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“The 70s Songbook” explores Broadway music aesthetically speaking
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Insight News October 19 - October 25, 2015
Vol. 42 No. 42 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Community prevails; MPS cancels $1.25 million book deal By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Following community uproar over books that many deemed racist and sexist, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) has decided to end its relationship with the books’ provider, Reading Horizons. The stunning reversal came this past Tuesday (Oct. 13) during the school board’s regular monthly meeting. Reading Horizons had been previously awarded a contract that was worth $1.25 million to provide books that ironically were supposed to lessen the reading gap between white students and underperforming students of color. However, once the books were delivered to the district, several teachers complained about the books such as “Lazy Lucy” which depicts Lucy as a lazy African girl who does not want to clean her hut, and “Nieko the Hunting Girl” that depicts a primitive view of Indigenous-Americans and yet even another book that focuses on Kenyans and how
Left to right: Dr. Reba Peoples, Kari Umanzor, Jackie Cooper, Dr. Adeya Richmond, Robin P. Hickman, Toni Carter, Dr. Tamiko Morgan, Dr. Sylvia Bartley, Stella Whitney-West, Tonya Hampton, Deanna Varner, Linda Goler Blount, Dr. Demeka Campbell Kilgore, Tamiko Ralston, Nina Harris, and Ikram Koliso. Debra Pridgen, Juliet Mitchell, Ora Hokes, Vanne Owens Hayes, Beverly Propes, Babette Jaminson, Sharon Gilbert, and Janelle Clepper, are members of the Baraza Planning team, but were not present for the photo.
Michael Goar
Baraza: Owning our health Women need equity, solutions discussion Our agenda
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By Jeffrey A. Hassan, Executive Director African American Leadership Forum
Carter and NorthPoint Health & Wellness CEO, Stella WhitneyWest, and organized and coordinated by Jackie Cooper, executive assistant of the African American Leadership Forum (AALF), Baraza brought together leading state and national experts to discuss and understand health issues affecting Black women. Dr. Adeya Richmond, staff psychologist at Hennepin
On Oct. 10 on a bright, sunny Saturday morning, more than 300 Black women gathered for the 4th Annual Baraza – A Black Woman’s Health Gathering. Baraza is a Swahili word, which translated means, “a meeting held by a collective group of people of wisdom.” Indeed, that is exactly what it was. Co-chaired by Ramsey County Commissioner Toni
County Medical Center, gave a presentation on postpartum depression and anxiety. In addition, Robert Taylor, chef at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, presented on cooking healthy with flavor and Dr. Reba Peoples, a private practice psychiatrist at the Imara Health & Wellness in Minneapolis, discussed the hidden
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20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH
Farrakhan: No justice in this land By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer A sea of Black men, women and children covered every bit of open space on the National Mall during the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, held on Saturday, Oct. 10 here in the District. But when the man behind the march, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, stepped to the podium, his message may have come as a surprise to those expecting controversial rhetoric in his speech. “We’re here because there’s no justice in this land – not for us,” he said. “Those who continue to suffer the most, the indigenous people of America, those whose ancestors were brought here as burden
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Thousands of people traveled from across the nation to Washington, D.C.
Monica Morgan/The Final Call
Why Black people answer when Farrakhan calls By George E. Curry via George Curry Media It’s time to give Minister Louis Farrakhan credit. When he issues a call for people to join him in the
nation’s capital, Blacks show up. At least a million showed up for the Million Man March 20 years ago and at least two-thirds as many showed up for Saturday’s Justice or Else assembly on the National Mall.
Justice or Else weekend Making a new rap about unity and the Black dollar
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Without a doubt, Farrakhanled events in Washington, D.C. attract more people than marches called jointly by all of the other civil rights leaders. And whenever Minister Louis Farrakhan is involved in a major event, there
ridiculous estimate that 400,000 people attended. But Boston University’s Center for Remote Sensing placed the figure between 655,000 to 1.1 million - more than twice as large as the 1963 March on Washington.
is always a controversy about numbers. In his speech at the Million Man March, people were fascinated by his fascination with numerology. In the aftermath of that event, the U.S Park Service made the
Farrakhan manages to be a magnet while withstanding withering attacks. Consider a few recent headlines:
FARRAKHAN 6 TURN TO
Education
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Top seven children’s books on leadership for social justice
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Ujamaa Place honors Justice Alan Page
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Making a new rap about unity and the Black dollar By James G. Muhammad Special to the NNPA from The Final Call WASHINGTON—The power of hip hop and the Black economy were the topics of discussion during a press conference at the National Press Club Oct. 9, kicking off the day’s events for the Justice Or Else weekend here. Real Hip Hop Network chairman Atonn Muhammad called for an end to community violence and the murders of Blacks by police, adding that rap artists play a key role in the solution. “Hip hop is a means to not just influencing Black people, but influencing the world. Our job is to challenge these negative images in hip-hop culture. We’re here to make a change,” he said. Mr. Muhammad acknowledged the choices many artists make in order to maintain access to the powerful in the industry. He described a “hidden hand” of those who control the industry that hamper artists – as rappers like Jay Z have admitted in songs — from saying what’s in their hearts. Featured speaker Nuri Muhammad of Indianapolis Muhammad Mosque #74 referred to the criticism that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has faced as he has
Monica Morgan/The Final Call Newspaper
Russell Simmons (second from right) has built a business empire based on hip-hop culture and is an example of the power of the hip-hop economy. sought to meet hip hop artists during the mobilization of the Justice Or Else gathering. To that criticism, Min. Farrakhan has said rappers are the leaders in our communities and that one good rap song is worth more than 1,000 of his lectures, Student Minister Nuri said. “When you look at any fruit of Louis Farrakhan … you are looking at the fruit of less than
1,000 lectures. When a hiphop artist has the right idea in their music, you can, with one song, make soldiers better than Malcolm X. You can produce, with one song, soldiers better than Farrakhan. With one song. “We hope that as those artists have heard from the Minister, that you will go home and renegotiate your script for your lyrics. If you’re gonna rap, make
Min. Nuri said, “but 10-11 is critical. We’re gathering on the mall to get our marching orders.” Millionaire entrepreneur Rodney P. Hunt described Dr. Martin Luther King and Min. Farrakhan as “change agents” and expressed support for the Justice Or Else movement. The co-founder of RS Information Systems, which he sold for hundreds of millions of dollars, said he admires the Minister’s ability to reach people where they are. He said that African American men and women must show solidarity and courage to build our communities despite our differences. Panelist Maurice Rashid Hood of The Money Club and GMG Enterprises, both hip-hop oriented companies, commended the Minister for reaching out to the youth and advised others to hear the raw pain of people talking about their lives in their rap.
