John Penny’s Jazz Vault opened for sharing MORE ON PAGE 10
aesthetically speaking
Insight News December 7 - December 13, 2015
Vol. 42 No. 49 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
West Broadway looking for artists to design significant public realm amenities By Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition
Photos: West Broadway Coalition
The West Broadway Improvement District installed street banners and holiday decorations this year.
The West Broadway Coalition calls for artists to propose custom amenities to complement the avenue’s existing public art.
Since January of this year, West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis has received special attention, and people are taking notice. The new West Broadway Improvement District (WBID) has collected over 1000 pounds of litter with crews out three times per week, installed decorative street pole banners, holiday decorations- and that’s just the beginning. After working with the city of Minneapolis and the Northside Funders Group on upgrades to the electrical infrastructure, the WBID will be turning on holiday lights on
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Police raid 4th Precinct compound, ‘evict’ protesters By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer In the wee hours of the morning this past Thursday (Dec. 3), Minneapolis Police raided the occupation of Plymouth Avenue outside the department’s 4th Precinct headquarters; serving eviction notices and arresting eight. The 4 a.m. raid came on the 18th day of protest following the Nov. 15 killing of 24-yearold Jamar Clark, an unarmed African-American shot in the head by police. Clark was the subject of a domestic abuse call, but witnesses say Clark was subdued on the pavement at the time of the shooting. Police maintain Clark got control of an officer’s gun when he was shot. Protesters set up camp outside the north Minneapolis police precinct vowing to remain until surveillance footage from the Elks Lodge was released. The killing took place just across the street from the business, but
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Harry Colbert, Jr.
Protest at the 4th Precinct on November 24th
Chris Gardner: The man behind “The Pursuit of Happyness”
Chris Gardner
Last month AARP Minnesota hosted Chris Gardner, subject of the hit movie The Pursuit of Happyness for a discussion event at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights. After enduring many hardships with his young son – including homelessness – Chris created a successful career for himself. He went on to spend 30 years in the brokerage business, 25 of which running his own firm. Gardner, who was raised in poverty by a single mother in Milwaukee, recounted an early childhood moment when his mother who told him that he could be a millionaire. That discussion
became what he described as his “spiritual IQ.” A belief that in spite of his circumstances he could be anything he wanted if he worked hard enough. A diverse group of more than 100 attendees enjoyed Gardner’s 90-minute presentation that followed his life story. In addition to his “spiritual IQ,” Gardner’s life was driven by a commitment to be present in his children’s life no matter what happened. He told the audience that of all his struggles which included being a single parent, broke and homeless his biggest struggle was child care. In fact
caregiving, both for his children and later in life for his wife, was as much of the focus of his remarks as perseverance and financial management. After retiring from financial services work, Gardner now focuses on helping others achieve their full potential through his speaking engagements and media projects. He is a passionate philanthropist committed to organizations combating violence against women, homelessness, financial illiteracy and providing access to medical care and treatment.
Education
Commentary
Interview
Lifestyle
The key to leadership success: Develop your leadership mantra
Strategic power of the Black Press in 2016
From sexy to sophisticated: The evolution of Meagan Good
Relationship fundamentals 101
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Page 2 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
YOU’RE
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Insight News • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Page 3
HEALTH
Immunization and pregnancy As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your child healthy. Keeping your child healthy starts before they are born. When you’re pregnant, you take vitamins, avoid things that can harm your unborn baby, and make sure you get exercise and extra rest. Did you know that another healthy thing to do is to get vaccinated before your baby is born? Some pregnant women may be surprised that their doctor is recommending vaccination, but vaccination keeps both you and your baby healthy. Immunizations are life-
saving and protect pregnant women and their babies against dangerous diseases. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy not only protects mothers from getting some dangerous diseases, but also protects their babies before they are born and in the first months of life before they can get their own vaccines. There are two vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy: the influenza vaccine and the pertussis or whooping cough vaccine. Let’s explore what these diseases are and why vaccination during pregnancy is important.
Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory disease that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. It is not a common cold and is more dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn babies. If a pregnant woman has the flu, she can go into labor early, which is dangerous for both the mother and the baby. After a pregnant woman gets flu vaccine, she passes along protection to her baby. This protects her baby from flu during the first few months of life until the baby can get vaccinated. It is safe for a pregnant woman to
receive the flu shot at any time during her pregnancy, and it will not harm her unborn baby. The flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a lung disease that causes violent coughing attacks that lasts for weeks or months. When young babies get whooping cough they may stop breathing or cough so hard that they turn blue or vomit. The pertussis vaccine is also known as Tdap. All pregnant women should get a Tdap
during every pregnancy. It is given closer to the end of their pregnancy so they can pass protection to their babies before they are born. Getting Tdap during pregnancy protects you from getting pertussis during the time when your baby is most at risk. The pertussis vaccine also passes protection to your unborn child so they are protected during the time when they have the highest risk for serious illness or death. The Tdap vaccine is safe to get during pregnancy for both the pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
To make sure the new baby stays as healthy as possible, fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents and other close contacts should make sure they also get the flu vaccine and that they are up to date on their pertussis vaccine. If you have any questions about the vaccines you receive while you are pregnant, ask your health care provider. You can also learn more about vaccines you may need before, during or after pregnancy at http://www. cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/ pregnant.html.
World AIDS Day: Understanding HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) By Deb Balzer, Mayo Clinic News Network December 1, 2015 marks World AIDS Day, the first ever global health event. More than 36 million people worldwide are living with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the United States alone, more than 1.3 million Americans carry the virus — that’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there is no universal cure for HIV, there are better medical treatments available allowing more people to live longer and with a better quality of life. Mayo Clinic HIV specialist Stacey Rizza, M.D., says, “It is important that all adults in the United States be screened for HIV, so that those infected can be identified, linked to care and treated for HIV early in the disease. With effective HIV therapy, people can live long healthy lives and significantly decrease the chance of transmitting the virus to other people.” What is HIV? HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS. Having an HIV infection does not mean you have AIDS. Left untreated, the disease typically progresses to AIDS in about 10 years.
transmit HIV to others when your viral load is undetectable. Care and Research Along with offering patient care, Mayo Clinic physicians are active in HIV research and have ongoing
HIV clinical trials open for those interested in participating in the studies. The Mayo HIV Clinic and research laboratories will be offering patients the opportunity to enroll in HIV cure protocols within the next year.
You belong. The health plan with you in mind.
