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Monty Alexander: Jamaica’s gift to world of jazz

By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief You could call him the Barack Obama of piano. You wouldn’t get an argument from him. Instead, you’d get a calm and pensive nod, a reflective acknowledgement that

hope does matter. You would learn that Jamaican-born piano master Monty Alexander, like President Obama, lifts his gaze above the stresses of ordinary reality, and willfully peers beyond, focusing on what we can and must become.

ALEXANDER TURN TO 5 Photo courtesy Hennepin Theatre Trust

June 8 - June 14, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 23 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

$2.5 million for Green Jobs training

By Al McFarlane and B. P. Ford, The Editors Rep. Margaret Anderson Keliher (DFL-60A), Speaker of the Minnesota House last week praised

One hand giveth, the other hand taketh away..

By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief Transportation department officials last week Thursday discussed how to restructure job training programs in ways they said would change the rate of compensation companies receive for placing on the Job Training (OJT) trainees, and, allow a pool of trainees to be moved from company to company, from project to project without impacting the low-bid status of companies awarded contracts, while doubling the time that they spend in the OJT status from 2,000 hours to 4,000 hours.

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the work of HIRE-MN, the expansive network of community service and environmental advocacy groups that succeeded in passing a bill that directs $2.5 million for training and outreach for green jobs and infrastructure stimulus spending.

Keliher said, “Showing up made the difference.”

She offered a new “beatitude” in reference to Biblical blessings.

“Blessed are the community organizers for they shall change the world,” she said.

Keliher encouraged HIRE-MN partners to continue working in the belief that “we can grow our way to prosperity; that all must share in the promise and the opportunity; and that, like yeast, opportunity and promise must rise.”

“Accountability and transparency are important,” she said. “These town hall meetings show you are willing to hold us accountable, and, you are willing to hold yourselves accountable as well.”

“Our lives are being negotiated, and we are not there!” said Alex Tittle, providing background to why the HIRE-MN initiative focused on infrastructure spending.

Tittle is responsible for training programs at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Centers, (SAOIC) one of the partner stakeholders in HIRE MN. Phyllis Hill, representing

26th Avenue North Greenway/Bikeway Community Meeting

Monday, June 15 Agenda: Open House 5:30 - 6:30 pm Presentation 6:30 - 7 pm Community 7 - 8 pm Comments Parkway United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall 3120 Washburn Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 612-522-2982

Suluki Fardan

According to Tittle and Hill, about 7,000 jobs in infrastructure repair and renovation will be created from federal stimulus spending in Minnesota.

ISAIAH, a community building advocacy agency, and Tittle reported on Federal infrastructure initiatives in Minnesota, noting the challenges and strategies to broaden the pathway to more inclusion of people of color and women in the projects that are being funded by taxpayer dollars to

help jumpstart the nation’s economy.

According to Tittle and Hill, about 7,000 jobs in infrastructure repair and renovation will be created from federal stimulus spending in Minnesota. Federal and state diversity and inclusion requirements mean that almost 900

of those jobs are to be targeted for women and minority workers in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area as part of a $500 million stimulus spending project primarily through Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT.)

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Barb Crushshon

To empower community, civic and social service organizations

Urban League forged business, labor, government, partnerships Part 4 in a series of 4 A history from www.mul.org By returning to the slums and organizing its residents, the Urban League had gone back to its beginnings. The Urban League became the convener, the agent that put together the coalitions to force change while at the same time being the working partner of business, labor, government, social and civic organizations. In the years following 1968, the Minneapolis Urban League founded its own Street Academy, one of the few that exist today, and greatly expanded its employment and youth programs.

To many people in the early 1970s, it seemed as though real progress was occurring. The election of Richard Nixon proved that progress was an illusion. His administration reflected those who had elected him — “the silent majority”. Those voters believed that Blacks had come too far, too fast and had to be slowed down.

Despite the victories of the sixties, nearly half of all Blacks lived below the poverty line and unemployment for African Americans was at Depression levels. Racism was still alive and well. It had merely changed its form. In 1970, Whitney Young Jr,

the able leader who had changed the vision of the Urban League, declared the League would continue to mount a full-scale attack on the causes of racism and poverty.

Whitney Young died in a drowning accident a short time later. His death was yet another blow to the civil rights movement.

Under the new leadership of Vernon Jordan, the Urban League Movement was able to continue in the direction set by Whitney Young. Jordan re-emphasized the tradition of scholarship and factfinding that had been the hallmark of the Movement. The Urban League published a new body of work on the conditions faced by African Americans. It inaugurated the annual State of Black America, which assessed the status of Blacks every year and made public policy recommendations. Vernon Jordan was able to confront the Jimmy Carter administration, which proclaimed itself attuned to African Americans, and call for a new urban policy.

By the end of the 70’s, there were 116 affiliated organizations in cities across the country with combined annual budgets of nearly $100 million making it possible to serve more than a million people a year.

The Minneapolis Urban League grew along with the

MDH fires Minority Health Officer: More pain in store for Minnesota’s people of color?

By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief Minnesota last week dismissed the officer in charge of addressing disparities in health and in doing so, made it sound like all is well for the health of Black people and other people of color, and for American Indians in Minnesota.

The Department pink-

Mitchell Davis slipped Mitchell Davis, who was the third director of the

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For further info: Bill Smith, Consultant, Biko Associates, 612-623-4000

The Sheraton Midtown

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Tyrese Gibson Aretta-Rie Johnson

Building effective business ties: From left to right: Kenneth Foxworth, Will Settle, Cyril Turner, Ernie Taylor, David Oguamanam, MUL Interim President/CEO, Dennis Taylor, Letty Ashworth, Mgr., Diversity Programs, Delta/NWA Airlines, Beth Graham, Mee Kue, Don Bennett and Kindra McGhee national organization. Under the leadership of Gleason Glover, who would serve as its Chief Executive for 25 years (1967-1991), the Minneapolis League achieved

national prominence. Gleason Glover was recognized throughout the Urban League Movement as an effective leader who could work across all elements of the African

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American and majority communities. He was one of the executives brought in when League

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First person comments from Conversations with Al McFarlane

Leaders explain the nature of leadership JERRY MCAFEE: Good morning, Al. I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And from the brothers and sisters on the block, What’s up?

Let me put this in a scriptural context, Babington, and from one that has been critiqued and criticized for quite some time. There’s a passage in Matthew 5, that says ‘Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake”.

He says rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward. Now, if I was going to preach that text, I would hang a title on it: Why are you hatin’ on me?

The interesting thing about the text is this: in the first verse of Matthew, Chapter 5, it says “and when Jesus saw them.”

That word saw, is ido in the

Greek language and it means to see and to perceive with understanding.

What He understood is anytime you are in the business of serving people, sometimes the very people that you serve will revile you, which means to eat and to gnash upon you with their teeth. He says what you can’t afford to do is get in the dirt with them. So He says rejoice. In other words, the suggestion of the text is that because of their constant and consistent eating on you, it kind of douses your flame a bit. So He says, “Rejoice, I want to recharge you, and be exceedingly glad.”

And then He says, “I want you to heighten your focus.” He says because they’re eating on you, you have a tendency to look at those who are eating on you.

But in order for you to get where He needs you to be, you must

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Photos: Suluki Fardan

Rev. Jerry McAfee

elevate your focus.

In the Old Testament, Nehemiah was harassed by weak men in the community who were always trying to stop Nehemiah from helping his own people. Now, what’s interesting about the story is that one was kind of related to the

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The Many Storylines of the NBA Finals

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Representative Margaret Anderson Keliher (DFL-60A)

Hire From 1 “ISAIAH, HIRE MN, and the other partners in this movement sat at the negotiation table with MNDOT and the construction trades industry. We listened to and challenged MNDOT’s reports on their accomplishments to move toward fairness and equity in

Forum From 1 Nehemiah’s people. It means the adversary often has somebody on the inside that let them inside.

