is Charles W. Thomas Jr. At its core this remarkable book reminds readers “We have always been philanthropists.”

Giving Back reframes, redefines and re-imagines philanthropy from an African American perspective, placing African Americans at the center as donors, caregivers, social change agents, and generous souls. The photos and tributes highlight church members, neighbors, family members and others who have touched the lives of individuals and communities.

It records everyday African American philanthropy.

While we give in unrecorded ways, we are also on record for giving a high percentage of our incomes. According to a 2012 report from the Kellogg Foundation, “almost two-thirds of black households make charitable donations, giving 25 percent more of their income

than whites. About $11-billion [in giving] comes from black donors...” That’s a lot of money.

When we change the images we hold in our minds, we are empowered to grow the tradition of African American philanthropy and adapt it to the changing needs of our community. Working together we can be more creative, more resourceful, and more powerful in our numbers.

Our history has shown that our

power is in our collective giving.

Continue your individual giving, and take time to give collectively and strategically.

Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw For suggestions on how to increase your impact as a fundraiser or nonprofit board member visit www.saadandshaw. com

Financial mistakes to avoid during golden years Americans are part of an amazing yet curious phenomenon: most are extremely well-educated in their professions and careers, yet are quite uneducated when it comes to the purpose behind their jobs – money.

“Our society is awash in information about money, but most people still end up making decisions based on emotion and lack of accurate, complete information,” says independent financial planner Stephen Ng, founder and president of Stephen Ng Financial Group, (www.stephenngfg.com).

“This wouldn’t matter so much if our retirements weren’t on the line.”

Ng, a licensed 3(21) fiduciary advisor, is certified to advise companies about their 401(k) and other retirement plans. He also is author of the new book, “10 Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid,” which helps readers navigate the shifting financial landscape of retirement.

An example of the pitfalls people face when it comes to money, Ng says, are these three common mistakes they make when planning to fund retirement.

• Failure to educate oneself.

“My average client has a full schedule: a demanding job, a fulfilling family life and barely enough time left over to eke out a morning jog or catch their favorite TV show after a busy weekend,” he says. “We like to squeeze in fun when we can – if we can – but that doesn’t mean it’s wise or prudent to continue putting off retirement planning, or educating ourselves on it.”

A solid base in financial education is essential for having a good retirement. Start small with something like Barron’s or Investor’s Business Daily.

Don’t fall for a well-hyped headline, especially if you don’t understand the logistics of a strategy or product. One size does not fit all, so be wary of any silver-bullet financial solutions, he says. And, don’t be afraid to start from scratch.

This way, you can understand money the right way.

• Sleepwalking without a plan. It happens to all of us sometimes – we simply haven’t prioritized forward thinking.

and president of Stephen Ng Financial Group™ (www. stephenngfg.com).

Since 1992, he has helped preretirees and retirees preserve and increase their wealth by, in part, helping them avoid

common mistakes. His new book, “10 Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid,” helps readers navigate the shifting financial landscape of retirement.

Stephen Ng For retirement, wading into this period without a plan is like going to the beach and neglecting your bathing suit, towel and sunscreen. If you are approaching this stage in your life with no plan, there’s no use kicking yourself now. But – now is the time to formulate a sensible and realistic plan.

Understand your money and your assets and read up on how you might be able to use them.

Here, the help of professional advice could prove absolutely invaluable. A professional may see opportunity where you cannot as a layperson, Ng says.

A good first step in formulating your plan is having a strategy that is designed to preserve your wealth.

• An inability to fully appreciate diversification. Even though people have learned this lesson over and over again – starting in grade school – many still put all their eggs in one basket one way or another.

This is especially problematic with finances. What’s the harm in sticking with one financial product if it’s working? Many people thought the same way before 2008. A financial portfolio more diversified among different investment and insurance products may reduce or minimize loss during an economic meltdown.

“I try to spread my clients’ investments across various asset classes, which refers to a bunch of investments, or assets, that are grouped by their similarities,” Ng says. “These classes included large cap, small cap, mid cap, high yield, international and domestic. Again, professional advice in this and other arenas is advisable.”

Stephen Ng is the founder

You see possibility.

We see you.

Right now, your little girl sees herself as a fairy princess. While you imagine a more traditional career in her future, you want to support her in whatever she chooses to pursue. When you’re ready to plan her happily ever after, spend time with our online financial tools and resources that are designed to help you work toward your goals. financialgenius.usbank.com.

