Insight News ::: 4.23.12

AfroDescendientes Editor’s note: Last week we initiated a new effort to reveal the sense of connectedness we in the African Diaspora are bringing into clearer focus, by publishing in Spanish and English, commentary on the Trayvon Martin murder written

by Panamanian writer, lawyer and human rights advocate, Alberto Barrow. What began our new relationship was an article in the Panamanian daily newspaper that Barrow sent me about Black girls not being allowed to wear braids in public school. The rules that forbid “Black” hair styles, but favor white hair styling as the norm, amount to cultural imperialism at its root.

MORE ON PAGE 2 PhotoXpress

INSIGHT NEWS April 23 - April 29, 2012 • MN Metro Vol. 38 No. 17 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Help Wanted!

Rebuilding the education pipeline for Generation “Un” traditional educational settings, thus ending up in sparsely funded alternative learning centers in absence of the remediation, psychological, mental and family support services needed to respond to the risk factors that dominate their lives; unable to finish high school as their foundational basic skills were never developed throughout the years, ultimately becoming discouraged and quitting school-derailed by the weight of hopelessness; now unable to qualify for a job on a career pathway because of the lack of both a high school diploma and an industry credential; unable to envision, enroll or persist in a postsecondary institution because the system has not

Gateway to excellence

By Scott Gray MUL President/CEO “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared;” these are the words of the late Whitney Young, Jr. who served as President of the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971.

But what happens when someone sees opportunity, desires to prepare for it, but

We must commit to executing actionable solutions that are adequately funded so that these young adults can overcome the barriers that make it ever so challenging to harness their personal potential. access to the required preparatory tools is only partially available, is insufficiently resourced, thus making it daunting and discouraging to attempt to attain the competencies and skillsets required to fully harness these opportunities.

Sadly, far too many of the students who find their way to the Urban League Academy Schools are being treated as Generation “Un”; unable to thrive in

taught them to focus on assetbuilding and personal strength recognition; unable to find a way to pay for higher learning because they do not fully understand how to navigate the system; finally unable to discover opportunities that over a lifetime support a satisfactory quality of life, one that supports the economic vibrancy and economic growth

UN TURN TO 3

Suluki Fardan

Tobota Seyon

Right on Thyme Catering and Event Planning

Catering to your needs Business Leadership Profile

By Erin Jerabek, Executive Director West Broadway Business Area coalition Minneapolis native, Tobota Seyon, established Right on Thyme Catering & Event Planning in 2011. The North Minneapolisbased caterer started catering in 2004 and is dedicated to providing her clients with local, organic, and

Suluki Fardan

fresh cuisine. Tobota is an artist and you can taste it in every bite of her delectable hors d’ oeuvres,

dips, and desserts. Tobota creates everything from scratch and uses a variety of spices from different

regions of the world. “I think of it as painting on plates,” said the artist describing her method of creating new recipes.

Formally a career councilor, Tobota decided to start Right on Thyme Catering to stay true to her passion. “I was supporting others to follow their desires for fun, fulfillment, and passion in their careers, and I too felt it necessary to follow my own desires, to start my own business,” said Tobota.

Tobota always knew she would own her own business as she comes from a family of entrepreneurs including, “farmers, bakers, and real estate tycoons.”

SEYON TURN TO 8

Structural inequities feed prison pipeline Capri Theater symbolic of North transformation perpetuated by a number of factors. The biggest is how our systems make decisions,” Kedem said referencing a report on Black males published by the Schott Foundation for Public Education.

“The systemic disparities evident by race and zip codes are influenced more by social policies,” she said.

The Symposium brought together community leaders, educators, lawyers, social workers, and others in the juvenile justice field. The goal of the symposium was to provide an overview of the relationship between schools and the juvenile justice system.

Professor Nekima LevyPounds, Community Justice Project (CJP) Director and Founder hosted the Symposium.

CJP is a civil rights legal clinic at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. The CJP mission is equal justice under the law and the dismantling of structural and systematic inequities that impact poor communities.

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer

Poverty is often cited as the main cause for education inequities, but Angelique Kedem, of St. Paul Promise Neighborhoods maintains that poverty is a contributing factor, rather than the main cause. Kedem, one of several presenters at Community Justice Project’s Symposium entitled, “How Are the Children?

From the Classroom to the Courtroom, Exploring a Child’s Journey Through the Justice System said, “Racial disparities in education hold regardless of economic standard.”

“My purpose is to relay the picture of the two worlds we live in; the one for whites and the one for non-whites,” Kedem said. “Currently the rate at which Black males are being pushed out of school and into the prison pipeline, far exceeds the rate at which they are graduating and reaching high levels of achievement.”

“The inequities are

Angelique Kedem, Director of St. Paul Promise Neighborhood

NNPA

George Curry returns as editor of NNPA News Service

PAGE 3

PIPELINE TURN TO 6

Education

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School senior Kiara Clark excels

PAGE 4

Mayor says in State of City address

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak focused his “State of the City” address solely on North Minneapolis. “While vibrant, jobcreating downtowns are key to Minnesota’s competitiveness,” he said, “improving the North side first is vital if the city expects to grow overall.”

The mayor’s address was given at the historic 250-seat Capri Theater on West Broadway Avenue, renovated and owned by the Plymouth Christian Youth Center since 2009. Rybak cited the tremendous transformation of the theater as a pinnacle example of all the great things North Minneapolis will achieve. “Just

Gone to Ghana Necessity nudges taste changes

PAGE 8

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak look at this place” he said, “it’s become a regional destination, and the Twin Cities’ best jazz club!”

Rybak also showed his enthusiasm for the restoration of the Emerson North Branch Library, a turreted red-brick

RYBAK TURN TO 3

Artspeak

Tyra Banks spreads words of empowerment

PAGE 14

Page 2 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

AfroDescendientes Esas normas alienantes no se siguen, se combaten ( h t t p : / / w w w. p r e n s a . c o m / impreso/panorama/%C2%B4suhija-no-puede-venirla-escuela-con-esepeinado%C2%B4/81078) Estimado Sr. López: Quisiera referirme a su artículo aparecido en el diario La Prensa del día de hoy, 3 de abril de 2012, titulado: ´Su hija no puede venir a la escuela con ese peinado´. Me parece que el mismo es de gran ayuda para propiciar una mejor comprensión del fenómeno de la discriminación en nuestro país, ya que aborda el problema de una manera bastante completa, al presentar diversas posturas.

Una de estas posturas me llamó especialmente la atención, porque evidencia la discriminación disfrazada, la negación del derecho que tienen todos y cada uno de los grupos culturales panameños a vivir su cultura libremente.

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 Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams

En efecto, la psicóloga infantil Carmina Veloce expresa que “No se está discriminando a la etnia negra. Se trata de disciplina y reglas establecidas por el Ministerio de Educación.

Los alumnos no van a la escuela a lucir peinados o joyas. Van a estudiar y a concentrarse en aprender al máximo para ser buenos profesionales en el futuro” En primer lugar, yo le preguntaría a la psicóloga Veloce: ¿en base a qué se estableció la regla de que los moñitos (o trencitas) no son un peinado adecuado para la escuela? Y por qué se considera que el cabello lacio y suelto sí lo es?

Las reglas, Sra. Veloce, son, precisamente, el instrumento de discriminación más utilizado a través de la historia. Son innumerables los ejemplos de leyes, ordenanzas y reglamentos, ya sean éstos de carácter moral, social o jurídico, que han sido esgrimidos por las sociedades

y los gobiernos para favorecer a una parte de la población en detrimento de otra. Basta recordar las leyes inglesas de hace 2 siglos que impedían a la mujer heredar bienes; o las leyes de la época de la esclavitud, que castigaban duramente a quien ayudara a un esclavo a escapar.

O las sanciones morales con que la sociedad discriminaba a los nacidos fuera del matrimonio.

Solo por mencionar unos pocos.

Cuando una regla es impuesta con base en los intereses o en normativas culturales de solo una parte de la población, DICHA REGLA ES DISCRIMINATORIA. Aunque el Ministerio de Educación afirme que que “no existe una normativa explícita que regule el estilo de cabello que los alumnos pueden llevar” y que “Cada escuela, a través de su reglamento interno, decide lo apropiado”, mientras todos los grupos culturales del país no tengan igual participación en la

definición de lo que es o no es apropiado en la escuela, seguirá habiendo discriminación.

Me parece, Sra. Veloce, que su posición con respecto a la disciplina y el reglamento en este caso particular obedece a una falta de comprensión del significado de cultura y de lo que sus valores culturales representan para el ser humano. Le gustaría a usted, por ejemplo, que sus hijas (de tenerlas) fuesen obligadas a peinarse con moñitos o trencitas solo por el hecho de que la escuela a la que asisten está dominada por población afrodescendiente que elaboró un reglamento basado en su concepto cultural de belleza y decoro? Y por qué cree usted que las trencitas son un peinado “para lucir” y no una forma de mantener en orden el cabello de la mujer afrodescendiente, tal como la “cola de caballo” lo es para otros tipos de cabello? Y, por último, ¿por qué piensa usted que el peinarse con moñitos o trencitas está reñido con el

estudio, la concentración, el aprendizaje y, principalmente, con ser buenos profesionales?

Eso, estimada psicóloga, es simple y llanamente, DISCRIMINACIÓN: “lo que no entiendo o no comparto, no sirve; consecuentemente, apliquemos reglas para cambiarlo.”

La psicóloga Veloce afirma que “Las normas nos dan seguridad. Nos enseñan cómo comportarnos y todos debemos seguirlas” Yo digo que las normas que van contra nuestra identidad cultural NO nos dan seguridad; muy por el contrario, nos colocan en una situación de vulnerabilidad. Nos enseñan cómo comportarnos, es cierto, pero el comportamiento al que nos inducen socava nuestras raíces culturales. Esas normas alienantes no se siguen, se combaten.

Ana Moltalvan

See original article in Spanish at: http://www.prensa.com/impreso/ panorama/%C2%B4su-hija-nopuede-venir-la-escuela-con-esepeinado%C2%B4/81078 Dear Mr. Lopez: I refer to your article in the newspaper La Prensa today, April 3, 2012, entitled: ‘Your daughter can not come to school with that hairstyle.’ I think it is helpful to foster a better understanding of the phenomenon of discrimination in our country, as it addresses the problem in a fairly complete, introducing various positions.

One of these positions particularly caught my attention because evidence disguised discrimination, denial of the right of every Panamanian cultural groups to live their culture freely.

Indeed, the child psychologist Veloce Carmina stated that “We are not discriminating against the black race. It is discipline and rules set by the Ministry of Education. Students do not go to school to show off hairstyles and jewelry. Study will focus on learning and best to be good professionals in the future “ First, I would ask the psychologist Veloce: on what basis was established rule that bows (or braids) are not a suitable hairstyle for school? And why it is considered that the hair lank and loose it is?

The rules, Ms. Veloce, are precisely the most widely used instrument of discrimination through history. There are countless examples of laws, ordinances and regulations, be they moral, social or legal,

who have been put forward by companies and governments to favor one part of the population over another. Just remember English law 2 centuries ago that prevented women from inheriting property, or the laws of the era of slavery, harshly punishing a slave who helped him escape. Or the moral sanctions that society discriminates against children born out of wedlock. Just to mention a few.

