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March 29 - April 4, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 13 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Education Spotlight

Story page 2

Help us highlight the achievements of those teachers and students who have made that extra effort at school.

Tell us who and why: info@insightnews.com

Photos courtesy of whitehouse.gov

Insight’s Education Spotlight

Ellison constituents support health reform

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer

Life after the election:

On Thursday, March 18, 2010, US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) held his first telephone town hall to discuss the new health care reform legislation while he is in Washington DC. Almost 600 constituents in the 5th Congressional District called in to hear what Ellison had to say about health care reform and to voice their concerns.

The Health Care Reform bill passed the US House of Representative on Sunday,

ELLISON TURN TO

7

Rebuilding a more profound life step by step

PAGE

Suluki Fardan

Left to right: Cassandra Sherry-Rojas, Randy Smith, Virgil Jackson, Dominique Farrar, Devante Tillis, Charles Gilbert, Lashawn Williams and Chester Jackson US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

R U Ready 4 the Road?

By Maya Beecham Contributing writer Traffic crashes are the number one killer of young people. Too often tragedy behind the wheel is

caused by distracted drivers preoccupied with cell phone calls, texting, applying make-up or any action drawing their eyes and minds away from the road.

Students from the High School of the Recording Arts (HSRA) in Saint Paul, MN, accepted the lofty

task of confronting and educating their peers, specifically, and society, in general, by developing a public service announcement promoting a teen driver safety

EDUCATION TURN TO 11

Principal Hamilton Bell champions advanced academic support program President Barack Obama

Obama signs

historic health reform into law Black Enterprise Magazine "When President Obama signed legislation enabling millions to gain access to health insurance, he achieved a milestone that eluded seven previous presidents," says Black Enterprise Magazine

Founder & Publisher Earl G. Graves Sr. When President Barack Obama signed into law legislation that will enable millions of Americans to gain access to health care insurance, he delivered on the promise he held since

REFORM TURN TO 11

Principal Lucio: It’s all about the kids

North End Elementary University Academies

By Earl G. Graves Sr.

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By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Principal Hamilton Bell of North End Elementary leads a very progressive public school project, and has recently been recruited as a National Staff Developer for the nationally renown AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination). AVID is "an in the school day academic support program for grades 412 that prepares students for college eligibility and success, and is a national and international program." (avidcenter.org) AVID seeks to cultivate a students' early readiness with regard to organizational skills, note taking skills, and other learning approach

Michael Jordan buys North Carolina Charlotte Bobcats

Principal Hamilton Bell, North End Elementary methodologies. During a recent trip to San Diego for AVID training, Principal Bell stood out in his overall participation and presentation

of the Universities Academies program bequeathed to his leadership through St. Paul

BELL TURN TO

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Page 2 •March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Insight News

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Health Care finally passes: What will it mean?

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA Editor-in-Chief WASHINGTON (NNPA) - It finally passed. The health care bill for which President Barack Obama has vehemently fought since his first day in the White House has finally passed both houses of Congress and was headed to his desk for his signature this week.

As Congressional Black Caucus Members celebrated the 219-212 vote, the President put the historic moment in perspective on Sunday evening: "Tonight, after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying, and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States Congress finally declared that America's workers and America's families and America's small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here, in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they've worked a lifetime to achieve," said the President.

He explained, "If you have health insurance, this reform just gave you more control by reining in the worst excesses and abuses of the insurance industry with some of the toughest consumer protections this country has ever known - so that you are actually getting what you pay for.

"If you don't have insurance, this reform gives you a chance to be a part of a big purchasing

pool that will give you choice and competition and cheaper prices for insurance. And it includes the largest health care tax cut for working families and small businesses in history - so that if you lose your job and you change jobs, start that new business, you'll finally be able to purchase quality, affordable care and the security and peace of mind that comes with it.," he said.

Obama has fought long for the bill, escalating the battle after the death of his friend and former colleague Sen. Ted

that they can live longer, fuller and healthier lives. We cast our votes in the memory of those people who didn't have preventive care and died prematurely," said a statement from Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (DCA), applauding the passage.

"We were vocal advocates for provisions in the bill to combat health disparities, illnesses and diseases that disproportionately affect our community. To those who suffer from those health disparities, our vote tonight carries significance similar to

"We cast our votes for all those people who deserve health care but simply can't afford it. We cast our votes for our senior citizens who will see their prescription drug costs go down...”

Kennedy last year. Kennedy was considered the Senate's champion for health care. The bill passed the Senate on Christmas Eve. Still, many will now wonder what it all means for African Americans who suffer the most from low quality health care and health disparities. Members of the CBC say they believe the bill will make significant impact in the Black community.

"We cast our votes for all those people who deserve health care but simply can't afford it.

We cast our votes for our senior citizens who will see their prescription drug costs go down.

We cast our votes for our children and grandchildren, so

the passage of the Civil Rights Act in that it fulfills a dream that has been elusive for far too long and for far too many Americans."

According to a CBC document, other key provisions in the legislation that CBC members fought to have included are: • Expanded support for community health centers, which play a vital role in expanding access to preventive and other care in our nation's most vulnerable communities.

• Greater support for programs that will increase the racial and ethnic diversity in the nation's health workforce, as well as improved data collection so that

we can better measure health inequities and develop solutions to end all health disparities.

• Strengthening the existing Office of Minority Health at HHS, creating new Offices of Minority Health across HHS agencies, and establishes the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH an Institute.

• Inclusion of coverage for residents of the U.S. territories, including a significant infusion of new Medicaid dollars, as well as access to the Exchange so that Americans in the territories will have access to affordable, highquality health insurance plans.

• Guarantees transparency on rates and enables state insurance commissioners to recommend to the National Insurance Commissioner whether a particular insurer should participate in the Health Insurance Exchange, taking into account excessive or unjustified premium increases in making that determination. This will hold private insurers accountable, ensure affordability and help provide quality coverage for American families.

In addition to significant health care provisions, the CBC also fought for the inclusion of many very important education provisions including: • Invests $35 billion over 10 years to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant to $5,550 in 2010 and to $5,975 by 2017.

• Invests $2.55 billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-

Win McNamee/Getty Images News

WASHINGTON - MARCH 23: U.S. President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Health Care for America Act during a ceremony with fellow Democrats in the East Room of the White House March 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. The historic bill was passed by the House of Representatives Sunday after a 14-month-long political battle that left the legislation without a single Republican vote.

Serving Institution • Invests $2 billion in a competitive grant program for community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training programs.

• Saves taxpayers $61 billion over by switching to the less expensive Direct Loan program.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) also applauded the long-awaited passage.

"Despite deafening protests from the other side, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the reforms included in this bill will reduce our deficit by $143 billion in the

first 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years. This bill will also create jobs, 400,000 good-paying jobs, reliable jobs, for every year and for small businesses. Small businesses will get a tax break on their health care premiums that will free up money for them to hire 80,000 more employees," he said in his floor speech. "Mr. Speaker, we have debated this issue for several generations.

The time has come to act. This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st Century. Tonight, we will take a significant step to move our country forward."

Minneapolis Urban League partners with Minneapolis Civil Rights Recognizing the vital role advocacy plays in addressing issues of parity, which is the thrust of its mission, last week launched ed a news partnership with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department's (MDCR) Complaint Investigations Unit (CIU) (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/civilrights). This partnership will increase access to the complaint process, as well as educate community members about their rights under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance. "This is a good

sign; to see the Civil Rights Office becoming more accessible to the community by locating a satellite

presentations will also be provided to all communities interested in learning about civil

continuation and an expansion of similar collaborations that we have had with other community

"This is a continuation and an expansion of similar collaborations that we have had with other community organizations. It helps us and it helps them in aiding their constituencies in pursuing their civil rights protections. office at both our North and Southside hubs," said President/CEO Scott Gray.

Services such as intake interviews, trainings and

rights laws and discrimination in multiple areas.

According to Ron Brandon, Coordinator of the Complaint Investigations Unit, "This is a

organizations. It helps us and it helps them in aiding their constituencies in pursuing their civil rights protections."

Effective immediately, a

MDCR Complaint Investigator will conduct walk-in intakes for all allegations of discrimination the second Wednesday of every month at the MUL's Glover Sudduth Center, located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis, and the third Wednesday of every month at MUL's Sharon Sayles Belton Center, located at 411 E. 38th Street in South Minneapolis.

Intake hours are 9 am to 4 pm.

To speak to a Complaint Investigator about discrimination

contact: Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights Complaint Investigations Unit at (612) 6733012.

