Goapele to headline Urbane Exposure Sept. 6 MORE ON PAGE 10
Insight News August 25 - August 31, 2014
Vol. 41 No. 36 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Kelvin Quarles: Power to the people By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer As listeners of KMOJ (89.9 FM), we know Shed G. and Freddie Bell … we know Lisa Moy, Walter “Q Bear” Banks, Jr. and Big Sam; but who most don’t know is Kelvin Quarles. Many don’t know Quarles because he doesn’t have a daily show and his voice isn’t the one we hear during drive times or during Tight at Night – the station’s programming devoted to contemporary hip-hop. But the people who work and volunteer at KMOJ know Quarles – he’s their boss. Celebrating his 10th anniversary with Minnesota’s only station geared towards a
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Kelvin Quarles
Black audience, Quarles is the general manager at KMOJ, affectionately known as “The People’s Station.” “It was 10 years as of June 8th,” said Quarles. “I started at 2 p.m. That’s something you never forget.” A lot has changed since that day. For starters, KMOJ went from a paltry 750 watts of broadcast strength to its current 6,300 watts. Where before only a select few could pick up the non-commercial station, now the programming on KMOJ can be heard as far east as Woodbury and as far south as Shakopee. “Our goal is to sound as clear as the other stations in the market,” said Quarles,
QUARLES TURN TO 8
URBAN LEAGUE CHIEF SCOTT GRAY
When citizens and law enforcement collide By Ryan T. Scott
Scott Gray
A national outbreak of tense and unfortunate collisions between citizens and law enforcement has formed a drumbeat calling for solutions to relieve the taut climate. Scott Gray, Minneapolis
Urban League president, is driving several angles of common, innovative and successful solutions in his five-year tenure of leadership. His perspectives on recent high profile collisions locally and nationally are both keen and mutual to many, if not most, young African-American men. Mutual, in that Gray recalls
fond memories of walking down the middle of the street, as many of us do in the exploration of youth. “I can’t wear a suit and tie all the time,” expressed Gray in amused resignation, noting the common enjoyment to go for a jog, or walk to the store in relaxed attire, though suspicion and
fear can foment an unwarranted response from law enforcement. “Fifty years wasn’t that long ago. If you roll back the clock, we have the same feeling of apprehension and fear. Thank God we can broadcast in seconds and minutes, because we know folks will
GRAY TURN TO 3
Preparing students to become global leaders and change agents By Dr. Artika Tyner A recent visit to Tanzania provided University of St. Thomas graduate students with a rich cross cultural learning experience and hands-on leadership development training. This trip was a part of the coursework for the international leadership program. The focus of the program is to prepare the next generation of students to become global leaders and change agents. While in Tanzania, the students learned more about the future of development and globalization by focusing on four key pillars; economy, healthcare, education and governance. We had the honor and privilege of meeting with Chief Sec. Hon. Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue. He shared reflections on Tanzania’s educational system and economy. He stressed the importance of education for building a strong
Tear gas in Ferguson, Missouri
Ferguson: What didn’t happen, what needs to happen now By Luke Visconti, DiversityInc
LEADERSHIP 8 TURN TO
Dr. Tyner with students from St. Jude’s School
There are some basic facts about Ferguson, Mo., that mirror the basic facts we find in some corporations: an almost all-white, all-male leadership and a much more diverse “constituency.” As with corporations, you can follow the numbers to understand how things truly
Commentary
Lifestyle
Education
Calls for transit equity guarantees in Southwest Light Rail
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Harvest Network of Schools expands
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work. Ferguson is 67 percent Black. It has a white mayor, a 93 percent white city council and a 93 percent white police force. The seven-person school board has no Black members and its most recent significant action was to fire a Black superintendent. It’s also important to follow the money. According to a
FERGUSON TURN TO 3
Moments in Sports The hard road to a Lynx dynasty
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HEALTH NorthPoint event highlights ACA impact By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer As part of the National Health Center Week, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, 1313 Penn Ave. N., hosted a Hennepin County Health Innovation Highlights event to discuss the improvements being made in public health care since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center is a multispecialty medical, dental, mental health center and human service agency. The clinic administered through a partnership between Hennepin County and a Community Board of Directors comprising NorthPoint’s patients and people who live and work in the community. According to the center’s mission, NorthPoint strives to improve the physical and socio-economic health of the North Minneapolis community through an integrated model of health and human services. “Community clinics were set up to not only serve a medical need, but also to act
Stella Whitney-West
Keith Ellison
as an economic engine in the community,” said Stella Whitney-West, chief executive officer at NorthPoint. “Fifty-one percent of our board members are actually patients here and we’re really proud of that.” Hennepin County provides health and human services to more than 200,000 residents through a cooperative network. One innovative highlight is a new program called Hennepin Health, a partnership between the Metropolitan Health Plan, Hennepin County Medical Center, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, and Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health. The partnership is designed to better integrates
health care and social services in order to reduce the barriers to care for adults who also deal with poverty, chronic illnesses and homelessness, often combined with mental and chemical health challenges. The new program serves more than 8,800 adults who are not certified as disabled. Each member is matched with a team of coordinated care providers that assesses the member’s needs, and works across disciplines to see that those needs are filled. “We’ve found that for some complex patients, medical solutions need to be blended with social, behavioral and human services in order to be effective,” said Hennepin
Ferguson
Gray From 1 discredit (claims of brutality and racism). But it’s a shame I have to figure out how I’m innocent, because I’m immediately guilty.” Regarding the local illustration of excessive force targeting community organizer Al Flowers (on July 26), Gray pointed to the simple notion of Flowers’ long recognized presence in the community, saying, “If you see a community leader is involved, over what seemed like a fairly minor issue, you would think someone should just call and ask them to come in (to the police station). You don’t want to go by a man’s house at midnight … a man defending his children makes a lot of sense. People respond to how they’re being treated.” The killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and the subsequent uproar, is captivating the world; a world that maintains long term memories of America’s history of race relations and adjoined police brutality. “Everybody’s got their eye on it,” stated Gray. “It’s unbelievable to watch the militaristic zone. You can’t tell the difference between Iraq and Ferguson from the images we see.” Specifically describing the impact of forensic results identifying four bullet wounds to the body as well as two to the head, Gray used the word “annihilation” to describe the approach taken to subdue an unruly young citizen. Gray related the emotion of the event to his personal anxieties
Rebuilding trust will lead to restoring order. Once order is restored, the real work begins with the ultimate goal of raising the circumstances of the citizens of Ferguson and the surrounding ring suburbs of St. Louis, which have suffered economically due to racist actions and lack of action by the local governments. This is where the governor might want to convene an executive diversity council of his own. I recommend Tom Voss, recently retired CEO of St. Louis–based Ameren. He knows what he’s doing and is a real human
to achieve those goals. Most importantly, action is required. Based on my 14 years of studying diversity data in large organizations and hundreds of interactions with chief executive officers, executive committees and senior officers in the armed forces, here’s my advice for Ferguson. It is based on the dramatic distrust that exists now, wrongs that have been committed, and what my experience tells me is necessary to restore calm and move forward. Remove the Missouri National Guard from Ferguson. Every picture I’ve seen of the National Guardsmen shows me that they’re almost all white. Further, an increase in militarization was exactly the wrong move to make. Fire Police Chief Thomas Jackson immediately. He has lost the confidence of the people
of Ferguson by mismanaging the aftermath of the shooting of Michael Brown. Appoint Captain Ronald Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol as police chief for one year. Arrest Officer Darren Wilson. Four bullet wounds that entered Michael Brown’s arms as if they were raised is adequate reason to arrest him, especially considering Michael Brown had no weapons. I understand the process takes time, however the burden of that process has been on the heads of the people during this incident. It’s time to spread that burden equitably. The fact that Michael Brown’s clothing was not available during the outside medical examiner’s autopsy, which may have revealed the presence of powder burns, gives me reason to believe that there were no powder burns and that the teenager was shot
with his own parenting concerns. “I pray every day my son will have the wisdom to see past the inequities. The storyline is the same. It only takes being pulled over … walking home from practice. The situation could be you,” said Gray. “At 12, 15, 19, 23 (years old) you don’t know if you can expect great maturity. At that age I was quick at the mouth and tongue …without a father in
the house … trying to figure this thing out,” recalled Gray. “Our young folks have to see the world. When you intimidate a child, it doesn’t work,” stated Gray. Additionally, in regard to the Ferguson post tragedy fallout Gray pointed, “You can’t expect people to heal when you lead with riot gear.” Toward ultimate measures
of solutions Gray submitted, “To engage a community, you have to understand a community. And the desire to understand has to be built into the culture of institutions. Leaders set the tone, but the culture is there. You have to change the culture,” said Gray. “There needs to be this new generation, where there truly is equality and justice for all. That is the goal; to get to that place.”