When a rule is imposed based on the interests or cultural norms only part of the population, SUCH RULE IS DISCRIMINATORY. Although the Ministry of Education asserts that “there is no explicit rules governing the hair style that students can go” and that “Each school, through its rules of procedure, decide what is appropriate,” while all

cultural groups country does not have equal participation in defining what is or is not appropriate in school, there will still discrimination.

I think, Ms. Veloce, his position on discipline and rules in this particular case due to a lack of understanding of the meaning of culture and what cultural values pose to humans.

I like you, for example, that their daughters (have them) were forced to comb braids with bows or just because the school they attend is dominated by black population developed a regulation based on their cultural concept of beauty and decorum?

And why do you think the braids are a hairstyle “to look” not a way of keeping in order the hair of women of African descent, such as the “ponytail” it is for other types of hair? And finally,

Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

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.

A link to the original La Prensa news report is embedded in the article that follows, which is a letter to news reporter Angel Lopez Guia from Ana Moltalvan. Also presented in Spanish and English is another response to the issue of Black hair, a letter written by Mariela Aragón Chiaria to Lucy Molinar, Panama’s Minister of Education.

Entitled “Our diversity is our strength,” the letter presents poignant insights about the beauty of our beings as genetic vessels of culture and wisdom.

Insight will continue exploring the Afrolatino world view as a foundational part of our experience in the New World, as Afrodescendientes.

- Al McFarlane

why do you think the hair with bows or braids is at odds with the study, concentration, learning and mainly to be good people?

That, dear psychologist, is plain and simple, DISCRIMINATION: “I do not understand or do not share, no use, therefore, apply rules to change.”

Veloce Psychologist says, “give us safety standards. They teach us how to behave and we must all follow “ I say that the rules that go against our cultural identity NOT give us security, quite the contrary, put us in a vulnerable situation.

They teach us how to behave, it is true, but the behavior that lead us to undermine our cultural roots. Alienating those standards are not followed, are fought.

Ana Moltalvan

Nuestra diversidad es nuestra fortaleza

Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed

Contributing Writers Cordie Aziz Maya Beecham Harry Colbert, Jr. Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Fred Easter S. Himie Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor

From 1

Rules that undermine cultural roots should be fought

Production Intern Natalie Benz

Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer

Editor’s note

Courtesy of Alberto Varrow

Lucy Molinar

Una hermosa carta de Mariela Aragón Chiari a la ministra de Educación de Panamá Lucy Molinar Estimada ministra.

Sé que debe estar llena de trabajo y asuntos que atender.

Solo quería solicitarle un momento para hacer un ejercicio de visualización sencillo. Cerrar los ojos e imaginar el patio central de una escuela pública de la ciudad de

Panamá. Imaginar los rostros de niñas y niños, sonrientes, con el brillo de la inteligencia en sus ojos. Rostros de todas las formas, colores y facciones que muestran la maravillosa interculturalidad que nos distingue como nación.

Cabellos de todos los colores, largos y texturas. Peinados que, en unos casos más que en otros, muestran nuestra conexión con raíces y ancestros. Un verdadero caleidoscopio humano, hermoso, vibrante.

Es una imagen que me llena de energía positiva. Reconocer que somos una amalgama de información genética de todos los confines de la tierra. Esa es nuestra fortaleza. Cargamos en nuestros genes sabiduría de muchas fuentes.

Las trencitas forman parte de nuestra imagen cultural.

Deberían poder estar presentes también en nuestras escuelas públicas. Como pertenecen las niñas afro descendientes con una autoestima firme que aman su raíces... Aún las de sus cabellos.

Our diversity is our strength A beautiful letter Chiari Mariela Aragon to the Panama Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar Dear Minister.

I know you must be overwhelmed with work and business to attend. I ask you to take a moment to do a simple visualization exercise.

Close your eyes and imagine the patio of a public school in Panama City. Imagine the faces of children, smiling, with the brightness of intelligence in their eyes. Faces of all shapes, colors and features that show the wonderful multiculturalism that distinguishes us as a nation. Hair of all colors,

lengths and textures. Hairstyles that, in some cases more than others, show our connection to our roots and ancestors. A real human kaleidoscope, beautiful, vibrant.

It is an image that fills me with positive energy. Recognize that we are an amalgam of genetic information from all corners of the earth. That is our strength. We carry in our genes wisdom from many sources.

The braids are part of our cultural image. They should also be present in our public schools inasmuch as the girls are of African descent with strong self-esteem who love their roots… Even the roots of their heads.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 3

George Curry returns as editor of NNPA News Service WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Award-winning journalist George E. Curry has been named editor-inchief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service, a position he held from 2001-2007, it has been announced

by Karl B. Rodney, chairman of the NNPA Foundation, which oversees the wire service “We are pleased that George Curry, a nationally-known journalist, has agreed to return to the NNPA family,” said Rodney, publisher of the New York Carib News. “Because he has served in the position before and knows Washington, D.C. so well, all of our newspapers will immediately benefit from George’s experience and contacts. I look forward to working with him again.”

Cloves Campbell, Jr., chairman of the NNPA, said: “George never really left the NNPA. He moderated many of our panels at our national conventions and has always been there when we needed him. We are delighted that he has agreed to direct the News Service.”

Un From 1 of the community.

These youth are our next workforce, but are we earnestly responding to their pleas for help? This Generation “Un” must become a genuine concern for us all. We must commit to executing actionable solutions that are adequately funded so that these young adults can overcome the barriers that make it ever so challenging to harness their personal potential. This is both a local and national economic development issue that is being left unchecked, and is swelling into a quiet storm with certain catastrophic impacts.

The Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that high school dropouts from the Class of 2006-07 will cost the U.S. more than $329 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetimes. Human development experts report that those who drop out are more likely to be incarcerated, rely on public

Rybak From 1 building known affectionately as ‘the castle.’ Opened in 1894, it was the city’s first public library and continued to be an important neighborhood gathering place until its closing in 1982.

Emerson Library was purchased in 2009 by Emerge Community Development, a nonprofit local community development group.

They will be converting the building into a groundbreaking, technology-focused workforcedevelopment center.

The mayor highlighted the stories of Minneapolis Chief of Police Tim Dolan and City Council President Barbara Johnson (Ward 4), who both say they remember walking to Emerson Library as children. “I am very excited that the library will be brought back to life,” Rybak said. Dolan and Johnson “learned to read there, in that now vacant building. And they now hold significant positions in the city. Doesn’t every child deserve that kind of support? I am up to that challenge, of making sure that every single child gets the support he or she needs.”

In addition to accessible education and a stable home life, that support includes employment availability and job access. Minneapolis’ economy is recovering from the recession faster than other cities, overall unemployment in is down to 5.3%. However, the recovery is not evenly shared. For African Americans living in Minneapolis, unemployment remains at 20%.

Rybak says that this longstanding income-gap is “morally wrong and potentially economically ruinous.”

In order to accurately reflect the city’s growing non-white population, over 30%, the City of Minneapolis recently increased its goals for minority participation in city contracts to 32%. Rybak also assured that city job placement programs will be extended, which have assisted 6,916 people find work, 40% of them from North Minneapolis.

The STEP-UP summer jobs program has received national recognition from President Barack Obama as a training and employment development model that could easily be used in any city across the country. STEP-UP is a joint venture between the City of Minneapolis and AchieveMpls, a strategic nonprofit partner of the Minneapolis Public Schools. Since 2006, STEP-UP has helped nearly

George Curry

NNPA

Curry was named Journalist of the Year in 2003 by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for overhauling the NNPA News Service. The University of Missouri School of Journalism presented him with its Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, an honor it had earlier bestowed on such luminaries as Joseph Pulitzer, Walter Cronkite, John H. Johnson and Winston Churchill.

Curry is the former editor of Emerge magazine. Under his

programs and social services, and go without health insurance than those who graduate from high school. The question we must ask ourselves is do we invest in the garden of futures proactively, or are we going to invest reactively when weeds overtake the garden, choking the vitality out of our community because of crime, poverty and the lack of talented human capital critical for business.

Rebuilding the Pipeline: Equipping Every Student Learner To Succeed In An Evolving Global World Under Minnesota Law, a student eligible for participation in the graduation incentives program at an alternative learning center must meet at least two of the following criteria: (1) performs substantially below the performance level for pupils of the same age in a locally determined achievement test; (2) is behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation; (3) is pregnant or is a parent; (4) has been assessed as chemically dependent; (5) has been excluded or 12,000 young people, 45% from North Minneapolis, find highquality jobs. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton recently announced an $850,000 grant to support 1,800 STEP-UP internships that will be available this summer.

Rybak also announced his new internship program for college students, called Urban Scholars, to work in policy and begin careers in public service. “With a new generation of urban scholars, what city will have a better workforce?” he asks.

Transportation and economic development are codependent— people have to get to work and more customers for businesses means more vibrant commercial corridors for everyone. Rybak announced the beginnings of a modern streetcar plan on West Broadway Avenue.

Rybak argued that bicycle trails along the North side riverfront are ripe for economic and market development, and can have the same impact that the Midtown Greenway had on South Minneapolis. The construction of the Bottineau Light Rail Train line northwest out of the city will also bring business to the area. “But North Minneapolis needs more than just a fast train running through it,” Rybak said, “Streetcars would help weave the city together.”

Tornado Recovery On May 22, 2011, a tornado damaged 3,700 properties across North Minneapolis. Since then, 2,800 repair permits at a total value of $28 million have been issued from the city. Repair or demolition is underway or complete for the 92% of the most heavily affected properties.

“That was a horrible day,” Rybak said, “but it brought out the best of so many. I saw thousands of neighbors, reaching out an arm to help a stranger.” He announced Green Homes North, which will build 100 sustainable homes in North Minneapolis on city-owned vacant lots over the next five years using locally-sourced green products. Minnesota Housing committed $500,000 to the project and they invite other potential housing investors to join this initiative.

An anonymous benefactor of the City of Minneapolis recently donated $50,000 to reforest North Minneapolis, which lost thousands of trees during the tornado.

Quoting the unnamed donor, Mayor Rybak said that the Park Board will soon begin to plant flowering trees in neighborhoods, “because North Minneapolis deserves to be a place of great beauty.”

leadership, Emerge won more than 40 national journalism awards. He launched a 4-year campaign that led to President Bill Clinton pardoning Kemba Smith, a 22-year-old woman who was given a mandatory 24 ½ year prison sentence for her minor role in a drug ring. While serving as editor of Emerge, Curry was elected president of the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), the first African-American to hold the organization’s top post.

Prior to running the NNPA News Service, Curry was also a reporter for Sports Illustrated, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and served as a Washington correspondent and New York bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune.

“I am elated to return to the NNPA News Service,” Curry said. “This is a crucial time for the Black Press and I am happy to be part of reinvigorating a wire service that serves more than 200 African-American newspapers.”

During his first tenure with the News Service, Curry

was inside the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in the landmark University of Michigan affirmative action cases and travelled to Doha, Qatar to report on America’s war with Iraq.

He is the author of three books and has appeared on numerous national television programs, including CBS Evening News, ABC’s World News Tonight, the Today Show, Nightline, 20/20 and Good Morning America. His work in journalism has taken him to Egypt, France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Ghana, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Mexico, Canada and Austria.

In addition to supervising the NNPA News Service, Curry will also be responsible for content posted on BlackPressUSA.com, the publishers’ public Web site.

Curry has selected two journalists to serve as Washington correspondents for the NNPA News Service.

One of them, Akeya Dickson worked as a reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press and as a metropolitan reporter and

a social media manager for the Washington Post. She interned for Reuters News Service, Black Entertainment Television (BET) and participated in the New York Times Summer Institute.

