Insight News ::: 4.8.19

WINNER: 2018 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 3RD PLACE BES T COLUMN WRITING

WINNER: 2019 GENERAL EXCELLENCE, 3RD PLACE, COLUMN WRITING, 2ND PLACE

Insight News April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 14• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

BLACK VIOLIN

Hip-hop/classical duo set to perform at the Ordway April 19 Win VIP tickets and a chance to meet the artists @ www.insightnews.com/blackviolin and at Conversations with Al McFarlane on KFAI FM 90.3

BLAC BL AC K V I OL OLII N 7

Photo credit: Colin Brennan

Page 2 • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Insight News

insightnews.com

for your life.

COMPARE AND $AVE You’ll love it, we guarantee it.

Looking to save more in-store every day? It’s easier than ever at your neighborhood Cub. Compare our price to their price & see the savings add up on items ms throughout the store.

Just look for the yellow tags!

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

10

10$ for

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

Made Fresh Daily!

399

Del Monte Fruit Naturals

Old Fashioned Cake Donuts

6.5-7 oz, select varieties

6 ct, select varieties available in our Bakery

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

1

$

Little Potato Company Bite Size Potatoes

St. Pierre Brioche Baguette 11.9 oz, Sliced Loaf 17.6 oz or Popovers

5

1.5 lb bags, select varieties

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

699

Tyson Any’tizers, Crispy Strips, Fillets or Grilled & Ready 16-28.05 oz, frozen, select varieties

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

off

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

299

International Delight Coffee Creamer 32 oz

4

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

5

2$

4$

Essential Everyday American Singles

Oui French Yogurt Cups

12 oz

5 oz

or Natural Sliced Cheese 6.8-8 oz

or Yoplait YQ Yogurt

for

for

5.3 oz

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

5

14 oz, select varieties available in our Bakery

20.6-30.5 oz, select varieties

Danish Coffee Cake

Lay’s Potato Chips 5-8 oz or Rold Gold Pretzels

cinnamon or vanilla available in our Bakery

3

99

5

2$

for

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

7

2$

for

Kemps Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt 48 oz

7-16 oz

2$

for

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

99

Folgers Coffee

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

199

Village Hearth Cottage White Bread 24 oz

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

10

4$ for

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke or Sprite 6 pk, 16.9 oz btls or 7.5 oz cans, select varieties

VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

269

Nabisco Chips Ahoy! 7-13 oz, Ritz Toasted Chips, Crisp & Thins 4.5-8.1 oz

or Bites 6-6.4 oz VALID 04/04/19 - 04/17/19 • CUB COUPON

2

99

Heinz Ketchup 31-38 oz, select varieties

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Page 3

Insight News

WINNER: 2019 GENERAL EXCELLENCE, 3RD PLACE, COLUMN WRITING, 2ND PLACE

WINNER: 2018 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 3RD PLACE BES T COLUMN WRITING

April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 14• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Brigadier Gen. Carol Eggert: commanding Comcast corporate initiative to eliminate the digital divide

By Carmen Robles Afrodescendientes Associate Editor The moment she walked through the door of the Marcus Garvey House in North Minneapolis for a video interview on “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” you could tell she was a woman of great distinction.

Retired Brigadier Gen. Carol Eggert, vice president, Military and Veteran Affairs at Comcast may have completed her military service, however, she continues to serve another mission. The mission: to close the digital divide.

The digital divide is a technology inequality between those who have and those who do not have, access to affordable internet access. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has been Comcast’s answer to helping close the digital divide.

Eggert is leading the charge to ensure the digital divide is a thing of the past. One could say her role is a “twofer” at Comcast; combing her 30 plus years of military and civilian experience.

Recipient of numerous commendations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze

Star, Purple Heart and multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, this foundation of service fuels Eggert’s passion for outreach in the military and veteran community; and ignites her commitment to helping underserved communities.

Staying true to its mission “to improve and enrich our communities” Comcast supports grassroots communitybased organizations through its Internet Essentials program.

According to the 2012 Pew report, “Digital Differences”, only 62 percent of people in households making less than $30,000 a year used the internet, while in those making $50,000 – $74,999 that percentage jumped to 90.”

Statistics put together by digitalresponsibility. org, a group of Silicon Valley tech employees reveal that only 49 percent of AfricanAmericans and 51 percent of Hispanics have high-speed internet at home, compared to 66 percent of Caucasians.

People qualify for Internet Essentials if a child in the household is eligible for the National School Lunch Program, they receive HUD housing assistance, are a lowincome verified veteran or are a low-income senior.

