Understanding culture through dance, spoken word and music MORE ON PAGE 10 aesthetically speaking
Insight News November 9 - November 15, 2015
Vol. 42 No. 45 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Negro sections By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer A 1935 Minneapolis Planning Area Designations map outlined clear housing boundaries to separate the community by race and income, but some are alleging the same is being done today throughout the Twin Cities. According to a reproduction of the 1935 map, areas throughout
Minneapolis were designated as “slum – Negro section” or “slum – foreign born.” While the map is archaic in the best possible light and downright racist in the worst, some say the same is happening today with communities in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Richfield. This time the wrongdoing is being pointed directly at the state and Metropolitan Council.
Herbert Igbanugo
The matter of Herbert Igbanugo and the Minnesota Supreme Court
HOUSING TURN TO 9
Commentary By Mshale Staff Harry Colbert, Jr.
Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro addresses a town hall on affordable housing as Rep. Keith Ellison and (far left) Mary Tingerthal, commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, look on.
The news of the suspension of longtime Twin Cities attorney Herbert Igbanugo hit the community like a thunderbolt this past May. The Minnesota Supreme Court suspended the high profile Mr. Igbanugo for
IGBANUGO TURN TO 7
“The 5 largest U.S. landowners own more land than all of Black America combined” families privately own over 98 percent of U.S. land, amounting to 856 million acres, with a total worth of over a trillion dollars. Note: The disparity in these numbers have likely gotten worse since this last “Who Owns the Land” USDA report was released. Forbes states, Ted Turner (founder of CNN) alone owns over 2 million acres of land. This total is nearly a quarter of what all black Americans combined own in rural land in the U.S., and it appears Turner also owns nearly half of what all blacks own in actual farmable land. Two million acres in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Florida and several other states. If $1 billion is the dividing line between rich and real money, then owning multiple Rhode Islands is
By Antonio Moore Huffington Post The five largest white landowners in America together own more rural land than all of black America combined. According to CNBC, this small group’s total land holdings are about 9 million acres. In the report “Who Owns the Land,” the United States Department of Agriculture disclosed all of Black America only owns just under 8 million acres. In fact, it was further explained that African Americans own less than one percent of U.S. rural land, worth a mere 14 billion dollars. While combined, white American
the definition of a land baron. Ted Turner has close to three of them, including the spectacular Vermejo Park Ranch straddling the border of New Mexico and Colorado, which would practically cover the Ocean State. Turner made his money with CNN and lost much of it by selling out to AOL Time Warner. Land has worked out better for him. We estimate his holdings to be worth at least $1 billion. We can give this greater context by looking at the “Who Owns the Land” report more closely. In their research, the USDA Economic Research Service stated, Of all private U.S. agricultural land, Whites account for 96
LAND TURN TO 8
Black churches show support for Obama environment plan By Savannah Harris Special to the NNPA News Wire from HU News Service WASHINGTON – Leaders of the nation’s major Black churches — representing nearly 13 million African-American members — presented over 10,000 pastors’ signatures to Congressional Black Caucus members in support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. The leaders said they are making the effort to push forward the bill, which has a goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent by 2030.
Bishop George Battle, senior bishop of A.M.E. Zion Church; the Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr., president of the National Baptist Convention of America, and the Rev. Timothy Tee Boddie, general secretary to the Progressive National Baptist Convention of America, were among the 10,000 who presented their signatures to members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who represents Oakland, Berkeley and other northern California cities applauded their effort. ” As faith and community leaders, their commitment to protecting and preserving our
Health Insight 2 Health Food Label Tour
PAGE 3
(ir+media)
Leaders of the nation’s major Black churches, from left, the Rev. Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr., the Rev. Dr. Timothy Tee Boddie, the Rev. Jesse V. Bottoms, Jr., the Rev. Brian K. Brown, Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore and Bishop James B. Walker presented over 10,000 pastors’ signatures to Congressional Black Caucus members in support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan.
Tuskegee Airmen An effort to save the legacy grows
PAGE 4
fragile planet is greatly needed as we work to address climate change,” Lee said in a statement. Lee said the president’s plan and other environmental action must have a positive effect on disadvantaged communities. “This is truly an issue about justice – environmental justice, economic justice and racial justice. The negative effects of pollution and climate change have disproportionately affected communities of color,” she said. “As we work to reverse climate change, we must all raise our voices together and ensure that the economic opportunities created by the green economy
PLAN TURN TO 8
Business
Commentary
Daymond John: Do your homework
Lilly Endowment funds Black Minds Matter
PAGE 5
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Page 2 • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Insight News
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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Page 3
HEALTH Insight 2 Health Food Label Tour By Julie McMahon CHHC Sound Nutrition LLC This past week the Insight 2 Health crew took a Food Label Reading Tour at the local grocery store. Let’s face it, the field of nutrition can be a difficult world to navigate, with confusing buzz words and conflicting information coming from all different sources. Bottom line is that we want to eat well, make good choices and keep our families as healthy as possible. I’ve been a part of the nutrition world since the 1980’s and have seen many “buzz words” and “trends” come and go. We had the “sugar free” generation that led us to a barrage of artificial sweeteners. We have found now that those artificial sweeteners were even worse than regular sugars as our bodies struggled to deal with
Nutrition Julie
Diane Sewall, Preston Cunningham, Erick Goodlow, Toronda Sweeney, Whitney Cantrell, Anna Williams, Adero Cobb and Jamie Minor.
these toxic chemical substances such as Equal, Sweet-n-Low and Splenda. We have watched as people choosing low calorie sugar substitutes actually got more obese. There was also the “fat free” generation, where people were told that they could lose all that excess weight by choosing fat free products. What we know now is that those products were laden with extra sugars that again made people more obese. Our brains need healthy fats for mental clarity, focus and memory, so without these fats, we have seen an upswing in memory issues, Alzheimer’s and dementia. So what should we look for when we are reading Nutrition Label? 1. As noted above, avoid packaged products that are labeled “sugar free” or “fat free”, they are full of other ingredients that will set you off track. Also avoid foods where sugar or any type of sweetener is one of the top three ingredients. 2. Be wary of “gluten free” products. They are useful as a replacement for a certain group
of people with gluten intolerance, but may contain other ingredients that are not necessarily good for you. A cookie is still a cookie, whether it’s gluten free or not. 3. Look for short ingredient lists of words that you can pronounce 4. Avoid products with artificial dyes, colors or sweeteners 5. Look for words such as “organic” and “non-GMO” to get the benefits of healthier foods without all the pesticides and toxins. Of course the best thing yet is to avoid packaged and processed foods all together and opt instead to EAT CLEAN! Choosing to eat organic, non-GMO foods. Eating mainly fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, well sourced, grassfed meats, wild-caught fish and avoiding packaged foods as much as possible. Grow your own food or source from farmer’s markets and CSAs. Look for buzz words like Organic, Raw, Grass Fed, Wild-Caught, No Artificial Sweeteners, No Artificial Dyes or Colors and Non-GMO. ~Nutrition Julie (NutritionJulie.com)
UCare says, “We will be here for you in 2016” “UCare will be here for you in 2016,” said Jim Eppel, President and Chief Executive Officer of UCare, to communities across Minnesota. His statement addresses rumors that the health plan provider is closing. In 2016, UCare will have health plans for: • people with disabilities (called UCare Connect)
Jim Eppel
• older people with low incomes (called Minnesota Senior Care Plus-MSC+ and Minnesota Senior Health
Options-MSHO) • people with Medicare (called UCare for Seniors across Minnesota and EssentiaCare in
Nghozi Mbibi, PhD named fellow of American Academy of Nursing Ngozi Mbibi of The Mother Baby Center at Abbott Northwestern and Children’s – Minneapolis is now a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Mbibi has worked with mothers and babies for 37 years. She earned a midwifery licensure from Nigeria in 1978 and worked as a nurse midwife, nurse educator, nurse consultant and clinical service resource trainer for 24 years before relocating to the U.S. in 2001. Mbibi earned a master’s degree in nursing healthcare leadership and nursing education from Bethel University in 2012 and a
doctor of nursing practice in 2014 from the University of Minnesota where she also received the Sandra R. Edwardson Award for Excellence. In addition to her work at The Mother Baby Center in Minneapolis, Mbibi is vice president of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America, an organization that partners with Nigerian policymakers to address the complex health issues — including domestic violence — that she says are prevalent in some Nigerian cultures and affect Nigerian women, including emigrant nurses.