So they kept sending letters for Nehemiah to come down and deal with them and their criticisms. Nehemiah said, “I’m doing a great work, and I can’t come down. Why should the work cease and I come down to you?”

Don’t come down. Stay where you are. We don’t need to be spending time talking about somebody that makes no difference. Stay where you are.

MUL From 1 policy was debated. Glover was instrumental in bringing together

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Senator Ellen Anderson (DFL 66)

Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL 60B)

Brian Elliot, District Director for Congressman Keith Ellison

Will Steger

Louis King

compliance with the law and legal agreements,” said Hill during a HIRE-MN town hall meeting last Tuesday night at Sabathani Community Center.

“If our negotiation sessions would have been a class, MNDOT would have failed. They would have earned an “F” grade. We discovered we knew more about the reports they wrote than they did. They had over $700 million in their contracting budget, but couldn’t meet their own goals for

minority and women inclusion.

And their reports were laden with inaccuracies,” she said.

Tittle said one item that shows structural inequity in how MNDOT fails to live up to its own professed and legal obligations is found in how it allocated $4 million in training funds in the last reporting period. He said MNDOT reported it had expended, or allocated, 790,000 for minority training, funding some internships and on the job training programs. Some 88

minorities and women benefitted from that training. But MNDOT reported it spent $3.2 million in training for an engineering program whose beneficiaries were 44 white males, five minorities, and 6 women.

HIRE-MN maintains such disparity in spending proves the absence of intent to deal fairly with people of color and women.

Tittle and Hill joined other HIRE-MN stakeholders and legislators in acknowledging the

community organizing feat accomplished by HIRE-MN. The initiative succeeded in garnering $2.5 million from the Minnesota Legislature. In a bill signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty weatherization training will receive about $1 million, and other infrastructure construction training at about $1 million. The bill allocates about $500,000 for outreach and information that will make communities of color aware of the opportunity to train for the

new green jobs energy and infrastructure spending will create.

Minnesota Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-66) said in her 17 years as an elected official, she has not seen such a consistent and expansive turnout of people representing community values, issues and needs. Usually, she said, the halls of the Legislature are lined with “white guys in suits on their cell phones. We need you at the

other communities of color to participate more in the Minneapolis Urban League.

Here’s why: there are 37 million Hispanics in the US, 15 million Asians in the US, and several million Native Americans. So if you can reach out more to the other ethnic communities, we will contribute to the cause and support the work of the Urban League because the Urban League is supporting us. So I would like you to consider a plan to open more to the other communities.

Let me tell you one statistic about the change with the Obama Administration. The first time in the 25 year history of our

Nghi Huynh

Saeed Fahia

ethnic media, now we receive directly, communication with the White House. That’s a big change! So we would like to open our communities more and work together. When we’re united, we make more noise. We get better results.

AL MCFARLANE: Saeed

Fahia is the President/CEO of the Confederation of Somalis in Minnesota. I serve on his board, and am always overjoyed at the opportunity to interact with the rich and vibrant and growing Somali culture. I praise the Somali people for their business acumen – they are adding new

Minneapolis Urban League had a small office with a staff of three and a budget under $50,000. When Gleason Glover retired in 1991, the organization had grown to 90 employees and an annual budget of over $3 million.

By the mid-1990s, the Minneapolis Urban League reached over 25,000 people each year through education, employment, individual client services, and public policy advocacy. The staff included over

100 full or part-time employees most of whom lived in the areas they serve. The work of Gary Sudduth, named CEO in 1992, placed Minneapolis in the forefront of the Urban League Movement especially on the issue of youth

Do what you need to do. Folks in the community who have good sense know who’s doing what.

NGHI HUYNH: Good morning to the audience and the listeners of “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” and welcome the new CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League. I’m very interested to learn about your vision. Today you presented just a few words, but very impressive, and very committed to leading the Minneapolis Urban League to a productive future of service to the community.

I want you to think about reaching out and inviting the Black leaders and the leaders of the Minnesota State Legislature and was able to re-establish the Black/Jewish dialogue that had flourished during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. At the beginning of his tenure as CEO, the

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Saundra Crump ideas and new opportunities, and I think that’s a very good thing.

Thank you for being here, and I wanted you to share with Scott Gray a story about the Somali community.

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achievement. Gary Sudduth died suddenly on July 28, 1997.

For the year following Mr. Sudduth’s death, Laura ScottWilliams, a twenty-year veteran of

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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 Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Mehgaan Jones Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Mpls., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI) National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

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Forum From 2 SAEED FAHIA: I want to say here with me today to welcome you are elders of our community, Hamad Warsami, who is the chair of our Council of Elders, and Mr. Maya, is an elder. We want to thank you and congratulate you on this new position. We know that it is very hard and difficult.

You’ll be tested by fire.

The Somali community is a new community, an African community that is new to the United States. We first came to Minnesota around 1992. Most people came because of the civil war in Somalia. The civil war is still going on. Many Somalis are here. The largest group of Somalis in the United States are here in Minnesota - around 60,000. Most of them are in Minneapolis, maybe 20-30,000.

In Cedar-Riverside community, where my office is, there are at least 7,000 Somalis who live in the high-rise buildings. The community has made some successes, and there have been many challenges and difficulties.

People have language barriers, cultural barriers. They are new to the country. The work ethic and the work experience in this country is different from that of Somalia. Somalis are from varied backgrounds. Some are nomadic.

Some are fisherman. Some are farmers. Some are urban people.

But they are not used to what happens here. What I want to say is that it’s a new African group here, and with other Africans we have been welcomed by the Urban League. It’s a great organization, and it has helped many Somalis settle here and start

Davis From 1 Office of Minority Health, following Gloria Lewis, and Lou Fuller, the legendary nurseeducator-activist who mobilized community and political support to demand that the state finally pay attention to the disgraceful and willful neglect meted out to Black residents and taxpayer, and other persons of color.

over in the United States. So we want to thank your organization and we want to thank the African American community.

Al McFarlane has been part of our organization, we value elders, and he’s an elder. He has connected to us, to all of these elders, the Reverend, others. All of them have consulted us and helped us along. I know that you will be like them, willing to help Somali people. I want to say welcome and congratulations.

AM: I meet Saundra Crump every Friday morning, at the Editor’s Roundtable at Sunnyside Café and Deli on Glenwood Avenue.

One of the things that I adore about Sandra Crump is her honesty and her integrity. She challenges me and everybody, every week, to think critically and honestly, about whatever the topic is.

SAUNDRA CRUMP: I’ve been in North Minneapolis for two and a half years. I lived in South Minneapolis for about 17 years, and never really paid much attention to what was going on in the city or in the community. I moved over here for the purpose of getting involved in the community. I believed that that was a responsibility that I had, that I had passed up. One of the things that I’ve found since I’ve been here, and since I’ve been trying to get involved and trying to connect with the various aspects of the community, is that I don’t really know what all the different agencies do. I don’t understand or know what they do.

I don’t know who holds them accountable. I don’t know how they hold themselves accountable. So that’s what I’d like to see more of. I don’t want it to be my life’s work to figure out

Minnesota consistently posted among the worst outcomes for Black people in key health indicators including, HIV/AIDS and STD infection, heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, infant mortality, and other ailments, that despite overall, Minnesota ranked as the healthiest state in the nation.

The gap reflected an arrogant contempt for Black people and a policy of marginalizing Black people and Black community agencies and

http://insightnews.com what the agencies are doing, and how they’re doing it, however.

