Ordway presents Pilobolus Dance
aesthetically speaking
MORE ON PAGE 10
Insight News
May 2 - May 8, 2016
Vol. 43 No. 18 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
James C. Burroughs II
PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE
Prince
Flickr / Creative Commons
Prince at Coachella Valley Music Arts Festival
By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief Part 1 in a series
I am interested in examining Prince’s life from my vantage point as a Black man. Where I stand as a neighbor, as a neighborhood business owner, as
a journalist and communicator, as a cultural advocate, and as a seeker of our truth shapes my response to the news of Prince’s death and my deep appreciation of his life and legacy. This commentary is personal. Not because I knew him…we exchanged words and glances on two specific occasions…but because I know. What I know
Most relentless, most focused, the most driven
is, in part, what he knew: our shared experiences as Black people, living in Minneapolis. Prince rose in a windstorm and troubled everybody’s mind. I remember first hearing Grand Central at the Northside Summer Fun Festival. Grand Central also regularly headlined Juneteenth and the Way’s Youth Appreciation Day events. Grand
Central was the first group that Prince led when he emerged from the powerhouse R&B band called The Family. The Family was the brand ambassador for North Minneapolis youth and community service organization, The Way.
Burroughs named chief inclusion officer for Minnesota By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer In the latest effort to reduce economic racial disparities in Minnesota, Gov. Mark Dayton announced the hiring of James Burroughs as the state’s chief inclusion officer.
BURROUGHS 3 TURN TO
PRINCE TURN TO 11 Spike Moss
Cora McCorvey
MPHA head Cora McCorvey to retire after 25 years of service
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Connections 2 independence helps teens and young adults such as these three who modeled Derby fashions during last year’s annual fundraiser. All three models are now college students, they say, thanks to C2i.
C2i annual Kentucky Derby fundraiser is a party with a purpose By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer For the third year in a row the space inside Warehouse Winery, 6415 Cambridge St., St. Louis Park, will have the
look and feel of Louisville, Ky. during the “Run for the Roses,” complete with colorful dresses, audacious hats, seersucker suits, bow ties and mint juleps. In addition, on Saturday, May 7 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., there will be casino gaming,
food, contests for best hat for the women and best “swag” for the men, a mini fashion show, an outdoor cigar lounge and of course viewing of the Kentucky Derby. There will be music, a silent auction with prizes from the NFL Players’
event everyone goes back to their daily lives … and that’s just the point. For most in attendance, that means going back to their homes, their jobs …
Association, the Minnesota Twins, Lynx and more. The now annual Connections 2 Independence (C2i) Kentucky Derby “Run for the Roses” party has become one of the more anticipated events in the Twin Cities. And after the
DERBY TURN TO 4
After nearly 40 years of public service including 25 years as executive director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA), Cora McCorvey announced her plans to retire effective Feb. 10, 2017. “My decision to retire was difficult. My sense of loss for a position and an Agency that I love and for which I continue to have deep passion is profound” said McCorvey. “Time and time again over the course of her 40-year career at the City and MPHA, Cora McCorvey showed fierce dedication to public service, the mission of public housing, and especially to our residents,”
MCCORVEY TURN TO 3
Disparities
Education
Health
Lifestyle
DFL Legislators call on House Republicans to pass racial economic disparity legislation
Minneapolis College Preparatory High School to graduate first senior class
Allina Health and NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center launch health coach training partnership
Lighten your mood: Tips to keep your spirits lifted
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Insight News • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Page 3
DFL legislators call on House Republicans to pass racial economic disparity legislation
L-R: Rep. Rena Moran (65A), Rep. Peggy Flanagan (46A) and Rep. Susan Allen (62B) House and Senate DFL legislators joined communities of color to call on House Republicans to address racial economic disparities in the 2016 session. DLFers are calling on House Republicans to assemble a racial equity proposal that would invest a minimum of $50 million to address racial economic disparities in Minnesota. Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a $100 million investment while the Senate DFL has proposed $91 million. House Republicans have set aside zero dollars in its budget to address racial economic disparities. “With a $900 million budget surplus we need to address these disparities with urgency now,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFLSt. Paul). “Families of color throughout the state have fallen behind and our economy will suffer if we don’t do everything we can to increase opportunity to students, workers, and business owners of color. We have the power to help, and we need to do it now.” According to the 2014 American Community Survey from 2013 to 2014, the median income for Black households in the state fell 14 percent. In constant dollars, that was a decline from about $31,500 to
$27,000 – or $4,500 in a single year. By those metrics, Black families in Mississippi today can expect to earn more income than the median Black family in Minnesota, dropping the state to the absolute bottom for earnings. Racial inequality is not just holding back Minnesota’s African-American community. The Wilder Foundation’s Minnesota Compass Project points out that all Minnesotans of color are more likely to live in poverty, less likely to graduate from high school, less likely to own their own home and to suffer from unequal healthcare outcomes and access to care. “We can no longer say that we don’t know what the problem is,” said Rep. Peggy Flanagan (DFL – St. Louis Park). “We know the problems, and now we need action and we need to invest in these Minnesota families. Even if Republican leaders would support a budget target for racial equity that was only half of Gov. Dayton’s, that would be a start, but they are not even doing that.” Republicans have argued they would address racial disparities by funding $19 million in voucher-style tax credits for private schools to address the educational achievement
gap between white students and students of color. Moran explained how that plan would not help families in her district. “Families in my district don’t have money for private school tuition, which is necessary in order to get a tax credit for paying it. The median annual household income for Black families in our state is $27,000. There is absolutely no room in a family budget like that for private school tuition,” said Moran. “We’ve proven in our neighborhoods that you can improve educational outcomes by investing in programs that work in school and out of school. If we are intentional about how we invest our surplus, we can have a major impact on Black, Asian, American Indian, and Latino communities across the state.” DFL representatives called on Republican House leaders to set a budget target of $50 million to make it possible for a racial equity legislative package to be voted on and debated in a conference committee among House and Senate conferees. Rep. Susan Allen (DFL – Minneapolis) echoed the distress about the potential for no action on racial economic
disparities this year. “If we don’t act now, while we have this $900 million budget surplus, it will constitute more than simply not helping Minnesota’s communities of
color,” said Allen. “If we don’t act this year when we know the problems we face, it will amount to intentional harm to thousands of Minnesotans in communities across our state
who face racial inequality in education, healthcare, housing, employment, and home ownership. In any other setting such intentional harm would be a crime.”
