W I N N E R : 2 017 N N PA M E R I T AW A R D S : 2 N D P L A C E B E S T S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Insight News November 13 - November 19, 2017
Vol. 44 No. 46• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Woke at the polls Seismic shift signals rise of new dynastic political order
Melvin Carter
Carter, Ellison build family brands; Cunningham, Jenkins
Uchechukwu Iroegbu
Jeremiah Ellison
build inclusiveness By Harry Colbert, Jr., Managing Editor Twitter @HarryColbertJr
It’s basic science … for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I know there are some in politics who refuse to believe in science (i.e. climate change, evolution … a woman can’t prevent getting pregnant in instances of rape, etc.), but the reactions of Nov. 7 may be making some believers out of there. Sure, they may still deny some basic applied sciences, but they are becoming true believers in political science. Newton’s Third Law of Physics deals with mass, force and energy in the most literal sense. Drop a basketball and it will bounce back. Drop it harder and it will bounce back with greater force. Throw it against a brick wall and prepare to duck because that ball is headed directly for your face. Newton’s law clearly applies to politics as well. Promote a platform of hate, fear and divisiveness and expect an equal – in your face – reaction. But remember the opposite of hate is love. The opposite of fear is embrace. The opposite of divisiveness is inclusion. We saw that equal and opposite reaction the past week when candidates near and far were swept into office by a mass force of mobilized and energized citizens asserting the ties that bind are stronger than the ones that are old and frayed, choosing to go it alone. Mass … force … energy. Melvin Carter had one goal … to represent all of St. Paul. He had the support of most of the African-American community, and equally important, he had the support of members in the Hmong community, the Hispanic community, the LGBT community and of our white brothers and sisters. The ties that bind. Yet with that support, it wasn’t his politics people chose to attack, it was his skin. No, it wasn’t said outright, but trust, the dog whistles were heard when a police union attempted to smear Carter over guns (legally held guns) that were stolen … stolen ... from his home. It didn’t matter that Carter’s father served honorably as a police officer … more importantly, a peace officer. The tactic was clear: tie the Black candidate to crime. Place fear on the minds of voters. But St. Paul said loudly, fear on the mind doesn’t compare to love in the heart. Yes, Carter is the city’s first African-American mayor, but he will govern for all. Andrea Jenkins once told me in an interview she feared violent encounters for simply being. As a transgender person of color, she is sometimes targeted for her skin color and for her choice of gender identity. But the fear on her mind didn’t overrule the love in her heart that has made her the outstanding advocate for people of color, women, those who identify as LGBT and others who benefit from her much needed voice. The residents of Minneapolis’ 8th Ward returned the love, electing her with more than 70 percent of the vote to serve as the ward’s councilperson. The ties that bind. Those who were asleep are now fully awake. Those hipper than me would call it woke. In Minneapolis’ 4th Ward … a ward in North Minneapolis … a ward heavily populated by people of color and white progressives … it had been long ruled by the old, established guard. The councilwoman in the ward was also the president of the council. She was firmly entrenched … or so she thought. She occupied her seat for 20 years. But on Nov. 7 the people of the 4th reminded her it was not her seat … it was – and is – the people’s seat. And the people said now is the time for Phillipe Cunningham to serve. Cunningham is not established. He’s not entrenched. Not the old guard, he’s a part of the new era. Oh yeah, Cunningham, like Jenkins, is too a transgender person of color. The ties that bind. There’s a difference between the “old guard” and a continued legacy of progressive action. Jeremiah Ellison represents the latter. Yes, Ellison is the son of Rep. Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Public Schools board member, Kim Ellison, but Jeremiah Ellison
ELECTIONS 2
Uchechukwu Iroegbu
Andrea Jenkins
Uchechukwu Iroegbu
Phillipe Cunningham
Page 2 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News
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Elections From Cover ran on his platform with his vision. And let’s not forget, during the uprising in the aftermath of the 2015 killing of Jamar Clark by Minneapolis Police; whose son he is held little weight when a law enforcement officer pointed his gun squarely at the head of Jeremiah Ellison. It was action as such that resonated with the voters of Minneapolis’ 5th Ward when they chose to elect Ellison to the city council. It was standing up against brutality, not coddling to those perpetrating the brutality (as incum...the opposite of hate the bent did), that swayed voters. It was for is love. The opposite of supporting a person’s right to earn a livfear is embrace. The ing wage, not opposing it (as the incum- opposite of divisiveness bent did), that drove the higher than is inclusion. expected voter turnout in the ward. It ... the ties that bind are was for supstronger porting programs that would provide language services to our Somali and Hmong brothers and sisters, not voting against funding them (as the incumbent did) that ushered in change in the 5th. The ties that bind. When we look back at the historic election of Nov. 7 the voices of hate, fear and divisiveness were powerfully met with the voices declaring no longer shall such tactics prevail. And for those saying the “scientific” theory doesn’t apply as the reaction was greater than the action, understand the action didn’t just begin with the most recent presidential election … it’s been an American institution. We’re in the infancy of the pushback and I’ve yet to explain the science of collective energy … which could also be explained as the ties that bind.
Valencia Simmons-Fowler becomes first female African-American CWO 5 in Information Warfare By Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Hafer Navy Recruiting Command MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 5 Valencia Simmons-Fowler is the first African-America woman to achieve the highest chief warrant officer rank in the information warfare community. The Chicago native started her Navy career at Recruit Training Command (Orlando) in March 1988. From there she attended Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) “A” School where she achieved the notable accomplishment of honor graduate. As her list of successes continued, Simmons-Fowler earned the title of chief petty officer in September 2001
while serving aboard USS Bataan. Later, during her tour at Naval Security Group Activity in Norfolk, Va. she was selected for the CWO program in 2003, beginning her life as a chief warrant officer. “This was my goal since the beginning of my career,” said Simmons-Fowler. “I have always strived for the next level, the pinnacle profession, and I earned it.” The historic promotion is the result of hard work and dedication that is not achieved alone, but with the help of mentors and shipmates along the way. “None of us ever gets here alone,” said Capt. Alonza Ross, the director of enlisted distribution at Navy Personal Command and mentor to Simmons-Fowler. “It takes a lot of support from family, friends and shipmates. I certainly understand how significant this
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Hafer
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Valencia Simmons-Fowler was promoted as the first African-American CWO 5 in the information warfare community on Nov. 3. achievement is, and I knew she was capable of doing it.”
Inspiration follows this woman who has achieved so much.
