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Vol. 45 No. 22• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Poised to disrupt area food culture
Onyx Culinary Collective
Members of the Onyx Collective are working to diversify the Twin Cities culinary industry. (Left to right) Tene Wells, Nicole Pacini, Kenneth Jordan, Bershawn Medlock and Jason Leibel.
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Story by Mecca Bos, photos by Uchechukwu Iroegbu
Page 2 •May May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Insight News
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Uchechukwu Iroegbu
Jason Leibel
Bershawn Medlock
Tene Wells
Nicole Pacini
Kenneth Jordan
Black in chef’s whites
By Mecca Bos
Where the soul food at, Minneapolis? It’s a question so often asked, it was destined to become its own Instagram hashtag. Search that hashtag, and you’ll see an Onyx Culinary Collective event is where you’ll find your answer. Vegan sweet potato pie, gumbo, shrimp and grits, even a beggingto-be-‘grammed (Instagram) soul food taco layered with macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and collard greens. Soul food has had a difficult time taking hold in the Twin Cities dining scene, and while some excellent establishments have come (Lucille’s Kitchen, Big Daddy’s, Big E’s, et. al.) many of them have also gone. One thing that’s indisputable, and that is that there are not enough African-American owned-andoperated restaurants to point to an
actual scene. And when visitors or transplants ask, “Where the soul food at?” those of us in the know can only sheepishly point to a thin smattering of spots. With any luck, Onyx Culinary Collective will provide some salve. “People come here from places – big cities – where the can go and get something to eat,” said Tene Wells, spokesperson for the collective. “You know, a barbecue spot that’s been there 20, 30 years and it’s consistent, and it’s good.” And while locally we have seen glimmers of great AfricanAmerican cooking, the demise of the Rondo neighborhood (in St. Paul) and institutionalized barriers to traditional lending sources have prevented a thriving Black dining scene from emerging. A sad fact, since the talent exists, and is ready and eager to cook and to serve. On a recent Saturday morning, members of the Onyx Collective are gathered at Breaking Bread, Minneapolis’ most visible soul
food restaurant. Over shrimp and grits and fried chicken, they’re commiserating about the food industry at large, about rampant racism within the industry, and most of all, about dreams. Everyone at the table has one. A desserts food truck, a tiny restaurant, a catering company. Each one ready to answer the question … where the soul food at? There’s a combined estimated 150 years of culinary experience at this table, and though each chef is ready and willing to start his or her own business, it’s a testament to the additional barriers Black people face in an already financially challenging industry that none has been able realize that dream, yet. After noticing a critical mass of Black faces vying for a similar goal – a shot at their own business – then-chef of Breaking Bread, LaChelle Cunningham, decided to found the collective. Cunningham has recently moved on to her own catering company,
Chelle’s Kitchen. “The white man’s economic model doesn’t work for us, and it wasn’t intended to work for us,” explained Wells, who has worked extensively with various models of economic engines and takes inspiration from community banking models around the world. As with other micro-financing models, members of Onyx made an initial $500 investment to the collective, and all of the profits from events are added to that seed investment. The goal is to raise $50,000 by November from the pop-ups, catering, sponsorships and a Kickstarter. If they are successful, the chefs have the option of cashing out to invest in their own businesses, or to invest in each other to continue to build capacity or capital. So, how do you find out where the soul food at? Onyx Collective will be hosting monthly pop-ups at Breaking Bread, each one honoring a different angle on Black culture
or history. June is our late Prince’s birthday, and Onyx will create a menu in honor of the musical genius’ culinary tastes throughout different eras of his life. Patricia Anderson, sister of Andre Cymone, Prince’s childhood friend and member of his first band was tapped for insights, and here’s what she had to say. “On Sundays her mother, Bernadette Anderson, fed her children and the band. She had to make a great meal for a few dollars. The group gathered around tables, counters and couches and ate meat loaf with red tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and greens. Beverages included red Kool-Aid, and salted caramel cake or sweet potato pie was always the desert.” Onyx will pay homage to Prince’s youthful dining proclivities, as well as his evolution as a vegetarian. No sweat for these chefs, who have been proactively been working on plenty of vegan soul food dishes.
“We stay working on some vegan food. I don’t want Prince frowning down on me on his birthday,” said Jason Leibel, a private chef and caterer who creates funky, updated takes on soul food with his Soulful Culinary brand. To the million-dollar question of whether too many chefs spoil the soup, the answer, so far, has been not really. About half of the original group has been lost to attrition, though that’s pretty normal when forming any new association. While each chef focuses on his or her own specialty, they’re expected to take feedback and work, yes, as a collective. “Either it’s right or it’s not. When you got the spoon in your mouth you can’t really argue with that,” said Leibel, where it comes to making adjustments for the greater good. They say nobody seems overly
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Sandra Thompson
From left, Carolyn Dow, Sandra Harrison, Karen Crosby, Sandra Thompson and Myneca Ojo. The five women were golfing at Grandview Golf Club in York County, Pa., when they were asked to leave.
