Insight News ::: 11.02.15

The O’Shaughnessy presents TU Dance, featuring world premiere piece by Gioconda Barbuto aesthetically speaking

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Insight News November 2 - November 8, 2015

Vol. 42 No. 44 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Trinny Cee: Dancehall queen

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer In Minnesota, the world of event promotions is pretty small.

Actually, that goes beyond the state. For those who are truly committed to being a promoter, it seems in one way or another, we are all connected. And let’s be clear, there are promoters and then there are event producers.

Promoters are fly by night. They come and they go. They are the ones who just hand out flyers and hope. Event producers are dedicated. They are obsessive.

They know every aspect of the show or event they’re producing.

They’re travel agents, they’re the marketing department; they’re ad hoc sound engineers, hosts and chauffers. An event producer in Detroit will know about an event producer in

Kalvin George

Trinny Cee

Historic NCDC gets makeover

NCDC TURN TO 4

TRINNY CEE TURN TO 4

THE NORTHSIDE JOB CREATION TEAM

A collaborative approach to job growth

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer For far too long the drabness of the building located at 1000 Plymouth Ave. N. on Minneapolis’ north side did not match the joy and wonderful works that were going on inside.

But all that changed thanks to the help of the Greater Twin Cities United Way and volunteers who collectively donated 700 hours to giving the home of Catholic Charities’ Northside Child Development Center (NCDC) a vibrant makeover.

The exterior facelift and interior renovations were a part of the United Way’s #Next100 campaign.

The #Next100 campaign is a celebration of the United Way’s 100th anniversary.

Dallas, so when Minnesota’s Trinny Cee got a call from Jamaica, it was confirmed, she wasn’t just some promoter – she is an event producer at the top of her game. Simply put, Trinny Cee is Minnesota’s “Dancehall Queen.”

Ask someone who Merina Neal (Trinny’s “government name”) is and minus a family and a few friends, the likely answer is, “hell if I know,” but in the niche scene of dancehall – a subgenre of reggae – ask someone who Trinny Cee is and the answer is, “that’s the promoter (um, event producer) who has dancehall on lock for the Midwest … and Australia … and Canada … and even in Slovakia.” To be more specific, Trinny is one of the major players on the even more niche “dancehall queen” scene.

By Jackie Cherryhomes and William English This article is the first in a series by members of the Northside Job Creation Team, a business-focused community partnership coordinated by the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Public Schools and the University of Minnesota Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, aimed at bringing

Courtesy of Catholic Charities

Members of the Twin Cities Black Journalists participated in a volunteer event at Catholic Charities’ Northside Development Center this past summer. The group of journalists worked on finishing a fence project, did some landscaping and did general clean-up.

1,000 sustainable wage jobs to north Minneapolis by 2018.

In 2012 the Northside Job Creation Team (NJCT) was created in response to a clear deficit of living-wage jobs and a large employment disparity in north Minneapolis.

The NJCT was built to capitalize on untapped leadership and resources by providing market research and coordina-

GROWTH TURN TO 5

South Carolina Cop fired following national outrage

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer The white South Carolina police officer who sparked national outrage once a video surfaced of him body-slamming a young girl to the floor for refusing to leave her classroom seat is now unemployed.

Ben Fields, the now former officer of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, who was serving as a school resource officer at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C., was fired just two days after a video that went viral showed him abruptly yanking an AfricanAmerican girl out of her chair and tossing her several feet to the ground, before he pounced on her and handcuffed the teen.

In addition to Fields being

fired, the FBI and the Justice Department are now investigating the incident to see if the girl’s civil rights were violated.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott called Fields’ actions unacceptable, and was particularly upset at seeing the girl being thrown across the floor.

“From the very beginning that’s what caused me to be upset when I saw that video and what continues to upset me every time I view that video is that he picked the student up and threw the student across the room,” said Lott. “That is a violation of our policy and (therefore) School Resource Officer Ben Fields was terminated from the Richfield County Sheriff’s Department.”

NAACP President and CEO

POLICE TURN TO 4

Insight 2 Health What’s in your grocery cart?

PAGE 2

youtube.com

Screen capture from the video

Commentary

Lifestyle

Community

Learning through loss to beat the odds

The revolution will not be televised

Ghanaian Association launches scholarship program

PAGE 6

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Page 2 • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Insight News

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Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Page 3

HEALTH

What’s in your grocery cart?

By Julie McMahon CHHC Sound Nutrition LLC So how do you grocery shop?

Do you go in with a plan?

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frequently are usually located on the perimeter of the grocery store. Think Fresh!! The foods toward the inside of the store are “shelf stable” and can sit there for over a year! Many of these foods are full of preservatives and should be avoided!

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Everything will look good and you will grab a bunch of junk that you wouldn’t normally buy. Go in with a plan and a full tummy.

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2. Shop the PERIMETER of the store. Foods that spoil quickly and need to be rotated more

4. It can be overwhelming to change your shopping and diet plan. Think about ADDING in

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(Ex: Instead of just eggs, make an omelet loaded with spinach and veggies.

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Page 4 • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Insight News

Trinny Cee From 1 That’s saying an awful lot considering the uniqueness of her uprising. First, event production in general is a male dominated industry. I too am an event producer and my business partner is a woman and she often jokes, “I’m just the door girl” because of how she’s initially viewed until she takes charge and shows who’s really running the show.

Dancehall’s roots are in Jamaica.

Neal was born in Canada and lived her teen years in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, hence her more common name, Trinny Cee (Trinny for Trinidad and Cee for Canada). Not being Jamaican, some shunned Trinny for being an outsider … a “Trinny.”

For those not familiar with dancehall, consider it to reggae what hip-hop is to soul music. For those not familiar with dancehall queens … um, well, um …

“Dancehall queen is very exotic; very erotic. I like to call it erotica,” said Trinny.

For someone unfamiliar with the culture, dancehall queen culture might seem like simulated public sex. It’s dancing that is as aggressive as it is sensual. This isn’t making love, this is straight going at it in an almost animalistic form, which can instantly give some a preconceived impression of the art and of the women who perform the art.