“Some people can’t relate to the way things are said, but this is raw pain. Every song has a message,” Mr. Hood told The Final Call. “I thank the Minister for accepting the path that was chosen for him which has given me a platform to stand on. Any enlightenment or inspiration that would raise Black people will be opposed by the power structure,” he said. Atonn Muhammad said he invited panelist Robby Wells, who aspires to be the Democratic nominee for president, because as a white candidate he’s speaking forcefully about Black issues. “It’s time to stare down the fear of our differences with the face of courage,” Mr. Wells said. “We need leaders with a plan to restore the damage done to the African American community.” For more information on the Justice…Or Else! Movement, visit http://www.justiceorelse. com.
it a revolutionary rap. Make songs about the struggle for liberation of our people,” he said. Min. Nuri said the Million Man March was a “glimpse of heaven” experienced by nearly 2 million men and there has been a yearning among those men to have “another moment in time” where their wives and families can experience heaven. “10-10-15 is important,”
Consumers win in a competitive space race By Helen Domenici Several companies are working to launch massive satellite constellations into space to provide super-fast Internet virtually anywhere on Earth. Two of the leading firms advancing this plan, OneWeb of Great Britain and U.S.-based SpaceX, share the same goal — to bring broadband Internet to billions of people who lack access. But it remains unknown whether the new era of space-based connectivity will be spurred by healthy competition or
Helen Domenici
regulatory turf wars over satellite spectrum. OneWeb, a startup based in Britain’s Channel Islands that plans to launch 600-700 satellites by 2019 has acquired the support of satellite makers like Airbus, would-be launch providers like Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, and several other major corporations. SpaceX, meanwhile, has advantages of its own. As the world’s fastest-growing launch service provider, the aerospace company plans to launch 4,000 satellites within five years. SpaceX already has built complex
satellites in-house. And in January, Google and Fidelity announced a $1 billion bet on the continued success of SpaceX. Considerably less constructive than the head-to-head business commitments made by these two companies to date, however, are attempts to corral international bureaucrats as competitive leverage. For both SpaceX and OneWeb, satellite-based Internet will operate in large measure on the Ku-band radio frequency range.
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Page 4 • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Insight News
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Get a flu shot once a year to keep yourself healthy If you are living with a long-term health condition like asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease, you take steps every day to stay healthy by taking your medicine, carrying an inhaler, eating right, or monitoring your blood sugar and cholesterol. But did you know that there is something else you can do just once a year to keep yourself healthy? You can get a flu shot. People living with asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart
disease have a higher risk of complications from flu. In past flu seasons, up to 80 percent of adults hospitalized from flu complications had a long-term health condition, as did about 50 percent of hospitalized children. The flu can make these health conditions worse, even if they are under control. People living with these conditions may also have weakened immune systems that make it harder for their bodies to fight flu. This is why it
is so important that people with long-term health conditions get their flu shot every year. Asthma is the most common medical condition among children hospitalized with the flu. Lung diseases like asthma and COPD cause your airways to swell and become blocked with mucus, which makes it hard to breathe. Flu can also increase the swelling of your airways and lungs, causing severe asthma attacks and symptoms that can lead to hospitalization. Heart disease was the most common health condition among Minnesota adults hospitalized with flu in 2012-13 flu season. If you have heart disease, flu can increase your risk of having
another heart attack. Flu can raise blood glucose to dangerously high levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Diabetics also have a higher risk of developing pneumonia by itself or after getting the flu so they also may need a pneumococcal vaccine. Do you live with a family member who has a long-term health condition? It is especially important to stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, including your flu shot. Getting a flu shot can help prevent the spread of flu to people at higher risk. Get vaccinated to protect your family members. The flu shot is safe to get, even if you are taking prescription medications. Adults
can get the flu shot at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, health clinics, and health departments. You may also need other vaccines based on other factors so talk to your doctor. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines—a call to your
insurance provider can give you the details. If you do not have health insurance or cannot afford vaccines, find an Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccine (UUAV) clinic near you at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/ divs/idepc/immunize/adultvax/ clinicsearch.html.
Stephen Rose
Steve Fund focuses on student mental health More than a year ago, the family of Stephen Rose established in his memory Steve Fund, the nation’s first organization focused on improving the support for the mental health and emotional wellbeing of students of color. The fund, on occasion of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), announced three new projects to support the mental health of students of color – a text/ SMS-based crisis support line in partnership with Crisis Text Line, a partnership with one of the nation’s leading organizations for student mental health, the JED Foundation, to create guidelines for colleges to better support student mental health and the second national conference on mental health of students of color, at Stanford University to be held on Nov. 20. “Research shows that differences in the ethnic background of students require culturally-sensitive approaches to fully support their mental health
and emotional well-being,” said Stephanie Bell-Rose, Stephen Rose’s mother and a co-founder of the Steve Fund. “But these needs are understudied, and underserved.” Studies show that students of color at American colleges and universities are often less likely to seek help when they feel depressed or anxious. They report more micro-aggressions than their European American counterparts. According to a Harris poll, they are almost twice as likely to be not sufficiently prepared to deal with the stresses of higher education. Only 49 percent of AfricanAmericans students complete their four-year college education, compared to 71 percent of white, non-Hispanic students, according to a CollegeBoard report. “All we have is anecdotal data when it comes to the mental health determinants
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Insight News • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Page 5
BUSINESS Keys to unlocking board involvement FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw Part three of a three-part series The vitality of a nonprofit lies with its board members. Their individual and collective action, engagement and clarity of mission make all the difference in the world. In this final installment of our interview with Lisa Hoffman we share her thoughts regarding the important work of a nonprofit board. “Board members are critical to successful fundraising. They are in a unique position as volunteers to invite investment,
Space From 3 OneWeb has been eager to let the world know that it was the first to register some of its plans with the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency that coordinates satellite spectrum frequencies. Branson has suggested that OneWeb’s winning race to the front door of the ITU — if not yet into orbit — means that OneWeb alone now owns the entire Kuband frequency. OneWeb, he
MPS From 1 “Kenyans are able to run very fast” and “some Kenyans with run bare feet.” This past Tuesday’s meeting got off to a rocky start with
nonprofits with which they share mission, values and passion. I would add that more than most donor-investors, the tech community seeks impact that can be proven, and has a deep interest in innovative and effective approaches to solving problems.” Lisa is the real deal. She knows there are no simple “solutions” to fundraising. Rather, it’s a process. Bring your best and join with others in an ongoing process of change. You can reach Lisa at www. lisahoffman.net
expectations. Sometimes that response is to articulate limits – which I feel is optimal because it is honest and opens up the possibility for discussion and authentic commitment that grows from a mutual understanding of expectations.” We also asked Hoffman
about the future for nonprofits in the areas of management, messaging, infrastructure and fundraising. “I think the nonprofits that will thrive in the future will do so because of a combination of classic strengths: staff and board leadership; relationship-based fundraising combined with smart, strategic and tactical use of new and emerging communication tools,” Hoffman shared. “And they’ll remember that remembering that these tools are simply ways of connecting and engaging with people – they aren’t magical solutions. They are just additional, certainly powerful, tools in the toolbox.” Finally, because she lives and works in San Francisco, California we asked Hoffman about engaging technology firms. Her guidance: “I think that most people, technology firms or otherwise, support
Bureau, François Rancy, stated that the purpose of filing rules “is not to state an order of priorities for rights to a particular orbital position.” Spectrum filings do not convey exclusive rights, but rather reserve a seat at the coordination table with other users. Moreover, the ITU is not a global patent office for spectrum, but rather a facilitator of equitable spectrum use. In fact, registering with the ITU is the easy part. The major bureaucratic hurdles come at the national level. Just as every country has sovereign airspace, every country has
control over the spectrum in its territory. To succeed in making Internet access global, OneWeb, SpaceX and other competitors will need approval from individual countries for the use of spectrum. For example, when two satellite companies want to provide service to the United States, using the same radio frequency spectrum, it is the Federal Communications Commission — not the ITU — that coordinates the companies’ spectrum so they can operate together. If dispute isn’t resolved, the FCC splits the
spectrum between them. The FCC is required to serve the public interest, so the agency works to foster innovation and ensure competition in order that the spectrum best meets the nation’s needs. These new satellite constellations hold the promise to welcome billions of new users into the global digital community. Livestock farmers in remote Himalayan villages and laborers on Indonesian oil rigs will soon have access to the Internet’s vast resources. Here in the United States, consumers seeking broadband will finally
have an alternative to the major telephone and cable high-speed networks. Consumers everywhere win when there are choices. So it’s encouraging that two companies plan to enter the space race. But it’s discouraging that one of them is mischaracterizing international spectrum rules.
