Insight News ::: 9.26.11

Eric Roberson

October 1st

at Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Avenue MORE ON PAGE 5

INSIGHT NEWS September 26 - October 2, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 39 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Harvest Prep students exceed state averages in test scores

Beyond academics

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors

Suluki Fardan

Harvest Preparatory 3rd grade class pictured clockwise: Jasmine Davis, teacher - Ms. Jihan Burdah, Mariah Watley, Mrs. Jean Sanders, Alonzia Shedd, Francis Paygar, Rasheeda Sistrunck (back of head) and Tierrinie Favors.

Harvest Preparatory Academy, in North Minneapolis is demonstrating the truth of the adage “What you do most, is what you do best” by exceeding the state averages in the recent results of the Minnesota reading and math assessment tests.

Students from Harvest Prep, which serves African American students – 90 percent from low-income families, also are reversing the overall academic achievement disparity between

File photo

Eric Mahmoud, President and CEO of Harvest Prep

white students and students of color.

Eric Mahmoud, the founder of the school, is using innovative teaching methods, including a

longer school day and school year, to ensure his students achieve superior academic, social and moral development. Students also took the Minnesota tests with pencil and paper versus on the computer because he believes “you practice the way you play.”

While he and the staff, students and families are pleased and proud of the results, after about a day or two of congratulations, “it’s back to work for everyone around here,” he said. “There’s something before the test results: the reason we do this is beyond academics.

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Taylor encourages corporate professionals to get involved Susan L. Taylor visited General Mills’ headquarters to receive a $10,000 charitable donation for her National CARES Mentoring Movement. Taylor addressed the General Mills Black Champions Network (BCN) about the collective responsibility of individuals and corporations to be change agents in their communities.

BCN champions the growth, development and success of African-American professionals at General Mills.

During the past three years, General Mills Feeding Dreams and Susan L. Taylor have partnered to celebrate African American moms, as heroes who do whatever it takes to feed the dreams and improve the lives of their families and communities.

This year, General Mills

launched Feeding Dreams Get Togethers, a grassroots program that provides intimate forums in communities across the country to discuss efforts to positively impact health and education in African American communities. There will be over 1,200 gatherings designed to celebrate mothers who are feeding dreams and inspiring their families and communities to have a healthier lifestyle and strive for educational excellence.

Taylor started her career at Essence, in 1970, the year the magazine was founded.

She said her first position at the magazine was freelance fashion and beauty editor. At the time, she was a divorced single mother without a college degree.

By 1981, Taylor had risen

Suluki Fardan

Susan L. Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Essence Magazine, Founder and CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement and Iman Johnson, Multicultural Marketing Manager, General Mills, Inc.

to become editor-in-chief, a position she held until 2000.

During the 1980s, she attended night school and earned a B.A. from Fordham University.

In addition to her editing responsibilities, Taylor had success building the Essence brand. She was executive producer and host of Essence, the Television Program, a syndicated interview program broadcast on more than 50 stations for four years during the 1980s. In the 1990s, she began Essence Books.

An iconic voice for spiritual awareness and growth, Taylor authored the Essence monthly column, In the Spirit, and published three volumes of selected columns.

Under her direction,

TAYLOR TURN TO 11

Gone to Ghana: Harvest Festival Gone to Ghana

By Cordie Aziz

Harvest Festival

Business

Project management for non-project managers

PAGE 2

Courtesy of Cordie Aziz

Education

Racial equity and educational achievement gap addressed

PAGE 4

Cordie Aziz is a former congressional staffer who moved to Ghana after losing her job in January 2011. Follow her daily adventures at goneiighana. blogspot.com The Fetu Afahye Festival Harvest Festival takes place the first Saturday in September and is one of the biggest and brightest festivals Ghana has to offer. Intended to honor the Gods of harvesting, this festival attracts thousands each year and consists of two days of non-stop celebration. Of course, I didn’t know anything about this until I haphazardly showed up the first Saturday in September.

Missing the smell of charcoal and the tang of sweet barbeque sauce that Labor Day weekend, I decided to go Cape Coast with an American girlfriend of mine.

She had mentioned there was a

festival going on and we should check out it. After realizing that my desire for barbeque wouldn’t be filled that weekend, I decided why not. After all, festivals always seem to present opportunities to eat good food.

Now this was not my first time in Cape Coast, I had been there once before when I visited the slave castles in January so I had a slight expectation of what to expect. However, as we arrived on the scene, it was apparent that I hadn’t done my homework because this festival was definitely more reminiscent of Mardi Gras. Literally thousands of people were packed into the narrow streets of the city, dancing and chanting music.

We arrived just as the Chiefs from various regions were being paraded around, so we found ourselves in the thick of things quicker than expected.

In fact, I was amazed at how we were encompassed so quickly in the crowd. Before I knew it, we were in the middle of the street standing within inches of the various entourages that accompanied the chiefs.

GHANA TURN TO 3

Aesthetics

Book review of Sister Citizen

PAGE 5

File photo

State Representative Jeff Hayden (DFL- Minneapolis)

Jeff Hayden wins DFL primary for state senate seat State Representative Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) beat out five contenders to win the DFL primary for the vacant State Senate seat in SD61.

Hayden garnered nearly 60% of the vote with 95% of precincts reporting. The DFL, along with prominent labor, environmental and LGBT organizations, endorsed Hayden in the weeks leading up to today’s primary.

Hayden said, “I have been campaigning hard across the district, talking with voters and working to earn their support.”