Member FDIC. ©2016 U.S. Bank.

Page 6 • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Insight News

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Insight News • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Page 7

How many Februarys will it take for America to believe Black children are the future, too?

By Ikhlas Saleem In 1986 Whitney Houston covered the George Benson hit, The Greatest Love of All, which he originally recorded for a film biography of Muhammad Ali. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote that Houston’s cover gave the “message of selfworth an astounding resonance and conviction…a compelling assertion of black pride, family loyalty and spiritual devotion, all at once.”

Now that I work in education, this is a song I often reflect upon when feeling emotionally tasked, particularly the opening lines: I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be My grade-school friend, Yasmine Muhammad, who was blessed with the talent—and in this case burden—of a great singing voice, was requested to sing this song at every awards ceremony, academic gathering and sometimes basketball games because, why not.

I didn’t know it then but what an incredible message to continuously impart upon children—particularly children that were and are descendants of slaves, carrying almost 400 years of baggage of a dignity lost and a future almost impossible to dream.

So now in 2016, I can reflect and celebrate my ancestors that carried the burden of a back

breakin’, cotton-pickin’ South, while spending their nights in hope of freedom trying to make sense of a language that was not their own, while being reminded that their futures lie in nothing but death or labor of the American South.

Nate Bowling has said it before and I’ll say it again, while the fate of black children lies outside of plantation fields, America isn’t quite ready to believe or concede that black children are the future. Instead

there’s the exception. There’s the, “Jahmal, despite his circumstances, who has managed to exceed expectations.” There’s also, “Keisha who displays incredible potential.” And of course there a couple of kids from 90220 and 10027 that “made it.”

You see, it’s much easier to find exceptions rather than tending to the whole lot.

The fact is we’re not teaching children well and black children are among the

groups that suffer most.

We’re not making it easy when we lower standards for students and teachers. We’re not making it easier when we lessen measures of accountability for our lowest-performing schools.

And we’re not making it easier when we restrict school enrollment to a block-radius.

What we are doing is limiting students’ ability to show us all the beauty they possess inside.

Pride is lost when a high

school student can be thrown from her desk and arrested in front of her classmates. Pride is lost when disciplinary action is met with a school-to-prison pipeline. Pride is lost when you graduate high school only to take remedial courses at your local community college because your diploma is worthless.

I believe children are the future, but America has to believe that black children are part of that future, too.

Ikhlas Saleem is the Digital Content Manager for Education Post, a non-partisan communications organization dedicated to building support for student-focused improvements in public education from preschool to high school graduation. Ikhlas is an experienced researcher and content manager with an interest in simplifying complex topics to increase dialogue and understanding, while extending the boundaries of inclusion in public discourse.

Page 8 • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE

I am Black history Man Talk

By Timothy Houston During my trip to attend the 20 th Anniversary of the Million Man March, I purchased a t-shirt that read: “I am black history.” I liked the t-shirt because I believed the statement to be true, and every day, I live and breathe black history. This month

we celebrate black history, but what is black history? Or even more importantly, what is not black history?

First, black history is not a month. It is the history of a people that made up the first civilization. It is the account of the beginning of all people. With Africa being the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of life, black history encompasses the history of all. Even if the American history books do not tell the true story, the ancient manuscripts, tombs, graves, bones, and fossils do.

The sands of time tell a story of a people whose history

Bethesda 127th. Church Anniversary x x x x

Thursday, February 18th, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 19th, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 20th, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 21st, 4:00 p.m.

“BUILDING WITH LIVING STONES FOR CHRIST” (1 Peter 2:5, KJV)

Churches serving with us: Ŷ Thursday, Greater Friendship Baptist Church Rev. Billy Russell, Pastor, Proclaimer Ŷ Friday, Greater St. John Baptist Church Rev. Roderic Gholston, Pastor, Proclaimer

Black history is not a month.

is as relevant as time itself.

Without black history, no other history exists.

Secondly, black history is not static. The history of black people is written every day. Because I am black history, my life’s narrative, along with the narrative of countless others, is added to the annals of time. This makes our history alive and current. No matter how grand

Prof. of Law, U of MN, Myron Orfield, Speaker.

Other Twin Cities churches will also be sharing in the celebration.

You are cordially invited!

Motivational Moments

Come, Let Us Exalt His Name Together!!