So what I would like to see from you, Scott, is transparency, some reaching out with what you’re doing and how it’s being done, on an ongoing basis. I’d like to see a platform, a format, and some kind of way of being weekly accountable to us without us having to come and find you. And I’d like to see not only the Urban League but the other agencies in the community, the agencies that are run by Black people, or, and/or for Black people, for this community, not just Black people.

I’d like to see you hold them accountable as well, and encourage them to be more transparent. Like I said, I don’t think it should be our life’s work to figure out what you guys are doing.

AM: The Hon. Samuel Smith is a former legislator in the government of Liberia. Liberia has a large population here in the Twin Cities. That community, also, is growing.

SAMUEL SMITH: Thank you, Al. Firstly, I think almighty God that we have the opportunity of being here, to be amongst our brothers and sisters to at least share some experience we have.

In 1821, the American government helped repatriate men and women who had been enslaved back to Africa. In 1847, they formed the country that now we call Liberia. It was known as Green Land at the time. Some called it Green Coast. It became Liberia. Since then, we’ve been interacting with this country. We are here for many purposes. Many come here for educational purposes. But we all find ourselves divided as Blacks. I

institutions. Fuller, and her successor Lewis, were effective in mobilizing Black Minnesotans, and reaching out to create health service and health policy networks with other communities of color that led to awareness that led to legislation mandating a state response to the atrocity of poor health afflicting people of color.

While dismissing Davis, the department said: We have made progress in a number of areas. For example: • Decreases in infant

Samuel Smith

Sylvia Amos

The Rev. Randy Staten

don’t know the reasons why. For Africans and African-Americans it’s about time that we work together and have one aim, one objective, for our people. And this is a young man we have elected him to be the leader of Urban League. We should give him the chance to prove himself. Let us pray for him, and give him the opportunity to exercise the rights of a leader that we already gave him.

AM: The Rev. Randolph Staten is a former state legislator, a resident of the neighborhood and a former member of the Urban League board of directors. He is a pillar in the community: a man

who embodies courage, and being forthright, to a fault. Sometimes a lot of people will always say ‘oh here he is again’, because they know he will step to the plate, his voice challenging the power, on behalf of the people. Reverend, I wanted you to just contextualize what we’re doing today. Why is it important for us as a community to reach out to Scott Gray and welcome him into this position of leadership? How do we move forward? Also, my ultimate aim is to get us to talk about creating a protocol, a Code of Conduct, a way that we can do business with each other.

THE REV. RANDY STATEN: I served on the Urban League board myself for six years, and I think the Urban League is a tremendous organization, a tremendous asset as far as community is concerned. You’re being given the keys to a tremendous asset. I want to thank the staff. It is an absolutely brilliant staff that you have been blessed with, and they have done great work, not only in the interim, but they’ve done a great work for years and years and years, in terms of carrying out the agenda of the Urban League.

We believe it is necessary that we speak truth to power. I think that’s real critical – we understand that we don’t have to find racism everywhere, but when racism does exist, we have to

have the courage to call it that and challenge it. My friend, the Rev. Jerry McAfee, talked about not re-going down, but there are times in which things can become so corrupt that you have to turn the table over – that’s what Jesus did in the Temple, because things had become so corrupt.

Oftentimes we believe that we would do anything to get a little bit of money, when in fact if we do what we’re supposed to do, in terms of challenging power, we would get the kind of resources we need to be able to solve the problems, as far as our community is concerned.

We’re not beggars. We are partners and participants in partnership, and we have to act like that. So the idea of advocacy is a critical position that I believe people need to take, regardless of the position of power. The mayor of Minneapolis can’t deny the Black community $150 million in Empowerment Zone funding and cut $100,000 of funding without an aggressive and effective response from us. We have to be able to be bold enough to say that wherever we find ourselves. So if we’re going to deliver social services, we must do it with some integrity.

I thank God for the elders who are here, because I think elders have a responsibility also to teach..

mortality among populations of color and American Indians have ranged from 26.3 percent to 75 percent.

• Heart disease mortality has decreased for African Americans/Africans by 94.3 percent.

• New HIV infections have decreased for American Indians by 51.8 percent.

• Disparities in homicide mortality have decreased, ranging from 6.8 percent for American Indians to 48.3 percent for African

Americans/Americans.

• Disparities in cervical cancer incidence have decreased for Asians by 32.9 percent and for African Americans/Africans by 54.2 percent.

According to information from the state’s own health website, the 2008 edition of America’s Health Rankings identified Minnesota as the fourth healthiest state in the nation. Since the annual state health rankings began in 1990, Minnesota has ranked first in

health 11 times. “ Despite the overall health status of our state, Populations of Color (African Americans, Asians and Hispanics), and American Indians continue to experience poorer health and disproportionately higher rates of illness and death,” the state report said.

The Davis dismissal letter did not say infant mortality for Black and American Indian children is still more than DAVIS TURN TO 8

AM: Sylvia Amos, is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Minneapolis Urban League.

SYLVIA AMOS: On behalf of the staff of the Minneapolis Urban League, and there are many of us in the room here, we want to welcome you, Scott Gray, to the Minneapolis Urban League, as our Chief Executive Officer and President. We are looking forward to working with you. The staff has done an excellent job during this transition, maintaining the organization and keeping things going until you got here.

So we thank God for you. We will continue to pray for you. We look forward to you coming aboard June 1st..

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AESTHETICS Tyrese Gibson Transformers interview Columnist

By Alaina L. Lewis Being an ever-changing vessel in the world of entertainment, Tyrese Gibson has definitely come a long way since his days of wowing us in features like Baby Boy, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Waist Deep. As he climbs the Hollywood ladder, working with major filmmakers like John Singleton, Steven Spielberg, and Michael Bay, the R&B singer turned actor, is gaining a steady momentum in the industry and proving to be one of Hollywood’s most relevant and sought after talents.

He is one of few actors who has the ability to take that incredible leap from a feature film actor to starring in Major Motion Pictures, but for unbridled talent it doesn’t stop there.

Gibson is not only gearing up to take over the theatrical box office this summer, but he’s also preparing for the release of a 32-page comic book Mayhem, which he will introduce to the world upon its anticipated release date of August 5th.

Embodying all the qualities of a superstar, but packaging it perfectly in a humble attitude, this actor,

Alexander From 1 Alexander, in a performance by the Monty Alexander Trio, brings his brand of mystical lyricism to Twin Cities Friday, June 12 at State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.

“I will be bringing the music that represents my life experience,” Alexander said in a phone interview last Monday. “I was born

singer, model, comic-book creator, businessman- and so much more, is engulfed in a symphony of accomplishments by being the conductor behind orchestrating his successful career in the entertainment industry.

Gibson is this summer reprising his Transformers role as USAF Tech Sergeant Epps in this summer’s hottest sequel, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

few weeks away now.

Insight News, caught up with Tyrese Gibson to give you a taste of things to come and get a preview of what we can expect when he graces the silver screen July 24th in the sequel to Michael Bay’s hit movie Transformers.

IN: What can viewers expect from the sequel that they didn’t get the first time around with your character USAF Tech Sergeant Epps?

Insight News: Since the last time we talked, you were on the threshold of crossing into your 30’s, how does it feel to be an official “Grown Man”?

Tyrese Gibson: I feel like my age is just now catching up to me.

[Laughs]. It’s always been said that I’m like an old soul, so I’ve always thought that maybe someone had my age wrong because I just never felt like I had the type of thoughts of a 25-year-old or a 21-year-old, even when I was that young. But 30, is a good age. I feel great. It feels great to be 30.

IN: I like that. How are you preparing for the release of your new film Transformer 2? That’s only a and raised in Jamaica. That is a big part of what I bring. It is a big part of my presentation. It provides vibrations and inspirations that shape my concept of American classical music. My music is an exploration of the world of jazz from Harlem to Kingston.”