HAYDEN TURN TO 3

Lifestyle

Late season care for your garden

PAGE 8

Page 2 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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BUSINESS INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Project management for non-project managers Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com A kid stopped by my neighbor Tom’s house the other day lugging a box of popcorn. Tom wasn’t interested in buying popcorn, thanked the kid, and shut the door. An hour later, Tom went out for a bike ride.

Outside, the bike was gone, but there was a box of popcorn in its place. The kid got Tom to buy the popcorn, but it came at a pretty high price. While I don’t condone stealing bikes, I do think there are ways to motivate people to do what you want them to do without hitting them over the head with the fact that they have been motivated.

The closest career to popcorn salesperson, outside of sales, is Project Manager.

PMs constantly juggle between timelines, management directives and budgets. And yet, a good PM can get everyone on board for a project without being obvious about their role as sales manager and chief motivator. Apply a few Project

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Management techniques to your own goals, interactions and projects and you should see positive, win-win results from those around you.

When a project comes in, a good Project Manager assesses the team.

Where are each person’s most solid skills? What experience and personality traits does each member offer?

Not sure where the strengths are on your team? Ask people

what they want to do. Most people have a comfort zone that coincides with their talents.

People also appreciate buy-in. It doesn’t mean everyone gets to do what they want all the time, but it helps to know.

Next, a Project Manager creates a project timeline.

Backing in from the end result, the PM collaborates with team members to find out what tasks they see as critical and how long

those tasks will take. Whether you’re a manager or a mother, look at your team and imagine what your end result needs to be. What will it take to get there? How long will each of those tasks take? Now you have a timeline within which to reach your goal.

What about infighting?

More than one PM I know recommends food or alcohol as the bridge to conflict resolution.

I don’t think food and booze are the reasons these things work; rather, when you introduce these you get people around the table. You get people away from their work and off the defensive somewhat. You get people talking in a relaxed setting. Really, how threatening are nachos? Now, instead of fighting, you’re discussing. Big difference.

Finally, reward everyone appropriately for their contributions to every outcome.

Some people live for public acknowledgement of their efforts; make a big deal out of things for them, create awards and pass them out publicly.

Other people shy away from the spotlight. Publicly acknowledge these people’s accomplishments, too, but slip them a gift certificate or an extra day off; these have more impact than a giant trophy for some people.

Getting people to do what you want them to do when you want them to do it is a challenge, but it has its rewards. If you’re good, you’ll succeed without anyone noticing how hard you’ve worked to get there.

Julie Desmond is a recruiter with a Fortune 500 company in Minneapolis. Write to Julie@ insightnews.com.

Toyota: Top choice among African Americans

By William Reed The “Black Market” will play a major role among automobile makers for the next two decades.

The African-American market is “the best thing going” and if automobile manufacturers don’t establish creditable linkages for their brands with this audience they will, undoubtedly, lose significant market share and growth opportunities. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the African-American population will grow 12 percent by 2020 and by nearly 25 percent in 2030. In 2010, the Black car-buying pace totaled 10 times that of the general market. Last year, Toyota led all automotive brands among new vehicle purchases made

by African Americans. New vehicle registrations among this audience totaled 641,090 and amounted to 7.4 percent of all 2010 new vehicle registrations.

Ford ranked second among African-American buyers with Chevrolet rounding out the Top 3. The demand for Buick jumped 70 percent. Korean brands are also making gains among this key buying group.

In a well-publicized campaign about “respect and reciprocity” Black newspaper publishers dared Toyota to forge better business relationships with them and the communities that they serve. In their response to Black media operators and market experts, Toyota has, in fact, set a new trend in the industry. Toyota made moves to reach Black buyers where they live. Deals are being “put in place” that align automotive manufacturers’ and dealers’ specific initiatives to this audience. America’s Black newspaper publishers have reached an advertising agreement with Toyota that will soon have their local publications promoting the benefits of purchasing a Toyota product. Toyota’s Lexus is America’s luxury market leader, but Buick, Hyundai, Kia, Cadillac, GMC and Infiniti are also doing extremely well in the African-American market and should be on Black newspaper client lists as well.

However, Acura, Land Rover,

Mercedes and BMW are not increasing their share of the African-American market as effectively. These companies have an opportunity to connect more with this audience and increase their market share by attracting more affluent African Americans to their brands.

On the downside, “I want a 2012 Toyota Prius” isn’t a mantra of many Black car buyers.

Blacks have not been vocal in terms of hyping the Prius or any of the environmentally-conscious automobiles. First and foremost is concern about the overall cost, a 2011 Prius ranges from $23,225 to $30,700. And rarely have you seen a basketball player, hip-hop artist or actor stepping out of a battery-

powered Prius.

In 2011, executive leaders at Toyota had their hands full, but fought back from massive safety recalls, the global credit crisis and factories damaged in the March 11 Japan earthquake.

Despite those challenges, the world’s largest automaker has restored its North American production to normal levels.

This production schedule surpassed the company’s initial expectations. Shortly after the March 11 disaster, Toyota had forecast a return to normal production by November or December. But, in June, Toyota reported that eight of its 12 North American-built models returned to 100 percent output - Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Highlander,

Sienna, Sequoia and Venza. In August, Toyota confirmed 100 percent production of Tacoma, Tundra, RAV 4 and Lexus RX 350. Together, the 12 models account for nearly 70 percent of the company’s U.S. sales.

Over coming years, automotive manufacturers will seek to capture larger numbers of Black buyers. Drive by any African-American church on Sunday, and you’ll see that Blacks are also purchasing Cadillacs, Lincolns, Mercedes and BMWs. Those companies aren’t “ponying up” like Toyota. The pact between the Black Press of America and Toyota sets standards Black consumers should too demand.