Ngozi Mbibi “To be honored as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing — the highest honor an American nurse can receive — is completely humbling. This honor and my induction as a fellow of the West African College of Nursing in July, instill in me a sense of renewed dedication to my chosen profession. I am inspired to further my efforts to improve nursing for Nigerian nurses in Nigeria and wherever they may be. I am deeply committed to caring for mothers and babies and improving their health here
at home and throughout the world,” said Mbibi. Mbibi became a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing during its annual policy meeting Oct. 17 in Washington, D.C. The American Academy of Nursing is comprised of more than 2,300 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy and research. Academy fellows include hospital and government administrators, college deans and scientific researchers, and represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 24 countries. The Mother Baby Center at Abbott Northwestern and Children’s – Minneapolis is a partnership that integrates the maternal services, including perinatal, maternal assessment, labor and delivery, post-partum, and newborn care area of Abbott Northwestern Hospital, part of Allina Health, with the neonatal services and all pediatric specialty care services within Children’s Hospital and Clinics – Minneapolis.
north central Minnesota) • people shopping for insurance on MNsure (called UCare Choices and Fairview UCare Choices) • low-income individuals and families in Olmsted County (called Medicaid and MinnesotaCare) “We will be in business in 2016, just as we have been for more than 30 years,” said Eppel. “The health and
wellness health benefits in our plans will remain the same. And we will continue to deliver great service to each and every valued member.” UCare members who have questions about benefits, about UCare, or need help in any way, may call the Customer Services number on the back of member cards. To learn more about UCare health plans, call (612) 676-6500 or visit www.ucare.org.
Page 4 • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Insight News
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Avis Thomas Lester
Funeral of William E. Broadwater, who died September 22 at age 89.
As Tuskegee Airmen fade, an effort to save the legacy grows By Avis Thomas Lester Urban News Service More than 16,000 Tuskegee Airmen made history, but now only about 250 remain. They see each other mostly at funerals these days. When the heroes returned some from overseas after World War II, they were still treated as second-class citizens in the South. They were simply known as participants in the Tuskegee Experience – pilots, engineers, mechanics, instructors and other support personnel enrolled in an Army Air Force program to train Black aviators at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama from 1941 to 1946. Ten years after the war’s end, they became household names when Capt. Charles E. Francis, a Howard University graduate, published “The Tuskegee Airmen: The Men Who Changed a Nation,” about the unit’s exploits during the war. Today, only few now attend the Tuskegee Airmen’s annual conventions, where one of the
most popular events is the Lonely Eagles Ceremony, where a bell is tolled and the names recited of each member who has passed since the last convention. “They are dying off at a pretty rapid rate,” said Byron Morris, 74, of Bowie, Md., a retired civilian U.S. Air Force official who joined the East Coast chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. in 1994. Morris is one of a few new members who are working to ensure the world never forgets their contributions. Several veterans of the Tuskegee program formed Tuskegee Airmen Inc. in 1971 to keep the legacy alive. They opened the membership in 1975. Tuskegee Airmen Inc. now numbers about 1,500, including the 250 known original members. There are a number of living Tuskegee program veterans who do not belong to the group, officials said. “We are always seeking and soliciting new recruits,” said C.D. Smith, 64, of Ashburn, Va. Smith is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and the past president of the East Coast chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. “People think that you have
to be a descendant of one of the Airmen or affiliated with the military … but (membership) is open to anyone who would support the goals of the organization.” Recently, 200 people – including a few “originals,” as they are called – gathered at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Washington, D.C., for a memorial service for William E. Broadwater, who died Sept. 22 at age 89 of complications of coronary disease. Broadwater was among the youngest of the originals. A native of Bryn Mawr, Pa., he served as a Federal Aviation Administration chief, and graduated as a bomber pilot in the Class of 45E, in August, 1945. By the time his aviator training was over, so was the war. “The Germans had capitulated the first week of May, 1945 … so Bill missed out on going overseas,” said Morris. “The guys who were older than Bill, the original guys who went overseas, would all be in their 90s now.” Smith, now a senior defense analyst at the Pentagon, said Broadwater’s was the fourth Airmen funeral he has attended
recently. According to the group’s website, Broadwater was the 12th original to die this year. Twentyfour died in 2014 and 35 in 2013. Including Broadwater, at least 129 Airmen have passed since 2011, the website shows. At least three additional originals who died this year are not listed. In March, Leroy A. Battle, of Harwood, Md., a Harlem-born jazz drummer, longtime member of the Washington Redskins Marching Band and a music educator for Prince George’s County, Maryland schools died at age 93. He passed on a Saturday night, wearing his Tuskegee Airmen hat while listening to a recording of “Roy Battle and the Altones,” the jazz band he started years ago, according to the Capital Gazette. Perhaps the most poignant of the 2015 deaths were those of Charles Huntley, Jr. and Joseph Shambrey, who both died on Jan. 5 at age 91 in Los Angeles. They grew up as friends in South Central Los Angeles, enlisted in the military together in 1941, trained at Tuskegee as mechanics,
were assigned to the same fighter squadron and were deployed to Italy together. They both returned to Los Angeles, where their friendship continued until their end. “They were both members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Ron Brewington, president of the Los Angeles chapter and an expert in the organization’s history. “Shambrey hadn’t been to meetings in some time, but Huntley – we called him Uncle Buddy – was at a meeting about two weeks before he died.” Brewington helps people to document their participation at Tuskegee, such as a West Virginia man who was subsequently given a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal that was presented to the Tuskegee Airmen by President George W. Bush in 2007. “He died a short time later having proven that he was indeed a member of the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Brewington. The oldest known original is Walter Crenshaw, of Los Angeles, who turned 106 on Oct. 27. He served as a mechanic from 1942 to
1944. Oliver Carter, 73, of Sterling, Va., a former East Coast chapter president and Air Force veteran, said the Airmen will be remembered for initiating what would become the civil rights movement. Their success led to the desegregation of the military in 1948 and integration of society in general, he said. He recalled a group of Tuskegee pilots, who, in April 1945, protested against segregated facilities by forcing their way into an officers’ club at Freeman Field in Seymour, Ind., that had been designated for “supervisors,” who were all white, instead of using one designated for the “trainees” – or Blacks. The incident came to be known as the Freeman Field Mutiny. “Ten years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus, those men disobeyed an order in protest,” said Carter. “Some of them were arrested … technically, they could have been executed. At the time they didn’t know what would happen. But they were heroes. That should never be forgotten.”
