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July 18 - July 24, 2016

Vol. 43 No. 29 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Philando Castile called royalty by funeral mourners, and community By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor In a cathedral packed with mourners, Philando Castile was laid to rest just two days shy of his 33rd birthday. Along with the family of Castile were close friends and many who never knew the man who was gunned down in his car by St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez following a traffic stop on July 6. Many dignitaries were in attendance at the Cathedral of St. Paul, including St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who the day before was at the White House meeting with President Obama and others to discuss ways to better police in the wake of the killings of Castile and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La. just a day before Castile. Pall bearers were dressed

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Flanked by members of the Castile family including Philando Castile’s mother, Valerie Castile (far right), lawyer and celebrity judge, Glenda Hatchett announced the family will be filing a lawsuit in the killing of Philando Castile. Hatchett also called for a special prosecutor to investigate the June 6 police shooting.

Judge Hatchett to represent family of Philando Castile Facebook (Philando Castile)

Philando Castile

in all white and led the family into the cathedral following a processional where Castile’s body made its way to the church in a horse-drawn carriage.

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By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor A high profile legal advocate has signed on to represent the family of Philando Castile, the AfricanAmerican victim of a police killing just outside the gates to the Minnesota State Fair.

Judge Glenda Hatchett has agreed to represent the mother and family of Castile in the wake of the July 6 killing. Castile was shot by St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop for a supposed broken taillight. Hatchett is a well known celebrity judge who presided over cases on her television show,

“Judge Hatchett.” The message from the judge, who is now in private practice, and from Castile’s mother is, “make this killing the last one.” “In what county does being honest and telling the truth get you killed,” asked Valerie Castile, Philando Castile’s mother, referring to the claims that Philando

Castile was shot after he informed police that he was legally carrying a firearm. “We have to change the laws, get with the legislature to try to do it differently. We need to change the way in which African-Americans are viewed.

HATCHETT TURN TO 5

NNPA calls for special federal prosecutor on racially motivated police killings

Diners Derrick Crockett and Tammy Crockett enjoy breakfast at Breaking Bread Café, 1210 W. Broadway Ave., in North Minneapolis.

Photos: Harry Colbert, Jr.

Breaking Bread a Northside gem By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor It’s been just a little more than a year, but the word is getting out – the food at Breaking Bread Café & Catering is pretty darn good. Breaking Bread, 1210 W. Broadway Ave., is unique in that it’s owned and operated by a nonprofit, Appetite for Change. Appetite for Change seeks to reframe the way people in urban areas think about food. In addition to Breaking Bread, the nonprofit runs Kindred Kitchen that is next door to Breaking Bread

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Jerk shrimp and grits at Breaking Bread Café.

Washington, D.C. – The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the nation’s largest trade association of Black-owned newspapers and media companies, issued an urgent call that President Obama and U.S. Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch appoint a special federal prosecutor in the wake of the police killings Philando Castile in Falcon Heights and of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La. “The killings of AfricanAmericans in Louisiana and Minnesota during the past week represent an escalating national pattern of fatal police killings that appear to be racially motivated. These incidents are not isolated local tragedies, but are the terrible growing manifestations of a deadly national system of racism in the criminal justice system that needs to be effectively challenged and changed,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA. “There are, today, too many African-American families and communities that continue to endure police brutality and violence across the United States. This is a national crisis that demands immediate federal intervention to both investigate and to prosecute police officers, who continue to commit these wanton racially motivated killings.” Chavis said it has been proven time and again that local prosecutors are unable and unwilling to hold law enforcement accountable for their continued killings of Black citizens. “We, therefore, demand that a special federal prosecutor be

Dr. Benjamin Chavis immediately appointed by the United States Department of Justice. To date, unfortunately, local investigations and prosecutions have been ineffective and have not insured equal justice,” said Chavis. “The special federal prosecutor has to be independent and impartial. We have heard from many of our NNPA member publishers throughout the nation who all expressed profound disgust and moral outrage about these brutalities. We will not be silent in the face of these continued injustices. We demand action by the federal government now.” In the statement Chavis said the reform of the criminal justice system in America requires more intellectual honesty in the national dialogue about race, inequality and injustice. He vowed the NNPA will engage and participate in this dialogue as the movement for reform and social change unfolds.

Lucy Laney

Business

Commentary

Community

Students hold vigil for slain toddler

2015 was America’s most generous year ever

Officers who walked out on Lynx must be held accountable

West Broadway Farmers Market provides resources beyond food

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Lucy Laney students hold vigil for slain toddler Lucy Laney Community School is just a couple short blocks from the intersection of Penn Avenue North and Lowry Avenue – the site of a tragic shooting that left a twoyear-old dead and a 15-month-old injured. LeVonte King Jason Jones was killed Friday afternoon (July 8) while riding in a vehicle that was fired upon from occupants of another car. Jones was transported to North Memorial Hospital where he later died. On Monday (July 11), students from Lucy Laney marched to the site of the killing

and held a vigil for the toddler. Students wrote cards to the victim and placed balloons on a post near where the shooting occurred. The students locked arms at a vacant lot near the shooting and some said prayers. In a series of posts on the school’s Facebook page, officials from Lucy Laney explained their decision to have students visit the site of the tragedy. “The children are paying attention. We mustn’t insult their instincts or intelligence by pretending they are not. They

deserve a moment to grieve and ground their thoughts,” read a post from Sunday. That was followed by a Monday post that read: “Today’s message to the children, staff, families – this reality is not normal. Don’t let yourself think that it is. For if you do, you will believe that normal is pain; pain is life; and life not worth living. This isn’t normal. Normal has joy as well and pain. Life is worth living. You are worth life.” That post was accompanied by several photographs of Laney students taken during the vigil.