Internet Essentials is

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Retired Brigadier Gen. Carol Eggert with Insight News editor-in-chief Al McFarlane. sponsoring a series of 12 Conversations with Al McFarlane interviews with community

organizations working with Comcast to bring internet access to underserved communities and families. The television series

will air on SPNN Television in St. Paul and on MTN Television in Minneapolis later this month.

The individual interviews are

available at the multimedia tab at www.insightnews.com, and Facebook.com\insightnews.

The two killings of Nipsey Hussle

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com What defines a man?

It seems the question depends not only on the man we’re attempting to define, but also it depends on who’s providing the definition. Case in point, Ermias Davidson Asghedom, aka, Nipsey Hussle.

To millions of those immured in hip-hop, and for that matter, pop culture, Hussle, killed March 31 at just 33 years of age, was an iconic emcee revered for his music, attaining both commercial and critical success. To many in his immediate community of Los Angeles he was a business owner providing opportunities for others … and to many, many Black people who may not even have a connection to today’s hip-hop – people such as me – he was a modern symbol of hope and empowerment. To others …

Nipsey Hussle Like 2 Pac, killed in 1996, Hussle was an enigma.

Enigma may be a bit strong. For

most Black people in America it’s less enigma and more so, duality. Not this or that, but this

and that. Unfortunately, for the masses – the uninformed – the focus tends to lean towards the that.

News of the Nipsey Hussle shooting began to spread late afternoon/early evening, and as with most breaking news stories, details were sketchy. I was playing cards with a group of fellas and watching the Duke/ Michigan State basketball game when our social media feeds alerted us to a shooting. First it was three men shot and injured outside of Hussle’s Marathon Clothing store, then it was Hussle himself was shot but not life-threatening, then it was he was in critical condition. I’m in the news business so my instincts took me off social media to find a daily news source. I pulled up NBC’s website and it was confirmed, Nipsey Hussle was dead. But that wasn’t the only story the NBC report wanted to tell. Due to the violent

HUSSLE 4

Lightfoot elected Chicago mayor

By Cole Lauterbach Watchdog.org Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former prosecutor and an openly-gay Black woman, promised as Chicago’s next mayor to bring unity and new hope to a shrinking city mired in debt, corruption and gun violence She handily won a runoff election Tuesday over Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a 72-year-old longtime politician backed by some the city’s most powerful unions.

“Today you did more than make history,”

LIGHTFOOT 4

Lori Lightfoot speaks to supporters Tuesday night (April 2) after handily beating opponent Toni Preckwinkle to become Chicago’s next mayor. Courtesy Fox 32 Chicago

I2H

Attorney General Ellison joins multistate coalition suing Trump Administration for gutting key nutritional standards for school meals

PAGE 4

Afrodecendientes Casa Adela: A taste of Nueva York

PAGE 6

Maria Douglas Reeve

Twin Cities Black Journalists president

Maria Douglas Reeve, named NABJ program co-chair chair WASHINGTON, D.C. – Maria Douglas Reeve and Bernadette Brown have been named program chairs for the upcoming National Association of Black Journalists’ #NABJ19 Convention and Career Fair.

“I am excited about the breadth of experience and dedication that Bernadette and Maria will bring to this year’s convention,” said National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) President Sarah Glover. “The caliber of programming NABJ conventions offer is recognized nationally and we can’t wait for our members to see what we have in store this year.”

Douglas Reeve is the assistant managing editor for news at the Star Tribune and is currently president of the Twin Cities Black Journalists.

She played an integral role in the local chapter’s planning of the 2015 NABJ Convention and Career Fair in Minneapolis and has been a member of NABJ for more than 20 years.

She earned her master’s degree in public affairs journalism at the University of Maryland

and a bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College. Douglas Reeve is also a former national board member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). At SPJ, she co-chaired the program planning committee for that organization’s 1996 National Convention. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “I am absolutely thrilled to again be tapped to co-chair the Program Committee for NABJ’s National Convention,” said Douglas Reeve.

“I am excited to work with Bernadette to bring our members the sharpest, most relevant, cutting-edge training that reflects the convention’s theme (to be revealed in the coming days).

We look forward to welcoming everyone to sunny South Florida.”

Brown is an expert in news operations, programming and development and serves as manager for CNN Newsource Newsgathering. She is an active member of NABJ, holding

NABJ 4

AS

Penumbra accepting applications for teen summer institute

PAGE 8

Page 4 • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Insight 2 Health Attorney General Ellison joins multistate coalition suing Trump Administration for gutting key nutritional standards for school meals Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a multistate coalition in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for weakening federal nutritional standards for breakfasts and lunches served at least 600,000 schoolchildren in Minnesota.

The coalition, led

by New York Attorney General Letitia James, contends that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rollback of sodium limits and whole-grain requirements for school meals lacks legallymandated scientific basis and in further violation of law, was adopted without public notice and opportunity to comment.

