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April 19 - April 25, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 16 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Working to Make a Better Love

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors It is fitting that the Dignity Center shines as one of the crown jewels in the treasure trove of ministries at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland, near Loring Park just off Downtown Minneapolis.

In name and in mission, in philosophy and in practice, the Dignity Center insists on recognizing value in each and every human being, and from that fundamental posture, the program responds to individuals’ needs, supporting their efforts to become more stable and to move toward self sufficiency.

The Center relies on volunteers from within its congregation and from the community at large. Now approaching its fifth year, the Center continues to attract powerful people who invest their voices and their energy to support the Center’s ability to support people.

This weekend, the mighty Steele Family, Minnesota’s First Family of Soul, raises its powerful voice to support the work. The Steele’s present Working to Make a Better Love, a benefit concert at 8pm Saturday April 24 at Hennepin United Methodist Church.

The Steele’s benefit performance is an outgrowth of Jevetta Steele’s two years of service as a Dignity Center volunteer. Moved by the healing and restorative power of the Center, she invited her famous family music enterprise to join her in celebrating and supporting Dignity Center.

Jevetta Steele is also known

Jevetta Steele for her Academy Award nominated performance of Calling You from the motion picture Bagdad Café, certified Gold in Europe. She is a well-known actress and playwright, currently preparing for her return to the Ordway Theater this August in her Broadway role as Ismane in The Gospel at Colonus.

Benefit tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at HennepinChurch.org or by calling (612) 871-5303.

More

information about the Steeles is online at thesteelesmusic.com.

According to Ann Carlson, Executive Director of the Dignity Center, the program serves homeless and impoverished people. Nowadays, she said in an interview Tuesday on KFAI-FM’s “Conversations with Al McFarlane” broadcast, the program is serving more people who have recently lost their jobs and who have never before been homeless. “They are like deer in

Courtesy of Jevetta Steele

headlights,” she said, describing the immobilizing impact of homelessness and poverty.

“We support them with oneto-one relationships… letting each person who comes in know that someone knows your name…that someone cares about you,” Carlson said.

“Many churches often provide charity. A meal. A holiday basket.

We are doing something completely different,” she said.

Clint Hewitt is Professor

Emeritus of the College of Design and Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota. He is a proud father, grandfather and concerned citizen who thinks about how our society addresses the disparity of resources among various people. He serves on the Dignity Center Steering Committee. He says he believes the Dignity Center provides the opportunity for people to express their Christian Faith, by providing service with a level of dignity that respects each person’s equality in the sight of God. “Often there is difficulty in how we treat people who are poor and not in the same situation as ourselves,” he said. “Dignity Center actually reflects the unique attitude that that we are brothers and sisters. I heard a client say the Center ‘is like Cheers— a place where everybody knows my name.’

“It is an approach that is needed,” Hewitt said in the broadcast interview.

“All relationships should be on the basis of a person having worth and we should be able to respond to that person’s needs.”

Rita Lyell retired after 45 years from Wells Fargo as a Vice President in the Information Technology division. For the past three years, she has worked as a volunteer receptionist at the Dignity Center. Her primary role is to welcome and register clients.

She shares information about the program and services provided.

She also serves on the Dignity Center Steering Committee.

Lyell has been member of the Hennepin United Methodist Church for more than half a century. While she has always volunteered to help the needy, she

DIGNITY TURN TO

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Enslaved Africans overthrew their oppressors in Haiti PAGE

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The Midwest Greek Step show: “Steps” up its game

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Robert Porter leads new Northside Community Development Corporation

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors

Courtesy of Enlightened Images

Minneapolis Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson and Jasmine Caldwell

Edison student Jasmine Caldwell “Beat the Odds” Jasmine “Jazz” Caldwell, a senior at Edison High School, was among four teens recognized by Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)Minnesota for succeeding in school and life after overcoming extreme adversity.

Also selected as award winners were Brian Anderson of South St. Paul High School, Amanda Kelley of Johnson Senior High School and Kristal Vang of Harding High School in St. Paul. The four students were chosen from among almost one hundred applicants across the Twin Cities and received $4,000 scholarship awards.

Caldwell was placed in a foster home when she was

seven-years-old following her father’s arrest for the rape of her older sister. A year later, she was reunited with her mother and sister, but their family faced poverty without her father’s income. “That the man I called ‘Daddy’ was accused of child molestation sickened me,” she said. When friends asked why her father was in prison, Caldwell avoided the truth, but as she wrote her “Beat the Odds” Award application essay, she felt she could share her family’s secret. After she read her essay to her mother and sister, they realized that the secret they once hid no longer brought them shame.

Caldwell’s grandmother encouraged her to go after her dreams and pursue education.

She is a model student, a threesport athlete, an award-winning cosmetology student and a participant in Admission Possible. She wants to go to an historically Black college to study math and physical education. “Life is what you make it,” said Caldwell.

“Here’s my chance and I’m taking control of my life.”

“These four Beat the Odds honorees have overcome situations that most of us have never faced,” said CDFMinnesota Director Jim ODDS TURN TO 4

The Rev. Jerry McAfee, Pastor of New Salem Baptist Church at 26th Lyndale in North Minneapolis and high-powered community builders have launched the Northside Community Development Corporation (NCDC) as a business development institution that will be representative of Northside neighborhoods and advance the interests of Northside residents.

The Northside CDC named housing and community development executive Robert Porter to lead the organization as Executive Director.

McAfee said: “Over the last several years North Minneapolis has experienced a downturn in affordable housing. Given the national crisis in the housing industry, we have stepped up the effort to avert further decay of our housing stock. Not unlike many major cities around the country, Minneapolis has experienced a tremendous increase in the number of housing foreclosures over the last five years. This is especially true and evident in our community of North Minneapolis. The neighborhoods of North Minneapolis are riddled with substandard, vacant, and foreclosed housing. In fact, during the calendar year of 2009, North Minneapolis experienced a housing foreclosure rate of approximately seven units per week.

Giving to the world with diamonds and pearls PAGE

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Suluki Fardan

Robert Porter

“In an effort to alleviate or have a positive impact on this problem and others, we have decided that what North Minneapolis needs is its own Community Development Corporation,” McAfee said in a letter announcing the organization and seeking engagement of community organizations and civic leaders.

He said the CDC “will be one that is truly representative of the residents. Its board of directors will be made up of community residents representing all segments of the area. It will consist of individuals from the key five target areas that make up North Minneapolis.”

McAfee said the board will include members from the Near North, Willard-Homewood, Heritage Park, Jordan, and Hawthorne neighborhoods.

PORTER TURN TO 4

WNBA Draft: Monica Wright, Kelsey Griffin

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Page 2 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

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Enslaved Africans overthrew oppressors in Haiti Notes

By Mahmoud El-Kati The original Haitian Constitution was recently recovered in the British Museum of all places. As the second written Constitution establishing nationhood, the true complex history of Haiti, said Frederick Douglas, a onetime minister to Haiti, “has much to teach the world”. One of Haiti’s lasting lessons that shows respect for humanity is the fact that, after victory over the French, it replaced the name St. Dominique, which the French had given the Island, with Hayti, the original name of the island which comes from the language of its original people, the Taino, or “Indians” as Columbus called them. That is an example of respect that is rarely paid to the indigenous people of “The New World”.

When the multi-colored flag of Haiti was raised in 1804, it replaced the tri-colors of the French empire. This signified one of the most momentous events in the history of the modern world. It also reflected a complex of things, most unimaginable, a short 12 years earlier. To begin with, the flag of Haiti caused the eyes of the world to witness something that had never been done before in human history. It marked for the first time that an enslaved population had overthrown its oppressor. Moreover, the Haitian revolution overthrew Napoleon Bonaparte’s army, then thought to be invincible, as the most powerful military machine on the world stage. It was only the second successful revolution in the Western Hemisphere, following the United States’ victory over the English crown.

