Eric
Roberson returns to the Dakota MORE ON PAGE 5
December 23 - December 29, 2013
Vol. 40 No. 52 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Posh
A family affair By Chris Chr hris is G Garner arne ar nerr All in the family is exactly how Tunisunia Reed keeps it at her salon in south Minneapolis. From ownership, to construction and décor, the efforts to create and run Posh Hair Studio, 2403 Nicollet Ave., have been nothing short of a family affair. With the help of her husband and business partner, Reed has set out to establish a salon that exudes class, sophistication and elegance. “What separates us from other salons is we are not a (typical) beauty shop,” said Reed. “We operate on professionalism, we know it’s an inviting environment but we know that when a client has an
appointment, wee sh apppo ap poin intm int tmen tmen entt, w show how uup p on on time.” timee.” ti Tara Howard, an English teacher at Augsburg Fairview Academy said it is that level of professionalism that has kept her coming back to Reed. “I think I continue coming to Tunisunia because she does listen well and she’s creative,” said Howard. “I’ve been with Tunisunia for seven years and that says a lot about not just her as a stylist but a lot about her business: Posh.” In their two years of opening they have been able to add a barbershop headed by Reed’s brother Smokey, called GQ Barbers. Posh has been a dream of Reed’s for years. The Scott Lewis School of Cosmetology
POSH TURN TO 3
Chris Garner
One of the career aspirations of Posh Hair Salon owner Tunisunia Reed is to work as a freelance hairstylist.
Hodges vows to close gaps By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
Betsy Hodges
When Betsy Hodges emerged the victor of an absurdly crowded field in the contest to become Minneapolis’ next mayor, she said it sent a clear message that the city would no longer be divided. “I want to grow Minneapolis and I want to close the gaps between white people and people of color,” said Hodges, who takes office Jan. 2. “I want to close the gap between the haves and the have nots. The
people of Minneapolis very clearly said they wanted me to do that. The results of that election made it pretty clear that the message I carried resonated with the people of Minneapolis.” The incoming mayor made it a point to reach out to Insight News to begin her official dialogue with the city’s African-American community, requesting a oneon-one interview with an Insight reporter. She said she has also reached out to various other African-American civic, religious and business leaders
Richard Fleischman
Kya Brown,14, has been playing the piano since fourth grade.
to let it be known that her campaign platform was more than just lip service. Hodges said she has a vested interest in all of Minneapolis achieving, and discussed how to improve quality of life for the city’s Northside residents. “If north Minneapolis is not doing well, all of Minneapolis is not doing well,” said Hodges. “There are lots of possibilities (for improvements in north Minneapolis) as we grow our transportation system. We need to examine how do we physically reconnect north Minneapolis from the divides
Aiming for the top Kya Brown, 14, attends DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis and serves as a 9th grade student representative on her high school’s student council. She is on the cheer squad and the basketball team and plans to join the track team in the spring. Her favorite subjects are English and social studies. The highly-involved teenager was also first runner up in the Miss Black Minnesota USA Pageant.
See yourself completing goals
PAGE 2
HODGES TURN TO 4
Kya Brown: Abeni Hill Editorial Intern
Motivational moments
that were made when the highways were put in.” A couple of divides have little or nothing to do with geography. Minneapolis – and the region as a whole – has staggering gaps in education and employment. As mayor, Hodges said she is committed to eradicating those gaps during her term. “One of the first things that we will put in motion is my Cradle to K cabinet,” said Hodges, who said the program will coordinate directly with
The yearly pageant is one of the events held by the Miss Black Minnesota USA Program, a nonprofit organization that strives to empower young African and African-American women through scholarship and youth development programming. The Miss Black Minnesota USA Program implemented a youth engagement curriculum in the Robbinsdale Area Schools for girls between the ages of eight and 17. Brown’s platform in the pageant was youth leadership. “When we grow up, one of
BROWN TURN TO 12
Business
Education
Health
Is the African American dream of homeownership ending?
Natalie Rasmussen tells how Summatech worked at North High
Coalition identifies, promotes Somali health interests
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Page 2 • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Insight News
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What is the real meaning of Christmas? Man Talk
By Timothy Houston What is the real meaning of Christmas? With all of the hustle and bustle taking place, it is a good time to reflect on that question. In 1965, CBS debut the animated TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. At the beginning of the program, the main character Charlie Brown is not sure of the real meaning of Christmas. He confides in Linus that even though Christmas is approaching, he still feels depressed due to the over-commercialization of Christmas. Is Christmas overcommercialized? That is an individual question. I do believe
that if we don’t keep the real meaning of Christmas in mind, we may also become depressed or overwhelmed. Here are some Christmas lessons you can learn from Charlie Brown. First, Charlie Brown discovers that there is more to Christmas than just getting presents. Christmas is about giving. On Lucy’s advice, Charlie Brown agreed to direct a school nativity play. Lucy is right, we can all benefit from giving. Look around. Become more involved in the things that connect you to your family and others. Giving is the first step to connecting to the real meaning of Christmas. Secondly, Charlie Brown discovers that there is more to Christmas than spending money. On the way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown stops by Snoopy’ s doghouse, only to find out that even his own dog has gone commercial. He later runs into his sister Sally, who asks him to
Never give up on your quest for the true meaning.
write her letter to Santa Claus requesting large sums of money. We should not follow Snoopy and Sally’s example. Steer clear of people and events that add to your frustration. The financial pressure of keeping up with the “Jones” can be overwhelming. Thirdly, Charlie Brown
discovers that there are some situations during this holiday season that are outside of your control. Choose your battles. Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but he is unable control the situation as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with
dancing and lively music. Charlie Brown, in an effort not to let the play become too commercial, decides to focus on the traditional side of the story. To bring everyone back in focus he decides they need a Christmas tree. It’s ok to go against the grain. Make sure the choices you make this season reflect how you truly feel. Finally, Charlie Brown discovers that Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Never give up on your quest for the true meaning. Charlie Brown was determined. With Linus in tow, he sets off on his quest. When they get to the tree market, he zeroes in on a small baby tree which, ironically as well as symbolically, is the only real tree on the lot. They return to the school auditorium with the tree and everybody laughs at him. In desperation, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is all about. Linus steps in to help and recites the second chapter of the
Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And that is the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas! Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
See yourself completing goals a part of your journey. Many goals are lost because there is no guide to follow. In order to know where you are going you have to know where to start. Map out your plan and start there.
Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson
Believe in yourself even when it is hard Now after you have mapped out the details and put your plan into motion, you may look at the big picture and get scared. Truth is, it may really be scary but that shouldn’t stop you from believing that this goal can be achieved. You must believe that you are worthy of accomplishing this goal and that nothing will deter you or get in the way of stopping your greatness.
With the end of the year approaching, here is how I like to end my year. Take your time and read my advice, and maybe it will help you to move closer to achieving some of your goals. Identify exactly what goal you want to work on and see yourself completing it. There is power in a visual picture. If you can see yourself accomplishing it, then it will become a reality. Make a plan and start your road map After you see yourself completing this amazing task, you have to develop your road
© PhotoXpress
map or plan that should include exactly how you will reach this
goal. Every goal starts with a journey. Identifying what it
takes to complete it and also being realistic about it is all
Never give up Now here’s where we separate the achievers from the talkers. Don’t give up because things aren’t happening fast enough. Most goals don’t happen
overnight. Maybe you set a goal of going back to school and completing your degree. Or maybe writing your first novel is a goal you set for yourself. You already know those things take time. You have to be realistic about goal setting and you should have added the time to complete those types of goals in your “road map.” Setting goals is all about you wanting more for yourself and your loved ones. They take time and patience. But remember, if you give up you may never know how it feels to complete what you started. And as always remember, stay focused, stay determined and keep striving for greatness. Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject.com.
