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Insight News August 15 - August 21, 2016

Vol. 43 No. 33• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Houston White: Living the mantra of Black Excellence

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor H. White Men’s Room is not your typical barbershop; and that’s because owner Houston White is not your typical barber.

For White, haircuts bring people in the door at 1500 44th Ave. N. in Minneapolis, but once he’s got people in the door he wants to expose his clientele to something greater.

That something greater comes in the form of a coffee shop and café inside the location and a comfortable, contemporary lounging area outside, lined with meticulously maintained cypress bushes. That something greater has also manifested into a clothing line that has sparked a movement. That movement is Black Excellence.

To understand how White arrived to the point of (Black) excellence, one must first journey back to when the enterprising barber was a teenager. With an entrepreneurial mind, but misguided course, White did what others have done (and continue to do) – he sold drugs.

And like most, he got caught.

“I got pinched,” bluntly stated White. “I was in court and I was facing some years and the judge said to me, ‘If I see you

Illhan Omar with supporters

Facebook

Ilhan Omar wins historic election

Rebecca Rabb

Barber and entrepreneur, Houston White, owner of H. White Men’s Room and founder of Black Excellence clothing line, shapes the beard of Mint Condition and MPLS drummer, Brandon Commodore. again in my court you’ll do time, but if you stay out of trouble your record will be expunged.’

From that moment on I never touched drugs again.”

Instead, at 18, White picked up clippers, shears, razors and hot towels. He linked up with

David Johnson and together they rehabbed a building on Plymouth Avenue North and opened Mass Appeal. Quickly the shop became the go-to spot for cuts and conversation with an elite clientele that included former Minnesota Vikings

Randy Moss and Cris Carter, former Timberwolves star Terrell Brandon and others.

“We were wildly successful,” said White. “My first year barbering – at 19 – I made

HWMR TURN TO 2

Coming away with a convincing victory in Tuesday’s primary, Ilhan Omar is poised to make history.

Omar took down Minnesota’s longest serving state representative in Rep. Phyllis Kahn and fended off Mohamud Noor to win the DFL race in district 60B. By doing so, Omar is poised to become the nation’s first Somali-American elected to a state office.

With the support of many, including the DFL party and former mayor, R.T. Rybak, Omar cruised to victory, collecting nearly 700 more votes than both Kahn and Noor. When the night ended, Omar walked away with 40.9 percent of the vote (2,404) to Kahn’s 29.41 percent (1,726) and Noor’s 29.62 percent (1,738).

Omar will face off against Republican, Abdimalik Askar, who ran unopposed, but in a district that is overwhelmingly Democratic. Omar is the runaway favorite in November’s general election. Askar received just 56 votes in Tuesday’s primary.

In beating Kahn, barring an independent challenge from her in November, Omar will be unseating the state’s longest sitting representative. Kahn has represented the district for more than 43 years. In a district that is one of the most diverse in the state, Kahn fell out of favor with many, often siding with law enforcement over many of her constituents on issues of overpolicing and use of force.

OMAR TURN TO 9

Ciojwé Davis art work chosen for Target in-store displays

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor

Courtesy of Juxtaposition Arts

NOC to host community forum on Black America featuring Jill Stein; Green Party candidate for president On Tuesday, (Aug.) 16, Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) will host a community conversation at the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., in North Minneapolis featuring Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

This forum will focus on the Black experience in America, and specifically in Minnesota, home to some of the worst racial disparities in the country. Topics will include how the federal government can divest public resources from structures that cause and widen our racial disparities,

Some artists go their entire careers trying to get their work placed with a major retailer.

Ciojwé Davis did it at the age of 10.

Davis’ artwork is on display at Target stores throughout the nation as a part of its back-toschool sales campaign. The displays greet shoppers as they enter the chain’s retail locations and point the way to school supplies and other back-toschool related items. For Davis,

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor This commentary is part one of a four part series on racism and the over-policing of AfricanAmericans and other people of color.

Gage Skidmore (Creative Commons)

NOC TURN TO 9

Juxtaposition Arts in North Minneapolis. Knock has a contract with the retailer and it reached out to Juxtaposition and other talent sources to come up with a kid-designed display.

Juxtaposition combines art and design education and youth empowerment with a socialenterprise business model to engage and employ young artists. Davis’ initial design must have really stood out because she wasn’t even supposed to be in the running for the honor.

“When we got the call from Knock we got 10 or so paid apprentices and had them meet with the Knock

design team. Ciojwé is in our VALT (Visual Art Literacy Training) program. She isn’t even old enough to be a paid apprentice,” said Jared Hanks, Juxtaposition’s director of Outreach and Engagement.

“She’s not getting paid (at Juxtaposition); she was at Juxtaposition just because of her love for art. She was the youngest one there by five or six years, but her design is the one that stood out.”

Davis’ initial design was of a pencil with hands, legs and a face.

DAVIS TURN TO 9

America needs a healing to reclaim our humanity Commentary

Jill Stein

having her designs selected was the thrill of a lifetime … a lifetime that has just barely reached double digits.

“When I saw the designs (inside a Target location) I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” said an excited Davis, who said though she knew her designs were selected she was unaware the artwork was on display. “My mom, my sister and I just got in the car and we drove to Target and I walked in and saw the display. It was exciting.”

Davis’ designs being displayed at Target is the result of a collaboration between the design firm, Knock, and

In mid-July, I was sitting in a truck stop in Jackson, Miss., listening to President Obama’s

message to the nation; filled with heart-felt sorrow and pearls of wisdom over the killing of five police officers in Dallas.

Next to me was a table of retired men who congregate to pass the time. They were in their 70s, possibly older. What drew my attention was the reality that as children, prior to the landmark 1954 Brown v. Topeka Board of Education, these Black and white men could never have shared the same table. They would never have dared to eat together, much less pass the time of day together, as equals and without

AMERICA TURN TO 2

St. Paul

Education

Business

Lifestyle

Mayor Coleman delivers 2017 budget address

Metropolitan State hosts conference for current and aspiring teachers of color

Jai Winston to lead Knight Foundation investments in St. Paul

Unconditional love leads to wholeness

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Page 2 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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HWMR From 1 $60,000.”

Most would have been satisfied – beyond satisfied – at that, but White is not most people.

“I wanted to take it up a notch,” recalled White, who said his partner had differing ideas for growth. “That meeting didn’t go well. There was a natural resistance to change.”

