Insight News ::: 05.23.16

A candid interview with Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder

aesthetically speaking

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Insight News

May 23 - May 29, 2016

Vol. 43 No. 21 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Cheerful giving: UNCF Masked Ball nets $769,000

By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief

Karl Demer, Atomic K Studios

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) raised $769,000 at Radisson Blu Mall of America Saturday night at the UNCF Twin Cities Masked Ball. The money supports the 37 UNCF Member Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Target was the presenting sponsor with a $100,000 contribution, and then upped the ante for the ballroom of charitable givers by matching the donations in the room up to $100,000 dollars.

“It was fantastic!” said Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, an irresistible force in cultural and educational philanthropy, and Regional Development Director for UNCF. “Everyone needs a champion and advocate to help make something like this possible, and our major champion has been our presenting sponsor Target. Their commitment to the Masked Ball over these past four years has been tremendous,

L-R: Jacob Gayle, Medtronic; Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF; Laysha Ward, Target; Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, UNCF; Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, Dr. Ella Mahmoud, Seed Academy; and Eric Mahmoud, Harvest Network of Schools. Laysha Ward was event chair. Dr. Jacob Gayle will chair next year’s Masked Ball.

Abdul Wright named Minnesota Teacher of the Year Abdul Wright, who teaches eighth-grade language arts at The Best Academy in Minneapolis, is the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Wright is the first AfricanAmerican and the youngest to win the award. He is the 52nd recipient of the award, and the first-ever charter school teacher.

“Respect is at the center of my values and beliefs as an educator,” said Wright. “I try to teach my students that we have to be a model of excellence for the community we want, not the community we see.”

An independent selection committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business and government chooses the Minnesota Teacher of the Year from individuals who are nominated and who then choose to become a candidate.

“Mr. Wright embodies what it means to be a transformational teacher,” said Meghan Roegge, in her nomination letter for Wright.

“He impacts and changes lives every day that he comes to work.”

Wright has taught at Best Academy since 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in St. Paul and will receive his master’s degree in education from Hamline University this spring.

Education Minnesota, the 86,000-member statewide educators union, organizes and underwrites the Teacher of the Year program. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teachers from public and private schools.

UNCF TURN TO 8

The inextricable link between transportation and opportunity Commentary by Stephanie Jones Senior Counselor to the Secretary and Chief Opportunities Officer, U.S. Dept. of Transportation When you hear the word “opportunity,” what comes to mind? Most people think about wellStephanie paying jobs, Jones good schools and housing. But, do you also think about transportation?

Courtesy of Education Minnesota

Abdul Wright

TRANSIT TURN TO 6

Gentle giant, passionate advocate for the community will be missed

God Speed, Brother Kambon Camara

George Garnett was passionate about civil rights and social action, economic empowerment, education and alleviating poverty.

By Mahmoud El-Kati and Yusef Mgeni

The state of Minnesota has lost a key contributor and advocate for all that is meant to be good in society. George A. Garnett passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2016 while spending cherished time with his mother Willa Mae Garnett.

Brother Kambon Camara (formerly Elijah Wade Mann) of North Minneapolis passed away on Monday, April 18, 2016 in the Atlanta, Ga. area. Kambon had been dealing with a number

CAMARA TURN TO 6

DeAnna Cummings Selected for fellowship in arts management

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George Garnett

GARNETT TURN TO 7

Kambon Camara

Insight 2 Health

Lifestyle

Community

Food first: Keeping it simple!

Rituals for high vibration

Pimento making its mark on Eat Street

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Page 2 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

anything is believing that you can do anything.

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Insight News • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Page 3

DeAnna Cummings of Juxtaposition Arts selected for highly competitive DeVos Institute fellowship in arts management WASHINGTON, D.C. — The DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland welcomed a new class of arts managers to its fellowship program, including one from Minneapolis.

DeAnna Cummings, CEO and co-founder of Juxtaposition Arts in north Minneapolis was named as one of 13 arts managers from six countries who will begin the Institute’s fellowship program that provides practical training in arts administration. The class will be in Washington, D.C. and College Park, Md. for an arts management intensive led by DeVos Institute executives, consultants and experts from the field. The fellowship is a three-year program, and participants

will return for one month in both 2017 and 2018. The fellowship program provides intensive academic training in nonprofit management, finance, planning, fundraising, evaluation and marketing.

“This year’s fellows were selected in keeping with our mission – to train, support, and empower game changers in our field,” said DeVos Institute president, Brett Egan. “In our opinion, these individuals are among the most talented arts managers working today. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with them in their pursuit to strengthen their organizations and communities.”

Other fellows are Iiris Autio, managing director, Tero Saarinen Company (Helsinki, Finland), Karim

Baer, executive director, Alonzo King Lines Ballet (San Francisco), Alison Clark, director, Arts Council England (Manchester, England), Sigal Cohen, director of International relations and development, Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv, (Tel Aviv, Israel), Elaine Delgado, director of development, Hispanic Society of America (New York), Suha Khuffash, arts program manager, British Council (Ramallah, Palestine), Bryan Joseph Lee, director of marketing and communications, Round House Theatre (Bethesda, Md.), Peter McDowell, managing director, Eighth Blackbird (Chicago), Stosh Mintek, executive director, Ghetto Film School (Los Angeles), Debbie Ng, development and

communications director, Center for Asian American Media (San Francisco), Steinunn Birna Ragnarsdóttir, CEO and artistic director, Icelandic Opera (Reykjavík, Iceland) and Bradley Wade Renner, general manager, Atlanta Ballet (Atlanta).

To date, the Institute’s fellowship program has served nearly 200 arts managers from 53 countries. DeVos Institute launched the fellowship program in 2001. In 2008, the institute introduced the current model of one month in residence each summer for three years.

More than 450 arts managers from around the world applied to begin the fellowship program in 2016.

DeAnna Cummings

Minnesota Timberwolves Forward/Center Karl-Anthony Towns wins 2015-16 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award in unanimous vote

Karl Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb trophy as the winner of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Towns becomes just the fifth unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year in the last 32 years, joining Damian Lillard, Blake Griffin, David Robinson and Ralph Sampson.

Wolves players have won the award in back-to-back seasons with Andrew Wiggins taking the honor last season.

Minnesota is the first team with back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners since the Buffalo Braves in 1972 – 1973 and 1973 – 1974.

Towns, 20, received all 130 first-place votes and 650 total points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis

finished second with 363 points and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was third with 59 points.

“It’s an honor to be named Rookie of the Year by the media,” said Towns. “I owe a lot to our coaches and my teammates for their support throughout the year. I intend to work hard on my craft to improve my game for next season and help our team challenge for a playoff spot.”

Towns led all qualified rookies in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field goal percentage (.542), double-doubles (51) and minutes (32.0 mpg), and was second in blocks (1.68 bpg) and third in free throw percentage (.811). He was the only rookie, and one of just 18 players, to start all 82 games this season. Among all players, Towns finished eighth

in rebounding and shooting percentage, 10th in blocks and second in point/rebound double-doubles.

Towns was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month all six months this season, making him the eighth player since the award’s inception to win six consecutive Rookie of the Month honors. The 7’0” forward/center was Minnesota’s leading rebounder 63 times and top scorer on 27 occasions. He had 32 games with 20-plus points among his 73 double-figure efforts.

