aesthetically speaking
Aesthetically It!
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Insight News March 21 - March 27, 2016
Vol. 43 No. 12 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Blacks, latinos forge historic media alliance
Partners y Compañeros: NNPA and NAHP By Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor This year’s annual Black Press Week (March 9-11, 2016) marked the beginning of what is destined to be a long-term collaboration between the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Association of Hispanic Publications. Founded 76 years ago, the NNPA serves as the trade organization for 205 member Black publications and media outlets located across the United States from the nation’s capital of Washington, DC to California. According to NNPA Chair Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, the path of NNPA is in its founding: “Our faith
PARTNERS 9 TURN TO
Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA
NNPA president Dr. Benjamin Chavis speaks outside of the U.S. Capitol during a joint press conference between NNPA and NAHP. The press conference was attended by Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (far left).
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA News Wire Contributing Writer
Publishers and leaders from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade group of more than 200 Blackowned media companies, and
from the 400-plus member National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) recently held a historic threeday summit in Washington, D.C.
that featured an all-star roster of speakers, meetings on Capitol Hill, and the enshrinement of the late Gerri Warren into The Gallery of Distinguished Black
Publishers. “I think we very productive
had a week,”
WEEK TURN TO 9
Brown and Black Giants of Science: Making the Invisible Visible Science Speak By Irma McClaurin, PhD NNPA Foundation Science Writer “There is no American History without Black American History.” Lonnie Bunch, Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) If it is true that there can be no American history without Black
American history, then it is also true that there can be no history of science in America without recognition of the contributions that Africans, African Americans and Hispanics have made to the development of science, technology, engineering and math. Yet these contribution to STEM, which increasingly shapes our daily lives, is virtually invisible. Too often our accomplishments as Blacks and Hispanics in any field have been rendered invisible or only discussed during Black History Month in February or National Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Black and Hispanic
Roy Lewis
Denise Rolark-Barnes, NNPA chairman and publisher, Washington Informer Newspaper, (l) with StuartHobson Middle School student Joshua Graves, 11; Dr. Thomas Mensah fiber optics inventor and NNPA Foundation’s STEM Reach 2020 Brand Ambassador, and Al McFarlane chairman NNPA Foundation at the Best Practices in STEM forum March 11th, 2016 at Howard University in Washington D.C.
children are still not taught facts about their histories and cultural contributions as part of their normal school curriculum; instead, they leave school “miseducated,” and today believing that science is for anyone else but them. In 1933, Carter G. Woodson, who founded Negro History Week in 1926, published The Mis-Education of the Negro. So why aren’t there more Blacks or Hispanics in Science? What we know about science is that if you don’t ask the right question, you will not get the correct answer.
STEM TURN TO 7
Community swells with pride as Polars win state hoops title By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Courtesy of Larry McKenzie
North High Coach Larry McKenzie salutes Polar Nation following North’s state championship victory at the Target Center.
A school that was on the chopping blocks four years ago can now again call itself a champion. The Polars of North Community High School are state champions in Class 1A boys basketball following a 68 – 45 win in the title game over Goodhue, March 12 at the Target Center. In a bit of irony, just four years ago when North was set to close, enrollment at the school was just 68 students … one student per point scored by the Polars in the championship game. Now, thanks to protests and community pushback, North’s enrollment is just above 300, graduation rates are up 28 percent and 90 percent of the school’s seniors are slated to graduate in a couple of months. “Nine out of the 12 kids
on this team are on the A and B honor roll; that’s what I’m most proud of,” said North head coach, Larry McKenzie. “Four of our five starters are on the honor roll. We have three seniors who are going to college next year. That’s what this is all about. These are student athletes in every sense of the word.” Winning is nothing new to McKenzie. A Minnesota Hall of Fame coach, McKenzie was the first coach to claim four consecutive state crowns when he led Patrick Henry to titles from 2000 – 2003. In his third season at North, McKenzie said his kids felt as if they were not only representing the school, but all of north Minneapolis. “These kids could have gone elsewhere but they accepted the challenge to stay and represent their community and to restore
POLARS TURN TO 6
Geri Warren
Commentary
Education
Lifestyle
Late publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, enshrined
Flint residents deserve better than this
STEM: A pipeline to greatness
Organic food: Facts and fluff
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Gerri Warren, the late publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, enshrined By Stacy M. Brown NNPA News Wire Contributing Writer For those who knew Gerri Warren, it wasn’t unusual to see her walking around the offices of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint or at community events with a smile that could light up the room. It was a smile that those close to her said grabbed attention, and for all the right reasons. “Ms. Warren wore many hats and she touched so many lives,” said Jackie Hampton, the publisher of The Mississippi Link and the enshrinement chair for the National Newspaper Publishers Association Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers.
INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com
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 Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford 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 Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Carmen Robles Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley 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.
On Thursday, March 10, Hampton was joined by NNPA Chair and Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis and a host of others at Howard University to posthumously enshrine Warren, who rightly was installed next to other Black press icons. “This is where we have the opportunity to say to others that we must strive to emulate those like Gerri Warren as publishers,” said Dorothy Leavell, the publisher of the famed Chicago Crusader newspaper. “There are people who genuinely understand the importance of what we, as publishers, are doing. Gerri started as a teen and it wasn’t until her 30s that a light bulb went off that said ‘what you’re doing is important’ and she raised hell and demonstrated that we have a fantastic group of publishers in the black press,” Leavell said. Rolark-Barnes called the occasion one of those sad, but happy, times in which the NNPA – a coalition of over 200 black newspaper publishers from around the country – can gather and take advantage of the opportunity to honor the legacy of one of its esteemed publishers. Addressing Chida WarrenDarby, Warren’s daughter
Roy Lewis/NNPA
Family, friends and more than a dozen NNPA members and staffers joined Chida Warren-Darby, the publisher of The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint (1st row, 3rd from left), for the enshrinement ceremony dedicated to her mother and former publisher, the late Gerri Warren at Howard University in Washington, D.C. during the 2016 Black Press Week. who recently joined her father Dr. John E. Warren as copublishers of her mother’s newspaper, Rolark-Barnes said she was fond of the late publisher and proud of her legacy. “I knew your mom and dad who was on the City Council here in D.C. and when they decided to move to San Diego
we lost two great people,” Rolark-Barnes said. Chavis, the longtime civil rights activist and icon, said he was grateful to have a chance to honor Warren. “She’s one of our leaders and this candle that we lit today for Gerri Warren will always live in our lives and long live the spirit and legacy
of the Black press,” Chavis said. For more than five decades, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint has reported on news from an AfricanAmerican perspective. They’ve carved a special niche covering AfricanAmerican communities of San Diego County, from small
church gatherings to major political campaigns. As San Diego’s largest African-American publication, the paper has featured individuals and events in a comprehensive manner, while commentators have argued from different points of view in its lively oped pages. The Voice & Viewpoint has grown over the last decade to over 350 newsstands and outlets in convenience stores and the paper can be found in all 89 zip codes of San Diego and has readership of more than 60,000. Warren-Darby, who became one of the youngest newspaper publishers in the country, has carried her mother’s torch in an awardwinning manner. She said she was honored to be present as the NNPA enshrined Warren, who died in 2009. “She was a people person,” Warren-Darby said. “She made time for people and she was never too busy to talk to anyone. She made sure that everyone knew they were important.” Chida Warren-Darby said it is her mother’s smile and her laugh that she often thinks of. “It was her secret weapon,” Warren-Darby said. “That infectious laugh and smile opened many a door and, yes, I’ve adopted that too.”
ABA President Paulette Brown: The Voice for Justice Women Leading Change By Dr. Artika Tyner Change begins with a vision for the future. Paulette Brown’s vision is to build a more just and inclusive society. Within her role as the President of the American Bar Association (ABA), she has worked to advance this vision with the support of fellow attorneys from across the globe. In partnership with nearly 400,000 lawyers, Ms. Brown is transforming the public perception of lawyers from a ‘hired gun’ who simply focuses on billable hours to the lawyer who serves as a leader by creating access to justice.