The behavior that leads to disparate leadership statistics also leads to widely divergent views on leadership trustworthiness and credibility.
Jennifer DeCubellis more members inside the health care system as well as in the community. Integration across systems also allows for better data sharing and helps to break down the barriers to better outcomes. “I am a firm believer that there are enough dollars invested in health care,” said Jennifer DeCubellis, Hennepin County assistant administrator for health. “What makes the biggest difference is how we leverage those dollars to ensure a continuum of services for members and that we are getting the outcomes we want to help our residents experience the best health possible.”
from a distance, not within the car. Chief Jackson has proven himself to not be credible; in fact, it’s fair to say that he’s purposefully misinformed the local and national public. The mayor, who has been missing in action, needs to convene an executive diversity council consisting of a representative of the population group of business owners, clergy, retired people who have had responsibility, and average citizens (mothers, schoolteachers, students). A timeframe should be established to develop a diversity plan with goals that would include city services that better meet the needs of the citizens, and mechanisms to reduce mistrust and increase representation in the official facilities and operations of the region. The first action of the diversity council should be to take clear steps to stop the flow of negative information about the dead teenager and open the doors to the process. It is inexcusable that the identity of the police officer was withheld for days while immaterial information about Michael Brown was steadily released in an attempt to destroy his reputation, even though he was dead. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon needs to remove himself from the situation. You would think, by sheer random chance, that he would’ve gotten something right by now, but he hasn’t.
From 1 recent report from Missouri’s attorney general, the 93 percent white police force’s performance numbers are startling: 86 percent of traffic stops, 92 percent of searches and 92 percent of arrests were of Black people. Of the stops, contraband was found in 22 percent of Black drivers stopped and 34 percent of white drivers stopped. It is important to keep in mind that court revenue can make up almost 50 percent of the revenue of the municipalities in St. Louis County. At the very least, the numbers show that a whole lot more white people should have been pulled over considering the goal of most highway policing in non-urban areas is revenue generation. We sometimes benchmark companies with these kinds of grossly unrepresentative numbers. There is almost always an attendant disparity in both voluntary and involuntary separations, which signifies a lack of talent development, which mirrors the horrible schools that most Black and Latino children attend. The behavior that leads to disparate leadership statistics also leads to widely divergent views on leadership trustworthiness and credibility. The solution is more engagement of leadership in diversity management, more clarity on the goals in place
Mike Opat County Board Chairman Mike Opat. “Locally, the approach has resulted in improved care at a lower long term cost. This is a model that should be replicated nationally. Hennepin Health patients are facing problems that are not unique to Hennepin County or Minnesota.” Hennepin County has also been exploring innovative funding structures and service integration that can roll cost savings back into making improvements in patient care, including vocational services to place members in jobs, providing interim housing for high-risk patients and increasing care coordination staff to serve
These small changes have already had significant impacts on the overall health of Hennepin County residents. According to Hennepin Health, from 2012 to 2013 the use of expensive emergency room services has declined by more than 11 percent. Primary care engagement has increased and more members are receiving optimal care, services for diabetes, vascular conditions, and asthma. Hennepin County also found that members’ satisfaction with the care they received improved from 85 percent to 88 percent. “The most important aspect for me is that people in the system are feeling better about themselves,” said Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis). “We need to build a constituency for health and wellness in the United States. Compassion doesn’t have to be expensive; we can strive for the strategies that are cost-effective. I agree that there is plenty of money in the system, however, there isn’t an efficient use of those dollars towards actually improving the overall health of the American people.”
being. Ultimately, as with corporations, the goal of diversity management for Ferguson and for Missouri would be to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations, improve innovation and productivity, increase revenue and decrease expenses, and improve competitiveness. At the soul of all the benefits is trust of all the people, equitably, forthrightly and credibly. It’s not a mysterious process. It has specific steps, and we’ve seen it hundreds of times.
Save the Date! September 13, 2014
NorthPoint’s 3rd Annual Fit-4-Fun Event features a family oriented 1 or 3 mile walk or run as well a bike ride through the Northside neighborhoods. Other Activities Include:
• • • • • • •
Aerobic Exercises Line Dancing Yoga Zumba Music Activities for Kids Healthy Food to Sample For more info call 612-543-2500 or Visit www.northpointhealth.org
Page 4 • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Insight News
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BUSINESS Project DIVA’s Back to School Teen Fashion Show By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Project DIVA held a Back to School Teen Fashion Show at the Capri Theater (2027 West Broadway Ave.) to both celebrate the beginning of a new school year and to kick-off the grand opening for its new boutique, called Raiding a DIVA’s Closet, in north Minneapolis. The Aug. 16 show featured spoken word, a beat-box performance by Carnage the Executioner, and many stylish teen fashion looks. The new retail space is a secondhand boutique that caters to pre-teen girls, teenage girls and young adult women. The
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor 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 Abeni Hill Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Toki Wright Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore
store’s mission is allowing young ladies to see themselves in their next level “enriched with class.” Project DIVA is helping young ladies and women embrace everyday changes as they transition into their next levels in life, not just through their shopping experience, but also through life coaching sessions, creative image workshops, and career transitional services. “We wanted to celebrate the kids going back to school, it’s not very often that we get to,” said Keeya Allen, creative image consultant for Raiding a DIVA’s Closet. “It’s like a clean slate, going back to school for another year is like a new chance for them to start over. We’re all aware of the bad rap that north Minneapolis gets, but it’s mostly not true. Our children have the same dreams.” Raiding a DIVA’s Closet actually started out two years ago as an annual shopping excursion sponsored by Project DIVA and the Premium Diva & Company in north Minneapolis. It was designed to help girls in the community shop for gentlyused clothing, and receive personal shopping and image support to help them carve out a personal brand. Aside from the fashion, Project DIVA is primarily a
Davina Moore of And More Photography
Project DIVA nonprofit organization designed to instill life skills through life coaching. Project DIVA mentors share how having self-respect leads to making better choices through their Let’s Talk About It sessions, financial literacy, focused writing, community service and key collaborations that help teen girls and adult women of all ages in preparing to handle real life situations
throughout high school and into adulthood. Project DIVA supports young women where they are in life through one-on-one and group mentoring. The coaches objectives are to mentor the young ladies so that they make the best possible decisions regarding their careers and daily living situations as they transition through middle
school into high school and then into adulthood through self-discovery sessions and entrepreneurial training. Project DIVA is unique because its program deals with true-to-life situations. Unlike many other programs in the Twin Cities, Project DIVA focuses on each participant’s individual growth by keeping their number capped at 30 young
How to answer the phone… no matter who’s calling Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com People rarely use a phone for conversation anymore. It’s a lost art. So, when a phone call comes in, it’s easy to forget the first rule of business: be nice. Used to be, the phone rang, and you thought, “I wonder who’s calling?” Then you answered the call and found out. Now that phones vibrate
instead of ring, and everyone has caller ID, it’s a little different. You notice a call, you look at the incoming number or name and you make a series of decisions: maybe it’s your buddy calling to make plans for the weekend and you think, Hey, Great! And you smile as you answer the call. Maybe it’s your boss and you know you’re in trouble for no reason, again. You think, Uh oh, and you reluctantly say Hello. Maybe it’s your neighbor who has cancer. You’re not sure what to think so you sigh as you answer. Maybe it’s an unknown caller and you let it go to voicemail. Something to think about: The thought you have in the
moment you answer a call is going to dictate how the call is going to go. If, every time you get a call, you think it’s your buddy, you’re going to be jazzed, positive and upbeat when you say Hello. The caller hears that and subconsciously adjusts his or her attitude to match yours. Same as he or she does when you answer reluctantly or with a little bit of a yawn. People mirror people. If you don’t believe it, try this: next time you’re walking through a crowded place (the State Fair or the Mall of America), make eye contact and then frown or scowl at five different people. Notice how these total
strangers respond to you. Next, give five people a genuine, friendly smile. How do these total strangers respond? Taking calls at work, your enthusiasm can make a real impact. People who call you might need something or they might want to give you something you need. Either way, you’re probably being paid to have this interaction; isn’t that something to be happy about? Answering with a smile seems fake and quirky, but do it a couple times and you’ll never go back to having attitude. Conducting a reference check recently, I was told my guy was “awesome” because
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he “wasn’t stressful to work with.” Is that all it takes? Starting every interaction with a smile can be the first step to awesome because it’s less stressful for everyone around you. Next time you have to take a call, think, “Awesome!” and then say Hello. How you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say; how you answer the phone speaks so loudly it changes how I feel. About you. Julie Desmond is Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Send comments and questions to Julie at jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
Leading by example FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw
Have you heard about Raymond Burse, the newly appointed interim-president of Kentucky State University who voluntarily reduced his salary by 25% in order to ensure that all university employees would make a minimum hourly wage of $10.25? That’s right, this HBCU president gave up a