“All parents want to know that their kids are healthy and will do anything to make sure they are. Low-income parents rely on healthy school breakfasts and lunches to help them with that. It’s one way they try like everyone else to afford their lives and live with dignity. So it’s cruel that the Trump Administration would lower standards that could make low-income kids’ meals

Attorney General Keith Ellison less healthy – and galling that they didn’t even follow the law in doing so,” Ellison said.

In 2018, more than 600,000 Minnesota schoolchildren participated in the school-lunch program,

and more than 200,000 in the school-breakfast program, with some children participating in both. In the United States, nearly 30 million school children consumed nearly 5 billion school lunch and more than 14 million school breakfasts.

School meal programs are especially important for children in low-income families.

In 2018, more than 74 percent of school lunches and 85 percent of school breakfasts provided to schoolchildren in the United States were offered free or at a reduced price. Further, according to USDA’s own figures, a disproportionately high share of students participating in the national school lunch and breakfast programs are African-American or Latino/a.

In 2018, the Trump Administration, after soliciting no public comment as required by law, gutted a 2012 USDA rule setting updated nutritional standards for whole-grain and sodium content for school meals. By contrast, the 2012 rule was made after receiving more than 100,000 public comments.

Ellison said the Trump Administration also failed to follow the law by stating how its changes were consistent with previously established dietary guidelines for school meals.

Established in 1946, the National School Lunch Program is a federally subsidized program that provides students with meals in schools at lowor no-cost. Since that time, Congress has taken action to ensure that program’s nutritional guidelines keep current with the best scientific evidence with the most recent modernization occurring in 2010 with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. In 1994, Congress acted to require school meals to be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutritional and dietary information, and guidelines for the general public that are jointly issued

by USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2010, Congress directed USDA to update the nutritional requirements based on a 2009 study by the Food and Nutrition

Board, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Food and Nutrition Board study found that the daily sodium intake for schoolchildren “clearly was excessive,” and at levels significantly above the Dietary Guidelines. The study cited scientific evidence that showed a relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure in children as well, and that “high blood pressure responds to a reduction in salt intake in children as in adults.” Consequently, the Food and Nutrition Board Study recommended sodium limits for school meals based on the Dietary Guidelines.

The study also found “extremely low” consumption of whole grains by schoolchildren.

The study recommended grain products served in schools be “whole grain-rich” — i.e., contain at least 51 percent whole grains — as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.

Last year, according to Ellison and other state attorney generals, the Trump Administration’s USDA issued

a rule dismantled key nutrition standards set by the 2012 Rule, such as eliminating the final maximum sodium target, delaying by five years the second intermediate maximum-sodium target that had been set for the 2019-2020 school year, and cutting in half the whole grains requirement. They say in issuing the rule, the Trump USDA failed to explain how the changes to the sodium and whole grain nutrition standards for school meals were, as required by law, “consistent with of the goals of the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans” and “based on” the Food and Nutrition Board study’s recommendations.

Further, the 2018 rule was neither issued as a proposed rule nor was the public provided an opportunity to comment on it.

Joining Attorney General Ellison in the lawsuit are the attorney generals of California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, New Mexico, New York and Vermont. The lawsuit was filed April 3 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

New bill would help address racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer care Washington, D.C. – Colorectal cancer care advocates, minority health care organizations and medical associations want Congress to help address racial and ethnic disparities in screening and outcomes by passing the CT Colonography Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act (H.R. 1969).

The bipartisan bill introduced in House by Reps.

Danny Davis (D-IL) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) would provide Medicare coverage for CT Colonography (CTC) screening – also known as virtual colonoscopy.

U.S. Census Bureau National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data shows that while virtual colonoscopy use

Hussle From 3 nature of the musician’s death NBC reported on Hussle’s last Twitter post, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.” The post was indeed ominous and cryptic.

As the outlet should have, it went on to offer background on Hussle for those who may be learning of him for the first time or know little about the man … and trust, there are many who fall in this category.

But the background NBC focused upon was a background I didn’t know and was quite contrary to the Nipsey Hussle most fans and admirers know.

“Hussle had long been associated with the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips,

Lightfoot From 3 Lightfoot said in her victory speech. “You created a movement for change.”

With most of the precincts reporting, Lightfoot had won nearly three-fourths of the vote, taking every ward.

Her campaign was seen as

NABJ From 3 several positions including serving as a regional director and

is comparatively modest, largely due to lack of Medicare coverage, its use is growing more quickly among Latinos and African-Americans. Those in both groups are more likely than whites to choose virtual colonoscopy. However, at present, both groups are less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer and their cancers are found at a later stage than in whites. Latino Americans are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than those in many Central and South American countries and AfricanAmericans are far more likely to die from the disease than whites.