And trust, there is art to being a dancehall queen. If nothing

Police From 1 Cornell William Brooks said the incident is indicative of

NCDC From 1 During the centennial, the United Way is seeking to engage 100,000 volunteers nationwide.

Sarah Caruso, Twin Cities United Way president and executive director, said though NCDC was chosen as the beneficiary via an online vote, the

else, the stamina, athleticism and acrobatic moves of the dancers should be applauded. But still others will just dismiss the art as smut and the women as tramps.

“There’s a huge misconception when it comes to the women who are in dancehall.

They are looked at as (garden tools) on the street; but they are doctors, lawyers, models, businesswomen,” said Trinny. “(The dancing) doesn’t define them … it doesn’t define me.”

So what does define Trinny Cee? First let’s go back to her beginning as an event producer.

“I was 16 (years old) living with my aunt in Trinidad and I was pretty cool with one of the biggest selectors (disc jockeys) there. We wanted to throw a party and my family lived on an old sugar plantation, so I asked my aunt if I could have a party … it was around Christmas time,” said Trinny. “She was thinking about 30 people, so she said yes. Threehundred people showed up. At first she was upset, but then she was proud of me.”

Splitting time between Trinidad and the Edmonton area in the province of Alberta, Canada, Neal began singing and took on the stage name, Trinny Cee. Frequent visits to an aunt here in the Twin Cities led the then singer to move to Minnesota and it was a particularly memorable gig that transformed the singer into an event producer.

“In 2006 I opened for Elephant Man and it was the worst frickin’ show of my life as far as how the show was managed,” said Trinny.

insightnews.com

MAB

Trinny Cee

featuring the Marley family.

But what Trinny is best known for is for the past eight years she’s produced the Minnesota Dancehall Queen competition, where the winner is flown to Jamaica to compete for the title “Dancehall Queen International.” Trinny gained such a reputation that according to her, the foremost producer of dancehall events, Big Head, called her and asked her to assist other promoters around the world.

“Big Head asked me to be the North American representative for Dancehall Queen International. There were a lot of promoters who were really bad, so they would fly me out, pay me a fee,” said Neal.

Neal’s notoriety in the world of dancehall has led her to be prominently featured in a forthcoming documentary, “Bruk Out,” a film about the life of dancehall queen participants from everywhere from Japan, Spain and New York to its home of Jamaica.

Yet, for all her international notoriety, in the Twin Cities, some see Trinny Cee as “just another promoter.”

“That’s fine with me. I know who I am and what I’ve done. I broke barriers here in Minnesota. I’ve made eight women here international celebrities,” said a confident and proud Trinny. “I’m underrated and that’s OK … the big players know who I am.”

“It was just horrible. I was like this is a disgrace and so I started promoting my own shows.”

Shows that have been

produced by Trinny, or she was heavily affiliated with via her contract with AEG – one of the world’s top production

companies – include Chaka Demus & Pliers (“Murder She Wrote”), Stephen Marley and the recent “Catch a Fire” tour

over-policing in our nation’s schools, in particular when it comes to students of color.

“This is also a clear indication that the shifts in resources and spending by school districts have created an over-reliance on armed police instead of

educated and trained school administrators,” said Brooks. “It is unfortunate that our school principals and vice principals, the traditional administrators of discipline, have been put in a position to rely on street policing inside our school class-

rooms rather than administering tried and true education discipline tactics.

There is no acceptable explanation for this officer’s treatment of this young student.”

South Carolina has been a hotbed for unrest between

whites and African-Americans.

On April 4, Charleston, S.C. officer, Michael Slager, who is white, shot in the back and killed Walter Scott, an AfricanAmerican, as he was running away from the officer. Slager was charged with murder.

Then on June 17 nine AfricanAmericans were gunned down in a Charleston church when 21-year-old Dylann Roof opened fire after being invited into the church. Roof is also white.

selection was one of serendipity.

“Catholic Charities is one of our largest partners in the Twin Cities and we share the same focus of helping those most in need and doing it with dignity,” said Caruso. “And children are a major focus for the United Way.” NCDC services children six weeks to 12-years-old, and the volunteer project titled “Child’s Play: Helping Kids is Easy as 1-23,” was chosen as one of Greater

Twin Cities United Way’s four community-wide projects during the nonprofit’s 100th anniversary celebration in February.

“It’s great to see a partnership like this between two great organizations,” said Keith Kozerksi, senior director of Child and Family Services for NCDC. “Having a bright shiny exterior matches the positive experiences the kids are having inside.”

Several groups participated

in the NCDC volunteer project that included painting, patching, planting and more.

Volunteers came from Corporate Volunteerism Council-Twin Cities, National Association of Black Journalists, Twin Cities Black Journalists, Minneapolis Labor Federation, Plasters Local 265, students of Job Corp, Mortenson Construction, United Way’s Emerging Leaders along with others. The more than 700

volunteer hours donated equated to $16,849.

Doug Flateau of the Minneapolis Labor Federation said it was an undertaking of love for the many union members and apprentices who participated in the rehab that included a full exterior painting that used more than 100 gallons of paint.

“It was important for many of them to participate because a lot of these union

members live and work in our community and they value the work that’s being done here,” said Flateau. “And a lot come from similar neighborhoods and wanted to be a part of this.

It was helpful for them to give back and for the students (of Job Corp) it was a benefit in possibly getting them eventual paid work, so it was a double benefit.”

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Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Page 5

BUSINESS Can you afford to apply for a large grant?

FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Big money attracts big dreams.

Imagine what your organization could do with a large sum of money. Large could be $25,000 or it could be $25 million. It all depends on your operating budget. Whether you say “yes” to big money, or turn down an opportunity can impact your organization – and community – for years to come. Learn three questions to ask before making a decision.

When you are approached

Growth From 1 tion to focus on targeted and sustainable job creation.

North Minneapolis is rich in skills and diversity, however many Northside residents are in need of living-wage jobs.

The unemployment rate in 2013 was 22.3 percent compared with 3.8 percent for the rest of Minneapolis. Many barriers conspired to cause this high unemployment rate, including historical factors such as discriminatory lending practices and historically low home ownership rates, as well as generational poverty, education and health disparities and high rates of incarceration.