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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Page 5
BUSINESS Daymond John: Do your homework By Sharon Brooks On Tuesday, October 27, Urban Ventures – Center for Fathering hosted Daymond John for a community Q & A. I was fortunate to be part of the crowd. Mr. John is the creator of the very successful clothing line FUBU (“For us by us”) as well as COOGI and several other well-known brands. He is also featured as one the business professionals on the popular TV show Shark Tank. He is an entrepreneur and now a billionaire. The interview was 45-minutes long and was shared by me and my community peers. Stan Hill of Ready, Set, Work! was the moderator. Community: What do you suggest I do to get behind my product? John: Write it down, then read it every day. Sleep on it! Believe in it. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Get mentors. Don’t give up. I
started FUBU in 1989 with $40 and didn’t make it big until 1996. Persevere! Community: I’ve got $40 right now! How can I become a billionaire, too? (laughter) John: Start off small, but with the real belief that what you have and do is good! I bought fabric with my $40 and made hats. By the end of the day I made $800 from a $40 investment. It was a long road after that, but it can be done. Community: Sometimes family and friends discourage me from my idea. Why do you think this is? John: Never let anyone dream for you. Also, consider that older people who may be discouraging your idea may be from another time and just are not open to change. They could be ‘stuck in their ways’ on doing things the way they always have been done and are not willing to try a new way. Often times, other people may just be unhappy and don’t want others to be happy. These are
known as haters. I believe they prey on people who appear weaker, but your assumed weakness could be a strength. I am dyslexic and some believe it is a weakness, but I use my talents as a businessman as a strength. I also want to bring more awareness to the dyslexic community, especially since I only recently discovered that my daughter is dyslexic, too. Community: I have multiple business and business ideas, but one is my true project. What do you suggest for someone like me? John: Get the most out of the one that’s working. Work the hardest at the one business you love that will also get you paid, however, in your heart you know you would do it for free. Keep your other business and ideas to fall back on just in case. But your real effort goes into your ‘baby’. Community: I own a small franchise. It is doing ok but not ‘blowing up’ like I hoped it would. What can I do?
Daymond John
John: Expect more failures than successes. I’ve had many! Take affordable steps. Don’t repeat previous mistakes. Surround yourself with teams who can see your vision. In the beginning, I had 2-3 friends who stayed up late with me sewing sweaters, then the next day we would sell them and sew more sweaters again that night. Create a good team. Community: I have the next million dollar idea. Should I get it patented? John: Do your homework. Find out if it is an idea that needs to be patented. I did not patent FUBU because I did not invent a three-sleeved shirt, I just put a crafty idea on a two-sleeve shirt. All ideas do not have to be patented. Just know there is a fee associated with a patent, along with other fees (trademarks, etc.) If your idea is truly original, it is well worth a patent right away. Community: My business
JOHN TURN TO 8
Are you ready for year-end fundraising? exciting your campaign may be, the question is this: who are you talking to?
FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw An important part your year-end campaign is data. but it’s true. No
of launching fundraising It’s not sexy, matter how
We believe a nonprofit’s yearend fundraising should engage current and past supporters as well as new ones. We understand the excitement of designing a new campaign, using new technology, to engage new donors. Go for it! But don’t forget those who already know and support your organization. Here are four things that can help you engage those
you already know. 1. “That was a great cultivation activity.” This is a phrase that makes the rounds within nonprofit circles. It’s repeated after a special event, or when a print or online article draws attention to the work of your nonprofit. Here’s what we know: not everyone you cultivate will give. But, if you don’t ask for a gift you radically increase the chances a prospective donor doesn’t give. Make sure to review lists of all those you have cultivated throughout the year and solicit them using an appropriate method or methods. It’s okay to ask via email, through
a social media campaign, a direct mail piece, and a personal ask. 2. LYBNT. Within mature fundraising shops this stands for “Last year but not this.” You run a LYBNT report to learn about a group of donors you need to solicit: those who gave last year, but haven’t yet given this year. When reviewing this report, look to learn “how” they give. For example, when your donor last gave, did she give via your website, in response to a direct mail appeal, through your phon-a-thon, or because of an in-person ask? Start your solicitation process with her prior giving method. Tip: include
foundations and corporations in your LYBNT report so you don’t forget to submit proposals to prior funders. 3. Prior fundraising. Run a report that shows prior year solicitation methods and assess which method had the largest numbers of responses. You will want to make sure your year-end campaign includes that method. Look also for the method that yielded the most money. Include that method as well. 4. Determine your focus. Use the three methods above to help determine what solicitation methods you and your team should engage in and
who you should solicit. Build your donor base with new donors, but don’t forget your current or lapsed donors. You’ve invested in cultivating them, now be sure to solicit. It is much harder to gain a new donor than it is to retain a current one. Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the owners of Saad&Shaw. They serve the nation’s nonprofits. For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
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Page 6 • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY Lilly Endowment funds Black Minds Matter Black Press of America By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO, NNPA There is an old African proverb that says: “Where you put your wealth signifies where and how your life’s priorities are ordered.” Such is the case when one views where and how corporate America invests its wealth beyond the boardroom and the
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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 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.
stock market. There are some companies, however, like the Eli Lilly and Company and the Lilly Endowment Inc. that have had a long track record of investing portions of its wealth to support the education of Black America. Our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) of higher education are struggling today financially to survive. I serve on the national board of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) that represents all the presidents and chancellors of HBCUS and PBIs. I know something of fiscal balancing act that the leaders of these important institutions of higher learning have to endure annually. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the largest minority education organization in the United States. Since 1944, the UNCF has raised more than $4.5 billion and has helped more than 400,000 students receive college degrees at UNCF-member institutions through scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Each year the UNCF works to enable more than 60,000 students each to attend college. We all
We should recognize and lift up those companies and foundations that help to make a positive difference in our communities.