Regular MDCR intake hours are every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am-3:30 pm (or by appointment if you cannot come during these times) at the downtown office, temporarily located at: Public Service Center 250 South 4th Street Suite B-15 Minneapolis MN 55415.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Page 3

COMMENTARY Life after the election: Rebuilding a more profound life step by step

By Kenya McKnight I ran for a seat on the Minneapolis City Council because of my great dissatisfaction with how our community has been treated, engaged and represented. I also wanted to explore life beyond the level I was currently at. I had been in a funk for the past two years after the death of my youngest brother prior to my run for 5th Ward City council. After his death in 2006, I lost interest in everything including my responsibilities to support my life and eventually grew very tired of the world that surrounded me. I made the choice that I needed to be refreshed and pushed to greater heights in my life and I was willing to put everything that I had into it. I had nothing to lose because I felt as if I had already hit rock bottom, so I had nowhere to go but up.

Going through the process taught me a lot more about looking at issues from a political standpoint, how to categorize

issues, the process by which issues are handled, levels of engagement, relationship building, refined approach to public appearances and speaking, choosing battles, patience, endurance, media politics, community planning, constituent services, how to be more politically correct, how to be more efficient, refined listening skills, the political difference between friends and foes, the stakeholders who are engaged in the work of North Minneapolis, the importance of prioritizing, balance, sleep and a good diet and so much more.

Most of this process has increased my life and awareness and value for our community in more ways than I can describe in this article, I have learned a great deal about North Minneapolis from a political stand point. My run for City Council gave me the boost I needed to move forward in life, indeed a great reward. The greatest reward is the love and support my community has and continues to give me despite not

being elected; I am very humble and grateful for my community.

So many of my peers and people who have seen me grow up throughout the 25 years I've been in North Minneapolis are very proud of me for running, most of all they expect greatness out of me. They have been part of my inspiration because of the great work that many of them are doing which does not make it to the spot light, especially my peers. It's been a wonderful experience for me, I wouldn't change a thing because the belief my community has in me regardless to the slander and many challenges that I faced during and after the election helped me continue to grow stronger.

Since the election, publically I have returned to my job as a Program Manager/ Consultant for NEON, returned to working on the HIRE MN Campaign, Engaging In Social media networking on face book by using my campaign group page to communicate 5th ward and other important community updates,

became one of the DFL directors for my Senate District 58, a member of my 5th Congressional District Committee, hold bimonthly educational sessions within the community, Participating in the Northwest Area foundation African American leadership circle, building a relationship with Council Member Samuels to work on community issues, volunteering with youth activities and continue my regular civic participation as much as possible because I love it.

Most of my time is spent focusing on my Job at NEON, the other commitments are maybe once or twice a month -this gives me personal time to attain a healthy balanced life. Personally I have been taking care of my physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellbeing one step at a time while replenishing my friendships and family relationships with my siblings, nieces and nephews who I missed greatly.

Would I run again?

Kenya McKnight Absolutely. Going through the process has groomed me for a future victory. We need more people of color to run for office and be elected to community boards to better ensure that our concerns are being addressed.

A special thanks to everyone who supported and continues to support me.

Contact me on FacebookMinneapolis 5th ward.

To the Editor:

My thoughts about special education and the African American adolescent male If it takes a village to raise a child, then is it feasible to come together as a community to raise our African American males who are in special education? Studies across the

county and in Minnesota revealed that there is an overrepresentation of African American males in the special educational system. Legislation known as NCLB (No Child Left

Behind) and IDEIA (Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement) provides resources for the success of youths with disabilities and their families.

Photo Caption Correction:

In the 3/15-21 edition of Insight News the photo that accompanied the article "Crossing the bridge in Selma", Congressman John Lewis was incorrectly identified as Congressman John Conyers. Insight apologizes for the mistake. The correct photo caption should read: Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA).

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I can't help think about the "Fourth Grade Failure Syndrome" theory from Juwanza Kunjufu (Countering the conspiracy to destroy Black boys, Vols. 1-4, 1995) because it declared that African American males are diagnosed with EBD (Emotional Behavior Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) more often than Caucasian children by Caucasian teachers and school psychologists.

We as a village/community must intervene and stop this practice or the African American male will become the "lost boys" as cited by author James Garbario (Lost boys,

Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them, 1999). The villages which I speak of contain parents, family members, neighborhoods, churches, community leaders,

desperate times for us all, yet the African American males in Special Education need the village/community to show that they have value to themselves and to us as a people.

No child should be invisible and no child should be given the future of hopelessness. business leaders, compassionate educators and lawmakers to provide the socialization, spiritual foundation, selfsufficiency and educational foundation for the African American male.

These are very difficult and

Therefore, no child should be invisible and no child should be given the future of hopelessness.

Debra Briggs, MSW Augsburg student.

Page 4 â&#x20AC;˘ March 29 - April 4, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

insightnews.com

EDUCATION

Dorothy Wodraska

Larry Lucio

Brenda Johnson

Principal Larry Lucio: It's all about the kids

By Brenda Colston Contributing Writer On Thursday March 11, 2010, Stadium View School, in conjunction with the Juvenile

Detention Center of Hennepin County, hosted a celebration marking the accomplishments of the school, the students and its Principal Larry Lucio.

The guest speaker for the

day was Dr. Dorothy Wodraska, Director of Juvenile Transition for Maricopa County in Phoenix, AZ. Wodraska has been working with Stadium View since the Fall of 2008.

They are seeking to make a difference in the way institutionalized students are educated. Wodraska and Lucio believe that the best way to impact institutionalized kids is to serve them better instructionally.

Wodraska said there is a critical need for a shift in philosophy, within the system, when it comes to education.

Her model suggests a movement from correction through punishment (i.e serving time and making amends) to correction through reform which includes correcting problematic behavior and learning something about the problem; and correction through transition (focus on total person and develop and expand productive skills and abilities.

"They are not bad kids -these are broken kids making bad decisions for which there will be consequences. We should strive to create an environment where they can learn hopefulness and even redemption; while gaining skills and knowledge for the future. We must build and nurture a belief system that holds all youth can succeed NO Exceptions," said Wodraska.

Wodraska further noted that more emphasis should be placed on diversion with appropriate community support

in place - in lieu of incarceration. Programs should focus on transition services that expedite community reintegration and reduce recidivism, she said.

Each youth who enters Stadium View School finds hope and understanding and the support necessary to achieve lifelong learning, success and social and emotional wellbeing.

To deliver quality educational services in an inclusive environment that prepares students to succeed as they transition back into the community.

As the session further proceeded, Stadium View staff members were given the opportunity to express their part in the learning process. One by one, each staff member passionately shared their daily journey. Each person expressed the importance of connecting with the student on whatever level they functioned on.

Each staff member also held on to the reality that they could possibly have only one day with a student. That did not matter.

Each student is treated with respect and made to know that they are important and their life is not over. Staff members also research what options will be available to students when they leave the school, perhaps going into an adult facility. The key is to offer them hope. Staff members also seek to re-assure and re-label those that may be gifted and talented.

All of these successes could not come to fruition without the talented support staff. Lucio is surrounded by a very capable group of people who seem to be as concerned about the children as he is. Brenda Johnson, Transition Specialist, believes that families can benefit from support that promotes the vision and mission of SVS and with the connections provided by the staff of SVS and the community at large. Her goal is that every student who enters SVS will connect with her. She also remains in contact with the families within the first thirty

days of re-entry.

"Transition starts at the day of entry to the short-term detention center by empowering students and parents to have a voice. Parental support, Sunday parent visits, Parent Council and Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center Staff impact school policy changes. Last year I reached 200 parents. As of today I have met with 86 parents via Sunday Visits," explained Johnson.

She added: "Approximately 80 parents have attended Parent Council meetings. I have made over 100 parent follow up calls since September. I am excited about the parental involvement and the trajectory in parents I am making contact with. I provide bus cards, transitional services, school supplies, homeless and highly mobile resources and transportation support to families.

I am attempting to merge worlds that may otherwise not be heard from. My goal is that every student who enters Stadium View connects with me. Over 50% of the students that enter Stadium View are students of color.

To meet culturally specific needs of our students and their families, partnering with culturally matched service agencies is vital." Johnson is the main connection with the partnering community agencies.

Lucio is well-supported by the Juvenile Detention staff.

Jeff Townsend and Andy Miller of Hennepin County Corrections are great assets to him. They assist in making transitions for students easier.

They have been instrumental in eliminating rigidity in some of the policies; they were referred to as the "mold breakers'.

Principal Lucio has drawn together an amazing team their entire focus is to make the vision come to life. He is not a micro manager. He allows them to walk their own paths; yet he believes in getting results. His hope for this event was to draw the community together to seek and accomplish "what's best for the kids."

insightnews.com

Insight News â&#x20AC;˘ March 29 - April 4, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 5

AESTHETICS Weekly previews for movies opening April 2

By Kam Williams BIG BUDGET FILMS Clash of the Titans (PG-13 for fantasy violence, frightening images and brief sensuality) Sam Worthington stars in this action-oriented remake of the 1981 fantasy thriller about a mortal son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) who volunteers to lead a daring band of warriors on a dangerous mission to prevent Hades (Ralph Fiennes) from dethroning his father. With Gemma Arterton, Pete Postlethwaite and Nicholas Hoult.