Black publishers want local companies and multi-nationals to understand the value of

using their publications as advertising mediums; conversely, it’s important that Black consumers demand that minority-owned media firms receive a fair share of corporate or governmental advertising expenditures.

So, it’s necessary that Black consumers insist on retailers’ “respect” and “reciprocity” that result in advertising purchases that equal the level of Black patronage of their products. Companies’ use of Black media to reach AfricanAmerican consumers with language and content that resonates among them makes good sense.

(William Reed is available for speaking/seminar projects via BaileyGroup.org)

insightnews.com

Ghana From 1 We were pushed around by enthusiastic tribal dancers and people excitedly running up to their chiefs offering gifts of kente cloth. Not to mention, the occasional stampede that occurred if a chief threw out a few pieces of the Gods’ candy.

I must admit, this parade was definitely one of the most regal

Hayden From 1

Insight News • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Page 3 things I had ever seen. Chiefs were carried in these boat-like thrones and each had their own entourage and drummers. Most impressive was the gold jewelry these chiefs were adorned in; I can only imagined how much it weighed. However, the men who carried these thrones upon their shoulders didn’t seem to mind as they too danced along to the beat.

Our day trip quickly turned into a night trip, and as the sun set we toured the local bars

with live music and made new friends along the way. I quickly forgot about my barbeque as I snacked on kebabs and sugared popcorn, which, if you ask me, rivals funnel cake any day. The sun set, the music continued and then the sun rose again.

Despite our late evening, we woke up early Sunday to eat breakfast and wish our friends good-bye. Oguaaa Fetu Afahye, was my first festival in Ghana, and I must confess, I can’t wait to go back next year.

Asked why primary voters chose him over other candidates, Hayden said that

voters have confidence in him because of his progressive record in the State House and

Courtesy of Cordie Aziz

know that he will be a strong and effective advocate for progressive issues in the State Senate. “I will fight for a fair tax system, better schools and single-payer health care. I’ll fight for equality and I’ll fight to win back our DFL majority.”

The election for the Senate

seat was called after long-time State Senator Linda Berglin resigned from her seat last month to pursue an opportunity with Hennepin County.

State Representative Hayden was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2008.

Before serving as a State

Representative, he worked with the Hearth Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Minnesota. Hayden lives in the Bryant neighborhood in Minneapolis with his wife Terri and their two children, Tomas and Sophia.

Page 4 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Racial equity gap and educational achievement addressed ISAIAH, a faith-based community organization of congregations in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud regions working for racial and economic justice held a 300-person public meeting focused on the leadership needed to address both the racial equity gap in educational achievement and to create racially equitable schools on Saturday, September 17.

Joining ISAIAH was Minnesota Commissioner of Education Dr. Brenda Cassellius and superintendents or their representatives from 11 Minnesota urban, suburban, and Greater Minnesota school districts.

The yawning gap in educational outcomes in Minnesota between white children and children of color is one of the most alarming challenges of our time. One in three Minnesotans under the age of 18 is a person of color. With only about 40% of African-American and Latino children graduating from high school, our state is headed into a bleak future.

“The implications of inequities on our school systems, our neighborhoods, and every slice of life that we encounter are just way too important to continue to ignore,” Tony Hudson, an ISAIAH education equity leader, declared from the stage. “For the last four months, as leaders in ISAIAH, we’ve conducted over 150 research visits to build a common bond and relationship with you to lead for racial equity.

When we stand together there is no force that should make us back down from doing what’s right for children.”

Saturday’s public meeting, held at St. Alphonsus Catholic

ISAIAH

Tony Hudson, facilitator; Dr. Brenda Cassellius, MN Commissioner of Education; Theresa Jennings, Talahi Promise Neighborhood Parent Advisory Group member; Dr. Julia Espe, St. Cloud School District Assistant Superintendent; Keith Lester, Brooklyn Center School District Superintendent; and Mary Cathryn Ricker, St. Paul Federation of Teachers President.

Church, included a panel discussion on the leadership required to reduce the racial equity gap especially during this time of a State revenue crisis. Panelists included MN Commissioner of Education Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Brooklyn Center School District

Superintendent Keith Lester, St. Cloud School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julia Espe, and Talahi Promise Neighborhood Parent Advisory Group member Theresa Jennings.

Superintendents from Minneapolis, St. Paul,

St. Cloud, Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Center, Minnetonka, Anoka/Hennepin, Roseville, Osseo, St. Louis Park, and Robbinsdale agreed to increase their leadership on creating equitable schools and reducing the racial equity gap. Many people in the audience also

agreed to work together and assist in leading the State in closing the gap.

“This was a very meaningful and powerful meeting,” said Doran Schrantz, executive director of ISAIAH. “Today, we brought together education leaders and people

from the faith community who committed to each other to lead on creating racially equitable schools. It is only through this type of public commitment to change the way things currently are that a true breakthrough in closing the racial equity gap will occur.”

Forum explores “Racial Equity in Redistricting” The Metropolitan State University Diversity Learning Task Force and the Center for Community-Based Learning will explore Racial Equity in Redistricting at its first 2011–

2012 Hot Topic forum on Monday, Oct. 3, from 4–5:30 p.m. at the Saint Paul Campus, Library and Learning Center, Ecolab Room 302.

Jeff Narabrook, policy

analyst with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, will outline how the legislative redistricting process works and the core, sometimes conflicting, principles that guide it. Vina

Kay, lead researcher and policy analyst, and Robert Hemphill, research, communications and organizing associate of the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, will share research

that reveals racial inequities in this process and advance a set of principles to change that process in the future.