Location:

Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church 1118 So. 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404

By Penny JonesRichardson

Office # (612) 332-5904 Fax # (612) 332-7462 Email: bethesda1118@q.com

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

Never say never! Is what I always say. You never know where this life is going to lead

ON STAGE

AT THE GUTHRIE NOW – FEBRUARY 21

See Shakespeare’s adventure-filled romance!

“Remarkable... strikes the heart most deeply” – THE NEW YORK TIMES by

black history.

Black history is me, and I am black history. I am Gullah and Ebonics, okra and yams, and cool and hip. I am kinky hair and full lips. I am Lucy Terry, Phyllis Wheatley, Eli Whitney, Demark Vesey, Nat Turner, Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, President Obama, Congressman Keith Ellison, and countless unnamed others. I am a black man, woman, boy, and girl, and I am black history!

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

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

Never give up, never say never

Ŷ Saturday, Bethesda Church Banquet, held at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215-8th Street, Minneapolis, MN. Tickets available through Bethesda Church Ŷ Sunday, Nu Way Baptist Church Rev. Willie McAfee, Pastor, Proclaimer

or traumatic the events, we can never be relegated to any single point in time. Black history lives and breathes in the breath of its people.

Thirdly, black history is not limited to American history. Black history existed prior to the first slaves being brought to America in 1619.

Black history encompasses and supersedes American history. It includes the 54

countries on the continent of Africa and countless others around the world. It includes over 3,000 languages including English. Because of that, black history is bigger and broader than American history.

Finally, black history cannot be racist. Race is a modern day myth that was created to support the notion of white supremacy so the classification of people as black and white was used.

Black history is bigger, broader, and richer than any single race of people.

It is nationality, culture, language, ancestry and more.

No single group of people can claim it, because it is the history of all people of color.

Like black history, black people cannot be racist. The racist behavior based solely on the color of a person’s skin was to perpetuate the notion of white supremacy, therefore; it can never be attributed to black people or

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE directed by JOSEPH HAJ

you, and if you have an open mind, you may be pleasantly surprised! That’s how you should go through each day with an open mind and heart and not be afraid of the unknown.

There are always going to be times in our lives when events happen that can take us off course. It could be a job change, new baby, new relationship, or even the ending of a relationship. Whatever happens, the key is to never say what you won’t do or what you aren’t willing to do to make your goals a reality. The path to success is not always paved with rose pedals. Sometimes it’s full of rocks and other harsh things that we must walk over to make it to the other side.

I remember a gentleman I once encountered who shared with me the secrets of his success. He told me that there had been so many times when he couldn’t see a way to his “finish-line” because he just wasn’t willing to take the necessary steps to get there.

He said he would NEVER work long hours. He also said he would NEVER work on the weekends, and NEVER hire outsiders to help his business become a success. But in the end, everything he said he would never do, he ended up doing in order to be the success he is today. If he would have continued on the road he was on, I wouldn’t be writing about him today.

Achieving your goals can sometimes take everything in you to get them done. They take time, patience and a willingness to get moving no matter what. You can’t expect things to happen overnight, but with hard work and determination, you will complete your goals. Take time

along the way to appreciate the present, and the journey that got you to each step, moment, stage. Reflect on what’s next and keep moving toward your greatness. There are so many things that may come up against you and try and block your path, but find a way to keep moving! Never give up!

And never say, “never”!

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.

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 6

A “brilliantly imaginative journey ... not to be missed” – THE INDEPENDENT directed edd by

RAMIN INN

GGRAY GR AY AY written writ ten enn byy

DAVID DAV V ID

by MIA CHUNG directed by RANDY REYES

The Dowling Studio season is sponsored by

GGREIG GR E G EI musicc by mus musi

JOHNN JO JOH

BROWNE BROW BR OWNEE

612.377.2224 GUTHRIETHEATER.ORG

A Non-Traditional, Cutting Edge Experience! Be Ready for Truth, Healing, Teaching and Transformation!

Circle of Healing Ministry The Only “Worship in Circle” Church Experience

Pastor Roslyn Harmon Sundays 2-4pm

1015 4th Avenue North|Minneapolis, MN 55405

Visit Us: Circleofhealingministry.org For More Info: 612.564.9962

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Insight News • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Page 9

COMMUNITY Hmong dance drama, ‘Everyday is a Sunny Day’ shined at the Ordway With colorful fans waving in the air, audience’s cheers all over the hall, it put a perfect closure for the “Every Day is a Sunny Day” performance at the Ordway Concert Hall Stage.