Dr. Artika Tyner named finalist in 26th Annual Midwest Book Awards The 26th Annual Midwest Book Awards has recognized Dr. Artika Tyner as an award finalist. Tyner is a finalist in the category of Inspiration for her book, “The Leader’s Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within.” Winners will
be announced at the Midwest Book Awards Gala, May 13. “It is thrilling to see so many talented authors and publishers of high quality books in the Midwest,” said Sherry Roberts Midwest Book awards chair. “I look forward to the gala, where we will be
recognizing the achievements of all the finalists and winners as well as celebrating the strength and vitality of independent publishing in the Midwest.” Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) serves the Midwest
publishing community to promote excellence in publishing in the Midwest. MIPA serves a 12-state region – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
of the governor’s term.” Tackling diversity means changing the culture of the way business is traditionally conducted, said Burroughs, who was most recently the director of Equity and Diversity for the Minneapolis Public Schools. He said people are going to have to extend beyond their normal parameters when it comes to hiring and awarding bids. “A lot of hiring and awarding of contracts is relationship driven,” said Burroughs, who said many whites in hiring roles tend to hire who they know, and their circles are often not that diverse. “For instance, before a job is posted in a newspaper, someone within the hiring person’s circle may have been already being groomed for the job and has the inside track, so sure, everyone has the equal opportunity to apply, but do they have a fair chance at the hire? And (in awarding contracts) there’s a comfort level that’s been built up working with the same businesses and sometimes that means smaller minority businesses get shut out. What I’m going to do is get qualified Black-owned and minorityowned businesses in front of our agencies so we can eliminate the excuse of not being able to find qualified businesses and Anika Ward is going to identify qualified minority job candidates
to fill state job openings.” The numbers when it comes to minority spending by the state is paltry. According to Burroughs, of the $2.6 billion spent this past year by the state, only $135,000 of that went to Black-owned companies. “I believe that’s unacceptable, the governor believes that’s unacceptable and the whole state believes that’s not acceptable,” said Burroughs. “We need to increase that number 30- or 40fold.” Dayton said Burroughs is the best person to fulfill his vision for inclusion. “Mr. Burroughs brings a proven record of success in advising clients and developing effective strategies for diversity and inclusion in both the public and private sectors,” said Dayton in his statement announcing the hire of Burroughs. “Mr. Burroughs will be invaluable in our state’s efforts to be more inclusive and representative of the people we serve. I thank the search committee for their exceptional work.” Burroughs comes to the state with an extensive background in equity and diversity. Prior to joining Minneapolis Public Schools, Burroughs worked for Minneapolis-based ProGroup and Fredrikson
Human Resources Consulting, providing diversity training, education and consulting services to Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. In addition to serving as a diversity consultant, Burroughs was the chief operating
officer and general counsel for Summit Academy, a nonprofit that provides vocational training and job placement to low-income adults. A lawyer, Burroughs was a civil and commercial litigator for Dorsey & Whitney and worked with
the Office of the Federal Public Defender for Minnesota. A resident of Brooklyn Park and native of Detroit, he is a graduate of Morehouse College and Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.
families call home. She is credited with creating one of the most diverse workforces in Minneapolis with more than 50 percent of her staff comprised of people of color. Seven out of the past 10 years, MPHA has been recognized by the National Association of Minority Contractors as Affiliate of the Year. “Cora McCorvey has given her staff unlimited opportunity to grow and to impact every aspect of the agency. She helped educate and guide the Board to engage in strategic planning and visioning for MPHA’s future; and on a personal note, I am extremely proud that during her tenure Cora created the memory care facility, which housed my
father during the last days of his life,” said MPHA board chair, F. Clayton Tyler. McCorvey acknowledged her gratitude for the work of her staff and expressed special appreciation to those who have served on the MPHA board. She spoke passionately about her relationship with MPHA residents. “They have always kept me grounded and focused on my purpose in performing the work I have done. It has been a work of committed service and a high honor in responding to the needs of others in our community,” said McCorvey. A search is underway for a new executive director/CEO.
Dr. Artika Tyner
Burroughs From 1 As chief inclusion officer Burroughs will be responsible for increasing state contracting opportunities for minority businesses and diversifying the state’s private sector workforce while working with Anika Ward to insure diversity in public sector hiring. Ward was named as executive recruiter for Minnesota this past March. In addition, Burroughs is charged with increasing the state’s civic engagement and partnerships with communities of color and other diverse communities. “Diversity can’t just be something we talk about, we have to truly integrate diversity into each of the state’s 26 agencies,” said Burroughs. Burroughs said currently the state’s minority employees make up only about 10 percent of the workforce, but he is looking to double that number to 20 percent. “We want our workforce to be reflective of our population,” said Burroughs, who said demographic data shows a rapidly increasing population for people of color. “The goal is to see measurable change within the first 180 days (of his tenure). We want to reach that 20 percent goal by the end
McCorvey From 1 said Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. “Her strong leadership transformed MPHA from a oncetroubled organization into a highperforming one, a designation the agency has retained for almost 20 years. I thank her for her vision, determination, and passion that all low-income people have a safe, healthy place to live and every equal opportunity to participate in the life of our city. We are all greater for her service.” Under McCorvey’s leadership, MPHA became a place where thousands of
Introducing HWMR a lifestyle brand whose mantra is Excellence, more specifically, Black Excellence. HWMR was born out of the barbershop in the Camden section of North Minneapolis. It’s founder, Houston White, believes the barbershop is the mecca for black men across America. It’s a place where black men from diverse backgrounds converge. It’s for us, by us – the music, the incense burning, and the pictures on the wall – a reflection of our greatness. The networking potential is unbelievable. In fact, it’s the very place where H. White laid the foundation for the wildly successful H. White Custom Homes. The HWMR brand is a reflection of our times; it borrows from the past, yet aims to propel the classic style of yesteryears into the future. It’s vintage modernism. “It feels like the men of my generation have dropped the ball when it comes to the way we as a whole present ourselves to the world. As stated by G. Bruce Boyer, we make decisions based on peoples appearances.” — H. White
Photo: Rebecca Rabb
“It is both delusional and stupid to think that clothes don’t really matter and we should all wear whatever we want. Most people don’t take clothing seriously enough, but whether we should or not, clothes do talk to us and we make decisions based on peoples appearances.” — G. Bruce Boyer
The goal of HWMR is to provide superior products with excellent service while inspiring greatness. Please join in as we realign with the awesomeness of our forefathers vision and forge the new frontier of Black Excellence. A portion of every dollar earned by HWMR will go towards the HWMR Scholarship fund for future entrepreneurs. •
Page 4 • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Insight News
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EDUCATION
Left to right: Andrew, (accepted to Iowa State University, Concordia University, and the University of St. Thomas) Ka Youa (will attend St. Catherine University and major in Nursing); Shamsa (will attend North Dakota State University to study Agricultural and Biodiversity Engineering); and Sarah.
Minneapolis College Preparatory High School to graduate first senior class In 2012, Minneapolis College Preparatory (MCP) High School opened its doors in North Minneapolis. Students and families committed to building a school with high expectations for behavior and academics in
order for students to be ready for college and beyond. In the past four years, students have received scholarships to attend summer programs at prestigious universities around the country, placed in state poetry competitions, and competed in the
state robotics program. This June, 21 seniors will make history as MCP’s first senior class graduates and begins their college journey. All of MCP’s graduating seniors are college bound, having been accepted into at least one college or university. Together,
to work in the international community. “(MCP has) given (me) the tools to work with a diverse group of people and shown that it is possible to have multicultural focus in academic curriculum,” said Sarah.
they have earned more than $192,000 in scholarships and grants. Sarah (last name withheld), a graduate of MCP, is attending Carleton College next fall and plans to study economics and international relations in order
As further examples of student success, three MCP students are pursuing post-secondary education at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). One will attend Hampton University in the fall and will major in a STEM field.
