Insight News ::: 05.01.17

WINNER: 2016 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 1ST PLACE COMMUNIT Y SERVICE, 3RD PLACE BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Insight News May 1 - May 7, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 17• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

‘Black is the Knew Black TURN TO PAGE 2

Christopheraaron Deanes

Page 2 • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Insight News

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‘Black is the Knew Black’

New exhibit curated by Ta-coumba Aiken presents the works of Seed artists

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Al McFarlane, editor-in-chief of Insight News had a vision for what he wanted the publication

to look like going into 2017.

His vision was to highlight the works of area and national artists by each week dedicating the entire front page to a single work of art by a chosen artist. Thus far, the project has highlighted the well-established and the up-and-coming. It has

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featured interpretations of wellknown figures such as Prince, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali. It has featured dolls reimagined and restyled to reflect authentic and positive images of Black culture. It has featured jewelry created by a North Minneapolis artist. It has featured power photography including the work of Hall of Fame photographer Roy Lewis. McFarlane’s vision is called “Leading with Art.” His vision was inspired in part by a couple of artists he has admired for years, Ta-coumba Aiken and Seitu Jones.

Aiken has been a stalwart in the Minnesota arts community since his arrival in the Twin Cities in 1969. He and Jones have work on, or created, several public works projects including the much anticipated John Biggers Seed Project, which according to the city of Minneapolis’ website is a “collaborative design effort that engages renowned AfricanAmerican artists in mentoring young emerging artists in placemaking by educating them

A work of Christopheraaron Deanes on display at Show Gallery as a part of “Black is the Knew Black.” about African-American art and community history, providing career development and transferable skills, and creating a sense of place that speaks to the culture of North Minneapolis.”

The mural project is set to be erected along Olson Memorial Highway in 2019.

As one of the “renowned African-American artists,” Aiken has taken it upon himself to further expose the emerging

artists of the Seed Project with an exhibit, “Black is the Knew Black,” which runs May 3 – May 28 at the Show Gallery, 345 Sibley St. in St. Paul. Along with works of Aiken, works by seven emerging Seed artists – Patrick Cunningham, Angela Davis, Loretta Day, Christopheraaron Deanes, Jordan Hamilton, Christopher Harrison and Esther Osayande – will be on display.

“We’ve been working

together for three years (on the Seed Project) and this show gives me the opportunity to do a show with seven other amazing artists,” said Aiken. “This is the first show I’ve ever curated.”

Aiken said the title of his exhibit is a rebuke of the glorification of prison culture, referencing the title of the Netflix hit, “Orange is the New Black.”

“I just couldn’t get behind the ‘Orange is the New Black.’

When we talk about the word ‘knew’ it’s talking about the history, but it’s also speaking in the present and speaking to the future.”

On the cover of this week’s edition of Insight News is a work

by Deanes.

“Christopheraaron Deanes’ work is that of social commentary with a hot southern flow to it,” said Aiken. “It’s hot and in your face.”

Future editions of Insight News will feature works from other artists involved with the Seed Project.

Grandparents, relatives build community of hope Commentary

By Marian Wright Edelman When the contestants on “Dancing with the Stars” recently performed routines representing the most memorable year of their lives, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles brought down the house dancing to the worship song “Good Good Father” to celebrate the year her grandparents became her mom and dad.

During last summer’s Olympics, many viewers became familiar with her story and her proud parents Ron Biles and Nellie Biles, who adopted Simone Biles and her sister from foster care. Before her dance, Simone Biles said, “Growing

up, my biological mom was suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and she was in and out of jail. I never had mom to run to. I do remember always being hungry and afraid. My parents saved me. They’ve set huge examples of how to treat other people and they’ve been there to support me since day one. There’s nothing I can say to them to thank them enough.”

The Biles family has helped shine a spotlight on the importance of loving families. “Kinship care families” or “grandfamilies,” as they are sometimes called, are relatives raising their grandchildren or other kin when their parents cannot due to death, military service or challenges like opioid or other substance abuse, mental health problems or domestic violence.

Some children are removed from their parents’ care by the state and placed with relatives in foster care.

In other cases, children are placed informally with relatives outside of formal foster care. Relative care helps children maintain family and often community connections. There also is strong evidence that children placed with relatives experience greater stability, have fewer

behavioral problems and are just as safe as children in non-relative care. More than seven million children live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives, and nearly 2.6 million of them are being raised in kinship families without a parent present. They step forward to care for the children but sometimes require financial or other help to appropriately meet the children’s needs.

On May 10, hundreds of grandparent and relative caregivers will gather in Washington, D.C. for the 5th National GrandRally: Building a Community of Hope to celebrate their critical role in providing safe, loving and permanent families for children.

They seek to educate Congress and the broader public about essential federal policies and programs that help them care for children and must be maintained and strengthened to support them more effectively while building a community of hope. The Children’s Defense Fund is honored to be cosponsoring the GrandRally with Generations United, AARP, Casey Family Programs, FosterClub, GrandFamilies of

America, and the National Kinship Alliance for Children and more than 20 additional partners.

The GrandRally will take place on the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol and feature Members of Congress, grandparent and other relative caregivers, children in kinship families and others. Michelle Singletary, who with her four siblings was raised by her grandmother she often calls “Big Mama” in her syndicated column “The Color of Money,” will emcee the GrandRally.

After the rally, caregivers will visit their senators and representatives to urge additional support to help children in their care thrive.

The GrandRally builds and strengthens a national network — a community of hope. For relative caregivers across the country this is an opportunity to meet others and know they are not alone. It inspires them to raise their powerful voices in Congress and back at home.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.