Jacque Dessalines, one of the great generals who led this revolution, introduced the Haitian Constitution-on this day, January first.

The United States successful break with Great Britain that was signaled in 1776, was the first “New World” nation to free itself from European rule, and is too often cited as “The Revolution” the most glorious of all time.

This writer contests the unchallenged and single image of the United States as the best example of a little nation, beating the odds against a great empire, of little David defeating the giant Goliath.

By comparison, the view here is that the Haitian fight for independence from the clutches of France, by every measure, is a greater achievement than the United States triumph over England. The powerful myth created around the colonial struggle for national sovereignty is vastly overrated when compared to the freedom struggle in this Maryland-sized island called Haiti.

When we look at the “American Revolution” and George Washington at Valley Forge; Bunker Hill; Paul Revere and the midnight ride; the utterances of Nathan Hale’s “my only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country;” and Patrick Henry’s immortal words “give me liberty or give me death,” we are met with a collage of images which conceal more than they reveal. Brave and resolute though they were, George Washington and his troops’ resistance to British rule had a lot of help. What is often down played is the aid and assistance that the Continental Army received from other forces around the world: the French, then the most powerful overall

The Constitution of Haiti soldiers in the modern warfare, trained the Continental Army.

Almost the whole of Europe stood with the Americans. The duo of Polish generals, Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, were nearly indispensible leaders of the American cause. This is not to mention, the Indigenous people (Indians) who taught the Americans guerrilla warfare.

Even more paradoxical is the fact that over 5,000 Black Americans participated in the

“Haiti stood alone, with little or no support for its struggle from any nation or strong factions from abroad” force in the world was the first ally of the United States. There was no American Navy to speak of; the French provided sea power. General von Steuben and his Prussian mercenaries (Germans),who were then among the most advanced

American Revolution. After first refusing to officially accept Black soldiers in the Continental army, General Washington was forced by circumstances to allow Black troops to fight in the war for American independence.

Governor-general Lord Dunmore

of Virginia offered freedom to all African Americans, enslaved or free, to side with the British.

This caused Washington to do the expedient thing, and that was to allow Black soldiers to fight for the land of their birth, and fight they did. According to John Adams, Crispus Attucks, a runaway slave, was the first martyr of the American cause at the Boston Massacre of March 5th 1770.

Even more unfamiliar to us is the fact that during the American War for Independence, France sent more than 2,000 troops from the island of St. Dominique (Haiti), while still under French rule, to aid the Patriots in the Battle of Savannah in the 1770s.

It was here that Henri Christophe, one of the future leaders of the revolution that was to come to Haiti, gained his inspirational and revolutionary insight from that venture. It is a fair question to ask, what would have happened to the American Revolution, with no trained army or military institutions, if so

much of the world had not come to its defense?

By comparison, Haiti stood alone, with little or no support for its struggle from any nation or strong factions from abroad, except the more radical elements of the Abolitionist Movement.

Haiti, with its little rag-tag army comprised of Ibos, Yorubas, Mandinkas, Ashantis, Mendes and Wolofs, dared to rise up against the might of France.

More than 60% of Haitian revolutionaries were born in Africa. Not only did Haiti defeat the French, she also repelled another European power, Spain.

It was the Haitians who liberated the whole island that the Spanish called Hispaniola. Haitians also fought light squimishes with England for control of Hispaniola. But the British thought better, and sought to resolve its dispute through diplomacy. The Haitian struggle lasted longer than the American Revolution, against greater odds.

The triumphant generals, Toussaint Louverture, Jacques

www.konbit509.net

Dessalines, and Henri Christophe are listed among the greatest military strategists in modern warfare. Louverture, the skilled soldier-diplomat, organizational genius with an Ashanti background, exploited the gifts of Boukman, a native African and major organizer of Noirs, and Defile, the woman who could work roots (the mojo) with her dancing to inspire the Haitian freedom fighters.

Dessalines, who succeeded Louverture, was less diplomatic, and was as brutish as William Tecumseh Sherman in the American Civil War and his march to the sea across the state of Georgia. Christophe was the builder and organizer of the state, the citadel, built 3,000 feet above sea level as monument to his memory. “One day,” Christophe said, some day, someone will ask, “who built that?” Finally, it was the Haitian that inspired Simon Bolivar of Venezuela to liberate most of Latin America.

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Insight News • April 19 - April 25 • Page 3

BUSINESS The mentoring manager: Succeed by uplifting others Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Forget everything you know about job security. There isn’t any such thing. Today, you’re only as good as your next success. Some managers worry that someone

younger-newer-brighter will come on board and take over, pushing them out of the way, and possibly off the payroll. It happens. Their response to this anxiety is to control everything. They hoard more work than they delegate, and leave resentful and empty handed when the job “doesn’t work out.”

Excellent managers, on the other hand, know that success is not about doing the job better than anyone else. Rather, it is about finding other people who can do the job better than you can, and overseeing them effectively, making yourself look good in the

process.

By interacting effectively, delegating wisely and helping others achieve their goals, your role as a leader solidifies and your work and life balance remains intact.

Excellent managers interact on a mentorship level with their teams. Coaching rather than correcting, leading by listening, and urging people to challenge themselves, you help your team realize their potential and you give yourself a stronger team to tap into going forward.

The word Manager refers to an organizer: somebody who is

responsible for directing and controlling the work and staff of a business or of a department within a business. Companies often have hands-on expectations for managers, but that does not mean yours are the only hands on the work. Just because you know how to run reports doesn’t mean you are the only one who can run them. By delegating tasks that others are capable of, you free yourself up to focus on other matters. The bonus here is that others recognize your trust in them and in their capabilities, and they in turn may be willing to take

on other assignments, helping you achieve your goals more efficiently.

Chances are good that you will eventually leave your current position and move up or out to another company. Look around you. Would your team members cheer, or be sorry to see you go?

Would they follow you out the door? Could you one day be reporting to someone who currently reports to you?

There is plenty of room at the top, and we all climb separate ladders. Never hold back when you can help someone step up in

his career. There’s an old song that says, “Be nice to people on the way up; you’re gonna see them on the way back down.”

Hopefully not. But be a leader who promotes from within and you’ll all be glad to be there when you get to the top together.

Julie Desmond has fifteen years recruiting and career counseling experience. She currently directs job search workshops in Minneapolis. Please send your career planning and job search questions to Julie@insightnews.com.

Top multicultural employers keynote Hispanic marketing conference Three of the nation’s top multicultural marketing leaders from General Mills, State Farm and McDonald’s have been confirmed to keynote the 2010 Hispanic PR & Social Marketing Conference taking place May 10-12 at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Dallas, TX. Conference keynote addresses will be presented by Rudy Rodriguez, Director of Multicultural Marketing for General Mills, Mike Fernandez, Vice President of Public Affairs for State Farm and Co-Chair of the Institute for Public Relations and Bill Whitman Jr., Vice President of Communications for McDonald’s USA. In the spirit of the conference’s strong Hispanic social media focus Rodriguez will keynote on “Building Digital Expertise To Win With Hispanics.” Fernandez will kick off the conference with a keynote titled “I Know You Want Me…But it Takes More Than An Accent to Get Me.” Whitman’s presentation will focus on why a multicultural approach is key to a winning strategy.

Co-presented by the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) and the Hispanic PR Blog in partnership with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the conference now features more than 24 professional development opportunities, keynote presentations and panels focused on best practices in Hispanic public relations and social marketing, including sessions on social networking, marketing to next-generation Latinos and achieving and maintaining corporate diversity.

