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Vol. 48 No. 32• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
GOLD, BRONZE & SILVER MEDALS
SUNISA LEE Lee thanks supporters in Hmong; Community rallies behind her BY JAMES POLLARD NBC Sports August 3, 2021 Sunisa Lee had a brief message for her Hmong-speaking supporters at a Tuesday morning press conference.S Speaking Hmong, a reporter asked Lee, the first Asian American woman to win gold in the Olympics’ all-around competition, how she thought her victory would help the Asian and Hmong communities. “Do I say it in Hmong or in —,” Lee responded, before laughing. “I don’t think I can say it. You guys are going to laugh at me.” “Hello, my name is Sunisa Lee,” the gymnast then said in Hmong. “I just want to say thank you for all your support,” Lee continued in English. “I love you guys so much, see you soon.” In an interview last week with NBC’s “TODAY” show, Lee discussed the support she’s received from the Hmong community in Minnesota, who she said “sacrificed a lot” for her. The Olympic experience has “definitely been very emotional,” Lee also said Tuesday. “I call my parents, and I want to cry every time,” Lee told reporters. The three-time Olympic medalist — who won gold in the women’s all-around, silver in the team final, and bronze in the uneven bars — said her parents have stayed up to watch her competitions. Lee added she is “super appreciative” of everyone supporting her back home, because she wouldn’t have made it the Olympic stage without them. The 18-year-old from Minnesota added she never thought she’d represent the United States and the Hmong community in the Olympics. “I really want to be an inspiration to others and help others reach their dreams,” Lee said.
Courtesy of NBC Sports
WHILE SUNISA LEE WINS GOLD IN THE OLYMPICS, HER HOMETOWN CELEBRATES BACK IN MINNESOTA By Hibah Ansari Sahan Journal Courtesy Hmong Today Surrounded by nearly 300 supporters, Sunisa Lee’s parents joked that they would hold their breath Thursday during their daughter’s historymaking performance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. At the end, a gold medal secured for the first Hmong American Olympic athlete, they finally exhaled— and let out a mighty cheer. Sunisa, 18, won the women’s gymnastics all-around event in a tense competition with athletes from Brazil and Russia. Along the way, she overcame the distraction of seeing her betterknown teammate, Simone Biles, pull out of the competition. “It doesn’t feel like real life,” Sunisa said in a TV interview after receiving her medal. Despite not being able to join Sunisa in Tokyo because of COVID-19 restrictions, her family celebrated her win with the local community. A crowd gathered at Brothers Event Center in Oakdale at 5:30 a.m. to support their hometown champion. Sunisa’s father, John Lee, told Sahan Journal he had been hosting watch parties with his family at their home in Saint Paul. Thursday morning, the Lee family opened up their watch party to the public. “I want to show Sunisa that everybody in Saint Paul and in the community is rooting for her. I hope that doesn’t put more pressure on her,” John said in an interview before the competition. Elle Lee, the owner of Brothers Event Center and wife of John’s relative, spent the night setting up the space, not expecting such a large
Getty Images
Sunisa’s family waiting to chat with her live on the phone: Yeej Thoj (mom) and John Lee (dad) wait patiently to talk to Sunisa while her sister Chyenne is on the phone with the Olympic champ. turnout. Rows of chairs were set up in front of the livestream, which was being projected onto a large screen. The event started early, but on top of the large crowd that had already gathered before the competition, more people trickled in throughout the morning. In front of the first
row where Sunisa’s parents sat, a group of younger attendees sat on three straw mats laid out on the floor. Among them were Kate Malinowski, Darah Ostrom, and Ayden Her, who grew up training alongside Sunisa on a Level 4 team in Minnesota. “We just progressed through the levels together. She
obviously progressed much more than me,” Malinoski, 18, joked. “It’s amazing.” Ayden, 18, who is the daughter of Representative Kaohly Her (DFL–Saint Paul), remembered how hard Sunisa worked in the gym. She recalled feeling a similar excitement for Sunisa in their previous
competitions together. This time, a lot more people were watching. “The Hmong population is really small throughout the whole world, and to have this kind of representation for our people is a really big feat,” Ayden said. The three gymnasts were especially impressed by Sunisa’s vault performance. Sunisa is most known for her skills in the uneven bar event, but in the all-around competition she stood out in all four rotations: vault, uneven bar, beam, and floor. Sunisa had jumped to the lead by the third rotation, and after scoring a 13.7 in the floor exercise—in a sport where a one-tenth margin could make all the difference—a gold medal was clearly in sight. Ayden, Malinowski, and Ostrom said they had no words. Just before the medal ceremony, Sunisa’s sister Shyenne Lee was able to catch the new champion over Facetime. A cheering crowd circled around her as she held her phone up to show Sunisa the party. “It’s amazing that she’s the first Hmong ever,” said Sunisa’s mom Yeev Thoj. “It’s a huge thing for the community and for our families.” “Because of the time difference, it’s so hard to communicate with her,” John said. “But today, it’s all worth it.” John, who uses a wheelchair after an accident in 2019 left him partially paralyzed, added: “Right now if I were walking, I think I would do a backflip myself.” In celebration of the state’s Gold Medal winner, Gov. Walz declared July 30th as “Sunisa Lee Day in Minnesota”. He has not yet commented on whether there will be a state supported parade or celebration once Lee returns from Tokyo.