Alexander said the live performance at the State Theater will flow “according to how the Spirit moves. I draw on selections that people are familiar with; for instance, Burning Spear and Bob

TG: Well, we have to go to about nine different countries on an international tour. My first biggest preparation though, is to get as much stuff done as possible before I leave.

I just want to spend as much time as I can with my daughter before I break out. Today, I’m singing the National Anthem at Game five for the Lakers. I’m excited about that.

TG: You’re going to meet my family finally in this one. I think the scope and the canvas of this film is so much bigger and greater than the first one. The chemistry amongst the cast is so much better. Michael Bay is just in rare form and he really went full throttle with this whole jump off. My character has been given more responsibilities and more pressure because he is now the Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

There’s just more pressure when it comes to communication- where to drop bombs, where to pick us up if anything happens and all the above.

So, there is a lot going on with Robert Epps in this one.

IN: So we’ll be able to get closer to your character.

IN: How do you think the film will appeal to African American audiences, who tend to show more support for films with a predominately African American cast and theme?

TG: Oh, they’re going to love it, because my Black behind is sprinkled all up and through that joint! [Laughs].

IN: You’ve come a long way since your first film Baby Boy, how do you think you’ve grown as an actor?

TG: You know I’m still growing.

Everyday is one of those things where you kind of put your head out there and try to be your best. I feel good about everything that’s been going on and the different levels that things are going to. I’m just glad that I’m not limited to doing a certain type of film and that I can spread my wings, fly and have fun with it. You know?

IN: Will we be seeing you do other roles in the future that will challenge you even more as an actor, quite like Jamie Foxx when he did the film Ray, that took him all the way out of his comfort zone- more dramatic features, or are you going to stick with the action genre?

TG: Oh we’re definitely going to get into the dramatic stuff, all day.

That’s a no brainer. Absolutely.

TG:Absolutely.

IN: Have they ever confirmed the Marley, as well as my own compositions.

“I have amazing musicians who go with me. The trio coming to Minneapolis includes my long time great associate, Hassan Shukur, on bass, and master drummer Herlin Riley, who is from New Orleans,” he said.

Like Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff, Alexander represents one more instance of tiny Jamaica illuminating the entire planet. In a career spanning five decades, Alexander connected the worlds of American jazz, pop music, and the music of his native Jamaica. He has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world.

“The ‘island in the sun’ has played such an important role in the way the world is made up today.

Jamaica’s music produced lifechanging messages through the music of artists like Bob Marley and others. They created songs of encouragement that reached out to everybody,” he said.

Though he is and has been a New Yorker for decades, Alexander remains the quintessentially eloquent Jamaican, his voice mines every word, every phrase, to reveal inner meaning and nuance. He loves Jamaica. “The weather is so nice. Jamaica is a great place to enjoy the sun and vacation. It is a beautiful place for a holiday. And there are the ordinary people who are the salt of the earth. From these have come men and women who can run faster than anyone else in the world,” he said.

“So a mystical and powerful statement is being made. The statement is about all that Africa has brought to the West. It is not about materialism. But it is about connecting worlds. Jamaica is the midpoint,” he said, describing the TransAtlantic Slave Trade, that brought millions of Africans through the Caribbean and on to points north and south in the New World.

The idea of mystic and spiritual direction guides Alexander’s performance.

“It’s difficult to explain,” he said. “It is the mystery. I come to each performance with a wealth of knowledge and experience. It’s up to me to draw on that wealth of knowledge and experience in each performance —however it unfolds as we go along.”

Alexander started playing at age four. He has no formal training.

“I never went to music school. I learned through experience. I learned from my elders in Jamaica and from my elders here in America. I came to New York and was playing in a place called Jilly’s, where Frank Sinatra was a regular.”

Alexander said he honed his ability inspired by Miles Davis, Count Basie and his favorite of all time, Louis Armstrong. “Louis Armstrong was my idol. He was a messenger of joy,” he said.

At Jilly’s he met Modern Jazz Quartet vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who hired him and eventually introduced him to former Charlie Parker collaborator and legendary bassist Ray Brown. Alexander recorded and performed with the two jazz giants on many occasions.

Jazz’s greatest luminaries welcomed Alexander to their “musical fraternity” in the mid1960s. Today, Alexander maintains an active touring schedule, from intimate jazz clubs to concert halls and jazz festivals around the globe.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Monty Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. In Hal Leonard’s 2005 book The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time, Alexander was listed among the top five Jazz pianists of all time.

“All these great men of music filled me with inspiration. What I play comes from this world of experience as Monty Alexander’s

Photo courtesy of Tyrese Gibson

L - R: Michael Bay(Transformers’ director) Tyrese Gibson, Steven Spielberg (Transformers’ executive producer.) rumors about your portrayal of the superhero Luke Cage in the upcoming film adaptation, or is that still up in the air?

TG: Not yet. They’re still tweaking on it. It’s a long process to get things all the way right.

IN: For those who don’t know, you do have a personal phone line, where you allow fans an up close glimpse at your life, and on it you give a lot of wonderful advice. Do you think you’ll ever transfer any of that offered wisdom into a book?

TG: I’m actually writing a book right now. The book is titled, “How To Get Out Of Your Own Way.” I’m trying to get that done right now.

interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?

TG: Yes, I have to say this: you can often tell how far your life and career will go based on the five people you spend the most time with. So, if you have a problem with your life then you have to change your Circle of Five because you represent your five. If your spirit is down or you’re unmotivated all the time or you’re not career-oriented, it’s your Circle of Five. So, if you want to change your circumstances then you have to change your Circle of Friends.

To pre-order your copy of Image Comics and Tyrese Gibson’s “Mayhem” visit www.buymayhem.com.

IN: Do you have any advice for the readers of Insight News who are

Photo courtesy Hennepin Theatre Trust

Monty Alexander way of expressing life. I reach out to the world of mystery and let it flow. I am like a sponge: absorbing and releasing. There is this fine line between preparation and spontaneity. The mystery of performance is arriving, travelling there, being in the moment,” he said.

I asked if there were surprising or special moments or performances in memory that revealed the mystery and the power of the Spirit.

“Always,” he said. “The night I cannot look back to be surprised is a night that I got in the way. It is about getting out of the way. I don’t value one time more than another. I let it be. Let the sponge be released so that outpouring takes place. This is the fine line between preparation and letting it happen. It is not structured. It is spontaneous, happening in the moment.

“I don’t focus on what happened before. It’s what is happening tonight that matters. My greatest night is tonight: not what has happened in the past or what may happen in the distant future,”

he said.

Alexander added, “It’s about now. I’m not the guy who has the program all written. My desire is to uplift and take people to a higher place.”

Sometimes the feelings of anger or sadness come to the music, Alexander said. “They come in a powerful way, sometimes. Like all human beings, we get angry and sad. You could lose a loved one, or anything devastating can happen.

My responsibility is to resolve those downturns. I have to look away. I have to have hope. I’ve got to look at the sunshine.

“I am aware of current events and the environment. I can absorb just so much of that. Lots of news is so negative. Even though things happen in the world that we don’t want to happen, we still must raise our focus above those events and look beyond them,” said Alexander.

“That is what Barack Obama has done. I aspire to being the piano playing Barack Obama.”