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Insight News • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Page 3
COMMENTARY Is the American dream of homeownership ending for African Americans? By Tracy Maxwell Heard, House Democratic Leader (D-Columbus) The US Senate is currently considering legislation that would turn back the clock on opportunities for African Americans and other people of color to own a home in America. The CorkerWarner legislation would transfer the securitization role that historically has been performed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to a new government agency, the Federal Mortgage Insurance Corporation (FMIC). However, in this transfer, gone would be the requirement
INSIGHT NEWS
that Fannie and Freddie or its successors provide credit to all communities through government affordable housing mandates that encouraged lenders to originate mortgages for low and moderate income families – many of whom were Black and Latino. The nation needs public policies that expand homeownership opportunities, not ones that broaden the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites. Because of affordable housing goals and vigorous enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) from 1996 to 2004, homeownership for Blacks steadily increased from 44.1 percent to a peak of 49.1 percent in 2004. Since then, however, homeownership for Blacks dropped to 45.4 in 2010, similar to the level in 1998. Moreover, without vigorous enforcement of affordable housing goals and
Tracy Maxwell Heard CRA, black homeownership rates are projected to fall to 40%. Not surprisingly, ComplianceTech, a mortgage data analyst company, found that between 2004 and 2009, Blacks and Latinos received 62 percent fewer mortgages than whites; and whites were twice as likely as Latinos
and Blacks to be approved for prime mortgages with the lowest interest rates. Legislation, such as the Corker-Warner bill, will speed the decline by reducing the widespread availability of government support for housing finance. These facts alone underscore that this legislation will increase wealth disparity between Blacks and Whites. According to Moody’s Analytics, mortgage interest rates would increase about 20% from this legislation, pushing many Black families out of the market. More importantly, the nation’s top economists say that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages would drop from 75% of the market to about 10%, turning the country back to the early 1900’s when only the rich and privileged could purchase homes. Working families of all races and ethnicities must stand together to stop or
change this legislation. This battle is about far more than simply owning the place where you live. For decades, the American Dream of homeownership has been a driving force for parents looking to make a better life for their families. Owning a home has been the foundation of our society, of our communities. Homeownership has stabilized communities, with studies even showing that the higher the home ownership rate in neighborhoods, the better children do in school and the lower the crime rate. Equity from home ownership has been a wealth creator, one of few available for Black families. Over the years, home equity has helped send children to college, provided start-up capital for thousands of new businesses and allowed financial security for retirements. Just as important, homeownership is a symbol
of progress. Everyone remembers the first time they walked into their new home and the first time their children saw it. We want our children to experience that joy as parents, and for their children to experience that joy. Our communities cannot tolerate legislation that creates new costly barriers to homeownership. Ohio has many progressive leaders in the House and Senate, who understand the importance of homeownership to our communities. We call on their leadership in stopping legislation like the CorkerWarner bill that will turn back the clock, and put the American Dream of homeownership out of reach for many. Tracy Maxwell Heard is the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives for the 130th General Assembly of Ohio.
www.insightnews.com
Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams
The Salon serves clients of all ethnicities and races. Reed’s ultimate objective is to reach multiracial children and families.
Editorial Intern Abeni Hill
the eastern Caribbean where she provided styling services for a client who had a destination wedding. “Doing more things where I’m requested off site would be my ideal job. The best feeling (is when) work doesn’t
Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed
really feel like work. ” Reed’s goal is to shed the negative stigma she believes has been placed on black salons by offering quality hair service in a timely fashion. As for now she and her family are trying
Photos: Chris Garner
to figure out the best way to balance work and personal life as they look to expand their salon business across the state of Minnesota. For more information on Posh Hair Studio, (612) 886-1222.
Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Michele Spaise Corey Collins 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.
Reed’s goal is to shed the negative stigma she believes has been placed on black salons by offering quality hair service in a timely fashion.
Posh From 1 (now Empire Beauty School) grad for years worked at other salons, but ultimately knew she wanted to open her own space. “She was successful just on her own,” said Reed’s husband Shalom Reed, “it was really my wife’s dream to open (Posh).” As the oldest of eight children, Reed learned how to style hair, practicing on her siblings. Posh specializes in cuts, color, extensions, relaxers, and natural hair. It also serves clients of all races and ethnicities, but Reed’s ultimate objective is to reach multiracial children and families. “There’s a high ratio of couples with biracial children,” said Reed. “One thing that I hope Posh is able to accomplish is to have one family come in and everybody gets serviced.” After teaching a class on hair at an adoption agency, Reed realized the importance of providing technical knowledge and tips to parents who may not be familiar with different textured hair. Despite all of Reed’s
success, the business has struggled to grow its staff. “My main goal to get the salon full so I can be away from the salon and do off site ventures,” said Reed. Shalom, 32, has a few ideas for the business to gain more stylists. “We were going to try to do a lot of different events to invite stylists out to see the kind of work they do as well as showcase the work of our stylists,” said Shalom Reed. He would love to see the salon benefit clients in better ways than it already does. His goal is to make Posh more viable and visible to the public. Tunisunia Reed recently turned to social media outlets such as Yelp, Google and Facebook to market the salon and grow cliental. Stylists have even gotten their regular clients involved by posting statements about their services. Reed sees social media as an inexpensive way to get the word out about the salon. The 33-year-old currently works five days a week to sustain her business but eventually would love to freelance. She recently returned from
The Embassy Suites Minneapolis North would love to help you plan your perfect day! We are here to cater to your needs and can customize menus for your event. The Embassy Suites is a great location for: Wedding Receptions Rehearsal Dinners Fundraisers Family Celebrations Call : 763.560.2700 for availability or to schedule a tour
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Page 4 • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Insight News
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BUSINESS Will thousands celebrate your remarkable life? The festivities surrounding the funeral of Nelson Mandela earlier this month were fascinating to watch and to think about: People dancing in the streets in honor of Mandela’s life and his accomplishments. Dignitaries, who would never have stood in the same stadium together for any reason, standing together‌ shaking hands! What
Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com
a man! What an impact! And what am I doing with my life? I have never lived in an African village. I have never spent twenty seven years in jail (nor any years, actually). I have never forgiven people for heinous offenses. I have never led a country into a new age, nor given a whole generation of people a new culture to enjoy.
I heard someone ask, “What’s the big deal?� I have to believe that person was kidding. Most people know, Mandela’s contributions are a very big deal. And the truth is, those of us with far more resources (or any resources) and relatively far fewer obstacles can probably do better than we do every day to make the world a better one for
the people we engage with. When you go, who will be sorry to say goodbye? Who will say, “My life is changed because this person traveled through it?� Will thousands of people be dancing in the streets in celebration of your remarkable life? Will anyone? Will you be satisfied with that?
Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Just trying to make the world a better place for one job seeker at a time. Please share your resume and comments by sending to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.
