Insight News ::: 07.20.15

FLOW celebrates Northside artists with 10th anniversary exhibits MORE ON PAGE 10

Insight News July 20 - July 26, 2015

Vol. 42 No. 29 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Embracing the global significance of the Haitian Revolution Commentary

Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Leadership and Social Enterprise Editor Soundbites, blogs and horrific snapshots that flash across the television screen as CNN newscasters detail how

Haitians are been mistreated in the Dominican Republic should have us all pondering this inequality, but moreover the injustices that collectively people of color face globally.

The Dominican Republic gave undocumented immigrants, the vast majority of whom are from Haiti, until June 17 to register with the authorities or face deportation. Since that date, 31,225 people have returned to

HAITI TURN TO 2

Until proven guilty Foward Motion

By Bill Woodson, Forward Motion Management Consulting Photos: Toki Wright

CStone - Curtis Finney, Angela Burns, Stephen Stampley, Spencar McCaa, and Tyler Coleman

JUNETEENTH + UJAMAA = Cooperative Economics At-Large

By Melvin Carter, II What happened?

Wasn’t Friday, June 19, Juneteenth – the 150th Anniversary of the end of American slavery?

Oh, I know. Other issues prevailed, like the trans-racial issue, which was overwhelmed by the horrific Charleston S.C. slaughter of nine precious lives … not to mention the rich guy’s presidential announcement.

I understand. I get it. But Juneteenth, man. The end of chattel slavery … the cruelest, most inhumane form of oppression ever to exist on the face of the planet. For African-Americans, the significance outweighs the 4th of July. But I saw no firecrackers, no speeches, no song, no dance.

If there was any mention of it, I missed it. OK, so stay with me.

I’m going somewhere with this.

So there I was in a meeting with three African-American young men, extolling the virtue and value of getting involved in politics.

Suddenly one retaliated, “I’m a Republican.” I had awakened a sleeping lion. Respectfully, he roared, “Nothing has changed since the (19)60s.” He blamed my generation for homelessness, hunger, mass incarceration,

ECON TURN TO 4

Stephen Stampley and Tyler Coleman

Our legal system says that we are entitled to being judged innocent, until proven guilty.

The presumption of innocence is something we all want, and most have come to expect.

But in the streets of our city there is a growing disconnect between the expectations of law enforcement and the communities which they serve.

That disconnect is bad for law enforcement, and it’s bad for the community.

Recently I had a great conversation with a Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputy. A veteran police officer and tactical trainer for officer candidates, our conversation turned, as so many conversations do these days, to the often tense relationship

WOODSON TURN TO 5

AfroDescendientes Blending art and design with architecture Afro descend ientes

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes James Garrett, Jr. is a visual artist, published writer, and

award winning architect with offices located in downtown St. Paul.

He is co-founder of 4RM+ULA, (FORM + Urban Landscape Articulation), a full-service architecture firm focused on transit design, transit-oriented-development, and urban infill redevelopment projects.

At the time of this interview 4RM+ULA (www.4rmula. com) w as celebrating its 13-

Insight 2 Health West Broadway Farmer’s Market Recipe Corner

PAGE 2

year anniversary.

“The road to this milestone was not an easy one to travel,” said Garrett, Jr. “I knew I wanted to be an architect, start a business and design important buildings for people.” Although his first venture failed it did not deter him from pursuing his dream.

With a small inheritance

GARRETT TURN TO 3

James Garrett, Jr.

Suluki Fardan

Health

Justspeak

Community

Southside community focuses on health

Post July 4th reflections

Olu’s Center to celebrate open house

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

PAGE 9

Page 2 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com

West Broadway Farmer’s Market Recipe Corner Open Fridays through October 9, from 3-7pm at West Broadway and Emerson Ave N

Pepper Medley • • • • • • • •

2 Tablespoons oil 1 pound zucchini, sliced 2 sweet red peppers, diced 2 green peppers, diced 2 large carrots, sliced 2 cups red cabbage, sliced 4 teaspoons vinegar Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil until it is hot.

Add the zucchini, red and green peppers and carrots. Cook the vegetables over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often.

2. Add the cabbage, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Continue to cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Dudley Alexis

Haiti From 1 Haiti according to Dominican figures. Large numbers of those expelled are people of Haitian heritage born in the Dominican Republic who are now being forced to relocate to what for many is a strange land where they have no family. These two countries, which share the mountainous Caribbean island of Hispaniola, have a long history of animosity, cultural discrimination and racism.

Haiti and her people have long been misunderstood worldwide and few truly understand the impact this country, its struggles, its sacrifices and courageous triumphs have had on humanity.

The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), a slave revolt in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, culminated in the elimination of slavery there and the founding of the Republic of Haiti. The Haitian Revolution is the only slave revolt which led to the founding of a state, and is generally considered the most successful slave rebellion ever to have occurred. It is viewed by historians and sociologists as a defining moment in the histories of both Europe and the Americas.

Notwithstanding, capturing and conveying these details remain spotty at best.

Determined to elevate the mindset when it comes to the Haitian Revolution and its relevance worldwide, as well as serve to enhance the understanding of this country’s culture is Miamibased filmmaker Dudley Alexis. Alexis, in partnership with Ludlow Bailey, an international art curator and

Ludlow Bailey cultural expert, have created a compelling documentary called, “Liberty in a Soup.”

“Liberty in a Soup” takes the viewer on a 64-minute historical and cultural journey that helps one appreciate Haiti and the strength of her people in stark contrast to the portraits of poverty that always dominant discussions about this country. While certainly challenges persist in Haiti, this film will change perspectives as without question, Haiti must be respected as a historical and noteworthy champion of liberty and dignity for humanity.

With an infectious smile and a passionate earnestness, when asked what inspired him to create this documentary, Alexis said, “I was having a conversation with an African taxi cab driver on a ride to the Las Vegas Airport three years ago as I was returning to Miami from a journalism conference.

When the taxi driver learned that I was from Haiti, he started to share stories with me about the Haitian Revolution.

The cab driver asked me if

I knew anything about soup joumou. This conversation motivated me to investigate the origins of the soup joumou tradition in context to the Haitian Revolution. Soup joumou (joo-moo), a pumpkin based delicacy, affectionately referred to as Independence Soup, is traditionally consumed in Haitian households on New Year’s Day, commemorating Haiti’s Independence, the country’s ultimate triumph and winning its freedom from France.”

This inquisitiveness and realizing that he along with generations of other Haitians, and hordes of people globally are unaware of the overall significance of the Haitian Revolutions, Alexis found himself driven to create the documentary.

“The Haitian revolution was one of the most important historical events in the new world,” said Alexis. “The revolution was not only about the dismantling of the institution of slavery, but about

HAITI TURN TO 9

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Page 3

HEALTH

Inside the “Q”mmunity medical mobile unit, Minnesota Visiting Nurses Agency nurses Rhonda Korman (right) and Mitzi Miller provide free health screenings and education for community members, including glucose, cholesterol, and BMI screenings.

Hue-MAN ‘Ole 4th Ave. South Days

Southside community focuses on health In addition to food, parades and neighborhood entertainment, attendees of this past weekend’s Hue-MAN ‘Ole 4th Ave. South Days also could spend time doing something good for their health.

Southside Community Health Services had their

HealthFair11 Q’mmunity mobile medical and dental trucks on-site providing free screenings.

The mobile units are made possible partially through grants provided by Medtronic Philanthropy, who recently announced an additional $1.1 million in Health Access

Community Health Workers and nurses engage community members in blood pressure screenings and health education conversations.

The staff shown are from Southside Community Health Services, (including the outreach -Q Health Connections), Minnesota Black Nurses Association, Metro State University, KARE11 and the American Heart Association. This collaborative effort was sponsored by HealthFair11.

Grants to 22 Minnesota-based nonprofits, including Southside Community Health Services.

The grants are part of Medtronic Philanthropy’s goal to expand healthcare access in underserved communities across the metropolitan area. The grants were awarded to organizations

that place an emphasis on such chronic conditions as heart disease and diabetes.

Southside Community’s mobile units, which make stops at neighborhood and community events throughout the summer, offer routine preventative health screenings to underinsured,

uninsured and Medicare/ Medicaid insured individuals.

Patients can receive everything from routine dental check-ups to blood pressure screenings and hemoglobin tests in convenient locations throughout the community.

For a list of the upcoming

neighborhood and community events that will host the Southside Community mobile units, visit: http://kare11. com/story/news/2015/05/01/ h e a l t h - f a i r - 11 - q m m u n i t y screenings-2015/26725277/

UCare wins Gold, Bronze Aster Awards for excellence in communication UCare, a nonprofit health plan operating in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, has won Gold and Bronze Awards in the national 2015 Aster Awards competition, one of the largest national health care marketing competitions of its kind.

UCare won a Gold Award in the competition’s blog category for HelpU, a free, interactive and online information resource for people seeking answers to Minnesota’s individual and family health

insurance questions. The site was developed by UCare to help people learn how to navigate the new way to shop for health insurance on the web-based MNsure health insurance marketplace, better understand health insurance terminology and learn about health care reform.

UCare also won a Bronze Award in the multilingual advertising-single category for its language line magnet. The magnet provides the numbers

On being Afro-Latino

By Carmen Robles James Garrett, Jr, 4RM+ULA managing partner and architect responded to a question I asked him recently... whether he considered himself Latino or Black. I want to share the full content of his powerful response.

Having spent 10 years building my genealogy/family trees on both sides of my family, I learned that I do not have ‘Spanish blood’ but rather sangre from other european populations and former slave masters in a very similar combination to many of my Afro-Latino friends/family.

So from a technical standpoint, I do not consider myself Afro-Latino, however from a language and cultural standpoint, depending upon the context, I do feel very much AftoLatino!

For example, when I’m with my in-laws from the Dominican Republic, they make me feel very much like the gringo in the family. But when I’m traveling through Latin America and the Caribbean on my own (except in Puerto Rico, but especially in the Dominican Republic) I feel very Afro-Latino and I am treated as such most of the time. When asked where I’m from and why I speak Spanish, appreciate a good sanchocho and love to dance bachata, people think I’m lying if i say I’m not Latino--and argue with me about being proud of my heritage and just admitting it.

However, I probably feel most ‘Latino’ when I’m around my African American friends-and constantly find myself linguistically and/or culturally translating Latin culture for them.

I’m the black Latino guy that can explain and fix things for them; especially when I travel abroad into Latin America/Caribbean with them on vacations.