The protégés that SimmonsFowler mentors see they also have the opportunity to achieve just as much, if not more. “I am extremely proud of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Simmons-Fowler,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Olivia Likely, a protégé of Simmons-Fowler. “Women are pillars of strength and support. To see Chief Warrant Officer 5 Simmons-Fowler achieve this extraordinary goal, I know I have confidence and a voice, to know that not only can I conquer my goals, I can shoot far beyond that.” The newly appointed CWO 5 explains being a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Navy requires a person to be more than just skillful in their field. “You have a lot of leaders out there,” said SimmonsFowler. “When it comes to chief warrant officers, we are supposed to be the technical experts. So,
when the commanding officer needs someone to give him feedback on a system, they are going to find the warrant officers, because they will tell them what they need to know, not what they want to hear.” In the U.S. Navy, the chief warrant officer rank is a technical specialist who performs duties that are directly related to their previous enlisted rating. They are accessed from the chief petty officer pay grades E-7 through E-9, and must have a minimum of 14 years of service. “With every successful leader there is always a great team of sailors that are hardworking, hard-charging and dedicated to completing the mission,” said Simmons-Fowler. “Those are the people doing the work to make sure we succeed as a team. To those people, I’d like (say) thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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Insight News • November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Page 3
aesthetically speaking
Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities
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W I N N E R : 2 017 N N PA M E R I T AWA R D S : 2 N D P L AC E B E S T S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Insight News November 13 - November 19, 2017
Vol. 44 No. 46• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Historic elections in Minnesota; throughout the nation By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor @HarryColbertJr Years from now Nov. 7, 2017 may be remembered as one of the most monumental days in American politics. Voters across the nation took to the polls; and in doing so, elected possibly the most diverse group of candidates in United States history. Here in Minnesota history was made with the election of St. Paul’s first African-American mayor, two transgender people of color elected to the Minneapolis City Council – the first for a major city – and in Hopkins, the first Somali-American was elected to the Hopkins School Board. Melvin Carter beat out three others in his bid to become the city’s next mayor. A former St. Paul city councilman and former
state commissioner, Carter garnered more than 31,000 votes – more than double that of his closest competitor – in becoming the first African-American to be elected mayor. Andrea Jenkins also cruised to victory, gaining 72 percent of the vote, in her bid for the 8th Ward seat on the Minneapolis City Council. Jenkins, who twice served in City Hall as a council aid – most recently to outgoing Ward 8 Councilwoman Elizabeth Glidden – was the DFL-endorsed candidate. Heavily involved in nonprofit organizations, Jenkins serves or has served on several boards including the boards of Intermedia Arts, Metropolitan State University Alumni Board and OutFront Minnesota. The road to victory was much tougher for Phillipe Cunningham. Cunningham, who is also transgender, took on the task of trying to unseat Barb
David Bradley
Melvin Carter Johnson from city council in Minneapolis’ 4th Ward. Johnson
had held the seat for the past 20 years – 11 of them serving
as the council president. Prior to rank-choice voting, based
HISTORIC 9
Hugs and cheers at Ellison’s election night party By Nadvia Davis Supporters of Jeremiah Ellison gathered at New Rules in North Minneapolis on Tuesday night (Nov. 7) anticipating the election results for Ward 5. Although the official results were not in, strong early vote totals indicated Ellison would be victorious. A live tally of percentages was projected on a wall for supporters to see the rankings of each candidate. Ellison was ahead of incumbent Blong Yang. “We got 47.7 percent of the vote. We need over 50 percent to win the election,” said Ellison, being cautiously optimistic.
MK Xiong
Jeremiah Ellison (second from the left) with a group of supporters during his Nov. 7 election results watch party at New Rules in North Minneapolis.
With excitement in the air, Ellison made his way around the room shaking hands and giving warm hugs to all who played a part in getting him this far in the campaign. Rep. Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Public School Board atlarge member, Kim Ellison, both parents of Ellison, were among the many supporters in attendance at the election party. Maya Buckner, a Northside resident spoke passionately about her support for Ellison. “I know Jeremiah for a fact to be a Northsider. I know that he had our best interest at heart. No one else in the race, I haven’t seen them. They weren’t visible,” said Buckner. Hours before the final re-
sults would be tallied, Ellison spent a majority of his postelection speech sharing a few words of gratitude, crediting the people and groups such as BRIC. (Building Relationships in Communities) that made his pending victory possible. “Whenever we’re not able to door knock, the canvas team (BRIC) is out there,” said Ellison. Campaign supporter Cearah Hamilton described Ellison as an “amazing, down to earth human being who cares about people.” The future Minneapolis City Councilman said he is committed to finding ways to
5TH WARD 5
Trump Administration report to U.N. on U.S. racial discrimination policy is due Nov. 17
Groups press U.S. at U.N. on racial equality WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seventy years ago, the NAACP submitted a petition, “An Appeal to the World” edited by W.E.B. Du Bois to the United Nations to address the denial of human rights to AfricanAmericans in the United States. Today, four civil and human rights organizations – NAACP, American Civil Liberties Union, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and U.S. Human Rights Network – commemorate the anniversary of this document and affirm their commitment to the goals of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the significance of the upcoming U.N. review of the U.S. record on ending racism and racial discrimination
in
the United States. The ICERD is the principal human rights treaty designed to protect individuals and groups from discrimination based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin, whether the discrimination is intentional or the result of seemingly neutral policies. After the last U.N. review in 2014, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — which monitors compliance with the treaty — issued Concluding Observations expressing concerns over prevalent racial discrimination in the United States that Du Bois first voiced in 1947. Among other observations, the committee expressed concern over, the practice of racial profiling of and police
News
Car purchase addons a bad deal for buyers
PAGE 4
violence against racial and ethnic minorities, a lack of equal access to quality education and the ongoing segregation in schools, the unfair and disproportionate use of discipline in schools based on race, including more frequent referral of racial and ethnic minorities to the criminal justice system and the ongoing weakening of the Voting Rights Act and the obstacles to the vote such as restrictive voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and felony disfranchisement laws. The U.S. ratified the ICERD in 1994 and is obligated to uphold and promote the human rights protections detailed in the treaty, including in the areas of education, housing, criminal justice, health, voting, labor, access to justice and more. The deadline
Kristen Clarke, President and executive director, National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law for the Trump Administration to submit its report to the U.N. CERD committee is Nov. 17. The four groups urged the Trump Administration to submit a comprehensive report, which thoroughly reviews both U.S. progress and setbacks in implementing the ICERD and 2014 Concluding Observations on the federal, state, and local levels. “Seventy years ago, W.E.B. DuBois spearheaded
an appeal to the world that detailed the discrimination faced by racial minorities in the United States. Today, the fight against discrimination is ongoing as many fear the country is heading in the wrong direction,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The review of U.S. compliance with the CERD treaty offers an
Insight 2 Health
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Recognizing the good: Plymouth police shined in hour of need
PAGE 5
Researchers link Alzheimer’s gene to Type 3 diabetes
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opportunity for both reflection and action. We must continue to move our nation towards the ideals of democracy and work to be the exemplar for all democracies across the globe.” “Du Bois’ warning, that a ‘great nation, which today ought to be in the forefront of the march toward peace and democracy,
EQUALITY 9
AS
Black Author Expo comes to NEON Nov. 18
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Page 4 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News
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Business
Car purchase add-ons a bad deal for buyers By Charlene Crowell Deputy Communications Director, Center for Responsible Lending It’s that time of year again when auto dealers try to make room in their showrooms for next year’s models. The seasonal clearance sales that come right before the holidays are just as tempting as ever, beckoning consumers to get that proverbial “new car fever.” But don’t let those shiny new cars blind you from the facts of a major consumer purchase. After mortgages and student loans, auto sales take a big bite out of your