Fundraising reflections for 2013: Part I FUNdraising Good Times
By Mel and Pearl Shaw The yearend can be a perfect time to reflect on your 2013 fundraising activities and to anticipate 2014. If you are a nonprofit CEO, board member, staff or volunteer we have three questions to focus your reflections. #1 - What have you done well? Reflect on your nonprofit’s
Hodges From 1 the city’s health department and other departments to work with pregnant women to give them and their newborns the healthiest start possible. “Brain development and physical health are the first opportunity gaps a child faces. As mayor I have one of the biggest platforms in the city and I will use it to pull people together around our achievement gap. This is good for us as human
fundraising successes. Approach this from a feeling level – which activities brought joy or excitement to you and your team? When did you feel you worked well together? Were there unexpected moments of joy – perhaps when receiving an unanticipated gift, or upon viewing a room full of donors and supporters at your annual event? Was a new staff person hired? Did she inspire good feelings as she implemented long-delayed projects? Feel the good feelings and record a few notes. Now approach this from a fact-based place. Pull out fundraising reports and look at the
year-end numbers. Identify areas where revenue increased. Perhaps your nonprofit saw an increase in annual giving. Maybe more donors increased their giving from the prior year. Did the number of grants increase? Finally, reflect on new programs, events or technology. Was a program to engage younger donors launched? A new database implemented? Remember to list activities that brought in revenue for 2013, as well as those that plant seeds for the future. For example, while a planned giving program may not yield revenue for years to come, implementing the program is a current year success.
#2 - Which activities or strategies didn’t meet expectations? Reflect on those things that didn’t go as well as planned. Don’t sweep them under the rug. Take time to remember the outcome you had sought and compare that with the results. What could have been done differently? Where did you feel disappointment, fatigue, anger or failure? What brought these feelings on? Dig deep. Were you disappointed in yourself? In volunteers, board members, the CEO or staff? Write down your thoughts. Look again at the fundraising reports. Which activities or strategies did not
yield the anticipated revenue? Take notes. #3 - Were your 2013 goals realistic? Reflect on your goals and outcomes. As 2013 began, did you feel your fundraising goals were achievable? Did you feel expansive, empowered and energized, ready to talk with donors and funders and share the organization’s vision and fundraising goals? Or did you feel overwhelmed, worried and isolated? Go back to those feeling places and take a few notes. Pull out your 2013 fundraising plan. What were the financial goals and timeframes? What resources were allocated to achieve the goals?
beings but it’s also crucial for the development of our city.� The incoming mayor said she is not blind to the fact that Minneapolis – and other cities throughout the nation – has prospered as a whole while leaving a large segment of minorities behind. “Discrimination over time led to many different opportunities and this city grew around those opportunities, but now we are working to change things,� said Hodges. “I ran on a platform that we are building and growing Minneapolis by everybody, with everybody, for
everybody,� said Hodges. When Hodges takes office on Jan. 2, another challenge she plans to tackle is the rift between the city’s police force and many of its AfricanAmerican citizens. Hodges said she plans to address the issue by employing both hightech and low-tech methods. “Just (recently) we found money in the budget for the body-cam program (that outfits officers with cameras as a part of their uniforms), which in other cities has reduced (citizen) complaints tremendously,� said Hodges.
“But it’s also a question of how do we police. We also need to be high touch. We need police officers to be building relationships in the community and we need folks to know police officers.� On the same day that Minneapolis chose Hodges to be its next mayor – taking over for departing mayor, R.T. Rybak, who held the office for more than a decade – in New York City, a big hoopla was being made over the victor in that race for mayor. But the hoopla had less to do with the victor, Bill de Blasio, and
more to do with his interracial family. But here in Minneapolis we will also have an interracial First Family. Hodges is married to Metropolitan Council Dist. 7 representative, Gary Cunningham, who is AfricanAmerican. Hodges said her blended family has opened her eyes to certain hurdles faced by African-Americans and other ethnic groups. “When I married Gary I became grandmother to four great kids and two of them are African-American boys in the Minneapolis Public Schools,�
Did staff, board members, the CEO and volunteers fulfill their commitments? Did you? What went “according to plan?� Where did challenges arise? As you think back over the year, were the goals realistic? Take notes. Next week: use your reflections as you plan for 2014 Copyright 2013 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.� They position nonprofits for fundraising success. Visit them at www. saadandshaw.com.
said Hodges. “Nothing has brought home to me more than that how crucial it is that our schools serve all children.� Hodges said time will tell, but two things should measure her performance. “It should be measured by are we doing what we need to do to grow this city (Hodges said she seeks to grow the city by 107,000 residents) and are we doing what we need to do to move the dial on that gaps that we face between white people and people of color,� said Hodges.
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Eric Roberson returns to the Dakota By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Almost two years to the date, soul music fan favorite Eric Roberson returns to the Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, for a Jan. 2 performance. Roberson, or Erro as he’s also known, is widely considered the king of independent soul music, having sold more than 100,000 copies of each of his seven solo albums and having garnered two Grammy nominations. Erro has achieved this success with no major label assistance, little radio airplay and limited distribution. Roberson’s most recent solo release, “Mr. Nice Guy” rose all the way to 14 on the Billboard R&B album charts. “I’m excited to be coming back to Minnesota. It’s going to be a great time. It’s going to be soulful, some silliness, sensual, sexy, spiritual – a whole lot of S’s,” joked Roberson, who is known for his live stage performances – oftentimes interacting with the audience and even making up complex songs on the spot. “We’re all about sharing. It’s going to
be a real fun night.” Since Roberson’s last performance in Minnesota – also at the Dakota – the multi-talented artist has collaborated with Fred Hammond, Dave Hollister and Brian Courtney Wilson to form the gospel quartet, Four Tenors; and most recently Roberson appeared on the critically acclaimed Robert Glasper project “Black Radio 2.” Roberson said since the release of “Mr. Nice Guy” he and his wife have had a second son and being a father has affected his work – for the better. “Having kids opens you up to a different level of love,” said Roberson. “In recording now I dive deeper into my emotions. Plus I’m more focused because I know my time is limited because I need that time with my family.” A much sought after voice and songwriter, Roberson has written for and/or recorded with everyone from Jill Scott (“Gettin’ in the Way”), Vivian Green (“Emotional Rollercoaster”), Musiq Soulchild (“Previous Cats,” “Mary Go Round”), Dwele (“Hold On”) to 112 and others. To celebrate his collaborations, Erro is releasing “B Sides,
Features and Heartaches” on Feb. 4. “B Sides” will feature several released Roberson collaborations, as well as some unreleased material. His next release of entirely new material is due this coming summer. “We’re half done with the project,” said Roberson, who said the sound is a mix of Tribe Called Quest, Commissioned and Stevie Wonder. “It’s a musical gumbo. But the added ingredient is (the late) George Duke. I was a huge George Duke fan and had the opportunity to meet and talk with him over the last three years. I was already headed in that direction (of Duke’s music). His song, ‘Someday’ is my favorite song in the whole world.” Roberson’s Jan. 2 performance at the Dakota takes place at 7 p.m. and tickets are $37. For tickets, call the Dakota at 612.332.5299 or online at www.dakotacooks.com. Eric Roberson live at the Dakota Thursday, Jan. 2 – 7 p.m. Dakota Jazz Club – 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (612) 332-JAZZ (5299) www.dakotacooks.com Admission: $37
Photo: (c) All Rights Reserved for Eric Roberson Music
MORE
• First annual dreadlock holiday
• Kalayah Jones: Hip hop artist a philanthropic spirit
Page 6 • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking
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First annual dreadlock holiday
A New Years Eve celebration featuring a collection of island music bands is coming to the Lodge, 4080 W. Broadway Ave. in Robbinsdale. The show features artists Ipso Facto, Socaholix, Innocent, I-ras, Marimaba Africa with special guests Ryan Listman of Ry and the Rule, Van Nixon of the Maroons, Dallas Johnson and dance hall DJ, DJ Ambassador. The night is billed as an evening celebrating New Years Eve with all things Caribbean. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with music at 9 p.m. The event is an 18-plus event. All ticket purchasers will receive a full Caribbean dinner and champagne for the toast at midnight. The Lodge will offer free cab rides home courtesy of Last Call Car Service. Complete info can be found online at www. lodgeofrobbinsdale.com or by calling (763) 951-3943.