For example, as a 19-year-old college student changing planes in the Miami airport with my parents, I was pulled out of line by a frantic Latina to help her translate her concerns about her luggage with an English-speaking ticket agent. After helping her

resolve her issue, she thanked me warmly and told me to hurry up or we would miss OUR flight back to Belize. When I explained to her that I was on my way back to St. Thomas, not her flight to Belize, she apologized profusely and said that she had just assumed I was Belizian and could help her because ‘everybody’ in her country looked just like me. She made me promise that one day, I would visit her country, which I did five years later. She had a point after all, I fit right in with the locals. It was an awesome trip!

Another example, I stepped out a bar a few years ago to take a call from one of my friends in Colombia. An African American guy I know stepped out around the same time to smoke a cigarette. When I finished my call and opened the door to go back in, he turned to me and said, “WOW! All this time, I thought you were one of US...” because surely i was a ‘foreigner’ if i was able to speak Spanish like that.

Although partially true, I found his comment offensive and spent the next half-hour explaining the transatlantic slave trade and how ALL of our ancestors were on the same boats and enslaved by white Europeans that spoke one of five languages (Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French or English). It was really just the luck of the draw who ended up speaking which-and that we had all lost much of the African dialects our ancestors came here with--so there really is no US vs THEM when it comes to Black folks regardless of which part of the Americas we were born in!

So, I guess I see myself as a 21st century bridge. I’ve spent a lifetime researching, traveling and experiencing our various cultures, music and food. We are an amazing, beautiful and resilient group of people--not without our problems--but wow do I feel blessed to be able to travel amongst the African American Diaspora and communicate freely with 120+million English and Spanish speakers in the North American/Latin American/ Caribbean region.

to dedicated Hmong, Spanish and Somali customer service lines. The tool is given to nonEnglish-speaking members and UCare’s delegated partners who work with the health plan’s diverse membership.

UCare competed in the HMO/PPO/Managed Care/ Insurance segment of the Asters. Entries were for calendar year 2014.

To receive a Gold Award, an entry must receive a score of 95-99, which represents

the top five percent of nearly 3,000 entries submitted to the competition from enterprises in the United States, Canada and South America. A Bronze Award score ranges from 85-89 and represents the top 16 percent of the entries.

All entries were judged by industry experts and scored on multiple criteria such as creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

Entries competed against similar-sized organizations in their specific groups and categories.

“The creativity of this year’s participating health care marketing professionals exceeded our expectations. The 2015 Aster Awards program contained some of the best and most creative advertising in the world,” said Melinda Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

In 2014, UCare won two

Garrett From 1 left by the sudden death of his father, Garrett, Jr. joined forces with his wife, Paola Sanchez-Garrett and lifelong friend, Erick Goodlow. The doors to 4RM+ULA opened in 2002 and the rest, as they say, is history.

“We’ve gotten stronger over this thirteen year period” said Garrett, Jr. “We have a quality staff of five and an internship program that’s in its third year.”

Garrett Jr.’s groundbreaking work utilizes diverse media (aerosol, ink, critical text, digital collage, physical sketching and material modeling) to explore complex conceptual topics derived from the study and research of urban cultures.

Through the application of unique practical perspectives, Garrett, Jr. and his colleagues merge art and design into the architectural work.

At an early age Garrett, Jr. knew he wanted to be an architect. He developed an early interest in the buildings, people and the space between the buildings or objects that compose them. He was intrigued with the shapes and dimensions of structures and followed his desire to blend architecture with his artistic side.

But it wasn’t until he was at University of California, Berkley that he recognized who his (extended) family members were.

Cap Wigington, a close family friend, was a constant figure in the Garrett household as was Paul Williams. Both men were trailblazers and outstanding contributors as architects and active members of the African-American community. Wigington was the nation’s first Black municipal architect. Williams designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

The realization that the inspiration in his field of

The realization that the inspiration in his field of choice was actually ‘familia’ ordained continues to fuel Garrett, Jr.’s passion of using architecture as a tool to impact positive change. choice was actually ‘familia’ ordained continues to fuel Garrett, Jr.’s passion of using architecture as a tool to impact positive change.

Born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Garrett, Jr. credits a strong family structure as his foundation. Father of two, grandfather of one, Garrett, Jr. epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit of this country’s immigrants.

Family issues brought them to the United States, changing his life’s course.

Following a family member’s untimely violent death in New York, his parents relocated to his mother’s hometown of St. Paul.

St. Thomas is one of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea and, together with St. John. St. Croix, and Water Island, forms a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States.

While the population is largely Black West Indian, making up more than 78 percent, its residents are considered an ensemble of different groups.

In his flawless, fluent Spanish, Garrett, Jr. articulates with great enthusiasm his dismay over the racial lines that continue to divide Haiti and the Dominican Republic (where his wife is from.) Recently, the Dominican government ruled to take citizenship away from all children of Haitian immigrants born after 1929, a move that is causing him

to rethink his visits to the Dominican Republic.

Among Garrett, Jr.’s many awards is the AIA (American Institute of Architects) 2015 Minnesota Young Architect Award. This award is given to architects who are AIA Minnesota members, have been licensed for less than 10 years and have shown

Gold Aster Awards – one in the advertising specialty category for a custom-designed Healthy Eating Measuring Ladle, developed as part of the health plan’s Living Well health promotion initiative and another in the social media category for its Health Smarts blog, an online resource offering health insights, tips, and practical ideas from UCare employees and others to improve readers’ health smarts.

exceptional leadership in service to the profession, the community, design, planning, and education.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York named him recipient of the 2014 AIA New York State Citation for Design, Target Field Station.

Garrett Jr. is a registered architect in Minnesota and New York. He holds an A.B. degree in Architecture from the College of Environmental Design at University of California (Berkeley, Calif.) and a master of architecture from Parsons School of Design (New York). He is currently the president of the University of California Alumni Association (Minnesota Chapter) and serves on the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities and Transit Oriented Development Advisory Committees.

Page 4 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com

BUSINESS SUMMER WRITING

Get a head start on funding proposals FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Summer reading is highlighted in Oprah and other magazines each year. A good read is great to enjoy on the beach or curled up on a lawn chair. But what about a good summer write?

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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 Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Irma McClaurin 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 Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Carmen Robles Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Toki Wright

That’s right –start writing now to help the money come in at the end of the year, or perhaps next spring. That’s how it’s done. Writing proposals now prevents future complaints such as “how can I write that proposal in just three days?”

It’s called planning ahead.

Here are six things you should know before writing a proposal.

1. What type of funding are you seeking? Do you want a grant for a specific program, general operating support, equipment purchases, an advocacy campaign, or for a building (capital project)?

Most organizations are looking for funds for multiple

projects at the same time.

For example, unrestricted or general operating funds are most coveted as they provide an organization with the greatest flexibility. But many foundations now seek to focus their giving more narrowly, and while they may want to support your afterschool health program, they may not be willing to fund outreach that helps ensure you reach the target group of children you want to engage.

2. How much money do you need to raise in total? How much do you expect to raise from foundations?

Corporations?

Government sources? Individual donors? Many funders want

to see a diversity of projected revenue and they look for it in your proposed budget.

3. What is your projected impact? What will be different if your organization secures the funds it is seeking? Be specific.

4. What types of written materials do you have that can help inform the proposal writing process? Ideally you have a case for support that you can draw from. If not, you will need access to your mission statement, vision statement, organizational description, program description, projected evaluation method, impact and – again – budget.

5. Where could the money come from? You can begin your funding research using The Foundation Center’s online resources (fconline.fdncenter. org/ ). You can pay a small fee for access from your computer, or you may be able to use the database at your library as many libraries subscribe providing you with free access. When you identify a potential funder, review their guidelines closely before you begin writing. Make sure that your project and organization meet the funder’s requirements.

6. Review the required attachments. Make a list of what you will need to provide.

This often includes your 501c3

letter, audited financials, an organizational budget, a project budget, board list with affiliations, and sometimes a list of other projected funders for the project. The attachments alone can launch a mini-crisis if you try to pull these together two hours before the proposal is due.

Start now, and reduce future stress.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

New Office of Equity in Procurement will help ensure diversity in state government contracts Minnesota is taking tangible steps to ensure equity in state contracting; helping businesses owned by women, veterans, minorities, and individuals with disabilities access opportunities to do business with the state, so says the state’s top lawmaker.

Gov. Mark Dayton announced the creation of a new Office of Equity in Procurement at the Department of Administration. According to Dayton, the new office will help ensure greater equity in state contracting and construction and will promote opportunities to do business with the state, and provide assistance to small businesses owned by women, minorities, people with substantial physical disabilities, and veterans as they seek state contracts.

“A government that serves all the people of Minnesota

Econ From 1 miseducation, illegal drug traffic … environmental and health issues. He had stockpiles of stats to back up his claim.

Governor Mark Dayton should reflect all of Minnesota,” said Dayton. “We must ensure that all businesses have equal opportunities to secure contracts with the state. This new office will be essential in helping achieve that important goal.”

The Office of Equity in Procurement will help advance

“Furthermore,” he said, “integration was the worst thing possible for African-Americans.

Integrated schools dumb down Black students, rather than exalt them as kings, queens, warriors, priests, doctors, chemists and mathematicians.”

He continued, “The Civil

the principles of equity outlined

by Dayton in an executive order he issued earlier this year. The order directed state agencies to commit to equal employment opportunities, equal contracting opportunities and full participation in civic life. It also established a new Diversity and Inclusion Council, which completed its first report last week and is responsible, in part, for finding ways to improve equity in state contracting.

“The state has made a commitment that all businesses should have the ability to compete for state contracts,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman, who chairs the Contracting Practices Committee of the governor’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. “The Office of Equity in Procurement will back up our commitment to

equity through small business assistance that will equip a broader range of vendors to effectively compete.”

In addition to the Administration Department’s new Office of Equity in Procurement, new investments made this session will increase outreach to targeted group businesses, make technology improvements to streamline the certification process for eligible businesses, and provide staff to create a state veterans certification program.

New laws enacted this session will also align state business certification requirements with federal requirements and create a web-based portal for a onestop state and federal site to apply for certification.

“In Minnesota, our people are our greatest asset,” said Lieutenant Governor Tina

Smith. “For our state to continue to be competitive in a global economy, we must work to expand employment opportunities for all Minnesotans.”

More than 1,000 small businesses are currently certified as veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged, or targeted group businesses in Minnesota based on the business’ ownership by woman, minority, person with a substantial physical disability, or by its location in an economically disadvantaged area.

The Department of Administration oversees state procurement, including more than $2 billion in state purchases each year. State law has provided for a targeted group preference program since 1990.

Rights movement was fake bait because laws, rules, policies and procedures only changed in ways designed to keep Blacks oppressed.”

I had to ask. “Well, what cha’ got better?”