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Insight News • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

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WINNER: 2016 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 1ST PLACE COMMUNIT Y SERVICE, 3RD PLACE BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Insight News May 1 - May 7, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 17• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Ward 5 chooses Ellison

By Nadvia Davis

DFL contenders for the 5th Ward Minneapolis City Council seat gathered in the auditorium at Minneapolis’ North Community High School with one goal in mind – to seek the party’s endorsement and it was political newcomer Jeremiah Ellison who garnered the DFL endorsement.

With the help of delegates and volunteers tabling with campaign materials, three candidates shared why they deserved to be endorsed with a ten-minute speech. The three candidates were incumbent Blong Yang, Ellison and Cathy Spann. Raeisha Williams is also seeking the seat, but announced last month that she would not seek the party endorsement.

Nearly 200 delegates filled the auditorium during Saturday (April 22) morning’s convention.

Among the delegates were Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district and Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Keith Ellison.

“This is really their (delegates) opportunity to have their voices heard early in the process so that is plays out later in the process,” said Champion.

Toward the latter part of the convention, the three candidates waited anxiously to share their connection to the community and prove why they deserved the endorsement. Jeremiah Ellison, got the delegates stirred up during his speech by identifying as a “Northsider” himself.

“I was raised in this community. I will fight for and with you. I know the pain of violence that our loved ones have received in this neighborhood --sometimes from shots fired by youth in our neighborhood

without clear reason. Sometimes by those sworn to protect us,” said Jeremiah Ellison.

Spann spoke about her experience as the current executive director of the Jordan Area Community Council.

“I have been working in the community for 20 years and I have been bringing it. I’ve helped create ESL (English as Second Language) classes for the East African community in the Jordan neighborhood to partnering with Habitat for Humanity. I believe in small businesses, so we’ve created the 11-week entrepreneurial training program. I have hired STEP UP youth in my office every single summer for the last five years,” said Spann.

The veteran in the race, Yang said despite the negative stigma placed on North Minneapolis,

MKx8 Design

ELLISON 4

Candidate for Minneapolis’ 5th Ward City Council seat, Jeremiah Ellison, during the DFL endorsement convention at North Community High School. Ellison secured the party endorsement.

Finding foster homes at crisis level in Minnesota SPNN

C2i hosting annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser

Hip-hop artist OSP (left) and 5th Ward candidate Raeisha Williams (center) discuss politics and policing with Al McFarlane during a recent taping of “Conversations with Al McFarlane.” The episode airs on radio at KFAI 90.3 FM and on television on SPNN (St. Paul) and MTN (Minneapolis).

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor “There are no available foster homes in the state of Minnesota.”

This according to Jessica Rogers, executive director of Connections 2 Independence (C2i), a foster service provider in the Twin Cities.

According to the national advocacy organization, Children’s Rights, on any given day, there are nearly 428,000 children in foster care in the United States. In 2015, more than 670,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care.

On average, children remain in

From protest to politics Killings of unarmed Black men has ignited a political movement in Minnesota

By Ingrid Ferlo shutterstock.com

According to the executive director of a foster care advocacy organization, there are no available homes within the state for those currently in foster care. state care for nearly two years and six percent of children in

foster care have languished there for five or more years; this too

C2I 4

“Names such as Jamar Clark and Philando Castile have risen to celebrity status around the country and the world, (bringing attention to) police brutality

and systemic injustice and the danger that Black men face.”

Those were the words of Al McFarlane, host of “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which centered

PROTEST 9

Our health is our business Fitness challenge promotes being “Fit to Lead”

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor AfroDescendientes The street was alive with the hustle and bustle on Day 1 of the 70-day life-changing Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge.

The only thing missing was a red carpet and Hollywood spot lights.

The Insight 2 Health Challenge (I2H) Round 10 registration and launch took place 9 a.m. Saturday, April 22,

at the F.I.T. (Fitness Innovation Transformation) Lab located at 1583 Hamline Ave. N. in Falcon Heights.

Stepping into their transformation journey, more than 30 individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, ethnicities, gender, ages and neighborhoods filed into the F.I.T. Lab facilities to get registered, measured and weighed.

A video crew from Youth

I 2 H FITNESS 6

Business

Advertising guru Carol Williams earns Hall of Fame honor

PAGE 4

Rebecca Rabb

L-R Julie McMahon, nutritionist and newspaper columnist “Nutrition Julie”, yoga trainer, Theresa Behnke; Michelle Anderson, Rashelle Brown, Miguel Schultz, Al McFarlane, and Tyrone Minor, owner, The FIT Lab and co-founder of Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge.

Community

News

Environmental justice must be a national priority

PAGE 5

Don’t cut transit funding

PAGE 9

Community

Acknowledging our area men and women who serve

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Page 4 • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Insight News

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Business

Advertising guru Carol Williams earns Hall of Fame honor First Black female inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Carol H. Williams has been quite busy.

The advertising legend and owner of the agency that bears her name, Williams has created ad campaigns for Bank of America, the city of Oakland, General Motors, Pillsbury, Proctor & Gamble and many other household names.

When she was notified about her nomination to the Advertising Hall of Fame, which celebrates and honors

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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 Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. 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 Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed

the legends who have made extraordinary contributions to the ad business, Williams kept working.

“I didn’t know whether it was real or not,” she said. “It was really nice and I was honored to be considered for (the Hall of Fame), but I just kept working.”

When consideration became acceptance, Williams became overjoyed.

“There was a moment, I was stunned and then the tears came.