Spanish immersion early learning center to open in north metro A Spanish immersion early learning center is opening in Roseville in August 2016. The new
center located at 1125 County Rd. B. W. will provide early childhood education and care for families living in the north metro area. The building was previously occupied by Cheetah Auto Supply. The building will undergo a renovation to
accommodate five classrooms serving children two months to 10-years-old, including year-round care for children two months through prekindergarten and summer care for children ages five – 10. The school will be operated
their families. For a few special guests in attendance it means returning back to the uncertainty of being in the foster care system. But C2i is working to eliminate that uncertainty and transition the youth it encounters into a positive and healthy
adulthood. The money raised during its signature event helps C2i achieve its noble mission. For those in long-term foster care, the numbers are staggering. Nationally only 45 percent of fosters graduate from high school or attain a GED. Only 15 percent go on to pursue post-secondary education. Of that, only three percent will complete. But in 2015 the youth
nurtured through C2i had a 98 percent rate of achieving a high school degree or GED. Sixty percent have gone on to some form of post-secondary learning. C2i is making a measurable difference. It is also making a difference that is not so measureable. “We look at the whole individual, not just a checklist approach,” said Jessica Rogers, executive director of C2i. “We do our work from a trauma informed perspective. If a person isn’t healthy on the inside they can’t reach their potential. We get kids from survivor mode to thriving mode.” One of the many things that makes C2i successful in its mission is the fact that it works with fosters past the years the state kicks them off the rolls. C2i works with youth and young adults ages 15 – 24, applying a fiveprong approach focusing on employment, housing, education, financial literacy and personal wellness.
Leah Retamozo
Derby From 1
“In addition to providing an engaging and loving early learning environment, we are a unique and special community of bilingual families. We would also love to partner with other community organizations to bring other services like dance,
by Bilingual Child Care & Education Center, Inc. “We are so excited to be joining the Roseville community and to expand our work with young children and families in the north metro,” said the center’s director, Leah Retamozo.
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Connections 2 independence executive director Jessica Rogers during last year’s Kentucky Derby fundraiser at Warehouse Winery.
Our Schools
Harvest Network of Schools
The Harvest Network of Schools is a group of high-performing K-8 public charter schools, which include the The Mastery School, Harvest Preparatory School, and Best Academy. THE MASTERY SCHOOL leverages the strengths of boys and girls in single gender classrooms. Boys will learn in an atmosphere that encourages self control and focus on achievement. Girls will learn in an environment that gives them confidence to shine.
HARVEST PREPARATORY SCHOOL is the flagship school of the Harvest Network of Schools. Harvest was established by Eric and Ella Mahmoud in 1992, after the success of their SEED Academy preschool. Initially a private school, it was chartered in 1998 to give more north Minneapolis children a great education.
BEST ACADEMY is a national award-winning school. Opened in 2008 with an initial focus on educating boys, today it has both single gender and co-ed classrooms.
All Harvest Network Schools are tuition free.
Class of ’29 & ‘27
K - 8 S c h o o l s i n N o rt h M i n n e a p o l i s 3 - yea r Avera g e M M R f o r 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 3 Area Schools City View WISE Lucy Laney Bethune Nellie Stone Johnson Hall Hmong Int’l Sojourner Truth New Millennium Jenny Lind Bryn Mawr Noble Loring State
7 10 15 17 19 19 20 24 29 33 33 44 45 58
Best Academy Harvest Prep
80 82
Love chapter books Aspiring astronaut & businessman
0
20
40
music and cultural events and lessons to our center for families to enjoy.” The new school is scheduled to open by Aug. 1. For more information go to www. bilingualchildcaremn.com or call (651) 644-2405.
60
80
100
“It goes beyond just basic skills,” said Rogers. Rogers said the money raised during the annual fundraiser helps C2i to impact the daily lives of the youth who rely on C2i. Thanks to sponsorship from companies such as Dorsey & Whitney, LLP and others and funding from commercial realtors, Christianson & Co., 100 percent of every dollar raised during the May 7 party goes to provide services for the C2i youth and young adults, including a summer internship program. Tickets to the Kentucky Derby “Run for the Roses” fundraiser are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Advance tickets are available at www.tinyurl.com/J2wo94j. May is National Foster Care Month.
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Insight News • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Page 5
Allina Health and NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center launch health coach training partnership With the intention of improving the health of north Minneapolis residents, Allina Health will train approximately 40 staff members from the medical clinic and human services department at Northpoint Health & Wellness Center. “Integrative health and wellness coaching provides a mechanism to empower patients and has shown to improve
diabetes, weight management and risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke,” said Sue Masemer, fitness operations manager for Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, part of Allina Health. Penny George Institute for Health and Healing integrative health and wellness coaches will facilitate two two-day training sessions for NorthPoint
staff members. The training will include information on how health coaching tools can be used in a clinic setting, building rapport with clients, understanding a client’s readiness to change, appreciative inquiry and goal setting. “We are excited to provide the opportunity for our staff to receive training in health coaching and support for
implementing this tool into our clinical practice,” said Dr. Nicole Winbush, community medicine and wellness physician coordinator for NorthPoint. “Coaching provides proven and effective strategies to support our patients and clients in making the long term lifestyle changes that will help them address chronic disease and contribute to their overall health and well-being.”
Nicole Winbush
Few endorsements making headlines in Black newspapers not giving out presidential endorsements, The Tri-State Defender, made the evening newscast in Memphis when it decided not to support two opposing Black candidates for mayor last October. One failed to show up for an interview with the newspaper’s editorial board while the other candidate did not impress the staff with his platform. The Atlanta Voice said that it does not endorse political candidates, because of their editorial policy. The city’s mainstream daily newspaper, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, ended its practice of giving political endorsements in 2010 after complaints from its readers who didn’t want to be told how to vote. On its website, The Charlotte Post explained its decision to hold back on its endorsements. “In a presidential election cycle, local elections are
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Carmen Robles Artika Tyner Toki Wright
often overlooked. However, the people who earn out votes in the March 15 primary are the people who are the most responsible to local interests,” the statement reads. In an unusual twist, rather than endorsing one Democratic presidential candidate, The Richmond Free Press in Virginia encouraged its readers to vote for either Clinton or Sanders. On March 10, The Florida Courier voiced its frustration on why the newspapers refused to back any political candidate this year. “Too often, we as Black people allow ourselves and our services to be devalued because we have become so used to working with little, and making something out of nothing. No more,” the editorial read. “Effective immediately, we will not consider… candidates
ENDORSEMENTS 6 TURN TO
Photo Composite/The Florida Courier
The Florida Courier turned heads with their editorial explaining their decision not to endorse any presidential candidates during the primaries.
By Erick Johnson (From the Chicago Crusader, NNPA Member) Forget it Hillary. Sorry Bernie. When the time came for the Florida Courier to endorse either candidate, the edgy Black newspaper dropped a bombshell with a large headline just five days before the crucial primary elections in the sunshine state. “NONE OF THE ABOVE,” the headline read in caps. It was a much different response nearly 1,000 miles away at the historic New York Amsterdam News. The newspaper’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton drew numerous praises and racked up nearly 47,000 likes on Facebook as of April 11. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the Black Press, particularly, Black newspapers. But in the past decade, their influence have been challenged by other mediums, changing times and attitudes among a new generation of voters. For Clinton, the endorsement was her latest coup d’état to win Black voters in New York, where they helped her seal her Democratic nomination for president. On Tuesday, April 19, she deflated the momentum of her opponent Bernie Sanders, who in the last several weeks, swept the primaries in Wisconsin,
Wyoming, Hawaii.