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Insight News • August 9, 2021 - August 15, 2021 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE
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Vol. 48 No. 32• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Responding to opioid addiction in Somali community Columnist
By Brenda Lyle-Gray
George Floyd Memorial on Payne Avenue.
George Floyd memorial vandalized Vandals last Tuesday criminally defaced and damaged St. Paul’s George Floyd Memorial on Payne Avenue. St. Paul Police said overnight someone painted racist and hateful graffiti on the installation. In a letter to community leaders on Wednesday, Jon Loretz, Commander Youth Outreach & Programming Unit, wrote : “Chief Axtell wanted to make you aware of an awful incident that took place last night, and that we are actively investigating. It was brought to the SPPD’s attention today that sometime overnight, someone criminally damaged the George Floyd Memorial, located at 1128 Payne Ave, with racist and hateful graffiti. For your better context, I’ve attached a photo taken of the damage. I will warn you that it is highly inflammatory and hurtful, and I apologize if it elicits an emotional or painful response but we wanted to be transparent about the incident. As I understand it, community members have already painted
over the offensive language.” “The SPPD takes these types of hate crimes seriously because we understand the level of fear and anxiety this can have on our community; it’s unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” Loretz wrote. “That is why we will use every resource available to our investigators to identify the perpetrator(s) and ensure they are held accountable for this heinous crime. We have no indication of any further threats to the community, and right now this appears to be an isolated incident.” “It’s shameful that someone felt emboldened enough to commit this crime in St. Paul, in an apparent effort to divide our community. They will now witness the fierce determination and resolve of the SPPD to partner with our community members to hold them to account,” Loretz said. “While I don’t have any additional information at this time, I will keep you apprised of the progress of
this investigation,” he said, asking that anyone that may have some information regarding this incident notify SPPD. Chief Axtell wanted to make you aware of an awful incident that took place last night, and that we are actively investigating. It was brought to the SPPD’s attention today that sometime overnight, someone criminally damaged the George Floyd Memorial, located at 1128 Payne Ave, with racist and hateful graffiti. For your better context, I’ve attached a photo taken of the damage. I will warn you that it is highly inflammatory and hurtful, and I apologize if it illicits an emotional or painful response but we wanted to be transparent about the incident. As I understand it, community members have already painted over the offensive language. The SPPD takes these types of hate crimes seriously because we understand the level of fear and anxiety this can have on our community; it’s unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. That is why we will
Melvin Carter
By Irma McClaurin, PhD By Irma McClaurin, PhD https://corporate. target.com/article/2020/09/lakestreet-letter
Andrea Jenkins
Commentary by Dr. By Aarohi Narain By Mecca Dana Randall Harry Maya Alexa Starks Colbert, Beecham Spencer, Bos Bradley Jr. Josie Johnson By Global Latisha Information Townsend Contributing Architect Howard Mayo Managing Clinic University Editor Staff Writer Contributing Network (GIN)Writer News Service harry@insightnews.com
use every resource available to our investigators to identify the perpetrator(s) and ensure they are held accountable for this heinous crime. We have no indication of any further threats to the community, and right now this appears to be an isolated incident. It’s shameful that someone felt emboldened enough to commit this crime in St. Paul, in an apparent effort to divide our community. They will now witness the fierce determination and resolve of the SPPD to partner with our community members to hold them to account. While I don’t have any additional information at this time, I will keep you apprised of the progress of this investigation. If you know of anyone that may have some information regarding this incident, I would be happy to be a conduit to ensuring our investigators receive the information. As always, I’m available by phone or email if you have any questions.
