June 6 - June 12, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 23 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
We
Care North Side
Suluki Fardan
Elders respond to community crisis By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors By coincidence alone the historic and powerful lead photo image on Insight’s front page last week portrayed men of our community standing and declaring that our community assets and capabilities will be critical to relief, restoration and rebuilding of North Minneapolis following the Sunday, May 22nd tornado. These elders the next day joined the Governor, Mayor and other elected and public officials in a walking tour of the Broadway/Penn neighborhood disaster area. And while the photo accurately reflects that these businessmen, educators and civic leaders stepped up to the challenge of responding to the catastrophe, the photo presents only half of the picture of our community’s impassioned and effective excellent response. As the disaster was unfolding, elders like those shown above, (l-r)Lea Hargett, President of Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, Kenya McKnight, Director of Operations for Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) Anika Robbins, President of Anika International Cosmetics, Chanda Smith Baker, President of Pillsbury United Communities, Valerie McKissack, President of National Association of Minority Contractors – Upper Midwest (NAMC-UM), Barbara Lightsy, Board Chair, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Wokie Freeman
Associate Director, and Makeda ZuluGillespie, Program Manager of Urban Research Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC), and others were marshaling thoughts and strategies that connected assets and resources in service of our community. Cora McCorvey, Executive Director of Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) the single largest landlord in North Minneapolis began assessing the storm’s impact on public housing residents, and the potential loss of homes owned by the city. Hundreds of houses rendered unlivable by the tornado would mean new pressure for public housing… public housing that already has a waiting list of 10,000. Stella Whitney West, CEO of NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center and NorthPoint board chair Barbara Lightsy, and staff looked at the same issues from the vantage point of physical and mental health needs as well as social service needs of Northside residents. MVCC’s Lea Hargett, NEON’s Kenya McKnight, Network, and NAMCUM’s Valerie McKissack surveyed members of their business associations to determine how best to bring forward unique capabilities that exist in our community, to serve our community. Likewise, Chanda Smith Baker began connecting the dozens of agencies supported by Pillsbury to harness and increase their capacity to respond to short term crisis need, and long term restorative challenges.
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The eye of the storm Moving our community from crisis to stability By Scott Gray, President and CEO, Minneapolis Urban League In a split second, on what began as a normal Sunday in Minneapolis, the harsh winds of change wrought the most shattering tornado to hit our community in some 30 years. In its wake is devastation projected to exceed $166 million as damage assessments continue to reveal ruined homes, compromised non-profit and government facilities, wrecked businesses, and destroyed infrastructures. Our loss has been tremendous, and while it is difficult to think positive and even acknowledge the extent of our loss, we all know that considering the intensity of this storm, we are lucky overall that the loss of life and damages are not more severe. This of course offers little consolation as we all watch our community struggling to find its way back to normalcy. Thousands of North Minneapolis residents, the majority uninsured renters, are faced with the prospects of rebuilding their lives. With the place they once called home in a state of disrepair, uncertainty looms large. Relocation is not easy in this situation – leaving the future unclear. Sure – there’s support out there, but how much support
does the future hold? How long will that support continue? In the face of such disruptive change, it’s only human to at first be numbed by what has happened, then become tremendously upset, searching for a way to cope. Ideally folks will tap into their resiliency, ultimately finding a way to thrive. Our community is to be applauded for swiftly rallying to lend a helping hand. Gov. Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and members of the Minneapolis City Council have demonstrated genuine compassion, responsive leadership, and have marshaled all of the resources at their disposal to support a rebound from all the upheaval caused by this natural disaster. United States (U.S.) Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, and state Senator Linda Higgins toured the area to see firsthand the extent of the destruction, and surely gained a keen understanding of just how tragically the storm has shattered the lives of this community’s residents. Noted as well, are the thousands of volunteers who have given their time and energy to distribute food and water, offer various kinds of comfort and assistance to those impacted, and are helping to clean up our city.
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Mississippi Mass Choir
Courtesy of I Can Foundation
Mississippi Mass Choir set to tour South Africa Correction Correction to last week’s Floyd Whitfield obituary: Whitfield is survived by his four children and four grandchildren. Whitfield owned a tow truck company and worked as a mechanic. He was also being trained for ministry at New Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church. A benefit fund in his name has been set-up at TCF Bank.