Lawyer as Leader The role of the lawyer as leader is set forth in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The preamble states: “As a public citizen, a lawyer should seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession.” This is a call to leadership rooted in the ethics of justice, fairness, and equity. This is the type of leadership needed to advance equal justice under law. “A leader is someone who is self-directed and does not allow anyone to place barriers,” Brown stated. Lawyers are uniquely positioned to pick up the mantle of leadership. Legal training provides key tools for making an impact. The culmination of traditional lawyering skills, critical thinking, oral advocacy, analytical skills, and effective writing, equips lawyers with
Paulette Brown the versatile toolbox needed to make a lasting impact in the administration of justice and policy development. Brown also expresses the necessity of leaders knowing the importance of trusting and delegating to others. This is the foundation of leadership legacy as one paves the way for future leaders who cultivate the power, which necessitates societal reform. This is a recognition that lawyers do not work alone
in isolation but instead build strategic partnerships in order to advance social justice for generations to come. Brown’s leadership style is modeled after the many women leaders who came before her and created new inroads to justice and freedom. Her leadership style was influenced by her mother, Madeline Albright (former United States Secretary of State), Rosa Parks (civil rights pioneer), and Fannie Lou Hamer (political leader). Each of these women embodied the courage, faith, and tenacity required to lead social change and initiate strategic action for eradicating injustice. According to Brown, these women leaders compelled her to become an advocate and leverage her influence in powerful ways. She warns: “you can’t participate at the sideline but need a seat at the table.” Brown has strategically taken a seat at the
table through her service in the ABA House of Delegates and National Bar Association. Although influenced by powerful women leaders, she reminds emerging leaders to also find their own authentic voice and forge a pathway to new terrains. Brown stated, “Take pieces from different people, not emulate but “be yourself.” At the core of being herself, Brown has discovered how to use her voice and position to lead change in practical ways. The Value-Added of Diversity and Inclusion With an eye toward the future, Paulette Brown has embraced the changing cultural landscape as an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion. The changes are reflected in data which shows by 2050 America will no longer have a racial majority. Despite
BROWN TURN TO 5
Science Museum of Minnesota names Alison Brown as president Alison Brown has been named as the new president and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota. She is the Science Museum’s first female president and CEO. “We are delighted to welcome Alison as the museum’s next president,” said Andrea Walsh, chair of the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Board of Trustees and executive vice president, HealthPartners. “She brings a wealth of experience and leadership in science learning, and a vision to increase the relevance of the Science Museum of Minnesota in the community and in the nation.” Brown comes to the Science Museum from the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. In Brown’s time at the Academy, attendance doubled, membership tripled, and the Academy was ranked in the top 8 percent of museums measured in The Morey Group’s 2014 National Visitor Survey Benchmark. “I’m incredibly honored to serve as the next president of the Science Museum of Minnesota, taking the helm at a time when museums matter more than ever,” said Brown. “As science and technology continue to rapidly evolve and shape our lives, places like the Science Museum will play a larger and more important role in preparing our next generation of learners for the challenging and exciting future that lies ahead. I’m eager to combine my passion for science and education to advance the critical mission of one of Minnesota’s and our nation’s greatest institutions.” “As a former Minnesotan, I’m absolutely thrilled that a world-class leader like Alison will be taking the helm of this fantastic, world-leading science museum in Minnesota and I look forward to developing exciting collaborations between our
of Sciences. “For nearly two decades, Alison has been a key member of the Academy’s senior leadership and we look forward to watching her create similar transformation and impact in her new role.”
Alison Brown institutions in the future,” said Dr. Jon Foley, executive director of the California Academy
In 2008, the San Francisco Business Times recognized Brown as Chief Financial Officer of the Year in the Transformation Agent category. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the Business Times recognized Brown as one of the Bay Area’s most influential women in business. Brown received her Master’s in business administration from the University of Chicago
Booth School of Business, where her area of concentration was nonprofit and government organizations. She hold’s a bachelor’s degree in economics with an emphasis in mathematics
from Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. Brown will officially start at the Science Museum in early May.
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BUSINESS Nonprofit communication checklist FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw Sometimes it is necessary for you as a nonprofit leader to personally check how easy or difficult it is to communicate with your organization. When you verify these for yourself you can best assess your nonprofit’s responsiveness. Check the following to ensure you won’t have to make excuses in the future. Call your office during the day. How long does the phone ring before someone answers? If no-one answers, does it go to voicemail quickly? Is
there a personal message on your outgoing voicemail, or just your name or number? Is the message welcoming? If it includes “press zero for the operator” what happens when you press zero? Can you leave a message? Does anyone give you the message? How long does it take for you to receive the message? Call your office after hours. The questions are the same as above. Call the main number (during the day and after hours). Does a “live” person answer the phone? How simple or complex is it to reach a person? What happens if you don’t know the person’s name? Is there a main mailbox for “general questions?” If yes, how long does it take for a message to be directed from the main mailbox to you, or the person you left the message for?
Personally paying attention to the details can help build good communication.
Subscribe to your newsletter. What happens? Is there a welcome message? Does your organization actually send out a newsletter? Visit your website. How does it look? Can you view it on your phone? Is the
information current? Do the links work? Are the lists of donors, board members and advisory committee members current? Is there a number to call? What happens when you call the number? Can you send an email from the site? If
yes, send one and investigate what happens. Where does the message go? Who receives it? When do they respond? Is an automated response sent acknowledging receipt of the message? The following are a few other things that can go unnoticed and become a problem: 1. How long does it take to get a thank you after making a donation? 2. How far in advance of a meeting are the board materials sent out? 3. Can the development department respond to data requests from fundraising leadership?
4. Do all major donors receive a personal thank you from the CEO? 5. Are you updated regularly on fundraising progress? 6. Is information requested by donors or prospective donors provided in a reasonable amount of time? Personally paying attention to the details can help build good communication. Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw For help growing your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
Camphor Fiscally Fit Center: New classes April 11 through May 23 The Camphor Fiscally Fit Center (CFFC), is offering new classes beginning April 11. The program provides financial education with special emphasis to the low-to-moderate income households, single heads of households, youth and young adults and households of AfricanAmericans and people of African descent.
The 12 hour financial workshop classes are six weeks on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with six months of one-onone budget and credit coaching sessions. It includes two credit reports pulled within the six month period to show movement in credit score. Participants in the Home Ownership Capacity Program can remain in the program for up to
three years. The Home Ownership Capacity Program is $100, plus $15 to receive a credit report and there is a monthly fee of $20 per individual and $30 per couple, which covers monthly budget and credit coaching, a prehome ownership and mortgage underwriting seminar, and three months of post-purchase coaching.
Classes are held at Camphor Memorial UMC, 585 Fuller Ave., St. Paul. For more information contact Karen Carey-Bonner at (651) 221-9067 or kcbonner@ comcast.net.
Brown
the perception of the administration of justice is related to it being bias-free and evaluated in an objective manner, implicit bias is often at play. Brown is educating the legal community about the reality of unconscious bias and its pervasive nature. We all have biases and they can impact our judgment. Brown’s latest project, a short video on implicit bias among judges, serves as a valuable tool for addressing bias. The ABA is the official voice for lawyers. Paulette Brown is lifting her voice to mobilize other lawyers to create a full chorus of change agents. Some of these efforts include: ABA lawyers assisting President Obama with policy changes related to clemency, providing legal services to veterans and kids in need of defense (KIND), and supporting efforts to address the homelessness crisis. In the interest of leveraging the service component of true leadership, Brown has also challenged lawyers to take on one small action to make a difference in the world by committing one hour per week to providing probono legal
services. Brown admonishes lawyers to never forget “a law degree is more than just a piece of paper. It is power.”
It is the type of power needed to make ‘and justice for all’ a lived reality.
From 3 these changes, the practice of law is one of the least racially diverse professions. Eightyeight percent of lawyers are white. This homogenous cultural representation diminishes the creativity and innovation which is derived from diversity. Studies have shown diversity fosters an environment where creative problem solving can occur which challenges the status quo and moves beyond uniformity in thought processes. Brown reminds us that “leaders who are interested in diversity are forward thinking.” These leaders can see the power of bringing together teams who can think critically, unleash their imagination, and develop solutions (for both legal and societal challenges). This is a results-oriented approach. Addressing Bias in the Legal System Brown has raised awareness about the effects of bias in the legal system. Although
The Camphor Fiscally Fit Center is a community program, in the Ward 1 community and surrounding communities.