“You cannot defeat darkness by running from it, nor can you conquer your inner demons by hiding them from the world. In order to defeat the darkness, you must bring it into the light.” Seth Adam Smith, Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern Abdirahman Mukhtar escaped from the capitol city of Mogadishu, Somalia when civil war broke out in early January1991 and landed in a refugee camp in Kenya where he stayed 7 years. He moved to the U.S. in August of 1998 and attended and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. It was difficult because his family back home expected him to help support them though he was only a teen. He went on to earn a kinesiology degree from the University of Minnesota. For over 8 years, Mukhtar worked with youth first with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Department and then with the Confederation
Abdirahman Mukhtar of Somali Communities in Minnesota, as a youth diversion coordinator and as the youth program manager at the Brian Coyle Center of Pillsbury United Communities, a hub for Somali immigrants. The Confederation collaborates with partners and sponsors to help connect individuals with wrap around resources and assistance in housing, jobs and training, health services, legal advice, domestic services, and immigration assistance. It assists community members navigate issues such as race and religious discrimination, identity crises, barriers to economic and family stability, obstacles in school success, mental and physical health needs, and social isolation.
MUKHTAR 4
Dr. Sharon Pierce
2020 Community impact report
Elevating our position, striving for true freedom
United Way addressed emergency, long-term Dr. Sharon Pierce declares needs during pandemic and racial reckoning Minneapolis College role
Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) last week announced the release of its 2020 Community Impact Report which captures the results of its work with changemakers across the Twin Cities region in 2020. The organization said last year it served more than 500,000 people in partnership with 645 companies, 38 foundations, 60,000 individuals and 161 nonprofits. At the onset of COVID-19, United Way responded to a 300 percent increase in requests for resources and information across Minnesota through its 211 resource helpline, including shelter, child care, emergency medical equipment and more. Additionally, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency contracted with United Way for 211 to serve as the centralized access point for the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program. Through that program, United Way referred over 55,000 people to rent, mortgage and utility assistance information and resources. United Way provided four rounds of
grants to support nonprofits at the frontlines of serving the community, based on the most critical needs nonprofits identified and in partnership with the Minneapolis Foundation and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, awarded grants to nonprofits providing rebuilding support for small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color in areas most impacted by the unrest sparked by the murder of George Floyd – Lake Street in Minneapolis, West Broadway corridor in Minneapolis and University Ave. in St. Paul. During the 2019/2020 school year, over 5,500 high school students engaged in Career Academies – an initiative that prepares students for zero college debt and in-demand, high-wage careers. Since 2015, Career Academies has engaged more than 10,000 students – 49 percent of which are students of color. Students collectively have earned more than 9,800 college and technical school credits and saved more than $3 million in tuition. United Way also awarded grants to school
as anti-racist institution
By Brenda Lyle-Gray Columnist
Courtesy United Way
districts to help fill gaps in student wages and work experiences for 163 students who otherwise would not have had opportunities due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students earned $13 an hour and gained experience in mental health first-aid training, health sciences, manufacturing and more. The United Way, along with coalition partners, was critical in securing $261.6 million in emergency state and federal funding to advance greater equity for Minnesotans, including emergency housing, quality child care and early childhood education assistance.
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Tech leader Kimberly Randolph joins board of organization devoted to ending racial wealth gap
PAGE 5
As a curator of insights to inform the nonprofit sector, United Way hosted nine virtual convenings and provided virtual trainings for 525 people and awarded grants through several pandemic-related funds, in addition to existing multi-year grants, to 161 nonprofits serving the community on the frontlines. Aligned with United Way’s revenue diversification strategy, the organization recruited 20 companies to its Salesforce Philanthropy Cloud, a digital giving and volunteering platform focused
UNITED WAY 4
Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they face. So, it is vital to educate them and explain that they should play a role in their country. Nelson Mandela Dr. Sharon Pierce, President of Minneapolis College since July of 2016, can frequently be seen on campus engaging with students, staff, and faculty. Sometimes she might be clad in the school colors of maroon and gold. After the senseless and tragic murder of George Floyd fifteen months ago and the conviction and sentencing of former police officer Derek Chauvin, she is poised to respond to the frequent public inquiry - What now? “The truth is that as an African American woman, I’m tired and I need renewal just like you,” she told students at the College’s “Cultivating Seeds of Hope” event following
Chauvin’s sentencing. “You look to me to lead. I look to you for inspiration, and you do not disappoint. I am inspired by each of you. Today I ask you to stand boldly in this place, and to stand beside me as we work together to dismantle structural racism in all its forms beginning at home, here at Minneapolis College. “I ask you to plant your feet here and proclaim this is where we make our stand together. And I ask you to take these seeds of hope and plant them in a place of special meaning to you. That you care for them, water, and nurture them. That you care for yourselves and each other, so that together we can more fully realize the transformative mission of Minneapolis College,” she said. Recognizing Minneapolis College’s role an anchor in the broader community, President Pierce is shaping an academic landscape that will impact the future of this historical