Ipso Facto
Kalayah Jones: Hip hop artist a philanthropic spirit By Abeni Hill Editorial Intern Kalayah Jones, 12, is a hip-pop artist with a philanthropic spirit. Jones strives to promote positivity through her involvement in the community and through her music. This year, she is hosting her first holiday toy drive for the women and children of St. Anne’s Place. The toy drive is titled “Elmo LOL Toy Drive” and is operating now until Dec. 27. Jones chose Elmo as a theme because she knows children are drawn to the Sesame Street resident. “I decided to have Elmo as a theme because kids really like Elmo,” said Jones. “There is an Elmo LOL doll, and he laughs
and they can just laugh along with him.” Jones plans to dress up in an Elmo costume when she delivers the toys to the shelter and will perform Elmo’s song. For each Elmo doll donated, Prokop Insurance Agency will match it with a package of diapers. The giving pre-teen wants to help more families have a better Christmas. “Sometimes kids don’t get a lot for Christmas when they are homeless or live in a shelter and I wanted to change that,” said Jones. Jones’ mother, Kimberly Holifield–Jones said her daughter has always loved to give back to the community. “She always had it in her,” said Holifield-Jones. She said
Kalayah Jones, 12, is currently attending Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts and also dropped a single titled “Hula Hoop”.
her daughter loves to donate money and volunteer to benefit other people. Holifield-Jones they sometimes volunteer in the community by serving food at homeless shelters. “I really like helping people,” said Jones. Jones is requesting members of the community to donate an unopened Elmo LOL doll to one of the drop-off sites – 125 Willow Bend, Crystal, 617 W. Lake St., Minneapolis or 644 Smith Ave., St. Paul. All of the sites are Prokop Insurance Agency locations. To find out more about Jones’ involvement with the community and her music, visit her website at www. kalayahjones.com.
Films opening Christmas Day By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer
BIG BUDGET FILMS “47 Ronin” (PG-13 for intense violence, disturbing images and mature themes) Martial arts saga, set in 18th C. Japan, about a biracial outcast (Keanu Reeves) who joins a group of grieving samurai seeking
vengeance for the murder of their sensei. With Ko Shibasaki, Hiroyuki Sanada and Min Tanaka. (In English and Japanese with subtitles) “August: Osage County” (R for profanity, sexual references and drug use) Meryl Streep heads an A-list cast in this adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, about an dysfunctional Oklahoma clan’s reunion for the funeral of its selfdestructive patriarch (Sam
Shepard). Ensemble includes Julia Roberts, Benedict Cumberbatch, Margo Martindale, Ewan MaGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Dermot Mulroney and Julianne Nicholson. “Grudge Match” (PG-13 for violence, sexuality and profanity) Sly Stallone and Robert De Niro co-star in this comedy about a couple of aging boxers coaxed out of retirement for a rematch three decades after their first scheduled bout was canceled. With Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin and Kim Basinger.
(PG for brief profanity and mature themes) Reverential biopic offering a revealing, behind-the-scenes look at the 19 year-old pop icon. Featuring appearances by Usher, Will.i.Am and Ellen Degeneres. Lone Survivor (R for graphic violence and pervasive profanity) Adaptation of Marcus Luttrell’s (Mark Wahlberg) memoir recounting his harrowing ordeal as a member of a team of Navy SEALs ambushed by the Taliban while on a mission in the mountains of Afghanistan. With Eric Bana, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch.
“Justin
“The Secret Life of Walter
Bieber’s
Believe”
Mitty” (PG for violence, crude humor and mild epithets) Ben Stiller directed and stars as the title character of this remake of the 1947, Danny Kaye classic based on the James Thurber story about a mildmannered milquetoast with a fertile imagination. Support cast includes Kristen Wiig, Jon Daly, Kathryn Hahn and Shirley MacLaine. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (R for violence, graphic nudity, explicit sexuality, drug use and pervasive profanity) Cautionary biopic recounting the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a notorious penny stockbroker convicted of securities fraud in 2003. With Jonah Hill,
Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner and Jon Favreau.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS “The Invisible Woman” (PG13 for sexuality, mature themes and brief violence) Historical drama revolving around Charles Dickens’ (Ralph Fiennes) clandestine relationship with the mistress (Felicity Jones) he kept hidden from the height of his career until his death. With Kristin Scott Thomas, Michelle Fairely and Tom Hollander.
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Insight News • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Page 7
EDUCATION Natalie Rasmussen tells how Summatech worked at North High By Sarah Lahm, TC Daily Planet Milken Educator Award winner Natalie Rasmussen taught at Minneapolis North High for 20 years, including the Summatech years. In 2010, Rasmussen took a new job at the Blake School, as chair of its PreK-12 science department. Rasmussen, who has a PhD in science education from the University of Minnesota, spoke with me recently about her work at North, including the years she spent teaching in the Summatech magnet program, which is often remembered very fondly by those who went through it. Currently, a group of Summatech graduates is advocating for the program, which was phased out in the mid-2000s, to be restored to North, as part of the Minneapolis School District’s Five Year Enrollment Plan. I asked Rasmussen to tell me more about what made Summatech such a strong program, and why she thinks it
makes it. Everyone accepts this with athletics, so why not for an academic program? I support educating the whole child, through exposure to art, science, math, and music, for example. But high school students are ready to dig in and have a passion for certain things, and a one-size fits all program can’t offer that. Being able to find a passion for a certain subject or area of study is what keeps students focused and in school.