Page 6 • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE End-of-school count down Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey Each night, for the last month or two, one of my three children has been keeping me current on the end-ofschool count down. Little do they know, I’m keeping close track myself-I am as ready for them to be finished as they are. We ALL need a break. My oldest child will be an eighth-grader this fall, but lately I have been thinking about how quickly these 13 years have passed by-and how much faster the next five years will zoom before me. Before I can blink, my firstborn will be a finishing her last year of high school and our family will be in senior-year

MUL From 2 the Minneapolis Urban League staff, served as Interim President/CEO. Clarence Hightower was selected to become the new President of the Minneapolis Urban League in August of 1998 after a nation-wide search. Mr. Hightower restructured the organization according to the 1997 Long Range Plan and launched a $6 million

mode —applying to colleges, taking senior pictures, shopping for prom dresses, and planning a graduation party or open house. For those of you who have seniors right now and are still deciding how you can throw a low-cost, casual, low-stress graduation party or open house here are a few ideas designed to get your streams of creativity flowing and to help your graduate feel special for this well-deserved accomplishment.

Send Out Evitations Rather than buying stamps and writing out envelopes, use a computer to make email invitations, www.evite.com, and send out one message to all your family and friends. Your guests will respond to you by email, which is usually more efficient.

Highlight The Guest Of Honor If you haven’t done so already, gather photos, pictures, awards, and other memorabilia of your grad, from preschool through grade 12, and proudly display them. Set up a Capital Campaign, the first in the Minneapolis Urban League’s history. As a result of the campaign, all of the direct service programs will be expanded and services will be delivered more efficiently.

In August 2008, Mr. Hightower was replaced by Interim President/CEO David Oguamanam.

Although the Urban League has changed over the years, Minneapolis has changed very little for African Americans.

Minneapolis has a higher concentration of nonwhite, poor

table, complete with a beautiful tablecloth, and display various certificates, honors, and ribbons from various extracurricular activities.

Consider using the school colors (or your child’s favorite colors) to cover a large piece of foam core board. Next, mount pictures and mementos and prop it up against the wall for all to enjoy.

Create A Photo Slideshow w/ Background Music Using your computer, digital camera, and photo slideshow software, you can easily make a photo slide show and set it to music.

If you don’t have the skills to do this yourself, but know someone who does, barter services (usually if you are willing to scratch somebody’s back, they will scratch yours in return). Just for fun, I googled making photo slide show and discovered the site www.ehow.com and found helpful tips. (You can actually get tips on doing practically anything on this site!) people than any other major city in the country. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (1992), the unemployment rate for African Americans in Minneapolis is the worst in the nation. Substandard housing and inadequate health care are still the norm for poor Black families. In countries all around the world, many of the gains that were made by minority populations in the last forty years have been lost and others are now being challenged in the courts. Although much has occurred on paper, the reality of life for many African Americans is much as it was during the first half of the century.

Where is the Urban League headed? The Urban League still embodies the belief in the equalizing power of a steady paycheck. But its goals have gone

Have a Gift Box On Hand For Cards Everyone knows that a graduate’s favorite gift, $$, always arrives in an envelope. To keep cards from getting lost, plan to have a box, with a top slit, in a designated location.

In addition to the cards, provide special stationery and encourage visitors to write words or prayers of encouragement to your son or daughter and deposit them into the box. Your graduate will definitely get that warm and fuzzy feeling when she reviews her special graduation messages.

Feeding the Masses Let’s be honest, the most expensive part of the celebration is always the food. To minimize the cost this time, instead of providing a full spread, like you are accustomed to, opt for the two D’s: Desserts and Drinks. A simple and well-stocked dessert menu that includes a mix of cakes, pies, brownies, and fresh fruit will be sufficient. In terms of drinkscoffee (for added flair include

http://www.blisstree.com/sheknowsparties/files/2008/05/istock-000003412783xsmall.jpg

flavored creams and shots), tea, punch, pop, and of course good old fashioned (bottled) water. Lastly, have a reliable family member or girlfriend restocking the desserts and drinks as necessary so that you and the grad are free to mix and mingle.

Your child’s high school graduation occurs only once in a lifetime. If you want to make it special, yet keep costs down, then stay focused on the big picture-your child’s accomplishment and your desire to let him know that he has the love and support of his family and

friends as he ventures out to make his mark on the world. At the end of the day, no one will ever remember what was on the menu. Instead they will remember an evening filled with joy and love. Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at a low cost. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

Aretta-Rie Johnson

At MUL Annual Awards Program: Celebrating a legacy of leadership and service Standing: Cara McBrayer, Tracy Moore, David Oguamanan; Seated: Hallie Williams, Marcus Owens, Laverne Knighton, Chelsea Jennings, Tylitha Stewart, Raichel Brown, Vanjelis Ngwa far beyond that. On the national

level, the focus is on youth academic achievement and the creation of wealth in the African American community. In the words of Vernon Jordan, speaking in 1973, “...the advances of the sixties formed but a prelude to the righting of racial inequities and to believe

anything less is an illusion fraught with danger.”

Full story on line at http://www.mul.org/index.php?opt ion=com_content&view=article&i d=8&Itemid=3

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Insight News • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Page 7

The Sheraton Midtown: The gem we seek is closer than we think

By Alaina L. Lewis When it comes to those who still enjoy the awesome thrill of treasure hunting, sometimes the gem we’re anxiously in search of is, in fact, closer than we think —it may be hidden in plain sight. Two miles from the intruding sounds of the downtown metro area sits The Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel, a successful mainstay in the Chicago/Lake Community.

Merely footsteps from the everpopular presence of the Midtown Global Market, an internationallythemed public marketplace, the hotel offers guests not only a home away from home, but a unique experience coupled by a welcoming spirit.

The Hotel itself sits atop a calm little perch tucked alongside one of the Twin Cities main arteries, Lake Street. Since its arrival to the newly renovated area three years ago, it’s still continuing to add that fresh intrinsic element to the united heartbeat that flows throughout the Southside neighborhood.

“We have a lot to offer here at the Sheraton,” says Barb Crushshon, Director of Sales and Marketing.

“We’re here for the community.

We’ve ranked in the top 5% of all Sheraton Hotels nationwide for cleanliness and our customer service because we care about everyone who comes here.”

Crushshon, a lifetime resident of Minneapolis, jumped at the chance to come aboard this new hotel’s journey, because of her strong affinity with the community and her love for the cultural richness that resounds throughout the area.

Inside the quaint establishment, you’re quickly greeted by a sense of belonging that outlines the halls of this captivating environment like only a Sheraton Hotel could. You’ll easily be swept away by a friendly staff that are thoroughly trained and genuinely interested in treating everyone who partakes in the myriad of experiences offered by this rare

Suluki Fardan

The Sheraton’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Barb Crushshon pearl, a five-star reason to forget the world that once resided outside their ever changing windows.

The hallways are beautifully outlined with photographs from the neighborhood taken in the 1920s and 1930s. The floor to ceiling windows make the banquet rooms nice for holding business meetings or for anyone to use for special gatherings.

The suites are trimmed with a warm décor that echo’s Ralph Lauren.

There’s an indoor heated pool and a state-of-the art fitness center with televisions built into the gym equipment allowing guests an opportunity to work out but with the added bonus of being able to flip through up to 72 cable channels on each piece of equipment.

The Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown has something for everyone who purposely stumbles upon its pleasantries or even for those winded bike riders who glide in off the beaten path and need a comfortable resting stop before continuing on their 40 mile descent down the Midtown Greenway Bike/Walk Path. It’s perfect for weddings, family reunions, or for residents in the area who want to

stop in and enjoy dinner or sip a cocktail outside by candlelight on their popular patio.

What makes the Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown so wonderful is that rather than having your special day or your getaway suffocated by the congestion that intermingles within the traffic in the downtown area, you’ll be far enough away from the mayhem to where you can just relax and enjoy your stay. If guests desire to venture offsite, the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service that will bring them throughout downtown Minneapolis and several hotspots in the area. You can still experience the allure of downtown even without having to lodge there.