should know or remember that UNCF iconic saying “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” This is so true today more than ever before. In fact, I affirm that “Black Minds Matter!” and “Black Lives Matter!” The Lilly Foundation recently announced a commitment of $50 million for UNCF to launch the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative. Through this initiative, UNCF will award competitive grants to four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs) to help students gain the knowledge,
skills, training and academic rigor needed for meaningful employment in a technologydriven, global economy. The UNCF president and CEO, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, stated “We have designed a program that we envision will serve as a model of best practices to solve the unemployment and underemployment crisis among recent college graduates…In today’s marketplace, students need both the knowledge and soft skills to compete in the global economy. Sadly, too many of our nation’s talented students are having difficulty finding good
jobs after graduation. Our goal is to work with students, faculty, colleges, alumni, and employers to better connect the student experience with the jobs of the future.” The point that needs to be emphasized here is that the UNCF Career Pathways Institute would have been possible without the financial investment of the Lilly Endowment. We need more American corporations to follow the good example of Eli Lilly and Company and the Lilly Endowment. As the economy in the U.S. continues to recover with renewed vitality and corporate profits, more private corporate investments in higher education needs to happen. We cannot afford to divert or miss encouraging a generation of young Black American scholars, scientists, teachers, inventors and innovative business leaders. N. Clay Robbins, the Lilly Endowment’s chairman, president and CEO explained that, “This grant for the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative builds on this long-standing support and furthers the Endowment’s belief that a high-quality college education fosters an enhanced quality of life for individuals and their families.” Robbins is correct and on point.
The Lilly Endowment practices what it preaches and exhibits outstanding corporate social responsibility. Their support of cultivating and developing young Black minds and the genius of those who strive for academic excellence in Black America deserve our resolute salute and acknowledgement. By sharing some of their wealth with UNCF and with HBCUs and PBIs, the Lilly Endowment exhibited in a profound manner that Black Minds Matter. We should recognize and lift up those companies and foundations that help to make a positive difference in our communities. The education of our youth has to be our highest priority. Our lives matter and our young people deserve the highest quality education possible. Yes, thanks to Lilly, Black Minds Matter. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/ drbfc.
Stop calling the cops on our students Opinion
By Julianne Malveaux Richland County Senior Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields seemed to think the only way he could get a young black girl out of her seat was to fling her across the room. His brutal attack on her was filmed by one of her classmates, and it’s a good thing he documented the incident. It was said that the young lady punched the officer before Eddie Robinson, Jr. started taping, but he indicates that she was quiet and simply
refused to get out of her seat. He said she had only taken her phone out for a minute and “she didn’t do anything wrong”. On Wednesday, October 28, Sheriff Leon Lott announced that Fields had been fired because his behavior was inconsistent with the training he had. But in response to a question at the press conference he held, he reported that Fields did not feel remorseful, that he was sorry the incident happened, but he was “just trying to do his job.” Not only did he brutalize a young girl, but he also arrested another young woman who simply asserted that the officer was wrong to treat her classmate so roughly. No other student said a word, and they were perhaps frightened to speak up. Where are our women’s
organizations? Where are our African American and civil rights organizations? Or our African American educators? Granted, this is just a few days after the fact and perhaps some of these folks will speak up eventually. Perhaps they are waiting to hear “the facts”, but as Sheriff Lott said there was no excuse for a young lady to be dragged in the way that she was. Sheriff Lott said his community, a suburb of state capital Columbia, South Carolina, was an “orderly” community. He said there were no marches, no confrontation, because “that is not how we do things here.” While the Sheriff did the right thing by firing Ben Fields, his own attitude could stand some adjusting, and perhaps a march might be a
way to express dissatisfaction at his approach (and that of the school system). In his press conference, he said that Fields’ behavior was inappropriate, but he basically blamed the young lady for her plight. While civil rights leaders routinely turn it out when black men are beaten or killed, far fewer seem to care about what happens to black women. From the time that video hit the airwaves there ought to have been cries of outrage (and perhaps they are coming). Ben Fields’ actions should not simply be called “unacceptable” but also criminal. Why did the school call the police anyway? From what I understand, the young lady was not making noise or disrupting class. She failed to comply
with a request regarding her cell phone (some say she was asked to put it away, others said she was asked for the phone). Either way, the penalty for noncompliance should not have been arrest. Last year, the Department of Education released a report that showed that African American and Latino students were suspended or expelled far more frequently than their white counterparts, often getting a different level of punishment for the same offense. Some of the suspensions and expulsions even happen at the preschool level – meaning that three and four year old children are being kicked out of school simply because they are little children (who frequently misbehave).
COPS TURN TO 8
Letter to the editor By Ni Ora Hokes, CHW, CD(DONA), Med Williard-Hay Resident Saint Paul is following the lead of Minneapolis and considering an ordinance designed to protect our young people from the harms of flavored tobacco. This ordinance will remove candy and fruity-flavored tobacco, including tropical fusion cigars, berry chewing tobacco, pineapple shisha, and cotton candy e-juice from stores kids can enter. If passed, Saint Paul will be the second city in the state to limit youth exposure to these addictive products. As a Community Elder and Health and Wellness Activist, I am asking you to join me in encouraging our elected leaders to help protect our children from the harms of this cancer-causing product. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report last month that found seven out of ten middle and high school students who use tobacco have used a flavored product. We need our cities and our state to take action to stop the tobacco industry from targeting our youth with these child-friendly products. They are deadly and addictive. Our children should not have access to them at their local corner store. African American youth are targeted by the tobacco-industry. Let’s join together in this social justice issue and stop putting money towards a product that brings harm to our children and families. I’d like to thank the Saint Paul City Council for promoting a healthier community and protecting youth. We need bold leaders who are willing to stand up to the tobacco industry. Will you take a stand! “Health Is Wealth”
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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Page 7
EDUCATION Scholarships for study in chemical sciences The American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars program is offering renewable scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 per year for African-American, Hispanic and Native-American students entering chemistry-related fields. Qualified students may be studying at community colleges or four-year institutions. Graduating high school
seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors may apply. Eligible majors include – but are not limited to – chemistry, toxicology, biochemistry, chemical engineering and chemical technology. In addition to providing financial support, ACS Scholars pairs students with academic and professional mentors to
give them the opportunity to learn from those who have experienced similar challenges related to ethnicity. Applications will be accepted until March 1 for the academic year 2016-2017. Applications will be accepted online on the ACS Scholars Program website, www.acs. org/scholars. Additional information is available by
calling (800) 227-5558, ext. 6250, or by emailing scholars@ acs.org. The Scholars program, now in its 20th year, aims to build awareness of the value and rewards associated with careers in chemistry and to help students acquire the skills and credentials needed for success. The ACS Scholars Program is supported by PPG Industries,
Procter & Gamble, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, 3M, ACS Petroleum Research Fund, BASF, Dow Corning, DuPont, Schering-Plough and others, including many individual donors, and more than 60 former ACS scholars. The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the
U.S. Congress. With more than 158,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistryrelated research through its multiple databases, peerreviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
Igbanugo
Igbanugo and the other partners at the large law firm went their separate ways and started new practices. Mr. Igbanugo went on to establish his current firm, called Igbanugo Partners, which specializes in immigration and International Law. Immigration law as most of us are aware is an important area of practice for many African immigrants given our status in this country. Lawyers are not created equal. You get the lawyer whose services and level of representation you can afford, and above all able to represent you well and win your case. As stated above on May 2015, Herbert Igbanugo was suspended for a period of three months. As of last month (September 2015), he has been reinstated and is allowed to practice again after fulfilling the Supreme Court’s conditions and that of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. The latter is also responsible for the database that contains the list of disciplined lawyers in Minnesota. We are also in receipt of a letter dated September 15, 2015 from David R. Stras, Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court stating that indeed Mr. Igbanugo is now reinstated. We have checked the database and it says he is indeed able to practice. Given his position in our large community, Mr. Igbanugo’s recent experience has touched many and caused consternation and heartache, with many who are not even his clients
wondering what this portends for the community. Questions asked include “Can we trust Herbert?”; “Are our African lawyers under attack by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility?” Other questions hinged on what does this do to Mr. Igbanugo’s effectiveness once his suspension is over, keeping in mind that some of the most controversial cases in the African immigrant community context, and some might argue even beyond the community, have been taken on by Mr. Igbanugo. All communities need blue chip type players in all key professions. As far as lawyers are concerned, Mr. Igbanugo is one of those blue chip players in that profession from our community. The questions being asked by the community are all legitimate and we have no lawyers working at Mshale and none of us have legal training but we have had many years of interaction with most of the African attorneys in this town and can gauge the strengths and weaknesses of many of them. Given our position in the community, one of the many earned but non-paid role we play is that of a referral house, where people call or write from time to time to get a suggestion on the best person or company that can help them with a need or service they are after. So for the last three months we have had to field a few questions from concerned Africans on the issue of Herbert Azubuike Igbanugo.