You don’t have to move to get that new-home feeling.
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*1.99% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on Home Equity Lines of Credit with an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) or less. The Introductory Interest Rate will be fixed at 1.99% during the five-month Introductory Period. A higher introductory rate will apply for an LTV above 80%. Offer is available for new applications submitted from February 20 – April 29, 2016. After the five-month introductory period: the APR is variable and is based upon an index plus a margin. The APR will vary with Prime Rate (the index) as published in the Wall Street Journal. As of February 9, 2016, the variable rate for Home Equity Lines of Credit ranged from 3.24% APR to 8.50% APR. Higher rates may apply due to an increase in the Prime Rate, for a credit limit below $125,000, an LTV above 80%, and/or a low credit score. A U.S. Bank Consumer Checking Package account is required to receive the lowest rate, but is not required for loan approval. The rate will not vary above 18% APR, or applicable state law, or below 1.99% APR. Choosing an interest-only repayment may cause your monthly payment to increase, possibly substantially, once your credit line transitions into the repayment period. Repayment options may vary based on credit qualifications. Interest only repayment may be unavailable. Loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Property insurance is required. U.S. Bank and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Your tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation. Other restrictions may apply. Mortgage and Home Equity products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Customer pays no closing costs, except escrow-related funding costs. An annual fee of up to $90 may apply after the first year and is waived with a U.S. Bank personal Platinum Checking Package. The Consumer Pricing Information brochure lists terms and conditions that apply to U.S. Bank Consumer Checking Package accounts and can be obtained by calling 800.872.2657. Member FDIC ©2016 U.S. Bank. All rights reserved. 160083 2/16
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COMMENTARY Flint residents deserve better than this By Armstrong Williams NNPA News Wire Columnist As the proud owner of NBC 25 in Flint, Michigan, it is important for us to understand the community and to become a part of it as much as we can. As a station owner, we have the ability to elevate the needs and concerns of the downtrodden, hold those in power accountable and showcase the resilience of Flint, and it’s a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. We read about the water crisis facing Flint and the failure of the people in power and were appalled. It was the failure of government that abandoned the most vulnerable, leaving them with many unanswered questions. I even added my perspective on the crisis. But that wasn’t enough; I wanted to feel the emotions on the ground, to understand the crisis through first-hand experience because too often in reporting, the people are ignored for political spin. And after our day in Flint, we can tell you that the personal resilience of the people of Flint
is highly under-reported. When we first arrived on Monday morning February 29, we went straight to city hall where many were there in search of answers. It was at the counter for free water filters’ that we met a young, single mother, who is also a student, and her young daughter. The mother relayed to us a story about how her daughter had elevated levels of lead. She was at a lost for what to do, but she knew she had to get the water filters for her daughter. She was worried about her daughter’s future, what it would look like, and what could she do as a mother to improve her daughter’s chances? We had no answers, but we did have empathy, and we genuinely cared, and it was obvious that the mother appreciated that someone wanted to hear her story. My heart goes out to her and her daughter, and reminded me that this is not a temporary crisis, but one whose effect will reverberate throughout Flint for a generation if not more. City hall was littered with people who wanted their stories heard. There were women there who had done
Flint River in Downtown Flint, Michigan (1974) their own research into the crisis and dug up documents that proved officials knew about the dangers of the lead levels long before the public. All of the people we met in city hall wanted answers, but more importantly, they were there to try as best as they knew how to help the community they love. This is how we started to love
the people of Flint. From city hall, we went to a firehouse where the National Guard was stationed handing out clean water to residents. The men and women of the National Guard were standing outside on a cold, damp day handing out cases and cases of water to anyone who drove up. They did not complain
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
about the weather, or the heavy lifting, or about being on their feet all day. They were there for the community. We watched and even participated in loading the water into cars. We spoke to as many of the drivers as possible. We wanted to hear their stories. Most came daily to pick up multiple cases of water. Many had children who
they worried about; most did not have the money to move away. It was after speaking to so many drivers that we came to understand why the National Guard did not complain about being outside in the freezing cold– they were the lucky ones. After spending time with people at the firehouse, we wanted to see firsthand the living conditions of the city, where 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. It was there that we saw what seemed like abandoned houses on every block. A couple of people welcomed our team into their homes. There we heard and saw firsthand what it was like not to be able to take hot baths, or drink water from the tap. We saw cases upon cases of water stacked up everywhere the eye could see. We heard tales about how it took hours to fill up baths with enough clean hot water so they could clean themselves. A hot bath, something we take for granted, was so precious to them. They also relayed to us how many of their neighbors did not own cars, so they could not go to the fire stations to pick up the water. Instead, the
FLINT TURN TO 7
Was it Civil Rights or a Movement? By Avis Thomas-Lester, Urban News Service They fought for integration, equal education and voter registration. There were Freedom Rides, a march on Washington and mayhem on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. There were sit-ins, brutal attacks and stands against violence.
In the end, freedom was achieved – at least in part. “There is no question that the Civil Rights Movement was a defining time in American history …” said Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League. “It significantly changed the landscape of the country.” It has been chronicled in countless news stories and books.
Most people who participated, watched it unfold, or learned about it later agree that it was the seminal protest crusade in U.S. history. But they disagree on when it started, when it ended and how it should be identified: Was it the civil rights movement or the Civil Rights Movement? Sixty years after the Montgomery Bus Boycott,
the story of the Civil Rights Movement still is being written, historians and activists say. Some consider it a historic era. They believe that referring to the movement informally or generally – in the lowercase – minimizes its importance. One-hundred years from now, “Civil Rights Movement” will indicate that something monumental happened. But others say the movement was a series of events that started when enslaved people began to run away — soon after the first ships delivered their human cargo — and the abolitionists demanded their freedom, said Library of Congress historian Adrienne Cannon. “The thinking is that it’s a civil rights struggle, and that it extends over a period of centuries and has different phases to it,” Cannon said. “That’s much different from the more standard chronological paradigm.” Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, agreed. “One of the challenges with capitalizing it is determining when it began and ended,” Muhammad said. “Historians don’t agree on that. The question then becomes: When was the Civil Rights Movement?” Dorie Ladner, a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) member who was with Medgar Evers just hours before his assassination in Mississippi in 1963, said invoking the movement informally trivializes the struggle.
“It doesn’t matter when you think it started – with the Dred Scott decision in 1857, when the Supreme Court decided that a black person wasn’t a whole person, or with the court’s decision in the Brown school desegregation case in 1954 — it should be referred to with capital letters,” said Ladner, of Washington, D.C. University of California, Riverside history professor V.P. Franklin, editor of the “Journal of African American History,” said he and the Journal use the formal reference. The Journal was founded by black historian Carter G. Woodson in 1915. Franklin said the movement spanned from the Brown case to the founding of the Black Panther Party in 1966, and was characterized by related “social, political and cultural activities.” “There’s an evolution that goes from events to campaigns to a movement,” Franklin said. “A movement, such as the Civil Rights Movement, is an historic era, the same as the Progressive Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement.” Many publications and websites geared to black audiences, such as Black Enterprise and Ebony, follow the Journal’s example. Not so, for many mainstream publications. The Associated Press spokesman Paul Colford said via email that the news agency, the style guide for many news organizations, follows Webster’s example.
Merriam-Webster editor Peter Sokolowski said the company “make(s) every attempt to reflect actual current usage.” “A quick check on the phrase ‘civil rights movement’ shows that lower-case styling is overwhelmingly preferred by newspapers and magazines including the AP, The New York Times … the Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Guardian,” he said. Professor Franklin said historians ultimately will decide how to record the Civil Rights Movement. He said the mainstream media often are slow to update references to blacks. “A lot of publications have changed it … It’s a matter of pointing out to them that using the lowercase is outdated and … denigrating,” he said. “It’s a matter of putting pressure on them to adopt it …” Capital Press Club President Barbara Arnwine, the former head of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, said the magnitude of the Civil Rights Movement has yet to be measured. “Show me another era that had the same impact that this one had,” she said. “They were responsible for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. None of those accomplishments would have occurred had it not been for that movement.”