As part of its support of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Kia Motors America will donate a new Sorento CUV to the Minnesota chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Towns’ behalf.

Page 4 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

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Food first

Keeping it simple!

Quinoa

By Julie McMahon CHHC Want a quick, yummy, nutritious option for lunch or dinner? Of course you do!

I love to create one bowl meals that are just that. Instead of making dinner a huge production, just toss together a few great ingredients, enjoy the taste and enjoy the energy you feel after eating it! A lot of this recipe can be done ahead of time and assembled later at work or after work. The roasted chick peas, by the way, are a great snack all on their own! But remember to leave enough for your salad later.

cayenne, or other spices. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 450 degrees for 30-40 minutes until crunchy and browned. This part can be done ahead of time and saved for snacks or crunch for any green leafy salad or this quinoa bowl. For this recipe, I seasoned with Himalayan salt, onion powder and curry powder.

Thai Quinoa Bowl with Crunch

Salad: • 1 cup cooked quinoa • 4 cups mixed greens • 1/2 cup cilantro • 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped • 2 carrots, shredded • 1/2 red onion finely sliced • 2 green onions, chopped • 1 avocado, chopped

Crunch: Take 1 – 12 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinse, drain and blot with paper towel. Toss in a bowl with 2 T Olive Oil, salt to taste and spice how you like with curry, onion powder,

Dressing: In small saucepan, combine and heat on low until melted • 6 T coconut milk • 2 T sesame oil

• • • • •

4 T peanut butter (no sugar added) 2 tsp Sriracha 1 tsp curry powder 2 garlic cloves Himalayan salt and black pepper to taste

The quinoa, dressing and crunch can all be made ahead of time. Blend all salad ingredients and top with the dressing and chickpeas. Serves 2.

Julie McMahon, Founder/Owner of Sound Nutrition, is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Raw Food Nutrition Educator who is passionate about Nutrition, Health and Wellness. Julie believes in the power of whole foods to create optimal health and maximum energy flow and works with her clients in a step by step approach to achieve their personal vision of health. For more information, or to schedule a nutrition consultation, visit: www.mysoundnutrition.com or call NutritionJulie at 612-270-9344.

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Insight News • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Page 5

UCare appoints Larry Lee, M.D., to Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

Larry Lee

UCare has hired Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Lee as the not-forprofit health plan’s senior vice president and chief medical officer.

In his new position Lee is responsible for UCare’s clinical and quality practices and medical policies and oversees the medical director team and UCare’s pharmacy, clinical services and quality management departments.

“UCare will benefit from

Dr. Lee’s deep understanding of Minnesotans and their health needs, as well as health informatics, integrated systems, specialty groups and accountable care relationships,” said Jim Eppel, CEO of UCare. “He also has extensive experience in activities relating to quality scores, Medicare Star ratings and quality of care matters.

We welcome his values and commitment to UCare and our

membership.”

Lee most recently spent a year as a staff physician and clinician educator with the Veterans Health Administration in Minneapolis. Prior to that Lee spent three years as vice president and executive medical director for quality and provider relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in Eagan.

Before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lee was associate health plan medical director at

HealthPartners in Bloomington, while also serving as an internal medicine physician.

Previous positions include national medical director for transparency and designation programs for UnitedHealthcare and staff internal medicine physician and assistant professor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University

and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He has a master’s in business administration in health care management degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota.

Hy-Vee voluntarily recalls frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice due to possible health risk Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling its frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice products across its eight-state region due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection

with this product.

The frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice product being recalled was sold in 1 lb. bags with the UPC number 000007545012530 and with a “use by” date of Nov. 5, 2017, or earlier. The frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice product being recalled was sold in 20 oz. bags with the

UPC number 0075450125290 and with a “use by” date of Nov. 5, 2017, or earlier. These products were sold at HyVee stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin between July 24, 2014, and May 12, 2016. Out of an abundance of caution,

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Hy-Vee is recalling these two products from all of its stores.

The potential for contamination was discovered after Ajinomoto Windsor, HyVee’s supplier, announced they were recalling specific frozen foods due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes. No other Hy-Vee food items are impacted by this recall.

Customers who purchased this product should discard it or return it to their local HyVee store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Hy-Vee Customer Care representatives 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-772-4098.

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Page 6 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

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COMMENTARY LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Let’s break the hold the tobacco industry has on our community!

We believe people do not want to remain broken, but they are just unaware that they can live whole.

Stopping habits that hurt you and hurt those around you can be hard, but it can be done. Smoking is one harmful example that we took head on Sunday, May 22, when our congregations joined with thousands in the AfricanAmerican faith community in the Twin Cities and tens of thousands more across the United States, to observe NO MENTHOL SUNDAY. From the pulpit and from the congregation, we lifted our voices to raise awareness about the unique dangers of menthol tobacco products and reached out to those afflicted with tobacco addiction to let them know there is hope and help to quit smoking.

Through the power of faith and healing, we know they can live whole. Through the power of collective strength, we can impact our communities today to create healthy futures for all.

Big Tobacco knows that menthol makes it easier for people to start smoking and

makes it more difficult to quit.

Most African-American smokers – 88 percent – use menthol cigarettes, with devastating health consequences. Tobacco use is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death among African-Americans – heart disease, cancer and stroke.

The result: each year 47,000 African-Americans die due to tobacco-related illnesses.

For decades, Big Tobacco has intentionally targeted their marketing of menthol cigarettes to African-Americans. The tobacco industry has used deliberate and aggressive marketing tactics. In the 1960s, they used the language of the civil rights movement to encourage Black people to smoke. In the 1970s, they used “urban” lingo. More recently, they have co-opted hip-hop culture and style to sell menthol cigarettes.

Big Tobacco targeted Black magazines for ads. Research has shown they’ve targeted billboards and in-store advertising to Black neighborhoods.

Before the practice was banned, they gave

We need to immediately put an end to Big Tobacco’s pro-menthol agenda in our communities.

out free samples of menthol cigarettes in Black neighborhoods and at many national events and conferences in an effort to entice new customers.

Menthols are particularly dangerous to our youth.

Menthol smoothes out tobacco’s harshness, making it easier for our youth to start smoking, leading them down a road to a lifetime of tobacco addiction and disease. In 2013, the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report revealing that menthol cigarettes upped smoking initiation among youth, leading to increased addiction and decreased success in quitting smoking. Now, 83 percent of African-American youth smokers use menthol.

We need to immediately put an end to Big Tobacco’s pro-menthol agenda in our communities. Our local elected

leaders could start by restricting the sale of menthol to adultonly tobacco stores, like they already do in Minneapolis and St. Paul for all other flavored tobacco products. Doing so will help keep our youth away from menthol and prevent many young people from ever starting to smoke.

We also need to have a serious conversation about banning menthol cigarettes like the FDA banned all other flavored cigarettes in 2009.

There is research indicating that if menthol cigarettes were banned in the United States, 47 percent of African-American menthol smokers would quit smoking.

In our faith communities, we can help provide spiritual and emotional support to our brothers and sisters who are struggling to break free from the grip of smoking. And we can support policies to help make sure our children and grandchildren never have to face addiction and early death from tobacco.

Coming together to learn and pray on No Menthol Sunday was a step in the right direction. We believe real people can make real change.