Symptoms of Acute HIV • Fever • Headache • Muscle aches and joint pain • Rash • Sore throat • Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck Treatment There are a variety of drugs that can be used in combination to control the virus. Each class of anti-HIV drugs blocks the virus in different ways. It’s best to combine at least three drugs from two classes to avoid creating strains of HIV that are immune to single drugs. HIV treatment regimens may involve taking multiple pills at specific times every day for the rest of your life. HIV treatment should reduce your viral load to the point that it’s undetectable. That doesn’t mean your HIV is gone. It just means that the test isn’t sensitive enough to detect it. You can still
At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan. You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all. Learn more at medica.com
Page 4 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
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EDUCATION The key to leadership success: Develop your leadership mantra Women Leading Change By Dr. Artika Tyner A leadership mantra serves as a declaration of your values and beliefs. My leadership mantra is encapsulated in two simple phrases: Lead Change and Make a Difference. As an educator, I share my motivation with my students and challenge them to develop their own mantra. This summer, I had the honor and privilege of serving as a guest facilitator at the World Academy for the Future of Women (“WAFW”) where I aided my students in cultivating their leadership skills. The purpose of WAFW is to promote and accelerate the advancement of women worldwide. WAFW student leaders have discovered the leader within and are making an impact in the world around them. Each member of the WAFW participates in a service learning project which focuses on addressing one of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals. For instance, one student group, Green SIAS, is working to advance environmental sustainability. While, the Big Bang group serves as a think-tank which develops practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social justice issues from eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS to improving maternal health. Each of my lectures focused on providing students with the practical tools and guidance needed to serve as global leaders
The World Academy for the Future of Women
SIAS International University graduating class
Hilary, SIAS International University student and Dr. Artika Tyner and change agents. I focused on team-building, self-reflection, social justice advocacy, and servant leadership. At the conclusion of my course module, we celebrated the accomplishments of the students in the “Completion Ceremony.”
During my remarks, I challenged each student to leverage their influence, passion, and professional training to advance leadership for social justice: “Congratulations to all of the World Academy for the Future of Women members for reaching
this great milestone! You are the leaders of today, tomorrow, and the future. Now, is the time to take your leadership to the next level by— •
Cultivating your gifts and
talents. Each of you have a unique set of strengths. You are learners, creators, innovators, social entrepreneurs, and creative problem solvers. Therefore, your daily challenge is to be a wise steward over your strengths by raising the question: “What is in your hands to make a difference in the world?” Pause a moment. Take inventory of your strengths and then challenge yourself to unleash the transformative power within your hands. You have what it takes to leave the world a better place than how you found it. Why? Because you are a team of global leaders, one body with many members. Together, you are making a difference in the lives of many. • Becoming a servant leader. The servant leader is one who seeks to serve first and this passion for service motivates one to lead. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. characterized the essence of leadership as the drum major instinct by measuring greatness by one’s commitment to serve. He stated: “by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” There are many opportunities around you to serve whether it be reading to a child or working to end the spread of HIV/ AIDS. History has shown us that young people have been at the forefront of leading social change. Young leaders like yourself have worked to make the world a better place by using their problem solving skills. Remember, we see a problem and we create a solution. I wish you continued success on your leadership journey!” How you lead matters. Leadership is deeply rooted in your values, ethics and beliefs. What is your leadership mantra?
AchieveMpls ranked #5 out of top 50 national education foundations AchieveMpls, the strategic nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools, has been ranked No. 5 in a new survey of the country’s Top 50 K-12 education foundations. “Stepping Up: The Nation’s Top K-12 Education Foundations
2015,” compiled by the national management and strategy firm Dewey & Associates, surveyed education foundations in the top 200 largest school districts in the nation (by student population), as well as other top-performing foundations in smaller school
districts. “This year’s competition was fierce,” said Dewey Caruthers, author of the report. “Education foundations are innovating and enhancing public education. More people should know what their local education foundation
is doing to dramatically improve the student learning experience.” The study evaluated education foundations across the country on eight performance categories, including resources to enhance public education, longterm financial sustainability,
resources invested in programs and human capital (volunteers). “We’re thrilled to receive this unexpected recognition,” said Pam Costain, AchieveMpls president and CEO. “And we’re honored to be included in this list of outstanding national
organizations that are working so hard to strengthen public education and ensure success for each and every student.” “Stepping Up” is said to be the only annual survey and ranking of its kind.
See Saint Paul Campaign announces grant to help provide eye care for thousands of St. Paul students See St. Paul, a fundraising campaign to provide eye screening and follow-up care to 14,000 Saint Paul public school students each year, announced a $250,000 matching grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation. That means that for every
dollar raised towards the $600,000 goal, the foundation will match $1. With funds already raised, See Saint Paul needs to raise an additional $188,000 to reach its goal. Students at St. Paul Public Schools in kindergarten, first,
third, fifth and sixth grades go through initial eye screening under the direction of staff from the Early Youth Eyecare Community Initiative (EYE), a program of Phillips Eye Institute, part of Allina Health. If they or other students across
the city need additional care or glasses, that service will be provided, regardless of ability to pay, by Phillips Eye Institute and its Kirby Puckett Eye Mobile. See Saint Paul is a 10-year program that started last school year in Saint Paul. A similar successful effort is underway in Minneapolis Public Schools, also supported by an Otto Bremer Foundation grant. “We’re very pleased to support the See Saint Paul initiative and its goal of providing eye screening to St. Paul public school students,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee of the Otto Bremer Foundation. “We are providing this matching grant to leverage what we know to be the extraordinary generosity of the
people of St. Paul when it comes to their kids.” “Students who have trouble seeing well often struggle in school and you notice it all the time at the elementary school level,” said Kirk Morris, principal of Benjamin May Elementary, where the announcement was made. “The See Saint Paul campaign and the EYE program are doing a great job addressing that problem. The project helps students and families overcome barriers like lack of transportation and insurance that stand in the way of good eye care. Students who can see well are much more effective learners.” Experts note that most early childhood learning takes place through the ability to see
well. But one in five Saint Paul students are referred for further testing. Studies show that vision is the top health disparity contributing to gaps in academic achievement. Educators and medical professionals say that regular screening, along with follow-up exams and correction, are essential for young students to be successful. A child with uncorrected vision problems is at a distinct disadvantage in reading, writing, playing games at home and participating in sports and other childhood activities. Based in St. Paul, the Otto Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic and social participation in and for the betterment of their communities.