The award winning Mississippi Mass Choir will once again “Go ye into all the world;” evangelizing in song; with a tour of South Africa. Hosted by the I Can Foundation, the tour will take place June 9-20 and included services in Johannesburg, New London, Hazyview, and Pretoria. According to Dr. David Molapo, chairman and co-founder of the I Can Foundation, “We are looking forward to hosting the world renowned Mississippi Mass Choir in the Motherland. Over the years their music has made an impact in the lives of many South Africans. We believe
that this ministry tour will spread a message of hope and be life transforming for all involved.” Fresh off of a fourteen city tour of Spain and the Canary islands, the choir has been blessed to grace international stages throughout the Bahamas, Japan, Italy, France, Portugal, and Greece; becoming the first Gospel group to perform at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the base of the iconic Acropolis in Athens, Greece. While attending the famed Umbria Jazz Gospel and Soul Easter Festival in Terni, Italy, the choir received an unexpected invite to sing for Pope John Paul II at his summer
residence in Castelgandolfo. Over their 23 year music ministry career, they have either won or received nominations for every industry award; including the Grammy, Stellar, Soul Train, Dove, National Association of Record Merchandisers, 3M Visionary, and Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. On three occasions Billboard Magazine recognized them as Gospel Artist of the Year. The single “God Made Me” from their new release is currently in the “Top Ten” on the Billboard Gospel Song Chart. Arguably their crowning industry
achievement came in 2010 at the 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards where they were awarded the “Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.” You would think that after such a long and distinguished career, they would be resting on their laurels and enjoying the fruits of their labors. “Not so,” says executive director, Jerry Mannery, “We are scouting out new fields to till and sow seeds for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For more information visit: www.mississippimasschoir.com / www.facebook.com/tmmc1 / www.icanfound.org
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BUSINESS Ten ways to feel good at work this summer Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com “I should call in sick,” you say. It’s a spectacular summer day, one of the few we’ll see before the snow flies again. You go outside over lunch and find returning indoors is heartbreaking. But work is a good thing; getting paid is good. Read on for ten ways to make the most of your summer days even if they’re all spent working. Mentor someone. Research shows that helping releases feelgood hormones, and it’s easy to
start. Becoming a mentor can be a formal process through an organization. Or it can be casual. Aim to be the go-to person at work. When you become an expert in an area, you are regarded as a resource. Your rewards are the knowledge you gain plus all those feel-good warm fuzzies. Learn a new skill. Amy was a call center rep for an underground utility locating company. When the staff was shorthanded, they invited Amy to join them on some jobs. Amy went out and learned to locate the lines. She calls that summer, “A good experience.” She says that when she returned to her phone work, she had a much better understanding of the service this company provides. Meet an expert in your field. Connecting with experts is a
PhotoXpress
breeze with all the LinkedIntype sites out on the internet. When experts are eager to share their knowledge and insights online, even a rookie can participate in the discussion. Ask straightforward questions and learn from the answers. Meet an expert in something completely outside your field. What can a restaurant owner learn from a professional baseball player? Find out about developing mental toughness and riding out the hard times of losing streaks and injuries; ask a few questions about negotiating contracts, too. Be open to hearing someone else’s perspective. Plan for tomorrow today. You’re fully aware of what’s left to do when you leave your desk at night. By the next morning, you’ve forgotten half of it. Create a plan tonight. You
will have less anxiety and you’ll be able to enjoy your evening knowing you have a strategy in place for tomorrow. Respond to every email as soon as you read it. Or employ a read-and-delete policy, which keeps that inbox clean and functional. Chase a great idea. Develop a career plan. Join a professional networking group. Step outside: outside your comfort zone, outside your routine, outside your usual friend circle, outside your neighborhood and, of course, outside your building, at least over the lunch hour. Julie Desmond is a recruiter with Specialized Recruiting Group in Minneapolis, MN. Write to Julie@insightnews.com.
High expectations yield huge victory for St. Paul students When Kurtis Greenwood, a 17-year-old student, joined Junior Achievement (JA) at High School for Recording Arts (HSRA) in September, he was unsure if he and his peers were up to the task of starting a business. Having never worked in a business before, Greenwood had no idea how his first time out of the entrepreneurial gate would turn out. “I thought it was going to be very hard to do a start-up business,” said Greenwood. “I wasn’t sure what to expect.” That’s partly why he and 11 other HSRA students were so elated last week when they learned their company, Leave Your Mark Everywhere (L.Y.M.E.), had won the regional JA Company Program Competition. A student-run company, L.Y.M.E. was created as a marketing and advertising service for the purpose of writing and producing custom radio advertisements for local businesses. Judged on an oral presentation, the submission of a ten-page company report, and an appearance before a panel, the five HSRA students who were selected to attend the regional competition on April 14, stood before a room full of judges comprised of local business owners and managers. By winning the regional competition, all 12 students are now eligible to compete in the North American JA Competition, to be held later this year in Washington, D.C., where the budding business owners will contend with other students from the U.S. and Canada.
What makes the win especially meaningful to HSRA students and faculty members is that this is the first year the school has ever participated in JA, an organization whose mission touts the “belief in the boundless potential of young people,” and stresses its commitment to the “principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship.” HSRA students beat longtime regional winner Minneapolis Edison High School in the 2011 competition. Facing time constraints, HSRA students had only four months to formulate their business, conceptualize, and take their product to market, according to Sayra Loftus, an HSRA student advisor and math facilitator. “After our students started brainstorming about what business they wanted to pursue, they chose to provide a service that included low overhead and little start-up cost,” according to Loftus. “They picked something where they could use the talents they were already using in class and could continue to do after JA.” L.Y.M.E., the HSRA student-run business, was able to recruit eight client businesses surrounding University Avenue in St. Paul. Each paid the emerging business leaders $125 for four 30-second, custom made radio commercials to run on 96.3 Now radio station. The commercials aired during an HSRA student-run show aired each week on 96.3 Now. Tony Simmons, HSRA program/development director, said he wasn’t surprised
that HSRA students pulled out a regional win during the first year of the school’s participation in J.A. “The students’ victory is in line with the tremendous work they have been doing all year long. This has been a banner year for community participation and student achievement at HSRA.” HSRA founder David “T.C.” Ellis chimed in, “Really, the win goes to the heart of why HSRA was founded in the first place; to be a dynamic presence in the community where students are exceeding their academic goals.” That sentiment was echoed by Matt Steele, State Farm’s Vice President of Agency for Minnesota. “The experience the students had with Junior Achievement is the same experience we at State Farm had with HSRA young people. The [students’] work is always
rooted in high expectations.” In an effort to combat large dropout rates among young people, State Farm has begun to work with HSRA on a high-profile national media campaign, entitled “26 Seconds.com,” featuring HSRA students encouraging other students from across the U.S. to remain in school. Although the studentrun J.A. business eventually succeeded, the process wasn’t seamless, explained Loftus. “The kids had great ideas and wanted to start a business,” said Loftus. “However, there were still attendance issues, concerns about consistency, and the differing commitment level of each student to contend with.” In essence, the JA experience was baptism by fire for Loftus, a first-year instructor at HSRA, who had taught sixth-graders for the
past three years in the Bronx at MS 223 Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, in New York. Loftus stuck with the 12 JA students through thick and thin as the teenage businesshopefuls would take one step forward and two steps backward. When asked why Loftus was so confident the students would be successful in their inaugural JA run, Loftus explained, “During the past six months, I have seen the students grow in maturity and take on adult responsibilities. I never changed my expectations. We talked about fallbacks. But I always kept moving forward and expecting our students would succeed.” And, succeed they did. In the end, HSRA students realized a net profit of $994 and contributed money to two charities: Feed My Starving Children, where students
donated money and took time to package food for children around the world; and the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Tsunami Fund. When asked to sum up his Junior Achievement experience, Kurtis Greenwood had no shortage of words or enthusiasm. “My favorite part of the experience was writing proposals, business plans and reports,” stated Greenwood. “We worked together for something positive. This was my first step toward greatness and running my own business, a key part of my goal in the community. We were successful in starting a company and running a company. And, in the end, we gave a 400 percent return to our stockholders.” Not bad the first time out of the Junior Achievement gate . . . for both students and teacher.