total of $90,125 so that 24 employees– some of whom were making $7.25 an hour – could receive a wage increase. On top of this he has pledged to give up additional salary to ensure no future employees make less than $10.25. He initiated the proposal to the university’s board of trustees and they made the changes to his compensation package. “Who is this man?”, you may ask. He is a past-president of KSU (1982 – 1989), an attorney, and former vice president and general counsel at GE. In
our minds he is also a master at generating good will and national media attention. His decision will directly improve the lives of impacted employees. It also shows that he has “skin in the game.” He is willing to personally sacrifice in order to advance the institution and its standing in the community. His action can help break down the walls that too often divide administration from faculty, staff and students, and the university from local residents. His decision reallocates existing resources and demonstrates
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ladies per year per chapter. “We wanted to find our way to make young girls and women feel empowered, comfortable asking questions, and getting connected with the resources they need,” said Allen, who is also a life mentoring coach with Project DIVA. “To see people go to that next level, whether it’s the next school year or a new job, whatever that looks like, wherever you want to go, as long as it’s forward. There’s no shame is seeking a little guidance.” Prior to opening a fulltime space of its own, Project DIVA held its mentoring and workshops at the MetroTech Career Academy (1704 Dupont Ave. N.). “We were so blessed this year to receive the funding that we needed for this fulltime, up and running boutique,” said Allen. Raiding a DIVA’s Closet is now located at 1112 Lowry Ave. N. Hours are Monday through Thursday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed on Sundays. Project DIVA is currently accepting donations such as gently-used clothing, accessories, shoes, and financial contributions. For more information, visit www. ProjectDIVAs.com.
Come have lunch at the Dakota 11:30 - 2 Monday through Friday From Chef Derik Moran, find daily specials, salads, sandwiches and more, and never forget dessert by Pastry Chef Katie Elsing. Prices starting at $8 View our complete menu at
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commitment to the institution. Our minds were racing when we heard the news. Too often we hear statements from nonprofit leaders that include “what can I do?” or “we don’t have any resources” or “no one knows about our organization.” Burse’s actions caused people all over the country to take notice. When we heard him interviewed on television he mentioned a result of his decision: people are making inquiries about enrolling and giving. These are two priorities that confront almost every institution of higher education. While his decision was a personal one based on what he believed was right, it has had national impact. He defined his agenda and presented it to the board of trustees. When we look at Burse’s decision through the lens of fundraising we ask nonprofit leaders – including university presidents – to take time to contemplate and articulate your vision and to then do what you can do to bring that vision into life. Burse is an African American leader who took initiative. What actions can you initiate? Burse reallocated resources. What resources can you reallocate? Burse’s decision attracted positive attention and will certainly help to reposition KSU. What actions can you take that will reposition your nonprofit? We believe Burse’s decision was an ethical one with many positive implications. What resources and relationships are available to your nonprofit that have not yet been fully utilized? Are there opportunities you are not yet taking advantage of? Take time to reflect and when appropriate, take ethical action. Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your campaign visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
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Insight News • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Page 5
National organizations promote reform to end police abuse On the heels of Michael Brown’s killing in Ferguson, Mo., national civil and human rights organizations and leaders release a unified statement of action to promote reform and stop police abuse. The statement was issued on behalf of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Advancement Project, American Civil Liberties Union, Hip Hop Caucus, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Action Network, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), NAACPLegal Defense Fund, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), National Bar Association, National Urban League, and Rainbow Push Coalition. The statement reads: As national civil and human rights organizations and leaders committed to the protection of the rights of African-Americans and all Americans, we come together as a unified collective to urgently impress upon elected officials, law enforcement, the legal profession, businesses and all those in this nation interested in social justice, that we must not allow the killing of Michael Brown and other unarmed individuals across this nation to be in vain. As organizational leaders we represent millions across this country who are, as the old saying goes, “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” As we all mourn the loss of Michael Brown and remain steadfast in our unyielding support for his mother and father who have suffered a loss no parent should endure. We also continue to call upon the community at large to make sure that this tragedy results in future systemic change to prevent similar tragic shootings and the use of excessive force. We commend the actions of President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder and other elected officials for their strong stance against the senseless use of deadly force and the militarization of law enforcement in Ferguson, Mo. We are now
extremely concerned with the increasingly unstable situation in Ferguson and encourage more respectful responses from elected officials, along with a permanent restructuring of law enforcement so that it is more reflective of the racial and gender diversity and the overall needs of the community. Beyond Ferguson, we must similarly demand mutual respect from law enforcement and elected officials toward other affected communities where lives have been tragically lost and endangered. As we call for immediate and short-term remedies to address the challenges in Ferguson, we know that more must be done to prevent future abuses across the nation. Nothing will be resolved until there is systemic change throughout this nation in the implicit and explicit bias against people of color and particularly African-American youth who are routinely targeted by law enforcement even within their own communities. Furthermore, it has not gone unnoticed that the images of militarized law enforcement personnel surrounding peaceful demonstrations in Ferguson are eerily similar to those we equate with the inhumane and racist tactics used against protestors during the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. This sight reminds us that despite the tremendous progress this nation has made in many areas, including the election of the first African-American president, we are not and will never realize a post-racial society until we honestly acknowledge, confront and address the systemic structures that maintain the old vestiges of racial segregation and de-humanization in this country, particularly in law enforcement. With so much to be done, we cannot begin to provide an allinclusive list, but in an effort to outline a beginning strategy of reform, we are recommending the following: • An independent and comprehensive federal investigation by the Department of Justice of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed African-
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Michael Brown American teenager shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri, • A comprehensive federal review and reporting of all police killings, accompanied by immediate action to address the unjustified use of lethal and excessive force by police officers in jurisdictions throughout this country against unarmed people of color, • A comprehensive federal review and reporting of excessive use of force generally against youth and people of color and the development of national use of force standards, • A comprehensive federal review and reporting of racially disproportionate policing, examining rates of stops, frisks, searches, and arrests by race, including a federal review of police
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departments’ data collection practices and capabilities, • A comprehensive federal review and reporting of police departments’ racial profiling and racially bias practices, as well as any related policies and trainings, • A final update and release of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) June 2003 Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies (hereinafter “Guidance”), with substantive reforms including updates that would 1) make the Guidance enforceable 2) apply the Guidance to state and local law enforcement who work in partnership with the federal government or receive federal funding; 3) close the loopholes for the border and national security; 4) cover surveillance activities; 5)
•
•
• •
prohibit profiling based on religion, national origin, and sexual orientation, Required racial bias training and guidance against the use of force for state and local law enforcement that receive grants, The required use of police officer Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) to record every police-civilian encounter in accordance with and policy requiring civilian notification and applicable laws, including during SWAT deployments, along with rigorous standards regarding the retention, use, access, and disclosure of data captured by such systems, The universal use of dash cameras in police vehicles, Concrete steps to ensure that federal military weapons do not end up in the hands of local law enforcement and,
if they do, to prevent the misuse of those weapons in communities of color, • On the ground community training to educate residents of their rights when dealing with law enforcement, • The elimination of the “broken windows” policing policy initiated in the 1980s, which encourages overly aggressive police encounters for minor offenses and the promotion of communitybased policing, • Greater and more effective community oversight over the local law enforcement and policing tactics, and • The establishment of a law enforcement commission to review policing tactics that would include in its composition leaders/experts from civil rights advocacy groups who represent the most impacted communities. Even as we provide this initial outline in an effort to bring together our respective communities and work toward immediate and long-term change, we know in order to truly be effective, we must ensure that our elected officials are responsive to our demands. If they are not, we must exercise our political power and elect officials that will be arbiters of social justice and change and not barriers to this process. The vote is a precious tool that we ignore at our own peril. On the heels of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we must demand action with our vote and we call upon every person to take responsibility in their respective communities to exercise their fundamental right as a citizen in the upcoming elections in November … and every election so that those in power truly represent and reflect the communities they were elected to serve. African-Americans, like so many in this country, have suffered, bled and died for this country. Not only do we deserve and demand that we be respected in the communities in which we live, we will not be silent, and instead encourage every concerned citizen to work with us to fulfill the promise of this nation – life, liberty and the equality of opportunity for all.