Like Dickson, Freddie Allen is a graduate of Howard University.

At Howard, he was a staff writer, photo editor and general manager of the District Chronicles. He also served as editor-in-chief of Ledge, a magazine devoted to healthy lifestyles and HIV/AIDS awareness among young people of color. He traveled with the Black AIDS Institute to international conferences on AIDS in Bangkok and Toronto.

“I am elated that I will get an opportunity to help further develop the careers of Akeya Dickson and Freddie Allen,” Curry said. “They are extremely talented and I look forward to showcasing their work in our NNPA newspapers and on BlackPressUSA.com.”

In addition to Dickson and Allen, Kyle S. Yeldell will continue to serve as Program Activities Coordinator, a position

he has held since last fall. Yeldell is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he served as sports editor and editor-in-chief of the Maroon Tiger, the student newspaper. After college, Yeldell wrote for TransWorldNews and Rowdy Films, the film company owned by Grammy Awardwinning producer Dallas Austin.

“Kyle, who has expertise and an interest in digital technology, will also serve as our digital manager,” Curry said. “We plan to expand our digital footprint and have a more active presence in social media. Kyle has the talent and vision to help us dramatically improve in that area.”

Curry added, “I am proud of the team we have assembled. We will all be working to supply NNPA papers with the first-rate stories and digital content our readers deserve.”

expelled 6) has been referred by a school district for enrollment (7) is a victim of physical or sexual abuse; (8) has experienced mental health problems; (9)has experienced homelessness within six months before requesting a transfer; (10) speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency; or (11) has withdrawn from school or has been chronically truant; or (12) is being treated in a hospital for a life threatening illness or is the sibling of an eligible pupil who is being currently treated.

Daily, teaching staff at the UL Academy High School labor in a setting where ten of these twelve criteria are evident in our student learners. With only $6000 of funding per student (about half of what is invested in student learners without these range of challenges), the dedication of these teachers and their choice to go the extra mile has meant that learning is taking place and

futures are being constructed for those silently being labeled Generation Un. Take Female Student X –Class of 2012. Her mother died when she was only 9. She bounced around from school to school, and amongst a host of family members. Extremely smart, but drowning in pain and mourning, she began to act out exhibiting a range of inappropriate behaviors. No one to talk to, her behavior eventually got her expelled from her school, and she ended up at UL Academy High.

Through intentional mentoring and academic support, this student is now back on track, focused on her future and determined to achieve it. Now she is dually enrolled in high school and college, and is quick to admit that MUL staff encouragement, school expectations that college and her career goals are achievable, and strengthened personal effectiveness skill sets have helped her regain the motivation to apply herself academically. She is now confident that personal success is within her grasp.

Take Eight Male Students.

This group of young men thought that sagging pants, skipping school and sassing teachers made you cool. Not always experiencing success, attitudes of hopelessness and limited possibility had seeped in. They were positioned for the pipeline to prison. With mentoring by male school staff and caring volunteers, and by using the sport of basketball for weekly teachable moments about learning and life, these eight young men are now proud to share that they are excelling in the classroom. They are eager to visit college campuses, explore career pathways, and decide which college to attend. Through cooperative learning, persistence and teaming, they won the 2012 Winter Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Basketball League title.

In spite of insufficient resources but through intentional focus, Urban League students are achieving learning gains and shifting out of the ranks of Generation “Un.” How is this happening?

We have found as a result of standardized testing, that if our school can actively engage a

student learner for at least three months, demonstrable academic gains are noted. This means through our wraparound approach which effectively addresses academic learning needs and the quality of life challenges which led the student to our doors in the first place, the MUL Academy Schools educational environment can achieve results.

Our engaging supportive educational environment enables our students to connect in the classroom, as well as better understand the relevance of education to their chosen career pathway. MUL is striving to achieve these gains with every student; but $6,000 per pupil is sparse funding. With double that amount we could do more, we could effectively retain more of the thousands of out-ofschool youth who daily wander the streets, spend the day flicking the remote, or give in to the lure of the streets.

A $12,000 per student investment is viewed as too costly by some, but is minimal compared to the social return on

Read more: http://www.nnpa. org/news/notes/george-curryreturns-as-editor-of-nnpa-newsservice/#ixzz1sDWv5HPV

UN TURN TO 13

Page 4 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

EDUCATION Education Profile:

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School senior Kiara Clark excels

By Kelly Plummer There is a private school in Minneapolis making an immeasurable impact on the lives of African American teenagers in the Twin Cities, giving them the opportunity to learn from the best and brightest and also work alongside employees at some of the biggest and mostwell known corporations in the Twin Cities. It’s called Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. This private school provides the best education money can buy and offers for only a fraction of the cost to local students. Last spring, Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S. graduated its first class of seniors with 97% graduating and all being accepted to a two- or four-year college or to the military.

To help you better understand the impact of Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S., I’d like to share the story of senior and Robbinsdale resident Kiara Clark. Recently, I sat down with Kiara to get a better understanding of how Cristo Rey Jesuit H. S. has changed her life. First, rewind four years ago. Kiara was attending a public school in Robbinsdale and, as she puts it, “getting into a lot of trouble.” Kiara says her classes

Kiara Clark were too big and she was behind academically. Kiara had no goals, no discipline and certainly no intentions of going to college.

“I knew for certain I wouldn’t be successful at a public school and no other school would take me,” she said.

Fast forward to today. Kiara

is a senior at Cristo Rey Jesuit H. S. Her mom made the decision to send her and couldn’t be more proud of the results. Kiara has already been accepted to five colleges and is sworn in with the National Guard which has awarded Kiara a $57,000 scholarship to the college of her

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

choice, Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. So what made the difference?

How was Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S. able to turn Kiara, a once troubled student, around? There are several factors. The one that stands out for Kiara is the role discipline plays at Cristo Rey

Jesuit H.S. “My first year was a very hard transition. Everything was really, really strict. I had to wear a uniform and couldn’t wear color on my nails or even earrings. At first I felt like they were taking away my ability to be me. But soon, I understood. Discipline was the first thing the staff at Cristo Rey instilled in us. Then, once we were disciplined other things fell into place, like time management, homework, social skills, respect for our superiors and other important behaviors,” said Kiara.

Aside from behavior, Kiara also got the opportunity to work among other Twin Cities’ professionals as part of Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S.’s one-of-a-kind Hire4Ed Work-Study program.

In a nutshell, students pay for their education by working in the “real world” at a Twin Cities’ company, corporation or nonprofit. The money students earn working five days a month is then funneled back into the school’s budget. This equation allows some of the most underserved students in our community the chance at a private school education.

Hire4Ed eases the burden of the cost of education and exposes

the student to a real-life work environment that broadens his or her horizons and encourages the student to set high goals.

Put plainly, Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S. students work very hard at their “real” jobs in the corporate world and absolutely love the experience. The students’ wages also cover over half of the cost of their education.

In her fourth year of workstudy, Kiara’s Hire4Ed job this year is with Lazard Middle Market, LLC, an investment bank in Minneapolis. “I’ve learned a lot at this job. There’s a corporate etiquette that I have learned. I’m also the only person of color in my setting. It makes me want to shine and overachieve so I really stand out,” she said. Kiara’s motivation, attitude and future have changed so drastically since her first year at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.

She truly is an example of the transformations happening every day to local African American students whose true potential has yet to be tapped.

To learn more about Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, including information on admissions, please go to: www.cristoreytc.org

Morgan State University takes home grand prize as first-time champion of National Academic Competition In a thrilling intellectual showdown, Morgan State University emerged victorious among 48 teams and claimed its first National Championship title at the 23rd Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (www.hcasc.com). The annual academic tournament brought 250 top students from the nation’s Historically Black

Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) together in the Los Angeles area for a two-day competition and the opportunity to win as much as $50,000 in grants for their school.

In a culmination of a yearlong program, Morgan State took home the title and beat second-place finisher Oakwood University after answering the

following question correctly: Who was America’s only chief executive never elected as president or vice president?

Correct Answer: Gerald Ford.

The Morgan State team included Craig Cornish (Captain), junior, History Major; Micheal Osikomaiya, sophomore, English Major; John-Paul Stephens, freshman,

Business Wire

Morgan State University claimed its first National Championship title at the 2012 Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, the largest academic competition among Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Screen Writing & Animation Major; and James HayesBarber, freshman, Electrical Engineering Major.

Dr. OluwaTosin Adegbola, coach, Morgan State Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team said, “This is everybody’s first year on the team, and to try to figure out how to meld what they know with what they need to know, takes a journey that builds a relationship of trust.

It’s been a beautiful relationship with my team.”

Each of the 48 teams first battled it out in their own division to quickly and accurately answer questions on world history, science, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences, popular culture,

and African-American history and culture. The top team from each of the event’s eight divisions advanced to the “Elite Eight Playoffs” and went headto-head in a single elimination round. The final two teams then competed for the National Champion title in a best 2 out of 3 final series.

While Morgan State secured the top prize of $50,000 in university grants, all 48 schools were awarded grants.

Second place finisher Oakwood University won $25,000, while the remaining “Final 4” teams – Florida A&M University and Morehouse College - earned $15,000. The other “Elite 8” – Alabama State, North Carolina A&T State, Stillman College

and Southern University - New Orleans – were awarded $9,500 in grants. In total, Honda provided over $300,000 in grants to participating schools.

Since 1989, HCASC has brought together the nation’s best and brightest academic competitors from America’s top HBCUs. Throughout its history, HCASC has been the only annual academic competition between the nation’s HBCUs, touching over 75,000 students and awarding more than $6 million in grants.

For more information on the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and a list of the 48 participating HBCUs, go to www.HCASC.com.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 5

AESTHETICS

F.A.I.T.H., the hip hop rocker

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer For the past five years, a musical tornado has been brewing in Minneapolis and now, at its most ferocious peak, this twister is finally ready to touch down.

Glam Hip Hop Rocker Faith Udeh, who simply goes by the stage name F.A.I.T.H. (Forces Against Illusions That Hinder) has been preparing for her debut album release for some time now, and it’s a journey that has taken her from here to Nashville and back again.

Along the way she’s learned a myriad of lessons and even found strength in her voice.

Now, having thrown the dice and gotten fully prepared for what God has in store for her, she’s ready to release her debut single “Sick and Tired,” which will hit iTunes on April 24th, under Reo Deo Records, a company formed by Prince affiliate Pepe Willie. Her full album release “My Genesis” is expected to hit stores this summer.

Born in Nigeria, F.A.I.T.H.’s musical style— a blending of rap over rock music came about

F.A.I.T.H.

Dette Snaps

after participating in the battle of the bands competition for Fox 29 in 2009 where her group placed second. It was then, while watching a few dozen rock artists perform, that her appetite for synth and rock riffs grew.

“I started performing hip hop because I had fallen in love with Nas and Lauren Hill. They were storytellers, and I could really relate to them because they had something to say.”

F.A.I.T.H. shares.

“Rock came about because we were in this battle of the bands and they messed up our day. My group ended up being the only hip hop act to perform on the rock night and it really exposed me to a different genre.

The audience and other artists were really getting my music, and I think that was my ‘ah-ha’ moment that told me I could merge the two,” said F.A.I.T.H. Not only does her music fall into its own unique experimental genre which other artists like Res, SantiGold and even Lil Wayne have explored, but the stories behind F.A.I.T.H.’s words also have their own unexpected twist for today’s market. Refusing to

Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show at Target Center

By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer The acrobatic masterpiece, Cirque du Soleil, touched down in Minnesota with a tribute show to the late great Michael Jackson, in a tour titled The Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour which was showcased at the Target Center last month March 27 – 28.