Washington
and
Despite Sanders’ momentum, the 107-year old New York Amsterdam News stood behind the former first lady. In light of escalating racial problems around the nation, many of the nation’s major Black newspapers are not endorsing any presidential candidate this election season, according to a survey by The Chicago Crusader. Many are also not endorsing candidates running for local, state and Congressional offices. Some cite longstanding editorial polices that prohibit endorsements during elections. Other Black newspapers are cutting their support to express their disappointment with the political establishment. Out of 26 major Black newspapers surveyed by the Crusader, 19 publications are not endorsing any candidate this year. Only seven have blessed Clinton or any candidate with an endorsement. In addition to the New York Amsterdam News, they include The Jacksonville Advocate, The Michigan Chronicle, and The St. Louis American. All of the papers endorsed Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. In Chicago, Clinton bagged endorsements from the city’s three major Black newspapers, the Crusader, the Defender and the Citizen. The Chicago
Crusader sister paper, the Gary Crusader also endorses Clinton as that city prepares to hold their primary May 3. Unlike other newspapers, the Chicago Crusader did not endorse Rahm Emanuel in his reelection campaign in 2014. None of the Black newspapers surveyed endorsed Sanders, a candidate who has been supported by a host of Black celebrities, including Spike Lee, Kanye West and scholar Dr. Cornel West. Among the Black newspapers that are not endorsing any candidates in this year’s primaries are The Philadelphia Tribune, New Pittsburg Courier, The Florida Courier, Tri-State Defender, The Washington Informer, The Atlanta Voice, The Los Angeles Sentinel, The Indianapolis Recorder, The Carolina Peacemaker, The Charlotte Post, The Cleveland Call and Post, The Final Call, The Houston Forward Times, the LA Wave and the Richmond Free Press. With racial and social issues boiling over in the Black community, Black newspapers editors are making tougher decisions about granting political endorsements. Many Black publishers and editors aim to send a message to candidates whose platforms do not offer any sound solutions to longstanding problems in the Black community. One Black newspaper that’s
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COMMENTARY Recognizing all of America’s s/heroes Child Watch
By Marian Wright Edelman Every day I wear a pair of medallions around my neck with portraits of two of my role models: Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. As a child I read books about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. She and indomitable and eloquent slave woman Sojourner Truth represent countless thousands of anonymous slave women whose bodies and minds were abused and whose voices were muted by slavery, Jim Crow, segregation and confining gender roles throughout our nation’s history. Although Harriet Tubman could not read books, she could read the stars to find her way north
to freedom. And she freed not only herself from slavery, but returned to slave country again and again through forests and streams and across mountains to lead other slaves to freedom at great personal danger. She was tough. She was determined. She was fearless. She was shrewd and she trusted God completely to deliver her, and other fleeing slaves, from pursuing captors who had placed a bounty on her life. “’Twa’nt me. ’Twas the Lord. I always told Him, I trust You. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me. And He always did…On my underground railroad, I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger,” she was quoted as saying. No train, bus or airline company can match this former slave woman’s safety record. And few of us could match her faithful partnership with God, determination to be free and willingness to help others to be free without thought about self-
The new bills will powerfully remind all Americans and teach our children and grandchildren that Black history and women’s history are American history.
sacrifice. Frederick Douglass wrote to Harriet Tubman on August 28, 1868 eloquently summing up her life and that of so many Black women throughout American history: “The difference between us is very marked. Most that I have done and suffered in the service of our cause has been in public, and I have received much
encouragement at every step of the way. You, on the other hand, have labored in a private way. I have wrought in the day – you the night. I have had the applause of the crowd and the satisfaction that comes of being approved by the multitude, while the most that you have done has been witnessed by a few trembling, scared, and foot-sore bondmen and women,
whom you have led out of the house of bondage, and whose heartfelt ‘God bless you’ has been your only reward. The midnight sky and the silent stars have been the witness of your devotion to freedom.” Now the entire nation will pay public homage to Harriet Tubman’s devotion to freedom, and also honor Sojourner Truth and other great women and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who never stopped demanding and working to assure that America lives up to its declared creed of freedom, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness and equality for all. Kudos to the Treasury Department which has announced that Harriet Tubman’s face will grace the front of the redesigned $20 bill, making her the first woman in more than a century and first African American ever to be represented on the face of an American paper note. And it’s wonderful that she will not be alone. Sojourner Truth and women suffragette activists
and leaders will be featured on the back of the $10 bill. Great contralto and opera singer Marian Anderson, for whom I was named and about whom great conductor Arturo Toscanini said “yours is a voice such as one hears once in a hundred years,” will be featured on the back of the $5 bill. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for Marian Anderson to perform at the Lincoln Memorial before 75,000 in 1939 after the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing at Constitution Hall because she was not White. Mrs. Roosevelt and Dr. King will grace the back of the $5 bill rounding out the inspiring group of determined moral warriors who expanded the civil and human rights of women, people of color and all of us. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said he had an ‘aha’ moment after recognizing the groundswell of public
AMERICA TURN TO 7
Two facts that make the case for restoring MinnesotaCare eligibility levels By Ben Horowitz Policymakers can build on Minnesota’s historic progress in increasing access to affordable health care by restoring eligibility for MinnesotaCare for a group of workers who are among the most likely to lack coverage. Making MinnesotaCare once again available to workers earning between 200 and 275 percent of federal poverty guidelines is a winwin: eligible households would save an average of $1,100 per year compared to a typical private option, and federal funding could cover any costs
Endorsements From 5 for endorsements who do not use Black-owned media outlets to seriously solicit votes from Florida’s Black communities.”
to the state budget. This change is supported by Governor Mark Dayton, the recent Health Care Finance Task Force, and the Senate’s Health and Human Services proposal. Our analysis of Census data shows that this proposal is well targeted to reach some of the Minnesotans most likely to lack health insurance today. • The people who would become eligible for MinnesotaCare are about 3 times more likely to be uninsured than people with higher incomes. Currently, 8.5 percent of people in this income range don’t have health
This wasn’t the first time The Florida Courier withheld its endorsement. The newspaper also made headline when it decided not to endorse the Democratic candidate Charlie Crist or incumbent Florida Governor and eventual winner, Republican Rick Scott.
MinnesotaCare is a homegrown solution to a nationwide problem: lots of people work hard but still can’t afford health insurance. MinnesotaCare provides an affordable, high
quality health plan for farmers, entrepreneurs and small business employees across the state. However, policy changes in 2014 made MinnesotaCare available to fewer people, and today, a single person becomes ineligible for MinnesotaCare when their earnings reach about $24,000, instead of about $33,000. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides federallyfunded tax credits that bring down the cost of health insurance premiums for moderate- and middleincome people who buy their health insurance on the private market. However, for households with lower
earnings, the relief offered by the ACA is often too small to makehigh quality coverage fit in a family’s budget. Making MinnesotaCare available again to these households would be an important step forward. If eligibility is restored, an estimated 37,000 Minnesotans would enroll in the moreaffordable MinnesotaCare and about 4,200 previously uninsured Minnesotans would get covered. These 41,300 Minnesotans would save an average of $1,100 per year relative to a typical plan offered on MNsure. Estimates vary on what restoring MinnesotaCare eligibility would cost, ranging
from saving Minnesota $26 million annually once the restoration rolls out, to a cost of about $34 million per year. The final bill will depend on the specifics of a federal government waiver that is required to move this policy forward. This is a policy change we can afford, thanks to resources available in the Health Care Access Fund. Providing more Minnesotans with an option for affordable, high quality health insurance is the right thing to do.