Page 6 • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY Glidden, Reich, Bender join bus riders’ calls for transit equity guarantees in Southwest Light Rail Council Members Elizabeth Glidden, Kevin Reich, and Lisa Bender joined forty transit riders on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday, August 19 to call for strong equity commitments in the Southwest Light Rail agreement in advance of a municipal consent vote on August 27. “We need the Southwest Light Rail to benefit the people who ride it most,” said NOC leader Caleb Murphey, unveiling in-depth results of a bus rider survey conducted over the past three months. “We’ve talked to over 500 transit riders in north Minneapolis. We can’t build a light rail that goes through north Minneapolis without meeting the needs of the people who need it most. The Met Council must meet the bus shelter standard in racially concentrated areas of poverty, develop a single standard for bus shelters among cities and suburban communities, connect existing bus routes to the light rail line, and lower
Courtesy of Isaiah MN
fares. These are steps toward equity the Met Council can take today.” “There is strong agreement with the city in alignment with these residents, and the 500 surveys that augment what we’ve been hearing. The Southwest Light Rail stations that are in Minneapolis don’t
serve a huge number of residents. The benefit will be in connectivity, increasing service and how those access points connect to SWLRT,” said Council Member Elizabeth Glidden. “I think these are reasonable expectations, knowing the Met Council still has work to do to determine
how that will happen.” As the Southwest Light Rail moves closer to a final agreement, the Met Council has not included any concrete steps toward towards these simple steps in the package. Instead of making new commitments for shelters or bus service to connect to
SWLRT, they have repackaged existing commitments into an “A Transportation Equity Approach.” Over the past several months, NOC has organized 500 transit riders and held a public community meeting with four Met Council members, who pledged to work with the community and champion an advisory committee of people of color for major decisions like SWLRT. But no new equity commitments have come out of the negotiation process. In particular, transit riders and clergy gathered Tuesday say the Met Council has the authority to guarantee some initial concrete measures that would help increase equity for riders in North Minneapolis where the rail alignment requires better connectivity and improved amenities to mirror those in the suburbs. These include: Meeting 100% of the need for bus shelters in RCAPs (racially-concentrated areas of poverty) Standardizing the criteria
for bus amenities across the region Ensuring bus service connects ALL the stops, including those in North Minneapolis, to SWLRT “Southwest Light Rail is an important transit connection, but it bypasses our city’s neighborhoods,” said Council Member Lisa Bender. “For the system to work for Minneapolis residents and not just suburban commuters, we need safe, dignified and efficient transit connections. We should expect a commitment to frequent bus service to north Minneapolis stops and a commitment for safety and shelter at 100% of the identified locations within the Metropolitan Council’s identified Regionally Concentrated Areas of Poverty. We are here in full support of the asks that are coming today from the transit riders.” “We need to make sure where there is the greatest need there is the greatest investment,” said Rev. Kelly
LRT TURN TO 9
OutFront Minnesota speaks out in support of Michael Brown By Nicque Mabrey, Associate Director of Organizing, Queer People of Color, and Monica Meyer, Executive Director, OutFront Minnesota The killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. demands that we speak out about this tragic injustice. Why OutFront Minnesota? As the state’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy organization, we cannot stand by and remain silent.
“We cannot stand by because the circumstances of Michael Brown’s death are far too common. As a queer woman of color in this work for lived equality, I know that the lives of people of color are constantly in danger in a society that doesn’t see our humanity. Every time my loved ones leave home, I fear for their safety. Will the officers that pass by frequently on patrol see my loved ones and friends as people or threats? The tension behind this question is one so many of us feel, and it robs us of our ability to live freely. “We cannot stand by
Nicque Mabrey
Monica Meyer
because racist systems control our society and police brutality is real. Members of our beloved community have been attacked in their homes. Every 28 hours
an African American man is killed by members of law enforcement. We are not shown that our lives are valuable and worthy of protection, often by
those who have sworn a duty to protect and serve.” – Nicque Mabrey “We cannot stand by because we are at a breaking point and our silence is killing us. As a white lesbian, I have felt paralyzed at times (due to recent events) because the problem feels so insurmountable. I’ve also felt an urgency to do something right this minute to oppose racism because I don’t want the world we live in to be like this. And, as a white person, I know I have an obligation to be part of countering persistent and structural racism that does
so much harm to our society.” – Monica Meyer We cannot stand by because the mission of OutFront Minnesota is to create a state where we are all free to be who we are, love who we love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination. By speaking out in support of Michael Brown’s life, we call upon white people to act as allies across the state to lift up real dialogue on structural racism, the damage of white privilege and affirm the basic right of all people to live safely. We must start here. Our lives depend on it.
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Insight News • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Page 7
LIFESTYLE Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere Man Talk
By Timothy Houston The shooting of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.. Brown was an unarmed, 18-year-old AfricanAmerican male, killed after being shot multiple times by a Ferguson police officer. The incident sparked angry protests and acts of vandalism in the St. Louis suburb. I too felt that spark of anger as my mind was taken back to my own personal experiences. For me a simple exchange of money on Lake Street resulted in being forced off the road by a swarm of
police cars and guns pointed at me, my son, and his friend. More anger surged as I reflected on the time a Minneapolis police officer threaten my son’s life over a case of mistaken identity. Anger is an automatic response, but anger cannot be our only response. We must stand for something greater than anger. First, we must not be ruled by anger. Anger is an emotion, not a reaction. We must be in control of our emotions. Emotional responses are temporal. The way you feel today may not be the way you feel tomorrow. We must respond based on Godly principles. When we make a response on principle, it will stand the test of time. Secondly, we must overcome evil with good. The Bible admonishes us to not get so angry that we commit
When we make a response on principle, it will stand the test of time.
sin. Peaceful protest is always an appropriate response, but rioting and looting takes the focus off of the cause and puts it on individuals. Rioting is an evil response to evil which can only result in more evil. We must not fall into the mindset
that because we are angry, we can commit sin. No good will ever come out of those actions. Only good can conquer evil. Thirdly, we must fight the good fight of faith. Faith is a shield, but it is also a weapon. When we keep the faith,
Loved ones are important Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson This week I spent time reading other writer’s work of how they set goals and what they do to stay motivated to reach each of those goals. One writer wrote that when he is working on his goals sometimes no one wants to be around him. He is so focused on completing his work at hand that he has a tendency to block out family and
friends. He stated he doesn’t mean to, but sometimes his determination to complete his goals is all he can focus on at that time. I was amazed at his honesty, as he wrote about how he missed out on a lot with his children and in turn his wife soon divorced him because he was busy setting goals and making each of them a reality that he wasn’t available for a family. His philosophy states that when you are working on making your dreams come true, you have to have individuals around you who understand that your time is limited and that most of it is spent working. I believe that when you
are working on goals you do have stay focused, but you also have to remember that there could be people in your life who may not be able to comprehend the time and effort it takes to be great at whatever you are doing. Yes, it would be wonderful to have a mate who is there building you up and giving you encouragement every step of the way. However, that is not always the case. Remember your goals may be just that, “Your goals!” Not your mate’s goals at all. Like I stated before, it would be nice to have friends and family who are there for you and can appreciate that you are working to complete something that is
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very important to you. But if you are not that person with understanding people around you, then maybe you may need to learn how to divide your time between working on your goals and spending time with loved ones. Never give up on your dreams, but as you are on your journey take time and enjoy the people around you. 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.
