Insight News ::: 06.26.17

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Insight News June 26 - July 2, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 26• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

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Page 2 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

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Journalist by profession, Black by nature

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor A fly on the wall.

As journalists it’s one of the first rules … be a fly on the wall.

We are to observe. Cover the story; don’t become the story.

But when it comes to issues of the continued and unchecked killing of Black people in these supposed “United” States, as Black journalists we are the story. And it shouldn’t be any other way.

Journalism is my profession; Black is my permanent condition. My use of the word condition is intentional. The way I see it, being Black in America is a condition … like diabetes … like cancer … like AIDS. Sure, you can live with it, but the prognosis isn’t good.

So when I go out to cover yet another story about a Black man, woman … and yes, even child killed at the hands of law enforcement I am dutiful in my job, but make no mistake about it, I’m a journalist second – I’m a Black man first. And I am unapologetic in saying such. As a journalist it’s my job to tell the story … to factually tell the story.

Well here are the facts.

White journalists, take notes.

The facts in the case of the homicide of Philando Castile are undisputed. Philando Castile is a victim. Philando Castile was not a criminal. Philando Castile did nothing wrong. Any attempt to offer any other narrative is abdicating your responsibility as a journalist.

Philando Castile was within his legal right to own and possess a handgun. The Second Amendment guaranteed his right to bear arms. Minnesota state law gave him the right to both purchase a handgun and as indicated by the permit he was attempting to willfully offer to Jeronimo Yanez – the man who

David Bradley

A protester reminds Minnesotans that the world is watching after the not guilty verdict was handed down in the manslaughter case of St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez. Yanez shot and killed motorist Philando Castile during a July 6, 2016 traffic stop. gunned down Philando – he was within his right to have that handgun on him.

Other facts that have been so conveniently underreported (or unreported by some news outlets) is the fact that the gun Philando possessed was not “ready to fire.” It was not loaded with a bullet in the chamber.

Fact … during the encounter with Yanez, Philando Castile never reached for his gun.

Philando Castile

was seatbelted during the encounter and was completely nonthreatening towards Yanez.

Fact … Philando Castile was not … I repeat … not pulled over for a broken taillight as Yanez lied about to Castile and in his official report. Philando was pulled over because Yanez was intent on harassing Philando, as proven by his audio recording in which he stated he was going to pull Philando over for his “wide set nose.”

Fact … this type of foolishness happens every single day to Black and Brown people in America. Having a woman in the car doesn’t matter. Being a woman doesn’t matter (Sandra Bland). Having a child in the car doesn’t matter. Being a child doesn’t matter (Tamir Rice).

Being within your rights doesn’t matter (insert one of hundreds of names here).

The only thing that matters is when the ethnicity of the

victim is one of color. Sadly, this is the only time that Black matters. I intentionally left out the word lives because the life is being systematically taken from us one by one. Black lives matter? This irony of that rallying cry … simply declaring that we matter.

A fly on the wall.

When I think about that analogy, yes, as Black journalists we should be that fly – understanding that fly will not

remain on the wall. The nature of the fly is to buzz around … to disrupt … to make the occupants of the room uncomfortable.

As a Black person in America my daily existence is one of discomfort. The rest of America needs to share in that discomfort. I will buzz until I can buzz no longer. It’s my duty as a journalist. It’s my duty as a Black person in these Ununited States.

Criminal justice disparities present barriers to re-entry

By Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) Austin, Ill., the community where I live, in the heart of the congressional district I represent, includes the zip code with the largest number of releases from the Illinois Department of Corrections; 90 percent of the individuals released are AfricanAmerican males.

When these (mostly) young men are released from prison, they find all of the social and economic barriers they faced before incarceration, plus additional barriers to jobs, housing, education and almost every aspect of daily life. One in every 40 adults is unable to vote because of a current or prior felony conviction. For AfricanAmericans, the rate is one in 13.

Over the past 50 years, our penal system has become an increasingly urgent issue that has reached crisis proportions, especially in the AfricanAmerican community. There were about 338,000 individuals in prison in 1970. Today, that number is more than 2,000,000.

That number has grown every decade over the last half century without regard for the falling crime rate. The Federal Bureau of Prisons appropriations increased more than $7.1 billion from fiscal year (FY) 1980 ($330

million) to FY 2016 ($7.479 billion).

Every year in the United States, 641,000 people walk out of prison gates, and, every year, people will go to jail more than 11 million times. This is called jail churn. It happens, because most of the people who are jailed have not been convicted.

Some will make bail within a short time; some are too poor and will stay in jail until their trial. Some will be convicted of misdemeanors and will receive sentences of under a year.

African-Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites and while they make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, they are 40 percent of the prison population. In some states that rate was 10 times or more. Research from numerous scholars and organizations has been instrumental in developing a growing bipartisan consensus on the forces driving this great disparity and the additional costs this disparity places on the African-American community and society in general.

A recent report by The Sentencing Project notes, “Proposed explanations for disparities range from variations in offending based on race to biased decision-making in the criminal justice system, and also include a range of individual level factors such as poverty, education outcomes,

unemployment history and criminal history.”

During my years in the Congress, I have fought to reduce disparities in our criminal justice system. I believe my Second Chance Act and other initiatives, coupled with the fiscal realities that these disparities have imposed on the states and federal government, have helped to create a space for bipartisan debate and consensus about how best to reduce these disparities.

I believe that debate and consensus laid the groundwork for some gains we saw during the Obama presidency. The Sentencing Project notes, “While states and the federal government have modestly reduced their prison populations in recent years, incarceration trends continue to vary significantly across jurisdictions. Overall, the number of people held in state and federal prisons has declined by 4.9 percent since reaching its peak in 2009. Sixteen states have achieved double-digit rates of decline and the federal system has downsized at almost twice the national rate. Twelve states have continued to expand their prison populations even though most have shared in the nationwide crime drop. States with the most substantial prison population reductions have often outpaced the nationwide crime drop.”

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) says he fought to reduce disparities in our criminal justice system that negatively affect the Black community.

These incremental steps toward equal justice are now being reversed by our new administration. As reported

by The Atlantic, “Democratic and Republican officials alike took up the banner of criminaljustice reform over the past five years, hoping to reduce the nation’s unprecedented prison population and scale back the harshest punishments of the tough-on-crime era. Now Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a major step toward rolling back their efforts … (the recent) policy change effectively

rescinds Obama-era guidelines for federal prosecutors that were designed to curtail the harshest sentences for defendants charged with low-level drug offenses. The previous memo, first promulgated by thenAttorney General Eric Holder in 2013, reserved the most severe options in the federal sentencing guidelines for ‘serious, highlevel, or violent drug traffickers’ instead of defendants charged with lower-level offenses.”

Given the significant achievements during the Obama presidency, the Sessions guidelines for federal prosecutors can only be viewed as a rejection of notions of equal justice in America and a direct attack on the AfricanAmerican community and other communities of color. The “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” philosophy of responding to crime has never worked and never will. It plays on fear, misinformation and racial bias.

As Holder wrote in response to the Sessions memo, “The policy announced today is not tough on crime. It is dumb on crime. It is an ideologically motivated, cookie-cutter approach that has only been proven to generate unfairly long sentences that are often applied indiscriminately and do little to achieve long-term public safety.”

Prevention, treatment

and rehabilitation are just as important, perhaps more important, than incarceration.

Men, women and young people who are imprisoned have to live in our communities after they are released. We know that increasing public safety is a primary concern of our communities all over the country. We also know that public safety is a difficult goal to obtain because of the barriers that individuals released from prison encounter every day.

