Mykal57 sets out to prove he’s not a disabled rapper, but a rapper with a disability MORE ON PAGE 5
October 7 - October 13, 2013
Vol. 40 No. 41 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE
Karen Blanchard ball of energy and enthusiasm that is Blanchard is doing everything in her power to educate and reeducate the area’s residents on healthy eating and more importantly, how to live a healthy lifestyle. The registered dietitian is a catalyst for the Insight News’ Insight-2-Health Challenge. Insight-2-Health is a challenging and fun fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes for program
By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer If someone works in the healthcare industry, it is widely known that there is a risk of infection. For the staff and patients of North Point Health & Wellness Center, 1313 Penn Ave. N., the “infection” that is going around is enthusiasm, and Patient Zero for this pathogen is registered dietitian, Karen Blanchard. The
participants. “I love what I do. I have a passion for talking about nutrition and weight management,” said Blanchard, who grew up on a farm in Arkansas and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where she attended on scholarship. Blanchard came to the Twin Cities when she accepted a position with General Mills
BLANCHARD TURN TO 12 Harry Colbert, Jr.
Karen Blanchard
Sports authority announces partnership to ensure minorities and women workforce equity The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) announced Thursday that it has chosen Summit Academy OIC and its community partners to serve as the Employment Assistance Firm (EAF) for the construction of the Minnesota Vikings stadium. The group will identify qualified workers, provide training and placement, and offer quality assurance to ensure the project employs a highly-skilled diverse workforce. “We are committed to having the people of Minnesota build the ‘People’s Stadium’,” said Louis King, president of Summit Academy OIC. “This is truly a unique collaborative effort that brings together a strong team of 17 community partners to recruit, hire and train minorities, women and veterans. We applaud MSFA for supporting this process.” The MSFA has committed to meet the state-mandated goals of employing 32 percent minorities and six percent women on the construction of the Vikings stadium. The organization also has taken the unprecedented step of investing $700,000 to develop the workforce.
Rev. Jerry McAfee
Louis King
Al Flowers
Alex Tittle
“The MSFA is proud to contract with the Employment Assistance Firm “EAF” – Summit Academy OIC,” said MSFA Equity Director Alex Tittle. “We are excited that the collaboration of groups will serve as a resource that will assist us in delivering a workforce that reflects the Twin Cities demographics. We are also proud to announce that MA Mortenson/Thor, Summit Academy and MSFA are working diligently to connect the workforce needs with the project.” Summit Academy OIC will lead a coalition of local organizations in education,
construction training and organized labor that will assist with recruitment and outreach, provide constructionrelated training and facilitate job placement. In addition, a comprehensive database will be developed to capture existing and new minority, female and veteran workers, and make their data available to employers working on the project. “MCTC and Saint Paul College are pleased to be the lead higher education partners for this project,” said Mike Christenson, Associate Vice President of Workforce Development at Minneapolis Community and
Technical College. “This is an unprecedented agreement that will create clear construction pathways for students of color.” Demographic estimates show that by 2040, people of color will represent nearly 45 percent of the Twin Cities’ population. In addition to providing a diverse workforce for the Vikings stadium, this effort has the potential to meet the workforce needs for future construction projects in Minnesota while also enabling individuals from disadvantaged communities to
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Lt. June Johnson
Sheriff’s Deputy Lieutenant June Johnson files EEOC complaint against Hennepin County By Al McFarlane Editor-In-Chief A veteran law enforcement officer has filed civil rights violations charges at the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against her employer, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department and Hennepin County.
Lt. June Johnson has worked at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office since 1985. In a complaint filed two weeks ago with the EEOC, Johnson said she had been “subjected to gender harassment, sexual harassment, and race and age discrimination.” She said, “Over the years, I have been subjected to harsher
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Neutralize Al-Shabab by supporting Somalia Commentary by Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05) This article originally published in Mshale African Community Newspaper. Al-Shabab’s assault on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, exemplifies the behavior of a cornered animal — it lashes out when threatened. The tragic
Congressman Keith Ellison
paradox of last week’s attack is that recent security gains against Al-Shabab in Somalia have caused the organization to pursue soft targets abroad. It’s hard to talk about reasons for optimism in Somalia when blood is still warm in Nairobi, but the way to eliminate AlShabab is to support the Somali government’s efforts toward a path of stability and prosperity. Al-Shabab’s brazen attack,
which left more than 60 dead, was a desperate attempt to bait the Kenyan government into an overly broad response. Any crackdown on ethnic Somalis in Kenya would fulfill AlShabab’s propaganda about Kenyan oppression, breathing new life into the organization that desperately needs it. The horror that a small group of heavily armed men can rain down upon innocent people at a shopping
mall does not mean that AlShabab is thriving. In fact, there is no doubt it is on the decline. Al-Shabab controlled much of Mogadishu and several other Somali cities as recently as 2011. It administered territory and collected taxes like a government. But thanks to the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia and the Somali Armed Forces, Al-Shabab controls no major cities today. Its main
revenue streams have been cut, and internal divisions are rife. Just two weeks ago, hundreds of young Somalis reportedly defected from the organization. It’s no surprise that Al-Shabab chose to reassert itself on the world stage in a time of crisis. The Al-Shabab propaganda machine is suffering, too. The
AL-SHABAB TURN TO 12
Health
Community
Business
Man Talk
Health insurance marketplaces open on first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
North over South in Minneapolis high school football
Developing a winning development team
What does it mean to be approachable?