we join with others of like precious faith. Faith prevents us from losing hope. Dr. King said it best in his “I have a Dream speech.” “With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” There is hope for Ferguson, Mo.. There is hope for Minneapolis. Finally, we must stand against injustice anywhere. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in
a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” (Dr. Martin Luther King– “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” 16 Apr. 1963). The events in Ferguson, Mo. are inescapably tied to my personal experiences in Minneapolis. As we become individually united in our stand against injustice anywhere, we become collectively united in our stance for justice everywhere. 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.
Page 8 • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Insight News
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EDUCATION Harvest Network of Schools expands This back-to-school season has been a busy one for the Harvest Network of Schools, as it welcomed 1,355 scholars – the network’s largest enrollment since its doors first school opened in 1992. The Harvest Network of Schools is a group of highperforming K-8 public charter schools, which includes Harvest Preparatory School, Best Academy and the Mastery School. The schools serve predominantly low-income, African-American scholars. According to school officials, Harvest Network scholars have some of the state’s highest math and reading proficiency rates for low-income children, English language learners and children of color. The Harvest Network of Schools is also one of north Minneapolis’ largest employers and is one of the largest Minnesota companies founded and led by an AfricanAmerican. Harvest Network of Schools employs more than 200 individuals, many of whom live in north Minneapolis and 59 percent who are people of color. “My wife and I initially chose a Harvest Network school for our son Tezara in 1st grade,” said Resmaa Menakem. “At his previous school we felt
Lincoln School Building he was not receiving enough individual attention and acknowledgement as a person. Though our son has a learning disability, the Harvest Network pushes him hard, doesn’t let him skate and they love him.” To accommodate its growing student body, the Harvest Network has moved its middle school (5th-8th grade) program to the former Lincoln Community School building at 2131 12th Ave. N. The Harvest
Network continues to serve about 1,000 K-4 scholars at its original campus at 1300 Olson Memorial Hwy. The middle school program started this past week, and students were welcomed with a drum corps and high-fives from teachers and staff as they entered the new building. The elementary and early childhood programs began later in the week. Built in 1923, Lincoln is
a historic Minneapolis school with a long reputation of serving the community. In the 1930s, Lincoln had an adult literacy and naturalization program serving immigrant communities. The school closed in 2007 and was vacant until 2012 when Minneapolis College Preparatory School, a public charter high school, moved in. Minneapolis Public Schools is leasing space to both schools for the 2014-15 school
year. “We are grateful to Minneapolis Public Schools for their continued partnership and support for the Harvest Network. Like Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson, we agree that every neighborhood in our community deserves to have great schools,” said Eric Mahmoud, founder and CEO, Harvest Network. “We want to show our community that we can have a school with a rich culture, deep community connections, and excellent academic programming. We are closing the belief gap.” The “belief gap,” is one of five gaps Mahmoud says
contributes to the achievement gap – the disparities in educational outcomes between white scholars and scholars of color. The others are a preparation gap, a teaching gap, a leadership gap and a time gap. Harvest Network schools have longer days and a longer year, starting two weeks before district schools open this year. “We want to give our scholars every advantage to learn and grow. Experience has shown us that more time on focused learning pays huge dividends for student achievement,” said Mahmoud.
Child Care: Finding the perfect provider for your kids By John Michaelson, Minnesota News Connection ST. PAUL, Minn. - Experts agree quality early childhood is one of the keys for future success in life, and Minnesota parents now have more tools to find the perfect education provider for their kids. The website ParentAware. org has been expanded with a database parents can now search that includes more than 12,000 child-care and early-education programs. Minnesota Human Services
Leadership From 1 foundation for Tanzania’s future. He stated education is about “ultimately training the next generation of leaders.” We visited local schools to learn more about how students are being trained and prepared for the future. Our visits included Mwandet School, Pambazuka
Quarles From 1 who came to KMOJ from Atlanta on the suggestion of his late mentor, Dr. Jerry Boulding. And the station ditched its uptown offices for residency in the Five Points Building at the corner
Morgan/Flickr
The database for ParentAware.org now includes more than 12,000 child-care and early-education programs. Parents can research everything from schedules to quality ratings.
Commissioner Lucinda Jesson says it also includes quality ratings for many providers. “It’s a voluntary program, so people don’t have to participate,” says Jesson. “But the participation really is a commitment to using evidence-based best practices to help make sure every child is ready for kindergarten.” ParentAware.org allows parents to search for programs by location, schedule, education quality and types of care. Jesson says there’s also a simple quiz about kindergarten readiness that parents can take
called Is Your Child Ready. “It doesn’t answer all the questions,” says Jesson, “but it’s a way for parents to get a sense of ‘Is my three-yearold or four-year-old on track?’ We know 90 percent of brain development happens before a child is five. So I think that’s a useful tool.” Among those who collaborated with the state on the upgraded Parent Aware website is Child Care Aware of Minnesota, which has helped more than 600,000 parents looking for child care over the past 25 years.
Africa Education Center and St. Jude’s Primary School. Firsthand, we witnessed each student’s passion for learning, and through their personal accounts learned about their commitment to becoming servant leaders. At St. Jude’s School, I met students who aspired to become the future president, nurses, lawyers and teachers; with the goal in mind of strengthening their communities. Sefue also helped us to visualize the future of Tanzania’s
economy. He described Tanzania as a “country of great potential” for economic growth. The foundation of Tanzania’s economy is reinforced by the agricultural and tourism sectors. Agriculture accounts for more than 40 percent of the domestic GDP, represents 85 percent of the exports and employs 80 percent of the workforce. Coffee, tea, cashews, tobacco and sugarcane are the key cash crops. Tourism also serves as a significant contributor to
Tanzania’s economy. Tanzania is the home of many of the world’s greatest tourist attractions from the famous Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain) to Oludavi Gorge (world renowned historic archeological site). These tourist attractions draw people from across the globe. One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Ngorongoro Crater. Our safari visit provided us with an opportunity to see Tanzania’s wildlife in its natural
inhabitant and learn more about the importance of environmental preservation. Sefue concluded his remarks with a call to action for those who are passionate about leading social change. He challenged our students to “learn to look at the world through new eyes.” In essence, future leaders must be willing to grapple with the social justice challenges of our times by seeing new possibilities and creating new solutions to
the world’s problems. The trip to Tanzania provided our students with the opportunity to gain a new set of eyes related to the future of development. They learned key lessons about the importance of cultivating human capital and promoting community engagement. For more information about the International Leadership program, visit www. stthomas.edu/celc/academics/ internationalleadership.
of Penn Avenue and Broadway in the heart of north Minneapolis. “It’s all about being connected to the community,” said Quarles, on the decision to relocate. “In radio, you can have a location anywhere and be connected, but being in north Minneapolis is something that helps us appreciate what we do that much more.” Quarles said much of that appreciation for the community
comes from knowing the roots of KMOJ. “Nearly 40 years ago KMOJ rose front the projects of north Minneapolis in what’s now the Heritage Park Neighborhood,” said the station’s G.M. “People have been sticking with this station for almost 40 years. I always tell our staff, none of us is bigger than the station. Our responsibility is to uphold the
legacy of this station. According to the station’s general manager another responsibility is to its employees and volunteers. “One of the rewards for me is watching the people here who work hard and excel,” said Quarles. “We have a huge responsibility to teach the craft of radio. We have people who literally come off the street and
say, “Oh, I want to be on the radio.’” KMOJ has only six fulltime employees, with many working at the station as volunteers or outside contractors. Looking to the future, Quarles said the station has plans on expanding beyond radio into other mediums of communication. “KMOJ is pretty much where
we want to be (as a radio station) so we’re looking to focus on TV, Internet and growing the radio audience,” said Quarles. “Our goal is to find multiple mediums where our people can learn and grow. We’re looking at ways to bring in more people to mentor and train, but with KMOJ we just don’t have the room or capacity, so we’re looking to expand into these other mediums.”