I reject Sessions’ attempt to turn back the clock on equal justice and the philosophy underlying his actions and will do everything in my power to reverse it. I believe the vast majority of the American people will clearly and firmly reject it as well.

As it currently stands, many of the individuals who are labeled ex-felons, ex-offenders, returning citizens or with some other name will spend a lifetime in misery, poverty and with little hope. We can change that and we must.

Representative Danny K. Davis was elected to Congress in 1996, and serves on the Committee on Ways and Means.

In addition to the Congressional Black Caucus, he’s a member of the Urban Caucus and the Community Health Center Caucus. Follow him on Twitter at @RepDannyDavis.

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Insight News • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Page 3

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Insight News June 26 - July 2, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 26• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Yanez gets away with killing Philando Castile

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor

After five days of deliberation, a Ramsey County jury concluded that Jeronimo Yanez was not guilty of manslaughter in the July 6, 2016 shooting death of Black motorist Philando Castile.

The Jury made up of 10 whites and two Blacks was deadlocked 10-2 before finally voting unanimously to acquit Yanez on the three counts he fac ed – manslaughter being the most serious. The case stemmed from the July 6, 2016 traffic stop of Castile who was traveling in

Falcon Heights – a suburb of St. Paul – when he was pulled over

by Yanez and his partner – both St. Anthony police officers – for a supposed broken taillight. An audio of Yanez just prior to the stop surfaced in which Yanez profiled Castile because of his “wide set nose.”

During the stop Castile volunteered information that he was in possession of a properly registered concealed weapon. According to passenger Diamond Reynolds, Castile was attempting to show Yanez his identification and permit to carry when Yanez shot Castile seven times. Also in the car was Reynolds’ 4-year-old daughter.

The case made world news

when Reynolds livestreamed the immediate aftermath of the shooting, recording a bloody and dying Castile.

Four days after the jury acquitted Yanez (June 20) the courts released for the first time the dashcam video of Yanez killing Castile. In the video that some have described and jarring, Castile can be heard volunteering that he was in possession of a firearm and Yanez can be heard saying don’t reach for it, to which Castile says, “I’m not.” Reynolds can also be heard saying, “He’s not reaching for it.” As it appears Castile is attempting to provide his carry permit Yanez opens fire in rapid succession striking and

killing Castile.

The jury’s verdict set off immediate reaction from family, friends and supporters of Castile.

“He died for being honest and telling the truth,” said Valarie Castile, Philando Castile’s mother. “My son loved this city and this city killed him. We’re going back to 1969. Damn.

What’s it going to take (to convict a police officer in the shooting of a person of color)?

They (police) have free reign.”

“The system failed us,” said Allysza Castile, younger sister to Philando Castile. “He (Yanez) got caught in three, four, five lies

CASTILE 5

David Bradley

More than 2,000 people angry with the no guilty verdict in the manslaughter case of St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez gathered outside of the Minnesota Capitol Building in St. Paul. Yanez shot and killed motorist Philando Castile during a July 6, 2016 traffic stop.

Minnesota Zoo seeks larger, more diverse audience David Bradley

(Left to right) Amber Jones, Felicia Perry, Elaine Rasmussen, Danielle Mkali and Me’Lea Connelly are driving forces behind bringing a Black credit union to North Minneapolis.

North Minneapolis to get Black-owned credit union

By Sonya Goins North Minneapolis is one step closer to getting the first Blackowned credit union in the state of Minnesota.

On June 17, a pledge drive and name unveiling ceremony took place at New Rules, located at 2015 Lowry Ave.

Truth Maze and his family played African drums, as a huge banner unfurled, revealing the name “Village Trust Financial Cooperative.”

“We wanted something that shows unity and building trust in our community with one another and financial industry,” said Me’Lea Connelly, director of the Association for Black Economic

Power. She’s also the founder of Blexit. The community organization galvanized the effort to create an all-Blackowned and operated credit union.

Connelly said the movement started after Philando Castile was fatally shot by St. Anthony police officer, Jeronimo Yanez in July 2016. She said the recent not guilty verdict is more

motivation to see this through.

“We really want to make sure we have economic tools for resistance, and to be able to support other efforts and movements,” said Connelly. “We really want to continue to push on all cylinders whatever we can do to make sure our community

NORTH MPLS 4

Cuba: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow

By David McCoy Insight News Intern “I’m afraid Trump’s looking for war; for his ‘Grenada,’ for his ‘Panama.’”

President Donald Trump imposed new restrictions on Cuba, undermining the progress made under President Obama in restoring positive U.S./Cuba relations.

Last week on “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which airs 9 a.m. Tuesdays on 90.3 KFAI FM, a voice for the Cuban community and founder of Victor’s 1959 Café, Victor Manuel Valens, shared a brief slice of Cuba’s history … past, present and future.

“We had President Batista.

He had the mafia, he had

the C.I.A,” said Valens, who recounted the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista during 1952 to 1959. “Batista was there making bank on people in Havana. We were the ‘whore of the Caribbean.’ Everything went to Havana. The countryside had no running water or electricity.

People didn’t read or write.”

The hardships of 1950s Cuba were further compounded by race. Even President Batista was not spared from the inequality.

“Racism was rampant.

Batista, a mulato, was not allowed in the Havana Yatch Club unless he was invited.

When the ships came into the Havana Bay, there were cargo limits and the ships had to lighten their loads. The Black slaves, in chains, were thrown off the boat to make space. ‘They were the

Business

Reaching new heights: Tips for business success

PAGE 4

Flag of Cuba lucky ones,’” Valens recalled his grandmother saying.

He went on to describe what he saw in countryside.

“Blacks were found in the ditches after their seasonal work was done,” said Valens.

Host Al McFarlane also

knew the stories of the kind of sharecropping Jamaicans with no money coming in found themselves doing, and he remembers the Jamaican

CUBA 6

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Depending on your location, Apple Valley isn’t the most accessible.

From Minneapolis, Apple Valley is about a 30-minute trip.

Add about 10 extra minutes coming from Brooklyn Park or Plymouth. But for the right reasons the trip is worth it.

Michelle Geddes said she

Black doctors earn less than whites

PAGE 6

has plenty of great reasons to enjoy the day in Apple Valley.

To be more specific, at the Minnesota Zoo. Geddes is the zoo’s new senior director of Marketing and Communications. In her new role, she will be in charge of recruiting a larger and more diverse audience to the state’s zoo. Geddes said her job is made easier because in many ways the

GEDDES 6

Tyner named finalist for 2017 International Book Award Dr. Artika Tyner has been named a finalist in the “SelfHelp: Motivational” category of the 2017 International Book Award for her book “The Leader’s Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within.”

“I wrote ‘The Leader’s Journey’ with the goal in mind of building a global leadership community by challenging everyday people to embark on the journey of leadership development.

The book motivates the reader to discover the leader within and serve in the global community. It also serves as an indispensable tool for bringing leaders together to share their passion for social change and build strategic partnerships in order to make a lasting impact,” said Tyner.

“The Leader’s Journey” has been distributed in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and China, helping countless people gain the inspiration they need to lead, build relationships, and create a vision for the future.

According to Dr. Mussa S. Muneja, researcher, academic writer and community activist at the University of Arusha in Tanzania, “The book is a viable seed of social justice in form of ideas to awaken the sleeping leaders within.

Community

I2H

Michelle Geddes

Dr. Delores Henderson exemplifies the ‘power of one’

PAGE 7

Dr. Artika Tyner Her main accomplishment in this masterpiece has been to synthesize the gem thoughts of key thinkers in a reader-friendly fashion.”

Tyner said she is humbled to be considered a finalist for an International Book Award.