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pocket and available credit. And a new analysis of car sales data reveals many consumers are being charged triple-digit mark-ups on purchases that include a lot of questionable add-on products that cost consumers a bundle and reap major profits for dealers. A new policy analysis by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), examined sales and financing practices widely used by car dealers. Aggressive sales of add-on products were frequently offered at inflated prices. Additionally, these same products and services are usually available for consumers to purchase more cheaply on their own. When these items are added to the financing of the vehicle, consumers end up padding the costs of finance, making the debt more costly than necessary. After analyzing data on the sale of three million addon products sold on 1.8 million vehicles from September 2009 through June 2015, these add-on costs were both unreasonably high and varied at the discretion of the dealership as to the price levels that would be charged. “Our analysis demonstrates the negative consequences of opaque and inconsistent pricing of auto add-on products and the urgent need to bring transparency and consistency to this market,” said John Van Alst, the report’s
Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips
primary author and director of NCLC’s Working Cars for Working Families Project. Here’s how the unfair pricing and add-ons occur. After a consumer settles on a price of a vehicle, he or she is
interest rate mark-ups. That same study also found that more than half of Black car purchasers (54 percent) were also charged loan kickbacks, compared to only 31 percent of whites. In 2014, a CRL consumer survey also found that Black and Latino car buyers purchased more add-on products than other consumers after being told that the additional items were required to finalize the deal. As a result, although consumers of color reported trying more than other consumers to negotiate a fair car deal, they still wound up paying more for their purchases than similarly-situated White consumers. Two of the costliest add-on costs NCLC found to be the most expensive for consumers were window etching and Guaranteed Asset Protection. Window etching is marketed by dealers as a deterrent to theft or making it easier to identify and recover a stolen vehicle. Usually, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) already appears in multiple places on the vehicle coming out of manufacturing. Similarly, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) is almost a certain sign of having paid too much for the vehicle. Should a vehicle be stolen or wrecked, the consumer’s collision or comprehensive insurance
coverage is usually limited to the market value of the car and not the amount still owed. Consumers, however, are still held liable for the vehicle’s negative equity. GAP products are sold to hold the consumer harmless between the differing amounts. Unfortunately, few consumers ever receive what was promised with these products. Some do not cover the deductible on the consumer’s collision or theft coverage. Taken together, the combined average markup on GAP and window-etching products was 170 percent. By comparison and according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, new car sales in 2015 had an average markup of 3.4 percent. “For many Americans, affordable car ownership is not a luxury, but a necessity,” noted Delvin Davis, a senior researcher with CRL. “People need reliable transportation for employment, personal business, health care and more. Making the car more expensive with marked-up addons deepens the debt incurred while increasing the likelihood that they really paid too much.” Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director for the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.
Increasing revenue from special events
Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford
Charlene Crowell from the Center for Responsible Lending says that after mortgages and student loans, auto sales take a big bite out of your pocket and available credit.
then told to see the finance and insurance (F&I) representative to review terms and sign the purchase. What few consumers know, is that many dealers pay its F&I personnel on a commission basis. Hence, the more costs added to the vehicle purchase, the more these employees earn. Other dealers, according to NCLC, pay a higher percentage commission as the F&I profits increase per vehicle sold. Sometimes car sales representatives receive a commission on the cars sold and additionally, a portion of the addons, sometimes known as “backend” products. If consumers accept all the options offered by F&I, the likelihood is that they will eventually pay far more than the vehicle is actually worth. Not only that, the amount of markup that boosts the dealership’s profits would be far cheaper and affordable if the consumer secured them independently. To make these products and services appear affordable, the length of the auto loan is often extended to 72 or 84 months, or even longer. The longer the auto loan, the more likely that the consumer is getting a bad deal. NCLC also cites previous research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) that determined car buyers who financed vehicles at the dealership in 2009 paid $25.8 billion in
FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw “That was a great awareness event.” “We really reached a lot of people.” “We broke even on expenses.” Are these the outcomes of your most recent special event? What about, did you exceeded your fundraising goal?
Creating an engaging and exciting event is hard enough for professional event producers. For nonprofits, the challenge is even greater. Your priority is not event production, but you must create a successful event that raises the money your organization needs. You want to create a memorable experience and reach your revenue goal. If you want to raise meaningful money from your event consider these suggestions. Make fundraising the number one priority for your event. Spend as much – or more – time on fundraising as you do on event production. Define your strategies for raising funds before, during and after the event. Make
sure your press releases and advertising clearly communicate that the event is a fundraiser. Reinforce the message at the event. Invest in, test and use your data management or customer relationship management (CRM) system. Track past, present and prospective attendees. Track your solicitations and ones to which attendees responded. Orient volunteers, hosts, speakers and performers to their fundraising roles. If an individual is to “make an ask” make sure they know exactly what to say and do. Integrate fundraising messages into the event in the beginning, middle and end. When you tell the audience that an event is a fundraiser they expect you to ask.
Don’t be timid. Carefully track costs and projected revenue. What are the costs associated with the event? What is your ticket price? How much staff time are you dedicating to the event? Make sure your net fundraising goal is realistic and achievable. The cost ratio for an established event and related fundraising should not exceed 25 to 30 percent of funds raised. If this is a new event, the costs may be higher. Take the time to accurately calculate your projected expenses and revenue. Reduce expenses by securing in-kind goods and services that offset identified costs. Set goals for revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships and funds raised at
the event. You want guests to make a gift in addition to purchasing a ticket. Make it easy to give with a credit card, online or with a pledge. Follow up with a series of thank you notes, event photos and solicitations using email, text or social media. If you want people to give, be sure to ask. Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon. com. For more information visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Abeni Hill Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb 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.
is partnering with Medtronic to fill 20-30 medical assembly positions • Med dtronic, a global medical tech hnologyy, ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐŽ ŽůƵƟŽ ŽŶƐ ĐĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ͕ ŝƐ ŚŝƌŝŶŐ mediccall assemb blers from North h Minneapolis and the Cedar Riverside e neighb borhoo od • ϮϬͲϯϬ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĂĂƐƐĞŵďůLJLJ ƉŽ ŽƐŝƟŽ ŽŶƐ ĂĂǀĂŝůĂĂďůĞ at Brookklyn Center faacility • WĞĞŽƉůĞ Ž ŽĨ ĨƌŝĐĂŶ ĚĞƐĐĞŶƚ ĂƌĞ ĞĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞĚ Ě ƚƚŽ ĂƉ ƉƉůLJ
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Insight News • November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Page 5
Recognizing the good: Plymouth police shined in hour of need contact with certain foods, we follow our emergency action plan and call 911. This has happened twice this year. The first time this year, paramedics and the Plymouth Police Department were at our home within minutes. As the paramedics were assessing my daughter the Plymouth police officer occupied my then 3-yearold son and played with him so I could focus on my daughter. The second incident was just a few days ago. Again, the paramedics, Plymouth Fire
By Rebecca Rabb
I am a photographer. I document many things through photos. I have recently been documenting my daughter’s journey with her health and food allergies. I am stepping away from my camera today to take a moment to say thank you. I write this as a very grateful mother. My husband and I have a little girl who suffers from life threatening food allergies. This year has been particularly difficult as more allergies have presented themselves. What that means is, when our daughter has
Kennedy Rabb
5th Ward From 3 combat the negative stigma that sometimes comes with
while it’s crucial to talk through the negative, I want to ensure the positive stories are heard as well. In the chaos of those days, I never got a name of any of the officers or first responders. However, I want to thank each of them. When we were vulnerable they were here making sure my daughter was safe and got the care she needed. As I sit here watching my daughter play with her siblings, I am forever grateful for the care they provided.