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Page 2 • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Health insurance marketplaces open on first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 1, 2013 marks both the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the opening of health insurance marketplaces in every state that enable people with breast cancer and other forms of cancer to enroll in health plans without fear that they will be denied coverage because of their health status or medical history. The health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act, provides that beginning next year, no one can be denied coverage or charged astronomical rates because of a pre-existing condition such as cancer, and patients cannot have their plans revoked because they have gotten sick. Plans sold in the new marketplaces will have to offer essential benefits to prevent, treat and survive a life-threatening disease such as cancer, and patients with low and moderate incomes may be eligible for tax credits that reduce their costs. Coverage for plans sold in the marketplaces begins as soon as Jan. 1. “This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people with cancer and their families have the security of knowing that soon they will no longer have to worry about whether they can get the care they need,” said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer
© PhotoXpress
Society and its advocacy affiliate the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “The health care law dramatically improves access to mammography and proven breast cancer treatments that save lives.” The health care law requires health plans to cover annual preventive mammograms for women starting at age 40, and BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing and counseling for women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, all at no cost to patients. The law also bans lifetime dollar limits on coverage and restricts annual dollar limits,
protections that begin next year. Even with the health care law in effect, millions of women throughout the country, especially in those states that do not accept federal funding to increase access to health coverage through Medicaid, will continue to rely on the successful National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for education, care coordination and access to early detection and prevention services. Administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program provides access to lifesaving cancer screenings
and treatment for millions of low-income, uninsured and underinsured women. Over the past two decades, the program has provided 11 million screening exams to more than 4.4 million women in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories and 11 American Indian/ Alaska Native organizations, resulting in the detection of almost 60,000 breast and 3,300 invasive cervical cancers. Unfortunately, the program is inadequately funded, and the federal budget sequester has reduced the number of women who can access its lifesaving early detection services by tens of thousands. “Without additional funding for this program, millions of women will continue to go without mammograms, increasing their risk of a late-stage cancer diagnosis when the disease is more expensive to treat and difficult to survive,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. “Congress must restore funding for this critical program that
provides a safety net for many women and has been proven to save lives.” Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. This year in the U.S., breast cancer is expected to be diagnosed in more than 232,000 women, and take more than 40,000 lives. For cervical cancer, approximately 12,000 new cases will be diagnosed and more than 4,000 women will lose their lives this year. Many of these deaths from breast and cervical cancers could be avoided if cancer screening rates increased among women at risk. The American Cancer Society recently released a consumer guide, The Health Care Law: How It Can Help People With Cancer And Their Families, which explains many of the law’s more than 100 critical provisions that will benefit cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Free Women’s Health Screenings - Oct. 12
Sam’s Club will host free women’s health screenings to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer and thyroid issues in women Saturday, October 12 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at all Sam’s Club locations with a pharmacy. To find a club near you, visit www.SamsClub. com/clublocator. The screenings are valued at up to $200 and will offer free take-home breastself exam kits as well as free thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) tests. With more than 2.3 million free health and wellness screenings provided in U.S. Sam’s Club location since 2010, Sam’s Club will continue to serve communities in 2013 by hosting free screenings every second Saturday of the month. The full screenings include: Take-home breast selfexam kits; TSH tests; Blood pressure screenings; Body mass index calculations; and Vision screenings. If you have any questions, please contact SamsHealthScreenings@ cohnwolfe.com.
Open Cities breast and INSIGHT cervical cancer screenings NEWS Mammogram, and Cervical Thirty-five percent of women 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 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
in Minnesota have not had a mammogram in the last three years. Rates of breast cancer per 100,000 for women of color are: African American women 104.5 and Asian women 67.1. OCHC receives funding from the American Cancer Society and MDH’s Eliminating Health Disparities to address these needs. OCHC’s Breast Health Program uses a Health Navigator to walk high-risk patients through a coordinated process that offers: • Breast Health education, Clinical Breast Exam,
Cancer screening to women who fall within the recommended guidelines, regardless of their reason for visit • Gift card incentives for mammogram completion and transportation assistance to those who are in need. OCHC also works with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Sage Program, a program that offers free screening and diagnostic services including office visits for breast and cervical cancer
OCHC TURN TO 9
Breast cancer prevention and how you help others in your community You can help lower your risk of breast cancer in the following ways— • Get screened for breast cancer regularly. By getting regular exams, you’re more likely to find breast cancer early. • Control your weight and exercise. Make healthy choices in the foods you eat and the kinds of drinks you have each day. Stay active. Learn more about keeping a healthy weight and ways to
increase your physical activity. • Know your family history of breast cancer. If you have a mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter with breast cancer, ask your doctor what is your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk. • Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement
CANCER TURN TO 9
Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Suluki Fardan Michele Spaise 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.
You belong. The health plan with you in mind.
At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan. You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all. Learn more at medica.com/PublicPrograms
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Insight News • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Page 3
Five teams, each lead by professional fitness trainers competing for success in losing weight and getting fit!
IN IT TO WIN IT The Insight-2-Health Fitness Challenge is a fun, yet challenging, fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes in program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable. Teams meet once per week with their assigned personal trainer and are required to workout
Matt Lese Matt’s lifelong passion for fitness started with years of playing competitive sports from hockey to basketball. Matt has competed in triathlons and has experience boxing and has participated in CrossFit inspired activities. Because of his well-rounded experiences in the fitness world, Matt was inspired to start Fusion Fitness, which in short, seeks to “Fuse” many different fitness disciplines into one complete program.
with their teammates. Participants also receive one-on-one consultation with a registered dietician and coaching on food, weight gain/loss with a mental health professional. Join challenge participants on their 10week journey by checking these pages and following Insight News and The F.I.T. Lab, Co., on Facebook.
Photo: Corey Collins/Moda Photography
Healthy Recipes
Presented by NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center staff
“Family recipe passed down from generation to generation. It was good to be able to make it healthier but still have the same taste.” - Laura Green
LAURA’S COLLARD GREENS Recipe by Laura Green
“This is a recipe that I adapted from a girlscout “foil dinner” camping recipe. I like it because I can cook it in the oven, crockpot, or even solar oven. It is easy, healthy, and my kids love it.” - Robin Councilman
SOUTH WESTERN LASAGNA Recipe by Robin Councilman
• 1 large can (10 ounces) chicken, drained • 8 small (6 inches wide) corn or whole wheat tortillas • 1 can (16 ounces) vegetarian refried beans • 1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheese Stir together black beans, tomatoes and corn in medium bowl; set aside. Layer vegetables, 1 tortilla, refried beans, chicken and cheese in crock pot. Repeat layering until all ingredients are in crock pot. Cover crock pot; cook on high for 4 hours.
Makes 8 to 10 servings • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained • 2 cups frozen corn, unthawed
“One of my goals as a mother has been to have my children enjoy vegetables. In that effort, one of the things I’ve found is that the children in my family all prefer most vegetables
Makes 6 to 8 servings • 2 bags (2 pounds each bag) fresh collard greens • ½ package smoked turkey wings or legs • 3 cups water • 1 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil • ½ cup chopped red onion • 2 cloves minced garlic, minced • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, chopped
Rinse greens with cold water. Remove excess water; set aside. Place turkey and water in large pot; cook over mediumhigh heat until boiling. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. Add greens and remaining ingredients. Cover and cook for an additional 2 hours or until greens are tender.
roasted over steamed or boiled. The roast roots are a great Fall recipe because most of these and other root vegetables are available so inexpensively at the farmer’s markets. In this recipe I use vegetables that many adults have never heard of, much less eaten. However, it makes a wonderful mix of colors and flavors that add interest to a meal.” - Robin Councilman
OVEN ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES Recipe by Robin Councilman Makes 6 to 8 servings
• 2 medium red skin or white potatoes, peeled and sliced • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced • 1 medium potato or sunchoke, peeled and sliced • ½ rutabaga, peeled and sliced • 1 golden beet, peeled and sliced • 1 parsnip, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil or vegetable oil • ½ teaspoon salt Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place vegetables in ungreased rectangular pan, 9x13 inches. Stir in vegetable oil and salt. Bake 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender when pierced with fork.
Page 4 • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Insight News
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Choose well New choices in health care are here. Introducing UCare ChoicesSM, affordable new health plans from a leader in Minnesota health care, with coverage for young adults, families, empty nesters and everyone in between. Find out more at UCareChoices.org, and look for us on the MNsure health insurance marketplace. Choose well. Choose UCare Choices.
Mykal57 sets out to prove he’s not a disabled rapper, but a rapper with a disability By Harry Colbert, Jr.