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EDUCATION Kudos to Minneapolis families Building Creative Capital By Bernadeia H. Johnson MPS Superintendent As I near the end of my first year as superintendent, I have been reflecting on the work we have done together. I was inspired, as I began the year, by the actor Danny Glover, who dedicates every performance to someone. It might be Nelson Mandela or the old man who guards the stage door, but he is always working for someone other
than himself. This focus gives his acting purpose and makes his work more meaningful. Following Glover’s lead, I dedicated my work this year to the 3,100 college-bound kindergarten students who entered our school doors. I made a commitment to them and to their families that they would be reading by winter break. I was pleased to announce in March that over 60 percent of kindergarten students achieved or exceeded reading at ‘level B’ or higher. At the mid-year point, approximately onethird of kindergarten students already achieved reading levels that met or exceeded those expected for the end of kindergarten.
On behalf of Minneapolis Public Schools, I want to thank our families, staff and community members for their involvement and dedication to education. I am proud to be a member of a community with a strong tradition of volunteerism and social responsibility. Numerous parents, city workers, business people, retirees and students devote their valuable time to our schools in support of our next generation of leaders. We know that this effort – supporting each and every young person we serve – is at the heart of the work we do each day at the Minneapolis Public Schools. I am driven to lead our efforts to raise academic
achievement for all students. I have been clear that focus and coalition-building are critical components of this work. A perfect example of this work was illustrated on
or career. On that note, I wish to extend my most sincere congratulations to the graduates of the class of 2011. I would also like to thank
“I was pleased to announce in March that over 60 percent of kindergarten students achieved or exceeded reading at ‘level B’ or higher.” May 2, when four Minneapolis corporations – Target, Cargill, General Mills and Medtronic – announced grant support of over $13 million over three years to support strategic initiatives. Now is the time, with the support of public and private partners, to accelerate efforts and intently focus on core strategies that will deliver the results we desire for every student: preparation for college
them for helping us to lead by example to demonstrate that academic success is attainable for all Minneapolis students to become productive global citizens who will contribute to and shape our communities. As our graduating seniors take the education that they have gained in our great city and move on to become successful global citizens, I realize that they have enriched
our schools by sharing their unique gifts, perspectives, and pride in their own identities while learning from and interacting with their fellow students. The success of our graduating seniors continues to bring us closer to realizing our goal of preparing all students for college or a career. We have accomplished so much, yet we still must focus on the work that needs to be done. Remember that we are still here to serve families over the summer months – whether it is through providing enrollment support for the 2011-2012 school year or providing rigorous summer school options to help learners at all academic learners become stronger students over the summer. We wish our students, families, staff and friends in the Minneapolis community a safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to kicking off another great school year in August.
MPS students named National Merit Scholars Beatrice R. Gantzer of Southwest High School and Evelyn C. Reilly of South High School were among 2,900 students nationwide honored with National Merit Scholarships sponsored by colleges and universities on May 25. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. Gantzer was selected to receive the National Merit Washington University in St. Louis Scholarship. Reilly was selected to receive the National Merit University of Minnesota Scholarship. These awards
provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. Another group of scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2011 competition to approximately 4,800. Gantzer, Reilly and collegesponsored Merit Scholarship winners are a part of the distinguished group of about 8,300 high school seniors of 2011 who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $35 million. Winners of two other types of National Merit Scholarships – corporate-
sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships were announced earlier this spring. About 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools entered the 2011 National Merit Scholarship competition when they took the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. In September 2010, some 16,000 semifinalists were designated on a state representational basis. Semifinalists were the highest-scoring program entrants in each state and represented less than one percent of a state’s seniors.
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AESTHETICS Photos: Sammy Sarzoza (Sarzoza.com)
INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com
Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu 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.