The New York Amsterdam News also takes its endorsements seriously. Weeks before making its decision to endorse Clinton, an editorial staff member told a Crusader reporter, “We are not endorsing Hillary or anyone until they come in and meet with our
editorial board.” Though many Black newspapers are not making any endorsements, most publications are maintaining their traditional advocacy roles as Black journalists. Many are providing favorable and expanded coverage of Clinton’s
campaign promises to help Blacks gain more economic opportunities and boost funding to historically Black colleges. Black newspapers are also providing much ink to denounce Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. During Barack Obama’s
campaign for president against John McCain in 2008, many Black newspapers threw their weight behind him to help him become the nation’s first Black president. This support also came from some mainstream conservative newspapers, which for the first time in their history, endorsed a Democratic candidate for the White House, including the 169-year old Chicago Tribune. Other conservative mainstream papers that traditionally support Republican candidates, declined to give any endorsements in 2008. In fueling Obama’s rise to the White House, Black voter turnout was the highest in U.S. history, surpassing White participation for the first time. Historically, the Black Press has played a significant role in deciding presidential and political elections. The once mighty Pittsburgh Courier fueled President Franklin D. Roosevelt reelection bids after he made promises to desegregate the military prior to World War II. In Florida in 1984, The Miami Times pushed Black voters to polls to oust then Mayor Maurice Ferre, who fired the city’s first and only Black city manager, Howard Gary. That was decades ago. Today, the influence of Black newspapers has been challenged as more Blacks use mainstream newspapers and other sources to examine and choose their political candidates. Despite the competition, endorsements and editorial coverage from Black newspapers are still being sought out. During the campaign for the Illinois Primary, Clinton, along with a handful of congressional, state and judicial candidates sought endorsements from Chicago’s Black newspapers. To beef up her exposure, Clinton hired Delmarie Cobb, a Black seasoned public relations guru with strong ties to the city’s Black newspapers. As it turned out, Clinton swept Chicago’s heavy Black electorate along with a handful of white candidates who received endorsements from the city’s Black newspapers. The Chicago Crusader is a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Learn more about becoming a member at www. nnpa.org.
insurance, compared to just 2.9 percent of people earning more. • Minnesotans of color who would become eligible are more than twice as likely to be uninsured than their white peers. The uninsurance rate for Minnesotans of color in this income range is 16 percent; for white Minnesotans with the same earnings, it is 6.6 percent.
Ben Horowitz is the Minnesota Budget Project’s policy advocate.
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Insight News • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Page 7
Left to right: Steve Kairies, Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Access Financial Services (and Summit Academy board member and Development Committee Chair); Mandy Nielsen, Marketing Associate at Summit Academy OIC; Charlotte Burgess, Director of Academic Support at Summit Academy OIC; Inge Thulin, 2015 Campaign Chair, United Way (Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, 3M Company); Ben Fowke, 2016 Campaign Co-Chair, United Way (Chairman, President & CEO, Xcel Energy); Louis King, President and CEO of Summit Academy OIC; Kathleen Fowke, Campaign Co-Chair, United Way (Realtor, Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty) and Bill Parker, Vice Chairman and Chief Risk Officer of U.S. Bancorp.
Summit Academy OIC receives United Way Community Impact Award Summit Academy OIC, which provides vocational training to individuals from economically depressed neighborhoods, was recently honored with the United Way 2016 Community Impact Award. The award was presented April 14 during the United
Way’s Night to Unite event held at the St. Paul RiverCentre. “We are thrilled and humbled to be recognized by the United Way to receive this prestigious award,” said Louis J. King II, president and CEO of Summit Academy OIC. “Thanks to the work of
our employees, our donors and our volunteers, we are positively impacting the lives of individuals by setting them on a future course of independence, because we believe that the best social service program in the world is a job.” The award specifically
recognized Summit’s new contextualized Construction GED program – a 30-week training program that integrates GED and construction training together so students have the ability to earn their GED as well as a pre-apprentice construction certification upon graduation.
The program—the only one of its kind in Minnesota— launched Feb. 8, 2016. Summit has a plan to enroll 1,200 GED students between now and the end of 2018. The award also highlighted Summit’s efforts to increase the participation of women
in the construction trades by meeting the unique needs of tradeswomen through its Women Wear Hard Hats Too program – the largest femalefocused training program in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.saoic.org.
United Health Foundation invests in the future health workforce More than 200 students are receiving $2.25 million in scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year from United Health Foundation. The funding is part of United Health Foundation’s initiative to produce a more diverse health care workforce. United Health Foundation, in partnership with nine nonprofit and civic organizations, is providing the scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students through its Diverse Scholars Initiative. “Creating a future health
workforce that meets a community’s diverse and distinct health care needs is critical to building healthier communities,” said Chris Stidman, president of United Health Foundation. “Increasing access to culturally competent care helps reduce health care disparities and improves health outcomes. United Health Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to partner with national organizations and nonprofits to invest in the future health workforce.” Since the Diverse Scholar
Kenji Taylor, 2013 United Health Foundation and National Medical Fellowships Diverse Scholar
Initiative’s inception in 2007, United Health Foundation has awarded more than 1,800 scholarships totaling more than $13 million. “It’s been immensely helpful to have the financial support, but also the mentorship opportunities,” said Kenji Taylor, a 2013 United Health Foundation and National Medical Fellowships scholar who is currently completing his residency in family medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s so powerful
to have people who inspire you and believe in your ability to do great things.” Scholarship applicants must demonstrate financial need, the pursuit of a degree that will lead to a career as a primary care health professional, and a commitment to working in underserved communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 and to date has committed more than $285 million to programs and communities.
Where’s the money? How do you process gifts? FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. –Albert Einstein Ideally your nonprofit is focused on raising the money you need to deliver on your mission and vision. You have a strong fundraising team with talented staff, enthusiastic volunteers, the right technology, and a communications strategy that gets the word out to all the right people. The money is coming in and everyone is feeling good about the progress being made. You believe you are on target to meet or beat your
America From 6 response to his announcement that the Treasury Department was considering changing the design of the $10 bill. To so many people these new treasury bills will be much more than pieces of paper. For too long and for too many money has been the most powerful symbol of what we value as a nation. Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marian Anderson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, and Martin Luther King,
1. A donor personally gives the executive director or president a check. What does she do with it? Does she give it to the accounting department? Does she ask her assistant to deposit it? How long does this take? How many hands does it pass through? Does she communicate any written or verbal directions from the donor? If the gift is for a new science lab, how would the accounting department know this? How would the funds be recorded so that expenses
can be charged against the grant? 2. A check arrives in the mail. What happens to it? Who opens the mail? Does the person know who should receive checks? The executive director? The accounting department? Development department? If a check is directed to a specific department, who within the department receives it? If the check is given to the accounting department, how do people in development know that a check has been received? Do you use a shared database? Do checks need to be entered in two different systems? If you don’t enter gifts in the fundraising database, how do you know when a donor you have been cultivating makes a gift? How will you thank this person? Do the accounting and development departments reconcile their
numbers on a regular basis? 3. A volunteer secures a gift when meeting with a donor. What does he do with it? Do your volunteers know who to call in the development office? Do development professionals stay in close contact with fundraising volunteers? What if a donor agrees to a gift when meeting with a volunteer, and later transfers funds electronically? How would your nonprofit link the gift to the donor? Who would know to send a thank you?