A contributing writer to Insight News, Tyner is an attorney and associate vice president of diversity and inclusion and assistant professor of public policy and leadership in the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling at St. Thomas University.

Community

Sloans celebrate 60 years of marriage

PAGE 7

Page 4 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

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Business

Reaching new heights: Tips for business success

By Dr. Artika Tyner Business success begins with a vision for your future coupled with a strategic action plan.

Our company, Planting People Growing Justice, was recently named a 2017 American Business Champion by Score – a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground – and Sam’s Club.

This award provided us with the opportunity to participate in a training and networking event and partner with a business mentor

INSIGHT NEWS

in order to gain new insights on business development. At the training event, some of the dynamic speakers included Giselle Chapman (chief performance optimizer), John Pietro (Score mentor), Ron Cates (digital marketing expert), Hal Shelton (author, Score mentor) and Betsy Dougert (Score communications manager). Each speaker provided me with key tips, but I gained the most important insight from Chapman, which I want to share with you in order to take your business to the next level.

Know your why Starting with defining “why.” It will help businesses with understanding their how and what. The first why is why does your business exist? Oftentimes, business owners begin by focusing on our products and services. However, exploring the question of why is of paramount importance. This defines what makes your products and services

Bridge the belief gap Entrepreneur Henry Ford once stated, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” Victory is won or lost in the mind. During our training session, we practiced affirming our work and sharing our vision. What do you seek to accomplish in 2017 and beyond?

What steps do you need to take in order to reach this goal?

Dr. Artika Tyner (left) with her mother, Jacklyn Milton and Score vice president, Resa Kierstein. unique. This is your competitive edge and value-added proposition.

Breakdowns are opportunities for breakthroughs These words provide the motivation that every small business owner needs to hear on a daily basis. It is a reminder that a wise man falls seven times and

will arise again. On the eighth time, he will arise triumphant with new insight, hindsight and foresight. The challenge is rising again and reflecting on the lessons learned. What did you learn from the failed product launch? What insights have you gained related to marketing more effectively?

Find your happiness factor We participated in a happiness exercise. We each shared three things for which we are grateful. My faith, family and community were top on the list.

Each inspired me to reach my dream of educating, equipping and empowering the next generation of leaders. For what three things are you grateful?

Neurons fire together and wire together It takes 21 days to build a new habit. What new habit do

you need to establish in order to ensure your business success?

This reminded me to be intentional with how I manage my time and energy. I left the training with a new commitment to build time in my day to re-energize and reflect.

I will tap into the happiness factor by expressing my gratitude for the support of my team throughout the day.

Each of these tips serve as inspiration on the journey of entrepreneurship. It is a reminder that each day offers the potential for reaching new heights through the process of visioning, planning and taking action.

Dr. Artika R. Tyner is an educator, award-winning author, speaker and advocate for justice.

At the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Tyner serves associate vice president for Diversity and Inclusion. She can be reached at Dr.ArtikaTyner@gmail.com or www.artikatyner.com.

www.insightnews.com

Wells Fargo donates $425,000 for Twin Cities revitalization efforts Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips

Wells Fargo presented a $425,000 donation to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), a nonprofit with a mission to revitalize Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods.

The Wells Fargo NeighboorhoodLIFT program grant will be used by LSS to launch GetLifted, an effort

North Mpls From 3 is protected, is able to get justice, and has opportunities to make their lives better.”

According to Connelly, there are only two banks in North Minneapolis and several payday loan establishments.

She said some people call North Minneapolis a “banking desert.”

“People who just need access

focused on creating financial wellness and responsibly reducing debt among residents on the Northside of Minneapolis and East Side of St. Paul.

The goal of GetLifted is to empower local residents with financial tools, capabilities and resources from local community leaders. LSS will

partner with local organizations and individuals to provide financial education training.

The grant is funded through Wells Fargo’s NeighborhoodLIFT program that was expanded in June 2016 with a $5 million commitment for the Twin Cities to boost local homeownership and

revitalize neighborhoods. First launched in 2012 for the Twin Cities, overall Wells Fargo has invested more than $14 million in NeighborhoodLIFT that according to Wells Fargo has created nearly 700 homeowners by offering homebuyer education plus down payment assistance grants. About 50 matching down

payment assistance grants up to $7,500 are still available and interested homebuyers may contact NeighborWorks Home Partners, or Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in the Twin Cities for information about eligibility requirements.

to cash their checks are being punished and they’re the ones that need all of their check, more than any of us. We really want to push those kinds of practices out of this neighborhood and create a cooperative, financial cooperative, where folks can own and be a part of and be members of, to help them not just build their own economic future, but to build a foundation for their families and kids futures.”

Village Trust Financial Cooperative would help to

boost the number of diminishing Black-owned credit unions nationwide. A 2016 report by the National Credit Union Administration shows people of color-owned credit unions fell from 651 in 2015 to 603. While Black-owned credit unions fell from 323 to 301.

Minneapolis residents said it’s time for economic resurgence on the Northside.

“Having a bank that’s run and owned by the people and that you can walk into and see

people that look like you, a lot of things are really symbolic, just being able to see ourselves on the other side. It’s bringing more wealth and value to the community,” said Minneapolis resident and hip-hop artist, Toki Wright.

Tw e n t y - f i v e - y e a r - o l d University of Minnesota grad student, Octavia Smith said economic equity starts with investing in our own communities.

“Too many times we invest

in people who don’t have our interest at heart. The money is going out of our communities and not into them.”

Blexit and the Association of Black Economic Power hope to have 5,000 pledge memberships by the time they open in late 2019.

“We really just want to uplift and support what the community said it wanted and needed,” said Connelly.

Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

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Insight News • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Page 5

MPHA adopts ‘Guiding Principles’ for long-term effort to preserve public housing in Minneapolis The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) Board of Commissioners has unanimously adopted a set of “Guiding Principles for Redevelopment and Capital Investments at MPHA.” The document declares the values the state’s largest housing authority will follow as it begins a multi-year process of analyzing its buildings’ needs, conferring with the community, and taking action to reinvest in MPHA’s 6,000 units of public housing.

“We know that talking about redevelopment can bring anxiety for public housing residents, and raises lots of important questions,”

said MPHA Executive Director/ CEO Greg Russ. “We do have serious challenges we need to take on, given aging buildings and years of inadequate federal funding.

These ‘Guiding Principles’ will underlie everything we do, and allow residents and the community to hold us accountable to our mission.”

The “Guiding Principles” (available online at www.MPHAOnline.org/ GuidingPrinciples) include a commitment to inform and engage residents at every stage.

They feature MPHA’s intention to avoid permanent displacement

“The standards we have laid down for ourselves stand in stark contrast to the notion that we are seeking to ‘sell off,’ ‘gentrify,’ or otherwise do anything other than protect badly needed housing for low-income people,” said Russ. “We are at the very beginning of a long planning process. We have no proposal yet in place for any building.

But as we do move forward, we intend to do things right.”

The board’s approval of the “Guiding Principles” follows two months of presentations and listening sessions with resident groups, along with

These ‘Guiding Principles’ will underlie everything we do, and allow residents and the community to hold us accountable to our mission. of any resident, and a firstright-of-return for any residents affected by work on their home.

David Bradley

A diverse group of protesters gathered June 16 at the State Capitol to protest the not guilty verdict in the manslaughter case of Jeronimo Yanez in the shooting death of Philando Castile.

Castile From 3 and the jury still let that man go free.”

Judge Glenda Hatchett, who represents the Castile family, said she thought the evidence was overwhelmingly against Yanez. She said the fact Yanez

was found not guilty sends a chilling message to people of color.