C
oming to the club I arrive in a hybrid/ Blow the brains out, now the mind’s undecided/ When I’m pullin’ up, they attention undivided/You ain’t robbin’ me and I ain’t Batman’s sidekick. Rick Ross? Two Chains? Ludacris? Lil’ Wayne? Nope, it’s none of the above. Those witty lyrics are from the mind of metaphorical Golden Valley rapper Mykal57, on his single, “Candy Paint,” a tale of the rapper’s affinity for his tricked out wheels. Lyrically, Mykal57 can go bar for bar with the best of them, but that’s not even half the story as to why the 30-year-old lyricist could be the next big thing in hip-hop. For those who have seen the Gary, Ind. born rapper live, they immediately know they’re witnessing something wholly unique. What’s so different about the clever rapper, besides his gift for outrageous punch lines? Mykal57, born Mykal Watson, has cerebral palsy – a motor condition that causes physical disability in human development – that causes Mykal to require the use of a wheelchair or crutches to get around. But don’t feel sorry for Mykal57. “I just love proving people wrong,” said
Mykal57, discussing how people perceive him on first sight. “When I perform at a show I hear people saying things and laughing at me getting on stage. One stage was really high, so I had to crawl to get on the stage, so some people in the crowd were laughing, but after people see me perform, it’s all respect and they treat me like any other entertainer.” And he’s certainly not just some gimmick – Mykal has skills. “At the start of all my songs, I yell ‘crippled’ to say yeah, I have a disability, but that doesn’t stop me. It’s not a gimmick,” said Mykal, discussing his ailment, which was diagnosed at 7 months of age, and was attributed to his breech and premature birth. “If it is a gimmick, it’s a Godgiven gimmick.” Mykal57 said his extraordinary confidence comes from his mother, who passed away in 2005. As a tribute to her, Mykal adopted the 57 moniker to commemorate her birthday, May 7. “She put her life on hold for her kids and I owe her so much,” said Mykal57. “She’s the one who gave me the passion for music.” Unsigned, Mykal57 said he performed for record executives at a talent competition and was told that they love his music, but they were hesitant to sign him because of his condition.
“Years ago to be a white rapper was different, but once you get over that first hurdle, being different is a bonus,” said the rapper. “Yeah, I have a disability and I still rap better than most guys and girls out here.” Judging from “Candy Paint,” Mykal57’s bravado is well earned. With lyrics such as “My candy, my candy got wrappers on it/ so cold I was told to put a jacket on it/this bump Ko-Red put acne on it/and the whip change colors, Michael Jackson on it,” it’s clear that Mykal57 lyrically stands taller than most …
If it is a gimmick, it’s a God-given gimmick. even when he’s sitting in his wheelchair. Mykal57’s music can be found on iTunes and Amazon, and fans can keep up with him via Twitter @ mykal57, on YouTube at Mykal57 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ mykal57.
Photo courtesy of the artist
MyKal57
MORE
• Allen: Twin Cities Theater opened to the new
storytales
artability art show & sale October 25-27, 2013
• Storytales – People Incorporated’s Artability coming in October
• Snapshots
Page 6 • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking
insightnews.com/aesthetics
Allen: Twin Cities Theater open to the new By Traci Allen, TC Daily Planet I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I spent my whole life there until I moved to Washington, D.C. to go to Howard University, where I studied theater arts with a concentration in musical theater. I didn’t know anything about Minneapolis, but I came here for one year right after college—I had an apprenticeship at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC). After that I moved to Chicago, which was okay—Minneapolis had set the standard pretty high for the theater scene. Work eventually took me to a few more places around the country, and then I moved back here to Minnesota two years ago. When I was a child, dance was the first art form I was really introduced to, and singing and acting came along later. Historically, as an actress I’ve done mostly musicals—everything from
Courtesy Children’s Theatre Company
Actress Traci Allen
summer stock to touring shows. I’ve always loved musicals (as cheesy as it may sound); I love the combination of the art forms of singing, acting, and dancing. One of the things I love about Minneapolis, though, is that as a performer, you’re allowed to step outside your box and challenge yourself. In Minneapolis I’ve been fortunate to appear in plays and musicals, comedies and dramas. Being able to work this way continues to stretch and challenge me, and I hope to continue in this way. The Twin Cities theater scene is not afraid to try something new. Lot of times you see theater companies actively trying to step outside their comfort zones, and I applaud that. Also, this is, without a doubt, the warmest theater community I’ve ever been a part of: the actors, the directors, everyone. There’s a collaborative atmosphere here; and people really just want to see other people succeed. The attitude is that there’s enough work to go around—fellow artists genuinely wish you the best.
That’s an amazing thing to have, because this business is hard enough as it is. As for the hopes I have for Twin Cities theater, I still feel very much like the new kid in school, and so that’s hard for me to speak to. At this point, I’m just observing and learning and trying to throw myself into this theater community. As a new company member at CTC, I have the luxury of easing into my new role. I’m rehearsing for and will appear in a show at Pillsbury House Theatre for the next couple of months; then I’ll segue into working at CTC full time. My first show as a company member will be Cinderella, which will also be my first holiday show there. I’m extremely excited because holiday shows, no matter the theatre, are always so much fun! I’ve always thought that CTC has a special way of capturing the magic and the joy of the season. You can see it all over the faces in the audience, all the “kids from one to 92.” ©2013 Traci Allen
Ma-Yi Theater Company teams with playwright Lloyd Suh to create ambitious world premiere for CTC
Courtesy of Ma-Yi Theater Company featuring Sasha Diamond
Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) recently launched their 2013-2014 season which includes the world premiere of The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! by Lloyd Suh. The play is coproduced by the Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning, Ma-Yi Theater Company after four years of collaboration. The process demanded a commitment by two theatres to produce a wildly inventive inter-planetary odyssey complete with space creatures and levitating rocks. Ma-Yi’s Artistic Director Ralph Peña will direct the production this October on CTC’s Cargill Stage before taking the show to New York. CTC Artistic Director Peter Brosius and Director of New Play Development Elissa
Adams are always looking for renowned artists to develop new work for young audiences. Brosius recalls, “I just thought it was a brilliant production: the direction, design, actors, how the script played, and I knew this was a special theatre with terrific leadership.” He was particularly interested in their Asian-American Writers Lab. Ma-Yi Artistic Director Ralph Peña is fully supportive of the Asian American voice, creating what Brosius calls “an extraordinarily wide and inventive aesthetic.” A partnership between CTC and Ma-Yi seemed like an ideal choice for both companies. CTC would get to premiere a new play by one of the nation’s most celebrated new playwrights and Ma-Yi would have an original show that
Reconnecting on our campus home
Join us Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM for our p-12 open house and barbeque boldlybreck.com
perpetually learning
one campus p-12 in Golden Valley
their dedicated audiences could enjoy with their families. Peter Brosius met with Ma-Yi Artistic Director Ralph Peña who recommended Writers Lab playwright Lloyd Suh whose plays have been published and produced worldwide. Suh was given permission to unabashedly unleash his imagination. The show will feature spectacle, visual effects, and some stage magic yet to be discovered. Peña elaborates, “Sometimes, in theater, life can get in the way. The whole process was a slow simmer, and it was what the play needed.” What Lloyd Suh created after the three-year incubation period is the rock ‘em sock ‘em science fiction adventure, The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chubucabra Go! Suh’s own life-altering experience contributed to his final draft. by Lloyd Suh will run at Children’s Theatre Company on the Cargill Stage October 8 – November 17, 2013. The production, directed by Ralph Peña will then head to New York’s Ellen Stewart Theatre beginning its run January 28, 2014. Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). The company is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.
via SPCO on Facebook
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra heads to North Minneapolis— and offers tickets for free By Jay Gabler, Front Row Seat While the Minnesota Orchestra sweats out the mid-September deadline to resolve contract negotiations before music director Osmo Vänskä quits, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO)—an equally worldclass band—are moving forward with a full season of programming, including three performances of chamber music at the historic Capri Theater in North Minneapolis.