Reverend Charles Graham, Macedonia Baptist Church, Minneapolis Reverend Billy G. Russell, Greater Friendship Baptist Church, Minneapolis Reverend Charles Gill, Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. Paul Reverend Runney D. Patterson, New Hope Baptist Church, St. Paul Reverend John L. Bowen, Greater Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Minneapolis Reverend Michael Gonzales, Mother St. James AME Church, Minneapolis Reverend Brian Herron, Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis Reverend Nazim B. Fakir, St. Peter’s AME Church, Minneapolis Reverend Alphonse Reff, Wayman AME Church, Minneapolis

Provisions in Senate tax bill make everyday Minnesotans the priority Commentary by Nan Madden The Minnesota Senate’s 2016 supplemental tax bill released recently includes provisions that would make strong strides toward more Minnesotans being able to reach economic security. Today’s blog looks at two of our priorities for the session that are included in this bill: expanding the Working Family Credit and the Tax Time Savings bill.

The Senate 2016 tax bill includes the provisions from Senate File 2586, authored by Senator Ann Rest, to expand the Working Family Tax Credit. Tax policy is

Camara From 1 of health challenges of late and finally succumbed to Renal (Kidney) failure in a hospice.

It is always a difficult moment when you lose someone to that silent continent of eternity.

The passing of our dear friend, compatriot, and fellow freedom fighter created an empty space

to qualify for the credit from 25 years old to 21.

often perceived as being primarily for the benefit of special interests, but this proposal, in contrast, makes everyday Minnesotans the priority. It provides targeted tax reductions to families and individuals working their way toward financial stability by: • Increasing the size of the credit for most currently eligible households; • Making some additional families and individuals eligible by increasing the incomes that they can earn and still qualify for the credit; and • Reaching younger workers without dependent children by lowering the age requirement

In all, about 386,000 Minnesota households would benefit from the Working Family Credit expansion, receiving a total of $49 million in tax reductions in FY 2017.

The families and individuals who currently receive the Working Family Credit are split almost equally between Greater Minnesota and the 7-county metro area. In some counties, primarily in Greater Minnesota, 16 percent or more of all households who file income taxes receive the credit.

The credit is only available to households with earnings from

and literally caused our hearts to skip a beat. Kambon was a very special person to us and so many others. We cannot but wonder what was, is, and could be.

Kambon was born in Fort Pierce, Fl. and attended Florida A&M University, where he successfully became a member of the world renowned FAMU, Marching 100 (Rattlesnakes) Band. After his relocation to North Minneapolis if you heard a trumpet playing early in the

morning in one of the North Minneapolis parks, it was more than likely Kambon.

Although Kambon was a “quiet warrior” he was involved in many progressive groups, movements and activities nationally and in our community, including: helping to establish the Malcolm X Pan-Afrikan Institute; serving as co-producer of the PanAfrikan Network, a weekly radio program that ran for 20

work, and it offsets a portion of the significant state and local taxes that modest-income Minnesotans pay.

Governor Mark Dayton has also made the Working Family Credit a priority in his budget.

The Working Family Credit is Minnesota’s version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A strong and growing body of research on the EITC and similar tax credits finds they are successful in supporting parents’ work efforts, and that children in families receiving these credits are healthier, do better in school, and are more likely to attend college and earn more as adults.

Expanding the Working

Family Credit can also help the state make progress on addressing racial disparities in economic well-being. About 30 percent of households eligible for the credit are people of color, and Voices for Racial Justice has included Working Family Credit expansion in their 2016 Racial Equity Agenda as one of their recommended policies to make Minnesota work for everyone.

The Senate tax bill also includes provisions so that Minnesotans receive the tax credits for which they qualify, and can use their tax refunds to build savings and build a stronger economic future.

These provisions come from Senate File 2578 authored by Senator Lyle Koenen, and they provide additional funding for nonprofit organizations offering free tax preparation services (known by the acronym VITA) to serve more Minnesotans and to provide financial capability services at tax time, such as opening a savings account.

There is not a lot of time for the tax conference committee to do its work before the session ends on May 23. But these are two provisions that clearly deserve a place in the final tax bill.

years, broadcast on KUXL in the Twin Cities. He was employed for many years at the Minneapolis Urban League Street Academy, an alternative school for young people who had fallen through the cracks of traditional schools and he provided significant guidance for countless young people throughout our community; he volunteered weekly for more than 25 years as an external sponsor for Black men’s and women’s groups in Minnesota correctional facilities; he was an organizer and active participant in the Sixth Pan-Afrikan Conference in Tanzania, Africa and the African Liberation Support Committee. He was an active contributor to the Institute for African Education, an after school tutoring program for Black children and Dr. Geraldine Carter’s Survival Skills Institute. He also taught for 20 years in the Psychology Department at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania

(from which he retired a year ago); and was very active in the African American community in Harrisburg, PA. Whether it was a conference on “The Crisis in Black Leadership,” a Kwanzaa celebration, issues of discrimination or violence in the community or a Minnesota correctional facility, Kambon could be counted on to come up with and contribute to progressive solutions.

His critical analysis of issues facing the African American community were of such impact that they both educated and held white and Black people in leadership positions accountable. His latest paper was entitled, “An African Education for African People.”

As for character, he had more than a good share, as a Black man, a father and a human being. He was a very thoughtful person both serious, with an unusually high comic sensibility and always with an infectious

smile. He was grounded in cultural memories and practices that he loved and respected.

Our heartfelt prayers and our deepest thanks go out to Kambon’s family for sharing all the time, energy, commitment and dedication that he so selflessly contributed to our community. His loss is shared by all of us who were blessed by knowing and working with him.

Our lives and our social practice are fuller and more rewarding, our community is so much more beautiful—thanks to Kambon Camara—than it was when we inherited it. We are much richer in spirit, identity and knowledge for having known and benefited from his presence.

We will forever treasure our friendship with him and the many contributions he made to this great struggle—the struggle towards Black liberation.

Information will be forthcoming on a community celebration of the life of Kambon Camara.

State of Black America®, transportation infrastructure has also been used to disconnect poor and minority communities from opportunity through intentional design.

To address past mistakes, Secretary Foxx has put forth three guiding principles for ensuring a more inclusive infrastructure system: 1) transportation is essential to opportunity; 2) past wrongs were committed and must not be repeated; and 3) transportation decisions must be made by, with and for the people impacted by them.

These three principles for “Connecting People to Opportunity” are a direct reflection of Secretary Foxx’s emphasis on community. How does the community benefit from a proposed transportation project? Who in the community will be able to help build that project? What input does the community have in the final vision for that project?

Before a drop of cement is poured, there is a lengthy process that begins years before a project becomes shovel ready. Many people are involved in the planning process – elected officials, metropolitan planning organizations, developers,

engineers, designers – but their voices are no more important than those of local residents.

At the Department of Transportation, we are working to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table and that no matter your zip code opportunity is within reach.

We are sharpening our civil rights tools, strengthening our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and increasing our Title VI enforcement. Perhaps most importantly, we are embedding into the department’s culture the idea that every decision must be made with opportunity and inclusion in mind.

As the first Chief Opportunities Officer in the federal government, it is my mission each day to think about how the Department’s work can enable all Americans to have access to opportunity.