third straight month, residents packed the meeting voicing concerns about the contract with Reading Horizons, a Utahbased company that supplied the now infamous books. The materials never saw the light of
day in a MPS classroom, but still, concerned citizens weren’t satisfied and demanded the contract be nullified. Initially, Interim Superintendent Michael Goar defended the contract with Reading Horizons, but due to
mounting pressure, he reversed course. “I think (the reversal) was due to the fact that there was a strong community voice and that made a huge difference … the people would not relent,” said
to express their passion and say ‘join me’ in strengthening communities, cleaning up the environment and other essential causes. Fundraising enthusiasm, transcending anxieties and fears about asking, and board engagement in general are all strongly rooted in effective board development,” Hoffman shares. “And that development begins with how board members are recruited – figuring out what kinds of people are needed, clearly conveying expectations ranging from board meeting attendance to fundraising, and new board member orientation that continuing board members facilitate. It also includes creating an intentional culture, one that focuses on relationships, commitment and accountability, and board governance policies that cover nuts and bolts like board terms and term limits – which are stewarded by board leadership.”
Speaking from her experience, Hoffman continued, “most people live up or down to expectations – and that includes board members. Members of high-performing boards want clarity about the commitments they are being asked to make, and they respond to high
claims, “has the rights [to the spectrum], and there isn’t space for another network.” The reality is very different. Filing for Ku spectrum at the ITU is not like winning the lottery. Contrary to Branson’s claims, OneWeb’s filing-date priority does not give the small startup a monopoly over an entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum. NBC, after all, was the first television network to register for Ku-band service. That doesn’t mean the network somehow owns all television transmission rights. This summer, the director of the ITU Radio Communication the board having to reverse itself on not entertaining public comments and opting for “small listening sessions.” Many objected and Minneapolis NAACP president Nekima Levy-Pounds asked MPS for transparency and the board agreed to hold public comments as it normally does. For the
Members of high-performing boards want clarity about the commitments they are being asked to make, and they respond to high expectations.
Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
Helen Domenici managed and directed the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission from 2007 to 2009. She currently works as a consultant in telecommunications policy. Levy-Pounds. Prior to the meeting, LevyPounds penned an open letter to the board and to Goar calling
MPS TURN TO 8
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Page 6 • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Insight News
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Unity From 1 bearers in chains, we are the ones still seeking civil rights and the human right of selfdetermination.” He emphasized the irony of the rally being held on grounds that once served as a marketplace for a bustling slave trade industry. “This massive house behind me, the White House, was built on the backs and blood of slaves. I believe the spirits of our ancestors are pleased that we have come together in peace with one single goal: achieving long-denied justice and refusing to accept anything less,” Farrakhan said. During his almost two-hour address, the Minister spoke to the challenges facing Black women, other ethnicities, veterans and Black gays and lesbians. And he said that they all have a place with him and
Rob Roberts/The Washington Informer
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan addresses thousands gathered for the “Justice or Else” rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. other Muslims across the U.S. “Some have questioned why I’m talking to those of other races, why I’m talking to women, why I’m talking to our gay brothers and sisters,” he said. “We are all suffering. What good is life if one is not free?
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There must come a time when we’re willing to say enough is enough and then be willing to do whatever it takes to bring about the change that will secure our freedom.” Farrakhan described Blacks in America as being “seeds who
have yet to be placed in their proper environment so they can burst and grow.” “If we only understood our real nature, then we could open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities that the Creator has placed within us,” he said.
Then he pointed to America’s centuries-long refusal to treat Blacks and Native Americans in particular as equal citizens and commented on its impact. “Just like Pharaoh and Egypt brought about their own demise, I believe that America can only escape the consequences of its mistreatment of Blacks for so long,” he said. “Thomas Jefferson recognized that in his early versions of the Declaration of Independence in which he advocated for the end of slavery. But he was shouted down, because the politics of the situation would not allow it.” Farrakhan continued: “It’s clear that America does not have the heart to do the right thing – it’s just not in their nature. But the rumblings are clear, and like a sleeping volcano, an eruption is about to occur in this land. And so we’ve gathered today to show our dissatisfaction.” In many ways, Farrakhan spoke not to White America, but to those who continue to suffer because of disenfranchisement, inadequate housing, subpar education and generations of poverty. Those who joined him on
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From 1 Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams
habits that may be making women ill. Alzheimer’s health advocate Vanne Owen Hayes and certified public health nurse Beverly Propes discussed brain games and strategies for healthy aging. Film producer and community engagement consultant, Robin Hickman, gave a dynamic presentation on spirituality and well-being. Sameerah Bilal-Roby, director of the African American Babies Project, received rave reviews for her presentation on hope, courage, promise and innovation and Dr. Tamiko Morgan, chief medical director for Metropolitan Health Plan, gave a presentation entitled, “Be Careful What You Think … Your Body Might be Listening,” which discussed the many ways that our minds and emotions affect our physical being. The afternoon plenary session began with the very poignant
Fund From 4 for students of color,” said Dr. Alfiee M. Breland-Noble, associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University. “You would be hard-pressed to find any research, large-scale, conducted in a rigorous fashion.” The mission of the Steve Fund is to grow knowledge and thought leadership among researchers,
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From 1
Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Carmen Robles Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.