These factors are interconnected and interact as a vicious cycle, where lack of stability in one area can cascade through all areas.

But the vicious cycle can be turned into a so-called “virtuous cycle” if the right intervention is targeted toward an

to apply for a large grant it can feel as if your nonprofit has won the lottery. Maybe you’re a grassroots program, a national advocacy organization, or a college or university. In most cases the response is the same: you are excited and begin to evaluate how your programs fit into the grant guidelines. If the proposed grant could cover multiple years your team may feel the heavens have opened.

Maybe, and maybe not.

The first pivotal question to ask when considering a major grant is whether or not it is in line with your mission, goals and strategic plan. You can contort your nonprofit and change your direction to secure the funding. But what will that do to your organization? If the grant funding is for services

impactful opportunity. The NJCT focuses on employment as a foundation for building a virtuous cycle of community development and greater self-sufficiency in north Minneapolis. A living-wage job creates income, which leads to more stable housing. Research shows that housing stability is directly correlated with academic achievement, health and wellness.

The genesis for the NJCT began in spring of 2008, when gubernatorial candidate, Mark Dayton, campaigned at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in north Minneapolis.

At the end of the brief campaign speech, Dayton asked what he could do to help end well-known disparities in north Minneapolis. The Rev. Jerry McAfee challenged him, upon election, to convene a jobs summit in north Minneapolis.

True to his campaign promise, Dayton convened a summit in 2009. Nearing the end of the community conversation, a question was asked by Natalie Johnson Lee.

Take time to make wise decisions for your organization’s sustainability.

outside of your focus why are you changing your priorities?

There are legitimate reasons to change, but make sure yours is a conscious decision. Our general recommendation: don’t

chase money that takes you off course.

If you accept funds that are not line with the core work of your nonprofit you can put your organization at risk. You may

Jackie Cherryhomes

William English

“Who is responsible for carrying the governor’s promises,” quizzed Lee. Dayton emphatic ally answered, “I am.” As a follow up to the meeting, Dayton sent a letter to summit participants restating his commitment to work with local units of gov-

ernment to improve both jobs and economic development in north Minneapolis.

Later that summer, Dayton created the Urban Initiatives Board.

The NJCT then met with Dayton’s senior jobs advisor Kathy Tunheim, co-founder

find that the time and money required for grant management, reporting, and evaluation are not covered in grant funding.

Paying for these can become an additional – unfunded – expense.

Second, have you planned for the end of the grant – even as you prepare to apply for funds? For example, have you considered how you will replace the funds once a grant ends? Will the new grant-funded program/ service/advocacy become part of your long-range planning or business plan? If not, what will happen to those you serve?

Third, do you have the information you need to carefully construct a budget for the proposed work? Will grant funds cover current programs, or will you need to expand

of Tunheim and Associates Strategic Counsel, and then Economic Development Director Robin Sternberg of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Both Tunheim and Sternberg advised the creation of a collaborative to include Minneapolis, Minneapolis Public Schools, the University of Minnesota, and major non-profits in north Minneapolis, as partners in driving north Minneapolis economic development.

The formation of a collaborative, rather than the creation of a new government agency or non-profit, was seen as essential to the work of job creation.

The goal was not to replace any existing agencies, institutions or organizations, but rather to unify them with a common goal of focused economic development in north Minneapolis. Grounded in job creation research provided by the University of Minnesota’s Carlson

programming or launch a new program? Will you need to hire additional people? If yes, where will you find the talent you need? How will you retain current and new hires during the life of the grant? What will happen if staff leave your organization? How will you replace them?

Take time to make wise decisions for your organization’s sustainability.

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.

School of Management, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and Humphrey School of Public Affairs, that collaborative became the NJCT. Today’s NJCT is committed to bringing 1,000 sustainable living jobs to north Minneapolis by 2018. Research, rather than corporate goodwill or social responsibility, remains the engine behind the NJCT – now made up of more than 25 public and private partner organizations.

The team is energized, but the challenges are many. The NJCT’s approach is to find solutions to those challenges through applied research and by capitalizing on the assets and ingenuity of north Minneapolis and our many stakeholders.

Next: How the NJCT uses research in job creation

Imagining possibilities may help create new ones.

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Page 6 • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Insight News

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COMMENTARY Learning through loss to beat the odds Child Watch

By Marian Wright Edelman “Suffering is inevitable, but how you deal with it is not fixed in stone. That can change. You can develop a way to face it.”

You might expect wise words like these to come after a lifetime’s worth of experiences, but Elijah Iqbal-Scott has seen a lot of sadness and sorrow in his 17 years. When Elijah was born, his

mother, a young college student, was chronically ill with sickle cell anemia.

“I don’t really have too many memories of her outside of her being sick,” he said. “One time when I was little, I think we had driven by the hospital and I said something like, ‘Oh, look.

It’s Mommy’s second home.’”

Though she was in and out of the hospital and frequently unable to take care of Elijah, he knew she loved him and he had the benefit of being surrounded by her closeknit family.

“When I was little, there were six of us, myself included: my grandmother, grandpa, my mom, my Auntie Gladys, my Uncle Herbert . . . We were definitely

Elijah is an inspiring example to other young people

happy most of the time, and I remember, especially with my

uncle, he was always kind of like an older brother to me.”

Elijah’s grandparents were

immigrants from Sierra Leone, and their full Maryland home was a warm haven.

But then the family losses began. When Elijah 7, his mother died. His grandmother remembers how the family tried to encircle him even more closely: “When his mom passed away, my son was like a father figure, played with him like big brother-type.

My husband was also like a father figure, and Gladys, like a mother.

We chipped in to raise him.”

For Elijah the time with his uncle was especially important: “We would just do regular things, you know, play video games together and eat pizza . . .

I do remember having more good feelings and good memories than

bad, and he was definitely a part of that.”

But before Elijah entered middle school his beloved uncle suffered a brain hemorrhage and was in a coma for 10 months before passing away at age 22. When Elijah was a freshman in high school, his grandfather - who he thought of as the “village elder” - died suddenly. too: “It was like the oldest tree in the world was cut down when he passed away.”