Asian Media Access (AMA) and Iny Asian Dance Theater (IADT) joined hands to showcase the “Everyday is a Sunny Day” Jan. 30 at the Ordway.

The show was directed by Asian Media Access’ Ange Hwang, choreographed by acclaimed Hmong dancer and artist, Iny Xiong and featured more than 80 dancers and 24 choreographed dances to tell the Hmong immigration story – from the homeland, escaping through the jungles, swimming across the river, and settling in the United States.

With spectacular lighting and sound effects, the show opened with a trio dance of three sisters looking for water, planting the seeds of hope, and leading to the villagers with traditional Hmong and Thai dances to build the atmosphere of a peaceful heaven. Lead dancer Lily Yang played the village storyteller, and acted out the traumatic scene of a Hmong village devastated from the war, escaping through the jungles, hiding from various animals, crossing the river to the refugee camp and eventually settling in the United States.

A couple of the most memorable dances are the Hmong Heroes’ Monkey King and the Ocean’s Tibetan Dance – one portraying the jungle scene, while the other showcasing the multiculturalism in the United States. Hmong Heroes portrayed the monkeys playing around, fighting with one and another, and united by the legendary Monkey King.

Not only did the all-male dancers showcase the highestlevel of acrobatic skills, but demonstrated each dynamic move leading to the victory.

The Tibetan dance portrayed

the worship call in the morning by the Tibetan girls, how they would wake up the town, and danced through the streets.

Their long sleeves waving in and out to showcase their joys, and each dance formation expressed the beauties of their friendships. The Ocean dancers all stepped in sync, portraying different levels of emotion, and with the sweetest smiles on every dancer’s face, presenting a strong girls’ power to move the audience.

Saving the best for the last, the Finale Fan Dance displayed a field of colorful fans waving in midair.

This performance was supported by the Knight Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, Target Foundation and the St. Paul Cultural Star.

STEM

will give an overview of Walter R. Scott Sr.’s historical projects, focusing on the achievements of Minnesota’s Black Community during the pre and post-Civil Rights era. They will also share an introduction to the forthcoming “Minnesota’s Black Community Book Project” which is now in progress. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Light refreshments and entertainment will also be provided. This is a free event.

and Spa in Miami, Mensah explained how his embrace of math and science helped him develop fiber optic technology – a laser-based transmission medium used for the high-speed internet platform that supports the use of computers and smartphones globally. He also explained his involvement in the creation of special drone technology for the U.S. government – a feat he stressed would resonate with members of a generation heavily exposed to video games.

Mensah, currently president and CEO of Georgia Aerospace Systems Manufacturing Incorporated, a nanotechnology and composites company based in Atlanta, later revealed the components of the burgeoning program which includes eight more events throughout the year, three of which will be held during NNPA gatherings in Houston and D.C. On these field trips, children will meet other scientists of color and take part in robotics and other hourlong STEM-related activities inspired by curriculum created

by NASA. “It’s important that young people see someone who looks like them do extraordinary things in science and engineering,” Mensah added. “During our sessions, we’ll demonstrate how their cell phones function and how they can build robots. We can reach them at an early age by relating their STEM subjects to products they use every day.”

An analysis of American Community Survey data showed that aging among the national STEM labor population will soon outpace that of other industries within 10 to 20 years, signaling the need for a strong pipeline of young talent. While less than 20 percent of STEM workers are 55 years or older, members of this group account for the majority of STEM employees in some industrialized cities including Arlington, Texas, Tulsa, and Detroit. Experts note that this upcoming generation of STEM workers will be more ethnically diverse than previous groups.

For this particular endeavor, members of the NNPA Foundation said they hope to raise a minimum of $500,000 throughout the remainder of the year with the help of nine sponsors, each of

whom will contribute $50,000.

Kimberly Johnson, executive director of the NNPA Foundation, said she relished an opportunity to spark young people’s interest in technology and connect them with Black professionals who can mentor them through internships and job placement.

“The Black press reaches communities that other media outlets aren’t tapping into.

This collaboration addresses the reality that there are Black people doing phenomenal things all around the world. If there’s no one to tell the story, it’s as if it’s not happening at all. We owe it to ourselves and our community to tell our own stories,” Johnson said.