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Communications firm partners with Howard University WASHINGTON, D. C. - Trice Edney Communications, LLC and Trice Edney News Wire, founded five years ago by award winning veteran journalist Hazel Trice Edney, has opened a satellite office in the Howard University School of Communications. The new office is located in the CERRC (Communications Entrepreneurship Research and Resource Center), Room 108, 525 Bryant Street NW. The CERRC program serves as an entrepreneurial training center and incubator for students and emerging business owners. “With Black media of all genres making pivotal business decisions, I am incredibility grateful to Dean Gracie Lawson-Borders for this opportunity to not only house this firm at the ‘Mecca’, but also to continue enhancing the CERRC program by fortifying the growth of student entrepreneurs and journalists right here on site,” said Trice Edney. “It is an honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly.” With the slogan, “Provocative, Empowering, Unapologetically Black,” the subscriber-based Trice Edney News Wire is currently the only Black-owned news wire fully credentialed by the U. S. House and Senate Periodicals Press Gallery. In addition to the news wire, Trice Edney
Broadway From 1 several blocks of West Broadway for the first time in decades. Now, following a $250,000 award by ArtPlace America to the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC), the district is set to see additional
Howard School of Communications Dean Gracie Lawson Borders cuts the ribbon for the CERRC Center office suite where the new Trice Edney office is located. Looking on are: Assistant Dean Robin Thornhill; Cynthia Washington, president, Washington Concepts; Associate Dean Wilhelmina Wright-Harp and Hazel Trice Edney, president/CEO, Trice Edney communications, LLC and editor-in-chief of the Trice Edney News Wire Communications also owns the National News Releases e-blast service and BlackPressAds, an advertising placement service. Since the company’s launch at the National Press Club Nov. 19, 2010, it has served thousands of clients and subscribers. A staple Trice Edney event is the Stateswomen for Justice
Luncheon, held annually in March as a free celebration of Women’s History Month and the anniversary of the Black Press. For the past three years, Hazel Trice Edney has served as the CERRC Center’s entrepreneur in residence for curriculum. Edney also teaches the entrepreneurship course in
the School of Communications. Following CERRC’s annual entrepreneurship Boot Camp Nov. 20, the CERRC Center also held a grand reopening as it moved its new office suite into the School of Communications from a remote campus location. Dean Gracie LawsonBorders, said the
partnership with Trice Edney Communications and News Wire is a “win-win” relationship. “Our partnership with a growing, Black-owned and woman-owned firm not only establishes an on-site role model for our students, but Hazel’s teaching skills in the entrepreneurship class and
improvements to the pedestrian realm. The WBC, which manages the WBID and other community development programs, recently released a Request for Proposals(RFP) for local artists and design teams to create as many as 100 custom bike racks, benches, sidewalk planters, informational kiosks and trash and recycling receptacles. These new amenities are intended to
make the pedestrian experience more comfortable, safe and inviting; creating a visually branded West Broadway that speaks to the cultures of existing residents and businesses; and to support patronage of local businesses. Guided by the newly formed West Broadway Placemaking Advisory Committee, which is composed of local artists,
residents, business owners, and nonprofit representatives, the WBC is reaching out to North Minneapolis creative makers with the aim of encouraging and supporting applicants at different levels of experience. WBC Staff will be a resource throughout the process and provide technical assistance to help artists make contacts with potential collaborators,
consider scale and scopes of their projects, and overcome any barriers to submitting quality proposals. The WBC, located at 1011 W Broadway Ave #202 in Minneapolis, hosted a workshop last Monday, Dec. 2 responding to this RFP. A second workshop will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 6:30-8pm. All are welcome. In addition to the infrastructure
in journalism have been an outstanding service to the School of Communications,” she said. A recent American Express study on the “State of Womenowned Businesses” reports a 322 percent growth in businesses owned by Black women since 1997. But, at 49 percent of Black business owners, that number still lags slightly behind Black men. Assistant Dean Robin. E. Thornhill, also the director of the CERRC Center, said, “Since 2009, the CERRC program has assisted students with realizing their dreams of business ownership. For the past six semesters, Hazel Trice Edney has served excellently as our entrepreneur in residence for the CERRC curriculum. Therefore, we are excited to now build and enhance the program with the onsite presence of a satellite office of Trice Edney Communications. Hazel’s business-building acumen, coupled with her passion for teaching our students and facilitation of guest lecturers have attracted national business experts to our classroom and resulted in many winning business plans.” For more information and office hours, please call 202291-9310 or email Hazel@ TriceEdneyWire.com.
proposed in this first RFP, the WBC plans to release Requests for Qualifications(RFQ) for a public plaza demonstration project, artistic improvements to the Interstate 94 overpass and artist programming to enliven the district May-December of 2016. Pease visit westbroadway. org/artplace/rfp for more details.
Page 6 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY Strategic power of the Black Press in 2016 Black Press of America By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO, NNPA For over 45 million African Americans there are multiple priorities that need to be addressed in order to ensure that the socioeconomic and political interests of our families and communities are accurately articulated and fulfilled. We live in a multimedia world. Too often, however, we are left with divergent, and sometimes inaccurate, information from so-called “mainstream” media sources when it comes to receiving the true facts about the issues and challenges that impact our overall quality of life. During the last 188 years, it has been and continues to be the Black-owned press that has been the reliable and trusted vehicle for the transmission of news in a manner that not only represents the truth, but also shares the unique matrix of
perspectives and vantage points about our continuous struggle for freedom, justice, equality and empowerment. I believe the Black press is needed today more than ever before. Since the first publication of Freedom’s Journal in March 1827 in New York City by Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm, Black-owned newspapers and media companies have been on the frontline of being the unrestrained trusted voice of Black America. Both Cornish and Russwurm were abolitionist publishers who knew the power of printing the truth to challenge and abolish slavery. Publishers Cornish and Russwurm were very clear in the first edition of Freedom’s Journal. They stated, “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us, too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations…We deem it expedient to establish a paper, and bring into operation all the means with which out benevolent creator has endowed us, for the moral, religious, civil and literary improvement of our race.” As we approach 2016, the admonition of the publishers of Freedom’s Journal still rings true today. We must plead our
The Black Press has the proven track record of helping nationally and regionally to get out the vote.