It was an unbelievable feeling; then I did my ‘spike and dance’ in the end zone,” said Williams, who becomes the first AfricanAmerican female advertising executive inducted among the nearly 200 honorees in the 67year history of the AHOF. She will also receive the David Bell Award for Industry Service, which recognizes recipients for their extraordinary and unique contributions and service to the advertising community and industry.

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is especially proud to salute the outstanding career achievements of Carol H. Williams,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. “No one has done more to impact the advertising industry with innovative genius and market penetration than the iconic Carol H. Williams.”

Williams’ career started at

CHWA

Advertising legend Carol H. Williams will receive the “David Bell Award for Industry Service,” during a ceremony in New York City. the Leo Burnett agency, where during her 13-year tenure, she became the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve as creative director and vice president at the company.

She followed that by serving for two years as senior vice president at FCB in San Francisco.

It was Williams who came up with one of the most recognized campaigns in advertising history; one she said remains a career highlight.

“I think one of the most incredible experiences I had was

in 1974 when my boss, Charlie Blakemore, walked up to me and said, ‘I want to ask you to write on something, but I’m afraid you’ll quit.’ I said, ‘I won’t quit,’” said Williams.

At the time, the Secret deodorant brand had been failing, it was ranked No. 9 and declining, she said.

“It was primarily used by women,” said Williams, so she came up with the slogan, “Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.”

The Secret campaign that Williams worked on propelled

the deodorant to bestseller status where it remains.

Williams also used a Black woman in one of the commercials for the campaign as well as a Black announcer, which was unheard of at the time.

Williams founded Carol H. Williams Advertising (CHWA) more than 25 years ago. The agency has grown into one of the largest AfricanAmerican, independently-owned advertising and marketing firms in the country. CHWA’s client list has included several Fortune 500 companies. After starting the company in her living room, CHWA now has offices in Oakland, New York, Detroit and Chicago.

“I can’t necessarily say that I found advertising. I think advertising found me,” recalled Williams. “I was going into premed, because I love humanity, and I wanted to engage and heal people, but I also loved to write and had an active imagination.”

After working with the American Association of Advertising on an initiative for African-Americans, Williams developed her portfolio, landed a summer job and never looked back.

Last month, during a panel discussion on gender and race in the advertising industry, Williams said it was revealed that less than three percent of

executives in the advertising business are White women and less than one percent are Black women.

“It was really a discussion about the industry’s commitment to female diversity,” said Williams. “It’s quite amazing when you think about it, since the female voice is the primary voice in advertising and she’s the doorkeeper to most of the products which go into the household. Then, with the Black female, it’s even more so. She’s the head of the household for the most part; she’s the one making the money, she’s making those decisions.”

For young women, particularly Black women, who aspire to work in the advertising industry, Williams said that it’s important to check emotions at the door.

“We tend to be an extremely emotional people,” said Williams. “We are extremely creative people and that creativity is driven a lot by emotions.”

Inside corporate America, a great deal of decisions are made that are focused on the bottom line and on the hard business of the dollar. If you allow emotions to rule, rather than your intellect, you can get into highly-conflictdriven situations that can create barriers to your success.”

Plan now for retirement

By Rhonda Whitenack and Jim Czechowicz Social Security public affairs office in Bloomington and St. Paul Social Security has been a cornerstone of financial security for more than 80 years.

Social Security is part of

C2i From 3 from Children’s Rights.

In Hennepin County there are 1,608 children currently in foster care. African-American and Native-American kids make up the two largest groups of children in the county system at 37 percent and 22 percent respectively. Of those, 23 percent are between the ages of 13-20 and face the toughest

the retirement plan of almost every American worker. If you’re among the 96 percent of workers in the United States covered under Social Security, it is helpful to know what benefits to which you are entitled. Social Security bases your benefit payment on how much you earned during your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years you didn’t work or had low earnings, your benefit

amount may be lower than if you worked steadily. How do you know what your retirement benefits might be so you can

plan? Visit www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount and create an account to calculate your future benefits. There you check the

challenge when it comes to adoption, as most potential adoptive families seek to adopt babies and toddlers.

For the older child in the foster system, many have seen multiple placements; thus issues in education, mental health and day-to-day coping skills come into play. And that’s where C2i has been beneficial to hundreds of children in the Twin Cities.

Started as a program of Summit Academy OIC, C2i has evolved into a stand-alone nonprofit servicing foster youth ages 15-24, teaching them independent living skills

such as securing housing and employment, as well as working on a youth’s moral, social and personal development. In addition, C2i works with those who will age out of foster care, assisting them in securing funding for post-secondary education, teaching life skills such as cooking, personal finance and securing an apartment, as well as working on a person’s mental well-being.

Knowing there are no available homes for fosters, the work being done at C2i is needed now more than ever.

“We’re talking about young

people who have experienced trauma and compounded trauma and what they need most is to be treated like family,” said Jessica Rogers, executive director of C2i. “We do a lot for our kids but we’re not their family. We can’t celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving with them.”

Rogers said of the youth referred to C2i, the average home placements is six, with some having been in up to a combination of 20 different group and foster homes.

May is National Foster Care Month and for the fourth consecutive year, on May 6 C2i

will host its annual Kentucky Derby Celebration: Run for the Roses at Warehouse Winery, 6415 Cambridge St., St. Louis Park. The event, which features a fashion show with C2i youth, a hat contest, casino gaming, Derby viewing, a silent auction, hor devours and cash bar takes place from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 and proceeds are tax deductible and benefit C2i.

