Photo: www.itusozluk.com
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MINNEAPOLIS MN PERMIT NO. 32468
Michael Jackson
(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
July 6 - July 12, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 27 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
Black Press of America elects new Chairman; Danny Bakewell aims to harness the power By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA Editor-in-Chief MINNEAPOLIS, MN (NNPA) – Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher Danny Bakewell, Sr. the new chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a federation of more than 200 Black-owned newspapers, says he aims to fortify the power of the Black Press of America by unifying its ranks while also uniting with other civil rights organizations. “It’s important to lift the stature of NNPA at least to a place that it is at least equal to other major Black organizations in this country, such as the National Urban League, the NAACP, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, etc,” Bakewell said in an interview the morning after his election by fellow publishers during NNPA’s annual summer conference, held in last month in Minneapolis, MN. “We must have constant collaboration with them. They need to be a part of us and our agenda needs to be a part of them,” he said. The Black Press, Black civil rights organizations, the Black church and Black businesses have
long worked together for the advancement of Black people. But, in recent years, although leaders from those entities have spoken at each other’s conferences, there have been few instances in which the organizations have actually met and collaborated on specific issues. Bakewell said NNPA in and of itself is among the most powerful organizational forces in the nation. “What we have is a national member organization. But, we talk about it from a local perspective. We distribute 15 million papers into the households of Black people per week. And if you take that and multiply it [by the number of people who actually read each paper], you could get to maybe a hundred million people,” Bakewell said. “There is no stronger or potentially stronger organization in America than the Black Press. We are talking directly to the people.” Even during the current economic downturn, Black newspapers are struggling like others, but none of NNPA’s
BAKEWELL TURN TO 2
Chicago Defender wins top award in 2009 NNPA Merit Contest
BET: Shame on you!
PAGE Danny Bakewell addresses Black publishers during the National Newspaper Publishers Association Convention in Minneapolis June 24-28.
“Caroline,
Minnesota Supreme Court rules for Al Franken
or Change” at the Guthrie Theater is life magnified
By Al McFarlane & B.P. Ford, the Editors editors@insightnews.com
FRANKEN TURN TO
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Michael Jackson circa 1991 www.nndb.com
Senator-elect Al Franken
mjjpictures.com
Michael Jackson: Never can say goodbye
Toni Carter, Ramsey County Commissioner
By Alaina Lewis Photos: Suluki Fardan
Prof. Robert O’Connor, Metropolitan State University
Ramsey project seeks permanent families By Brenda Colston “These children are not someone else’s responsibility, they are our responsibility” Dave Thomas Simple words spoken by a man well acquainted with the pain surrounding children waiting to be adopted. On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, Ramsey County hosted a
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Carole Geary
At last The Minnesota Supreme Court Tuesday ruled in Al Franken’s favor clearing the way for Franken to be sworn in as the newest United States senator. Minnesota political leaders rejoiced in the decision and sent public messages of congratulations to Franken . “We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sen.-elect
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celebration to kick off its Permanent Families Recruitment Project. There are currently over 90 children waiting to be adopted in Ramsey County. Ramsey County Human Services Department is on a mission to resolve this issue and find a permanent home for every child. Ramsey County was recently awarded a Five Year $2 million dollar Federal Adoptions Opportunity Grant. The
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Many issues we face in this world are easily approachable when relaying them through the pad, even the developing stories that intermingle with controversy have yet to dull the ink in my felt tip pen. But when asked to write a farewell piece on Michael Jackson, this marked the first time in my life when I felt a thunderous silence. It was the first time in my short-lived history that the soundtrack to my inspiration stood still in time while my heart quietly wept low key. For most of us who have been frequenting every newscast, podcast, article, forum or program available that speaks on the life and death of our own Black American Icon, our minds draw nearer to a close as we bleed an understanding; the King of Pop is Gone Too Soon. On June 25, the music stopped,
yet everywhere in the world a melody kept spinning. Above the outpour of musical recognition towards the Pop star and his unparalleled talent, now lies an infinite hum of sorrow, sung through a unanimous cry for our fallen Icon. Death is as much a promise as the struggle with oppression has been for generations of African Americans. But when Michael Jackson, the consummate artist, catapulted to stardom and surpassed the unimaginable, so began a legacy of our new beginnings in the world of music and entertainment. With a clear vision alongside a relentless dedication, from the tender age of six-years-old, Jackson began blurring the lines between artistic expression and racial acceptance. From the Jackson 5 and onto the biggest solo career in music history, every song that has escaped through his ingenuity has paved a road for everyone listening who dare to follow in his universal footsteps.
His work has inspired countless generations of musicians from all walks of life and all nationalities. He has encouraged the world to dream further than their imagination, because through his legacy we see a picture of possibility. We all know where we were when we heard the unsettling news, but even now that we’re merely footsteps apart from the tragic incident, only few are ready to register the actuality in the untimely message; Michael Jackson is not coming back to us in the physical form, but at least his songs will continue to transcend onward. When your life resonates a symphony of timeless music, it’s hard to believe that the orchestrating conductor would ever leave his podium. He carried a resounding significance to our musical history and through it he shared a Peter Pan image of having a projected
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Host a party part II: Recycle, reduce, reuse party
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Former Mpls North basketball standout holds first Youth Basketball Camp
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Page 2 • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Insight News
http://insightnews.com
Carole Geary
Chicago Defender Publisher Michael House, receives the prestigious Russwurm Award from NNPA Foundation Chair Dorothy Leavell and Chair John B. Smith Sr.
Carole Geary
Dallas Examiner Publisher Mollie Belt receives the first Thomas Morgan Award for HIV/AIDS Education during the NNPA Merit Awards. Pictured are Merit Awards Chair Yvonne Coleman-Bach, NNPAF Chair Dorothy Leavell and Phill Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.
Chicago Defender wins top award in 2009 NNPA Merit Contest December of 2007. The winner of that award, sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s ACT Against AIDS Outreach Initiative, was the Dallas Examiner, for its original and consistent reporting on HIV/AIDS last year. Among other top awards, the Washington Afro-American was first place winner of the Sengstacke Award for General Excellence; with the New Pittsburgh Courier in second place and Defender in third. Another new addition to the Merit Awards this year was the official naming of the sports award for Don King, the famous boxing promoter who is publisher of the Cleveland Call & Post. The following is a full list of Merit Award winners:
MINNEAPOLIS (NNPA) - The Chicago Defender Newspaper, which at 104, one of the nation’s oldest and most influential Blackowned newspapers, was awarded the prestigious Russwurm Award during this year’s NNPA Merit Awards Gala. With two first place and two third place awards, including the John H. Sengstacke General Excellence Award, Defender Publisher Michael House took the organization’s most coveted award this year, which is based on the paper that wins the most points in categories, including General Excellence. The Merit Awards Gala, among a staple event during the organization’s annual summer convention, is sponsored by the NNPA Foundation. It included a new award this year – the Thomas Morgan III Award for HIV/AIDS Education, named for a New York Times editor and president of the National Associate of Black Journalists, who died of AIDS in
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These editions earned the special rankings in the Black Press Merit Awards Ceremony.