Lindsey Seavert, KARE 11

MUL and AALF release demands in wake of Philando Castile killing The Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) and African American Leadership Forum (AALF) have released a list of demands in the wake of the Philando Castile homicide. In a joint statement the two groups outlined three immediate demands – the appointment of a special prosecutor, the release of dash-cam video and the release of statements made by St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez; the officer who shot Castile. “It is imperative that law enforcement and governmental leaders operate transparently and

expeditiously during this time of deep widespread distrust in law enforcement agencies,” said Steven Belton, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League. “Releasing the videos and statements can only help expedite the process. Philando’s loved ones and our community deserve to know what happened and how people in authority will proceed in dealing with this injustice.” “The African-American community continues to grieve the senseless loss of Jamar Clark while it now assumes the heavy burden of Philando

Steven Belton

Jeffrey Hassan

Castile’s death,” said Jeff Hassan, executive director of the African American Leadership Forum. “The best way to honor

Philando is to make sure these senseless acts cease to happen. Now is the time to change the system that has miserably failed

and mortally penalized AfricanAmericans, especially Black males.” Other demands agreed upon by the AALF and the Minneapolis Urban League are to require officers to carry Tasers, provide mandatory bias training for all officers with a mandate of 15 hours training and annual continuing education on the subject, make mandatory training in deescalation techniques, make mandatory that all officers carry professional liability insurance at the officers’ own expense and return Minneapolis to a federal

mediation process for disputes involving community and police. The MUL and AALF are also calling for government officials to fund violence prevention initiatives to expand and deploy community foot patrols and navigators to prevent violence, promote peace and access services. The two organizations also have demanded the funding of trauma initiatives to address personal and community trauma from what they termed a “relentless violence in targeted communities.”

Saint Paul legislators pledge to resolve racial disparities Members of the St. Paul Delegation of the Minnesota Legislature jointly released a statement regarding the killing of motorist Philando Castile. We, the members of the Saint Paul Legislative Delegation, representing the neighborhoods of Minnesota’s Capital city, stand unified in grief over recent events impacting our communities and in our determination to address the forces that have driven them. We wish to convey our condolences to the family of

Philando Castile for his tragic death following a traffic stop by local law enforcement officers in a nearby municipality. St Paul is a small community and some of us had ties to Philando as he grew up in our city, attending our public schools and as a public servant working in our schools. We can only imagine the grief the family is going through at this time as well as that of the many teachers and students whose lives he touched. We want them all to know that we

stand with them in their search for answers to what led to their beloved son’s and colleague’s death. We also wish to convey our concern for the women and men who serve our city courageously every day in providing public safety for the people of Saint Paul. The violence they faced Saturday night is a stark reminder of how far we have yet to come in healing racial divisions. This violence against our police, who conducted

themselves with professionalism and honor against individuals who sought to harm them, threatens the progress we seek to correct racial disparities. They, like the brave officers in Dallas on Thursday night, defended our city, and defended the rights of lawful protesters to peacefully assemble. We join Governor Dayton in his condemnation of the violence against them, and we echo his accolades over their commitment to our safety. We also recognize the

stark reality that these protests erupted because many of our constituents do not feel safe. The shooting of Philando, in light of the deaths of so many other citizens of color under similar circumstances, further erodes the faith of the public in the criminal justice system – a system annually debated by all of us at the Minnesota Capitol while using words like “equality,” “fairness,” “safety,” and “redemption.” The sincerity of those words are questioned

by our constituents of color for whom the death of Philando is a fearful reminder that, for them, justice is different. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” acknowledges that for too long, and far too often, Black lives especially have been valued as less than those of white citizens. Such widespread doubt about the integrity of the justice system is a threat to the rule of law in a state predicated on the principle

FREE MOVIE NIGHT at the Ballpark

The Sandlot Catch a Movie Under the Stars! Wednesday, August 10 CHS Field | 360 Broadway, St. Paul Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Movie starts at 7:00 p.m. Join AARP Twin Cities for a special screening of The Sandlot, the story of a new kid in town who is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his team in this coming of age movie set in the summer of 1962. Sit in the stands or bring a blanket and watch from the outﬁeld. Concession stands open for refreshments. No chairs allowed.

The movie is free of charge and open to the public. RSVP at aarp.cvent.com/2016MovieCHS

THE

TWIN CITIES

STATEMENT 3 TURN TO

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Bread From 1 and provides kitchen space to food trucks and caterers. Appetite for Change also operates several urban farms in and around North Minneapolis. Those farms serve as a resource for the food that ends up on plates at Breaking Bread. More and more that food is ending up in the mouths and stomachs of a growing customer base. Open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and starting July 30 open on weekends from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with the exception of July 30, when the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. during FLOW Art Crawl, Breaking Bread offers a flavorful breakfast and lunch menu in a relaxed, casual setting. The location even has an outdoor dining area, something not normally seen in North Minneapolis. But the restaurant would be nothing without the food, and that food is the creation

Statement From 2 that justice views all people the same. Data shows that the criminal justice system has a disproportionate impact on our constituents of color – not just in the use of force by law enforcement, but in more stops, more arrests, more convictions, and longer sentences. And these disparities are just part of a series of inequities. In terms of health, education, employment, income, housing, and much more, Minnesotans of color suffer far worse outcomes than white Minnesotans. Statistically, the fate of a child in Minnesota is determined far too much by the color of her or his skin. This is deplorable. For too long we have ignored the open wound of racial injustice, outsourcing it to be solved by the criminal justice system, and putting our law enforcement officials in the position of managing its toxic effects. As legislators representing communities impacted by the tragic events

Insight News • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Page 3 of executive chef Lachelle Cunningham. Cunningham, who came to Breaking Bread through her catering business, Chelle’s Kitchen, said the success of Breaking Bread is humbling. “It’s kind of surreal,” said Cunningham. “But this is just the tip of the iceberg. This (alternative dining options) is the direction where we should be going in North Minneapolis.” Some of the tastes that the café offers include jerk shrimp and cheese grits, vegan breakfast tacos, a variety of salads, sandwiches and the popular chicken and waffles. It was the chicken and waffles that diner Tammy Crockett ordered on a trip back to the restaurant, this time bringing her husband, Derrick Crockett. “I like the chicken and waffles and the cheese grits. The cheese grits are my favorite,” said Tammy Crockett. For his first time, Derrick Crockett ordered the Northside Breakfast, a traditional two eggs, meat and toast dish. He said having the café in the neighborhood is a welcomed

addition. “Being on the Northside, it’s always good to have something positive going on,” said Derrick Crockett. “Being in here makes you feel as if you’re in a different space.” The staff at the café stands out as much as the food does. On multiple visits to the café the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. According to Cunningham, Breaking Bread employs 90 percent of its workers from North Minneapolis. “In our staff I feel like I’m grooming the next generation of chefs and leaders,” said Cunningham. On a sunny Friday morning Anna Ruelle of Northeast Minneapolis made her way over to the café, something she said she does often after trying it out the first time when she saw it on Groupon. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, this place is so delicious … and affordable,’” said Ruelle, who said she dines at the spot almost weekly. “We keep coming back … and back.”