Music by composers including Beethoven, Haydn, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Britten, and Bartók will be heard on the Capri stage during three performances on October 10, February 6, and May 8. A season ticket for all three performances is only $30, and a third of available seats for each performance will be given away completely free. Tickets are on sale now, and reservations for free
tickets will be taken at 651291-1144 starting one month before each performance. To buy tickets and see complete programs, visit the SPCO’s website. Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway Minneapolis, MN Phone: 866-811-4111 http://www.thecapritheater.org
insightnews.com/aesthetics
Aesthetically Speaking • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Page 7
Storytales – People Incorporated’s Artability coming in October The 90-some artists who participate in People Incorporated Mental Health Services’ Artability Art Show each have their own story to tell. Sometimes it is about beauty, sometimes about struggles and survival, or humor and love. This year’s show, which will open on October 25th at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul (75 5th St.), will feature a special installation of artwork by people who experience auditory hallucinations – they hear voices due to their mental illness – combined with recordings of the artists talking about their work. The art for this installation will be created at a special workshop, co-led by artist Ethan Heidlebaugh, who just happens to be the winner of this year’s poster contest. Heidlebaugh participated in the show six years ago, and recently became involved again through the art workshops that are part of the Artability program. A native of Cannon Falls, Heidlebaugh declared at the
storytales
artability art show & sale October 25-27, 2013
age of three that he was going to be an artist, and he’s kept to that pledge ever since. He mostly works in watercolor or ink and colored pencils.
His winning piece, “Time Tunnel,” is a fantasy drawing reminiscent of old woodcuts created to illustrate fairytales, and includes a unicorn, a
horse-dragon and a group of rabbits emerging from their burrow. A romantic castle rises up in the distance. “A lot of my work is rather
dark, but for this one, I wanted to do something lighter. I often include a small rabbit in my drawings, but this one has several,” said Heidlebaugh.
“They’re coming out of their tunnel into the open to explore. It’s kind of a good metaphor for Artability because the show gives an opportunity to artists whose work isn’t often seen to come out and showcase their talents. It’s awesome for me to be part of Artability. The workshops have really inspired me this year, and I love to work with the other artists, like on the installation piece this year.” The show will feature some 300 pieces of art, from landscapes and nature photography to anime and abstracts. The artists include those who are showing for the first time, as well as seasoned artists who have exhibited their works in the Twin Cities and beyond. Artists can sell their works at the show, and keep 90 percent of the sale price (the remaining 10 percent goes back into the Artability program). “I want the world to see what I can see through this eye inside of me,” said Heidlebaugh about his work. “I hope everyone will come to the show to see and hear all the artists’ stories.”
PHD to Ph.D.: How Education Saved My Life By Kam Williams “Elaine Richardson grew up in a poverty stricken area of Cleveland, Ohio to her Jamaican mother and American father. Being raped at 13, she became involved with what basically amounted to the same abusive boyfriend over and over again. She also became a teenaged and then adult prostitute, drug addict, and single mother. Addicted to drugs, abusive controlling pimps, the streets, short stints in jail, the cycle of death that was her life, and on top of that, pregnant again.
It was the end. The only way out was death or prison, but that wasn’t her fate. Instead, she went to school… and never stopped. On her journey, she became empowered with knowledge of her culture and history. Today, Dr. Elaine Richardson shares her story of sexual exploitation and other forms of bondage to promote healing and empowerment through education. Her story is about going from a Po’ Ho on Dope to a Ph.D.” -- Excerpted from the Introduction (pages 5-6) Dr.
Elaine
at Ohio State University. This heartbreaking cautionary tale is tailor-made for at-risk girls since the author recounts her tragic experiences in a gripping and graphic fashion which leaves little to the imagination. Crediting God and her supportive mother for
putting her on the road to recovery, Elaine nevertheless acknowledges that she’s still healing and learning to love herself after all the years of abuse. A remarkable memoir by a remarkable survivor who miraculously managed to beat the odds!
Richardson
The Story of Jane Gibbs
O Oct 18 18–Nov3 N 3 “Pay What You Can” Saturday, Oct 19, 3pm
www.SteppingStoneTheatre.org 55 Victoria Street North | Saint Paul | 651-225-9265
encountered a host of horrors practically from birth. That’s because she was raised on a rough side of Cleveland in a seedy apartment where she recalls seeing a rat scamper across the floor as a toddler. Growing up, she was teased mercilessly about both her lips and her weight by cruel kids in the neighborhood who called her everything from ‘liver lips’ to ‘rubber lips’ to ‘bubble lips’ to ‘chub’ to ‘fat girl.’ And soon after reaching puberty, she lost her virginity when she was raped while just in junior high school. That sexual assault, which left the 13 year-old pregnant, was only the start of a deep descent into depravity that would be marked by pimps, prostitution, drug addiction, incarceration and singlemotherhood. She eventually bottomed out but was able to
turn her life around before her future was swallowed up by the streets entirely. That admirable transformation is the subject of PHD to Ph.D., an inspirational autobiography chronicling Elaine’s very unlikely transformation from a self-described “Po Ho’ on Dope” to a Ph.D. and professor
The Embassy Suites Minneapolis North
DISCRIMINATION IS
AGAINST
THE LAW! dŚĞ ůĂǁ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚƐ LJŽƵ ĨƌŽŵ ĚŝƐĐƌŝŵŝŶĂƟŽŶ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĮůĞ Ă ĐŚĂƌŐĞ ŝĨ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĚŝƐĐƌŝŵŝŶĂƚĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ͘
tŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ĚŝƐĐƌŝŵŝŶĂƟŽŶ ůŽŽŬ ůŝŬĞ͍ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ
ĞŝŶŐ ĚĞŶŝĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ LJŽƵ ǁĂŶƚ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ƌĂĐĞ EŽƚ ŐĞƫŶŐ ƌĞƉĂŝƌƐ ĚŽŶĞ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĂŶ ŝŵŵŝŐƌĂŶƚ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ĚŝƐĂďŝůŝƚLJ͕ ŶŽƚ ďĞŝŶŐ ĂůůŽǁĞĚ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ LJŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝďůĞ ^ĞdžƵĂů ŚĂƌĂƐƐŵĞŶƚ Ăƚ ǁŽƌŬ Žƌ ŚŽŵĞ ĞŝŶŐ ĚĞŵŽƚĞĚ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ĂŐĞ
If you think you’ve been discriminated against, call 651-266-8966 or email ,ZŝŐŚƚƐ ŽŵƉůĂŝŶƚƐΛƐƚƉĂƵů͘ŐŽǀ to learn more. We cannot guarantee the outcome of your case, but we do guarantee professionalism and a fair, ŝŵƉĂƌƟĂů͕ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽŵƉƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƟŐĂƟŽŶ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ Ă ĨƌĞĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͘ tĞ ĂůƐŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ĨƌĞĞ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞƌƐ͕ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞĞƐ͕ ůĂŶĚůŽƌĚƐ͕ ƚĞŶĂŶƚƐ͕ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ owners, and others.