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Bao Vang named VP of Communications for Better Business Bureau Better Business Bureau of Minnesota & North Dakota announces Bao Vang is promoted from Communications Director to Vice President of Communications. In her new role, Vang will continue the important work of serving as the primary press contact for the organization and overseeing various communication and public relations initiatives that promote and enhance BBB’s visibility among businesses and consumers. Susan Adams Loyd, BBB CEO & President said, “Bao brings her strong storytelling skills and business acumen to our passionate
United Way From 3 on supporting corporate social responsibility goals and engaging corporate employees year-round. The organization expanded fundraising around specific innovation initiatives such as Career Academies and 80x3 which focuses on early childhood brain development. The United Way offered volunteer and giving opportunities for corporate employees and individuals, such as Action Day and Home for Good. Through these events, 40,000 K-12 students from low-
Mukhtar From 3 Today, Somali youth have become more susceptible to gang affiliation and violence given the fact they are promoted by hip-hop culture and the infiltration and deadly impact of hard-core drugs such as fentanyl, synthetic marijuana, knat and K-9, stimulant drugs that come from East Africa and Southern Arabia. With an epidemic of drug overdoses filling the ERs Mukhtar, decided he could no longer sit and watch the demise of his community. He had to do something. On any given Friday night, even in Minnesota’s cold winters, Mukhtar will be found on an outdoor plaza offering young passersby free pizza
team. She is well-known for her polished communication and public speaking abilities and has many connections throughout our service area. She is a valuable asset to our many stakeholders. We are simply delighted to announce her new role as Vice President of Communications.” Vang joined BBB in February 2020 and within three weeks was working diligently to support the organization’s pivot to remote working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Vang has excelled in her role and enhanced BBB’s strategic communications initiatives.
“I am honored as a Hmong woman to represent one of the most recognizable brands in the country, a brand that symbolizes trust, ethics and integrity. I care deeply about promoting marketplace trust. It is a privilege to advance a mission that moves me,” said Vang. Prior to joining BBB, Vang served as Associate Director for ThreeSixty Journalism at the University of St. Thomas where she was a part of training and developing the next generation of journalists and communications professionals. Her background also includes extensive work in broadcast television. She was an anchor, reporter and producer
for five years at WSAW-TV in Wausau, WI, and for three years at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, WI. Vang earned two degrees from the University of St. Thomas; a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and Spanish and Master of Business Administration. She is an award-winning multimedia journalist with recognition from various organizations including the Unity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association in 2011. To connect with Bao, email Bao.Vang@thefirstbbb. org or call 763-312-0823.
income households received backpacks full of school supplies and 850 families exiting out of homelessness received kits full of household supplies. “The past 16 months have presented our community with a tremendous set of interrelated challenges,” said Acooa Ellis, Senior Vice President of Community Impact at Greater Twin Cities United Way. “A global pandemic, subsequent economic uncertainty and civil unrest in the face of appalling tragedies snatched us out of our respective bubbles toward a greater shared understanding of racial disparities in life outcomes as the result of prolonged and systemic exclusion from opportunity. We work deliberately to disrupt inequity in partnership with the
community.” “The crises of 2020 compounded the challenges that vulnerable communities already had been experiencing. With students struggling to adapt to distance and hybrid learning, parents scrambling to find child care, neighbors losing their jobs and experiencing economic uncertainty, affording basic needs became even more difficult for many in 2020,” said John Wilgers, President and CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way. “While we have a long way to go to achieve racial justice, 2020 marked a transformative year. Changemakers across the region worked together to provide emergency support and stability for over 500,000 people and for the nonprofit sector,
exemplifying outstanding agility and innovation.” United Way said its IRS 990 financial report, showed $57.7 million in revenue in 2020. “In addition to the funding reflected in the 990 report, we also secured planned gifts, government contracts related to housing stability and suicide prevention – which will be recognized in future years – and in-kind gifts of products and services, bringing our 2020 fundraising results to $60.1 million,” said Wilgers. In its COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund work, United Way addressed: o emergency housing and child care assistance. o early childhood education needs as well as support for people impacted
by layoffs in hospitality and support for nonprofits including those led by and serving Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color. • food, housing, medical safety equipment and child care needs as well as financial assistance for nonprofit operations and employee support. o student learning needs in St. Paul’s North End and Phillips/ Ventura Village neighborhoods in Minneapolis, and long-term stability needs of nonprofit partners. The United Way said it also awarded grants to organizations in Northeast Minneapolis to support work in food innovation such as urban gardening and community supported agriculture programs
more. The Minnesota Department of Health partnered with United Way to offer suicide prevention support and mental health crisis intervention. When Minnesotans call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, caring specialists from Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Suicide Prevention Lifeline answer, listen and provide guidance, support and resources. The United Way also launched Justice for All, its long-term collaboration with the Minneapolis Foundation and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, to transform the criminal justice system.