Furry Vengeance (PG for crude humor, mild epithets and smoking) Eco-friendly, revenge comedy, set in rural Oregon, about a greedy real estate developer (Brendan Fraser) who gets what's coming when the creatures living in the forest learn about his heartless plans to pave over their peaceable kingdom in order to make way for a mammoth housing development. Cast includes Dr. Ken Jeong, Brooke Shields and Angela Kinsey.

The Last Song (PG for mature themes, violence, sensuality and mild epithets) Coming-ofage drama revolving around a rebellious, 17 year-old prodigy (Miley Cyrus) sent by her divorced mother (Kelly Preston) to spend the summer with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear) in an island resort town where she proceeds to fall in love with a local yokel (Liam Hemsworth) while mending fences and making beautiful music with her dad.

Why Did I Get Married Too (PG-13 for mature themes,

sexuality, profanity, drug references and domestic violence) Tyler Perry reassembles original cast for another round of madcap marital melodrama featuring four couples in crisis. Ensemble includes Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Maliik Yoba, Richard T. Jones, Lamman Rucker, Michael Jai White, Cicely Tyson and Lou Gossett, Jr.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS Don McKay (R for profanity and violence) Prodigal Son whodunit about a jaded janitor (Thomas Haden Church) who gets more than he bargained for when he returns to his hometown for the first time in 25 years at the beck-and-call of his cancer-stricken, high school sweetheart (Elisabeth Shue) only to find himself implicated in a tawdry murder mystery.

With Melissa Leo, Keith David and M. Emmet Walsh.

The Greatest (R for profanity, sexuality and drug use) Emotionally-draining drama about a grieving couple (Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon), already dealing with the untimely death of their teenage son (Aaron Johnson), who find themselves further burdened by the arrival of his flaky, pregnant girlfriend (Carey Mulligan) in need of a place to stay. With Zoe Kravitz, Johnny Simmons and Cara Seymour.

Leaves of Grass (R for violence, drug use and pervasive profanity) Mob comedy about an Ivy League Classics professor (Ed Norton) who is lured home to Oklahoma

by a false report of his potdealing, identical twin's death only to end- up embroiled in a cockamamie scheme to topple his rival drug kingpin (Richard Dreyfuss). Supporting cast includes Susan Sarandon, Keri Russell, Tim Blake Nelson and Lucy DeVito) (In English and Latin with subtitles) The Sun behind the Clouds (Unrated) Pacifist documentary chronicles the ongoing efforts of the Dalai Lama and other political activists lobbying for Tibetan independence fifty years after the country was conquered by Communist China.

Breaking Upwards (Unrated) Bittersweet romance drama, set in NYC, about a bored young couple (Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein) who agree to orchestrate the gradual end of their relationship. With Andrea Martin, Julie White and Olivia Thirlby.

The Thorn in My Heart (Unrated) Michael Gondry directs this bio-pic about the Gondry family matriarch, his feisty Aunt Suzette, a 70+ retired schoolteacher with lots of amusing stories to share about her life and career. (In French with subtitles) The Warlords (R for graphic violence) Jet Li stars in this remake of The Blood Brothers (1973), an historical epic set during the Taiping Rebellion of the 1860s and revolving around the exploits of a wounded general and two bandits (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro), all of whom fall for the same irresistible courtesan (Jinglei Xu). (In Mandarin with subtitles)

Clash of the Titans

www.filmofilia.com

Book review

Killing Willis: From Different Strokes to the Mean Streets

By Kam Williams "All I ever wanted as a kid was to be a famous TV star... My dream came true when I was lucky enough to land the role of Willis Jackson on 'Diff'rent Strokes.' I thought I had it made, and for a little while, I did. But I didn't know God had other plans for me."

-- Excerpted from the Preface (pg. 1) "What you talking 'bout, Willis" was Gary Coleman's character's signature catchphrase on "Diff'rent Strokes" which millions of viewers kept tuning in to hear every week over the course of the cursed TV show's eight-year run from 1978 until 1986. I say the sitcom was cursed because of the wellpublicized host of woes which

would be visited upon the trio of child actors who starred on the program.

The diminutive Coleman had to declare bankruptcy after his trust fund was squandered by his parents. He ended up working as a security guard in a mall where he was charged with assault for punching a female patron.

Today, the 40 year-old virgin needs dialysis daily due to the congenital kidney disease which stunted his growth at 4'8". He was most recently back in the tabloids in January of this year when he was arrested for domestic violence.

The late Dana Plato, who played Kimberly on the program, died of a drug overdose in 1999.

But that came after having her life savings stolen by her accountant, pulling an armed robbery, appearing nude in Playboy and making a porno

film.

Todd Bridges, Coleman's big brother Willis on the show, had his own share of problems after the program was canceled. He not only ended up broke like his co-stars, but became a crackhead as well. He was later arrested for the attempted murder of another dealer and for stabbing his landlord in the chest in a dispute over unpaid rent.

In Killing Willis, Bridges honestly and eloquently chronicles his rise and fall in graphic detail, including his bottoming-out behind bars before finally finding redemption on the long road back to sobriety. Today, the happily-married father of two says, surprisingly, that he has no regrets because he feels blessed to have his wife and kids.

A heartbreaking memoir of innocence lost, exploitation,

failing and recovery, with a happy ending that's all too rare when it comes to former child stars.

To the Life I Always Wanted

by Todd Bridges with Sarah Tomlinson Touchstone Books

Hardcover, $26.00 300 pages, Illustrated ISBN: 978-1-4391-4898-3

Page 6 â&#x20AC;˘ March 29 - April 4, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

insightnews.com

HEALTH Diabetes: Leading cause of deaths for Blacks

By Melody Mendiola, MD Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a growing epidemic among the Black Americans. The statistics are staggering: according to the National Institute of Health, 3.7 million Black people - that's nearly 15 percent of nonHispanic Blacks ages 20 and older - have diabetes. The good news is that diabetes can be managed, and even prevented.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of higherthan-normal blood sugar (glucose) levels. It occurs when your pancreas either does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not respond correctly to insulin. Your body produces insulin to help it store and use nutrients from the food you eat.

There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes. Type 1 diabetes happens when your body attacks and destroys its own insulinmaking capabilities in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes -

formerly called adult-onset diabetes - occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and is a risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form among Black Americans.

What are the risks of having diabetes?

For people with diabetes, heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death - in fact, two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke. In diabetics, smoking doubles the risk for heart disease. Diabetes can lead to kidney failure (nephropathy) which may require chronic dialysis, or blindness (retinopathy).

Diabetes can also damage the nerves in the arms and legs leading to pain, numbness, and possibly amputation.

How can you prevent heart disease, stroke or other complications of diabetes?

Diabetes is a self-managed disease, which means that if you

have diabetes, it's up to you to take care of it on a daily basis.

This means eating healthy foods, incorporating physical activity in your daily routine, seeing a doctor for medications, taking your medications as prescribed and testing your blood glucose levels.

Your healthcare provider can work closely with you to reduce any other risk factors. The American Heart Association suggests the following guidelines: â&#x20AC;˘ Control your weight and blood cholesterol with a lowsaturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet. â&#x20AC;˘ Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. â&#x20AC;˘ If you drink alcohol, don't have more than one drink per day for women or two per day for men. â&#x20AC;˘ Lower your blood pressure, if it's too high. People with diabetes should keep blood pressure under 130/80 mm Hg. â&#x20AC;˘ Don't smoke, and avoid other people's tobacco smoke. â&#x20AC;˘ Specific medicines may help you control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.

www.pharmahut.com

Your doctor will advise you if one is right for you. If you take medicine, take it exactly as directed. If you have questions about the dosage or side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Type 2 Diabetes be prevented?

Yes! In fact, the Diabetes Prevention Program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, conducted a study of

people who had pre-diabetic symptoms (meaning they had high glucose levels but not enough to be diagnosed with

DIABETES TURN TO

8

Changing the Northside food environment

By Stella Whitney-West, CEO NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center There is a movement sweeping America.

Whether in family homes, schools, neighborhoods or in the kitchen of the Obama White House, there is a growing belief in the need to take control of what we eat thereby improving our health and our lives. North Minneapolis is no exception. The community has added its voice to the call for community gardens, healthier food access and choices in our schools

and work sites and neighborhoods.

A community meeting, sponsored by NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center (NorthPoint) and the Northside Healthy Eating Project Advisory Committee, addressed barriers and opportunities surrounding healthier eating namely the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The meeting was held at the University of Minnesota's new Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) and attended by more than 70 Northside residents--including representatives of community and faith-based organizations. The two

hour meeting explored a wide range of options to make healthier eating the easy choice.

The community meeting was part of an effort to reach out to local residents and local organizations and gather their thoughts on the local food system and how to change it for the better. Ideas expressed at the meeting included the need for increased education directed toward youth and families about the quality of the food they eat as well as how to grow, eat and cook healthy; improving the quality of school lunches, increasing the availability of fresh foods at food

shelves; understanding behavioral health factors that impact healthy food choices, changing zoning policies to encourage the expansion of public land for urban agriculture and community gardens.