Having transformed Mass Appeal from a fivechair business to a 10-chair establishment, and doing most of the work themselves, White was accustomed to working in building rehab. This led to his next career; buying distressed homes, fixing them up and selling them. Today the practice is more commonly known as “flipping.”

“I figured I flipped Mass Appeal, I can flip a home,” said White. “I kept buying houses and my wife and I would live in them, get the equity out and flip them and move into another.

My wife is wonderful because we must have moved about 10, 11 … 12 times. I was barbering by day and doing construction at night. I was working like 17 hours a day. God bless my wife.”

Eventually, the entrepreneur grew beyond flipping one house at a time and had moved up to major – from the ground-up – construction.

“I remember my first major project. I bought land in Brooklyn Park and built my first custom home. It was a $470,000 home.”

As a home builder and remodeler White said he built 20 new homes and remodeled another 30. Everything was going wonderfully, then, almost in an instant, it all fell apart.

“I was building a custom

Rebecca Rabb

Houston White (center), owner of H. White Men’s Room, engages in conversation on the shop’s patio with Navontay Wilson (left) and Anthony Jennings, Sr. (right) while sipping freshly brewed coffee from the shop’s café.

America From 1 hostility and rancour.

And so I know, things can change in America. This is what I hang onto as I face tomorrow with fury, and as much hope and optimism as I can muster. All

home in Golden Valley and the market crashed,” remembered White. “We were already a million dollars in and I had to finish the house on my own dime. Banks weren’t lending and then I couldn’t sell it. We were stuck.”

No longer flying high, White shed all his luxuries and started over. It was starting over that brought White back to barbering and towards Black Excellence.

“There were lawsuits and there was bankruptcy. I had to get rid of my Mercedes, my Tahoe, my Audi A8. We had

to start all over,” said White.

“I told my wife we’re going to buy this building (that is now H. White Men’s Room) and we’re going to live upstairs. We lived upstairs in the apartment above the shop for four years.”

With H. White Men’s Room, the concept White talked about years earlier was finally realized.

“I opened with the vision of creating a high-end, upscale barbershop. I wanted it to be more of a gentlemen’s club,” said the visionary, White. “I created a system. At most barbershops each station is its own business

– there’s no continuity. I wanted everything crisp. This has to be about the overall brand.”

In addition to branding his shop, White is doing another sort of branding; this one with broader implications and reach.

About a year ago, people were around town sporting t-shirts and hats with two simple, yet powerful words – Black Excellence. The apparel was a concept of White’s that gained traction with the help of his friend – now employee, Anthony Jennings, Sr. In the Twin Cities the brand has taken off to the

point that it is as common to see someone in Black Excellence as it is to see someone sporting major, international brands.

And with social media and the internet, people outside of the area are donning the brand. Just this past week a Minneapolis resident in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics and was photographed wearing Black Excellence gear.

“For me, Black Excellence is more than a transactional relationship. It’s bigger than a shirt,” said White. “I want people to feel regal when

they’re wearing it.”

As a part of the Black Excellence movement, White and Jennings have come up with Black Excellence Day. Aug. 20 they are hosting a community celebration at the shop and they are asking people – even those who do not attend – to wear their Black Excellence gear.

Jennings said White is someone we can all learn from.

“We’re the same age and I’m not ashamed to say that this man is my mentor,” said Jennings.

are very much needed.

My feelings have now changed. Why? Because a few days later, on July 25, the North Miami police shot an unarmed man trying to prevent them from recklessly shooting an autistic patient. Charles Kinsey is a behavioral therapist who laid on the grounds with his hands up and asked police not to shoot

because he was attending to an autistic patient sitting in the middle of the street.

Mr. Kinsey repeatedly told police that there were no guns, that the man was autistic, that he was a behavioral therapist present to resolve the situation, and pleaded with them not to shoot. The police shot him anyway.

What has this country come to? Police officers are out of control. Their fears and unconscious biases are now guiding their decision making even more so than in the past.

Can I retain the same belief in hope and optimism that I held a few weeks ago? I truly wonder.

I am angry today. Yes, today I am an angry Black woman. I am angry over police being excused from unjustified killings of Black people, and I am angry at Black men taking justice into their own hands and killing police. I am angry over police shooting an unarmed Black man lying on the ground with his hands up and telling them

he has no gun. I am angry that the police justify their actions by saying it was an “accident” and the person they intended to shoot was the unarmed Latino autistic man. Really? How can they with any integrity justify this behavior?

I am angry because America

A righteous anger

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AMERICA TURN TO 4

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Insight News • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Page 3

Mayor Coleman delivers 2017 budget address SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman today outlined a structurally balanced budget focused on growing and strengthening the middle class through equity work during his 11th annual budget address, which he delivered at Metropolitan State University on Saint Paul’s East Side.

“This budget represents priorities based on the following principles: maintaining our long-standing commitment to good financial stewardship; strengthening our economy and growing jobs; and promoting equity for all residents,” said Mayor Coleman.

The Mayor proposed a General Fund Budget of $266 million, with an overall budget of $562 million, successfully closing the $11 million budget gap while still maintaining city services. The budget also includes a modest growth in the property tax levy of four

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

percent – which is only half of the robust 7.9 percent growth in Saint Paul’s tax base, resulting in a decreasing property tax rate for 2017.

The Mayor’s proposed budget includes a $3 million increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) as part of the omnibus tax bill that passed the House and Senate earlier this year. Unfortunately, there was an error in the bill that needs to be fixed before the Governor can sign it. A special session is needed to pass the tax bill with the increased LGA. “Like Saint Paul, cities across Minnesota need a special session to pass the tax bill,” said Mayor Coleman. “I urge state leaders to support a special session and address this critical issue now.”

The Mayor focused heavily on jobs in his 11th annual budget address, announcing that he will commit to adding 3,000 jobs in

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman Saint Paul over the next three years. At the same time, he said that the city will be focusing on job creation specifically in areas of Saint Paul with low income residents and people of color, in an effort to close the racial unemployment gap.

“According to a Pew Research study released earlier this year, between 2000 and 2014, our middle class actually

shrunk – with some in our community tumbling out of the middle class,” said Mayor Coleman. “When we layer this widening income gap over the racial disparities that plague the Twin Cities, we understand that the capital city’s response to strengthening the middle class must be to continue to put racial equity at the center of our work.”