Rebecca Rabb
I NEED TO
Executive Leadership Council, nationwide launch $1 million Future Leadership Scholarship ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and Nationwide have announced the Nationwide’s Future Leaders Scholarship Program. This scholarship program, established with a gift from Nationwide, will provide funds to Black undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities across the country. The Nationwide scholarship program was announced at The ELC’s 2017 Recognition Gala. This annual event raises funds to support The ELC’s scholarships, community investment grants, leadership development programs and educational initiatives. The ELC presented Nationwide with the Diamond Leadership Award, which applauds $1
Department, and Plymouth police made it here very quickly. Once again, all were assessing my daughter and putting us at ease while prepping her to go to the hospital. I have been an open critic of police. I feel there is a lot of opportunity for change, and I have been vocal in my opinions. That being said, I will also acknowledge that the Plymouth Police Department has sent officers and first responders who did an incredible job in caring for my child. I recognize
million corporate contributions toward ELC initiatives or new programs within a calendar year. “For more than 30 years, The ELC has worked to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline from the classroom to the boardroom,” said Ronald Parker, president & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. “We are grateful to Nationwide for their continued support of The ELC’s mission and commitment to the academic achievement and development of black undergraduate and graduate students.” Nationwide’s Future Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship will be awarded to AfricanAmerican undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence,
leadership, a commitment to community involvement and are pursuing a degree in business, insurance, or a related field at an accredited college or university. “Nationwide is proud to continue to support programs that offer academic and business opportunities to youth across the country. Nationwide’s Future Leaders Scholarship Program provides another way to support the academic achievements of tomorrow’s leaders,” said Gale King, executive vice president, chief administrative officer at Nationwide. “We believe our ongoing partnership with the Executive Leadership Council will create powerful possibilities for these students.”
living in North Minneapolis. “We have to figure out how we make this the community that we deserve,” said Ellison. Supporters maintained their heightened level of optimism over night as the final votes were tallied, and Ellison was
announced the Ward 5 Councilman. Ellison said the outcome proved that “even a less experienced team could win an election in a really big way.”
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EXCLUDES ALL: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, specials, Super Buys, athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, baby gear, reg.-price china/crystal/silver, cosmetics/fragrances, designer handbags, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, electrics/electronics, furniture/mattresses, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, select licensed depts., previous purchases, restaurants, rugs, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, special purchases, select tech accessories, toys, 3Doodler, American Rug Craftsmen, Anova, Apple Products, Ashley Graham, Avec Les Filles clothing, Barbour, Brahmin, Breville, Briggs & Riley, Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, COACH, Demeyere, Destination Maternity, Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Global Cutlery, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Judith Leiber, Karastan, kate spade new york, Kenneth Cole men’s shoes, Kiehl’s, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, littleBits, Locker Room by Lids, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/ Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Miyabi, Movado Bold, Natori, Nike swim, Original Penguin, Panache, Rimowa, Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Shun, Spanx, Staub, Stuart Weitzman, S’well, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tommy John, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG®, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford & Wüsthof; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: kids’ shoes, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Hurley, Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA & Tommy Bahama. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash or applied as payment or credit to your account. Extra savings % applied to reduced prices. Purchase must be $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.
HOW MACY’S MONEY WORKS: We’ll give you $10 Macy’s Money for every $50 you spend, up to a $40 Macy’s Money Reward Card in a single transaction. EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PURCHASES: Apple Products, tech watches/jewelry/accessories, furniture, mattresses, rugs, gift cards, Macybed, services & fees, sales tax, phone & live chat orders, leased depts., restaurants, international orders, e-gifting, online backorders. USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD in stores & online 11/16-11/21/2017. May not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s Gift Cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, your return may result in a reduction of the value of your Macy’s Money Reward Card and/or a reduction of your total refund amount. The remaining balance of your Macy’s Money Reward Card will reflect the Macy’s Money amount you qualify for after deducting the returned item(s) from your original purchase amount. ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 11/13-11/15/2017. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE AND OTHER SALE PRICES NOW THROUGH 1/2/18, EXCEPT AS NOTED.
Page 6 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News
Insight 2 Health
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Researchers link Alzheimer’s gene to Type 3 diabetes By Lynda de Widt Mayo Clinic Researchers have known for several years that being overweight and having Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but they’re now beginning to talk about another form of diabetes – Type 3 diabetes and its link to the disease. Type 3 diabetes occurs when neurons in the brain become unable to respond to insulin, which is essential for basic tasks, including memory and learning. Some researchers believe insulin deficiency is central to the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease. Mayo Clinic’s Florida and Rochester campuses recently participated in a multiinstitution clinical study, testing whether a new insulin nasal spray can improve Alzheimer’s symptoms. The results of that study are forthcoming. A new study from Dr. Guojun Bu, a Mayo Clinic Ph.D neuroscientist and Mary Lowell Leary professor of medicine, found that the culprit is the variant of the Alzheimer’s gene known as APOE4. Cofirst authors of the study are Dr. Na Zhao and Dr. Chia-Chen Liu. The team found that APOE4, which is present in
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Type 3 diabetes can now be linked to Alzheimer’s. approximately 20 percent of the general population and more than half of Alzheimer’s cases, is responsible for interrupting how
the brain processes insulin. Mice with the APOE4 gene showed insulin impairment, particularly in old age. Also, a high-fat diet
could accelerate the process in middle-aged mice with the gene. “The gene and the peripheral insulin resistance caused by
the high-fat diet together induced insulin resistance in the brain,” said Bu. Their findings are published in Neuron.
The team went on to describe how it all works in the neurons. They found that the APOE4 protein produced by the gene, can bind more aggressively to insulin receptors on the surfaces of neurons than its normal counterpart, APOE3. As if playing a game of musical chairs, the APOE4 protein outcompetes the normal protein and blocks the receptor. APOE4 goes on to do lasting damage to brain cells. After blocking the receptor, the sticky APOE4 protein begins to clump and become toxic. Further, once the protein enters the interior of the neuron, the clumps get trapped within the cell’s machinery, impeding the receptors from returning to the neuron surface to do their work. The insulin signal processing gets increasingly more impaired, starving brain cells. “This study has furthered our understanding of the gene that’s the strongest genetic risk factor known for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Bu, who adds that, ultimately, the finding may personalize treatment for patients. “For instance, an insulin nasal spray or a similar treatment may be significantly more helpful for patients who don’t have the APOE4 gene. Patients who have the gene may need additional medications to help prevent cognitive decline.”