Those in attendance were upbeat about the opportunities that exist to begin creating sustainable change - an attitude that mirrors many of the interviews NorthPoint conducted throughout the community over the last year.

As daunting a challenge as changing the food environment of our community is, we have no other choice if we care about our future.

Medical research has found that a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables has been shown to be a major

contributor to obesity and a range of diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

According to the Hennepin County 2006 SHAPE Survey, 13% of the residents of the Near North and Camden neighborhoods reported they had received a diagnosis of Diabetes. This is more than twice the rate of the total Hennepin County population (6%).

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables has been found to prevent obesity and diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, yet residents of the Near North and Camden neighborhood are the least likely of all Hennepin County residents to consume two or more servings of fruit per day and three or

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more servings of vegetables per day.

Over the next few months, NorthPoint will work in partnership with community organizations and residents to further identify priorities and create a plan for a sustainable change to our food environment. We are committed to investing in the health of North Minneapolis as we have for over 40 years. That is why we are engaged in this project, why we plan to be for the long term, and why we look forward to partnering with the community to change the Northside food environment as part of our vision for a healthier Northside.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Page 7

BUSINESS If you can add real value, good companies will partner with you Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Seasoned workers, you know who you are. You are the people who remember video cassettes, and life without them.

You are the people who still

Ellison From 1 March 21, 2010 and will be effective for the next ten years.

The bill was only able to pass after President Barack Obama conceded that no federal funds will be used to pay for abortions. Women who receive tax credits to help pay for health insurance may choose a plan that covers abortion but have to pay for the full cost of the abortion coverage with a separate check each month in attempts to keep the money from mingling.

Similar to automobile insurance requirements, the bill calls for all individuals in the

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu 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.

polish your own shoes and iron your own jeans. You are the people who did things in the 70s that you are no longer proud of.

You are experienced, knowledgeable, reliable and hire-able, and the reality is, you are unlikely to retire any time soon.

When the competition for positions is fierce, and your opponents are seemingly younger, apparently more techsavvy, possibly more educated on paper, and updated in all kinds of ways, older-than-youwere workers find

discouragement a constant companion. But hold on to that rocking chair and think about it.

To many hiring managers, youth matters far less than people might think. If you have been thrust into the chaos of a job search after ten or more years of successful work experience, be aware that your most profound competition is probably… yourself.

I asked Eli, a selfproclaimed seasoned person, how she got past the stigma of experience in order to find new work. She said, "I had to put on

the shoes and dance." She said she made a list of her strengths and woke up every morning thinking about the value she could add to any organization.

She filled her mind with possibilities and her own potential, and left no room for self-doubt. "Telling myself that I am capable, which I am," she said, "makes it easier to convince other people that I am capable." Every day, mentally gearing up for interviews and conversations, she puts on those metaphorical shoes and dances.

In a world where people-

US to be insured by 2014. Many people are opposed to the new law because of the mandate on everyone. However, according to Ellison, "if an individual doesn't want insurance and then needs health care, we all end up

wellness care at no cost to the patient.

The legislation provides transparency in plans in the Health Insurance Exchange so that consumers have the clear, complete information needed to select the

he said. Another concern Ellison has with the new health care insurance law is that it excludes undocumented immigrants. "If somebody is coughing, regardless if they're undocumented, even people who are documented will get sick from it," Ellison said.

The reforms also simplify paperwork and other administrative burdens.

Patients, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, providers, and employers will all encounter a streamlined, less confusing, more consumerfriendly system. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the entire cost of the legislation will be paid for though a combination of savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient and revenue generated from placing a surcharge on the top 0.3 percent of all households in the US (married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other tax measures.

Even though the health care reforms have created a system where everyone can buy health insurance, there is still much that needs to be done. "This is not the end of reform, we need to continue to be engaged," Ellison said.

"It came down to letting the bill fall or getting it through…[which is a loss] because states have been great laboratories of improvement," paying for it anyway. This way we can focus on preventative care and early diagnosis and lower the cost by creating the largest pool of people at risk.

Even if you avoid obtaining health care, you may end up in an emergency room involuntarily if someone tries to save you…The government has a responsibility to all Americans to do something."

The fee for not buying health insurance will be $695 per year or 2.5% of income, subject to a hardship exemption.

This health care legislation will build on the existing system of employer-based insurance. Employers will be required to provide health insurance to their employees or face a fee of up to $3,000 per worker. Small businesses will receive a tax credit in order to meet the responsibility.

Employers will have to pay a fee if they do not provide health insurance to their employees.

The legislation will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage so that they will not lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job.

If people like their current plans, they will be able to keep them. The federal government will provide subsidies for individuals and families who do not receive health insurance through an employer or cannot afford to pay for their insurance. The legislation will establish a new 'Health Insurance Exchange' where consumers can comparison shop from a menu of health care options that will include private plans and health co-ops. Every health care plan offered through the exchange and by employers will cover preventive and

plan that best meets their needs.

"Right now, health care costs are based on whether you have insurance, which is a failed system, so we need more transparency," Ellison said.

The legislation will also expand Medicaid, the federalstate health care program for the poor. Children will be able to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they reach 26 years of age.

The legislation, however, will also cut Medicare payments, the health care program for the elderly, to health providers. "We should let Medicare negotiate the prices; but until that happens we can't have premiums that double every ten years," Ellison said.

Currently, many people do not qualify for, nor can they afford, a health insurance plan because of a pre-existing medical condition. Under the reform, insurance companies will not be able to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions, cannot put a cap on what they cover, can no longer drop a client who becomes sick, must eliminate co-pays for preventive care, and must cap out-of-pocket expenses.

Premium costs will be determined by age, tobacco use, and on geographical location.

The reform levies a 40% tax on insurance companies starting in 2018.

One provision of the bill that did not make the final cut was the option for states to create their own single-payer systems. Ellison voted for the bill, but he said he is concerned that it lacks a public option. "It came down to letting the bill fall or getting it through because states have been great laboratories of improvement,"

skills matter as much as technical skills, and where consistency is hard to come by, many hiring managers are begging to bring aboard people whom they know they can count on. Companies running on less lack the excess staff to conduct training. They want to hire people who know how to communicate, are willing to lead and who understand how to navigate a new dance floor. If you found your first job by filling out a paper application, whenever that was, then you've

probably done some navigating in your lifetime.

Remind yourself that, these days, dance is a loosely defined term. If you can add real value, good companies will want to partner up with you. Get out there and dance.

Julie Desmond leads 21st Century Job Search workshops in Minneapolis.

Write to julie@insightnews.com.

Page 8 • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE

Writing letters: Restoring a lost art Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey A couple weeks ago, my son, Landon, brought home a letter from his teacher, requesting an envelope, stamp, and the address of someone to whom the child could write. The letter explained that the children were learning how to write and send letters.

"What a great idea!" I thought.

I suggested that Landon pick his eight-year-old cousin DJ (Derrick Jr.) from Mississippi, since they get along very well.

Although Landon thought he was a good pick, the problem was that Landon had gotten DJ confused with his nineteen-year-old cousin, VJ (Venyah Jr.). Long story short, I later found out that Landon wrote to his eight-year-old cousin asking him if he had graduated

Diabetes From 6 diabetes).

People who participated in the study: 1) lost

high school and if he was driving yet!

Apparently, these odd questions didn't bother DJ, because about a week later, he sent Landon a letter. Landon was excited as he read his letter aloud to me and his sisters. DJ had patiently answered all of Landon's questions- he was still in elementary school and was not yet driving. At the end of the letter he asked if Landon wanted to be his pen pal. The grin on Landon's face answered it all!

I was pleasantly surprised that my first grader was learning to write a letter because I feel it is a lost art. As a society it sometimes seems that the more our technology advances, the less humane we become. To save time, we have adopted this text lingo and email abbreviations, and to be honest, it can be quite confusing. While I am not suggesting that we completely do away with our BlackBerries, iPhones, and emails, I would like to challenge you-at least every now and then- to consider using the old school way of communication. Now go grab your paper and pen and use these

tips to inspire you to write.

about 7 percent of their body weight (that's 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds); 2) were physically active for 30 minutes a day, five days a week (most chose brisk walking) and 3) made healthier

food choices. The study showed that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in overweight adults with prediabetes, including African Americans. If you have risk factors for developing diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that may reduce your risk.

Buy Pretty Note Cards.

The Dollar Store sells a wide variety of small cards (blank on the inside) with envelopes. A small card means that you don't have to write much. Also, get in the habit of sending hand-written thank you notes, and teach your children to do the same. Grandma would love a note from little Keisha saying that she appreciated the birthday gift that she got from Granny. Don't worry so much about making it perfect-it is really the thought that counts most.

(Plus, Grandmas like it when young grandbabies misspell words.)

Choose to Write Someone Needing Encouragement.

Who doesn't like to receive mail?