You can access the referee’s decision and that of the Supreme Court to have Mr. Igbanugo suspended and his eventual reinstatement on their respective websites (warning: most of these run into 60 plus pages) but the purpose of our editorial here today is to answer some of the key questions that came up from the community during the travails of Mr. Igbanugo these past summer. The accusations against Mr. Igbanugo can be broken down into three from a layman’s perspective (which we are): Overcharging for services, professional misconduct and false statements to the court. They all stemmed from complaints against him by former clients revolving around non-payment of services from what we can determine from the hundreds of court papers we have read. Important also to keep in mind some of the accusations leveled at Mr. Igbanugo were actions carried out by employees/attorneys at his law firm but ultimately he is responsible. It is up to you to decide whether you can take your business to Mr. Igbanugo, but whichever decision you make, we believe this is the context we want you as a consumer and member of the community to have. Since his admission to the Bar, Mr. Igbanugo has represented over 20,000 clients with mostly favorable results in the 27 years he has been practicing.
Even while they were suspending Mr. Igbanugo for misconduct, you need to be aware what the Referee (who is the person tasked with the investigations and recommendations to the
Supreme Court) said in his report to the court to help our high court to come up with its decision: 1) Respondent (Igbanugo)
From 1 three months. Attorneys, like in most other sensitive professions like medicine, have disciplinary action against them made public. Mshale was unaware that there was an ethics complaint against him by prior clients of his until he decided to share with us on the eve of the Supreme Court decision. Still, the news was shocking to all of us and it sent shockwaves in the African community as well. A little background might be in order for the few, at least in Minnesota, that might be unaware of what Mr. Igbanugo represents in the African community. In the legal community, as in many professions, it is not hard to categorize practitioners into various tiers based on competency and the level of service they are able to provide. Within our community, it is an established fact that Mr. Igbanugo is on the top tier of lawyers in the state. For a number of years, he was one of the main partners at Blackwell Igbanugo Partners, the largest black operated law firm in the United States. That is worth repeating so it does not escape anyone. The largest black operated law firm in the country when the firm was in existence. The National Bar Association keeps track of such information and one can easily verify that.
IGBANUGO TURN TO 9
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LIFESTYLE Beth Zemsky
Parker Breza
Lena K. Gardner
George Yocom
Ema Santibañez
Holly Montemayor
OutFront Minnesota announces LGBTQ winners OutFront Minnesota will honor six award winners who are champions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) equity. The awards will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 21, at International Market Square, 275 Market St., Minneapolis, during the stage program at
OutFront’s annual gala. This year’s theme is Dare to Be Powerful. The theme is inspired by the words of Audre Lorde, who said “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” The OutFront Minnesota
Awards recognize the accomplishments of individuals who advance the movement for LGBTQ equity in Minnesota. Honorees include Beth Zemsky, Legacy Award recipient, for long-term her commitment to equity for LGBTQ Minnesotans. Additional honorees are Lena
Gardner (Innovator Award) and Parker Breza (Visionary Award). For the second year in a row, OutFront is honoring several young people with a Courage Award for speaking up for LGBTQ equity. This year’s youth awardees are Ema Santibañez, a nine-year-old, fourth grade girl, who identifies
as transgender, and who testified at a St. Paul Public School Board meeting this past winter in support of the gender inclusion policy; George Yocom, a 12-year-old, seventh grade boy, who identifies as transgender, who spoke at a Minnesota State High School League Board meeting last December
and Holly Montemayor, a 17-year-old junior in high school, who identifies as transgender. Montemayor spoke at OutFront’s LGBTQ Lobby Day at the Capitol in April and in support the gender inclusion policy at a St. Paul Public School Board meeting earlier this year.
Cops
grounds during the 2013-2014 school year, including 63% of middle schools and 64% of high schools. Why are officers of the law on school grounds? How often is their behavior inappropriate? It is unlikely that is the first time former officer Ben Fields behaved so badly toward a student. Indeed,
the student who was arrested for speaking up (he said she was disruptive) indicated that Fields had a bad reputation. He was the subject of at least two complaints for excessive force. While Fields has been fired, he needs to be held accountable, sued. But the bigger picture is the criminalization of our
young people by arresting them (leaving them with a criminal record) for minor offenses. Where are the voices lifted to protect a young woman whose simply “no” earns her a brutal beating? Where are the women, the civil rights leaders, the others who often have something to say?
Are they silent because this is a girl? The two young women who were arrested need to be lifted up and affirmed by the African American community and that sheriff’s office needs to be confronted by the community. Sheriff Lott was gratified because there was no marching. There needs to be.
Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, D.C. Her latest book “Are We Better off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” will be released in November 2015 and is available for preorder at www.juliannemalveaux.com.
Community: Recently on ‘Shark Tank’, you and all of the sharks agreed on a multimillion dollar deal collectively. I know that’s not often, how did you all get there? John: No, it’s not often. Sometimes you have to use what you have to get what you want in business. I know that Mark Cuban is worth multibillions and could out buy me and all of the other sharks put together two times over! So I appealed to the potential client
to choose me to sponsor his idea based on the time I could offer him. The other sharks used their appeals as well so we all got the deal. Had it been based just on money only Mark would have won. Lesson: Success is not Money. Be the best you can be. Community: How can I get others to know my business exists? John: The digital world is at your fingertips. It can get information across the country
--the world-- quickly! But this same digital world can make or break you. Be careful how you use it. Community: Given the current climate of the country, white laws and law enforcement against black people and others of color, what is your personal opinion of that and how do you still make it as an entrepreneur? John: I am a man of great faith and see myself that way. Because of this, I try to
present myself as a man, not only a black man, but…..a Man. I know that in my youth I was expected to fail, but my Mother prayed for me. I am against racism, violence and other terrible troubles. I am a member of Hip Hop Against Violence, with Russell Simmons, BRAG in NY and other groups that are for peace and harmony. I use my entrepreneurship to be a part of groups that promote healthy activity.