For more information contact Jodi Bantley,

community service-learning coordinator, or Susan Shumer, Center for Community-Based Learning director, at cbl. center@metrostate.edu or call 651-793-1285.

insightnews.com

Insight News • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS

Book review: Sister Citizen Film Review

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “This book is concerned with understanding the emotional realities of Black women’s lives in order to answer a political, not a personal, question: What does it mean to be a Black woman and an American citizen? …The particular histories of slavery, Jim Crow, urban segregation, racism, and patriarchy that are woven into the fabric of American politics have created a specific citizenship imperative for African-American women—a role and image to which they are expected to conform.

We can call this image the strong Black woman… The strong Black woman myth is a misrecognition of African-

American women. But it creates specific expectations for their behavior. ” -- Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. 20-21) What is it like to be a Black woman in America? That is the basic question explored by Professor Melissa Harris-Perry in her fascinating new book, Sister Citizen. According to the author, this society has historically exerted considerable pressure on Black females to fit into one of a handful of stereotypes, primarily, the Mammy, the Matriarch or the Jezebel.

The selfless Mammy’s behavior is marked by a slavish devotion to white folks’ domestic concerns, often at the expense of those of her own family’s needs. By contrast, the relativelyhedonistic Jezebel is a sexuallyinsatiable temptress. And the Matriarch is generally thought of as an emasculating figure who denigrates Black men, ala the characters Sapphire and Aunt Esther on the television shows Amos and Andy and Sanford and

Son, respectively.

Professor Perry points out how the propagation of these harmful myths has served the mainstream culture well. For instance, the Mammy suggests that it is almost second nature for Black females to feel a maternal instinct towards Caucasian babies.

As for the source of the Jezebel, Black women had no control over their own bodies during slavery given that they

Melissa V. Harris-Perry were being auctioned off and bred to maximize profits. Nonetheless, it was in the interest of plantation owners to propagate the lie that sisters were sluts inclined to mate indiscriminately.

Sadly, that notion has persisted to this day, which is why so many

Chris Granger

African-American women’s rape allegations aren’t taken seriously, like that of the NYC hotel maid who recently leveled just such a claim against a well-connected guest from France. Despite the existence of DNA evidence, the charges were dropped, thereby

leaving the accuser shamed by the insinuation that the contact must have been consensual.

The author might argue that the stigma of the Black female as loose played a role in the case’s disposition without even a trial.

For as she points out here ever so succinctly, ”White men’s right of access to Black women’s bodies was an assumption supported both by their history as legal property and by the myth of their sexual promiscuity,” and “Emancipation did not end the social and political usefulness of this stereotype.”

A feminist manifesto endeavoring to free sisters forever from the cruel and very limiting ways in which they continue to be pigeonholed.

Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America

by Melissa V. Harris-Perry Yale University Press Hardcover, $28.00 392 pages, Illustrated ISBN: 978-0-300-16541-8

Eric Roberson at the Dakota October 1

st

Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and producer, Eric Roberson will make his Twin Cities debut Sat., Oct. 1 at the Dakota Jazz Club.

Roberson, one of the most sought-after songwriters in the music industry, has penned

several top soul hits including Vivian Green’s Emotional Rollercoaster and Previous Cats recorded by Musiq Soulchild.

In recent years, Eric has been recording for his own imprint, Blue Erro Soul. His four most

recent recordings have sold more than 100,000 copies each – an almost unheard of feat for an independent artist. His 2009 Music Fan First earned two Grammy nominations.

Roberson, a graduate of Howard University, was first

signed to Warner Brothers Records in the mid-1990s, scoring a hit single with The Moon. Later, Roberson began working with; and writing for, artists such as Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dwele, 112, Carl Thomas and a host of others.

The Oct. 1 show marks the first time in Roberson’s career that he will perform in Minnesota.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at www. dakotacooks.com or by calling the Dakota box office at 612-

332-5299. This event is a part of the Dakota’s Late Night Concert series. Seating for this event will begin at 10:00 p.m.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Ave. in downtown Minneapolis.

Prep

Really our work is a repudiation of idea that our children are intellectually inferior to anybody.

The real power of this story is not just test scores. The real power is seeing that Black children can

do anything we expect them to do. That is the most important thing that happened for all of our children. The test scores are simply a confirmation of that truth. So this is not just victory for student, teachers and families and our school. It is a victory for Black people in general,” Mahmoud said.

Specific results include: • In math, Harvest Prep Academy students are 82 percent proficient, compared with the 56 percent state average. Harvest also outperformed the state white average in math of 68 percent.

• In reading, Harvest Prep Academy students are 77 percent proficient compared with the overall state average of 74 percent.

• Harvest Prep outperformed every other Minneapolis school in the district as well as every other metro school district in the state in math including Eden Prairie and Edina.

• At each grade level, Harvest Prep outscored the average math scores by a significant amount: • Third grade students were 82 percent proficient compared with the 70 percent average.

• Fourth grade students were 90 percent proficient compared with the 67 percent average.

• Fifth grade students were 80 percent proficient compared with the 54 percent average.

• Sixth grade students were 67 percent proficient compared with the 50 percent average.

Former Minneapolis School Board member, Louis King,

president of Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Centers (SAOIC) and a Harvest parent praised Harvest Prep’s results.

“I attribute this accomplishment to the unyielding commitment to excellence from the leadership of that institution.

Harvest Prep demands superior performance from children, teachers and parents. So while

we are pleased with these results, our concern today is for the small number of students at Harvest Prep who did not do well. We need every student, every family to succeed and do well,” King said.

King’s daughter, Lauryn, is a fourth grader who has attended Harvest Prep since pre-school.