of this past week, we resolve to correct racial disparities in our state by pledging to do the following: • To actively cultivate public participation in the legislative process among underrepresented communities – especially communities of color and Native Americans – without whose input we may not achieve just laws. • Not to levy blame upon police or protesters for past acts, but to move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and growth. • To allow the justice system to determine appropriate remedies in a deliberative, accurate process. • Where justice system results are broadly questioned, to examine and pursue changes in the law consistent with our national values of fairness, tolerance, and freedom. • To advocate for transparency in decision-making, including full and rapid disclosure of government information collected within communities of color. When the Minnesota

Legislature convenes in January 2017, we hereby resolve, both individually and collectively, to take active measures to realize these pledges. All of us, policy makers and the public at large, will be judged by history for how we respond to the tragic events of this past week. We believe in the goodness and power that comes from all of us coming and working together across racial communities. We are committed to advancing and defending the dignity of all residents of the city we love and proudly represent. It is up to all of us to learn from our mistakes, and to respond in a positive way. We will do our part, and hope for the same from all of Minnesota. The statement was signed by Senator Richard Cohen Senator Sandy Pappas Senator John Marty Senator Foung Hawj Representative Carlos Mariani Representative Alice Hausman Representative Tim Mahoney Representative Sheldon Johnson Representative John Lesch Representative Erin Murphy Representative Rena Moran Representative Dave Pinto

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A KENNEDY/MARSHALL PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAPTIVATE ENTERTAINMENT/PEARL STREET A PAUL GREENGRASS FILM MATT DAMON “JASON BOURNE” TOMMY LEE JONES ALICIA VIKANDER VINCENT CASSEL JULIA STILES RIZ AHMED MUSIC EXECUTIVE BY JOHN POWELL DAVID BUCKLEY PRODUCERS HENRY MORRISON CHRISTOPHER ROUSE JENNIFER TODD DOUG LIMAN PRODUCED BY FRANK MARSHALL JEFFREY M. WEINER BEN SMITH MATT DAMON PAUL GREENGRASS GREGORY GOODMAN BASED ON CHARACTERS WRITTEN DIRECTED CREATED BY ROBERT LUDLUM BY PAUL GREENGRASS & CHRISTOPHER ROUSE BY PAUL GREENGRASS A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 29 CHECK

Page 4 • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Minnesota Twins, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center recognize outstanding students

Sondra Samuels

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center (PWCC), in collaboration with the Minnesota Twins, will host an award ceremony for local students who have excelled scholastically. The event takes place on Wednesday, July 20 at Phyllis

Wheatley Community Center, 1301 N. 10th Ave., Minneapolis, and begins at 4:30 p.m. Attendance is free of charge and open to the public. Sondra Samuels, CEO of Northside Achievement Zone, will make an appearance as a guest

speaker. The Outstanding Student Recognition celebration is now in its fifth year of highlighting local student achievement. Thanks to the program, dozens of students have been recognized for their efforts inside and

outside the classroom. “We hope that this program is just the beginning of our scholars’ educational endeavors,” said Barbara Milon, PWCC executive director. “I believe that education will take you where you want to go, no

matter where your destination.” Opened as a settlement house in 1924, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center now provides comprehensive programs in child development and family support for the Minneapolis community.

Storymobile 2.0 brings people-powered storytelling to the streets of St. Paul Construction is complete on the second version of Storymobile; Storymobile 2.0. Storymobile is a moveable engagement space that makes it easy for people to share, display and preserve stories. During the past two years, Storymobile has engaged

residents in St. Paul by collecting stories that depict the city in various manners. “People love to share their stories – by video, or by writing it down, or using a computer. (Storymobile) is collecting history and it is a way to share about ourselves

and our community. We learn from each other when we share,” said Melvin Giles, Storymobile’s director. St. Paul Almanac’s Storymobile 2.0 was designed by artist Roger Cummings. On wheels and solar powered, it is a hand-built space decked

out with iPads, microphones, as well as pens and paper and Polaroid cameras. Writers, filmmakers and spoken word artists help people share their stories and their songs. Storymobile 2.0 has a new design that makes it lighter than the original and easier to move.

Storymobile can be seen at local community events, festivals, corporate gatherings

and conventions. For more information, visit www. storymobile.org.

AchieveMpls receives $750,000 grant AchieveMpls, a nonprofit partner of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), has received a $750,000 grant from the Pat and Tom Grossman Family Fund of Minnesota Community Foundation. The grant was given to create a comprehensive career advising system for Minneapolis high school students, with a particular focus on strengthening career support services for those who are not pursuing fouryear college degrees. This new initiative – which will be implemented as a pilot program at MPS Edison and Roosevelt high schools – is designed to ensure that all Minneapolis students have the resources and training they need to secure meaningful careers and high-wage employment. With support from the grant, AchieveMpls will hire new career advising staff for its Edison and Roosevelt Career & College Centers to work one-on-one with students in focused career planning. These advisers will help students determine the careers that best match their interests, skills and aspirations and then guide them in identifying and accessing the best training opportunities for their specific career goals. The grant will also support AchieveMpls’ efforts to align career readiness services for youth across the city in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools, the city of Minneapolis and other nonprofit organizations. “We are grateful to the Grossman family for this generous support, which will enable us to connect

Pam Costain Minneapolis students to a wider variety of postsecondary programs that can lead quickly to high wage jobs and sustainable careers, “ said Pam Costain, AchieveMpls president and CEO. “It will also strengthen our ability to provide targeted support for students who until now have been underserved. We thank Tom Grossman especially for his advocacy on behalf of all students, his belief in the dignity of work, and his challenge to educators and counselors to create a stronger link between school, work and future economic prosperity.” Grossman, a Twin Cities philanthropist and entrepreneur, and his family have been highly supportive of AchieveMpls. In 2012, they awarded a $500,000 Transformational Fund grant to the organization, which was used for strategic planning, board leadership development, new outcomebased systems of measurement and accountability, and an expansion of the STEP-UP Achieve youth employment program (part of the Minneapolis STEP-UP program).