“Latinos are less likely to get tested for colorectal cancer due to the fear associ-

ated with colonoscopy screenings, among other factors. Latinos are also more likely to die from the disease. Virtual colonoscopy is a safe alternative, and will lead more Latino seniors to get screened,” said Jose Ortiz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Hispanic Health Council.

“Providing affordable options to patients is important.

CT colonoscopy does not require sedation and is a screening option that many seniors need to consider. We can’t let this lack of Medicare coverage, or other unexpected costs, remain and inhibit seniors’ access to a lifesaving screening exam,” said Anjee Davis, presi-

dent of Fight Colorectal Cancer.

“Colorectal cancer is largely preventable thanks to effective screening tools. Ensuring access to proven screening exams through Medicare is especially important for America’s vulnerable populations,” noted Davis.

Previous studies in the U.S. and abroad have shown that use of this exam raises screening rates and lowers costs.

“Timely screening for colorectal cancer can literally save lives, but many patients cannot or will not have a colonoscopy. For them, CT colonography provides a less invasive option that they are more likely to choose. Medicare should cover this screen-

ing option,” said Michael Sapienza, president and CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

“Medicare-covered access to virtual colonoscopy can attract many who would otherwise not be tested, allowing doctors to remove polyps before they become cancers and prevent this deadly disease,” said Carolyn R. (“Bo”) Aldigé, CEO and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Virtual colonoscopy is as accurate as standard colonoscopy in most people — including those 65 and older — and is less invasive.

To date, Medicare refuses to cover seniors for these exams.

“Medicare coverage

for virtual colonoscopy would ensure that the privately insured do not lose coverage for an exam they may want once they turn 65,” said Anne Carlson, president of the Colon Cancer Coalition.

Nearly 40 states require insurance policies to cover virtual colonoscopy. Insurers who take part in federal exchanges are required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to cover the exam with no copay.

UnitedHealthcare, CIGNA, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and others cover the test irrespective of ACA requirements.

one of Los Angeles’ largest street gangs, which he publicly acknowledged in a 2010 interview with Complex magazine,” the breaking news article stated. To prove Hussle was a “gangbanger” a link to the Complex article was provided.

This was actually news to me.

I am not connected to today’s hip-hop like I was to hip-hop in the past. I still get out and party and I’m sure I’ve heard plenty of Nipsey Hussle’s music, but don’t ask me to name one song title because I can’t.

But I know Nipsey Hussle. The reason I know Nipsey Hussle is because many major Black media outlets have long been reporting on the Los Angeles artist’s charitable exploits and his funding of a technology initiative focused on introducing careers in STEM to Black youth.

Black media outlets reported on Hussle working to produce a documentary on homeopathic healer, Dr. Sebi – a man who believed in natural medicine and claimed to have an herbal cure for AIDS. Early interviews of Hussle that have now resurfaced show a young Hussle talking about wealth building and wealth creation through investing in real estate and other appreciating assets. He even delves into the colonization of many African nations and its impact on the world today. So, yes, it seems Nipsey Hussle was associated with a street gang, but clearly, he was so much more.

Early in the day, before the tragic shooting that killed Hussle and has two others fighting for their lives, I was home cleaning and folding clothes … typical Sunday morning stuff. I needed some

form of entertainment to get me thought the mundane tasks, so I turned to Netflix. Trending was the documentary, “The Two Killings of Sam Cooke.”

In hindsight it was an eerie coincidence that it was that documentary I chose to watch on that morning.

“The Two Killings of Sam Cooke” was, as I saw it, a documentary reclaiming the legacy of legendary soul singer Sam Cooke. For years, the narrative of Sam Cooke was “talented singer killed in ‘seedy motel’ while in the company of a prostitute.”

That may or may not be how he died (like with Hussle, there is continued speculation surrounding the circumstances of Cooke’s killing) but that’s not how Cooke lived.

Cooke was a musician who in many ways defined soul music, but more importantly, he was

an out-front activist for Black people. Cooke often refused to play segregated shows at expense of his own earnings while enduring death threats from racist whites angered by his outspokenness. Cooke, like Hussle, advocated to self-reliance to the point of starting his own record label and publishing company.

According to friend Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke was the first entertainer to encourage Blacks to turn away processed hair and wear their natural hair.

“He invited the Afro,” exclaimed Robinson in the riveting documentary.

Sam Cooke was that influential.

So too was Nipsey Hussle.

Sam Cooke’s legacy deserves to be told in its proper context. So too does Nipsey Hussle’s.