would love to help you plan your perfect day! We are here to cater to your needs and can customize menus for your event. The Embassy Suites is a great location for: Wedding Receptions Rehearsal Dinners Fundraisers Family Celebrations Call : 763.560.2700 for availability or to schedule a tour
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Page 8 • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking 1
3
insightnews.com/aesthetics
Snapshots
2
4
5
Aesthetically Speaking was out at Expressions, the graphic T-shirt party at Darby’s and the Anthony Hamilton concert at Epic. Here are a few scenes from both events. 1) Soul singer Anthony Hamilton delighting the crowd at Epic.
2) Karina Curbelo and Suyapa Miranda hanging out at Expressions T-shirt party at Darby’s. 3) DJ Dell Dilla and Run DMC DJ, Charlie Chan Soprano saying it with their chests at Expressions.
4) Pamela Weems and Keiana Carrington before the Anthony Hamilton show. 5) Mother and daughter Timi Bliss and Landis Hill showing off their expressions.
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Insight News • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Page 9
COMMUNITY North over South in Minneapolis high school football Adams has lead his team from a struggling one victory season last year to a 3-1 mark so far. He has helped the team realize that the achievement toward success in any endeavor comes through a commitment on the part of each player to build a sense of harmony and dedication of purpose to their common cause. The game’s big star was North’s Keyon Thomas, who scored five touchdowns. North quarterback Tyler Johnson also had a big game both passing and rushing.
By Nolan Cramer Only one player on a football team can score a touchdown on one play at any given moment. But the entire team can cheer for the feat. And they can also demonstrate the satisfying team effort in winning the game. Such was the case for the North Community High Polars in its win over South High School, 5019, on Friday, Sept. 27, at Hobbs Field. North head coach Charles
Cancer
Force and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)—Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cancer. • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
From 2 therapy. Some women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT and find out if it is right for you. To learn more about HRT, visit the U.S. Preventive Services Task
You can help prevent breast cancer in your community. Get involved in community groups that help friends and neighbors get screened for breast cancer, and reduce their risk by helping them exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
OCHC
exams, screening and diagnostic mammograms, Pap smear, exam and results counseling, breast ultrasound and biopsy. These services are available to women
From 2
Assumed Name
North High Polars Team Join your community’s comprehensive cancer control program. CDC supports comprehensive cancer control (CCC) programs in all 50 states and many American Indian/ Alaska Native tribes and U.S. territories. CCC programs bring together cancer experts, survivors, advocates, and other organizations to plan ways to prevent and control breast and other cancers. Increase screening in your community. Giving information
to members of your community through newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets is an effective way to increase use of screening services. Research has shown other activities by community groups are effective as well. For more information, see CDC’s Guide to Community Preventive Services. For tools, visit Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Encourage exercise in your neighborhood. Working with your community to provide better
locations for physical activity, such as parks and sidewalks, is an effective way to increase activity. For more information, see CDC’s Guide to Community Preventive Services. For tools, visit Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Help members of your community maintain a healthy weight. Workplace programs to change diet and promote physical activity have been found to be effective. For more information on community efforts to support
a healthy weight, visit CDC’s Guide to Community Preventive Services. For tools related to diet and physical activity, visit Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. For more information about breast cancer prevention, visit the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Breast Cancer (PDQ): Prevention and the Community Guide to Preventive Services.
who meet the following three criteria:
underinsured • Meet generous income guidelines • A woman under 40 can enroll in the Sage program
if, during an office visit and breast exam, the clinician feels that a mammogram is indicated and the woman meets the other criteria.
For more information on Breast Health programs at OCHC, please contact Melinda at 651-290-9258.
construction work system,” said Avi Viswanathan, HIRE Minnesota Campaign Director. “After years of watching statefunded projects fail to meet hiring goals, the EAF partners came together with a positive vision to increase the number of people of color, women, and veterans in the workforce. We’re proud to be part of this coalition that has stuck together these months and kept fighting until we got the needed investment in our communities.” The following organizations will participate in the project: Outreach/Identification of qualified workers and potential candidates • Azule Staffing • Community Standards Initiative (CSI) • District Councils Collaborative • Latino Economic Development Corporation
• Little Earth Housing Development • Minnesota Workforce Council Association • Neighborhoods Organizing for Change • Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center (SESAC) • Stairstep/His Works United • Veterans Small Business Foundation
• Age 40 and older* • Have no insurance or are
Legal Assistant
1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Urban Touch Salon LLC
Legal Assistant, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details go to http://www.mylegalaid.org/employment.
2. State the address of the principal place of business: 1401 E. 38th St. Minneapolis, MN 55407
Harris Companies and Build 23 (Gephart/Parsons JV)
3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Urban Touch Barbers LLC, 1401 E. 38th St. Minneapolis, MN 55407 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. Signed by: Billy Hill, Owner Date Filed: 09/09/2013 Insight News 10/07/2013, 10/14/2013
Community Participation Information Session Learn about the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium Project DATE: October 16, 2013 TIME: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM LOCATION: University of Minnesota, TCF Bank Stadium, DQ Club Room Topics include: • Mechanical and Electrical scopes of work • Project timeline • Procurement opportunities and goals If you are a minority, targeted, or women owned business owner working in the mechanical or electrical supply, labor, or equipment area and have a desire to be part of the stadium project, you should attend this event.
APARTMENT OPENINGS Delton Manor is accepting applications for future 1, 2, & 3 Bedrm apartment openings. Delton Manor has 3 twobedrm handicapped accessible units located in the building. Delton Manor promotes equal housing opportunities for all perspective residents regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, religion, handicap, marital status, familial status, national origin or source of income. For applications and qualifications, contact NANCY at 218759-2523. AN EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS Project:
Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium
Owner:
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority
Construction Manager:
Mortenson Construction, in association with Thor Construction
Architect:
HKS, Inc.