a celebration of street lit at hennepin county library

HEAR FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Joy Deja King Thursday, July 28, 6 – 8 p.m. Brookdale Library 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center

Saturday, July 30, 2 – 4 p.m. Minneapolis Central Library Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall

www.hclib.org/events

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Insight News • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Page 5

BUSINESS 2015 was America’s most generous year ever FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw One of the positive attributes of who we are as Americans is our generosity. We believe in helping our fellow man. Giving is the backbone of our culture, manifesting itself in so many ways. We give our time, expertise and skills. We share our resources and connections. We give money and other financial

Hatchett From 1 If this is the direction as a country we’re going in then we are doomed. Things have got to change, so what are you going to do about it?” Hatchett said she agreed to represent the Castile family because she was “fed up” with seeing so many Black deaths at

Castile From 1 The overflow crowd rose to their feet and erupted into a deafening applause when the Rev. Dr. Steve Daniels, Jr. announced “This is a celebration for Philando.” Many remained standing as Sounds of Blackness sang “Optimistic.” The casket of Castile was led to the alter to the sounds of “Amazing Grace” sung by mourners. Many in the cathedral wore shirts printed

resources. For example, in 2015 charitable donations totaled an estimated $373.25 billion. That’s billion with a “b.” “Americans are embracing philanthropy at a higher level than ever before,” said Giving USA Foundation Chair W. Keith Curtis. In fact, gifts from individuals in 2015 totaled $264.58 billion. That’s a little more than 70 percent of all charitable giving. Now, some of us give very large charitable donations (gifts of $100 million or more). Last year the amount of these gifts that were publicly announced totaled at least $3.3 billion. But that’s just one percent of all gifts from

individuals. Other sources of philanthropy include foundations, who gave $58.46 billion and corporations, who gave $18.45 billion. Another form of giving from individuals is charitable bequests, which totaled $31.76 billion. This includes giving through wills and life insurance as well as through more complex methods. “The last two years represent the highest and second-highest totals for giving – and the third and fourth largest percentage increases in giving – in the past 10 years, adjusted for inflation,” said Dr. Amir Pasic, the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the Indiana

University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. But where does the money go, one may ask. According to Giving USA’s report giving in religion was $119.30 billion, up 2.7 percent. Education giving was $57.48 billion, an increase of 8.9 percent and human services organizations saw $45.21 billion in giving, up 4.2 percent. Health organizations saw a 1.3 percent increase in giving to $29.81 billion. Publicsociety benefit organizations received $26.95 billion in gifted funds, a 5 percent increase. Arts, culture and the humanities were gifted $17.07 billion, up 7 percent. International affairs

organizations were gifted a total of $15.75 billion, an increase of 17.5 from the previous year. Environmental and animal organizations received $10.68 billion, an increase of 6.2 percent. One sector that saw a decline in giving was giving to foundations, which was $42.26 billion, down 3.8 percent. We hope your organization or institution benefited from increased gifts in 2015. If your fundraising is growing, take the time to diversify your solicitations so you are not dependent on one source of revenue. And plan now for the “rainy days.” They are sure to

return, but you can plan now to reduce their impact. If you have not benefited, don’t worry. Gifts are not distributed equally across all organizations. Keep focused on fundraising and carefully review and revise your strategies. Giving USA’s report is published by Giving USA Foundation, a public-service initiative of The Giving Institute. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

the hands of law enforcement. Hatchett said the entire nation should be appalled at the killing of Philando Castile. “(The killing of Philando Castile) is not just this family’s loss, it is a loss for all of humanity,” said Hatchett. “We as a nation have to move to a higher ground. Philando is a son to all of us. This should not be just this family’s pain; this is a pain that has to be shared collectively.” Referring to the many police

killings of African-Americans where the onus of fault has been placed on the victims by some in the media and some members of the community at large, Hatchett said because of the Facebook video that captured the immediate aftermath of the Philando Castile’s shooting and because he was acting legally within his rights, this time there should be no doubt as to who was to blame. “This time he wasn’t running from the police, this time he

wasn’t fighting with the police, this time he was not trying to get (the officer’s) gun, this time he was not acting irresponsibly, this time he was not doing anything unlawful,” said Hatchett, who offered her remarks at the Minnesota State Capitol Grounds Lower Mall in St. Paul. “This time we had a man complying with the officer’s directives. This time must be the last time.” Hatchett said the real question should be why Philando Castile

was the target for this and 52 other traffic stops. Though she said the police audio of Yanez saying he was going to stop Castile because of his “wide set nose” had not been yet authenticated, Hatchett said that is no justification for a traffic stop. “I have a wide set nose,” said Hatchett. Valerie Castile said while she has not listened to the audio of the officer, she feels it proves her son was targeted solely because of his

ethnicity. “My son abided by the law and he was killed by the law,” said Valerie Castile. Hatchett said the family will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of Castile. In addition, the former judge said she is calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the shooting and she and the family are calling for a special prosecutor to review the case and determine if charges against Yanez should be filed.