Jr. – their faces on American currency will send powerful messages about what – and who – we Americans are, value and strive to become. The new bills also will powerfully remind all Americans and teach our children and grandchildren that Black history and women’s history are American history. They will take us a giant step forward towards healing our nation’s profoundly crippling birth defects of slavery, Native American genocide, and exclusion of all women and nonpropertied men of all races from our electoral process and ensuring full participation in our nation’s life. It is so important to make sure all of our
children can see their ancestors pictured on something as basic as the money used every day by countless millions and this will deepen the meaning of how we define success in America. And to Black children who remain the poorest group in America, I hope Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth become anchor reminders of their great heritage of strength, courage, faith and belief in the equality of women and people of every color. None of us must ever give up fighting for freedom and equality and human dignity however tough the road. I hope all of our children and all of us will be inspired anew by our diverse
and rich heritages and cultures as Americans and renew our determination to build a level playing field in our nation for every child and help our nation shine a brighter beacon of hope in a world hungering for moral example. Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org.
fundraising goals. Or are you? What do you know, and what do you not know? Tracking gifts and grants received can be a challenge. That may sound odd, but if you think about it there are many ways that funds can be received, deposited and (hopefully) acknowledged. Here are three scenarios to consider
Related to these scenarios, how quickly are checks deposited? How are checks, electronic transfers, and online gifts linked to individual or institutional donors and their requirements? If you are with a university, how do departments or researchers communicate with the advancement division regarding grant applications,
restricted funds, and matching requirements (if any)? We recommend documenting your processes and periodically testing them. Take time to look closely at your policies and procedures. Make sure they are transparent, work for your nonprofit, and ensure
accountability. Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw For help growing your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
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LIFESTYLE Lighten your mood: Tips to keep your spirits lifted The Orange Moon By Michelle Mitchum, MPH. HHP It is not secret that women are the ‘real’ leaders of the world. While many would argue that this is not true, I ask you to take a moment, and think about a woman’s role in every situation she is made a part of. At work, if her role is in the managerial or of the executive capacity, she is making decisions for her team- to help ensure the success of the company. If her role is in the supportive capacity- she acts as the gatekeeper, managing the executive functions of the company. As reported on Indeed. com, 90% of office clerks are female – does this come as a surprise? Lastly, but most importantly she is the ‘real’ head of her household. She manages the finances of her family, she manages the calendars of her family, she acts as a counselor and nurturer to members of her family. To put it plainly, absolutely nothing gets accomplished, unless a woman is a part of it. Think about it- LIFE itself doesn’t happen unless a woman decides to bear it (and that’s REAL)! A woman is able to do all of these things naturally and gracefully. Wonder how? It’s simple- if she doesn’t do it- who will? But, who takes care of the care taker? Often, no one ever thinks that she needs to be taken
care of – most times she doesn’t think she needs to be taken care of, but the truth is, SHE DOES! There are moments when she is exhausted, depleted and lonely. If left feeling this way for an extended period of time, depression is sure to follow, and depression leads to mental health issues and physical disease. In the beginning stages of depression, people begin to feel worthless, uninspired, and unmotivated- and this is a dangerous place. So what does a woman do to take care of herself? What does a woman do to
keep herself whole? These are a few self-care tips to keep her spirit lifted. 1. Meditate Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that in longterm practitioners of relaxation methods such as mediation, far more ‘disease-fighting genes’ were active, compared to those who practiced no form of relaxation. If you have never practiced meditation, here are a few tips to get started: • Find time to do it, 10 minutes
is all it takes (set a timer) • Create a peaceful and quiet space (it can be anywhere, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, outdoors) • Sit in your quiet space, with you back straight, (use a cushion if you feel discomfort), and relax your entire body • Make sure your comfortable space is silent. • Take long, deep breath, and focus on it- this will assist in quieting your mind
2. Light a candle. There is a reason that candles are an integral part of spiritual and religious practices- the flame’s soft illumination touches the soul. Choosing a scented candle is a great idea. A pleasant scent can be extremely soothing. Choose candles infused with natural essential oils. Studies show that the molecules of essential oils are small enough to penetrate through the olfactory system. Since different essential oils trigger specific reactions, choose oils that have been
shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, such as ylang-ylang, bergamot and lavender. 3. Go for a walk. In addition to trimming your waistline, improving your balance and coordination – walking also improves your mood. It is a common saying in this culture, when we are uncomfortable, or under stress to say ‘take a walk’- clinically speaking, that is not a bad idea.
Men don’t cry, at least not on the outside Man Talk
By Timothy Houston Men don’t cry, at least not on the outside. Inwardly, men struggle emotionally, but this was not their original state. Men are born whole. They come into the world full of wonder and potential. Their souls and spirits are one, and they are at peace internally and externally. As life goes on, the good in man is processed normally, but when something happens that wounds his ego, attacks his sexuality, or scars him emotionally, a tear is made in his masculine soul. His soul is interrupted, and his thick skin is no longer his protection. Without a healthy outlet or his thick skin to protect him, man is forced to internalize his pain and his tears are never addressed. First, a man’s inward tears must be acknowledged. A wounded man is a dangerous man. Men are taught from a young age how to mask their pain. These boys grow in to men forced to
grief inwardly. This should not be their permanent state. Wounds have to be exposed to be treated properly, this may be very painful. Despite this reservation, exposure is needed for permanent healing to take place. If men are not taught now to deal with emotional pain outwardly, it is just a matter of time before they explode inwardly and outwardly. When that happens, everyone suffers, especially their families. Secondly, a man’s inward pain must be addressed. When a man is scarred at a young age emotionally, he only knows what he knows so his broken life may seem normal to him. He may view his vices and addictions as a part of his life’s choices. To some degree that may be true, but it may also be true that someone or something else impacted his self-esteem. Help is needed. A man can no more create a tear in his masculine soul than he can perform open heart surgery on himself. Because someone outside of him was involved in creating the tear, someone outside of him will be involved in the healing process as well. Finally, a man’s inward spirit must be healed. A wounded soul equals a wounded spirit, and spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. No single therapy
or counseling session will be sufficient. Men who are spiritually wounded need a safe, healthy environment to recover. This environment must be sterile and free from the vices that have once ruled their life. This is the role of the church, to provide a safe place for spiritual healing to take place in a non-judgmental environment. Our community is in need of more men who are spiritually whole. Men cry, and many silently seek to be made whole. But no
man will be truly whole without God because he is the only one who can permanently heal their soul. Qualified professionals will have their part, but God will do the heavy lifting. Through his Son, he has given us all access to permanent healing. “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-5. Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational
speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. To get copies of his books, for questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
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Insight News • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Page 9
COMMUNITY Governor Dayton declares Odell “O.D.” Champion Day Odell “O.D.” Champion, 85, father of State Senator Bobbie Joe Champion (D-59) and senior deacon at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, died Sunday April 17, 2016 while hospitalized in Minneapolis. Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed Wednesday, April 27th, Odell “O.D.” Champion Day throughout Minnesota, delivering the proclamation on that day to the community celebration of Deacon Champion at New Salem. Born Dec. 10, 1930, Champion
migrated to Minnesota in 1947 from his hometown of Stamp, Arkansas to work on the pipeline project in Deer River, MN. He later worked for SooLine Railroad, retiring after 20 years of service, then starting his own business, Champion Lawn Care. He married Larcina Doris Champion in 1958, creating a family regarded as a pillar of the North Minneapolis community. The Champions valued and advocated for education and encouraged family and community members to work hard to be self-
Champion is survived by wife Larcina, Robert Champion, Odell (Jody) Champion, Opal Johnson, Edward (LuLu) Champion, Nona Champion, William (Mearl) Champion, Bobby Joe Champion, Clarence Champion, Theis Champion, 25 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Services were officiated by the Rev. Jerry McAfee, Pastor, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Interment was at Crystal Lake Cemetery.
sufficient. Champion treasured spending time with his family and was an avid hunter and fisherman. At the New Salem service, Senator Champion mused about his father’s demand that everybody “rise at the crack of dawn,” to get ready for work or school. The Senator expressed gratitude for the overflowing presence of community members as well as the presence of Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, and Republican and Democrat elected officials at the funeral service.