and hot Somali tea thick with spices. His shirt reads: ‘No judgment. Just help.’ He strives to make a human connection with youth who are homeless, often alienated from their own community. Some are addicted to drugs or hanging with a dangerous crowd. A festering rivalry between St. Paul and Minneapolis East African gangs with threatening exchanges over social media outlets has created escalating conflict. Mukhtar grew up in the neighborhood and knows almost all the names of the youth crying for help. He’s seen the best and the worst; some victims of gang violence; and others stranded out in the cold with no one coming to their rescue. His non-profit street outreach program, Daryeel (meaning ‘care’ in Somali) Youth is tailored towards enriching the lives of Somali youth by
utilizing the positive elements of education mentoring, employment, and the arts. They talk about the good ole days, the memories, and how they miss their family friends. Art is used to counteract negative perceptions of young people and in attempts to bring the community members together offering free hugs and shared resources. Often a 911 call must be made in order to save a life with Narcan, an opioid reversal agent. Imagine you’re a mother and you come upon this scene in your own home? You walk into your teen’s bedroom or the bathroom and find your beautiful child slumped over on the toilet or lifeless in their bed. You have no clue what has happened. There had been a knock at the back door earlier, but you were unaware of the nature of the delivery having taken place. You probably wouldn’t know what to do or where to turn if you became aware the package transaction
came with a death sentence. A disconnect of a generation possibly due to a language barrier or the beginnings of the loss of a culture and a religion blocked a reality that would soon rock your world to its very core of your being with excruciating pain and disbelief. The mother has no knowledge what addiction is or how this monster called opiates has now cast a dark shadow over their family and has added to the death toll caused by overdoses. When young people overdose or die, they are often cloaked as a heart attack victim or having unexplainable passing. Girls run away unable to deal with the trauma they have brought with them to their new life, such as the threat of female genital mutilation. They drink alcohol to cope with many of these symptoms. The men have experienced grief/loss from the civil war and some of them have witnessed rebels and soldiers doing significant harm to their female relatives. Mental
illness grows more intense due to drug usage but still some choose to stay on the street using what little money they have to buy drugs often not in a safe environment or homeless. When a people lose their culture, these are the results. For the Somali youth, they are told they are not Somali enough because they speak English; or not American enough because they speak their native language. Youth want more athletics, mentorship, after school tutorial support, and youth programming. “I am one of the few people that can help bridge the cultural and generational gap, especially for newly arrived Africans struggling to fit into the fabric of American culture and learning about African American family and community. At the same time, I can still communicate with young people and offer tough love,” Mukhtar says. Today, Moms are at the heart of a campaign called Hooya, meaning ‘mom’ in
Somali. Their aim is to curb violence in the Twin Cities and to help lessen the panic when they hear the sound of an ambulance. “One thing many Somali Americans have in common if they share nothing else, is a love for their mothers,” said the veteran youth worker. Daryeel Youth is leading the campaign giving mothers a voice and making them be the face of doing something about gun violence in the Somali communities. Hooya participants hold community meetings, continue a poster initiative along with social media messages and a video series with mothers and youths affected by gun violence. For one mother, it makes sense that women should be the ones leading the way. “We are the ones who are getting hurt. When they go to jail or something happens to them, we are the ones who will cry. We are the ones who are helping them when they become sick. We are the ones who are there. We are asking them to stop this.”
