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Insight News
December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021
Vol. 48 No. 51• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
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Linda Sloan
A Mother’s love initiative
Lisa Clemons
Jalilia Abdul-Brown
Righteous Warriors
Focusing on murdered & missing Black women and girls Stories by Brenda Lyle-Gray, Columnist
Linda Sloan: Formulating policies and legislation
Lisa Clemons: A village of moral support and empathy
Jalilia Abdul-Brown: Substance abuse rising
Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill creating a task force to explore the root issues and causes for our collective failure to value the lives and stories of murdered and missing Black women and girls in Minnesota. Hailed as the first state-level action of its kind in the nation, the task force will secure accurate data, elevate public awareness and seek solutions to the problems unearthed in the staggering numbers of murdered and missing African American girls and women. Linda Sloan, Executive Director of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (CNAH), described the bill signing at North Minneapolis’ Capri Theater as a watershed event. “The task force is really going to do the research, present their findings, and make recommendations. They’re going to come to consensus with more accurate numbers of missing and murdered victims.. a number nationwide that could possibly fall between 64,000 and 75,000. They will identify what the major issues are and whether they’re systemic or politically motivated. The group will be digging deep, examining the nuts and bolts of the issues, and then start to formulate solutions to the problems,” she said. Findings and recommendations will be made to the legislature, Sloan said. “Changes are driven through policies and legislation and then supported by appropriate funding and sustainable resources. We’ve got to have the right people in the right places so we can get equitable funding for the programs our communities need. We will ask, ‘who are the players capable of bringing about changes?’ I’m excited that we are the first state to take this bold and imperative step which bill author, Representative Ruth Richardson said is long overdue. The lives of young girls and women of color and those of indigenous lineage matter,” she said. The Council for Minnesotans of African heritage was created 40 years ago. It’s mission isto ensure that people of African heritage are able to fully benefit and participate in everything the state has to offer. “Our charge is to advise the Governor and the legislature on issues that impact our people. “I was out there on the streets with Clemons and Brown during the ‘21 days of Peace’ campaign,” Sloan said. “Believe me when I say that I gained an even greater appreciation for the work they do. They are really serious, and I so admire them.” Sloan said the actual task force has been set. This time next year, the task force will deliver a report that will include evidence-based, data driven information and recommendations,” she said.
Save the Mother, you save the child. Save the Father, you save the family. Save the Family, you save the community. This is the motto for ‘A Mother’s Love’ (AML), a grassroots organization of African American mothers and fathers. The communities and constituents the staff serves includes those who have been incarcerated; those who have buried children or siblings; single parents; and parents of children of the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization works to strengthen families by helping to build strong foundations socially, academically, financially, and emotionally. But as founder and director of AML and her colleague, Jamila Abdul Brown described, the girls and women they try to save must respect themselves. “We give families a village of moral support and empathy. Our intent is to use our own life transformations to meet people where they are in life,” Clemons said. Al McFarlane called Clemons an inspiration, “the epitome of fierceness, courage, and integrity.” In a recent Conversations with Al McFarlane broadcast, he said, “I remind people that you were a sworn police officer. You walked what some would deem a contradiction: possessing the ability to know and uphold the value and the need for law enforcement in the justice equation, and at the same time, being acutely and publicly aware of flaws and imperfections of the criminal justice system that disadvantage poor and people of color.” Clemons is unapologetic about having served as a Minneapolis police sergeant. “It allowed me to have insight into law enforcement and shaped my viewpoints and actions of my advocacy today. I bring to the attention of the powers-that-be that there are too few Amber alerts for children of color. I inform them there has been a false assumption that young Black girls couldn’t disappear unless they wanted to disappear. And then two years later, we find out exactly what happened,” Clemons said in the interview. “I worked in sex crimes and juvenile detention. I mention these departments because in the Twin Cities and across the country these are the least desired units to work in. It’s also where one is assigned if they are being punished for an infraction.” She said, “Once a young person is classified as a runaway, no one was looking for them.” “I started “A Mother’s Love” initiative in 2014. It took me four years to be invited to a table to talk about mothers and daughters. It took four years for people to understand if 70% of households in Black communities have no fathers at the dinner CLEMONS 3