The Sheraton serves an array of visitors every year and their staff is well-trained in caring for guests of the hospital. There are tunnels below its foundation that lead to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Children’s Hospital and The Piper Breast Center. With an open set of arms, they offer the families of patients within the Allina Hospital and clinic system not only a convenient place to stay during those tough hospital

Suluki Fardan

The Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown has something for everyone who purposely stumbles upon its pleasantries or even for those winded bike riders who glide in off the beaten path and need a comfortable resting stop before continuing on their 40 mile descent down the Midtown Greenway Bike/Walk Path. visits, but also an affordable option to those families without slighting them on their mission to provide guests both comfort and reliability.

This hotel is also ideal for companies interested in holding diversity meetings or having seminars. “We’re really the place to be if you want to hold meetings with your diversity department in your company. Most growing companies have these departments nowadays because you have to have them.

Why wouldn’t you hold the meeting here, this is the most culturally rich and diverse area in Minneapolis?

You have to remember, the meeting is about diversity so heading downtown or to Bloomington to have meetings does nothing for getting across that important message.” Crushshon said.

The Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown hopes to not only attract new business clients or first time guests, but it also desires to be that reliable name in everyone’s hearts that continually brings them coming back again and again. They hope that they won’t be overlooked, but rather embraced for their

unmatchable value quite like a

diamond in the rough.

Page 8 • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Insight News

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HEALTH Get your annual medical exam: Got symptoms? Visit the doctor Health & Wellness

By Brandi Patterson-Phillips Okay men, young men and growing boys, there is an issue that needs to be addressed over and over again until your minds change about your health care. I am speaking to men in general. So if this message does not apply to you, please feel free to spread the word and pass on the following information to other men.

Here's the situation: All too often, men do not go to the doctor when they sense something is

HIRE From 2 Capitol. You shook things up!

Green Jobs is not just a short term idea. It’s more than that,” she said.

“If you are there, we will do better. On our road to cleaning up the planet, we are being watched by the whole country,” Anderson said.

Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-

King From 1 HIRE-MN organizers, however, say such machinations gut the spirit and intent of federal infrastructure stimulus spending.

Louis King challenged the premise of the considerations charging “I feel that is discriminatory that the only way to get people of color on MNDOT job sites is through the OJT program.

Where is the program for white applicants?

wrong with their bodies. Too often, men don't get an annual medical exam.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3% of Hispanic men did not visit a health professional in the past 12 months, compared to 27% of African American men and 23% of Caucasian men. This behavior leads to diseases forming in the body that can be prevented.

A disease that has been diagnosed in many men who do not seek professional medical attention is BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia). This is an ailment that affects nearly half of all men over 50 and 90% of all men 70 and older.

Although research suggest this is a disease of older men, I personally know men in their 20s and 30s who have these symptoms, as well as men in this same age range who have lived with and died

from prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer is also high in low-income, uninsured men, according to the Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and University of California-Los Angeles.

BPH occurs when the prostate becomes progressively enlarged.

Symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia include frequent urination, the need to urinate at night and a feeling that your bladder is not empty after you have already urinated.

BPH is treatable if diagnosed early enough. If this condition is left untreated, a man can be at risk for such disorders as sexual dysfunction and damage to the liver and kidneys. Dr. R. Lawrence Hatchett M.D. states he has noticed that, "Rather than seeking medical attention men simply start to ignore certain activities . . ."

Another disease that men face

because they fail to listen to their bodies and actively seek medical attention is heart disease. The Office of Minority Health reported in 2005, that African American men were 30% more likely to die from heart disease than were white men of non-Hispanic decent.

Heart disease includes all the diseases that affect the heart.

Examples include heart attacks, congestive heart failure and congenital heart disease. I will briefly describe all three of these heart diseases.

A heart attack, also known as Myocardial Infarction, occurs when a part of the heart's blood supply is interrupted. A heart attack causes some of the heart's cells to die. This commonly occurs when there is a blockage- due to plaque- in an artery located in the heart.

Secondly, according to the American Heart Association, congestive heart failure occurs

when the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the other organs of the body. This form of heart disease can be a consequence of narrowed heart arteries, past heart attacks, high blood pressure, birth defects and more.

Finally, congenital heart disease is a condition of the heart that happens before birth. This defect of the heart affects approximately 9 of every 1000 children. In adults the symptoms include but are not limited to shortness of breath and limited ability to exercise.

WebMD reports, heart disease can be prevented by quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling your weight, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and exercising.

So gentlemen, at the least, please get your annual checkups.

The women of the world's communities need our fathers, brothers, sons, friends, boyfriends,

life partners and husbands. One checkup per year or when the symptoms occur can change and even save your lives.

60B), Chair of the Transportation Policy and Oversight Committee in the Minnesota House agreed.

When over 250 HIRE-MN people showed up at his hearing on MNDOT, “it was a watershed moment.” He said, “Now MNDOT is being held accountable.”

Hornstein paraphrased Abolitionist Frederick Douglass and reminded HIRE-MN workers that “ ‘power concedes nothing without a demand.’ You demanded,’ he said.

Will Steger, who co-chairs HIRE-MN with Louis King, said the next wrung on the HIRE-MN ladder is organizing to tax polluters with the tax revenues going to clean jobs like weatherization. He said Minnesota should be weatherizing 10,000 homes, not just 1,000.

Steger said jump-starting the economy is important. Brian Elliott, who is the District Director for Congressman Keith Ellison’s Minneapolis office, said people

should pay particular attention to two federal bill: The Clean Energy Bill which supports renewable, efficient, carbon reducing energy policy and initiatives; and the Federal Transportation Bill. The Transportation Bill, Elliott said, will determine the course of transportation development and spending for the next six years.

State Sen. John Marty (DFL54), like Keliher, a likely candidate for Minnesota Governor, warned that now HIRE-MN partners must

continue to be watchful. “Watch, watch. Lots of people with money will be asking us to give them this money to support things they want, not to support things you need and desire,” he said.

Louis King praised the legislators present with special kudos to North Minneapolis Rep. Bobby Joe Champion. “We have a statesman in the state capitol now,” he said.

Through Champion’s efforts Minneapolis Community Action

(Hennepin County) is getting $20 million for weatherization, and Ramsey Action Program (Ramsey County) is getting $15 million.

The training dollars authorized by the Legislature will go those agencies which in turn are responsible for getting the money into the community.

“We cracked to code,” King said. “Unions don’t give jobs.

Employers give jobs. Companies do.”

“It is even more ridiculous to suggest that the government must subsidize the majority of the wages for the OJT participants. This implies a lack of skill at the entry level vs white applicants. Where is the proof that these people don’t deserve to be paid by the employer? Why should the taxpayer pay twice?

King said he rejects and denounces the appearance that MNDOT is considering practices that “represent a major transgression against the “good faith” efforts that we have extended over the last few months.

In essence, this is a deal breaker.”

King said he objected to giving “people employing these discriminatory practices and extension of the OJT period to the equivalent of two years of full time work, and want the wages picked up by the state.”

He said the strategy smacks of back room deal-making. “I am tired of the back room deals. The people working for the Association of General Contractors (AGC) used to work for MNDOT. The people working for MNDOT have worked for the AGC. Who represents the people? The answer

is simple—no one,” he said.

“Instead of MNDOT saying that it is a new day and the times of discriminating against people of color are over, we get these types of attempts to circumvent justice.”

King is calling for public hearings to address these concerns.

This would allow MNDOT and the contractors to state their views in full view of the public in the spirit of transparency and accountability, he said.

Davis From 4 twice that of whites. It did not say the mortality rate for Blacks with HIV/AIDS is more than 10 times that of whites. It did not say Blacks still have 1/3 higher morbidity from cancer and twice the rate of morbidity for diabetes.