MSFA From 1 become self-sufficient. “We are pleased that the MSFA is supporting our efforts to ensure that the people working on the new stadium reflect the diverse population of the city,” said Al Flowers, community organizer. “This is an exciting time for Minneapolis and we look forward to working together on this historic project.” Summit Academy OIC also will work with HIRE Minnesota to ensure public transparency and accountability throughout the project. “The EAF is a groundbreaking collaboration bringing together communitybased groups and other organizations within the
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Training • Better Futures • Merrick Community Services • Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) • Minneapolis Urban League • St. Paul College • Summit Academy OIC • YWCA St. Paul
Mortenson Construction (the Construction Manager at Risk) is soliciting proposals for General Conditions on the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium Project. Notice is hereby given that proposals will be received by Mortenson for the provision of Construction Services on the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium project for temporary site fence, debris hauling and removal, temporary toilets, document printing, and surveying and layout control. The current projected process and schedule for selecting the subcontractors is as follows: Pre-Proposal Meeting and MWBE Meet and Greet Proposal Submission Selection
October 15, 2013 October 22, 2013 October 29, 2013
All dates are approximate and are provided as a courtesy to Proposers. Mortenson reserves the right, acting in its sole judgment, to modify this process or schedule. Plans and specifications are available via www.isqft.com. For access to the plans and specifications on isqft.com, contact My Nhia Vang at mynhia. vang@mortenson.com (Phone: 763-287-5639). Copies of the plans and specifications will also be provided to the following plan rooms for viewing:
Proposals shall be submitted to Mortenson at the address provided below no later than 2:00 pm on October 15, 2013. Proposals shall be submitted to Sydney Wittmier at sydney.wittmier@mortenson.com M. A. Mortenson Company 700 Meadow Lane North Minneapolis, MN 55422 Attention: Sydney Wittmier, Project Engineer Phone: 763-522-2100 Proposals shall be valid for 120 days. Proposals will be opened privately by Mortenson in the presence of the representatives of the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority, if requested by the Authority. The Owner has adopted a comprehensive Equity Plan for the construction phase of the Project. The Targeted Business Program sets an 11% and 9% goal for construction contracts for the Project to be awarded to women- and minority-owned Minnesota-based business enterprises (MWBE), respectively. The Targeted Business Program also establishes a Veterans Inclusion Program to ensure that our veterans have every opportunity to participate in the Project. The Veterans Inclusion Program will include efforts to include small veteran-owned businesses. See the RFP Proposal Manual for Subcontract Category specific MWBE goals. The Work Force Program sets a 32% and 6% goal for workforce utilization for the Project of minorities and women, respectively. The Equity Plan applies to all subcontractors and suppliers of all tier levels. The Veterans Inclusion Program will also include efforts to utilize veteran in the construction workforce. Proposers are expected to use all necessary and reasonable means to comply with the Equity Plan, including without limitation soliciting work from a broad number of Targeted Businesses and for work scopes suitable for their participation. Pre-Proposal Meetings and MWBE Meet and Greets have been scheduled at the Mortenson Office, 700 Meadow Lane North, Minneapolis, MN 55422. If needed, contact the Mortenson Representative for directions.
THIS IS MY GREEN JOB. Every day, I help turn Hennepin County’s postrecycled garbage into enough clean, renewable energy to power 25,000 Minneapolis homes. In addition to serving the community with sustainable waste disposal and clean, renewable energy, the Hennepin Energy Resource Center (HERC) provides well-paying, green jobs for area residents. For more information on HERC and its operations, visit covantaenergy.com or hennepin.us/herc.
All questions regarding this RFP shall be directed in writing to Sydney Wittmier, Mortenson Project Engineer, at the address above or via e-mail at sydney.wittmier@mortenson.com. END OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS
Page 10 • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Insight News
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BUSINESS Forum examines energy recovery center expansion request County. This waste is turned into energy that supplies the downtown district with electricity. Depending on which way the wind blows, the steam from the facility blows directly onto North Minneapolis or on South Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood. The HERC incinerator has been a topic of intense scrutiny lately from leaders in North Minneapolis and the environmental justice community in the Twin Cities. Covanta Energy, a multinational corporation that operates waste incineration facilities throughout the world, has submitted a permit to allow an increase in trash burning that would allow HERC to operate at full capacity. This increase request is likely to result in a City Council vote in the coming months. While Covanta claims that their estimates of the air pollution from HERC do not reach harmful levels, Pam and other resident leaders feel differently. “The people that know about it in my
By Claire Bergren Pam Peters has lived in the Harrison neighborhood in North Minneapolis for 12 years. She’s a resident leader on the board of the Harrison Neighborhood Association and also identifies as a lover of the outdoors. Pam has been an active hiker for decades, from the foothills of Denver where she used to live to the Theodore Wirth Park trails right outside her door. Yet when Pam steps outside onto Glenwood Avenue, exercising becomes a difficult task. “I’ve hiked and walked all over the place for years, but I can take a short walk around the block and feel my lungs aching.” Pam and the other 3,000+ residents of Harrison live less than a mile west of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) garbage incinerator, a trash burning facility next the Target Field that burns thousands of tons of waste every day from all parts of Hennepin
The geographic placement of Hennepin County’s garbage incinerator is surrounded by the third largest concentration of communities of color in the nation community don’t trust it,” Pam says. She takes extreme measures just to breathe in her own home. “If I want my windows open in the summer on the east side of my house [facing HERC], I have to put furnace filters in there because there was crud coming in and it’s ridiculous. It would come onto a counter in my kitchen that you would not set an item of food on
during the night that you wanted clean in the morning.” A recent report from the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) found that “when aggregating the health damaging air pollutants regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, HERC is Minneapolis’ top polluter by pounds of emissions” and that
“communities within a two-mile radius of the HERC stack have rates of asthma hospitalizations that are significantly higher than those of Minneapolis as a whole”. These communities include 55405 and 55411 in North Minneapolis and have led leaders to call out the HERC facility as perpetuating environmental racism. The geographic placement of Hennepin County’s garbage incinerator is surrounded by the third largest concentration of communities of color in the nation; this means that only two other facilities in the country have larger percentages of people of color in their vicinities. “I don’t understand how you can burn trash when you have plastics with carcinogens in it and claim it’s clean enough to go into our air and not be harmful,” Pam states. Yet Pam has a clear and hopeful vision for restoring the health of her neighborhood. “I would like to see the HERC garbage incinerator close down. I would like to see it gone.
Shutting HERC down will benefit my community by not having our air be polluted. Hopefully there would be a plan in place that would encourage people to use less, recycle more, and to buy things that aren’t wasteful because I can’t keep breathing in this toxic air.” Join Congressman Keith Ellison, MN Rep. Frank Hornstein, Sierra Club’s Karen Monahan and other Speakers TBD for a forum on The Proposed HERC Expansion on Monday, October 7th 6.00 – 7.30 PM at the Minneapolis Urban League 2100 Plymouth Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 (At the intersection of Plymouth and Penn). Please call (612) 522-1212 with any questions about this event. Claire Bergren is a community organizer at the Harrison Neighborhood Association and a member at Neighborhoods Organizing for Change.