Bakewell From 1 member papers have gone out of business. Bakewell said he will lead the organization to leverage its own power to gain advertising dollars from places where they have been withheld. “You take the federal government. It is the only remaining governmental body that still has set-asides,” he said. “There’s a 10 percent mandate set-aside in every federal government agency” that must be allocated for contracts with minority contractors he said. John B. Smith, Sr., immediate past NNPA chairman for four years, who was elected first vice
Carl Murphy Best Community Service 1st: The Houston Defender 2nd: The Los Angeles Sentinel 3rd: The Philadelphia Tribune
Frank L. Stanley Sr. Best Feature Story 1st: The Winston-Salem Chronicle 2nd: New County News 3rd: The Portland Skanner Best News Picture 1st: St. Louis American 2nd: The Charlotte Post 3rd: The Richmond Free Press Wilbert L. Holloway Best Editorial Cartoon 1st: The Chicago Defender 2nd: The Los Angeles Sentinel 3rd: The Philadelphia Tribune
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Robert S. Abbott Best Editorial 1st: The St. Louis American 2nd: The Richmond Free Press 3rd: The New County News
Ida B. Wells Best News Story 1st: Los Angeles Sentinel 2nd: New County News 3rd: The Dallas Weekly
Thomas Morgan III Award HIV/AIDS Education 1st: The Dallas Examiner 2nd: The Houston Defender 3rd: NY Amsterdam News
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John H. Sengstacke General Excellence 1st: Washington Afro-American 2nd: New Pittsburgh Courier 3rd: The Chicago Defender
chairman, has begun this effort in earnest. Smith wrote a letter to top Obama aides in April, asking why agencies were not spending advertising dollars with the Black Press to educate the Black community about the economic stimulus package. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee has written a letter to Vice President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, pushing for follow up and a meeting on Smith’s questions and concerns. Bakewell is widely known as a savvy and successful businessman and community activist. He’s the founder and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, a philanthropic organization that addresses issues in the Black community and other
Robert L. Vann Best Layout and Design Tabloid 1st: The Portland Skanner 2nd: The Atlanta Voice 3rd: The Chicago Defender Best Layout and Design Broadsheet 1st: The Los Angeles Sentinel 2nd: The Philadelphia Tribune 3rd: The St. Louis American communities of color. He is also co-founder of the United Black Front, founded in the late 1960s to unite 50 Black power organizations seeking to address the remaining vestiges of white supremacy. The former advisor to the late L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley bought the now 76-year-old L. A. Sentinel in 2004. The Sentinel was also a 2007 NNPA Russwurm Award winner. This prestigious designation is nicknamed “the best Black newspaper in America.” Bakewell said he also intends to help strengthen some of NNPA’s smaller papers by creatively escalating the organization’s push for advertising dollars. As a start, he committed to working with US Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY),
Carole Geary
Boxing icon Don King, publisher of the Cleveland Call & Post, is honored with an NNPA sports merit award in his name. Leon H. Washington Best Special Edition 1st: The Winston-Salem Chronicle 2nd: The Richmond Free Press 3rd: The Michigan Chronicle W. A. Scott Best Circulation Promotion 1st: Philadelphia Tribune 2nd: St. Louis American 3rd: The Portland Skanner Ada S. Franklin Best Lifestyles Section 1st: The Charlotte Post 2nd: The New Pittsburgh Courier 3rd: The Los Angeles Sentinel Best Youth Section 1st: The Philadelphia Tribune 2nd: The New Pittsburgh Courier 3rd: The Los Angeles Sentinel
Best Church Page 1st: The Indianapolis Recorder 2nd: The Philadelphia Tribune 3rd: The Los Angeles Sentinel Don King Best Sports Page 1st: The Los Angeles Sentinel 2nd: The Winston-Salem Chronicle 3rd: The St. Louis American Best Business Section 1st: The New Pittsburgh Courier 2nd: The Philadelphia Tribune 3rd: The Winston-Salem Chronicle Best Entertainment Section 1st: The Portland Skanner 2nd: The Philadelphia Tribune 3rd: The St. Louis American
E. Washington Rhodes Best Original Advertising 1st: The Philadelphia Tribune 2nd: Call and Post 3rd: The Houston Defender Best Use of Photographs Tabloid Division 1st: The Chicago Defender 2nd: The Michigan Front Page 3rd: The Portland Skanner Best Use of Photographs Broadsheet Division 1st: The Winston-Salem Chronicle 2nd: Insight News 3rd: The St. Louis American
chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful finance-related committee in Congress. Simultaneously, a coordination of messages among the NNPA member papers would influence public policy as it pertains to civil rights and the advancement of Black people, he says. “If we ever coordinated our messages and take that to the local audience as an overriding public policy address, nobody can beat it. That’s our game,” he said. “That’s the way we get a real bang for our efforts. And we’ve also got to get a lot more visible. People have got to see us as America’s Black Press.”
Danny Bakewell
http://insightnews.com
Adoption From 1 county is seeking to build community-based partnerships for recruitment of foster and adoptive parents. The celebration featured speakers such as Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter and Prof. Robert O’Connor of Metropolitan State University. Of more than deserving notoriety were several families whose lives have been impacted in one way or another by the adoption system. The program began with a welcome from Carolyn Smith who serves as Project Manager for the initiative. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Janine Moore, Director of Ramsey County Families & Children Services Division. As director, Moore has the challenge of dealing with staff cuts due to budget shortages while at the same time attempting to still provide the quality services the people of Ramsey County deserve. Restructuring, consolidating, recruiting volunteers and good marketing strategies are the order of the day for the Child & Family Services Division. O’Connor’s personal story is one of great challenges which were paralleled by the great triumphs experienced later in life. He can speak about adoption from the heart; out of the reality of his personal experiences. O’Connor said he and his brother were given to the system by their mother at a young age. Because of the red tape involved, other family members were not able to get any information in order to rescue them from the system. They were tossed from home to home, he said. Eventually, he and his older brother were adopted into a forever family; a permanent home for himself and his older brother. Even the forever family
Insight News • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Page 3 had challenges, said O’connor, but they remained strong and found a life of success as they grew older. His goal is to continue to help a challenged system develop the proper policies and procedures wherein children in vulnerable situations will be advocated for. O’Connor spent eight years as a social worker. He has served in many capacities in the human services arena, including handling policies for 87counties through the Department of Human Services. He has also served as a licensed therapist for adopted families. To the disappointment of many, The Post Adoption Support System which he helped to champion over 10 years ago will be dismantled on its’ 10th anniversary this July. The program has been eliminated due to budget cuts. Commissioner Carter serves in many capacities such as the Chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties Human Services Policies Committee which serves 87 counties. She was formerly the Chair of the St. Paul School Board of Education. She is the first African American elected to a County Board in the State of Minnesota. She is also Chair of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Board of Directors. Her goal for the Adoption Program is to protect the capacity for adopted youth to become caring and loving adults. As a Ramsey County Commissioner, she is committed to the delivery of efficient and effective county services, to eliminating disparities in county services and systems, and to raising grassroots awareness of county decision making processes and systems. Carter expressed the pain of witnessing budget cuts to the tune of over $200 million, which, she said, translates into the loss of some of the current services provided by the county. These cuts hit in the area of child protection,
Janine Moore, Director of Ramsey County Families & Children Services Division and Sandra Edwards, foster/adoptive parent of older youth disabilities, and mental health. According to Carter, “the last four to five years have been spent addressing prevention, now we need to switch to just basic survival.” Carter is also hoping that this initiative will help educate the community on the need of
Shannon Canny, adoptive parent of older youth providing permanent homes for older children. Historically, older children have been the hardest to place because families sometimes prefer dealing with younger children. There is a huge disparity of older African American children waiting to be adopted. “Many of these children have experienced great pain and have suffered grief and losses. Their behavior is sometimes a
reflection of their pain and an effort to survive the many challenges they have faced. Kids are brilliant budding spirits; they can survive with care, their spirits can be reignited,” said Carter. Parents and children who had been connected through the Ramsey County Adoption Program provided moving testimony of their experiences. Shannon and her husband “felt called to a life different from the typical selfishness of their dayto-day indulgences.” They became involved with the Adoption Program and were “rescued” by the children who came into their home and their lives. During one of the adoption events, they had the opportunity to hear a speech from four teens who were in the adoption system. Their lives were never the same. It became about the relationships. Fortunately, this family was self supportive and did not have to wait for some of the resources that typical foster families sometimes need. This allowed for many successes in areas that sometimes falter due to processes and procedures in the system. In a video presentation, one of the teens waiting for a home stated “what’s important is finding a family that will always be there for you; a stable place where you know you are loved and they really will be there for you, every day, no matter what.” One child said that “he
wanted a stable place to stay because he was tired of moving around”. Craig and Karen have adopted two siblings and another son. Between the three children, they have been in a total of 12 different foster homes. Two of the children were special needs with a not so great prognosis. Now these children are all doing great with bright futures ahead of them. Sometimes children do have issues that present a challenge; sometimes they just need the right family. Foster parent, Sandra, was asked to adopt another sibling when she already had two. She believed in keeping families together. She was a foster parent for one child for 10 years before he was actually adopted. Sandra believes that one should think about their life and what they have been blessed with. “What have you contributed? Don’t
extraordinary time in our nation’s history, and I am grateful for their dedication to serving the people of our state,” she said. Franken, in a statement to the press last Tuesday, said he was focusing on getting to work in Washington, D.C. “We have a lot of work to do in Washington, but that’s why I signed up for the job in the first place. When we started this campaign way back in February 2007, I said that Americans have never backed away from tough challenges, and Minnesotans have always led the way,” he said. “Working with our fantastic senior Senator, Amy Klobuchar, I’m going to fight hard to put people to work, improve education, make Minnesota the epicenter of a new renewable energy economy, and make quality health care accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans. “No matter whether you voted for me, or for Senator Coleman, or for Senator Barkley, or whether you voted at all, I want the people of Minnesota to know that I’m ready to work for all of you, and that I’m committed to being a voice for all Minnesotans in the U.S. Senate,” he said. Labor leader AFSCME Council 5 Director Eliot Seide said, “We have tirelessly
supported Al Franken during his eight month recount and court battle. Now it’s time to seat our senator so he can help President Obama rebuild the middle class and make quality health care affordable for all. The voice of working families just got louder in Congress and that’s good news for America.” The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is a union of 1.6 million public and non-profit workers throughout the United States, with 43,000 members of Council 5 in Minnesota. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) said, “The Minnesota Supreme Court has left no doubt that Al Franken won the 2008 race for the U.S. Senate and should immediately be sworn-in as Minnesota’s newest Senator. I am very pleased to welcome Senatorelect Franken to the Minnesota congressional delegation and I look forward to working with him on important issues, like health care reform and creating new jobs to get our economy back on track.” DNC Chair Tim Kaine said the ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court marks the end of the line for Norm Coleman’s legal battle. He said Minnesotans have been denied their proper representation in Congress while Norm Coleman pursued his political ambitions.
Phillip with adoptive parents Karen Kohner and Craig Kohner complain about the kids if you are not going to do anything about them,” she said. The Permanent Adoption Project helps to promote strong families. It is time for us to step up and take it to the next dimension. The time is now. We have been given an awesome opportunity. For additional information, contact Ramsey County Human Services Child and Family Services Division at 651-266 KIDS or www.co.ramsey.mn.us.