Unlike other Cirque shows this was truly one of the most unique presentations to. If

you get a chance to catch this wave either in its Las Vegas run or in one of the many cities it touches down in across the United States, expect the unexpected; you’re looking at a whole new kind of Cirque.

And if you go in thinking that way, well then you’re sure to like it, especially if you’re a Michael Jackson fan.

It’s hard to think of a Michael Jackson show and even muster a statement of lack, but two of the things the Immortal World Tour neglected to have which are Cirque

staples, is their infamous striped tent, which ushers in and commandeers an unused parking lot— a somewhat visual magnet that draws in crowds by the thousands like ants drawn to a dirt mound.

And in considering the actual show itself, it was noticeably absent of its typical highflying, nail biting stunts that the Cirque brand is known for.

But even without these things, the show was amazing. The fact that it’s a Michael Jackson show is what commands all of the production’s attention.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the execution of the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour projects a style of show that if the King of Pop were alive and still pushing around a world tour, this would be a picture perfect backdrop for him. The entire production was like being dropped into the heart of a Michael Jackson music video.

There were dancers, daring costumes, amazing set designs, and some of the cleverest video

JACKSON TURN TO 7

fall into the sexualized music market, F.A.I.T.H.’s sound means stepping out of the box and giving radio a positive message. As the daughter of a reverend, F.A.I.T.H.’s

music definitely does preach to its fanbase with stories of overcoming obstacles, standing

F.A.I.T.H. TURN TO 7

Page 6 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

HEALTH Agencies enhance security for prescription medications Hospitals, health care providers, state government and law enforcement have joined together to create a set of best practices that hospitals and health care facilities can use to enhance security for controlled substances, including narcotics and other powerful prescription medications.

“This coalition has been a great example of government, hospitals and medical professionals working together to proactively address the problem of drug diversions,” said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota commissioner of health. “We’ve produced tools that will help protect patients and prevent some of these relatively rare but at times high profile cases involving a health care worker illegally diverting prescription medications.”

The coalition, convened by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Hospital Association, came

together in May 2011 to prevent theft of prescription drugs by health care workers, patients, families, and visitors, and to raise awareness about the issue.

The coalition has created a road map and tool kit that will improve health care providers’ controlled substance storage and security, procurement, prescribing, preparation and dispensing. The road map includes training materials, sample policies and procedures, and a flow chart of reporting guidelines and requirements that providers can use when they suspect a drug diversion has occurred.

The road map is a collection of about 100 best practices for preventing and responding to controlled substance diversions.

Some examples include camera surveillance in high risk areas, keeping prescription pads in locked locations, implementing a clearly defined process for controlling and accounting

for keys, rules against sharing passcodes, utilizing bar codes for tracking, deploying secure and locked delivery carts, and using tamper resistant packaging.

“Hospitals and other health care providers routinely and regularly review records of administered controlled substances to determine if there is a pattern that may be indicative of diversion,” said Lawrence Massa, president of the Minnesota Hospital Association. “Our hospitals take this work very seriously and have policies and procedures to detect diversion.

But because controlled substance diversion is a serious issue that can lead to potential patient harm and or patient safety issues, organizations will be encouraged to proactively collaborate with local law enforcement; communicate expectations to staff that they speak up when they become

aware of an issue related to diversion; and put in place training and education programs for staff.”

One significant result of the coalition’s work was to analyze data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to compile statewide statistics about the incidence of health care worker controlled substance diversions in Minnesota, in the Minnesota Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention Coalition Final Report.

The data indicate that health-care-worker controlled substance diversions parallel a national trend of increased abuse of prescription drugs.

Controlled substances most associated with a theft or loss event were hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine sulfate, and fentanyl.

The DEA requires hospitals and other health care facilities to report the theft or loss

of controlled substances.

In Minnesota from 2005 to 2011, there were 250 reports of theft or loss of controlled substances. Reports increased from 16 in 2006 to 52 in 2010, a 325 percent increase.

(Retail pharmacy thefts are not included in these numbers.)

Overall the prescription drug problem is the fastest growing drug problem in the nation, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The public has more access to these drugs today than in previous times. The number of opiate prescriptions dispensed by U.S. retail pharmacies increased from 76 million in 1991 to 210 million in 2010 – triple the number.

The number of prescriptions for stimulants increased from 5 million in 1991 to 45 million in 2010.

Pharmaceutical diversion in health care facilities needs addressing, but it is

only a fraction of the overall prescription drug abuse occurring in Minnesota, according to Joe Cappello, Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Investigator for the Minneapolis-St. Paul District Office.

In terms of demand and abuse, pharmaceuticals have increasingly become indistinguishable from illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin – pharmaceuticals are no less addictive or harmful when abused.

“Collaboration between law enforcement and hospitals is already helping to identify the problem, catch it early and prevent drug theft from happening,” Cappello said.

More information, including links to the report, road map and tool kit, is available at http://www.health.state.mn.us/ patientsafety/drugdiversion/.

Cancer fact or fiction: Separating myths from good information

By The National Cancer Institute To many, cancer remains one of the most frightening diagnoses in modern medicine. But much of this fear is a result of myths that have circulated for years in spite of the good information that is available. Indeed, many of cancer’s mysteries have been solved, and a great deal of success has been achieved in curing patients and helping them live longer and better lives. In spite of advances in cancer treatment and prognosis, many continue to believe in myths surrounding cancer. In particular, studies have shown that African Americans are more likely than whites to maintain some erroneous beliefs about cancer.

It is important to separate fact from fiction. Some of the most common cancer myths not only cultivate false ideas and fears but can interfere with how people think and behave when facing cancer in themselves or in a loved one. It is important that the health messengers within the family and community have the most accurate information about cancer. In many African American families, that is often the woman running the household. It is good for these health messengers and the people who listen to them to at least be aware of some of the most common cancer myths so that misinformation doesn’t stand in the way of getting counsel from a medical professional.

What Will Happen to Me If I Get Cancer?

Myth––Cancer is a death sentence. The fact is that more than 12 million cancer survivors are living in the United States.

Thanks to improved treatments and earlier diagnosis of some cancers, more than 3 of every 5 cancer patients are alive 5 years after their diagnosis. For children, the 5-year survival rate is 4 in 5.

Who Gets Cancer and Why Myth––Cancer is contagious. You cannot catch cancer from someone who has it.

What can spread among people are microorganisms (viruses and bacteria), and a few of these can cause cancer.

Myth––If a parent or close family member had cancer, you will inherit it. Cancer develops when genes change in certain ways, but most of these changes occur later in life and are not inherited. But some

cancer-causing gene changes are inherited, so if a certain cancer seems to run in your family it is important to discuss this with a doctor.

Myth––People get cancer from . . . (just fill in the blank as to what you have heard).

Scientists are continuously doing research to determine whether particular natural or manmade substances cause cancer. Research shows that the following are not likely to cause cancer: cell phones, microwaves, fluoridated water, hair dyes, deodorants, sugar, artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame, and low-frequency magnetic fields produced by power lines and household electric appliances.

What You Can Do About It Myth––You have no control over your own cancer risk. Although scientists haven’t figured out how to completely prevent cancer, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of certain cancers. For example: • Not smoking or quitting smoking greatly reduces your risk of developing and dying from lung cancer.

• Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active cuts your risk of several cancers.

• HPV vaccines prevent infection with the virus that causes most cervical cancers.

And regular cervical cancer screening detects most cervical abnormalities so that they can be treated before they become cancer.

• Colorectal cancer screening reduces the risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer.

• For women age 40 and older, getting regular mammograms reduces the chance of dying from breast cancer.

Myth––Your attitudes and beliefs can help you beat cancer. Unfortunately, despite many studies, this appears to be a myth. But a positive attitude may improve the quality of your life during and after treatment.

Many people say that focusing on the joys in life and things that they can control helped them get through cancer treatment.

Spending time with family and friends, taking part in hobbies and activities when possible, and enjoying the little things in life may help one better manage the stresses and worries of cancer.

These are only some of the false and misleading ideas that can confuse and mislead people about the progress being made in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. You can learn more from NCI about cancer prevention and screening.

NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH effort to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI web site at www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800422-6237). More articles and videos in the culturally relevant Lifelines series are available at www.cancer.gov/lifelines.

Pipeline From 1

Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds, Creator and Director of The Community Justice Project

John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney “One of the things we see often in our work is a lot of suffering,” Levy-Pounds said.

“A lot of people feel ignored by the things happening in our system, and our children often feel the brunt of those inequities. Part of our job is to create awareness and encourage us all to dig deeper than what we see in the media.

PIPELINE TURN TO 10

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 7

New housing for homeless youth is planned in Saint Paul House of Hope Presbyterian Church, Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation have announced plans to develop new affordable housing for homeless youth in Saint Paul.

A site is under consideration in the Central Corridor area.

To signal the partnership, House of Hope church leaders and PCNF officials signed a covenant document during Easter services on Sunday.

The Wilder Foundation will provide comprehensive services for approximately 40 homeless youth living at the new housing development, including employment readiness programming.

There are 759 young people counted as homeless in the metropolitan area on any given night, although estimates are considerably higher.

Often these young people have aged out of foster care, are runaways or “throwaways” who do not feel safe nor have a safe place to live within their family or community structure. They are vulnerable to sexual predators and other dangers of living on the streets.

“Responding to the needs of the homeless youth population is a priority for us,” said Wilder Foundation CEO MayKao Hang, “because providing safe housing and supportive services

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

MayKao Hang

will help enable these youth to achieve their full potential and improve our community.”

The congregation, which has

supported low-income housing in St. Paul since 1999 with $1.8 million from its Houses of Hope Fund, has become increasingly disturbed by the growing issue of homelessness among young adults and sought to become part of a solution. The congregation plans to invest $500,000 from its housing fund in the new project over five years.

PCNF is a nonprofit organization committed to ending homelessness primarily through housing development with congregational partners and has created successful youth housing in Minneapolis.

“We are very excited to

embark on this new venture with such respected Saint.

Paul partners as the Wilder Foundation and House of Hope Church. Moreover, we’re very pleased that our goal of ending youth homelessness is now one step closer to becoming reality through this collaboration,” said PCNF Board Chair David Lilly.

PCNF’s Nicollet Square youth housing development is the model for the Saint Paul venture. It also implements the “housing first” strategy of providing safe, secure, permanent housing before other needs are addressed; onsite supportive services are provided

to help tenants transition into personal and financial stability.

Currently, 42 young adults are living at Nicollet Square.

According to Wilder Research’s tri-annual Homeless in Minnesota Report, homeless youth make up the fastest growing population of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness, increasing by 46 percent since 2006. The Wilder Foundation’s supportive housing programs currently house nearly 30 percent of the homeless families in Ramsey County, including an average of 30 parenting homeless youth each year.

$3.36 million increase in small business lending WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a report showing that Minnesota banks have increased their small business lending by $33.6 million since receiving capital through Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF).

The SBLF, which was established as part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses to help them grow and create new jobs. Treasury invested more than $4 billion in 332 institutions, located in over

3,000 communities in 48 states, through the SBLF. Nationwide, institutions participating in the SBLF significantly increased small business lending in the last quarter of 2011 by $1.3 billion over the prior quarter— for a total of $4.8 billion over their baseline.