He admitted that politics has its place, noting economic freedom as real power. What he described brought to mind Kwanza’s African principle of cooperative economics. Dr. Maulana Karenga, creator of the Nguzo Saba, the set of African values codified and beatified in the annual Kwanza observance, called “Ujamaa” owning our own shops, spending locally, and profiting together.

The young man continued, “With so many (n-words) locked up and on probation, we ain’t free.”

He paced the floor citing soaring unemployment, homelessness, poverty and hunger rates. He ranted on about how police and justice systems target Black males for disaster, prohibiting them from feeding, clothing, sheltering, educating our babies.

“We can’t even be good providers. We ain’t free.”

I listened for an opportunity

to interrupt and rebut. But naw, he took me to school.

It was a long drive home.

You know the kind – hypnotized by active windshield wipers, you suddenly realize it ain’t raining.

I was greeted by a work crew as my car rolled to up my house.

About a half dozen young men worked cooperatively around my house, installing a fence in my back yard.

Enter C- Stone Landscaping, a local business owned by Curtis Finney. They came highly recommended. Besides, I’ve known Finney since his childhood. My initial intent was to support a Finney, the son of a dear friend.

Then it occurred to me that on his momma’s side, Finney was a Beecham. Ain’t that supporting two families? No wait … Finney’s fiancé is from the Burns family.

That’s three families. C- Stone’s employees included other young members of well known, highly respected St. Paul families … the next generation – a Stampley, a Coleman, a Smaller, as well as Mr. McCaa, a new comer. All but one, had at least two children. One had four. Another had five.

Privately, I visualized the

scope, depth and the extension of the lives embellished just by these guys working. Let’s see … hmm, that includes about 13 children.

Gotta’ count wives and mothers, siblings, as well as immediate and extended family.

Inside my house, the windshield wipers of my mind still on, I could see these young men standing tall, heads up, chests out, returning home with bags full of groceries and bushels of dignity.

I visualized the extension and expansion of local neighborhood deep-rooted community. Spying out my widow, I recognized family members they brought by to celebrate and admire their work. So now, instead of counting those impacted on my fingers, now I need a calculator. I was left to only conclude that cooperative economics – putting men to work – feeding clothing and housing babies is incalculable.

The roaring lion’s points resonated in my head, pingponged inside my cranium. I concluded that the issues exceeded political affiliation. In fact, don’t we all do better, when we all do better?

I went out to my car to turn my windshield wipers off.

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.

We Want to Help Your Family Have a Better Financial Future!!!

Let us show you how to:

x Start saving for retirement x Begin understanding education costs x Explore ways to reduce your life insurance costs x Lower your monthly cash outlay x Take advantage of immediate opportunities in sales marketing

Felicia Taylor 7211 Regency Square Blvd, STE 245 Houston, TX 77083 832Ͳ922Ͳ6293

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Page 5

Post July 4th reflections Justspeak

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor ...I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.

Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? - Frederick Douglass, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” July 5, 1852 What would Frederick Douglass have to say almost 163 years after delivering his famous public speech in Rochester, New York before then President Millard Fillmore and other illustrious guests on why he could not, in good conscious, celebrate the fourth of July?

Would his words still ring true

Frederick Douglass

© McClaurin Solutions

today? If you have not read Douglass’ speech, now is a good time to do so because his words resonate as clearly and strongly today in the aftermath of all that we have witnessed over the last six months in Ferguson, Baltimore, Charleston and other places that did not make national headlines. And, our collective post-traumatic stress syndrome as Black people extends back almost four hundred years.

For Douglass, on that fateful occasion celebrating July 4th, while the moment represented a

day of glorious independence for whites, for him it served as yet a symbolic and painful reminder that he had lived to witness yet another year of America’s singular and continuing contradiction of slavery.

Douglass spoke prophetically eleven years before the Emancipation Proclamation would become a living reality in 1863 in the United States, with the exception of Texas that would not recognize the law until two years later in 1865.

Douglas’ observation that the

United States of America may be a great nation, but one mired in contradictions, is as truthful and illuminating today, as it was over 163 years ago. What is that contradiction? The chasm that exists between the profound belief in liberty that undergirds democracy for all men, and the continuing subjugation of Black people and the exclusion of women from the rights of full citizenship.

And almost four hundred years after the structure of slavery became part of the architecture of democracy, its legacy lingers, despite emancipation, in the ongoing disenfranchisement of people of African descent in the United States; and we now know such disenfranchisement is a pervasive condition of Black people globally. And all

the fanfare that goes into 4th of July celebrations makes it one of those moments when this major contradiction shows up and is on full display. Kinda like a democratic runway fashion show--of the worst kind.

Despite all the advertising and pomp and circumstance surrounding America’s July 4th celebration, as African Americans and women, we know that the white male voices that scribed the Declaration of Independence and who fought the American Revolutionary war of Independence did not mean for us to be included. Women, Black slaves and freedmen, and the indigenous population of American Indians were not part of the symbolic opening words of “We the People.” The founders of this “great” nation

were not diverse and they definitely were not inclusive.

There were no women, no Blacks (men or women), and no American Indians sitting anywhere near the spaces where ideas of liberation from Britain and its religious persecution were being debated and decided upon.

The idea of taxation without representation was abhorrent to the founders of this country, and yet we have that practice today.

African Americans, and other people of color in the United States, live in states where the political representatives do not represent their best interests.

Yet we pay taxes, but have no representation.

We as African Americans, descendants of freedmen and former slaves, have always held an uneasy peace with July 4th. How can we hold sacred a holiday intended to celebrate American independence when 400 years later we are still not completely liberated from the history and after effects of enslavement and the white supremacist racialist beliefs of our presumed Black inferiority and their presumed white superiority and privilege? These ideas and ideological beliefs run deep and bind all of us to a social, political and economic dance of never-ending inequality.

White Women and the Challenge to Race-Based Policies What is most troubling, and a modern day manifestation of the contradictions of this country are the ongoing challenges to the small gains and progress we have made. Affirmative action policies that were a form

MCCLAURIN TURN TO 6

Carter III brings new energy and resources Commentary by Melvin Carter, II So there we were.

Toni, and I sitting around this fine highly decorated dining table, at this Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Awards at the McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota Campus.

With my senior citizen fixed income, at $150 a plate, I almost didn’t come.

But being in the midst of glittering chandeliers in this huge ballroom, surrounded by dignitaries, was kind of cool.

“Hi Fritz” (Walter Mondale).

I waved across the floor (as if I expected him to know me).

“Hey Al” (Franken) “Hi Amy” (Klobuchar). Graciously, they waved back as though they recognized me.

Mondale, America’s 42nd vice president, received the Lifetime Achievement for Public Leadership.

Other recipients were global corporation 3M, and an

Woodson From 1 between law enforcement and communities of color. I brought up my concerns about the frequency with which black men in particular have been injured or killed while in police custody. We were both pretty passionate about our respective positions, but overall it was a healthy exchange of perspectives, and the conversation ended with a mutual recognition of our common goals.

Here’s what I learned.

It’s no surprise to hear that being a cop is a tough job.

You’ve heard the expression, “97% boredom, and 3% sheer terror”? That pretty much sums it up. Recently the job has gotten even tougher, while the reputation of law enforcement has grown progressively more tarnished. The dark cloud hanging over the image of the police bothers good cops.

A lot. Sure, we’ve always understood that on occasion a “dirty” or unethical cop might infiltrate the ranks of the “boys in blue.” But by and large, back in the “good old days” the assumption was that a cop was “the good guy.” Unless they did something to break that trust, cops got the benefit of the

Melvin Carter, III international nonprofit called Center for Victims of Torture, and four individuals, Katherine Siggerud, Andrew Lugar,

Imam Sharif A. Mohamed, and some other guy.

The food was very good, maybe not what one would

doubt.

So when I told this 30 year police veteran that our young black men were afraid of mistreatment at the hands of the police, I found it interesting but not altogether surprising that his response was immediate, and highly defensive. “Why should they be afraid of the police if they are not doing anything wrong?” he asked, in a tone that portrayed more than a touch of annoyance. I am sure most police officers might share his belief that their profession deserves the benefit of the doubt, and that the public should presume that cops will treat them fairly and will not harm them without reason. In other words, Innocent until proven guilty.

Interestingly enough that same officer, just a few minutes later, went on to explain that it was not only reasonable, but standard police protocol to treat all new encounters as potentially armed and hostile until they have been engaged, evaluated, and perhaps even patted down for weapons, or physically restrained. In other words, “guilty until proven innocent.“ I am willing to speculate that young black men are often treated to a longer, closer assessment before they are determined to not be a potential threat.

At the same time, citizens expect to be treated like an innocent party. We all do. Even a tattooed, pants sagging 20 year old black male is offended when a police officer’s initial greeting includes a pat-down and handcuffs. Unfortunately, too many young black men have too many encounters with police, and too many of those interactions include more than a query or two, or a request for ID. This is an issue so prevalent, and of such concern, that there’s even a name for it. It’s called Disproportionate Minority Contact. Most middle class Americans would find it unusual if, in the course of a 12 month period we had more than one or two chance interactions with a police officer. But young men in our inner cities are being stopped and questioned by law enforcement with a frequency that even shocks the cops. DMC is when a young black man, 27 years old, college educated, well spoken, of mild disposition and conservative attire, employed, no criminal record, happens to live in an urban neighborhood, and subsequently gets stopped and questioned 10-12 times a year. Every year. True story.

If police were to treat every encounter, especially encounters with young black men in urban neighborhoods, with the respect they would

expect for $300 (two plates).

As I munched, and grumbled about the price, I became more and more appreciative, and even astonished of the phenomenal contributions all these guys had made in the face of catastrophic devastation in the lives of people and families.

Before I continue, I must mention that I was personally greeted, and even embraced by her royal majesty-queen, our own Dr. Josie Johnson (just sayin’).

But anyhow, they introduced the other recipient.

“The executive director of Minnesota Children’s Cabinet, he leads state-level efforts building momentum around Minnesota’s youngest learners.

He worked in St. Paul as Mayor Coleman’s legislative aid, then served six years on St. Paul’s City Council. Time and time again, he has made a difference on issues of empowerment and justice, in terms of building the Green Line Light Rail, establishing the St. Paul Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Department, the success of

the Promise Neighborhood Project, and other initiatives,” said the introduction.

The fact that this young man has my name sent me into a spiraling quandary as whether or not to share this event. The pretense of objectivity would be too phony and everyone would see through it. At first I decided against writing this piece.

But building education around Minnesota’s precious babies is perhaps the most noteworthy issue. People need to know what is being said, and what is being done at the local and statewide level.

And so, being “at large” with myself, I felt a duty not to withhold information, and just tell what happened.