The Urban League Movement is an important part of this effort. Your awareness, experience, and involvement are critical to ensuring that communities nationwide will no longer be shut out by dated and divisive infrastructure decisions.

Together, we can work to bridge the divide.

Transit From 1 If you don’t, that may be because the connection between transportation and opportunity is not always immediately apparent, although they are inextricably linked together.

Transportation not only connects us to the places we need to go, it also helps to invigorate opportunity within a community. The bottom line is this: without transportation, there is no opportunity.

Being able to move freely is essential to exercising one’s full rights of citizenship.

Did you know transportation underpinned much of the Civil Rights Movement? Plessy v.

Ferguson, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Freedom Rides all centered on the intersection of transportation and civil rights.

It is no coincidence that just two years after the 1964 Civil Rights Act was enacted, President Lyndon Johnson signed the act creating the Department of Transportation.

As U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx noted in the 2015

Nan Madden is director of the Minnesota Budget Project.

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Insight News • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Page 7

BUSINESS Engaging nonprofit board members: Got a minute for the minutes?

FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw We recently facilitated two board meetings for two very different types of organizations.

One was an institution that is

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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 Photography David Bradley 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.

over 100 years old with a multimillion dollar budget. The other was an emerging grassroots, community-based organization.

At both meetings the focus was fundraising, and board members were actively engaged.

They had suggestions about how to make or improve the case for support; who to engage as leadership level volunteers; how to develop, explore or advance meaningful partnerships; and how to strengthen the board.

Decisions were made regarding committees, timeframes, and next steps. Another similarity between the two: both agreed that board giving was a must, and that board members should take the lead in raising funds.

We felt energized leaving both meetings. We were optimistic about actions that board members would take, and the potential for each board to move their respective organization forward. Yet when we reviewed the minutes for

Record minutes in a way that works with the history, culture and requirements of your organization or institution.

each meeting we were left uninspired.

What? Minutes should be inspiring? Well, we think so.

When they are simply a record of what was said, you have to read through the contents in their entirety, and highlight the action items in order to create an easy-to-use record of next

steps that includes who agreed to do what by when. Our suggestion: record minutes in a way that works with the history, culture and requirements of your organization or institution.

Supplement these with a list of next steps and agreements that clearly communicates decisions made; and work to be accomplished, including who

is responsible for each task and the timeframe. Email these to all participants within 48 hours.

If you have the capacity you may want to personalize each message so it lists the member’s commitments and related timeframes directly in the body of the email for easy access.

We believe that board members have a critical role in fundraising that extends beyond the board meeting.

When members quickly receive a message focused on next steps they can get into action and draw on the momentum created during the board meeting. Here are three other ways that userfriendly minutes help advance fundraising.

Minutes neutralize subjectivity. People may recall things differently, and memories can slip, especially if the board is meeting monthly or quarterly.

Minutes give your organization legitimacy. They reinforce accountability and

transparency by documenting agreements. They make visible any tasks that remain undone and they mitigate against fundraising “stall.”

Minutes help you stay focused, making sure you have consistent progress in spite of things that come up between meetings. They create a sense of urgency. Those who attended can quickly see what they are responsible for and begin taking action so tasks can be completed on time.

Distributing timely minutes is a momentum builder. It says the meeting was important and you must keep moving forward.

It also indicates how well the organization is being managed.

Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw For help growing your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Thrivent Financial workshop earns financial literacy award Thrivent Financial recently received an Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) award for its From Me to We workshop.

The awards, given by the Institute for Financial Literacy, honor individuals and organizations for their efforts to enhance financial literacy education among Americans

in all walks of life. Thrivent took top honors in the Adult Education Program of the Year category.

“We are pleased to be honored with this award,” said Jan Elsasser, a director of Membership Engagement at Thrivent. “There are millions of Christians in the country that need help improving

their financial well-being, and we are well placed to be the organization that helps them get where they want to be.”

Thrivent’s From Me to We Workshop helps couples, individually and together, identify values, understand childhood experiences, create specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timed

(SMART) goals and develop a balanced spending plan to build their financial future together.

The EIFLE Awards acknowledge innovation and quality of financial literacy education efforts and the commitment of those that offer them. This is the eighth time Thrivent has been honored for its financial education efforts

by the Institute for Financial Literacy.

Garnett

in establishing community development organizations throughout Minneapolis. Prior to coming to Minnesota in 1986, George worked for the governor of Nebraska and the mayor of Omaha, as well as several community and city boards, in a variety of housing and economic development appointments. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science that he earned from Yale University in 1978.

Since 2009, George has been the Director of Strategic Development at Summit Academy OIC, an accredited, nonprofit vocational training and education center in North Minneapolis dedicated to helping low-income individuals gain the skills

and support they need to become contributing citizens in their communities. There he continued his leadership legacy, working to extend employment opportunities to disadvantaged people of color and women in the construction and healthcare workforces, as well as recently creating and helping launch an innovative contextualized GED training program.

George worked tirelessly with legislators, philanthropists and the local community leaders to design and provide solutions and pathways to economic and social justice and sustainability.

Over the past several years, George served on several boards including the

Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. He also served on the Metropolitan Council and the Minneapolis Library Board.

Amongst his accomplishments during these appointments, he helped develop and stabilize hundreds of units of affordable housing. He has expanded homeownership opportunities for the African American community and has operated community-based housing programs in both the metro and Greater Minnesota.

George will be most remembered for his mentorship. Those who had the opportunity to work with him over the years will say that

he had tremendous vision and heart, and had the ability to draw the best out of everyone around him. He would be most honored by the fact that his presence and leadership directly and personally impacted others.

George was a brilliant strategist and a tireless worker.

He engaged the highest hopes of others and brought many dreams of a better life to reality. We have lost a good friend and ally in George Garnett.

Funeral services are open to the public and will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 23rd at Progressive Baptist Church, 1505 Burns Avenue in St. Paul, with a luncheon to immediately follow.

From 1 George is survived by his wife Sheilda, daughter Charisma (Cory), son Alex, and granddaughters Carmen and Coryn. George was a loving and devoted father, husband, brother and uncle.

George had nearly unparalleled knowledge of and experience in the community development field in Minnesota, working extensively in Duluth and the Twin Cities on workforce development, employment, and housing-related opportunities and policies throughout his career. He was instrumental

The Institute for Financial Literacy is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization whose mission is to make effective financial literacy education available to everyone.

The organization is a national authority on adult financial education.

Page 8 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE

Rituals for high vibration The Orange Moon

By Michelle Mitchum, MPH. HHP Maintaining a good mood is all about experiencing life from a place of high vibration. Ok, so I won’t get all ‘loopy’ and ‘metaphysical’ on you. But let us think about this together for a second. When we experience feelings of sadness, guilt, fear, shame, or loneliness, our bodies attempt to make themselves small, and we feel like we want to shrink, and make ourselves as unnoticeable as possible.

While it is not physically possible to make yourselves small, instinctually we do other things like hang our heads low, sheepishly avoid eye contact, tuck our necks- anything that makes our bodies feel small. We may also experience feelings of physical discomfort and emotional confusion.

When we experience emotions of high vibrations like love, acceptance, gratitude, and joy, we feel lighter, energized, excited, available and ready to take the world by storm. We

walk with our shoulders broad, chest out and head high- all of which says ‘look at me’. You stand tall and want the world to see you.