with photos of Castile and some wore shirts that read: Black Lives Matter. Castile’s aunt, Beverly Taylor, offered a heartfelt personal poem to her nephew. Castile’s uncle, Clarence Castile, told the crowd his nephew was a shining light for many. “Philando was a loving, giving, caring individual,” said Clarence Castile. “He was loved by so many.” The uncle announced a repast at J.J. Hill Montessori School, the school where Philando Castile worked as a food service supervisor. He dubbed the gathering “A Meal

for Phil.” Gary Hines of Sounds of Blackness addressed the reason for Philando Castile’s traffic stop. “There’s a lot of talk about why Philando got pulled over and who he resembled. Well to us he resembled royalty,” said Hines. “We got a message from above, you ain’t no thug, you’re royalty.” The standing room only crowd of nearly 1,000 again broke into thunderous applause. In a gesture of unity the entire group of mourners who were multiethnic and

multigenerational stood and held hands during the singing of a hymn. “Why are we still here,” questioned Daniels, who pastors Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, the Castile family church. “Once again we have a Black man whose life was taken at the hands of police due to his ‘wide set nose.’” Daniels said an additional tragedy was what the other occupants of the car had to endure--the experience of seeing a loved one shot. “Philando was racially profiled and shot multiple

times. Thank God Diamond (Reynolds) and her four-yearold daughter were not struck by some of those bullets,” said Daniels. “A four-yearold child had to witness this horrific senseless act. We pray this child is not scared for life.” Daniels said with Philando Castile’s killing he has become the new face of the Black Lives Matter movement. “And what Black Lives Matter is saying is we want the level of respect that is the same as other ethnicities,” said Daniels. “Black Lives Matter does not suggest that other

lives don’t matter.” Daniels, whose eulogy brought the audience to its feet multiple times, said Philando Castile was a hardworking, law abiding citizen. “He was respected by so many, but most of all he respected the law,” said the pastor. Daniels closed by calling for unity. “You know Black people can give blood to white people and white people can give blood to Black people, so if we can exchange blood, why can’t we exchange love,” challenged Daniels.”

Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success” available on Amazon.com.

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Page 6 • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Insight News

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COMMENTARY Officers who walked out on Lynx must be held accountable By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor When it comes to sports in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Minnesota Lynx are the best thing we’ve got going. For starters, the team has four players who rank among the game’s greatest … now or ever. Unlike the Twins, the Lynx of the WNBA are having a wonderful 2016 campaign. Unlike the Vikings, Wild and hoop counterparts, the Timberwolves, the Lynx are champions. Sure the Vikes are a solid organization and seem to be on the cusp of a title and sure the Wolves are high on young talent with flashes of brilliance, but they haven’t sniffed winning in more than a decade, and yes the Wild make the playoffs routinely (who in hockey doesn’t), and yes the Twins are champions (though it’s been 25 years since the team hoisted a trophy). But in the here and now, the Lynx are like Nelly and the St. Lunatics … “we all we got.” Quite honestly, it’s embarrassing how little media attention is given to our area’s only winning product. The Lynx are three time champions on the court. On July 9 they showed they are also champions for humanity. With the backdrop of the back-to-back (like two days in

a row back-to-back) killings of Black men at the hands of police and the shocking killing of five law enforcement officers in Dallas during a protest of the earlier mentioned killings, the Lynx showed why they are champions. Prior to the team’s home game against the Dallas Wings, Lynx players … league stars … Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen held a news conference to address the killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile – whose killing was just a short drive on Highway 280 away from the Target Center and the killings of the five Dallas officers. And though only four players presented during the press conference, this was team endorsed. Also team endorsed was the donning of black t-shirts with “Change starts with us, justice and accountability” printed on the front and on the back, names of the fallen; Sterling and Castile, along with a Dallas police badge honoring the murdered officers and under that, Black Lives Matter. The Lynx message was clear. Their message was the team’s credo … accountability. Police must be held accountable, protesters who act out in violence must be held accountable … all of us must be held accountable. And since we’re talking

Minnesota Lynx

about accountability, the four Minneapolis Police Officers who walked out – during the game – on their assignments to protect the players and thousands of fans must be held accountable. Yes, you read correctly. Yes, four police officers sworn to protect and serve; four police officers who volunteered for the cushy overtime assignment walked out on the Lynx because they were somehow offended by the warm-up tees. But to be more truthful, they walked out on the entire community. And in walking

out, these officers have dishonored themselves, the city of Minneapolis, its police department and the badge they claim to love. And while I think the officers should be fired outright for walking out, in actuality I think they should do the honorable thing and finish what they started by walking out on the force entirely. Funny asking someone to do the “honorable” thing after doing something so dishonorable … so deplorable. These officers’ cowardly act put the players at risk, staff at risk, fans … many

of them young children, at risk. And if someone thinks this is not the case then they are sadly, sadly mistaken. Best believe the Lynx and Target Center didn’t staff these officers just because they had a few extra dollars they wanted to blow. They staffed these officers to do a job … to provide a most valuable service. These four officers of the law failed miserably at their most primary function. For that they must be held accountable. Remember, no one forced these individuals to join the force. They chose to be police

officers and with that choice there is responsibility … accountability. And there must also be consequences. These officers’ actions … and anyone (that means you, Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll) who defends their actions … support a level of professional cowardness that hasn’t been seen since officers walked away from duty during Hurricane Katrina. These officers were there to protect the men, women and children in that building … every last one of them. Again, they failed miserably. Who gives a damn what the four officers thought about the shirts worn by Lynx players. Keshia Thomas probably didn’t agree with a man wearing a Confederate flag t-shirt and sporting Nazi tattoos, but in 1996 when that man was being attacked, Thomas, a Black woman just 18-years-old at the time, selflessly shielded the man from an angry crowd. She was there to protect that man. She was called to duty and she answered. These four officers chose to let their call go to voicemail. These officers quit on the Lynx; they quit on the fans; they quit on the city and they should continue their streak and quit serving as Minneapolis Police Officers.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The murder of Philando Castile and white supremacy in America By Arthur T. Himmelman – ArthurTHimmelman@ aol.com I was angry when some said we should stop watching and disseminating the video of the police murder of Philando Castile with absolutely no justification. I was incredulous when some said the video is too “traumatizing”

after the extraordinarily courageous Diamond Reynolds, Philando Castile’s fiancée, made the video for us to be witnesses to this crime. She made the video so the world could see the horror of such a brutal crime by an “officer of the law.” Americans love watching fake murders on television and in the movies. This is what murder really looks and feels like and it

continues to happen with little, and most often with no justice after the crime. While few, if any, Black people need to watch yet another graphic murder of a brother by a police officer to understand the continuing horrific nature of white supremacy in America, every white person who denies this reality should see it; including those of us white people who

acknowledge America’s long history of racism and related violence and who fight against it. No matter what some may say, we must never doubt that it is white supremacy that breeds this kind of violence. We must never doubt that white supremacy permeates our entire society; that it terrorizes Black people and other people of color to benefit white people in countless ways; that it has done so since the first white people began murdering America’s Native people and stole their land while enslaving

millions of Black people to create the wealth they never earned. I am horrified, sickened and outraged after seeing yet another innocent, nonviolent Black man, Philando Castile, murdered by police. I have watched the video (now gone viral around the world as it should) several times, which was filmed by Diamond Reynolds, who miraculously kept her composure while explaining what had happened; while pleading with the Lord not to let Philando die while the racist, thug police officer continued to scream

at her. This “officer of the law” felt he should fire several rounds at Philando, with no justification, with Diamond’s four-year-old child in the back seat who can be heard trying to comfort her distraught mother. “It’s okay, Mommy,” the little girl says, as her mother sobs. “It’s okay. I’m right here with you.” I have no words to adequately describe how distressed I am, but I will join with others to bring this murderer with a badge to justice. – Arthur T. Himmelman