“We want to see a significant increase in women and people of African descent who are pursuing degrees and employment in the STEM field,” she added.

“Right now, young people enjoy using technology but may not understand how it can translate into a [better] quality of life. We want to help them understand that they’re utilizing STEM whether they know it or not.”

The future of STEM education for young people of African descent especially stands as an issue of great importance to Tyra M.

Metoyer, a representative of the American Petroleum Institute, a “STEM Reach 2020” sponsor. She counted among the dozens of people who listened to Mensah’s presentation.

“Too few people know of Dr. Mensah and what he has accomplished. That’s why it’s important to let young people know that almost anything they do in the future will be linked to science, technology, engineering and math,” Metoyer said.

“My 2030 workforce is currently in middle schools.

This partnership will help us better figure out how to reach millennials. That’s the challenge. How do we do a better job of paying respect and homage to those who paved a path while motivating the next generation of scientists, engineers and Dr. Mensahs?”

The NNPA Foundation’s collaboration with Mensah counts among a host of efforts by the Black media organization’s human development arm to leverage the Black press’ grassroots presence in the community and help people of African descent take advantage of a growing demand for labor. Other projects under consideration will tackle human trafficking and food justice.

my cousin and I shared growing up together, my only lasting recollection is of her body lying in that casket.

All of us must become more

cognizant of the cost of violence and the harm. We must be willing to invest in the processes that help to bring about healing.

TRHT will lead this

transformation. Other Truth and Reconciliation efforts around the world aim to reconcile.

But America’s genesis is this hierarchy. And so we don’t have

to come back, we don’t need to reconcile, this nation needs to transform. The TRHT will chart that course.

Dr. Gail C. Christopher is

vice president for TRHT and a senior advisor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

From 1

A Tribute to Walter R. Scott Saturday, February 20th, 2016 11am-1pm Minneapolis Central Library – Doty Board Rm, 2nd Floor In celebration of Black History Month, Walter R. Scott Sr., a trailblazing Minneapolis author and publisher who recognized the importance of celebrating the achievements of Minnesota’s Black Community will be honored.

Members of the Scott family

Race From 2

Classifieds Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

SafeJourney, a program serving North Memorial Medical Center and Maple Grove Hospital, helps patients and individuals in the community who are experiencing domestic abuse. Volunteer advocates are needed to provide a listening ear, emotional support, safety planning, information and referral. You do not have to have previous knowledge or experience, but rather looking for people who are sensitive to the issue, caring, and non-judgmental. Advocates sign up for 2 oncall shifts per month. Shifts are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 5-10 p.m., and the overnight shift which is 10 p.m. - 8 a.m. Flexible scheduling – will work around your schedule. Our greatest need is the overnight shift. Training is March 1, 3, 8, & 10, 5:30 - 9 p.m. at North Memorial. All 4 training sessions are required. Deadline to apply and schedule a short interview is Feb. 15. Please call Suzy at 763581-3942 or email suzy.whelan@northmemorial.com

Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com Administrative Support Specialist

Information Services Manager

The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Support Specialist in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $50,270 - $81,711. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Information Services Manager in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $71,642 - $116,475. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Reimbursed Senior Volunteer Positions Senior Corps is seeking volunteers aged 55+ willing to help seniors as friendly visitors in their homes and for outings in the community OR to help kids in schools as mentors. Tax free stipend, travel reimbursement, and other benefits. Contact Lisa Beardsley at 651.310.9450 or lisa.beardsley@lssmn.org

Programmer Analyst The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Programmer Analyst in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $45,762 - $81,711.

For more information visit the court’s website, www. mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATE (30 vacancies)

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.

$17.38-$17.93 hourly $36,289-$37,438 annually These positions perform skilled roadway surface/ roadside maintenance activities, (e.g., patching, snow and ice control, guardrail and fence repair, landscaping, traffic control, drive and operate a variety of heavy equipment to perform snow and ice duties, etc.

For additional details go to the State Careers web site at www.mn.gov/careers and select external applicants. To view full job details enter 2084 in the Keywords box. Apply at the bottom of the page and complete the application process.

MnDOT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to workforce diversity

Page 10 • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Insight News

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Above: Joy Dolo, Dean Holt in Snowy Day. Photos by Dan Norman

‘The Snowy Day and other stories

by Ezra Jack Keats’ brought to life onstage

Alvin Ailey comes to the Twin Cities Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

In a showcase of AfricanAmerican choreographers, the evening will include a mix of new works by acclaimed choreographers as well as Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece “Revelations.” The company will open with a new work by Ronald Brown, “Open Door.”