own cause for equal justice. We must plead our own cause for economic empowerment. We must plead our own cause for cultural solidarity and spiritual unity. And we must plead our own cause in the upcoming national political elections. Strategically, the Black Press in America is once again at an important pivotal position. We should not permit our communities to be unaware of all that is at stake in the 2016 elections. There are still millions of unregistered eligible voters in the African American community. The Black Press
has the proven track record of helping nationally and regionally to get out the vote. While many of the Democratic and Republican candidates who are running to be the next President of the United States know the importance of the African American vote in 2016, there has yet to be any serious national effort by the various political campaigns to put as a priority the mobilization of millions of African American voters through the Black Press. The effective power of Blackowned newspapers and their digital properties should not be
underestimated. The ultimate responsibility to improve the quality of life in our communities is in our own hands, but we also should reassert our interests, values and priorities as part of the national and international debates about the present and the future. In my opinion there is too much cynicism and negative focus only on the deficits and injustices that are pervasive in our communities. There should be more balance to include more about the assets and triumphs of African Americans even in the face of racial inequity and injustice. This is where the Black Press comes in forcefully and strategically. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is the national trade association for the Black Press and the NNPA is the custodian for insuring the effective legacy of Blackowned newspapers and media companies. In 2016, the Black vote nor the Black Press can be taken for granted. African Americans spend in excess of $1.2 trillion primarily as consumers in the U.S. economy. Most of the major Fortune 500 companies enjoy a significant profit margin from
African American consumer spending. But power is just not in spending money. Real economic power is measured in real estate holdings, investments, and the ownership of businesses and institutions that serve the interests of one’s community. Every African American family should have an annual subscription to a Black-owned newspaper. In fact, if you are contemplating a gift for someone during this year’s Kwanzaa celebrations, you should give a Black-owned newspaper subscription as a meaningful and useful gift. The Black Press of America not only has a definite future, it has a powerful strategic place in the world as long as millions of African Americans continue to push forward for equality and empowerment. 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
What does terrorism look like? Opinion
By Julianne Malveaux
I am among the tens of millions who had to be peeled away from their television set on Friday, November 13 and in the days after ISIS terrorists randomly massacred at least 130 people and wounded hundreds more in Paris. Then, there was the nearly 30 people executed at a hotel in Bamako, Mali. And there were the several threats against New York
City, and the presidential and police responses to those threats. This terrorism has caused fear and insecurity in France, Belgium and the United States. Terrorism is defined as the use of criminal acts to inspire human fear. ISIS engages in their criminal acts to create a sense of instability in parts of the Western world. Days after the massacre, those
who planned and participated in the carnage were found, and some were killed (or blew themselves us). Catching these few terrorists will not stop. Some political pundits that appeared on news programs urged the United States and others to consider the “root causes” of ISIS, while others think that actions in the West are to blame (consider
the Charlie Hebdo attack and those who blamed a magazine cover for the assassination of journalists). I’m not sure that this is the most appropriate or compassionate response so quickly after the terrorist attacks. Still, these are questions that must eventually be answered. What should our response be? Is this war? Are we prepared to endure
another Vietnam, committing U.S. lives to a ground war that is perhaps unwinnable? We can expect more security and scrutiny, and appropriately so. It is also unfortunately likely, however, that some of the scrutiny will have an element of profiling (especially racial profiling)
MALVEAUX TURN TO 9
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Insight News • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Page 7
From sexy to sophisticated: The evolution of Meagan Good
Meagan Good
By Zon D’Amour Special to the NNPA News Wire from the Los Angeles Sentinel Meagan Good is a fighter. No, not the type that’s pulling weaves and throwing drinks on reality TV, she’s been fighting for her career. It’s far from easy to transition from being a child star to a wellrespected actress, and equally as hard to make a shift from a sex symbol to a leading lady. While many young women are trying to set thirst traps on the ‘gram, Meagan has naturally mastered the art of seduction. Ask any guy before social media and they’ll tell you that she was their “Woman Crush Everyday.” Meagan may exude sex, but don’t forget, she’s also a Christian and married to a preacher. Ironically, she connected with her husband, DeVon Franklin, on set of “Jumping The Broom” – a film in which he produced as a former executive at Sony Pictures. In her two decades of acting, the 34-year-old has played in many supporting ensemble roles including Linda Jackson in “Anchorman 2,” Mya in “Think Like A Man” and “Think Like A Man Too” and Kali in “Californication.” It’s now time for her to play the lead. Good is now back at the forefront of a series in the TV adaptation of “Minority Report” on FOX. On the show she plays Lara Vega, a badass futuristic cop looking to solve murder mysteries even before they take place. It’s safe to say that Meagan is now within an elite group of actresses on network TV including Kerry Washington (“Scandal”), Nicole Beharie (“Sleepy Hallow”), Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary Jane”), Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) and Tracee Ellis Ross (“black-ish”) who are at the helm of their own series. Meagan’s presence was felt at this years Emmy’s when Viola Davis shouted her out while winning the award for Best Lead Actress In A Drama. For aspiring actresses looking at Meagan’s career for inspiration, note that she has and continues to choose her acting roles by faith. While it may be tempting to take any and every role that comes across her path, Meagan shares that she’s passed on various opportunities that weren’t in line with what she’s prayed for. This discernment has also helped her to cut off toxic relationships. She speaks with the L.A. Sentinel about her growth as a woman and as an actress. She also gives insight on what she and her sister are doing to make a lasting impact on students who want to pursue careers in the arts. LAS: You and your sister, La’Miya, founded “For The Greater Good” a foundation which has developed an arts education curriculum for the Compton Unified School Districts. How do you relate to the kids and what made you and your sister want to go above and beyond a traditional mentorship program? MG: You can definitely make a difference sharing your story through speaking engagements, but you don’t really get to follow up and be a consistent part of their lives. My sister and I developed a curriculum to figure out how we could impact this generation in a consistent way. Growing up in the school systems, you’re made to think something is wrong with you because your brain is creative. As a kid, I wasn’t super book smart but I had a lot of wisdom. Our curriculum is geared towards the kids that learn creatively. They need to have history, math,
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science, but it’s infused with art and music. It definitely helps keep these students out of trouble and it includes mentorship at the same time. We wanted to do something that had a lasting affect. We want to expand the reach of the program because this generation has a lot of negative influences. [Young ladies especially] are being encouraged to sleep around, do drugs and compromise their integrity. The images that are out there of what you need to do to get guy’s attention and what you need to do to be valuable are going to lead them in a direction that’s destructive, so we want to do what we can to give students another option. LAS: In a previous interview you said, “I think most of the damage that happens, especially as adults, comes from relationships that we should’ve never had or been in.” Earlier in your career, how did you discern who wanted to be your friend or in a relationship with you for the wrong reasons? MG: Pray about every relationship that you allow into your life and you’ll receive discernment. The truth is if what we want to do and what we’re supposed to do are conflicting, that feeling is what causes confusion. But there’s no confusion when you know deep down inside what’s the right thing to do, it’s just usually not what you want to do. I went through that a lot in my twenties. There were so many friendships that I wanted so badly. I loved these people so much but the things they would do to me, to other people or to themselves, I would make excuses for. I’m really good at assessing why people do what they do but what I’ve learned later in life is regardless of the ‘why’ they’re still doing those things. You have to believe and release someone when they show you who they are. It doesn’t mean you can’t love them. Doesn’t