The Mayor also announced the creation of a Job Opportunity Fund, seeded with $2 million from the sale of the Penfield, to target business investment opportunities tied to job creation. He also included another year of funding for the city’s Commercial Vitality Zones, with $750,000 aimed at ensuring neighborhood commercial areas are effectively utilized.

The Mayor spoke to the need of attracting and retaining companies by making sure

that Saint Paul can meet their needs when it comes to space and workplace environment, mentioning the development by Orton Development on Prior, just north of University, that is providing professional homes to creative entrepreneurs, tech companies and other start-ups.

“We must seize every opportunity to shape our spaces for future workforces,” said Mayor Coleman. “To that end, I will be making a special appeal to our landlords with available office space to market to the new demands of the 21st century business community.”

The Mayor spoke about his focus on jobs and equity within City Hall as well, reiterating his commitment to increase fulltime employees to 23 percent people of color by the end of 2017. To do so, he announced the addition of $140,000 in funds for the city’s Human Resources department to focus

on recruiting more candidates of color.

The Mayor also discussed gun violence and the current national discussion around community policing.

He announced funding for three new, full-time community engagement staff members in the Saint Paul Police department to reach communities of color, as part of Police Chief Axtell’s new Community Engagement Unit.

He also dedicated $150,000 in ongoing funding to ensure that the city’s Community

COLEMAN TURN TO 7

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Fundamental change to undo racism in police, city departments Now is the time for all of us to contact your mayor and your city council members with specific and concrete proposals to change the racist nature of the police and city government.

I would happily support any specific and concrete proposals for fundamental change. Here are some of my concrete suggestions. I would greatly appreciate comments and criticism.

There are three things that must be done immediately to stop this war on young Black men. First, all police departments must have serious diversity training. Police officers must come to understand that people of color are part of the community they are sworn to protect.

Second, police departments must stop training officers according to the academically bankrupt theories of police work by William Lewinski, professor at Mankato University. His theories have been sufficiently debunked by the New York Times and the Department of Justice. He conditions officers to shoot first (especially if the suspect fits a racial and cultural profile different from white and middle class and is, therefore, threatening).

Third, police investigators must stop treating their buddies in blue different from other homicide suspects. If a civilian shoots and kills someone they are immediately questioned. They are certainly entitled to a lawyer, but they are kept in police custody until they have given a statement. Police involved in a homicide are allowed 48 hours to get their stories straight.

They get to talk to their buddies and figure out the best story to tell. These collaborations lead to fantastical stories that are completely unbelievable, as in the Terrance Franklin homicide.

There is a fourth thing that could be done immediately, if the mayor and city council had the will to do it. If there is a violation of anyone’s civil rights in the city of Minneapolis, the Civil Rights Commission has the power to investigate, subpoena witnesses and award damages. Whether a city department or a private business, everyone in Minneapolis is subject to the Minneapolis civil rights ordinance. No one is above the law, except the Minneapolis Police. The Police Federation lobbied a weak city council to get them exempted from the ordinance. They believe they are above the law. If there is to be equity, if there is to be justice, then, this must change.

The Donald Trump candidacy has inflamed and strengthened racist elements in our police departments and justified the right wing militias that would love to “restore order” and “make America great (white) again.”

Those of us who believe in a pluralistic society must demand serious social rehabilitation of our police.

Ed Felien, former Minneapolis city council member, editor and publisher for Southside News.

Page 4 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Metropolitan State hosts conference for current and aspiring teachers of color

Abdul Wright

Jahana Hayes

Lack of teacher diversity in Minnesota is a crisis that contributes to the achievement gap for our students of color.

Metropolitan State University hopes to be a part in solving the crisis. The purpose of its recently held Summer 2016 Conference for Current and Aspiring Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers was to help recruit and support more people of color into the teaching profession and to support the retention of those who already are in the profession.

This conference was the first of its kind in Minnesota, with more

than 300 educators and current and aspiring teachers of color in attendance. The conference took place Aug. 10 – Aug. 12, at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, and was organized by the Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota (www. tocaimn.com).

Keynote speakers were Abdul Wright, 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year and Jahana Hayes, 2016 National Teacher of the Year.

Wright, who teaches eighth-grade language arts at the Best Academy in Minneapolis, is the first Black

male to win the honor, and also the first charter-school teacher so honored. Hayes is a history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Conn. Minnesota Department of Education Asst.

Commissioner Hue Nguyen gave welcome remarks at the opening general session.

Students of color represent 30 percent of the state’s school population but teachers of color represent only 4 percent of the 58,200 public school teachers in the state (approximately 900 are Asian, 600 are Black, 500 are Hispanic and 250 are Native-

American). In Minneapolis and St. Paul, where 67 percent to 77 percent of students are of color, only 17 percent of teachers are of color. Each year approximately 4,500 individuals become licensed teachers in Minnesota, but less than 10 percent are of color.

The coalition proposes steps toward the goal of doubling the number of teachers of color and statewide (currently approximately 2,200), and ensuring that at least 20 percent of the teacher preparation pipeline are people of color by 2020.

U.S. Department of Education releases guidance to schools on ensuring equity and providing behavioral supports to students with disabilities The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued guidance in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) that emphasizes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities who need them.

It also clarifies that the repeated use of disciplinary actions may suggest that children with disabilities may not be receiving appropriate

behavioral interventions and supports. When schools fail to consider and provide for needed behavioral supports through the Individualized Education Program (IEP), it is likely to result in children not receiving the free appropriate public education to which they are entitled under federal law.

“All students, including those with disabilities, should have the supports and equitable educational opportunities they need to be successful in

school,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. “It’s our duty as parents and educators to ensure that children who show up at school to learn get the maximum out of their educational experience. This guidance will help schools create a safe, supportive learning environment for those students who need additional behavioral supports and services to help them thrive.”

Current law allows educators to remove students with

disabilities from their classrooms if the student violates a code of conduct. Data indicates students with disabilities are disciplined at far higher rates than their non-disabled peers. The DCL includes two resource documents to assist teachers and school leaders. The Department of Education is providing supports to assist teachers with classroom management strategies and assist schools in implementing school wide behavioral efforts to create safe and effective environments

where all students are given an opportunity to positively engage in their education.