“This report shows that the Small Business Lending Fund is having a powerful impact,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin. “The program is helping spark new lending to local entrepreneurs looking to invest in their businesses and create new jobs.”

To view the report on the SBLF that Treasury released yesterday, including a detailed list of the change in lending at banks receiving SBLF capital, go to http://www.treasury.gov/ resource-center/sb-programs/ Pages/sblf_transactions.aspx.

Small businesses play a critical role in the U.S. economy and are central to growth and job creation. Small businesses employ roughly one-half of all Americans and account for about 60 percent of gross job creation. But small business owners faced disproportionate challenges in the aftermath of the recession and credit crisis,

F.A.I.T.H.

R&B,” she said.

“As you get older, you learn to accept yourself, so that’s what my debut album and single are all about. I want my message to be encouraging, uplifting and powerful. I want people to know that they should be encouraged to do whatever they want no matter what phase of their life they’re in. I want people to know that if you keep on fighting you’ll eventually get there. I just want to encourage people and the best way I know how to do that is to share my life and I do that through my music.”

F.A.I.T.H. will also have a web series debuting this

Summer on YouTube and her personal website called “Live|Love|Faith” which was produced by MJ Johnson and Elliot Diviney. The show will track F.A.I.T.H’s journey as an artist and offer fans a chance to get a candid view of her journey through music, acting and entrepreneurship.

For more information about F.A.I.T.H., her webseries or to purchase her debut single “Sick and Tired” which drops on April 24th, visit her website: www.thefaithchronicles.com Video interview: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=oX7GepnxWyQ

From 5 strong, knowing your worth and a refusal of settling. Her debut Sick & Tired is basically an anthem for everyone who has had enough of being labeled or forced to follow someone else’s plan for them.

“I think the hardest thing to do as an artist is staying true to yourself when no one else believes in you. It’s hard putting together a team of people who will let you be you and understand that you’re not strictly hip hop or rock, or

including difficulty accessing capital.

The SBLF helps small businesses meet this challenge by providing capital to community banks that hold under $10 billion in assets.

The dividend rate a community bank pays on SBLF funding is reduced as that bank increases its small business lending, providing a strong incentive for new lending to small businesses so they can expand and create jobs. For more details on the SBLF program, go to http:// www.treasury.gov/resourcecenter/sb-programs/Pages/ Small-Business-Lending-Fund.

aspx.

The SBLF is one part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive agenda to help small businesses access the capital they need to invest and hire. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which is also a key part of the Small Business Jobs Act, has allocated $1.4 billion to small business programs in 54 states, territories, and municipalities to help spur additional lending to small businesses and manufacturers.

Last week, President Obama also signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act

into law, which will allow Main Street small businesses and high-growth enterprises to raise capital from investors more efficiently, helping small and young firms across the country to grow and hire faster. For more details on the key elements of the JOBS Act, please visit http://www. whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/2012/04/05/presidentobama-sign-jumpstart-ourbusiness-startups-jobs-act and http://www.whitehouse. gov/blog/2012/04/05/jobsact-encouraging-startupssupporting-small-businesses.

OSA Images

Jackson From 5 backdrops I’ve seen in a while.

There’s a set that will make you feel like you’re hanging out in a juke joint, watching dancers perform to “Smooth Criminal.” Another takes you to a graveyard equipped with ghouls and monsters that’ve been struck by the Thriller.

All your favorite songs, your most loved medleys and the energy behind your favorite music videos are recreated on stage in this wonderful Cirque production.

If you’re not convinced yet, the emcee of the show, who is much more than your typical Michael Jackson impersonator, makes you feel like the King of Pop is performing on the stage amongst all of these incredible dancers— from the glove,

to the hat, to the loafers with white socks, this guy looks and feels like the real deal. But if he doesn’t sell you on the idea that he’s our music hero, then maybe the introduction of Bubble’s, Jackson’s famed pet monkey, should do the trick --or how about the Jackson Five giving us our ABC’s.

The whole show was not only a beautiful blast from my musical past, but moreover a satisfying addition to the void we’ve all been feeling since we lost Michael Jackson a few years ago. I’d like to think that if I was lucky enough to have ever gone to see a Michael Jackson show when he was alive, then Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour is as close as you’re going to get to the real thing.

For more information visit: w w w. c i r q u e d u s o l e i l . c o m / michaeljackson.

Page 8 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE Necessity nudges taste changes Gone to Ghana

By Cordie Aziz Columnist Plantains; they have always been a food enemy of mine. I am not sure why I have never liked them, but I never have. I often used to joke with friends and family that I was the only second-generation African who wasn’t fond of the fruit. But then I moved to Ghana, and my taste buds adjusted. The same food I used to readily reject, even if my stomach was growling, I now buy at the market on a regular basis. At first I found it odd that a despised food was now one of my favorites, but then as I looked back on this past year, I realized that my taste buds, in general, have changed.

When I arrived in Ghana

Snails at the market last year, I knew that I was relinquishing certain comforts; it just never occurred to me that food was one of them. I am not

sure why I didn’t realize this during my original exploratory trip, but once I was on ground it was apparent that finding

Cordie Aziz

food that I enjoyed was going to be a challenging experience.

It is not that food is not readily available, it is. However the

quality of food, especially from restaurants, leaves much to be desired. So I lost some weight, and when the hunger pains became too much, I decided I was going to learn to like the local food. After all, you can’t live in Italy and not eat pasta, right?

So the past year has brought my palate many new taste experiences; both good and bad. I realized that smoked fish makes me sick-violently sick.

I discovered that snail tastes slightly like calamari, and I have learned that my teeth are not equipped to chew skin and bones. I have also learned that okra, another food enemy, just might be ok. Let me assure you though, it’s not making it to the favorite list just the tolerable list.

I have learned to enjoy hot soup in hot weather and admitted to myself that I am not a fan of fufu. Goat is my preferred meat, but there is nothing like tilapia, pepper and banku on a Friday afternoon, and I have grown

fond of the gizzard and liver, with plenty of raw onion. And I even discovered a new favorite dish, red-red and plantains.

Although finding the right diet in my new home has been, at times, like dining from a Fear Factor menu, overall it has been an awakening experience. It has made me realize that it is ok not to have meat with every meal and that sometimes I will have to eat foods that I simply tolerate and not love. It also made me realize that finding a new diet is much like finding a new life; you have to keep all your options open, even if you didn’t like it the first time around, you may find yourself coming back. After all, you never know when your tastes, like mine, might have changed.

Cordie Aziz is a former congressional staffer who moved to Ghana after losing her job last year. Follow her daily adventures at goneiighana. blogspot.com

Exercise care with recreational fires It’s getting to be the time of year when many Minneapolis residents enjoy a small outdoor recreational fire. Residents who like to have a fire in their yards should keep these City ordinances in mind to keep Minneapolis safe and livable: • Outdoor fires are permitted between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

• Keep fire small, less than three feet in diameter and two feet high.

• Burn only untreated, unpainted, dry wood. Never

Seyon From 1 Tobota was born in South

burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris, because the smoke can be toxic. www.minneapolismn.gov/ environment/air/airquality Fire must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible material and in a fire ring or pit with edges more than six inches high.

Have a hose or fire extinguisher present.

Postpone the fire when the wind exceeds 10 mph.

Fire must be constantly

attended by someone 18 years or older and completely out before being abandoned.

Illegal burning can result in a $200 fine.

To report an illegal or unsafe fire, call 911.

For more information about recreational fires from the Minneapolis Fire Department, visit http://wcms/wwwmpls/ fire/WCMS1P-090517.

For the Minneapolis law on recreational fires, visit the Minneapolis Code of

Ordinances, Chapter 178 at w w w. m i n n e a p o l i s m n . g o v / government/ord/index.htm.

Minneapolis, however, she has decided to raise her children, worship, and start her business in North Minneapolis. “I feel very connected to this community,” she said.

Tobota works out of Kindred Kitchen, a commercial kitchen on West Broadway in North Minneapolis.

Community resources including, Kindred Kitchen and the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) have been instrumental in motivating Tobota and providing her with the skills to start and grow her business. “Why not support our colorful community by showing our creativity and sharing our gifts? We need to work together to provide an inviting and thriving environment for our future leaders. We need to transform the Northside into a thriving economic community,” she said.

Right on Thyme’s delicious fare is spicing up events all over Minnesota. The variety of menu selections is perfect for small lunches, intimate cocktail parties, large weddings and everything in between.

The menu has something for everyone including vegetarian and gluten free options.

Tobota’s mission is to grow her business and eventually open a sit down, family-oriented restaurant on the Northside that offers healthier choices for the community, “an inviting place for people to congregate and enjoy themselves,” she explained.

Tobota understands how the food we eat contributes

•

• • •

Be a good neighbor When you’re planning to have a recreational fire, these simple suggestions could help make sure you’re being a considerate neighbor: • Postponing a fire when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory or alert. Fires release fine particles that contribute

to air pollution and can aggravate a number of health problems, including asthma. Sign up for air quality alerts at http:// mn.enviroflash.info.

• Letting neighbors know when planning a fire.

• Postponing a fire when smoke will blow directly at a neighbor’s house or when still weather conditions prevent smoke from moving away at all.

The Fire and Police

departments are authorized to extinguish the fire immediately if it is hazardous or unsafe.

For more information on recreational fires or to register a complaint about a recreational fire, call 311 or email Minneapolis311@ minneapolismn.gov.

For more information on Minneapolis air quality, visit www.minneapolismn. gov/sustainability/indicators/ WCMS1P-081037.

to our physical and mental health. In addition to opening the restaurant, Tobota plans to implement, “Recipes for Success,’ a healthy cooking education program for teenage mothers, women in recovery and ex-offenders teaching life skills through healthier habits, by increasing consumption of healthy foods to improved nutrition and reduced levels of

obesity, stress and other chronic diseases.”

Tobota is interested in teaching others how to create healthy meals that are flavorful.

Contact Tabota to cater you next event.

Tobota Seyon rightonthymecatering@yahoo.com Right On Thyme Catering 612-913-1038

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 9

COMMENTARY

Put kids, not teachers first Nobody Asked Me

By Fred Easter NOBODY ASKED ME, but I remember now why I was so sorry that Chris Stewart and T Williams left the Minneapolis School Board. The Board of Education, the community, and all Minneapolis school kids should be sorry, too.

Those two men brought a level of thoughtfulness and professionalism to the Board that has not been matched by

two of their replacements.

I went to the April 17 School Board meeting to watch the Board explain away its expected ratification of the newest contract with the Teacher’s Union. Chris and T, along with a host of other citizens, urged the Board to go back to the Union and strengthen the contract to include the deeper changes necessary to close the achievement gap. Their objections and observations were predictably well reasoned, well organized and carefully delivered. Other contributions, notably Lynnell Mickelsen’s, were peppered with carefully worded insights and delivered lovingly. To be sure, there was passion, but never was there

disrespect for the offices or the office holders.

As Board Chair Monserrate noted, the directors are elected, public officials, and can

the Union. Any suggestion of an opposing point-ofview, particularly if opined

by Bill English, reduces him to a petulant teenager.

“Yes! Pay teachers. Yes! Support teachers in the classroom. But, put the most effective teachers in front of your kids, irrespective of their time in grade, or you will never close the gap.” withstand stated differences of opinion. Except, apparently, some of them can’t. Dick Mammen seems programmed to acknowledge only the adulation of his bosses in

He responded by attacking people by name and casting aspersions on the great work they and others have done.