Polars
the year with overflowing gymnasiums during the Polars’ regular season. “We’re a school of 300 but it looked like we are a school of 900 because of all the support we got from the community,” said Dr. Shawn Harris-Berry, principal at North. Harris-Berry said the winning athletics programs at
North (the football team made it to state the past two years, losing in the finals this past year) are attracting needed attention to the school, but successes are being achieved in the classroom as well. “There’s a high sense of pride about being a student at North. A year ago we had only 20 8th graders making high school decisions put North as their first choice of school, this time around we had 100 kids choose North as their first choice,” said Harris-Berry. “Families are seeing North as a viable option for their kids to prepare for college and that’s really exciting.” Harris-Berry said the school owes a debt of gratitude to the community surrounding the school for refusing to let North be closed. “The Near-North community is the reason why we’re here. If it wasn’t for them going out and protesting we wouldn’t be here,” said Harris-Berry. “Our students have a huge sense of pride about North and changing the narrative of the school.” According to McKenzie and Harris-Berry several celebrations are planned for the winning basketball team and they plan to invite members of the community to take part in the students’ achievements.
From 1 the legacy of North,” said McKenzie. “North really is a community school.” North being a community school was evidenced throughout
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Insight News • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Page 7
EDUCATION STEM REACH 2020
NNPA Foundation: Pipeline to future scientists By Oral Ofori, Founder of TheAfricanDream LLC Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, Provost of Howard University in Washington D.C. kicked off the first ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Best Practices’ Forum on March 11, 2016 at the new Howard University Interdisciplinary Research Building in Washington DC in conjunction with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Foundation. Dr. Wutoh made remarks on behalf of the of Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick and welcomed Al McFarlane, Chairman of the NNPA Foundation, Denise RolarkBarnes, Chairman of NNPA, and the STEM Experts to Howard University. The Best Practices in STEM Forum was part of the NNPA 2016 Black Press Week. The Forum assembled a group of select scholars and educators from four Washington D.C. area Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Washington area primary, middle and junior high schools. Howard University’s first STEM Best Practices forum Leading Engineers with the American National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and a Member of the American National Academy of Inventors (NAI) provided unique insights to what motivated them to pursue careers and science and technology. They provided hands-on robotics assembly and demonstrations for student
Courtesy of Oral Ofori
Clockwise from top left is Dr. Thomas Mensah - Inventor and NAI Fellow, Al McFarlane - Chair of the NNPA Foundation, Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu - Lead NASA Robotics Engineer and Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh - Provost of Howard University. scholars who were amazed to be working hand-in hand with scientists who design and operate NASA’s Mars Rover Lander. Fiber Optics Inventor and the NNPA Foundation’s ‘STEM Reach 2020’ Ambassador, Dr. Thomas Mensah, who holds over seven U.S.A. patents, is a Fellow of the NAI and one of only three Blacks in the NAI membership of 167 inventors. Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, is Group Lead and Robotics Engineer at the NASAJet Propulsion Laboratory and Fellow of the United Kingdom’s Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Royal Aeronautical Society, is also designer of the Mars Rover Lander. Dr TrebiOllennu’s current research
focuses on Planetary Rovers. Dr. Edward Tunstel, now Senior Roboticist at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory was also a designer of NASA’s Mars Lander Robot and is a Howard University alumnus. “I think everyone present at the event was really happy to see the opportunity for a bright future for these young children. We hope this excitement plays a major role in raising Scholastic Aptitude tests and interest in STEM for young African Americans in the USA and young Black people all over the world,” Dr. Mensah said. A total of 82 young people from schools in nation’s Capital were able to interact with the inventor and the two leading scientists in robotics and drone technology during the hands-
Students from Washington D.C. area schools on demonstrations of these sophisticated technologies. Fernando Hernandez, Director at Microsoft Supplier Diversity who formulated Microsoft’s $2 billion supplier diversity strategic 3-year plan, and Bill Blackwelder, President at Delta Southern Space UAS, a firm specializing in unmanned aerial systems and platforms in the agricultural industry also addressed the Forum. Mensah said after the event that “it was exciting to see these young students, some of the children in their third grade, interact with scientists, engineers and inventors as well as older students from the Spelman, the celebrated women’s college in Atlanta Georgia, U.S.A. who placed 3rd in a national robotics competition at Microsoft in November 2014. The Spelman students, members of Spelbots,
a competitive robotics technology team, were on hand to demonstrate a humanoid robot they had built, nicknamed ‘Spice’. High school students from the Ambassador Horace G. Dawson Scholars program and junior high school students from Stuart-Hobson Middle School were also impressed by the commercial drone shown by Bill Blackwell.” The entire program was recorded by WHUT, the Howard University Television Station according to Dr Garry L. Harris, Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies, who opened the Interdisciplinary Research Building Facility for the Forum. According to NNPA Foundation chairman Al McFarlane, who expressed gratitude to Dr. Thomas Mensah who pulled the
STEM Initiative together, the ‘STEM Reach 2020’ Initiative engages nearly 200 NNPA media houses to project a national discussion and expand awareness about the importance of STEM education with support from the American Petroleum Institute (API), lead sponsor, Microsoft, and other corporate and government supporters. “Our mission is to illuminate the pipeline to greatness for Black student scholars in the field of technology and innovation.,” McFarlane said. “We are changing the narrative about who we are as a people, by revealing the legacy of substance and greatness to the Black Press of America’s 20 million readers and to the world at large.” For further information, contact Al McFarlane: chairman@nnpafoundation.org
Pierce named president of MCTC; Charlier president of Central Lakes
serving as interim president since 2014. Also in higher education, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities named Hara
Charlier president of Central Lakes College (CLC). CLC has campuses in Brainerd and Staples. As with Pierce, appointment also becomes effective July 1. “Hara Charlier brings to Central Lakes College an impressive wealth of rural community college experience,” said Rosenstone. “Dr. Charlier is a tremendously collaborative leader who will work closely with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders to meet the needs of the Chain of Lakes region.” Charlier served as vice
president of instruction and student services at Virginia Highlands Community College since 2012. Previously, she was dean of life science and human services from 2010 to 2012 at Blue Ridge Community College (Va.) and interim vice president of instruction and student services. Charlier holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s from Miami University (Ohio), and a doctorate from Old Dominion University (Va.). Charlier will succeed Larry Lundblad who retires at the end of the academic year.
that the residents were sick of excuses and wanted to action. There was blame enough to go around but instead of blame the citizens wanted answers. The time for political buck-passing was over; the time for answers was now. There was a couple of occasions where emotions rose to a fevered pitched and for good reasons. After being in Flint for nearly twelve hours digging into the issue, I found myself getting upset. I saw the pain and suffering the residents were enduring, and at the town hall, I experienced the
hopelessness they felt. No one had answers. No one could tell the residents when the crisis would be resolved, how the city was going to deal with the long-term health issues, when they would be able to drink the water, or when the pipes were going to be replaced. The hour and a half town hall allowed us to hear every side of the issue. When we walked in we expected we would have a better feeling about the crisis facing the residents, but sadly we felt worse. There was nothing we
could do at the moment to help, other than listen to the citizens and give them a platform. But we could not change the pipes, we couldn’t fix all of their problems and no one on the stage could either. The people of Flint deserve better. The elected officials need to stop seeking blame and start seeking solutions. They need to act now, because the people of Flint cannot wait any longer. The government failed them when it created the crisis and is failing now with their lack of response.