* “Nation of Islam’s leader Louis Farrakhan: White People ‘deserve to die.’” * “Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan: ‘We need to put the American flag down.’” * “Cancelled: Charleston Wants No Part of Farrakhan’s ‘Justice or Else’ Movement.” How is it that the most reviled Black man in America consistently attracts waves of people? African Americans trust Minister Farrakhan. Even if strongly disagreeing with some of his views and the well-known antipathy between the Nation of Islam (NOI) leader and Jews, Blacks know that he won’t ever sell them out for personal gain or any other reason. They are smart enough to discern that which should be applied to their lives and that which should be ignored. When Farrakhan suggested Saturday, for example, that Blacks should change their last name to throw off the yoke of White supremacy, many African Americans in the audience chuckled. But they cheered when he said, “We have a purchasing power of over 1 trillion dollars but in our reckless and wasteful spending habits we have not been able to pool our resources in a collective manner to build institutions and create jobs for our people. By strategically engaging in economic withdrawal we can begin putting power behind our demands and build a new and better reality.” For decades, many Blacks have admired their discipline but viewed the Nation of Islam as a small, Black supremacy group telling wild-eyed stories about UFOs and trips to and from outer space in spaceships. More than any other NOI leader, Farrakhan has bridged the gulf between skeptical Christians
Women speakers at the Baraza Gathering included left to right: Comm. Toni Carter, Baraza Co-chair, Tonya Hampton, Sponsor/HealthPartners senior director, Robin P. Hickman, Baraza morning keynote presenter, Dr. Reba Peoples, Dr. Adeya Richmond, Dr. Tamiko Morgan, Linda Goler Blount, Baraza afternoon keynote presenter, Stella Whitney-West, Baraza Co-chair, Dr. Demeka Campbell Kilgore, and Dr. Sylvia Bartley, Sponsor/Medtronic PLC, global director.
stage included Latina women, Muslim leaders from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, spokespersons for Palestine and the families of Black men and women killed by those representing the police. In a special tribute to former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who gave his full support during the original march in 1995, Barry’s son, Marion Christopher Barry, and wife, Cora Masters Barry, paid a special tribute to the District’s beloved “Mayor for Life.” Afterwards, the hundreds of thousands participating in the March gave the late Barry a round of thunderous applause. Farrakhan said it would be wrong to describe Oct. 10th as simply “a day.” “This is a movement – not just one day on the calendar. The elders like myself have to begin to pass down the torch to tomorrow’s leaders,” said Farrakhan. “We have a program and an agenda in place. We need to put aside our minor differences if we want real justice. But it will require integrity, selflessness and sacrifice.”
Control, Coca Cola Company, and American Cancer Society dealing with health issues affecting African American people. Her presentation discussed a national survey that showed that Black women’s primary health concerns had to do with issues of stress and social-emotional issues – not physical issues – related to the multiple roles that Black women play as mothers, single heads of households, caregivers to parents and financial providers and maintainers of the family. For the men in the audience, the take away message is that we, as men, need to step-up and assume our responsibility for our women, children and families, and relieve the burden on our women. Baraza is an AALF annual event sponsored by Medtronic, HealthPartners, NorthPoint Health & Wellness, St. PaulRamsey County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
introduction by Dr. Sylvia Bartley, co-chair of the AALF board of directors. Bartley, who holds a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from one of London, England’s most prestigious medical schools, discussed how Black woman need to get past the stigma associated
with the need for professional counseling in order to address the stress of life. She discussed the professional counseling that she utilizes to help relieve the stress of the multiple roles that she plays as a single mother, financial provider for her family and corporate
executive. The keynote speaker was Linda Goler Blount, president & CEO, of The Black Women’s Health Imperative. Goler Blount, has more than 25 years of experience working for organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease
practitioners, young people and national leaders, work in partnership with other charitable organizations and educational institutions to promote mental and emotional well-being of students of color, build awareness and voice among students, and help introduce culturally sensitive best practices for mental health support at colleges and universities. During its first year, the fund has co-convened top mental health scientists and college administrators at a national
conference at Brown University and organized a series of expert Webinars. The Webinars and videos based on the symposium are available on the fund’s Website at www.stevefund.org. The Steve Fund has also partnered with the JED Foundation to jointly create a comprehensive set of recommended practices to help college leaders, professionals, students and families support the emotional and mental health of college students of color. The JED Foundation is a non-profit
working to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among young adults and college students. “JED has an impressive record of accomplishment in its work with colleges on behalf of students, and together we will build and implement a program that reaches students from every background, especially those who are underrepresented in our higher education system,” said Evan Rose, Stephen Rose’s brother and fund president. Evan Rose said addressing
mental health issues in people of color is critical to the nation. “The Steve Fund is not just about helping students of color deal with mental stress,” said Evan Rose. “With minorities forming the majority of Americans by 2044, and the majority of children by 2020, the future success of our nation will depend on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all student populations, and on colleges and universities providing support appropriately.”
and Nation of Islam followers, carefully repackaging his message to make it more palatable to nonMuslims. He refers to God and Allah interchangeably and knows and quotes the Bible better than most Christians. Instead of ridiculing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an integrationist, as he and others in the Nation of Islam have done in the past, Farrakhan now praises the slain civil rights leader, especially his call for economic empowerment. Although women and men don’t sit together in NOI mosques, he is trying to show a greater sensitivity to and appreciation for the contributions of women. “May I pause for a moment and say to women: Your language must change as to how you address
yourselves,” he said Saturday. “You should never call another woman a ‘bitch. Get that word out of our language. No female is after a dog. Every female is after God.” Farrakhan continued, “Black men who like to use such words, pull it out of your tongue, before your tongue is pulled out of your head.” Although his views have not changed towards Black politicians, he now befriends a few, including Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), who made arrangements for Farrakhan to hold Saturday’s rally at the foot of the capitol. But Farrakhan is better known for his scathing descriptions of Black lawmakers. Referring to then-Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode in 1985 following a deadly confrontation between Goode and the
revolutionary group MOVE, Farrakhan said: “I say, Black people, whenever you put a Black man in office and that Black man betrays the best interest of those of us who put him there, I say take him out. “And if he doesn’t repent, brother and sister, men and women like this, we tar and feather them, we will hang them from the highest limb, we will chop off their heads and roll them down the streets, for the Black people of America are tired of Black leaders selling us out after we put them in office, working for our enemies, rather than working for ourselves.” That’s the old Farrakhan. The new and improved one comes up with titles such as “Justice or
Else,” and then let others worry about what the “else” means. And like the McDonald’s commercial, Black people are declaring, “I’m lovin’ it.” George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-inchief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at twitter.com/ currygeorge, George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook, and Periscope. See previous columns at http://www.georgecurry.com/ columns.
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Insight News • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Page 7
EDUCATION THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD US
Top seven children’s books on leadership for social justice take a stand for justice.
Women Leading Change
“I’m Your Child, God: Prayers for Our Children” By Marian Wright Edelman, illustrated by Bryan Collier This book offers renewed hope for the future by supporting youth in the development of their moral compass. It explores the values of love, faith, hope, and peace.