mean you can’t be there for them, but sometimes it has to be from a distance to protect your own spirit. You can’t trust everyone with your heart. Look at people’s actions and really pray about it and that’s how you’ll be able to discern their intentions. When you feel confused just know it’s not what you want to do or it’s probably not what you’re supposed to do. LAS: Congrats on your starring role in “Minority Report.” With the challenges women of color face with getting leading roles in Hollywood, what validation did you feel when Viola Davis mentioned your name in her Emmy speech? MG: I cried. It meant so much to me to be acknowledged by someone like Viola who I have so much respect for. We all face challenges in this business especially as black women. It’s been a really long crawl for me to transition from being a child actress to an adult actress; in addition to being in that sex kitten role in my early 20s and fighting to be taken more seriously. It’s been a really long journey and to hear her say my name really blessed me. To listen to her journey and to know what she’s gone through to be acknowledged for the great actress that she is…it’s all of our struggles to get out of the box that people always try to put us in. It’s an incredible time for women and minorities in TV and film. There’s been a massive shift that we’ve all been patiently waiting for. I’m a big believer in not complaining about the things that are wrong. Instead I place my energy into being on the front line of change, having a positive attitude and fighting to see things shift. To be in Hollywood right now and have these opportunities as the shift is coming is incredible. LAS: I loved your NBC show “Deception.” I was so sad that it only got one season but it seemed to have been pitted against “Scandal.” Now we have so many more options of women of color on TV. You mentioned in
another interview that you turned down another action role prior to landing “Minority Report.” How have you learned to wait for the right role instead of jumping at every opportunity? MG: I pray and read my Bible every single day. I stay close to God because He’s what matters the most; everything else is secondary. My career can never give me what God can give me. When “Deception” initially came to me, I was afraid to do TV because it’s a huge time commitment and you’ll potentially be playing the same character for several years. And for at least six months of the year you’re away from your family in a different state or even a different country. I had all of these stipulations about what the situation had to be in order for me to do television. When the opportunity for me to star in “Deception” presented itself, it was everything I said it had to be, so I knew it was God. When it ended, I was very thankful because it created so many other opportunities for me in the process. “Deception” opened the door for “Minority Report” as well as my role in “Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues.” God wanted me to have those different roles to be able to build a platform where I could be more affective as a Christian. “Deception” allowed people to see me in a really different light. At the time, I had just gotten married and the time away from my family allowed a lot of time to grow personally and professionally. So I wasn’t disappointed when the show got canceled because I knew God had something else lined up. Similarly with “Minority Report,” I asked God for certain things within the role and it was everything I said it needed to be. It’s a testament to not settling. I would rather not work than to do something that I’m not passionate about. I’m so excited about “Minority Report.” This show is definitely the hardest I’ve ever worked, but it’s been an incredible experience. I trust God so much that even if my decisions don’t make sense to other people, I know that God knows what He’s doing. LAS: For fans of the film Minority Report that may be skeptical about the premise being able to withstand a series, what do you want them to know about the television show? I think the show can standalone because it has procedural elements. Every week, we’re seeing a murder and we have to figure out where it’s happening, who’s doing it and how can we try and stop it and it doesn’t mean that we succeed every week; that suspense will help to sustain the show. Also, these characters are really well written. They each have really rich back-stories that you’ll come to know throughout the season. Each episode will answer: where did they come from? What
have they been through? How they’ve gotten to this point and how they’re all connected and where are they going? I think the audience will really fall in love
with the characters and they’ll care about what’s happening to them and be invested in all aspects of the show.
Page 8 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
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LIFESTYLE
Relationship fundamentals 101 Man Talk
By Timothy Houston As the year end approaches, people will be evaluating their relationships to make the necessary adjustments for the upcoming New Year. Successful
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relationships are built beyond the human eye. Below the surface of every relationship, key components must exist. These 4 mainstays serve as the necessary support for all the other framework needed for success. These mainstays are honesty, trust, intimacy, and communication. First, all successful relationships need honesty at its core. Honesty is the desire and ability to tell the truth without any intentions to deceive. This does not mean that a person has to tell everything that they know. Telling everything is a sign of immaturity. Mature adults only tell those things, good or bad, that are for the growth and development of the relationship. Honesty requires discretion. In all cases, words that come out of a person’s mouth must be the truth. The desire to be honest must run deep into the core of all those involved. Without honesty at its core, the relationship will become unstable and eventually it will fall. Secondly, all successful relationship must have trust. Like
Honesty, trust, intimacy, and meaningful communication are the fundamental components of a successful relationship.
honesty, trust is fundamental in nature. If honesty is what we say, then trust is what we do. The actions that a person takes will work for or against trust. This is a hard pill for some to swallow. No one should ever be encouraged to trust a person that is not trustworthy, and the one that has broken the trust has to be the one that takes the responsibility for rebuilding it. The way a person rebuilds trust is by doing what they say. Your actions must
line up with your words. We all have in us the ability to be trustworthy, but we have to value the relationship enough to allow it to come forth. Thirdly, all successful relationships must have intimacy. It is the quality time two people spend together. This is one of the most important of all the fundamentals. Intimacy goes beyond the physical act of sex and includes hand holding, hugging, cuddling, and all other
non-sexual touches. These types of interactions prevent any person in the relationship from feeling like an object and more like a respected member. Touch is the most powerful of all the senses. The human body has over thirty thousand touch sensors located from the head to toe. These sensors are connected to nerves that are sensitive to even the slightest touch. Understanding the right use of intimate touches is vital and fundamental to relationship development. Finally, the fourth and final fundamental of a successful relationship is meaningful communication. This is more than just talking to each other. Meaningful communication involves sharing dreams, goals and ambitions, hopes and aspirations, success, failures, and likes and dislikes. Meaningful communication can be oral or written, but it cannot be measured in the volume of words or by the length of the conversation. When meaningful communications exist, then the ability to resolve complex issues exist as well. When you talk about the issue,
agree to keep communicating until you come up with a solution that you both can agree on. Meaningful communication exists when the words, thoughts, and ideas of both parties are respectfully received. Like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are the fundamental components of math, honesty, trust, intimacy, and meaningful communication are the fundamental components of a successful relationship. Without a thorough understanding of these, you will not be able to support the needed complexity that is sure to follow. As you review your relationship for the upcoming year, go back to the basic and build the type of relationship success that will stand the test of time. Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. To get copies of his books, for questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
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
Harry Colbert, Jr.
Protests From 1
police almost immediately confiscated the footage. Gov. Mark Dayton has seen the footage, but said it was
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
inconclusive. Police maintain the release of the footage would somehow compromise the investigation, which has now been turned over to the U.S. Justice Department. “It was time,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges of ending the occupation. “It is time to pivot and time to work together to achieve one Minneapolis.” The mayor’s remarks came during a Thursday Morning duel press conference with the mayor and Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau. Hodges also thanked protesters for their peaceful disbursement during the raid. “We knew this day was coming since we knew they (protesters) would not leave on their own,” said Harteau. “We will continue and support the protester’s First Amendment rights, but we will also enforce
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the ordinances of the city of Minneapolis.” The 18-day occupation gained national attention with the heads NAACP and other civil rights and political organizations joining in with the protesters. The protest took an ominous turn when on Nov. 24 five protesters were shot by presumed white supremacists. Four men have been charged in connection with the shooting – one, the trigger man, charged with second-degree assault and the three remaining charged with
second-degree riot. The fact the alleged shooter, 23-yearold Allen Scarsella, was not charged with attempted murder had angered many. Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis NAACP and one of the leading forces behind the occupation called the 18-day around-theclock protest a success, and in a message on her Facebook page thanked the group’s many supporters. “My soul is at rest,” wrote Levy-Pounds.