Community: We are very proud and thankful that you came to talk with us today, Daymond. John: My pleasure.
Plan
respiratory issues within nearby communities. According to the president and his supporters, his plan would decrease premature deaths from emissions by nearly 90 percent and asthma attacks in children by 90,000 by 2030. The Rev. Jesse Bottoms, vice president of the National Baptist Convention, echoed concerns about the impact of pollutants on African Americans. “Environmental concerns are not abstractions for African
Americans,” Bottoms said. “They are real, and they affect us in very real ways, particularly our children and seniors.” According to the White House, the number of Americans with asthma has more than doubled over the last 30 years, and severe droughts, wildfires and the rising sea level are affecting communities nationwide. Of the 15 warmest years recorded, 14 of them have occurred since 2000, with
the warmest year being 2014. Children and the elderly, the sick and the poor are most at risk from effects of climate change. Bishop Carrol Baltimore of the Global United Fellowship said, “No one should have to live in dirty air that makes them sick, but it’s especially unfair that our least fortunate and most vulnerable communities— our children and those living in poverty and with lower incomes—have to suffer even more than the rest.”
From 6 According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, around 43% of our nation’s public schools had police officers on their
John From 5 concerns finance yet I am not licensed so I only serve a small group of people. What to do? John: It would be well worth your time to become licensed. People will respect your business if you have the proper credentials that declare you know your craft. Get licensed.
From 1 are open to all.” According to caucus members, almost 40 percent of the six million Americans living close to coal-fired power plants are people of color, and they are disproportionately African-American. Pollutants released from those plants have led to high rates of asthma and
Land From 1 percent of the owners, 97 percent of the value, and 98 percent of the acres... Blacks possess 7.8 million acres “of overall rural land” ... For a century after the end of slavery, Black farmers tended to be tenants rather than owners. Since the early 1970s, activists and scholars have warned that the rural Black community was in danger of losing its entire land
Here are two articles to support my interview. http://www.businessinsider. com/daymond-johns-favoritebusiness-books-2014-10 http://smartceo.com/brandguru-daymond-johns-worknever-done/
base. Land ownership by Black farmers peaked in 1910 at 16-19 million acres, according to the Census of Agriculture. However, the 1997 census reports that Black farmers owned only 1.5 million acres “of farmable land.” In many cases, the land African Americans lost over the 20th century was taken in some form, and not sold freely. As covered in the piece, “8 Heartbreaking Cases Where Land Was Stolen From Black Americans Through Racism, Violence and Murder”. In his 2007 documentary Banished, filmmaker Marco Williams examined four examples of primarily white communities violently rising up to force their African-American neighbors to flee town. This became one of the techniques used to sabotage Black land ownership, a devastating trend in the 19th and 20th centuries that robbed Blacks of millions in generational wealth.
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Pastor Roslyn Harmon Sundays 2-4pm
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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Page 9
COMMUNITY Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers celebrates 20th anniversary On November 14, The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL), at their annual Scholarship Gala , will celebrate 20 years of promoting and supporting the professional development of judges, lawyers, and law students, and its role in representing the interests of Minnesota’s Black community.. The Gala will feature as the keynote speaker newlyappointed Director of the Center for Justice of the American Civil Liberties Union, Jeffery Robinson. A 1981 graduate of Harvard law school, Robinson has spent his career representing indigent clients in both state and federal court; and corporations and individuals in white collar cases. He has received numerous accolades for his work and is a respected teacher of trial advocacy. In addition to awarding scholarships to outstanding law students of color, the program will honor three local community members for their excellence and integrity in furthering MABL’s commitment to the professional development
Jeffery Robinson
Duchess Harris
Cornell Leverette Moore
Kimberly Foster Price
of black judges, lawyers and law students, and the interests of the black community. Macalester College professor Duchess Harris will receive the Profiles in Courage award which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated integrity and courage in promoting the
interests of African Americans within the legal system and the community. Harris, among other things, has published three books addressing black feminism, race and the Republic, and the state of race relations and law enforcement, including events that have inspired the
Black Lives Matter movement. Cornell Leverette Moore and Kimberly Foster Price will receive the President’s award in appreciation for their dedication and commitment to the organization. Moore, who is currently Of Counsel at Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
serves on the Firm’s recruiting committee and co-chairs the diversity steering committee. He has received numerous awards and has served on the boards of many organizations. Moore is a founding member of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, a nonprofit association of leading Twin
Cities legal employers whose sole objective is to recruit, advance and retain attorneys of color in the Twin Cities legal community. Price is the Vice President of 3Mgives and the 3M Foundation where she guides the development and implementation of 3M’s global strategic philanthropy and community engagement. She has been instrumental in steering 3M’s investments especially in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), to encourage the next generation of innovative thinkers. Price has also served on the boards of many community organizations and currently serves on boards of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the local United Negro College Fund Leadership Council and Generation Next. This event is open to the public. All proceeds benefit the MABL foundation. Tickets for this black tie optional event are still available and can be purchased on MABL’s website http://www.mabl.org
Tomás Fernández Robaina: Leading authority on Afro-Cuban experience One of Cuba’s leading authorities on the Afro-Cuban experience will speak in the Twin Cities this coming Friday and Saturday. Tomás Fernández Robaina, author of many books and articles on the history of the African presence in Cuba, will make two presentations, one at the University of Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 13 and the other at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, the following day, Nov. 14. The theme of both talks is, “The Complexity of the Struggle of African Descendants in Cuba Today.” For the Saturday presentation at Sabathani, Robaina will be joined by Al McFarlane, founder of Insight News, and host of “Conversations with Al McFarlane.” An AfroCuban descendant himself, McFarlane is well-acquainted with issues of race in Cuba as well as in the United States. August Nimtz, University of
Housing From 1 According to a federal lawsuit filed by MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Council of Affordable Housing), the state and Met Council are illegally concentrating the poor and minorities in Minneapolis, and cities such as Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park while not ensuring affordable housing options are being made available in more affluent suburbs such
Igbanugo From 7 did not commit any professional misconduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation 2) Respondent did not make false statements to the court either overtly or by omission in his collections lawsuit 3) Legal representation continued for all clients even if legal fees were in arrears Additionally, the referee found that the respondent (Herbert) did not charge
Tomás Fernández Robaina
Minnesota professor of political science and African-American and African studies and co-editor of “Race in Cuba: Essays on the Revolution and Racial Equality” will moderate and participate in that discussion. The purpose is to have a discussion about the role of race in Cuba and the United States, how the two realities are similar and different. Robaina, a researcher at the National Library in Havana and a professor at the University of Havana, has been a key figure in the ongoing discussions in Cuba for more than two decades on the race question of Backs and “mulattos” in particular. While all of Cuba experienced a downsizing of economic opportunities, those of African origin were especially hard hit. Though the topic had once been actively debated in the early years of the Cuban Revolution, which commenced in 1959, by the end of 1962 it ceased to receive much
attention, according to Robaina. Robaina is a member of Cuba’s National Union of Artists and Writers and author of “Blacks in Cuba, 1902-1958: Notes on the History of the Struggle Against Racial Discrimination,” With President Obama’s initiative last December to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba and the putting in place of a process to normalize relations between both countries, there has been an ongoing discussion in Cuba about what would normalized relations means for its population. Robaina said that has especially been the case for Cubans of African descent since the goal of Obama’s initiative is to return capitalism to the island. The event at Sabathani, which will also include a short documentary on the race question in Cuba, will begin at 1 p.m. For more information on the talks visit www.minnesotacuba committee.org.