On my way to play

cards I drove past a crime scene near North Minneapolis. As it turns out, like in the Hussle case, one person was killed and two others fighting for life. I don’t know much more about the lives of those shot but I know their story, like Hussle’s, is not monotone. I made the perilous mistake of reading the comments under a news story detailing the killing. I promise, those ill-informed and callous comments are not the totality of the victims. That young man who lost his life in North Minneapolis deserves to have his entire story told; same as Nipsey Hussle. They shouldn’t be defined by the ill-informed; neither in the comment section nor by the storyteller him or herself.

Most importantly, they should both be alive.

more upbeat and positive than Preckwinkle’s, who took criticism for her negativity in campaign ads and in the debates.

“While I may be disappointed, I am not disheartened,” Preckwinkle said Tuesday evening in a concession speech.

Preckwinkle will return to her seat of power as president of Cook County’s Board of Commissioners, where she’ll have to work closely with Lightfoot. Preck-

winkle faced sharp criticism for leading the campaign to successfully institute a tax on sugary drinks in Cook County, something she was later rebuffed on when the county commissioners voted in 2017 to repeal the penny-per-ounce tax.

The vacuum of power in America’s third-largest city was set in motion by the surprise September announcement that Mayor Rahm Emanuel would not run for re-election.

This opened the door for a flood

of candidates looking to take over as the city’s top executive.

The February election saw Lightfoot and Preckwinkle as the top two vote-getters out of 14 candidates that included state lawmakers, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, even Bill Daley, brother and son of two former Chicago mayors.

Daley came in third place in the February election, getting within 8,000 votes of Preckwinkle’s 88,757 votes.

Lightfoot and Preck-

winkle weren’t far apart on some of the election’s key issues. Both favor preserving Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, legalized gambling and a casino in the city, a statewide progressive tax, and other policy issues.

They differed on aldermanic privilege, or the ability for the city’s local ward aldermen to have the final say on construction projects in their wards, as well as term limits for the mayor and aldermen. Preck-

winkle supported the status quo while Lightfoot listed changing both with “high importance” in a Chicago Tribune questionnaire of the candidates.

Lightfoot will take office later this year, and in doing so will become the second woman behind Jane Byrne, second African-American behind Harold Washington, and the first openly gay person to serve as mayor of Chicago.

This article originally ran on ilnews.org.

most recently executive producer during the 2018 convention.

Brown received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Radio/Television from Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the Frank N. Magid Management Institute and The Poynter Insti-

tute Leadership Academy. She has also served as a proud member of the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications and is a graduate of the organization’s leadership academy.

“I am excited to co-

chair this year’s convention alongside Maria,” said Brown.

“The institution of journalism is critically important in this country and this annual convention serves as a meeting of the minds where journalists of color can share resources, learn new skills

and foster important and lifelong relationships. I’m proud to be a part of the team presenting one of the most exciting and well-attended gatherings. The entire convention committee is dedicated to its success.”

The #NABJ19 Con-

vention and Career Fair, which takes place Aug. 7 – Aug. 11 in Miami, is expected to draw more than 4,000 attendees and has in the past attracted sitting presidents, leaders in politics, business, media and entertainment.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Page 5

Drug Court graduates celebrate recovery During a commencement ceremony in late March, Hennepin County Drug Court recognized 34 graduates who overcame addiction and abstained from repeating the behaviors that brought them to court.

Drug Court aims to increase public safety by identifying and intervening to break the cycle of chemical dependency and crime.

The voluntary program works with nonviolent adult offenders who are chemically dependent.

Gina Brandt, Drug Court presiding judge, said she is deeply humbled and honored to work on the Model Drug Court Team with such talented and dedicated professionals who work tirelessly every day to ensure participants have a pathway to success.

“The Drug Court Team members have committed themselves to personally working toward lowering criminal recidivism rates, drastically reducing illegal drug use, ensuring successful completion of chemical dependency programs and ultimately reshaping the community with jobs, education and stable housing,” Brandt said.

“The many accomplishments of the graduates of Hennepin County’s Model Drug Court Program make Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota, both better places to live.”

Breaking the cycle of addiction Drug Court involves the coordinated efforts of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, law enforcement, social services, probation and treatment specialists to identify and intervene with chemically-dependent offenders.

Participants engaged in treatment and were rewards progress for meeting goals and sanctions noncompliant behavior. Drug Court participants receive ongoing judicial supervision from the court, are placed under supervision, undergo frequent drug testing and engage in long-term chemical dependency treatment.

“Drug Court really surrounded me with the love and care and acceptance of what was going on in my life,” said Lindsay Arf, drug court graduate. “I really mean this when I’m saying I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Drug Court.”