The devil whispers, “You won’t withstand the storm.” The warrior replied, “I AM the storm.” Anonymous Warriors’ like Jalilia Abdul-Brown, founder of Change Starts With Community and Lisa Clemons, founder of A Mother’s Love, have long been in the fight to save those who are incapable of embracing hope and saving themselves. Now, both are demanding more adequate and sustainable resources to combat the battles. Abdul-Brown, a champion for creating equity in health care, is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Shiloh Cares Food Shelf and a pastor and mental health specialist. The Minneapolis native recently was honored by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Health Care Hero Awards for her work in promoting health e q u i t y . But what they do is not work. It is a calling. They move at the direction of divine instruction. Clemons lost a niece to violence. Brown’s sister was shot in the City of Minneapolis, but by God’s grace survived and thrived. Both shared wisdom and insight in a recent Conversations with Al McFarlane broadcast. Al McFarlane asked, “How have we allowed our youth and others to become so vulnerable? How do people get trapped, traded and trafficked in textbook situations? There’s a process. A young woman is naïve, unaware. She’s spotted, cultivated, hooked, and sold -- not only in sex trafficking but in drug abuse. She is lured into a variety of rebellious, nonproductive, and self-destructive behaviors. She experiences a certain degradation which elevates the negative side of her own personality. She thinks she’s okay.” “Let me begin by confirming that there is a serious substance abuse problem in our communities,” said Abdul-Brown. “I›m seeing a lot of young people, ages 12 and up, on fentanyl. It’s gotten so bad that it was necessary for Shiloh Temple (on West Broadway) to start a health-based food shelf. So many youths are battling substance abuse both on Broadway in North Minneapolis and on 38th Street in South Minneapolis. I noticed that a lot of them were overdosing. The reality is when we were getting to them, they were about to die. We decided to be preventive and not reactive, as we weren’t going to continue to watch people die. We became a Narcan site for North Minneapolis. Anyone can come into Shiloh Temple and get a Narcan kit to save their lives.” Abdul- Brown says her work never stops. She has to save as many girls as she can. “We’ve got to wrap our arms around the entire family dynamic to really attack the problem,” she said. “There are ramped up resources for Black men and boys, but what about their sisters, their wives or the mothers of their children… ABDUL-BROWN 3
Doorstep Foundation provides consistency in boys’ lives By Brandi D. Phillips Contributing writer Mentorship programs focusing on the growth and positive development of AfricanAmerican males are still somewhat uncommon. With a busy and stressful world around us, having a successful mentoring program for our youth is not only a blessing to the community, but also something to be recognized and talked about. Mentoring is good for both adults and the youth they serve. Den Brothers, a program of The Doorstep Foundation, led by Executive Director Andre “Debonaire” McNeal and his wife Dr. Zakia Robbins-McNeal, Chief Operations Officer, is one answer to mentoring for African American young men in three Minnesota counties- Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota. McNeal, a 51-year-old father, husband, and native of Chicago, IL, has developed a strategy to reach the youth where they are, accepting them as they are and then providing them with new
opportunities. The ‘brothers’ are able to get help academically and to meet men and women who look like them and come from similar backgrounds and experiences. Currently entering its sixth year, Den Brothers at large has partnered with Friendship Academy of the Arts (located in South Minneapolis) by hosting an extended day learning program from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. McNeal’s longest running group hosts 25 boys the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month in North Minneapolis. McNeal proudly said, “We mentor boys on a consistent basis and we work with them on a number of skills- social, emotional, behavioral, and etiquette. We are helping our boys achieve their goals by being there [throughout] their life... consistently.” According to www. mentoring.org, “Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that
quality mentoring relationships have powerful, positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations... yet, one-in-three young people will grow up without this critical asset.’ Mentoring can be fun for both adults and youth. Some of the 2021 field trips and events that Den Brothers experienced include: Visit to the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery Fishing at Powerhorn Lake Community service cleanup at Camp Parsons with Phyillis Wheatley Community Center A sailing trip on Lake Bde Maka Ska with Minneapolis Sailing Center Site visit at Truce Center with Miki Frost A construction site visit from Tri-Construction owned by Lester Royal and Calvin Littlejohn CPR training and certification courtesy of Chief Tyner and the Minneapolis Fire Department
Engaging youth is about sharing yourself and showing them how to positively and maturely navigate life’s ups and downs. McNeal told Insight News, “We want the community to know [The Doorstep Foundations] motto: ‘We have the ability to solve all problems that fall on our doorstep.’ That is what we are teaching our boys- to try to be self-sufficient. [We also] teach the boys the importance of having a network, building a network, and staying connected in a positive way.” Relationship building is at the core of the Doorstep Foundation and Den Brothers. Some of these network building activities include future college tours with North Hennepin Community College Tour through the leadership of Nerita Griffin Hughes; and last month (November 18-21), some of the young scholars took an Historical Black College and University tour to Morehouse, Clark, Tuskegee, and the Museum of Alabama via help from Elizer Darris. McNeal and his team at The Doorstep Foundation think it is important for everyone
Uchechukwu Iroegbu
The Doorstep Foundation: Dr. Zakia Robbins-McNeal and Andre “Debonaire” McNeal to get involved on some level to help save our children and change the [trajectory] of our communities. “It is not our children’s fault. It is our fault. We must do better. We can do better,” he said. Although mentoring agencies catering specifically to African American Youth are uncommon, but needed, there is an opportunity in three Minnesota counties for adults, and child children, to get involved with mentoring catered
to them and specifically for them. For ore information, on the Den Brothers, follow them on Facebook. Don’t forget: every kid needs a mentor and that mentor could be you. Brandi D. Phillips is a freelance writer, health enthusiast, mother of 2, life partner and lover of adventure. If you have any questions or concerns about this article, please reach out to her at wellifethreesixty@gmail.com.