Combating the poverty porn narrative of the Northside By D.A. Bullock, Twin Cities Daily Planet Recently, the Star Tribune printed a letter to the editor, that painted this hyperbolic hyperviolent, extremely negative and fetishized picture of North Minneapolis. “I know what a good neighborhood looks like. I know how nice it is to be able to leave your home and feel safe walking to the corner store or to pump gas for your car without being harassed. I remember what the air smells like when it is not clouded with the constant scent of ‘loud’ that goes largely unchecked. I know what children with hope look like vs. children raised in hopelessness. I was raised to be accountable, but I own real estate now where few seem to take accountability,” the letter reads. I criticized the article far and wide on social media. I felt it was very irresponsible as a widecirculation media approach to some complex issues in our city. It’s dangerous and disingenuous
Northside D.A. Bullock responds to a letter to the editor published in the Star Tribune that forwards a false narrative about the vibrant neighborhood. to apply this one narrative over a neighborhood of 70,000 people. The Star Tribune was able to forward this corrosive narrative and then take no responsibility
because it was written by someone from the corrupted minds of the “North Vent” Facebook group (made up of mostly white folks). Members
of this group reside in North Minneapolis and have great disdain for Black people and blame them for the systemic problems that plague the
neighborhood. They tend to take refuge in the knowledge that they never use the word “Black,” but the implication is crystal clear. In cases like this,
my preference is that one state their disdain for Blackness clearly, so we can get on with the business. The Star Tribune simply fans the flames and keeps it moving. Moreover, this salacious poverty porn was shared by Minneapolis’ Fifth Ward City Council Member Blong Yang, captioned as a neighbor’s “perspective.” “I remember someone said to me once that everyone has to do their thing / make their choice about living here,” Yang wrote in the comments section of his post. I criticized him openly for this lack of judgment. He was unable to see how cosigning this kind of narrative is destructive to his own neighbors and constituents. I’m a filmmaker, so I share stories. I want to share a different story about North Minneapolis. I want to share it over and over and over again until the complete truth comes forward.
Celebrate Older Americans Month at East Side Neighborhood Services May is Older American’s Month, acknowledging the contributions of older adults throughout the nation. The East Side Neighborhood
Services (1700 2nd Street NE) will be celebrating by hosting educational and social programs. Free events include fitness programs, bingo and a lunch.
Every Tuesday in May the service center will host a variety of events focusing on senior issues and senior activities. Elder Law Attorney David Rephan will
host a lecture May 3 focusing on paying for long-term care and a May 10 presentation presented by American Automobile Association (AAA) Minneapolis
will focus on the issue of senior driving. On May 17 the discussion will be on health and nutrition. An ice cream social will be held on May 24 and a
neighborhood walk takes place May 31. For more information call (612) 787-4055 or email bhorn@ esns.org.
Low-income veterans can get free home repairs and painting Veterans can be a reluctant group when it comes to asking for help. Right now Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has more than $30,000 in grant money it can use to give free paint and home repair help to low-income veteran homeowners in the Twin Cities’ metro area. Some examples of help that veterans and their families may receive include installing wheelchair ramps, replacing roofs or furnaces, interior and exterior scraping and painting, home safety modifications, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs and weatherization upgrades. Veterans, or their family members, should contact Allie Berg at (612) 305-7185 or email her at allie.berg@tchabitat.org to sign up.
Classifieds MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS HIRING MPS seeks passionate educators! We are a diverse and dedicated team, proud to educate 35,000+ Minneapolis kids every year. We seek teachers who bring: • An unwavering belief in the ability of all students to succeed in school • Successful experience teaching in an urban, multicultural setting • Hunger to consistently improve • Eagerness to collaborate Opportunities available at schools throughout Minneapolis including bilingual educator positions – apply now to interview for a spot in the Teacher Candidate Pool for the upcoming school year. Teachers in the pool will be eligible to interview for teaching positions at specific schools throughout the spring. To apply, visit http://jobs.mpls.k12.mn.us. Questions? Contact staffing@mpls.k12.mn.us or 612-668-0500.
Volunteer Opportunities Harvest Network of Schools Community service is calling, no need for stalling! The Harvest Network of Schools, a group of high-performing charter schools in north Minneapolis that includes Harvest Preparatory (K-4, coed), Best Academy (K-8, single gender), and Mastery School (K-4, single gender), is currently recruiting volunteers to work with our 3rd and 4th grade students. We have three opportunities available; Breakfast Buddies, Academic Intervention, and Classroom Support. Breakfast Buddies help with homework and reading to scholars. This option is available Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. -8:15 a.m. Academic Intervention volunteers help with students needing additional support in math and reading, available Monday through Thursday from 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Classroom Support volunteers help teachers as needed, tasks will vary. This opportunity is needed any time throughout the day 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We are requesting volunteers commit to 1-2 hours a week for a minimum of six weeks. HNS will provide training, onsite support from volunteer manager, and recognition at the end of the year. Applicants must complete an application and criminal background check. If interested please contact Marquita Butler at mbutler@seed-harvest.org or 612-876-4033.
Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com Warehouse Help, PT/Temporary
Standard Heating in NE Mpls is hiring seasonal warehouse help on 1st shift. Duties include delivery/ removal/recycle equipment; maintain tools, facility grounds & warehouse. 25-30 hrs/week, pay up to $18/hour, mid-May through mid-November. Valid driver’s license & diploma/GED required. Please send resume to hiring@standardheating.com.
Foster Care
Volunteers of America, MN Would you like to gain 140 pounds after the Holidays? Not physically gain this weight, but weight in the sense of another person! Volunteers of America-MN is looking for skilled, dedicated parents to provide care for at-risk youth, ages ranging from infants to teenagers. We provide foster parents with lots of friendly training, 24-hour support, and a monthly stipend. For more information, please contact Brittani Walker at 952-945-4064 or visit our website http://www.voamnwi.org/foster-care
MINSTER OF MUSIC & MUSIC DIRECTOR Two Positions Avail. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church -St. Paul, MN Visit our Website for Info: mtolivetbaptistchurch.org
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS The University of Minnesota is looking for African American cigarette smokers who are interested in quitting smoking. This study requires 12 visits. Participants will receive up to $390.00. For more information, call 612-626-5981.
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Ordway presents Pilobolus Dance The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, presents Pilobolus Dance Theater, May 20 and May 21. Founded by a group of Dartmouth College students in 1971, Pilobolus is an American modern dance company that challenges the boundaries of
contemporary dance. Their organic choreography along with signature shapes and shadow-work often blurs the lines between individual performers. The result is a sense of dance-troupe-as-organism, displaying the performers’ extreme strength, flexibility and athleticism. Pilobolus has
been featured on “Oprah,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and the “Academy Awards,” and was nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for their work on OK Go’s “All is Not Lost” music video. Pilobolus will perform five pieces from their repertoire during each
Lex Allen
of the St. Paul shows. “We’re delighted to have this phenomenal company back by popular demand,” said Dayna Martinez, Ordway’s artistic director of world music and dance. “This will be the Twin Cities premier of many of the pieces they will be performing, and the great variety of these
pieces showcases the range this company has. Pilobolus is so many things – playful, inventive, athletic, theatrical. And audiences will get to experience all of it this spring.” This will be the second time the modern dance company has been seen on the St. Paul stage, having previously performed
at the Ordway in 2013. Tickets for the show range from $29 – $79 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at (651) 224-4222 or at the Ordway ticket office. Some performances include partial nudity and are recommended for mature audiences only.
Ste. 200, Minneapolis No cover
Yuna
Join a conversation with New York Times bestselling author and publisher, Andrea Davis Pinkney and Lisa Von Drasek, curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota.