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Insight News • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Page 9
COMMUNITY Car review: 2016 Toyota Tundra 4X4 By Frank S. Washington DETROIT – The most difficult segment of the American car market for an outsider to crack is the light duty truck segment. That has much to do with the Toyota Tundra’s failure to dominate this segment as it has just about every segment that it has entered, despite having a more than capable entry. The Tundra 4X4 was big and brawny. It had the three bar grille, singular headlights and high shouldered front fenders that is the Tundra look. We had the double cab edition. There was room enough for three adults in the second row, or a three person work crew which is what trucks are all about. The Tundra was powered by a flex-fuel 5.7-liter V8 that made 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six speed automatic transmission, the power train moved the truck with relatively quiet assertiveness. As with all light duty pickups, the Tundra’s fuel efficiency was underwhelming. It got 13 mpg in the city, 17 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg combined. That might be why it had the largest fuel tank in its class – 38 gallons. But where the truck was inefficient it made up for it in work capability. The Tundra could tow 10,500 lbs. It had a
6.5 ft. double walled bed with rail caps and four adjustable tie down cleats. Our Tundra was equipped with a tow package. That meant it had integrated engine and transmission oil coolers and a heavy duty battery and alternator. What’s more, Toyota said the 7- and 4-pin towing hitch connector was about the hitch to help avoid damage during high departure angle driving. The package also provided a tow/haul shift mode for the
transmission that adjusted throttle sensitivity and transmission shift control, favoring and holding lower gears when accelerating or decelerating to help enhance control and safety. The Tundra’s had what Toyota called a TripleTech frame. “Triple” referred to the wide, full-boxed rails for the front portion, a reinforced C-channel under the cab and an open C-channel beneath the bed for strength, ride quality and durability.
The double A-arm front suspension used coil-over spring shock units, and a frontmounted steering rack enhanced steering feel and response, while decreasing the overall turning diameter. In the rear suspension, staggered shocks mounted outboard of the springs helped improve dampening efficiency. Spring rates were tuned to provide a flat vehicle stance when fully loaded. There was also sway control that included an integrated brake controller and a status
screen on the multi-information display screen. Of course, all that information was provided by Toyota since we didn’t have anything to tow and nothing of real weight to tote. The Tundra rode quiet and it was manageable. The front seats seemed a little hard at first but a day or two into the test drive and they weren’t noticed at all. The gear selector being in the center console took some getting used to since major competitors have it on column. Still, it gave the Tundra
a sophisticated interior. The console had several cup-holders, a storage area in front of the gear selector and a compartment that also served as an armrest. And it was not so big as to overpower the driver. The power rear glass was a nice touch and the rear backup camera along with the parking aid took a lot of anxiety out of backing the Tundra up. It was also equipped with blind side alert but it definitely needed a lane change signal. The heated seat controller had three setting and you worked your way up the intensity ladder rather than the other round with most heated seats. . What’s more, if you turned the truck off with heated seats on, the seats were still on upon restart. That’s significant in most cases when turn on, heated seats are on the maximum setting and have to be turned down. Turn the vehicle off and the heated seats shut off. Anyway, the Tundra had Toyota’s Entune app suite package. Of course there was a navigation system, Bluetooth and voice controls. Power windows, power seats and leather trim created a quiet and spacious interior. The 2016 Toyota Tundra was a capable truck that was nicely appointed. As tested, it had a sticker of $43,825. Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.
MAD DADS activist honored at True Minnesota Housing Partnership Federal Family Values banquet in Chicago
Rev. VJ Smith, president of MAD DADS
Malveaux From 6 involved, since many (perhaps most) of the ISIS terrorists are young, male, and Muslim But despite Donald Trump’s jingoistic insanity, do we want to stop everyone who “looks” like a Muslim. What does a Muslim look like? What does a terrorist look like? Just a few days before the Paris massacre, the news was dominated by Black student protests around country, at the University of Missouri at Columbia, and at Ithaca College, Yale University, Smith College, Claremont McKenna College and the University of Kansas. Many of these protests were in solidarity with the Mizzou students and in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. There is no comparison between what happened in Paris and what has happened on many campuses, it occurs to me that the “n—“ word bandied about is an act of
Chicago – He’s rebuilding Minneapolis one family at a time. V.J. Smith is respected in Minneapolis as the national president of MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction, and Defending Against Drugs and Social-disorder). He founded the local chapter of the organization in Minneapolis and has managed it since 1998. Smith was honored in Chicago on Dec. 5, where he was among a group of public servants and public-minded clergy receiving awards at the 20th Annual True Family Values Ministry Awards Banquet. “One of the things I believe in is empowering families,” said Smith. “If we empower families we reduce crime, reduce gun violence,
drug use and abuse. When we empower the family, we increase the development of our children.” Smith, who is an ordained minister at the Shiloh Temple International Ministries in Minneapolis, currently is focusing his energies on grief and trauma training for the victims of homicide and violence. “In the midst of the protests going on in Minneapolis right now, we are working to do a healing session for the community members,” said Smith. Other awardees included Marine Corps veteran and former Chicago alderman, James Balcer, who served in the Chicago City Council and Office of Veterans Affairs for more than 17 years,
Bishop Godfrey Stubbs, founder of End-Time Ministries, International in Madison, Wisc., Miss Illinois Latina, Priscilla Perez, 24, Father Lawrence Ventline, a Detroit advocate for interfaith community engagement and founder of Catholic Care of the Soul and Companions Counseling and Takashi Takenaka, owner of six seafood businesses and community advocate in Columbus, Ohio. For 20 years, the True Family Values Ministry of Chicago has sponsored an awards banquet to honor individuals and families for their exemplary service to the betterment of society as a testament to the ideal of living for the sake of others.
terror that is designed to make African American students feel insecure and unsafe. This is why the students who ask for “safe space” should be encouraged, not ridiculed. Strewing cotton balls on the lawn in front of the black culture center on Mizzou Campus is an act of terror, designed to exploit feelings of insecurity. It is neither a trivial act, nor a prank, but an act of hate. It is especially hateful when the perpetrators are fairly certain that they will not be caught and that there are few consequences for their actions. In the domestic context, anonymous terrorism is especially unsettling because one rarely understands exactly who the terrorists are. Anonymous terrorism reminds me of the KKK, the criminals who only felt safe when they hid behind hoods and sheets. Campus racism has longterm consequences for young African Americans. Some will learn how to protest and carry the spirit of protest with them for the rest of their lives. Others, unfortunately, will learn
to “go along to get along”, internalizing the lessons of intimidation. They are the young people who dismiss racism as “no big thing”. But it was a big thing when White Tulsans burned down Black Wall Street, and no one stood in solidarity. Lynching was a terrorist act, but Congress would not pass anti-lynching legislation. Those terrorist actions took place in the early 20th century, but later, Bull Connor was a terrorist. George Wallace was a terrorist. Comb our history and you’ll find any number of terrorists who perpetrated criminal acts against African Americans. Those who ignored those criminal acts create a climate where racial terrorism can occur. The White thug who massacred nine people at Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina committed a heinous act of terrorism. The people of Emanuel fought back with a loving defiance. They wouldn’t stop going to church, they wouldn’t stoop to hate. Still, the slaughter of nine people had a national impact.