Among the new sessions announced are: - “Meet the Blogueros.” A “guy” version of the highly

• Jose Pinero, director of communications, TV, Video and Music Division of Microsoft • Paul Rand, chair, Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and president/CEO, the Zócalo Group • Olga Romero, manager of Hispanic and multicultural public relations, Southwest Airlines • Harvey Spigler, Chief of Advertising and Public Affairs, US Army Recruiting battalion Photos courtesy of the Hispanic PR

Rudy Rodriguez

Mike Fernandez

anticipated “Meet the Blogueras” panel, this session will feature several of the top male Latino social media voices from such sites as HispanicTips.com and TuTecnologia.com.

Other conference presenters representing corporations, government institutions, nonprofit organizations and multicultural public relations agencies include:

Bill Whitman Jr.

• Russell Bennett, vice president of Latino Health Solutions for UnitedHealthcare • Lorenzo Lopez, director of corporate communications, Wal-mart

• Saskia Sorrosa, senior director of marketing, National Basketball Association (NBA) The conference is being sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the National Association of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), Sony Electronics,

Southwest Airlines, McDonalds, Fleishman, the Axis Agency, Ketchum, VPE Public Relations, the Jeffrey Group, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, RL Public Relations, Telenoticias, PR Newswire, the Zocalo Group, Comerica Bank, Cision and the Dallas Conventions and Visitors Bureau. The conference’s lead media partner is Latino Leaders Magazine. Other media partners include Black PR Wire, Latina Style Magazine and My Latino Voice.

For more information on the Hispanic PR & Social Marketing Conference, visit www.hispanicprconference.com or contact show director, Ray Bianchi, at rbianchi@hispanicprblog.com or (305) 600-4878.

- “Verizon Case Study on My Fabulous Quinces.” Two of Verizon’s senior corporate communications team members share the inside story on how they planned, executed and measured the success of this “fabulous” program.

- “Diversity Forum on How to Help Hispanic Media Cover Issue of Structural Racism.”

Presented by the Kellogg Foundation, this forum will gather Hispanic marketing and media experts on a topic that directly impacts how Latino communities are informed.

Twelve sessions focus on marketing to Hispanics through social media strategies, and five on marketing to new generation Latinos. Two sessions focused on how corporations and other organizations can be more effective in the field of diversity.

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Page 4 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Bill Green explains MPS contract impasse

By Bill Green, Superintendent of Schools This letter, which is going out to all district parents, is intended to be the first of several communications to keep you apprised of the changes we propose to make to advance and improve the district for the benefit of students and the community as a whole.

We have spent many months at the bargaining table with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) talking through issues related to raising academic achievement for our students and creating the changes we need in our system. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach a final

Porter From 1 The estimated total population of these target areas is approximately 30,000 residents.

This corporation aims to ensure maximum opportunity for community residents to have final voice as to what and how projects will be developed in their neighborhoods.

agreement with MFT on the July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011 contract. This is despite our best efforts to reach an agreement that would enable us to make next year the most successful year yet for your students.

I am writing to you now to outline the changes the Board of Education and I believe we need to make in order to better educate our students to achieve academic excellence. Simply stated, we are trying to put in place three major priorities: 1.

Reform to support school improvement 2.

Stabilize and improve our instructional teams: this means getting Interview and Select into our teacher contracts permanently and 3.

Negotiate a fiscally

responsible and sustainable financial package For further details, please be sure to visit the district’s website at www.mpls.k12.mn.us to get further updates on contract negotiations with the teachers’ union. We are working hard to be certain the community is kept upto-date on how our negotiations have been progressing. More information on each of these topics will be coming your way in the next week.

I hope and trust you share our belief that these priorities will benefit your own child, as well as all of the students in our district.

Please talk with your fellow parents and community members about these issues and feel free to send us your feedback at feedback@mpls.k12.mn.us

Bill Green According NCDC Executive Director, Robert Porter, community based development corporations have served as the main catalysts for overall development in inner city neighborhoods throughout the country. “They usually start out with a narrow focus like affordable housing, economic development, healthcare or education, and as time goes on and expertise is gained expand their focus to respond to broader

community needs and opportunities,” he said.

Porter has been a resident of Minnesota for more than 30 years, though in recent years he worked in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas on community development projects. Porter has over 25 years professional experience in housing and economic development. He helped create the successful and ongoing Selby Area CDC in St. Paul, and

INSIGHT NEWS 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.

similar initiatives in the South.

Initially, the corporation will explore various development strategies that will address the following: 1.

Development of a five-year housing production plan including financing; 2.

Collaborate with local realtors, housing professionals, apartment owners, human resource providers, employers, and request their help in identifying any families who

would be interested in affordable housing in North Minneapolis; 3.

30 housing projects within all 5 target areas; 4.

Initial 1-year operational budget; 5.

Development of a Micro-Entrepreneur Training Program; 6.

Development of a community-based commercial/retail office center; 7.

Development of an affordable housing tax credit

project; and 8.

Work with existing entities to deal with the tremendous impacts of foreclosures on the Northside.

Seek out potential families who may be on the verge of foreclosure and provide assistance.

For additional information contact Robert Porter at (612) 816-9671. Or via e-mail at robertpkuumba@gmail.com

Odds

children aren’t burdened with challenges. No child should have to overcome such extreme adversity. The honorees give us the unique opportunity to envision what we can do so that

no child has to beat odds, so that all children are given the supports they need and deserve to grow up healthy and happy.

That’s the lesson we must take away.”

From 1

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Courtesy of Enlightened Images

Honorees at the Beat the Odds®, Children’s Defense Fund-MN event. Left to right: Jasmine Caldwell, Kristal Vang, Amanda Kelley & Brian Anderson.

Suluki Fardan

Koppel.

“Poverty, homelessness, illness, lack of health care, violence and loss of loved ones are experiences that no child should endure.

They have faced these hardships and not only survived, they have become leaders. Yet, while we celebrate their success, we must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that Minnesota’s

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Insight News • April 19 - April 25 • Page 5

AESTHETICS The Midwest Greek Step show “steps” up its game

By Ryan T. Scott The 8th Annual Midwest Greek Stepshow takes place April 24 at the Northrup Auditorium. Event organizers have promised that this year’s event is to be the best yet.

There is no greater promise than the brilliant minds of our youth on college and university campuses across America. In the African American collegiate community it is the many historic Greek-themed fraternity and sorority organizations that often lead in accomplishment and community activity. These groups instill standards of ethics and achievement in their membership, which results in masses of community service, and a bevy of the greatest achievers ever known in Black History. And when they get done being socially impactful, they make another kind of social impact through a stomp, a clap, a shimmy, and an occasional tap. Steppin’ is the brand of dance they do, and they do it to celebrate being young leaders on the right path.

Since its early days at the Green Central Gym, through the former ACE Institute of Learning, led by educator Ken Foxworth, the

Delphanie Daniels

event she has been part of since its beginnings in 2003. The 4H Program actually took over the stepshow in order to keep the stepshow development element of the after school program inherited from the former ACE Institute of Learning. 4H is an agricultural based program, and so the show briefly began to wander away from its core execution style.

And so Daniels did what superwomen tend to do. With the support of her family, Daniels created FaceTime and went straight to the top in order to get the Midwest Greek Stepshow back to the greatness of its name, and the expectations of the annual packed houses. For starters, Daniels went straight to the top by bringing in Finesse Mitchell, of Saturday Night Live fame, as a celebrity guest host.

“Down South and on the Coasts, we know that Stepshows are big celebrity events. There are so many celebrities that are Greek affiliated.

Finesse Mitchell is a Kappa. And not only are they big celebrity events, but they are huge community events with everyone represented: youth groups, small business, media, and corporate executives. We’ve had a good taste of that in the past, but it’s time to take it to the next level,” said Daniels. When you consider Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell are amongst the lineage of Saturday Night Live, Finesse Mitchell qualifies as one who should definitely take the Midwest Greek Stepshow to new heights.