To better address school discipline and to shine a spotlight on inequities, the Department of Education has updated its school discipline webpage, www.ed.gov/ policy/gen/guid/schooldiscipline/index. This online tool contains data, graphics, and other information on the prevalence, impact, and legal implications of suspensions

and expulsions; resources on effective alternatives; and ways to effectively create positive school climates. The webpage also highlights the disproportionate rate at which Black students, particularly Black males, receive out-ofschool suspensions, and data on suspended preschoolers, by race and gender.

The Dear Colleague Letter, as well as additional resources, can be found on the Rethink Discipline website.

America

unlawful incarceration as slaves. We tolerated the rape of Black women and the lynching of Black men, women and children. We tolerated being treated inhumanely while trying to retain our humanity.

We as Black people live

in a country where the state continues to find ways to justify state-sanctioned violence against Black people (and also Brown people, and now as Muslims) – for moving their hand to produce a license, for selling cigarettes on the streets, for questioning why police have stopped them for the umpteenth time, for playing with toy guns, for laying on the ground with hands in the air, for being autistic – I am angry America.

We have created a culture where Black people (and any non-white persons) are presumed guilty for simply being Black, and no matter how many grand juries dismiss the charges levied against police of homicide, second degree murder or unjustified killings, they can never wipe away the stain of injustice that the United States Justice Department has documented (in its investigation of the Ferguson, Mo. police) permeates most police departments in America.

And it doesn’t matter if the police officer is a woman, Black, Asian, Latino, there is a serious bias against Black people, Brown people and Muslims that is woven into the fabric and structure of our law enforcement agencies. The police are the most dangerous threat to the lives of Black, Brown and Muslim people today.

We are presumed guilty; every gesture made by us is

presumed to be threatening; our size is considered to be automatic cause for fear and violence against us; and our passionate pleas and outcries for justice are interpreted always as “angry” and never justified. Even when we protest peacefully, our very acts of protest and non-violent civil disobedience are met with state-sanctioned violence, state-sanctioned media characterizations of us as instigators and not American citizens exercising our right to assemble and free speech.

commit unspeakable acts of mass violence are described as “mentally ill.” There is no profiling of the young white men who have committed mass murder, but our police forces and our state agencies like the FBI and CIA, who are supposed to be “objective,” immediately profile all Muslims, because of the actions of some, and all Blacks because of the transgressions of a few.

If there is to be any hope for us as a nation, if just a glimmer of saneness can seep into the madness of racism and prejudice that seems to have infected us today in 2016 more so than a decade ago, now is the time for it to shine, to become visible, to influence the minds (and hearts) of those who would rather incarcerate or kill us than protect us (the police) and those who wish to take revenge (those shooting police officers doing their duty).

All are symptoms of the insanity that racial hatred, racial biases and racial prejudice have produced in our country. If ever there was a moment for us as a country to join together and be willing to be uncomfortable in order to confront our differences, our personal and institutional biases, our own feelings of fear that fuel our belief in other’s inferiority; this is it. This is the moment for America’s healing if we are ever to reclaim our humanity.

There is simply too much violence by biased police against Black citizens as people of color live everyday with the disinterest and racial fatigue of white America; and now, the kettle has boiled over and there is unjustified retaliatory violence against police by prejudiced Blacks.

Where will it end America?

We are creating our own “killing fields” in the same streets where our children play, and where our parents and elders walk. No one is safe.

Police can disarm white men with weapons but they shoot unarmed Black and Brown men. And, as angry as we may feel, there is no justification for taking the life anyone simply because they wear a uniform. It must stop. This racial insanity must stop … now.

America needs a healing.

America needs a healing to reclaim our humanity.

From 2 has forgotten its history of injustice against Black people.

We tolerated centuries of

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The weight of racism on our shoulders I am angry America, but I am also very tired … tired of a country that seems to have a chronic malady of historic amnesia. For more than 60 years, I have carried the weight of racism on my shoulders, as has every person of African descent in the Americas – not just in the United States. And, now that burden has been placed on the shoulders of Brown people, Muslims, and people of different sexual/ genders orientation.

America, you have a soiled history. You lynched Black people without cause for decades; now you incarcerate us, criminalize everything we do, even at very young ages where Black children who throw temper tantrums are put in handcuffs and jailed, while white youth who

Irma McClaurin is an award winning columnist, who 2015 received the Black Press of America’s Emory O. Jackson Column Writing Award from the NNPA. She is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News, a consultant, an activist anthropologist, writer, motivational speaker and founder of the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archive at University of Massachusetts Amherst. More about the author can be found at www. irmamcclaurin.com.

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Insight News • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Page 5

Page 6 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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BUSINESS Jai Winston to lead Knight Foundation investments in St. Paul

Knight Foundation

Jai Winston

Jai Winston will join the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as the St. Paul program director.

Winston will work with local leaders and community members to invest in projects that help to keep and attract talent in the city, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of civic engagement. He will start on Sept. 30.

Since 2014, Winston has served as associate of strategy and corporate development in the office of the chairman at Ariel Investments, a minority-

owned money management firm headquartered in Chicago.

In this role, he has helped lead many of the firm’s projects, including some of its national work on financial literacy and minority entrepreneurship.

Through his efforts with the Chicago Financial Education Initiative, he collaborated with city agencies, public schools, community organizations and private sector partners to develop a citywide plan for financial literacy. He has also managed the Black Corporate

Directors Conference, an annual gathering of Black directors who serve on Fortune 500 boards, which is focused on corporate governance and advancing diversity and inclusion in the boardroom.

Previously, Winston served on the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs working as a liaison to the White House, cabinet members, agency chief of staffs and others. He served as the Illinois deputy finance director

for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and as the North Carolina deputy finance director for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee.

“Jai will bring a fresh leadership voice to St. Paul, building on his track record for advancing strategic, collaborative initiatives that have deep impact. His focus on diversity and inclusion will benefit the work of Knight in helping to create an even more successful St. Paul,” said Alberto

Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president.

“St. Paul is a place with great diversity, a deep-seated sense of civic pride and intense energy for collaborative action.

I look forward to working with the community to leverage these assets, reinforcing Knight’s commitment to thoughtful philanthropic investment, while bringing an innovative approach and fresh perspective to the efforts underway in the city,” said Winston, who is a Howard University graduate.

Thor awarded contract to repair state building The Minnesota Department of Administration has contracted with Thor Construction to repair water damaged sections of the Minnesota State Office Building.