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Franken From 1 Franken,” said Brian Melendez, head of Minnesota’s DFL Party. “He’s earned it. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our team of Democratic senators, who are working hard every day to get our country back on track. Sen.elect Franken’s vote will be crucial as we work to pass President Obama’s change agenda - a stronger economy, health care for more Americans, and energy policies that protect the planet.” Bill Davis, Chair of the African American Caucus of the Minnesota DFL Party said he was elated that Minnesota would now have two senators. He said he has high hopes that Franken will take the lead in dealing with critical issues including unemployment, foreclosure and healthcare. “We need the strong voice of someone who really understands how these issues affect our community,” Davis said. Minnesota Democrats called the Supreme Court decision “our final victory of the 2008 election cycle” as they thanked voters and party activists for the concerted effort to elect Franken. Franken won by fewer than 400 votes. The narrow margin meant an automatic recount, according to state law. The recount saw Franken edge past incumbent republican Norm Coleman and Franken prevailed in several court challenges leading up to the final decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Court ruled unanimously in Franken’s favor. Shorthly after the Court’s decision, Norm Coleman officially conceded the race. “For too long, Minnesotans have been denied proper representation in Congress. Now, you will have a full voice in the U.S. Senate,” said Gov. Tim Kaine, chair of Democratic National Committee. Minnesota “will now have a great champion of common sense and good ideas in the Senate. We now have one more advocate for putting our schools back on track and investing in the clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.” Kaine said Franken would be a champion for healthcare reform, as well. Minnesota’s other Senator, Amy Klobuchar called the announcement good news. She said, “At long last — after a six month wait — it is my pleasure to welcome Al Franken to the United States Senate. “I congratulate Al on a hard-earned election victory, and I look forward to working with him to serve the people of Minnesota and the nation. I know Al is ready to roll up his sleeves and
Ann Hill, State Ombudsman and advocate for African American children with Commissioner Toni Carter
Jeffrey Thompson/Getty Images
Sen.-elect Al Franken (D-MN) (R) celebrates with his wife Franni Franken in front of his home get to work. And there’s plenty of work to do in the nation’s capital – on health care, energy, the economy and many other issues,” she said. Klobuchar extended best wishes to Norm and Laurie Coleman. Norm Coleman had a right to pursue his appeal on the federal level, and instead he chose to do what is right for Minnesota, she said. “I respect Norm Coleman for what I’m sure was a very difficult decision. He had the right to pursue a legal appeal, but he chose to do the right thing for Minnesota. Norm was my Senate colleague for two years.
Although on opposite sides of the aisle, we often worked together on issues affecting Minnesota, in particular securing quick federal support for rebuilding the 35W Bridge. Norm is a dedicated public servant. As a Senator, he took to heart his duty to represent and serve the people of Minnesota. I wish him the best,” said Klobuchar. Klobuchar acknowledged double duty and the “incredible hard work of my staff in Minnesota and in Washington, DC. Apart from the extended Minnesota Senate contest, the past year has been an
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 Brandi D. Phillips Ryan T. Scott Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. MinneAPOlis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI) National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.
Page 4 • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY
Black business success can hurt By Harry C. Alford
NNPA Guest Columnist It can be quite comical at times when you see public relations splashes about perceived successful entrepreneurs. Ninety percent of these so called tycoons are fakes. The fact is most successful Black businesses are rather “stealth”. The modesty comes from many examples of attacks, conspiracies and mountains of adversity put before them and others simply because they are Black. Most successful Black entrepreneurs that I know would never publish themselves in the Black Enterprise Top 100 Black Businesses. To many it is perceived as a “target list” for the IRS, large competitors and others with bad intentions. Allow me to discuss a few of the horror stories that successful Black entrepreneurs have experienced.
Lannie H. Smith started L.H. Smith Oil Co. and built up a big customer base of Indiana corporations and government entities. He supplied them with fuel oil. His biggest contract was with Ft. Knox, Kentucky, the home of the U.S. Army tank school. Traditionally, you had to deliver the goods on time or face a fine for lateness. In this case, if any of his trucks were late his company would be assessed a fine of $1,000 per hour or part thereof. His enemies knew this so when each truck left Indianapolis for Ft. Knox it would be stopped by an Indiana state trooper and detained for hours. After the harassment, the trooper would release the truck and as soon as it crossed the Ohio River Bridge a Kentucky state trooper was waiting to do the same. This harassment was taking all the profit out of the deliveries and building bad relations with an important customer. It’s hard to
fight something that is being sanctioned by the highest office in the state the Governor and State Police. Robert Batteast and his son built a thriving construction company in South Bend, IN. They did most of their business in Chicago and with the federal government (SBA 8a program) as the state of Indiana had them blocked from any good work. Through the request of Indiana white contractors the Army Corps of Engineers decided to break this company. Batteast was assigned the building of an Army barracks at Ft. Benning, GA. It was considered an “emergency” job which caused all of the approvals and notices to proceed to be verbal. It was a set up. As Batteast Construction was finishing the barracks, the Corps claimed the foundation was not to specification and the whole project should be demolished and restarted and there would be no
payment. Batteast, of course, formally challenged that and a third party architect was to come in and offer a professional opinion. Before the architect arrived to the scene, the Corps of Engineers took a giant D7 tractor and leveled the $3 million structure. Batteast had to sue to recover his money and it took nine years to win his case. He was awarded triple damages, $9 million but the federal government told him to accept only the principal $3 million or they would appeal the whole thing for the next 20 – 30 years. He had no choice. His company barely survived that nine-year period of litigation. Sometimes, these horrors will get worse than business disruption. Mayors Harold Washington, Coleman Young and Carl Stokes of Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland respectively decided to recognize Black construction talent and share it with each other. All of a sudden, Black
construction management companies during the 1980s started to grow in these cities. The fastest rising star was Madison Construction Management. This flamboyant architect and engineering magnate was rolling in Cleveland and especially in Chicago. When he was awarded the prestigious expansion of the Detroit Metro Airport through the blessing of Mayor Young, the powers that be decided to send a message. Within two weeks of winning the huge Detroit gig, Madison was assassinated in his car (two bullets to the back of his head). The next two most successful construction management firms in Chicago met a similar fate within the next five months. One entrepreneur died when his private plane fell out of the sky. The other entrepreneur fell “asleep” in his garage with the car still running. The Black business community was terrified. In fact, no
homegrown successful construction management firms in Chicago and Detroit have risen since. I know hundreds of such stories. One day I will have to chronicle it in a book. It is just a shame to see hard work and success attacked simply because of the color of one’s skin. To see a catfish farmer get his ponds poisoned with toxic mercury; companies getting their valuable equipment stolen; unwarranted union strikes; merciless IRS audits and harassments; false fraud charges and it goes on and on. For every successful Black business that hasn’t been “hit” there are five more that have. STILL WE RISE! Alford is the President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.
Peace, be still - Thoughts for and about Michael By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist As I think about Michael Jackson, I am listening to John Legend sing “Green Light,” and thinking about Black men, music and movement. It seems redundant to add my thought to the many that have chimed in about the death of the icon of pop music, and at the same time, it seems so very necessary to offer the public wish that Michael Jackson has finally found peace. Without knowing the man (in the mirror) at all, my observation is that peace eluded Michael Jackson. He changed his appearance, lightened his skin, engaged in public drama, and apparently earned and lost a
fortune. And, he maintained a spirit of innocence and a soul of service. Wow! Certainly Jackson’s family drama, often publicly disclosed, led to some of his angst. How much more of the drama was fueled by the context of our nation’s racism? Why did he feel compelled to get lighter, lighter, and lighter? To get his nose thinner, thinner, and thinner? Where did that compulsion come from? It could not have been completely internal, something he simply decided on. To what extent did the signals that all of us, Black folk (I’m not going African American right now – just Black folk), get take hold of his brain and drive some of his decisions? Did Michael Jackson feel that
he needed to buffer his success by looking like what he thought success ought to be – whiter, thinner nose, all that? I’m not trying to get into his head, just raise a question for a group of people who are being asked to reject themselves, even with the cries of “get over it” on slavery, with the call for race neutrality. There is no such thing as being race neutral. You are who you are. Nothing wrong with it. Just embrace it. At this moment, embrace it in the name of Michael Jackson. Every Fourth of July I read Frederick Douglas’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” just to remind myself of who I am and where I come from. Rarely will I engage myself in the festivities of the day, the patriotic
flag-waving, the consumption of grilled meats, the gatherings. I generally read to anyone who will listen – “your freedom is not my freedom, your justice is not my justice, you may rejoice, I must mourn.” I read this to others to the point of irritation. Indeed, I have friends and colleagues who will not return my calls on July 4, understanding that they are about to be read to. I wonder if I will engage in the ritual this year – I haven’t decided. It somehow seems petulant to hold to this tradition with an African American President in the White House. Part of me actually longs to put my hand over my heart (it won’t happen) and sing about “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. My lyric has been “the
land of the thief and the home of the slave”. Is it time to let it go? To embrace that which is good in our country? To shrug off the shackles of oppression in order to embrace the possibilities of a new and exciting America? If only a shrug of the shoulders could accomplish so much. I bet that Michael Jackson would have, if he could have, shrugged off the images of success that pushed him into transforming his appearance so drastically. I bet he would have, if he could have, shrugged off all his demons so that he could simply, freely, moonwalk his way across a stage and across his life. I bet he would have chosen peace instead of the turmoil we all witnessed. The concert tour that Jackson
was about to embark on was seen by most as a way for him to earn some money and pay some bills. Might it also have been a cry for peace, for rapprochement, a harkening for a simpler time when Michael Jackson was a performer, a pop icon, not a lightning rod for controversy? I would like to think that Michael Jackson found peace on stage and that his concert tour was a step toward peace. His death suggests that he has moonwalked to peace in another way. Let me add my voice to the many asking for moments of silence and commemoration. Peace, be still, for Michael Jackson, and for all of us.