“This time we had a young man (Philando Castile) with no criminal record – a 13 year employees of the (St. Paul) school system and we were still unable to get justice for this young man and his family,” said Hatchett. “Let me be very clear, if Philando can die under these circumstances each of you could die under these circumstances.”

in Yanez returning to work for the department.

“The City of St. Anthony has concluded that the public will be best served if Officer Yanez is no longer a police officer in our city,” the statement read.

“The city intends to offer Officer Yanez a voluntary separation agreement to help him transition to another career other than being a St. Anthony officer. The terms of this agreement will be negotiated in the near future, so

On the evening the verdict was read a group as large as 2,000 people gathered at the state capital for a rally and march. The march spilled onto Interstate 94 near Dale Avenue, closing traffic in both directions for hours. Ultimately 18 people were arrested in the protest and road closure.

Within an hour of the jury verdict the Village of St. Anthony released a statement saying they were not interested

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public availability of the draft on MPHA’s web site. The final version reflects additions proposed by the Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council.

In the coming months, Russ and other MPHA leaders expect to continue gathering with residents and other stakeholders who wish to learn about the Guiding Principles and MPHA’s capital investment process.

Across its 42 high-rises and 900 family homes and townhomes, MPHA estimates $127 million of deferred capital needs. This compares to about $10 million in annual capital funding

from the federal government.

After approving the “Guiding Principles,” the MPHA Board endorsed an investment of $1 million from the agency’s reserves to establish a “working capital fund.” This fund will support a detailed analysis of MPHA buildings, and allow MPHA to begin exploring how all available tools – including bonding, lowincome tax credits, and enhanced city and state financial support – might play a role in preserving permanently affordable housing in Minneapolis.

details are not available at this time. In the meantime, Officer Yanez will not return to active duty.”

Rep. Keith Ellison (D- 5th Dist.) also issued a statement in support of Castile.

(This) verdict re-opens old wounds, on top of the scars from past injustices that make so many Black Americans feel that their

lives don’t matter,” said Ellison in his statement. “My heart is with the family of Philando Castile. Our community must keep fighting in honor of Philando to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.

The movement for justice will continue to march ahead.

Page 6 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health Black doctors earn less than whites

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor

African-American physicians earn 15 percent less than white physicians – an average of $262,000 compared to $303,000 – according to Medscape’s 2017 Physicians Compensation Report.

Approximately 19,200 physicians across 26 areas of medicine were asked questions about annual compensation, race, gender, geography and job satisfaction. The report, detailed

by CBS News, revealed that African-American doctors are less likely to say they feel fairly compensated, with only half agreeing that they’re earning what they should.

“Fifty-percent of African-American physicians

don’t feel fairly compensated,” the report’s editor Leslie Kane, a senior director of Medscape Business of Medicine, told CBS. Racial and gender discrimination may certainly be a factor, Kane said, but there are other factors as well. For example, if a doctor treats more Medicaid patients, their reimbursement is usually lower, since employerinsured patients tend to pay better.

How many hours a doctor works and whether they’re in private practice or a clinic can also explain some inequities in pay.

“Tons of factors play into how much a physician makes,” said Kane.

The survey found that the gender pay gap is narrower among younger doctors. Male doctors ages 55 to 69 make 27 percent more than women, but the divide shrinks to 18 percent in physicians under the age of 34.

Being a doctor pays

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According to a new study, Black doctors earn less than their white counterparts. well, but there are still major discrepancies when it comes to paychecks within the medical profession. For the first time, the annual report looked at race as well as gender and other factors, revealing some significant disparities in pay.

Physicians’ annual

salaries averaged $294,000, with specialists earning about $100,000 more than primary care doctors. Overall, average pay has risen by $88,000 over the seven years Medscape has been conducting this survey – an increase attributed to intense competition for doctors among hospitals and health care systems.

The three highestpaying specialties were orthopedics (average annual compensation: $489,000), plastic surgery ($440,000) and cardiology ($410,000). They earned far greater than twice as much as the average pediatrician ($202,000) and family physician ($209,000), the two lowest-paying categories.

A deeper dive into the data shows male doctors take home bigger paychecks in both primary care and specialty areas such as orthopedics and surgery.

Male primary care physicians made 15 percent more than

women in 2016, while male specialists earned 31 percent more than their female colleagues. Part of the reason may be that women are more likely to choose lowerpaying specialties, Kane said.

“One of the things we look at is why there is this overall disparity. We look at what specialties women are going into and they go into less wellpaying areas,” she said. “Fiftythree percent of pediatricians are women, one of lowest paid specialties. Thirty-nine percent of family physicians are women, also a lower-paying area.”

When it comes to the more highly paid medical specialties, only 9 percent of women are orthopedists and only 20 percent of general surgeons are female, Kane added.

African-American doctors typically work in primary care rather than specialties, the survey noted.

The annual compensation survey delved into race for the first time, said Kane, who has edited the report for seven years.

The report revealed higher salaries in rural states.

Doctors in North Dakota are the highest paid in the U.S. followed

by Alaska, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Washington D.C. counts as the lowest, while New York hovers toward the bottom of the list, which Kane and others chalk up to supply and demand; plenty of doctors cluster in big cities, while rural areas need to offer more money to attract staff.

Patients may be glad to know that regardless of pay, most doctors like what they do. Eight out of 10 physicians said they’d still choose medicine if they had the chance to pick a career all over again.

Harvesting, storing and preserving herbs from the garden

By Melinda Myers

It doesn’t have to be spring to enjoy homegrown herbs. You can enjoy them all year round.

Harvest herbs now for gardenfresh meals and preserve a few for the winter ahead. Just snip a few leaves or leaf-covered stems as needed. For the same intensity of flavor, you generally need two to three times more fresh herbs than dried except for Rosemary, which has an equally strong flavor fresh or dried.

Continue harvesting herbs as needed throughout the growing season. And don’t worry about harming the plant because

Geddes From 3 zoo sells itself.

“Making a trip to Apple Valley (to the zoo) is more than worth it,” said Geddes. “We’ve got a world class zoo with so many amazing attractions.”

One Geddes raves about is Kangaroo Crossing. Geddes said the exhibit is akin to being in the

Cuba From 3 newspapers reported “millions leaving for a better life, coming

like parsley and cilantro for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Place in a jar of water, like a flower arrangement, and loosely

cover with a plastic bag. Keep basil out of the refrigerator to avoid discoloration.

Wrap dry thickerleafed herbs like sage and thyme in a paper towel, set inside a plastic bag and place in a warmer section of the refrigerator.

Freeze sprigs, whole leaves or chopped clean herbs on a cookie sheet. Or pack clean diced herbs in ice cube trays and fill the empty spaces with water. These are great for use in soups and stews. Store the frozen herbs and ice cubes in an airtight container or baggie in the freezer.

Get creative and use some of your herbs to make a fragrant edible wreath. Use fresh herbs that are flexible and easier

to shape into a wreath. They will dry in place and can be harvested as needed.

Speed up the drying process in the microwave. Place herbs on a paper towel-covered paper plate. Start with one to two minutes on high. Repeat for 30 seconds as needed until the herbs are brittle.

Store dried herbs in an airtight plastic or glass jar.

Keep enjoying these fresh-from-the-garden flavors throughout the remainder of the season.

Gardening expert Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening” and the “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook.”

the director of Marketing and Communications.

In attracting a more diverse audience, Geddes said she and the zoo are ramping up community outreach efforts. Part of that includes “bringing the zoo” to area communities such as North Minneapolis with the Minnesota Zoomobile – a traveling exhibit that brings various zoo animals to community parks and events. She said the zoo is also coordinating marketing campaigns in multiple languages

to be more inclusive to those who do not speak English as a first language.