Kicked off property: Golfing while Black is not a crime By Sandra Thompson, Esq. President, NAACP York County, Pa. Branch On Saturday, April 21, I woke up excited, anticipating a round of golf at Grandview Golf Club in York, Pa. I was going to play with four ladies from “Sisters in the Fairway” (SITF), a group of about 15 professional, predominantly African-American women in York County, Pa., who golf. SITF are women of various levels of expertise from beginner to advanced golfers. The group was formed in 2008 as a sisterhood of ladies who golfed with their husbands, many of whom were members of the York County Black Golfers Association. We appreciate the challenge that golf presents and the control that golf requires. Golf lessons are required. We know and respect golf etiquette and rules. I began playing around 2011-2012 and found that I loved the game. SITF normally travels
to different courses throughout Central Pennsylvania in each outing. Some also play in other states and in other countries, when they travel. As individuals, we occasionally played at Grandview, which was now under new ownership. On this day, there was a slight wind and I took selfies on my way to the golf course. All five of us appeared at our scheduled tee times. I was given permission to play as a fifth member. We were the only group of African-American women playing. It began great, even though Grandview had an hour delay. We did not complain. We were elated to see each other since we had not all been together since the past season. We took selfies, enjoying each other’s company, the day, and golf. We hit great drives “hitting them high and letting them fly.” We played “ready golf.” We were excited. Our excitement did not last. On just the second hole, former York County Commissioner Steve Chronister was pushy and aggressive, falsely accusing us of slowing down the
other players. He said he was refunding our membership, so we would leave. We reminded him that we paid and wanted to play. Our group was in shock. Despite the distractions, we made up time and finished the first half in about two hours as required. But the stress was too much. Our game was affected. We were upset – wondering whether Chronister was going to approach us again and dismayed that he wanted to refund our memberships, as though we and our money were worthless – so three women in our group left halfway through the game. When we, the remaining two, tried to continue playing to salvage the day, five large white men, including Steve Chronister and his son, Jordan Chronister, approached us and told us to get off their property. I became tongue-tied trying to ask why they were kicking us off the property when we had a paid membership and also paid for the day. They gave us multiple reasons, each one proving to be
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Insight News • May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Page 3
aesthetically speaking
Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities
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W I N N E R : 2 017 N N PA M E R I T AWA R D S : 2 N D P L AC E B E S T S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Insight News May 28 - June 3, 2018
Vol. 45 No. 22• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
YWCA Minneapolis presents inaugural Woman of Power award to Kim Nelson Those who know Kim Nelson well say she speaks the truth, breaks down barriers and is not afraid to share the power. Once the highest-ranking African-American woman at General Mills, she retired at the end of last year with a lifetime’s worth of accomplishments behind her. The YWCA Minneapolis Circle of Women committee selected Nelson for the inaugural Woman of Power award for her leadership, both in her career and community. Nelson served two consecutive terms on the YWCA board, including two years as board president. She also served as a founding member of Generation Next – a cross-sector community partnership working to close the academic achievement gap in Minneapolis-St. Paul. As an executive at General Mills, she wielded her influence to make General Mills a more inclusive workplace for women and employees of color. She co-founded Black Champions and Women in Marketing networks, mentored women and people of color at the company and helped General Mills earn the title of Best Company
for Multicultural Women by Working Mother magazine. “It is an incredible honor to be the inaugural recipient of the YWCA Minneapolis ‘Woman of Power’ Award,” said Nelson. “The idea of a ‘Woman of Power’ award is very timely. We are at a crossroads in our nation and in the world, as relates to women and power, living in the #MeToo movement. We are standing up and standing in our power. My prayer for all women is that we live every day as women of power – confident, courageous and willing to help others.” YWCA Minneapolis established the “Woman of Power” award this year to honor women across the Twin Cities who have demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm and support for the mission of YWCA Minneapolis. The “Woman of Power” award is presented to an individual who has shown extraordinary leadership, dedication and achievement in all of YWCA’s core values – peace, justice, freedom and dignity. Nelson has served as former senior vice president of External Relations at General Mills, a member of the General Mills Senior Leadership
YMCA
Kim Nelson Team and former president of a $1 billion-plus operating
division within the consumer packaged goods industry.
The award was presented to Nelson during YWCA Minne-
apolis’ Circle of Women event on May 10.
ESPN’s Jemele Hill named NABJ Journalist of the Year Washington, D.C. – Jemele Hill has been selected as the 2018 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). The annual award recognizes a Black journalist who has amassed a distinguished body of work with extraordinary depth, scope and significance to the people of the African Diaspora. Known for her provocative commentary on what’s happening in sports and in the news, Hill is a senior correspondent and columnist for ESPN’s “The Undefeated.” She uses her platform to address national, social and cultural issues, in addition to sports. Hill nearly broke the internet last year when she criticized President Donald Trump. She also addressed athletes’ rights to take a knee to protest police brutality. “It would be a serious understatement to call this recognition from NABJ special. This organization has been a second family for me, both personally and professionally,” said Hill. “I am humbled to be honored by an organization whose values not only match my own journalistically but has tirelessly dedicated itself to developing and nurturing journalists like me. This is the biggest accomplishment of my career.”
Rep. Bobby Scott
Democrats seek enforcement of the federal Civil Rights Act
Jemele Hill Hill’s tweets about Trump, back in September, included one post calling him “the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime. His rise is the direct result of White supremacy. Period.” Hill’s words drew widespread criticism, and even the ire of the White House, which called for her firing from ESPN. Hill withstood the backlash. She also pressed on after a twoweek suspension from ESPN in October 2017. This “second violation of (ESPN’s) social media guidelines,” occurred after Hill’s highly-publicized Twitter response to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ threat
Business
Meda to recognize outstanding advocates for minority entrepreneurship
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Rep. Jerrold Nadler
to bench his players who didn’t stand during the National Anthem. Hill’s suspension then became part of the narrative that started with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling before games in 2016 to raise awareness about police brutality. In both instances, a hashtag, #IStandWithJemele, surfaced. Hundreds of thousands used their social media platforms to support Hill. Supporters included her peers, athletes, politicians, and celebrities.
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Insight 2 Health Coco and Lala delight with vegan & vegetarian living
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic leadership unveiled a resolution affirming Congress intent for the Trump administration to fully enforce federal civil rights law to advance equal opportunity in education. “Sixty-four years after the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, racial inequality in education remains commonplace. This resolution affirms our commitment to true educational equity and pushes back against
the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on civil rights protections in education,” said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. “It also calls on full enforcement of the Civil Rights Act, particularly Title VI, which prohibits both intentional discrimination as well as policies and practices that disparately impact students on the basis of race, color, or nationality. The
Lifestyle
Harvest Network of Schools announces reorganization
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Trump administration has used its short time in office to undermine civil rights enforcement, including through the halting of systematic review, and proposed cuts to the Office of Civil Rights.” This resolution comes on the heels of a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found students of color suffer harsher discipline for lesser offenses
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT 9
AS
Byron Buxton and Eduardo Escobar give away baseball gloves in Northeast Minneapolis
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Business
Four awardees will be honored at annual recognition meeting, June 11
Meda to recognize outstanding advocates for minority entrepreneurship Meda, a nonprofit helping minority entrepreneurs succeed, is hosting its 47th annual meeting to celebrate and recognize advances in minority entrepreneurship within its community. The June 11 event takes place at the Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis. “When minority businesses succeed, the entire community benefits,” said Gary Cunningham, Meda president and CEO. “Meda’s annual meeting is an opportunity to recognize our many partners and clients – and to
Gary Cunningham, president and CEO of Meda.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP for Highway 252/I-94 Environmental Review Hennepin County, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis are developing solutions to alleviate congestion, increase safety and reliability along Highway 252 between Highway 610 in Brooklyn Park and I-694 in Brooklyn Center and I-94 from I-694 in Brooklyn Center to downtown Minneapolis. How Can You Participate? By joining us and participating at one of these workshops to: Hear why the previous study has transitioned to an environmental review. Re-engage those from outreach efforts in September 2017 and engage those who were unable to participate Brainstorm your thoughts, ideas and concerns for this corridor.