Developing a winning development team choose to pay a production firm to take that on. Or, they might choose to bring the work inhouse. If your company is taking it on internally, you’ll need to build a solid team. Like every other aspect of your business, doing it right the first time will save you time and effort later on. Start with a Web Manager. This person will own the entire web development process. The Web Manager is part third grade teacher, part banker and part evangelist: they will interpret and explain new ideas to multiple stakeholders (remember learning cursive?) and they will keep a tight fist on the team’s budget, responding swiftly when the work is trending outside the
Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Fall is the best time for sports! We have football, baseball, cross country running and there’s hockey just around the corner. It’s all good. But the team that makes your business a winner competes in a different league altogether... The IT League. Employers who need to update their websites, online presence and technology may
game plan. This person will also keep everyone on board. Web development takes time and requirements can evolve; the Web Manager will keep people in the game even if it goes into extra innings. For this role, hire someone with deep experience managing projects in your sector. This person would, ideally, have tentacles into the developer and design worlds which will save you money and headaches when recruiting for those positions. Designer? or Developer? Many people can do both. But should they? I can throw with my left hand and my right, but I’m better as a rightie. Determine whether a person’s strength is development or
design, and hire accordingly. An excellent Content Producer deliver quality information to the site. Again, if you’re small, hire someone who knows what they’re doing because they have been there, done that, before. Hiring a Content Producer is straightforward because you will be able to view their content online on other sites. Look for blogs and articles published online, also. Later, you will expand your team to include architects, marketing pros, and additional developers. Pay a little more for your first hires, so you can sleep at night knowing they know what they’re doing. And - now this is really important - as the business owner/CEO/
manager or major investor, keep close tabs on your code. Develop a rapport with your developers so you can begin to understand their work. Occasionally, ask outside developers to review the code so you can be sure it’s clean. It happens all the time, a developer quits or gets hit by a truck, and the business owner is forced to start from scratch, with a new developer, because
By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil
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Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Write to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
Black consumer power still matters Dissecting Diversity
At this rate, your dream kitchen can be a reality.
the new person can’t interpret the other developer’s work. Don’t let this happen. Dive in, ask questions, and, like I said, rest easy. Your web presence will be up and running in no time.
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Resilient, Receptive and Relevant: The African-Consumer 2013 Report. This is Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s third comprehensive, in-depth report on AfricanAmerican consumers. I along with Cloves Campbell, chairman of the NNPA; Rev. Jacques DeGraff who is the co-chair of Nielsen’s External African-American Advisory Council, officially released the report at a press conference during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 43rd Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Since I have been writing this column, you’ve seen me repeatedly write about our tremendous buying power and how we need to use that power wisely. Well, guess what? That buying power sees no signs of slowing down. Black buying power is on the rise; and is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2017. That’s some serious economic clout. How and where we use it is explained in this year’s report, with an even more thorough picture of the African-American consumer. There is so much valuable information; we can’t possibly digest it all in one sitting. So, in the coming weeks, I’ll help explain this report section by section. So, this week, let’s start with our strength in the U.S. population – the demographic information. On average, our population is three years younger than other demos – 35 compared to 38, which is a coveted age for marketers. Our population numbers have grown 64 percent faster than any other group in the country since 2010, which includes people who claim Black and another race. That’s 43 million Black people, or 14 percent of the entire population – the largest racial minority in the United States. The Black population remains the largest racial minority in the United States; Hispanic is an ethnic identity, not a race. Blacks live all over the country, mostly in or around large metropolitan areas such as New York City, Atlanta and Chicago. But, 55 percent of us live in the South. And here’s an interesting fact about Blacks who moved to the South: 40 percent were adults,
ages 21 to 40. So, the Southern migration is not limited solely to older retirees. Now, you all know I love Beyoncé’s “Girls Run the World.” And as a matter of fact, we do! Black women are a force to be reckoned with, representing 52 percent of employed Blacks, controlling 43 percent of the $1 trillion current, collective AfricanAmerican spending power, and owning the majority of Black businesses. The insights in this report do, indeed, show that we are a resilient group, but the report also documents our ability to thrive through tough economic times. Seventy-three percent of Whites and 67 percent of Hispanics believe that Blacks are a great influence on popular culture. Think about it, music (e.g. jazz, blues & hip-hop), clothes language (e.g. slang), gestures (e.g. “Fist bumps,” that are to the Obamas, and they are also known as “daps”). Education is important to us. The number of African-American college graduates was up 9 percent between 1990 (11 percent) and 2010 (20 percent). And, in a myth-shattering revelation, the report shows that we spend 44 percent more time on education and career sites than the total market consumers. Did you know that we read financial magazines such as Forbes, Fortune and Black Enterprise, 28 percent more than other consumers? And, we spend an average 87 minutes on finance and investment websites. That’s 12 percent more than other groups. On the flip side, we could catch up in the actual purchase of mutual funds, first mortgages and stocks. But, the curiosity is there, which helps illustrate to financial institutions that there are opportunities to market and create more awareness about services to Black audiences. Now, we are just getting started so stay tuned. You can find a copy of the report in the September 30, 2013 issue of Insight News and at http:// www.insightnews.com/ Check it out and let us know what you think. Okay, so, I’ve been doing all the talking here for the last three years, but I want to hear from you. Talk to me and let me know what you think. Let’s keep the conversation going. Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsen.com. Follow Us on Twitter @NielsenKnows #AAConsumer13. Like us on Facebook: wwwfacebook.com/ NielsenCommunity.
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Insight News • October 7 - October 13, 2013 • Page 11
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Blanchard From 1 working in one of the company’s test kitchens. Prior to joining General Mills, Blanchard was a commissioned officer in the military and served as assistant nutritionist for the state of Missouri. The effervescent dietitian joined the staff of North Point in 2005, where she counsels families on healthy eating and proper nutrition.