These losses might have been unbearable for many children and his grandmother remembers her fears: “There was a time when I was worried that by the time he got to the teenage years it might begin

LOSS TURN TO 9

Guns and mental illness

By Glenn Ellis George Curry Media Columnist

Nearly every mass shooting incident in the last 20 years share one thing in common: all of the perpetrators were suffering or had suffered from

some form of mental illness.

Although most of the mass murderers were white, it is an issue that quietly ravages the Black community.

Looking at the past 30plus years of mass-shootings in this country, Agency in Media (AIM) found that approximately two-thirds of incidents - 65.7 percent - were instigated by a white person.

Only one was committed by a female.

Of course, the obvious question is: Why was no one able to get them into treatment?

A leading psychologist says our fear and misunderstanding of mental illness prevents us from stepping in before tragedy occurs. This is particularly true in the African American community when the issue of

Black-on-Black crime raised, especially by conservatives who try to exploit it to detract from such important issues as deadly blue-on-Black police shootings.

Make no mistake about it: Homicide is far and away the leading cause of death for young Black men - more than car accidents, suicide and diseases combined.

Even so, the issue of mental illness deserves more of our community’s attention.

Less than half of African American adults with mental illness seek treatment for mental health problems, and less than one third of their children receive treatment.

For many African Americans, the emergency room is generally the source of primary care treatment.

Consequently, mental health care occurs frequently in emergency rooms and

psychiatric hospitals. These settings and limited treatment available there, undermine the delivery of high-quality mental health care.

One in four patients visiting a health service has at least one mental, neurological or behavioral disorder, but most of these disorders are neither diagnosed nor treated. Many don’t receive treatment because they don’t know how to navigate the system in order to receive social services or they just don’t have enough money to pay for treatment.

If they’re in the middle class, insurance rarely covers mental issues sufficiently.

The mental health problem was compounded in the 1970s when the doors of mental hospitals flung open and indigent people, with nowhere

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Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Page 7

EDUCATION 100 Black Men Strong hopes to show Black male Henry students they are in their corner

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer “Young brothers, we’re here for you.”

That is the message many hope will be conveyed on Friday, Nov. 6, at Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis as an estimated 100 Black male volunteers converge on the school to directly engage with Black male students. The event mirrors a similar session that took place last year at Henry, but last year’s event was a district

program presented through the Minneapolis Public School’s (MPS) office of Equity and Diversity. This time around the event is presented through the 100 Strong organization, as the office and Equity and Diversity was eliminated this past summer. James Burroughs, who was the head of MPS’ Equity and Diversity, transitioned out of the district but felt it was important to let Black male students know that the community is still in their corner.

“Just because the department was eliminated

doesn’t mean the mission and focus has changed for me,” said Burroughs, who reached out to the leadership at Henry to bring back 100 Black Men Strong. “It’s not about me or my title, it’s about the work that needs to get done. So, I reached out to Christopher Fleming and Henry’s new principal, Yusuf Abdullah, and we decided no matter what the district office decided to do with 100 Strong, the work was too critical.”

The work that Burroughs hopes to get done is to directly engage the students of Henry with Black male mentors

from throughout the Twin Cities and representing a myriad of careers. The event is designed to create long-term relationships with mentors and students of similar career aspirations. The Nov. 6 event takes place at Henry, 4320 Newton Ave. N., from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

“We want to show our scholars a different narrative than what they’re told their supposed to be by the negative imagery we see,” said Fleming, the Black male achievement coordinator at Henry. “We want to show a different reality.

Long term, our goal is for our scholars to be connected to the community and the community to be connected to Patrick Henry.”

One of the key reasons for the 100 Black Men Strong event at Henry is because students have very little school interaction from role models who are of the same ethnicity.

“In the state of Minnesota only about 4 percent of teachers are of color and we want to show our scholars that there are professionals out there who look like them,” said Tameika Williams, the

Northside Achievement Zone academic navigator at Henry.

“We want our young men to see that regardless of what zip code you’re from you can be successful and you can achieve.”

For the event students and professionals are asked to dress in business attire, thus Williams is asking for donations of dress shirts for students of all sizes, as many do not own longsleeved collared shirts. To participate or to donate, contact Christopher Fleming at (612) 668-2012 or email Christopher.

Fleming@mpls.k12.mn.us.

AchieveMpls: Young Men of Color: Promise. Potential. Power INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane

Schools and contributing author for “White Teachers/Diverse Classrooms: Creating Inclusive Schools, Building on Students Diversity and Providing True Education Equity.” The luncheon takes place at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S., from 11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is targeted for the education community however, those outside education are invited to attend.

Simmons’ keynote will

By Jennifer Owens Contributing Writer AchieveMpls’ 13th annual education luncheon “Young Men of Color: Promise.

Potential, Power” takes place Thursday, Nov. 5.

The keynote speaker is national urban educator and scholar, Dr. Robert Simmons, III, CEO of Center for Innovation and Research for the District of Columbia Public

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

Robert Simmons

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 Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed 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.

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Interim superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), Michael Goar (at the podium) addresses the media, parents and students at Patrick Henry High School during a press conference following an incident where a student brought an unloaded handgun to school. Behind Goar are (left to right) Steve Belton, interim CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League, MPS board member, Don Samuels and Henry principal, Yusuf Abdullah.

After gun incident, MPS officials say Henry, other schools, are safe

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) are safe places for students to learn.

That was the message officials wanted to convey during an Oct. 28 press conference at the close of school at Patrick Henry High School, 4320 Newton Ave. N. The conference was called in

the wake of a student bringing a handgun to the school on Oct. 26.

Although according to officials the gun was not loaded, it was still cause for great concern, but officials stressed this was an isolated incident and commended fellow students for alerting school officials.

“Anyone who threatens the safety of our students has to deal with us,” said Michael Goar, interim superintendent of the

Minneapolis Public Schools, with the “us” being his administration and concerned community members who flanked Goar during the press conference.