The approximately $1.4 million contract will consist primarily of reinstalling sheetrock, plaster, carpet

and ceiling tiles and duct replacement. Construction is estimated be completed by midOctober. The water damage occurred July 7 when a ruptured water valve leaked water above the building’s fourth floor. Five floors were impacted in the building’s east corridor.

“We are pleased to partner

with a nationally recognized construction firm with a strong commitment to excellence and workforce diversity,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “As a small entrepreneur, Thor Construction was an early participant in Minnesota’s Targeted Group Small Business Program and

since grown to be the Twin Cities’ largest minority owned company.”

The Minneapolis-based Thor Construction is among the nation’s largest AfricanAmerican owned construction companies. The company was founded in 1980 and specializes in general contracting,

construction management, design-build, consulting and concrete. Local projects include U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minneapolis Central Library and work at the Veterans Administration’s Minneapolis Medical Center.

The State Office Building was originally built in 1932 as

seven-story building and two interior courtyards. Two floors were added and the courtyards filled in to create hearing rooms and additional office space in 1985. The building is managed by the Department of Administration and is home to legislative offices and the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Learning to bring my authentic self to work Commentary

By Greg Cunningham My story begins in Pittsburgh, a city that was highly segregated across racial and cultural lines during my youth.

My father, a butcher, passed away when I was 5-years-old, leaving my mom a widowed mother of five children.

My mom’s hope for me, the youngest, was that education would be my ticket to prosperity.

She sent me to a suburban private school where I was not only in the minority, but I was one of the first Black kids to attend. It was the 1970s and inner cities were still smoldering from the tumultuous 1960s. On my very first day of elementary school, I was called a

Courtesy of U.S. Bank

Greg Cunningham

Greg Cunningham as a child

racial epithet – as a 6-year-old. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that day and the many incidents that followed affected my self-image and my confidence.

Years later when I got to the working world, I faced moments of self-doubt. For years, I tried to replicate how my peers spoke and carried themselves. I’d spend my Sunday nights thinking about how

to best present a casual 30-second update during a weekly Monday morning staff meeting. I’d attempt to mirror everyone else’s presentation style and content in hopes of fitting in and feeling as if I belonged. Ironically, all I felt was inadequate. Finally, one Monday morning I talked about seeing a movie with my family over the weekend, and mentioned

an idea from the movie that could relate to our business. It sparked conversation and ideas; it was then I learned that being myself and mustering the courage to bring my authentic self to work was essential.

Now, I draw upon my past daily in my role as vice president of diversity and inclusion at U.S. Bank. Not necessarily the hardship of my youth, but having felt the universal emotions of fear, anxiety and the yearning for fairness and equality. I try to share my experiences in order to fuel the passion and purpose of others each day.

I’ve found it now more critical than ever to slow down and have conversations with those around me. In the process, my personal and professional lives have married to simply become “my life.”

As a father of two teenagers, an 18-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter, I’ve found tumultuous times amid current events have created a unique opportunity to have meaningful conversations with my kids – at a time when anyone with teenagers knows how difficult it is to sit down to talk about anything without them looking down at their phones.

I’ve painfully had to remind my 18-year-old son, Myles, to be constantly aware of stereotypes of young black men, despite the fact that he’s a student athlete on his way to Brown University to play Division I hockey.

In recent years I’ve finally started to see diversity and inclusion shifting from a socially responsible program to a business imperative. A recent McKinsey study, for example, found that

companies with gender diversity in senior leadership had 15 percent better financial performance than the average company and those with ethnic diversity performed 35 percent better.

I look forward to continuing to grow into my role as head of global inclusion and diversity. I view my primary responsibility as making sure 67,000 employees at U.S. Bank find their voice. I don’t want them to try replicating someone else’s – like I did.

Greg Cunningham is vice president and head of global inclusion and diversity at U.S. Bank. As part of U.S. Bank’s companywide month of inclusion, Cunningham and his team are on a road trip throughout August to engage employees in conversations about inclusion, safety and current events.

How to be a successful board member FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Part two of a two-part series – Interview with Dr. Belle Wheelan Board service is critical to the success of a college. Critical roles include fundraising and the hiring and evaluation of the president.

Dr. Belle Wheelan knows a lot about boards.

As a former president she has worked with boards at two different colleges. She has served as a trustee, and currently works with a board in her role as president of the

There are more tech jobs than tech workers in the metro.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. In this column she shares her suggestions for how board members can position their president (or CEO) for success, reminding us that success for the president means success for the institution.

First, an ideal board will be made up of a diverse group of individuals, all bringing different areas of knowledge to the table.

The board needs diverse collective knowledge and expertise in order to provide oversight and select a president.

“You need board members who are more than friends of the college. They need expertise in banking and budgeting and longrange planning. Too often their skills are not the reason people are appointed. Too often these are self-perpetuating boards,”

The president is the only person who works for you (the board), the staff works for the president.”

said Wheelan. “Boards need to be prepared to welcome a new president into the community. If the board chair lives out of town, the advancement person should be prepared to introduce the new

president, but ideally it should be the entire board. The president should absolutely never have to introduce himself or herself to the community.”

Wheelan said as the president

finishes his or her first year, it is important for the board to guard against potentially high or unrealistic expectations, and not grade him or her too harshly on performance. She suggests several questions to use when evaluation performance, such as did one stay in the budget inherited, how informed did one keep the board on what is going on, how much money was raised (if that is an expectation for the first year) and how many meetings did a president have with people who could make a difference in the budget (if this is an expectation)?

Wheelan makes it clear that the board should identify a few things that are measurable and evaluate the president against these. She also left us with things the board should avoid. Boards should not be telling the president how to run the institution.

“It is tough when you know how you would do things, and you have to sit back and let the president lead,” said Wheelan.

“If you don’t like the way the president is leading then you get a new president. The board is not to lead. Your responsibilities are policy making and fiduciary oversight; not to go around the president to the staff. The president is the only person who works for you (the board), the staff works for the president.”

We close with these words from the late Dr. Fred Lange, president of the Dallas Community Chest. “No institution can obtain greatness by stumbling over its board.”

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

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Insight News • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Page 7

Medtronic names Bartley coordinator of economic development partnerships for North Minneapolis; Cedar Riverside

Dr. Sylvia Bartley

Coleman From 3 Ambassadors continue to work on the street with officers, and he is bringing the sworn complement to an historic 620, up from the 576 officers when the Mayor took office.