Page 2 •December December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Insight News
Moving forward together We’ve been through a lot together and have proved to be resilient. The approaching new year brings with it new possibilities to help our clients, communities and teammates move forward and prosper — safely. Using our industry-leading digital tools, like mobile check deposits, Erica,® CashPro® and access to Zelle,® individuals and businesses are finding it easier to do their everyday banking. Across the country, the expertise of our specialists and our teammates in financial centers is helping clients meet all their financial needs at every stage of their lives. In our communities, we continue to collaborate with local partners, business leaders, experts and academics across the public and private sectors to fuel job growth and financial stability. More than $400 million of our $1.25 billion commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity is already supporting diverse small businesses and partners, including many recipients here in the Twin Cities who provide job skilling and hiring programs. We’ve also increased resources to support our teammates’ emotional and financial well-being. Recently, we raised our minimum hourly wage for U.S. employees to $21 per hour, moving closer to our goal of $25 by 2025. My teammates and I look forward to growing existing partnerships and creating new ones as we work together to make a difference. Have a safe and happy holiday season. What would you like the power to do? ®
Katie Simpson President, Bank of America Twin Cities
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Insight News • December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Page 3
Apology:
Bank owns bias in failing Black customer
In the plea agreement, Chauvin admitted that on May 25, 2020, he willfully violated Floyd’s constitutional right to be free from an officer’s use of unreasonable force.
Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in federal court to depriving George Floyd and a minor victim of their constitutional rights The Justice Department announced today that Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty in federal court to two violations of a federal civil rights statute. Chauvin pleaded guilty to willfully depriving, while acting under color of law, George Floyd of his constitutional rights, resulting in Floyd’s bodily injury and death on May 25, 2020. Chauvin also agreed that the appropriate sentencing base offense level for this crime is seconddegree murder because he used unreasonable and excessive force that resulted in Floyd’s death, and he acted willfully and in callous and wanton disregard of the consequences to Floyd’s life. Chauvin also pleaded guilty to willfully depriving, while acting under color of law, a then 14-year-old juvenile of his constitutional rights, resulting in the juvenile’s bodily injury. Family members
of both Floyd and the juvenile were at the hearing. “He knew what he was doing,” said Brandon Williams, George Floyd’s nephew. “He had nine minutes and 29 seconds to understand what he was doing and to stop kneeling –he chose not to. That guy’s a monster, he should have been arrested in 2017” “It’s a good day for justice,” said Bob Bennett, the attorney for the then 14-year-old juvenile. “Today, Derek Chauvin took responsibility and admitted his guilt in open court, under penalty of perjury, for depriving George Floyd and a boy, then just 14-yearsold, of their civil rights,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “This is important and historic. His admissions mark another important moment of accountability and another step on the road to justice.