My son, Melvin W. Carter, III, humble, in his three-minute acceptance speech, stepped to the mic, in recognition of all the greats and legends in the room, and those who came before him shared the following fable.

“A man just lost his life in a great flood was attempting to get into heaven. St. Peter

greeted him with the challenge.

“In order to get past the Pearly Gates you must impress the heavenly audience with your story. If you impressed them, you’d then be allowed to enter.

The man decided to tell them of his great courage in the battle against the raging flood that ultimately cost him his life.

Just as the man approached the podium, St. Peter cautioned him. ‘Pst, just remember that Noah is in the audience.’ ” Shortly thereafter in an auditorium filled with hundreds of people, Amy, Al, and even Walter went to the mic, and cosigned this young man and his accomplishments.

Later, the judging officials privately told me, and his mother, that they choose him immediately upon seeing his effectiveness in bringing new energy, and resources to children, families, and communities. They said that of all the recipients in his category, he was the easiest to select, and that no one even came close.

give to the son of the police chief, at least until that individual gives the officer a specific reason to think otherwise, it would go a long way towards restoring the respect that the profession of law enforcement rightfully

deserves. The best way to earn respect is to give it. The best way to earn grace, is to give grace.

There is a reason why “innocent until proven guilty” is the law of the land.

For more information on facilitated community and law enforcement collaboration, and improving community safety through empathic awareness and fear reduction training, contact us at bwoodson@ forwardmotion.biz

A Non-Traditional, Cutting Edge Experience! Be Ready for Truth, Healing, Teaching and Transformation!

Circle of Healing Ministry The Only “Worship in Circle” Church Experience

Pastor Roslyn Harmon Sundays 2-4pm

1015 4th Avenue North|Minneapolis, MN 55405

Visit Us: Circleofhealingministry.org For More Info: 612.564.9962

Page 6 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Advancing the dialogue on race Commentary by Leslie Fields-Cruz, executive director of the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) Since the terrorist attack in Charleston, S.C. you’ve watched the news clips, listened to the experts. You’ve checked your social media sites regularly, liking, sharing and commenting.

You’ve signed online petitions, attended marches and joined prayer circles. You explain to your child – yet again – what systemic racism is about and why someone would shoot innocent people in a church, why a government would disenfranchise 250,000 black Dominicans of Haitian descent, why a police officer would deliberately throw an AfricanAmerican teenage girl to the ground at a pool party, why another unarmed black man has

Leslie Fields-Cruz been shot by the police, and why news agencies avoid reporting on the series of Black church burnings, even when there’s a historic precedence that relates such burnings to acts of hate and racism. As the words pour out of your mouth, you recognize this as an age-old conversation had

between a Black parent and his or her child – a talk that is at least 400 years old.

“Oh, make me wanna holler and throw up both my hands.”

Never have the words of Marvin Gaye’s song “Inner City Blues” rung so true. For the millions upon millions of

Black people who consciously and unconsciously defy racial stereotypes on a daily basis, watching the events of the Charleston Massacre play out is like being in a wind tunnel. The forces of the winds pummel your body, as you struggle to take each step forward. Suddenly, a wind 10 times stronger than the others causes you to lose your footing. You’re flying through the air, reaching for anything that will stop your backward trajectory. You finally grab hold of something, steady yourself, and look up. You have traveled so far back, and still, the wind blows. Why continue the walk?

You are tired, after all.

If we are honest with ourselves, systemic racism is not likely to end in our lifetimes, our child’s lifetime or even our grandchild’s lifetime. But it’s when the media trucks have rolled out of town and the social media users are back to commenting about the Kardashians, that we

must draw upon the resilience of the ancestors, gather our reserves, renew our partnerships, stand together with our allies and move forward. No, it’s not to continue the dialogue, but to advance it.

The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) has engaged in a dialogue about race and discrimination for more than 35 years. We have done so by funding documentary programs that enlighten Americans about the Black experience, on public television and beyond.

If we are sincere in our efforts to change how we address race and discrimination in our country, it will take the efforts of all Americans – Black, white, brown, red, yellow, gay, straight, trans, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and atheist.

My charge is for you to become active viewers. Parents, if you sit at home with your child to watch a program, keep

a laptop or tablet close by so that you can search for answers as soon as the questions come to you. Educators, work with your parent-teacher associations to set up public screenings (of programs related to race) at your school followed by a group discussion. Teens and young adults, get together with your friends, decide on what to stream, watch it, and then hold a Twitter discussion.

Politicians, screen a film to discover topics from which you can connect legislative policies that have helped or harmed the battle to end discrimination in your community. Share that information with your constituencies. The best solutions to a problem occur when people engage in dialogue.

The more we understand our collective pasts, the better equipped we are to find the solutions that will bring all Americans closer to a just and more equal society.

Obama focuses nation on prison reform Washington, DC – This is a monumental, and memorable week for mass incarceration and prison reform. On Monday, President Obama commuted the sentences of 46 non-violent drug offenders, Wednesday at the 106th NAACP Convention in Philadelphia he announced

his support for extensive prison reform, and on Thursday, he became the first seated president to visit a federal prison. For those deeply rooted in the fight to end mass incarceration, these events and announcements provide an encouraging push toward justice, according to Rev.

McClaurin

themselves with their white privilege and challenge the very programs that in many cases may have increased the number of women at the University of Texas?

White Feminists have not always addressed the contradiction that underlies the origins of their struggle for equality. In the early days of the women’s rights movement in the 1970s, the main platform was for equal pay and equal rights. No mention was made of the inequities by race between the pay of white women versus Black and other women of color.

It would take another decade before the tenor of critiques levied by Black and other marginalized women were so strong domestically and globally, that their voices could no longer be ignored.

One of the major critiques levied against white women activists, some of who would avow themselves feminists down the road, was the need to for them to recognize that the majority of those campaigning for equal rights were often white middle class women, who themselves exploited women of color as domestic servants, and who had access to greater job opportunities and did nothing about the exclusion of Black and other marginalized women.

From 5 of reparations and restorative justice have been challenged and dismantled. And the minor concessions granted by the Supreme Courts to allow some form of race-based admissions to exist, are continually under assault.

In 1978, it was Bakke (https:// en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Regents_of_the_University_of_ California_v._Bakke, Accessed 7/11/2015). In 2003, with the Supreme Court Ruling in favor of race-based admissions in the case of Grutter v. Bollinger ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Grutter_v._Bollinger, Accessed 7/11/2015), we regained some footholds and momentum. But all of that modicum of progress is being challenged today in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas (https://en.m.wikipedia. org/wiki/Fisher_v._University_ of_Texas, Accessed 7/11/2015).

Although the case was began in 2013, Fisher, a white woman persists in appealing rulings that do not favor her.

My question is how can Fisher, or whites in general, in good conscious, challenge race based admissions programs aimed at rectifying historic inequities? And how can white women, especially, side with power and privilege and become the latest challenger to the small gestures of restorative justice or reparations that Black and brown bodies have struggled historically to get in place, and from which they, white women, have benefitted the most?

Why are Feminists So Silent on this Question?

White women have been some of the most disappointing allies in the fight for social equality and social justice. Where are the voices of my white feminist sisters in calling Fisher out and challenging her on the basis that much of the progress white women have gained grew out of the struggles of Black people?

Why are you so silent on the fact that white women in particular have disproportionately benefitted from policies, funding and programs intended to address historic racial inequities? And why do you tolerate and leave unchallenged white women who now align

The “Women of Color “Paradox and Dilemma It is at this moment (1977) that Black women coined the phrase “women of color” as a way of unifying the voices of women whose bodies and cultures have been historically marginalized.” The term is not a biological term, but one of ideological and political solidarity Since that historic moment, the term has become globalized to “People of Color.” And while it is evoked, what is missing is the reality that all people who have melanin in the skin do not have histories of oppression or consider themselves as oppressed. What is missing is an understanding that the term was rooted in people’s political perspective and a willingness to form political coalitions based upon common experiences and histories of oppression.

Not everyone who happens to have melanin in their skin is righteously a “person of color.”

A good example are

Michael McBride, director of PICO National Network’s LIVE FREE Campaign, “This is an important moment that must be grounded in the moral leadership, courage and wisdom of directly impacted communities,” McBride said.

“We have a great opportunity

and a great challenge facing us in light of the President’s speech: the great opportunity is to dismantle the largest system of racial terror, control and exclusion since slavery; the great challenge is that this moment will be hijacked by monied interests, poor political

For a true celebration of July 4th by all citizens of this United States of America, we must dismantle the mind sets and behaviors that prevent us from moving forward and perpetuate inequality. people who come from other countries where they may have had statuses of privilege and because of caste/class privilege are sometimes the oppressor, or benefit from the structures of inequality in their country. As Jenani explains from the lens of a Southeast Asian or AAPI, in her blog on the problematics of the term “people of color,” That moment was unsettling precisely because even if Black and Asian kids had a common experience of being racialized, we didn’t have a common racialized experience. Being a Desi kid in St. Louis is not like being a Black kid in St. Louis (or anywhere else). Even if we live in the same neighborhoods, Black people in the US largely have their ancestry in formerly enslaved peoples, and most South Asian folks are immigrants or immigrants’ children.

My people were colonized and faced all the associated violence of colonization, but their original struggle happened in South Asia. And you can argue that my parents and I immigrated to the US because of the economic systems of the time, but we were not brought here as slaves, and this is not land that was taken from us forcefully. We are not White people, but we are also settlers. This land does not carry our enslavement or our original colonial struggle.

Janani identifies the fault line that has created tension among people of color, and that is not recognized by whites, allies or not. A “common experience of being racialized” is NOT the same as a “common racialized experience.” They are not equivalent, and we need to accept that and stop pretending as if they are.

We must also recognize that some groups who have immigrated to the United States or who though born here find there is privilege associated with their skin color; they accept the benefits and the privilege it has given them privilege over the voices and histories of local darkskinned/Black/Brown people, and never once question why, nor offer to give up such privilege. Some Diversity scholars and practitioners who have seen the arc move from

multiculturalism to diversity call this the “POC--people of color escape hatch.” Why? Why the “People of Color” as a Concept May Not Be Helpful Because in America, the racial history of injustice is our Achilles heel. It is a painful wound upon our national psyche, and if we can avoid reminders, we do. So it is easier to put in place South East Asians as the Diversity Officer or hire them to teach African American Studies because their perspectives are rooted to very different personal and sociopolitical relationships to racism and structural inequality in the United States than a person whose origins are historically rooted in being Black, Brown or Indigenous in America. This is not to say that they cannot do a good job in whatever the role is; it is to say that they see with very different lenses.

And, sometimes may only understand oppression in the United States as a theoretical concept versus a lived reality.