Drug Court also assists participants in enhancing life-skills through services, such as job training, education and family counseling.

“Drug Court graduation reminds us that a public health approach to treating addiction is desperately needed in the criminal justice system,” said Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Mary Moriarty.

“It’s wonderful to see the sense

Hennepin County probation officer Joel Goldberg (right) hugs a Drug Court graduate during a recent ceremony honoring 34 who complete the diversion program for nonviolent drug offenders. of pride and accomplishment on the faces of the graduates. They know that they now have control over their lives and can go on to live productive, healthy lives.”

The program shifts the

way courts are handling certain offenders. Research shows that this approach has proven more effective than traditional court strategies at reducing repeat offenses.

The court includes

professionals from Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hennepin County Health and Human Services, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office,

Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office, Minneapolis Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Court, Hennepin County Medical Center, area treatment providers and local partners.

Minneapolis City Council approves vision, mission and values as part of Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan The Minneapolis City Council has approved the City’s vision, mission and values as part of the Strategic and Racial Equity Action planning process – a framework that seeks to ensure the implementation of racial equity goals.

The Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan is a fouryear plan that framers say will embed racial equity principles into all aspects of the city’s work, aligning work from city leadership to departments and defining

goals at all planning levels. The Council is expected to vote on a final version of the plan in June.

The vision adopted by the council reads, “Minneapolis is an intentionally compassionate city where each of us can reach our full potential while caring for one another, eliminating racial disparities, improving our environment and promoting social well-being.

We lead in innovative and creative ways, focused not only on our present needs, but also the

success of future generations.”

The adoption of the vision, mission and values follows the approval of eight goals earlier this year. These goals were developed during sessions last year stewarded by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Council President Lisa Bender and Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins with city leaders and the Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee. The goals were also informed by community engagement from

the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Minneapolis 2040’s first goal is to eliminate disparities and a targeted number of policy areas from the plan have been identified as policy priorities for the Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan.

Frey and the city council have also directed staff to focus on strategies in 2019 for three top priorities – reduce evictions among communities of color, increase the number of businesses owned by people of

color and eliminate the disproportionate impact of violence in communities of color, immigrant and indigenous communities.

Additionally, the Council adopted City enterprise goals in December 2018 that call for increasing the retention of racially and ethnically diverse employees, diversifying the City’s vendor base, improving the use of racially-disaggregated data in policymaking and improving the capacity of the City’s boards and commissions

to advance racial equity work Responding to the urgent need to prioritize and address historic racial disparities in Minneapolis, this is the first time the City has merged its strategic planning with a racial equity framework. To learn more about the plan, visit the plan’s website, www.minneapolismn.gov/ coordinator/Equity/sreap/index. htm or contact RaceEquity@ minneapolismn.gov.

MORE ORGANIC. MORE LOCAL. Your neighborhood choice for fresh, natural foods. msmarket.coop

Page 6 • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Brooklyn Park sailor on the ready in the Indian Ocean U.S. Navy Boat swain’s Mate 2nd Class Ibrahim Kaba (front), from Brooklyn Park, maneuvers through the ship while responding to a simulated active shooter during

anti-terrorism force protection drills aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance in the Indian Ocean, March 13.

The Spruance is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria

Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb Artist Donald Walker 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,

of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo

by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon

Casa Adela: A taste of Nueva York

By Carmen Robles Afrodescendientes Associate Editor Tucked between Avenue C and Clinton Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan is Adela Fargas’ tribute to her Afrodecendientes roots.

Casa Adela Café Restaurant, 66 Avenue C, creates traditional foods with traditional kitchen tools. Casa Adela, an abuelita (grandmother) style Puerto Rican eatery opened in the early ’70s and is still standing.

On a recent trip to my old neighborhood, the beautiful storefront window’s display of pilones y maseta, pronounced pea-lone e mass-et-ah, (wooden mortar and pestles/crushers) immediately caught my attention; beckoning me to come closer, to take-a-peek. But it was the aroma escaping from the doors of Casa Adela, that drew me in.

“So, what’s a pilon y maseta” you ask? Good question.

It is an African-born cooking tool that captures Puerto Rican traditional culinary. It is a must-have home kitchen tool and comes in many sizes.

The massive wooden ones on display were used to mash foods down to a pulp or fine powder, or to process dried coffee beans for distribution. The smaller household version continues to dominate the Puerto Rican kitchen and is a treasure passed on from generation to

generation. I have my mother’s; a point of contention when she passed away and I cleverly swiped it from my siblings.

Uses for this kitchen tool includes mashing garlic cloves and other herbs to create a paste called sofrito. This sought-after seasoning is used on meats, vegetables, fish; and to calderos (pots) de arroz y gandules (of rice and chickpeas.) More important, the pilon y maseta is the key tool used to make the traditional Puerto Rican dish, mofongo.