You could write someone who is sick, a recent widow, or someone who is just going through a rough spot. My children just wrote someone who is in prison in hopes that it would lift his spirits.

Find A Pen Pal. Take cues from my son and his

How do I know if I have type 2 Diabetes?

You could have diabetes if you've noticed increased thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the feet and hands, frequent infections or slow-healing wounds. These symptoms may develop gradually over time or some people may have no symptoms.

Marcia Humphrey

cousin. Writing letters can be a fun way to connect; it will help you to become a better writer, and that is always a useful job skill.

I was recently online looking up some information and I was shocked to read the harsh comments that several women made to a mom because they

disapproved of how she handled a sticky situation. My question to these rude women, "Would you have said these things to her face??"

Please don't use technology as an excuse to be rude, inhumane, or inconsiderate.

At least occasionally, remember the simple joy that the paper and

pen can bring.

You may be at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you: • are overweight or obese • are 45 years or older • have high blood pressure • have high cholesterol • are not getting enough physical activity.

quality of life. For more information, call (612) 8736800.

The Hennepin Diabetes Support Group offers information and discussion about diabetes related topics.

Together, people with diabetes share their experiences related to living with diabetes. The support group also provides a forum for people coping with diabetes challenges to obtain help and advice from one another, as well as from healthcare professionals.

This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 am - 11:30 am in the Hennepin Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, which is located on the first floor of the Shapiro Building. For more information, please call (612) 873-6800.

In short, diabetes is a chronic medical condition that can put one at risk for serious health complications. However, by working with your doctor, and a comprehensive team, you can learn to manage your diabetes to live a full, healthy and active lifestyle.

How can I learn more about preventing or managing diabetes?

HCMC offers free community education and support programs that can help people with diabetes and their families know more about the disease and how to manage it.

The Hennepin Diabetes Education Program offers comprehensive education and training designed to help you to control diabetes, be and feel healthy and improve your

Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at low costs.

A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

Melody Mendiola, MD, is a board-certified general internal medicine doctor and medical director of Hennepin Care North, a clinic of Hennepin County Medical Center, located in Brooklyn Center, MN. Dr. Mendiola is accepting new patients at Hennepin Care North.

To schedule an appointment, call (612) 8738800.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Page 9

Observing collegiate graduation rates during March Madness

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is promoting a campaign to stimulate improvement at all levels of America's education system.

Last week, Duncan held a telephone press conference to address the graduation rates of basketball teams in the NCAA tournaments and suggest ways to increase college completion for teams with low graduation rates. He was joined by NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous and Dr. Richard Lapchick, Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida.

The TIDES program produces the Racial and Gender Report Card which assesses "the hiring practices of women and people of color in most of the leading professional and amateur sports and sporting organizations in the United States" (ucf.edu). Among the focuses of the TIDES studies, is that of collegiate athletes and their overall academic and subsequent professional

Bell From 1 Public Schools. Bell will participate in additional scheduled AVID training sessions, and present at an AVID Summer Institute session in Atlanta in mid-July of this year.

Accolades, participation, and sharing with local and national events, groups, and institutions has become a fairly frequent occurrence for the leadership of the school fully recognized as North End Elementary University Academies for Boy's and Girl's. "In the city of St. Paul, I feel that we are doing it the best," said Bell during a weekend math tutoring session held in cooperation with a local fraternal organization, and the local McDonald's franchise under the leadership of Courtney Henry.

The school lies in the shadow of

Lapchick provided the meat of the discussion, which heavily referenced results of the 2009 Racial and Gender Report Card: College Sport. Overall, the Report Card showed improvements in many statistical categories of both racial and gender comparisons, but the overall tone of this discussion and the current outreach campaign is one of seeking to not settle for mediocre improvements.

Lapchick and Duncan lauded the efforts of previous NCAA President Myles Brand, who, in the 90s, was the first to

Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education

Ben Jealous, NAACP President and CEO

Dr. Richard Lapchick, professor with the University of Central Florida

success.

With the March Madness NCAA Basketball Tournament to boost attention, the group of educational and civic leaders discussed the need to raise the current standards of studentathlete academic success. From drastic considerations to more subtle and functional adjustments, several topics were thrust out for greater consideration and recognition.

For example, if a drastic proposal by Duncan to ban teams from postseason play should they possess graduation rates of less than 40 percent take effect, it would currently mean that University of

Kentucky would not be a part of this year's Big Dace (as the tournament is referred to). With a graduation rate of 8 percent, the University of Maryland possesses the lowest graduation rate of the 64-team NCAA basketball tournament.

If Duncan's proposal were in effect today, 12 teams would have been disqualified from this year's tournament.

"How are we preparing them for life," posited Duncan. "I've seen the best and worst playing basketball and growing up in Chicago. When the ball stops bouncing many [student athletes] fail in life. Some are used and dumped…," Duncan

added. Duncan's mother, Susan Morton, runs an after school program which serves the

primarily African American Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago. Duncan's basketball career eventually led him to play professionally in Australia.

As the foremost leader on collegiate graduation rates, and the racial inequities therein,

institute sanctions for underperforming sports programs. Yet all of the press conference participants agreed that it seemed time to do more.

Ben Jealous, NAACP President and CEO, praised President Obama for his

the capitol in the multicultural Rice Street corridor. North End made history three years ago by becoming the first public school in the state with gender-specific classrooms.

The boy's and girl's have separate classes, floors, and lunches, in addition to the formal environment represented by the students clean white and navy uniforms.

Those are the core systemic changes that were instituted at North End, but it is the culture and outreach that feeds the success that the school has seen in such a very short time. Bell and his staffers have been able to tap into incredible relationships throughout the community and nation, in order to draw greater resources and information towards increasing the success of their students. Of the school, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said, "…options like University Academies

[provide] innovation and comprehensive approaches to learn.

Through strong partnerships like those we've created between city, school district, and community, we can close the achievement gap and ensure that every child has an opportunity to succeed."

The activity at North End will make an observer's head spin. One day the school will be hosting a student awards ceremony with the Minnesota Twins Community Outreach, the following weekend you may see the Timberwolves providing an "extreme makeover" to the library, and the week after that could be hallway makeovers through Pepsi Bottling Group.

The community assistance organization Rebuilding Together has been a very special partner in fostering some of these powerful relationships. Early next month UPS will host a bowling fundraiser for North End, and you can consistently

find Bell enjoying relationships with the local Rice Street Business Association membership at their monthly meetings.

Perhaps the most celebrated of these relationships is that with Bethel University, which employs a teacher practicum program that provides nine senior education majors to assist teachers in their classrooms. Initial survey and statistics on the effectiveness of the "two teachers per classroom" program, as Bell refers to it, have shown excellent benefits for the North End students, the Bethel Students, and the appreciative teachers.

Bell carries a sharp binder of information and statistics similar to a corporate CEO, but the relationships he develops with the students and staff of his school show very simply a person who cares.

"Glasser proposed the five basic needs of Power, Freedom, Fun, Survival and

Belonging or Love. Through helping our children to understand the development of relationships, we empower them to find success in those basic needs. We're seeking to create self-reliance amongst our students and their families, and I'm humbled by the community relationships we've nurtured to help provide for that - especially for basic needs such as health care.

We've got to give our kids the very best opportunity. They've got to have someone to believe in them," said Bell.

In that the North End University Academies program and leadership show a concern for relationships both inside the campus, and in their dazzling community and national outreach work, it is no surprise that observation over the first three years has provided consistently positive changes, and in many cases, dramatically positive changes.

On Bell's wall are many quotes. Among those quotes is

"How are we preparing them for life," posited Duncan. "I've seen the best and worst playing basketball and growing up in Chicago. When the ball stops bouncing many [student athletes] fail in life. Some are used and dumped…,"

nationwide stimulation of discussing and implementing solutions in education. "We can't invest on the court, but only tolerate in the classroom.

Especially when we see that the Black student athlete does better than those not in sports," said Jealous. "Student athletes rise to the expectations of the coaching staff and institution.

We need more progress more quickly, and the reality is simply that we can't afford not to [expect this]. And we must work together to ensure this success," he said.

Duncan referred to collegiate student athletes and the "future leaders" of our country. "There is no better place to train our youth.

College sports and the military are the best organizational teachers of our future leaders," Duncan said.

The Racial and Gender Report Card is available for observation through the DeVos Sports Business Management section of the University of Central Florida website (www.ucf.edu)

that of Martin Luther King Jr.'s version of stating, "If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you've always gotten."

North End Elementary is being recognized locally and nationally for its leadership and progressive curriculum programming. Even through a crippling and confusing busing situation, and a neighborhood foreclosure rate of 60-65%, Principal Bell and his North End community are fully engaged and succeeding in the current "Race to the Top" in education. Bell attempts to provide a successful oasis in the community in every way that he can through the school.

Overall throughout the Rice street corridor, Bell's efforts seem to be making a difference along with the strong work of the neighboring Arlington Senior High School and their celebrated BioSmart magnet school program.