Tickets are available at tinyurl. com/j3x36xo.

Insight News is a media sponsor of Kentucky Derby Celebration: Run for the Roses.

the ward is a quality place to live.

“We deserve a Northside that has the same amenities as

anywhere else. That is as safe as anywhere else and that is as opportunity rich as anywhere else,” said Yang.

Following a question and answer with the three candidates, the convention concluded with Jeremiah Ellison winning the

majority delegate votes and gaining the endorsement.

Social Security has been a cornerstone of financial security for more than 80 years.

status of your application and, once you are receiving benefits, use your account to manage them.

Social Security benefits help, but many people will need more retirement income. Saving for retirement is key. You might also have a pension or 401k.

Combining as many savings resources will mean more income once you retire.

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb 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.

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Insight News • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Page 5

Environmental justice must be a national priority

By Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10) Too often missing in discussions on the challenges facing African-Americans is any focus on environmental justice – the idea that all people should enjoy a clean, healthy environment while being treated equally with regard to environmental policies, regulations and laws.

African-American communities are disproportionately burdened by environmental degradation, and unless real action is taken, the environmental and health risks facing our communities will persist. For decades, African-American communities in urban areas have been treated as dumping grounds for pollutants at the expense of community members, the environment and the economy.

The effects are felt every single day.

In Congress, I represent Newark, N.J., home to a dense transit network, waste and sewer treatment facilities, industrial plants, the third largest port in the nation and the largest trash

incinerator in the Northeast.

In other words, the city and its residents are overburdened with concentrated environmental pollution, the cumulative impacts of which are making people, especially children, sick.

Newark residents face the nation’s second greatest cancer risk due to diesel emissions.

Asthma is now the leading cause of absenteeism for school-age children in Newark, Bayonne, and Elizabeth, N.J. According to the Village Voice, “One in four Newark children suffers from asthma; the hospitalization rate is 150 percent greater for kids living in the city than in the rest of the state, and more than thirty times the rate nationwide.”

Environmental injustice is not unique to Newark. Across the nation, communities of color suffer from higher rates of exposure to air pollution, higher rates of lead poisoning and higher rates of water pollution.

This is made even worse by their lack of equal and meaningful access to the environmental decision-making process.

What can we do about this?

In Newark, the city council passed an ordinance

Representative Donald Payne (D-N.J.) says that the positions and policies of the Trump Administration are a direct threat to the health of African-American communities. requiring developers requesting environmental permits to inform the city of any environmental impacts. As a result, decisionmakers and the public will be able to make informed decisions about sustainable development.

Other municipalities should follow Newark’s example and pass similar ordinances.

Of course, we also need a commitment from the federal

government, including the Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency, to secure the health and safety of all communities across the country.

Sadly, we do not have this buy-in from the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.

Against public sentiment, President Trump has prioritized rolling back environmental regulations, from emissions

rules for power plants to the mandate that federal decisionmaking must take into consideration climate change impacts. At the same time, the president has proposed slashing the EPA’s budget by 31 percent, eliminating climate change programs, cutting funding to protect water and air quality, and eliminating 19 percent of the agency’s workforce.

The president’s EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, shares the president’s vision of drastically limiting, if not eliminating, the agency’s scope, and moved quickly to roll back President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which aimed to limit carbon pollution from power plants. Pruitt also doubts basic facts on climate change and supports dismantling the historic Paris climate agreement.

The positions and policies of the Trump Administration are a direct threat to the health of African-American communities.

Their antiscience, anti-environmental regulation will only exacerbate the environmental threats that disproportionately impact African-Americans, from

climate change to harmful exposure to toxic substances.

Given the Trump Administration’s relentless attack on environmental protections, we need to make it clear to our elected officials that we will hold them accountable for any actions they take to dismantle environmental protections and any failures to fight for environmental justice.

We can’t let any votes they take against environmental protections go unnoticed, or any harmful policies go unanswered.

We also need to make it clear that environmental justice is a civil rights issue – that is, it’s not only about the health of our communities, but about fair treatment and equal involvement in environmental planning and decision-making.

Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. represents New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications and also sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Bridging the education gap a top priority for Black parents How Obama’s education law can help Black parents bridge the education gap

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. President and CEO, NNPA All parents want the best for their children.

We all acknowledge that attaining a high-quality K-12 education is probably the single most important factor that will determine the future life success of a student in the public school systems throughout the United States.

Yet, the reality for millions of Black American parents in the U.S. is that there is a lingering educational achievement gap between Black students and white students. This is why I believe that raising awareness about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) among all parents, especially Black parents, is vital.

Recent national studies have pointed to what some researchers have concluded as “low expectations” about the academic achievement levels of Black students being a major contributing factor to their underachievement in the classroom. Unfortunately, sometimes these predictions based on external research about Black America can become self-fulfilling prophecies and mere justifications for the current educational disparities and inequities between Black students and white students.

Black parents do not have low expectations about their children’s academic potential to achieve excellence and scholarship. Most Black parents encourage and expect their children to do well in school.

Black parents do have, however, low expectations about the priorities that state boards of education, as well as county and city boards of education, have presented thus far in response to the inclusive accountability mandates of ESSA.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Inclusion presupposes involvement.

Parental involvement is a key factor that determines the effectiveness of our public school system. The National Newspaper Publishers Association is, therefore, pleased to join and to support all efforts that will increase Black American parental involvement concerning ESSA and its implementation at both the state and federal levels.