By Dr. Artika Tyner With an eye toward the future, now is the time to re-imagine education. I envision a type of education that places an explicit focus on leadership development and social justice advocacy. This is related to my dream of becoming Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire – basically, Wonder Woman with a law degree and an afro. Can you see me now? I was determined to use my education in the struggle for justice. History has shown us that students have been at the forefront of social change movements, whether it be the Freedom Riders of the past (who fought against racial segregation) or the Dream Defenders of our present (who fought against stand your ground laws). But as educators and community members we must stand ready to equip students for this important leadership role. Some will ask why? The answer for me is simple … young people are the future. I believe youth will define the moral conscience of our nation. They have the power to move us closer to the essence unity beyond the restraints of Black or white, rich or poor to the higher moral ground of freedom and justice for all. Leadership education is
“Remember: The Journey to School Integration” By Toni Morrison This book explores the history of Brown v. Education (which overturned Plessy v. Ferguson – the doctrine of separate but equal) and the journey to school integration. Photos from the past are used to tell the narrative of school integration through the eyes of a child. “We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song” By Debbie Levy, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton This book showcases the iconic civil rights mantra, “We Shall Overcome” through visual illustrations of the Civil Rights Movement. These images reflect the power of unity and collective engagement in advancing social change.
a critical tool for equipping youth to advance social change. These seven books can serve as practical guides for training and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Social justice: making a difference “I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children” By Marian Wright Edelman, illustrated by Barry Moser This book provides inspiration
for young people to become difference makers. It is filled
with the encouragement and motivation needed for youth to
“The Invisible You” By Alan Page and Kamie Page, artwork by David Geister This book challenges young people to embrace their unique individual identity as a special gift. It also empowers youth to discover their self-worth and build new bridges.
and Eliminating Racism” By Thomas Peacock and Marlene Wisuri This book explores the history of race in the United States. It provides key insights on how young people can embrace diversity as an asset and serve an active role in building inclusive communities. “Because of Them We Can” By Eunique Gibson Jones This book showcases inspirational quotes from African-Americans leaders who are trailblazers for justice. The mission of “Because of Them We Can” is “to educate and connect a new generation to heroes who have paved the way.” Each of these books challenge youth to discover the leader with and make a difference in the world. Leadership is a journey often mistaken for a destination. Parents, educators and community members can serve as guides on this journey of discovery by equipping young people to lead. These books can serve as indispensable teaching tools. For example, after reading “Because of Them We Can,” teachers can give students the opportunity to design a leadership poster by drawing a picture of a leader who motivates them. After reading “I Can Make a Difference,” parents can work with their children to participate in a service project. These learning exercises will lay the foundation for empowering and educating the next generation of leaders.
“To Be Free: Understanding
Application period begins for nation’s largest undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving, low-income high school students The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is accepting applications for its College Scholarship Program, the largest undergraduate scholarship in the country. Students selected as Cooke Scholars will be awarded as much as $40,000 each year for four years for tuition, living expenses, books, and other required fees. Cooke scholarships are available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities.
“There are thousands of students with financial need who are among the nation’s highest achievers,” explained Executive Director Harold O. Levy. “They are the academic superstars who, if given the chance to reach their full potential, could become the next generation of leaders and innovators.” The program, which boasts a network of 2,000 extraordinary scholars and alumni, also connects students to opportunities they might not otherwise have, such as
internships, studying abroad, and funding of up to $50,000 per year for graduate study. “We want to not only support them financially, but to raise their profiles, provide them with a community of fellow scholars, and offer support and advising to make sure they attend the highly selective institutions that match their talents,” Levy said. Recipients will be chosen based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, desire
to help others, and leadership. Applications require students to provide their academic transcripts, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, self-assessments, and essays. The application period will close on November 3, 2015. Final notification to accepted students will be made in March 2016. For information about the College Scholarship Program, visit http:// www.jkcf.org/scholarships/ college-scholarship-program/.
Tapias-Heinrich receives distinguished educator award that your work has a strong impact at the national level,” said Nichols. Tapias-Heinrich coordinates all interpreting and translation services at Robbinsdale Area Schools. She has used this expertise to help create understanding educational interpreting and develop
an online special education interpreting course at the CCE. These courses help bilingual students obtain instruction and certification in conducting educational interpreting and translations. “We are grateful to have the expertise of Ms. TapiasHeinrich on our team,” said Dr.
Carlton Jenkins, superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools. “We share our congratulations for this outstanding recognition.” The award was presented at the annual CCE Celebration and college-wide awards luncheon, Oct. 13. The honor includes a commemorative plaque and a $2,000 award.
Betty Tapias Heinrich Betty Tapias-Heinrich, language services coordinator for Robbinsdale Area Schools, will be honored as the 2015 University of Minnesota - College of Continuing Education (CCE) Distinguished Educator. Tapias-Heinrich was selected because of her nine years of commitment to the Program in Translation and Interpreting, and help promoting professionalism and standards in educational interpreting. Dean Mary Nichols said in the announcement that the selection committee recognized the innovation and quality of Tapias-Heinrich’s course development, and found her scholarly engagement with underserved communities especially notable. “We are grateful for your commitment to CCE’s programming and your role in developing a code of ethics and standards of practice for interpreters working in education. Minnesota’s code is believed to be the first of its kind in the country, indicating
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Page 8 • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Insight News
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LIFESTYLE Sometimes answers we seek are right in front of us Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you thought you had everything worked out?
Ever remember a time when your plans were drastically changed because of some unforeseen event? Well then you are not alone. There are lots of individuals who have experienced the same events as you may have. Many of my friends have talked about how something changed their plans when they were headed in a certain direction. I think this happens when you are seeking answers and everything is opening up to guide you in the
right direction. I can remember a friend telling me about a time when she was ready to change her life and move on to bigger and better things she hoped. She stated that she prayed daily for guidance and felt like she was being lead in the right direction. Then out of the blue, everything changed for her. She stated it was unexpected, but she welcomed it and felt like her prayers were being answered. She didn’t question
it, she just knew that there was something better for her and she would trust where her life was headed. Sometimes the answers we are looking for are right in front of us. I believe that when I pray and believe, I will receive what is best for me and everyone involved will be a part of that process. Things start to line up when we are in line with what’s best for us. When your goals are based on bettering yourself you will do all the right things
to make that happen. I recently set a personal goal that I will work hard at until it becomes a part of my thoughts every day. I’m excited and really looking forward to my new journey. This is how I start every new goal – with a sense of urgency and with a belief that something great is about to happen. Remember, life is a journey that will lead you to many amazing adventures. Some you will see coming and then there will be other
adventures that simply blow you away. Enjoy and keep believing. And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness. Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject. com.