Event sponsorship by business like Best Buy, Cub Foods, and Jostens has enabled the Midwest Greek Stepshow to transform into a tip-top affair. But it is the stern focus towards the development of youth that is the quiet, positive storm that will take the event to the greatest levels of accomplishment.

“40% of proceeds will go to MPS 100 Strong Who Care Program” Midwest Greek Stepshow has been the one major, local outlet for Black fraternities and sororities to make their statements through steppin’.

Delphanie Daniels is the exceptional entrepreneur who has taken the reigns of the Midwest Greek Stepshow, and she certainly has quite a few of the right ideas to make the show, and the influence of the show, grow to new heights. “I’m passionate about educating youth.

My goal is to create a strong institution through my new business FaceTime, with the stepshow as our leading event, and the acknowledgement and development of youth as our overriding focus.

Both financially and through programming, FaceTime will focus on giving kids exposure to options that help them get it right, rather than the excessive drug use, dropouts, and teen pregnancies that we see way too much of. We need to put in and organize a lot of face-toface interaction in order to get those goals accomplished,” said Daniels, who’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Daniels created FaceTime in order to build upon the success of the Midwest Greek Stepshow, an

“The main focus of our fiscal donations this year will go towards the Minneapolis Public Schools program “100 Strong Who Care,” said Daniels.

Their program supports face time for youth with supportive community members.

The members of our Greek letter organizations are the perfect individuals to expose our youth to, so they can see strong, young examples of what they can be in the near future. We start with these strong elements, and will work our way up to having a really big effect on the community. The fraternities and sororities are already doing so much that goes by somewhat silently, but if we increase the faceto-face interaction with the kids, then we can really wake something up in the kids, and the community, and thus turn some things around. I really believe we can do it. I’m really just so passionate about our youth. Providing scholarships for them will be next on the agenda.”

Daniels credits her family for supporting her through the long journey to this hopeful and successful point. “They are the driving force behind me,” lauded

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Step team Daniels. She adds, “I’ve gotten to this point in my professional development only because I pushed through so many setbacks. My dad taught me to stay focused on a goal; and when obstacles make you feel like you can’t, just always remember that you can.”

In his retirement speech, Michael Jordan said “Never say never. Limits, like fears, are often just illusions.” Jordan is a member of Omega Psi Phi. Daniels was not afraid to take on the huge task of bringing the Midwest Greek Stepshow to the next level of success, while saving it from some brief misdirection. Fortunately the future success of her labors will have hugely positive reverberations throughout the many layers of the community, with the youth and the brilliant collegians representing the most important layers.

Information on the Midwest Greek Stepshow is available @

www.FaceTimeonline.net Doors for the event open at 5pm,

Courtesy FaceTime

with showtime at 6pm.

Page 6 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

HEALTH Giving to the world with diamonds and pearls

By Chris Garner, Contributing Writer “It’s more than just a dress,� the Diamonds and Pearls Project is offering young, under privileged girls, the concept of beauty that exudes inside as well as out.

Tiana Hall, along with seven other board members including her mother Angela Hall, Conchetta DeLeon, Winter Olaofe, Nina Mentzos , and Ashleigh Tillman, have set out to make sure prom is no longer a financial burden for the urban teen, but a time for them to enjoy being young. Hall and a few of her close friends set out to accomplish this goal last April when they decided to go forward with her idea of helping some of Minneapolis’ deserving teens. Thus, the Diamonds and Pearl Project was born.

This idea stemmed from the California-based charity The

Princess Project, a similar Minnesota program, Give-a-Gown, and the North Minneapolis native’s own experiences of addressing financial issues during her time in high school. “We know that [North Minneapolis] needs this type of service and opportunity,� said Tillman, one of the Diamonds and Pearls Project board members. As a North Minneapolis school teacher, she has also seen first hand these financial hardships.

So far the project has held two Diamonds and Pearls events, one which was recently held at Heritage Park. Through word of mouth board members were able to collect new to slightly used dresses, accessories, and services.

Young ladies seeking to take advantage in this unique opportunity started lining-up at 8 am, hoping to be one of the first prom-bound girls to get fitted for a dress when the doors opened at 10 am. Girls only had to bring a school I.D. and were allowed to bring one guest over the

age of 18. Booths were set up where the young ladies had the opportunity to choose a dress, accessories, and have make-up and hair done to compliment their look. They were also offered alterations.

Groups and companies that donated their services were Mary Kay; Accent Store Fixtures; Lights, Camera, Action Salon and Spa, Erbert’s & Gerberts , Navas Driving School, The Chiseler Barber & Beauty Shop; and Megan S. Sherwin Photography, as well as Brooklyn Park Recreation & Parks , Heritage Park Community, and Zanewood Recreation Center who donated their time and space. Girls also had a chance to participate in a drawing for an opportunity to have their senior pictures taken by Megan Sherwin.

The events have been promoted by word of mouth and flyers in high traffic areas, as well as on the Internet via Craig’s List. This year, Diamonds and Pearls has collected over 200 dresses, exceeding their goal. “Next year we plan to be able

Board members and volunteers show case gowns donated to Diamonds and Pearls Project to serve at least 150 girls,� said Tillman.

Tillman said Diamonds and Pearls Project are through with events for the year, but will be collecting dresses through out the rest of this year for up coming formal

events. She also stated that they promote all the girls who participated this year to spread the word and donate back to the project.

For more information on the Diamonds and Pearls Project, contact Ashleigh Tillman directly at

Megan M Sherwin

ashleightil@gmail.com or by phone at (952)239-6815. Additional information is also available on the organization’s webpage: thediamondsandpearlsproject.org.

Good access to health care is key to living well

By Melody Mendiola, MD African Americans comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population. As a group, their health status continues to lag behind that of whites, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

For example, the report goes on to say that the African American infant mortality rate is more than double that of whiles and African Americans die from diabetes at more than three times the rate of whites.

Although many factors account for health status differences, access to health insurance coverage and appropriate health services could reduce many of these disparities.

As part of its mission to improve the health of the community, Hennepin County Medical Center has developed different options to improve a person's access to health care. These options are designed to be convenient and affordable and to

help the community get the best possible medical care for their families.

Among them: New Wal-Mart Clinic - The Clinic at Walmart, operated by Hennepin County Medical Center, offers accessible, affordable high quality health care that is delivered by qualified practitioners. All clinicians are licensed, board-certified practitioners employed by Hennepin County Medical Center.

The Clinic at Walmart treats a wide range of medical conditions ranging from allergies, cold, flu, pink eye and strep throat to shingles or minor burns and abrasions.

Vaccinations, including those for flu and pneumonia, are also available at the clinic. Patients can also get a number of lab tests at the clinic, including tests for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases,

cholesterol and colon cancer.

Located at 715 E. 78th Street in Bloomington, the Clinic at Walmart is convenient to use. No appointment is necessary. The clinic is open Monday-Friday, 10 am to 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

The Clinic at Walmart accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most major insurance plans.

Community Clinics - Hennepin Care North, Hennepin Care South, Hennepin Care East Lake, and Family Medical Center (West Lake Street) are hospital-based clinics located throughout the Twin Cities that are owned by Hennepin County Medical Center.

In the downtown area, adults and children can receive care at the Downtown Medicine Clinic and the Downtown Pediatrics Clinic.

Many of the HCMC Medicine Clinics can offer same-day

appointments.

Interpreters and Cultural Experts - Over the past several decades, the state of Minnesota, and more particularly Minneapolis and St. Paul, has become home to many new immigrants and refugees. This has broadened the cultural diversity of the metropolitan area.