Shame on you BET! By Dr. Janet Taylor I watched the recent BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards Show at the Shrine Auditorium for two reasons. The first was obviously because I wanted to watch the tribute to the recentlydeparted Michael Jackson. The audience, including myself, was not disappointed. From Beyonce to the surprise appearance of Michael’s sister Janet, the awards show touched the hearts of millions. The second reason that I tuned in is for the live acts. There is nothing like listening to singers in real time. Now, I enjoy rap with the exception of rappers who use lyrics to degrade, defame or threaten others. In my opinion, the music is not productive and I frequently will simply turn it off. On the show, when rapper Drake appeared sitting down to rest his torn Achilles , I was like OK ... pretty tame. I don’t have a problem with Lil’ Wayne, he is creative and his writing is brilliant at times. However, his song “Every Girl” is offensive and disturbing. The lyrics are shocking and crude. Perhaps, they are what our kids are used to. I have teenagers, girls no less, who have heard the song and like it. My problem was the pre-teens who were proudly on stage, shaking their groove thangs to this misogynistic, disrespectful song. It was ridiculous. Debra Lee, the CEO of BET, also the mother of
Drake and Lil’ Wayne their lifetime are more likely to experience a poor range of physical and mental health outcomes. Why are we as women and mothers passively allowing our young girls to be utilized as sexual entertainment? We need to wake up and understand the importance
THE NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL OF YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS CAN LEAD TO UNEQUAL POWER IN RELATIONSHIPS, INFLUENCE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR two children, should be asking herself who approved this and how these young girls were allowed to be a part of this “act”. It is time for perspective here. In the minutes that were wasted on stage during this song, almost four women were forcibly raped in the United States. The age group 1317, that these young “dancers” belong, include the highest victims of forcible rape at 32%. Women who are sexually or physically abused just once in
of what we expose our children and teens to. Surely, you would not pop in porn for movie night with your family, how can one justify the bright idea of pre-teens rocking out to hardcore rap under the watchful eyes of the adults in the audience? The negative portrayal of young women and girls can lead to unequal power in relationships, influence sexual behavior, contributes to violence against women, and challenges what is
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acceptable norms and behavior within gender. I am not making an indictment against rap, my issue is with the producers who allowed this debacle to happen. Find the clip (we tried but it looks like BET has pulled it from YouTube), and talk to your daughters and sons about the song and the “dancers.” It’s an opportunity to hear their feedback and share your own thoughts and experiences. For the record, my girls thought that it “was strange” and inappropriate. They were embarrassed for the girls. I agree. Dr. Janet Taylor is a clinical instructor of psychiatry at Columbia University at Harlem Hospital, and is a consumer health strategist and certified life coach. Her company, Mind Projects, Inc., specializes in corporate stress management and consumer health strategies. She practices in Chelsea and lives with her husband and four daughters in New York.
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Insight News • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Page 5
AESTHETICS “Caroline, or Change” at the Guthrie Theater is life magnified Artspeak
By Irma McClaurin, PhD When story, lyrics, voices, stagecraft, and vision come together, the result is powerful, memorable, and impactful. Case in point is Tony Kushner’s “Caroline, or Change,” the musical, that recently played at the Guthrie Theater. We know through living that life is complex and complicated, but we experience life singularly (as individuals), in small groups (family units or couples), and as members of society (citizens), and we rarely give ourselves the
opportunity to reflect on how interconnected we are; how events in history (like the first assassination of a president or the formation of a social movement like Civil Rights) are like small threads that weave us together, and when pulled in conflicting directions can begin to unravel the entire social fabric—and the lives of individuals, who discover how linked together their lives are. Tony Kushner’s amazing musical, “Caroline, or Change” is a must see, or better still, a must see and hear. The format is that of a musical, and all the lines are sung. Its structure and array of characters (including those representing anthropomorphized objects such as the radio, the washing machine, and the dryer) presents us a unique opportunity to witness change up close and personal; we get to peer inside the walls of the home, and
become the proverbial fly on it—stripped bare. We see life in all its closeness, vulnerability, pettiness, sadness, and divisiveness (of class, religion, race, gender and age), and we the audience become privy to shattered dreams and unfulfilled expectations, the pain of loss, intergenerational conflict, and the potency of a youthful wish for a better tomorrow. We see, but mostly we hear the play’s action through powerful voices that boom, rumble, scream, seduce, and wail. “Caroline, or Change” exposes the full range of the human spirit in all its love, richness, complexity, and pain. These are two and a half hours worth spending to embrace and reflect upon the one certainty in our universe— change. Nothing and no one stays the same forever. Thank you Tony Kushner for reminding us so powerfully and thank you
to the actors whose musical eloquence resonates with the spirit (and sounds) of what makes us truly human—our fragility, vulnerability, our strength, and our passion. ©2009 McClaurin Solutions Irma McClaurin is an anthropologist/writer and also Associate Vice President for System Academic Administration, as well as Executive Director of the Urban Research and Outreach Center at the University of Minneapolis. Her latest essay, “Walking in Zora’s Shoes or ‘Seek[ing] Out de Inside Meanin’ of Words’: The Intersections of Anthropology, Ethnography, Identity, and Writing,” was just published in Anthropology Off the Shelf: Anthropologists on Writing (Wiley 2009). The views expressed are entirely her own.
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Jamecia Bennett (The Washing Machine), Felicia Boswell, Aurelia Williams and Lynnea Doublette (The Radio) and Greta Oglesby (Caroline Thibodeaux) in the Guthrie Theater production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE.
Tyrese Darnell Gibson excels as singer, model and actor about what people are thinking and what they want to see more of. I know Michael Bay does the same thing, and that’s what it’s all about, being in touch, stepping up, and giving the people what they want.
Film Review
KW: What are the pros versus the cons of doing an effectsdriven film? TG: I don’t really see any cons.
By Kam Williams Tyrese Darnell Gibson was born in Los Angeles on December 30, 1978. He and his three siblings were raised in the Watts section of the city by his single-mom after his father abandoned the family in 1983. A certified triple-threat who started singing professionally at the age of 14, modeling at 17 and acting at 19, he first found fame singing the slogan “Always Coca-Cola” in a series of commercials for a nationallytelevised campaign. He also appeared in ads for designer Tommy Hilfiger before releasing his first album, Tyrese, which went platinum in March of 1999. A couple of years later, he made a memorable, big-screen debut as the title character of Baby Boy, John Singleton’s riveting, inner-city saga set in the ‘hood. Since then, he’s received critical acclaim for his work in everything from 2 Fast 2 Furious to Flight of the Phoenix to Four Brothers to Death Race to Transformers. Among Tyrese’s many accolades are an American Music Award, a couple of Grammy nominations, several NAACP Image Award nominations and being named one of the Sexiest Men of the Year by People Magazine. Here, he reflects on reprising the role of Sergeant Epps in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a sci-fi sequel directed by Michael Bay and co-starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Kam Williams: Hi Tyrese, thanks so much for the time. Tyrese Gibson: [Exuberantly] Oh, come on now, we got to make it happen, baby. It’s for the team! For the team! KW: How was it the second goround on Transformers? TG: You know what? When you see this movie, it’s going to blow your head off. Listen, I know you write reviews talking about films regularly, but let me tell you this right now. You are not going to be able to compare this movie to anything you’ve ever seen, man. And what an honor it is for me that [director] Michael Bay and [producer] Steven Spielberg would have me in mind to be a part of this franchise along with the rest of such a great group of actors. I love it! I love it! This isn’t even about me. I’m a fan of Transformers, as if I’m not even in it, because I grew up watching Transformers, for real. I got the Transformers toys, for real. I got an Autobot tattoo on my right forearm, for real. KW: Wow! TG: Yeah, I’m a real fan. KW: Were you on location for the scenes shot in my hometown, Princeton? TG: No, my character wasn’t in any of those scenes, so I didn’t go out there. But I did the nearby Bethlehem, PA run, plus some other cities elsewhere in the U.S. and also outside the country.
KW: Do you have another dramatic role coming up? TG: Yeah, a few. Some, I can’t speak on, but I want to make everyone aware of one project I’m very excited about. I’ve got my first comic book ever coming out. It’s called Mayhem. I did a huge deal over at Image Comics with Rober Kirkman, Eric Stephenson and Todd McFarlane. For me, it’s so amazing. We came up with an original image title, had a meeting with them, and they bought the comic book on the spot. KW: Are you going to the Comic-Con comic book convention in San Diego next month? TG: Oh, absolutely! That’s where it all started. I was out there promoting Death Race with Jason Statham. After I was exposed to all that passion and that energy, I was like, “Yo, I have to be a part of this world.” So, we’re bringing Mayhem.