Where: Brooklyn Park Community Workshop Wednesday, May 30, 2018 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Grand Room, Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center 5600 85th Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Brooklyn Center Community Workshop Thursday, May 31, 2018 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Constitution Hall at the Brooklyn Center Community Center 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Learn more about the Workshop and the project online: mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy252study
Gloria Freeman, Meda Entrepreneur of the Year.
thank them for their commitment to create thriving Minnesota communities through a more inclusive economy.” This year Meda will honor four individuals or organizations for their significant contributions and community impact. “Our 2017 award winners are innovative partners, clients and volunteers – all determined to advance minority entrepreneurship,” said Cunningham. “Our Entrepreneur of the Year, for example,
MEDA 9
Homeownership Opportunity Alliance launches ‘Get Ready. Be Ready!’ campaign The Minnesota Homeownership Opportunity Alliance launched a “Get Ready. Be Ready!” campaign to connect households of color with homebuyer education services and mortgage programs and build awareness that homeownership is possible. The campaign is the first public initiative of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance, a coalition of more than 30 homeownership industry leaders from banking, real estate, non-profit and government sectors dedicated to increasing homeownership rates and addressing barriers to ownership for people of color across Minnesota. Minnesota has a well-documented homeownership gap that ranks among the largest in
the country, with 76 percent of white Minnesotans who own their home, compared to less than 23 percent of Black Minnesotans. The “Get Ready. Be Ready!” campaign hopes to connect potential home buyers of color to free resources and support to help begin the path to successful homeownership and stop potential homebuyers from self-selecting out of homeownership. “There are more than 64,000 households of color who may have the income needed to become homeowners, but for a variety of reasons, think it isn’t possible,” said Kasey Kier, assistant commissioner at Minnesota Housing. “We want people to know there are resources out
there to help them become successful homeowners and show them how to start their path to homeownership.” In addition to the “Get Ready. Be Ready!” campaign, the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance is working to foster equitable access to homeownership by developing cross-sector programming and outreach and addressing systemic barriers to ownership. The launch event featured a dialogue with industry partners to identify and commit to the time and execution to help families start building equity by working to remove barriers such as the lack of
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Insight 2 Health
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Coco and Lala delight with vegan & vegetarian living By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com The Food Network might want to reach out to Coco Laud and YaLonda “Lala” Lolar Johnson. Believe it our not, the popular network dedicated all things food does not have a cooking show dedicated to vegan and vegetarian cooking. And the cable network could certainly use a boost in melanin. For those reasons alone, execs might want to take a strong look at Laud and Lolar Johnson – or as their fans know them, Coco and Lala. But beyond fulfilling a programming void, Coco and Lala are just darn delightful to watch. Launched on Facebook this past September by the Twin Cities residents, “Keeping Up with Coco & Lala” has amassed nearly 10,000 followers for their weekly chat about vegan and vegetarian cooking and living. The support has translated into the two launching two websites, www. shopcocoandlala.com and
Afrodescendientes
By Carmen Robles
www.realcocoandlala.com. For Laud and Lolar Johnson, their enterprise is about spreading the word on living a healthy lifestyle. “I lost a family member to obesity and we both want our family members to live long and productive lives, so that’s what it’s really all about,” said Lolar Johnson. “If what we do is increasing a person’s life by 10 percent or 20 percent … whatever … if we can get someone to change just one meal out of their day, that means we’re doing some good.” Laud and Lolar Johnson are at different stages of the vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Laud is in her eighth month of converting to vegetarianism, while Lolar Johnson is in her ninth month of veganism after living most of her life as a vegetarian. Both say they were inspired to alter their diets after watching a popular Netflix documentary. “We watched ‘What the Health’ and a lot of it was eye opening,” said Laud. “We said, ‘You know, let’s give this (changing their eating habits) a try.”
YaLonda “Lala” Lolar Johnson (left) and Coco Laud, hosts of the web series, “Keeping Up with Coco & Lala.”
“What the Health” examines the impact of meat consumption has on the human body. For Laud, changing her dietary habits wasn’t easy. “I’m not going to lie, it was hard at first. I was eating meat all my life and giving it up was very difficult because I didn’t have the information I have now,” said Laud. “It was definitely a learning curve.” “What’s difficult for me is eating out at restaurants. It’s just not easy to (eat vegan) at most restaurants,” said Lolar Johnson. What makes “Keeping Up with Coco and Lala” so interesting is the two’s lively personalities and their audience interactions. While recording live via Facebook (Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.), the pair regularly interacts with viewers who post back and forth in the comment section of the livestream. With a growing audience, “Keeping Up with Coco & Lala” may soon jump off the computers and mobile devices and onto a much larger platform. That’s if certain television executives can recognize a good thing staring them in the face.
Lynx, Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge share t he stretch of champions The Minnesota Lynx received their WNBA 2017 season championship rings May 20 at the magnificently renovated
Target Center. My chemo buddy and friend of Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge, Mayo Clinic’s
Dr. Nancy Cummings, Minnesota Lynx orthopedic surgeon, invited me as her guest along with her daughter Sarah. Cummings was a recipient of the 2017 championship ring as well. This is her second win. It was thrilling as I walked down the stadium stairs to row 7, so close to the court I felt I was on the floor with these amazing women athletes.