Low levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine heighten feelings caused by low frequency emotions.

The opposite is true as well- high levels of these neurotransmitters elevate your vibration, and to ensure that you are vibrating from high frequency frequently, committing to healthy lifestyle habits, and maintaining a diet that supports healthy, consistent levels of serotonin production is important.

What does that mean? Well, when it comes to nutrition, knowledge of foods that support serotonin secretion and absorption is essential. There are certain foods that are rich in serotonin, these foods include: • Walnuts/Hickory nuts • Bananas • Pineapple • Kiwi • Plums • Tomatoes Foods that are rich in certain B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, B9) will also increase serotonin levels in your blood naturally by converting tryptophan, an amino acid that you get from protein in your diet, into functional

• ½ cup of freshly chopped kale • ½ small ginger root • 1 cup of coconut water 3) Go for a long bike ride.

• Cycling makes you feel fit, but one of the benefits of cycling is that it boosts the production of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine • Ride your bike three to five times a week for 45 to 60 minutes and keep your heart rate between 50 and 85 percent of your max.

serotonin. Meats, including fish, poultry, and lean pork, provide rich sources of B vitamins.

But you should be mindful of vitamin B intake, as too much of it can cause liver damage, so please be sure to consult with your physician if you decide to increase your B vitamin intake.

These are a few of my favorite rituals for increasing serotonin in my body, allowing me to operate on a frequency of higher vibration.

1) Spend a lot of time in the sunlight. Light is a standard treatment method for seasonal depression, but a few studies also suggest that it is an effective treatment for nonseasonal depression as well, and has been shown to reduce depressed mood in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and in pregnant women suffering from depression.

2) Consume serotonin rich foods frequently. My favorite ‘thing’ to do is to make a deliciously refreshing morning smoothie, consisting of walnuts, banana, pineapple, kale, ginger and blueberries.

Recipe- (blend until smooth) • ¼ cup of walnuts • ½ banana • 1/4 cup of blueberries • ¼ cup of freshly diced pineapples

Michelle Mitchum MPH, HHP, is a graduate of Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD) and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, (New York, NY).

She has a successful history in the healing sciences. She has been featured on Fox Business News, Essence Magazine and is a contributing writer to Heart and Soul Magazine as well as other notable publications. In 2013 Michelle founded The OrangeMoon Holistic Health and Wellness to empower people to make intelligent and informed decisions about their health and to introduce and educate clients on holistic lifestyle alternatives.

Help! I am not being heard Man Talk

By Timothy Houston We all want to be heard.

Even though we live in the communication age, many feel misunderstood. With more and more information shared via emails and chats, communication issues are on the rise. When it comes to male/female relationships, effective communication has become even more complicated. Effective communication is achieved when a message is clearly transmitted by the sender and clearly understood

UNCF From 1 along with our other co-presenting sponsors and champions… The Medtronic Foundation, 3M and Best Buy.” Smith-Akinsanya thanked U.S. Bank, General Mills and

by the receiver. Here are my six key actions that will help you to be heard and understood.

To begin with, start emotionally charged conversation by sharing first. Part of the challenge of effective communicating is determining the reason for the message. Men often view a barrage of back-to-back questions as an interrogation and not as communication. When you share your examples, experiences, perspective first, it allows the other person to get a better understanding of the reason for the conversation.

Sharing your thoughts first also sets the tone, attitude, and disposition of the sender and the expectation of the receiver.

Secondly, to help ensure that your message is thoroughly understood, share at the level of detail that you would like to

receive in the response. This is part of the reason of sharing first. If you want a blow-by-blow response, sharing first allows you to give blow-by-blow examples. To ask for details without being willing to share details is not effective communication. Conversation is a process of giving and taking.

It requires openly and willingly sharing at the level of detail that you would like to receive.

Thirdly, seek confirmation that the message was received.

This is the “what I heard you say” part of communicating. When a message is shared, it is filtered by the thoughts, experiences, and preconceived ideas of the receiver. What the sender says and what the receiver hears can often be lost in translation.

Confirming the message allows the sender the opportunity to

clear up any miscommunication or misunderstanding. This is even more critical when emotions are involved. Men need time to process emotional responses so confirming the message allows them time to process.

Next, use body language that supports the message. This is even more important when communicating over the phone.

A smile can be heard through the telephone. When communicating in person, 55 percent of the message is non-verbal so be mindful of the message your body language is sending. Also, talk more text less. Texting is a poor form of communication. The messages are usually abbreviated and do not include punctuations. They also are riddled with acronyms that may be known only to the sender. If the message has the potential to be

emotionally charged, pick up the phone and call the other person.

Face-to-face meetings are the most effective, and they should be used whenever possible.

Finally, remove any and all distractions. Real communication requires undivided attention. Turn off the cell phone, television, and video games or any other action that require your attention. You cannot communicate effectively when you are engaged in other activities. Some conversation should not be held until the right environment exists. This is the responsibility of both the sender and the receiver. Choosing the right time to have the conversation improves the likelihood of effective communication.

Men and women struggle at communicating, but everyone deserves to be heard. Both men

and women must remember that people are more important than feelings and feelings are more important than the events that caused them. This will help to keep things in perspective. Never win the argument at the expense of losing the other person or the relationship. Share openly and honestly and expect the same in return. Following these simple rules can lead to the effective communication necessary to sustain a healthy relationship.

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.

Wells Fargo for making UNCF a priority, and presented UNCF’s 2016 Twin Cities Masked Ball award to Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of the Target Corporation.

Ward, who guided Target’s $1 billion in grants to education over a five-year period, deflected praise for her accomplishments toward

David Bradley

Paul Dominski, Reba Dominski (U.S. Bank), Sharon SmithAkinsanya, Jacqui Cunningham, and Greg Cunningham (U.S Bank). the other major honorees of the evening, the visionary educators Eric and Dr. Ella Mahmoud, creators of the Harvest Network of Schools in North Minneapolis.

“Under their guidance and nurture, it’s grown to become the Harvest Network of Schools…a symbol of academic excellence and a beacon of hope,” Ward said. “Their commitment to education…to the children of the North Side…and their relentless pursuit of closing the achievement gap has had proven results. It’s why Target is honored to have a longstanding relationship with the Harvest Network of Schools.”

Ward praised the community of UNCF supporters present at the Masked Ball. “I’m so proud of your commitment to making sure all young people have an opportunity to be the very best version of themselves…get a quality education…and reach their full potential – regardless of race or socioeconomic status,” she said. “I attended Head Start, a preschool program for low income children. With lots of love and guidance from the village who raised me, I went on to become the first in my family to graduate from college. So I know first-hand how much your support means to

UNCF students and families.”

Ward said she was mentored

by Coretta Scott King, late widow of the martyred Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I had the incredible privilege of calling Coretta Scott King a mentor, and I remember a conversation with her where I wondered what I might have done during the Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. King told me: ‘It doesn’t matter what you would have done back then, what are you doing now?’”

Ward rallied the crowd that came to give declaring, “Creating equal and equitable opportunity for all young people is an all-in, full-contact participatory sport.

None of us can sit on the sideline.”

Smith-Akinsanya opened the evening with a reflective acknowledgement of the artist Prince Rogers Nelson, who supported UNCF and many community causes and organizations anonymously.