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Insight News • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Page 9
COMMUNITY The hard road to a Lynx dynasty Moments in Sports By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com The Minnesota Lynx have a very special team of leaders. This is the stuff that sports dynasties are made of. But the road leading to the Lynx third WNBA Championship is just the challenge that this historic group of ballers needs; because after all, championships, dynasties and their big shiny trophies shouldn’t come easy … and they don’t. Though the Lynx first round playoff opponent, the San Antonio Stars, can likely look forward to an early vacation (no disrespect, it just ain’t going to happen for them … we hope), the remainder of the Lynx playoff foes will not dispatch so easily. The Lynx and Phoenix Mercury are on a collision course for the WNBA ages. And to put it concisely, Mercury stars Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, “ain’t nothin’ nice.” At 6’8” and boasting the leagues’ first highlight reel of dunks, Griner is a basketball nightmare similar to Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O’Neal in the men’s game. And though the adjectives and statistics for Griner can be rattled on for several pages, it is the cold-blooded Taurasi that should strike the greater fears in the Lynx. Taurasi is the WNBA forerunner to the greatness of Lynx star forward, Maya Moore.
The ridiculous similarities between the two go right down to the fact that they share the same birthday – Taurasi being the seven year elder – and won collegiate championships at the
Danny Karwoski
Maya Moore
same alma-mater, the University of Connecticut (UCONN). The prodigious assembly of Taurasi and Griner, is only matched by the fully prodigious assembly of the entire Lynx
team; and basketball is a team game. Perhaps no player in the WNBA reflects the nature of team spirit as does Lynx veteran point guard, and former Golden Gopher, Lindsay Whalen. After
all, the Lynx championship roll didn’t get rolling until Whalen took the helm. Yet the leadership qualities of so many of her Lynx teammates project to be equivalent to their ball-handling
leader. Together the team mirrors the spirit of the most recent NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs. Like the Spurs, the Lynx have a tenured core group of players that have weathered the ups and downs of greatness. Just as the Spurs were shocked by the Miami Heat in a thrilling 2013 NBA Finals competition, the Lynx suffered a similar lesson on readiness, and closing the deal, in a painful WNBA Finals loss to the Indiana Fever in 2012. Both teams immediately bounced back to claim what some would say was rightfully theirs in the following season, and now the Lynx look to solidify a dense collection of championships in order to claim the rights to the powerful word “dynasty.” Winning is a magnet, and Moore is on a fierce path to potentially project as the WNBA version of Michael Jordan. It will be an appalling shame if she does not win the 2014 WNBA MVP award in the weeks to come. The headto-head record between the Mercury and Lynx goes to the Mercury this year, which won three of their four competitions. The Mercury will have to get past a terribly talented Los Angeles Sparks team before worrying about the Lynx, but they do come into the playoffs having made history with a 29-5 season record. Just as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson transformed the NBA game into a thrilling exhibition in the early 1980s, so goes the opportunity for a match-up between UCONN alums Moore and Taurasi. In short, “getcha’ popcorn ready.”
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program use grows at farmers markets
West Broadway Farmers Market manager DeVon Nolen gives a shopper tokens after swiping her EBT card at the market Friday, Aug. 8, in Minneapolis.
LRT From 6 Chatman, Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. “Fill the gap in
the map.” Virdell Brown, a NOC transit leader, works a minimum wage job twenty hours a week, and spends an entire week’s wages a month just on bus fare to get to and from work and school. “As a
student and a person who uses the bus as my main source of transportation, I need to see a fare decrease,” said Virdell. “We want the Met Council to take our needs seriously right now.” “Fairness and a good
Classifieds Operations Generalist – Minneapolis The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist in our Minneapolis location. Salary range is $40,617 - $66,019. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
AMWP is a statewide leader in the movement to end poverty in Minnesota, using the power of collaboration, diverse constituencies, and volunteers. The ideal candidate is a non-profit leader with substantial experience directing advocacy organizations for policy change with statewide impact. The ability to raise funds and develop a sustainability plan for the organization is key, as well as the ability to positively interact with diverse groups, both urban and rural, facilitate collaborations, manage volunteers, and think strategically. This is a full-time position beginning October 1, 2014. To apply, please view the full posting with contact information on our website at www. mnwithoutpoverty.org/resources/documents. html.
Market in Minneapolis today during National Farmers Market Week. “In addition to promoting healthy choices, SNAP use at farmers markets promotes a healthy economy, as every dollar in SNAP benefits spent generates $1.80 in economic activity.” The West Broadway Farmers Market is one of 65 markets in the state participating in the EBT and Market Bucks Initiative this growing season with help from DHS and the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Funding supports the additional staffing required at each market to enable customers to debit their EBT cards in exchange for tokens that can be used to purchase food from market vendors. Market Bucks, a special incentive from Blue Cross, matches EBT card purchases with up to an additional $5 in bonus coupons each market day. Market Bucks can be used during the same trip or anytime during the
2014 market season on SNAPeligible purchases, which include fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy products of farm and field. The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, which operates the market in north Minneapolis, is also working to spread awareness of the program. Under contract with DHS, the coalition is providing marketing and outreach for 30 farmers markets in the Twin Cities metro area so that more residents know they can use EBT cards at farmers markets and stretch their dollars further with Market Bucks. Visit z.umn.edu/ farmersmarkets to see a map of farmers markets across Minnesota that are participating in the 2014 EBT and Market Bucks Initiative. For more information about SNAP, contact county social service agencies or call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.
system are really one,” said Council Member Kevin Reich. “If a bus stop isn’t safe, if it isn’t welcoming, if it isn’t comfortable all months of the year, it’s really not an access point to the system. We support that at the city and will
do so moving forward. At the city, at the policy level, we are committed to have those conversations, get it done, and make sure this is a line that supports our system.” “It’s time we look at those communities that are
under served, and we bring service to them,” said state Rep. Raymond Dehn, who represents north and downtown Minneapolis. “This is the right and reasonable thing to do.”
Phone: 612.588.1313
Courtroom Deputy The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Courtroom Deputy. This position will be located in St. Paul. Salary range is $44,713 - $79,899. For complete job description, visit the court’s website www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Hiring Executive Director for Small Non-Profit A Minnesota without Poverty (AMWP) is seeking a seasoned, strategic and forward thinking individual to be Executive Director as the organization moves into the next phase(s) of its strategic plan to end poverty in Minnesota.
More Minnesotans are using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and other eligible products at local farmers markets. SNAP use at farmers markets has more than tripled in recent years, seeing a 239 percent increase in dollars spent from 2011 through 2013. The gain follows efforts by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and its partners to make it more convenient and cost effective to use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at markets. “Families make healthy choices when fresh, nutritious food is affordable and easy to access. For more and more Minnesotans, that’s as simple as visiting the farmers market in their community,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. Jesson participated in a healthy cooking demonstration at the West Broadway Farmers
Child Care Providers and Leads Want a job that is rewarding and fulfilling? Want to work with a team of top notch folks who work to end child abuse and neglect? Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is looking to hire Child Care Providers (CCP) and Lead CCPs. The CCPs provides the primary care for children newborn to 6 who are placed by parents at the Nursery. Responsibilities include providing a safe, healthy, loving environment, which fosters physical, emotional, social, personal, creative, and language development. High School Diploma or equivalent and 1 year working with children required; early childhood training and Bachelor’s degree preferred. Cross cultural experience, working in crisis situations and early childhood development preferred. College education may substitute. To apply, send cover letter (mention job title) to: hr@crisisnursery.org or mail to: Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, 4544 4th Ave So, Mpls, 55419 or fax 612-767-8491. For more info visit www.crisisnursery.org. We are an E/O/E who encourages and welcomes all applicants.