Although the Floyd family’s loss can never be healed, I hope this historic admission of wrongdoing brings them some comfort. I also hope it brings more trust and healing to the relationship between law enforcement and community. “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the Department of Justice for their important work here. George Floyd’s life mattered. That young man’s matters. Nobody is above the law, and nobody is beneath it. While Floyd’s life is lost to his family and all of us, I hope Chauvin’s change of plea will mark a new beginning for equal justice under the law, respectful treatment for every person in our society, and greater trust in our system of justice,” said Ellison. “Defendant Chauvin has pleaded guilty to two federal civil rights violations, one of which led to the tragic loss
of George Floyd’s life,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “While recognizing that nothing can repair the harm caused by such acts, the Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those who violate the Constitution, and to safeguarding the civil rights of all Americans. In the plea agreement, Chauvin admitted that on May 25, 2020, he willfully violated Floyd’s constitutional right to be free from an officer’s use of unreasonable force. Specifically, he a admitted that he held his left knee across Floyd’s neck, back and shoulder and his right knee on Floyd’s back and arm. The plea agreement states that Floyd remained restrained, prone and handcuffed on the ground for approximately 10 minutes. Chauvin further admitted that he continued to use
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Grant, Lift Zone installation boost Sanneh Foundation recovery Comcast last week said that it has installed free WiFi in its 1,000th Lift Zone in St. Paul at The Sanneh Foundation’s Seton Center. The company plans to mark the occasion with a $50,000 grant to help support the organization as it rebuilds after being set back by an arsonist. The company also set a new goal to install 250 additional Lift Zones before the end of 2022. Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive, ten year, $1 billion commitment to help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Originally intended as a multi-year effort, earlier this year the company accelerated its roll-out plans in response to overwhelming public support. Lift Zones came along at a critical time, providing free WiFi access within select recreation, community, and senior centers, as well as public housing computer labs, the company said in a statement to the press. Students used them for remote learning, even when schools were closed. Adults, too, benefitted because Lift Zones also offer access to hundreds of hours of free digital skills training to help people learn how to get online for remote working, job hunting, and finding telehealth services.
Bush Foundation
Business Wire
Tony Sanneh
Broderick Johnson
Earlier in the month, Comcast announced plans to provide free WiFi at up to 100 veteran-serving locations nationwide. The Lift Zones effort complements Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which, since 2011, has connected a cumulative total of more than 10 million low-income people to the Internet at home. “Whether at home or in a neighborhood community center like the Sanneh Foundation, Comcast is committed to helping connect the unconnected,” said Broderick Johnson, executive vice president, public policy and executive vice president, digital equity, at Comcast Corporation. “Lift Zones, where we provide free WiFi
access to neighborhoods in need, are an extension of our efforts to address digital equity for everyone who needs the Internet for homework, for jobs, or learning digital skills.” “I commend Comcast for the positive impact they’ve made in the Twin Cities community with Lift Zones and Internet Essentials,” said Tony Sanneh, founder and CEO, The Sanneh Foundation. “The need for connectivity has never been greater and both programs have been extremely beneficial to our families through our partnership with Comcast.” The Sanneh Foundation’s mission is to empower youth by supporting and promoting educational attainment and providing
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Kayln Hove programs that strengthen physical health and social and emotional development. The organization draws hundreds of students to after-school and summer programming at its two facilities in St. Paul, the Conway Center and the Seton Center. In addition to sports and enrichment programs, each year The Sanneh Foundation serves 330,000 warm and healthy meals to youth and their families. Warm dinner is available 7-days a week, and lunches are available during outof-school days and weekends. The Conway Center was the very first Lift Zone Comcast installed. It opened in the Twin Cities in September
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Andy Cecere, US Bank Chairman, President and CEO last week said his company failed in its mission to provide a welcoming, inclusive and positive experience in its treatment last year of Joe Morrow, a Black customer and account holder who attempted to cash his paycheck at US Bank’s Columbia Heights branch. The story came to light through an investigative report by KSTP journalist, Eric Rasmussen that aired December 7. The television news report revealed police bodycam footage showing Morrow handcuffed and detained by Columbia Heights police officers, who the branch manager called because he suspected the paycheck was fraudulent. When the story aired, many Black viewers said they drew a direct line between this incident, and what happened when another business called cops because they felt a customer was passing a fraudulent $20 bill: the murder of George Floyd in South Minneapolis. “That’s how easy these situations can escalate and how dangerous they have the potential of becoming,” said former Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner, Tyrone Terrill, who now leads the St. Paul African Ameican Leadership Council. For Joe Morrow, 23, said reporter Rasmussen, “Despite having an account with the bank and showing his ID, that simple transaction led to a call to police, threats of arrest and Morrow being placed in handcuffs.” “I am deeply sorry for where we failed and accept full responsibility. Our commitment to racial equity and inclusion, and that of U.S. Bank, is unwavering,” said Cecere. He said “What Mr. Morrow experienced is not the experience any customer should have. All of our employees, including executive management, are required to complete two levels of unconscious bias training, in addition to other training to prevent bias and negative customer experiences. Sometimes, unfortunately, we don’t live up to our goals.” Cecere’s comments on race and bias followed initial statements by a bank spokesperson, Lee Henderson, in an email to 5 INVESTIGATES in October saying race was not a factor in the incident. Henderson said “After a thorough internal investigation, there is nothing to indicate that the customer’s race or ethnicity played a factor in the service he received at this branch,” Rasmussen reported. Morrow, however, said the issue was certainly about race. He said he was humiliated, being paraded through the bank in front of other customers, being treated like a criminal. In his letter of apology, Cecere said, “We are listening to the community we live and work in and learning from them. In the case of Mr. Morrow, we fell short and I apologize on behalf of the bank. We will continue to listen and learn from the community as we expand our efforts to advance the cause of equality for all.” “There’s no question in my mind, had he been white, this would have never happened,” Terrill said. “There are many things that happen in a store, in a bank, in a restaurant, in a hotel – you name it – that Black people get treated differently.” US Bank has not said whether the branch manager would be fired or disciplined as a result of the incident. Rasmussen reported a settlement was reached between the Bank and Morrow.