Al-Shabab From 1 group claims to defend Somalia from “outside aggressors,” but 160 Somali Islamic scholars denounced the group’s use of violence earlier this month. It also recently lost the major public-relations icon Al-Amriki — “the American,” in Arabic — when its leaders killed Omar Hammami, an American-born member known for his tweets and raps about terrorism. Hammami’s fate will hopefully undermine Al-Shabab’s predatory tactics to recruit vulnerable youths. Al-Shabab claimed it allowed Muslims to go free during its rampage in Nairobi. But that is a cynical ploy. As with Al-Qaida, most of Al-Shabab’s victims are Muslim. The family members of Somali-Americans in Minnesota were victims of this attack as well. Al-Shabab regularly kills
Johnson From 1 scrutiny and disparate treatment as to my work schedule, work assignments and use of earned leave.” Johnson talked about her history as a Sheriff’s Deputy and the hostile work environment that eventually led to the filing of charges with the federal government last Tuesday in KFAI interview on Conversations with Al McFarlane. Johnson said she has experienced a hostile work environment from the beginning of her work career in the Sheriff’s Department. She said she was proud, however, to wear the uniform, to be a member of the County’s law enforcement organization, and proud of the positive responses she got from our community as a uniformed officer. Johnson, a native Northsider, is a 1980 graduate of Mankato State University with a BS in Law Enforcement and a BS in Criminology, with a minor in Psychology and Sociology. She has had advanced professional training required for advancement in her field. “When I was promoted to sergeant,” she said in the KFAI interview, “I met with my supervising lieutenant and he told me all the reasons why I should not have been promoted. He gave his opinion as to why I was promoted – that it was because I was Black and female - then named people that he felt were more deserving than me – all white men. He told me I would struggle in my new assignment and that I would not make it. He did all he could to make that happen.” Johnson cited that conversation as an example of the incessant hostility she
When it comes to healthy eating, Blanchard said it is not necessarily what people eat, but how people eat. “People think they have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy,” said Blanchard, who also counsels for the area chapter of the American Diabetes Association. “You can have fried chicken, just not with all that grease. You can have macaroni and cheese, just decrease the cheese and fat a bit. And where’s the vegetable? People will have fried chicken and mac and cheese and the
Muslims in Somalia and does incredible harm to Muslims across the globe, revealing that it is nothing more than a terrorist organization that has no religious legitimacy. After hunting down the perpetrators of this attack, the best way to defeat Al-Shabab is to support Somalia’s transition to statehood. Somali leaders completed a political process in 2012 that produced the first representative, permanent government in more than two decades. Somalia now has a new constitution, parliament and president. In a strong vote of confidence, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally recognized the new government when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Washington in January. President Hassan Sheikh made his second visit to the United States last week. He had participated in the New Deal for Somalia conference in Brussels, where the international
endured. “I loved my job. I wanted to be a good trooper, loyal to my profession, to my employer, and to my co-workers. So I just would not say anything about ongoing slights, disparate treatment, and harassment. I was a team player,” she said. It became clear to her, however, that in the Sherriff’s Department, “people are dealt with based on fear and intimidation. There is a bully factor. There is a feeling that you have to go along to get along.” “The problem is systemic,” Johnson said. “No one wants to be the one to speak out for fear of retaliation. There are others who are now or have in the past been subjected to similar treatment. I hope that as a result of an outside investigation the issues will be publicly revealed and dealt with accordingly.” Reverend Jerry McAfee, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis accompanied Johnson for the radio broadcast interview. He said “it is telling that when our people do all the right things….get the education, show up to work on time every day, work hard and honestly, demonstrate loyalty, competence and commitment to the public good….we still must suffer the intolerable bigotry and injustice at the hands of the “old boys” club.” “Our community has to put our arms around Lt. June Johnson and other Black law enforcement officers and show them how much we respect them and admire them for answering the noble calling of public safety.” And, he said, “we have to protect them from injustice and maltreatment, even in the institutions of law enforcement and government that they serve.” Johnson said she attempted to follow the chain of command in voicing her concerns about mistreatment
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vegetable is missing.” The nutritionist, who has conducted healthy cooking demonstrations on television’s KARE 11 and at the Minnesota State Fair, said understanding alternative seasoning methods could offer healthier meals. She suggested using spices such as cinnamon and Italian seasoning rather than table salt. “These two don’t have sodium,” said Blanchard, who recognizes many of her patients suffer from, or are predisposed to, high blood pressure. “We can
Photo: The Standard/Kenya
4-year-old Portia is daughter of Katherine Walton, a North Carolina native living in Kenya who was shopping at the Westgate Mall with her five children when the mall attack started. She and her three young daughters hid beneath a table until Abdul Haji (seen extending hand to Portia) came to the rescue. Haji is the son of a former Kenyan security chief.
community committed $2.5 billion to Somalia’s recovery. His government has constructively engaged its opposition and made progress on the issue of federalism with Puntland and Jubaland. In a speech in Washington, President Hassan Sheikh announced the hiring of 1,000 teachers and his plan to put a million children in school
and discrimination. “I have exhausted all internal recourses. I have sought the assistance of Sheriff’s Administration, Hennepin County Department of Diversity, and Hennepin County Human Resources. Each time I was met by resistance.” “I first met with the Director of Diversity. In that meeting she took no written notes and there was no audio recording. I asked her why she made no notes of my allegations. She said she would make notes “if” there were to be an investigation. I told her that I felt worse leaving the interview than I did coming in. I was not sure how that process was supposed to go, but I was sure that that was not it! There was no investigation,” Johnson said. Hennepin County Human Resources Department did meet with Johnson for over two hour but said they found nothing to support Johnson’s allegations. “I have email correspondence between myself and some of my harassers. I would call that supporting documentation,” she said. Following the County’s findings, Johnson retained an attorney and on September 23, 2013 filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. “The Sheriff’s Office has completely disregarded and dismissed any of my concerns and issues. They have failed to act upon my complaints. Since my complaint, they have left me to work in the same environment to deal with the arrogance and cockiness of the same individuals that I made the allegations of hostility and harassment against,” she said. “My mental, emotional and physical health have suffered tremendously,” she said. “I have an impeccable work history. I have never been counseled. I have never been disciplined. I have never not done what was expected of me. I would think that after nearly
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season our food without a lot of salt. We just need to learn how to prepare food differently – that and portion controls are key.” The Insight-2-Health fitness campaign is addressing the obesity epidemic in Twin Cities African-American community via a “Biggest Loser” style competition of family and community teams working to lose weight and improve fitness over a 10-week period. Certified fitness instructors are leading these teams toward fitness and weight-loss goals. The challenge
seeks to achieve weight loss and fitness improvement for participants, create a robust community-wide conversation about obesity, weight loss and fitness that will change perceptions about obesity and encourage people to act now to improve health. According to Blanchard, achieving optimal health and wellness does not happen in a day. “It’s a journey,” said Blanchard. “When we realize who we are now, it took us
a long time to become that person, so to get to become and know the new person we want to become, we’ve got to do it gradually. It’s a lifestyle change; it’s a commitment. You’ve got to take it one day at a time. It’s not about weight loss; it’s about weight management. We get caught up in the dieting, but it’s not just about that. It’s about being active and enjoying your activity.”
during his first term. Giving kids opportunities through education would be a major blow to AlShabab’s recruiting, which thrives off desperation. The international community can also help degrade Al-Shabab by maintaining the lifeline of remittances to Somalia. For many Somalis, the small payments they receive from family abroad are their only means of survival. At $1.3 billion each year, remittances make up one third of Somalia’s GDP and are larger than all foreign aid. However, more banks are refusing to process Somali remittances because of regulatory costs or the fear of processing a transaction that may end up in the hands of Al-Shabab. This could be devastating for Somali families and a major win for Al-Shabab, which has accused the West of callousness toward the suffering of the Somali people. Somalia rests at a critical juncture. There is the chaos of the past, exemplified by this week’s
terrorist attack, and the promise of a better future. More than ever, it’s time to stand with the people of Somalia. Congressman Keith Ellison represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S.
House of Representatives. The Fifth District includes the City of Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs.
30 years of service I would be treated better than this,” she said. There are over 300 sworn peace officers in the Hennepin County Sherriff’s Department of which four are African American females. Johnson worked in Juvenile Probation at Minnesota Correctional Facility at Red Wing before joining the Sherriff’s Department. Before that she worked for Hennepin County Home School and earlier, Minneapolis Youth Diversion Program.
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