Tyrese Darnell Gibson KW: I got a lot of questions for you from my readers. Let’s start with Renee Patterson who says she’s heard that you’re the highest-paid Black male model. She wants to know, what was your most memorable modeling gig? TG: My most memorable modeling gig was being the first ever, exclusive African American, male model for Guess and the Marciano brothers. That was a very big moment, historically, for my career and for everybody on my team who was involved in getting that deal done. It was just one of those things where it’s like, “Whoa!” So, what an honor it is to be a part of it. KW: Laz Lyles wants to know what it’s like working with Michael Bay. She asks, “Is he as hyper and neurotic and anal retentive as everyone says?” TG: He’s definitely hyper. He’s very structured, not all over the place. And he runs his set like the military. He definitely should be doing these movies with the military’s involvement, because he runs his set with that sort of discipline. I mean, it’s full throttle. But listen, he’s a genius… he’s way ahead of his time… and as far as I’m concerned, he’s going to raise the bar and set a new standard for how action movies and movies with special effects should be done. KW: Laz also asks, was doing this Transformers much different from doing the other one in terms of what was expected of you as an actor? TG: Absolutely! The first goround, mentally, we were all
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hoping that the fans showed up and could appreciate the Transformers that we were bringing to the table. But there was no guaranteed audience just because it had been a successful cartoon and line of toys. Now, after they did show up for the first film, the pressure was on for us to deliver something big, better and badder, with more action and better chemistry amongst the cast. I read comments like that all the time online, where you can learn a lot
KW: Are fans excited about it. How’s the early buzz? TG: Here’s the statistics so far. It’s only been available in presales for two weeks and it’s already through the roof. We’ve sold over 10,000 copies at just one store, Meltdown Comics. Plus, I’m on Twitter all the time talking about it. KW: Do you have a website where people can order it? TG: Yeah, they can go to www.BuyMayhem.com. And I have a special that I’m going to offer to your readers. If they call the store and order 15 or more copies of Mayhem, I’m gonna personally call them back. KW: Really? You’re going to get
a lot of people buying comics but expecting that call. TG: We love it. It doesn’t matter where I am, I’m going to call them back with a personal thank you. They can call to order Mayhem at (323) 851-7223. That’s the store’s direct number. KW: What else do you have on the horizon? TG: I have a new TV show coming out on BET called First In. It’s a reality show like Cops, but about firefighters. We follow the fire trucks on calls, and go home with a few of the firemen to get to know a few of them and to see what their family life is like. The whole first season was shot in Compton. And we’re probably going to move to New
Orleans or Baltimore for the second season. KW: What gave you the idea for this series? I like it because my father was a fireman. TG: I appreciate that. Well, me and my partner came up with it. I felt like I can play a hero in films, but to me the real heroes are the firemen, police and soldiers who put their lives on the line everyday. We wanted to highlight that. When we started in Compton, there were about 12 shootings a day there. And we captured some really graphic, but heroic moments there. KW: What do you consider your
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LIFESTYLE Host a party part II: Recycle, reduce, reuse Style on a dime
By Marcia Humphrey The summer sunshine has our family feeling pretty festive, so of course that puts me in the mood for another party. I have already decided my next party’s theme and I am very excited about it. No offense fellas, but this particular party is more of a fun girlie gathering-perfect for around ten or so girlfriends. There is one catch. The friends that you invite must be able to appreciate the green lifestyle, and I am not talking about having loads of money. It’s quite the opposite. Your guests must be able to get a thrill from acquiring items from sources other than Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, or Bloomingdale’s. The ladies have to find pleasure and satisfaction in locating “nearly new” hidden treasures discovered in a friend’s home. I am inviting a few girlfriends over for what I am calling a Swap and Sweets Party. The idea is pretty simple. We all have things in our homes —clothes, accessories, home-goods, books, etc that are in great shape, but no longer serve the intended purpose, for one reason or another. At this swap party each guest will bring a
predetermined number of nearly new and well-cared-for items, and then shop for that same amount of “almost new” items to take home. The best part is that this type of shopping costs no money- it’s free (the second best part is that this type of recycling is also earthfriendly)! If this type of gig calls to your inner-thrifter, and you want an excuse to hang out with your girls (and eat a little of course), then here are few ideas for to throw a successful swap party of your own! No Junk Allowed To make this party really fun and functional, the guest list should include friends with similar standards of quality. In your invitation, let the ladies know that items must be in new condition-no necklaces with missing jewels or cracked dessert platters. Everything must look like new! Decide What’s Swappable Be practical about it. For instance don’t allow baby clothes if only one of the swappers has an infant. Select widely used items-clothes (if many of the people are in the same size range), accessories, books, CDs, and house wares i.e. vases, appliances, art, or pillows. Have A System To keep the swap orderly, upon each guest’s arrival, the host can give one Monopoly dollar for each for each item donated. That way, the guest can “buy” the same number of items that she contributed. Another good idea is to have guests draw straws to determine the order in which each swapper shops. To make sure everyone gets a fair turn to shop you’ll most likely you want to limit the number of items a shopper can choose at one timemaybe two or three.
What to Serve Let’s start with what not to serveno fried chicken. We don’t want the merchandise covered in grease stains! My menu will be light for my Swap and Sweets Party —a few bite-sized desserts and fresh
fruit. Since food is not the main attraction, keep it simple. If possible, have your guests drop off the items in advance so that they can be properly arranged. Designate an area in your home to display all of the merchandise, placing like things together. Create a boutique vibe by using the cleared-off coffee table, end tables, chairs, and bins to showcase all of the goodies. Now let there be shopping!
Question: Why have a Swap party? Answer: Why not? Good Friends+ Good Fellowship + Good Cause (to keep you in style on a dime-in this case for free!)=Good Idea! 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.
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Insight News • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Page 7
BUSINESS Absolute Tire and Wheel: For Ede, the name says it all By Alaina Lewis For most of us, when we think of the word “absolute,” we build our thought pattern around guarantees and expect nothing short of total and complete service. When Ron Ede, the owner of Absolute Tire and Wheel, sought to fulfill his entrepreneurial vision, he knew the name of his business would be a drawing factor for consumers. Absolute Tire and Wheel, located in North Minneapolis on the corner of Broadway and Washington, has made their living providing the community and those abroad with the lowest prices in the Twin Cities on both rims and tires. The business, run by Ede, employs not only his family but also provides work for members of the surrounding community. They are well known for their fast and efficient work, but are unparalleled when it comes to their superior customer service. “We’re not just here to sell tires, we’re here for the people. We work with our customers to provide them with tires they can afford for their budget. When you come here, we’re going to
look out for you, not your money.” The wheels began turning for Ede six years ago when he first stumbled upon the idea to open up a shop selling new and used tires with consumer friendly prices. Starting out in his own garage, and slowly working his way up to its current location, his business has successfully withstood transition and the economy, and it’s all been thanks to his determination to be the frontrunner in a competitive market. “We guarantee the cheapest prices in town. I tell anyone who comes in here that we’ll beat any price you bring to us. It’s the same with our rims. We even take trade ins, which most businesses don’t do,” said Ede. When it comes to their Rim Shop, Absolute Tire and Wheel is spinning miles apart from their varied competition. They’ve got a wide variety of different style rims sitting underneath some of the most diverse car owners in Minneapolis. From the Minnesota Timberwolves to Queen B at B96, their longstanding on providing their consumers with quality and convenient purchases, is an
across the board theory that serves a large demographic. They have the most in stock rims out of any store in the Metro Area. “When people are buying rims it’s on impulse most of the time. They want the wheels on today. They don’t want to come in and order them and wait three or four days later. When you’ve got the money to buy rims today, we have your rims today,” said Ede. One thing unique about Absolute Tire and Wheel, is that not only is their mission to provide A+ service to their consumers, but they also work under a veil of servicing the needs of the environment. “We’ve been green for four years. Since I’ve opened this shop it’s been green. The one thing about recycling tires is that they’re not going into landfills or junkyards. We’re recycling them, and that’s good for the environment,” Ede stated. “We’ve got green trucks, the signs are green and our shirts are green. This is all symbolic of our mission to service the people while also saving the environment.” When you think about the needs of your car, your mind should automatically drift to a
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company like Absolute Tire and Wheel. As said by one of the employees the first moment I walked through the shop door, “A person needs tires, like our
stomachs needs food. We’re aware of what we eat, so we have to be conscious of what we put on our car. Absolute Tire and Wheel is here to provide
you everything your car needs.” Your cars journey towards satisfaction should carry you through an Absolute experience.
Staying power: Long-held tenets of success still apply Plan your career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Watching historically successful companies tumble like dominoes,
I have been curious about what it takes to survive in tough times, for individuals and corporations alike. Have the secrets of success changed? Comparing what we know about today’s business triumphs against what worked in the past, it seems the old rules do still ring true: success comes to those who work with multiple core values and a wide array of planning strategies. Companies exist to make money; successful companies
exist for a range of purposes including, but not exclusively, making money. Local for-profit Finnegans, Inc. is an example of a corporation with multiple core values. Its website states, “we at Finnegans decided if we sold a great tasting beer and gave all of our profits to fund community programs assisting those in poverty – we would be doing our bit and just maybe, inspire others to get involved as well.” The company has a good product and
is faithful to its value of giving back to the community. Loyalty to your altruistic side does not require you to live in poverty. Rather, use your gifts wisely to earn money to further your causes. Just as there can be multiple values within an organization, there can be multiple strategies for success. Choosing to tweak something that is currently working feels dicey, but it is possible to take risks and make
progress without giving up what has worked in the past. In their book Built to Last, James Collins and Jerry Porras describe the “genius of the AND– the paradoxical view that allows them to pursue both A AND B at the same time.” The longest-running, most successful companies know that most decisions are not strictly either/or. They look for a balance between past and future, tradition and technology, one product and another.