of the importance of stretching. The stretch of champions. Exact same stretches we do at the Cora McCorvey YMCA on 4th Avenue North beginning at 6 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday And Friday morning. It’s easy to see how champions are indeed “committed and will not quit.” The Lynx are the perfect role models of physical fitness and evidence
sions of lights and a cheerleader dance line extravaganza, much like that of dancers in a Las Vegas show, added more excitement to the glitzy event. A Montel Jordan song brought down the house with the1995 hit single, “This is how we do it.” The Target Center’s audience was on fire. The excitement of a championship wasn’t the only
Here, was proof of the importance of stretching. The stretch of champions. Exact same stretches we do at the Cora McCorvey YMCA
What’s the first thing I see as descend the stairs? WNBA champions laying out on the court, stretching. Stretching, bending, getting ready for what was ahead … reminding me of the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge XII and Noir Elite’s mantra “I’m committed, and I will not quit.” Here, was proof
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of the power of mind, body and proper fuel … the three pillars of the I2H Fitness Challenge foundation. Back to the game. The packed Target Center did not hold back and exploded with thunderous hoots and applause as each member walked, or rather ran, down the red carpet of champions. Explo-
thing fans were celebrating. They were celebrating the Lynx finally coming home, back to the fully renovated Target Center, after having spent a season long-stay at Xcel Center in St. Paul. While grateful for the hospitality in St. Paul, it was easy to see there’s no place like home … the Target Center. Each fan walked away with a Minnesota Lynx 2017 WNBA Championship towel, presented by Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. I took mine to the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge XII the next day to show it off. I’m sending it to my son, Ben who lives in Portland, Ore. and who loves any Minnesota sports team. This will be a fun addition to his baseball bobble heads collection. Although the Lynx did not “bring it home” that Sunday afternoon, losing by one point 76-75 to the Los Angeles Sparks, it was an afternoon of unprecedented thrills. The event was a perfect tribute to my successful second year cancer free diagnoses and to the month of May, which is dedicated to creating breast cancer awareness. At the end of the game I was able to climb those steps with ease and plenty of endurance. Thank you, Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenges. For more information on the Insight2Health Fitness Challenges call (612) 588-1313 or visit www.insight2healthchallenge.com.
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Harvest Network of Schools announces reorganization Harvest Network of Schools (HNS), announced a series of strategic organizational and structural changes that will take effect July 1. Harvest Preparatory School, a K-6 school, and Best Academy, a K-8 school, will merge and operate under a single board of directors. The Mastery School, a K-8 school, will operate under separate management of an independent board of directors while continuing to collaborate with Harvest Prep and Best Academy through a partnership. The Harvest Network of Schools organization and board of directors, which manages academics, strategy, operations and administration for all three schools will cease serving as their charter management organization. Each of the schools will now directly provide the services previously contracted through the Harvest Network of Schools. “Harvest Network of Schools successfully trans-
formed education theory and practice in North Minneapolis during our first 25 years, educating African-American scholars at the highest levels,” said Eric Mahmoud, CEO and founder of Harvest Network of Schools. “As we pushed our education model to serve more children through growth and replication, several key performance indicators trended downward beginning in 2015.” Mahmoud says Harvest Network of Schools hired and education consulting group to identify pressure points that were impacting the Harvest Network of Schools system. “We took the findings and recommendations seriously and are excited to share the next phase of our journey and a return to greatness for the next 25 years,” said Mahmoud. “Best Academy is thrilled to join forces with Harvest Preparatory School to return our schools to their historical level of educational ex-
Harvest Preparatory School and Best Academy will merge and operate under a single board of directors, while The Mastery School will operate under separate management of an independent board of directors. cellence in North Minneapolis. By streamlining our governance and resources we can increase our focus on making sure our teachers and scholars have what’s needed in the classroom to deliver on our goals,” said Best Academy board chair Ezra
Hyland. “In the next phase, Eric Mahmoud will continue to provide leadership to the HarvestBest school consolidation as the new organization journeys toward greatness.” The Mastery School (currently serving grades K-5)
will focus on strengthening student performance through its elementary model and by adding 6th grade in the fall of 2018 with a goal of building out its 5-8 middle school program by the 2020 school year. “The Mastery School
is focused on unleashing an entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to working with the community and staff to move the school from good to great. Our vision is that of a school that honors, respects, and celebrates the tradition and culture of the Mastery community while using rigorous curriculum that is aligned with high expectations and innovative approaches,” said Margie Soran, chair of the Mastery School board of directors. “I believe the consolidation of Harvest Prep and Best Academy, along with its continued partnership with Mastery and the fact that the schools have developed a school structure to self-manage its operations under the direction of each school’s board of directors, will significantly reduce complexity and position the schools for greater success,” said Mahmoud.
It’s not MCTC, it’s Minneapolis College Minneapolis Community and Technical College revealed a new brand identity signifying the transformations being experienced by the institution as well as its students. College President Sharon Pierce welcomed guests and introduced the new brand on
Hill From 3 Hill has said publicly that while she has no regrets, she is reflec-
May 3 designed to capture the institution’s personality and value to the community. “This new brand strategy packages the look and feel of the experience that is unique to Minneapolis College,” said Pierce. “The colors, images, shapes, messaging and logo
effectively portray the spirit of our mission to provide access to the transformative power of education in a diverse and dynamic downtown environment.” With the new brand, the institution adopted the nickname, Minneapolis College
to differentiate and accentuate its offerings and downtown location. The nickname is preferred over use of the commonly acronym, MCTC. The work of students pursuing academic programs within the College’s eight Schools within the Col-
lege was also showcased during the May 3 event through musical performances, art exhibits, multi-media presentations and the annual fashion show. “The students whose lives are being changed because of their experiences at Minneap-
olis College is significant … to those students, as well as to the community at large, to our region’s workforce, and to those around them who are inspired by their success,” said Pierce.
tive about her experiences in the past year. In each instance, she had the full support of NABJ. “Jemele Hill is a gem. She exhibits strength, grace, and doggedness,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. “NABJ appreciates the courage and steadfastness Jemele has demonstrat-
ed as a journalist and commentator speaking truth to power.” A Detroit native and Michigan State University graduate, Hill joined ESPN in 2006 as a columnist. Soon, she began appearing on several ESPN programs including “The Sports Reporters,”
“Around the Horn,” “Outside the Lines,” “SportsNation” and “Highly Questionable.” She also broke new ground at the sports network with the popular podcast-turned-TV-show “His & Hers,” with Smith. Hill previously worked at the Detroit Free
Press and the Orlando Sentinel, where she was the only female Black newspaper sports columnist in the U.S. at the time. “Jemele is the epitome of what a Black journalist should be,” said Marlon A. Walker, NABJ’s vice president of print. Hill will be honored in her
hometown at the NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards during the NABJ Convention and Career Fair on Aug. 4 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. She is also the honorary co-chair of this year’s convention.