NSBE responds to police brutality, racism and violence in America By Matthew C. Nelson, National Chair, National Society of Black Engineers It is with a heavy heart that I offer my first official communication as the national chair of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). I find myself in a difficult situation when responding to recent instances of social injustice. A significant portion of the revenue used by NSBE to fund scholarships and programs for aspiring, young Black minds comes from corporations seeking to increase their diversity through their relationships with our organization. I hope this letter does not estrange them. However, our mutual goal of a

diverse engineering workforce is unattainable when Black students are more worried for their lives than about their lectures, and when Black employees lose productivity over concerns of prejudice. Over the past few days, the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling have peeled back the scab that covers the septic state of race relations in America. These incidents are especially concerning given the manner in which they occurred – Sterling shot while being pinned to the ground, Castile while reaching for his wallet at an officer’s command. Although all officers will face investigations to determine legal culpability, the visceral reaction evoked is one of shock, fear and fury. The most frightening notion is that our compliance with law

enforcement officers may no longer be sufficient for survival. Recent events have caused individuals who have NSBE m a d e Matthew significant Nelson contributions to the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math to question the relevance of their education in a society that undervalues their lives. However, the value of life is not exclusive to one race or one profession. The solution to addressing the concerns of our community certainly does not reside in the assassination of

NSBE TURN TO 7

Another inexplicable police shooting of a person of color By Mike Essien, MABL President The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) is extremely concerned and troubled by the Wednesday evening (July 6) killing of Philando Castile, a Black man, by a St. Anthony police officer during a seemingly routine traffic stop. Somehow, it escalated to him being shot and killed. The live-streamed video is very disturbing. How was Philando Castile expected to provide his license if he could not reach into his pocket? It is known that once a life of a citizen is taken, reactions serve little to restore families and loved ones. After each shooting, the community is left to protest and agitate, but lives are still lost, families are left behind to grieve,

and the community remains traumatized. In Minnesota, our community is still reeling from the killing of Jamar Clark last November, only eight months ago. MABL cannot help but remain extremely concerned that our citizens are dying in the hands of the very law enforcement officers who are sworn to protect them. Whether these incessant killings are a result of poor training, lack of willingness to deescalate situations, or other causes, MABL demands — in the strongest of terms — for our leaders (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) to do all in their capacities to stop the needless deaths of Black Minnesotans. From all indications, Philando Castile reported to officers that he had a permit to carry a firearm. Although we do

not have all of the details, and facts may change during this stage of uncertainty, we demand an independent investigation by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into this shooting. In response to this shooting, only immediate action by the appropriate authorities will keep peace in our community. The community deserves swift action to ensure that this killing does not suffer from what has become the norm when white police officers kill Black citizens, such as scapegoating, confusion of the issues, and oftentimes desensitized comments and responses. MABL appreciates and supports the call by Governor Dayton for the Department of Justice to be involved in this case. #JusticeforPhilandoCastile

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Page 7

HEALTH $250,000 DHS grant will help low-income families get nutritious food Low-income families and individuals will have more access to nutritious food through a new $250,000 grant awarded recently by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation’s largest food banks. The grant will help fund Second Harvest’s Food Security project for people who need hunger relief. Among the services provided

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Carmen Robles Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley 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.

will be sizeable boxes of healthy food each month for people with diabetes and prediabetes. For many low-income people, lack of access to sufficient nutritious food and other unmet needs raise the risk of developing chronic conditions and make those conditions harder to manage. Food insecurity makes it harder for people to manage their health and sometimes leads them to seek medical help when they may need other services, raising health care costs. “This grant recognizes the importance of nutritious food for those who need it most,” said Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “Helping low-income Minnesotans put healthy food on the table is the right thing to do, and we believe it’s a wise use of our resources.” Second Harvest Heartland will evaluate how food assistance services affect health outcomes. As part of the Food Security project, Second Harvest will provide monthly food boxes for people with diabetes at Allina Health clinics in Cambridge, Coon Rapids, North Branch, and West St. Paul, monthly food boxes for people with diabetes and lipid metabolism disorder at CentraCare Family Health Center clinic in St. Cloud, as well as screening and food “prescriptions” through a Prevention Health Desk that

provides food assistance and other services and an electronic system to identify and recruit families who need food assistance through

Hennepin County Medical Center. Second Harvest Heartland serves more than 500,000 people a year in 59 counties

in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The food security grant is part of a $45 million State Innovation Model grant awarded to DHS and the

Minnesota Department of Health in 2013 by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

Tips to keep your brain healthy By Daniel Amen, M.D. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most frightening, yet least understood ailments we face as human beings. The loss of memory – forgetting family, friends and the most important events of our lives – is painful, tragic and heartbreaking for anyone who is close to the person suffering from the disease. But Alzheimer’s doesn’t just arrive one day, full blown. It begins its insidious work long before the patient has a hint of what’s happening. “Research suggests Alzheimer’s disease starts in your brain decades before you