Clemons From 1 table, then the mothers must be protected and supported. So, while it has taken us a long time to get reach this bold initiative, the Bill is signed. And we intend to make it work. It was a prideful moment. There is more hope in saving our young girls. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and others in leadership have been doing a lot of work in trying to resolve present adverse circumstances and support victims of violence in BIPOC communities. The task force will provide strategic directions and accountability for results. AML initiative’s focus is on the elimination of gun and domestic violence, which, intertwined, magnify each other to the detriment of women and families. A simple disagreement or argument is often resolved with the use of a lethal weapon. A Mother’s Love attempts to de-escalate situations through ‘Boots on the Ground’ outreach. The staff works with residents in communities most affected by traumatic violence. The AML journey begins with prayer and listening circles and then moves into workshops promoting group/self-esteem building outreach for youth, ages 8-18. The staff is trained in mentoring, de-escalation techniques, trauma care, procedural justice, first aid, and Narcan administration.
“I must be honest about my concerns,” Clemons says. “If we hire more doctors, social workers, and mental health clinicians, more than likely they will not look like those who need help the most. They can’t tell us what’s best for our community because they’ve never lived our life experiences. And then we’re often told where the funding will go because funders think they know what’s best for people of color.” “Allow me to give you a good example,” she said. “Several summers ago, we plastered the community with flyers announcing an at-risk youth program in the Gordon Center, a building created for children. The city decided they wanted to put a temporary shelter for women in that space.” “My immediate response was, ‘So, you’re going to put women victims of domestic abused in North Minneapolis in a shelter up the street near an unsafe area?’ We canvased the community asking residents to offer than opinions. They decided young people should have a safe place to just be, to learn their history, and in some cases, just relax; to change the narrative. You could hear the representative from the city, the county, and the school board just shut down. They took their money off the table and left. If we weren’t going to do what they told us to do, we weren’t going to get the funding earmarked for our community,” she said. Force
Abdul-Brown From 1 young Black girls who are murdered and missing?” “For them, there is trauma on top of trauma that creates cycles of distress. I think the Murdered and Missing Black Women and Girls Task
is long overdue.” “Empowerment. Hope. That’s what these young people need,” she says. In 2019 Abdul-Brown and her colleagues began to work with African American women and girls, and girls of color by forming the first public health gender-based violence
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I2H
‘Beyond any touch of mercy’: Black and Indigenous maternal health in Minnesota
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Page 4 •December December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Insight News
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State economic forecast predicts $7.7 billion surplus By Jonathan Mohr Session Daily Fueled by “extraordinary growth” in income, consumer spending and corporate profits, Minnesota is predicted to have a $7.7 billion budget surplus for the fiscal 2022-23 biennium. That news was shared Tuesday by Minnesota Management and Budget as part of its November 2021 Budget and Economic Forecast. The second of two annual economic estimates the state uses to inform its budgeting and policy decisions, November’s forecast continued the upbeat outlook predicted in the February 2021 Budget and Economic Forecast which called for a $1.6 billion surplus. “It’s good news for Minnesotans today … it’s crystal clear, our economy is strong and it is growing,” Gov. Tim Walz said during a press briefing held by state officials. He called the projected surplus a “remarkable opportunity” to improve the economic circumstances of all Minnesotans. Walz said he is focused on lowering costs for people “on the things that impact their lives,” along with making investments in the middle class and working families, and lending a hand to those who are struggling. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFLGolden Valley) echoed the governor’s comments and voiced support for efforts to pass paid sick leave for all, higher wages for essential workers and improved education and
Chauvin From 3 force even though he was aware that Floyd had stopped resisting, talking and moving, and even though he was aware that Mr.
image/Jon Avise,Minnesota Management and Budget
Minnesota Management and Budget’s newest forecast projects the state to have a $7.7 billion surplus.