The key to strategizing with an AND lies in recognizing what should be on the table. Know what must never change and what can be open to negotiation. Combining tradition with vision leads to innovation and innovation, ultimately, keeps companies (and individuals) alive in challenging times. Please send your career management questions to Julie@Insightnews.com.
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HEALTH What constitutes a healthy diet? Health & Wellness
By Brandi D. Phillips Many people know what kinds of exercises to do in the hopes of loosing weight. But, most people do not know much about nutrition. Less is known about what constitutes a serving size and how many servings per day a person is supposed to consume. This article will hopefully answer some of the questions you have regarding nutrition. Eating in moderation is key. Many health and nutrition specialist suggest eating five to six small meals per day, eating on average about every three hours. These small meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner and two to three small snacks. According to the book Essence:Total Body Makeover Body, Beauty, Spirit, based on a 1200-1500 calorie diet, a person should consume the following servings per day: seven starch/grains, five proteins, four
vegetables, four fruits, two dairy, three to four fats and an unlimited number of free foods such as celery, salad, cucumbers, seasoning and some condiments. Wikipedia.com states that the food guide pyramid suggests 6-11 starches/grains, 3-5 vegetables, 2-4 Fruits, 2-3 meat protein, 2-3 diary and the use of fats, oils and sweets sparingly. If you would like to go get your exact food needs, you can go to mypyramid.com and enter the required information, this service is free. Serving size varies according to age, gender and physical activity. Now that we know how many servings we need per day, we need to further understand what constitutes a serving size. On the back of most food packaging labels you will find the serving size and how many servings are in the package. But having this information, still leaves most of us clueless. I will try my best to give you examples what makes up one serving. For starches, one slice of bread, 1/2 cup of pasta, or 1/3 cup of rice (uncooked) equals one serving size. Starches include rice, wheat and corn flour products. Protein portions can be measured by using the palm of
your hand. Most nutritionists suggest eating pieces of meat that are the size of your palm (do not include the fingers). 1 protein serving also includes one egg, or one tablespoon of peanut butter. Seeds, nuts, meat, and eggs are all proteins. For your four vegetable servings, you can eat one cup of raw vegetables, 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables, one large tomato or drink 1/2 cup of vegetable juice. Raw veggies can include broccoli, carrots, peppers, cauliflower and green beans to name a few. One medium fresh fruit, 15 grapes, or 1/3 cup of 100% fruit juice all count as one of your two to four daily servings of fruit. Sometimes fresh fruit can be expensive, so opt to buy fruit when it is in season. You can usually tell what is in season, by finding what is on sell. If you are a person who is not allergic to dairy products, you can get the recommended servings by drinking one cup of milk, or eating one cup of yougurt. I do not drink milk, so I opt to drink soy milk, which is rich in calcium, magnesium, and Omega-3 fatty acid. Most people think that fat is a bad thing to include into their diet, but the truth is that fat is very important to include in you meals. Fat should be used
sparingly. Try purchasing extra virgin olive oil (evoo), canola, corn or even vegetable oils over butters and spreads which contact high levels of bad fats. Using spray on butters and items such as Pam also can offer you lower fat calories in your meals. Supplements such as flax seed oil and fish oil also help protect the skin and moisturize the inner body. I suggest trying to include all of the food groups into your main meals such as breakfast, lunch and dinner. For snacks it may be worth trying to stick to fruits, veggies, and nuts and seeds (good sources of protein). Keeping track of and measuring portion size can be a time consuming activity in the beginning. But, as you become more comfortable with making yoru meals according to what you body needs, creating meals will be much less stressful. Like I have mentioned in the past, it is very important for us to take care of ourselves, mentally, physically and spiritually. Once we learn to take care of ourselves, we can pass our knowledge onto our children and families, thus creating a healthier community. If you have any questions or concerns regarding nutrition please contact your health
www.ok.gov
professional, a nutritionist, your local library, visit nutrition websites such as USDA.gov, or feel free to contact me @ bodybybrandiva@gmail.com. Salud!! 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.
AIDS activist Phill Wilson works tirelessly for a better world Black Press of America
By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist MINNEAPOLIS (NNPA) – Phill Wilson watched painfully as HIV/AIDS was dismissed by African-Americans in the early 1980s as a disease primarily afflicting gay men. Now, a quarter of a century later, African-Americans, who are 12 percent of the U.S. population, account for nearly half of all new HIV infections, a rate seven times that of whites. Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, the only national HIV/AIDS think tank in the United States focused exclusively on African-Americans, says there were several reasons Blacks were so slow to grasp the severity of the threat to Black America. “We started in a bad place,” Wilson said in an interview before addressing the annual convention of the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA). “We started with the conventional wisdom that AIDS was about white gay men. So we got a free get out of jail card – it was about white people. If I am honest, I was included in that group. “Secondly, it was about gay people and for most African Americans, that means that it was not about us. Thirdly, we already had a full plate. AIDS really hit in 1980 to 1982 and we were dealing with unemployment, we were dealing with poverty, we were about to deal with welfare reform. There were all these issues that we were busy with.
So this was an issue that we didn’t want to be a part of and we could make the excuse that all these other issues were more important.” In the early 1980s, there were no Hollywood celebrities adopting HIV/AIDS as their pet projects. For Blacks, confronting the issue of HIV/AIDS, there were also other considerations. “There is an increased reluctance to take on any other possibility to be further stigmatized,” Wilson explained. “So, ‘I’m not willing to take on the banner of homosexuality and I’m not willing to take on the banner of drug use and I’m not willing to take on the banner of having a deadly disease.’” Wilson began taking up those banners when he helped organize a candlelight vigil for AIDS victims in Los Angeles during the early stages of the epidemic. The issue became personal when Wilson, who is openly gay, learned in 1980 that he was HIV positive. His partner died of AIDS nine years later. Unlike many Blacks, Wilson does not believe that homophobia is any worse among AfricanAmericans than whites. However, he says, the rejection is much more painful. “For Black and gay lesbians, we need our community to protect us against the bias of racism. Where do I go when I am called a nigger? I go to our church. I go to my mama and pappa – that’s where I go. “But when I’m called a faggot, I don’t got anywhere else to go,” Wilson said, intentionally selecting his words for impact. “And particularly if the people who are calling me a faggot are my mommy, my daddy and my church.” Wilson said white gay men have a different reality. “When you are a white gay man, you’re still a white man and all of the privileges that go with being a white
man are delivered to you,” he explained. “When I am a Black gay man, at the end of the day, I still have to be a Black man in America.” Wilson not only lives with the marginalization of being gay, he also has to live with being HIV positive. That means taking powerful drugs every day with powerful side effects, including making him feel tired and nauseous. “There are challenges you have to address and it’s not a matter of taking a pill and going on with your life,” Wilson explained. “You don’t go on with your life, you manage life. There is something profound about knowing that this disease is going to be with you forever.” He isn’t the only one forever affected by HIV/AIDS “AIDS doesn’t just happen to an individual,” Wilson stated. “It happens to me, it happens to my mother, it happens to my father, it happens to my aunt who’s in the missionary society, it happens to my other aunt who’s on the nursing board, it happens to my uncle who’s a minister and it happens to my cousin who’s a choir director. It happens to all of us.” That includes other segments of the Black community as well. Black women, for example, represent 61 percent of all new HIV infections. According to the CDC, 80 percent were infected while having sex with men and 20 percent through injected drug use. Blacks 13-19 years old represent only 16 percent of teens in the U.S., but account for 69 percent of new AIDS cases. Still, Wilson remains optimistic. “I’m more optimistic now around mobilizing Black folks around HIV than every before,” he said. “I think we’ve made tremendous stride and our institutions across the board are at a different place than they were. They are not where we need them to be,
Phill Wilson challeges Black America but I think in many ways, we’re poised to really dramatically change the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic in America. Many credit Wilson; Pernessa C. Seele, founder and CEO of the Balm in Gilead, a national organization that helps churches become more supportive of people with HIV/ AIDS; C. Virginia Fields, president of the National Leadership Commission on AIDS and her predecessor, Debra Fraser-Howze, and others with forcing the Black community to confront the AIDS epidemic. “Black institutions were accused of not caring and what I discovered was that isn’t true,” Wilson said. “What was true is that Black institutions didn’t know – part of it was because they didn’t want to know – but nevertheless, they didn’t know. Number 2, they didn’t know
how to respond and Number 3, they didn’t have the resources to respond.” Wilson organized Black AIDS activists and they urged the CDC to provide additional funding to African-American groups eager to educate and mobilize their community around HIV/AIDS issues. The result was the announcement of a five-year domestic “Act Against AIDS” campaign that resulted in 14 Blacks organizations, including the NNPA, being awarded grants to hire an AIDS coordinator to expand their work. Wilson realizes that he has already established a legacy and knows how he wants to be remembered. “I think that I would want people to remember that I never gave up,” he said softly. “Everyone has their
Ann Ragland/NNPA
trigger. That’s what I am most fearful of, they will give up.” Not only has Wilson not given up, he doesn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself. “I am glad that I have purpose and focus,” he reflected, with tears welling in his eyes. “A lot of folks go through their entire life without purpose or focus. I’m grateful for that. I’m glad that I get to try every single day to make the world a better place. There are lots of days when, obviously, you don’t succeed. But there’s something magical about getting up in the morning and saying – and I do this every single morning – getting up in the morning and saying I need to try to make the world a better place.”