“The outreach had already begun, we’re just ramping it up,” said Geddes.

Geddes said another reason to explore the Minnesota Zoo this summer is to take part in one of the zoo’s many outdoor concerts.

“There’s a very good mix of music and we were intentional about that,” said Geddes.

Part of that good mix is

reggae superstar Ziggy Marley, who performs at the Zoo Friday (June 30), Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (July 6), Robert Cray (July 12), Dave Koz and Larry Graham (Aug. 10) and Herbie Hancock (Aug. 11).

Geddes said the zoo offers special monthly adult nights, with the next one scheduled for July 20.

Geddes comes to the Minnesota Zoo from her hometown of Chicago, where

she was the director of Marketing for the Chicago Park District.

There she led efforts to increase brand awareness, promote programs and events and provide information on behalf of Chicago’s 580 parks and 27 miles of lakefront. Geddes is a graduate of Illinois State University and holds a master’s from Roosevelt University (Illinois).

a man called Fidel. The C.I.A. flew Batista and $500 million from the national back boarder to Santa Domingo on a C130 American plane.” This was the start of the Cuban Revolution.

Over the next four years, Fidel Castro rose to inspire hope in

the Cuban citizens and lay the groundwork for what would become Cuba’s high literacy and lowered poverty rate. During this same time, the United States worked to further restrict travel and trade with the island nation. In the years leading up

to President John F. Kennedy issuing the Cuban embargo, Valens and his family came to America on visas in 1961.

“I woke up on the island of Cuba, and went to bed on the island of Manhattan,” said Valens. “These were the ‘duck

and cover’ days. The fear of a nuclear war … 13 days that almost brought us to the brink of destruction.”

“With the success of the revolution, the education programs, the housing; the revolution means one thing: We can help ourselves,” said Valens, who spoke about the humanitarian successes the revolution and hard work of the Cuban people have made possible.

Currently the C.I.A lists Cuba as having 99.8 percent of the total population able to read and write, placing the island nation in the top 15 for literacy.

Today, a vibrant culture thrives to the tune of Afro-Cuban salsa, diverse religions and a country that will not back down.

In March 2016 President Obama met with President Raul Castro in a historic trip to Havana.

“It was the best thing,” said Valens. “It’s a special time in Cuba for opportunity; Cuba has an (American) embassy, things were great until this new administration. President Donald Trump is putting tomorrow in Jeopardy.”

Valens said Trump’s Cuba policy is a step in the wrong direction.

“Trump will undo Obama’s progress,” said the Valens.

“Resistance is needed. Trump will offer Cuba a new deal, but I can tell you the best deal for Trump … keep your hands off Cuba.”

regular harvesting encourages new growth, which means more for you to harvest. Just be sure to leave enough foliage to maintain plant growth.

You can remove as much as 50 percent of the foliage from annual herb plants. This is about when the plants near their final height. You can remove up to one third from established perennial plants that have been in the garden for several months or more. Harvest when the plant has formed buds, but before they open into flowers for the greatest concentration of flavor.

Use a pair of garden scissors or pruners for faster and easier harvesting. Make your cuts above a set of healthy leaves to keep the plants looking good.

Then preserve the flavor and zest of herbs with proper storage and preservation.

Store thin leafy herbs

Australian Outback … traveling just 30 minutes to experience, not 30 hours.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it. There are no barriers; you’re right there with the animals in a natural habitat,” said Geddes.

According to the new director, Kangaroo Crossing has 18 kangaroos, 18 wallabies and eight emus.

“And you don’t pay anything extra. It’s all included in your zoo admission,” said

back.”

On Dec. 31, 1958, Valens said he remembers hearing gunshots late at night and the “comandante’s” coming to power.

“There was unrest in the air; a talk of a revolution … talk of

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Plants and herbs grown today can provide nutrition and flavor come winter.

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Insight News • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Page 7

Community Dr. Delores Henderson exemplifies the ‘power of one’ Meet Opportunity

By Meredith Moore Crosby This month the Minneapolis St. Paul Chapter of the Links, Inc. welcomed women from across the Midwest to celebrate the “Power of One.” Our call to action was to recommit to positive community change by investing our time and resources. Last week in this column, Tony Sanneh, CEO of the Sanneh Foundation, reminded us that our children and communities are looking to us and we can make a difference.

This week I am delighted to share my conversation with Dr. Delores Henderson, a person who is an example of the “power of one” and a person who changes people through both her actions and commitment.

Although I have known her since birth, we really got to know each other when we traveled to Ghana together with the Stair Step Foundation in 1996. Twelve African-American teen girls, who represented a cross-section of the Twin Cities, traveled with their guides/mentors, who were women leaders from this community. We experienced the rich culture of our homeland. We also followed the journey of our ancestors and saw firsthand the unjust trafficking of our people.

It was a life changing experience for me. Henderson has become a trusted advisor and mentor to me

Dr. Delores Henderson since that trip.

When I asked her what her purpose is after 50 years as an educator, the answer was clear – to have higher expectations.

That is her purpose, to hold us to our best based on what she sees within us. That is a powerful gift to give to a child. Henderson understands the importance of seeing the

ability for achievement in all children. She then speaks that achievement into their life until they listen and believe it. They eventually hear her because she is everywhere in her school. Ask anyone who has met her, she is always present.

Henderson is a former principal at J.J. Hill Elementary School. Philando Castile was one of her students. She knew him to be a good kid and she believes the community must learn from this experience. She knows that children of color have been hurting for some time.

She believes this must be the moment we change. If we don’t, she says, it will be harder for our children to feel safe and to believe in justice. She believes we need to understand we can make a difference if we show up and work for positive change in

our community.

I asked Henderson how we as a community could help our children. She responded, “We need to instill in our babies that individually and collectively, they are somebody, and that life is precious and critical. Speak up if they don’t feel well, when are they hurting. Help them connect to their feelings. Encourage your children to speak up and advocate for themselves.”

Her call to action is based on experience. “Do not expect

the system to raise your child, all the challenges you face on your job with racism, sexism and ‘craziness’ show up at school.”

Henderson has witnessed the power of parents to bring about change when they work together.

She believes children are afraid of being unloved. Anyone who shows them love is special and our children do not have enough special people in their lives.

POWER 11

Sloans celebrate 60 years of marriage

By David McCoy Insight News Intern Their life together began in 1955, and come Thursday (June 29) – 60 years of marriage later – Bob and Hazel Sloan will be celebrating their years of love and support.

The couple first met as freshmen majoring in business at the University of Iowa. She was coming home from her part-time job, he was practicing tennis.

“We started talking, started going to shows,” recounted retired pastor, Hazel Sloan.

The couple soon married in 1957 in Des Moines, Iowa and welcomed the birth of their first of three daughters, Phyllis Jean Sloan the next year. Both husband and wife have been in the business of helping others

with Bob Sloan putting 43 years in at the Veteran Administration Hospital as a surgical technician, which transferred the family to Minnesota. Hazel Sloan worked for 30 years at Northwestern Bell as a personnel interviewer and trainer. Bob and Hazel Sloan would go on to raise Denise Eileen Sloan, Yvonne Darlene Sloan (deceased) and were blessed with four granddaughters and grandson, and helped co-parent their goddaughter, TaLawna Simone.

“Faith,” said Hazel Sloan, has kept their marriage together through the difficult times. “Keeping Christ at the center of the relationship, keeping communication and understanding one another and not guessing.”

Hazel Sloan also attributes their long-lasting marriage to their very supportive friends and

Hazel and Bob Sloan. family.