“I don’t know if many of you know this, but I used to work for Prince,” she said. “Because of that amazing experience, I and many others, like Pepe Willis and Kristy Lasenberry, who worked with him and are both in the audience this evening, have firsthand knowledge of his vast generosity.”

Karl Demer, Atomic K Studios

Katina Lane-Fomby, (3M); Susan Myles, (3Mgives retired); Jacqueline Berry 3Mgives; Renee Dotson-Gill 3M; Dr. Olester Benson, 3M; Kim Price, 3M; Cindy Kent, 3M; and Deb Cimino 3Mgives.

Karl Demer, Atomic K Studios

Susan Bass Roberts - Senior Director, Community Relations and Diversity and Inclusion Best Buy, 2017 UNCF Twin Cities Masked Ball Vice Chair and Jacob A. Gayle - President, Medtronic Foundation - Vice President, Philanthropy – Medtronic, 2017 UNCF Twin Cities Masked Ball Chair.

“And I say firsthand knowledge because many times his generosity came with a condition… and the condition was that it be keep secret and private,” she said.

“So at this time I would like to take a personal point of privilege to acknowledge and

thank him for his giving for many of the organizations that are in this room this evening, and for his contributions to UNCF. “For myself and many others he continues to be a source of inspiration and I will miss him,” said Smith-Akinsanya.

insightnews.com

Insight News • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Page 9

COMMUNITY Pimento making its mark on Eat Street

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer The Twin Cities may be the last place on earth people think of when talking about “authentic” Jamaican food, but for the owners of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen this is proving to be the perfect place to birth what they hope will be a model replicated throughout the nation.

For Pimento, as curious as the location – now locations – is how it came to be in the first place. The roots of Pimento are firmly planted in Jamaica, but the tree flourished when Minneapolis neighbors with a common bond for Jamaican culture formed a connection over music and food. That connection grew to the unveiling of dueling business plans and later, a fateful appearance on a reality cooking show and a food court spot in of all places, the Burnsville Mall.

Now, the casual dining Jamaican restaurant has a second location in the Eat Street area of Minneapolis and the owners have plans to expand further and eventually franchise.

For Tomme Beevas, Coowner of Pimento along with Yoni Reinharz and Sergey Kogan, Minneapolis was the latest rung of climbing the corporate ladder.

“I was working in (Washington,) D.C. and I got recruited by Cargill to lead its community involvement program, globally,” said Beevas, who prior to D.C. worked and lived in Miami and Tampa, Fla. “I’ve been here

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Pimento Jamaican Kitchen co-owners Yoni Reinharz and Tomme Beevas show off their newest digs in the Eat Street neighborhood at 2524 Nicollet Ave. S. in Minneapolis. for 10 years. I’m a Minnesotan now.”

Beevas may be a Minnesotan but his cooking is authentic Jamaican. Reinharz’ love for Jamaican culture is authentic … though to some, maybe a bit curious. Reinharz was born and raised in Minneapolis and is of the Jewish faith. But Reinharz was drawn to Jamaican culture through reggae, dancehall and hip-hop.

Behind the counter at Pimento’s Eat Street location, 2524 Nicollet

Ave. S., Minneapolis, is a gold plaque of reggae artist, Matisyahu (also a Jewish American), which Reinharz contributed to as a rapper on the track, “Beatbox.”

As chance would have it Beevas, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, moved next door in Minneapolis to Reinharz and it was match made in culinary heaven.

“When my wife and I first moved together it was next door to Tomme and his wife and we

bonded instantly,” said Reinharz.

“And I got a taste of his Jamaican food and I was hooked. I absolutely couldn’t get enough.”

Others who couldn’t get enough of Beevas’ cooking were the judges from Food Network’s “Food Court Wars.” Before Pimento had a permanent home, the owners were introducing Minnesotans to jerk chicken, curry chicken, ox tail, sweet fried plantains and more at various fairs and festivals. During that time

Beevas’ wife had a friend who knew a producer with the show “Food Court Wars.” The Pimento team competed, won and was granted a spot in the food court of the Burnsville Mall. While Burnsville isn’t necessarily known for international fare, Pimento thrived and was received well enough that in April the owners were able to open a second location in Eat Street. The Nicollet, Eat Street location will take over as the franchise’s flagship location.

Diners inside the storefront Eat Street location will immediately notice the many nods to Jamaica and its culture.

Stencil portraits on every table – each different –depict the seven national heroes of Jamaica, hiphop and reggae icons and one is a portrait of Beevas’ grandmother, who he credits for Pimento’s recipes. Speakers connected to a laptop broadcast a Kingston radio station. The atmosphere and the staff mirror the Jamaican climate – warm and inviting.

The model for Pimento is similar to another quickdining brand, Chipotle. The menu is minimal and relatively inexpensive.

Entrées max out at around $11. Also like Chipotle, Pimento strives to be environmentally conscious with the bowls and forks being biodegradable.

“That comes from my days at Cargill,” said Beevas. “I traveled around the world and I saw the impact we’re having on the earth and I wanted Pimento to leave as small of a footprint as possible.”

Reinharz said they hope the model will allow for growth within the Twin Cities and eventually beyond.

“I think it’s reasonable to have 10 locations within the next five years,” said Reinharz, who said Pimento’s success thus far has outpaced expectations. “We went from zero restaurants with zero restaurant experience to two locations within four years.”

Rio Nido is Live on the Drive

Rio Nido

The annual Northside summer concert series Live on the Drive returns for its ninth year. Rio Nido, Jazz trio kick off the concert series on Thursday, June 9th, from 6 to 8pm (Rain Date June 30th). This will be the first of three concerts held outdoors this summer on the scenic Victory Memorial Drive at 34th Avenue North in Minneapolis, one of the most beautiful concert settings in the city.

Rio Nido is one of the Twin Cities’ most beloved vocal groups. The original trio of Tim Sparks, Prudence Johnson, and Tom Lieberman established themselves as ace performers, playing classic jazz from the 1930s and ’40s at the hottest spots in Minneapolis between 1972 and 1986. Each member eventually moved on to enjoy successful solo careers. The

group has come back together for a handful of reunion shows including Live on the Drive.

Come with an appetite and enjoy dinner from food vendors Mama Donato’s Woodfired Pizza, Sandy’s, and treat yourself with gelato from Nona Rosa’s.

Stay into the evening for a movie in the park, featuring family film “Up” at dusk right at the Live on the Drive concert site. Our “green” events feature recycling and composting, diverting 93% of materials out of the waste stream last year. Be sure to invite your neighbors and bring your friends to this family-friendly, all-ages event!

Live on the Drive is presented the Cleveland Neighborhood Association with our founding partner, North Memorial, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Victory Neighborhood

Association, KBEM 88 FM, City of Minneapolis, Camden Lions, Insight News, KFAI Radio, 89.9 KMOJ, Healy Creative, North News, Victory Neighborhood Association and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. This activity is funded, in part, by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Live on the Drive brings people together from across the Northside and throughout the greater Twin Cities to hear extraordinary music and to celebrate summer, good health and Northside city living. For more information, call 612-588-1155 or visit LiveOnTheDrive.org

Rooted: Hip Hop Choreographers’ Evening Winner of the 2014 Sage Award for Outstanding Dance Performance, Rooted: Hip Hop Choreographers’ Evening returns to Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South, June 9-11, 7:30 PM. A celebration of the foundations of Hip Hop, the first and only choreographers’ evening focused exclusively on the roots of Hip Hop dance (African, Latin, Tap, Step, Breaking, Popping, Locking, Toprock, Waacking, House, Old School, New School), Rooted is celebrating its fifth year.