Yes, Black student K-12 educational achievement gaps that now exist in too many school districts in the U.S. can be bridged going forward, if there is a substantial and measurable increase in the consistent involvement of Black parents at all levels of decisionmaking and public policy implementation of ESSA. Please pass this message to others that you may know who are likewise concerned about these issues.

The future of our families and communities is at stake.

Our collective awareness and involvement can help to make a positive difference in improving K-12 education in America. I have faith that Black American parents will once again rise to this challenge.

Learn more about how you can get involved with the Every Student Succeeds Act in your state at NNPA.org/essa.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa. org.

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Insight 2 Health I 2 H Fitness From 3 Lens 360 Degrees, a Twin Cities-based business, was stationed at the entrance and greeted participants as they arrived. Many were interviewed, sharing the story that led them to seek a new lease on life.

The launch ceremony featured the introduction of the I2H team of accomplished, award-winning, world-class professional trainers and life coaches. Led by champion athlete Tyrone Minor, the I2H training team looked more like an Apollo spacecraft crew, at a pre-flight briefing, or even a like a Navy SEAL team, fit for battle, preparing to train the rest of us to join the path.

The Insight 2 Health Challenge integrates nutrition coaching and mental health support coaching as critical components for achieving lifestyle changes participants seek to adopt.

Healthy life transformation requires more than just moving your body, according to I2H nutritionist and newspaper columnist Julie “Nutrition Julie” McMahon, and Dr. Darren D. Moore, and associate professor and site director for the Couple and Family Therapy Program, San Francisco, California School of Professional Psychology, at Alliant International University.

Moore and McMahon provide nutrition and mental health support.

I will feature members of this extraordinary league of trainers, health experts and profile participants throughout the 10-week challenge.

Founded by Insight News Editor-in-Chief Al McFarlane and fitness trainer Minor, the challenge enjoys support of community partner organizations such as NorthPoint Health and Wellness, Southside Medical and Open Cities Health Centers.

Community partners include Hallie Q. Brown/Martin Luther

Rebecca Rabb

Elders and youth are participating in Round 10 of the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge: Above videographer Dario Otero, YouthLink 360 Degrees, Insight Editor Al McFarlane, videographer, Audrey Jackson, and Jovenes de Salud youth organizer, Carrisa Ontiveros.

King Center in St. Paul, and, starting this round, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council in North Minneapolis.

Business and wellness industry supporters have included UCare, Medica, Allina, Target and starting this round, Medtronic Foundation.

“Leaders must be fit to lead” said Al McFarlane, recounting how his engagement of Minor as a personal trainer evolved into discussions between the two about the economic impact of health disparities on the Black community and communities of color. McFarlane said he envisions I2H participants each as leaders in their particular communities, professions and spheres of influence.

“The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge model,” explained McFarlane. “From my perspective as a leader in media, is to create and execute a strategy of inviting our people to work together addressing problems as opportunities, and demonstrating that collaboration

trumps everything in building outcomes we seek and in building the processes that will get us there.

“Our goal is to see the I2H Fitness Challenge as a 10-week theater of operation in which we, the trainers and participants, demonstrate and reveal that our hard work, focus, and commitment will result in movement toward greater health and improved quality of life. And because this is a media-centered initiative, we are able to share the experience of the 30-45 active participants and partners with our newspaper, radio and social media audiences of more than 100,000 on an ongoing basis. Our goal is transformation for the individual participants, and, transformation for the communities that we serve and lead. By working together, we demonstrate that our health is our business.”

This historic Insight 2 Health 10th Round is evidence of what civic-minded people with a vision, a plan, persistence and

perseverance can accomplish. It is a celebration of what happens when a village collectively addresses a problem in the community, head on. In this case, participants address promoting individual and community fitness and wellness through an entrepreneurial venture.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge is an extraordinary model of two enterprises collaborating for business success and for the greater good of the community.

This innovative collaboration between two businesses, McFarlane Media Interests and The F.I.T. Lab is creating a new narrative about positive change within the African-American community.

When the leaders of our villages take charge, cultivating and engaging from within, change happens. When village leaders create, guide and inspire systemic change for a healthier quality of life for all citizens, it can ignite a blaze of change.

This is what the I2HC is doing,

fanning the flames of selfsufficiency, self-determination.

Utilizing the talent, expertise and goodwill among its citizens.

Walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

The passion to give back, to help others, to make a difference, to leave a legacy consumes and fuels the heart. A dream that began in the trunk of Tyrone Minor’s and Jamie Minor’s car and living room, has grown into a 3,000-plus square foot modern fitness facility spurred toward realization, in part, by the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge. The gym is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment; provide a world-class training environment and experience.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge, from my point of view, has taken the lead in transforming AfricanAmerican and multicultural communities that experience the highest rates of heart disease, diabetes and in my case cancer, into redefining themselves as communities that are health

aware, proudly producing men and women who are fit to lead family, neighborhoods and society.

I recently saw a video of Tyrone Minor flying through the air, like a trapeze artist.

Swinging from one bar of the exercise equipment to the other.

Clapping hands in midflight as he flew from rod to rod. “That’s my trainer” I wanted to shout out. Come to think of it, I did.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge is a fun, challenging, fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes in program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable. Participants meet up to four times a week in a group class setting and can consult with a nutrition expert and mental health professional.

To learn more about the Insight 2 Health Challenge call The F.I.T Lab at (651) 6455242. Visit the website at www. thefitlabinc.com.