After we left the town hall, we came to one conclusion— the people of Flint are resilient, their elected officials are not, but that isn’t stopping the citizens of Flint from trying to save their community. Read snippets from Armstrong Williams’ new book titled, “Reawakening Virtues,” at RightSideWire.com. Join the discussion live at 6pm-8pm and 4am-6am EST on Sirius/ XM Urban View 126. Join the Armstrong Williams fan page on Facebook and Twitter at @ arightside.
achievement gap is the work of Dr. Estela Mara Bensimon. Her work on the “equity scorecard” attends to the institutional and structural barriers that get in the way of Black and Latino student achievement and success. Another scholar who seeks to understand the small number of “minorities” in the sciences is Dr. Donna Nelson. Of Native American descent, Dr. Nelson is one of only a handful of American Indian scientists in the entire country. Her research, known as the Nelson Diversity Surveys, concretely documented the underrepresentation of minorities in science fields like computer sciences and chemistry. Those foundations and organizations that fund research have not contributed sufficient funding on research that can explain why of all Black women who hold PhDs in STEM attended either Spelman College or Bennett
College or another historically Black college or university (HBCU). Why have these same funders not asked to study what makes HBCUs a significant supportive environment for the development future of Black and Brown giants of Science. How do we shift this state of affairs? Use the power of knowledge. SCIENCESpeak is my answer. The columns will be dedicated to making the invisible visible, writing profiles of Black and Brown Giants of Science, highlighting the contributions that Blacks and Hispanics have made to STEM and giving children of all backgrounds and heritages, but especially Black and Latino children, something of which they can be proud, excited about and aspire to become--a Black or Brown Giant of Science. The children are our future; they are America’s future; they are the future of the global STEM community and informed
citizenry we in the Black and Hispanic press and publications are creating.
her “Best Columnist.” She is the Insight News’ Culture and Education Editor and author of several books, articles and poetry. Contact: www.irmamcclaurin. com/imcclaurin@gmail.com/@ mcclaurintweets
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees today named Sharon Pierce president of Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC). The appointment becomes effective July 1. “Throughout her outstanding career, Sharon Pierce has been dedicated to urban education and the mission of community and technical colleges,” said Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “Dr. Pierce is committed to students and their success. She will ensure that
MCTC continues to be a great partner with the public schools, businesses, and community organizations across the city of Minneapolis.” Pierce has served Howard Community College (Md.) as the vice president for academic affairs since 2010, as chair of the Health Sciences Division from 2005 to 2010, as director of the nursing education program from 2001 to 2006 and she was on the nursing faculty from 1990 to 2010. She also served as a practicing nurse from 1978 to 1990. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from the
Sharon Pierce
Hara Charlier
University of Maryland and a doctorate from Morgan State University (Md.). Pierce will succeed Avelino Mills-Novoa who has been
Flint
with the community about the water crisis. The goal was to bring together the community so the citizens could have their voices heard and so the people could learn what they could do to help. So many of the people we encountered wanted to help, but were unable to due to lack of guidance and a lack of answers about what would actually help. At the town hall, the passion surrounding the crisis was evident. The auditorium was nearly packed and from the first question, it was evident
can’t seem to do math and science?” And the solutions to solve for this question are rooted in assumptions that often include lack of exposure, lack of interest, and lack of parental and community support, but rarely mention how white teachers or counselors often are skeptical of Black and Brown children who say they want to do STEM and discourage them, or the absence of adequate scientific lab-based facilities in public schools where Black and Brown children can be exposed to science early on like their white counterparts. In higher education, much of the deficit research has been conducted at PWIs, predominantly white institutions, where Black and Brown students are a fledging group. In this instance, again the assumptions are that the problems lie with the student and that there are not institutional barriers. One exception to research that explains the
From 6 community pitched in. Those with cars drove those without cars, or just picked up a couple of extra cases for the elderly or infirmed. After witnessing the strength of the people, we headed to a town hall my WEYI NBC25 Flint station was hosting. We had elected officials, doctors, and professors all gathered to talk
STEM From 1 Foundations and Think Tanks like the Brookings Institute have spent millions of dollars on what are often deficit-based research approaches that document the achievement gap between Black/ Brown and white students, and the small numbers of Blacks and Latinos in STEM. Deficitbased research locates “...the problem within the students, their families and communities,” and often ignores, or gives insufficient weight, to social and structural forces like racism and discrimination that systematically create barriers to Black/Brown student success in science, technology, engineering and math, and do so for generations. Deficit-based approaches ask the question of “why Brown and Black children in K-12
http://www.enotes.com/ research-starters/deficit-model http://www.mtroyal.ca/cs/ groups/public/documents/pdf/ strengthsvsdeficitrb.pdf http://rossier.usc.edu/facultyand-research/directories/a-z/ profile/?id=12 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Nelson_Diversity_Surveys http://www.pewresearch.org/ fact-tank/2014/09/16/11-facts-fornational-hispanic-heritage-month/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The_Mis-Education_of_the_ Negro Irma McClaurin, PhD is an award-winning writer and poet, an activist anthropologist, diversity consultant and educator. Passion and a deep commitment to social justice and public science inform her writing. In 2015, NNPA Merit Awards named
This column is presented by National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Foundation STEM Reach 2020. Program supporters include American Petroleum Institute (API), Microsoft, Howard University Interdisciplinary Research Center (IRC), Ambassador Horace G. Dawson Scholars, and Backpax. The opinions expressed are entirely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NNPAF, sponsors and supporters. (c) 2016 McClaurin Solutions. All Rights Reserved; do not reprint without permission
Page 8 • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Insight News
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LIFESTYLE
Organic food: Facts and fluff The organic food trend has exploded in popularity within the last 10 years, and the industry has grown exponentially. Organic food sales have increased from $1 billion in 1996 to $26 billion in 2016. The belief is that organic food, (foods free of additives, chemical pesticides, and grown in environmentally friendly conditions), are better at maintaining health than conventionally grown foods. The interest in this topic became popular when health advocates brought awareness to the development process of conventionally grown foods, and forced the public to question the effects of consuming foods that are grown in unnatural environmental conditions. The truth is that there is not enough scientific evidence to substantiate claims that organic foods are superior in maintaining a healthy body.
products or antibiotics. 4. Organic food is free of GMOs. Genetically Modified Organisms contain DNA that has been altered most commonly in order to be resistant to pesticides or produce insecticide. 5. The taste of organic food is richer, because of the conditions that it is harvested. Clean, mineral rich soil, no chemical treatment competing with the foods natural flavor- etc.
• Foods that are completely organic, or made with all organic ingredients are labeled 100 percent organic • Food labeled “organic”, is made with 95 percent organic materials. • Products that contain at least 70 percent of organic materials are labeled “made with organic materials”.