A fusion of African forms and rhythms with the Cuban influence of music from Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, this is a work for 10 dancers that adds a new flavor to Brown’s signature style.

In addition, acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie

Harris’ new work, “Exodus,” is set to gospel and house music mixed with spoken word. Exemplifying his view of hip-hop as a celebration of life, the work underscores the role of action and movement in effecting change.

Closing out the show is Alvin Ailey’s signature piece, “Revelations,” hailed as “one of the great works of the human spirit.” Created in 1960, “Revelations” was inspired

by Ailey’s childhood and explores the grief and joy of the natural human condition.

Tickets for the performance are $54, $64 and $74 with 25 percent discounts for educational groups.

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) presents the world premiere stage adaptation of “Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats” directed by Peter Brosius.

This world premiere adaptation includes the Caldecott Medal-winning story “The Snow Day,” as well as “Whistle for Willie,” the Caldecott Medal Honor Book “Goggles!,” and “A Letter to Amy.” The work also premieres during the 100th anniversary of the birth of Keats.

“What a wonderful way to kick off Ezra’s 100th birthday year,” said Deborah Pope, executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

“Peter Brosius has mounted an inspired adaptation of The Snowy Day at Children’s Theatre Company, reflecting the joy of a child at play in a way that will enchant adults as well as children. This is a rare treat and not to be missed. Ezra would have been thrilled.”

Teatro Gioco Vita’s artistic director and globally celebrated

Italian puppet master, Fabrizio Montecchi will bring his unique form of shadow puppetry to the production.

He has created shadow art for opera, ballet and theatre stages in almost every country in Europe, in the United States (Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C.), and also in Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, Taiwan, Tunisia and Turkey.

“It is such a joy to bring the imaginative vision of

Fabrizio Montecchi once again to Twin Cities’ audiences,” said Brosius. “His altogether unique form of puppetry immediately came to mind to bring this book to life and captures the beauty of Keats’ work in vivid color, light, and shadow.”

“The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats” runs through March 20. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatre. org or call the ticket office at (612) 874-0400.

insightnews.com

Insight News • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Page 11 Kevin Washington

Chastity Brown

skills DJ Just Nine stars in “Throwing Shade” alongside Six for 16 honoree Dizzy Fae and producer Talia Knight.

Sunday, Feb. 21 FUNDRAISER Kidney Rock – A Benefit for Greg McFarlane of Ipso Facto Famous Dave’s Uptown 3001 S. Ave., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

DJ Just Nine

Feb. 15 - 21

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

Monday, Feb. 15 VISUAL ART Back of the Bus Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Intermedia Arts is partnering with the Million Artist Movement, channeling the historically relevant Freedom Rides with chants, poetry and history. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a tour of the visual art exhibition, “Hands Up Don’t Shoot – HER” then participants board a bus to view the sister exhibition “Faith (In)Action?” at United Theological Seminary.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 REGGAE International Reggae All-Stars Bunkers 61 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis 21-plus $6 Spanning multiple countries and generations, International Reggae AllStars bring a great night of roots, rock and reggae.

Wednesday, Feb. 17 POETRY/JAZZ/ PERFORMANCE Feel Good Revolution – February Edition Vieux Carré 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. $18 – $25 The Feel Good Revolution, presented by Jazz 88 KBEM and curated by Brittany Lynch and Toki Wright, is a night of intentional happiness featuring singers, poets,

comedians and musicians that perform artistic pieces promoting happiness, healing and triumph. Performers include Kevin Washington Ensemble, Saymookda “Mooks” Vongsay, Javaris Bradford, Emmanuel Ortiz, Ashley Gold, Chantel Sings and more.

Thursday, Feb. 18 STAGE PLAY “Bright Half Life” Pillsbury House 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis $25 or pick your price 7:30 p.m.

Starring Sarah Agnew and Jasmine Hughes “Bright Half Life” tells the story of Erica and Vicky, in a love and a relationship that spans decades. For more information www. pillsburyhouseandtheatre. org.

Noura Mint Seymali with Gospel Machine The Cedar 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 8 p.m. $25 ($22 Walker members) One of the next generation’s most promising African artist, Noura Mint Seymali makes timeless songs from the Sahara as she blends her voice with a mix of funk bass, drums and guitar. The event is presented by the Walker Art Center and the Cedar.