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Insight News • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Page 7

Page 8 • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight News • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Page 9

Community Letter to the Editor

Don’t cut transit funding

By Gary Cunningham, Metropolitan Council Member, District 7 The transportation proposal passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives is going to have a serious impact to thousands of Minnesotans who depend on transit every day. The House Transportation Omnibus Bill

contains cuts to Metro Transit that will balloon its budget deficit from $74 million over the next two years to $140 million. At a time when the state has a $1.6 billion budget surplus, the legislature is considering cuts that will force a 40 percent reduction in basic bus service.

This bill harms multiple populations for which transit is a daily necessity. There are many people in our region

who are transit-dependent for whom taking a car to work, school or for errands is not an option. Half of local bus riders in Minneapolis and St. Paul don’t have a driver’s license, while 58 percent don’t have access to a car. In addition to the steep service cuts or elimination of every bus route, the House bill requires fare increases well above the increases already under consideration,

Gary Cunningham

effectively pricing those transit dependent riders out of the system.

Eighty percent of all transit riders are either traveling to work or school, meaning that hundreds of families and businesses would be negatively impacted by this service reduction.

The state should be making it easier for people to get to work or class, not making it harder.

Brooklyn Park’s James Minor serving aboard USS Zephyr SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Boatswain’s Mate James Minor, from Brooklyn Park is assigned to the Cycloneclass patrol coastal ship

USS Zephyr. In the photo to the left he heaves line during sea and anchor detail. Zephyr is currently underway in support of Operation Martillo, a

Classifieds

Make a difference in the life of a child. The Mothers First program provides prevention and intervention services for pregnant women who are abusing chemicals. Mothers First is seeking a Child Care Assistant volunteer to help agency staff in providing supervision and care for the children with our Mothers First program while mom is attending counseling sessions.

Volunteer Drivers are also needed to provide transportation to mothers in recovery to/from groups with our Mothers First program. Reimbursement for mileage is provided. Contact Ramsey County Health & Wellness Service Team — Volunteer Services at 651-2664090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@ co.ramsey.mn.us.

Boatswain’s Mate James Minor.

From 3 around issues of police, public safety and the dynamics of police and community interaction in Black communities. McFarlane was joined on the panel by Raeisha Williams, candidate for Minneapolis City Council 5th Ward, Jeremiah Ellison, also a candidate for Minneapolis City Council 5th Ward, musician and youth mentor Robert “OSP” French and chief inclusion officer for the state, James Burroughs.

French said the death of Castile brought about a movement that was being constructed through the endurance of decades of violent encounters between AfricanAmericans and the police. He started the conversation naming various men that had found their untimely death at police hands.

“This is nothing new, this is an old page in the book,” said French, who said the historical implication between AfricanAmericans and police brutality goes back to slavery when force was the mechanism used to keep slavery in place. He said the overseer mentality is still ingrained in police departments throughout the United States.

Williams was one of the main organizers in the 2015 occupation of the Minneapolis Police Department Fourth Precinct following the homicide of Clark at the hands of two Minneapolis officers.

She said that it was an unplanned youth moment with a strong call to action by the elders of the community. Williams also was a leader in the protests and occupation of Gov. Mark Dayton’s home following the killing of Castile in July of 2016.

Ellison spoke about the impact Castile’s shooting had on

him. Vocal and engaged in the Clark protests, he said he said the killing of Castile inspired him to become a leader in politics.

The movement was not without its dangers. Williams said she and other organizers were personally attacked, receiving death threats at home and on social media.

Ellison expressed that one of the most important consequences of the movement was propelling people who never had political interest into action.

He said he saw people from different communities inspired that a change was possible. He said his focus now is finding ways to use policy to mobilize change so that the movement does not get caught into a crisis and response circle.

Burroughs said the movement following the killings of Clark and Castile brought about noticeable, measurable and permanent changes.

“I’m very proud of our community and those impacted by our community” said Burroughs .

According to Burroughs the Black Lives Matter movement fostered a conversation at the governor’s office on policy and legislation that can be used to prevent violent encounters between police and AfricanAmerican community members.

He said the focus now is on prevention and addressing the roots of the problem. He said training in mental health and defusing situations is going on at various levels of law enforcement as a result.

“For a long time no charges were being brought,” said Burroughs of past police shootings.

Williams believes there is a cathartic change that the African-American community underwent during the movement.

She said organizers will also benefit from lessons learned during the movement on how to

reconcile different voices from the young and elder members of the community and maintain fusion during dissent.

Ellison’s focus on prevention is by focusing on empowering African-Americans in areas that will help them have a sustainable living. He said that to prevent violence, the community needs to have gainful employment, housing and economic development that keep them moving forward.

“Conversations with Al McFarlane” airs on KFAI 90.3 FM on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) on Tuesday at 9 p.m. and on MTN (channel 16 in Minneapolis) on Friday at 9 p.m.

Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com

Volunteers

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey J. Hopkins/Released

Protest

joint operation with the U.S. Coast Guard and partner nations, within the 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

Frequent Filer (Office Assistant)

Volunteer office assistants are needed in several areas.

Multiple shifts available, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Midway area and downtown St. Paul locations limited reimbursement for parking expense or bus fare is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

Contact Ramsey County— Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to Volunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

St. Paul Central H.S. Class of 1967 50th Reunion

Sept. 8-10, 2017 Facebook - St. Paul Central Class of 1967 50th Reunion or email address to: geministar1149@comcast.net, Marie Braddock Williams, Committee

LIL’S ANGELS MEMORY LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Northeast Minneapolis: Monroe Village, 1900 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis; Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

South Minneapolis: Lunds & Byerly’s Grocery,1450 West Lake St., Minneapolis; Meets the 2nd Friday of each month from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

NEW LOCATION Brooklyn Center: Jehovah Jireh Church, 6120 Xerxes Ave. N., Brooklyn Center; Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

To RSVP, or for questions, please call Dorothea Harris at 952-945-4175 Volunteers of America MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN

MinnesotaDepartment of Corrections A career you can be proud of!