Hopkins Police Department to launch Vitals Aware Services The Hopkins Police Department has joined a growing list of metro police departments to partner with Vitals Aware Services, a resource created to help law enforcement officers and first responders interact with people with mental illness. Hopkins joins St. Paul, Roseville and the Three Rivers Park District as the first police departments in Minnesota to use this technology, which consists of two apps – one for first responders and the other designed for people with behavioral, mental health and developmental disabilities. The Vitals app (www.thevitalsapp. com) was designed to foster safer interactions by bridging the gap of information between first responders, caregivers and people with “invisible” disabilities. Hopkins Police Chief Brent
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The Hopkins Police Department is using an app to assist on calls dealing with possible mental illness.
Johnson believes the Vitals app will benefit officers by providing them with critical information as they approach a potentially suspicious situation. Launched in partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota, Vitals was developed by local entrepreneurs to protect at-risk individuals and their families by raising awareness and understanding of mental health disabilities. VariAware, the parent company of Vitals Aware Services, has partnered with the Arc Greater Twin Cities and Pacer to spread the word about the app and promote user signups across the metro area. The subscription-based service, includes a caregiver profile and beacon which connects via Bluetooth to the first responder app. An individual’s profile specifies effective de-escalation
techniques, behavior triggers, medical information and videos or images to which they respond. Each profile can be updated at the user’s discretion to provide first responders with the tools they need during critical times. Officers are alerted while in the vicinity of a vulnerable individual. When first responders reach a radius of 30-80 feet from a vulnerable person with the Vitals beacon, the app delivers crucial information regarding an individual’s mental health characteristics found on their profile. “We are thrilled to have Hopkins join our growing network of police departments,” said Stan Alleyne, chief of communications and partnerships. “We believe that the more officers we have using this new technology, the more lives we will potentially save.”
Hot flashes, night sweats connected to obstructive sleep apnea risk Mayo Clinic Staff In a new study published in Menopause, researchers have found that the hot flashes and night sweats faced by upward of 80 percent of middle-aged women may be linked to an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, is characterized by repeated stopping and starting of breathing during sleep. Besides affecting the quality of sleep, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious health concerns in women, including increased risks of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. To track this occurrence in middle-aged women, researchers used the Data Registry on Experience of Aging, Menopause and Sexuality, which contains health information on women seen in the Women’s Health Clinic at Mayo Clinic. The team found that, of the women seen between May 2015 and December 2016, selfreported severe hot flashes and night sweats were linked to an intermediate to high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. While those who had high blood pressure and were obese were at
an especially high risk, the risk also was seen even in women with a healthy body mass index. “Obstructive sleep apnea is often thought of as a man’s disease, and men’s symptoms are more outwardly noticeable, in large part because of snoring,” said Dr. Stephanie Faubion. “However, the risk for obstructive sleep apnea in women goes up in their menopausal years. The symptoms they face – headache, insomnia, anxiety, depression, in addition to the more common symptoms of snoring and fatigue – may not be as audible or visible to others, but they pose just as much risk to overall health.” Two years after clinical consultation when women selfreported their hot flashes and night sweats, 65 percent of the group that demonstrated intermediate or high risk of obstructive sleep apnea still was not diagnosed with the condition. “Hot flashes and night sweats may be overlooked as a risk of something more serious,” said Faubion. “The implementation of screening tools during evaluation can help determine what symptoms women are facing, and put us on track to detect and intervene with serious health issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea, sooner.”
Researchers have found a link between sleep apnea and hot flashes and night sweats in women.
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Insight News • November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Page 7
NAACP set to change tax status to engage politically By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor After being eclipsed in recent years by Color of Change, Black Lives Matter and other younger, more tech savvy and politicallypointed groups, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization will change its tax status. The group’s leaders said that the new tax status would allow it to be more aggressive politically. During a call with reporters, NAACP officials announced the
civil rights group will transition from a 501(c)(3) to a 501(c)(4) designation. The change will allow the organization to be more partisan and politically focused. However, the tax designation does not allow political work to be the “primary activity” of the organization. Even though the NAACP is 108 years old, the organization is struggling to modernize and stay relevant in a rapidly-evolving, social media-driven landscape that requires speed and strategic communications skills. In October, the NAACP named Derrick Johnson as its president. Johnson was elected by the NAACP’s board to serve for three years.
NAACP
The NAACP announced plans to change their tax status, shortly after announcing that Derrick Johnson would become the group’s new president.
In a statement announcing Johnson as the new president, Leon Russell, the board chairman of the NAACP said, “As both a longtime member of the NAACP, and a veteran activist in his own right – having worked on the ground to advocate for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, along with championing countless other issues – Derrick also intimately understands the strengths of the association, our challenges and the many obstacles facing Black Americans of all generations, today. I look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role. In his time serving as our interim
president and CEO, Derrick has proven himself as the strong, decisive leader we need to guide us through both our internal transition, as well as a crucial moment in our nation’s history. With new threats to communities of color emerging daily and attacks on our democracy, the NAACP must be more steadfast than ever before.” Johnson is a native of Detroit, who now lives in Jackson, Miss. He is a long-time member of the NAACP, who was elected vice chair earlier this year and served as the interim president after Cornell Brooks was forced out. Johnson
attended Tougaloo College (Mississippi) before earning a juris doctor degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. The NAACP ousted Brooks in the spring of this year, a few months before the group’s annual convention in Baltimore. Lauren Victoria Burke is the White House Correspondent for the NNPA Newswire, author and political analyst. She is a frequent guest of “NewsOne Now” with Roland Connect with Lauren by email at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.
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Page 8 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News
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Insight News • November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Page 9
New book by Dr. Artika Tyner promotes literacy and leadership development for girls Set for release on Dec. 9 the new book by Dr. Artika Tyner, “Justice Makes a Dierence: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire,â€? promotes literacy, cultural awareness and leadership development for youth. “All proceeds from book sales will be used to further the work of our nonproďŹ t, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute,â€? said Tyner. Tyner will be delivering 1,000 books to schools around the globe, beginning in her hometown of St. Paul and ending with a special visit to schools in Ghana.
educate them on other invaluable stories of black people in history. Kudos, Dr. Tyner, for reaching back and sharing our stories.â€? The book highlights accomplishments of historic female leaders who contributed to changes in the law and public policy in their own unique ways. “Dr. Tyner’s beautiful story of Justice, who with the help of her loving grandmother and heroes from the past, builds her conďŹ dence and courage to ďŹ nd her voice,â€? said Tisha Bolger, CEO of Girl Scouts Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys. “A little
Written by Tyner in association with Jacklyn Milton and illustrated by Jeremy Norton, the children’s book utilizes real life examples of powerful leaders throughout history to highlight the importance of education, social change and the beneďŹ ts of diversity. “‘Justice Makes a Dierence’ is a blessing for girls of all ages,â€? said Neda Kellogg, Project DIVA executive director. “We are excited to have our middle and high school DIVAs read this book to our younger participants. Our girls love Dr. King and Rosa Parks, but they have been thirsty for us to
girl who ďŹ nds her voice and has the courage and conďŹ dence to use it can help a community thrive and build a better world for all of us.â€? Autographed copies of “Justice Makes a Dierence: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquireâ€? are available for pre-order and will be delivered in autumn 2017. Individuals can also donate to the Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire Literacy Project to further the goals of education, literacy, diversity and inclusion. Pre-orders can be made online at www.artikatyner.com/missfreedom-ďŹ ghter-esq.