NSBE From 6 public safety officials. Incidents like the recent shootings of police in Dallas during a peaceful protest make a hazardous atmosphere even more toxic. Just as we are praying for the families of the Black men slain, we pray for the families of the police officers who were struck down while in the line of duty. The issues plaguing the Black community extend far beyond police brutality. Unemployment, lack of access to services, underfunded educational systems, the prison-industrial complex, Black on Black crime, etc. – all of those concerns need to be addressed. However, we must not avoid confronting the ugly truths around policing in

experience any symptoms,” said Dr. Daniel Amen, a clinical neuroscientist and brain imaging expert who also is the founder of Amen Clinics (www. amenclinics.com), which treat patients at six locations around the country. He says the good news is people can find out what’s happening in their brains and, while there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, there are things a person can do to better care for his or her brain. Amen, author of the New York Times bestseller “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” uses single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans to examine his patients’ brains. Amen says

the brain-imaging device can show the abnormal patterns of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia in their early stages and also can help distinguish multiple forms of dementia. “That’s critical information because the varying types of dementia often have similar looking symptoms – at least in the early stages – but each type has its own ‘signature’ blood flow pattern in the brain that’s revealed with SPECT imaging,” said Amen. “Identifying the type of dementia a person has is important because the treatment that works best for one type may not be effective for another type.” Amen also says there are steps that anyone can take

to keep their brains healthy long before Alzheimer’s becomes a concern. Those include maintaining a proper diet, avoiding too much alcohol and tobacco and exercising the brain. The doctor said people who focus on healthy eating often are worried about their waistline, but the brain also benefits from or is harmed by what’s on the menu. He said too many Americans sustain themselves on a diet filled with sugar and processed foods, which are associated with dementia and depression. For a healthier mind, he says there are “super foods” that nourish the brain such as various fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts.

The researcher said heavy alcohol and tobacco use lowers blood flow to the brain and reduces the ability to think over time. He prescribed activities such as dancing, tennis or table tennis (which Amen calls the world’s best brain sport) boost coordination while mindful exercises like yoga and Tai Chi reduce anxiety, depression and increase focus. “In spite of the natural process of aging, you actually have a choice in how fast your brain ages,” said Amen. “What you choose to do – in other words, your behavior and habits – can speed up or slow down the rate at which your brain declines with age.”

America. We must hold our elected officials responsible for the conduct of the officers who work on their behalf. A sheriff is typically an elected official. A police chief or commissioner is usually appointed by a mayor or city council. Research your candidates for government offices, and continue to voice your concerns once they begin their terms. In addition, leverage your economic power to influence policy. Choose wisely when deciding where you will live and pay taxes. Make the choice to shop and dine in areas where Black consumers are welcomed and appreciated, not labeled and harassed. Take note of the response from the LGBT community to North Carolina House Bill Two (to enact laws regarding gender assignment and restrooms) and the effect

of that response on that state’s economy. Circumstances will not change until the message is made clear … the unjustified use of force against Blacks will be met with swift political and economic repercussions. Times like these challenge our belief in justice and our faith in humanity, yet we still must march on, carrying the burdens of oppression, discrimination and hatred in a country that often fails to acknowledge our contributions, our place in society and our rights as citizens. Although these events have obviously rocked us to our very core, emotionally and spiritually, this is not the time for us to lose sight of our mission. It is imperative that we continue to expose our people to opportunities and encourage each other to strive for excellence, while engaging

in meaningful dialogue about how to navigate today’s world. Cultural responsibility must prevail. If you take nothing else from this commentary, please understand that as the leader of NSBE, I feel the same pain, anger, confusion and hopelessness you may be feeling. When one of us is hurting, we all feel the effects. I realize that NSBE cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of the Black community. We may not be able to address them all, but we must be cognizant of their impact. Toward this end, I have activated NSBE’s Cultural Responsibility Task Force for

our 2016–2017 program year. The purpose of this entity will be, in part, to respond to issues that affect Black communities; to create a safe space online where our members can express their frustrations about racism without fear of repercussions; and to write reports that capture concerns about racism on college campuses that have active NSBE chapters. I pray for your understanding of the constraints placed on our society with regard to activism, and I hope for the day when Black Lives Matter is a historical reference and no longer a current cry for justice.

Help for caregivers... • Long-term care planning Financial checkup, support network and respite care

• Elder law Health care directive, power of attorney and education

• Senior housing Family meetings, group education, dementia and Alzheimer’s

• Support groups

•

Adult day services, counseling, resources and referrals Health and spiritual connections

This activity is made possible by a grant from the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI) of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Center for Health Equity, through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature.

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Page 8 • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE United in our stance for justice everywhere! Man Talk

By Timothy Houston I am angry. First Alton Sterling and then Philando Castile. Their deaths illuminated the senseless killings Black men at the hands of the police. Anger and frustration rang out around the country. I became angrier as my mind was taken back to my own personal experiences. For me, a simple exchange of money on Minneapolis Lake Street resulted in being forced off the road by a swarm of police cars and guns pointed at me, my son, and his friend.

More anger surged as I reflected on the time a Minneapolis police officer threatened my son’s life over a case of mistaken identity. Anger is an automatic response, but anger cannot be our only response. We must not allow anything to get in the way of our united stance for justice everywhere. First, we must remain united in our stance by not being ruled by anger. Anger is an emotion not a reaction, and emotional responses are temporal. The way you feel today may not be the way you feel tomorrow, but the action you take in your quest to ensure that the world knows that Black lives matter will outlive your anger. Use your anger as a catalyst for going to the polls and working to remove any and all vestiges of the repressive system that exists in this country. Anger must give way to actions.

We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Secondly, we must remain united in our stance by overcoming evil with good. “Be angry but do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). We must not fall into the mindset that because we are angry, we can commit sin.