did not last. Describe the Summatech program for me. Summatech was a wonderful program, and a source of great pride for the entire Northside community. In fact, students (yes, white students) from all over the city (and even the suburbs) would enroll just to be a part of the program. It was developed in response to a district-wide shift to magnet schools in the early 1980s, and it was a STEM program before STEM existed. The key players who created, implemented, and led Summatech were teachers Aletha Halcomb, Rebecca Scott, and Beverly Cottman. Mike Minima was also instrumental in getting the program off the ground. A hallmark of the program was the way middle school students had to apply to get in. We required letters of recommendation from their middle school math, science, and English teachers, as well as essays written by the students. Summatech teachers would
Natalie Rasmussen then choose the best students, who had a strong interest in math and science and a proven track record in those areas. Then, acceptance letters were sent to these motivated
students. Some might see a selection process for a public high school as exclusive. Why do you think it was important to
Sarah Lahm
have students apply to, and be selected for, Summatech? It was definitely important for Summatech. After all, students have to try out for varsity basketball, and not everyone
How was the Summatech program structured? All students went through the program as a cohort, taking core Summatech classes together, and as a result, they ended up getting very close to one another. Each year of study was theme-based. In 9th grade, all classes were taught through the lens of “limnology,” or the study of fresh water. To study this close-up, students went to Brownie Lake in Minneapolis
SUMMATECH 10 TURN TO
STEAM academy launches in Nigeria By Mfon Archibong Education is known to be the epitome of change in any society. Overtime time, knowledge is either not sought or taken for granted. The common adage “knowledge is power” can be deceptive if not used positively to create change required for the 21st century. Therefore, creating new knowledge dedicated to the improvement of social conditions for young people and to positively impact society is a global challenge. Putting that knowledge into practice by both modeling the learning outcomes through actions and by being civically engaged should be thought-provoking demands from all of us. Globally, the unemployment rate for young people has hit the height of the centuries. Today young people are disproportionately branded by the society as “the lost generation.” This is an embarrassing social error of our time – devastating and preposterous for young people and humanity. It is like a man being buried alive for no justification– the path to extinction. This is certainly not an isolated case in a developing country like Nigeria, but a global challenge for youth. Education and the willingness to apply it is a difference maker, a tool that can diminish poverty and reposition young people onto a path of job creation and sustainable future. Understanding how to learn, and having an opportunity to attend school is one of the greatest gifts we can give our youth, something that is often taken for granted here in the U.S. Around the world, there is a conscious transformation targeting grass roots change through increased exposure to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The paradigm of STEAM is rooted in intuitiveness of the mind to discover one’s ability, passion, and skills as needed to secure a fulfilling future. Thus, STEAM is a substantiated, economical and sociologically adaptable framework by which to transition, maintain, create and evolve educational
GRI
The President and CEO GRI/GRISTEAMA speaking to the cross section of parents, students, and the community during the opening ceremony of GRISEAMA in Lagos-Nigeria elements, programs and institutions to include multidisciplinary-oriented practices catering to developing more Functional citizens. This interconnectedness of the present to the future guarantees future youth employment and a better future for our young people. Grace Restoration International STEAM Academy (GRISTEAMA) In pursuit of its long-term goals to address unemployment, generational poverty, health inequalities, social entrepreneurship, and good governance, GRI launched a school initiative this fall in Lagos, Nigeria. The initiative
is called Grace Restoration International Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Academy (GRISTEAMA) for kindergarten through eighth grade students. The school is located in a community that is impacted by numerous challenges, especially extreme poverty. The goal is to expose students to early STEAM preparation for college and careers that will make the students innovators and 21st century employers. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has
its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” Young people in Nigeria need a different orientation that is based on a mindset that guarantees a better future. This change must be created by young people, for the young people. Sir Herbert Read summed it well when he said, “Great changes in the destiny of mankind can be effected only in the minds of little children.” This change must start with the K - 8 scholars. Although,
GRISTEAMA subsidizes the tuition of $100 a quarter or $300 a school year; regrettably, most families cannot afford the tuition. GRISTEAMA needs greater support. I know all of us are facing challenges on some level, but I urge people to donate whatever they can to benefit the GRISTEAMA by visiting www.gracerestinternational.org and following the donation link. Donations will help cover the cost of items including providing clean water by replacing the water pump, setting up the computer/library room, securing a used school bus to pick up students who live outside of the community so they do not need to walk miles to the school,
construction of a security gate for the students’ safety, providing a balanced daily nutritional meal, sponsoring a child’s tuition desktop or laptop computers and playground equipment for physical activities are immediately needed. GRI/GRISTEAMA is a registered NGO in Nigeria for educational opportunities for children. In addition to the GRISTEAMA students, we plan to service about 300500 children. We support over 500 children providing access to basic education in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. We also provide the children with necessary school materials including paying school tuitions, school supplies (school bags, school uniforms, exercise books, note books, text books and story books), annual medical checkup and referrals when necessary. In the future, we intend to provide mobile literacy trucks to enable our staff members to travel to local communities to provide literacy services to the community. The goal is to provoke literacy in different areas such as computer, reading and health awareness. In addition to supporting the students to go to school, we also provide after-school complementary education services including basic mathematics and real life application, teaching students the basics of reading and providing them with library, teaching student to explore the science world, providing computer literacy to only the students, but the community; providing students the opportunities to participate in physical education and to use play to reinforce learning and providing opportunities to develop children’s talents in arts, crafts, drama, painting and textile making. Through these social services, we aim at empowering the students and the whole community to put their knowledge and skills into practice and to motivate them to become creative, active members of their communities. To donate books or computers go to www. gracerestinternational.org, email: mfonarchibong@gmail. com or call (763) 439-4219.
Mayor Coleman appoints Eyenga Bokamba as Director of Sprockets St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has appointed Eyenga Bokamba as the new director of Sprockets, Saint Paul’s out-of-school-time network. “Learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings,” said Coleman. “Sprockets is one of the best opportunities we have to help close the achievement gap in Saint Paul by increasing access to afterschool and summer learning for young people throughout the city. We need a solid leader to keep the Sprockets network strong, and I’m delighted that we’ve found such a person in Eyenga Bokamba.” “Sprockets is a vibrant example of the community
Eyenga Bokamba
coming together to improve the lives of young people, and I’m thrilled to be part of that,” said Bokamba. “I look forward to working with the broad range of stakeholders who are invested in Sprockets to build on our past successes to create an even stronger future for Saint Paul’s youth.” Studies suggest young people spend 80 percent of their time – including after school, weekends and summer – outside of the classroom. Recognizing that this “second shift” provides an important opportunity to close the achievement gap, Coleman made after-school learning a foundation of his commitment to education.
In 2011, with the Second Shift Commission community advisory group and Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Valeria Silva, Coleman launched Sprockets. Today Sprockets is the leading network of after-school organizations in Minnesota, providing training, professional development, coaching and data sharing for more than 50 organizations that serve over 7,500 young people throughout Saint Paul. Bokamba brings a diverse background in youth work, non-profits and the arts to her new role with Sprockets. She served most recently as Youth Programs Manager at Pillsbury House, an arts-integrated
social service agency. She was responsible for out-of-school time programming for K – 8th grade youth, where she worked with parents, staff, teachers, artists, and literacy tutors to create learning experiences designed to advance the social, emotional and cognitive development of youth. Bokamba is a certified language arts teacher who has received recognition for excellence in teaching and worked in the Hopkins School District for 13 years. Bokamba also served as Minnesota’s Youth Engaged in Service Ambassador for the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, D.C. and the National Youth Leadership
Council in Minnesota, during which time she co-authored the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, the legislation from which AmeriCorps was developed. Bokamba is a practicing visual artist who was inducted into the National Association of Women Artists in 2011. She is a recipient of a Bush Leadership Fellowship, and holds an undergraduate degree and teaching certificate from the University of Minnesota and a graduate degree from Harvard University. For more information about Sprockets, visit www. SprocketsSaintPaul.org.
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Insight News • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Page 9
ANYTIME FITNESS An affordable, approachable gym By Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Coalition Anytime Fitness, the fastest-growing fitness club chain in the world, opened on West Broadway and Penn Avenue last month, becoming the first gym for adults the community has seen in many years.
add on discount. SB: Aren’t there ways for members’ health insurances or employers to help pay for membership fees? TW: We participate in something called Healthy Contributions, which means different health insurance providers will partially reimburse your Anytime Fitness
Dr. Watson’s Anytime Fitness club is customized to accommodate first time gymgoers along with Northsiders excited to finally work out close to home.