Hennepin County Medical Center's Interpreter Services have medical interpreters who not only have a rich medical background from their native countries, but are cultural experts as well, able to provide medical staff with cultural knowledge. This resource gives health care providers the tools readily available to ensure that patients from different countries provide care that's appropriate to their cultural needs.

More than 50 interpreters in 20 different languages are available free of charge and at all hours.

Emergency Express Care - Patients with minor acute illnesses, simple injuries, and other non-emergency conditions now have a fast track through the Emergency Department since Hennepin County Medical Center's new Emergency Express Care opened at the downtown campus.

On the first floor of the Red Building at 730 S. 8th Street, patients will report to the Emergency Department triage desk and cross the hallway to Emergency Express Care if appropriate.

Emergency Express Care is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is

necessary.

MyChart - A person's health is important around the clock-not just during office hours. That's why Hennepin County Medical Center offers MyChart. With this Internet connection to their doctor's office, patients can schedule appointments, request prescription refills, review their health history and more-online, at any time.

With MyChart, patients can use the Internet to request medical appointments, view their health summary from the MyChart electronic health record, view test results, request prescription renewals, and communicate electronically and securely with your medical care team.

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insightnews.com

Insight News • April 19 - April 25 • Page 7

COMMENTARY VA Governor apologizes for Confederate ‘mistake’ NNPA Commentary

By Ray Boone “I apologize”: This call came at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday [April 7] — right at the Free Press deadline.

The caller: Gov. Bob McDonnell. After exchanging pleasantries, the governor immediately told the editor/publisher the reason for his call.

Unsurprisingly, his urgent communication on this occasion was about his Confederate History Month Proclamation — the despicable decree that he issued honoring false heroes who fought to preserve the cruel system of slavery and to annihilate the United States of America and its promise of freedom.

We listened patiently. The governor immediately acknowledged that he had made a mistake and had amended his proclamation — a proclamation that ignored the atrocities of slavery in an on-going attempt to sanitize the brutalization and degradation inflicted on Black people. The proclamation was an outstanding example of how Confederate “scholars” use the sin of omission to justify their flimsy racist arguments.

“I apologize for the mistake,” he told the editor/publisher. “I want you to know I made a mistake … (and) to confirm I condemn slavery.”

In apparent response to criticism by political friend Doug Wilder and negative national press coverage, the governor was making reference to his insertion of a paragraph in the proclamation condemning slavery as “evil and inhumane” and correctly blaming slavery as the cause of the Civil War. He also told us he had made a sincere effort “to fix the problem” and that in his next three years-plus as governor, he planned to take

taxpayers’ money to: • Irrationally and unjustifiably place Confederate figures on the same historic plane as such true heroes as President Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and the 200,000 Black soldiers who arguably made the difference in defeating the traitorous, slaveholding South; and

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) positive steps to bring balance to history and fulfill the enlightened, Free Press-applauded promises he made in his January 16 inaugural “Commonwealth of Opportunity” address. We also suggested to the governor that, wittingly or

Dignity From 1 didn’t sign on to the Dignity Center until she got the call from Carlson, two days following her retirement from Wells Fargo. “I didn’t even get a chance to sleep in for a few days,” she said, smiling. “It is something I wanted to do but hadn’t had the chance till I retired.

“People want someone to know their name and to look at them, not down at them,” she said.

“This is an environment where they are safe.”

Asked how she translated her experiences as a corporate vice president to serving the homeless, Lyell said she brings the same sincerity, integrity and genuineness. “Volunteering was not new to me. I volunteered regularly at Loaves and Fishes for years. I responded to Ann Carlson’s call because I felt there was a need. I leave everyday feeling I have reached out and touched one of my brothers and sisters. I know only by the Grace of God it wasn’t me that was in need. My role as a Christian is to be my brother’s keeper,” Lyell said.

Likewise, for Executive Director Ann Carlson, the Dignity Center is a calling. She has worked in human services for 45 years. She taught at the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development for eight years, started the YWCA Children’s Center in downtown Minneapolis, and worked as a Family Life Educator for Family and Children’s Service. In mid-career,

Health From 6 MyChart is a free service.

Paying for health care - According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half of African Americans nationally have private health insurance; Medicaid covers an

Clint Hewitt, Rita Lyell and Ann Carlson

Suluki Fardan

she returned to school and got a degree in Counseling Psychology and had a private practice in Child and Family Therapy. She has been the Director of the Dignity Center for 4 ½ years.

“My career has been devoted to helping people develop themselves. I have worked with kids, seniors and people in therapy. The theme is that I have worked with people who are economically poor,” Carlson said.

“I feel called to do this work,” she said. “Ten years ago I had breast cancer. I had the Big Dream. God came to me and said ‘I have work for you to do.’ This is it.”

Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church itself is a crown jewel on America’s religious landscape.

Rita Lyell recounted that her family, prior to 1957, attended Border Methodist Church in North Minneapolis. The Black congregation was displaced by Interstate 94 construction, a move many now refer to as urban removal, not the promised urban renewal.

Border was a sister church to Hennepin Methodist Church. The congregations merged in 1957. It was the first time in American history that an all white and an all Black church merged.

Hewitt and his family were Methodists living in Ann Arbor, MI when work relocated them to the Twin Cities in the early 70s.

His minister in Ann Arbor suggested he look at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist as a new church home. “We knew the history and the challenge the congregants had undertaken. In light of the 1972 social environment, we saw this church committed to the challenges of the day, recognizing that we are all children of God,” Hewitt said.

The mission of the Dignity Center, standing between charity and justice, is to provide support, opportunity and resources for people in transition as they regain stability in their lives and move towards self-sufficiency. The Dignity Center follows a unique, comprehensive model to provide

additional 21 percent but almost one quarter are uninsured.

Many health care providers are making great efforts to provide health care to all underserved communities. At Hennepin County Medical Center, patients with no health insurance or limited coverage may qualify for a Hennepin Care discount, depending on their income.

Those who cannot pay their bill within 30 days can work with

financial counselors who are available to talk about payment arrangements. Public assistance is also available for those who qualify.

It's also possible to request a price estimate in advance of a particular service or procedure.

Hennepin County Medical Center is just one of many health care providers doing their part to ensure that everyone - regardless of race, income or ability to pay - can

File Photo

unwittingly, his proclamation — even with its amendment and apology — would only serve to regenerate the degenerate Confederate mentality because even the revised proclamation would use the seal of the Commonwealth and

support to clients on their path to regain stability in nine key focus areas: Housing, Income/Financial Management, Employment, Health/Medical Needs, Education, Relationships, Legal Issues, Substance Abuse, and Organizational Skills.

Open three mornings per week, the Center is where clients meet with a trained volunteer advocate to address each client’s unique needs. The Dignity Center program is founded on clients developing an ongoing and supportive relationship with one or two volunteer advocates. This working relationship ensures accountability and gives clients hope and encouragement along the way as they regain confidence and self-motivation.

In January of 2009, Hennepin County identified 235 individuals unsheltered, living on the streets, in cars, or in other places unfit for human habitation. Hennepin County has a public/private shelter system that serves 290 families, 780 single adults and 48 youth. The demand for shelter space has increased by 60 percent in the past year.

The Dignity Center had 4,153 client visits, both first time and repeat, a 13 percent increase compared with 3,667 client visits in 2008. The success of the Center is built on a cadre of more than 70 volunteers from throughout the greater Twin Cities Metro area, both from HAUMC and other congregations as well as unaffiliated individuals who donated an estimated 5,000 hours of their time supporting the work of the Dignity Center.

In 2009, Dignity Center clients received referrals for

receive quality health care for themselves and their families.

Melody Mendiola, MD, is a boardcertified 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) 873-8800.