as Minnetonka, Wayzata, Edina and others. In fact, both Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park have plans to join the suit. On the flipside, many residents trying to access affordable housing say they want housing in the communities where they currently reside and are most comfortable and do not want to seek housing in the farreaching suburbs. The passionate debate caused for an over capacity crowd at the Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, 106 E. Diamond Lake Rd., Minneapolis,
during a recent (Oct. 30) town hall meeting presented by Congressman Keith Ellison, whose 5th Congressional District encompasses Minneapolis and both of the Brooklyns, and included Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sec. Julian Castro. Ellison said the issue of affordable housing is not about shifting burden, but about providing greater access and more opportunity. “It’s important for families to find fair and affordable housing in the community
they live, but also, equally as important is for families to find fair and affordable housing in communities where they aspire to live,” said Ellison. “Mobility is important. Some folks do want other opportunities … better opportunities (with suburban housing),” said Castro. “But we cannot forget about urban distressed communities and making investments in those communities.” Ironically, Gary Cunningham, who is a council member with Metropolitan Council, said the state and local
governments are in fact pushing segregated communities. “There is an insatiable appetite to create dense communities of poverty here in the Twin Cities at both the state and local levels, and the fact is that race matters (when decisions on where affordable housing is placed),” said Cunningham. “While we’re patting ourselves on our backs for all the good we’ve done, we really should be ashamed. We have a 24 percent home ownership rate for people of color (in the state). We have an embarrassing and shameful
situation.” Paul Williams, CEO of Project for Pride in Living said affordable housing needs to be where people have the greatest access and in communities in which they already inhabit. “I don’t buy that notion (that best neighborhoods are always in the outer suburbs),” said Williams. “Why is it that it is my folks who always have to get shipped out.” Several citizens on both sides of the issue spoke out during the near two hour long meeting.
“unreasonable fees”. It did leave us scratching our heads that someone can be suspended after the above three points have been made by what we consider the prosecutor (to use a familiar term) in this case. Was probation a more appropriate action by the Supreme Court? We don’t know. As stated, we are not lawyers but one can be forgiven if they feel the punishment did not fit the ‘crime’ after you have described the ‘offender’ in that manner. It is important to note that all of this may have stemmed from a tiff between a client and their lawyer. In his findings, the
referee said “the firm has faced financial challenges and has had to write off, in the recent past, hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid fees.” It is interesting to note that two of the three clients who were the initiators of the complaints had their cases successfully concluded in their favor, on the strength of Herbert Igbanugo’s representation, and the arguments were over fees. The third client took a different attorney who finished the work Igbanugo had already started. Here at Mshale, we might
not support the style that Mr. Igbanugo used to try to resolve the matters related to unpaid legal fees by clients, but we also cannot be blind to what we consider the key findings that the court also concluded, that we believe matter to all of you when looking for a good lawyer: the finding that Mr. Igbanugo “did not commit any professional misconduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” We believe just that one sentence should answer most of your queries. The other question was whether African lawyers are
under attack by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. We are not in a position to answer that question for the mere fact that we have not devoted the limited resources we have to investigate it, but based on the information currently available on the OLPR records that are public, we only currently see two African lawyers under active suspension. One is because of a felony charge and the other for misconduct. For understandable reasons, lawyers are unwilling to speak on the record for matters related to the OLPR.
Regarding the matter of Herbert Azubuike: He is free to practice law again per the Minnesota Supreme Court and this quote from the Referee that brought the charges against him is all we have to say and let you make your own conclusion (these are not our words but words written by the person that recommended Mr. Igbanugo be suspended): “Respondent is a supremely confident, assured and competent individual who has strong religious beliefs and high expectations for himself and others.”
Classifieds
Phone: 612.588.1313
Family Advocate
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is hiring a Family Advocate at our program center in North Minneapolis. Hours: 10am-6pm, Sun-Thurs. Visit www.beaconinterfaith.org/careers for details.
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.
Administrative Assistant Job Summary The Administrative Assistant is a part time, hourly employee who reports to the Executive Director and has primary responsibility for administrative support to Association staff and contractors as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s level degree or equivalent experience, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications are highly preferred; with at least two years related work experience. Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and priorities effectively and professionally. Excellent, positive interpersonal and customer service skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience with membership databases. Organized, able to attend to details and provide error free work products. Closing Date November 20, 2015 Hourly Wage $15-$19/hour Contact For more information, the detailed job description, or to submit a resume czeise@mnssa.org | www.mnssa.org
Fax: 612.588.2031
Email: info@insightnews.com
Program Center Assistant
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is hiring an assistant for our program center in North Minneapolis. Hours: 7am-9am, Mon-Fri. Visit www.beaconinterfaith.org/careers for details.
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 nonjudgmental. 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.
Web Content Producer
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Coordinate, manage and update content and site enhancements on a high traffic public facing website and intranet. Responsible for writing copy and ensuring consistency with site vision, leading site enhancements, and developing strategies to keep content fresh and dynamic. www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs to view and apply for position. App deadline: 11/16/15
Page 10 • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Courtesy of the Ordway Theater
Understanding culture through dance, spoken word and music By Carmen Robles Sharing the stage with other renowned African-American choreographers, awardwinning choreographer Lula Washington and her L.A.-based contemporary ensemble returned to the Ordway with an exciting program of innovative and powerful modern dance. The performances showcased daring choreography rooted in African-American culture that reflects on social and political issues. Washington (Founder/ Artistic Director/ Choreographer) grew up in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects in Watts, CA. She was inspired to dance after a teacher took her to see the Alvin Ailey dance company at UCLA. She later applied to study dance at the school, but was rejected for being too old, at age 22, to start dance training. She appealed and
was admitted, becoming one of UCLA’s most successful dance graduates. While still a student, she danced in an Academy Awards telecast and in the films Funny Lady, Sgt. Pepper and King Kong. Washington choreographed The Little Mermaid and James Cameron’s Avatar. Prior to the Lula Washington Dance Theatre performance the Twin Cities Harambee Youth took to the stage to perform an original piece that grounded in a positive identification of African American cultural traditions as communicated through narrative movement and music. Twin Cities Harambee is a program that combines artistic expression, cultural learning, dance and musical training for youth in the Twin Cities from Ordway’s collaborating organizations: LoveWorks Academy for Visual & Performing Arts, Voice of Culture Drum + Dance, and WE WIN Institute.