This absence of lived and deeply rooted historical relationships to marginality, inequality, etc will shape their solutions and interpretations.

Also, sometimes people of color with different histories join in the chorus of the privileged to explain away inequality based on their own experiences, and become gatekeepers maintaining existing systems of inequality and exclusion.

One final problem is that some hiring practices have shifted to prefer “people of color” without a history of oppression in the United States over the hiring of native-born scholars of colors whose histories are deeply linked to this country. Such practices create problems and competitions unnecessarily so, and the focus of the newly included and current excluded becomes each other rather than dismantling the system that created such a dilemma in the first place.

The Need to Question Even as We Celebrate I appreciate the history of the ritual of July 4th celebrations and our need as a nation to

leadership and spineless reformists who will employ a race-to-the-bottom strategy of reform that scratches their itch, but leaves the rest of us with a rash.”

The Live Free Campaign addresses gun violence, mass incarceration, and the

humanization of young people of color, and, Rev. McBride says, is deeply committed to empowering urban communities, families and youth – especially as it relates to ending mass incarceration – through the principles of a relevant and liberating Gospel message.”

celebrate our history of the formation of this nation we now call the United States of America. But in the midst of our celebration, we should pause and ask ourselves as citizens of this nation, whether born here or immigrated here whether you would be so celebratory if it had been members of your people who were gunned down in church simply because of the color of their skin?

I think not. I think you might use this day to reflect on the fact that “We the people” are not all free, and that there is so much more work to be done to inform minds that are riddled with racism and white supremacist thinking, and to dismantle systems of oppression that perpetual inequality. We must change minds before we can change hearts so deeply convinced that their white privilege and sense of white entitlement must be maintained at all costs.

must dismantle the formal and informal structures and systems that allow, perpetuate and sustain discrimination and exclusion, unequal pay, limit access to opportunities and create enormous disparities.

Once we are all in agreement that such a radical and bold approach is the only way to get us back on the democracy track, then the Supreme Court will be able to put a halt to its own collusion in maintaining structures of inequality. It will stop making rulings that rob us of the laws, legislations and policies that had begun to put us on the road to an authentic democracy and brought us some modicum of hope and progress.

Changing Minds and Hearts to Act with Equity, Justice and Equality for All These are the preconditions: change minds to change hearts in order to act with equity and justice and equality for all.

Without such change, there is a continuing diminishment of what July 4th means and pall cast over any celebration. We have a full year ahead of us, and much can happen in that time when the will of a people is brought to bear.

I look forward to celebrating in my lifetime the 4th of July when it will have the same meaning for ALL Americans. I will embrace it as a welcoming moment because I will know that socially and politically I am a truly FREE Black woman who is able to enjoy all the rights and privileges to the fullest extent promised in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States and its Amendments.

I look forward to the day when the Supreme Court will uphold the truth of our Civil Rights amendments and stop dismantling them. I look forward to the day when white women and white men will recognize that letting go of some of their privilege is the price they must pay for us to be a true and just society.

There are of course other intersections to be considered as well--sexual orientation, religion and potentially others heretofore unknown that will shape our future experiences in the world and must be considered and anticipated.

Dismantling Inequality But for a true celebration of July 4th by all citizens of this United States of America, we must dismantle the mind sets and behaviors that prevent us from moving forward and perpetuate inequality. We

Towards an Authentic and Rockin’ July 4, 2016 Celebration This time next year I want to have a rockin’ and joyous July 4th Celebration because I will feel truly FREE as a straight Black American woman in my own country, the United States of America, and I will have full confidence that all of us who have been marginalized across time and space, and for reasons of race, class, gender, ethnicity, abilities, sexual orientation, religion and many other ways in which this country has practiced exclusion, will be doing a collective dance of liberation.

Now that’s a party I want to attend. Join me. (c) 2015 McClaurin Solutions Read More: http://www.historyisaweapon. com/defcon1/douglassjuly4. html, Accessed 7/6/2015 http://hti.osu.edu/historylesson-plans/united-stateshistory/racial-violence-inamerica-lynchings, Accessed 7/6/015 http://www.breitbart.com/ big-government/2014/08/11/5race-riots-in-obamas-postracial-america/, Accessed 7/6/2015 h t t p : / / r a c e t r a i t o r. o r g / nelson.html, Accessed 7/11/2015 h t t p : / / w w w. b l a c k p a s t . org/1888-frederick-douglasswoman-suffrage, Accessed 7/11/2015 Irma McClaurin is the Culture and Education editor for Insight News, an activist anthropologist, writer, proponent of diversity leadership and a member of the National Writers Union (NWU).

For 2015, she recently earned Insight News First Place for the Emory O. Jackson National Column Writing Award given by the Black Press at the NNPA (National Newspaper Publishers Association).

Emory O. Jackson was a Civil Rights activist and editor of the Birmingham News from 19411975.

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Page 7

EDUCATION Ball-Lacy seeks to launch reality show highlighting Blacks in STEM

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Let’s face it: reality television is not doing Black people any favors.

Often, the prevailing image of Black people in almost every reality show is one of dysfunction, savagery and buffoonery. Seldom are African-Americans shown in a positive light. Even those who have achieved successes prior to television somehow seem cartoonish when shown under the lights of reality TV. Ateya Ball-Lacy is fed up by it and seeking to change the narrative. Now she just needs a network to see the profitability in showing Blacks in a positive light.

Ball-Lacy, an assistant

Ateya Ball-Lacy principal and academic dean at Gen. James Gholston Middle School in Prince George’s County, Md., is out to show the world that there is great talent

in largely African-American communities with her proposed reality competition television show, “Hood Smart: The Urban STEMulus Project.” The show is a concept without a home, but Ball-Lacy is in talks with several networks trying to get one to take a chance on the idea.

If picked up, “Hood Smart” will feature several AfricanAmerican teens living together for eight weeks and competing weekly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) challenges with the ultimate prize, a full-ride college scholarship. Think of it as “The Real World” meets “American Idol,” with one key difference.

“No one gets eliminated after a challenge,” said BallLacy. “Everyone picked for this show is already a winner.”

The concept for “Hood

Smart” came about four years ago when Ball-Lacy went to see a movie targeting an African-American audience and she left with an empty feeling.

“My heart was heavy because there were no positive images of us (on television and film) and I wanted to change that. Our students are having to see this manufactured image of themselves that’s not a healthy one, so I started writing and came up with ‘Hood Smart,’” said Ball-Lacy.

The question is can the concept sell – first to a network, and then to advertisers.

“I know TV has to be entertaining. This is an entertaining show,” said the show’s creator. “It’s got drama, but the drama here is organic and without the buffoonery we see on a daily basis on

television.”

A graduate of Howard University, Ball-Lacy was an educator in the Twin Cities for nearly five years, working under Eric Mahmoud at Seed Academy & Harvest Preparatory School. While in the area, Ball-Lacy came to know Stokley Williams of Mint Condition. Williams appreciated the show’s concept and agreed to lend marketing support via his social media channels.

“My experiences in Minnesota helped shape this project and my passion for education,” said Ball-Lacy.

According to Ball-Lacy, another supporter with a big name is comedian, Dave Chappelle.

Although the show has not produced a full episode, it has filmed a seven minute demo

reel that is available for view on YouTube at www.youtube. com/watch?v=281xItqDC2Y. The reel is unique in the fact that most of the professionals (or elders, as they are referred to) on the show are people of color and all of the students are African-American.

Also, quite noticeable on the reel is many of these highachieving teens dress and are styled in what could be deemed “hood” attire, further eroding the narrative that one must look a certain way to be “smart.”

Ball-Lacy hopes the show will be picked up within a year by a network. If picked, a new cast would be chosen and the series would run for eight weeks, with weekly challenges and a winner at the end of each episode. A final prize of a college scholarship would be awarded during the show’s finale.

Leader as social entrepreneur Women Leading Change

By Dr. Artika Tyner Leaders are lead problem solvers.

We see a problem, we create a solution. My recent lecture at the SIAS International University Entrepreneurship Forum (China) focused on how leaders can use principles of entrepreneurship to discover innovative approaches for addressing social justice issues like those outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG).

For instance, did you know 58 million children are not enrolled in school? Did you know every hour 50 young women are infected with HIV/AIDS? Ensuring all children have access to a quality education and ending the spread of HIV/ AIDS are leadership challenges.

A leadership challenge is an opportunity for leaders to leverage their skills (innovation, creative problem solving, strategic thinking) to make a positive impact in the world.

Leaders have the power and influence to address some of the most pressing social justice issues of our time. The exercise of this power begins with entrepreneurship, as it serves as an indispensable tool for advancing social change.

Often times, we limit entrepreneurship to the physical market place and business sector by focusing on marketing product or service. Imagine if the same ingenuity used to create products, like the invention of the traffic light (by Garrett Morgan) or the development of 300-plus uses of peanuts (by George Washington Carver), could be used to address the challenges facing the world.

Could a leader work to end poverty to make sure no child goes to bed hungry? Can a leader work to end infant mortality and support maternal health?

As leaders, we see a problem,

Dr. Artika Tyner and student, Aria from the World Academy for the Future of Women we create a solution.

During my lecture, I shared a practical example of social entrepreneurship in action.

Many young men struggle to find work when they have a

ABA releases Tyner’s book: The Leader’s Journey The American Bar Association’s newest release, “The Leader’s Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within,” provides guidance and inspiration. The book is written by Dr. Artika Tyner is an educator, author, and advocate for justice. Tyner teaches at the University of St. Thomas College of Education, Leadership & Counseling. With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. The ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

“The Leader’s Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within,” provides the reader with inspiration on how to lead effectively, build new bridges, and establish a vision for the future. This is the foundation of leadership growth. In three parts, the book explores core values of leadership and how these values inform your understanding of leadership. This is the beginning of “knowing.”

Part one is leading change – planting people and growing justice. It essentially begs the question, “Why lead?” This section focuses on a person’s personal mission and vision.

Since leadership is about influence, this section explores how a person can influence change in the global community, organizations, professional associations and beyond.

Part two discusses what makes a person a leader. It

provides key insights on core competencies of leadership.

Part three outlines a person’s “leadership DNA” or what is a person’s individualized leadership style. Part three offers an opportunity for critical reflection by exploring individualized approaches to leadership. It provides an introduction to an array of leadership styles in order to gain insights on how to lead best.

In the book a collection of

quotes serves as a source of inspiration and guidance on effective leadership. Each quote functions as a critical reflection tool. This type of reflection provides an opportunity for the reader to strengthen his or her leadership skills and share these lessons with others.

“The Leader’s Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within” is available online at www.ababooks.org or call by calling (800) 285-2221.

criminal record, have been involved in gangs or are at-risk of entering the justice system.