“We’re here to declare “not in our schools!” We want to make sure that Minneapolis Public Schools is a weapons free, violence free and gang free zone. Our leadership at Patrick Henry High and staff are

MPS TURN TO 9

touch on topics including strategies that will help teachers, support staff and community connect with students. The educator believes personal and professional relationship building is paramount in establishing rapport with students and beneficial for the classroom and education experience as a whole.

For additional information or to purchase tickets contact Jane Austin at (612) 455-1564 or visit www.achievempls.org/.

Page 8 • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE The revolution will not be televised Man Talk

By Timothy Houston With more than an estimated 850,000 people in attendance, the atmosphere was full of power and purpose. There were men, women, children and families from all across the country there determined to make their presence known.

Throughout that day, various speakers from all ethnic persuasions, religious and cultural backgrounds spoke truth to power with purpose and intensity. With the visible absence of the media, I knew then that this revolution of powerful but peaceful protest would not be

televised.

During that day, I met lots of wonderful people who were there not to be seen or heard, but merely to make sure their presence mattered. There were lots of pictures being show on the two giant screens. The big pictures would only show the magnitude of those in attendance, but it was the close-up that told the story. Although I met an array of people close up and in person throughout that day, a young man and woman from Houston stood out. They were young, beautiful and articulate. They did not come with rocks and bottles in their hands, but with love, purpose and hope in their hearts. There were no tanks, tear gas, burning cars or buildings. There were only people with a burning passion for justice, courage in their hearts, strength in their hands, and determination in their stance. As I watched the

Young black men and women dying at the hands for police, racial injustices in the highest order of magnitude, all happening while the television only show blacks at our worst or not at all. beauty in the people and in the demonstration being played out live and in living color, I knew that the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March call for justice would not be televised.

In 1970, Gill Scott-Heron wrote the poem, “The Revolu-

tion Will Not Be Televised.”

As Scott-Heron begin to pay attention to what was being shown on television and commercials, the contrast to what was going on in the streets could not be any more glaring. The commercials were clean and sanitized, but what

was happening in the streets was ugly and gritty. And even though it was 45 years ago that he wrote his poem, the same conditions still exist today.

Young Black men and women dying at the hands of police, racial injustices in the highest order of magnitude, all happening while the television only shows Blacks at our worst or not at all. This is a glaring indication that even today with more television and cable networks than ever, the revolution will not be televised.

The Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan closed out the march with a demand for justice or else. There were no threats of violence in his words, only a call to actions by those who are brave and fearless enough to pave a way for our youth.

Farrakhan closed by asking us to take Christmas back from Santa Claus and give it back to Christ by refusing to par-

ticipate in the commercialization of that day. He encouraged us to keep our money in our pockets and use that day as an opportunity for families to sit around the table together as a time of reflection and discussion. I agree. I personally ask that like Scott-Heron did 45 years ago, that we take an introspective look at what is happening in the streets in contrast to what is being shown on television. I believe that if you do this, you too, will agree that our demand to put Christ back into Christmas will not be televised.

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

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

Accepting change Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson Change is hard for some people and it can be difficult to accept at times.

On the other hand, there are individuals who welcome change and create opportunities to embrace it and create new beginnings for themselves.

This I know about very well. I happen to look at change as an adventure to start something new.

When you decide to set goals that will in no doubt change your life, you must be open to the changes that are about to happen in your life. Some goals will take you to a level that you’ve never been before. That will change many things for yourself and the people around you.

When you are focused on doing things differently, many things may change for you including your friends, your work, and the way you see yourself.

I remember when I decided to work on a certain goal that would change many things for me. While working on this

goal, I had to change the way I looked at many things in my life. I had to change the hours that I would work, the time I had to spend with friends, and also my spare time was no longer spent relaxing, but focused on the things I needed to do to complete my goals.

The truth is, any goal you set for yourself will come with some sort of change for you.

But the best part is you are doing the things that will make you a better person. Anything worth having is worth changing your life. Welcome the change and know you are doing the right things to get you to your next level. Know that not everything in this life is going to be a comfortable change.

Some changes may require you to be in a place that is unfamiliar and this alone may make you want to give up and drop this goal completely. But whatever you do, keep going.

You will never have the life you always wanted if quit now.

Also, you will never know how great your life will be tomorrow if you don’t make the necessary changes today.

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, www.thequeensproject. com or email at penny@ thequeensproject.com.

Guns From 6 to live and no place to receive help, flooded the streets while society turned a blind eye.

Any serious movement to expand mental health services in the Black community must begin with expanding the supply of culturally-sensitive health providers. African Americans account for only 2 percent of psychiatrists, 2 percent of psychologists, and 4 percent of social workers in the United States, according to the American Psychological Association.

There is also the stigma that surrounds mental disorders in the African American community. The reluctance to seek treatment is manifested in such statements as, “they might think I’m crazy.” In truth, it may be crazy not to seek help.

The stigma of mental illness has its origins deep in the annals of slave history in America. One scientific

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Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Page 9

COMMUNITY Ghanaian Association launches scholarship program The GhanAM Foundation for the Development of Responsible Citizens recently held a fundraising luncheon and awarded several scholarships.

In 2014, the Ghanaian Association of Minnesota (GhanAM) launched an Academic Foundation for the Development of Responsible Citizens program, with the goal of providing modest financial assistance and support to the youth, towards post-secondary education. The program also aims to offer volunteerism, mentorship and internship opportunities to students who demonstrate a desire to pursue higher education.

Scholarship awards are based on academic merit, community service, volunteer service, extra-curricular activities and other qualifying factors.

The 2015 scholarship awardees were Kweku Amusah (North Dakota State University), Kwaku Bodom (Carleton College), Ekow Nana Kweson (Hofstra University),

Lisa Opoku addressed the event Cory Mensah (Iowa Western University), Michael Osei (Bemidji State University), Luisa Offori (University of Pittsburgh) and Farouk Samu (St. Cloud State University).

Photos: David Bradley

L-R: Event special guest was Fmr. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, shown with Ben Bodom and Isaac Kwesi Mensah

Governor Mark Dayton hosts meeting with Liberia Vice President Governor Mark Dayton hosted Joseph H. Boakai, Vice President of Liberia, at the Governor’s Residence last Monday, October 26, 2015 for a meeting discussing the Ebola epidemic and its impact on the African nation. Next to Governor Dayton: Liberian Vice President Joseph H. Boakai and Liberian Ambassador Jeremiah C. Sulunteh.