• Support the state-sanctioned and financed outrageous sesquicentennial program that promotes Virginia’s shameful role in the Civil War. Elaborate plans to mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War are scheduled to go into high gear next year.

We respectfully warn the governor again that he will face more trouble if he truly intends to keep his promise to help correct Virginia history and to fulfill his “Commonwealth of Opportunity” promise. A major source of the problem: The Confederatesympathizing state sesquicentennial commission chaired by fellow Republican Speaker of the House William J. Howell, who shifted a housing, job counseling and training, schooling, medical resources, psychological counseling, food shelves, financial counseling, and legal help; $32,538.28 worth of tokens and bus cards for medical appointments, schooling, housing and job searches, about double the amount provided in 2008; (In order to continue receiving transportation aid, clients need to provide documentation that the transportation help was used to

sesquicentennial event from Hampton University when its president, Dr. William R. Harvey, insisted that the commission respect rigorous, fair-minded scholarship; and the commission’s unquestionably explosive plans that irresponsibly call for the showing of Birth of a Nation, a White supremacy movie that glorifies the violent, hate-spewing Ku Klux Klan.

The solution: Rescind the illconceived, racially divisive Confederate History Month Proclamation and discontinue the governor’s embracement of the sesquicentennial activities that fuel the repulsive behavior of Tea Party types who are fanatically devoted to “taking our country back.”

Governor, we appreciate your call, with the hope that our conversation will prove useful in your efforts to keep your promises sincerely intended to build a better Commonwealth for all Virginians.

Raymond H. Boone is Editor/Publisher of the Richmond Free Press, an NNPA member newspapers. meet scheduled appointments.); 3,112 pounds of emergency food, about double the amount provided in 2008; hats, gloves, scarves, backpacks, toiletry kits, calendars, and sets of school supplies; vouchers and cash help worth more than $20,000 for eyeglasses, dental care, clothes, household goods, and haircuts; supportive, stable and structured environment where they could set goals for themselves and build back a sense of dignity.

Page 8 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE Bring back those wholesome family times Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey Earlier today I had a wonderful lunch date with an inspiring woman who is a mother of two

adult children. I was telling her how my three children and I went on a bike riding adventure that led us to discover interesting trails and new routes through our city.

Before we knew it (about an hour and a half later), the children and I had traveled about six miles or so.

A couple of my babies were getting kind of tired, so we stopped for a lunch break. By the time we were ready to hop back onto our bikes; my husband called and offered to come pick us up.

“YES, please!” was my answer.

He got there and we loaded all the bikes into the minivan and rode off.

The interesting part of that adventure was this: my oldest child loved it and did not want to stop. My youngest liked it and he probably wouldn’t have complained about the one-hour ride back, and my second-born thought it was a lot of hard workher tires needed air, oops!

Everyone agreed that it was fun to discover new routes, enjoy the warm weather, and most importantly be together.

Throughout the biking the children remained cheerful and for the rest of the weekend, they talked about how much fun our day had been.

After listening intently, my lunch companion commented that we had a spring day of wholesome fun. She shared that when her girls were young one of the things they most enjoyed was making meals together. Although this loving mom had them doing many enriching extracurricular activities, those simple kitchen memories stand out even now. I appreciate that she described our family time as wholesome. When I think of that word, I think of good, clean, fun, simple, and freap (free or cheap) times together where families get strengthened as a unit and as individuals. Become inspired-and then inspire others-to make a new commitment to wholesome family time and watch the positive impact it will have.

Rediscover Biking: Minnesota’s walking and bike trails are among the best in the nation, so don’t let them go to waste. Grab the kiddos, and hop on your bikes, or rent them near the lake; prices start at around $17 for a couple of hours.

Take a Hike: What says wholesome better than a family nature walk? Whether it’s right within your neighborhood, through a wooded area, around the calming lakes, or through the breathtaking Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Conservatory, have a contest to

Anissa Thompson

see which family member can spot the most spring-time signs; new budding trees, new flowers, new baby ducklings, etc.. Just don’t forget your camera.

Play in your yard: Another fun family activity that we’ve been doing since the weather has warmed is playing a low-impact version of kickball in our driveway-the bases are close to each other (and it’s easier on mama’s knees). We use one of those super lightweight rubber balls- it’s impossible to break your neighbor’s window with it. My son can’t get enough of this game.

After I picked my kids up from school today, we went to the park and did homework outside. As we sat, I noticed four little children, who looked to be about threeyears-old. They were running around and it was clear that they were having a good time. I leaned

over to my son and said, “You used to be that small, Landon.”

“Did I run that fast?” he wanted to know.

“You ran even faster,” I replied. For a split second I became a little sad as I realized that I did not have a clear memory of Landon being that size. Time has gone by so quickly, and it sometimes feels as if it’s speeding up. Where ever you are in your

family’s stage of life, take time this week to enjoy wholesome moments that strengthens (or repairs) your family bond. Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at a low cost. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 19 - April 25 • Page 9

Connecting MPS’ rich diversity to community, businesses and non-p profits

By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer A total of 34,000 students are educated within the Minneapolis Public School District. Seventy percent are students of color.

James C. Burroughs II and staff in the Office of Equity and Diversity within Minneapolis Public Schools, view diversity, equity and respect as key factors in gauging the successful education and guidance of students. From April 13 through April 24, 2010, the Office of Equity and Diversity in partnership with key community stakeholders, has been hosting Scholarship Service and Step Week; a series of events exposing students to the benefits of post secondary education, successful career paths, and service to community. The ultimate goal is to propel the next generation of leaders into positive leadership, and to support 100 Strong Who Care - Building Bridges for the Next Generation, an initiative that matches professionals with students through service-learning events at Minneapolis Public Schools.

Burroughs, a proud Morehouse College Graduate and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, explains, "The

purpose of it is to not only to get youth interested in colleges and careers but to also show the other side of fraternities and sororities.

A lot of times they are known for movies like School Daze, or Stomp the Yard, where you see stepping but a lot of times it's more to it than that. There is community service and academic performance. Carter G. Woodson, a member of my great fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., founded Black History month.

Other distinguished members include Vernon Jordan, and the 1st Black Governor Douglas Wilder.

So those are things we want to help youth understand about the purpose of fraternities and sororities as well."

Other partners in the initial planning of strategy and events include Delphanie Daniels, FaceTime; Rose McGee, AchieveMpls!; and Christopher Bennet, Morehouse College Alumni Association. Minneapolis Public Schools reached out to these community partners and posed the question, "What can we do to come together and create a scholarship and service step week so it's not only a step show, but also celebrates the service and scholarship of fraternities and sororities." The outcome includes the following events.

• Dr. Robert M. Franklin,

Morehouse College, Speaks at University of Minnesota Wednesday, April 21, 2010 • 100 Strong Who Care at Minneapolis Public Schools Thursday, April 22, 2010 and Friday, April 23, 2010 • Delta Sigma Theta and Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Blood Drive Saturday, April 24, 2010 • Morehouse College Alumni Association Walk for Prostate Cancer Saturday, April 24, 2010 • AchieveMpls! Parent College Tour Saturday, April 24, 2010 • 8th Annual Midwest Greek Step Show (A portion of proceeds to 100 Strong Who Care.)

Saturday, April 24, 2010 "We want to make sure that our young people have exposure to the various aspects of college life. The main goal of Minneapolis Public Schools is to have every child college ready and in order to do that, you have to create a passion in that child around going to college and what college is. So with all of these events, we are doing we want to give youth a slice of college life.

And whether you go to the University of Minnesota, Morehouse College, Augsburg College, or Minneapolis Community and Technical

College, we want youth to know there is fun in college, service activities, and people who care -first and foremost. We are bringing people in who have gone to colleges and are now in their careers. We are going to have college students talk to youth about engaging in college and moving onto their careers. It is really important for us to bring in that connection from the students to the community," said Burroughs.