This last announces his lack of knowledge and demonstrates

an even more pitiful lack of concern about facts. It should be beneath all public officials.

It used to be beneath our School Board Directors.

Given the protracted, acrimonious contract negotiations we have been treated to in the past, it seems reasonable for School Board directors to vow to cooperate with the Teacher’s Union.

It is, however, unseemly for those vows to be written on Minneapolis Federation of Teachers stationary.

That points up the fact that the Federation recruits candidates, works hard to get them elected and then holds their feet to the fire. This turns cooperation into capitulation. On what stationary is the vow to work

for all students written.

But, of course, that is how the democratic process works.

I wouldn’t change it if I could.

But, I do applaud, and urge you to join hands with “Put Kids First.” That is our best chance to get the democratic process to work for Minneapolis’s school children. Yes! Pay teachers.

Yes! Support teachers in the classroom. But, put the most effective teachers in front of your kids, irrespective of their time in grade, or you will never close the gap. Putting teachers first is how we got to this point and it’s too much like trying to get different results by doing the same thing.

There’s a word for that.

Letter to the editor:

Clarifying misleading headline The April 9 issue of Insight News featured an article about a recent Our Schools, Our City community forum on integration sponsored by AchieveMpls. While the article did a good job of highlighting the discussion, the headline “Costain: Some parents don’t care about integration” may have left the wrong impression about my personal beliefs and the commitments of AchieveMpls. I hope to clarify them here.

My own two children graduated from Minneapolis Public Schools, and I have always been the strongest proponent of integrated public school education. I purposely chose schools for my own

children that were diverse, and as an active parent I worked hard to build inclusive and respectful communities within the schools my children attended. I know that my daughters’ lives were greatly enriched by attending schools with children of all races, backgrounds, incomes and religions. Living and going to school in a diverse community was one of the primary reasons we choose to live in the city.

As a Minneapolis school board member from 2007 2010, I advocated strongly for continuing the commitment to integration in MPS. We developed policies to strengthen magnet schools and ensure that they live up to

their integration goals. Along with other board members, I advocated for intra-school district choice so that lowincome families could send their children to schools outside their neighborhoods should they choose to do so.

And I helped to encourage honest conversations on race and equity at every level of the district as we worked to elevate the voices of immigrant families, families of color, families with special needs children and families struggling with economic challenges.

At the same time, I understand that an integrated education environment, without a corresponding commitment

to closing the achievement gap, is an empty promise. If integration is to be meaningful, it also has to include high achievement for all kids. While serving on the school board I heard countless parents of color and community leaders say that if asked to make a choice, they would chose high achievement for their child over the opportunity to attend an integrated school. I saw that strong achievement gains were happening in charter schools like Harvest Prep and Hiawatha Leadership Academy, schools that were overwhelmingly made up of children of one ethnicity. Achievement was the central concern of parents who chose those schools. As

I mentioned in my remarks at the AchieveMpls forum, many individuals of color remarked to the school board, “I don’t care about integration anymore—just educate my child successfully.”

Because race, equity and achievement are very challenging issues, and we don’t often talk about them as a community, I am pleased that AchieveMpls is bringing complicated discussions such as these out into the open. Our monthly Our City Our Schools dialogues are designed to allow community members to speak their own truth to one another and to learn from a variety of perspectives. We encourage civic conversations that wrestle

with difficult issues in which there is not one clear answer.

Our next conversation on Thursday, April 26 will offer a variety of parent perspectives and experiences with school integration. The forum will take place at 6:30 pm at Anwatin Middle School. We hope you can join us and share your own stories.

Whatever our perspective on integration, I know that we all want what is best for all of our children. Dr. Martin Luther King challenged us to create the “beloved community”.

Making that vision a reality is the hard part, something we must work on every single day.

- Pam Costain

Page 10 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

FULL CIRCLE

Men don’t cry Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Men don’t cry. I remember the first time I heard those words. I was about 12-years-old and my hand had just been accidentally caught in the car door. I was now experiencing excruciating pain! As the tears begin to form in my eyes, I heard my older brother say, “You better not cry; Men don’t cry!” I looked up to him because even at 15, he never cried about anything. In my mind, I wanted to be a man about this too, so I dried the tears from my eyes and repeated the words “Men don’t cry.” From that day

Pipeline From 6 We need to think about what our responsibilities are in addressing the inequities.”

John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney, said that disparities in the justice system reflect not only Minnesota but also the United States as a whole.

“If these disparities continue,

forward I was a member of club “men” and I stopped crying about things, at least on the outside.

Where did the concept that men don’t cry come from? Is it because millions of years ago men were the providers for their families by hunting and killing vicious animals for dinner?

In this arena, crying would be an occupational hazard. How could a crying man aim his spear at a charging lion, repel an enemy’s attack, or take a life all in the protection of his family?

Back then, men needed focus, vision and the appearance of invulnerability to do their work.

As a result of evolution, have men increased their capacity to keep their feelings to themselves?

Beyond evolution, some may also attribute the causes to why men don’t cry to biology. It has been noted that little boys cry just as often as little girls. But as testosterone floods the male brain in early teenage, young men begin

to conceal their feelings of fear, sadness and vulnerability with silence. Because testosterone has put their feelings on a break, they don’t know how they feel.

These actions only serve to drive men’s feelings deeper into their unconscious and cause them to stockpile their emotional baggage.

Blame the male brain. “Men are hard-wired differently,” says David Powell, PhD, president of the International Center for Health Concerns. He explains that the connection between the left brain, home of logic, and the right, the seat of emotions, is much greater in women.

“Women have the equivalent of an interstate highway, so they move readily between the right and left brains. For men the connection is like a meandering country lane, so we don’t have such ready access to feelings.”

As a result, men are particularly uncomfortable during heated

“relationship” conversations.

Faced with a partner’s negative feelings, a man often becomes mute, fleeing into stormy silence, keeping his emotional hurt to himself.

Hurt knows no gender. Men that do not cry on the outside mask hidden hurt on the inside. I have had a firsthand look at the consequences of men who did not have healthy emotional outlets.

I have personally watched my father, uncles, and male relatives keep their emotions so bottle up that high blood pressure and strokes were their only outlets.

Although this was the mindset I inherited, it should not be allowed to continue another generation.

Negative life experiences have negative internal emotions attached to them. Because men are hurting on the inside, their families and communities are hurting on the outside. These emotions need to be released in a healthy way. Crying can

parts of our community lose faith in the justice system.

When that happens, there is a lack of trust, and lack of civilization,” Choi said.

Brotherhood, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that seeks to uplift and empower young African American males, ages 16-24, who are involved in the criminal justice system, gangs, or who are otherwise at risk. In a separate panel, Christian Bonner, who

works with Brotherhood, Inc., said adolescents have to learn to deal with issues such as peer pressure, living situations, education and employment.

Bonner said he filled out several job applications in St. Paul, but didn’t get hired.

A teacher referred him to Brotherhood, Inc., where he would be given an opportunity to work and learn business skills.

“I want to prove to society

that I am not a Black male that is destined to fail.” Bonner said.

“We are either working for justice, or we are complicit with inequity. We either build a Minnesota of all, or remain poised to perish due to lack of investment of both financial and human resources and care for the well being of all Minnesota’s children,” Kedem said.

be a healthy outlet. When men cry, their pains become known, friends and loves ones are able to help, and permanent healing can take place.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational

speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com or email at tim@ tlhouston.com.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 11

Passionate commitment to church and community Pastor Billy G. Russell grew up in Columbia, MS. He was born into a family where ministry was instilled as a divine calling for all born to the Russell family. His father, Pastor, Dr. W. L. Russell, and his mother who was a community leader, laid the foundation for the commitment and success that is being lived out at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Called into the ministry at the tender age of 18, Russell gave himself to God and has walked strong upon that path since. Russell and his wife Theresa have served the Greater Friendship community for the past 10 years and they are committed to serving the church for another 10 years.

He talks with pride about his wife, a Hematology Nurse Practitioner at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, as well as Parish Nurse at Greater Friendship Church. The two have created and maintained a strong, fulfilled marriage and a loving home where they have successfully raised four children.

Pastor and Mrs. Russell are the thankful grandparents of eight grand children.

In 2002, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist refined their vision statement. In collaboration and partnership with the University of St. Thomas and through the use of focus groups, Russell was able to craft a new vision for the church. The new vision statement identified specific goals for the church and all of the goals were designed from looking at the neighborhood and mapping specific needs.

Russell stated that the church’s new vision was based on the foundation that Greater Friendship congregation must

church must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those who are in prison.

“We have been mandated to change the world and to make a difference, he often states. To be people of love, integrity, and faith, we must truly believe that God is in control of everything.

Therefore, we have faith to

Suluki Fardan

Pastor Billy G. Russell

“Fall in Love with God.” This love has to be so great that leading others to spiritual maturity becomes the most important purpose in our lives.

Russell becomes excited when he talks about his role in his congregation. He speaks of leading its members in their “passionate spirituality,” helping them further develop “the ability to talk about their faith passionately and openly, in an atmosphere of loving support.”

In December 2001, Russell accepted the role of Pastor at Greater Friendship MBC. During his leadership there have been many major accomplishments.

Russell says that understanding the task of ministry begins and ends with Jesus Christ. His belief is that Jesus must be exalted in everything that we do; Saints must be equipped to do the work of evangelism; we must be functional productive Christians; and once healed we must become the healers. He also believes that Christians are to live victoriously not just limping through life being defeated by the devil, but live an abundant life. Russell says that the role of the church is to win the loss to Christ. The

believe that ‘all things work together for good,’ and we will let nothing separate us from the love of God.” said Russell.

Russell will celebrate his 10th year anniversary as the Pastor of Greater Friendship MBC. The anniversary celebration will kick-off on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. with

guest speaker the Rev. Runney Patterson of New Hope Baptist Church of St. Paul, MN. On Saturday, April 28th at 6 p.m., the church will host a musical concert with special guests, Darnell Davis & The Remnant, The Russell’s, The Mighty Revivals, the Rev. Charles Yates, The Old Timers and

more. On Sunday, April 29th at 10 a.m., there will be a worship celebration finale with special guest, Pastor Kevin Russell of Columbia, MS. The weekend will be full of praise and appreciation for a man who has dedicated and committed his life to leading his flock at GFMBC.

Page 12 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

BUSINESS Recharge: The one week plan to power up your career Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Welcome to spring weather season. When the power goes out during a storm, it creates a small list of items that need to be addressed: Did an electrical surge fry the computer? Did the food in fridge go bad? Does the security

system still work?

Dotting the campus at Duke University in North Carolina are charging stations for electricpowered vehicles. They look like tall, sexy gas pumps dressed in white and lime green. My friend who knows about such things says these pure electric vehicles are going to catch on, especially on the coasts. Not the Midwest? No, she says, because they have a battery limit of 120 miles, meaning a trip across a place like South Dakota or Montana is impractical, if not impossible.

If your enthusiasm for your career is running low on juice,

you might feel like you are stranded on the side of the road somewhere in Montana, where a recharge seems impractical, if not impossible. The problem with my friend’s prediction is it assumes the charging stations have to be located in large metro areas. Do ranches, gas stations and stores in the Midwest have electricity?

Could a few new stations be added along the way? Adding some zip to your career can be simple, too: just add a few extra opportunities to power up.

The main charging venues we all think of on a career path are raises and promotions. Along

the way, though, are other perks that make a day and a job more interesting. Try working a career recharge into your to-do list this week.