MPS From 7 committed to keeping our students safe. That’s a commitment from all of our schools.”

Goar said the safest place for

Loss From 6 to manifest [as] anger - and there was nothing like that.” She adds: “This young man, you cannot understand his tenacity. He doesn’t let any obstacles keep him down.”

Elijah says he learned from all his losses how to keep moving

Guns From 8 report in 1840 went so far as to deliberately falsify the Black insanity rates from the U.S. census to show that the further North Blacks lived, the higher their rates of lunacy. Strong evidence, of course, that freedom drove Blacks crazy.

African American communities across the United States are more culturally

students to be is inside the walls of the schools, but said a concern is what happens to students before and after school.

“Once (students) leave our schools we’re concerned for them. This is an issue indicative of what’s going on in our city,” said Goar. “We need the support

of the community as a whole.”

Goar said since the Henry incident additional staff has been assigned to the school and the district has been coordinating with the Minneapolis Police Department and Metropolitan Council Transit Police to

insure student safety. “We’re exploring all options to make sure our kids are safe.”

The student with the gun has been removed from the school according to the interim superintendent. “And he will not return,” said Goar.

“Our expectation for our

students is peace,” said Steve Belton, interim president and CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League. “We are declaring peace, but it takes all of us.

We all have to be committed.

We are making it clear that we are reclaiming our community and the cultural value of

education.”

School officials are encouraging students to take an active role in their safety and alert staff or authorities to unsafe conditions. The district has a hotline, (866) SPEAKUP, dedicated for students to use to anonymously report tips.

forward. Throughout it all, the honors student never stopped excelling in school. He is one of the five inspiring high school seniors the Children’s Defense Fund will honor at its 25th annual Beat the Odds® celebration in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 5.

Each will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, a computer, guidance through the college admissions process, and an

invitation to join CDF’s servant leadership training programs.

Wise beyond his years, Elijah expresses gratitude for the family he had: “I’m just lucky that I’ve been able to live in the same home with my family members right there, and all the family members that I had that are no longer with us were wonderful people, and we’ve never had any bad experiences as we’ve been

together.

“So I can’t really complain too much because I know that there are a lot of people that experience greater things than what I’ve gone through . . . I’m just grateful for the family members that I do have with me, and grateful for all the good times that have happened and are ahead.” He hopes his losses make him better able to help other people: “Even

if all my family members were still with us, I would still be as empathetic as I could. I guess it just adds a certain depth to it . . . a connection to be able to say, ‘I’m here, and I’ll do whatever I can.’”

Elijah is an inspiring example to other young people - and all of us - of resilience, grace, and the ability to beat the odds.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org

diverse now than at any time in history, with increasing numbers of immigrants from African nations, the Caribbean, Central America and other countries concentrated in Black neighborhoods.

To ensure African American communities have access to adequate and affordable care, a better understanding of the complex role that cultural backgrounds and diverse experiences play in mental disorders in these communities is vital.

On the surface, the deep threat this issue poses to African American health may not be apparent. However, mental illnesses affect, and are affected by, chronic conditions such as cancer, heart and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and HIV/ AIDS. Untreated, they bring about unhealthy behavior, noncompliance with prescribed medical regimens, diminished immune functioning, and poor prognosis.

In fairness, let’s be

clear: Severe mental illness does not necessarily cause violence.

Here’s a quick analogy: Smokers are more likely to get pancreatitis than nonsmokers.

This seemingly implies smoking causes pancreatitis.

But it’s really that smokers drink more alcohol, which causes pancreatitis. In other words, some other aspect of life might be a bigger factor than mental illness determining whether those suffering with it engage in violence.

Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.

medical condition or treatment plan.)

(DISCLAIMER: The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a

Glenn Ellis, is a regular media contributor on Health Equity and Medical Ethics. He is the author of Which Doctor?, and Information is the Best Medicine. Listen to him every Saturday at 9 a.m. (EST) on www.900amwurd.com, and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. (EST) on www.wdasfm.com. For more good health information, visit: glennellis.com

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Page 10 • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Insight News

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Brandon Stengel

The O’Shaughnessy presents TU Dance, featuring world premiere piece by Gioconda Barbuto TU Dance, the Minnesotabased dance company led

by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, returns to The O’Shaughnessy Nov. 20 – Nov. 22 as part of its 12th annual performance season.

The dance concert at The O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, features a world premiere work by celebrated Italian-Canadian artist and 2015 McKnight International Choreographer, Gioconda Barbuto, a debut of a new piece choreographed

by Sands, and a reprise of the company’s “January.”

The fall performances introduce four new TU

Dance company members to audiences –Youthen Joseph, Randall Riley, Alexis Staley and Curtis Thomas (apprentice).

Returning company members are Darwin Black, Tara Cacciatore, Taylor Collier, Alanna Morris-Van Tassel (2015 McKnight Fellow for Dancers; 2012 Sage Award for Dance’s Outstanding Dance Performer), Duncan Schultz (2014 SAGE Awards for Dance’s Outstanding Dance Performer), Kaitlin Setzke, Katelyn Skelley and Elayna Waxse.

Pierce-Sands and Barbuto are well acquainted, having previously danced together

with Minnesota Dance Theatre.

“Gioconda’s choreographic philosophy and talents around dance making is both mesmerizing and inspiring, it’s a true gift to have her creating work here in our community, for our community,” said Pierce-Sands.

“My work is created in collaboration with the (TU Dance company members). I like to create an environment in which the dancers are motivated in exploring collectively, the endless possibilities of movement invention,” said Barbuto. “This often develops and feeds into a complex orchestration of

interactions of meeting, letting go and ‘leaving a little bit of you behind.’ It’s a little bit like traffic, of distinct personalities, coming together, intersecting, meeting and letting someone go by but ultimately, in passing we meet.”

The work is driven by the inspiring and provocative music of Gabriel Prokofiev, an innovative London-based composer, who is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev, the famed Russian composer.