‘In Progress’
‘Brownbody’
Forty ideas win $1.29 million in 2015 St. Paul Knight Arts Challenge From the streets of Lowertown to Rondo and the West Side, 40 ideas will bring art to neighborhoods across St. Paul, with $1.29 million in funding from the Knight Arts Challenge. A program of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the challenge funds ideas for engaging and enriching St. Paul through the arts. The 2015 winners include large and small arts organizations, collectives
and individual artists. Their diverse ideas range from a Winter Carnival concert played on instruments made of ice to flash mobs of flamenco dancers and the transformation of a water tower with stained glass murals. All of the winners answered the question, “What’s your best idea for the arts in St. Paul?” “This year’s winners reflect community-driven ideas that will bring the arts more deeply
into neighborhoods across St. Paul,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. “Their work reflects the breadth, promise and talent of this community.” Award recipients are Alberto Justiniano, Arcata Press/St. Paul Almanac, Asian Economic Development Association, Brownbody, Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT), Coffee House Press, Cracked
Walnut, Dangerous Productions, Dayton’s Bluff Community Council, Deborah Elias/Danza Española, Electric Machete Studios, Erik Barsness, Flying Foot Forum, Full Circle Theater Company, Greg Herriges, Healing Place Collaborative, Heather (Desdamona) Ross, Hmong Museum, In Progress, Kala Vandanam Dance Company, Kaotic Good Productions, Karl Unnasch, Katie Ka Vang, Levi
Weinhagen, Mary Ellen Childs, Metropolitan State University Screenwriting Program, Million Artist Movement , Naomi Cohn, Northern Lights.mn, One Voice Mixed Chorus, Public Art Saint Paul, Public Domain Productions, Sarah Peters, SoulTouch Productions, Springboard for the Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Drawing Project, The Theater of Public Policy, Twin Cities Film Fest and Walker
West Music Academy. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $115,000. The challenge is part of an $8 million arts investment in St. Paul that Knight Foundation announced in January 2014, which includes funding for the Arts Challenge and for anchor arts institutions. Knight has provided more than $64 million in support to the St. Paul community since 1977.
Six miles of protected bikeways in Minneapolis this year The City of Minneapolis has designated $750,000 towards constructing protected bikeways in Minneapolis in 2016. Six miles of protected bikeways have been installed this summer, and next year we hope to double that! The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition and Bikeways for Everyone partnering organizations have a goal of building 30 miles of protected bikeways by the year 2020. What is a protected bikeway? Not everyone feels comfortable and safe riding on a busy street, even with a regular bike lane. A protected bikeway creates a more comfortable space to ride that is
physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. A separated facility can attract a wider demographic of riders and the City sees protected bikeways as an important tool to increase bicycling in Minneapolis. Plymouth Ave N/8th Ave NE One of the projects that was built this summer is a protected bikeway along Plymouth Ave N and 8th Ave NE. If you bike, walk, or drive in the area you might have seen some new plastic posts and green paint go in over the last month. On Plymouth Ave N, starting at Lyndale, across the river along 8th Ave NE to University. The bikeway continues from University Ave and connects to
the 5th St bikeway, but instead of being protected is a traffic-calmed “bike boulevard.” In a few years, Plymouth will be resurfaced from Lyndale to Emerson, at which point the protected bikeway will be extended. Celebration Ride We are so excited to see these plastic posts and green paint in action! The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition organized a ride from one end of the protected bikeway to the other, and then back again, ending at a local business. Coalition staff were joined by volunteers, residents, and Council Members Jacob Frey of Ward 3 and Blong Yang of Ward 5.
Council Member Yang and Council Member Frey connect with a handshake as the bikeway connects wards 3 and 5.
David Bradley
Gratitude to Our Champions Council Members Frey and Yang supported the construction of this project, and champion better biking and walking infrastructure in their wards. We want to recognize that without the combination of community support and leadership this safe and comfortable bike connection would not have been constructed.
Council Member Frey spoke to us about the bikeway being a bridge between communities as well as a connector between communities. Council Member Yang voiced that he would like to see more racially diverse people using bike infrastructure. Building top-notch bikeways like Plymouth/8th is a great step to making that happen!
The work the Coalition does is volunteer driven, and we depend on people like you to advocate with us to make a difference. Please contact us at info@mplsbike.org or visit us at mplsbike.org https://storify.com/mplsbike/ celebrate-protected-bikewaysplymouth-ave-n-and-8t
MPS
Although the cancelation of the Reading Horizons contract was viewed as a victory for those outraged, the NAACP president said MPS has a long history of racism that needs to be addressed. “This isn’t the first time the district has purchased racist materials,” said Levy-Pounds, referring to a software program that was in use by students this past school year that rewarded users that, for example, successfully navigated slavery by not answering a white man because “he liked his slaves silent.” “There’s a really hostile environment in Minneapolis Public Schools and something has to happen to change that, whether it’s federal intervention, law suits
or whatever else. We need an administration who understands the complex racial dynamics that the district has,” said LevyPounds. “We want to see urgent, radical change in how the district does business.” When asked of a MPS spokesperson how the district would recoup the funds paid, the spokesperson did not immediately reply. The spokesperson said Goar was not available for comment on the matter and referred inquiries regarding the incident to a video transcript of last Tuesday’s meeting. However, at time of press that transcript had yet to appear on the MPS site.
From 5 the continued relationship with Reading Horizons, “utter disregard for issues being raised by parents, students, teachers and community members” and said there was a “Jim Crow type system within MPS.” While the offensive materials were immediately pulled, Levy-Pounds said that was no consolation. “It was not enough to remove the rotten fruit from the tree, we need to dig up the root and cancel the contract,” said LevyPounds.
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Insight News • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Page 9
COMMUNITY Ujamaa Place honors Justice Alan Page At-Large
By Melvin Carter, II Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page received the Ujamaa Place Leadership Award during a breakfast fundraiser Oct. 8 at St. Paul Holiday Inn. But the day was not just about Page. JD Steele and his brother, Fred Steele, challenged the audience with the Teddy Pendergrass lyrics, “Wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed.” Ujamaa Place participants stood at the mic harmonizing background on the vocals. The enormous fine dining area was filled with highly esteemed community leaders, elected, and appointed officials such as, community leader Mary Boyd, police chiefs Tom Smith, John Harrington, Blair Anderson, and Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom. Ujamaa Place executive director, Otis Zanders, spearheaded the agenda. But the coolest attendees consisted of about 20 or Ujamaa Place participants and graduates. The spirit was that of love, restoration, and reconciliation. The Rev. David Van Dyke introduced keynote speaker “President Obama’s Pastor-inChief” Joshua DuBois, who spearheaded the White House’s work on responsible fatherhood, community partnerships and religion in foreign affairs. DuBois unraveled what he called “The Unprocessed History of Blacks in USA”, taking us back in time on a historic journey. Not to separate people but to connect stories, he emphasized. It was a “study to the test” crash course, stressing the necessity of difficult and uncomfortable conversations in order to connect our stories. He pointed out that since the dawn of time, peoples of Africa consisted of powerful independent cultures and civilizations. But the cataclysmic nightmare started in 1619 when a Dutch ship arrived in the Carolinas with live human cargo from Africa – the beginning of chattel slavery in America. The Civil War supposedly ended slavery in 1865, but America’s Black codes, Jim Crow laws, only reshaped the mutated racist inhumanities. Even worse, the 1880 KKK’s reign of terror enacted deadly violence against women, children and families – estimated at 4,000 lynchings – with no protection from law enforcement, or the courts. “But you say that was way down South, and way back then,” said DuBois. He proceeded to connect the “way back then” South to here and now Minnesota up north. In 1920, Minnesotan’s prohibited Ford Motors from hiring Blacks. In 1920, Duluth citizens publicly lynched three Black males. In 1952, Black Honeywell employees were prohibited from buying property in St Louis Park. Around that
time Blacks were allowed to work in stockyards of South St. Paul, but residents prohibited Blacks from residing there. Not to mention there are currently 51 active Minnesota KKK chapters. DuBois concluded that the American Dream worked for some, but for people of color it did not. He closed emphasizing addressing unprocessed history as a necessary step towards healing. The audience responded with a thunderous standing ovation. Harington’s summary highlighted that Ujamaa Place has about 72 participants per month, and some 92 percent find employment. To date about 33 percent now live independently in Ujamaa Place subsidized housing. Most astonishing is that less than one percent return to prison. My take is that the AfricanAmerican male must face, endure and defeat stockpiles of nearly unbeatable odds just to break even. Ujamaa Place is the most effective model in addressing cataclysmic disasters confronted by Black males today. Ujamaa Place, a network of men, women, whites, Blacks, Asians, and Native-Americans with no equal in bringing men from the brink of the criminal justice abyss to a state of bread winning, tax-paying fatherhood. To me, their work is sacred.