Page 10 • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Illness Ministry, Door 1, 4537 Third Av S, Mpls; Roseann Rogers, 612.823.8205; Mary claudemaryparadis@comcast.net; www.st.joan.com The 2010 Noble Lecture: Archiving Black Transnational Modernity – Apr. 13 Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. Free. Info: 651-259-3000, 800-6573773, 651-282-6073 (TTY), www.minnesotahistorycenter.org

Events

V-Day Minneapolis 2010 - Apr. 15, 17, 18 V-Day benefit production of acclaimed play A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer, film screenings of “What I Want My Words to Do to You,” and a Teach-In on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) All events held at Old Arizona Studios, 2821 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. Tickets and more info, visit www.vdayminneapolis.weebly.com.

Naked Stages - Mar. 31 to Apr. 17 Weds., Mar. 31 to Saturday, Apr. 17 at Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave S. Mpls. (612) 825-0459. www.pillsburyhousetheatre.org Classic Black films at VOA Park Elder Center - Ongoing First and third Mondays of each month, 11 am - 12:15 pm. These films are free of charge and the public is invited. Popcorn, hotdogs and drinks are provided for a suggested donation of $1. VOA Park ElderCenter, 1505 Park Ave. Mpls. 612339-7581, parkcenter@voamn.org World Language Storytime: Vietnamese Apr. 3 to 24 Saturdays, April 3 - 24, 11 a.m. at Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, 952-847-5300. For children age 2 and up. Experience the world in other languages.

Soap Boxing Poetry Slam – Apr. 5 Every 1st Monday - at the Artists’ Quarter in Downtown St. Paul. Doors open at 7 pm - Slam begins at 8 pm. $5 cover - free if you compete. (612) 207-7991, www.soapboxing.com Conversation Circles - Apr. 5 to May 10 Mondays, April 5-May 10, 6:15 p.m. at Augsburg Park Library. Non-native English speakers: practice your English and make new friends in an informal, volunteer-led setting, and learn about the library, too. Call 612-630-6069 for more information in English or, in Hmong, 952847-8845; in Somali, 952-847-8756; in Spanish, 952-847-8510.

Concordia Cafe - Apr. 7 Weds., April 7, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Concordia University, Buenger Education Center, 312 Hamline Ave., St. Paul (I-94 and Hamline Ave.) A free information session for adults exploring accelerated undergraduate or graduate degree programs. www.csp.edu/concordiacafe. con’tro’VERSE’ial: Spoken Word Event - Apr. 7 Weds., April 7 from 7-10 p.m. at Hamline University - Bush Student Center, Ballroom, 1551 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul.

Cuban Movie Festival 2010 – Now to Apr. 8 Regular hours: 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 4 – Apr. 8. St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street, SE, Mpls. www.stanthonymaintheatre.com. Free parking in ramp at 2nd Street SE and 2nd Avenue SE. Admission: $6; 4 for $20.

American Refugee Committee speaks on Haiti - Apr. 8 Thurs., April 8, 7 PM at the Parish

Justice Alan Page to speak at MN State Mankato – Apr. 16 “The Importance of Education” Fri., Apr. 16, at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN. Page’s talk, sponsored by the Ethnic Studies Department, will be from noon until 1 p.m. in Room 284 of Centennial Student Union. Free. 1-800722-0544.

Habib Koite and Bamada Tuesday, March 30 7:30 pm The Cedar 416 Cedar Avenue S. Minneapolis

Socialist Minnesota Conference - Apr. 17 Sat., Apr. 17 at the University of Minnesota, West Bank Auditorium in the basement of Willey Hall, 225 19th Ave. S, Mpls. 612-760-1980, mn@socialistalternative.org.

The return of one of Africa’s most popular and beloved musicians: Malian guitarist Habib Koité and his band Bamada! Habib descends from a line of griots, traditional troubadors who provide wit, wisdom and entertainment. His charisma and magnetism translates and transcends all cultures. With his most recent songs, Koité is transposing his role of modern-day griot into a facilitator helping fellow Africans survive in the Western-dominated, industrialized world. Alongside Koité ‘s vocals and guitar, the instrumentation remains simple and traditional, including polyphonic hunter’s horns, balafón (wooden xylophone), and the n’goni (a Malian lute). And the music WILL have you up and dancing.

His reputation as a guitar player has become almost mythical, combining rock and classical techniques with Malian tunings that make the guitar sound like a kora or n’goni. (The New York Times).

Tickets are on sale now from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), at Cedar outlets (Electric Fetus, Depth of Field, Irish on Grand, Homestead Pickin’ Parlor), or order online at Ticketweb $25 advance, $30 day of show Standing Room Only (The Cedar will accommodate people with special needs).

Community of St. Joseph, 8701-36th Avenue N., New Hope (corner of Boone and 36th.) All are welcome at this informative program about ARC’s ongoing humanitarian work; for more information, Pat Helin, 763-542-1966.

Screening of Food, Inc – Apr. 8 Tues., Apr. 8, 6 pm at School of Environmental Studies, 12155 Johnny Cake Road, Apple Valley. Free, with donations to the School of Environmental Studies Education Foundation encouraged.

952-891-1212, #239. www.valleynaturalfoods.com Beatles Sing-Along - Apr. 9 A Fundraiser for Music Scholarships at Camden Music School. Fri., April 9, 7pm at Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway, Mpls, MN. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Executive Coordinator DEPT: Administration SUPERVISED BY: Director of Finance and Operations & Executive Director TITLES SUPERVISED: N/A FLSA: Exempt SALARY GRADE: $25,000 - $33,000 POSITION SUMMARY: Coordinates the day to day affairs of Executive Management for the agency. Key responsibilities include: Executive support, office administration; human resources program coordination, customer relations, employee records management and regulatory compliance support.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Supports the overall leadership for the Agency.

2. Provides administrative support for the Executive Director, including but not limited to: Taking projects from start to finish including troubleshooting, problem solving and providing updates as necessary; anticipating and proactively supporting the administrative needs of Executive Director including conducting research and analysis, preparation of correspondence, reports and charts, managing calendar and schedule. Maintains files and records as appropriate.

3. Assists Executive Management with Board meeting logistics and details, including scheduling and administratively supporting the production of Board meeting information packets, etc.

4. Supports the Director of Finance and Operations in the coordination of the human resources function, including maintaining personnel files and appropriate agency documentation to support compliance requirements; documents the HR activities, actions and processes related to hiring.

5. Develops reports and budget information as needed.

6. Provides general office support to Executive Management.

7. Professionally represents HQB in various community engagement activities and meetings, as appropriate.

8. Acts as a liaison between general public, partners, organizations and other key constituents and Hallie Q. Brown Executive Management.

9. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Work Experience: Bachelors Degree with 2-3 years of administrative experience, Associates Degree with 3-5 years of administrative experience or the equivalent required.

www.camdenmusicschool.com. 612-5292317.

“The House of Bernarda Alba” by Federico García Lorca - Apr. 9 to 25 All shows at 7:30 p.m. at the SteppingStone Theatre, 55 Victoria Street North. Tix: $15 General Admission / $12 Students & Seniors. 612-203-1088, www.PangeaWorldTheater.org Lutheran Social Service adoption information meeting - Apr. 10 Sat., Apr. 10, from 10 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the Center for Changing Lives (Room 182), located at 2400 Park Ave., Mpls. Call Lynne Haggar at (612) 879-5230 or visit www.minnesotaadoption.org to register.

St. Joan of Arc Church Mental Illness Ministry Meeting – Apr. 12 Mon, Apr 12: Dr. Henry Emmons, The Chemistry of Joy; 5:45pm: light meal provided; 7—8:15pm: Dr. Emmons; free; open to all; St. Joan of Arc Church Mental

DEPT: Early Learning Center SUPERVISED BY: Youth Program Manager TITLES SUPERVISED: N/A FLSA: Non-Exempt SALARY GRADE: $10-13/hour POSITION SUMMARY: This is a substitute position designed to fill in as needed on a short or long term basis for permanent teaching staff. Substitute Teacher participates in long and short range activities for students in accordance with curriculum objectives and engages students in developmentally appropriate activities.

Assists with ensuring that the classroom is appropriately staffed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for each child.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1.

Works with teaching staff to implement program curriculum and coordinate students activities.

2.

Plans and supervises the arrangement of the classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy.

3.

Maintains a safe and healthy environment, including safely managing developmental activities for the participants.

4.

Keeps all appropriate records such as records, attendance, time sheets and accident reports.

5.

Maintains open communication with parents/guardians of the program participants regarding the developmental needs of the participants.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Associates degree or equivalent in early childhood development. B.S. in Early childhood Development preferred.

Licensing and Certifications: CPR and Meet all applicable licensing regulations. Valid Driver's License and proof of insurance. Minnesota Teachers' License (preferred).