Saturday, May 7 DAY PARTY/FUNDRAISER
May 2 - 8 Debbie Duncan
Abdullah Ibrahim Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com
Monday, May 2 JAZZ JazzMN Orchestra – “Jazz Through the Decades” Chanhassen Dinner Theatres 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen 5:30 p.m. (dinner) 7:30 p.m. (show) $25-$45 Take a trip through the history of jazz music with featured guest performer, Debbie Duncan.
Tuesday, May 3
event in the Twin Cities. Once a month the players get together to play fully improvised sets of music.
South African pianist, composer comes to the Dakota tonight for a one night appearance.
Wednesday, May 4
Thursday, May 5
JAZZ/PERFORMANCE
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE
Abdullah Ibrahim Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $40-$50
The Shimmy First Avenue & 7th St Entry 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 7:30PM 18+
ECLECTIC/PERFORMANCE Coloring Time Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 10 p.m. 21-plus No cover With a cast that includes Joe Horton of No Bird Sing, Kristoff Krane and a who’s who of musicians, Coloring Time has become a staple
Chazin Entertainment x Luc Belaire present “The Shimmy” featuring Eli the Profit, Lex Allen, Saint LaRon and Trnstyl. The show is hosted by Destiny Spike x Spike Girls with sounds by DJ Bvckwoods x Savy.
Friday, May 6 READING Book Talk: A Dialogue with Andrea Davis Pinkney The Loft Literary Center 1011 Washington Ave. S,
C2i 3rd Annual Fundraiser: Run For the Roses a Kentucky Derby Celebration Warehouse Winery 6415 Cambridge St., St. Louis Park 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. $30 advance, $40 door The Kentucky Derby themed event will give guests a unique and fun experience complete with music, food, casino gaming, Derby race viewing and more. Proceeds benefit Connections 2 independence, a non-profit that helps to transition teens and young adults out of the foster care system.
Sunday, May 8 WORLD Yuna The Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 7 p.m. All ages World renowned Malaysian singer-songwriter, Yuna, graces the stage at the Cedar.
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Insight News • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Page 11
Tony Erskin from Lansing Michigan, “My first record was “Controversy”, and I played it until the record skipped. If I had the opportunity to say one thing to Prince it would be, thank you for the soundtrack to my life.”
Photos: David Bradley
Lynette Robinson at First Avenue: “Prince taught me to be proud of me, no matter how different I was than anyone else! DO ME! LOVE!”
Prince From 1 Spike Moss, Executive Director at The Way, recalled Prince’s uncanny dedication and single-mindedness when it came to music. “Prince, Andre Cymone and Pierre Lewis were the youngest kids in the music program at The Way. I had reached out to Minnesota’s jazz masters, including the great Bobby Lyle, asking them to teach, nurture and shape the talent, and mold the gifts of music and art that were abundant in our community,” he said. Prince, Andre and Pierre Lewis were 7-, 8-year-old boys when they started on the path. Randy Barber and Sonny Thompson, who grew to become leaders of The Family, were 7th graders when they started music training at The Way. “Remember, back then, you could go downtown and on Lake Street and hear Black music. But when you walked into the clubs, what you found was white bands
Patricia Anderson performing Black music. Black musicians were not welcome.” “We knew we had to create a space, a resource for our young and aspiring musicians. From this space, from The Way, Prince emerged as the most relentless, the most focused, the most driven to both develop music skills and reveal a world that existed in his mind,” Moss said. But that world was shaped by community, Moss said. “So it is a mistake to think that the artist’s genius was the discovery of music business handlers, white promoters. Prince’s determination and the instruction-rich environment forged Prince. When they learned
Joe Montpetit, “Prince was a legend in his own time. He was just a kid when he would come into my uncle’s bar, The Tempo. My uncle, Earl Montpetit told him [Prince] he could come in as long as he didn’t drink. My mom Rochelle Montpetit told me this story and now I’m telling you.” about him, he was already made… complete,” Moss said. Part of the making of Prince was his deep friendship with fellow musician Andre (Cymone) Anderson. Unbeknownst to the child Prince and the child Andre, their dads, Fred Lewis
Anderson and John Lewis Nelson whose stage name was Prince Rogers, both musicians, had been bandmates. Patricia Anderson, following a broadcast interview on my KFAI “Conversations with Al McFarlane” program Tuesday, said
“my sister Linda (Anderson) has the best memory. She told us she remembered Prince’s dad coming to our house. Our dad was a bass player. I remember his bass being behind the couch, and you’d better not touch it! I didn’t recall the two of them together in our home, but Linda did.” Linda Anderson was a part of the Grand Central band that took to the stage for the Family Day event. She was the keyboard player. “She was a helluva drummer. She wanted to be a drummer,” Patricia Anderson said. “But Prince told her ‘We already have a drummer,’ and he put her on keyboards. He taught her keyboards.” Their brother Andre Cymone, Prince’s best friend, was the bass player. It was Andre who brought Prince into the Anderson household, almost like another son or nephew to mom, Bernadette Anderson. Bernadette Anderson was one of the godmothers of Minnesota’s Black Consciousness movement. She fought white supremacy and racism like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, and she demanded that everyone around her stand and fight as well. “My mom and Prince went back and forth with what she felt he should get from negotiating contracts with the industry,” recalled Patricia Anderson. “She always instilled in Prince, and in us, that fighting spirit. ‘Stand up. Know absolutely what you
need from something and never compromise your integrity or your dignity. Be respectful,’ she would say.” Patricia Anderson said her brother Eddie Anderson and businessman John Jefferson both advised and influenced Prince. She said Eddie told Prince, “they are offering you carrots but you will not get anywhere near the money that you will actually make for them.” She said Prince took to heart Eddie’s advice: “Don’t apologize for standing up for yourself.” Moss said, “When the country accepted Prince, it was too late for Minnesota. What took him to another level was not only his appearance on “American Bandstand” but more importantly, his appearances on “SoulTrain.” Now the Black world could know his music. It took us to another level. And it forced Minnesota to finally deal with us as musicians and stop denying us. “We had the talent. So we helped ourselves. And we built this empire,” said Moss. “We want to do a memorial. We want all the guys who did all the Northside Summer Fun Festival shows to come back home and do a big tribute to Prince and to themselves… maybe down by Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. We want to go back down there, have our own reunion and give it to the world again,” he said.
Page 12 • May 2 - May 8, 2016 • Insight News
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Alexis (Lexi) Tieh-Boyd & Rashaud Boyd. Photo Location: Plymouth, MN. “Above all, children need our unconditional love, whether they succeed or make mistakes; when life is easy and when life is tough.” -President Obama
THE I FATHERS PROJECT Photos and narrative by Rebecca Rabb
t is no secret that the role of a father is incredibly important. I want to take time to celebrate and thank the men of our community, like the father’s pictured here. When I started taking photographs of father’s and their children, this project quickly grew. As this project continues to grow, I look forward to sharing the positive images and show a representation of what more closely reflects these relationships.
Kevin (dad), Molly, Marlow, and Lennox Bennett. Photo Location: Edina, MN. “Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!” -Lydia M. Child
Troy Bell Sr. and Troy Bell Jr. Photo Location: Richfield, MN. “It is much easier to become a father than to be one.” - Kent Nerburn, Letters to My Son: Reflections on Becoming a Man
Imani Vincent and Honor Vincent. Photo Location: North Minneapolis, MN. I felt something impossible for me to explain in words. Then when they took her away, it hit me. I got scared all over again and began to feel giddy. Then it came to me -- I was a father. - Nat King Cole