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Insight News • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Page 9
Jackson From 1 immortality. As beautiful as the dream sounds, it contradicts our ever after. But even in knowing the recipe for life, it’s hard to fathom the actuality of how our brightest star could ever fade away. As the world begins to form two lines, either to embrace the supreme artist for his talent and success or to condemn him for the shadows that will forever remain rotating in his past, my heart encourages acceptance. Even amidst the controversy, his prevailing talent continues to shine through. He should be remembered for his eternal sunlight, not the tumultuous road that attempted to corner him towards a defining midnight. He is but a human reflection of both fire and ice, but never remains tied to the assurance of any element. He’s as interchangeable as the wind but as pleasant as a summer breeze. Jackson’s life, music, and legacy
Gibson From 5 best role to date? Let me guess, my favorite, Baby Boy. TG: Yeah, that’s the one? That’s the one. It’s a film that everyone can relate to because there are a lot of single parents. KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would? TG: I can’t think of one off the top of my head. KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid? TG: No. KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy? TG: All the time. KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good belly laugh? TG: A couple of hours ago. KW: “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan’s question: Where in L.A. do you live? TG: I live in a community called Hancock Park. KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read? TG: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What music are you listening to nowadays? TG: I’ve got this single that just came out called “Mayhem: Take Me Away Remix.” You can download it for free all over the internet. I just want to make the world dance. It’s a house techno type of record, and it’s full throttle. KW: Which is your preference: acting, modeling or singing? TG: Music will always be my first love, because when you write songs, they come from your own heart, versus acting, where you’re delivering someone else’s words and trying to make them your own. KW: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? TG: I think my biggest obstacle was my childhood, growing up in South Central L.A., Watts.
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can never be repeated. His is a single note penetrating through history that is easily distinguished by its one of a kind melody. Our hearts go out to his family, his children and the fans
that he’s left behind. Like a star that’s just died but forever retains its glow, he is the eruption of our everything, he is our musical supernova. We will miss
you forever Michael Jackson you truly had our hearts, but yet we too never can say goodbye.
Nothing about my childhood was easy. I always think about that. Who I am today has been defined by my childhood. So, my work ethic, my focus, my drive to want more and to achieve more all stem from my being so frustrated as a child and not having access to money, food, clothes or being able to go anywhere. Just that feeling of being stuck. Some people complain about it, but I decided to do something about it and make sure that this is not a part of my story anymore. I have a big heart. I like doing things for people. When I get hungry, I want to eat. I want to travel, I can travel. Money hasn’t made my life special. But if I get a flat tire, I can afford to pay for a tow truck, instead of being stuck on the side of the freeway. These are the sort of things that money has done for my life. You know what I mean? [Chuckles]
encouraged.
the same vine. You’ve got to go from one vine to the next, take that leap of faith, stretch your arms as far as you can and know that the next vine is going to be there, if you give it your best effort. And my last thought is, “You can’t get points today for yesterday’s game.”
KW: Yep. The Rudy Lewis question: Who’s at the top of your hero list? TG: Will Smith… Denzel Washington… Barack Obama… Richard Gere… Diane Lane… KW: Diane Lane? TG: Oh, absolutely, love her. She’s great. And my man Clint Eastwood. He’s amazing. KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you? TG: My fans can help me by praying for me and my family, because what I do is not easy. There’s a lot of politics and a lot of drama involved. And a lot of things that people will never know about because I don’t talk about them. So, I just hope they’ll pray to keep me
KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? TG: I live my life by a few quotes that sort of shape my whole mindset. The first one is: “You can often tell how far your life and career will go based on the five people you spend the most time with.” Another is, “If you have a problem with your life, you should have a problem with the people in your life.” Add to that, “If you don’t reach beyond what you’ve already mastered, you’ll never grow.” People say that it’s a jungle out here, but the problem is most folks are always swinging from
www.chicky-girl.com
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? TG: I see a man who is looking to achieve more, a man who won’t settle for what he’s already accomplished. I’ve only just begun. KW: What do like to cook? TG: I love cooking sea bass, mashed potatoes and breakfast
foods. But I love being cooked for, too, when a woman can get up in the kitchen and work her way around and up and down. KW: How do you want to be remembered? TG: I want to be remembered as a man who was selfless, who gave everything of himself to try his best to make a difference in other people’s lives. Most people associate charities with just
cutting checks and handing them out. But me, I like personally passing on information and knowledge so the people can figure out a way to get it done. To see a trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=gb2fUOW1ne4
Page 10 • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Insight News
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred. Events Jevetta and Fred Steele “Live on the Drive” – July 9 Thurs. 6 to 8 p.m. on Victory Memorial Parkway at 34th Avenue North in Mpls. More information: 612-588-1155 or www.clevelandneighborhood.org. Free NDC workshop: Survive & Thrive in Tough Times July 9 Thurs., 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N. Mpls. Receive guidance on how to manage and invest money with a limited income. Preregister with Brian at 651379-8429. Mill City Live Returns with Outdoor Music and Museum Admission for One Low Price – July 9 through Aug. 13 Every Thursday, 6 – 8 pm at Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, Mpls. www.millcitymuseum.org Arts of the Garden – July 11 Sat. July 11 at Minnetonka Center for the Arts, 2240 North Huntington Place Apartments The BEST 1 bedroom apartments in Brooklyn Park. Starting at $575! Tons of closet space Spacious living areas. Garages available. HUGE outdoor & indoor pools! Fitness Center. Call today! 763-560-0244 www.liveathp.com
Shore Drive, Wayzata, MN 55391. Registration: 952-4737361 ext. 16. www.minnetonkaarts.org. Dragon Festival – July 11 & 12 Phalen Lake Park, St. Paul. Food, performances, Asian vendors and lots of entertainment create a family friendly atmosphere. www.dragonfestival.org The BIG Slam – July 12 Sunday at Pepito’s Parkway Theater - 4814 Chicago Ave S. – Mpls. 21+, $7, doors at 6:30 show at 7pm, hosted by Standup comic Mike Brody. M&I Bank Shred to help protect identities and the environment – July 18 9 a.m. - noon, Saturday, at M&I Bank, 3500 129th Avenue Northwest, Coon Rapids, MN. Jamie Foxx’s “Intuition Tour,” – July 23 The “Intuition Tour” will come to the US Bank Theatre at Target Center, Thursday at 8 PM. Tickets are available through Tickemaster and the Box Office. Charge by phone at 1-800-7453000. FFI: 612-673-0900. Khalid El-Amin welcome home benefit - July 24 Friday, 9 pm - 1 am at The Favor Cafe, 913 W. Lake St., Mpls. Please RSVP to info@elaminbasketball.com. Guest list will be enforced. Bring your canned goods.
Art at St. Kate’s – July 25 Saturday, July 25, 2009, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at St. Catherine University, Randolph and Cleveland Avenues, Saint Paul. Free event. www.artistscircle.org Kohl’s Fall Fashion Show and Beauty Event – July 31 Friday, July 31, 11am-9pm, Fashion Show begins at 2:30pm at Kohl’s Department Store, 7931 Southtown Center Bloomington, MN. Appointments are now available for complimentary beauty consultations. To make your appointment for a free consultation now call (952) 8818861. Touch Kickball at Phelps Park - Ongoing Come and play TOUCH kickball with your family & friends June 27 - Aug. 22 (except the 4th of July). 4:00 every Saturday at PHELPS PARK, 39th & Chicago Ave. More information: 612-8244900, kelley01@visi.com. Acme Comedy Company’s annual Funniest Person in the Twin Cities Acme is searching for 2009’s Funniest Person in the Twin Cities. Acme Comedy Company’s annual summer contest invites all Midwest dwelling folks to get on stage and give their best 3 minutes of comedy gold. Contestants can sign up online:
Community Organizer
ADVERTISE WITH US: 612.588.1313
ISAIAH is an ecumenical, multi-racial, nonpartisan congregation-based organizing network in the Twin City and St. Cloud regions of MN. Seeking a full time experienced community organizer to expand cluster of member congregations in the Northwest Metro and engage grassroots leaders of faith in campaigns to promote racial and economic justice in the state. Email jobsearch.isaiah@gmail.org for position description, qualifications and application deadline, or go to www.gamaliel.org/ISAIAH.
www.acmecomedycompany.co m/09.php ‘Minnesota on the Map:’ Four Centuries of Maps from the Minnesota Historical Society Collection – Now thru Sept. 7 Feb. 28, 2009 - Sept. 7, 2009, at Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. This exhibit features dozens of maps, atlases and artifacts from the Society’s collection, including an atlas from 1595, displayed along side current road, city and tourist maps. www.mnhs.org. Freedom Jazz Festival - Aug. 1 Sat., 1:00 - 7:30 PM at Minnehaha Park Band Shell, 4801 Minnehaha Avenue South, Mpls. The 4th Annual “Neighborhood Link-Up” – Aug. 15 Sat., Aug. 15, 12:00pm- 4:00pm at The Jordan New Life Hub, 1922 26th Ave No. Minneapolis (corner of Newton and 26th Ave No.)