On Monday, read a new section of the newspaper, find a new blog about your industry or follow someone new on twitter who does what you do. Power boost: notice where your successes jive with their ideas. Are your techniques better than theirs? Do you have expertise you can share through a comment or discussion forum?

Tuesday, come up with a new way to use your company’s

product or service. Power boost: put your concept into action.

Wednesday, move a tool you use regularly – phone, stapler, tape, whatever. Taking a simple habit out of autopilot actually fires up new connections in your brain, leading to changed perspective. Power boost: clear your area completely and start over. Shedding the extra weight of papers, files and tools you no longer need can free you up to work more efficiently.

Thursday, speak to someone new who does what you do.

You might find this person on LinkedIn or through that blog

you read on Monday. A quick phone call or email to introduce yourself will bring new energy to a tired routine. Power boost: find a speaking opportunity; many organizations welcome experienced professionals who have information to share.

Friday, take your career pulse again. You should be energized enough to create a list of other aspects of your career that you can start to work on next week.

Julie Desmond is a high energy Talent Manager for Express Employment Professionals. Write to Julie@lakeregionstaffing.com.

New JOBS Act calls for new tools Business

By Ron Busby, President U.S. Black Chamber, Inc. On Thursday, April 5, 2012, I had the opportunity to join a bipartisan group of supporters at the White House to witness the signing of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012 into law.

This multi-pronged legislation addresses several financing challenges for small and emerging

American businesses, and since access to capital continues to reign as the Number One problem for small businesses, the JOBS Act of 2012 has the potential to be just what the doctor ordered.

Frankly, when most small, African American-ownedbusinesses express concerns about the lack of access to capital, few are complaining about the challenges inherent in preparing for a public offering of their stock. And for the most part Black business owners haven’t been bitten by the “crowdfunding” bug that tech-savvy entrepreneurs have begun to use to attract growth capital to their enterprises.

So, taken as a whole and viewed on the surface, the

Obama signing the JOBS Act elements of the JOBS Act hold little promise of alleviating the pressure most Black business

Roy Lewis

owners feel when seeking capital for growth and expansion of their businesses.

But, the JOBS Act is a good thing, right? Well… sort of.

The new legislation absolutely provides the impetus for Black businesses to develop the new tools needed to make the “jumpstart” bill work for us.

We have to begin to think of our businesses in entirely new ways, particularly in matters of scale. Most Black-owned businesses fit the description of “micro-enterprises.” The small businesses addressed in the JOBS Act can pool up to $2 million in investment capital, issue up to $50 million in stock, or grow to $1 billion in revenue before attracting Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) attention, in most cases. Most of us only wish we were that “small!”

Sounds like an apples and oranges comparison, right? But whatever the distinction between micro vs. small enterprise, we’ll

be working to figure out how to make this work for us. It’s pretty clear we’ll have to develop some new expertise. That means more joint ventures, more mergers, more working together, more creativity in the ways we position our businesses for growth.

The USBC will begin to work to engage our friends and supporters from the world of investment banking to develop strategies on how best to make the JOBS Act work for Black businesses across the country.

With a little elbow grease, some new tools – and a huge helping of luck – we’ll have a first draft ready for presentation at the USBC School of Chamber Management this summer.

There is one provision included in the JOBS Act that

JOBS TURN TO 13

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Page 13

COMMUNITY

4 precinct crime report th

ARSON: Arson 35XX Irving Ave N Wednesday 4/11/12 0000hrs 12-107675 MFD responded to a fire at this location, as well as 2 other nearby addresses on Irving. This was a fire in a bag of leaves & recycling, in front of a garage. There was no damage to property.

As a result of hydrocarbon hits & the other 2 fires, this was considered to be Arson. No injuries. No suspects.

Arson 35XX Irving Ave N Wednesday 4/11/12 0000hrs 12-107697 MFD responded to a fire at this location, as well as 2 other nearby addresses on Irving.

This fire was in a bag of leaves that spread to a detached garage & partially burned the fascia board around the main garage door. A separate fire to V1’s backyard fence charred a section of the fence. An accelerant was found in the soil & it was determined to be Arson. Estimated damage to property is $200. No Injuries.

No suspects.

Arson 35XX Irving Ave N Wednesday 4/11/12 0000hrs 12-107770 MFD responded to a fire at this location, as well as 2

other nearby addresses on Irving.

V1 in this incident was unaware there was a fire around his garage until the morning. Two small sections of the garage had been charred from the fire. A hydrocarbon tester revealed a positive hit.

Estimated property damage is $150. No injuries. No suspects.

Arson 29XX Dupont Ave N Sunday 4/15/12 0554hrs 12112188 MFD responded to a vehicle fire in the alley behind this location. The battery of the vehicle had been removed several days prior to the fire due to an attempted breakin of the vehicle, a Chevy pick-up truck.

The engine compartment was fully involved in the fire. There was heavy fire damage on the passenger side of the engine & the passenger front tire burned completely through & exploded from the heat. The windshield had heavy smoke damage with cracks. The entire front grill & headlights sustained heavy fire damage.

The cause of the fire was determined to be Arson. No suspects. No injuries. Estimated damage is $2000.

ASSAULT: Assault 2---w/a Dangerous

Weapon / Damage to Motor Vehicle 35XX 6th St N Tuesday 4/10/12 1858hrs 12-107168 Officers were dispatched to the above location on the report of shots fired. Officers met V1/ male, 47 yrs, at the intersection of Lowry & Emerson. V1 stated he was driving down the block when he heard 2 shots.

V1 then sped away & called police. V1’s back window was shattered & the dashboard had a hole in it as well. V1 stated he did not see any people in the area that might have done this. A bullet fragment was property inventoried. V1 was not injured.

Assault 2---w/a Dangerous Weapon (Attempt) 43XX Webber Pk Thursday 4/12/12 1554hrs 12109124 Officers were dispatched to the above location on a person with a gun. En route, Dispatch advised that suspected parties walked to another area & officers located them near Bryant Ave & 42nd.

As officers approached, AP1/ male, 14 yrs, ran with a semiautomatic handgun in his hand.

Officers pursued on foot & apprehended AP1. A handgun was recovered next to AP1. V1/male, 49 yrs, was in Webber Park when AP1

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

Events Sixth Annual Facing Race Ambassador Awards Celebrates Minnesota Racial Equity Leaders Apr. 23 A reception with appetizers begins at 6:00 pm, followed by a one-hour program and awards ceremony at 7pm.Tickets are free; RSVPs are required, as seating is limited. RSVP and for more information visit FacingRace.org, or 651.325.4265. Awards take place at Crowne Plaza Riverfront 11 Kellogg Blvd East in downtown Saint Paul.

Create A Band Auditions Mar. 26 – Apr. 25 Auditions for solo musicians and singers performing all types of music. Pre-registration is $25.00.

To schedule an appointment by/ before Apr. 4 and/or Apr 25 contact Penny Wallace 612.333.6618.

Book Fair and Family Literacy Night Apr. 26 Workshops on reading, Resources from the Minneapolis Public Library. Book fair 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Storyteller. WISE Charter School 1501 Aldrich Ave. N, Minneapolis MN 55411.

Help Prevent Identity Theft Apr. 26 Northeast Bank Partners with the Minneapolis Police Department and Shred-it© Thur. Apr. 26.

A presentation featuring Mpls Police Dept staff at the Walter C. Rasmussen Community Room 10am – 11am. This event is free and open to the public. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Northeast Bank has partnered with Shred-it© to

provide free document shredding services to customers and members of the community. Both events located at Minneapolis office, located at 77 Broadway Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Contact: Suzanne Sjoselius, 612-362-3219: or sms@northeastbank-mn.com What Happens to Youth Who Age Out of the Child Welfare System? Apr. 26 Hear from professionals, foster care youth, and agencies about “What Happens to Youth who Age out of the Child Welfare System”.

Thursday Apr. 26, 6pm –7:30pm, Rondo Library (Community Room) 461 Dale Street N. Saint Paul, MN 55103.

School Integration April 26 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Anwatin Middle School Media Center 256 Upton Avenue South, Minneapolis. Hear from Minneapolis families about how the district’s integration policies have impacted them directly. To RSVP or learn more, contact Regan Smith at 612-455-1535 or rsmith@ achievempls.org Elders Circle 2012 Apr. 26 Community Celebration of Place’s Elders Circle 2012 will be held on Thur Apr 26, 2012 9am–1pm at the North Community YMCA & Teen Enrichment Center 1711 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411.Performances by Jazz Legends Irv Williams & Jeanne Arland Peterson with Billy Peterson & Tonia Hughes. For more info 612.722.9775. info@communitycelebration.org or www.communitycelebration. org The 2012 ZULU DISTRICT Volunteer Recognition and Leadership Dinner Apr. 27 Enjoy a buffet-style dinner & entertainment as we recognize our wonderful volunteers and share with you the past, present and future vision of Scouting in

pointed the handgun at his head & V1 believed he was going to be robbed. AP1 fled when he saw police. V1 was not injured.

AP1 was booked in JDC. Assault 3---Significant Bodily Harm 31XX Penn Ave N Friday 4/13/12 1518hrs 12-110209 Officers responded to the above location where a Transit Squad was on the scene. V1/ male, 17 yrs, was walking to his vehicle in the Aldi’s parking lot when he was attacked by 3-5 suspects. V1 stated he knew them from St. Paul, but would not provide their names. V1 stated he didn’t want a police report & called his girlfriend to pick him up. Transit Police said that V1 was unconscious when they arrived. W1/female, stated she observed the group of men attack V1.

Officers observed abrasions on V1’s face, but V1 refused medical attention. Suspects were GOA. ROBBERY: ROBPAG 23rd Ave N & Thomas Ave N Thursday 4/12/12 2032hrs 12-109408 Officers responded to a Robbery of Person at the above location & learned that the 2 male suspects, 18-25 yrs, jumped in V1’s vehicle & drove off from the scene. V1/ male, 39 yrs, stated he parked

Phone: 612.588.1313

the District and in our community.

For more info please contact: Rob Lyons at 612.202.8324 Tickets are $20 each register online at http://442zulurecognitiondinner. eventbrite.com RSVP by Mon. Apr 23.

3rd Annual ACER Fair Apr. 28 Family-friendly event featuring K-12 schools; colleges & universities; fortune 500 companies; health and social service organizations, and various other resources. Activities include entertainment, food, free health screenings, and door prize drawings. Sat. Apr. 28 from 11am– 2pm at Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park.

Visit www.acerinc.org for more information.

Bullying Panel Apr. 28 World Citizen and Jamie Nabozny are hosting a presentation, film screening, and conversation with educators and experts. Parents & students encouraged to attend. St. Michael’s Lutheran Church at 1660 County Road B, Roseville. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. For more info and to RSVP visit http://bullied.eventbrite. com/ or call 651.695.2587.

Red Balloon Bookshop Events Apr. 7 – Apr. 30 April at The Red Balloon Bookshop is filled with story times, celebrations, and parties.

Events include National Poetry Month with MN poet Joyce Sidman- Apr.13, 7pm, Giggle, Giggle, Giggle, Quack story time with actress/ playwright Jennifer Kirkeby-Apr.14, 10:30am, A Secret Keeps publication party with author Marsha Wilson ChallApr. 21, 10:30am, and much, much more. For more info contact Holly Weinkauf 651.224.8320 or holly@redballoonbookshop.com.