Curated by Maia Maiden,

this multifaceted show exhibits the skills and techniques of the finest choreographers in the Twin Cities. Rooted is a high-energy performance where audience members can share space with Minnesota’s diverse hip hop community.

The evening will feature old school favorites, up and coming talent, and the women of Hip Hop. Tickets $15 advance, student, senior $18 at the door $10/ticket for groups of 8+ *Call 612.871.4444 for group sales

Care Consultant The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota is hiring for the following position: Care Consultant. This position is primarily responsible for managing all aspects of the care consultation program in the nine county metro area and providing technical assistance to the MN Regional offices, as needed. The Care Consultant will also provide care consultation services by assessing the individual/caregiver/family, developing individualized treatment plans to address biopsychosocial needs and implementing the treatment plan accordingly.

The treatment plan will be implemented through psychoeducation, skill development, and short-term family and individual counseling utilizing various approaches. This position will fulfill requirements of related grants including documentation and tracking referrals, and additional collaborative administrative projects. The position will also assist with delivery of centralized, high quality, evidencebased educational programs and outreach events for people with dementia, their families, and professionals in the community. This position will include provider services and outreach to individuals and families from diverse communities. The position is approximately 75% clinical, 15% administrative, and 10% education and outreach. Please apply with cover letter, references and resume to http://www. alz.org/mnnd/in_my_community_about.asp.

Wahida Omar

Classifieds 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.

Maia Maiden

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

Organizer Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, 40 hours, full benefits, www.jrlc.org/job-opportunities, due 5/27/16.

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.

Mail Room Assistant

Help this large social service agency’s mail room operation by processing returned, incoming and out-going mail. Flexible daytime shifts available Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Contact Ramsey County—Volunteer Services at 651266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

B Fresh Photography

Page 10 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

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A candid interview with Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder

By Toki Wright Twitter @mrwrighttc @soultoolsent I spoke with Grammy Awardwinning producer (Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z, Little Brother), entrepreneur, and hip-hop educator at Harvard, 9th Wonder, before performing at this Sunday’s Soundset hip-hop festival in St. Paul with Future, Atmosphere, The Roots and more (See Aesthetically It! for details).

Toki Wright: This Sunday you play Soundset with Murs.

What is the chemistry that has kept you two together?

9th Wonder: At first we didn’t know what kind of chemistry we would have.

I didn’t know him, he didn’t know me.

He’s coming from a different culture and coast. Looking back 13 years later, it has definitely become a brotherhood.

He’s affected my life so much. We’ve affected each other to the point now (writers and fans) say we are one of the best duos hip-hop has seen.

TW: It looks like North Carolina (NC) has merged hip-hop and higher ed.

I’m heading to Croatia with a group of other national artists led by UNC (University of North Carolina) Chapel Hill. Why is hip-hop important to higher education as we see you at the forefront of that movement?

WONDER TURN TO 11 9th Wonder

Candy Fresh exposes viewers to what is ‘Fresh’

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer The Twin Cities has a burgeoning urban social and arts scene. And now, artists and young movers and shakers have an additional platform to reach audiences beyond their core with the nearly year old “Candy Fresh.”

“Candy Fresh” is a monthly television talk and variety show that airs on SPNN (Comcast 919 in St. Paul) and BMA (Comcast 937). The show, co-hosted by radio personalities Brittany Lynch and Sanni Brown with studio DJ Shay Glorius (also

Bianca Rhodes

“Candy Fresh” co-host Brittany Lynch interviews singer Timotha Lanae during a recent taping of the arts and entertainment talk show.

known as DJ Huh What) is the brainchild of producers Bianca Rhodes and Aaron Price. Rhodes recently gained notoriety when she was presented with an Emmy for her work as a production assistant on the documentary “Discovered Truth: A Healthcare Journey,” which examined African-Americans and the healthcare system.

She’s hoping “Candy Fresh” will soon be achieving similar accolades, but until then she’s focused on focusing on others.

“We have a wonderful thing going on in Minnesota with the community, the music and the arts and we want to shine a

spotlight on the artists and businesspersons with our show,” said Rhodes.

“Candy Fresh” debuted at Bedlam Lowertown and has taped at multiple locations in the area, but come Friday, May 27 the show will tape in its own studio at 550 Vandalia, Suite 170 in St. Paul. The show will feature awardwinning photographer, Chris McDuffie, dancer Kimani Beard, area hip-hop luminary, Nick “Mastermind” Muhammad and his son, rapper Kaleem Alaziz.

“People don’t realize that hip-hop in Minnesota has children now, so to have Nick and Kaleem on the show is

pretty cool,” said Rhodes.

Rhodes said the May 27 show is filled with all male guests to highlight Black fatherhood. “‘Candy Fresh’ is mostly women with the hosts and crew and a lot of our guests. It’s always been that way, so with this episode we were like we’re going to do this episode with all guys,” said Rhodes.

The upcoming taping takes place from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The show tapes in front of a studio audience.

Those who want to attend the taping are admitted on a first-come basis and the taping is free to the public.

Stephen King’s “The Shining” is now an opera

By Daniel Vega Thanks to The Minnesota Opera and its New Works Initiative audiences will be horrified by this story of, “love, death, and power” says the opera’s composer, Paul Moravec. He together with librettist Mark Campbell collaborated over three years to create this original work of art.

The sold out, standing room only audience on

opening night was greeted by the Minnesota Opera’s new CEO, Ryan Taylor, who graciously reminded us of how lucky we are to have such a dedicated and supportive arts community. A community embracing new works, like “The Shining” at the same time it honors, respects and mourns the loss of one of Minnesota’s greatest artistic gifts to the world, Prince.

The story is about Jack Torrance [played by Brian Mulligan] his wife, Wendy

and son Danny who check into the haunted Overlook Hotel so that he can start his new job as its caretaker.

Not only do they bring their worldly possessions, but a long list of “baggage” including a failed teaching job, domestic abuse, Danny’s ability to see spirits, and alcoholism. The family sees this move to the mountains as an opportunity to start a new life. All is well until Jack discovers a chest full of old news clippings telling about the hotel and its

history of murder and suicide, gangland style slayings, illicit relationships ... then he starts experiencing the symptoms of his withdrawal from alcohol.

That’s when the horror begins!

The actors, the music, the animated and moving sets all play their part in making “The Shining” a true masterpiece which will continue to add to the excellent reputation of the Minnesota Opera.

Daniel Vega is a student of the Jovenes de Salud programming.

Brian Mulligan

insightnews.com

Insight News • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Page 11 Heather McElrath

Anderson Paak

May 23 - 29 Trouble in My Mind

Lyfe Jennings 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 23 ECLECTIC/PERFORMANCE Live-Music-Fest-A-Thon Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

All ages $3 Every other month, Intermedia Arts’ Youth Leadership Council presents performances by talented young musicians. Check out youth bands, emcees, and performers live on stage.

Tuesday, May 24

PLAY “Trouble in Mind” Guthrie Theater 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m.

