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May 6 - May 12, 2013
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Vol. 40 No. 19 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
NUL: Blacks slip on the road to parity with whites By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Blacks have fallen behind in their efforts to reach parity with whites in several key areas since 2010, according to the National Urban League’s new “State of Black America” report. Each year, the report computes an Equality Index for economics, health, education,
in 2010. Compared to 2010 figures, Blacks lost ground in economics (56.3 percent in 2013 vs. 57.9 percent in 2010) social justice (57.1 percent compared to 57.8 percent in 2010) and civic engagement (99.9 vs. 102.2 percent in 2010). Blacks also trailed Hispanics who scored 75.6 percent on the Equality Index. Hispanics scored higher than Blacks in health (101.2 percent) and economics (60.8 percent and social justice (61.9 percent). Blacks made strides in
PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE
Jessica Rogers By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Educational attainment is where we see the biggest gains over the past half-century
social justice and civic engagement. Each category was assigned its own weight: economics receives 30 points, health and education each receive 25 points and social justice and civic engagement each receive 10 points. When compared to whites, Blacks scored 71.7 percent on the equality index in 2013 down from the 72.1 percent mark
education (79.6 percent vs. 78.3 percent in 2010) and health (76.9 percent vs. 76.7 percent in 2010). “Educational attainment is where we see the biggest gains over the past half-century, thanks to affirmative action and early investments in educational
It has been said that everyone has a purpose in life. Some live never knowing their purpose, some find it later in life and for some, that purpose is shown immediately. For Jessica Rogers, she is living her purpose – a purpose she said she knew almost immediately. Rogers, who described herself as a proud corporate dropout said, “I just didn’t feel that’s where I was supposed to be. I was making excellent money at a young age, but I wasn’t happy. It’s always been my calling to work with young people. For me, I believe I was born specifically for this purpose.”
Photo courtesy of Jessica Rogers
Jessica Rogers
The purpose for which Rogers was born is to work with children in the foster care system. As executive director of Connections to Independence (C2i), Rogers is charged with assisting teens and young adults (ages 15 – 21) that are in the Hennepin County foster care system and helping them to transition into adulthood. Summit Academy OIC President Louis King, in conjunction with the county, started C2i in 2002 as a program within the academy. According to Rogers, King wanted to address the high number of African-Americans in the foster care system that were having trouble adjusting
ROGERS TURN TO
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NUL TURN TO 10
Comcast Cares Day at Urban League PYC students walk for success
Courtesy of Comcast
Volunteers took advantage of summer-like weather Saturday, April 27 to lend a helping hand at Minneapolis Urban League. Comcast volunteers replaced and refreshed all the red lava rock and mulch around the headquarters on Plymouth Ave. N. Another group volunteered at the Urban League Academy on Blaisdell, mulching, planting flowers and bringing in large flower pots for the entrance to the school. More than 1,800 volunteers worked at dozens of area nonprofits as part of Comcast Cares Day, the company’s annual nationwide volunteer event.
Business
Optimists: How do you fill your glass?
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Education
Sharp drop in black male enrollment in medical schools
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ST. PAUL, MN (April 2013) – For area homeowners, weekends in April are often set aside for spring cleaning. The story is quite the same for Twin Cites nonprofits who need help with landscape clean-up, sorting and pitching, painting, general fixup and more at their respective facilities. And Comcast reached out to lend a helping hand. On Saturday morning, April 27, Lynn Mulkern, Comcast project leader, worked with 70 Comcast volunteers at two sites for the Minneapolis Urban League. Mulkern and her team replaced and refreshed all the red lava rock and mulch around the headquarters on Plymouth Ave. N. Another Comcast group was on site at the Urban League Academy on Blaisdell, mulching, planting flowers and bringing in big flower pots for the entrance to the school. More than 1,600 Comcast employees, family members and friends volunteered at more than a dozen Twin Cities project sites as a part of Comcast Cares
COMCAST TURN TO 10
Students at PYC Arts and Tech High School are inviting community members to join them for the fourth annual Walk for Success, 3:15 p.m., Friday, May 17. The walk is intended to raise awareness and break down stereotypes about youth in North Minneapolis. The event is spearheaded by the Discovery Crew, a student leadership group at PYC, Discovery. “We are all too aware of the negative images of delinquent youth wearing baggy clothes,” said Discovery crew leader Walter Anderson. “The high school students of this community want to end this stereotype and show pride in the community.” The 5 mile walk begins at Plymouth Christian Youth Center, 2210 Oliver Avenue North, and ends at Peavey Plaza, at the Nicollet Mall and 11th Street in downtown Minneapolis. The public is encouraged to attend.
Full Circle Gainful employment develops responsibility
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“We’re not asking for money, just for time. The more people we can get walking with us, the higher the visibility towards breaking the stereotypes,” Anderson said. The Discovery Crew program began more than five years ago. Its purpose is to provide students with opportunities to participate in their community through service learning projects. Students participate in events like International Peace Jam and in staging the annual Black History Showcase at the Capri Theater each February. PYC Arts and Technology High School is a program of the Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC), a non-profit human services organization that serves North Minneapolis youth and families through education, community programs, and community development. For more information visit www. pcyc-mpls.org
Health
People who eat less meat tend to live longer
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