By Michelle Mitchum, MPH, and HHP
Some studies have shown that certain foods have higher levels of antioxidants and other vitamins, than their conventionally grown counterparts, and many believe that is enough to declare that all organic food is healthier. But these factors alone cannot confirm that a person’s health is improved
significantly when consuming organic goods. Consumers associate ‘natural food’ with organic food. Natural foods generally refer to foods that are not altered chemically and are derived from plants and animals only. There is also a difference
in how the food is labeled for consumers. Because neither the FDA nor USDA have standards for labeling food as natural, there are strict standards for identifying organic foods, and the FDA has determined that they should be labeled as follows:
Some verifiable benefits to eating organic foods are: 1. Organic produce contains lower/no pesticides. Fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are widely used in conventional agriculture, and its residues remain on the foods that we consume 2. A study in the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture” discovered higher antioxidants and vitamin C, in organic broccoli, compared to conventional broccoli. 3. Organically raised animals are not given artificial hormones, animal bi-
There are a few disadvantages to consuming organic foods. 1. Because organic foods are not treated with preservatives, they spoil faster than conventional foods. 2. These foods are often times more expensive. 3. Not easily accessible in all areas References: www.organicfacts.net www.mayoclinic.org
Managing yourself against time Man Talk
By Timothy Houston I am not a big fan of the term “time management.” Although
there are 24 hours in a day, we do not have the power to move time from one day to the next. Because we cannot “manage time,” we must, therefore, manage ourselves against time. This self management is accomplished through setting and keeping personal goals. People who set regular goals for themselves tend to attain at least a portion of them, which brings the self confidence
needed to push further. Setting and obtaining goals is one of the vehicles that successful people use to improve their lives. To begin with, there are two types of goals you should create: long term and short term goals. When you picture a long term goal in your mind, I recommend that you think of what you would like to accomplish in the next 3-5 years. Long-term goals keep you moving towards the big prize, however, you do not get the satisfaction of completing them right away. Creating short-term goals is a way to keep yourself constantly moving toward your long-term goals. Short-term goals are like the mile markers and highway signs that let you know that you are on the right path to reaching your long-term destination. Secondly, I recommend that you begin with the end in mind. Make a list of long-term goals you would like to complete. Separate them by categories such as career, relationship, finance, and so on. Once you have long-term goals in each category, set short-term goals (mile makers) for each long term goals. Your short-term goals should be something that you can accomplish in the next three to six months. These short-term goals will prevent you from letting time pass you by without any actions. For those of you who have been out of high school for more than 10 years, believe it or not, if you had set a short term goal of taking only one college class each term, you would have your 4-year degree by now. Shortterm goals equal long term success. Thirdly, set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). Setting SMART goals is one of the most important parts of actually achieving them. Goals should not necessarily be easy, but you should be able to
complete them with hard work, motivation and perseverance. To help keep you on track, keep a goal notebook or journal. Writing about your goals and progress will help you visualize your advancement. Consult your goal journal on a regular basis to keep you motivated and on track. Finally, use goals as the building blocks for selfimprovement. The completion of one goal is the catalyst for the next. The goal of registering for a class must supersede the goal of completing the class. Each completed goal lays the foundation for the subsequent one. Whatever your steps or short-term aspiration, make sure they serve as a solid foundation for completing your long-term goal. For my personal weight loss target, I would not set a goal to lose 25 pounds. If I only lost 20 lbs, somehow I would still feel like a failure. I would rather set a weight loss goal to lose one pound and repeat that goal 25 times. That way, I have 24 victories going into the final goal. No matter what your current station in time, you can use goals to improve your
life. The goals must motivate you to actions. Each shortterm goal must serve as a catalyst and building block for the next. This will make you a better and more reliable person, husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, or friend. Short-term goals will also give you the confidence to know that you can accomplish great things if you stay on the path to your long-term
destination. Start today by setting some long and short term goals, and live the best life possible! 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 book, questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
Introducing HWMR a lifestyle brand whose mantra is Excellence, more specifically, Black Excellence. HWMR was born out of the barbershop in the Camden section of North Minneapolis. It’s founder, Houston White, believes the barbershop is the mecca for black men across America. It’s a place where black men from diverse backgrounds converge. It’s for us, by us – the music, the incense burning, and the pictures on the wall – a reflection of our greatness. The networking potential is unbelievable. In fact, it’s the very place where H. White laid the foundation for the wildly successful H. White Custom Homes. The HWMR brand is a reflection of our times; it borrows from the past, yet aims to propel the classic style of yesteryears into the future. It’s vintage modernism.
A Non-Traditional, Cutting Edge Experience! Be Ready for Truth, Healing, Teaching and Transformation!
“It feels like the men of my generation have dropped the ball when it comes to the way we as a whole present ourselves to the world. As stated by G. Bruce Boyer, we make decisions based on peoples appearances.” — H. White
Circle of Healing Ministry
Photo: Rebecca Rabb
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Pastor Roslyn Harmon Sundays 2-4pm
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“It is both delusional and stupid to think that clothes don’t really matter and we should all wear whatever we want. Most people don’t take clothing seriously enough, but whether we should or not, clothes do talk to us and we make decisions based on peoples appearances.” — G. Bruce Boyer
The goal of HWMR is to provide superior products with excellent service while inspiring greatness. Please join in as we realign with the awesomeness of our forefathers vision and forge the new frontier of Black Excellence. A portion of every dollar earned by HWMR will go towards the HWMR Scholarship fund for future entrepreneurs. •
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Insight News • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Page 9
COMMUNITY Car review: 2016 Honda Pilot AWD Elite By Frank S. Washington DETROIT – The Honda Pilot is all new. For 2016, the third generation of the three-row sport utility vehicle has been reengineered, redesigned and it has lost some weight – about 300 lbs. We had the 2016 Honda Pilot AWD Elite, which is a new top of the line edition. All Pilots are powered by a new direct injected 3.5-liter V6 with variable cylinder management. The engine was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. And there was an all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring capability. And all-wheel drive Honda Pilots models have what Honda calls Intelligent Traction Management with push-button control to allow the driver to choose between normal, snow, mud and sand modes. It also had a throttle-by-wire system. The new powertrain improved the Pilots gas mileage by two mile per gallon across the spectrum. This Pilot was rated at 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. This setup was quiet, powerfully assertive and the transmission was so smooth under normal driving conditions (that’s with audio on) you couldn’t here or feel the transmission shifting gears. They used acoustic glass on
Week From 1 said NNPA Chair and Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. NNPA Foundation Chair Al McFarlane called the meeting between the two minority trade groups historic. “Our presence here acknowledges a broad and rich historic relationship between African and Latino communities,” said McFarlane. NAHP President Martha Montoya quoted best-selling author Sarah MacLean, who said the best partnerships aren’t dependent on a mere common goal, but on a shared path to equality, desire, and no small amount of passion. “That sentiment was very clear to both organizations and this joint event will allow the leadership of the NAHP and the NNPA to engage corporate decision makers and influential regulatory and political leaders to encourage advertising and financial support for member publications as well as
Partners From 1 rests in the mission of John H. Sengestacke, publisher of the Chicago Defender, who led the effort to bring together a group of African American newspaper publishers for a meeting in 1940 designed for ‘harmonizing our energies in the common purpose for the benefit of Negro journalism.’” The theme for this year’s
2016 Honda Pilot AWD Elite
of the new Pilot that tipped the scale at a bit more than 4,300 lbs. The 2016 Honda Pilot had new sheet metal too. The lenses of the headlights were raked. The front fascia and the air intakes were angular. Character lines were added to the hood and fenders for a more muscular appearance. The roof line was curved from the A pillars to the C pillars. Lower character lines extended from the front wheel arches up and rearward through the door handles. The side sills and lower body gave a sense of movement. At the rear, the fenders were wide, the tailgate was large and LED taillights gave the new Pilot a more sophisticated look. Honda made a lot of practical improvements to the Pilot. The cargo area was 1.3 inches longer behind the third row. Third row entry and exit was made easier by a 1.4 inch lower step in height, a 2.5inch wider foot entry space and new one touch second row seats enabled easier access. More inches, wider and lower, makes a huge difference when getting into tight spaces like a back seat or a third row. The Pilot also got an interior makeover. Honda called it a clean-slate design intended to evoke a premium feel. There were heated and cooled front seats and the second row seats were heated as well. The steering wheel
was heated and the test vehicle was also outfitted with a panoramic roof – well almost. There were two sunroofs. The interior had ambient lights. There wasn’t a blizzard of buttons, in fact, there were no buttons except for the controls on the steering wheel. The piano black template encased the information/ navigation screen which was all touch. The climate controls were beneath it and the gear selector which was on the center console was touch too. Sounds awkward but it worked nicely. This 2016 Honda Pilot had a backup camera, blind spot alert, a smart key, a rear seat entertainment system and the lane alert would gently bring the vehicle back into the correct lane. It had three USB and two 12-volt auxiliary jacks in the front. And there was a 115 volt plug in the rear, at the base of the center console. Of course, there was satellite radio, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth and as technology continues at warp speed, we barely noticed the CD player slot. The new Honda Pilot was a smooth piece of machinery. Our top of the line 2016 Honda Pilot Elite AWD had a base price of $46,420. They really did meant top-of-theline; there were no options. Add the $880 freight charge and the sticker was $47,300.