Artists Quarter Open Mic – Ongoing Mondays (except the first Monday of the month) at The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter Street, St. Paul. Doors at 7 pm, Live Jazz by “Green” from 7 pm til 9:30 pm, Open mic at 9:30 pm. No cover – two drink minimum. ‘Soap Boxing’ poetry slam – Ongoing Every first Monday at The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter Street, St. Paul. (Under Great Water’s Brewery) $5 cover (free if you compete in the Slam) 18+. Doors @ 7 pm. Slam @ 8:00. FFI: 612-207-7991, www.soapboxing.com, www.myspace.com/soapboxing slam
to empower low-income Twin Cities communities through successful entrepreneurship. Visit www.ndc-mn.org or call 651-291-2480 for information. Workshops are free. Credit Smart - Ongoing FREE class explains how to manage credit. Tuesdays from 6–8 pm at the Minneapolis Urban League, Glover-Sudduth Center, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. To RSVP call Theresa at 612-827-9268. HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness workshops Ongoing To schedule a workshop, contact the Minneapolis Urban League at (612) 302-3100 and ask for our case management services program.
Neighborhood Development Center business workshops – Ongoing NDC is a non-profit that works
Get to Know Guild Hear from individuals served, family members, and staff about the work Guild Incorporated is doing to help people move along their paths of recovery. To RSVP or for more information, call George Broostin at 651925-8454. Visit www.guildincorporated.org/eve nts.htm for more info.
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Insight News • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Page 11
SPORTS A barber shop rap on the Timberwolves 2009 NBA draft By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Timberwolves absurdly had four of the 30 first round picks in this year’s NBA Draft. With this much equity there had to be some noteworthy activity from new General Manager David Kahn. Kahn cleared house before the draft, sending away former first round pick and slight disappointment guard Randy Foye, and in addition to failed-sharpshooting forward Mike Miller. Obviously the Timberwolves needed some fresh blood as they still settle into the transition from the Kevin Garnett era. And what that means is a whole bunch of new faces, and a whole bunch of patience to see what the young fellas can do.
A lot of online, radio, and national television attention was given to the Timberwolves considering that they had the most picks in the draft of any team. Following the stunning decisions of the draft, a lot of people have been left sour with the results, and some such as myself were actually very impressed with the crafty strategy that the Timberwolves
Well, I guess I was right, because the team used the very next pick (#6) to draft another point guard from Syracuse University by the name of Jonny Flynn. Much of the angst from Timberwolves fans came because of this back-to-back drafting of players at the same position. The Timberwolves then laid it on thick by drafting celebrated point guard Ty Lawson from national powerhouse North Carolina University at pick 18, and polishing off the point guard love-fest with the drafting of Lawson’s teammate at North Carolina 6’5” point guard Wayne Ellington. I thought it was an awesome strategy for several sneaky reasons, but here is what the gentlemen with the fresh fades
To state the facts quickly, the Timberwolves used the first pick (#5) on flashy, Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. Following the draft, the sentiment has been that Rubio only wanted to join an elite, large market team in the NBA, and I can’t say I blame him considering he won’t be making much money due to having to pay back the remainder of his
We’ll just stick with what Mr. Benjamin says head office employed. Considering the huge variance of opinions, I figured it was better to gather the wise thoughts of the barbershop crew in order to get a broad perspective on what the Timberwolves had done.
contract overseas. The Timberwolves have had much difficulty at the point guard position for quite some time, and my opinion is that they were adamant about wiping out this failed history if nothing else during the course of this draft.
from Fades of Gray had to say: Devin Benjamin, a 2nd year nose tackle for the University of North Dakota, and De La Salle High School graduate was solid in his knowledge of his hometown team suggesting, “It’s alright that they got a bunch of guards. They needed it, plus I knew right away that it was likely someone would get traded.” To Mr. Benjamin’s credit, the Wolves did quickly trade away the rights to Ty Lawson. Mr. Benjamin added, “I like Jonny Flynn. He’s tough.” Take one look at the stout young Flynn and I think most people would agree. Wise young Mr. Benjamin forecasted, “I don’t know if they fully got better because the team is so young, but it does look promising to me.” I tend to agree with Mr.
Benjamin, and call him Mr. Benjamin because he’s about 6’3” and 300 plus a wholebunch of lbs….and I don’t want no trouble! As a matter of fact we’ll stop this first discussion on the Wolves draft with his thoughts, and just congratulate him on being such a success on and off the football field. No doubt we will have to do an article on Mr. Benjamin…if his picture will actually fit on the page. Thanks to all the other gentlemen (Charles Bradley – board member of Rondo Community Landtrust, Demont J. Harris of M&I Bank, and Master Barber Julian Gray) for your comments. Mad at me for not printing your comments? Take it up with Mr. Benjamin, and best of luck to you (Lol).
Minneapolis basketball standout holds first Youth Basketball Camp By Mike Shelton Friday, mid –afternoon no school for most children; community centers are buzzing with energized young people excited about summer. One community center in particular, the Richard Green Central Gymnasium and Community Center in South Minneapolis, is the host of the 1st Annual Kammron Taylor Youth Basketball Camp. There were over 150 boys and girls each day in attendance over the three days, with hoop dreams and aspirations of becoming the next basketball star. The young man who brought these kids together is North Minneapolis’s own Kammron Taylor, a graduate of North Minneapolis Community High School. At North, Taylor won All Conference three consecutive years (2001, 2002, 2003) All State three years (2001, 2002, 2003) All Metro two years (2002 and 2003), he was a Minnesota State Tournament Participant two times (2002,2003) and a member of the All Tournament Team twice (2002 and 2003). Taylor and the Polars won the Minnesota State Boys Basketball Tournament in 2003, where he also was a Mr. Basketball Finalist. After Taylor finished his career at Minneapolis North, he then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison. While attending UWMadison, Taylor was a three-year starter for the Badgers. He was the 15th player in the history of the school to score 1,200 points, and was Big Ten Conference Player of the Week twice. If you are not familiar with college basketball UW-Madison has been a fixture in the Associated Press top 20 Men’s Basketball Polls. Under Taylor’s leadership, the Badgers were 2004 Big Ten Conference Regular Season Champs, and Big Ten Tournament Champs. In the 2005 NCAA National Tournament, Taylor and his Badgers made it all the way to the Elite 8, before losing to the University of North Carolina.
S o o n after his success at the UWMadison, T a y l o r started trying out for the National 4.bp.blogspot.com B a s k e t b a l l Kammron Taylor Association. Part of his dream was fulfilled, when his hometown team, Minnesota Timberwolves put him on their 2007 summer league roster. He did’t make the team, but that did not stop or discourage him; “Europe here I come,” said Taylor, after he was not drafted by the Timberwolves in 2007. While overseas, Taylor adjusted to the European game quickly. In his first year playing for a team in Barcelona Spain, he led all rookies in scoring,
the youth to work hard, listen to parents, do well in school, and stay out of bad crowds. “Those were things I did growing up,” he said. “Growing up I didn’t have a lot of close personal friends, because some of the guys I grew up with were always getting in trouble, and doing things they shouldn’t have been. I put myself around people who had dreams and goals similar to mine.” Taylor told the kids at the camp “use basketball, don’t let basketball use you” meaning that if you work hard enough you can at least have a foundation to be successful, learn how to be a team player, or even earn a scholarship to college. He added, “I feel it is my duty to help the kids in the Twin Cities. When I was young someone in the community helped me out, now it is my turn.” Taylor didn’t go out and pay a
averaging 15.5 points per game. The following year, Taylor moved on to a different team, Beirasar Rosalia in Santiago, Spain. In Spain Taylor led the LEB Gold Division one of the top division in Europe, in scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game. Now that Taylor’s season is over, he is not doing like other players I know. Taylor is working, not just getting up early going to the gym to work on his game; he is up early working with over 150 kids from the Twin Cities area, at his first annual basketball camp. The camps mission is to provide young boys and girls in the Twin Cities area, an enthusiastic and exciting fundamentals-based basketball camp. Did I mention the camp was absolutely free? Taylor also wanted to touch on some life-skill things as well. Yes life skills! He encouraged
bunch of high-school coaches or professionals to run his camp, he recruited friends of his, people he either played with or played against growing up in Minneapolis. When I walked into the gymnasium I saw the likes of Jamel Staten, a former Minneapolis North and Minnesota State at Mankato standout that is now playing in China; Tamara Moore, former Minneapolis North 1998 Miss Basketball winner, and six-year WNBA and Overseas Pro. Moore also is giving back to the community by hosting the 1st Annual Minneapolis North Mens/Womens Alumni game. In addition Taylor had some great speakers at his camp. People like former professionals; Trent Tucker, John G. Thomas, Troy Bell, and professional shooting coach to most NBA players Jay Wolfe, and not to be
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forgotten, his sister Krystal Taylor, who was Camp Director. A few days after camp was over I called Taylor; he sounded tired like he just got done playing basketball all day, not having much energy. I asked him, how he thought his first camp was? It was quiet at first, then all of sudden, I knew he had that big smile on his face that we all tend to love, and a ton of enthusiasm and said, “Success!!!!! I cannot wait until next year.” One of the youth campers said: “I have been to many basketball camps in my young days, and by far this camp has been one of the best”. Twin Cities, the future is bright when you have an up and coming leader like Kammron Taylor looking out for our youth.
Page 12 • July 6 - July 12, 2009 • Insight News
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