The overarching vision for the Office of Equity and Diversity is continually answering the question, "How do we connect the richness of diversity we have in our school system with the community, the business community, the non-profit community, and how do we make sure everybody is excited about helping our youth graduate from high school and move onto their careers?

"So a lot of the work we do through 100 Strong Who Care, Service Scholarship and Step, and even work through our business partners, partnerships with a diverse supplier base, is geared towards building that community connection with our schools. As we all know children of color are not doing as well on test scores, and aren't doing well in graduation rates. We want to

James Burroughs III create innovative programs that can help them do better," said Burroughs.

For more information on the Scholarship Service and Step

Courtesy James Burroughs III

Week, contact Adebisi A. Wilson, Minneapolis Public Schools Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, at (612) 668-0018 or adebisi.wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us.

NAACP dismisses lawsuit against Wells Fargo The NAACP announced that it is ending its lawsuit against Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Since 2007, the NAACP has filed lawsuits against more than a dozen of the largest financial institutions alleging violations of the Fair Housing and Equal Credit Opportunity Acts and racial discrimination.

Unlike other pending lawsuits that seek monetary damages on behalf of individual borrowers, the NAACP lawsuits seek to change mortgage lending industry behaviors.

Wells Fargo and the NAACP have agreed to work constructively on ways to improve fair credit access, sustainable homeownership and

financial literacy for communities of color and other historically disadvantaged communities. At the heart of this agreement is Wells Fargo's endorsement of the NAACP's "Banking Principles on Fairness and Lending," which advance practices that ensure all borrowers get the highest quality credit vehicle appropriate for their circumstances and that guard against racial discrimination in lending.

"We brought these lawsuits against lenders to change and stop patterns of racial discrimination and other mortgage lending behaviors that have shattered American lives, families, and neighborhoods," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin

Todd Jealous. "We developed the NAACP banking principles to ensure that our country moves toward higher rates of sustainable homeownership. We commend Wells Fargo for taking a leadership role by being the first to embrace our principles, and hope this effort becomes a model for collaborating with other financial institutions."

"For generations, Wells Fargo has worked to lend responsibly to historically disadvantaged consumers and businesses," said Jon Campbell, head of Wells Fargo's Social Responsibility Group. "In 2004, we published our fair and responsible lending principles by which we have long operated. We view this as the next

constructive step forward in realizing our vision of helping all of our customers to further business ownership and promote financial empowerment."

"In these tough economic times marked by limited credit and homeowners struggling to stay afloat, we are pleased that Wells Fargo has stepped forward to be a partner in our efforts to increase fair lending," said NAACP Board Chairman Roslyn Brock.

Wells Fargo has invited the NAACP to review its lending practices and to make recommendations to further improve credit availability to African American and diverse businesses and consumers, to

further assist borrowers facing foreclosures, and to further promote financial literacy and education.

"We are committed to working constructively with the NAACP and our communities to help stabilize neighborhoods across our country," said Campbell.

The NAACP remains in litigation with 14 other financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Citibank and HSBC over allegations of unfair lending practices and lending discrimination.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and

supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil and human rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and advocating for equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.

Page 10 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR MPS to host additional informational meetings on district headquarters The Minneapolis Public Schools on April 20 and 22 will host informational meetings to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about the three proposals for right-sizing district headquarters. These proposals were presented to the Board of Education on March 23 and at a public informational meeting on April 8. At the upcoming meetings,

representatives from each of the three firms under consideration will detail their proposals and provide the community with an opportunity to ask questions.

Currently, MPS operates administrative offices in four buildings: 807 NE Broadway, Webster, 1250 W Broadway and the Lehmann Center. The new headquarters proposals right-size the amount of administrative

Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

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. www.hamline.edu/wesleycenter

Events An Individualized Internet Course for Senior Adults At last! Individualized instruction to help you find health information on the internet. Free, ongoing classes and workshops held at these locations: Eastside Neighborhood Services 1700 2nd St. NE, Mpls. 55413 (612)-7874020 or The Seniors' Place 1801 Central Ave. NE, Mpls. 55418 (612)-788-9186.

Terry Tempest Williams, “Finding Beauty in a Broken World” - Apr. 20

space to the number of employees, reducing administrative office space from 633,000 square feet to 275,000. Consolidating space into one facility will save approximately $10 million over the next three decades and provide administrative staff with an appropriate place to work.

The three proposals for review include: • 1250 West Broadway: New

“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 651293-8733.

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

build-to-suit structure for District Headquarters/Welcome Center.

The proposal includes a partial renovation of the former Anishinabe building at 2225 East Lake St. for Welcome Center/Community Ed/Adult Basic Education. (This satellite option could be part of the 807 renovation as well.)

• 807 NE Broadway (current headquarters): Full renovation of

Just what the kids need Project Diva and Above the E.D.G.E. youth programs are consolidating their efforts in order to fill a large missed opportunity in the educational and mentorship landscape for our youth. The “Pillow Talk” on Saturday April 24th is designed to be an intimate conversation in which youth and mentors can catapult progress towards the concepts of personal development that give them the esteem base needed to be successful in our fast paced society.

Community leaders will help to kick off discussions, followed by having the young adults break off into smaller groups to further the discussions on their own. The topics of discussion include: Leadership, Social & Emotional, Academic, Physical, and Financial Literacy.

Considering the many powerful national headlines regarding troubled youth, it seems that this face-to-face intimate conversation is just what the future ordered.

Mentor speakers are still being accepted. The event will be held at the U.R.O.C. on Plymouth Ave North. Contact Quadree Drakeford through is website www.protecttheedgenow.com (Auditorium). For questions or to reserve a table, call (612) 9408090.

ASPP To Host “Scrambled Content” - Apr. 22 The Midwest chapter of The

American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP) will hold a networking session and panel discussion addressing “Scrambled Content” on Thur. Apr. 22, 5:00pm at the Minneapolis Photo Center 2400 North 2nd St. Mpls. MN.

CLASSIFIEDS Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Substitute Teacher 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).

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

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.

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 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.

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 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

Town Square Apts.

East Grand Forks MN HUD subsidized hsg for persons 62+ or with disability. For application contact 218-773-3631 or dmoon@eastgrandforks.net "Equal Housing Opportunity Provider"

existing district administration building • 11th Avenue & 3rd Street South (Valspar Building): Lease of an existing single tenant office building with parking ramp Childcare and Hmong, Spanish and Somali interpretive services will be available at the meetings. To RSVP for childcare, please call (612) 668-0230.

Genesis II- Programs Manager

Salary and benefits competitive. To apply, submit resume and cover letter by April 30, 2010 to Ann Gaasch at genesis2@genesis2.org.

No calls please.

RAMSEY COUNTY WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is pleased to announce the issuance of two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for culturally specific MFIP Employment Services (MFIP-ES). * RFP JTPA-140 is seeking MFIP-ES for up to 200 African American participants * RFP JTPA-141 is seeking MFIP-ES for up to 200 American Indian participants.

Workforce Solutions seeks community partners whose service delivery will incorporate efforts to reduce racial/cultural disparities in MFIP outcomes and will expand services to include a family approach.

Proposals are due by 2:00 on Thursday, May 13th. A pre-proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, April 21 at 1:00 at the Rondo Library in St. Paul .

If you are interested in receiving a copy of one or both RFPs, please email Liz Maher at: Elizabeth.maher@ci.stpaul.mn.us Please indicate your company name, address, contact person, and the contact person's phone number. You will be asked to send a confirmation of receipt when you receive an email copy of an RFP.

April 22, from 6:30 -8:30 p.m.