Fax: 612.588.2031
Minnesota Council of Churches
Email: info@insightnews.com
DATABASE AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT, 20 hours
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Maintain database and coordinate users. Assist in coordinating web, email, social media, and printed communications. OPEN UNTIL FILLED http://www.mnchurches.org/about/employment.html 612-230-3204
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Church assistant and pianist/singer
$28.27-$40.72 hourly
Wanted! Church assistant and pianist/singer needed for Sunday morning worship at One Love Ministry, 750 N. Milton in Saint Paul. Please contact Pastor Love at 651-489-4350.
FOOD SERVICE
Volunteers of America, MN Line Supervisor for Senior Dining. Serve the noon meal to Seniors M thru F -3110 Blaisdell Ave S, Mpls Hours 8:30-1:30 Pay $11.79 Apply: clarew@voamn.org
FOR RENT 2 bedrooms, Hiawatha neighborhood, 1100 sq ft, hardwood flr, great for roommates, call 612-559-1043.
St. Paul, MN This position, located in the Department of Human Services’ Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, oversees the development and implementation of statewide methodology for reimbursable rates for addiction treatment services. The incumbent will provide continued oversight and monitoring of the Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund, assure conformity with Federal and State law, and make sure that the implemented methodology provides accountability for levels of patient acuity and complexity. A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, plus 3 years of managerial or supervisory experience required. Advanced degree in a jobrelated field preferred. Full details at: www.mn.gov/careers posting 14DHS001662 Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer
Page 10 • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Insight News
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Goapele to headline Urbane Exposure Sept. 6 By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Bay Area soul singer Goapele is performing in the Twin Cities for the first time in five years as she headlines Urbane Exposure, Saturday, Sept. 6. The free event takes place from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 420 Main St. SE, just east of downtown Minneapolis. Along with Goapele, fellow Bay Area native, Martin Luther and St. Louisan, Theresa Payne will perform on the pavilion stage. Other area acts are slated to perform, in addition to music from KMOJ’s Dan Speak. The Sept. 6 event, presented by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and produced by Thee Urbane Life, was conceived to recruit volunteers – in particular, volunteers of color, to take part in the park board’s youth programming efforts. In addition to seeking volunteers, event organizers hope to use the
event to showcase parks that are under-utilized by communities of color. Along with the performances, there will be food and product vendors, a children’s play area, face painting and more. Since her debut in 2001 with her album, “Closer,” Goapele has endured as a favorite among soul and neosoul music fans. The singer and songwriter recently joined forces with Primary Wave Music and Jordan House Records – the label owned by soul star Eric Benet – who along with her own label, Sky Blaze, will release her fifth album, “Strong as Glass,” later this fall. “‘Strong as Glass’ is a contrast of how a woman feels … strong and empowered, and yet knowing that it doesn’t take a lot to break,” said Goapele, who said the project is due for release in mid October. Along with being on Benet’s label, the two collaborated in writing one song and have a duet on the
LP as well. Goapele’s first single off “Strong as Glass” is the up-tempo “Hey Boy,” cowritten by Estelle (“American Boy”). While each of Goapele’s four previous albums have scored well with fans, with songs such as “Catch 22,” “Romantic,” “Change it All,” “First Love,” “Play” and “Tears On My Pillow,” Goapele is known for her signature hit, “Closer.” “ ‘Closer’ is a gift,” said Goapele. “It’s a gift to hear people’s stories about the song and what it meant to them. A lot of people tell me all kinds of stories of how the song either inspired them or helped them out of a rough situation. I couldn’t ask for more from a song.” Fellow Bay Area soul singer, Martin Luther gained acclaim when he debuted in 2004 with “Rebel Soul Music.” The San
Free outdoor concert at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Francisco-born “choir boy turned rocker,” Martin Luther gained a following as he toured and performed with The Roots during the Okay Player Tour. Among Martin Luther’s many fans is Urbane Exposure’s headlining act, Goapele. “I’m looking forward to seeing Martin Luther; he’s so dope and people are going to love his live performance,” said Goapele. “He’s so good live.” St. Louisan Theresa Payne made a name for herself when she won a Budweiser competition to open for Jill Scott. Payne is the 2012 and 2014 Riverfront Times Best R&B/Soul artist and has performed with Eric Roberson, Anthony David, N’Dambi and others. Recently, Payne was selected to audition for NBC’s “The Voice.” Urbane Exposure is sponsored by Insight News and Lupient Kia/Lupient Bargain Lot North. Courtesy of the artist
Sincerely, Mac Irv Hoops legend’s new success in music By Toki Wright It didn’t happen on purpose but the game of basketball’s comparison to the music hustle became a central theme when I spoke with emerging hip-hop artist Lawrence “Mac Irv” McKenzie. Having a successful career in either trade is a major aspiration for many growing up in the United
States. In urban areas across the country, when you go to the streets basketball is being played and hip-hop will is the backdrop. An already accomplished basketball star, north Minneapolis native Mac Irv has exactly what it takes to bring home a win as a musician. As an athlete Irv is one of the most celebrated basketball players in Minnesota history. His stats include four straight
championship titles with Patrick Henry High School, college ball with the University of Oklahoma and with the University of Minnesota, he played with the NBA Development League for Los Angeles and overseas with Feni Indistrija in Macedonia. Writing this article it’s hard to ignore those accomplishments but Irv knows he has more to offer.
IRV TURN TO 11
Courtesy of the artist
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Insight News • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Page 11
BOOK REVIEW
“Police State U.S.A.: How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality” By Kam Williams “People have liberty; people take their liberty for granted; people become apathetic; people lose their liberty. We are on that track, but detouring back to the freedom road is still possible… The data in this book concerns me and should concern you… The coming signs of tyranny are all around us. Fortunately, they can be stopped before it is too late, but not without a courageous effort… We can still save liberty for our children if, and only if, America awakens.” -- Excerpted from the Foreword (pages xi-xii) Anybody tuning in to the media coverage of the daily protests of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri can’t help but notice the intimidating police presence that makes the city look more like a battlefield than a suburban enclave. The frightening militarization has featured
Irv From 10 He speaks with a confidence that is not arrogant but more pleads for you to know the truth. “Everything that he raps about is 100 (percent) real,” said his manager, Trey Adams. “He’s passionate for what he does. He’s 100 percent genuine with
everything from armored Humvees and tanks rolling down the streets, to helmeted officers flanked shoulder-toshoulder behind body-length armored shields, to snipers in camouflage fatigues training their M16 rifles on marchers through night-vision scopes, to the use of teargas, rubber bullets, smoke bombs and flash grenades to disperse demonstrators. What are we to make of such a disturbing show of force on the part of local, state and federal authorities? To Cheryl K. Chumley it is merely further evidence of a burgeoning abuse of power on the part of a government already hell bent on trampling its citizens’ Constitutional rights. In her book, “Police State U.S.A.: How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality,” the veteran journalist indicts present-day America as a “total surveillance society.” She argues that tyrannical rule has come as a consequence of the Patriot Act’s creation of secret data collection centers
his family, his fans. Same thing I saw in basketball is what he puts in music.” The stigma of the “athlete turned musician” has far less affect on Mac Irv. The buzz around his track “Hometown” reached a fever pitch when released three years ago. Despite the stereotypes about crossing over, he has been able to amass a strong following of supporters he calls “The Fam Base.”
privy to such previously public information. In a timely chapter devoted to “The Rise of Militarized Police,” Chumley states that the technology cops now have at their disposal “is the stuff of science fiction,” like guns that fire darts embedded with a GPS. Though such draconian measures should supposedly be of no concern to the lawabiding, it’s still of little comfort when you think of the seemingly neverending state of siege for folks in Ferguson trying to exercise their First Amendment rights. Food for thought for anyone who fervently believes our inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness comes from God, not the government.