photo/rruntsch
The forecast does not include money from the American Rescue Plan Act recently signed by President Joe Biden that will provide $1.9 trillion in stimulus for states meant to help fuel the economic recovery and provide aid to public health programs. health care across the state. He said the House would not cut taxes for “big corporations and rich individuals” at the expense of those less fortunate. “When we help workers, families and small businesses thrive, they grow our economy,” Winkler said in a statement. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) also said the latest forecast provides opportunities for lawmakers to take action. “While government is flush with cash, Minnesotans are still struggling with inflation at 30-year highs, gas prices up 50% or more, and sticker shock on their energy bills,” Daudt said in a statement. “This record-setting surplus gives us a real opportunity to help make Minnesotans’ lives more affordable and prevent Gov. Walz and Democrats from
raising taxes on struggling businesses later this month.” Businesses across the state are set to face a December tax increase in order to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which finances unemployment payments to workers. The fund is running a billion dollar deficit and the state has borrowed money from the federal government so assistance to the unemployed could continue. The estimated $7.7 billion surplus will be a central focus when the Legislature convenes for its next regular session on Jan. 31, 2022. MMB officials said it includes a $3.1 billion rollover from fiscal year 2021; $127 million that remained unspent at the end of the 2021 legislative session; and $5.5 billion that is forecast to be gained from now until the current fiscal
biennium ends in June 2023. However, statutes require some of the surplus be allocated to replenish certain state accounts, including $870 million for the state’s budget reserve and $111 million for the U.S. Bank Stadium Reserve fund. Those funds are also factored into the $7.7 billion total. The forecast does not include money from the American Rescue Plan Act recently signed by President Joe Biden that will provide $1.9 trillion in stimulus for states meant to help fuel the economic recovery and provide aid to public health programs. Minnesota is due to receive billions of dollars under the act, but MMB Commissioner Jim Schowalter said the November forecast focused on the state’s own budget and spending. He
Floyd had lost consciousness and a pulse. Chauvin also admitted that Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) policy and training requires officers to stop using force when a subject is not resisting and to move an arrestee from the prone position into a side recovery
or seated position because the prone position may make it more difficult to breathe. Chauvin admitted that his willful use of unreasonable force resulted in Floyd’s bodily injury and death because his actions impaired Floyd’s ability to obtain and maintain sufficient oxygen
to sustain Mr. Floyd’s life. Additionally, according to the plea agreement, Chauvin admitted that on Sept. 4, 2017, he willfully violated a then 14-yearold juvenile’s constitutional right to be free from an officer’s use of unreasonable force. He admitted that he held the juvenile by the throat and struck the juvenile multiple times in the head with a flashlight, resulting in the juvenile’s bodily injury. In the plea agreement, Chauvin also admitted that he held his knee on the juvenile’s neck, shoulders and upper back for between 15
Comcast From 3
said the surplus “resets” the budget as the economy learns to adapt to the pandemic. “The $7.7 billion bottom line in today’s forecast is out of the ordinary, even in these extraordinary times,” he said. “The state’s fiscal position is strong and we have opportunity to take actions unimaginable last year.” Schowalter said a substantial portion of the surplus is not speculative and that about “$3.1 billion” is already “money in the bank.” Economic outlook IHS Markit, the state’s economic consultant, said several important economic variables such as employment and inflation-adjusted consumer spending have shown strongerthan-predicted growth this year. The firm believes the economy will continue to grow in 2022 as more people go back to work, supply-chain issues are resolved and progress in fighting the pandemic continues. IHS cited the supplychain improvements and workforce increases as factors
and 16 minutes, even though the juvenile was face-down on the floor, handcuffed and not resisting. Chauvin admitted that these actions resulted in the juvenile’s bodily injury. Chauvin will be sentenced at a hearing to be scheduled at a later date. According to the plea agreement, he faces a sentence of between 20- and 25-years imprisonment. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Chauvin will serve his sentence in federal custody and will not be eligible to work in any law enforcement
capacity following his release. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Bates, LeeAnn Bell, W. Anders Folk, Evan Gilead, Manda Sertich and Allen Slaughter of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.
2020 and was being used by up to 150 students per day with supervised, online schooling and learning support. During the pandemic, Comcast also
brought WiFi to the center’s outdoor athletic dome so it could be used for an online learning facility as well. In early 2021, the Conway Center was damaged by arson, causing the center to close for four weeks. The Sanneh Foundation had to quickly shift operations to their newest location at Seton Center to host scheduled free youth sports camps and food distribution for those in need. Comcast swiftly moved in to bring service to the organization’s new location, making it fully operational. A Lift Zone was recently established at Seton Center for older youth focused on career readiness and workforce development, making it Comcast’s 1,000th in the nation. “So much of life and work happens online,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Twin Cities Region. “Together with our nonprofit partners, like The Sanneh Foundation, we have built safe spaces for students and families to connect to the Internet.”