Dr. Tara Watson is the owner of Anytime Fitness North Minneapolis, as well as Watson Chiropractic and Exceptional Home Health next door, which she has operated on the Northside for 10 years. Watson specifically chose to open a club with Anytime Fitness, a Minnesota-based company, because, “it is the best fit and value for the community, and this community deserves the best.” When members join the West Broadway Anytime Fitness, they also gain access to 2,200 other clubs on five continents. Watson’s Anytime Fitness club is customized to accommodate first time gym-goers along with Northsiders excited to finally workout close to home. The West Broadway Coalition recently sat down with Watson to learn more about her new business. Shaina Brassard: Tell us about the Anytime Fitness model and what members can expect in terms of safety. Tara Watson: The Anytime Fitness model is an adult-only gym that is open 24 hours. There is Anytime Fitness staff in the club between 8:00am - 10:00pm. All the clubs have camera surveillance at all times. Members have key cards that give them access and also tracks them. So once a member swipes in, we know you’re there and Anytime Fitness Corporate knows you’re there, and there’s also a tailgate feature, so we know if someone follows you in without swiping their own card. We also have wireless panic buttons, so we encourage people that might be working out alone late at night, just take one of those and walk around with it, and if you press the panic button the police are dispatched immediately. We know this for a fact because we’ve tested it. SB: What is the membership structure? TW: We’re extending our pre-sale pricing until the end of 2013, which is a $38 a month one-year membership. We offer three-month pay-n-full memberships for people that don’t want to commit to a year, or (who) would like to give that as a gift. Day passes also make great gifts. We do have a referral program that people can benefit from, and we do have family
club memberships based on monthly usage. Participating plans include Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, MEDICA, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Silver Sneakers and Silver and Fit, and they will reimburse between 10 to 100 percent of member fees if the member visits the club a certain number of times, often between 10 and 12 times per month. There are also corporate wellness incentive packages. A lot of corporations are already affiliated with Anytime Fitness, so their employees get incentives to exercise at our club. We have a list of those companies, or people can talk to their human resource department. For Minneapolis police officers, for example, membership is completely free, fully reimbursed by their employer. I know this because a lot of them work out at our club, including our beat cops.
Dr. Tara Watson
Courtesy of Dr. Tara Watson
SB: How does your staff help new gymgoers feel comfortable in what may be a new environment? TW: We know that a lot of people that may come to us don’t know what to do; they have no clue. So we offer a health assessment that comes free of charge with their membership sign-up. They will get contacted and scheduled with the trainer to come and put together a workout for them. We’re also offering discounted personal training sessions just to get people started, because for some people, that overview isn’t enough; they need a little more help because they’ve never worked out before. SB: Do you have fitness classes? TW: Right now the members we have do love the Fitness On Request. You can go into the classroom alone or with others and choose a class, say Zumba, to be played on our big screen, and there is no upcharge for that. Once we get enough members, we can start offering live classes. Anytime Fitness North Minneapolis 2104 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411 (612) 521-4050 Minneapolismn@anytimefitness.com www.anytimefitness.com
Courtesy of Anytime Fitness
Page 10 • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Insight News
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HEALTH Coalition identifies, promotes Somali health interests By Andrea Parrott, TC Daily Planet During the measles outbreak in 2011, awareness spread about the importance of receiving both doses of the MMR vaccine. There was a problem, however. A study, now known to be fraudulent, linked the MMR vaccine to autism, causing some parents to refuse immunization for their children. As autism has appeared to rise in the Minnesota Somali community, Somali parents have become among those who avoid the MMR vaccine. That’s where the Somali Health Coalition stepped in. Founded in 2010, the Somali Health Coalition acts as a center for Somali health professionals to share ideas and research as together they discuss health issues affecting the Somali community. Coalition members have a variety of health-related positions, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and public health professionals. They work for the county and for nonprofit organizations. Uniting them is the desire to educate others about health issues and to be a health resource for the community and the government. “We don’t have any interest other than helping the community,” said Amira Adawe, a founding member of the Somali Health Coalition. She is a health educator at the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department and chair of the coalition’s health and education sub-committee. “We are not a nonprofit,” said Mahad Abdi, executive director of the Disabled Immigrant Association and chair of the coalition’s policy and advocacy sub-committee. He continued, “We’re just a coalition that comes together that talks about how important health care is and how to better take it to the Somali community.” There are about 20 coalition members who regularly attend monthly meetings. The electronic mailing list consists of about 50 email addresses and provides a way for those who cannot attend the meetings to read meeting minutes and participate in group discussions. The coalition has grown quickly,
Courtesy of Mahad Abdi
A Somali Health Coalition meeting. said Abdi: “All of a sudden we heard back from the community, saying, ‘We want to be a part of it. How do we become a part of it?’” Adawe added, “And other hospitals or other agencies were contacting us because they mainly serve the Somali community, and so they wanted to partner with us… to help serve them [Somalis] in a culturally appropriate way.” One of the goals of the coalition is to promote greater cultural awareness among health providers and state and county health agencies about the Somali culture and the issues that are important to the community. “What Somalis consider as an issue,” Abdi said, “might not be an issue in the mainstream. That’s where we come in and talk about the differences in culture, bring the two sides together.” In many ways, the Somali Health Coalition acts as a bridge connecting the
Somali community to health providers, the county, and state. Abdi explained, “The community can tell us that that there’s something that they’re interested in taking over to the government entities. Likewise, the government entities can come to the Somali Health Coalition if there are issues that they want disseminated to the Somali community.” During the measles outbreak in 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Somali Health Coalition partnered together to organize a community education forum to address the importance of the measles vaccine with the Somali community. According to a Star Tribune report, about 50 community members attended the event. Although the forum did not appear to convince parents to have their children immunized, Adawe mentioned that it gave community members an opportunity to ask questions.
MinnPost described increasing immunization in the Somali community as an ongoing process. Coalition members have the benefit of both being a part of the Somali community themselves and holding positions in health care so that they have insight into how to communicate health issues to their community, Adawe explained. She cited skin lightening creams as an example. Through her position as a health educator, Adawe was involved in spreading awareness of the dangers of some skin lightening creams. Forty-one percent of the creams that MDH tested had high mercury levels at up to 33,000 parts per million, far surpassing the FDA regulations of one part per million. Mercury poisoning can result in rashes and damage to the brain and kidneys. It is especially harmful to young children and an unborn child’s development. Adawe asked the coalition if they would partner
with the health department in educating the community about the creams. “We all partner in doing each project that we’re working on,” Adawe said, “like the skin lightening… it was so helpful that the coalition step in and help us.” Other goals include improving health outcomes within the Somali community. The coalition wants to be a part of eliminating health disparities through advocacy and participation in research that generates more data for the Somali community. They would also like to see relevant health information distributed to Somali television and radio. Said Adawe, “Health organizations should be partnering with the Somali media. It’s culturally appropriate and also language.” She said that health information through Somali media would have better reception and impact in the Somali community. The group would also like
to work directly with health providers. “We are planning to do workshops for the healthcare providers,” Adawe said, “in terms of cultural competent ways of serving Somali patients. There’s the language barrier and other cultural barriers that affects health outcomes as well.” In the future, Abdi said, Somali Health Coalition members would like to organize a type of town hall forum for MDH officials to meet with people in the Somali community, as well as to become involved in the policy-making process at the state legislature. At the bottom of the coalition’s plans is the vision of collectively addressing the health issues that affect the Somali community. The Somali community, Abdi said, needed “to have a coalition where all of its constituents would have a voice.” ©2012 Andrea Parrott
Affordable Care Act repeal would raise costs, strip protections from families Helping ordinary Americans and businesses take advantage of the benefits of the health care law is a top priority for the President and Democrats in Congress. The Affordable Care Act does more than just give millions of uninsured Americans access to health insurance. It helps Americans who already have insurance feel more secure in their coverage, ensuring it’ll be there when they need it. This is a pocketbook issue for many middle class families. In Minnesota, the benefits of the health care law are real, and the repeal plan pushed by Republicans in Congress would undermine or eliminate them across the board, reversing critical consumer protections and driving up costs for millions of Americans. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, in Minnesota: • 1,412,000 individuals on private insurance have gained
coverage for at least one free preventive health care service such as a mammogram, birth control, or an immunization in 2011 and 2012. In the first eleven months of 2013 alone, an additional 272,900 people with Medicare have received at least one preventive service at no out of pocket cost. • The up to 2,319,000 individuals with preexisting conditions such as asthma, cancer, or diabetes – including up to 298000 children – will no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charged higher prices because of their health status or history. • Approximately 990,000 Minnesotans have gained expanded mental health and substance use disorder benefits and/or federal parity protections. • 423,000 uninsured
Summatech
needed more help or support. We also called parents and worked to stop any student from slipping through the cracks. Students in Summatech were nurtured, cared for, and celebrated. There were always a couple that didn’t do the work, and they were put on academic probation or counseled out of the program. This was rare, though. What stands out more is the way alumni came back to the program each year, right before the holiday break, often to share their success stories, and where they were going to college. This fueled the younger students.