Bob and Hazel Sloan have been active, devout members of the Evangelical Covenant Church, starting in 1965.

Through their denomination Bob Sloan has been involved in activities and discussions on improving race-relations.

“When we first got involved in the church, it wasn’t very diverse,” said Hazel Sloan. “But we’ve watch it become diverse locally and nationally.”

Within the denomination, Hazel Sloan also found a calling. When three former pastors encouraged her to pursue studying to become a licensed pastor, she seized the opportunity in 1996. She became the first African-American woman to be licensed through Evangelical Covenant Church.

Bob Sloan’s commitments are not limited to the church.

In the early 1970s Bob Sloan became involved with the Center for Communication and Development Board and served as its chair. Two of the major initiatives were the development of Bethune Park and the development of KMOJ. In 1982 the Sloans were named Family of the Year by the Minneapolis Urban League.

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Page 8 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight News • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Page 9

Commentary HBCU leaders, advocates must engage Democrats and Republicans

By Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund As the president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), I’m spending a good amount of time working to build strategic, government alliances that extend beyond our traditional Democratic support.

If you’re wondering why, all you need to do is look at a map of where America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are located.

The fact of the matter is that a majority of TMCF’s 47 memberschools are clustered in southern and midwestern states completely controlled by Republicans. By that, I mean states where the governor, both U.S. senators, both chambers of the legislature and most of the U.S. House members are Republican.

The next largest group of our member-schools occupies states that are under at least a majority

of GOP control. Only a small number of our member-schools – three to be exact – are in states (and the District of Columbia) that are completely controlled by Democrats.

If those statistics don’t jump out at you, maybe these facts will.

Many of our institutions of higher learning are in desperate need of not just operating dollars, but serious capital infusions to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Earlier this year, for instance, Grambling State University President Rick Gallot announced that his school will need to abandon the campus library – an unprecedented decision for a university seeking to expand its national imprint in research and training for its students. Gallot’s announcement came almost exactly one year after Louisiana’s state auditor reported nearly $111 million in deferred maintenance at another Louisiana public HBCU campus, Southern University in Baton Rouge.

The people who currently hold the purse strings – both

nationally and on a state level – are, in most cases, Republicans.

Yet, some will still suggest that we not even talk to those elected leaders, because of their party affiliation.

When the media released photos of our meeting at the White House with President Trump, some derided it as just a “photoop.” Tell that to the administrators who were wondering how they’d possibly fill the gap in funding should their already strained budgets face sudden, drastic cuts.

We’re simply not able to pick and choose whom we engage with. We saw firsthand a couple months ago how positive strategic engagement paid off when I worked with our member-school presidents and chancellors to ensure that their federal budget dollars would not be cut in President Trump’s first budget proposal.

Working with the White House, through open communication and lots of effort, HBCU leaders and I were able to deliver flat funding for HBCUs in the upcoming fiscal

year budget. Flat funding is a big win, considering President Trump proposed a 13.9 percent overall funding decrease in federal

education dollars this year.

In reaching across the aisle, we should never forsake our historic alliances. But for the sake

of the young people our HBCUs seek to educate, we must also realize the need to grow new and different alliances.

Climate change creating climate refugees

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. NNPA Newswire Columnist

Have you ever heard of the Marshall Islands?

They are 1,156 islands that constitute a republic in the South Pacific. Major battles during World War II were contested on those islands and, following the war, nuclear tests were conducted there, too, from which there was significant radioactive fallout. The capital city is only three feet above sea level.

I have never been to the Marshall Islands, but during the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., on April 29, I met and interviewed a woman from that republic. She is a student in the United States. She and I spoke on the air (WPFWFM) about what the climate crisis means for her people.

Climate change has a direct impact on the future of the Marshall Islands. At three feet above sea level, the Marshall Islands do not have much room to maneuver. With extreme environmental changes, particularly with damaging

storms, the islands have faced severe floods. She described roads cut off as a result of high water and the inability of the people to leave their homes.

My co-anchor – the great sports writer Dave Zirin – and I asked, almost at the same time, what did she think would happen as sea levels rose? What would the people do?

In some respects, our question may have seemed odd or simplistic. The people of the Marshall Islands would do what they needed to do to survive.

And one route to survival will inevitably be migration unless there is some sort of creative infrastructure work that can preserve life in the Marshall Islands.

And it is this matter of climate migration that is rarely discussed in mainstream circles. Certainly, the environmental movement is addressing it, but in the 2016 U.S. elections, for instance, in all of the xenophobic discussions concerning immigration, there was no discussion about the fact that island nations across the planet will be disappearing and that their populations will need to migrate somewhere.

The woman from the Marshall Islands that Dave and

I interviewed wants to return to her home. She is trying to be optimistic about the future of that island republic, but she was clearly frightened by the possibility that those islands and their history will disappear beneath the ocean waves forever.

The debate concerning the environment and the debates around immigration must be joined together. There is a global necessity to address the future of islands that may become submerged. Many of these islands were once –or continue to be – possessions/colonies of Europe, Japan and/or the United States. In that sense, there is a historic obligation that is owed to these islanders by the so-called “Global North.” The Global North left many of these territories “underdeveloped” –to borrow a phrase from the late Walter Rodney – and now the bill has come due. That means that, in addition to assisting in preventive measures, and in addition to addressing climate change, immigration policies must be changed, so that space is created for these climate refugees.

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a talk show host, writer and activist. Follow him on Twitter @BillFletcherJr, and at www.billfletcherjr.com.

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Phone: 612.588.1313

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Red Rock Manor 1421 10th Avenue South Newport, MN 55055 651-459-2786 NOTICE: OPENING 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST HUD Section 202/8 (Adults 62 and older or non-elderly and disabled as de¿ned by HUD) Rent based on income for quali¿ed applicants Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org beginning at 9AM June 19, 2017 until 12PM August 18, 2017. OR picked up in person at the Management Of¿ce during of¿ce hours.

Completed applications must be received by mail or hand delivered on or before September 1, 2017. All quali¿ed Applicants will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

NOTICE: OPENINING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Project-Based Section8/202; rent based on income for quali¿ed applicants.

Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org from 9am May 15, 2017 until 4pm July 14, 2017.

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CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Boulevard Gardens 11333 FairĮeld Road Minnetonka, MN 55305 952-542-9338 NOTICE: OPENING 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Section 202 PRAC (62+) Rent based on income for qualified applicants Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org or picked up at Boulevard Gardens during office hours beginning at 9AM May 1, 2017 until 12PM July 31, 2017.

Completed applications may be mailed or dropped off to Boulevard Gardens on or before August 14, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Maple Terrace 1560 Howard Avenue Maple Plain, MN 55369 763-479-1131 NOTICE: OPENING THE 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Persons 62 years of age or older or with veri¿able disability, rent based on income for quali¿ed applicants.

Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org from 9am May 8, 2017 until 4pm July 7, 2017.

Completed applications must be postmarked on or before July 28, 2017. All quali¿ed Applicants will be placed on the Waiting List in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

BasseƩ Creek Commons 10505 Eight Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55441 763-416-0369 NOTICE: OPENING 1 BEDROOM WAIT LIST Section 202 PRAC (62+) Rent based on income for quali¿ed applicants Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org or picked up at Bassett Creek Commons during of¿ce hours beginning at 9AM May 1, 2017 until 12PM July 31, 2017.