The delicacy first introduced by the Afro Taino Indian an brought to the island by African slaves still holds up as an original favorite. Mofongo is made from fried green bananas, actually from the cousin of bananas the green platano (plantains).

Platanos are first cut and fried until golden brown. Then they are mashed in a pilon y maseta along with the sofrito (special seasonings) and formed into a ball. Looking more like a work of art, it is usually served with bits of crispy fried meat, or seafood, adorning the ball.

A side dish of broth keeps the plantano ball soft and pliable.

The rhythm and sounds of la maseta slamming into el pilon coming from the kitchen overshadowed the blaring sounds of a Spanish talk show flashing on the big screen television that was hoisted high up towards the ceiling, saving every square inch of the covenant space at 66 Ave. C. in NYC.

Casa Adela

Adela Fargas March 19, 1936 – Jan. 15, 2018 The menu, riddled with Puerto Rican delights, posed difficult choices for me.

What to get? What to get?

“Arroz con habichelas” (rice and beans) I screamed inside my head. Bisteque ensebollado (steak sautéed in onions) camarons al ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce) oh my. Decisions, decisions.

The pilon y masta display at the storefront window that would rival any pilon y maseta museum (if there is such a thing) drew me in, so mofongo it is. A very dicey choice since mofongo can oftentimes turn out to be a hard ball of smooched starchy plantanos served with way burnt, pieces of carnitas (meat) surrounding the prize. A side dish of a clear broth is served with it, usually pretty salty. Oftentimes, it’s just a ball of fried, smooched starchy platanos

soaked in broth. Still, it calls me.

Maybe it’s because of the work involved in making mofongo. It’s usually a family affair. With specific tasks given to each one who wants a slice of the mofongo pie (so to speak).

The sounds of the pounding of fried platanoes being crushed in the pilon y maseta, more than my pallet, led me to this difficult decision among the treasures listed in the menu.

Turned out to be an excellent choice. This was a mofongo to rival all mofongo’s out there in mofongo world. Surprise.

The ball was a golden sphere of plantanos topped with a small piece of “cuero” crispy crunchy skin like crispy bacon.

No crunchy burnt pieces of pork on this work of art. Every bite soft, fresh, filled with garlic and pulled port. The taste of garlic pungent, the way I like it.

This broth was sancacho (a thick savory sauce, with almost soup-like consistency) adding an incredible punch to the already spectacular explosion of heavenly flavors.

“Somos Puertoriquenos los hacemos con sason – sabor (we are Puerto Rican we make it with seasoning with flavor),” said Luis Rivera, son of Adela, and the new captain at the helm of this ancestral restaurant.

When in the Big Apple visit the Puerto Rican Afro-Latino cuisine. More than just good eats, it’s a legacy of ancestral proportions.

fresh • local • organic Your neighborhood source for local and organic foods and wellness products

2823 E. Franklin Ave. | Minneapolis & 317 E. 38th St. | Minneapolis w w w. s e w a rd. co o p

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Page 7

BLACK VIOLIN returns to the Twin Cities for Ordway performance

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com The genre-defying hip-hop/ classical duo, Black Violin, is set to perform at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul.

Classically trained violinists, Wil B and Kev Marcus – collectively known as Black Violin – will perform with their band April 19 for a 7:30 p.m. show that is presented by the Minnesota Lottery.

This show is a return of the duo, who has previously played the Ordway, as well as the Dakota – all sold out performances.

What may have been first seen to some as a novelty act, Black Violin has proven its merits in both the hip-hop and classical communities, while at the same time bringing together two seemingly opposite styles of music. At the group’s shows the audience tends to be as diverse as the music, with young “sneaker heads” bobbing to the music alongside suit-clad middle-aged individuals who may at one time considered themselves “classical purist.”

Black Violin blends their violin and viola playing with hip-hop production and DJ scratching to create a sound unique and infectious. Buoyed by guest appearances from the likes of Black Thought of The Roots, Pharoahe Monch, Melanie Fiona, jazz pianist and producer Robert Glasper and jazz singer Kandace Springs, Black Violin’s second LP, “Stereotypes,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.

“We’re so excited to have Black Violin back to the Ordway for the second time – literally back by popular demand,” said Dayna Martinez,

Colin Brennan

Black Violin artistic director of Education and Community Programming for the Ordway. “When they were here for a sold-out crowd in November 2017, they played the 1,000-seat (Ordway) Concert Hall and put on a really special scaled-down show, perfect for that intimate venue. This time they will rock out in the larger, 1,900seat Music Theater, and will be able to use their full sound and lights. It will be a show the audience won’t soon forget.”