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Lifestyle
Memorial Day 2018: In memory of… Man Talk
By Timothy Houston During this week, we will reflect and remember not only the fallen veterans, but also our family and friends that have passed away. Memorial (in memory of) Day 2018 occurs this Monday, May 28. During this week, We all will
Golfing From 2 false. Because we questioned why we could not enjoy our membership and play golf,
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane 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 Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Abeni Hill Contributing Writers Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb Artist Donald Walker 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.
pause to remember, and I personally will reflect and remember my father, brother Robert who died before I was born, great-niece Nevaeh who was only here for 21 days, and countless other friends and family. Where did the Memorial Day tradition begin? What this the significance of the date? To help address these and other questions, here is a brief summary of the history of “Memorial” Day. What was the purpose of Memorial Day? Originally known as “Decoration Day,” it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal
holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. What was it origin? It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated because numerous different communities had independently initiated the memorial gatherings, but on May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. The 30th of May, 1868,
was designated for decorating the graves of fellow soldiers who died in service of their country. What is the birthplace of Memorial Day? In 1866 the federal government declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because it first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866, and it hosted an annual, communitywide event, in which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags. What was the significance of the date? For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed
on May 30, the date originally selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday. Memorial Day 2018, as we reflect and remember our loves ones on an individual level, let us also join the observance on a broader level. Cities and towns across the United States will host Memorial Day parades, incorporating
military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. As a veteran myself, I too will pause to honor those who served with me who gave their lives in service of this country. In the words of the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis,” I leave you with its meaning, “always faithful.” I love you Dad; rest in peace. Timothy Houston is an author, minister and motivational speaker committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
the police were called. I was bewildered. We had done nothing wrong. I was also embarrassed and humiliated having been made into a spectacle as White men exited the golf restaurant area and watched the events unfold. We waited for the police. I was fearful and apprehensive as to what would occur when police arrived. What would be the officer’s attitude? But I did not want to leave and have charges filed against me in the mail, because Grandview gave a false statement that I had no opportunity to answer. The police were professional and went back and forth between Grandview Golf Club and us, advising us that Grandview wanted to refund the memberships of the entire group, even those who left early. The officers interviewed the group behind us and concluded that we were not playing slowly
and maintained pace, even with five people. The group told the police we did not hold them up, and were pleasant to them. It was obvious that the police were called, because of Grandview’s owners reaction to the us, and not because the group behind us had complained. A few days after the incident, I was still anxious, because I did not know if they were going to file charges. I knew charges could be sent in the mail. It was not until the police chief issued a statement that no charges were warranted could I sigh in relief. Nevertheless, I developed headaches for a few days. I have been an attorney in Pennsylvania for more than 18 years. I ran for judge in York County, Pa. in 2009 and 2017. I am the President of the York County, Pa., NAACP branch, Pennsylvania NAACP Legal Redress chair and former first
vice president. I am also the vice chair of the York County Democratic Party. I advocate for criminal justice reform, voting rights, equal access to fair wages, employment, and quality housing and education. But, who cares about my titles? Everyone who pays their fee should be allowed to play golf, if they desire, without interruption, without false accusations, without intimidation, and without the threat of police, especially when they have committed no crime or disruption. I kept wondering whether the police were professional, because they knew me and what would have occurred had they not known me. While we waited, I texted the other three ladies who had left. I let them know that the police were called, and they became so upset they wanted to return for fear of what could
happen. With the long history of how police interact with AfricanAmericans, businesses know, or should know, that when they call the police they are inviting them to arrest the person, which could also lead to injury or death. This situation was not as bad as the recent arrest of two Black men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, because we were not arrested nor was it as bad as the incident involving a 25-year-old Black woman at a Waffle House in Saraland, Ala., because police did not assault us. However, it is similar to them in that businesses are using the police as their personal complaint department and as enforcers without repercussion or accountability. Police must turn away once they learn that the matter is not criminal, but civil. Law enforcement policies and practices must change. Police must enforce laws against these
businesses and their owners who file false complaints. Legislators must act to hold businesses accountable. Patrons and the community must stand up in the midst of these situations, instead of being passive observers or actively trying to concoct legitimate reasons for the mistreatment of Black patrons, when they are nonexistent. See something, say something. I commend the men who publicly spoke out for us. I am thankful for the public outcry of support. The irrational fears of some white people should not be our problem and should not interfere with our quality of life. We will not stand idle or remain silent while our freedoms and lives are devalued and threatened. We, as African-Americans, just want to live. This article was originally published at TheCrisisMagazine. com.
in an overwhelmingly white dining landscape, the support is invaluable.
people in one place.” “This is how African-American food at its core was created” added Wells, who illustrates that Africans from all over the diaspora, amassed as slaves, combined their individual ingredients and techniques to form what is known as soul food today.
Meanwhile, both locally and nationwide, white chefs are proving that there is an enthusiastic audience for that food. “But everybody don’t know what we know about our food,” said Larry. “There should be (long lines) for food that’s prepared by the ancestors of the people that prepared this food in the first place,” concluded Wells. “If they (the chefs of the collective) don’t know how to make
themselves successful, it’s an economic hardship for the whole community.” Members of Onyx Culinary Collective include Bershawn Medlock, Jason Leibel, Vaughn Larry, Kenneth Jordan, Wells, operations manager Geoffrey Wilson, and social media advisor, Nicole Pacini. In addition to the June 8 event celebrating Prince, the collective had events planned for July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14.
Onyx From 2 intimidated by another person’s skill, and since they all share a common experience of Blackness
“We’ve all had to battle our way through this thing,” said Vaughn Larry, a longtime chef who also works at Breaking Bread. “This is the first time, in 46 years of cooking, I’ve seen so many Black
Get Ready From 4 assets for down payments, lack of familiarity of with the mortgage process, limited access to credit,
and discrimination. Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, discussed the Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute they recently launched that will conduct research to increase economic opportunity and inclusive growth to help the Federal Reserve achieve its maximum employment mandate. “Homeownership is one of the most important ways for people to build wealth and it encourages people to grow roots in their communities,” said Neel Kashkari. “Access to homeownership, especially for low and moderate income families, can go a long way toward securing the financial futures of many Minnesotans.” “Buying your first home can be an intimidating process, and it can take a lot longer than many people expect. Sometimes it takes building or rebuilding credit. Other times, there are long waits for down payment assistance, or a long search to find the right, affordable home,” said Julie Gugin, executive director of the Minnesota Homeownership Center and Co-Chair of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance. “So we’re encouraging families to ‘Get Ready. Be Ready!’ so they’ll have all their finances in order when they find their perfect home.”