The people of the United States mourn with our brothers and sisters in Paris as they sort through the aftermath of death, wounding, and destruction. We stand in solidarity with them against the evil that ISIS represents. And we stand in solidarity with the domestic terrorism that pollutes the atmosphere at some of our nation’s college campuses, and in other public spaces. The University of Missouri President Timothy Wolfe who refused to address campus racism was sanctioning terrorism. I shudder about what happened in Paris, and I also shudder at those who find domestic racial terrorism acceptable. If carnage in France provokes war, what should racial terrorism in the United States provoke? Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, DC. Her latest book “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” will be released in 2015 and is available for preorder at www. juliannemalveaux.com.
Classifieds Support Specialist U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, District of MN, is accepting applications for a full-time Support Specialist for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Salary range is $37,143 - $60,368. For a complete job description visit our website, http://www.mnp. uscourts.gov , Career Opportunities. An Equal Opportunity Employer
U.S. Probation Officer U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, District of MN, is accepting applications for a full-time U.S. Probation Officer for Minneapolis, St. Paul or Duluth, Minnesota. Salary range is $42,718 – $96,712. For a complete job description visit our website, http://www.mnp.uscourts.gov , Career Opportunities. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Housing Policy Forum The Minnesota Housing Partnership in collaboration with other housing advocacy organizations is hosting a federal housing policy discussion on Friday, December 11 10:00am at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave South in Minneapolis. The panelists are: US Representative Keith Ellison; Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal;
National Low Income Housing Coalition President Sheila Crowley and CommonBond CEO Deidre Schmidt will moderate. The discussion, which will focus on a number of relevant federal policy issues and will include questions from audience members. Please register online at: http://mhponline.org/about/ events/641-federal-forum-2015
DUBS CORRECTION In the November 30th article “100 men spend mornings with FAIR School students – DUBS: Dads, Uncles, Brothers who Serve,” DUB Reggie Turner is pictured with his son Josiah Turner. His son was incorrectly identified as Maqil Sutton. Insight News apologize for the misprint.
Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com
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.
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.
Page 10 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
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Andrea Canter
John Penny
John Penny’s Jazz Vault opened for sharing Jazz guitarist John Penny is releasing “Urban Tumble,” the first CD in a four-part series that makes public some unreleased material from the composer’s history. The tracks on “Urban Tumble” derive from studio sessions between 1991 and 1999, with one from 1981.
During the 1990s, while he was scoring music for films or working in information technology, Penny recorded a vast array of music, sometimes as demos, sometimes as fully finished recordings. From these recordings came “Urban Tumble” and the collections to follow — musical diaries that
Sounds of Blackness “The Night Before Christmas” returns One of the most anticipated holiday events, Sounds of Blackness’ “The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy,” is headed to St. Paul. The annual event, produced by the three-time Grammy Award winning ensemble, had been housed in Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater, but this year’s holiday tradition moves to the famous Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. The Fitzgerald is best known as the home of the long running radio play, “A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.” The Fitzgerald Theater is located at 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul. “The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy” is a contemporary adaptation of the iconic poem, “A Visit
From St Nicholas.” The familyfriendly musical production brings Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Rappin’ Reindeer to life in comedic song and dance, as they come together to teach and learn the true meaning of Christmas. The music ranges from R&B to hiphop to jazz, blues and gospel and features the Sounds of Blackness singers and band. The one day only performance takes place, Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Adult admission is $35 - $40 with children 10 years of age and younger admitted for $20. Reserved tickets are available at the Fitzgerald Theater Box Office, or by phone at (800) 514-3849 and online at www.etix.com.
record the evolution of Penny’s musical journey to today. The CD release party for “Urban Tumble” is set for Sunday, Jan. 17, 5 p.m. at Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis. Admission is $7. Penny initially sketched most of the songs using electronically synthesized
instruments in the 1990s, which he soon augmented with live musicians. He insists the best practice in jazz is finding the right collaborators, then allowing them the freedom to use their instincts. “With spontaneity and grace, they (musicians) painted musical images that
amazed me as they danced across my musical canvases,” said Penny. Penny said the result is a group of musical journeys that are as grooving as they are romantic. “Béla,” the track originally from 1981, begins with a short Spanish guitar duet but soon transforms
into an improvised classical guitar duet recorded in 2015 and later merges with a string and woodwind ensemble. The CD’s title track was originally a small ensemble piece without guitar; the 2015 incarnation opens with
VAULT TURN TO 11
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Insight News • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Page 11
Opening this week and Dan Brennan.
By Kam Williams
Dixieland (Unrated) Recidivism drama revolving around a recently-paroled excon (Chris Zylka) who falls in love and embarks on a crime spree with his troubled nextdoor neighbor (Riley Keough). Co-starring country singers Faith Hill and Steve Earle, and professional wrestler Mick “Mankind” Foley.
BIG BUDGET FILMS The Big Short (R for nudity, sexuality and pervasive profanity) Adaptation of the Michael Lewis best seller of the same name about a quartet of stock market contrarians (Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Brad Pitt) who accurately predicted the global financial collapse of 2008. With Marisa Tomei, Melissa Leo and Finn Wittrock. In the Heart of the Sea (PG13 for action, peril, mature themes and brief violence) Seafaring adventure, set in 1820, recounting the ramming and sinking of The Essex by a sperm whale, the tragedy which inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick. Ensemble cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brendan Gleeson, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland and Ben Whishaw. Legend (R for sexuality, drug use, graphic violence and
Paramount Pictures
Brad Pitt in The Big Short pervasive profanity) Mob saga revisiting the exploits of Reggie and Ronnie Kray (both played by Tom Hardy), infamous identical twins who ran a powerful crime syndicate in London in the Sixties. Supporting cast includes Emily Browning, Paul Bettany and Chazz Palminteri.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS American Hero (Unrated) Sci-fi comedy about a substanceabusing, womanizing underachiever (Stephen Dorff ) who reluctantly turns a new leaf when he puts his telekinetic powers to good use as a crime-
fighting superhero. Co-starring Eddie Griffin, Bill Billions and Andrea Cohen. Bleeding Heart (Unrated) Revenge drama about a yoga instructor (Jessica Biel) who goes vigilante to defend her sister (Zosia Mamet) from an abusive boyfriend (Joe Anderson). Cast includes Edi Gathegi, Kate Burton and Sam Ly, with a cameo by Harry
Hamlin. Body (Unrated) Trespass thriller revolving around three BFFs (Helen Rogers, Alexandra Turshen and Lauren Molina) who come to regret breaking into a presumably-empty mansion to party over the holidays. Featuring Adam Cornelius, Larry Fessenden
Don Verdean (PG-13 profanity, coarse language, suggestive content and brief violence) Sam Rockwell plays the title character in this irreverent Christian comedy revolving around a cash-strapped cleric who hopes to inspire his congregation by finding sacred relics in the Holy Land. With Amy Ryan, Will Forte, Jemaine Clement, Danny McBride and Leslie Bibb. The Lady in the Van (PG-13 for a disturbing image) Factbased docudrama recounting the unlikely friendship forged between a celebrated playwright (Alex Jennings) and a homeless woman (Maggie Smith) living in a car parked in his driveway. With Dominic Cooper, Jim Broadbent and James Corden.