Michelle Matlock in the lead role as Lady Bug
Cirque du Soleil By Alaina L. Lewis It takes something undoubtedly special to leave ones jaw on the floor, and usher their eyes into pure astonishment. And such is the recurring reaction of anyone who dares to venture into the blue and yellow tent tucked in the parking lot that sits across the street from the Mall of America. The culprit behind such wowing and amazement—Cirque du Soleil, and since their newest show opened on May 26th, the conversation on everyone lips has simply been “OVO.” The production of “OVO,” which made its Minnesota debut last week, delivers a colorful storyline about the laws of attraction as it pertains to the underground insect world. Here, where ants mingle amongst spiders, and colorful butterflies burst from their cocoons to glide over a biodiverse world filled with life, love, and the unexpected, we witness the beauty of a connection between a fly and a ladybug— a perfect link spawn from the beauty in being different and ones fearless curiosity. Michelle Matlock, an African American performer, steps onto the scene as the face of OVO, in the lead role as Lady Bug, an alluring insect, with a whole lot of sass, and an infectious giggle. The role calls for crossing over the proverbial barrier which is sometimes associated with venturing towards a love outside ones ethnic avenue. Yet in OVO, the true message is that the blending of colors bleed love, and life is a
celebration of everyone and their differences. “OVO is a true reflection of the times we’re living in. Sure there’s still a lot of work to do in terms of racism and progress in America, but I think that we’re very lucky right now in this country to see things moving and progressing and shifting to
a point where I, an African American woman, could be the face of a Cirque du Soleil show. It’s a small little step in a direction for more visibility and a wider range in the type of roles we can play,” Michelle Matlock shared with Insight News. “You rarely see my type playing a romantic lead, but even though I’m a bug, it’s nice to depart from the same stereotypical roles that we might be offered.” Matlock, caught the eye of Cirque du Soleil when she was performing, “The Mammy
Project,” in New York City, a one woman show she wrote in an effort to break down stereotypes about African American women, and prove that she could play a wide range of roles. She played 17 in the show altogether. “To get this role, as Ladybug in OVO, shows that I can act outside of the box,” Matlock states, “I celebrate it everyday. I celebrate every time I’m on the stage, and I feel very fortunate to have this experience and to be apart of a wonderful show and working with such a wonderful company. I hope that it leads to greater diversity in the roles that I may be offered in the future, as well as other African American women out there.” Matlock has been with OVO, since it began over 2 years ago. Apart from her spectacular performance in this production, in the same Cirque fashion, this show offers highflying stunts, amazing acrobatics, incredible contortionists, and a colorful backdrop to one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever seen, that will truly leave you breathless. To put into words how the production of OVO will make you feel after you see it is like saying one can catch a star in a butterfly net. Not all treasures are buried; I’ve drawn the map to gold, now all you have to do is get there. Cirque du Soleil’s production of “OVO” runs now through June 19, 2011. For more information: http://www. cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ ovo/tickets/minneapolis.aspx
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Northside From 1 UROC’s Freeman and ZuluGillespie mobilized student and community volunteers to assist residents house by house while entrepreneur and entertainer Anika Robbins mobilized her networks of customers and clients and friends to volunteer and support community agencies and residents. Bottom Line: Business, civic, education, church, youth and social service leaders, men and women, deeply committed to idea of inclusion, engagement, equity, and service as cornerstone cultural and community values, are shouldering the duty of stewardship. We in community media must boldly document and project that leadership
and service as defining characteristics of our community. It’s who we are. Our job is to lift and support the voices of our community
What they said Morning After Reactions of Governor Mark Dayton and other public officials during a Monday morning walking tour of the West Broadway/Penn neighborhood disaster area. The May 29th tornado cut a diagonal swath through North Minneapolis demolishing some homes and businesses, uprooting thousands of lives and trees.
Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan
“What we saw last night was people being very cooperative. We didn’t know how it would go with no lights. The bottom line
Storm From 1 Non-profit and faith-based organizations have united to identify, plan and collaboratively deliver wrap-around social and human development services to our neighbors who have without question been emotionally and physically sideswiped by the eye of this tornado. Before the tornado, this was a community already in the midst of a storm; some 270 homes were foreclosed last year in the area described as the hardest hit; boarded vacant homes were plentiful; unemployment hovered at rates three times the national average; educational and personal underachievement and
is people behaved and it was a very quite night.” -- Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan “There were 40 people here at church when the tornado struck. Virtually every car that was parked here got their window smashed by falling bricks.”
nagging underemployment were commonplace. The challenges that confronted this community before the storm will continue to impact its vibrancy in the absence of sustained efforts to stabilize the people and the families that live here. It is clear that the journey to stabilizing and revitalizing this community will be long and arduous – change won’t be evident in the short term; in fact the rebirth of this community may take two to three years. However, the optimistic outlook is that this journey will be equally laden with opportunities to begin anew. What is needed is an actionable strategy to achieve this end, and more important, the financial support to make it happen. It is essential at this juncture that those controlling the purse strings
as we endeavor to heal ourselves…not merely victims of catastrophe, but drivers of the solution side of the business of relief and restoration.
Photos by Suluki Fardan
-- Minneapolis 5th Ward City Council Member Don Samuels
saw a number of people who had trees through their homes and they just want to “We appreciate know what will all of our officials happen next. I coming together. Minneapolis reminded them Minnesota We’ve been how this state Lieutenant 5th Ward through this tough City Council and this city Governor issue before. We Member Don have a history of Yvonne deeply appreciate wrapping arms Samuels Prettner the Governor around those Solon who’s interest who need it most. in North Minneapolis did not Next will be the rebuilding and start when the tornado came recovering of North Minneapolis. through.” -- Minneapolis Mayor We stand ready to help in any R.T. Rybak way.” -- Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner “I was at the Solon family center this morning. “For me, Representative Bobby Their lives have Joe Champion, Senator Linda been twisted Higgins, Council Members just like their Hofstede and Samuels, and homes. I met Representative Mullery, we Minneapolis a woman who live right here. To see our Mayor R.T. had nine kids neighborhood so beat up after with her. We this natural disaster is pretty Rybak
invest enough resources to fully regenerate and redevelop this community, refusing to employ a “band-aid” strategy that can only serve to leave this already bruised community more crippled posttornado. One cannot help but notice that people are always just a little kinder, just a bit more considerate, a tad more appreciative just after a storm ends. This outpouring is tremendously moving to see. However, this “afterglow” is for the most part short lived. Once people get their conveniences back, and revert back to former
life routines, strategic action dwindles, and compassion, concern and kindness for others can swiftly cease. We cannot let that be the case in this instance. We must earnestly work as a united city, state and community to provide the tools, resources and support necessary to reinvent North Minneapolis. Additionally, we must continue to usher forth solutions that can foster sustainable stabilization of families.
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shocking. We feel a lot better because of the great response of the police, fire and neighbors. There are n e i g h b o r s Minnesota h e l p i n g 5th District neighbors out Congressman here. This is Keith Ellison the spirit of our great state. Plug in. Get the help you need. You are not alone.” -- Minnesota 5th District Congressman Keith Ellison “We need to take care of the people who have been injured, families whose lives have been destroyed.”