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Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program Applications close December 31, 2021
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Learn how to apply at www.minneapolismn.gov/gbi Aims to help 200 low-income families become more financially secure by providing them with monthly payments of $500 over a period of 24 months, beginning in Spring 2022. To be eligible, you must: • Be the age 18+ years by January 1, 2022 • Live in one of the following Minneapolis ZIP Codes: 55403, 55404, 55405, 55407, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55430, 55454 • Meet an annual income requirement • Have experienced negative economic impact due to the Covid-19 pandemic
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that it expects will help slow inflation by late next year. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is 1.1% below the national rate and 14th lowest in the country. But the labor force has also fallen by 84,000 since the start of the pandemic due to retirements and those opting not to participate. This is predicted to help drive strong wage growth in the next few years and IHS predicts the employment rate to return to pre-pandemic levels by the middle of next year. State Economist Laura Kalambokidis cautioned that the forecast’s predictions were made under the assumption the COVID-19 virus will continue to recede and said the November forecast was completed before the emergence of the omicron variant. “The U.S. outlook remains uncertain, of course,” she said, “and depends on the path of the pandemic and of the responses of households, businesses and governments to the changing public health landscape.”
Intern Kelvin Kuria Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Inell Rosario Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb Artist Donald Walker Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis. 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,
Abdul-Brown From 3 prevention program in the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. They are first role models, and get straight to unpacking trauma using a “trauma informed care approach.” With this method they started seeing changes taking place. Those that weren’t going to school are now attending classes. Many wouldn’t go home, but now they go home, and they have jobs. The girls are rewarded for their good behavior. “It’s clearly understood they can’t bring any kind of foolishness into our space. We have work to do,” she said, “I grew up in the projects in the City of Chicago. I saw some things I probably
ABDUL-BROWN 6
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Insight News • December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Page 5
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Page 6 •December December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Insight News
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Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program accepting applications City leaders recently announced Minneapolis’ Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program as part of the continued commitment to invest American Rescue Plan Act funding in efforts directly serving families most affected by the pandemic (examples include, job loss or reduced hours, higher healthcare payments, and/ or loss of access to childcare, technology or transportation. The program will provide 200 participating families with an income boost of $500 per month for 24 months to support household financial growth and stability. Applications for the
Abdul-Brown From 4 should not have seen. I dodged bullets and walked over dead
pilot program are now open on the City of Minneapolis website with payments starting to families in early 2022. City staff is working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on a rigorous evaluation of the program, which City leaders will use to add to the body of national research on the impacts of guaranteed basic income programs and inform future City initiatives. Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program is funded with $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. This funding was part of Mayor Frey’s
first round of ARPA funding that was proposed in June to prioritize the most urgent needs in Minneapolis with a strong emphasis on economic recovery. To qualify, families must live in one of the following zip codes: 55403, 55404, 55405, 55407, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55430 or 55454. The annual income for qualifying families bust me at, or below, 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Minneapolis. go to https://nwhomepartners.org/ for the City of Minneapolis AMI by household size. Enrolled families receive $500 from the City each
month to help boost income, receive the payment every month for two years, and can use the extra money in a way that makes sense for the family. The program hopes to provide families with the flexibility to balance immediate needs with long-term investments (tuition, college savings, vehicle repairs) and become financially secure. For more information and to enroll in the program, go to https://www.minneapolismn. gov/. Application deadline is December 31, 2021.