“As a parent, my child is my most valuable investment. I am committed to ensuring that she

gets a world-class education alongside students who might not have the same economic advantages her family has. This demonstrates that poverty does not mean the achievement gap cannot be closed. That was the vision Eric Mahmoud articulated four or five years ago, and now here is the evidence of the efficacy of the Harvest Prep vision and strategy,” King said.

From 1

Page 6 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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HEALTH From the jail track to the well track Murua (Swahili for ‘Respect’)

By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. One of my family members spent most of his life in jail. It was strange because whenever he got out, he seemed to be totally disconnected from what was going on in the world. Cell phones, the internet, DVDs and “texting” were invented while he was incarcerated.

More importantly, all of us— his children, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and best friends-continued with our day to day liveswondering every day (or at least every so often) whether he was “okay” or not. Before

going to prison, when it came to making good decisions, he seemed most often to make the wrong choices for himself.

When it came to handling conflict, he would do anything to avoid being “punked” or shamed into backing down or making a compromise. When it came to anger, he seemed to choose to express it through violence and confrontational approaches. When it came to trying to make a “dishonest buck,” versus relying on his ability to make money legally, he always seemed to be on the wrong side of the law. The lifestyle he chose was hard and the price he paid was high. It appeared that he just “could not learn” and that he stuck at being in the revolving door of a “crime-pay-crime” lifestyle.

Additionally, it appeared that his awareness of, and his guilt about, causing grief for his loved ones was minimal. He also seemed to be “emotionally

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shut off” or unconcerned about those of us who cared for him, sent money or visited him. Yet, oddly enough, he found religion while in jail and eventually expressed enormous guilt and remorse –especially when it came to understanding and feeling the impact of his incarceration on his son.

A study in 2007 indicated

that half (52%) of all incarcerated men and women are parents and that twothirds of the incarcerated parent population is nonwhite. Furthermore, statistics reveal that from 1991 to 2007, the number of incarcerated mothers increased by 122%, compared to a rise of 76% for incarcerated fathers. In addition, researchers (Glaze,

L. E. & Maruschak, L. M., 2008) have reported that in 2007 there were 1.7 million children in America with a parent in prison (this was an 82% increase since 1991) -- and that more than 70% of them were children of color.

Of that group, one in 15 Black children and 1 in 42 Latino children had a parent in prison, as compared to 1 in 111 white

children.

For parents who are incarcerated, not knowing what is happening to their children is a great concern.

Their incarceration leaves their children vulnerable to systems of care—such as grandparents, foster care systems, “baby

HEALTH TURN TO 7

Reducing the harm of tobacco smoke New research shows that environmental tobacco smoke

(ETS) continues to pose measurable health hazards to children.

Hennepin County Strong Beginnings Child Care offers new series of workshops to educate parents about how to reduce the harms of ETS exposure for infants and young children.

Hennepin County Strong Beginnings Centers serve approximately 750 children in predominantly urban areas of North and South Minneapolis.

Sixty-five percent are low-income and support high-quality early care to promote early childhood development and school readiness.

Their mission is to work with parents to improve development of the children they service and to promote school readiness (http:// www.co.hennepin.mn.us/).

La Crèche Early Childhood Centers Inc. and Hennepin County Strong Beginnings Child Care in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer R. Warren of Rutgers, The State University of NJ and Brandi M.

White of the Medical University of South Carolina plan a series of “Set the Rules” prevention workshops to educate parents about the harms of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

Through a grant funded by ClearWay MinnesotaSM a “Set the Rules” manual was developed as a template for the workshops in early childcare settings. The manual was written based on findings from a long term community-based participatory research project to understand ETS exposure for parents with young children and to identify strategies to avoid and remediate it. The research supports that young children below the poverty line and who live in attached housing (e.g., apartments, row homes) were found to have higher cotinine levels (cotinine is a biomarker of tobacco exposure) among nonsmoking and smoking parents. Dr. Warren adds, “It is interesting to note that the children

of nonsmoking parents who implemented smoking restrictions still had very high cotinine levels.

ETS exposure among children is an ongoing challenge for which innovative and effective community-based methods must be identified.”

Children exposed to ETS could experience slow or stunted lung development, SIDS, learning delays, and frequent school absences. Severe asthma, as well as acute respiratory, lung and chronic ear infections are frequent in children who are exposed to ETS. ETS has also been linked with high blood pressure in children and can lead to lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The findings were translated into a practical manual to ultimately enhance the capacity of early childcare providers to educate parents about ETS exposure, the harms and how to implement smoking

SMOKE TURN TO 8

ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND MAYBE AWAY FROM HOME…

Be a Child’s Voice in Court!

We need people who care about children caught in our child protection system. Consider becoming a volunteer child advocate for kids. Help children remain in safe & stable families. Free training & support are provided.

Minneapolis Trainings begins in October PLEASE CALL FOR AN INFORMATION PACKET Dakota County (651) 554-6231

Hennepin County (612) 348-6824

Ramsey County (651) 266-5270

VOLUNTEER GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAMS

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Health From 6 mama’s” or “baby daddy’s” (or their relatives) –many of whom the prisoner may have very little knowledge or affinity. For example, it was only a few years ago when an incarcerated parent left his 3 year old child with a relative— only for the child to be beaten to death. Additionally, it was only a few months ago, when an incarcerated parent was released to a halfway house, thought his “baby’s momma” was cheating. He followed her, pulled her out of her car, and beat her halfway to death (in front of their children).

Consequently, a review of the impact of incarceration and reentry into our communities and into the lives of our children is imperative.