Some observers believe Davis’ departure is but the first

Brandi Patterson Phillips is a freelance health and wellness reporter with an extensive background in mental and physical health training and education. She is also a Life Skills Coach, fitness trainer and professional dancer.

She is currently studying for her M.B.A. at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis. Brandi currently teaches @ Creative Arts High School in St. Paul, MN, Summit Early Learning Center in Minneapolis, and is president of the Minnesota Fit Club for Women.

Please direct all health and wellness questions to bodybybrandiva@gmail.com.

Answers will be chosen to appear in subsequent Insight News editions.

shoe. Combined with likely unallotment program cuts to balance the state budget from the lame duck Governor, Tim Pawlenty, the second shoe may be the full fledged retreat from the principles of diversity, inclusion, access and engagement by Black Minnesotans and other people of color, and the maliciously intentional atrophy of publicly funded institutions and agencies that serve them.

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Insight News • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Page 9

Largest group of students yet complete two-year college prep program In this busy season of proms and graduations, awards nights and athletic banquets, more than 1,000 Twin Cities students marked their calendars for the 8th Annual Admission Possible Year-End Graduation Celebration which took place Saturday, May 30, at the University of Minnesota’s Ted Mann Concert Hall.

Of the 620 Twin Cities-area seniors who participated in Admission Possible’s two-year college preparatory program, 96% of them have already been admitted to at least one college for next year, after working steadily to reach important deadlines, arrange for financial aid, receive admission letters, and make an informed decision. For the many Admission Possible students who will be the first members of their families to attend college, this is an accomplishment well worth a celebration.

“This annual event is truly remarkable,” said Jim McCorkell, founder and CEO of Admission Possible. “This is a significantly larger senior class than we have had in previous years, and as they celebrate their college-going plans for the fall, our juniors – and recently accepted sophomores – witness that success and can begin to imagine it for themselves. It is an inspiring day!”

Though low-income students across the country will enter college at less than one-third the rate of their wealthier peers [Post Secondary Education Opportunity, June 2006], the energy and excitement among the more than 1,000 students that attended the Saturday event served to challenge that statistic as it applies to them.

Thanks to the dedication of the Admission Possible AmeriCorps members who coach them throughout the year, and the

commitment and hard work of the students, there were seemingly endless individual accomplishments to celebrate this spring.

“Admission Possible has opened doors that I would have never seen myself walking through,” said Michael Roberts, Admission Possible student and St. Paul Harding senior, who will attend Augustana College in the fall. “Most members of my family never went to college, so by doing so, I hope to change my family’s ways for the better. I want my children and their kids to attend college, and break away from that way of life. I just want them and everyone else to know that there is a better life out there and that they can have it.”

Fox 9 broadcast journalist and news anchor Robyne Robinson was the keynote speaker at the Saturday graduation. Robinson,

invited by Admission Possible as a highly visible and hard working role model in the community, is the first African American to anchor a local prime-time newscast and first African American woman appointed senior anchor at a Twin Cities news organization.

“You’re getting ready to become members of the world,” Robinson told Admission Possible students. “Believe in all that you have in yourself, but don’t just keep it for yourself,; you’ve also got to reach back and help everyone else out. Change doesn’t happen with a big shovel. It happens with a teaspoon and each of you carry one.”

In addition to celebrating the seniors’ plans, much of the day featured student presentations in the form of skits and other live performances, many of them were gestures of appreciation, while others were a glimpse of the hopes

Admission Possible

Over 1,000 students attended the Graduation ceremony at Ted Mann Concert Hall. and concerns that seniors have about their college careers ahead.

The year-end graduation ceremony was also a time for students, AmeriCorps members, staff, and community supporters to welcome the newly-admitted sophomores to Admission Possible, and to recognize the commitment that juniors made to ACT

preparation and score improvement throughout the year.

This year’s Admission Possible Year-End Graduation Celebration was made possible by the sponsorship of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Office of Admissions, Target, and RBC Wealth Management.

“Why focus on Black men healing as way to empower the community?”

By Samuel Simmons, Jr., ADC and Minister James Muhammad Guest Commentary Whether right or wrong, when discussing the ills and disparities within the African American community, many things are discussed, such as violence, drugs, poverty, and emotional, physical, spiritual health. However, there are two that come to the forefront, especially in the urban community: racism and the Black men’s role.

Let’s start with one that many have difficulty with, no matter Black, white or brown and that is the issue of racism. One group wants to focus on what many believe is America’s original sin, chattel slavery and they believe that pervasive structural racism still

exists. Historians agree that chattel slavery’s destruction of family relationships to this day undermines African American’s ability to form healthy relationships and families.

(Joy Degruy 2005) Another group wants to believe that racism isn’t that big of a problem and besides we have a Black president.

The unrelenting issues pertaining to Black men’s emotional attachment, emotional regulation, and self-concept difficulties give cause for mainstream society and causal observers to ask, “What’s wrong with them? Why is it that nearly 1 in 3 Black men will spend time behind bars during his lifetime?

Why is it that Black men die six years earlier than white men? Why are Black men so angry? Why are Black males, young and old, committing suicide at an unprecedented alarming rate? It’s

not difficult to understand why, when one considers the holocaust of chattel slavery and it’s enduring injury that’s gone untreated up to today. The issue of power and who holds it remains everybody’s hot button. Life expectancy is one of the best indicators of power and suicide and one of the best indicators of powerlessness.

Over the last thirty plus years many of the brightest in and outside the community have addressed these questions. But, there are many Black men who feel that the various systems around them have since failed and/or excluded them.

Consequently, these men are miseducated/undereducated, have poor emotional regulation, possess little or no work experience, are femaledependent, and have little or no healthy involvement in the productive activities that foster real self-esteem and hope for a future.

Invariably, these men come from a multigenerational experience of trauma, violence, powerlessness and poverty in their domestic, community, and social settings.

Even those African American men, who appear to be succeeding in the mainstream, are trying to survive in a nation where they’re viewed as angry, aggressive and dangerous brutes.

When the Black man suffers, everybody in the family and community suffers tenfold. It’s been said that men are responsible to cultivate hope. The presupposition is that he, himself, has hope; for how can he cultivate that which he does not have? And how can he heal from pain that he refuses to acknowledge because he believes to do so is unmanly? Unwittingly and helplessly, Black men pass their pain on to the women and children in their lives and the cycle of

slavery’s devastating pain continues and it’s profits soars. And yet, there are those who still ask, “Why the focus on Black men healing?”

African American men are not responsible for America’s original sin and the pervasive structural racism built upon its foundation, but we better take the responsibility for our HEALING from its devastating impact upon us as Black men, so we can be healthy crusaders with our women in rebuilding our families, vital communities and capable children. Without healing from individual and intergenerational trauma it’s hard to fully experience a relationship that reflects respect for all the people in the relationship —including the children— and move forward like Sankofa towards becoming a safe and healthy part of the community.

On June 25th, 2009, a conference entitled “Community

Empowerment Through Black Men Healing” will be held at Sabathani Community Center, 310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm to address the question, “Why focus on Black men healing as way to empower the community?” The mission of this conference is to bring together professionals, community leaders, Black, white, brown men and women, anyone who is interested in an alternative way of thinking about community building by addressing Black male pain. Yes, Black men should be held accountable by Black men, but our mantra must be Compassionate Accountability & Straight-up Healing i.e. C.A.S.H., so we can enrich our own lives and empower our communities.

For more information about the conference or authors go to www.healingbrothers.com.

Page 10 • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Insight News

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Gender and the job search

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Disclaimer: I believe, and most professionals I know believe, men and women in the world of work are equals. They have the right to equal pay for equal work and they are equally capable of succeeding in comparable positions. Sexism has no place in the workplace.

That said, do men and women have differences? Of course they do.

Do these difference influence the job search styles of men and women?