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Insight News • May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Page 9
Owners of Fat Chance Smokehouse receive award from Brooklyn Park Ben Dossman and Renay Dossman were awarded the Lois Bolden Brown Award – an award bestowed upon individuals who provide passionate and seless service to the community of Brooklyn Park. The Dossmans founded AďŹƒrmation House, which provides life-skills training at six dierent locations (Brooklyn Park, Crystal and Minneapolis) to 85 men who struggle with homelessness. They also both tutor students through Simpson Housing Services and the Gateway to College program respectively. In 2015, the Dossmans created Fat Chance Smokehouse to provide southern comfort food and hospitality to the Brooklyn Park community. In addition to serving food, the Dossmans use their management and culinary skills to provide an introduction to careers in the restaurant industry and inspire young people to adopt a “never give upâ€? attitude through their message of aďŹƒrmation and second chances.
Fat Chance: Ben Dossman (left) and Renay Drossman (center) received the DeLois Bolden Brown Award from Bolden Brown’s daughter, Walidah Harris.
Emerging/early career choreographers are encouraged to apply
Deadline approaching for Momentum: New Dance Works program Momentum: New Dance Works, a platform for commissioning and presenting original contemporary dance of all genres, is seeking applications for the 2018-19 program. Four emerging/ early career choreographers/ choreographic collaborations based in Minnesota will be selected to participate in a
MEDA From 4 is a tenacious business owner who is creating jobs and giving back to her community.� Gloria Freeman has been named Entrepreneur of the Year. Freeman is the founder of Olu’s Home, a residence for people who are elderly, have developmental dis-
14-month process that combines professional development and creative process exchanges to strengthen the artistic and professional futures of the awarded dance makers. The program culminates in a two-week performance festival in July of 2019. The deadline to apply is June 11. Starting this sum-
mer Momentum: New Dance Works will be hosted by The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, with support from the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis) and Movement Research (NYC). Since its inception in 2001, Momentum’s commissioning and presenting program has been funded
by the Jerome Foundation. From 2001-2017, Momentum: New Dance Works has awarded commissions to 55 choreographers/ collectives and presented 52 projects during the course of the 12 festival cycles. Alumni have gone on to receive national recognition, including several National Dance Project production grants, Nation-
al Performance Network creation funds, plus ďŹ ve Guggenheim Fellows, two Doris Duke Performing Artist Awardees and one USA Fellow. For more information and to apply, visit www. oshag.stkate.edu/momentum or email momentum.newdance@gmail.com.
abilities or mental illness, and Olu’s Beginnings, a holistic, intergenerational early childhood program in North Minneapolis. Minneapolis CPA and advisory ďŹ rm Lurie LLP has been named Corporation of the Year for its legacy of pro-bono service. More than 100 Lurie employees have given more than 25,000 hours of volunteer service to Meda clients since the ďŹ rm ďŹ rst partnered with Meda. Meda chose Junior
Achievement of the Upper Midwest (JAUM) as its Community Partner of the Year. JAUM worked with Meda to launch the JA/Meda Fellows Program, a creative partnership to develop young entrepreneurs of color. Fredrikson & Byron law ďŹ rm, Minneapolis, has been named Corporate Volunteer of the Year. Its lawyers donate their time to Meda clients, helping minority entrepreneurs understand the legal im-
plications of business ownership and providing instruction in Meda’s Mini MBA program. Minority business owners often lack access to capital to start and grow their businesses. According to a 2017 report by the Minority Business Development Agency, loan denial rates were three times higher for minority ďŹ rms with gross receipts under $500,000 and about twice as high for minority ďŹ rms with greater revenues.
Meda services include business consulting, ďŹ nancing solutions and corporate and government opportunities, such as contracts and funding opportunities. Since its inception in 1971, Meda has assisted more than 20,500 minority entrepreneurs and helped start over 500 minority-owned small businesses. In July, Meda will move into its new Minneapolis headquarters in the Thor Companies building.
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Phone: 612.588.1313
Fax: 612.588.2031
Civil Rights Act From 3 than their white peers, as well as a 2016 GAO report that revealed schools are re-segregating at alarming rates. “On the 64th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education (May 17) we are reminded of how much work needs to be done to address racial inequality in our education system and society at-large,� said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. “In 2016, the GAO found that schools were re-segregating at alarming rates and, just last month, the GAO found that students of color suffer harsher punishment in school than their peers. These issues are exacerbated by the mounting challenges faced by students of color as the Trump administration attempts to roll back critical civil rights protections. I joined Ranking Member Scott in cosponsoring this resolution to affirm our commitment to closing the gaps that persist in educational outcomes and ensuring equal access and opportunities for all students. Congress must work to address these problems and to check the Trump administration’s abuses. Our students deserve no less.� In 2014, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice issued a School Discipline Guidance Package to remind schools of their legal obligations to administer school discipline without discriminating on the base of race, color or national origin. Democrats such as Scott and Nadler say if the administration follows through on its plan to rescind or amend the Obama-era discipline package and act to further undermine the use of disparate impact in protecting civil rights, it will bring civil rights enforcement to a screeching halt.
Email: info@insightnews.com
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Page 10 •May May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Shawty Shawty
Jay Hollywood
Monday, May 28 CARNIVAL Burnsville Center Carnival Burnsville Center 1178 Burnsville Ctr., Burnsville 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. All ages Carnival season has begun. You can get your cotton candy and ride the rides starting Memorial Day at Burnsville Center.
May 28 June 10, 2018
Tuesday, May 29 NETWORKING Young Professionals Meeting Minneapolis Urban League 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis 6 p.m. – 7:30 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
The Minneapolis Urban League Young Professionals meets monthly to discuss upcoming service, social and skill-building events.