For children of incarcerated parents, events ranging from the parental arrest history to the reunification period after incarceration, affect critical aspects of their development.

It is also critical to consider whether the child is living with the parent at the time of incarceration, whether a single or two-parent household is involved, and, in the case of a two-parent household, which parent is incarcerated. Among parents in federal prisons in 2004, half (48%) had lived with their children in the month prior to their arrest.

While the vast majority of children of male prisoners live with their mothers, only about a third (37%) of the children of incarcerated women live with their fathers.

Most of these children are living with grandparents or other relatives, while one of every nine (10.9%) women in prison has a child living in foster care.

The first way in which children are impacted is that they witness their parents being taken away in handcuffs.

According to researchers, more than half of the children who witness this traumatic event are under 7 years of age and in the sole care of their mother.

Additionally, family members (especially parents) do not always provide adequate explanations to their

Insight News • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Page 7

“...the quality of the parent-child relationship is one of the most important predictors of how well a child will adjust to the incarceration of a parent.” children about why the parent has been arrested. Years ago, some mental health providers argued that children ought to be protected from the knowledge that their parents are incarcerated as a way of minimizing the trauma associated with the separation.

More recently, however, others have argued that the emotional distress of children is made worse by the unwillingness of family, friends, or caregivers to discuss their parent’s incarceration.

Researchers have termed this phenomenon as a “conspiracy of silence” or “forced silence.” The problem is that children know when something is wrong. They know when we adults are “bogus,” dishonest and hiding information.

Consequently, when they lack information, children tend to blame themselves.

Researchers contend that uncertainty and a lack of information undermines children’s ability to cope by creating anxiety, shame, and fear.

While some parents may have legitimate reasons (such as losing social or financial supports) for not saying that their partners are in jail (or why); many parents, unfortunately, do not share what has happened to an incarcerated parent because they want to keep their own good images intact—even though it risks their children’s mental health.

The impact of incarceration on children may vary. For younger children, such as infants, early attachments may be broken, disrupted, or distorted. For example, if a mother has a baby before going to prison or while there, there is little opportunity for the

mother and child to develop a bond and others may raise the child. After the incarcerated mother has missed this critical early developmental period, reunification will most likely yield emotional and behavioral problems in the mother-child relationship. Even if early bonding has occurred, for

children who are toddlers, the insecure attachments that result due to adverse shifts in life circumstances may still result in poor developmental outcomes. In fact, one study indicated that 70% of young children with incarcerated mothers had emotional or psychological problems such

as anxiety, withdrawal, hypervigilance, depression, shame, and guilt. In addition, they exhibited eating disorders, anger, aggression, and hostility toward peers, caregivers, and siblings. For older (schoolaged) children, parental incarceration may result in school-related problems.

These kids often exhibit poor academic performance, difficulties with attention and classroom behavior problems.

Sometimes, these children may have fears or phobias around going to school and may face problems with bullies (who taunt them about their parent being in jail) or they may wind up being bullies themselves. As they reach later adolescence, issues of disobedience, disrespect, aggression, isolation, truancy, substance abuse, suspension

and dropping out may become more apparent.

We have discovered that the quality of the parent-child relationship is one of the most important predictors of how well a child will adjust to the incarceration of a parent.

Another predictor is the quality of relationships that the child has with the extended family and non-family informal social networks. I recently worked with a family in which the mother was slated to go to the workhouse; however, because of the strained relationship with her own parents, she was unsure if her daughter would be adequately parented by her family. This mother was challenged with the issue of whether she would have to

HEALTH TURN TO 9

Hallie Q. Brown Early Learning Center

Now Enrolling!

651 651--224 224--4607 www.hallieqbrown.org

Since 1929, the Lighthouse of the Community we se, u o h e your Com l! o t . n e r s ia lea pec hou s t d h n o g a Li rs grow Cente the n r e o r r F ur! u d chil akes o or a to p l f m he hat l t o d a y w e i a se r em o l l Ca

Page 8 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Late season care for your garden

By Melinda Myers, gardening expert, TV host, radio host, author and columnist As the summer garden season nears an end, don’t let your guard down. Keeping up with a few basic chores can improve your landscape’s beauty and reduce your workload next season.

Continue weeding.

Removing weeds now before they go to seed will eliminate hundreds of weeds next season.

Destroy invasive weeds, those that have gone to seed and perennials that may root in the compost pile. And mulch the soil if you haven’t already done so.

Smoke From 6 restrictions. Fourteen trainers representing Hennepin County

Keep watering new plantings, stressed and young plants, evergreens, and moisture loving plants as needed throughout the fall.

Water thoroughly and whenever the top few inches are crumbly and slightly moist. Check my plant guide for more specifics on your plants watering needs. Properly watered plants are better able to survive the rigors of winter.

Reduce future workloads and improve your garden’s health and beauty. A layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or woodchips will help suppress weeds, conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and improve the soil as they decompose.

Replace faded annuals with

Strong Beginnings Child Care Centers were certified on May 26, 2011 to hold workshops in September and October 2011 at eight of the early child care centers.

Phyllis Sloan of LaCreche

freshness to the garden.

Monitor and manage pests as needed. Keeping plants healthy throughout the growing season increases your overwintering success.

Hand pick small populations of insects, rake and destroy disease infested leaves, and always use the most ecofriendly products when greater intervention is needed.

Keep applying animal repellents. Use a long lasting all natural product like Bobbex.

Keeping hungry animals away from your landscape will help reduce the future risk of critters moving in and dining on your landscape.