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From 3 institution and the city. “This is our moment as a community to face the ugliness of racial inequity and take a thoughtful and intentional approach to supporting change,” she said. Under Pierce’s leadership, the college declared its status as an ‘anti-racist’ establishment. Minneapolis’ Mayor Jacob Frye signed the banner that hangs proudly at the entrance of the college displaying their commitment. The college looked at changing demographics and needs the student body, demanding that leadership and staff understand students’ realities, their lived experiences, their challenges and then figure out how the college could respond. There is an urgent need for college leadership to respond to the current crisis of democracy and humanity’s survival in a manner like never before, she said in a recent Conversations with Al McFarlane Facebook Live interview. The College hosted a community vigil where those committed to equity and inclusion came to share their reflections on events of the past year and a half, she said. Exacerbated by the pandemic, achievement gaps that hamstring students of color were highlighted. And with racial inequities being examined anew, Pierce said historic and detrimental policies and
procedures that adversely impact Minneapolis College students and faculty had to change. Two thirds of the college’s student body are from marginalized and underserved populations. “The majority of our students are part-time but having to tackle a post-secondary curriculum designed for fulltime students. They are in their mid-twenties and then some are in high school. They have come out of a population having truly carried the burden of COVID19. Many lost their jobs; had to drop out of school; or had to adjust their schedules if they were able to work. Some had childcare needs,” Pierce said. She said Minneapolis College supports African American and American Native American male students through two new initiatives. “Bridging the Equity Gap” is a 2-million-dollar project that seeks to cultivate future leaders through an affirming learning-centered experience that encourages students to see greatness in themselves. The initiative launches fall semester thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. In partnership with the University of Minnesota and other higher learning institutions, the College’s Minnesota Breathe project is one of several initiatives funded by a $5 million dollar grant from the Mellon Foundation. The grant supports partnerships with different organizations and portions of the
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Tech leader Kimberly Randolph joins board of organization devoted to ending racial wealth gap The Center for Economic Inclusion (Center) last week elected Kimberly A. Randolph P.E., PMP, to its Board of Directors, and announced the appointment of Nancy Ballou as Vice President of Finance and Operations, and Mary Beth Hanson as Director of Communications and Marketing. Kimberly A. Randolph P.E., PMP is Vice President, Energy Supply, Xcel Energy. She is an accomplished senior executive, and recognized leader in technology. Best known for translating sustainability ambition into business transformation across renewable energy and power generation businesses, Randolph has brought cuttingedge technological change to established corporations. Across her 30-year career in the petrochemical, natural gas, renewable energy and power generation industries, she has earned the reputation for strategic direction and risk mitigation on complex, multibillion dollar projects that create competitive advantage. Her broad base of expertise includes engineering, construction, supply chain, acquisitions, utility regulation, plant operations, and strategic capital budget management. Randolph’s current employer, Xcel Energy, serves more than 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. Randolph successfully led the engineering and construction of renewable energy projects that launched Xcel’s ambitious strategy to reduce carbon emissions 100% by 2050. Under her leadership, Xcel has advanced innovative
Pierce From 4 community to create knowledge. It affirms communities’ ability to determine what knowledge they want to create and how they want their histories, their stories, narrated and constructed. Burnele Venable Powell, retired University of South Carolina law school dean and regular commentator on the Thursday webcast said “Education will play a critical role in how the nation will face this pivotal, national predicament. If we are going to embrace rationality, science, and learning, it is important to be public about where we stand on this touchstone. We must ask ourselves how we should be using the time we are in and the clarity these challenges bring to elevate our position as we continue to strive for true freedom.” “We share in a common vision of what democracy can be. It’s not perfect but we are in route to challenging our current status as a formerly enslaved, colonized, and annihilated people… victims of a racist American political enterprise. There are certain things that are known and knowable. That being
technology to triple the size of its wind generation fleet and achieved half its goal to 100% carbon reduction. Prior to Xcel Energy, Randolph held VP and general management positions with BP’s Alternative Energy business. At BP, she executed $2B of wind projects across North America, key investments for BP’s launch into the renewable power generation business as an independent power producer. Recognized as a 2021 Notable Woman in Technology by Twin Cities Business Journal and as a Top 100 Diverse Leaders in Energy by the National Diversity Council. Randolph is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas, and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She is a native Houstonian and currently resides in Minneapolis with her husband and two children. “I am absolutely thrilled to join the Center’s board,” said Kimberly. “I am deeply moved by their call to action to dismantle economic disparities and their sense of urgency to make meaningful and sustainable change. I hope to be a part of that catalyst for change, successfully transforming passion and ideas to tangible actions and growth.” As Vice President of Finance and Operations, Nancy Ballou leads the Center’s finance and operations team to sustain healthy fiscal stewardship and management over the organization’s revenue streams and financial management systems. As a member of the Center’s senior leadership team, she partners with the CEO and Board of Directors to guide results-oriented budgeting; transparent financial planning,
the case, we know we cannot afford to allow autocrats with certain destructive agendas to take hold of power and go unchallenged,” Powell said. “I commend Dr. Pierce for her extraordinary vision, and I say more, more and a lot more is still not enough. Every institution affecting the lives of African Americans must have Black professionals like Dr. Pierce seated at the table of decision. We have to build through institutions that are evolving, starting with one mission at a time, and with resources no individual alone would have access to. She is going in the right direction. But the real task is to measure the success of implemented changes,” he said. Pierce said Minneapolis College is looking at every operational policy and procedure through an equity lens, studying the data that reveal how policies and procedures impact students of color. “We looked at the disparate impact of such structural realities as withdrawals for non-credits; pass/fail grades whether racially or financially motivated or not; remediation status that kept students locked into four semesters of remedial coursework and causing them to drop out because they could never get to their desired major paths of studies,” she said.