Watching men and women compete for positions, I have to say yes.

Gender rarely drives the hiring decisions of good managers, but it does seem to influence the way we look for work, specifically in terms of communication, problem solving and sensitivity to the needs of others.

Generally speaking, men communicate through actions, women through words. According to her book, The Female Brain, Dr. Louann Brizendine asserts that men speak an average of 7,000 words per day and women, 20,000. During a job interview, men need to be sure they are providing sufficient

information, answering questions completely and interjecting the small talk they usually hope to avoid.

Alternatively, women should refrain from jabbering on endlessly.

Both men and women should look for their interviewer’s nonverbal cues to know when to stop talking and start listening: an interviewer who rubs an eye, pulls an earlobe or massages his neck has heard enough; stop talking. An interviewer who seems to pause longer than is natural before asking the next question may need more information. Men who fall into the category of “strong, silent type,”

may want to ask outright: did that answer your question? In the same situation, women generally will want to refrain from filling the silence with words. If you must speak, ask a question. Then, wait for an answer.

Generally speaking, men and women take different approaches to problem solving.

One study watched groups of teenage boys and girls find their way out of a maze.

The boys solved the problem in a linear way, one step at a time, instinctively appointing a leader and systematically demonstrating their competence by achieving a solution.

The girls used a more circular, whole group approach, consulting one another throughout the process and testing multiple options to achieve the same solution. In this way, women seem to value the process, while men value the end result.

Armed with this knowledge, both men and women will sometimes have to adjust their interview style to that of their interviewer. Listen carefully to know whether the interviewer is looking for information about your approach or your result, and answer questions accordingly.

Sensitivity to others is an important tool in job searching.

According to many studies, men who are focused on a result (getting hired, for example) may lose sight of the needs of others along the way.

Saying thank you and making an effort to network on behalf of others are two chores men are going to have to deal with during a job search.

Remember, these are also life skills that will help you get ahead in many situations, not just job searching.

Women, conversely, may be overly concerned about what other people think. Taking a cue from the men in your life, let go of the judgments of others and be confident in yourself.

A little ego goes a long way in a job search, provided it’s honest confidence, not bravado.

Career management requires constant adaptation to situations and to the people around you. While men and women often overlap on the behavior spectrum, those who are aware of their tendencies can use that information achieve their desired results more easily.

Career management questions?

Write to Julie@insightnews.com.

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Insight News • June 8 - June 14, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS

NBA Finals: Most intimate sport from spectator’s point of view Let the barbershop arguments begin: whither Kobe Bryant or Dwight Howard - who will prevail?

Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com You gotta love the NBA Finals.

Basketball is probably the most intimate sport there is from a spectator or television viewer’s point-of-view, so the drama that can build is quite enjoyable.

This year, Kobe “The Mamba” Bryant and Dwight “Superman” Howard headline the marquis.

Though everyone’s focus was on a potential match-up between Bryant of the Lakers, and Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, there aren’t too many people outside of Ohio who are disappointed with the NBA Finals match-up of Los Angeles and Orlando.

First of all the Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, is pleased with the match-up because just like the Presidential Election, California and Florida are key states…and by “key states” I mean money, scratch, bread, dividends, ya dig. Plus, now Stern is stuck with hanging out in Los Angeles and Orlando for the next couple weeks.

Pobrecito.

On the surface, it is a great Finals match-up because it truly involves the two best teams in the NBA. To me the teams are more similar than different.

Both teams are very big, though Los Angeles certainly has the

edge in the size department.

The difficulty for Los Angeles is that one Dwight Howard could possibly be better than the combined effort of their big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Bynum is coming off of a knee injury, and Gasol has a tendency to be s-o-f-t like a babies bottom. How these two go is how the Lakers will go. If Bynum and Gasol do put some giddy-up in their step then a sizzling dose of Kobe Bryant venom would likely put the Magic’s show to rest.

The Orlando Magic also boasts an unstoppable force in the form of reigning Defensive MVP Dwight Howard.

I imagine the ladies will be tuned in to observe Dwight Howard’s abnormally muscular shoulders.

The only thing I can compare his shoulders to is a billboard.

Add a big handsome smile and an undersized head (he-he) and you have a great marketing vehicle in addition to a 7-foot terror around the basket. Yet Howard, like Bryant, can’t do it by himself. In Howard’s case, he needs his smaller helpers to giddy-up and pitch-in on his party.

Surprise, surprise, both teams need some giddy-up, but there are some historical implications from many perspectives as far as basketball goes. Howard’s rise to megastardom is a great story, because he now represents a large shadow over the prodigy Lebron James’ legacy. Who knows how things will play out, but in both size and ability Lebron James and Dwight Howard represent a great day ahead for NBA stars.

On the gray haired end of

http://rosecityshowcase.net/images/players/05HowardDwight02.jpg

Dwight Howard

the spectrum, Phil Jackson, coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, would claim his 10th NBA Championship should the Lakers win the series. This victory would clearly place Jackson as the greatest NBA coach in history in terms of titles won. Many discredit Jackson for having great players like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, but any dynasty can crumble if a leader is unable to manage egos of

their staff, and thus Jackson deserves all kudos that can come his way.

The name Michael Jordan weaves its way into any basketball conversation. Jordan won six NBA Championships (all with Jackson as Head Coach), and without a doubt Kobe Bryant grew up with an eye on surpassing that total.

My previous article explains how Kobe gave up the chance to win more titles than Jordan,

http://images.smarter.com/blogs/kobe24.jpg

Kobe Bryant but should the Lakers win this year, it would give Kobe his fourth NBA Championship ring.

Many pundits seem to think this would give Kobe a major bump in his quest to be considered better than Michael Jordan. I think that part of the importance for Kobe is that the shadows of both Lebron James and Dwight Howard are looming over his aging quest for ultimate greatness, and of course there will be another

prodigy on the way any day now. In other words, make haste while the young monsters finish the rest of there similac.

Ok, my Laker blood pressure is rising as I get these thoughts out.

Let the barbershop arguments begin!

So there are the Cliff’s Notes on the 2009 NBA Finals. Beyond that, you all know what I think.

Lakers, Fool! (Pass the ball Kobe)

Jennifer Gillom promoted to Minnesota Lynx head coach The Minnesota Lynx last week announced that Don Zierden has resigned as head coach to join Flip Saunders’ staff with the NBA’s Washington Wizards. Lynx assistant coach and women’s basketball great Jennifer Gillom has been promoted to head coach, becoming the sixth head coach in team history.

Gillom joined the Lynx as an assistant coach on Zierden’s staff in 2008 after an extremely distinguished professional career. With the Lynx, Gillom was responsible for assisting with the team’s scouting efforts, talent evaluation, and player development with a focus on the forwards and centers.

Under Gillom’s tutelage, center Nicky Anosike earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors. Additionally, forward Charde Houston averaged 8.8 ppg in 2008, the highest scoring average ever by a third

round or later pick in their rookie season in WNBA history.

Gillom, who was one of the first players signed by the WNBA, played seven seasons in the league (1997 - 2003), including six with the Phoenix Mercury. She led the Mercury to three playoff berths (1997,

1998, 2000), where they advanced to the 1998 WNBA Finals. After playing her final season with the Los Angeles Sparks, Gillom retired from the WNBA with career averages of 13.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Her best season in the WNBA came with the Mercury in 1998,

where she closed out the season with career-high averages of 20.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Gillom began her coaching career in 2004 with the girl’s basketball team at Xavier College Preparatory, a private high school in Phoenix, Ariz.

During her five years as head

coach, Gillom has compiled a 120-25 record (.828 winning percentage).

Visit Lynxbasketball.com for all video, audio and written content on your favorite team. www.wnba.com

Jennifer Gillom

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