Melinda Meyers, LLC

cool season annuals, mums, and other fall plants, decorative

squash and pumpkins. And add a few fall containers to your

front entrance, patio or deck.

It adds color and a feeling of

Early Child Care Centers, Inc. anticipates the “Set the Rules” manual will be a resource for other early care and education providers in Minneapolis in enlightening families about the harm of tobacco smoke.

Sloan states, “The goal of the workshops is to inform both providers and parents about the harms of ETS to children. We want to do what we can to support families by protecting and preserving

their child’s health, growth and development. ‘Set the Rules’ is a significant step in achieving these goals.”

Recognition of communitybased advocates in addressing serious health issues is crucial to the well-being of the Minneapolis community and children.

Sloan adds, “Providers are often under utilized by health practitioners in supporting children and parents with informational

resources.” Through robust community awareness and acknowledgment, sustainability of funded public health efforts can be attained.”

Myers’ web site melindamyers.com

is

www.

For more information or to schedule a session, please call (612) 377-1786.

Page 10 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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North Minneapolis Neighborhood beat...

By Ivan Phifer, Staff Writer Webber Park redesign The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will hold a community survey and a multi-day design kickoff event for Webber Park. The planning process will bring together the community and a professional design team to create a vision for the future of Webber Park. This vision will guide $4 million in improvements in 2012-2013. The Webber Park multiday design kick-off event is scheduled for September 29, 30 and October 1 at 4400 Dupont Ave N. The 6:30-8:30pm September 29 community meeting is for the design team and community to discuss demographics, program opportunities, natural resources, and community visions for the park. The 3-5pm September 30 design team will be working on concepts based on the September 29 meeting. Community members can watch progress and visit with the designers during the 3-5pm open studio.

From 9:30am-Noon, Saturday September 10, there will be a community open house to review.

For more information contact Jennifer Ringold at 612-230-6464, or ringold@ minneapolisparks.org

Shingle Creek The Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association (SCNA) will hold a board meeting 6:30-8pm Tuesday, October 11.

Every month volunteer residents meet to discuss various topics, activities, projects and events in the neighborhood.

All meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, Amy Luesebrick 763 561-1616 or scan@ stribmail.com Camden North United Methodist Church (NUMC) has a Church Clothes Closet 9am-noon the first Saturday of each month and 6-8 p.m. the first Monday each month at 4350 Fremont Av. N. Donations are accepted. If you are unable to get to NUMC during open times, call the church at 612-522-4497.

Jordan The Jordan Area Community Council (JACC) will hold a public safety and block club committee meeting 6:307:30pm Wednesday September 28 at the JACC house 2009 James Ave N. For more information, contact Joe Horan at 612 673-5144 or jhoran@ nrp.org

Classifieds/Calendar Events Scholastic Book Fair - Sept 29 At the fair you will find the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as books of interest to parents. WISE Charter School 1501 Aldrich Ave. N, Mpls.

Thur., Sept. 29 4pm-8pm. If you have any questions please contact Emily Howard 612-522-4022 x1116

Advocate Attorney/Policy Advocate, Legal Services Advocacy Project. For details go to http://www.mylegalaid.org/jobs.

UMN Eating Behavior Study Wanted: non-pregnant females, 18-65, who are normal, healthy weight. Must qualify for a food assistance program (food stamps, WIC). Study takes 1 hour and you will be PAID. Call (612)578-7093.

Townhomes For Rent 2 Bedrooms - $500/month 3 Bedrooms - $575/month For more information contact: Fergus Falls HRA 1151 Friberg Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 218-739-3249 • fergusfallshra.com

Victory Monthly neighborhood meetings for the Victory Neighborhood Association take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The September neighborhood meeting will be held at 7pm, Wednesday September 28 at The Warren; An Artist Habitat, 4400 Osseo Road, for an annual meeting and board election.

Board meetings are held monthly. The next board meeting is from 7-9pm Wednesday, October 5 at 4301 Thomas Ave N St Johns Missionary Baptist Church. For more information on the Victory Neighborhood Association, contact Debbie Nelson at 612 528-9558 or visit www.victoryneighborhood.com Lind-Bohanan Volunteer residents meet monthly for two hours to talk about projects, concerns, planning, crime and safety, civic engagement, and other activities or events in the neighborhood. All meetings are free and open to the public and take place 7-9pm Thursday, October 6 at Shingle Creek Commons, 4600 Humboldt Ave. For more information, contact Peg Mountin at 612 673-5102 or pmountin@nrp.org

PHONE: 612.588.1313

North High Community Forum The North High Community Advising Group will hold a community forum 6:30pm on Tuesday, October 4; 1500 James Av. N in the North High School auditorium. The North High Community Advising Group invites the community to hear about and give feedback on the proposal put together regarding the vision for North High in 2012 and beyond. For more information: Rachel Hicks 612 6680227 or Rachel.Hicks@mpls.k12.mn.us Tree Trunk distribution Tree Trust a local nonprofit is looking for volunteers to distribute and replace 300 six-foot tall trees in North Minneapolis destroyed by the tornado. The North Minneapolis Tree Distribution is a two-day event located at 2117 W River Parkway in Minneapolis.

The distribution has two different shifts each day. Shifts for the first day of distribution are 11-2pm and 2-4:30pm Sunday, October 2. The second day will have shifts from 1:304pm and 4-6pm Monday, October 3.