-Governor Mark Dayton “Having seen these disasters in other parts of the state, this tornado was Governor on the ground Mark Dayton for four miles and impacted 10,000 homes. The fact that people are already finding shelter, that trees are being cleared, and that power is being restored, is really a testament to people working together. It could have been much worse.” -Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon
Solutions From 10
FATHER’S DAY
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COMMENTARY Cuts threaten public sector jobs By Lee Saunders Radical conservative politicians want to slash city, county and state jobs -- and undercut the economic security of African-American families, says this union official. When I was growing up in Cleveland, some of the most respected people in my neighborhood were the folks who worked for the city, county or state. My father was a city bus driver who took great pride in getting people safely to and from their jobs every day. My mother was a community college teacher who loved preparing her students for success. It turns out that my family was far from unique: Twenty-one percent of all Black workers are public employees, making the public sector the largest employer of Black workers, according to a recent University of California, Berkeley study. The wages that African Americans earn in the public sector are higher than those we earn in other industries. Furthermore, there is less wage
inequality between AfricanAmerican workers and non-black workers in the public sector than in other industries. The author of the study, Steven Pitts of Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, emphasizes that his analysis is based on the national workforce. In cities where African Americans are a larger proportion of the population, “the importance of the public sector to Black employment prospects” is even greater. Another recent finding makes Pitts’ conclusions even more significant. According to the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., although the economy is showing some signs of recovery, African Americans in 2010 had unemployment rates of at least 15 percent in severely depressed states -- levels not seen since the Great Depression. These revelations mean that the plans by radical governors to rob public employees of their rights, shrink pay and benefits, and cut jobs will have a disproportionate impact on Black
Lee Saunders families and communities. In other words, white America’s bad cold has turned into pneumonia for Black America -- and it will get worse if ultraconservative politicians cripple public-sector unions, making them incapable of protecting their members. Both of my parents were active union members because they knew that the labor-rights and civil rights movements were the way for African Americans to achieve upward mobility and equality. In fact, labor unions and civil rights organizations have worked hand in hand in just about every fight for equality and
economic justice that our nation has known. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, he was in Memphis, Tenn., on behalf of 1,300 sanitation workers, members of AFSCME Local 1733. They were on strike for more than a bigger paycheck; as their “I am a man” signs made clear, they wanted respect for the work they did. King stood with them because he recognized that freedom requires that workers have a voice, the ability to provide for their families and the power to shape their destinies. Not only do public-sector jobs mean economic security for Black families; they are also jobs that are vitally important to communities across this nation. Whether they are teachers, bus drivers, sanitation workers, snowplow operators, emergency medical technicians, nurses or librarians, public employees perform jobs that towns and cities of every size and description depend on. Their work strengthens neighborhoods and supports basic American values like looking out for one
another, preparing our children for the future and ensuring that there is a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our country. But if you believe the radical governors and legislators in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and other states, many of these jobs are unnecessary, and the workers who provide them are “coddled” because they have the right to a voice on the job. Since January 2009, state and local governments have laid off 429,000 workers, and these layoffs have already had dire effects on families across the country. And yet instead of joining with us to find solutions and protect the rights of workers, these governors are inflicting more pain. Their only interest is in attacking our jobs, crippling our unions and dismantling public services. At a time when we should be pulling together, their tactics and rhetoric are ripping us apart. Because so many Black families have built careers in state and local government, what these corporate-backed politicians
are also doing is undercutting the economic security of Black families. Ask if this is their intention, and of course they will deny that it is. But even the best of intentions (and their intentions are far from the “best”) can have unintended consequences. And there is no denying that the path they’ve chosen will have dire consequences for many Black families. That’s one of the many reasons African Americans, whether public employees or not, whether union members or not, are standing with the workers who are fighting back. If 21 percent of Black workers are public-sector employees, that means that one out of every five Black workers is employed by a state or local government. Our financial wellbeing and the economic security of the neighborhoods we live in are at stake. It is up to all of us to fight for our future. Lee Saunders is secretarytreasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The Palin show is a scam, and everyone knows it The Hutchinson Political Report By Earl Ofari Hutchinson Sarah Palin has no chance at winning the presidency. And that’s what makes her presidential scam -- the idea that she plans to run in 2012 and that she actually has a shot at the White House -- both intriguing and amusing. Most of the media and the GOP leadership know she’s scamming them and the rest of the country, but they go along with her for the sheer thrill of the ride, the titillation, and the chuckles. The latest to pretend to take Palin seriously is the man who
foisted her on the nation two years ago, John McCain. With tongue no doubt wrapped way back in his cheek, he told an interviewer Sunday that he thought Palin could beat Barack Obama. McCain didn’t really mean it. But like so many others in on the scam, he knew that uttering such nonsense was sure to snatch a headline -- especially during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a notoriously slow news period when a hungry press will bite at anything. Palin did her part by tossing out an equally trite cliché, claiming that she has “the fire in my belly” for a presidential run. This stirred a few pundits to trot out tired theories of why Palin could win the GOP nomination, namely: her instant name recognition and the hordes of screaming, panting Tea Party activists behind her who’ll do anything to stop Mitt Romney.
Apart from Romney, the GOP field is a motley crew of retreads and hacks, with lousy reputations or no name recognition at all, no money, no traction, and no enthusiasm from GOP voters. The conventional wisdom is that Palin could get the nod by default. It doesn’t work that way. To have any shot at the presidential nomination, you need a well-oiled, professional organization to court caucuses and count delegates, tap the corporate money spigot and win the imprimatur of party regulars. Palin has none of that, and she has absolutely no intention of doing the work it would take to transform herself from a TV mouthpiece into a serious GOP presidential candidate. The man, outside of McCain, who did more than anyone else to hype Palin as presidential material, Fox News boss Roger Ailes, said as much when
(according to a confidante quoted in New York magazine) he told people he thought Palin was “stupid” and “an idiot.” According to the same “Republican close to Ailes,” “People like Sarah Palin haven’t elevated the conservative movement.” Ailes is in the business of news hucksterism; he knows that Palin could never string together a credible and coherent set of ideas, let alone a program that could boost conservatism (unless that conservatism is spelled P-A-L-I-N). Yet Palin continues to have shelf life, despite her plummet in the polls, for the same reason that she was pushed on the public in the first place. She is Hollywood Stars, American Idol and the Big Spin all rolled into one. She is crass entertainment; she provides prurient relief from the traditional, staid, scripted way that politicians speak and act. Her inanities
have the faint ring of truth and light and, for many of her fans, represent a frontal challenge to the established order. Her pretty face and folksy, home-schoolingmom demeanor have made her a sure thing for a media starved for ratings and ad dollars. When she speaks, it’s “lights, camera, action” -- still. For a time, Palin had some actual value for the GOP. She could say what Republican mainstream political leaders couldn’t -- and she could say it in a way that generated hoots and hollers from the millions who wanted the GOP to get down-anddirty and call Obama out. But a too-loose cannon running around, whipping up mob frenzy, posed the danger that some of that frenzy might turn against Republican politicians for not being tough enough against Obama. The GOP walked a fine line with Palin.