For a list of events visit www. redballoonbookshop.com Nano Workshops at Sabathani Apr 28, May 12, and June 2 Science workshops for kids combining fun hands-on activities for an afternoon filled with fun and exciting Nano activities and experiments, introducing YOU to the wonders of Nano Technology.

The workshops are free and open to the public. Sabathani is located at 310 East 38th Street in South Minneapolis. For more information contact Bobby Lay at Sabathani, 612-821-2329, or boblay@Sabathani.org Open house on Interstate-35W/ Lake Street proposed bus rapid transit station design May 1 Residents and businesses are invited to an Interstate-35W Transit/Access Project open house from 5 – 7 pm May 1, at the Whittier Community Center, 425 – 26th Street West, Minneapolis.

MPD provides this public safety information as a public service.

These highlights are not reflective of all incidents handled or investigated by the MPD at this time. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

ABBREVIATION GUIDE V=Victim (V1, V2, etc…)

S=Suspect (S1, S2, etc…)

AP=Arrested Party (person taken into custody or cited & released for a crime) W= Witness (W1, W2, etc…)

OT= Other (a party on the scene that often played no specific role or is not a victim) RP= Reporting Party (Example: “RP told officers there were people trying to break into his neighbor’s house) PV=Police Officer is the victim

near the above intersection & got out of his running vehicle to fix something. The unknown suspects ran up to him & pointed a silver semiautomatic at V1, demanding his vehicle. Suspects got into the vehicle & drove off. Vehicle & suspects were not located V1 was not injured. It should be noted that besides the loss of his vehicle, V1 also had $750 in cash in the vehicle; ID; a Coach wallet valued at $100; misc. bank/credit cards; $200 in clothing, & a Smart phone.

ROBPAG

Fax: 612.588.2031

The I-35 Transit/Access Project involves transit- and transportationrelated improvements in the vicinity of I-35W, Lake Street and the Midtown Greenway. Staff from Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis will present updated information on proposals.

PACER Center Workshop - Transition from early childhood, special education to kindergarten May 1 Free workshop for parents of young children with disabilities and for professionals. Tue. May 1, 6:30 –8:30 pm, at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minn. Advance registration is requested at (952) 838-9000, In Greater Minnesota, call (800) 537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org Exhibit on Minnesota’s American Indian Nations and the History of Treaty Making to Open May 1 Free exhibit open May 1–30, 2012, at Historic Fort Snelling.

A collaboration among the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. The public is also invited to attend free programs related to the exhibit on May 5 and May 19. Calendar of events is posted online at events.mnhs.org/ calendar. . For more information, call 612.726.1171.

PG=Parental Guardian EMS= Emergency Medical Service DAC=Driving After Cancellation DK= Drunk GOA= Gone on Arrival HCJ= Hennepin County Jail JDC= Juvenile Detention Center “KOPS” alert---Keeping Our Police Safe CHIPS=Child in Need of Protective Services ID’d= Identified (“He ID’d the suspect as a classmate”) SHOW-UP =Suspect is shown to victims to see if he/she can be positively ID’d as the person who committed the crime DOA= Dead on Arrival MTP= Metro Transit Police PC= Probable Cause (Evidence points to reasons to be arrested… i.e. “He was booked in HCJ for PC Weapons”)

94 I EB & Lyndale Ave N Sunday 4/15/12 1955hrs 12-112651 Officers were dispatched to the above location on a Robbery.

V1/male, 26 yrs, stated he was walking in the above area when unknown S1/ male, 16-20 yrs, ran up behind him, turned him around, pressed a semi-automatic into his stomach, & demanded his cash. V1 stated he observed S1 in the Marathon Gas Station prior to the robbery.

Loss was $150 in cash. V1 did not require medical attention & was transported home.

Email: natalie@insightnews.com

clothing, furniture, toys, household items, electronics, books, and many more treasures. Early bird entry will be at 8 am for $3, and free admission will be from 9

am. until closing at 2:30 pm. A bag sale (a bag full of items for $5) will run from 1:30–2:30 pm.

Visit the school’s website at www.

BSMschool.org.

JOBS

500 to 2000. This one component alone should dramatically spur the development of Black-owned banks across the country, which in turn would open access to more conventional business financing tools. We’ll be watching this closely, and will report back to you on progress in developing community-based financial institutions.

From 12 holds a bit more short-term promise. The Capital Expansion Act (HR 4088) increases the number of shareholders able to invest in community banks from

Un From 3 investment that will be derived from supporting Generation Un. An article titled The Harsh Realities of Juvenile Detention notes that, “The U.S. locks up children at more than six times the rate of all other developed nations. The over 60,000 average daily juvenile lockups, a figure estimated by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), are also disproportionately young people of color. With an average cost of $80,000 per year to lock up a child, the U.S. spends more

than $5 billion annually on youth detention.”

I can only imagine what our schools could accomplish if finances were not the issue.

We could further expand organizational capacity and innovative future visioning could be unleashed full force. I see the ‘Help Wanted’ sign coming down and the educational pipeline beginning to flow freely into the sea of opportunity. The staff of the Minneapolis Urban League Academy schools is committed to transforming the students we serve from Generation Un-Able to Generation Un-Stoppable.

Join us in the educational huddle!

STATE OF MINNESOTA

DISTRICT COURT

‘Peace of Hope’ trip to St. Cloud-MN DOC May 3 Pre-registered visitors are welcomed to accompany “Peace of Hope” to visit their loved ones.

Cost $40. Leaving promptly at 6:00pm from Lyndale & Broadway. Contact: S. Brooks at 612.220.4678 for more details.

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

Morrill Hall Rachel Tilsen Social Justice Fund 3rd Annual Benefit Gala May 5 Recognize those who have contributed so much for Social Justice and continue to work for Justice with The Sounds of Blackness, The Poetic Assigns, and Calliope. Sat. May 5, 2012 University Hotel 615 University Avenue Mpls. MN 55414.Tickets on sale now.

1.

YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff ’s Complaint against you is attached to this Summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this Summons.

2.

YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this Summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this Summons located at Koepke Law, Ltd., 3161 Fernbrook Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447.

3.

YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff ’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer.

4.

YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the Complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the Complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the Complaint.

5.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

An “Olde Tyme Gospel” Concert Honoring Our Mothers May 5 TCC Gospel Choir artistic director Sandra Robinson Hodges invites you to celebrate the mothers in your life at an event filled with joy, hope and gospel music. Tickets are $15 and available at www. tccgospel.org. Sat. May 5, North Central University - Trask Word and Worship Center - 1410 Elliot Ave, Mpls.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s to hold upscale resale sale May 5 Featuring new and gently-used

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Case Type: Contract

TCF National Bank,

Court File No.: 27-CV-12-7310

Plaintiff, v.

SUMMONS

Christopher Lachmansingh,

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT:

The object of this action is to enforce Plaintiff ’s rights and remedies against Defendant.

KOEPKE LAW, LTD. Dated: January 20, 2012

By: Scott R. Manthei (#0389092) 3161 Fernbrook Lane North Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 Telephone: (763) 201-1207 Fax: (763) 201-1212 Email: smanthei@koepkelaw.com Attorneys for Plaintiff Insight News: 4/23/2012, 4/30/2012, 5/7/12

Page 14 • April 23 - April 29, 2012 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Tyra Banks, supermodel, super executive and super motivator, spreads words of empowerment Artspeak

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor On March 17, 2012, in Raleigh, N.C., at the 18th annual Radio One Women’s Empowerment Expo, several thousand Black women sat enraptured with Tyra Bank’s “booty” talk. Although not as well attended as the previous year, the Women’s Empowerment Expo brings primarily Black women

from the Triangle Area and across the country together. The event is part social, part educational, part marketing, part self-affirmation, and simply sisters hanging out to just having a good time among folk who look like their sister, cousin, best friend, or next door neighbor.

This year the main attraction was Banks, who took that piece of Black women’s anatomy, “the booty,” which has received too much negative attention, and transformed it into a tool of power and education. She waxed eloquently about the “Showing Booty,” “Kissing Booty,” and “Educating Booty.” She also demonstrated the etiquette of presenting one’s booty—and you

had to be there to see it.

Tyra Banks, erstwhile supermodel and Harvard Business School graduate, enthralled the audience with life lessons she has learned about her body, her brains, and personal empowerment. She spoke with passion about how she took control of her own future by retiring as a supermodel while still on top of the game.

According to her press bio, as the “first model to book twentyfive runway shows in Paris” at the tender age of eighteen, Tyra has seen it and virtually done it all. She spoke about her “ah ha” moment when she realized that her destiny was not as a singer.

She had a friend/mentor who asked “Five years from now,

Tyra Banks what do you want people to think when you walk into this place?”

She revealed that sitting in that exclusive restaurant peopled with celebrities and paparazzi, what she wanted most was “the power to make change” and “the power to influence women.”

She encouraged the women in the audience to think about the ideas they held precious in their heads and hearts, and realize that it’s just an idea, unless you do something with it. And, you can’t do it alone. “Ideas are just ideas. …Without the team to help you put them into action…that is where the real magic happens.”

In her advice around “kissing booty,” Tyra disclosed her own fears about showing vulnerability, and shared with the audience that when she was attacked in the tabloids because of her supposed weight gain, she used her talk show to respond. That moment was her standing on television in the same bathing suit in which the paparazzi had surreptitiously photographed her juxtaposed against the “fat” Tyra tabloid image and saying through tears “kiss my fat a…” The applause, as she encouraged the women present to love themselves regardless of their body shape, was thunderous, exhilarating and reaffirming to all those in attendance. Tyra revealed that in that moment, afraid because she

had cried publicly on television, she learned from people who had watched the show that displaying her vulnerability was in fact a show of strength.

For Black women who struggle against stereotypes and expectations that we can hold everything together, don’t need support, don’t require love and comfort, and are miracle workers in our families and at work because we never seem to fall apart, Tyra handed us a gift—it’s okay to just say no, and to let people know you also can be hurt and bleed. In her words, “I learned vulnerability can be strength.”

In “Educating Booty,” Tyra took us on a journey of her experiences as a Harvard student living in the dormitories and being treated like a regular person. The quick “takeaways” that she shared centered on having strategies, marketing your ideas, and displaying leadership.

Tyra Banks may not be the girl next door, but she is certainly a woman who has learned how to stay grounded. According to her, it was her mother who taught her not to get caught up in the razzle-dazzle of modeling, and to remember that the moments of fame as a super model would not last forever. Tyra listened to her mom and clearly has a back-up

foxync.com

plan that consists of translating great ideas into action. She is an executive producer of her own TV show, is the founder of the Next Top Model franchise and has her own foundation TZone.

The words of wisdom she shared with the several thousand (mostly Black) women in attendance were a powerful lesson of “booty” and beauty empowerment, if ever there was one to be learned.

Learn more: http://foxync.com/ womens-empowerment/spruitt/ radio-one-raleigh-presentswomen%E2%80%99sempowerment-2012/ h t t p s : / / t w i t t e r. c o m / # ! / TYRABANKS http://www.facebook.com/ TyraBanks http://www.washingtonpost. com/blogs/celebritology/ post/tyra-banks-graduatesfrom-harvards-executiveeducation-program/2012/02/24/ gIQASv0vXR_blog.html h t t p : / / w w w . tzonefoundation.org/ ©2012 McClaurin Solutions Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News of Minneapolis.

She is an anthropologist and writer living in Raleigh, NC and a former university president. (www.irmamcclaurin.com) (@ mcclaurintweets)