The Community Justice Project saw this problem and took action. It decided to use its

skills as leaders-entrepreneurs to create a solution. The project developed a nonprofit organization, Brotherhood, Inc., which provides these young men with jobs and hope. This has given them a second chance to change their lives, make a difference in the community, and serve as leaders.

The mission is to enable African-American youths and young men to envision and achieve successful futures through a comprehensive reintegration and prevention program. The purpose of the program is to prevent entry into the criminal justice system (prisons), support education and skills development of young men and develop small businesses that hire Brotherhood participants as employees, where they can gain work experience and support their families.

This is just one example of leadership and social entrepreneurship merging together. Everyday people used their skills to create a practical solution to address the impact of

mass incarceration. If we each collectively decide to serve as a leader-entrepreneurs, one can imagine the impact we could have on the world.

Finally, remember we each have a key role to play in leading change and furthering social justice. In essence, there is an old Civil Rights song that says, “We are the change, we are the change that we have been waiting for.” As we seek to become this change, we must work together as a community to make a difference, empower others to lead, create solutions to problems, and build collaborative partnerships. This is entrepreneurship. This is also the exercise of leadership.

Dr. Artika Tyner is an educator, author, sought-after speaker and advocate for justice. At the University of St. Thomas College of Education, Leadership & Counseling, Tyner serves as a public policy/ leadership professor. She trains graduate students to serve as social engineers who create new inroads to justice and freedom.

Page 8 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE Special Olympics: Greatness in our midst Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Greatness is not measured by the height of one’s stature, but by the depth of one’s heart. Such is the case for Khari Richburg.

For the past 18 years, he has been successfully competing with Special Olympics in such areas as basketball, softball, floor hockey, bowling, and track

and field. He especially enjoys softball and basketball and has a substantial collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals which he has earned and proudly displays. In 2006 his softball team represented Minnesota and competed in the Special Olympics USA National Games in Des Moines, Iowa where they took first place.

The Special Olympics have been a great social outlet which Richburg has enjoyed for most of his adult life starting at age 22.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults

Khari Richburg with intellectual giving them

disabilities, continuing

opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Dr. King said it best when he said that everyone can be great because everyone can serve.

Richburg continues to strive for greatness. He has a dream of creating a club featuring music, food, games, and movies all in an environment where adults with intellectual disabilities can feel safe and welcome. As he works toward that goal, he is in the midst of planning the third Special Olympics Summer Dance

and Team Fundraiser which will be held on Saturday, August 1st from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. The evening will include dancing and entertainment, light refreshments, prize drawings, and photo booth pictures! Individuals with special needs (along with their chaperones and family members) are welcome to attend!

Richburg and the Special Olympics need your help.

Greatness cannot be achieved without the support of the community. Your support is needed to help Richburg continue to work towards his dream of helping others in need. This fundraiser will take place at the Holiday Inn located at 2201 Burns

Ave, St. Paul, MN 55119. Space is limited so please pre-register by calling 651-777-9119 or 651470-4881. If you are not able to attend, but would like to donate, donations can be mailed to Special Olympics c/o KCS, 2395 Ariel St N, Suite A, Maplewood, MN 55109 with checks payable to “Special Olympics-SRS”.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

To get a copy of his books, or for questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

Five ways to build your confidence Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson There are many ways to lose confidence in yourself and your dreams, but how do we build up our confidence? How do we train our thoughts to think positive and build up that assurance in ourselves? Here are a few ways I developed

to build self-confidence that I share with the individuals who I coach in my practice. Please feel free to practice this and share with me your results.

1. Believe In Yourself Believing in yourself is the first step in building your confidence. Many times we waver in our thinking when we make a decision. We ask ourselves over and over, “Am I sure I can do this? Or Is this the right answer?” Have faith that you are doing the right thing and watch your confidence grow in knowing that you are fully prepared and ready for

your greatness!

2. Stay away from negative individuals When working on building confidence another key is to stay focused and stay away from those negative individuals in your life. Please don’t be surprised that I said this, because you are not the only person who has negativity around them. We all do. One important lesson that I’ve learned is that just because it’s around you, doesn’t mean it has to be a part of you.

Negative words and actions make us rethink who we are and what we want.

3. Meditate Meditating on how you can better yourself is always good.

Concentrating on what would make you better is where you should start. Being quiet and focusing on the certainty that you have the answers that will make you a strong confident person can do wonders for your wellbeing. Practice this daily or at least three to four times a week.

4. Speak your truth Being honest with yourself about who you are and what you want is refreshing and can help you to exhale which

can also help with you selfconfidence. When you are able to stand up straight with your head high, it shows that you are confrontable with who you are.

It is also contagious for those around you. When people see you and feel your confidence all around them, they too will feel reassured in themselves.

5. Be ready When I say, “Be Ready” it means to be prepared for what happens when you start to trust who you are and when others see the change in you.

Building confidence doesn’t mean that you are changing

into a new person, but it does mean that your thoughts are changing. Your thoughts are the thoughts of a person who is sure of themselves and will stay the path of a positive person in whatever goal they set.

And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject.com.

Danisha Danielle Hoston: The “Home Free” interview

By Kam Williams Danisha Danielle Hoston was born in Los Angeles where she was raised by a single father and a mother who was in and out of her life. After graduating from high school at 16, she matriculated at UCLA, earning a BA degree in Mass Communications with a specialization in Business Administration.

Danisha’s life changed dramatically in her early 20s when the father of her child was diagnosed with cancer and died ten weeks after their daughter’s birth. Just a couple months later, she was laid off from her job and became dependent on the Welfare.

Despite being a struggling single-mom, Danisha managed to become a self-made millionaire by building her own commercial real estate business. Today, the most important role in her life is being a mom to her daughter, and building a loving home with her new husband, former NFL tight end, George Wrighster and her stepchildren for their new blended family.

In Danisha’s eyes, motivating others through their challenges to success and happiness is the driving force behind why she shares her journey. With a style all her own, she hopes to inspire people to shift their mindset from scarcity to abundance and gratitude so they can reap the benefits of a life more abundant than they ever imagined.

Here, she talks about hosting the OWN Show for

Oprah Winfrey, and about being a judge on the new reality series, Home Free, which is set to premiere on Fox-TV on July 22nd at 9pm ET/PT (check local listings).

to start, so I just put a picture of me on a television set with an OWN network logo on my vision board. Six months later, I was asked to audition for #OWNSHOW through social media. I jumped at the chance and somehow booked it!

Kam Williams: Hi Danisha, thanks for the interview.

Danisha Danielle Hoston: Thank you, Kam! Thanks for your time.

KW: What interested you in Home Free?

DDH: Home Free is the perfect blend of everything I love to watch on TV--real estate, competition, big stakes, and shows that inspire you and warm your heart. All of the contestants on Home Free have very compelling stories and they are all working very hard to achieve the American Dream of being “Home Free.”

So, it’s a great experience to help a deserving family achieve that. Besides that, Mike Holmes is the premiere name in construction and home renovation, and he’s giving away a HUGE prize. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

KW: Was it hard eliminating couples from the competition?

DDH: Yes! Much harder than I thought. Coming into this competition, I had a feeling that the eliminations would become difficult as we approached the finals, but I found myself fighting back tears in the very first episode. I’m here to lend my expertise, however, and Mike wants us to give our honest opinion to assist him in making the elimination so he

KW: Your life story is very inspirational.

Have you thought about writing an autobiography?

DDH: I have! It didn’t start out as an autobiography, though. It started out as a guide to making it in commercial real estate as a woman. As I started outlining the book, it actually became a manual to change your mindset and create success in any field.

And it turned out to be all of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way--hence, an autobiography.

Danisha Danielle Hoston gets it.

KW: You encountered tragedy and considerable hardships early in life. How did you manage to persevere? To what do you attribute your success?

DDH: I attribute my success to the mentors, friends, and family members who believed in me. I even attribute my success to the hardships and tragedy I experienced along the way. If the worst things didn’t happen exactly the way they did, maybe the good stuff wouldn’t have either. I persevered because I had no choice. I persevered because I was a single-mom with a little girl who only had her mommy. There was no way I

Inviting All Active Adults, 40+ Come down to the Y at Heritage Park, Monday - Friday from 6:00am-8:00pm for a tour and Free Group Exercise class.

Featuring: Yoga, Pilates, Ta’ Chi, Zumba and more.

Contact Kimieshia Paul at 612-821-2195 for additional information.

YMCA AT HERITAGE PARK 1015 4th Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55405 (P) 612 821 2193

was going to let her down. My main motivator has ALWAYS been to make my daughter and family proud. Now, I’m determined to make anybody who is experiencing hardship and tragedy know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that they can get there.

KW: What interested you in hosting the OWN Show?

DDH: I have always loved all things Oprah Winfrey. In a way, I’ve considered her one of my mentors. When I decided to expand my career pursuits to include media, I didn’t have an agent and only had some television experience through bookings I received on social media. I didn’t know where

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

DDH: I’m just like everybody else. I see flaws, a few wrinkles, and a few extra pounds. I definitely see a person I like, though. She’s my kinda chick.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

DDH: I would wish that we all knew our power to overcome anything and live out our wildest dreams.

KW: The Melissa Harris-Perry question: How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?

DDH: My greatest heartbreak was the death of my daughter’s father when she was only 10 weeks old. I was so young at the time that I didn’t realize the true impact of his loss for me and for her. All I knew was that I was devastated. What I learned from that experience was that even under completely devastating circumstances, I am unbreakable. Now, no matter what the setback is, I know that, if I’m still breathing, I can overcome it.

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

DDH: I think all successful people have a positive and empowering view of failure.

Whether it’s Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey or anybody that has achieved great success, the key is to view failure as part of success. To recognize that failure has no reflection on you personally, that it’s just a part of the journey and that there is no end to the road. You can always bounce back.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?

DDH: Gratitude. I remember that every experience--positive or negative--is a gift. The most negative experiences in my life were some of the greatest gifts to my growth. So, even when the gift is not readily obvious and the tough times can be overwhelming, I remember that whatever is happening is a gift, and I say “thank you” for it. I always feel a little better after that!

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

DDH: Create a vision, make a plan, and write it down.

I’m a big believer in vision boards and business plans. I firmly believe that any goal can be achieved, if you put consistent planning, action and belief behind your vision.

For example, the first business plan I ever wrote was to make $50,000 in my first year of selling real estate. I was making $38,000 a year as an accountant before I was laid off, so this was a huge jump for me. I had never written a business plan before but I worked my ass off to stay the course of the plan.