Are you seeking a career path, competitive pay, and great benefits?

The Minnesota Department of Corrections employs Special Teachers, Corrections Officers, Nurses, Food Services, Maintenance Professionals, and many more positions. For more information on all of our positions please go to: https://mn.gov/careers or visit the DOC at: www.doc.state.mn.us.

Affirmation Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans are Encouraged to Apply.

Page 10 • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Insight News

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Sieed Brown Joe Adams

Monday, May 1 OPEN MIC Freedom of Expression Open Mic Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis 5:30 p.m.

All ages Joe Adams and Desdamona host this monthly open mic at Capri Theater in North Minneapolis.

Tuesday, May 2 May 1 May 14 2017

HIP-HOP/JAZZ/ PERFORMANCE Land of the Lost Art Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

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

Land of the Lost Art features live painting, glassworks, taxidermy jewelry, clothing vendors and live music performances ranging genres from hip-hop, acoustic, R&B, new age, and electric soul jazz with performances

by Will Robinson, Deeply Rooted Tribe, Sieed Brown and more.

Wednesday, May 3 FUNDRAISER/ SKATEBOARDING Indeed We Can x City of Skate Indeed Brewing Company 711 15th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis

3 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The “Indeed We Can” series from Insight Brewing Co. features City of Skate.

Each beer ordered will help to build skateparks in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Public Radio 480 Cedar St., St. Paul 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Minnesota Public Radio celebrates 50 years at their building in downtown St. Paul.

Thursday, May 4

Sunday, May 7

OPEN MIC

WORLD MUSIC

Open Mic Riverview Café and Wine Bar 3745 42nd Ave. S., Minneapolis 7 p.m.

DJ Rekha Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

21-plus $7

Every Thursday night open mic takes place down at Riverview Café.

Friday, May 5 HIP-HOP Genreal “The 516 EP” Release Party Golden’s Lowertown 275 4th St. E., St. Paul No cover New Hampshire to Minnesota transplant Genreal has been all over the place lately. For this show he performs alongside DJ Miss Brit, Mild Manner, Ole Soles, Tommy Coughlin aka Forecast of the No Good Neighbors, Off-10 Publications and Noah James.

Saturday, May 6 OPEN HOUSE MPR Open House

Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $6

Friday, May 12

Some of Minnesota’s best reggae artists get together every Tuesday night at Bunker’s.

Chance the Rapper Xcel Energy Center 199 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 7 p.m. $39.50-$57

HIP-HOP

Wednesday, May 10 PLAY “The Bluest Eye” Guthrie Theater 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. $20-$64

DJ Chamun joins London born DJ Rehka (credited with popularizing Bhangra music in North America) at The Cedar.

Toni Morrison’s awardwinning novel continues its run on stage at The Guthrie.

Monday, May 8

Thursday, May 11

OPEN JAM

HIP-HOP

McNally Mondays Golden’s Lowertown 275 E. 4th St., St. Paul 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

18-plus No cover Jam with McNally Smith College of Music Students every Monday night at Golden’s.

Tuesday, May 9 REGGAE/ PERFORMANCE International Reggae AllStars Bunker’s 761 Washington Ave. N.,

It Ain’t Summer Yet Party Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $12 Get ready for the summer with performances by Lucien Parker, Like Minds, Free Lunch Creww, Avery 81st and Paige. The show is hosted By John X with music by Rich Lee and features live art and a Polaroid photo booth by Blair Moore.

Grammy Award winning Chicago native, Chance the Rapper, has created a blueprint for do-it-yourself business and art. Check him out at Xcel if you can still get a ticket.

Saturday, May 13 HIP-HOP A Muslim Hip-Hop Extravaganza – ASL Interpreted Northstar Ballroom 2017 Buford Ave., St. Paul 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

This all ages event will feature Muslim hip-hop artists The Reminders (Colorado) and Al-Tawam.

Sunday, May 14 JAZZ Keiko Matsui Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. $30-$40 Japanese keyboardist and composer Keiko Matsui ends her four-day run at The Dakota.

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Insight News • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Page 11

Lizz Wright returns to the Dakota to pay tribute to Prince

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor The last show Prince ever saw was at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis … the last artist was Lizz Wright.

Wright performed on April 19 of last year at the Dakota. Prince – as he was for several shows at the iconic venue – was in attendance.

According to Lowell Pickett, the Dakota’s owner, Prince, who was known to duck out early at

shows, stayed to the very end of Wright’s performance. After seeing her this time around – a year and a day from her last Dakota show – it’s no wonder why Prince stuck around.

Wrights’ voice is both beautiful and haunting. You can’t escape it. Steeped more in jazz than soul or R&B, there are no huge vocal runs, no theatrics. There was no need.

Wright dedicated her show to the late Prince, performing many songs that were Prince inspired or favorites of Prince,

including covers of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. She also performed some of her original works, including songs she performed during last year’s show … songs that Prince heard. Her performance of “Seems Like I’m Never Tired of Loving You” rekindled withering love and caused fervent love to blossom more.

But easily the most powerful moment of the show came during Wright’s much-deserved encore when she sang Prince’s most iconic song, “Purple

Lizz Wright

Rain” to a standing ovation.