From 7 and did project-based learning, by looking at how traffic affected the water quality, for example. Also, all students took a trimester of biology, chemistry and physics from 9th through 11th grade. This was intentional, and a way of trapping kids on purpose. We were keeping black males in mind, especially, by holding them to the program, knowing they had to stick with it to get a full year of science credits. In 12th grade it was highly suggested that all students would take an AP science class. What happened if students were struggling in the program? We had built-in support in Summatech. Teachers met every Tuesday morning to talk about the kids, and which ones
Why did the Summatech program fold? Summatech was structured around the trimester system, and the district frequently changed the school’s schedule, making it difficult to maintain the program. North went from a trimester system to a quarter system, and then to semesters,
Minnesotans will have new health insurance options through Medicaid or private health plans in the Marketplace. As a result of new policies that make sure premium dollars work for the consumer, not just the insurer, in the past year insurance companies have sent rebates averaging $303 per family to approximately 9,200 consumers. In the first ten months of 2013, 45,200 seniors and people with disabilities have saved on average $811 on prescription medications as the health care law closes Medicare’s so-called “donut hole.” 35,000 young adults have gained health insurance because they can now stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. Individuals no longer have
to worry about having their health benefits cut off after they reach a lifetime limit on benefits, and starting in January, 2,043,000 Minnesotans will no longer have to worry about annual limits, either. • Health centers have received $48,506,000 to provide primary care, establish new sites, and renovate existing centers to expand access to quality health care. Minnesota has approximately 80 health center sites, which served about 181,000 individuals in 2012.
and the number of class periods in a day also changed. District funding changed, too, and grant money for the program came about. This grant meant there could be no more entrance requirements for the program, meaning we could not turn anyone away. The integrity of the program suffered because of this. Some students were more interested in the program’s strong reputation than the actual work involved. The way I think of it, everyone wants to go to Harvard, but not everyone is a good fit for the school. Another important event was the 1999 lawsuit the NAACP filed against the Minneapolis Public Schools, alleging the schools were failing children of color. Because of this, the district had to agree to bus students outside of the district, to suburban schools like Hopkins and Wayzata. We lost a lot of kids to this and were left with the kids who were not invested in the program or North High.
After five years, though, data showed that moving kids to suburban districts didn’t work. There was no sense of community, and it was harder for parents to be involved.
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Moving forward, the President and Democrats in Congress are committed to improving the health care law and fixing it when the need arises. Every day more uninsured Americans are signing up for plans as the website gets faster and more people with insurance are
Do you support current efforts to bring Summatech back to North High? I definitely support efforts to bring it back. However, people may not realize the work involved in creating Summatech in the first place. It took two full years of planning by teachers before it was implemented. Also, a new version of Summatech would have to plan for things like schedule changes or shifting circumstances. Also, if the community really wants this program, they’re going to have to support it. It is easy to remember the glory days of Summatech, but it is also important to remember that those kids came to school every day, prepared to learn. © 2013 Sarah Lahm
benefiting from the law. Yet instead of working to fix the law, Republicans in Congress have tried and failed to repeal it more than 40 times. Repealing the law completely would raise premiums, allow discrimination based on preexisting conditions, force women to pay for preventive services like mammograms, and
eliminate discounts seniors get on prescription drugs. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to stop refighting old political battles over health care, because the real cost of repeal will hit home for many hardworking families in Minnesota.
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Insight News • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Page 11
COMMUNITY North America’s only Somali heritage museum By Abeni Hill Editorial Intern
Robert Stacke
(Somali museum)- The museum serves as a permanent home to more than 700 traditional artifacts from the continent of Somalia.
Photos: Lee-Hoon Benson
Peters, third grade, PCYC afterschool education program
Jada Smith, fourth grade, PCYC Afterschool Education Program
The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum, 1516 East Lake Street, at Midtown Global Market, is the only Somali heritage museum in North America. Founder and curator Osman Ali wanted to remind Somali youth where and what they came from. “It is important for them to learn what their ancestors were doing a long time ago,” said Ali. The founder also said Minnesotans can benefit from the museum. “I want them to learn about the new community of Minnesota.” The museum serves as a permanent home to more than 700 traditional artifacts from the continent of Somalia. There have been two exhibits at the museum: “Water and Milk Vessels” and “Women’s Work,” the current exhibit which features a simulation
Maleek Powell (left) and Austyn Doughty, second grade, PCYC Afterschool Education Program.
of a Somali hut. Outreach Coordinator Sarah Larsson said it gives the museum visitor a sense of the “traditional home” in Somali. While the Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum is building their staff and volunteer team, regular hours will not being until 2014. However, currently, private tours for individuals, families and groups of 10 or more can be scheduled. All tours are guided by a cultural expert. These tours are available in three languages: Somali, Arabic, and English. For more information about the museum, contact Ali at (612) 998-1166 or visit the website at http://somalimuseum.com/ . To schedule a private tour, call (612) 234-1625. The entrance fee for individual is $11; for adults and children (5-12) and seniors (60+) is $8. For groups of 10 or more people, adult tickets are $9 and children and seniors are $7.
Jean Schwartz, long time PCYC volunteer, with some presents that she is getting ready for the Gift Sale on Saturday, December 14.
A giving tradition in North Minneapolis since the 1960s By Lee-Hoon Benson, TC Daily Planet Christmas can be a tough time for low-income families, as pervasive and rampant consumerism and the expectations of getting and giving presents exert extra pressures. Children, especially, do not have the money to buy presents for their family members. In North Minneapolis, Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) helps lowincome children to experience the joy of giving to others and to feel included in the American tradition of giving holiday presents. Since the mid-1960s, PCYC
has put on what it calls the Gift Sale to allow low-income children a chance to select gifts for people on their Christmas list. Parents purchase a one-dollar ticket ahead of the annual Gift Sale event – December 14 this year. Then each child gets to choose five gifts for their loved ones. Many North Minneapolis children remember the Gift Sale experience fondly. Third grader Henry Peters said, “I know my grandma likes nice soaps and stuff and she really liked the soap packs I picked for her. Also, my dad was surprised that I presented him with three flashlights!”