MEA announces scholarship for high school seniors The Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) conference draws hundreds of educators to St. Paul’s RiverCentre each year. The American Lung Association in Minnesota will also be there, to announce this
year’s Clean Air Choice Biodiesel Scholarship contest, which has sent winning high school seniors in Minnesota o to college with some extra cash. The scholarship is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion
Council and administered by the American Lung Association. High school seniors in any public or private school in Minnesota may submit either 1,000 words or less essay or a three minutes or less video about
biodiesel to the American Lung Association in Minnesota. Rules and online applications are available at www.CleanAirChoice.org. Two scholarships will be awarded – a ďŹ rst place award of $1,000 and a second-place award of
$500. All essays and videos must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 30, 2018. Biodiesel will play a larger role in reducing Minnesota’s air pollution starting in May 1, 2018, when virtually all of the diesel sold
in the state will contain a 20 percent biodiesel blend known as B20. Minnesota is the ďŹ rst state in the nation to require B20 in the warm weather months. In the winter, the blend will return to ďŹ ve percent (B5).
Metropolitan Council seeks applicants for advisory committees The Metropolitan Council is asking for community members to apply for openings on several advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in January 2018. “Our advisory committees provide some of the best ways to inuence regional decisions,â€? said Metropolitan Council Chair Alene Tchourumo. “Each member partners with the Council members to provide a wide variety of viewpoints. I encourage people to apply – we need dierent voices at the table to assure our advisory committees reect the communities we serve.â€? Eleven spots are open on the Council’s Equity Advisory Committee, which advises the Metropolitan Council in its work to advance equity in the metropolitan region. The committee has 21 members – including members of the community and the Metropolitan Council. There are eight district representatives and nine at-large members. The co-chairs include one member of the Metropolitan Council and one community representative. Members serve four-year terms. There are open seats in District A, which includes communities in northern Hennepin County and a small portion of southern Anoka County, District
Historic From 3 on ďŹ rst choice votes, Johnson would have narrowly prevailed, but due to the relatively new system, Cunningham emerged the victor, greatly outpacing Johnson in second choice votes. Under the rank-choice system, if a candidate does not garner more than 50 percent of ďŹ rst choice votes, the winner is determined by second or third choice votes (if necessary). With multiple
Equality From 3 ďŹ nds itself continuously making common cause with race hate,’ rings all too true today,â€? said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “America’s greatness can only be realized if it models integrity and inclusivity and is willing to confront the inequities that still persist within its democracy and society.â€? Despite gains for people of color since 1947, with the election of President Donald
ClassiÀeds
H, that represents the southern three-quarters of Dakota County and southeastern Scott County and nine at-large members. Two spots are open on the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee, which provides advice and assistance to the Council on regional land use and comprehensive planning, and in matters of metropolitan signiďŹ cance as requested by the Council. The committee has at least 16 members – including members of the community and elected oďŹƒcials. At least half of the members must be elected oďŹƒcials, and there must be a member from each Metropolitan Council district. Open seats represent District 3, which includes the city of Chanhassen in Carver County and the Hennepin County cities Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland and District 4, which represents Carver County. The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee advises the Council on management policies for public transportation services in the region from the perspective of riders with disabilities. There
are open seats in District E (the western half of Ramsey County and the western two-thirds of Anoka County District F (Washington County, the eastern half of Ramsey County and the eastern third of Anoka County), District G (St. Paul and the very northern communities in Dakota County) and District H (the southern three-quarters of Dakota County and southeastern Scott County). The Transportation Advisory Board helps shape regional and state transportation plans. Every three years it adopts the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identiďŹ es which regional projects will receive federal funds. The board consists of 34 members, deďŹ ned in state law, drawn from county and city elected oďŹƒcials, residents and business leaders, transportation providers, and representatives of state and regional agencies. There are 14 open seats on this board. The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system and Northstar commuter rail, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low-
Black candidates running for the seat, rank-choice did what its proponents said it would in eliminating “vote splitting.â€? In Hopkins, a western suburb of Minneapolis, Fartun Ahmed was the leading vote getter in a ďŹ eld of ďŹ ve seeking three open seats on the board. With 5,615 votes Ahmed will become the ďŹ rst Somali-American to serve on the board. The district’s superintendent, Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, who took over at the start of the school year, is the ďŹ rst African-American to serve as Hopkins superintendent. Across the nation, in Fayetteville, N.C., Mitch Colvin,
an African-American, defeated incumbent Nat Robertson and in Charlotte, N.C., Vi Lyles made history becoming the ďŹ rst African-American woman elected mayor. In New Jersey, Ravi Bhalla was elected mayor of Hoboken, becoming the state’s ďŹ rst Sikh mayor. In Virginia, Danica Roem, who is transgender, was elected to the state’s House of Delegates and in Georgia, Stephe Koontz was elected to the city council in Doraville, becoming that state’s ďŹ rst transgender elected oďŹƒcial.
Trump, there is a perception that the White House is tolerant of white extremists. “We are especially concerned about the rise of white supremacy, racism, and xenophobia,â€? said Jamil Dakwar, director of American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program. “We are also troubled by federal government statements and actions such as rollback of civil rights enforcement eorts since January 2017 that will only widen existing racial disparities. The world is and will continue to be watching and we will not rest until DuBois’ vision for racial equality is fully realized.â€?
Colette Pichon Battle, executive director of the U.S. Human Rights Network said it should be stated again that the issue in America is not just one of civil rights, but of human rights. “Now more than ever we must heed the appeal of Dr. W.E.B Dubois and connect the human rights movement in the US to the struggle for justice across the global south,� said Pichon Battle. “What was true 70 years ago holds true today, we must support the voice and follow the vision of those most directly impacted if we are to see long-term change for a better America.�
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Oak Ridge Manor 1199 Bahls Drive Hastings, MN 55033 (651) 437-1367
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and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at
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the pleasure of the governor. To apply, visit the Council’s website, www.metrocouncil.org
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and ďŹ ll out the online application or call (651) 602-1806.
DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST $21.98 - $32.24/hourly; $45,894 - $69,317/Annually The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking a Health Program Representative Senior â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Disease Intervention. This position will intervene in and prevent the transmission of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infection through educating, counseling, and facilitating the medical examination and treatment of persons with those infections, and those at high risk for infection.