Wednesday, May 30 DISCUSSION Black Identity Series: Mental Health Awareness Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists 2124 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Come out for conversation about mental health in the Black community. HIP-HOP/JAZZ
The Feels Finale Party: Protect Your Crown Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus $8 advance, $12 door Join the popular night of healing through the arts as they close out the season with a special party. DJs Miss Brit and A-Quil take control of the sound with special performances by Toki Wright, Jay Hollywood and band, Koimé.
Thursday, May 31 FILM “Survivors Guide to Prison” Screening Trylon Cinema 2820 E. 33rd St., Minneapolis 7 p.m. Join 8th St. Productions for a screening of “Survivors Guide to Prison” at the Trylon. The screening will be followed by a Q & A panel and a gathering at the Howe Bar.
Friday, June 1 COMEDY Stiletto and Jeans Comedy Show featuring Shawty Shawty Azul Nightclub 400 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus $25 Comedian Shawty Shawty headlines a night of comedy including Elliot Vreeland, Boima Freeman,
Apple Juice and more.
Tuesday, June 5
Friday, June 8
Saturday, June 2
COMEDY
REGGAE
AVIATION
Dean Edwards Acme Comedy Company 708 1st St N, Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $15 ($30 with dinner)
EarthKry Icehouse MPLS 2528 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis 10:30 p.m. 21-plus $10 advance, $13 door
Host of the show “Vidiots” on TVone and Donkey in the “Scared Shrekless Halloween” special hits the stage at Acme Comedy Club.
Roots/rock/reggae band EarthKry plays with special guest Wain McFarlane.
Discover Aviation Days Anoka County-Blaine Airport (Janes Field) 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. All ages No cover Discover Aviation Days is a free, air show attracting experimental, homebuilt, civil, corporate, military, WWII and vintage warbird aircraft.
Sunday, June 3 THEATER “dat Black Mermaid Man Lady” Pillsbury House Theatre 3501 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. “dat Black Mermaid Man Lady” is a performance processional celebrating multiple ways of embodying gender featuring a cast including Aimee K. Bryant, Florinda Bryant, PaviElle French and Kenyai O’Neal. The performance runs through June 24.
Monday, June 4 DANCE Salsa on1 Beginner Class One Reason Dance Studio 2305 37th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Come learn the dance created by the people of Cuba.
Wednesday, June 6
Saturday, June 9 PRINCE
WORLD Mokoomba with Marimba Bullies The Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. All ages $15 advance, $18 door Zimbabwe’s Mookomba plays at one of the best places to see world music in the cities.
Thursday, June 7
Celebration of Prince’s Life Sabathani Community Center 310 East 38th St., Minneapolis 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrate Prince’s life at his former junior high school with a screening of “Purple Rain,” a look-a-like contest and lip sync competition.
Sunday, June 10 HIP-HOP
ART W Minneapolis Art Series Presents: Mimi Stuart Exhibit W Minneapolis - The Foshay 821 S. Marquette Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Experience the brilliance of Mimi Suart at the second annual W Minneapolis Art Series, to honor Minnesota’s very own Prince.
CupcakKe Varsity Theater 1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis 7 p.m. 18-plus $28 Raunchy rap from Chicago comes to the Varsity as CupcakKe returns for the second time in recent months.
Documentary on America’s first Black billionaire screened at Cannes By Freddie Allen Editor-in-Chief, NNPA Newswire
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), co-hosted an event celebrating international filmmakers and the European premiere of a documentary about the life and legacy of Reginald Lewis, America’s first Black billionaire, during the Cannes Film Festival in France. Chavis joined Loida Nicolas-Lewis, the widow of Lewis, and Ken Naz of MariKen Productions in hosting the affair at the Le Majestic Beach on May 16. The Hon. David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, also attended the star-studded event. “On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, we are very pleased to co-host, along with the Lewis family, the European premier of the documentary,” said Chavis. “PIONEERS: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire” chronicles the rise of one of Wall Street’s greatest entrepreneurs. As a young man growing up in Baltimore, Lewis began his record-breaking, entrepreneurial journey with the Black Press, Chavis said, distributing newspapers such as the Baltimore Afro. According to a 1988 New York Times article, when Lewis was 9 years old, he acquired a paper route that “‘ultimately became a $15 to $20-a-
week business – a lot of money in those days,” Lewis said. Lewis attended Virginia State University then Harvard Law School and worked in corporate law after he graduated. He helped to establish the first African-American law firm on Wall Street. In 1983, he launched TLC Group, L.P. and organized the $22.5 million leveraged buyout of McCall Pattern Company, according to his official biography. “Lewis streamlined operations, increased marketing, and led the company to two of the most profitable years in McCall’s 113-year history,” Lewis’s biography said. “In the summer of 1987, he sold the company for $65 million, making a 90-to1 return on his investment.” According to his biography, Lewis then outmaneuvered Citicorp to acquire Beatrice Foods, which included 64 companies in 31 countries. The deal was worth $985 million – the largest leveraged buyout of overseas assets by an American company at that time. “As Chairman and CEO of the new TLC Beatrice International, (Lewis) moved quickly to reposition the company, pay down the debt, and vastly increase its worth,” his biography said. “By 1992, the company had sales of over $1.8 billion annually, making it the first Black-owned business to generate a billion dollars in annual sales.” In the documentary, Ken Chenault, the former CEO of American Express, said Lewis’ success helped to pave the way for many African-American
WNET/Greg Heisler
“PIONEERS: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire” was featured during a star-studded reception at the Cannes Film Festival.
businessmen and women on Wall Street. “I think that really is the test in demonstration of real leadership,” said Chenault. Lewis was not only an incredibly successful businessman, he also gave back to the Black community in extraordinary ways. Lewis represented the Wilmington 10, a group of political prisoners, who were
wrongfully convicted in 1971 of firebombing a white-owned grocery store in Wilmington, N.C. Chavis, who was a 24-year-old civil rights leader with the New York-based Commission for Racial Justice, at the time, was one of the Wilmington 10 and credited Lewis with helping to get their convictions overturned by the federal appeals court in 1980 and ultimately championing the eventual exonerations of
the group. “He offered the rope of hope. He offered what was possible. He never stopped giving (to) the Civil Rights Movement, to political leadership, to universities,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. in the documentary. “He never stopped giving … selfless giving.” Chavis said he has personal and professional interests in the promotion of the
documentary. “It’s in the best interest of the NNPA, as a national trade group that represents Black-owned newspapers, to be supportive of other Blackowned entities … in the film industry, in the entertainment industry and the media industry,” said Chavis. “All of that comes together at the Cannes Film Festival.” Chavis said that it was important for the NNPA to not only co-host the European premiere of the documentary on Lewis, but to also support the Lewis family in screening “PIONEERS” in major U.S. markets and at other international film festivals and venues. The NNPA announced plans to screen the Lewis documentary at its annual conference in Norfolk, Va., in June. Chavis said the Lewis documentary sends a powerful message to young people of color to never settle for the realities of poverty and injustice that exist today. “Young people of color must summon all of their God-given talents to respond to those circumstances by focusing on economic development, economic empowerment and improving the quality of life in the communities where they live,” said Chavis. “The Reginald Lewis story is a transcendent story for those young people today who are contemplating becoming entrepreneurs on Wall Street.” This article was originally published at BlackPressUSA.com.