Completed applications may be mailed or dropped off to Bassett Creek Commons on or before August 14, 2016. All quali¿ed Applicants will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

STAFF ATTORNEY

Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks full-time attorney for its Minneapolis of¿ce. Fam. Law; with some work in housing/govt benes. Licensed in MN pref’d. New grads consrd. Post-law school pov. law exper., fam. law or clinical exper. pref’d. Spanish or Somali language a plus. Salary $47,000+D.O.E. Excellent benes. Resume with references and writing sample to Ginger Palmquist, CMLS, 430 First Ave. No., #359, Minneapolis, MN 55401 or email to: cmls@centralmnlegal.org Appl. deadline: 07/03/17 or until ¿lled. EOE

MANAGING ATTORNEY

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ClearWay Minnesota Seeks Board Candidates ClearWay MinnesotaSM is an independent nonprofit organization that enhances life for all Minnesotans by reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In 1998, we were entrusted by the Ramsey County District Court with administering, over a period of 25 years, $202 million of the settlement Minnesota received from tobacco companies.

At ClearWay Minnesota, we are working to change Minnesota in ways that have a lasting, tangible impact on the lives and health of Minnesotans by 2023, the end of our lifespan.

ClearWay MinnesotaSM is seeking candidates for our Board of Directors. ClearWay Minnesota is committed to expanding racial/ethnic and geographic diversity among its Board of Directors. Applicants from Minnesota’s diverse communities and/or from greater Minnesota are particularly welcome. The Board is also seeking candidates with previous Board experience and significant leadership experience. Board terms are three years. Board Members serve without compensation.

Qualified candidates must be clear of any conflicts of interest with ClearWay Minnesota vendors, grantees or contractors and must not have any affiliations with the tobacco industry or related trade associations within the last 10 years.

Please submit applications and resume to Amy Henderson at ClearWay Minnesota by August 11.

For an application visit our website www.clearwaymn.org/board-openings or email ahenderson@clearwaymn.org.

Seeking Truck Drivers Requirements are: Class A or B CDL Must be familiar with the Metropolitan Area Can Drive Manual Truck Good Work Ethics Please call 612.331.4381

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

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

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

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

Page 10 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

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Orko Eloheim Ziggy

Monday, June 26 HEALING CEREMONY Truth Telling and Community Healing UROC 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

June 26 July 9, 2017

This event focuses on “Celebrating our Living Stories.” The aim of this ceremony is to begin to realign the community to the ancient practices of seeing the elder as our peoples’ connection to the ancestors.

Tuesday, June 27 FILM/POP

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status.

If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Kashimana and Twin Cities Black Film Festival Short Selections Father Hennepin Bluffs Park 420 Main St. S.E., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Nigerian singer/songwriter, Kashimana, performs before the showing of selections from the Twin Cities Black Film Festival. Films include “The Remnants,” “Westbound,” “The Mermaid” and “The Big Chop.”

Wednesday, June 28 ELECTRONIC/HIP-HOP Soul Bazaar Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave. S.,

Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $8 Soul Tools Entertainment presents a new eclectic touring night of music, art and dance curated by Toki Wright. This event features San Diego based jungle/hip-hop producer and MC, Orko Eloheim, the band 26 Bats!, producer Mamadu and songwriter/producer Devata Daun.

Skylett White Live Capri Theater 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. $10 advance, $15 door

July 4th Lobster Boil and Fireworks Sea Change 806 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. $125

Liberian Afropop/hip-hop artist Skylett White headlines a night of music with Mazee Blanco, Rich Goone, O$T, Xten, ‘O’Boy Macco, kona, Jrealist, Trey and Jama Juices & Diamond and DJ Nkali.

Sea Change celebrates the Fourth with a three-course meal lobster broil, fireworks and more.

Thursday, June 29

Sunday, July 2

HIP-HOP

SOUL/R&B

ILLism presents … Generation iLL The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 8 p.m. $7-$10

Tribute to Motown Minnesota Music Café 499 Payne Ave., St. Paul

Catch a live musician shed session and freestyle set with performances by iLLism, Color Me Kindly and Jay Hollywood.

Friday, June 30 REGGAE Ziggy Marley Music in the Zoo 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

SOLD OUT The eldest brother in the iconic music family Ziggy Marley returns to Minnesota to play Music in the Zoo.

Saturday, July 1 AFRO POP/HIP-HOP

This is the second night of a two-night tribute to the music of Motown (also July 1).

Monday, July 3 SOUL/JAZZ The Steeles at the Dakota Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. $30-$35 One of the pillars of Minnesota’s music scene is the sibling group, The Steeles.

With performances with Prince, George Clinton and more under the group’s belt, you know they are top notch.

Tuesday, July 4 FOOD/FIREWORKS

Wednesday, July 5 FILM Reshaping Our World Film Series: “A Stray” Walker Art Center 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. $10 The opening night of Reshaping Our World: Cinema without Borders presents local stories and artistic vision from our Somali-American community in Minneapolis.

Thursday, July 6

The Klituation One Year Anniversary Party First Avenue 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

DJ Keezy’s popular dance night celebrates its first anniversary at First Ave with Sophia Eris, DJ Miss Brit, Maria Isa, Lady Midnight, K.Raydio, Manchita, Desdamona, Ashley DuBose, Dua, Alissa Paris and The Fly Girls.

Saturday, July 8 ELECTRONIC Galactic Smash Up Galactic Pizza 2917 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Symone Smash It heads up a night of electronic music performance in Uptown.

Sunday, July 9 HIP-HOP

OPEN MIC Fifth Element Open Mic Fifth Element 2411 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Rhymesayer’s long standing open mic night takes place at Fifth Element record store.

Arrive early to secure time on the mic.

Friday, July 7 DJ NIGHT

Jarren Benton The Pourhouse 10 5th St. S., Minneapolis 5:30 p.m.

All ages $20 advance From producing with Big Boi’s (Outkast) Stankonia Records in the duo The Flush to performing alongside Hopsin and Dizzy Wright in Funk Volume, Jarren Benton continues to make noise in the music industry. See him at the Pourhouse for this all ages show.

© 2016 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 30 THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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Insight News • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Page 11

Golf industry aims to diversify ‘the game of kings’

By Michael H. Coleman Urban News Service

Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, has strong words about golf, an overwhelmingly white sport and a $70 billion a year business.

“The golf industry should look like America,” Mona told Urban News Service. “Diversity is fundamental to the future success of the golf industry.”

Mona, who is white, says that when he surveys golf courses around the country, he says he mainly sees two colors – green and white.

Golf industry reports confirm Mona’s impression. American golfers are 77 percent male and 80 percent white, according to the “2015 Golf Diversity & Inclusion Report.” Among professional golfers, 75 percent are male and 86 percent are white. And golf-

Women of Golf

Clemmie Perry, the founder of Women of Color Golf. industry workers – everyone from caddies to greens keepers – are 90

percent male and 88 percent white.

Golf remains a big business in America. Some 25 million Americans play 455 million rounds annually on 15,350 links, according to World Golf Foundation.

Golf generates some $55.6 billion in annual wages.

Asked why a white executive like Mona worries about racial diversity, Mona didn’t hesitate.

“It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “We want to make young people and parents from diverse backgrounds aware that there are 2 million jobs in the golf industry.”

He is matching his words with action. He created a diversity task force, established partnerships with major companies and will host a diversity forum in December with major industry leaders.

Mona plans to create job opportunities for minorities with a range of diversity initiatives that include a 10-week paid internship program with the Professional Golf Association Tour. In addition, the Golf Channel’s

While Tiger Woods remains the highest-profile Black golfer, Mona’s diversity task force confirms just how rare his face is on the greens.

Little has changed in golf since the demographics of it’s players and staff was first studied in 2003, said diversity task force member Dr. Michael Cooper.

“I haven’t seen a lot of what is supposed to be taking place, and I can’t vouch for golf becoming more inclusive and diverse than it is,’” said Cooper. “But I do have faith in Steve Mona. With regard to racial diversity, this is a work in progress, and we have an awful long way to go.”