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Contact: If you have questions about the position, contact Shanna Vah at shanna.vah@state.mn.us or 651.201.5777. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Page 10 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News
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Flying Lotus
Vie Boheme
The Comedy Get Down
Monday, Nov. 13 OPEN MIC Pan-Afrikan Student Union Open Mic Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. Check out Pan-Afrikan Student Union’s open mic series at Augsburg.
Nov. 13 Nov. 26, 2017
We get another Drake themed dance night with Kanye West music added to the mix at The Cabooze.
Friday, Nov. 17
Tuesday, Nov. 14
STAND UP COMEDY
DANCE/R&B
The Comedy Get Down Tour Target Center 600 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m.
MOVE Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $10 Vie Boheme presents an experimental performance of dance and song on Eat Street. The show features Mayyadda Major and Chance York.
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
Kanye x Drake Day The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 7 p.m. 18-plus $10-$15
Wednesday, Nov.15 HIP-HOP/ELECTRONIC Flying Lotus in 3D First Avenue 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. 18-plus $30 Hip-hop’s premiere experimental producer returns to First Ave with a special 3-D performance in the Mainroom. Also with Seven Davis, Jr.
Thursday, Nov. 16 DANCE PARTY
Some of the biggest names in comedy and hit the Target Arena for the Comedy Get Down Tour with Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley and George Lopez.
Saturday, Nov. 18 DANCE TU Dance The O›Shaughnessy 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul 8 p.m. $22-$34 International choreographer Stefanie Batten Bland reflects on themes of racial profiling, unity and healing in “41 Times,” a full-company work commissioned by The O›Shaughnessy, which references the tragic 1999 police killing of Amadou Diallo.
Sunday, Nov. 19 POETRY
Button Poetry: Rudy Francisco Release Party Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. All ages $15 advance, $20 door Button Poetry presents the release party for San Diego poetry slam champion, Rudy Francisco. FUNDRAISER/BLUES Blues Aid for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Minnesota Music Café 499 Payne Ave., St Paul 1 p.m. Donations accepted at the door Blues Aid is a benefit for the victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The house jam band for that day will be Armadillo Jump with many blues musicians coming to donate their time.
Monday, Nov. 20 JAZZ Tower of Power Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $40-$70 Urban soul and jazz fusion greats, Tower of Power, brings its distinct sound to downtown for a return gig at The Dakota. This show is not to be missed by the music enthusiasts.
“The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” State Theatre 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. All ages $28.50-$68.50 Hip-hop icon, Kurtis Blow, and Brooklyn based theatrical hip-hop dance company Decadancetheatre present a new twist on an old holiday favorite at the State Theatre.
Wednesday, Nov. 22 REGGAE/DANCEHALL Dancehall Madness PreThanksgiving Bash The Red Sea 320 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 10 p.m. 18-plus $10 Reggae, dancehall, soca, and hip-hop are on DJ Sounds By Fujun’s menu for this Thanksgiving-eve party.
Thursday, Nov. 23 DANCE PARTY ThanksGiving Takeover7 Privé 315 North 1st Avenue, Minneapolis 10 p.m. 21-plus Black N White Ent. presents another holiday takeover for the club hoppers.
Friday, Nov. 24
Tuesday, Nov. 21
DISCUSSION
HOLIDAY/DANCE
Black to the Future – AfroFuturism and Black
Liberation High School for Recording Arts 1166 University Ave. W., St. Paul 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Nu Skool of Afrikan American Thought presents topical lectures on African and African-American history, culture and issues of today. Special guest is Pamela Fletcher, contributing author of “Blues Vision: African American Writing from Minnesota.”
Saturday, Nov. 25 DANCE/DRAG/BRUNCH Rihanna Drag Brunch Union Bar & Grill 731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Flip Phone presents its popular drag brunch series with an ode to Rihanna. Party with Mercedes Iman Diamond, Tygra Trinity Slarii and Genevee Ramona Love. The brunch is hosted by Sasha R Cassadine.
Sunday, Nov. 26 IMPROV POC Improv Jam No. 12 – One Year Anniversary HUGE Theater 3037 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. “The objective of the POC Improv Jam is to bring people together to learn more about improv, meet new people, or network. No experience is required.
Ten-day fan festival, free and open to the public, coming to Nicollet Mall
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis set to present Super Bowl LIVE With Super Bowl LII less than100 days away, the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee (MNSBHC) unveiled the first details for Super Bowl LIVE. Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis will be the site of the massive free 10-day fan festival leading up to Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4. Super Bowl LIVE will open daily starting on Friday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. through gameday on Sunday. The event – free and open to the public – will include food, concerts and more. The event will stretch six blocks on Nicollet Mall, from South 12th Street to South 6th Street, with each block offering unique and Super Bowl experiences. Fans will see larger-than-life ice sculptures, national broadcast sets, and the Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain, where both local and national acts will perform throughout the festival.
“Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon is our opportunity to showcase the best of Minnesota,” said Maureen Bausch, CEO of the MNSBHC. “From our Minnesota Sound and outdoor winter sports to our creative cuisine and nightlife, Nicollet Mall will be a shining example of our Bold North lifestyle. With a northern city hosting the Super Bowl, we are leaning into what makes Minnesota unique. We created Super Bowl LIVE to intentionally invite our visitors to spend time outdoors and enjoy an unforgettable and quintessential Minnesota experience.” “It’s an honor to be a part of welcoming the eyes and ears of the world to our home state of Minnesota,” said Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. “We are proud to be a born and raised Minnesotan and even more
proud to be able to showcase and share the wonderful gift of our music and culture with the world. From Bob Dylan to Prince, Minnesota’s musical legacy is like no other. We’re happy to be a part of bringing our local folks and families together to share in this celebration of our iconic music community.” “This is Minnesota’s moment to shine on the world’s largest stage,” said Richard Davis, co-chair of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our world-class companies and all Minnesotans to come together and celebrate the good life in Minnesota as a proud and vibrant community.” Not all of the fun will be reserved for the outdoors. MNSBHC planners announced that the Dayton’s Project, will be activated during the 10-day Super Bowl festival, transforming into a fan
BET
Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis engagement space for visitors. “Minneapolis is a jewel of a city on our country’s greatest river, with a vibrant, 24-hour downtown that puts
world-class dining, a state-ofthe art downtown stadium and entertainment options at your fingertips. And that’s why I’m sure everyone who visits us for
Super Bowl LII will plan to visit again soon,” said Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.