Other Requirements: • Ability to deal with confidential information • Ability to handle tight deadlines • Exceptional computer skills • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Excellent customer service skills • Organized and detail oriented • Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager • Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines • Ability to relate to people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds • Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions

Work Experience: 5 years of Child Care Center or related experience required.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and references to:

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and references to:

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center ATTN: Human Resources 270 N. Kent Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax hr@hallieqbrown.org

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center ATTN: Human Resources 270 N. Kent Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax hr@hallieqbrown.org

Other Requirements: • Dealing with confidential information.

• Tight deadlines.

• Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager.

• Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines.

• Ability to relate to children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

“Critical Conversations: Middle East Conflicts, Root Causes” - Ongoing A course on Middle East Conflicts will be held through St. Paul Community Education, every Tues. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for five weeks, beginning Tues., April 20 at Como Park Senior High School, 740 West Rose Ave., St. Paul. Fee: $35. Info / registration: call 651-293-8733.

Resource Fair for Crime Victims - Apr. 22 Thurs., April 22, at Hennepin Co. Government Center A – Level. Crime Victims’ Resource Fair 11 am - 2 pm (Atrium). “Little Victims, Huge Consequences” Child Abuse Prevention Speaker and Panel 12 pm - 1 pm (Auditorium). For questions or to reserve a table, call (612) 940-8090.

Hennepin County foreclosure workshop – Apr. 24 Sat., April 24, 10:30 a.m. at Hennepin County Library – Sumner, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Mpls. 952-847-2875.

Event: History Lounge: Near v.

Minnesota: How Far Have We Come? Apr. 27 Tues., Apr. 27, 7 p.m. at Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul.

Free. Info: 651-259-3000, 800-657-3773, 651-282-6073 (TTY), www.minnesotahistorycenter.org

Buchenwald and Beyond – Apr. 18 Sun., Apr. 18 at 5000 Girard Avenue South, Mpls. 3 - 4 p.m., reception to follow. Free, open to the public. 952-6935206, www.worldwithoutgenocide.org

The 13th annual Ann Bancroft Awards – Apr. 29 Thurs., April 29 at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Mpls. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a dinner and program.

Tickets proceed benefit the Ann Bancroft Foundation. Contact: www.annbancroftfoundation.org or 763479-4499.

Terry Tempest Williams, “Finding Beauty in a Broken World” - Apr. 20 Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Hamline United Methodist Church, located at 1514 Englewood Avenue in St. Paul. Free event and parking.

Amendment to Certificate of Assumed Name

ABA

Minnesota Blizzards Basketball The Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team is announcing a program for college Internships for the fall and winter. The program will consist of five teams of 5 interns each in the following areas: (1) Sales, (2) Basketball Operations. (3) Marketing (4) Public Relations (5) Business administration. Each team will have a leader and be given challenging assignments.

We are looking for college students majoring in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting and Event Planning. We need 20 or 25 interns working with us for a (minimum of 8 hours a week) on a part-time basis. Interns will gain valuable experience, and in most cases college credits. Interested Parties please send resume to: The Minnesota ABA Team Attn: Internship Program 10125 Crosstown Circle #200 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-829-1250 Fax: 952-829-1040 www.minnesotablizzards.com

Evening Maintenance and Security Worker JOB LOCATION: Twin Cities Metro SALARY: $10-$13/hour TYPE: Part Time / 20 hours DEADLINE: Open Until Filled PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Substitute Teacher

www.hamline.edu/wesleycenter

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for providing light maintenance and general security for HQB during the late afternoon through evening hours of operation with occasional weekends. Key responsibilities include: end of daily operations visitor control and general facility security, light maintenance and general janitorial duties.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Responsible for locking all internal and external doors at the end of the facility's operating hours.

2. Ensures that all users of the facility safely conclude their business and appropriately exit the facility on a timely basis.

3. Maintains close monitoring of operations and visitor control, securing St. Paul Police assistance, as appropriate.

4. Provides light maintenance, including changing light bulbs, monitoring HVAC operations, minor equipment repair, painting and checking mechanical operations.

5. Sets-up rooms for use, as directed.

6. Janitorial duties may include but are not limited to: vacuuming floors and furnishings, mopping hard surface floors, cleaning, dusting and polishing furniture, cleaning walls and windows, cleaning and disinfecting kitchen and bathroom, emptying and sanitizing waste baskets.

5. Perform errands and special projects as requested by supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Education: High School degree or equivalent.

Vocational training in building maintenance and specialized training in the areas of HVAC, plumbing and electrical repair not required but highly preferred.

Work Experience: 3+ years of general building janitorial, maintenance and repair experience.

Other Requirements: Physical ability to moderately strenuous work safely. Customer service skills Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager. Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines HOW TO APPLY: Submit Resume and Cover Letter or Application available on our website to: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc. ATTN: Human Resources 270 North Kent Street St. Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax www.hallieqbrown.org hr@hallieqbrown.org

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Passion Playhouze 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 2731 Fillmore St NE #3, Minneapolis, MN 55418 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Alina Rae Muellerleile, 2731 Fillmore St NE #3, Minneapolis, MN 55418 4. This certificate is an amendment of Certificate of Assumed name number 3312815-2 originally filed on May 6th, 2009 under the name (List the previous name only if you are amending that name) 5. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Alina Rae Owner/Operator Date Filed: 3/15/2010

Muellerleile

-

Insight News 3/29/2010, 4/5/2010

Amendment to Certificate of Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Northern Sun Energy 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 3554 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Michael John Muellerleile, 3554 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 4. This certificate is an amendment of Certificate of Assumed name number 2332441-2 originally filed on May 1st, 2007 under the name (List the previous name only if you are amending that name) 5. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Michael John Muellerleile Owner /Operator Date Filed: 3/15/2010 Insight News 3/29/2010, 4/5/2010

Community Outreach Manager Resources for Child Caring (RCC) is a non-profit dedicated to raising the standard of early childhood care and education so they can grow emotionally, socially, physically and intellectually and contribute to building a thriving and sustainable society.

We are searching for a Manager for our Community Outreach department to plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the department staff and activities to meet the needs of traditionally underserved communities of color and new immigrants (Hmong, East African and Latino.)

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree (preferably in early childhood care and education) and at least 5 years developing, implementing and managing programs for diverse and traditionally underserved communities as well as strong leadership capabilities. RCC offers competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Check out our website for full position information www.resourcesforchildcare.org To apply, please submit cover letter and resume with salary history to: Email - jobs@resourcesforchildcare.org with ATTN: HR-COM on the subject line Mail - Resources for Child Caring, ATTN: HRCOM 10 Yorkton Ct., St. Paul, MN 55117 (our main office) Fax - 651-645-0990, ATTN: HR-COM

insightnews.com

Reform From 1 launching his audacious journey to the White House: Change we can believe in. With the 219-212 House vote late Sunday night, he achieved a historic milestone that eluded seven previous presidentsTruman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter and Clinton-over a span of more than 60 years. In doing so, he demonstrated that his brand of intelligent, can-do leadership can defeat the forces of resistance no matter how pernicious. Nothing will hold him back in his mission of remaking our nation into one that offers parity and prosperity.

President Obama has created a nation with insurance for all. In fact, after the House vote, Democratic Whip James Clyburn (D-South Carolina), the highestranking African American in Congress, said he considered "this to be the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century"-an array of federal policies that would dramatically restructure health care delivery for generations to come. The groundbreaking legislation requires most American citizens and legal

Education From 1 campaign asking the serious question, "R U Ready 4 the Road?" Additionally, students' goals include impacting legislation. The same students represented High School for the Recording Arts in receiving a $100,000 Youth Advisory Board grant check from State Farm Insurance.

Missy Youman, State Farm Insurance Community Affairs Specialist said, "The State Farm Youth Advisory Board received 1,192 grant requests from schools and organizations in the United States and Canada. The High School for Recording Arts is one of 82 organizations nationwide that has been awarded a Youth Advisory Board grant. These State Farm YAB grants help create local programs that address community issues like environmental responsibility, teen driving safety, financial education, access to higher education, and disaster

Insight News • March 29 - April 4, 2010 • Page 11 residents to purchase health insurance as well as covers an additional 32 million people through Medicaid, subsidies to families and tax credits to small businesses.

Among other initiatives, the package also creates a health care exchange in which uninsured individuals and small businesses can comparison shop for insurance policies; decreases out-of-pocket prescription costs for seniors on Medicare; and prohibits insurers from denying coverage for preexisting medical conditions. Now millions of Americans do not have to watch as loved ones suffer from or succumb to catastrophic illnesses because they can't afford insurance or their carriers discontinued their policies.

As President Obama has often asserted, however, change does not come easy. To gain passage of his 10-year, $940 billion plan, he faced relentless opposition, scurrilous accusations and rancorous debate. Over the past 13 months, he had to contend with everything from heated summer protests from Tea Party members that decried "ObamaCare" as a representative form of socialism to jousting with recalcitrant Republicans at chilly summit meetings. As recently as his

January 27th State of the Union address, political pundits, naysayers and even members of his own party believed his health care reform bill would be D.O.A. when it arrived for a vote in Congress. Despite the odds, he persevered, taking his message to town halls, continuing to reach across the aisle and inspiring thousands to knock on doors and man phone banks.