Over the past few weeks, Obama’s stock has climbed higher, thanks to his takedown of Osama bin Laden; his statesmanlike series of speeches and meetings with European heads of state and G-8 leaders; his daring attempt to break the Middle East logjam -not to mention his visits to disaster scenes in the Midwest and South. Meanwhile, with Republicans shooting themselves in the foot with threats to dismantle Medicare and Social Security, the party has embarked on an ever more desperate search for someone who could at least make a show of being competitive against Obama next year. Palin isn’t that person. But as long as she can keep her scam going, plenty of people who ought to know better will act as if she just might be the one -- at least until a more entertaining spectacle comes along.
Race to the top: Early learning challenge Child Watch
By Marian Wright Edelman On May 25th, the Obama Administration announced a new Race to the Top challenge fund to identify and reward best practices in education—$500 million of the $700 million challenge is designed to improve the odds for the very youngest children. The Early Learning Challenge grant competition invites states to create comprehensive plans
to develop and transform early learning systems for children from birth through prekindergarten to enable all children to start school ready to learn. States must address how to better coordinate programs and services for young children, establish clearer learning standards, and strengthen the quality of those serving young children. Successful states will receive grants by December 31st to put plans into action to increase their ability to provide high quality early learning opportunities for their state’s children. As Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said at the announcement of the new initiative, “To win the future, our children need a strong start. The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge encourages states to
develop bold and comprehensive plans for raising the quality of early learning programs across America.” The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge is being jointly administered by the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a partnership that acknowledges the importance of a seamless, holistic approach to early childhood and recognizes what the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) has long believed: children do not come in pieces. Preparing children to succeed in school begins long before they enter a kindergarten or first grade classroom. Healthy child development from birth – in fact before birth with prenatal
care – is critical to making sure children are ready to learn. Special attention must be given to the neediest children. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, “This challenge represents the Obama Administration’s commitment to helping vulnerable children and families reach their full potential. Our collective health and financial security as a nation will depend on high quality investments during the critical early years of a child’s life.” The Administration’s focus on helping the most vulnerable children is aligned with CDF’s long sought and continuing early childhood policy and advocacy goals. In June, CDF is partnering with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to bring together
thought leaders to share what we know and best practices that can make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable child population in America – Black boys. We need to jumpstart and expand solutions to prepare many more young Black boys for educational success. Right now, 15.5 million children in America live in poverty. Nearly one in four children under five is poor and over 40 percent are Black. At nine months of age, poor Black children are already behind their higher-income peers in cognitive development. The gap is wider at 24 months. By kindergarten, poor Black children have to beat higher odds to catch up and as various tests reveal, many never do. We want to change those odds.
ETS’s and CDF’s Addressing Achievement Gaps Symposium “A Strong Start: Positioning Young Black Boys for Educational Success” will highlight some of the proven best practices in early education that the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge seeks to reward. We must close the gap between what we know and what we do to make a positive difference in child lives. In this very dangerous budget climate when unwise and unjust proposals to slash cost effective supports for poor young and vulnerable children loom, this giant step forward by the Administration is a bright
CHALLENGE TURN TO 11
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Calendar/Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.
Events Really Really Free Market - June-Oct It’s like a swap meet, a potluck, and a block party all rolled into one! Bring stuff you want to share, take whatever you need. Everyone has old stuff lying around, taking up space, and never getting used. Why not share it with someone? 2pm, on the 2nd or 3rd
Marketing & Development Mgr
30 hour, benefit eligible. Coordinate marketing, communication, and fundraising efforts. Cover and resume to genesis2@genesis2.org
DUPLEXES FOR RENT East St. Paul - 2 bdrm remodeled duplex unit. $795/month - Income Restricted Properties - EHO - 651-430-1888 www.applegateproperties.com
Coaching Positions
North High school is looking to rebuild its Athletic Department. There are currently Head Coach positions available for: Adapted Bowling, Badminton, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis, Cheerleading, Football, Girls Basketball, Girls Tennis, Golf Coach - Boys & Girls, Softball, Track & Field Coach - Girls & Boys, and Wrestling. To view job descriptions for Minneapolis North Community H.S. Coaching Positions go to the Minnesota State High School League site: http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/wantads.asp?page=4 . For more info contact: Julie Anderson - 612.668.1700 or jaa@mpls.k12.mn.us . Deadline: June 10, 2011.