Otis Zanders and UJAMAAMAN
Josh Dubois
Savitty
Classifieds FOR RENT Tapestry Management, LLC has various sized apartments/townhomes for rent in the following locations: St. Paul, Golden Valley, Mankato, Red Wing, N. St. Paul, Rochester, Plymouth, Jordan, Winona, Olivia, and Redwood Falls. Rental assistance is available to qualified applicants in all locations. Please contact the appropriate location for availability and additional information. EHO Birmingham Townhomes – St. Paul 952-854-8800 Calvary Center Apartments – Golden Valley 763-546-4988 Colonial Square Apartments – Mankato 507-345-1321 Cooperidge Apartments – Red Wing 651-388-1500 Franklyn Park Apartments – N. St. Paul 651-770-1504 Mission Oaks Townhomes – Plymouth 763-559-5770 Newbridge Apartments – Rochester 507-282-8284 Oakridge Apartments – Rochester 507-281-1031 Schule Haus – Jordan 952-492-2084 Wapasa Apartments – Winona 507-429-9261 Westcourt Apartments – Olivia 320-523-2101 Westfalls Townhomes – Redwood Falls 507-641-5933
Ujamaa Choir
Calvin Tayborn and Otis Zanders
Phone: 612.588.1313
Whispering Pines Apartments 7 NE 5th Ave. Forest Lake, MN 651-464-4406 Public Housing Waiting List Closing October 31, 2015
Administrative Assistant Brakins Consulting & Psychological Services Brakins Consulting& Psychological Services, LLC & the African American Child Wellness Institute seeks a highly motivated individual for a full-time position as an Administrative Assistant to work in a community-based private practice clinic that primarily serves African American children, adolescents and adult. We are seeking an energetic Administrative Assistant who can show initiative and leadership skills, has strong computer technical abilities, has their own transportation, has flexible hours and is willing to grow professionally with the company. The Administrative Assistant (AA) will be responsible for performing moderately complex to complex administrative tasks in support of the Executive/Clinic Director and the Mental Health Service Delivery Treatment team. Duties include extensive meeting scheduling, providing assistance to coordinate larger and complex meetings. Compiling information and preparing moderately complex documents, spreadsheets and reports using appropriate software; assisting, screening and/or selectively referring callers; handling complex and sensitive inquiries/calls from external/internal sources.
Alan C. Page
Now Accepting Housing Applications Mission Oaks Townhomes is accepting housing applications for our waiting list for 2 and 3 BR apartments with Section 8 rental assistance. The waiting list will open on 9/7/2015 and close on 11/7/2015. Income limits apply. For a housing application, please call 952-876-9203. EHO.
Fax: 612.588.2031
Email: info@insightnews.com
Minnesota Council of Churches Program Director 20 hours, Research, design, and evaluation of justice programs. OPEN UNTIL FILLED http://www.mnchurches.org/about/employment.html
ST. STEPHEN’S HUMAN SERVICES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY St. Stephen’s Human Services has several employment opportunities available in our single adult men’s shelters. • Full Time Shelter Advocate • Temporary River of Life Shelter Advocate (Multiple Positions) • Custodian – Temporary River of Life Winter Shelter (Multiple Positions) Our mission is Ending Homelessness. To join our team, visit http://ststephensmpls.org/join for details.
The AA is also responsible for confirming travel arrangements and managing payments for payroll and expense report reimbursement. The AA will also provide support within areas of reporting for business documentation and team/individual goals, personnel changes and department record keeping processes. The successful candidate proactively tracks procedures and deadlines. The candidate may work closely with both internal and external customers to meet service needs. The AA will also act as an onsite assistant for the Treatment team for miscellaneous duties such as equipment assistance, delivery support and supplies. Performing special projects as requested. The successful candidate must have a minimum of 2 or 4 years of college plus 2 years experience as an administrative assistant; possess strong written and verbal communication skills and have experience with interacting with ethnically diverse mental health consumers. Interested candidates should send a resume, interest letter and at least 3 references to: BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., LP, Clinic Director Brakins Consulting& Psychological Services, LLC & The African American Child Wellness Institute 4050 Olson Memorial Hwy # 195 Golden Valley, MN 55422 (Phone) 763-522-0100 (Fax) 763-588-0100 Email: bravadaakinsanya@hotmail.com
HELP WANTED Dedicated Runs Available. Frequent Home Time, Top Pay & Benefits; Monthly Bonuses & MORE! CDL-A, 1yr Exp. Req. EEOE/ AAP. LIMITED POSITIONS AVAILABLE. 866-370-4476 www.drive4marten.com
Volunteer Greeters Hennepin County is seeking volunteer greeters for its North Minneapolis human service center at 1001 Plymouth Avenue North to welcome and guide visitors, answer questions and assist with special projects. Reliable adults who enjoy working with people and who are available for a few hours twice a week are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be able to volunteer for a minimum of three months. Volunteers are integral to Hennepin County’s mission of enhancing the health, safety and quality of life of its residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way. Get involved by visiting http://www.hennepin.us/humanservicevolunteer and submitting a volunteer application.
North Memorial Needs Volunteers to Help Victims of Domestic Abuse SafeJourney, a program serving North Memorial Medical Center and Maple Grove Hospital, helps patients and individuals in the community who are experiencing domestic abuse. Volunteer advocates are needed to provide a listening ear, support, safety planning, information and referral. You do not have to have previous knowledge or experience, but rather looking for people who are sensitive to the issue, caring, and non-judgmental. Advocates sign up for 2 on-call shifts per month. Flexible scheduling - daytime, overnights, and weekends. Training is provided. Deadline to apply and schedule a short interview is January 26. Please call Suzy at 763-581-3942.