I didn’t make any money for the first 7 months and it would have been very easy to give up, but I didn’t. That year, I made $216,000 in gross commissions and was named “Rookie of the Year” in my office. After that, I made a plan every year and never looked back.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

DDH: I want my husband, my kids and my family to remember me for how much I loved, believed in, and supported them. I want to be remembered as a great businesswoman who made a positive impact and helped anybody that she ever worked with. I want my legacy and my life to be a source of inspiration and hope to anybody that started out as an underdog and has big dreams of having it all, even if it doesn’t happen all at once.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Danisha, and best of luck with Home Free, the OWN Show and all your other endeavors.

DDH: Thank YOU, Kam! I appreciate your time! Best of luck to you as well.

Home Free premieres on Fox on July 22nd at 9pm ET/PT (check local listings)

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Page 9

COMMUNITY Olu’s Center to celebrate open house Olu’s Center will celebrate its opening with an open house on Wednesday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The unique, intergenerational center provides daycare to senior citizens, and also to preschool and schoolage children. The new facility is located at 1315 12th Ave. N. in Minneapolis.

Olu’s Center’s activities for children and seniors will include arts and crafts, gardening, healthy eating, exercise and field trips. Additional offerings for seniors will include estateplanning assistance and memoir-writing.

The center is affiliated with Olu’s Home, a licensed care organization founded in 1999 that provides residential and in-home services to the elderly, and persons with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness. Along with the center, Olu’s also operates nine, statelicensed group homes in the Minneapolis area. The homes provide residential and inhome services to individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and mental illness.

Gloria Freeman, founder and CEO of Olu’s Home and Olu’s Center, said the new

L-R: Gloria Freeman, founder and CEO; Candice Ellis-Chapman, Chief Operating Officer and Jessica Herod, Center Director.

Know Your Worth seminar coming to Minneapolis

Elle Babington Steele, author of “Run Your Race: How to Keep Going When Life Wears You Out” and “No Flowers Without Rain: The Value of Adversity” returns to Minneapolis August 8 from 9am – 12pm for her new inspirational seminar titled Know Your Worth.

In Know Your Worth Babington Steele walks attendees through a process that assists them in understanding their worth and value. Babington Steele offers insights into her own struggles with esteem and how she made it to the other side.

The Know Your Worth seminar allows attendees to feel a sense of renewed hope and

purpose. Babington Steele designs a beautifully fashion forward and chic seminar environment in which attends feel all the more inspired, invigorated, and empowered.

There is limited seating. Cost: $30. Register at http://www. ebabingtonsteele.com/#!store/ cfvg.

Elle Babington Steele will also be signing copies of her books following the seminar.

Don’t live in Minneapolis, purchase copies of Elle’s inspirational books at her online store. Go to www. ebabingtonsteele.com for more information.

center is designed to provide a nourishing environment where seniors and children can build relationships, inspire, give and learn freely. Freeman said the opening of the center, located in a former charter school building in north Minneapolis, represents the culmination of a dream.

“This has been five to six years in the making,” said Freeman.

The July 29 open house will provide opportunities for parents and other family members to tour the facility, talk to the staff and obtain preregistration materials.

Elle Babington Steele

Mildred Brunson retires after dedicating 39 years teaching kids at Hallie Q. Brown

Mildred Brunson

Haiti From 2 the primacy and importance of human rights. The revolution was very important for the advancement of humanistic ideas in the modern world.

Far too many misconceptions about Haiti still fester. The world remains focused largely on issues of poverty,

natural disasters and political corruption. Haiti’s historic legacy is legendary and larger than life. Haiti is a culture that is rich in art, music, literature, food and fashion.”

This talented filmmaker, who is poised to transform discussions about Haiti globally envisions that one day the drinking of the joumou soup will be celebrated by all people of African descent across the diaspora. Alexis

Classifieds Administrative Assistant Brakins Consulting & Psychological Services Brakins Consulting& Psychological Services, LLC & the African American Child Wellness Institute seeks a highly motivated individual for a full-time position as an Administrative Assistant to work in a community-based private practice clinic that primarily serves African American children, adolescents and adult. We are seeking an energetic Administrative Assistant who can show initiative and leadership skills, has strong computer technical abilities, has their own transportation, has flexible hours and is willing to grow professionally with the company. The Administrative Assistant (AA) will be responsible for performing moderately complex to complex administrative tasks in support of the Executive/Clinic Director and the Mental Health Service Delivery Treatment team. Duties include extensive meeting scheduling, providing assistance to coordinate larger and complex meetings. Compiling information and preparing moderately complex documents, spreadsheets and reports using appropriate software; assisting, screening and/or selectively referring callers; handling complex and sensitive inquiries/calls from external/internal sources.

The AA is also responsible for confirming travel arrangements and managing payments for payroll and expense report reimbursement. The AA will also provide support within areas of reporting for business documentation and team/individual goals, personnel changes and department record keeping processes. The successful candidate proactively tracks procedures and deadlines. The candidate may work closely with both internal and external customers to meet service needs. The AA will also act as an onsite assistant for the Treatment team for miscellaneous duties such as equipment assistance, delivery support and supplies. Performing special projects as requested.

The successful candidate must have a minimum of 2 or 4 years of college plus 2 years experience as an administrative assistant; possess strong written and verbal communication skills and have experience with interacting with ethnically diverse mental health consumers. Versatility in web-based electronic health information software such as PROCENTIVE is a huge advantage for the successful candidate.

Interested candidates should send a resume, interest letter and at least 3 references to: BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., LP, Clinic Director Brakins Consulting& Psychological Services, LLC & The African American Child Wellness Institute 4050 Olson Memorial Hwy # 195 Golden Valley, MN 55422 (Phone) 763-522-0100 (Fax) 763-588-0100 Email: bravadaakinsanya@hotmail.com

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center announced the retirement of long time community youth educator, Mildred Brunson.

Since 1976 Brunson has spent her days teaching kids in Hallie Q. Brown Community Center’s Youth Enrichment Program everything from ABC’s and 123’s to how to hook bait on a fishing rod for their first trips into wilderness and out of the inner city.

“Some of the kids say they have fished before but they have

not cast a line in their life. I have great memories of kids catching a fish for the first time and if you could see the way their face lights up,” said Brunson.

After 39 years helping to bridge the education opportunity gap for youth and provide enriching experiences, it is Brunson’s turn to go fishing.

“Mildred has been so integral to the identity and excellence of Hallie Q. Brown,” said Jonathan Palmer, executive director of Hallie Q. Brown.

“We often joke about calling ourselves the Millie Center.

(During the annual Rondo Days parade) we get more people shouting Mildred’s name than the Center’s.

In honor of Brunson’s service to youth, Hallie Q. Brown Community Center is launching a campaign to raise $10,000 to establish a Millie B. scholarship endowment. The scholarship will provide a stipend to lowincome families participating in education programs at Hallie Q.

Brown Community Center.

A celebration of Brunson’s service and dedication to Hallie Q. Brown Community Center will be held Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 4-6 p.m at 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul.

Founded in 1929, Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc. is an African-American, nonprofit social service agency providing programming in early childhood education, after school and summer enrichment, basic needs and senior services.

hopes that the success of the Haitian Revolution will be a major source of inspiration for Black people everywhere.

Alexis would like to see the film distributed as a major educational tool throughout the African diaspora.

In the coming months, the plan is to screen the documentary first throughout the United States by conducting a national college tour. Alexis and Ludlow

Bailey have already started to schedule events with all the major Ivy League institutions and Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Bailey, when asked why he chose to get involved in this project commented, “I am involved in contemporary African culture globally and I appreciated Dudley’s approach to sharing details about the Haitian Revolution. I found the documentary insightful

and that made me want to be involved in the project.”

These two champions of cultural and historical enlightenment hope that this documentary will equip all youth with greater knowledge and nurture more personal self-respect. Their message for the next generation is that Haitian people have contributed significantly to the growth and development of humanity, and the legacy of the

revolution is inspiring and a testament to both perseverance and resiliency. It is hoped that the documentary uplifts Haiti and her people by sharing that the success of the Haitian Revolution is a powerful legacy for the people of Haiti. Further, upon reflection, it proves that Haiti has the spiritual and intellectual resources to create and manage a society that honors the importance of human rights and democracy.

Phone: 612.588.1313

Fax: 612.588.2031

S.A.G. Drill & Dance Team

DUMP TRUCK DRIVER

S.A.G. Drill & Dance Team Empowering youth & adults through drill & dance. Practice is weekly @ 2507 Fremont Ave N. 55411. Contact: Gwendolyn Johnson gmj.klt@gmail.com

Wanted experienced dump truck driver. Only experienced need apply: Call Jesse Green (651) 815-7197 or email jessegreen625@yahoo.com

Part-time Administrative/Outreach Coordinator Hawthorne Neighborhood Council is seeking to fill a part-time Hawthorne Neighborhood Council is seeking to fill a part-time Administrative/Outreach Coordinator position. (25 hours a week) We are looking for a detailed, organized, flexible, motivated pro-active individual with a passion for community engagement in the non-profit world. This position will provide support in the Hawthorne neighborhood.

Experience: Skills/Attributes: Knowledge of program management, nonprofit management and marketing strategies. High attention to detail, exceptional organizational and multitasking skills, self-motivated. This candidate will also possess great communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and written. Have the ability to build and maintain good relations with partners, funders, and community stakeholders. Maintain a high level of professionalism with a positive attitude. Well organized selfstarter and works professionally with volunteers. Intellectual curiosity to learn about the organizations’ activities and neighborhood is a plus. Knowledge of web design, Facebook, Microsoft Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint and Word is a must.

Education: The successful candidate will have a bachelor degree in, Communications, Marketing, Journalism or Public relations or some post-secondary education in one of these fields of study as well as work or volunteer experience in the non-profit world.

How to apply: Send a cover letter, resume and a writing sample to dhawkins@hawthorneneighborhoodcouncil.org. Please type your full name and position title into the subject field of the email.

Application materials will be reviewed by the search committee starting July 20, 2015. The position will be open until filled.

Part-time Adventure Guide serving African-American youth Opportunity for a creative individual to deliver a youth “Adventure” program in Minneapolis & St. Paul. Once a week programs are run in afternoons or eves, with occasional field trips on weekends. For details, see http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Employment/jobs.aspx

Email: info@insightnews.com

RENTAL UNITS AVAILABLE The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Housing Authority has rental units available in Cass County, MN. Please call 218-335-8280.

Must meet certain qualifications.

Case Manager

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is hiring a Case Manager for our Families Moving Forward program center in Minneapolis. Help us end homelessness! Visit: www.beaconinterfaith.org/careers for details.

Accounting and Office Assistant

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is hiring an Accounting and Office Assistant for our administrative office in St. Paul. Visit www.beaconinterfaith.org/careers for details.