Tree Trust is looking for 6-8 volunteers per shift. Volunteer as a lifter or Tree Trainer. For more information about tree distribution, contact Diana Preisen,

FAX: 612.588.2031

Community Forest Specialist at Tree Trunk at 612 590-1421, or dianap@ treetrust.org Empowerment for disabled residents Disabled residents from the community are meeting to discuss their common issues and work toward resolving them around transportation, street improvements, railroad and park issues and others. The meeting takes place 7-8:30pm Wednesday, September 28 at Kingsley Commons 4450 Humboldt Ave N. For more information, contact Amy Luesebrink 763 561-1616 LindBohanonNA@aol.com Harrison The Harrison Neighborhood Association Board of Directors meet on a monthly basis to discuss and take action on committee work and address issues affecting the community. The next HNA housing and committee meeting will be held from 6:30-7:30pm Thursday, October 6. The board meeting takes place 7-8pn Monday, October 10 at the Harrison Neighborhood Association Office 501 Irving Ave N. For more information: Larry Hiscock 612 374-4849 or info@hnampls.org

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

4th Women’s Empowerment Symposium - Oct 1 Powerhouse Terrie Williams, president and founder of The Stay Strong Foundation will serve as the keynote speaker at The Women of Courage Awards Luncheon. Other honorees are Tonya Puckett, Sheila Raye Charles and more! Sat. Oct. 1 8am-3pm @ Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites Three Appletree Square at I 494 and 34th Ave. For more information contact emmett_till_legacy@yahoo. com or call 888-509-9614 ext 82

by calling (952) 525-2237 or online at www.wellsfound.org. Tickets will be available at the door, subject to availability.

Ave. N. Brooklyn Park. For more information please call 763-515-4800 or visit: www.dokinternational.webs. com

Strive for Five Reading Challenge Oct 1 & Nov 5 Kids 12 and under read five books for a chance to win gift cards for books and other fun prizes! Entries due by noon on Nov. 5. Visit http://ywreads. eventbrite.com for your entry form! @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Benefit to End Homelessness Features Pianist Steven C - Oct 1 Wells Foundation pianist/composer Steven C and Special Guests Mary Beth Carlson, Tom Hedrick, & Patty Peterson. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street (Loring Park), Mpls. Sat., Oct. 1 (doors open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m.) All proceeds support grants to organizations that use social innovation to end homelessness.

Tickets can be purchased in advance

“Executing Your Power” Women’s Conference 2011 - Oct. 6 Conference Host and Speaker: First Lady Sabrina R. Williams & Featured Speakers: Pastor Kimberly Ray-Church on the Rock, Min. Teresa Hairston-CEO Gospel Today Magazine, Rev. Cordelia WallaceAgape Cathedral, Pastor Roberta Morrison-Living in His Presence Church & many more! Thur. & Fri. 7pm - FREE. Mighty Fortress International Church - 6400 85th

17th Annual Artability Art Show & Sale – Oct 6-8 The 17th annual Artability Art Show & Sale celebrating the creativity and contributions of artists who live with mental illness will be held on October 6-8 in conjunction with the St. Paul Art Crawl also held that weekend, located at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (near the SW corner of Highway 94 and Dale), 285 N. Dale Street, St. Paul. The three-day event is free and open to the public.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:00 p.m.

Opening times for the exhibit will be: Thurs., Oct. 6 – 6:00-9:00 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 7 – 2:00-8:00 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 8 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Learn more at www.PeopleIncorporated.org Toast of the Town - Oct 8 A day of seriously fun challenges

held at Mall of America Rotunda from 10am-2pm on Sat., Oct 8. Three student groups compete to see who can raise the most for much needed scholarships. Join us and show off your dance moves with Xbox Kinect, create a tape sculpture and build a miniature hovercraft.

Donation requested. www.normandaletoastofthetown.com Contact Maureen Peterson 952-3588144.

Bookmobile Visits YWCA St. Paul – Oct 10 Check out great books, sign up for a library card and get your picture taken with the Cat in the Hat. For more information, visit http://ywreads. eventbrite.com. @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Usborne Book Fair – Oct 8-11 The Usborne Book Fair offers great books for children of all ages. Proceeds to support literacy programs at YWCA St. Paul. Learn more at http://ywreads. eventbrite.com. @ YWCA St. Paul 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

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Insight News • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Page 11

Suluki Fardan

L-R: Derrick Peoples, Multicultural Marketing Manager, General Mills, Inc., Lafayette Jones, President & CEO Segmented Marketing Services, Inc., Susan L. Taylor, Rodolfo Rodriguez, Director, Multicultural Marketing, General Mills, Inc., Maria Rhodas, Multicultural Marketing Manager, General Mills, Inc., Iman Johnson, and Anton Vincent, President, Baking Products Division, General Mills, Inc.

Taylor From 1 Essence became one of the most powerful forces promoting positive Black identity, based on universal principles centered on the power of love.

Taylor championed personal introspection, becoming quiet and listening to the voice of God from within. She told her audience at General Mills every time she faced what seemed like an insurmountable problem, she received guidance and strength from becoming still, quieting the mind and listening to the Spirit.

Taylor challenged Black professionals to be fearless and joyful in pursuit of their professional goals and in their ability to deliver value to their companies by showing their companies how to connect to the social, economic, and civic engagement priorities of the Black community. She applauded the successes they have achieved and encouraged them to be relentless in their pursuit of excellence and fulfillment. She said the Essence empire was launched by four young Black professionals who were underappreciated at the companies they worked for, and, decided to strike out on their own,

creating what became a multimillion dollar enterprise, Essence Communications.

Feeding Dreams sponsoring brands are Honey Nut Cheerios, Nature Valley

Granola Bars, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Yoplait Light, Grands Biscuits, Grands Sandwich, Betty Crocker Brownies, and Hamburger Helper.

Page 12 • September 26 - October 2, 2011 • Insight News

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