the windshield and the front door windows. The electric power steering was fairly responsive but with a conventional three row sport utility you’ve still got to pay attention because the vehicle will drift at expressway speeds when straight lanes are a rarity. That’s when lane alert systems are, which the Pilot
had, very useful. The test vehicle’s second row was two captains’ chairs. Thus it was configured to carry seven people, if the three in the third row were kids. For adults, it would be six. The third row folded into a flat cargo floor, the captains’ seats folded formed a flat floor too. It wasn’t continuous but it
was much better than trying to slide cargo over lumps and bumps. The 2016 Honda Pilot glided over the pavement without feeling floaty. The MacPherson strut front suspension and the multilink rear suspension were tuned for a soft yet firm ride that worked well on the AWD Elite version
advocate for policies that benefit our communities and members,” Montoya said. NNPA President Dr. Benjamin Chavis reflected on the founding of the NNPA. The civil rights activist said that 189 years ago in 1827, “Freedom’s Journal” was boldly published in New York and became the first Black-owned newspaper in the United States. “From the very first publication it was crystal clear that our publishers were both simultaneously prodigious entrepreneurs and courageous freedom fighters,” Chavis said. Rolark Barnes acknowledged that the publishers and business owners of the Black press in America came together by faith. “Our journey of faith began with two free men, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm, who laid the first stone on the path we follow by publishing the nation’s first African-American newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, on March 16, 1827 in New York,” she said. “Their articles, editorials, cartoons, sermons, bios and advertisements included arguments for the abolishment of
slavery and the expressed pride in the accomplishment of the African-American community.” The week’s activities kicked off with an NNPA Foundation Board meeting at the W Hotel that was followed by a special luncheon. NAHP also kicked off the week with a board meeting at the National Press Club and a chairman’s reception hosted by Fusion for both organizations was held at Univision Communications. On Thursday, March 10, McFarlane, Rolark Barnes and Chavis hosted the Hall of Fame enshrinement at Howard University as the NAHP held an event regarding legislative policy at the Press Club. NAHP scheduled a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch while Chavis reached out to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton who held a press conference with both organizations on Capitol Hill on Friday to appeal for a study on how much money federal agencies are spending on advertising in the Black and Latino press and to advocate for D.C. statehood. That night, the 2016 Torch Awards honored Dr. Lonnie Bunch,
Baltimore City Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Sterling Premier Group CEO Thomas A. Moorehead, Retired Major General Charles F. Bolden Jr., and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Melanie L. Campbell. The groups also announced a “Get Out the Vote” initiative. “I am proud to join the formation for the first time of a historic alliance of AfricanAmerican and Hispanic publishers,” Holmes-Norton said. “You are the most trusted source of news in our communities.” Her comments echoed the words of Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who served as keynote speaker at the joint NNPA/NAHP luncheon on Thursday at the National Press Club. “I want to say a word about your role and why your role is so important,” Kaine said. “I’ve been looking forward to coming to this historic meeting of the NNPA and the NAHP together. You have the trust of your readers at a time when people don’t trust the media. That is a precious commodity.” Tasha Boone, the program manager for the 2020 Census
Integrated Partnership and Communications Program, Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, a group leader and robotics engineer at the NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, Fernando Hernandez, director for Microsoft Supplier Diversity; Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, the deputy assistant secretary for Minority Health and the director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Thomas Mensah, one of four inventors and innovators of fiber optics at Sullivan Park Research Center at Corning Inc., were among those on the schedule. Also attending were representatives from dedicated sponsors RAI Reynolds, Ford, Chevrolet, Fusion, Charter Communications, Ascension and AP XPRESS Bus Company. In keeping with one of its premier missions of highlighting youth, the NNPA also featured a program on Friday that included the SpelBots, Spelman College’s robotics team, which encourages students and young women of color to explore robotics and computer science.
“It was one of the more impressive things I’ve seen,” said Rolark Barnes as she talked about the students at the NNPA Foundation event dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Chavis noted that today’s Black-owned and Hispanicowned media companies exist during a propitious time in the publishing industry. Innovation and the use of technology will continue to be key components of strategic plans for the next decade as NNPA strives to financially sustain its media and publishing businesses, he said. “Yet, we know for certain that the profitability of our businesses is also directly linked to the overall improvement of the quality of life in the communities that we serve and represent,” he said. Chavis continued: “We are committed to working to address the critical issues and challenges that confront the industry atlarge, as well as to ensure that equity of consideration is given to our member publishers in advertisements, media buys, partnerships, sponsorships and other business opportunities.”
Black Press Week Conference was “Publishing Industry: Equity, Sustainability and Service.” A unique programmatic feature was the STEM symposium held at Howard University, organized by the NNPA Foundation, under the leadership of Al McFarlane, CEO of McFarlane Media Interests and sponsored by American Petroleum Institute (API) and Microsoft. Partnering with the National Association of Hispanic Publications, which held its Annual Legislative Summit
concurrently with NNPA’s Black Press Week, the unique collaboration was part of NNPA’s Strategic Alliances Initiative to “enhance and increase national advertising opportunities for... [NNPA and NAHP] respective member publishers, said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA President and CEO. The NAHP welcomed the partnership with NNPA at a reception held at the magnificent Univision Communications building and hosted by Fusion on behalf of Univision. The
theme for the NAHP Legislative Summit was “Hispanic and African American Media: Serving Local Communities, Impacting the Publishing Industry.” Combined, NAHP and NNPA are a force to be reckoned with since collectively they reach “1/3 of the population in the United States.” NAHP president, Martha Montoya, described the new relationship as “historic.” She says one goal is “...to engage corporate decision makers and influential regulatory and
political leaders to encourage advertising and financial support for member publications as well as advocate for policies...that benefit our communities and members.”
Press of America’s Emory O. Jackson Column Writing Award from the NNPA. She is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News, an activist anthropologist, writer, motivational speaker and champion of diversity and inclusiveness leadership. Contact: imcclaurin@gmail. com. Find her at: www. irmamcclaurin.comn and @ mcclaurintweets
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Phone: 612.588.1313
Read More: http://nnpa.org http://www.nnpafoundation.org http://www.nahp.org Irma McClaurin is an award winning columnist, now available for syndication. In 2015, she received the Black
Fax: 612.588.2031
Email: info@insightnews.com
Reimbursed Senior Volunteer Positions
E. SHANELL SALON IS NOW HIRING!
Operations Generalist – Duluth
Parent Aware Quality Coach: FT
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
South Minneapolis salon is looking for a mature and responsible Stylist and Nail Technician. Space available for booth rent. E. SHANELL SALON, 4118 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis MN. 55407. For more information: Call 612-724-4435.
The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist in Duluth, MN. Salary range is $39,171 - $63,664. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.
Facilitator Positions (volunteer)
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Care Consultant Manager Alzheimer’s Association - Edina, MN
$14.76 - $16.24 DOQ. Some Child Development college credit; 3 yrs. Exp.; 1 yr. RBPD; driver’s license; reliable transportation; Knowledge: Child development; early learning standards; community resources; Abilities: Work independently; meet deadlines; maintain confidentiality; team environment; PC computer; home visiting; work with diverse populations; Duties: Provide TA to providers in Anoka/Washington Counties; recruit child care programs; present recruitment information sessions; Full description app at www.accap.org. ACCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer ACCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Care Consultant Manager is primarily responsible for managing all aspects of the care consultation program in the nine county metro area and providing technical assistance to the MN Regional offices, as needed. This position will also provide care consultation services by assessing individual/caregiver/ family, developing individualized treatment plans to address biopsychosocial needs and implementing the treatment plan accordingly. This position will fulfill requirements of related grants including documentation and tracking referrals, and additional collaborative administrative projects. This person will assist with delivery of centralized, high quality, evidence-based educational programs and outreach events for people with dementia, their families, and professionals in the community. Please apply with cover letter, references and resume to http://www.alz.org/mnnd/in_my_ community_about.asp.
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.
Would you like to gain 140 pounds after the Empower older adults to manage their health! Volunteer facilitator positions have opened at East Side Neighborhood Services (ESNS). ESNS, in collaboration with Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging and the Wilder Foundation, is hosting evidencedbased classes and workshops: Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, A Matter of Balance, and Living Well with Chronic Conditions. We are seeking leaders who are comfortable and engaging in front of a small group. Experience working with diverse communities required. Facilitators must attend training (varies from two to four days depending on the class), commit to leading two entire sessions of a class or workshop (six to 12 weeks per session depending on the class), and adhere to established curriculum. We anticipate most groups will meet during the day. Classes and workshops meet either twice a week for one hour or once a week for two hours. To apply, contact Brenna Horn, Senior Health and Wellness Coordinator at ESNS: 612-787-4055 , bhorn@esns.org.