The McKnight International Choreographer Residency is a program of the McKnight Choreographer Fellowships, housed at The Cowles Center

for Dance & The Performing Arts and funded by the McKnight Foundation.

“It’s a huge honor for me to be selected as this year’s McKnight International Choreographer and to be working with Toni and Uri. To be a part of their vision and to work with these amazingly talented artists in the studio is fulfilling and boundless, each day I look forward to seeing where the next creative journey might take us,” said Barbuto.

TU Dance will also premiere a new work choreographed

by Sands, which will be set to music by Charles Mingus. In addition, the full company

will perform Sands’ “January,” which examines perpetual states of transition, exploring life at the crossroads of earth and sky, with eyes on both yesterday and tomorrow.

Tickets are $18, $25 and $31 with discounts for students, seniors, military and groups of 10 and more. For more information and tickets, contact The O’Shaughnessy at (651) 690-6700. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.oshag.stkate.edu/event/ tu-dance. The Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 shows are 8 p.m. shows. The Nov. 22 show is a 2 p.m. show.

‘Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s,’ opens at Mill City Museum The new exhibit, “Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s” explores the city during a time when the Foshay Tower dominated the skyline and sidewalks bustled with people before skyways overtook the

landscape.

Through the camera lens of Mike Evangelist, then a 17-year-old from the suburbs, visitors can experience the vibrant and changing world of 1970s Minneapolis – from

busy shoppers on Nicollet Mall and once-great movie houses to a disabled veteran selling pencils. Evangelist recently rediscovered these photos, 40 years after he first took them.

A companion book of the same name, featuring Evangelist’s photos and text

by Andy Sturdevant, will be available this fall.

Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, will

celebrate the exhibit opening with a public reception on Nov. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with remarks from Evangelist and Sturdevant beginning at 7 p.m.

“Downtown: Minneapolis

in the 1970s” is located in the museum’s Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours. It will be on view until April 3.

insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2015 • Page 11

David Stewart appointed Guthrie production director Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joseph Haj announced the appointment of David Stewart as Production Director.

Stewart previously served as academic production manager at Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He joins the Guthrie staff Nov. 2.

“David will be a wonderful fit for this organization,” said Haj. “Not only does he have experience in production, he also has a strong background in stage management and events management. David is heavily involved with USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology), and is a national thought leader and public speaker on equity, diversity and inclusivity in the field of production. I’m thrilled to have him join us.”

“My current chair of theater and dance, Brant Pope, said to me, ‘David,

when the Yankees call, you answer,’” said Stewart. “Well, the internationally acclaimed Guthrie Theater called, and I’m more than thrilled to answer that call. The opportunity to work with Joe and his mission of continuing the excellence in art as well as celebrating diverse voices in our industry is an amazing adventure that I am ready to embark upon. This is a wonderful opportunity, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Guthrie Theater staff and the greater Twin Cities theater community.”

Prior to his work at the University of Texas at Austin, Stewart held positions at the University of Wisconsin – Madison as production manager and head of stage management, director of production for the Office of Multi-Cultural Arts Institute, production stage manager for Varsity Band, and event

David Stewart

producer for the Chancellors Office. He has served as an AEA stage manager for Madison Repertory Theatre, Studio Arena Theatre, St. Louis Muny, Kansas City Starlight Outdoor Musicals and The Little Theatre on the Square and Vienna Austria’s English Theatre. In addition, Stewart is the commissioner for the management commission and chair for the People of Color Network at USITT as well as co-founder of the highly successful Gateway Program. He has two nationally published articles on diversity in theater production, is the technical editor for two upcoming theater management books, and holds a fourth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Stewart replaces Frank Butler who announced last July he would be relocating this fall.

From career to Cosby, Beverly bares it all

By Kam Williams Beverly Johnson rose to fame in August of 1974 when she made history as the first AfricanAmerican to grace on the cover of Vogue magazine. The multitalented supermodel/actress/ businesswoman/author has enjoyed an enduring career which has included writing a several books and starring in her own reality-TV series, “Beverly’s Full House.”

Recently, she has bravely stepped forward as the highestprofile victim to accuse Bill Cosby of drugging and assaulting her. Here, she talks about that incident as well as her new autobiography, “The Face That Changed It All.” Kam Williams: Hi Beverly, thanks for another interview.

Beverly Johnson: Hi, Kam. Thanks for reviewing the book and for including a picture of me and my mother. I appreciate that. I really do. You know show she has Alzheimer’s. [Wipes away tears] KW: No, I didn’t. I’m sorry to hear that. What interested you in writing your autobiography?

always wanted in my son-inlaw, David Patterson. They’re the most remarkable parents I’ve ever known. I always tell my daughter that she’s such a better mother than I was. It’s incredible how involved they are with their kids on a day-in, day-out basis.

BJ: I’m not the type of girl who cries a lot, but I’m crying right now because I don’t know whether I’d written it, if my mother hadn’t developed Alzheimer’s. There are many things in the book that I know would’ve caused her a lot of pain, and I wouldn’t want to do that to her. When you think about trying to reduce a life of 60 years to 250 pages, it’s a little overwhelming.

KW: How did you go about deciding what to include?

BJ: Basically, what I did was break it up into childhood, Seventies and Eighties. I kinda bit off half of it. It was also important to me as an AfricanAmerican to write this because we’ve had a very painful history, and haven’t passed our stories down, perhaps out of shame. I know that in growing I would grab onto any little anecdote my mother or grandmother might leak out by accident. I believe that we should tell our stories, because they’re important for the future generations. So, I want to make sure I leave my story, even though it isn’t all pleasant. I don’t want anyone to pass away with their song still

Beverly at 18 with her mother inside them. That’s really why I decided to write my memoirs.

KW: Marcia Evans says: I love

sistah Beverly Johnson! I am wondering if you have been blessed with another grandchild by your daughter, Anansa?

BJ: Yes, I have three grandchildren: 4 year-old Ava; 2 year-old David, and a 1 year-old. And I have the son I

KW: She says: I still frequently refer to your amazing first book “True Beauty” about the natural health regimen you lived by.