Page 10 • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Insight News
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Courtesy of Ordway Theater
Broadway Songbook: The 70s Songbook
“The 70s Songbook” explores Broadway music Afro descend ientes
By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes
Latinos Come in All Colors… The Next Generation My 23andme.com DNA results earlier this year revealed an 8.5 percent African ancestry connection associated with my Puerto Rican heritage. My parents, Luis Mario Robles and Maria Trinidad, immigrated to Brooklyn, N.Y. in the mid-1940s. They had three children together; my sister Maria Luisa (Lisa Marie RodeghierSinclair) who was born in Puerto Rico; me (first born in U.S.) and our brother, Luis Mario Robles, Jr. (who passed away two years ago.) My sister has two sons, Jason Rodeghier and Adam Sinclair – they are both one half Puerto Rican, their children are one forth. Taylor Martin is Jason
Rodeghier’s daughter. She is my sister’s granddaughter, my great niece. She shows signs of her roots through her musical artistry and her gifts of song and dance. Our household’s “next generation” pride and joy, Martin is a 2015 graduate from North Central University where she earned a B.S. in Youth Development Studies. Currently she is a dance teacher and youth mentor at Urban Ventures, a nonprofit organization located in south Minneapolis. In keeping with the spirit of mentoring, encouraging and engaging youth in community leadership through hands-on experiences, my great niece exemplifies the mission of my organization, Jovenes de Salud. A Latino based peer-to-peer leadership program; Jovenes de Salud provides a platform and a plethora of opportunities for youth and young adults to express and share their fresh perspectives. I hope you enjoy her review of the Ordway’s season opener, “The 70s Songbook” and encourage the young person in your household to share his or her unique, new century point of view of the world around them.
By Taylor Martin Written by Jeffrey P. Scott and James A. Rocco and hosted by James A. Rocco, “The 70s Songbook” was a fascinating exploration of the American Broadway music of the 1970s. Not only was a spectacular selection of musical pieces from this era displayed, but also presented was historic reference and detailed explanation and storytelling of the song history, including history of the artists and their songwriting journeys. This show that honors the decade of the 1970s had a wide range of different genres that took the audience on a musical journey of reminiscing the classic and never-forgotten music of the past. Performed by some of Minnesota’s best musical theater stars, the show featured the songs by artists Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Elton John, Carly Simon
Taylor Martin and many more. Though the setting and audience seemed to be pretty sophisticated, the host talked to the audience in an almost conversational way, which was very refreshing. It was evident that the performers were not just performing, but that they were genuinely having a great time singing and acting out these 70s hits. As a dancer and performer myself, this was
something that truly stood out to me. The songs definitely hit home with the audience, which included both youth and the older generation, however, was primarily older people who lived during this era. As a result, there was an excitement and a sense of reminiscing in the audience as everyone clapped and laughed along with the songs that they were so evidently happy to hear once again. It almost felt like the audience was celebrating life in the 70s, and as a 22-year-old, it sure looked to me like our grandmothers loved their music back in the day, and were just thrilled to sing along to them now. It sure was fun to see everyone come alive when songs were played. I believe I was able to see what songs were the biggest hits back then due to the singing and excitement that went along with each song. There was a wide variety of music that was played. There was jazz, show tunes,
classical and even a couple of songs that sounded pretty country/folk to me. I sure do understand why a lot of older people miss music from back when they were younger … it all is so different, creative, and personal to each artist. I have never been to New York, but after this show I sure do think I have a better understanding of what famous Broadway music is like. Before each song, the host detailed stories about the history of the song and about the artists’ relationship with it and how it came about. “The Songbook of the 70s” was a great taste of what famous American Broadway music was like in that decade. It told an inspiring story of the history and progression of music within our country during that time. I feel as though I have a whole new understanding of 1970s music now after going to this show, for which I am ecstatic.
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Insight News • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Page 11
‘My Authentic Self’ embraces African roots HARLEM, N.Y. – Visual artist Leroy Campbell embraces his African roots and the journey to self discovery with the debut of his first coffee table book, “My Authentic Self.” The book debuts Nov. 19. A colorful collage of literary and artistic mediums, “My Authentic Self,” strips Campbell of any pretenses to uncover the soul’s truth. With more than 90 pages, the hardback travels through pivotal moments of Campbell’s life, utilizing the themes of family, education, love, music and the discovery of artistry. Artwork is accompanied by short proses, mantras and poems to give insight into personal challenges such as witnessing domestic violence and then being protected by a community comprised of neighbors, loved ones and acquaintances. Other illustrations include his trek from being a Charleston, S.C. native ashamed of his roots to a proud Gullah cultural educator and prosperous visual artist living in New York City, and acquiring celebrity clients Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Joyner and Terry McMillian. “I was born in Charleston during a time period when no one wanted to be Gullah, Geechee, Black or African,” said Campbell. “I was born with a birth defect and my parents were uneducated. They had struggles and, therefore, I had struggles that I’m still working to heal. But I’m a work in progress. I’m always working on myself. And I just love where I am now.” During a Harlem book signing, Campbell will offer a limited edition of the book with an exclusive image from his family collection. “Family has always been the foundation of my work. I always champion family before individualism, and then community, the nation and the world,” said Campbell. “My Authentic Self ” popup gallery will run Nov. 19 to Dec. 20 at Harlem’s The Sol Studio.
“Joe Neckbone and Joe Neckbone Jr.”
Page 12 • October 19 - October 25, 2015 • Insight News
insightnews.com J. Plaza
Daniel Bernard Roumain
Oct. 19 - 25
Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com
Monday, Oct. 19 Art Exhibit Black & White Weisman Art Museum 333 East River Rd, Minneapolis 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free Black and White refers to both the striking graphic qualities of the printed image and to the divisiveness at the heart of apartheid. The exhibit runs through Feb. 14.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 ECLECTIC/PERFORMANCE Redemption Songs & Sonatas Macalester College – Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul 7 p.m. Free In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the birth of the singer/songwriter and composer, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley (1945–1981), Daniel Bernard Roumain and Yayoi Ikawa’s will perform their “Redemption Songs &
Run the Jewels Sonatas.”
Wednesday, Oct. 21 THEATRE “An Octoroon” Mixed Blood Theatre 1501 4th St. S., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. Free or reserved at $20 An Octoroon is a melodramatic romance complete with villains, slapstick and vaudeville, with both masked and exposed characters, set on the backdrop of Boucicault’s 19th century play.
Thursday, Oct. 22 EDUCATION
Lucy Valentine
Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis Free
Saturday, Oct. 24
producer/MC El-P of Company Flow?
The fair allows students and parents to meet oneon-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and fouryear colleges and universities.
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE Run the Jewels First Avenue 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m. $25
The Free Black Table: Open Mic Illusion Theater 528 Hennepin Ave., 8th floor, Minneapolis 7 p.m. All ages Free
What get’s better than revolutionary powerhouse and Dungeon Family relative, Killer Mike, collaborating with
The Free Black Table, hosted by Lucy Valentine, is an open mic dedicated to the writings of Black artists and people of color.
Friday, Oct. 23
POETRY/OPEN MIC
Sunday, Oct. 25 HAUNTED HOUSE Butcher Shop House of Gore 1444 E. Reaney Ave., St. Paul 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. It’s that time of year again where we scare ourselves on purpose. The first attraction to catch our eye was this one on the East Side of St. Paul.
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE Save the Show The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 8:30 p.m. 18-plus $5 Catch performances by MCs, King Fuvi, J.Plaza, A.C.E., Trai-P, Concentr8 and Gradient.
2015 Minnesota National College Fair
NOV 24 & 25 2015 With guest MC Kurtis Blow
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