By Taylor Martin To celebrate Twin Cities Harambee, artists collaborated to create a magnificent show for the public in this Ordway performance. Featured in this show were groups including the Afoutayi Dance, Music and Arts Company; Tonya Williams; Journey Productions and the Lulu Washington Dance Theater. Ordway’s collaborating organizations included: LoveWorks Academy for Visual & Performing Arts, Voice of Culture Drum + Dance, and WE WIN Institute. On the evening of October 30, this show aimed to celebrate the past and present traditions of this beautiful group of people in a historical and contemporary way. This flavorful and informative show included both men and women from various arts organizations, and the collaboration was impeccable-not to mention, children from the community were invited to participate in this show! The performers
Taylor Martin told stories not only via the power and movement of dance, but with spoken word accompanied with picture and video presentations. Upon arriving at the show, I was not exactly certain what to expect. It took no time at all within the first number before I realized exactly what was being communicated. The show began with dance numbers that told the story of African heritage, times of suffering and hardship in the countries of the performers roots, and even modern day persecution. The intense and surreal representation of what our fellow brothers and sisters have experienced left
This piece truly was a pure celebration of their people and their love they have for themselves and each other, no matter what they have been through. the audience motionless and speechless. I immediately was intrigued and found myself learning the history of these beautiful people, through dance, without any words needed. One of the first numbers was a solo by a younger dancer who wore a long brown dress that flowed with movement as she danced. Through her crawling, flailing, and holding her head in shame in the midst of her powerful modern dance piece, she was telling her story of self-hate, cultural neglect, and the different
stages that she experienced with all of these emotions. But from the curtains approached several others that surrounded her with warmth, as she looked around realizing she was not alone. Togetherness was a theme that was depicted in many of the pieces. Throughout the entire show the routines were emphasizing unity and uniqueness at the same time, which was powerful and done very well. Shortly following
WASHINGTON 12 TURN TO
insightnews.com
Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Page 11 Piece by Adetomiwa Omo Oba
Sweetz P.
Nov. 9 - 15
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
Eric Kamau Gravatt
JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound
Monday, Nov. 9 HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE Five Year Celebration of Michael “Eyedea” Larsen First Avenue 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 6 p.m. $5 Celebrating five years since the passing of MC Eyedea, join host Carnage, Slug of Atmosphere, DJ Abilities, Blueprint, MURS and more at First Avenue.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
P, Haphduzn, GloPesci, Illuminous 3 and many more.
Wednesday, Nov. 11
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE For the Love: A Community Celebration – The Live Mixtape Bedlam Lowertown 213 4th St. E., St. Paul 5:30 p.m. $7 ACEntertainment presents another celebration of St. Paul and of hip-hop with a packed lineup including Guardians of Balance, Katana, Sweetz
with Hustle Rose.
Thursday, Nov. 12 JAZZ/PERFORMANCE
SOUL/PERFORMANCE JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound with Hustle Rose LynLake Brewery 2934 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. No cover Chicago based “indie soul” band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound play the Cedar along
Eric Kamau Gravatt & Source Code Walker West Music Academy 760 Selby Ave., Saint Paul 8:00 p.m. Eric Kamau Gravatt of the legendary band Weather Report stops through St. Paul with his band, Source Code.
Friday, Nov. 13 Saturday, Nov. 14 ART EXHIBIT Ọba kò so - ẹrú ko si siwaju sii City Wide Artists 1506 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 6:00 p.m. Omo Oba (which translates to prince), Adetomiwa A. Gbadebo was born in Nigeria to the royal Gbadebo family of Abeokuta. Check out his special visual art presentation, “Ọba kò so - ẹrú ko si siwaju sii” translated as, the king did not hang - slaves no more.
Sunday, Nov. 15
CONFERENCE
DISCUSSION
Power Gathering: A Black Manifesto 3400 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Let the Woman Speak: Sexism, Misogyny, and HipHop The Common Table 2001 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Black Left Unity Network is working to forge unity for the Black Liberation Movement. Dr. Rose Brewer and Dr. Zenzele Isoke help to frame the assault on Black people and give the opportunity to work in small discussion groups.
Join in for a panel discussion on sexism and misogyny in hip-hop culture and communities.
Page 12 • November 9 - November 15, 2015 • Insight News
Washington From 10 this powerful piece was the most joyful, fast-moving dance packed with insanely high jumping, leaping, clapping, and even laughing coming from both the audience and even the dancers
themselves as they performed an impressively long and physically demanding dance. The message of what this song was about was clear: overcoming, and celebration. This piece truly was a pure celebration of their people and their love they have for themselves and each other, no matter what they have been through. The strength
and power that emerges from hardship is stronger than anything that is produced with no hardship, and this dance communicated that! It also was so entertaining to watch and the dancers were all so unique and playful in the show. It was evident that they truly were loving every second of it! As a dancer myself, I could not help
insightnews.com but find myself mid-dance thinking, “they sure are going to eat and sleep well tonight!” I found this dance as the highlight of the show. I would describe it as being a celebration—a celebration of their youthfulness, of their roots, of overcoming hardship and dancing in a newly found freedom. To this dance played a loud, upbeat song that had the audience clapping that sang, “He reigns forever and forever! I can go to the Rock of my Salvation.” The entire crowd was engaged and in awe, every race; young people cheered, and cute, older people tried to keep up with the clapping. In all
my years of being in the arts, I had never seen anything like it. I love that it was a combination of the artists’ talent, attitude, sass, history, and all while singing and dancing a song of praise to the Lord; it didn’t even matter what people believed in that moment, the joy and the honor of it all brought me to tears. In dance, many times one of the main goals is for the dancers to be completely in sync and to look the same; something that I noticed was that this show was trying to celebrate unity and uniqueness at the same time. The dancers knew the routines perfectly, but their hair was different,
and they all added their own personal flare to each dance. It was so refreshing to see this. The dances that told the stories of the hardship the African and African American people have suffered were powerful, painful, and taught the audience so much about this beautiful people. Ending with the celebration of roots, overcoming hardship, thankfulness, and the message of togetherness, unity and individual uniqueness this performance was truly memorable, and I walked away with much insight and understanding of these beautiful brothers and sisters and their history.
IAN FOXX
Lula and dancers
TWO HITS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
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CHARLES DICKENS CRISPIN WHITTELL directed by JOE CHVALA
Photo of Traci Allen Shannon, Bradley Greenwald, Dean Holt and Reed Sigmund by Dan Norman
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IRVING BERLIN book by GEORGE S. KAUFMAN MARK BEDARD musical adaptation by GREGG COFFIN directed by DAVID IVERS
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NOVEMBER 14 – JANUARY 3
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