Can Mona convince other golf industry leaders to take diversity seriously?

“If we don’t have Steve Mona, we’re nowhere,” said Cooper.

“He’s a fair man, and he’s the most committed guy in a leadership position in the golf industry I’ve seen. But can he move this boulder by himself?”

Clemmie Perry, the founder of

internship openings now appear on the careers website of its parent company, NBCUniversal.

Nike Golf now offers a 12-week internship that explores all of the company’s divisions.

The World Golf Foundation also seeks African-Americans and other minorities, Mona said, for full-time jobs at courses across America, including head golf professionals, course superintendents, caddy masters and food and beverage managers.

These steps are afoot even as younger golfers are leaving the sport. About 200,000 Millennial golfers walked away in 2013, according to the National Golf Federation (NGF), mainly because of costs in time and money. Golfers between 18 and 34 have drifted off for the last 20 years, according to NGF research.

Major golf gear manufacturers also are retrenching. Nike recently announced that it would stop making golf clubs, balls and bags.

Instead, Nike will focus on golf attire.

Women of Color Golf, is looking to introduce more women of color to the game. She said she has trained more than 250 women –95 percent of whom are Black – to play golf since she launched her group in 2013.

“I didn’t see any women on the golf course who looked like me,” said Perry. “I’m creating pathways for women to enter the game. Golf is about access. Golf is giving (Black) women access to business relationships they would never have. We can’t get the jobs if we don’t have the relationships.”

Perry, a Tampa resident, first took up golf after finding a set of clubs on the side of the road. When Lockheed Martin laid her off from an executive post in 2012, she used her severance to start Women of Color Golf.

Even former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, an avid golfer, wants to see more people of color on the putting greens.

It’s important that “golf look like America,” said Rice.

Kam’s Kapsules: A preview of big and small budget films

By Kam Williams Big budget films “13 Minutes” (R for sexuality and disturbing violence) Fact-based drama, set in Munich in 1939, recounting German carpenter Georg Elser’s (Christian Friedel) attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler (Udo Schenk). Featuring Katharina Schuttler, Burghart Klauszner and Johann von Bulow. (In German with subtitles) “Baby Driver” (R for violence and pervasive profanity) Ansel Elgort plays the title character in this crime comedy about a music-loving getaway driver pressured by a

Power From 7 Change for Henderson looks

“The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography” (R for profanity and graphic nude images) Oscar-winner Errol Morris (“The Fog of War”) directed this documentary chronicling the career of Elsa Dorfman, a proponent of the Polaroid Land camera from 1980 until the company went out of business in 2008.

“Inconceivable” (R for

sexuality, nudity, profanity and violence) Suspense thriller about a married couple (Nicolas Cage and Gina Gershon) who comes to regret hiring a mysterious nanny (Nicky Whelan), new to town.

With Faye Dunaway, Natalie Eva Marie and Leah Huebner.

“The Little Hours” (R for sexuality, profanity and graphic nudity) Romantic comedy, set during the middle ages, revolving around a runaway servant (Dave Franco) who takes refuge from his master (Nick Offerman) at a monastery filled with sexually-repressed nuns. Ensemble cast includes Molly Shannon, Kate Micucci, John C. Reilly, Paul Reiser, Fred Armisen and Aubrey Plaza.

“Mali Blues” (Unrated)

Concert documentary featuring performances by Malian musical icons Fatoumata Diawara, Bassekou Kouyaté Master Soumy and Ahmed Ag Kaed in the face of death threats from radical Islamists. (In French with subtitles) “Okja” (Unrated) Sci-fi adventure revolving around a young girl’s (Seo-Hyun Ahn) attempt to prevent a multi-national corporation from kidnapping her massive pet.

With Jake Gyllenhaal,Tilda Swinton, Lily Collins, Paul Dano, Devon Bostick and Giancarlo Esposito. (In Korean and English with subtitles) “Pop Aye” (Unrated) Unlikely buddy drama, set in Thailand, about a jaded, big city architect (Thaneth Warakulnukroh) who embarks on

a cross-country trek with his longlost pet elephant (Bong) back to the farm where they were raised.

Cast includes Penpak Sirikul, Narong Pongpab and Chaiwat Khumdee. (In Thai with subtitles) “The Reagan Show” (Unrated) Political expose revealing President Ronald Reagan as just a made-for-TV leader.

“The Skyjacker’s Tale” (Unrated) Justice delayed documentary about FBI Most Wanted List fugitive Ishmael Muslim Ali, who hijacked a plane to Cuba in 1984 after being convicted of masterminding a massacre of eight at a Rockefeller country club in the Virgin Islands.

of reported or questioned. She’d like to see parents of color work together and participate and show up in the schools in numbers large enough to be reported instead of ones or twos. She’d like to see us, as

a community, care about our children consistently, enough for them to believe it.

Henderson wants you to believe in your power and she invites you to get engaged in your community. She says

she is getting tired of holding the community up to higher standards, but she’s worried about who will take her place when she stops.

Meredith Moore Crosby is an entrepreneur and writer

working and living in the Twin Cities. Connect online @ MeredithMCrosby or info@ LeveretteWeekes.com.

powerful crime boss (Kevin Spacey) to participate in an ill-fated bank heist. With Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Lily James, Big Boi and Flea.

“Despicable Me 3” (PG for action and rude humor) Fourth installment in the animated franchise (if you include “Minions”) finds Gru (Steve Carell) facing his most formidable foe ever, an ex-child star (Trey Parker) still obsessed with the character he played back in the ‘80s.

Voice cast includes Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Jenny Slate, Julie Andrews and Russell Brand.

“The House” (R for sexual references, drug use, violence, brief nudity and pervasive profanity) Dysfunctional family comedy revolving around a married couple

(Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) who open an illegal casino in their basement after bankrupting their daughter’s (Ryan Simpkins) college fund. With Jeremy Renner, Nick Kroll and Allison Tolman.

like a school system being an active advocate for students of color and addressing systemic racism with more than periodic workshops or programs. She’d like to see parents of color welcomed in hallways instead

Independent and foreign films

MNHS.ORG

612.377.2224 guthrietheater.org

Explore art, race and a nation on stage through the prism of the African American experience.

Sunday in the Park with George music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM book by JAMES LAPINE directed by JOSEPH HAJ

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Now – August 20

ON VIEW THROUGH JULY 30 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., d St. S Paul, l MN 55102 102

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July 15 – August 20

Page 12 • June 26 - July 2, 2017 • Insight News

For nine years now, Terry Austin, Tommy McNeal and the rest of the Positive Image crew have hosted the annual Father’s Day Picnic.

The free event held at Central Park in Brooklyn Park brought out nearly

200 individuals to partake in the food and fun. With music provided by DJ Chuck Chizzle and some of the best barbecue, served up by Darren Hayes, Michael Hullum, Sean Harris and Bernard Fox, the event was the

insightnews.com

perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Prior to the picnic about 30 individuals participated in Positive Image’s golf tournament. The proceeds from the tournament benefit the organization’s college scholarship fund.

All photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

DJ Chuck Chizzle

“Chef” Darren Hayes takes a break from the grill to pose for a flick.

Shed G dropped in on the Father’s Day Picnic.

Father Lester Royal (right) with sons Camden Royal (top) and Caleb Royal.

Melissa Diekmann (right) and her son, Ja’mez Diekmann.

Normally the one behind the camera, MK Xiong on the other end of the lens.

Chris Hervey enjoying the day.

Erica Carver (left) and Jenny Noll having a little fun in the sun.