In 1957 New York when prejudices and stereotypes emerge, African American actress Wiletta Mayer faces a difficult decision: should she swallow her pride and compromise her values to play a lead role on Broadway?

Wednesday, May 25 SPOKEN WORD/JAZZ Feel Good Revolution – The Finale Vieux Carré

408 St. Peter St., St. Paul 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

21-plus

The University Club of St. Paul 420 Summit Ave., St. Paul 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 28

Dubbed “a night of healing through the arts,” take part in this popular event as it will be the last of the season. The show features comedian, Willie Sawyer, Jr., poet, Malanda Jean-Claude, singer Heather McElrath, singer/guitarist, Karen Folman, instrumentalist, Marion Dooley and poet, Miss Brit. The featured band is Joe Davis and the Poetic Diaspora.

Feel Good Revolution is hosted by Toki Wright.

This 2nd annual event is a pool party with Irie Sol and the Meditations.

PARTY

Thursday, May 26

R&B star Lyfe Jennings returns to Minneapolis with performances by Legend, One Only Black, Trilla, Crisis Fresh and Suga Shane.

Additional sounds are provided by Brother Jules.

REGGAE/PERFORMANCE 2nd Annual Reggae Sunsplash

Friday, May 27 R&B/PERFORMANCE Lyfe Jennings The Venue Minneapolis 315 1st Ave N, Minneapolis $30-$70

Rooftop at the Walker Expressions T-Shirt Day Party Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

21-plus $10 advance, $15 door This event is the latest installment of Thee Urbane Life’s annual Memorial Day Weekend event and is being taken to new heights as it ascends to the rooftop of the Walker. Partygoers are encouraged to come out to the Walker and make a statement with their graphic design

t-shirt. DJs Chuck Chizzle and Dan Verve provide the day’s soundtrack. Advance tickets are available at www. expressions.bpt.me.

Sunday, May 29 HIP-HOP/FESTIVAL Soundset Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. $78 - $88 Soundset returns to the Twin Cities with its best lineup yet including The Roots, Common, ASAP Rocky, Anderson Paak, Pharoahe Monch and more.

Wonder From 10 9W: When I talk to people my age they always say, I took a class in the mid 90s about hip-hop, but there were only a few universities teaching in a progressive light. They thought ahead. Then you started to see your idea of a hip-hop scholar. Or even the word hip-hop and genius. People look at TV and say “that’s not genius.” I think it’s time to be studied. It’s a 40-year-old art form. It permeates our society and anything that does is up to us to understand why.

Also, we just don’t want to DJ for 20 – 30 years and go work at a post office. This is the best way to still be in the culture and make sure it is steered in the right way.

TW: How has NC’s rich Black History shaped you as a person?

9W: I think it’s a straight dichotomy between the South and everybody else. (People say) “You’re from the South, you aren’t supposed to sound like that.” What does that mean? Let everyone else in the country tell it, we’re slow, were nice, we don’t know what’s going on. We’re not genius, or smart, or innovative.

The birthplace of jazz is New Orleans, so it shouldn’t surprise people that Jay Electronica came from there.

TW: How important is economic development and financial literacy to your work?

9W: The idea for most Black Americans (in the past) was to go get a job. It wasn’t until the 1970s, after desegregation, that we started to see the rise of the Black middle class. It brought about the idea, “I know we can make money but I wonder if we can make money for ourselves.” Black

9th Wonder

entrepreneurship isn’t taught the way it should be taught.

We tell our parents: “I don’t want to go to school anymore, I want to start my own business.”

And because they’ve been working for 30 years, they look at you like, “What? You better go get you a job.” We have to erase something that people suffer from and that’s inhibition and fear. You saw me drop out of school sleeping on the couch, not eating. You see me now a product of what happens when it works.

TW: What’s your take on the situation with (Afrika) Bambaataa, and what does this do for young people who have a distaste in their history?

9W: No matter what the allegations are I don’t put the actions of one or a few on the basis of what hip-hop stands for.

I was a member of Universal Zulu Nation. Not anymore.

TW: As of recently?

9W: Yeah. There’s a statement

on our website. I still operate as a Zulu because it is not an Americanized term. Zulu is a tribe in South Africa and a language. It’s bigger than hip-hop. As far as the Black Jedi Zulus are concerned, we’re moving in a different direction. As far as the next generation, a lot of times it’s hard to do. We want to condemn the kids so fast when they haven’t heard “Illmatic.”

We don’t even give them an opportunity to want to

learn. We can’t do that. Now that kid doesn’t want to hear (expletive) you’ve got to say.

Obama. Now the reigns of the White House won’t stop him from doing the things he really wants to do.

TW: Do you have an opinion on the upcoming election?

TW: What about Trump?

9W: Some people say the best music coming from us is when a Republican is in office.

I don’t think people will really understand until Obama isn’t in office. We’ve never had a Black president until Obama.

But we also have never had a former Black president until

9W: I’m not bothered by his antics that come with his racism. My problem is working class folk thinking that Trump gives a damn about your (expletive). It’s not “Make America Great Again” it’s “Make rich people in America great again.”

Page 12 • May 23 - May 29, 2016 • Insight News

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EDUCATION

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Is Minnesota House Republican leadership racist?

Our agenda

By Jeffrey A. Hassan, Executive Director African American Leadership Forum Now that we have your attention, this question must be asked, because African Americans in Minnesota experience the worst economic inequalities in the entire country, yet House Republican Leadership refuse to allocate any portion of the $900 million state budget surplus to

address the needs of African Americans, and refuse to make themselves available to meet with African American leaders to discuss these issues.

Let’s examine the facts: • According to U.S. Census data, Minnesota African Americans median income declined by 14% between 2013 and 2014 – the only ethnic group in Minnesota to experience a decline in income – putting White median income almost 140% higher than Black median income ($27,000+ versus $64,000+).

• African Americans in Minnesota rank 51st – dead last – in the entire United States, when combining factors

of income, poverty, home ownership and education; • African Americans contribute significantly to the Minnesota tax base, by paying an estimated ½ Billion ($500M) dollars in taxes in Minnesota each year – so, we’re not asking for a handout; but rather, a hand-up; • The State of Minnesota has a $900 million budget surplus available to address the issue of the gross economic disparity for Minnesota African Americans; • Governor Dayton has proposed a $100M economic package to address these gross economic inequities experienced by its African American citizens; and, the Minnesota Senate has proposed a $91M economic

stimulus package; • The Republican leadership has allocated zero - nothing - from the state budget surplus to address the economic condition of African Americans; • The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) has proposed a $75M business stimulus package. This is an issue that both Democrats and Republicans should support.

• Republicans are supposed to be the party of business, particularly small business.

Democratic leadership in the House and Senate have met with leaders of AALF to discuss these issues. Yet, not only have House Republicans proposed nothing from the budget surplus, House

leadership has refused to make themselves available to meet with leaders of AALF to discuss these issues, despite repeated requests.

• Republicans have joined with Democrats to take care of the economic distress experienced by the Iron Range miners, which we applaud.

Why are House Republican leaders ignoring the needs of their African American citizens whose economic circumstances are worse than the miners - even refusing the basic courtesy of meeting.

Is House Republican leadership racist, or have African Americans become the latest political football to be tossed about in the political gamesmanship?