To achieve what was seemingly impossible, he knew throwing in the towel was not an option. He best expressed his mission in remarks after the House vote: "For most Americans, this debate has never been about abstractions, the fight between right and left, Republican and Democrat-it's always been about something far more personal. It's about every American who knows the shock of opening an envelope to see that their premiums just shot up again when times are already tough enough. It's about every parent who knows the desperation of trying to cover a child with a chronic illness only to be told "no" again and again and again. It's about every small business owner forced to choose between insuring employees and staying open for business. They are why we committed ourselves

to this cause."

As a member of the civil rights generation, I beamed with pride as I saw the collection of yea votes in the Obama column and heard the chants "Yes We Can! Yes We Can!" in the House Chamber. As expected, he did not receive one Republican vote.

President Obama's Republican foes will seek to undermine progress. After the second House vote of 220-211 to approve a package of changes of the bill, the Republicans were unsuccessful in its attempts to kill the bill through a motion that would have sent it back to committee. Despite beating the odds, the president will also continue to face fresh battles as the GOP seeks to repeal the bill through lawsuits and other measures as well as use health care reform as an issue to gain Congressional seats in the House and Senate during the midterm elections.

The passage of health care reform legislation was a momentous occasion not only because I want our nation's chief executive to succeed and make this nation better and more bountiful. It represented a triumphant moment for one of "the children of the dream"-the realization that the generation we

preparedness."

When State Farm Insurance made a special trip to present the check for a second time on the school premises, LaShawn Williams, a senior at HSRA, served as emcee of the special presentation. Williams' role as student ambassador promoting a campaign to save lives, and serving as a student leader receiving favor from a major corporation, is no small feat.

Williams characterizes herself as shy, but she sees this opportunity as the experience of a lifetime .

"It took a while for it to set in everybody's head. It was really a surreal experience for everyone.

When someone hands you something you should take it. The group started with three students.

We've been really consistent, and that's dedication.

And with dedication it can go anywhere. I am very shy. I told myself that I really have to get out of my comfort zone with this."

This student-led campaign was developed with the guidance of HSRA staff that allowed students to effectively utilize positive leadership skills to bring

teen driver safety awareness to their peers. Libby Harris, HSRA, Social Studies Facilitator, serves as one of the lead staff members who worked with the students. "I think the most rewarding aspect of the PSA, for me, was seeing new leaders emerge in this project. It's a completely new set of students in Ready4TheRoad. I like seeing

HSRA are using real life tragedies to share their message. They are planning to work with Gillette's Children's Hospital to interview Emergency Room Doctors and former patients about cases in which distracted driving was the proximate cause of their injuries.

Real life stories are very effective.

Not only will the students have

“This project helps us identify new student leaders including the ones who might be ‘in the background’ or a little shy until now." kids given the opportunity to display their leadership skills and other talents. This project helps us identify new student leaders including the ones who might be "in the background" or a little shy until now."

There were eight students total that worked on the public service announcement throughout the summer, and their work was not done in vain. "The students at

the opportunity to learn firsthand about the consequences of distracted driving but they will take their message on a PR campaign to educate other youth (and adults) about the dangers of distracted driving," Youman said.

In addition to working with Gillette Hospital, students will use the grant money to work with KS95 94.5FM, and 96.3FM. Harris, along with other

White House

President Obama speaks about health insurance reform at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., March 8, 2010. spawned and mentored has, indeed, become transformative leaders who perform at the highest levels. Barack Obama has been superb is his role as the nation's commander-in-chief. Arriving to office with greater challenges than any president since FDR, he has saved our nation from financial ruin and passed the biggest economic stimulus bill ever, saving and creating more than 2 million jobs in the process. Now,

he has passed landmark healthcare legislation and I am fully confident he will tackle the issues of unemployment and job creation with the same political pragmatism and executive skill.

That's change I believe in.

HSRA staff members, hopes these opportunities lead students to their true calling in life in relation to careers or learning experiences.

Harris said, "For the students, I am always hoping something clicks or connects with them-that maybe they will be meeting with a legislator and think, "I am good at this! I want to go into lobbying." I hope they not only learn about the legislative processes, but they get "real-world" experiences they can carry into higher education and the workplace."

HRSA also accomplished a great achievement in 2009 when another group of students worked to help pass legislation on the Minnesota Primary Seat Belt Law that took effect June 9, 2009, as part of their "Click for Life" campaign also funded by State Farm. Under the primary seat belt law police and state troopers can stop vehicles if drivers or passengers are not wearing a seat belt. Violators of this law will be charged a $25 fine.

Youman said, "HSRA has a true success story to share and should be a model for the success and innovation of their program in

attracting and academically turning around youth who have serious risk factors.

Without HSRA, these students typically would not have graduated and would not even have considered post secondary education. Instead, HSRA students, many of whom had serious risk factors, are given the tools needed to reach for their greatest potential. The Leadership and staff at HSRA make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many kids and the future of Minnesota."

HSRA is a project-based, public charter school that operates within and around a professional recording studio. Students earn time in the studio by completing academic projects in the core learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. HSRA encourages students who may have dropped out or been expelled from traditional schools to complete their diplomas through a love of music.

Earl G. Graves Sr. is the Chairman and Publisher of Black Enterprise magazine.

For more information, visit http://minnesota.hsra.org/

Page 12 â&#x20AC;˘ March 29 - April 4, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

insightnews.com

Michael Jordan buys North Carolina Charlotte Bobcats Mr Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com It looks right. Michael Jordan is now the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, and naturally I have my lil' two cents regarding a few angles on this good news.

(Here we go again) "All anybody needs is an example."

I'm putting that one in quotations and claiming itâ&#x20AC;Śbecause obviously nobody ever said that before I started wearing it out. I mean if Jay-Z can stake claim on the color Royal Blue, then I can claim that quote. Jay-Z Blue. I've (almost) heard it all.

Michael Jordan is not only the paragon for competitive professional athletes, but he is providing another example in his post-playing career as many have

done before him. Like Magic Johnson, Dave Bing and some other, but not enough, former basketball icons, Jordan is taking the bankroll developed during his player days and turning it into investment, as well as opportunity for others. Likely not the first, but Jordan was certainly the best, at creating this sort of mindset for investment and ownership during 90s when he was with the Chicago Bulls; he made sure to get an ownership stake of his Nike Jumpman (Air Jordan) retail empire. Since his playing days Jordan has taken his lumps in many different ways as he transferred from General Manager of the Washington Wizards, to playing for the Washington Wizards, to getting kicked to the curb by the Washington Wizards and probably wondering if his name was still Michael Jordan The Great.

Well, Jordan is now the owner of the historic Charlotte Bobcats and there is something very normal looking about his presence as such. There is also something

very normal about Jordan looking like he's about to go upside somebody's head for missing a lay-up.

Jordan's competitive nature is celebrated as folklore in the sports world, and this makes him the ideal person to turn around the historic Charlotte Bobcats franchise.

examples of the throne that was and is available to Black Americans, and thus All Americans. Johnson's victories have been victories for equality.

How Johnson goes about his business after those victories has drawn ire, and the fact that he sold the Bobcats to Jordan for a mere $175 million (meaning he lost

The Charlotte Bobcats was the first African-American majority owned major professional sports franchise The Bobcats franchise is historic in that their 2003 beginning was another one of those transformational victories in African American history. BET founder Robert L. Johnson made history in 2003 when he purchased the Charlotte NBA franchise for $300 million.

Political and professional vitriol aside, Johnson is a wildly important person in Black History and has provided monumental

$125 million over seven years) suggestsâ&#x20AC;Śwell it suggests that we all experience failure.

But Johnson's passage of ownership to Jordan marks another important social victory: a victory for Legacy.

The "good ol' boy network" is really all about looking out for your people, and believing in your people. Sometimes bad decisions can arise from good 'ol boy networking, when it's a situation

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simply meant to lock specific others out. But when you know your people, you know your people, and you know that certain people need a chance where others won't provide it for them.

Really, this is the essence of the American Dream. People came to America because they were locked out of opportunity elsewhere. The Founders of the United States were brilliant to recognize this, and tell all "your poor, your tired, your huddled masses" to "come on down" and become the new winners of the American Dream. Now all you have to do is "do good" and pass it on. Bob Johnson has done that.

Tony Dungy also recently did that in passing the coaching reigns of the Indianapolis Colts to Jim Caldwell.

Legacy has been a major defect in African American history whether residuals from slave psychology, or highways slicing through great neighborhoods. Seems to me that there is something prophetic about the hard working, good ol' boy

Diedra Laird-dlaird

Bob Johnson announced early last Saturday morning an agreement to sell the Bobcats to Jordan.

from the Carolinas, coming home from victory and tragedy, and now assuming his crown of sorts. Root for the Charlotte Bobcats, and root for others to follow Jordan and Johnson's legacy.