“As we reflect on our

While the Twin Cities maintains a strong employee workforce, economic disparities are evident – particularly in the African-American and SomaliAmerican communities.

Minnesota’s overall median household income is more than twice the median for Black households, and the rate of poverty for Black Minnesotans is three times the rate for all residents. In addition, the African-American population is the only demographic group in Minnesota to have experienced a decline in income in the most recent census data.

To that end, Medtronic announced the assignment of Dr. Sylvia Bartley to serve as coordinator of Medtronic’s economic development partnerships with North

Minneapolis and Cedar Riverside communities.

This 12-month assignment is a collaborative between the company’s business and philanthropic commitments.

In the role, Bartley will help guide understanding of how Medtronic might best contribute to job and employment growth efforts already under way in two of this area’s hardesthit communities. As part of a larger plan that includes increasing supplier diversity and educational opportunities, she will oversee the pillar of the program focused on increasing job opportunities at Medtronic with the goal of improving both employment numbers and median incomes of Black American residents in Minnesota.

Bartley began her career at Medtronic UK in 2001, and held several roles across sales, marketing and physician development within Neuro and RTG in London and Tolochenaz before moving to Minneapolis in 2010. Her commitment to closing the achievement gap for African-American students in the Twin Cities led her to local community leadership, including her current role as cochair of the African American Leadership Forum (AALF).

She was awarded a 2014 Bush Foundation Fellowship and the Minneapolis and St. Paul Business Journal’s 2013 Diversity in Business Award for her contribution to education reform in the Twins Cities and her work at Medtronic.

community’s centuries-long obstacles to equity and to building an economy that brings more people into the middle class, let us not lose hope in the face of our ongoing struggle,” said Mayor Coleman. “Let us take heart in our ability to come together, to stay in dialogue and to push one other toward a common vision and a shared future.”

Also included in Mayor

Coleman’s budget is $1.7 million to combat Emerald Ash Borer, which is predicted to infect 35,000 trees over the next 10 years in Saint Paul; $500,000 in a one-time investment to help redesign the Rondo Community Library to better serve children and teenagers; and budget to support daily staffing of 114 in the Saint Paul Fire Department.

You can read the Mayor’s full remarks and additional

fact sheets at stpaul. gov/2017budget. The city’s budget documents will also be added to the new open data portal, allowing electronic detail on the Mayor’s budget.

To view these documents, visit budget.stpaul.gov.

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Page 8 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Unconditional love leads to wholeness solely on your goodness. It also loves you through your faults and failures. Real power is generated when things move from negative to positive. In a car battery, power is produced when electrons move from the negative terminal to the positive one. The same is true in life. When we, through unconditional love, empower others to move their live from negative to positive, they are able to produce the internal power needed for wholeness.

Unconditional love is not just an emotion, it is an environment.

It serves as the positive, healthy surroundings we all need for permanent healing to take place. If our physical hospital must be clean and sterile of unhealthy contaminates, then our spiritual and emotional atmospheres must be healthy as well. Although you will never see this place with your physical eye, it exists in the form of unconditional love.

Whether giving or receiving unconditional love, when it is present, emotional and spiritual wholeness becomes possible.

Man Talk

By Timothy Houston We are all flawed beings.

No matter how hard we try, there will be times that we fail.

The problem is that no one wants their failures to show. To get to wholeness, we need a covering for our faults and failure, and that covering is love. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of faults,” (1 Peter 4:8). Love brings about life. Love heals. It is patient and kind. Love is a prevailing force that endures all things without fail. Unconditional love leads to wholeness.

First, unconditional love leads to wholeness because unconditional love is internal.

It is an inward positive emotion that produces an outward positive response, and this positive response is the precursor to emotional healing. Only a person that is whole inwardly can be a covering for those who are hurting outwardly. Parents cover their children, and spouses cover each other with love. The greater the fault in the person, the

greater amount of unrestricted love is needed to cover it. When this happens, the person can heal and find completeness under the cover, protections, and unconditional love of those who love them.

Secondly, unconditional love leads to wholeness because

unconditional love is the higher standard. Real standards come from things outside of us. Because God is love, he commands us to love one another. This standard comes from him, and it is the basis for demonstrating that we know him. This is especially true for men and women. When

a man or woman loves, protects, and preserves their family, they are operating in accordance to God’s standard. We are all better because of it, but this is the safe ground that a person needs to expose their hurt for healing.

When a person knows that unconditional love is available,

they no longer have to suffer in silence, and they become open to the possibility of becoming whole.

Finally, unconditional love leads to wholeness because unconditional love is the most powerful form of love.

Unconditional love is not based

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

For questions, comments or more information, go to www. tlhouston.com.

Different culture: Different parent participation Child Focus

By Gloria Freeman For decades, it has been generally agreed upon that parent participation in a child’s education is extremely important.

According an article published by the Center for Public Education, “It may be one of the least controversial

statements in American education: Parent involvement can make a difference in a child’s education. Two-thirds of teachers surveyed believed that their students would perform better in school if their parents were more involved in their child’s education, while 72 percent of parents say children of uninvolved parents sometimes ‘fall through the cracks’ in schools.”

However, the article goes on to say, “The conflict can come, though, on how to create that involvement, and whether all involved feel the particular activities are worthwhile.”

Scholars at NYU have raised the notion that parent participation in schools can go beyond sitting in the classroom with their child or serving as a chaperone on a school field trip.

The academics at NYU report, “Research shows that children who receive certain types of racial socialization messages from their parents benefit academically. More specifically, when parents emphasize enhancing their child’s self-worth (e.g., telling their children they are special no matter what anyone says), and express egalitarian

messages (e.g., messages regarding racial equality and coexistence), their children are more likely to experience higher levels of academic curiosity and persist more on difficult school tasks.”

NYU researchers surmise that messages from parents at home promoting self-worth and that support egalitarian principles give Black children a sense of safety and equality and motivates children to shine in the classroom and adventurously explore the world.

In addition to equipping children with constant

messages of the importance of self-worth, researchers also point to the importance of parents engulfing their children in a sea of Black history and cultural traditions.