Martinez said Black Violin has the perfect blend

of classically-trained technique, mixed with the deep groove of hip-hop and rock.

“That is what we’re going for in the Music & Movement series – artists of impeccable talent who are rooted in a culture or technique, but put a contemporary, unique spin on it and make it their own,” said Martinez.

While most audiences at a classical music performance are reserved and demure, Martinez said not this one.

“Black Violin connects so well with the audi-

ence and draw them in, making them a part of the performance, which really just feels like a fun, house party,” said Martinez. “And, they really appeal to all ages and all types of musiclovers. They and their band are such charismatic, talented musicians and they put on a show that includes music that everyone will enjoy, be it classical, R&B, hip-hop or even folk/ bluegrass. They move from genre to genre effortlessly.”

“Artists like Black Violin are important not just for their innovation and art-

istry but because they bring people and cultures together by creating something new. By combining genres, they unite people. It is impactful for students from all backgrounds to see two Black men as artists and leaders, breaking harmful stereotypes and lack of representation and moving us forward where possibilities are open to all students,” said Kelli Foster Warder, director of Education and producing associate at the Ordway.

According to Foster Warder, in collaboration

with Roseville Area High School and Walker West Music Academy, a music learning community rooted in African-American culture located in St. Paul, 30 youth musicians will rehearse and perform onstage for two numbers with Black Violin. There will also be a post-show mingle with DJ Carlos Garcia.

Tickets for Black Violin are $37-$62 and available online at www.ordway.org/ event/black-violin or by calling the Ordway Box Office at (651) 224-4222.

A Better Banking Experience.

612-455-1100 Five Twin Cities locations to serve you or visit us online at nabankco.com

Page 8 • April 8, 2019 - April 14, 2019 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Penumbra accepting applications for teen summer institute Penumbra Theatre’s Summer Institute, a leadership development program training teenagers to use their passion for the arts to promote social justice and equity, is accepting applications.

Applications for first year students are now open. The deadline to apply is May 31. For more details,

visit www.penumbratheatre.org/summer-institute.

July 8 marks the start of Summer Institute, with classes running through Aug. 2 at the University of Minnesota and Penumbra Theatre.

The summer intensive ends in an evening of original work written and performed by the students on Aug. 3 at

The possibility of homeownership is YOURS!

2019 Homeownership Expo

4.13.19 10am-2pm

7 p.m. at Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul.

As part the fourweek program, students ages 13 to 18 work alongside faculty, professional artists, interns and teens in a strive to eliminate racism, violence, and intolerance through performance. During the month of July, students engage in coursework Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to build trust, take risks and think critically about what kind of world they want to help build. They explore who

Penumbra Theatre

Penumbra Theatre’s Summer Institute offers teens 13-18 an opportunity the learn and act alongside theater professionals and perform in their own production, “Awake.” they are and discover their own power to make change,

taking classes such as “Art with Intent” and “Activist Art Lab” as well as African-based movement, ensemble acting, improvisation, music, performance, writing, and yoga.

Summer Institute includes more than 50 percent of students who identify as African-American and more than 50 percent who identify as female. Approxi-

James B. Davis Education Service Center 1250 West Broadway Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55411 Free Parking Available On-site IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP! • Resources and tools to start the home purchase • Participate in active learning sessions • Engage homeownership professionals and existing homeowners in conversation

Corporate Sponsors

19 APRIL

7:30

BLACK VIOLIN PRESENTED BY

mately 60 percent of the total students enrolled receive full or partial scholarship.

The first-year track focuses on art for social change and the basic elements of artistic craft. The final project, “Awake,” is an original ensemble performance about the social issues the students deem relevant and urgent.

In addition to engaging students in coursework and artistic training, Summer Institute provides a wide variety of enrichment opportunities as well as subsidized meals, transportation and tickets to Penumbra performances. Students become acquainted with college life at the University of Minnesota through dormitory stays and tours of the West Bank campus. They also receive professional headshots and resume development to prepare them for future arts opportunities. Snacks and lunches are provided every day and complimentary bus passes are available for student travel to and from the classroom and Penumbra Theatre.

Summer Institute runs in tandem with Penumbra’s Institute for Interns, an internship program designed to give undergraduate students an opportunity to explore innovative and communal ways to teach art and social justice. This year’s participating interns have the opportunity to participate in Summer Institute courses, work with the professional instructors, and test run their creative ideas. The interns will explore and deepen their comprehension of integrated educative practices that use art as a platform for learning, expression, and activism. The deadline to apply to the Institute of Interns is April 15. Details are at www. penumbratheatre.org/internships.