Jefferson Community School 1200 W. 26th St. Minneapolis, MN 55405

Contact Paul H. Henning: 414607-9642 www.aspp.com PACER Center is offering “Youth with Mental Health and Other Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System” - Apr. 22 Free workshop for professionals, including attorneys, social workers, probation officers, and other correction staff. Thur., Apr. 22, 2010, from 9am-noon at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minn.

Advance registration is requested.

“All For Him,” Praise Dance Conference Apr. 23-25 Calling those interested in spreading the Gospel through movement and expression. Learn skills and technique vital to supporting and developing a spiritually rich and anointed dance ministry. Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church 3355 Fourth St N., Mpls. Fri. Apr. 23 3:00pm – Sun. Apr. 25 5:00pm To register or info: 763-571-1085 or www.fellowshipmb.org

Updated 1-2 Bedroom Apartments in Whittier Clean, quiet, secure, Parking available near bus WHITTIER COMMUNITY APARTMENTS 612-870-RENT(7368) “Equal Housing Opportunity Provider”

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Big Jay’s Cleaning Service Company 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 3705 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412

The Programs Manager holds a highly visible position in the agency. He/she must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills as well as being highly detailed orientated. It is the responsibility of the Program Manager to manage services for families, supervise staff, and to coordinate referrals and staffing.

April 20, from 6:30-8 p.m.

Sullivan Community School 3100 E. 28th St. Minneapolis, MN 55406

3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Jerry Allen Marshall, 3705 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412 4. 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: Jerry Allen Marshall - Owner Date Filed: 04/01/2010 Insight News 4/19/2010, 4/26/2010

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

Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) Assistant Director of Operations and Programs The University invites applications for the position of UROC Assistant Director of Operations and Programs, a full-time position integral to making UROC programs successful, responsive, and sustainable. The starting date and salary are negotiable, and the position includes full benefits. This position will be located in the University’s UROC facility at 2001 Plymouth Ave. North in Minneapolis; transportation will be needed to travel from there to the Twin Cities campus (travel costs are reimbursed). Hours will usually be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some evening and weekend hours will also be required.

The position includes three primary areas of responsibility: 1.

Manage the day-to-day operation of the facility effectively to ensure that it is well maintained, meets the needs of the programs located at UROC and the public, helps build community-university relations and partnerships, and provides access to University programs and resources; 2.

Assist the leadership team in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating UROC programs and events; 3.

Promote UROC and share information about its programs and opportunities with University and community stakeholders and the public Minimum Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree; management, budget, supervisory, and program planning experience; skill working with diverse groups; and more. Please refer to the complete position description for additional requirements, information, and application procedures by visiting the University of Minnesota Employment website at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/ employment/; please use requisition number 165693 to access this position.

The position will remain open until filled, but the priority deadline is April 30, 2010. If you have questions about the application process please contact Kathy Yaeger at 612-624-5841 or Yaeger@umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Univ. of St. Thomas News Service

Judge Patrick Robinson

Jamaican Judge Patrick Robinson, president of the United Nations’ International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, will reflect on his career in international law and human rights in a speech at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13, in Thornton Auditorium of Terrence Murphy Hall, at the University of St. Thomas’ Minneapolis campus, 1000 LaSalle Ave.

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: 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

OFFICE OF ENERGY SECURITY

STATE ENERGY OFFICE Notice of Public Hearing on the State Delivery Plan for FY 2011 Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons Program Grant.

The Office of Energy Security, State Energy Office is conducting a public hearing, required by the United States Department of Energy, on the State Delivery Plan for the FY 2011 Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons Program grant.

Plan changes include the number of dwellings to be weatherized and updates to the Training and Technical Assistance portion of the plan.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the Department of Commerce, Suite 500, 85 - 7th Place East, St. Paul, MN 55101 in the Summit Conference Room. The hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until all interested and affected persons have an opportunity to participate or 3:00 p.m. at the latest. Oral and/or written testimonies may be submitted at the hearing. In addition, written testimony will be accepted by the Department until 4:30 p.m. on April 23, 2010. Additional written testimony may be submitted to: Barb Krech Office of Energy Security Department of Commerce Suite 500 85 - 7th Place East St. Paul, MN 55101 A copy of the plan may be obtained by contacting Barb Krech at (651) 284-3262.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 19 - April 25 • Page 11

SPORTS WNBA Draft: Monica Wright, Kelsey Griffin season. Combining Whalen with the fresh young athleticism of Wright could certainly be a championship sort of combination considering the other components of the team.

The Lynx are stacked. To think that guard Candace Wiggins may be coming off of the bench is to think that the Lynx may have the best 6th woman in the game. Last year Wiggins, along with the other young members of the line, Charde Houston and Nicky Anosike, all averaged around 13 points per game. That's dependability. And sandwiched in-between that dependability is the lady with one of the greatest names and games in WNBA history, Seimone Augustus.

Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Collegiate drafts in the various sports are always pretty interesting. I suppose the concept of good kids coming up and getting theirs is always something to celebrate. For the Minnesota Lynx it was quite the celebration this year, but it was sort of like someone kept on bumping the DJ table and making the record skip a few times. However, in the end, the Lynx ended up getting much better for the upcoming year, and even the year to follow.

The Lynx traded away the first pick in the WNBA draft in order to get more subsequent picks at the second and third draft slots this year. This was a pretty difficult move to make because the first pick represented the opportunity to bring in National Champion guard Tina Charles from the University of Connecticut (UCONN). Now if you didn't happen to notice the undefeated dominating season that UCONN had this year, which was simply a carryover from last years' National Championship, then you may have perhaps missed the collegiate career of the future Michael Jordan of the WNBA. The women's game is evolving mightily, and you only need to watch Charles' jumpshot form to know that men and women are equal. I don't care where you're from Tina Charles has one of the most beautiful jumpshots known to man.

I suppose I'm making it seem like the Lynx made a major mistake in allowing

Monica Wright Charles to go to the Connecticut Sun, but overall the Lynx positioned themselves to be a better team, and with the second pick they picked up the University of Virginia's all-time leading scorer in Monica Wright - Virginia is a pretty

a guard, and even more astounding were her 3.7 steals per game. With numbers like that, Wright may not be the Michael Jordan of the WNBA in the future, but she sure seems to have the ability to be his alltime great sidekick Scottie

“The goal needs to be to win a championship” - Lynx Head Coach, Cheryl Reeve good school for athletics, so her accomplishment really says something about her ability.

Not only did Wright average 23.7 points during her Senior campaign, but she also managed 6.5 rebounds, which is huge for

Pippen. All of those statistics have Scottie Pippen written all over them, and watching someone play defense like that will be an absolute treat for the upcoming Lynx season.

Obviously there is

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/

something more to the moves that the Lynx made in swapping a few picks and players, and that something, or rather someone, has a very familiar name. Lindsay Whalen is a name that Minnesotan's should readily remember, because she was the best thing to come from the University of Minnesota Women's Basketball program this decade, and perhaps ever.

Whalen played guard for the Gophers, was Big Ten Player of the Year in 2002, and was subsequently drafted fourth in the following draft. Whalen's style of play is about as fun as it comes, but she is also a very efficient leader, and this may be the greatest characteristic that she brings to the coming Lynx

Augustus will be returning from injury, but she certainly is not the type that anyone wants to bet against for a spectacular return.

As for the future, the Lynx also "wheeled and dealed" so that they may have even more impact in the 2011 draft by picking up extra first and second round picks. Next year's draft is set up to b, perhaps, the best in WNBA history, and the Lynx have plenty of trump cards in the deck.

As for now, in the words of Head Coach Cheryl Reeve, "The goal needs to be to win a championship." I'd say that the Lynx have all the right leading ladies to do so, including Reeve.

Page 12 • April 19 - April 25, 2010 • Insight News

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