Chastity Brown with Jessica Manning Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 11 p.m.

Tennessee born Minneapolis transplant, Chastity Brown, brings a great blend of Americana, blues, folk, jazz and more to the stage. See her tonight live with Jessica Manning.

Saturday, Feb. 20

SOUL/FOLK/AFRICAN

PARTY/DANCE NIGHT

Blue Plus is now an option for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare in the Twin Cities and more than 60 counties.

With a Blue Plus health plan, you can get:

➜

rides to appointments

➜

rewards for getting care

➜

interpreter service

➜

and more

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO Fri Mar 4 8pm

Made famous by Paul Simon’s album Graceland, these four-time Grammy® Award-winners from South Africa will sing in English and Zulu along with snaps, whistles, kicks, hops and waves.

Please note: The Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this program

612.371.5656 / minnesotaorchestra.org / Orchestra Hall

HERE FOR YOUR HEALTH access to most Minnesota doctors and hospitals

Showing off his blending, scratching and beat juggling

Kidney Rock is a benefit concert supporting a kidney transplant for Greg McFarlane (of Ipso Facto) and donor Angela Graham (niece of McFarlane) as well as the National Kidney Foundation in Minnesota.

BLUES/FOLK/ROCK

Friday, Feb. 19

➜

Sound Verite Presents “Throwing Shade” Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 10:30 p.m.

We’re working to improve the health of all Minnesotans.

Learn more at bluecrossmn.com/blueplus

DHS_112515_T04 DHS Approved 11/2015 Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Blue Plus® are nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

PHOTO Shane Doyle

Creative Partner:

Media Partner:

Page 12 • February 15 - February 21, 2016 • Insight News

insightnews.com

TV REVIEW

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

By Kam Williams The late Stokely Carmichael is famous for coining the phrase “Black power!” What he might not be as well remembered for is founding the Black Panthers. Frustrated by the tortoise-paced progress of the Civil Rights movement and by the number of martyrs dying and disappearing around the South, he decided to leave SNCC (The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) to form a group for folks interested in self-defense.

“You tell the people of Mississippi that all the scared [N-words] are dead!” he announced. However, Stokely had little to do with the organization after opening that first chapter in 1965 in Lowndes, Alabama (an 80% black county where no African-American had ever been allowed to vote).

Courtesy of Stephen Shames

Panthers on parade at Free Huey rally in Defermery Park, Oakland, July 28, 1968.

Instead, it would fall to Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to popularize the Panthers. They opened a storefront in Oakland in 1966, but they didn’t really catch fire until Martin Luther King was assassinated. At that point, many young African-Americans became disenchanted, which made the idea of confronting the police by brandishing weapons very appealing.

Soon, Panther chapters began to spring up all over the country. And it helped recruitment immeasurably when ex-con-turned-bestselling author Eldridge Cleaver came aboard as Minister of Information. After all, the media-savvy spokesperson

gave good soundbite, even if it only served to antagonize the police and establishment.

For instance, he called then Governor Ronlad Reagan “a punk, a sissy and a coward,” going so far as to challenge the Gipper to a duel to the death. And after Huey was arrested for the murder of a police officer, Eldridge threatened open armed war on the streets of the country, if Newton weren’t freed.

Meanwhile, J. Edgar Hoover was cooking up a counterintelligence program (COINTELPRO) designed to bring down the Panthers. The FBI proceeded to embark on a surreptitious reign of terror which included frame-ups, disinformation, assassinations

and infiltration. The ploy worked, as paranoia came to permeate the organization, which splintered when the leadership became suspicious of one another.

Huey called Eldridge a coward. Eldridge then quit and called for hits against anyone still in the Party.

Thus unfolds “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” a wartsand-all documentary directed by Stanley Nelson (Freedom Riders). The film is fascinating not only because of its copious archival footage, but on account of the many revelations exposing the dark underbelly of an outfit often given a pass in spite

of myriad flaws in terms of misogyny and machismo.

The Black Panthers revisited less as a political party concerned about the welfare of the people than as an internecine power struggle between a couple of larger than life egos.

Excellent (4 stars)

Unrated Running time: 113 minutes Distributor: Firelight Films “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” Premieres on PBS-TV’s Independent Lens on Tuesday, February 16 @ 9 pm ET/ PT (Check local listings)