We understand there are many different ways parents can participate in a child’s education, both in and out of the classroom. We are working vigorously to establish a new and innovative paradigm of parent participation that takes in the cultural mores, traditions and methods of families from diverse backgrounds. We understand that unless we develop more ways in which we honor parent participation practices that may be non-traditional, but nonetheless, effective, we run the risk of both shaming whole groups of parents, along with missing the boat on another generation of well-meaning parents who indeed are participating in their child’s education, just differently than what has traditionally been recognized as effective parent

participation in historically monolithic-oriented academic settings.

As educators, it is an exciting time to meet parents where they are, encourage them to participate in their children’s education in natural and authentic ways, and celebrate the differing ways we can equip our young people to be successful in school and the world. By parents and educators working together, we can equip our children with the unvarnished history of our past, help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of today, and celebrate the invitation to seize the day for themselves and their fellow humans tomorrow.

All parent contributions matter.

Gloria Freeman is President/ CEO of Olu’s Center, an intergenerational childcare and senior day program, and can be reached at gfreeman@ olu’shome.com.

insightnews.com

Insight News • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Page 9

COMMUNITY State Fair to celebrate the life of Prince The Minnesota State Fair is inviting everyone to join in a celebration honoring Prince.

The celebration takes place Friday, Aug. 26 inside the fairgrounds. Fairgoers are encouraged to wear purple in tribute to Minnesota’s most famous native son, who died April 21. The evening,

centering on Prince, will feature a number of exclusive activities including Prince music, tributes and cover songs at stages throughout the fairgrounds, a Prince “Party in the Park” at Carousel Park inside the fairgrounds from 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. with music

by DJ Dudley D, Prince’s

former personal DJ and a onenight-only laser show featuring a Prince finale beginning at 9:15 p.m.

Following Charlie Wilson and Fantasia’s show that evening at the Grandstand, the night will conclude with the Minnesota State Fair fireworks spectacular set entirely to the

music of Prince and featuring a special pyrotechnic Prince tribute.

“Unite in Purple” glow bracelets will be handed out to the first 5,000 guests through the gates after 5 p.m. along with “Unite in Purple” buttons for the first 7,500 guests through the gates.

Other key races Omar is not the only person of color trying to make history. In Brooklyn Park Reva Chamblis is one step closer to becoming the city’s first African-

American councilperson, as she received the majority of votes in her race to represent Ward E. Chamblis came away with 47.5 percent of the vote – more than 8 percentage points ahead of her closest opponent, Lisa Jacobson (39.28 percent). Including the mayor, Brooklyn Park, which is the second most diverse

city in Minnesota, is currently represented by an all-white, allmale council.

In Brooklyn Center, Marquita Butler has earned the right to face off in November against Kris LawrenceAnderson, as they were the top two vote getters.

In North Minneapolis,

longtime legislator, Rep. Joe Mullery lost in his primary challenge to Fue Lee. Lee captured more than 55 percent of the vote to take down Mullery, who has represented the district since 1997.

In St. Paul Rep. Rena Moran easily bested a challenge from political new-comer, Rashad

Turner, capturing nearly 80 percent of the DFL vote in the race for House seat 65A. Others who advanced to November’s general election are Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Betty McCollum, State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and State Sen. Jeff Hayden.

The general election is Nov. 8.

Davis said she was shocked when her artwork was chosen by the team at Knock.

“I was sitting next to a teenager and I really liked her stuff and I thought she might win,” said Davis.

Knock brought Davis in a

couple more times to test her skills before finally decided to award her the coveted contract – a contract that paid her $3,000.

“They (Target and Knock) paid $3,000 to this 10-yearold girl. That’s pretty special

and says a lot about what we have going on here at Juxtaposition,” said Hicks.

“It’s affirming. This is what we’re here to do.”

A paid artist at 10-years-

old, Davis isn’t sure art will be her lasting vocation, although she is working on a comic strip that she hopes to publish.

“I really like drawing, but I kind of want to be a basketball

player,” said Davis.

Who knows, maybe the Minnesota Lynx have a future point guard and team designer rolled up in one.

Black communities in America, sharpening the conversation around race and centering historically marginalized voices,” said Anthony Newby, executive director of NOC. Newby said the forum does not represent the endorsement of a candidate.

Advance tickets will be available on a first-come basis at the office of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, 1101 W Broadway, starting Monday (Aug. 15) at 5 p.m. Tickets are

free. Livestreaming satellite locations will be available for those who are not able to attend in person.

Doors for the forum will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and the forum will begin at 6 p.m.

The forum with Stein follows a NOC-hosted forum on Black America with Sen. Bernie Sanders in February. An invitation has been extended to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to participate in a similar forum.

Penner (Creative Commons)

Prince

Omar From 1 Omar, who is being championed as a true American success story; and who has not held elected office before, was born in Somalia and came to

Davis From 1 “I just took school supplies and animated them,” said Davis.

NOC From 1 and invest in radical solutions being developed in Black communities and other communities of color.

“Two years after Mike Brown’s killing by Ferguson police sparked a national movement, we’re excited to engage a second presidential candidate on issues facing

Minneapolis in 1997 after living for at time in a refugee camp in Kenya.

Classifieds

Phone: 612.588.1313

JOB OPENINGS

Financial Technician

The public-private partnership between the Loppet Foundation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is being solidified with agreements to further the MPRB’s Master Plan for Theodore Wirth Regional Park by establishing a new Adventure and Welcome Center in the park.

The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Financial Technician in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $41,551 – $67, 534. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Loppet Foundation is hiring for the following job openings:

KFAI Community Radio is hiring a volunteer coordinator. We are looking for a motivated, self-managing person with great communication skills. The hours are flexible, although some evenings and weekends will be required. No degree required, but you must be able to use Excel, Google Docs and be on top of social media. Find the job posting online at www.kfai. org or stop by our studio offices at 1808 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis. You may also email a resume and cover letter to gm@kfai.org. No phone calls please. KFAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• • • • •

Adventure Center Director Adventure Center Maintenance Foreperson Marketing & Communications Manager Sponsorship Sales Manager Middle School Team Coaches

For the full job postings go to: www.loppet.org/jobs

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

Manager of Casework Services

Interfaith Outreach is hiring a Manager of Casework Services. This position is a leadership position supervising 7 case managers working with over 2000 families per year.

The Interfaith Outreach work environment is client centered, values driven, team orientated, fast paced, diverse and focused on learning and professional development.

We have a strong internal culture of collaboration and team support and a deep commitment across staff to mission. Apply here: http://iocp.org/about/open-positions.