and the employment of the IRS, NSA phone taps, drones, tracking devices, warrantless searches, traffic light cameras and the like to nefarious ends. For example, the
author cites the case of Scottsdale, Arizona, whose city council approved the purchase of a building to house its police investigative unit, “but refused to disclose the
facility’s location” in order to “protect the lives” of detectives working undercover. She says it’s certifiably scary, when the nation has arrived at a point where taxpayers are no longer
“Anybody that supports Mac Irv is not considered a fan, they are family,” said Irv. “They can reach out for anything.” That support system was part of what caught the eye of Soundset Festival organizers as Mac Irv was selected to play to the sold out event with 30,000 people in attendance this past May. Mac Irv’s dedication to Minnesota is engrained in his music. “Some people may look at Minnesota a certain way. (They say) I don’t like it here … it’s weak here. I feel like it’s really the person,” said the baller turned rhymer. “It’s really the person’s character that may make it weak. I love this place and I enjoy it and I want people to see it in a different view.” Mac Irv’s approach to presenting music reflects his upbringing in north Minneapolis. His music exists somewhere between bass rattling trunks on Broadway to the street corner and from the basketball court to the groups of friends heading downtown to hit the club. On personal tracks such as “Deadbeat” he deals with struggles with fatherhood and ex-relationships. On “Who We Are” he talks about the traps of the streets while trading bars with MCs, Metasota and Mally. The track is featured in a full-length film of the same name currently in production through his company, The Pilot Life. That appeal makes him a great candidate for national recognition. Now with several projects
under his belt, Irv is presenting “Sincerely, Mac Irv” an upcoming album that will be previewed on Sunday, Aug. 31 at The Pourhouse in downtown Minneapolis. “I feel like my music has always been my whole story and my whole truth. This is basically me writing a letter to the city. I feel like here you put your heart into your music and you want that love back. This is sincere. This is my heart and soul,” said Irv, who enlisted the production of frequent collaborators Willie Wonka and Wade B. throughout the new work. “I want to show (people) the culture. The north Minneapolis
culture is a bit different than the south Minneapolis culture so it’s going to be a different sound and a different feel. I went to college and connected with people. I want them to know what’s going on where we’re from.” Where most who have made the transition from professional sports to hip-hop are penalized, Mac Irv gets extra points. “I had a dream of playing in the NBA. My pops always told me just use talent as a vehicle. I always want to bring it back to where I’m from,” said Irv. “People ask why I quit basketball. My goal in life has
“Police State U.S.A. How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality” by Cheryl K. Chumley WND Books Hardcover, $26.95 288 pages ISBN: 978-1-936488-14-8
always been to be successful. If that was the path basketball took me on perfect. I was going to use that path to reach back to kids who think they have no hope. They think (basketball) is the only option. I tried doing music and it did great for me. You can do what you want and chase your dreams.” Fans can catch the “Sincerely, Mac Irv” showcase at The Pourhouse, 10 S. 5th St., Minneapolis, on Sunday, Aug. 31. Doors open at 9 p.m. The event is 18-plus, with performances by Lioness and Lil Crazed. Learn more about Mac Irv online at www.macirvmusic.com.
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local Boys & Girls Clubs
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he Minnesota Twins Baseball Club and the Twins Community Fund have been in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities since 1961; 36 years before Major League Baseball made the Boys & Girls Clubs of America an official charitable partner in 1997. Former Twins owner Carl Pohlad was one of the founding board members of the Minneapolis Boys Club in 1960 when the local club was established. Through their partnership, the Twins enrich the lives of Club youth with sponsored activities such as the Twins RBI baseball and softball leagues, skills clinics, and Professional Baseball Trainer’s P.L.A.Y. healthy lifestyles clinic. The Twins also support clubs by hosting two annual fundraisers at Target Field, and by donating over 500 free tickets to Twins games each year. By the end of this year the Minnesota Twins and the Twins Community Fund will have donated over $800,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. Contributions this year included a renovation to the Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club, in which they created a brand new multi-purpose room as part of the lasting legacy of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. Visit www.twinsbaseball.com/community for more information on the Twins community outreach.
Page 12 • August 25 - August 31, 2014 • Insight News
Radical Presence
insightnews.com Stone, Book Money, and more; hosted by Carnage the Executioner.
Belle Regina
Friday, Aug. 29 DANCE/HIP-HOP
Kutt Calhoun
Da Black Pearl
After several decades of spinning, battling and mixing, J. Love The Soundsmith, or Jeff Love, as known to some friends and family, is bringing his 30year professional DJing career to an end. Celebrate his many contributions to the music scene, along with King Otto and Espada.
August 25 - 31
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. 25
Petrus, Naima Richmond, Hassen Hussein, Rachel Summers, Lolla Mohammed Nur, Marshaunna Clark, Tene Wells and Rickey Mantley. For more information, visit www.givens.org/programs/ black-writers-retreat.php.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
POETRY
art, photography, video and much more.
Wednesday, Aug. 27 INTERACTIVE Then Now Wow Minnesota History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. $6, $11
VISUAL ART/THEATER Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Showcase Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Givens Foundation for African American Literature presents the Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Showcase. The event features writers from the retreat performing individual works. Performers and fellows include Chaun Webster, Jeremiah Bey, Junada
Retirement/Blowout for J. Love The Soundsmith Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 10 p.m.
Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Run until Jan. 4 Organized by the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, this groundbreaking exhibition is the first comprehensive survey of performance art by Black artists working from the perspective of the visual arts from the 1960s to the present. The exhibit features interactive
Explore Minnesota’s history in the prairies, forests and cities, interacting with the people and animals that have made their homes here. Learn the history of the African-American community in the Rondo neighborhood. Then Now Wow is a permanent exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.
Thursday, Aug. 28 BLUES
SO BLUE Driftwood Char Bar 4415 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis $10 suggested donation. Phyllis Productions proudly presents The Urban Spectrum Theatre Company’s hot, sizzling summer production of “SO BLUE,” written and directed by artistic director, Judy Cooper Lyle, Aug. 28, 29, 30, and Sept. 5 and 6. Enjoy the blues band under the direction of Wain McFarlane and choreographed by Penny Masuku. Tickets are available at www. brownpapertickets.com/ event/750048, or at the door. Suggested donation is $10.00. CONCERT/HIP-HOP Guaranteed Ent. 10-Year Anniversary with Kutt Kalhoun Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. Strange Music’s Kutt Calhoun returns to Minneapolis for the Guaranteed Ent 10-Year Anniversary along with Stevie
DANCE/REGGAE/HIP-HOP Virgo Season Blue Nile 2027 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. $5 Enjoy reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop with DJ Flinch, plus a celebration for author/poet Da Black Pearll.
Saturday, Aug. 30 CONCERT/R&B/JAZZ Regina Belle Brooklyn Center Performing Arts Center 5801 John Martin Dr., Brooklyn Center $25 – $45 See R&B legend Regina Belle along with Jamecia Bennett and her band. To purchase tickets contact Malcolm Samuels at (612) 399-2548 or go online at www.
brooklyncentereventbooking. com.
Sunday, Aug. 31 DANCE/HIP-HIP/R&B/ PARTY 13th Annual Black Out Affair – Masquerade Valentino’s 200 Concord Exchange N., South St. Paul 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus $20 general admission, $50 VIP Sumthin’ Special and Thee Urbane Life present the 13th Annual Black Out Affair – Masquerade. The Sumthin’ Special Black Out Affair is the largest urban party in the state of Minnesota, attracting more than 1,000 partygoers annually. This year, the theme is Masquerade. Attendees are encouraged to wear fun, festive party masks. While all black attire is required, masks can be of any color. Tickets are online at www.tix. com. For more information, call the Sumthin’ Special hotline at (763) 310-4644. DANCE/HIP-HOP/WORLD/ ELECTRONIC Soul Force Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Labor Day Weekend will be the date for one of the Twin Cities best monthly dance nights. This month Soul Force places an emphasis on music with soul, turntablism, experimental bangers, the neo sounds of now and party rocking, body moving music featuring DJs Booka B, DJ Just Nine and DJ Frank Castle with live painting by BLCK VNS.
crash without seat belt =
FALLING 12 STORIES LIFE HAS NO REWIND