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PHONE: 612.588.1313
FAX: 612.588.2031
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Sunday of every month June 12th, July 10th, August 14th, September 18th, October 9th. @ Powderhorn Park, near the stage. Urban Summer Academy - June-July Are you looking for a safe, affordable summer program for your child? Try the Park Avenue Urban Summer Academy. This is a fun and challenging academic enrichment program for age 4 - High School. Lunch provided, scholarships available, schedules convenient for working parents. Vacation Bible School - June 13-17. Academic Day Camps - June 20 - July 29. www.payfs. org to learn more and to register online. Resources for Men - June 7 Feat. VJ Thomas of MADDADS and Clarence Jones, Southside Community Health Clinics, Fathers Program. Tue. June 7, 7-8:30am at Park Ave. United Methodist Church 3400 Park Ave. Mpls. Whittier Neighborhood Theatre in the Park Series - June 11 The Theatre in the Park series is coming back once again this summer! The three outdoor performances are free and all are welcome to attend. Bring blankets or lawn chairs for your comfort and enjoy a summer evening in your neighborhood park. Julius Caesar, performed by the Cromulent Shakespeare Company - Sat. June 11, 7pm - Washburn Fair Oaks Park 3rd Ave. & 24th St. E. Performance by the Minneapolis Police Band - July 14, 7pm - Whittier Park 26th St and Grand Ave. Improv performance by Just Add Water
Disaster relief benefit concert
This pe nultima te R e a ding J a m of the 2010- 2011 season t akes pl ace from 7-8:30pm a t the B la c k D og C af é, 308 Pr i nce St r eet , l ocat ed a c ros s the s tre e t from the Sa int Pa ul Far m er ’s Mar ket . The eveni ng inc lude s s olo pre s e nta tions by a c a st of gi f t ed and t al ent ed m ul t i c ultura l a rtis ts inc luding (but not lim i t ed t o) : Mel vi n Gi l es, Andy D ris c oll, N ina R a s muns e n a nd M us taf a Ahm edu Sundi at a. - Aug. 4, 7pm - Washburn Fair Oaks Park 24th St & 3rd Ave.
register for the workshop, call PACER at 952-838-9000.
Pentecost Exaltation - June 11 Annual Pentecost Exaltation will be held on Sat., June 11, from 2-5pm at Dayton Ave. Presbyterian Church located at 217 Mackubin Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.
Readings by Writers - June 15 Saint Paul Poet Laureate, Carol Connolly, hosts Readings by Writers. Wed. June 15, Bloomsday Eve, 7:30pm performance. @ University Club Saint Paul 420 Summit Ave. St Paul.
Special Education: What Do I Need to Know - June 14 Free workshop for parents of children with disabilities. This workshop will be presented in Spanish. It is on Tue., June 14, 10-11:30am, in the Activity Building of Church of the Assumption, 305 E. 77th St., Richfield, MN. Advance registration is requested. To
African American Author Fair - June 16 A unique opportunity to meet multiple authors, learn about their work, and purchase their books. Come support African American writers and writing at Magers & Quinn. Thur. June 16 5:308:30pm 3038 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 612/822-4611.
Live on the Drive Greta Ogelsby, brings her phenomenal voice and presence to the Live on the Drive stage on Thursday, June 9 from 6 to 8pm. The free concert is held outdoors at Victory Memorial Drive and 34th Avenue North in Minneapolis, one of the most beautiful concert settings in the city. “I’ll be singing a rich tapestry of jazz, soul, and R&B,” said Ogelsby – and her beautiful vocal stylings will be backed by pianist Marciel Besombs and drummer Steve Jennings. Ogelsby’s concert will be a terrific start to the Live on the Drive season. Pack a picnic, invite your neighbors, bring your friends and walk or roll to the concert. For more information, call 612-588-1155 or visit www. liveonthedrive.org.
Sabat hani Com m uni t y Cent er wi l l hol d host a benef i t concer t t i t l ed Nor t h Mi nneapol i s Ri si ng at 4 p.m . Sunday, June 12, i n t he Mar i on O. Snargr ass Audi t or i um at Sabat hani . Pr oceeds wi l l be donat ed t o t he Mi nnesot a Hel ps – Nor t h Mi nneapol i s Recover y Fund t hat wi l l suppor t t he hum ani t ar i an needs of t he i ndi vi dual s and f am i l i es i n Nor t h Mi nneapol i s i m pact ed by t he May 22 t or nado. Advance t i cket s $15 at Sabat hani Com m uni t y Cent er ; 310 E. 38t h St r eet , Sui t e 200; Mi nneapol i s or $20 at t he door. For m or e i nf or m at i on, cal l 612821- 2399.
Help Sabathani win dream makeover Help Sabathani Community Center win a $50,000 building makeover by simply going to your computer and logging on to maxwellhouse.com, then vote for Sabathani as your favorite community house. Sabathani is in the running with 9 other community centers across the country to win the makeover of their dream. The five community houses that receive the most votes between now and June 17th will receive a $50,000 makeover. Sabathani Community Center is an anchor in the South Minneapolis community, providing a food shelf, free clothing and household goods, afterschool programs for children, services for seniors, and health resources for the entire family. The $50,000 makeover would upgrade the facilities in order to create an even more functional and inviting space for the people Sabathani serves. Please vote and help Sabathani win $50,000 in building renovations through the Maxwell House Drops of Good campaign by voting once a day every day from now until June 17th. Go to voting link: http:// www.kraftbrands.com/ maxwellhousecoffee/drops-of-good/ Pages/sabathani-community-center.