STAFF ATTORNEY Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks full-time attorney for its St. Cloud office. Fam. Law including representation of non-custodial parents; some work in other poverty law. Licensed in MN pref’d. Post-law school pov. law exper., fam. law or clinical exper. pref’d. Spanish or Somali language a plus. Salary $47,000+D.O.E. Excellent benes. Resume with references and writing sample to CMLS, 110 6th Avenue S, #205, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Email to smerriman@centralmnlegalstc.org.

Appl. deadline: 8/26/16 or until filled. EOE.

Minnesota Council of Churches ACCOUNTING CLERK, 20 hours/week. General accounting, AP, AR, financial reporting. Open until filled. Appl at http://www.mnchurches.org/about/employment.html.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR WAIT LIST Shields Plaza Apartments, North Branch is now accepting applications for wait list. Senior 62+, subsidized must meet income requirements. Call for appointment 651-674-7497.

Mail Room Assistant

Help this large social service agency’s mail room operation by processing returned, incoming and out-going mail. Flexible daytime shifts available Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Contact Ramsey County—Volunteer Services at 651266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

Page 10 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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Lion Babe brings New York sound to Minneapolis In an industry that often promotes style over substance it could be easy to take a look at the model-like qualities of Lion Babe’s Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman and discount the music created by the new “it” duo.

Both have striking looks.

Goodman is a handsome guy with impeccable style. Hervey – like her mother – is stunning.

In a room of thousands she stands out. Maybe it’s because of her golden lion’s mane hairdo.

Maybe it’s her haunting eyes or maybe it’s because there’s something familiar about her look. She’s someone we’ve seen before, but we can’t quite place it. She looks like a beauty queen minus the sash and tiara.

But looks and style can only go so far. Eventually – and ultimately – the music is what has to stand out. Lion Babe’s music stands out. “Wonder Woman,” the first single from Lion Babe’s debut album, “Begin” went to number

one on Billboard’s Twitter Emerging Artists chart.

“Our sound is very reflective of New York; it’s eclectic, funky and soulful,” said vocalist Hervey.

Formed in 2012, the New York alternative soul duo of Hervey and Goodman has captured the attention of fans and critics alike. Goodman’s neo-retro production mixed with Hervey’s high register vocals mesh to create a sound that’s modern, yet reflective of 1920s swing, 1980s euro-

pop and 2000s neo-soul.

The duo is coming to the Skyway Theatre, 711 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, This Thursday (Aug. 18) for an 18-plus show. Tickets are $15 and the show features opener, Kamau.

While Lion Babe’s talent is what’s propelling the duo; having people in high places certainly doesn’t hurt. If Hervey looks familiar it’s because she’s the daughter of singer and former Miss America,

Vanessa Williams. Hervey said her famous mother provides sound guidance.

“My mom always told me to maintain my core values, but not to be afraid to take risks,” said Hervey. “She’s a great example for me.”

Hervey and Goodman said their show Thursday will be a high-energy mash-up of covers and original tunes.

“Our music really comes to life with our live show,” said Goodman.

Lee Morgan

Saturday, Aug. 20

PERFROMANCE Music and Movies in the Park Loring Park 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis 7 p.m.

All Ages Free

Paris Bennett

GOSPEL/PERFORMANCE Gospel in the Park Town Green: Maple Grove Parks and Recreation 7991 Main St. N., Maple Grove 5PM

Cvatch Mixed Blood Majority perform before a showing of “Wayne’s World” at Loring Park.

Tuesday, Aug. 16 Aug. 15 - 21 FOOD/FESTIVAL

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, Aug. 15 FILM/HIP-HOP/

Wing Ding 2016 The Depot 225 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis 5 p.m.

The 23rd Annual Wing Ding will set you up with some of the Twin Cities best chicken and desserts.

Wednesday, Aug. 17 FILM/BBQ Rooftop Film Night Mizna Arab Film Festival

2824 Pleasant Ave., Suite 421, Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Free As part of the preview for Mizna’s Arab Film Festival this rooftop offers an exclusive screening of the award-winning Palestinian film, “The Wanted 18.”

Thursday, Aug. 18

1495 Rice St., St. Paul 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Metasota, DJ Bvckwoods, and host Mica May Grimm.

Join Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative and Marnita’s Table to “expand your understanding of integrative healing from trauma.”

R&B/FASHION

Friday, Aug. 19 HIP-HOP/R&B

COMMUNITY MEETING

Ness Nite Album Release Party First Avenue & 7th St. Entry 701 N. 1st. Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Healing from Trauma: Tips and Techniques for Resilience Washington Technology Magnet School

Rising talent, Ness Nite, releases her debut album “Nite Time” with performances by Dizzy Fae, Destiny Roberts,

Tribal Fever feat. Bebe Zahara Benet and Jamecia Bennett The Pourhouse, 10 S 5th St., Minneapolis 7 p.m.

21-plus $20 advance, $25 day of show Two fierce queens – Bebe Zahara Benet (winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) and legendary three-time Grammy Award winner, Jamecia Bennett – unite to bring music and fashion to one stage. The show is hosted by T Mycheal Rambo with music directed by Kevin Washington and Spencer Christenson.

Gospel in the Park 2016 features Toyebi Adedipe, Nesey Davis, Steven Pittman, Karyl Williams, Taqoyia Wells, Rakeisha Powell and Y.E.S.

Sunday, Aug. 21 R&B/PERFORMANCE Paris Bennett’s “Break Free” Live McNally Smith College of Music 19 Exchange St. E., St. Paul $15-$20 Paris Bennett makes her return to the music scene with a special live recording concert at McNally Smith with the new project “Break Free.”

insightnews.com

Insight News • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Page 11

Come Celebrate

Diversity

yDAYy

presented by

v

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Join us for a pregame parade and a variety of multicultural performances!

The first 5,000 fans will receive a unique drink tumbler.

FOR TICKETS, VISIT

twinsbaseball.com/diversityday Contact Nick Corcoran for groups of 25 or more at 612-659-4083 or nickcorcoran@twinsbaseball.com.

Page 12 • August 15 - August 21, 2016 • Insight News

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insightnews.com

R G E E A H T + T+

minnesota GET

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R E -T O G E T H

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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE 2016 MINNESOTA STATE FAIR! + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Aug. 25 – Labor Day, Sept. 5 +

mnstatefair.org

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