I would love to see you do another reality series but with a different format than the one you had on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Perhaps you could do a beauty talk show enlightening younger folks about class and beauty.

BJ: Gee, that’s very kind of you, Marcia, although “True Beauty” was actually my second book.

My first was “Beverly Johnson’s Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty.” Each of them was a labor of love. They were both ahead of their time, and it’s so great to hear that people still turn to them as references. I don’t know about a talk show, but we are working on some other TV ideas.

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Irene Smalls asks: Out of your many achievements, which are you most proud of?

BJ: Well, of course, motherhood. That was a defining moment in my life.

You can’t get any closer to God than by giving birth to another human being. After that, the Vogue cover in 1974 because of what that meant to so many people around the world. That made me who I am today.

From 11 KW: Larry Greenberg asks: How much harder is it to achieve the American Dream now than it was when you ascended to stardom?

BJ: What a great question! I was 18 years-old back then.

In the Seventies, there were many more black models than there are today, and there were a slew of successful black designers, makeup artists and hairdressers. There were even black modeling agencies which, by the way, turned me down. Nevertheless, there were so many more opportunities for African-Americans in this realm, the fashion world, back then than there are now. I don’t know if that’s because we have a closed society in the fashion bubble, while the rest of the world has laws mandating diversity and inclusion that are making a difference in Fortune 500 companies.

KW: Teresa Emerson says: Hi Beverly, I’m anxious to read your autobiography! Were you aware of, or had you heard about, Cosby’s reputation at all before all this happened? If so, had you just dismissed it as rumors, never thinking he would do anything to you.

BJ: No, honey, I’m a very smart girl. If somebody warns me, “Don’t go around that corner because there’s a giant sinkhole you could fall into,” then I’m going to go in the other direction.” That’s just how I m by nature. I’d be like, “Thanks for pulling my coattail.” That is what is so astounding, the secrecy that was maintained not only by the people in his circle but by the press and the police. It speaks volumes about the silence in society when it comes to violence against women in general. I don’t see it as just a Cosby issue, but as a societal one that he has become the lightning rod for.

KW: Marilyn Marshall asks: Have you forgiven Bill Cosby for what he did? Why or why not?

BJ: Oh, dear! Oh, yes! I’m not angry, I’m not bitter, I don’t want anything, and I forgive him.

KW: Felicia Haney asks: Did you worry whether going public about the Cosby episode might overshadow your many accomplishments, meaning, leave you remembered for that instead of as the first black face to grace Vogue magazine?

KW: Irene also says: You did not let the Bill Cosby incident cripple you? How did you heal from it?

BJ: I’ve always done a lot of work on myself whether in the way of therapy, a 12-Step program or self-help books.

We have so many options to better ourselves and our mental health. I’m the type of person who wants to take advantage of those services, and I think I did. I also healed with the help of my spiritual connection to a higher power.

KW: Irene’s last question is: What are your thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement?

BJ: I’m all for it. I feel that it’s very important because it’s a conversation that’s taken 400 years to come to the forefront.

So, we can’t ignore the powerful message that black lives do matter.

BJ: I’ll tell you this much.

Whenever I discuss my legacy with my daughter, I always say, “I just want one school named after me. One school.

I never wanted part of it to be that I was once drugged by Bill Cosby. I don’t think anybody would want that. For me, going public all came down to my conscience and my principles.

I had to go where they led me.

KW: David Roth notes that you were initially drawn to a career in law due to the huge impact the Civil Rights movement had on your life. But you instead made your mark as the first black cover model of American Vogue in 1974. Law and modeling strike me as aspirations with very little in common. One is rooted in the tangible, socially revolutionary drive for equal justice for all, and the other in a personally rewarding accomplishment based on a narrow, subjective judgment, namely, who does

the fashion world consider beautiful enough for their magazine covers and catwalks, a standard that is impossible to extrapolate to the larger population of minority women. So, what turned you from the grand aspiration of broad-based cultural change to the narrower aspiration of breaking down a racial barrier in a particular industry?

BJ: That’s another great question. The answer is money.

My father was making $75 a week as a steel laborer. I was floored to learn that a model made $75 an hour for standing there with her hand on her hips. For me, it was a no-brainer, since it afforded me an opportunity to help my family. I had always envisioned finishing school.

But I ended up the only one in my family who didn’t finish college. Fate just has a way of intervening and showing you a viable alternative. And as far as being that person who

appeared on that Vogue cover at that particular moment, I had nothing to do with it.

When I’m reflecting and really connected to my higher power, I think it would have been a crime to turn my nose up at something that I really felt was a gift. I believe God gives each of us certain gifts, and you should take advantage of those gifts.

KW: Children’s book author

KW: AALBC.com founder Troy Johnson asks: What was the last book you read?

BJ: I just read “Model Woman,” Eileen Ford’s biography. She was an agent of mine. And “The Self-Made Billionaire Effect” which was a powerful read. I like to read a lot, about four books at a time. Usually, it’s a biography, a history book, a self-help book, and something a friend suggests.

KW: Troy also asks: Where are your “Johnson” people from? Mine are from Arkansas originally.

BJ: That’s an interesting question. My father and

grandfather came from the north, from Canada. .

KW: Was there a meaningful spiritual component to your childhood?

BJ: Yes, very much so. My mother dressed us up to go to Sunday school, although my father was a little skeptical and would make us think. He’d say things like, “Now, don’t put all your money in the collection box.”

KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet?

BJ: I’m an introvert.

KW: What was your very first job?

BJ: I worked at the YMCA has a swim instructor.

KW: Who loved you unconditionally during your formative years?

BJ: I My whole family. My parents and my siblings.

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

BJ: A great golf score.

KW: The “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan’s question: What’s your dream locale in Los Angeles to live?

BJ: I’m already living in my dream location in the desert.

KW: The Anthony Mackie question: Is there anything that you promised yourself you’d do if you became famous, that you still haven’t done yet?

BJ: Yes, found a scholarship to help kids go to college. My whole thing is education.

KW: Lastly, what’s in your wallet?

BJ: A JP Morgan Chase card.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Beverly, and best of luck with the book.

BJ: Thanks so much, Kam.

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