No good will ever come out of those actions. The killing of the Dallas police officers was tragic, sad, evil, and counterproductive. When the world should have been focused on the young Black lives lost, it now became

dually focused on the death of the police officers. Only good can conquer evil. Thirdly, we must remain united in our stance by standing against injustice anywhere. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” (Dr. Martin Luther King– “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” 16 Apr. 1963). The events of the last couple of weeks are inescapably tied to my personal experiences in Minneapolis. As we become individually united in our stand against injustice anywhere, we become collectively united in our stance for justice everywhere. Finally, we must remain united in our stance by fighting the good fight of faith. Faith is

a shield, but it is also a weapon. Dr. King said it best in his I have a Dream speech, “With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope… With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” Faith prevents us from losing hope. There is hope for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There is hope for Falcon Heights, Minnesota. There is hope for the United States of America! Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

Bloomington sailor shares story of Navy medicine By Timothy Bielke I am Navy Medicine Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Timothy Bielke Prior to joining the Navy, I had a hungry desire to serve those around me. I grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2007. As the oldest of six kids, caring for the needs of others just came natural for me. This desire to serve manifested while caring for my grandmother for two years in an unassisted-

Timothy Bielke Navy Medicine Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class living community. It was a place where I saw the first-hand effects of what serving a community

can do. Beyond caring for my grandmother I helped others in my community with chores, serviced their vehicles and even sat around just listening to others tell me about their day if they really needed it. Those things brought me great joy and were my way of “paying it forward.” I was working and going to college during this time, but felt like something was missing. I wanted to “accelerate my life” and serve with a like-minded organization so I joined the Navy. In boot camp I chose to be a hospital corpsman. I saw that Navy Medicine was a route for me to serve on a global

level, providing direction and unconditional care in a crisis, as I had previously strived to do. I learned early on that Navy Medicine is there to provide care and direction for Sailors and Marines whenever it is needed during war or peacetime and in doing so Navy Medicine helps advance medicine on a global level. Eight years later, I now serve Navy Medicine at one of the highest levels, implementing policy development, guidance and professional advice on health care programs. More specifically, I review retention and accession medical waivers for reservists,

officers, and enlisted personnel. I have the honor of ensuring Naval and Marine forces have the highest state of medical readiness so they are ready to deploy and conduct their mission, in addition to protecting the safety of the individuals and those with whom they serve. It’s a powerful feeling to be part of something greater than yourself, to have a role in an organization that influences so many people around the globe and to know that when I go to work every day what I do directly effects the health and readiness of our Sailors and Marines is extremely

rewarding. If I were to summarize my experience with Navy Medicine, I can do so with one word: diversity. In my opinion, diversity is at the core of the Navy’s success. Diverse skills, diverse experiences, diverse people from numerous cultures, and diverse jobs; all perfectly coming together to form a global leader. I am Hospital Corpsman Second Class Timothy Bielke. I am Navy Medicine. Bielke is a native of Bloomington, Minnesota and graduate of John F. Kennedy High School.

The Adventures of Superkay and Rocky ATLANTA – “The Adventures of Superkay and Rocky” is a rare book series about an African-American little girl superhero. The books are theme based books to help parents teach their children morals and fun life lessons. In the first book series Superkay battles BigBaby, who is a spoiled brat. The books also teach children how not to be deceivers, liars or bullies. Author Witty Lovett’s

goal is to promote positive self images of Black families and empower children to be their best. “The Adventures of Superkay and Rocky” was written in 2005, however “The Adventures of Superkay and Rocky” was not be published until 2015. Lovett was inspired to write the book when his daughter, Kay, was nine-yearsold. Lovett was about to trash the book when he rediscovered

it while cleaning. His wife encouraged him to publish the book because she believed in the powerful morals and positive messages the book contained. The book has been featured at Dekalb County Library Scribes and Vibes. Lovett plans to turn the

Courtesy of the author

Daughter Kay (left) gave inspiration to write the book series to her father Witty Lovett when she was nine-years-old. books series into a cartoon. He said the book provides much needed inspiration to children of color. “It’s rare that you find any little Black girl as a superhero symbol and our goal is to uplift

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while (telling) a great story that inspires,” said Lovett. The second installment of the book series “Superkay and Rocky vs. the Mad Magician” launched July 1.

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 18 - July 24, 2016 • Page 9

COMMUNITY West Broadway Farmers Market provides resources beyond food until Oct. 7. While the primary purpose of the market run by the West Broadway Coalition is to provide nutrition to the residents of North Minneapolis, the market is having another unintended positive impact. “When we got aggregate data (from last year) crime was down 42 percent during the times the market was open,” said DeVon Nolan, community engagement and market manager. “So we know we’re having a positive impact. It’s about providing food, but it’s also about providing a public space.” Though the statistics from last year were from the market’s previous location in the Heritage neighborhood, she said the market was having a similar effect in its new location, which opened June 17. She attributed the drop in crime to the increased visibility and added foot traffic that the market brings. “The physical site we’re at now was once a hotbed of unsavory activities, and now it’s a space for something wonderful and positive,” said Nolan, who said the market hopes to draw upwards of 12,000 people this year.

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor It’s was a little past 4 p.m. on a recent Friday and something unique was happening on West Broadway in North Minneapolis. On what any other day of the week would be a vacant parking lot, tents are lined, people are milling about and music from KMOJ is playing loudly. The people are varying in age and ethnicity and those under the tents are selling their wares – everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to homemade jams and homemade fruit snacks, thinly spread and vacuum sealed. Anywhere else the scene wouldn’t seem so “strange,” but considering North Minneapolis is embarrassingly void of healthy food options, the West Broadway Farmers Market is a welcome sight. In its sixth year, this is the market’s first year on the site at the avenues West Broadway and Aldrich. The market is a weekly happening Fridays between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be in operation

Harry Colbert, Jr.

The West Broadway Farmers Market is also an economic resource, providing nontraditional retail space for small, local vendors. Vendors

can set up and sell for a $10 weekly fee. According to Nolan, a majority of vendors come from the neighborhood. “Seventy-one percent of our

vendors are Northsiders,” said Nolan. While the unintended affect is beneficial, the intended purpose is to feed.

North Minneapolis doesn’t get the federal designation as a food desert because of the proliferation of fast food options, but Nolan and others call the area a “food swamp,” lacking healthy food options. This makes the placement of the market even more ironic. The market sits directly across the street from Cub Foods, a part of the area’s largest grocery chain. But Nolan said even Cub doesn’t provide the options it should. “They don’t even have a salad bar,” said Nolan, who pointed out that most other Cub locations provide that option. “And when you walk in the first thing you’re bombarded with are Hot Cheetos and other non-nutritious snacks. With the West Broadway Farmers Market we’re changing attitudes about food.” Tiffany McDougal, a food access intern with the market, said people are responding to the market’s message. “This is a great way and a great space to provide food that’s without pesticides and grown locally to a community,” said McDougal.

PLAYING THIS SUMMER NOW – AUGUST 28

A sweeping musical romance music by

RICHARD RODGERS lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II and JOSHUA LOGAN