Second graders Maleek Powell and Austyn Doughty are excited about the upcoming Gift Sale. Each child wants to choose gifts for at least four loved ones. Powell said sheepishly that he chose a present for himself the first time he took part in PCYC’s Gift Sale. Fourth grader Jada Smith said she wants to pick a gift for a favorite cousin this year, which will be her fifth gift selection experience. Asked if they have any advice for children who are joining PCYC’s Gift Sale for the first time, all four students said the Gift Sale is to choose presents for others. Peters suggested that, “it is good to
think carefully about what people will like and take time to choose the nicest gift.” Adult residents of North Minneapolis also remember how the Gift Sale has helped them in the past. Long-time resident, Charlotte Williams, said “my older set of kids chose gifts for family members in the early 1990’s and now my younger ones will be shopping this Saturday. It’s hard to buy presents when my situation is bad this year. Without this Gift Sale, my kids would not have presents.” The success of the Gift Sale is built on donations of goods from PCYC’s supporters and
the community at large. Each year, PCYC has to secure about 6,000 articles that are suitable for toddlers, young boys and girls, older children, adult women and men. Additionally, many volunteers are also needed to sort and package these donated gifts to get them ready for display on the Gift Sale day. Jean Schwartz, with her energetic organizing talents, is at the heart of the event’s preparations and success. As former PCYC board member and retired special education teacher, Schwartz has volunteered to organize the Gift Sale since the early 1970s. She continues volunteering because
she “enjoys watching the joy and the way their eyes light up when the kids know they have picked the best present for their moms or grandma.” Schwartz was a bundle of energy on December 9, while directing other volunteers in sorting out donated goods. Schwartz noted that the donations are fewer than previous years. She said she hoped that many more people will donate money or drop off new goods by Friday to help make this year’s Gift Sale a joyful one for the children. For details about PCYC’s Gift Sale and how you can support it, call 612-643-2000.
Recent SNAP cuts push more to food shelves By John Michaelson Minnesota’s unemployment rate is at a six-year-low and the state budget is back in the black, but for many of the working poor, the economic rebound has yet to be felt. According to the new director of Minnesota FoodShare, Suzanne Shatila,
the need at food shelves remains around record levels, and recent cuts to SNAP benefits have more people looking for help in feeding their families. “And I’m hearing from our partner organizations all over the state that they’re seeing more people returning,” Shatila said. “They’re seeing people who they haven’t seen in a number
Notice of Vacancy of U.S. Magistrate Judge The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The salary of the position is $181,332 per year and the position will be located in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The term of office is eight years; incumbents may be reappointed to successive terms.
The full public notice and application is available on the Court’s website at www.mnd.uscourts.gov. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, January 24, 2014.
Grant Writer Saint Paul Area Council of Churches Job Overview: The primary purpose of the Grant Writer is to assure that SPACC develops and secures sufficient financial resources through foundation grants, United Way and government grantors to the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. This position requires a high level of motivation, attention to detail, and excellent oral and written communication skills and a personal commitment to the organization’s mission.
How to apply: Please send cover letter, resume, writing sample to: Vernon Sowell, Director of Operations, SPACC, 1671 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. Applications close January 17, 2014.
said, that adds even more financial pressure on those struggling to make ends meet. She said a lot of them are employed but don’t earn enough to cover the basics. “And so they do have to rely on these different forms of assistance to kind of fill the gaps and make sure that they’re able to find food and that they’re able
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of years coming in for assistance with food, and so the need is still there.” In addition to the recent reduction from the ending of an economic stimulus program, a new Farm Bill could bring more cuts to SNAP benefits, of which more than 500,000 Minnesotans are recipients. As benefits are cut, Shatila
The complete job posting can be found at: www.house.mn/jobs or call 651-297-8200 for a faxed or mailed copy. Cover letter and resume must be received by Friday, January 3, 2014. EEO/AA EMPLOYER
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Courtesy GMCC
Suzanne Shatila is the new director at Minnesota FoodShare.
to heat their homes and things like that.” Last year, there were more than 3 million food shelf visits in the state and Shatila said around 40 percent of those helped are children. Minnesota FoodShare is a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Minnesota hunger information is at bit. ly/1hdYQIO.
Page 12 • December 23 - December 29, 2013 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Michelle Howard named first female four-star Admiral (Baltimore, MD) – The NAACP congratulated Michelle Janine Howard on her nomination by President Barack Obama for appointment to the rank of admiral and assignment as vice chief of naval operations. This appointment will make Howard the first female four-star Admiral. Last year, Admiral Howard
received the NAACP’s Chairman’s Award during the 44th NAACP Image Awards. “This is a historic and well-deserved appointment for Admiral Howard,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “Admiral Howard serves as a true inspiration for women, particularly women of
Roslyn M Brock, NAACP Chairman, National Board of Directors with US Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Howard
Brown
things,” said Brown. Brown’s mother, Linda Waters, said her daughter is disputing the stereotype that youth are lazy. Brown’s goal is to demonstrate that youth are capable of being responsible and planning for the future. Waters said her daughter’s engagement in the pageant as well as other extra-curricular activities is about selfempowerment and empowering others. “It was important for her to step outside of her comfort
From 1 us in our generation is going to be the president,” said Brown. “So we need to start acting like leaders now.” The high school student also strives to combat stereotypes about youth. Brown said she gets involved with various organizations and programs to show the versatility of youth. “It could maybe show other people that yes, we can do
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color, in the military and across the nation. We look forward to her continued service to our country as a four-star admiral.” On March 12, 1999, Howard became the first AfricanAmerican woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. From May 2004 to September 2005, Howard was the commander of Amphibious Squadron Seven, deploying with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, operations included tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf.
Howard is the recipient of several awards for her service. While serving on board the Lexington, she received the secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award. Howard is also the recipient of the 2008 Women of Color Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Achievement Award, the 2009 Dominion Power Strong Men and Women Excellence in Leadership Award, and the 2011 USO Military Woman of the Year.
zone and show that here she is a black, beautiful, intelligent young lady,” said Waters. “She can really encourage her peers and her circle of friends.” Brown said getting involved in different activities like the pageant can lead to many opportunities. “This is building my college resume and it’s helpful to try new things,” said Brown. The ambitious teenager encourages people her age to explore different activities and opportunities that will strengthen leadership skills. “You can meet new friends, have new experiences and you’re just going to accomplish a lot,” said Brown. One thing that is not a new experience for Brown is the piano. “I started playing the piano when I was in 4th grade at Whittier (International Elementary),” said Brown. Whittier has a music partnership with MacPhail Center for Music. Brown was attracted to the sound of the piano and the instrument’s range. “I like the piano because I think it is really fun and the sound is really pretty,” said Brown. “There are lots of different melodies you can play.” For Brown, playing the piano has many benefits when planning for the future. “I think it is really important to know how to play an instrument,” said Brown. “You might need it for things like pageants.”
Brown played “Lift Every Voice and Sing” for the talent portion in the pageant. She said it was the most challenging piece she has played. “It was a struggle because I had to learn it in four weeks,” said Brown. “There was so little time and I had to practice it so frequently and I couldn’t make any mistakes.” “Playing piano in the pageant was pretty gusty,” said Diana Bearmon, Brown’s piano teacher. “She just worked an incredible amount.” The piano teacher said participating in the pageant was an important step for Brown. “For her goals, I think that was a good thing for her,” said Bearmon. “She learned to stick to things and work through a process.” Brown said she chose “Lift and Every Voice and Sing” because of the song’s connection with AfricanAmericans. “It seemed perfect for the pageant because it (is) the National Anthem for AfricanAmericans,” said Brown. The first runner up said her participation in the pageant was worthwhile. “At first I was really disappointed I didn’t win,” said Brown. “But, I was really happy that I went through the experience of being in my first pageant and that I got so far.” Brown said she wants to continue her participation in pageants and her support of youth leadership.
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