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Insight News • November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Page 11
Black Author Expo comes to NEON Nov. 18
Expo seeks to provide authors with opportunity to sell, engage By Abeni Hill Staff Writer North Minneapolis will host the First Annual Black Author Expo Nov. 18 at NEON, 1007 W. Broadway Ave. Founders and local authors DeVonna Pittman and Jasmine Boudah created the event to provide an opportunity for Black authors to showcase their works and connect with the community. “It has been a very long time since Black authors were provided a pure and undiluted space,” said Pittman. Pittman said Boudah approached her with the idea of this expo. Boudah said she was inspired by her experience as a writer. Boudah, who is a self-published author, said Pittman helped her publish her book, “Mothering Through Pain and Suffering in Silence,” through Pittman’s company, The Haven Publishing Company. “What I realized is a lot of people who are self-published authors aren’t taken as seriously,” said Boudah. “I’ve found myself being
in very non-diverse spaces as an author of color and feeling like I wasn’t really supported as much.” Pittman offered a similar assessment. “There are so many Black authors who don’t get the recognition they deserve,” said Pittman. “Many authors who selfpublish don’t even have book signings, On Nov. 18, we will pay homage to those authors and we invite the community to join us .” The expo is organized in a manner to foster an engaging, intimate atmosphere. “Sometimes I feel like it is a tradeoff. Either you are there signing books and you have to tell your story over and over and over again, but then you don’t have the time to engage and sign and talk,” said Boudah. “So, we are trying to balance that.” The expo is open to all Black authors, local and out of state. The event is free and open to the public. Authors looking to rent booths can to do so through Eventbrite. The expo runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
DeVonna Pittman
As a player, El-Amin led the Polars to three straight state championships
Homecoming: Hoops star Khalid El-Amin returns to North High as assistant coach By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor A hero is coming home. Former North High star Khalid El-Amin is returning to the gym that made him a legend, as he has been announced as an assistant coach of the Polars’ boys varsity basketball team – a team that has won back-to-back state championships. According to Polars Head Coach Larry McKenzie, the decision to bring El-Amin on had been made some time ago, but the two kept it under wraps until this past Wednesday (Nov. 8). McKenzie said adding former star point guard to the staff was a no-brainer. “He (Khalid) had been hurt a couple of years ago and during
that time he would come to the school and spend a lot of time with the kids and workout with them and things like that. When he decided he was going to retire from playing, I asked him about coaching and asked if he’d consider joining the staff,” said McKenzie. “I’ve always wanted to connect the people from the past to this current program.” El-Amin was a part of the program from 1994-1997, leading the team to three straight state titles and capturing Mr. Basketball honors in Minnesota in 1997. He went on to the University of Connecticut where he led the team to its first ever national championship in 1999. Highly skilled, but undersized, El-Amin was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2000 and played 50 games in the NBA before heading overseas for an
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Minneapolis’ North High assistant boys basketball coach Khalid El-Amin and head coach Larry McKenzie look to improve on greatness during the upcoming 2017-2018 season. illustrious career, retiring in 2016. Just recently El-Amin was
named the best boys basketball player in the 100-year history of
Minnesota high school sports. For El-Amin, the homecoming is serendipity. “I’m excited to come home. Each time I step into this gym I get goosebumps,” said El-Amin. “There’s a winning tradition here at North and you have a sense of pride about North Basketball.” Known for having a high basketball I.Q., some had thoughts of El-Amin coaching in the collegiate ranks, but for now, that’s not in the plans. “This (North) is where I really want to be,” said ElAmin, who is ever the assist man, even now as a coach. “It would be great to win a state championship as a coach, but it’s not about me, it’s about the players. I always got the greatest reward for giving my pass and seeing others score. That’s what it’s like now as a coach.”
As if the Polars didn’t already have targets on their backs, the addition of El-Amin widens the bull’s-eye. Backto-back state champs in Class 1A, the Polars were bumped up to 2A for the 2017-2018 campaign, but that shouldn’t worry the team too much, as it regularly competes against 3A and 4A squads in league and non-conference play. The Polars open the season Dec. 9 against vaunted Apple Valley in the Tip Off Classic at Hopkins Senior High. Apple Valley features the nation’s top point guard – and future Duke Blue Devil – Tre Jones. North returns senior Odell Wilson, Tayler Johnson, Nasir El-Amin (nephew to Khalid El-Amin) and the nation’s top ranked player for 2022, Trejuan Holloman.
Rich Ryan
Iris Shiraishi, Artistic Director of ensemble-MA, performs in a special Puerto Rico fundraising Taiko Tuesday concert Nov. 21 at the Gremlin Theater in St. Paul.
TaikoArts to host concert fundraiser for Puerto Rico TaikoArts Midwest will present a free concert to benefit those affected by the recent hurricane in Puerto Rico. TaikoArts Midwest is bringing together local and national taiko talent for a benefit on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul, 550 Vandalia St. Funds raised will be donated to United for Puerto Rico (www. unidosporpuertorico.com), an initiative brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló. Taiko, the Japanese word for drum, is
a modern style of movement infused, heart-pounding, dynamic group drumming. “This special Taiko Tuesday performance is presented as a fundraiser for Puerto Rico’s hurricane relief and eMA (ensemble-MA) is thrilled to be able to dedicate its repertoire of songs from the heart for relief efforts,” said Jennifer Weir, executive director of TaikoArts Midwest. In addition, TaikoAlive! will perform alongside eMa in a special performance.
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Page 12 •November 13 - November 19, 2017 • Insight News VH-1 isn’t the only entity that loves the 90s. VH-1’s “I love the 90s” was a nostalgic look at music and pop culture of the final decade of the 1900s. During the 1990s with much of pop culture was driven by AfricanAmerican culture. That was
not lost on the members of the City of Lakes chapter of Jack and Jill of America, who recently hosted a 90s-themed brunch at Loring Bar & Restaurant (Loring Pasta Bar) in Dinkytown. The brunch served as a fundraiser for the organizations, which
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is dedicated to the growth and development of young African-American boys and girls. Judging from the photos in this week’s “Snapshots,” excellence never goes out of style.
Harry Colbert, Jr.
(Left to right) Naarah Turner, Kenney Aldridge and Karina Curbelo showing off their 90s style.
Alpha to Omega: Omega, Hollies Winston (left), chair of the Minnesota African-American DFL Caucus, with Alpha, Israel Moses.
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(Left to right) Amber Webb, Jack and Jill City of Lakes charter member, Sparkle Wimberly and Meredith Moore Crosby, president, Leverette Weekes.
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Getting into the theme with the classic 90s pose, Dana Joubert Hayes (left) and Elaine Solomon.
Looking like a powerful scene from a classic 90s flick, it’s Jasmine Myers (front) and Rubin Thomas.
Join NEON, WBC and Blexit as they present Black Friday on Broadway Ă &Z ϮͲĚĂLJ ƐŚŽƉƉŝŶŐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƟŶŐ ůŽĐĂů ƐŚŽƉƐ ĂŶĚ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ ũƵƐƚ ŝŶ ƟŵĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ŚŽůŝĚĂLJƐ͊ dŚŝƐ ĞǀĞŶƚ ĨĞĂƚƵƌĞƐ ĞŶƚĞƌƚĂŝŶŵĞŶƚ͕ ĞdžĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ŽīĞƌƐ͕ ĚŽŽƌ ƉƌŝnjĞƐ͕ ŐŝǀĞͲĂǁĂLJƐ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͊ dŽ ůĞĂƌŶ ŵŽƌĞ ǀŝƐŝƚ www.neon-mn.org or call 612.302.1505. Presented by: Where entrepreneurs start, grow + thrive