Kimberly A. Randolph
Nancy Ballou
Mary Beth Hanson
monitoring, and reporting; disciplined business planning and negotiation; and uses strategy to connect financial data to action to fulfill the Center’s mission to close racial wealth gaps. Ballou brings more than 20 years of professional experience leading finance, accounting, and operations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors for organizations from small to large. She was the Director of Supplier Development at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda) and led its Ascend Twin Cities initiative where she worked with over 40 clients on projects including equity fundraising, financial operations development, and mergers and acquisition guidance. Prior to Meda, Nancy served as a CEO and COO in the manufacturing industry for companies with over $150 million in revenue. She served as a COO for a Central Texas Bank for over a
decade.. “I am honored to be chosen to fulfill this role at the Center of Economic Inclusion and to be part of the outstanding team and board members.” said Nancy. “The work being done by the Center has the potential to change not only Minnesota but the entire world, bringing racial and economic equity and inclusion for all. To be part of this seismic change is the most important work of my career.” As the Director of Communications and Marketing, Mary Beth Hanson holds primary responsibility for guiding and implementing strategic, creative, and innovative communications and marketing strategies. An experienced communications leader in social justice, Hanson applies a race-place-equity-inclusiongender lens to all internal and external communications, projects, and opportunities to support, amplify, and drive the Center’s brand, mission, and
programmatic areas. She also serves as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President of External Affairs and other executive leaders and staff. Hanson previously was Vice President of External Relations at the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. During her 13-year tenure, she implemented strategic communications for the $9 million Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota; helped to increase annual fundraising and grantmaking from $1M annually (2006) to $2.6 million (2019); engaged and mobilized Minnesotans to end child sex trafficking through the landmark $7.5 million MN Girls Are Not For Sale campaign; and was staff lead in the production and publication of 16 qualitative and quantitative research reports to end sex trafficking and advance gender and racial equity. “I am honored to work in partnership with this talented team and board. Ensuring
racial and economic equity and inclusion for every person is one of the most critical and urgent human rights issues of our time, and I am thrilled to be part of it,” Hanson said. The Center for Economic Inclusion is the nation’s first organization created exclusively to close racial wealth gaps and accelerate shared accountability for achieving regional inclusive economic growth. Through the Center’s research, thought leadership, employer inclusivity and inclusive growth consulting services, advocacy with policymakers, narrative change campaigns and experiential learning events, the Center is committed to increasing the number of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian workers earning family-sustaining wages in the Twin Cities region by 10 percent over the next five years. Learn more at CenterforEconomicInclusion. org.
Former Shaw University President, Dr. Irma McClaurin, joined the webcast from Florida. “We have to challenge institutions to look at barriers in their structure that hamper their progress in serving all students,” she said. “Just as democracy is a work in progress and we have to deal with the fundamental contradictions between the idea of democracy and the imperfect practice, the same would be analogous in the case of colleges and universities. Leadership and staff are theoretically saying they believe in the intellectual concept of equity, but their practice says otherwise.” Yusef Mgeni, also a regular Conversations commentator said, “On the other side of the tragic murder of George Floyd, some are asking can, should, and how they can do more to become more equitable and inclusive. In the past, there was the assumption students had to adapt to operational structures of the institutions. The reality today is institutions must adapt to student needs, the demographics, the population, and the faculty work force. These entities are in for some very unfortunate surprises in the very near future if they don’t look and recognize challenges as opportunities for change.” As a retired educator, I was surprised to learn how
integration cost the loss of a whole generation of Black teachers who were teaching our Black children. Today we have 87% white teachers in the public school system teaching
50% Black and Brown children. According to McClaurin, a letter from the then Governor of Kansas warned if Brown vs. the Topeka Board of Education passed, Black teachers would
lose. “I don’t think white parents will want you to teach their children,” he wrote. When the Supreme Court banned school segregation, the Black teachers were fired, McClaurin said.
Be MORE E
MINNESOTA
Our kids need extra support more than ever. Give your time to help them succeed.
Learn more at join.readingandmath.org
AUG. 15TH, 2021 - EXTENDED DEADLINE!
Page 6 •August August 9, 2021 - August 15, 2021 • Insight News
Insight 2 Health
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COVID-19 info for people with disabilities (NewsUSA) - Getting vaccinated is the most important step we can all take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19, but for many people with disabilities, getting vaccinated has proven to be difficult. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL), a first-of-
its-kind national call center, can help. DIAL connects callers to information about local vaccination locations and can help with the often-complicated process of securing and getting to vaccination appointments. Trying to figure out if it is
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information and resources to answer questions, address concerns, and make informed choices about the COVID-19 vaccines that are available in their communities. DIAL is a muchneeded resource that people with disabilities can use to stay
healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. And for those who may need additional support, DIAL can also direct callers to local disability organizations that may be able to help with other needs, such as access to safe and affordable housing, food and mental health support.