Coffee Break 24. Party 25. *Father/child divide 28. *George W.’s famous dad had the same first one 30. *Dad, e.g. 35. Showing age, especially having gray hair 37. “Portnoy’s Complaint” author 39. Dolphin home 40. Aquarium show star 41. *What dad did to the lawn 43. What Arnold used to do for a living? 44. Shorthand 46. Mosaic piece 47. Food for later consumption 48. Tea tax, e.g. 50. Christmas abbreviation 52. Form of Anna 53. Apartment 55. Clothe 57. *Founding Father 61. Crowd 64. In front of 65. “___ Te Ching,” book 67. Deadly contest, pl. 69. One from Croatia 70. Lennon’s wife 71. Perfect 72. Noisemaker, especially in the city 13. Ancient Greeks’ 73. Nada or nothing assembly spot 74. *Maggie Simpson’s first S T A T E P O I N T 14. ___ Wednesday word CROSSWORD 15. Home of Darfur 16. Pine or long DOWN THEME: FATHER’S DAY 17. Snowmobile runner 1. “King Kong” (1933) 18. Cast _____ actress ACROSS 19. Departure from Egypt, 2. S-shaped molding 1. Pivotal e.g. 3. Sweet-talk into something 6. Cul de ___ 21. *Popular dad gift 4. Cupid’s ammo 9. Kitty ____, famous for 23. *Malia and Sasha’s dad 5. *He played Laura Ingalls’ flight did it in 2008 election Pa
6. Mouth off 7. “___ not what your country can do for you....” 8. This shop is not a place for a bull 9. Corn cob cover 10. Miners’ passage 11. Dry riverbed 12. On one of these when popping big question? 15. Chief Massasoit, aka Great ______ 20. To take away, as in gun 22. Sixth sense 24. In the interval 25. *Hamlet’s father 26. Kind of artery 27. Indianapolis ball player 29. Debatable point 31. Falling out 32. Beauty parlor 33. Last letter of Greek alphabet 34. *This President made Father’s Day a national holiday 36. The feminine of raja 38. Position of leadership 42. End of the road? 45. Counterbalance 49. ___ Rida, rapper 51. Dirty or sleazy 54. Author Chekhov 56. Red-skinned cheese 57. Speed of an object divided by speed of sound 58. ‘70s hairdo 59. Point of entry 60. Iraq neighbor 61. *Popular DIY dad gift 62. Pauper’s permanent state 63. Feeling happy 66. Tropical American cuckoo 68. Stallone
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“Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-arope.” — Bill Cosby
Answers on page 8
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HEALTH UCare’s Salute to Excellence event honors Crown Medical Center At its annual provider recognition event on May 3, UCare recognized outstanding performances by Minnesota clinics and care systems that participated in its Pay for Performance (P4P) Program. Among the providers honored at UCare’s ’Salute to Excellence!’ event were Dr. Chike Onyekaba and Dr. Joyce Onyekaba of Crown Medical Center. This medical center, with clinics in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center and a nonprofit division as well, was recognized for Medicaid Overall Performance Quality of Care. “We are delighted to honor these health care providers, who worked so hard on behalf of UCare members in Minnesota” said Nancy Feldman, President and CEO, UCare. “We designed our Pay for Performance Program to reward clinics and care systems of all sizes that achieve measureable improvements in key quality-ofhealth measurements. We are very pleased to honor Crown Medical Center for its fine performance in 2009.” UCare’s P4P Program paid $2,160,750 to clinics and care systems across Minnesota for their performance in key qualityof-health measurements achieved
Challenge From 9 Administration correctly points out that: “Research shows that highquality early learning programs lead to long-lasting positive outcomes for children, including increased rates of high school graduation, college attendance, and college completion. Yet just 40 percent of 4-year olds in America are currently enrolled in preschool programs. The most recent report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) indicates that, for the first time in a decade, states are reducing some of their key investments in early learning.” The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge funds seek to avert this backward
Pattie Castonguay
Left to right: Dr. Chike Onyekaba and Dr., Joyce Onyekaba of Crown Medical Center with UCare’s President and CEO, Nancy Feldman, and UCare’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Russell Kuzel trend. Business, law enforcement, military, and foundation leaders all spoke at the announcement ceremony about how this early childhood investment will help reduce crime, strengthen national security, and boost our national competitiveness. It is time for all of our leaders and citizens to wake up and recognize that the greatest threat to America’s national security comes from no enemy without but from our failure to invest in the health and education of our children. Our biggest deficit is not in our budget but in our values and human capital. Many of the programs Race to the Top is designed to elevate and celebrate are under threat. The same day the Early Learning Challenge was announced, the U.S. Senate rejected three harmful budget proposals, including the
House-passed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget resolution that seeks to cut lifelines and dismantle crucial protections for children and low income families from cradle to college. Over 10 years, the Housepassed Republican (Ryan) Budget would slash $4.3 trillion in critical services and supports, nearly twothirds of which directly serve children and low-income families, while giving huge tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. Even with the Ryan Budget off the table, the threat of devastating unjust cuts and fundamental changes in programs serving children and other vulnerable populations loom. One dangerous proposal, known as the Corker-McCaskill spending cap, would force Congress to make deep cuts across the boards to life-saving safety net programs for vulnerable children and would
harm children of color most. These dark budget clouds swirling around Congress pose grave threats to children and everyone concerned about children and the poor needs to wake up and say no. It is simply wrong to cut children’s Head Start and nutrition programs and not ask billionaires and millionaires and amnesty corporations to contribute a modicum of their government welfare. Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org.
Storm From 9 Currently, the Minneapolis Urban League, in partnership with numerous other organizations and volunteers is working to support short term needs such as emergency housing repair, transitional housing, food, clothing, health and wellness support. The exciting thing is that we’ve all agreed that we must also, just as importantly, find solutions for supporting the long term needs of this community. Critical to elevating the community is constructive action around re-housing, job development opportunities, continuous volunteer mobilization, youth engagement,
in 2009. All results achieved in 2009 were analyzed in 2010; payments were made in November 2010. These payments recognized and rewarded providers for superior or improved performance in measurable key areas of preventive care. UCare (www.ucare.org) is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 200,000 members. Crown Medical Centers (www.crownmedicalcenter.org) provide medical, preventive healthcare and health education outreach services to residents of the greater Twin Cities, including those who are underinsured and/or uninsured. The mission of Crown Medical Center and its nonprofit division, Crown Medical Support Services, is to reduce cultural and linguistic barriers that lead to health disparities and to offer high quality, comprehensive medical support services and health education to all in need, regardless of income or insurance, with the goal of improving the health and well-being of Minnesota residents.
economic development and contracting opportunities. Those of us in community service must also maintain a focus on communication, which is critical in this rebuilding period. While our community may be facing one of its greatest challenges, we have an opportunity to transform North Minneapolis from a place of crisis to a showcase of the power of outcome-focused, strategic execution, fueled by collective effort. By harnessing our inventive thinking, varied talents, and shared vision, North Minneapolis can become a replicable model for other locales that, like this community, are already in the eye of the storm before the actual storm makes its full presence known.
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