VACANCIES Operations Generalist

Townhomes

Available Fieldcrest in Moorhead, MN Rent based on 30% of income

2 & 3 bdroms open MetroPlains Management

701-232-1887 www.metroplainsmanagement.com

The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist in our Minneapolis location. Salary range is $41,009 – $66,701. For more information, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Notice of U.S. Magistrate Judge Vacancy The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of one full-time United States Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

The current salary of the full-time position is $185,012 per year and the position will be located in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The term of office for a fulltime magistrate judge is eight years; incumbents may be reappointed to successive terms.

The full public notice, application instructions, and application form are available on the Court’s website at www.mnd.uscourts.gov. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, July 31, 2015.

Cokato Apts, Cokato, MN (a seniors complex 62 or over or handicapped) has vacancies on 2nd Floor for one BR apts. Waiting list open. Contact Don at 320-286-2758. E-Mail cokapts@embarqmail.com

Page 10 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Top: Performance artists and attendees set up outside of C&J Barbers during FLOW 2014. Above: Performing artists will grace various stages during FLOW. Credit: Selam Yosief

FLOW celebrates Northside artists with 10th anniversary exhibits

by Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition This upcoming weekend of July 23-25, 2015, FLOW Northside Arts Crawl will celebrate ten years of shining a light on the Northside community through the arts.

Initially imagined as a small studio crawl with 20 artists and 6 sites for the PEACE Foundation (now Northside Achievement Zone), FLOW has grown and been shaped by the community to include over 300 artists from a variety of genres showing at 34 different studios, galleries, theaters, businesses, indoor and outdoor vacant spaces.

Attendance has grown from 1000 in 2006 to a projected 10,000 in 2015.

For its 10th Anniversary, organizers for FLOW Northisde Arts Crawl, produced by the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition since 2011, has several celebratory offerings, including four curated special exhibits.

The FLOW Photography Retrospective takes guests through a visual history of the event as captured by different amateur and professional photographers since 2006.

Co-curated by Northsiders Farrington Llewellyn and Scottie Tuska, the retrospective will take over a currently vacant office space on the ground floor of 1011 West Broadway.

Says Llewellyn, “Culling

Work by artist Angela Davis will be part of the Established Artists Exhibit at EMERGE. through photos from the last nine years of FLOW has been a surreal experience. This is Northside history; it’s important to look back! The memories that come up while looking at these images of people and landmarks have me in deep reflection. If you’re from here you will see faces and places you know and/or miss. If you’re not from here, pay attentionthis is our community!” The photography exhibit will be

open both Friday evening and Saturday.

The Established Artists Exhibit will showcase the work of artists that have shown at FLOW for many years- in some cases every year- over at the EMERGE Career and Technology Center on Emerson Ave N. The beautifully restored former library will be a perfect backdrop to these celebrated Northsiders.

C & J Barbers, a longtime

business at 1105 West Broadway, will host the FLOW Emerging Artists Exhibit. The floor to ceiling windows and ample wall space of this classic barber shop will feature muralist and painter Chris Williams and Briana Watson, among others.

Visitors looking to buy unique work from North Minneapolis artisans, crafters and jewelers should head to the West Broadway Farmers and Artisan Market between

Emerson and Dupont Avenues.

FLOW artists specializing in gifts and wearable art will be present on both Friday and Saturday.

In addition to these four curated exhibits, FLOW continues its tradition of putting public art on West Broadway.

PLOT Gallery will be on the Western Motors lot with a collaborative participatory installation featuring live carving by artist Jason

Soderlund, work inspired by visual artist and designer KNZ and a Wood Garden with pieces created by participants. At the Public Art Pop Up, Aaron Kupcho will be live painting, an always popular component of the Northside Arts Crawl. Joining him will be D.A. Bullock and Ariah Fine’s Traveling Podium where residents can lift up their voices and speak to their desires for equity in their community on film. FLOW attendees will also find sharp colorful creations by John Francis Bueche, take their picture in FLOW-themed photo cut-outs, and help plant a pop-up garden that will remain for the summer.

These 10th Anniversary exhibits exemplify FLOW’s ability to highlight the diversity of assets in North Minneapolis, including people, storefronts and historic buildings. On this momentous weekend, the entire Twin Cities and beyond are invited and welcome to celebrate the extraordinary community that is West Broadway and Minneapolis’ Northside.

See flownorthside.org for the complete schedule and details.

Maps are available at the West Broadway Coalition (1011 West Broadway Suite 202) and KMOJ Radio.

FLOW Northside Arts Crawl Thursday, July 23 - Plymouth Ave only Friday, July 24 Saturday, July 25 West Broadway from N 2nd St to Penn Ave Minneapolis, MN 55411

insightnews.com

Insight News • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Page 11

New Orleans style band, the Figs, perform during a grand opening celebration of Vieux Carre.

Photos: Harry Colbert, Jr.

Vieux Carre general manager, Martina Praidka and owner, Lowell Pickett hope to bring New Orleans to St. Paul with new intimate venue jazz club.

Vieux Carre hopes to connect New Orleans to St. Paul

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer St. Paul and New Orleans are connected by the Mississippi River and now a new jazz spot in the saintly city hopes to bring a bit of that “Nawlins” flavor up north.

Newly opened Vieux Carre, 408 St. Peter, is the latest incarnation of Dakota Jazz Club owner, Lowell Pickett. The intimate spot in the lower level of the Hamm Building was once the well-known Artists Quarter.

According to Pickett, Vieux Carre pays tribute to both New Orleans and the Artists Quarter.

“Vieux Carre (which is

French) is actually the name of the French Quarter in New Orleans,” said Pickett. “It translates to mean ‘old quarter,’ and what was here before … the old Artists Quarter, so that’s how the name was chosen.

This location has a tremendous history, so we’re happy to be a continuation of that history.”

An intimate space, Vieux Carre’s walls are lined with varying photographs of New Orleans, furthering the connection of North and South.

The menu also pays homage to the Crescent City. According to Pickett, the menu will rotate from time to time, but current selections include Gumbo,

Cajun shrimp, a shrimp and lobster po’ boy and oysters Rockefeller.

A craft cocktail bar, Vieux Carre bottles its namesake cocktail, a four week oak barrel aged blend of rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine and Peychaud’s angostura.

“We’re going for a speakeasy feel with good music, good drink and good food,” said Pickett.

Derik Moran, the executive chef at the Dakota will also serve in the same role at Vieux Carre.

St. Paul is familiar territory for the people associated with the Dakota. Prior to the

jazz club being in downtown Minneapolis, the Dakota called St. Paul home.

“We are so excited to be in St. Paul again in this space and make it rich again with music and life,” said Martina Praidka, general manger to both the Dakota and Vieux Carre.

Praidka said homegrown singers and musicians will be the lifeblood of Vieux Carre. Closed on Sundays and Mondays, Vieux Carre will offer traditional jazz on Tuesdays and Fridays, acoustic artists on Wednesdays and a mix of soul, blues and jazz on Thursdays and Saturdays.

ART/GALLERY/HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE

Kool Moe Dee

FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl w/ Kool Moe Dee and Roxanne Shante West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis 10 a.m.

July 20 - 26

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking.

Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Monday, July 20 JAZZ/ECLECTIC Ndosi Reid Seru: Body mEmOri Icehouse MPLS 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

Multidisciplinary visionary, Mankwe Ndosi, has joined forces with Tomeka Reid of Chicago and jazz great, Davu Seru, for a night of music, voice, and Yoruba inspired futurism. Special guest include Silvia Bolognesi of Italy, and Nathan Hanson.

Tuesday, July 21 HEALTH Movement Lab People’s Movement Center 736 41st S., Minneapolis 7:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. $10-$50 (sliding scale) Join the monthly health and healing workshop in Minneapolis facilitated

by Jessica Lopez Lyman (www.jlopezlyman.com).

This month’s theme is fear and fortitude. For more information email peoplesmovementcenter@ gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 22 BENEFIT/HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE Open Mike Eagle, Cresent Moon, Andrew Broder and Sayth First Avenue & 7th Street Entry 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis 18-plus 9 p.m. $8 advance, $10 door Open Mike Eagle is the epitome of the independent hip-hop grind. Now releasing music through Mellow Music Group, he has also been making scores of new fans frequently collaborating with comedian Hannibal Buress. Crescent Moon’s new collaborative project with Andrew Broder and Sayth serves as the opener.

Thursday, July 23 DANCE/PARTY DJ Keezy Presents: The FIXX First Avenue Record Room 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

18-plus

$5 DJ Keezy has been on a roll as of late following performances with Da Brat and more. Now she presents an all star hometown lineup with DJ Adora Tokyo and DJ Sophia Eris. The show is hosted by recent Shade 45 MC, BdotCroc along with Maria Isa.

Friday, July 24 ROCK/BLUES Black Diet, “The Good One” Album Release Show

First Avenue 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

21-plus Twin Cities band Black Diet celebrates the release of its new album with a party in the Mainroom at First Ave. The show also features JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound (Chicago) Red Daughter, and Southside Desire.

Saturday, July 25

FLOW Northside Arts Crawl is both a community celebration and premier art event in north Minneapolis.

FLOW is a non-juried, self-guided tour of studios, galleries, theaters, commercial and vacant spaces over a mile and half of the West Broadway corridor.

From b-boys to ballet, graffiti to graphite, rap to rhapsody, fine artist to artisan, practicing to professional, FLOW showcases the great art being made every day on the Northside. This year’s event features hip-hop legends Kool Moe Dee and Roxanne Shante on the North Community High School field.

R&B/SOUL/TRIBUTE LOVE TKO-A Tribute to Teddy Pendergrass Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul 8 p.m.

This tribute concert is headlined by Minnesota’s own Johnnie Brown and

features the original band members of the late Teddy Pendergrass, including Alfie Pollit, (Piano), Sam Reed (Saxophone) and Greg Moore (Percussion).

Also performing are Rob Coleman (#MPLS), Art Haynes (RFactor), Steve Grip (BKS), Kathleen Johnson (BKS, Billy McLaughlin), Michelle Carter (Soul Tight Committee), Rhonda Johnson (High & Mighty Band), Chantal Sings (KMOJ), Jermaine Brooks, (RFactor) and a surprise Quest husband and wife horn duo.

Sunday, July 26 LATIN/PERFORMANCE Rumbazo! Malamanya + Bomba Umoya Icehouse MPLS 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis 9 p.m. $10 Listen and dance to live Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms with Malamanya, Bomba Umoya and special guests.

Proceeds go to U.S. Cuba Artist Exchange’s summer program.

Page 12 • July 20 - July 26, 2015 • Insight News

insightnews.com