© 2016 McClaurin Solutions; All Rights Reserved. Do Not Reprint without permission.
Volunteer Greeters
Foster Care
Volunteers of America, MN Would you like to gain 140 pounds after the Holidays? Not physically gain this weight, but weight in the sense of another person! Volunteers of America-MN is looking for skilled, dedicated parents to provide care for at-risk youth, ages ranging from infants to teenagers. We provide foster parents with lots of friendly training, 24-hour support, and a monthly stipend. For more information, please contact Brittani Walker at 952-945-4064 or visit our website http://www.voamnwi.org/foster-care
Page 10 • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Insight News
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RP Hooks
Katanda Da Don
Solomon Parham
JAZZ/PERFORMANCE University of Minnesota Jazz Combos: Home Grow Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall 2106 S. 4 th St., Minneapolis 7 p.m. All ages No cover Need some Monday night jazz? Head to the U of M for the free Jazz Combos: Home grow show.
Mar. 21 - 27
Tuesday, March 22
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
KIDS/MUSEUM Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Minnesota Children’s Museum Mall of America 60 E. Broadway, Bloomington $6.75
Monday, March 21
Maneuver through a swampy bog, buzz around a fiery volcano and get up close and personal
with a Triceratops at the Mall of America.
Wednesday, March 23 POETRY/JAZZ How to End Police Brutality – Lessons of the Cuban Revolution East Side Freedom Library 1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul 7 p.m. No cover The Minnesota Cuba Committee asks, “Is it possible to reform the U.S. police under our present system? What can fighters for racial justice learn from the Cuban experience?” These questions are explored with University of Minnesota professor of political science and AfricanAmerican and African studies, August Nimtz, Jr.
Thursday, March 24 FILM La Familia First Avenue & 7th Street Entry 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $5 advance $8 door The Minneapolis Made blog presents the new La Familia series with a great lineup of Twin Cities hip-hop featuring Finding Novyon, RP Hooks, Drelli and Alibaster Jones. The show also features DJ sets by Travis Gorman, DJ Low and DJ Frank Castle.
Friday, March 25 ECLECTIC/HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE To Remain … the Preview
Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 10:30 p.m. 18-plus $8 Chadwick “Niles” Phillips gives the cities a sneak preview of his new project, “To Remain.” The show features performances by Cassandra Telae, Traiveon Dunlap and Dahlia Jones, Mcclayton Randle and Lewiee Blaze.
a benefit concert hosted by Quinn “Shimmer” Villagomez and Roxanne Anderson of KFAI Radio’s “Fresh Fruit.” See performances by Katana Da Don, CeCe McDonald, Kiana Marie, Myanna Gates, Desdamona and Tiffne Ayn Walker.
Sunday, March 27 JAZZ/PERFORMANCE
Saturday, March 26 ECLECTIC/ PERFORMANCE KFAI International Women’s Day 2016 Pledge for Parity Bedlam Lowertown 213 4th St. E., St. Paul7 p.m. All ages $5 advance, $10 door Join KFAI in celebration of International Women’s Day with Pledge for Parity,
“Solomon’s Sessions” Bedlam Lowertown 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul 18-plus $5 Detroit native, trumpeter Solomon Parham has shared stages with Delfeayo Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Eric Kamau Gravatt, Anthony Cox and more. Check out the final edition of his “Solomon Sessions” at Bedlam.
Choreographer Darrius Strong presents Tapestries 2.0 at Cowles
Bill Cameron Photography
Darrius Strong
Darrius Strong, a Twin Cities based dancer, choreographer and teacher presents Tapestries 2.0, March 24 – March 27 at the Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Show times are 7:30 p.m. nightly. Strong’s work has been previously featured at the Walker Arts Center,
American College Dance Festival, University of Minnesota Dance Theater and the New Griots Festival. He has performed works by Uri Sands, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and legendary jazz choreographers Clarence Teeters and David Voss. Strong is a former member of West
African Dance group Voice of Culture and will perform with Black Label Movement this June. He is currently artistic director of StrongMovement. Tickets for Tapestries 2.0 are $25 ($20 for students, seniors and children under 12) and are available online at www.ticketworks. com or by calling (612) 343-3390.
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Insight News • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Page 11
Trends! By Chaise Dennis Lifestyle Columnist Indeed the temperature is rising! Don’t you just love when the sun is out and you don’t have to worry about bundling up with a million layers? I know I do. What excites me even more is that new weather means new outfits. I can store away my fall wardrobe of sweaters, jeans (not all of them), coats and everything fall related and bring out my spring summer gear. But man, each year my idea of spring and summer changes. The things I wore last year pretty much disappear to the abyss and I search for new items to become the staples of my everyday wardrobe. Now, that doesn’t come without its challenges because finding the appropriate things to wear for 93 short days while still remaining stylish and effortless can be quite difficult. Good thing I’m an avid fashion junky who reads fashion magazines and watches fashion shows on a consistent basis because I’m completely in the know of what’s going on! Weirdly enough I’m not a person who really follows “trends” because they’re so in-and-out, but this season I fell into temptation and officially have become a trend follower. Well not all the way. I’m still adapting them to my personal style which allows me to interpret those trends the way I like them, not the way the magazines are telling me to. Take a peek at a few of the trends that will be headlines the summer. For men my favorite trend this year is athleisure. Though this is not brand new as it really made its mark last year, it has been completely elevated to a higher degree. Athleisure is all about being casual and cozy yet remaining stylish. The easiest way to achieve that is by pairing tracksuit pants, a lightweight sweatshirt, sneakers (preferably trainers) as well as mixing color tones of grays, neon’s and shiny fabrics. The great thing about athleisure is that it’s now acceptable to wear suits with sneakers or an anorak with a shirt and tie. For women my favorite trend this summer are the off the shoulder tops and dresses. Off-the-shoulder looks have been popular with the
world’s most stylish women for decades. Showing your shoulders is the easiest way to look sexy without being obvious (looks great paired with a tan and a little bit of mineral dust makeup); and chic without being thirsty. There’s a certain nonchalance to off-the-shoulder looks. Feel empowered and sexy to show off the shoulders instead of giving it all away in a tight body con dress. Back to my guys! Another trend that I’m a fan of is the Safari look. This look welcomes more neutral and subtle color pallets such as olives, khaki, and ochre. Achieve the look of a twentieth century safari man by getting an influx of khaki chinos, tan field jackets with patchwork, bush shirts and jumpsuits (yes,
men can wear jumpsuits). Unexpectedly another one of my favorite trends this spring is the dress over pants look. Yes, it sounds weird and very difficult to pull off but I promise you it’s incredibly stylish and best of all, it’s easy. You have many options in which you can interpret this trend. But, don’t make it more complicated than it has to be. The easiest way to start with this trend is by grabbing yourself a skinny pair of jeans (blue or black) also if you’re worried about feeling frumpy please throw on a pair of heels as they will also make your legs look extremely long. Dress wise, I’d say go with a shirtdress. Have fun with accessories! If not comfortable with a dress
designfever.com
Stylish and Fly SS16 Version
try a skirt over a pair of pants! Last but not least. Have fun! Don’t take yourself too serious, fashion is all about having fun. You don’t have to follow trends to be stylish.
It’s all about embracing the inner you and taking what you have and making it your own. Create your own trends and watch as people start hopping on your
bandwagon. I tell you the feeling of being independent and creative with your style is unexplainable. With that enjoy the summer guys!
easter Brunch with
Southside aces
March 27 10:30 am - 3pm Prices starting at $29.95 Reservations: 612.332.1010
THE QUEEN OF PSYCHEDELIC ROCK & ROLL dakotacooks.com
MAR 29 - APR 3 2016 O R D WAY. O R G | 6 5 1 . 2 2 4 . 4 2 2 2
Page 12 • March 21 - March 27, 2016 • Insight News
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