It was no accident that Wright was invited back to the Dakota nearly a year to the day of her last show there – and nearly a year to the day of Prince’s passing. In a week where much of the area celebrated the life of its favorite child, Wright’s performance offered a beautiful opportunity to mourn what we have lost and to celebrate all we have gained through the man born Prince Rogers Nelson … known to the world more simply as Prince.

The Revolution Bon Iver

Walker Art’s Rock the Garden

Rock the Garden returns to the Walker Art Center with a “Revolutionary” headlining act.

With construction along Hennepin Avenue last year, the folks at the Walker decided to shutdown Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and host last year’s annual music festival at Boom Island.

With construction complete and the garden taking shape, Rock the Garden is back at … the garden July 22.

Headlined by Bon Iver, aka Justin Vernon, the real appeal to many will be an evening performance by Prince’s former backing band, The Revolution.

From “When Doves Cry” to “Purple Rain” to “Kiss” to “Let’s Go Crazy,” The Revolution was there for an essential musical period of Prince’s career.

Los Angeles singer/ songwriter/guitarist Benjamin Booker is described by The Independent as “frenzied guitar-strumming and raw,

Neil Krug

Benjamin Booker soulful vocals that are hairraising in intensity.” On his latest release, “Witness,” Booker has created his most ambitious work yet by digging deep into his passion

for eccentric soul, R&B, and blues – drawing on everything from William Onyeabor’s 1970s African psych-rock to Freddie Gibbs and Pusha T, while never straying too

Kii Arens\

The Revolution far from the garage-punk intensity that made his selftitled 2014 debut such a creative breakthrough.

Kicking off the day is Twin Cities rap artist

Dwynell Roland. Born and raised in North Minneapolis, he emerged on the scene at the age of 13 in a collective called Twin City Boyz.

His project “The Popular

Nobody” defines him as a standout in the Minnesota hip-hop scene.

The main stage kicks off with Margaret Glaspy, one of the strongest female debuts in the last year. Her rising star is hitched on personal lyrics, rough and catchy guitar, and a vocal quality that keeps interests piqued.

Rock the Garden Tickets went on sale last Friday. To purchase tickets go to www. rockthegardenfestival.com.

Tickets are $69 for general admission and $74 for access to hillside, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and street vendors.

Launched by the Walker in 1998, Rock the Garden features national and international artists paired with top local acts. Past performers have included Chance the Rapper, De La Soul Stereolab, Sonic Youth, Wilco, Sharon Jones, Doomtree, Trampled by Turtles, and more.

MNHS.ORG

SAVE THE DATE! Building Strong Innovative Communities Together • Community Awards • Fundraising Dinner

LOCATION: U.S. Bank Stadium

AUGUST 3, 2017 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

SPONSORED BY:

MNHS: HISTORY FOR ALL The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is happy to introduce the newly renovated Oliver Kelley Farm to the community at a Grand Opening Celebration, May 6 & 7.

Join us as we celebrate the Kelley Farm’s newest facilities, including the beautiful new visitor center, learning kitchen, Food Trail exhibit, animal barn, modern gardens and cropland and more. Watch guest chef demos, plant a seed cup, make your own vinaigrette to take home, play 19th-century games, and enjoy live music and food, and more farm-sized fun. Please visit mnhs.org for a schedule of activities.

This renovation allows MNHS to expand on the diverse stories associated with Minnesota’s rich agricultural past and present.

From 19th-century farmers such as Oliver Kelley, to today’s Hmong farmers, the Minnesotans who

grow the crops that feed us are a testament to how people can work together to create a better world for everyone.

If you can’t join us on May 6 or 7, I hope you will find time this summer to check out the farm for the first time—or return again to create lasting family memories.

The Oliver Kelley Farm is just one example of MNHS sites that use the stories of Minnesota’s past to help transform our future.

MELANIE ADAMS Melanie Adams, PhD, is the senior director of Guest Experience and Educational Services at the Minnesota Historical Society. In this role she oversees MNHS programs, exhibits, and historic sites located throughout the state, which serve one million people per year.

Page 12 • May 1 - May 7, 2017 • Insight News

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A former DJ at Paisley Park, DJ Fundraiser shows his roots run deep in when it comes to Prince.

As the world recognized the one-year anniversary of the passing of music and cultural icon, Prince, the Twin Cities was alive with celebrations in his honor.

From events at Paisley Park to First Avenue, fans from around the globe converged on the area to pay tribute to the man who made purple more popular than the Vikings ever could have. One event, Thee Beautiful Ones, held at Five Event Center in Uptown, paid tribute with a two-level dance party to music of and inspired by Prince. A video backdrop played reels of Prince’s three movies, “Under the Cherry Moon,” “Graffiti Bridge” and the blockbuster, “Purple Rain.” The event’s producers, Thee Urbane Life, honored Prince in an additional way by donating $1,000 to the Billingsley School of Music and Arts (BSOMA). Insight News was an event sponsor.

Some of the scenes from the event are featured in this week’s Snapshots.

Insight News publisher Batala McFarlane and Reggie McKeever taking in the event with a scene from “Under the Cherry Moon” in the background.

Photos by Harry Colbert Jr.

Brand new Delta, Adora Land (left) and Myah Walker showing they are Thee Beautiful Ones.

Founder of Black Excellence Clothing, Houston White shows off his Prince inspired Purple Reign collection, which debuted at the event.

BSOMA founder and executive director, David Billingsley (right) with his brother, Cortland Pickens.

The love story that inspired the hit musical RENT.

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Founder of Black Excellence Clothing, Houston White shows off his Prince inspired Purple Reign collection, which debuted at the event.