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Insight News • August 9, 2021 - August 15, 2021 • Page 7
SHARING OUR STORIES 8
Love’s Divine Sharing Our Stories
By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor By Ava Freeman At the turn of the 20th century, being LBGT was regarded as “the love that dare not speak its name,” and all the attitudes that went with it. Not anymore, especially in the genre of romance. Diversity is making its inroads here, be it male/male romance, female/ female romance, Black Love, or a combination of any of the above. That being said, for Pride Month, I am sharing the work of another Black LGBT author, Ava Freeman’s Love’s Divine. Divorced accountant Genesis Malone is in dire need of a vacation. She is licking her wounds from controlling exwife Shannon and bratty little sister Mackenzie, and Barbados is the ticket. Frustrated because of a screw-up in her hotel reservations, she accepts the hospitality of guest quarters on the island estate of studio mogul Zuri Baker. The granddaughter of Hazel Ellis and daughter of Veronique Milian (both famous Black actresses), Zuri prefers to work behind the scenes as head of Ellis Films, one of the few Black-owned studios in Hollywood and the legacy of her grandmother. She too needs time away from the day-to-day grind of business and artificial people, as well as reassessing her onagain-off-again, girlfriend-withbenefits relationship with actress Tracy Scott. When they unexpectedly meet, the chemistry is palpable, as is
the buildup of sexual tension. Over the next few months, in dealing with sexual harassment cases, spoiled starlets, starting over in a new business, and the interference of Tracy and Shannon, will Zuri and Genesis stop dancing around each other and own up to how they feel? I am always up for a good romance, and Ava Freeman serves it up so well with a slow-burn process, as well as illustrating the challenges of being an African American woman in the film industry. The conflict between giving up what’s been comfortable and
familiar and taking the risk for a true chance at happiness is there for these sistahs, as is the total package of love and passion that neither had fully experienced before. I loved the fact that this is a relationship between two women in their 40s. And of course, Black Love prevails with an HEA (happily ever after). For all you romance lovers out there, Genesis and Zuri’s story in Love’s Divine is well worth the read, and I tip my hat to Ava Freeman’s unique voice. After all, if we don’t share our stories, who will?
goodreads.com
Ava Freeman
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Page 8 •August August 9, 2021 - August 15, 2021 • Insight News
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WAYS TO EXPLORE AFRICAN AMERICAN
HISTORY WITH
SEE MORE PRINCE
In the photogr aphy exhibit Prince: Before the Rain , you can see iconic images of the artist tak en by Allen Beaulieu in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Prince’ s story continues in the First Avenue exhibit, where you can see his Purple Rain suit. Both exhibits now on view, Minnesota History Center, St. Paul. First Avenue presenting sponsor Baird. Prince sponsor Xcel Energy.
COME TO FAMILY DAY
SATURDAYS at the MUSEUMɨ Explore the history of St. Anthony F alls with a day of family-friendly activities during My Mighty Journey: A W aterfall’s Story Family Day, Nov 9, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis.
Storytellers, Activities and Fun! Sponsored by Xcel Energy.
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery 1256 Penn Ave No, Minneapolis, MN 55411, 4th Floor
Saturday mornings from 10 - 11:30am • 240 pages
Hear Stories Read or Great Storytelling! EXPLORE THE HIDDEN Engage in coordinated HISTORY
activities and just have Fun!
Hear Dr. Christopher Lehman talk about his ne w book, Slavery’s Reach, which tr aces the mone y between Southern plantations and Minnesota’ s businesses. Slavery’s Reach Author Ev ent, Nov 17, North www.maahmg.org Contact us at: info@maahmg.org Regional Libr ary, Minneapolis.
Become a member!
MNHS Press
• $18.95
Local Children’s Book Authors and Storytellers! Treats!
All Are Welcome.
See us at
Free Admission.
____________________________________________________________________________ "The Children's Reading Circle is partially supported by The Givens Foundation for African American Literature through operating support funding from Target. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund."
PLAN YOUR VISIT 1-844-MNSTORY MNHS.ORG
______________________________________________________________________________________
The MAAHMG is a fully qualified 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Minnesota.
If I could do one thing, I’d tell the world she counts. Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs. That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters. It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities. That could mean more resources in your area for special needs. It’s within your control.
Learn more at:
2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.
Review From 2