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Insight News • May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Page 11
Aesthetically Speaking Byron Buxton and Eduardo Escobar give away baseball gloves in Northeast Minneapolis
David Bradley
Twins outfielder Byron Buxton fits a young fan with a new glove.
Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar (center) signs an autograph for a fan at Sibley Park in Northeast Minneapolis.
Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton and infielder Eduardo Escobar took a recent day off to hand out new gloves to youth in Northeast Minneapolis. Kids by the hundreds came out to Sibley Park in Minneapolis on May 16 to meet the Twins stars and get new gloves courtesy of the Twins and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. In support of the Twins RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and St. Paul Parks and Recreation, the Twins Community Fund purchased brand new Wilson gloves for every player in the 8-and-under division of the RBI league. With support from Pitch in for Baseball, the Twins RBI program will distribute more than 3,000 gloves to kids ages 8 and under in 2018. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities is an international initiative of Major League Baseball and its clubs. The Twins RBI program is operated in partnership with MLB, Twins Community Fund, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Since 1993, the Twins Community Fund has contributed nearly $2 million to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and City of Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation to operate leagues in their respective
city. Along with operating funds, the Twins Community Fund also grants money to each city to assist with
the creation and renovation of ball fields. The program serves nearly 6,000 youth in the Twin Cities.
A NIGHT OF LEGENDARY JAZZ
E R IC A L E X A NDE R N R E B A M D L O R A H QUARTE T JUNE 19
6 PM $ 35 ADV. / $ 30 DAY OF SHOW 9 PM $25 ADV. / $20 DAY OF SHOW
THE SPIRIT OF NEW ORLE ANS IN MINNESOTA
IN THE HISTORIC HAMM BUILDING
408 ST. PETER STREET • ST. PAUL, MN 55102
FOR MORE INFO: vieux-carre.com • 651.291.2715 JAZZFEST DOUBLEHEADER $ 10 SPECIAL: $ 10 ticket available to the 9 PM Kenny Garrett show at The Dakota with purchase of a ticket to this 6 PM show at Vieux Carrè. CALL 612.332.5299 TO BOOK TODAY!
Powerful ‘Fruitvale Station’ on screen at the Capri for First Thursday Films The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and the Capri Theater present Ryan Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station,” the acclaimed “Black Panther” director’s first feature. The film is a powerful and devastating look
BART station in Oakland on Jan. 1, 2009, at 2:15 a.m., right before the killing. As the film progresses, director Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan paint a cinematic portrait of a young man coming to grips with adulthood, with responsibility and his place in modern American society, by examining the many de-
tails of this young man’s life and his relationships with his family, friends and community. Coogler shows Grant as a complex, troubled, and loving human being, a man who, like everyone, has made mistakes in his life, and a man whose death was tragically premature.
612.377.2224 guthrietheater.org
Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant, III in “Fruitvale Station.”
at the final hours of Oscar Grant, who was murdered by police at the eponymous train station in Oakland. The film will be followed by a discussion led by D.A. Bullock, community organizer and filmmaker. The screening begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 7 at the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets to First Thursday Films are $5 and can be purchased in advance at www.mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show. “Fruitvale Station” depicts, with stunning honesty, the story of Oscar Grant, III, a 22-year-old from Hayward, Calif., on the final day of his life, before he was killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009. The movie begins with the actual footage of Oscar Grant and his friends being detained by the BART Police at the Fruitvale
American Vocal Legend
BOBBY McFERRIN JUNE 13-16 • 7 & 9 PM
West Side Story June 16 – Aug 26
Eat. Drink. Listen.
1010 NIC OL L E T M A L L , MINNE A P OL I S
based on a conception by JEROME ROBBINS book by ARTHUR LAURENTS music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM directed by JOSEPH HAJ
Sponsored by
Page 12 •May May 28 - June 3, 2018 • Insight News
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Harry Colbert, Jr.
Bryan Cole (left) and Bowtie Billionaire founder, Kenneth Scales.
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Lenora Culverson (left) and Drinal Foster.
Thee Urbane Life’s Bianca Lewis
Birthday girl, Drinal Foster.
Drinal Foster and Guilhem Okou.
Shevvi Crowley (right) with the woman of the hour.
Go Drinal, it’s your birthday … it’s your birthday.
Twin Cities radio legend Walther “Q Bear” Banks (right) came to wish Foster a happy birthday.
Presented by
Come for the movies. Stay for the conversation.
“The Love Engineer,” Alex Merritt (left) and professor and KMOJ radio host, Charles Dennis.
Wells Fargo human resources executive and world traveler extraordinaire, Drinal Foster, celebrated her birthday with a gathering of friends at the swanky McKinney Roe in downtown Minneapolis on May 19. A Seattle native, Foster has endeared herself to the Twin Cities’ urban professional community with her effervescent personality. A world traveler, the birthday girl celebrated in Minneapolis before heading off to Curaçao and Aruba for some fun in the sun. Happy birthday Drinal.
H T N E E T E EEDOM DAY
N FR U G N J I T RA B E L E C
6 1 E N U J , Y A D R U S AT AM - 6:00 PM10TH AVE.
11:00
4N 0 3 1 | PA R K E N U BETH
From the Director of Black Panther:
Fruitvale Station
#JUNETEENTHmplsparks
7pm Thursday, 6/7 Discussion Leader: D.A. Bullock $5 tickets: mspfilm.org or at the door
Be @ the Capri 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411 www.thecapritheater.org
AN/KF OPEIU #12 AFL-CIO