Jamison Ross New School Jazz Star
Andrea Canter
Vault From 10 an urban soundscape from the streets of New York City and Minneapolis. Small clips of the song’s original mix emanate from passing cars. “Urban Tumble” is a testament to Penny’s musical journey and the debt he pays to inspirations from jazz, classical and world folk music. These musical conversations
balance electric and acoustic, group and individual expression, yesterday and today. As a performer, Penny has taken the stage and studio with great jazz musicians that include Hammond organ legend, Captain Jack MacDuff, harmonica stalwart, Howard Levy, drummer, Bernard Purdie and drummer Erik Gravatt as a member of Gravatt’s group, Kaminari. He has produced records for other
jazz musicians that included some of his compositions and guitar playing. Penny’s music has also been heard across America in television commercials for such advertisers as Best Buy, Frito-Lay, Target and NBC News. His music for long films included scores for the film Patti Rocks, industrial
film scores for the Minnesota Twins, United Way, Honeywell and more. Penny said the “Urban Tumble” release is the first on the legacy series of projects and it gives indication of what is to come, given its conversational melodies, orchestral swatches, and dancing rhythms.
“Ross showcases both his percussion and vocal abilities on a set of emotive gospel- and R&B-infused jazz compositions.” – All Music
December 8 | 7pm 612.332.5299 | dakotacooks.com 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Music for the Holidays with Sen. Champion & Friends
Threads For Teens Holiday Clothing Drive
Thursday, December 17, 2015 Dinner Reception from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Performance starts at 7:30 pm The Capri Theater 2027 West Broadway Minneapolis, MN 55411
Featuring: Sarah Renner, Paris Bennett, Ashley DuBose, Tonia Hughes, The Lioness, Ray Makeever, Wayne Starks, Chantel SinGs, Ginger Commodore, High Praise Ministries Choir, New Salem MBC Choir, Shiloh Temple Choir, Henry High School, Hollywood Dance Studio, Les Jolies Petites, The Little Drummers and more.
Bring your GENTLY
Thursday, Thur TTh h rsd sda day, December DDece e emb mber b r 17 17 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Capri Theater 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis
Please stay for the free concert “Music for the Holidays with Sen. Champion and Friends” starting at 7:30pm For any questions, or if you would like to volunteer, contact Joane’ McAfee at 612-562-1344 or joanepmcafee@gmail.com
used or brand new clothes to donate to those in need for the holidays! If you know someone who is in need, you can get clothes to give them as well!
Free concert and dinner
Bring gently used clothes to donate to the Threads 4 Teens Clothing Drive
Chante Chante Ch Cha nte ntel el SSiinG inG in inGs nGs
Sarah Renner
Paris Bennett
Ashley DuBose
Tonia Hughes
The Lioness
Ray Makeever
Wayne Wayn Way ne Sta ne SStarks tarks k
Page 12 • December 7 - December 13, 2015 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Vince Staples
Fotos For Barcelona
Junauda Petrus
Dec. 7 - Dec. 14
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
Miss Brit
Monday, Dec. 7 R&B/PERFORMANCE Dr. Mambo’s Combo Bunker’s Bar and Grill 761 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m. 21-plus $7 Dr. Mambo’s Combo is a legendary soul and R&B musical group that has been playing at Bunker’s in downtown Minneapolis since 1987. The band includes Michael Bland, who was discovered and hired by Prince while playing with the Combo.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
installment of the We Next live performance series for the artists that were featured on the We Next Radio Show with BDotCroc, Carnage the Executioner, Taylor J and Kaleem the Dream with an open mic from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
S›sence Adams and Baby S›sence, Andrea Jenkins, Niles, Kiesha Lamb, Pauline Johnson, Louis Alemayehu, Camille McCalister, Adrienne EroPhillips and Precious Wallace.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
9th House Presented By I Self Devine and Muja Messiah Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m. $9
JAZZ/POETRY Vieux Carré 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. All ages $5 cover (cash only)
We Next Amsterdam Bar and Hall 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul 8 p.m. 18-plus $7
The new monthly, The Feel Good Revolution, presented by Jazz 88 KBEM and curated by Brittany Lynch and Toki Wright, is a night of intentional happiness featuring singers, poets, comedians and musicians. A live band will accompany the artists.
Glo Pesci presents another
December’s performers include
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE
Stop down to the Icehouse for the release party for the critically acclaimed new album from I Self Devine and Muja Messiah. Performances include the 9th House Ensemble, DJ Keezy, DJ Just Nine, and Baby Shel. The show is hosted by Mica May Grimm.
Thursday, Dec. 10 THEATER
Naked Stages 2015 Pillsbury House Theatre 3501 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. The 2015 Naked Stages fellows, Marisa Carr, Junauda Petrus and Eliza Rasheed will each premiere a new performance at Pillsbury House Theatre this December.
Friday, Dec. 11 JAZZ/PERFORMANCE Community Food Listening Report Release and Soul Food Monologues Minneapolis Institute of Art 2400 S. 3rd Ave., Minneapolis 5:30 p.m. Free Hope Community and Urban Goddess Productions present this two-part event with a 5:30 p.m. free public reception for the release of “Feed the Roots: A Community Food Listening Project Report,” and 6:30
p.m. “Soul Food Monologues: Stories of Food and Justice,” a performance of local leaders sharing personal stories.
Saturday, Dec. 12 R&B/GOSPEL/ PERFORMANCE Sounds of Blackness: “The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy” Fitzgerald Theatre 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul 7 p.m. $20 Grammy Award winners Sounds of Blackness presents its holiday spectacular, this time in St. Paul. DANCE/PARTY/CAUSE Thee Urbane Life’s Ugly Sweat(er) party and hygiene item drive Darby’s Pub & Grill 315 N. 5th Ave., Minneapolis
10 p.m. - 2 a.m. 21-plus $10 or $5 with hygiene item Thee Urbane Life is back at Darby’s with its unique take on an ugly sweater party. This 1990s hip-hop dance party DJed by A-Quil features $4 Jack Daniel’s specials, giveaways and free ramp parking. Hygiene items collected will be shared with the community of the Oak Park Center in north Minneapolis.
Sunday, Dec. 13 HIP-HOP/PERFROMANCE Vince Staples Fine Line Music Café 318 1st Ave N., Minneapolis 6 p.m. $20 Los Angeles hip-hop standout and Def Jam signee, Vince Staples stops in Minneapolis for the “Circa ’06 Tour.”