bodies. I’m telling girls what I know personally about pulling yourself out of trauma and the potholes of life.” Abdul-Brown recently received “the first-ever Health Equity Award” presented by the
Minnesota Business Journal. She was also distinguished with a Hometown Hero Equity Award on-field from the Minnesota Vikings for the trusted information she continues to disseminate to those in need, especially the youth and their families in African American communities. She said when she began to see Black people dying of COVID19 at alarming rates, she, like Lisa Clemons, set up clinics immediately. “An urgent call went out to anybody with financial means to come to the community and help us right where the need was. Many in the BIPOC communities have no public transit or alternative transportation to get where most of the clinics were.” Along with Lisa Clemons and her team at A Mother’s Love, they vaccinated over 600 people at the onsite clinics. At Shiloh Cares Food Shelf Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, they vaccinated 400 more. Some even got boosters at our community vaccination clinics, including Hennepin County Sheriff, David Hutchinson. “We connected with ‘Hutch’ and his office to persuade young people to ‘put their guns in a bucket’ rather than be arrested, and to get out of that traumatic violent mindset and determination for vengeance where even innocent young children have been killed by stray bullets,” Abdul-Brown
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A pastor, mental health trauma informed care specialist, and early childhood advocate, wants to see the Missing and Murdered Black Women Bill signed by Governor Walz get national attention lifting up Minnesota as the first state stepping forward to formally address this critical issue. “Transformation must replace pain and chaos in communities of color. Laws, policies, and resources are desperately needed to help us fight this fight! I want to see the kind of resources that will help me get young women out of environments of danger before violence happens. I want to see a kind of natural empathy and compassion in every child, identified, acknowledged, celebrated, and supported,” she said. Abdul-Brown makes one thing perfectly clear. She doesn’t take anyone’s money to do her work unless they meet her in North Minneapolis or on 38th and Chicago and not at a Starbucks located in a place where they can’t see where the help is needed. She also encourages those philanthropic individuals and foundations to volunteer in our community. “Parents also have to do their part and prevent their daughters from walking into the fire,” Abdul-Brown says. “They witness girls getting into a car of a known sex trafficker or drug
photo/fizkes
Applications are now open for the Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program. Application deadline is December 31, 2021. kingpin and then are devastated when they’re thrown out of that same car, landing in an alley having taken their last breath.” She said quality of life improves when there is a fair share of all available resources including philanthropic contributions. “There is less crime, less violence, better grocery venues, and the academic gap begins too gradually close. But the cycle won’t stop until the root of systemic racism is acknowledged. People at the table of decision must reflect our community. Our voices and what we say has to matter. I want these missing and wounded girls and women, some physically, some emotionally, to know they have a place to go. They don’t have to be lost in the streets or lost to the system,” Abdul-Brown said. An early childhood provider for Hennepin County for 12 years, Abdul-Brown says one of her greatest joys is personally investing in some of these young girls. She started a violence prevention summer camp for girls of color, and has taken many out of the neighborhood showing them how the “other half” lives. One field trip cost $2,000. She chartered a bus that drove down streets lined with manicured lawns and beautiful blooming flowers and trees. The group visited the Children’s Museum and the Science Museums. She
encourages S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming. She says the first five years of life are impressionable and critical stages where the narrative can be changed. “Why shouldn’t they believe they can be scientists or mathematicians,” she asks. “I want Black girls to believe they are more than just their body.” After selling a house in South Minneapolis, AbdulBrown and her husband agreed upon a portion of the profit to be reinvested back into her work in saving young girls and women of color and finding their children safe environments to live until they could live peacefully and successfully on their own. “We›ve had so many Black girls and women shot and killed alone this year in the City of Minneapolis. It’s beyond the crisis level. I can’t tell you how many people I have watched die or helped to bury. Over 600 individuals have been shot in the city of Minneapolis, and a large majority are people of color, girls, and women. It’s the innocent children that break our hearts. Without a doubt, if we don’t change laws and create policies that actually work for us, we’ll continue to see more of the same cycles of trauma and violence, because “hurt people, hurt people.”
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Insight News • December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Page 7
Page 8 •December December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Insight News
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‘Beyond any touch of mercy’: Black and Indigenous maternal health in Minnesota By Katy Backes Kozhimannil and By Rachel R. Hardeman As mothers, people from communities most impacted by maternal deaths, and professors who know
the data and lead this research, we know all too well what is at stake for people who are pregnant and their families here in Minnesota and across the country. We have served on Minnesota’s maternal mortality review committee, reading the painful accounts of maternal death in our state, discussing
ways to prevent future deaths, and holding space for the pain and suffering that can never be reversed. Each lost mother is a person stolen from a family and a community, and someone who was loved. In Minnesota, the maternal mortality rate for U.S. born Black people is 2.8 times higher
when compared to white people who give birth. The Indigenous (American Indian/Native American) maternal mortality rate is approximately eight times higher than that for white people who give birth. This means that while just 6.4% of Minnesotans are Black, they represent 15% of maternal deaths in our state. And while Indigenous people represent 2% of those who give birth in Minnesota, 12% of all Minnesotans who died during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum year are Indigenous. We see similar heartbreaking statistics for babies. Among Black and Indigenous people in Minnesota who survive pregnancy and childbirth, they still face the reality that their newborns are two times more likely than white newborns to die before they celebrate their first birthday. This disproportionate burden of loss is staggering. Tragically, this keeps with the historical precedent set by Minnesota’s first governor, Henry Sibley, whose actions and words dehumanized Dakota people, “Oh the fiends, the devils in human shape! My heart is hardened against them beyond any touch of mercy.” (Henry Sibley, 1858) Dehumanization and racism have hurt Indigenous and Black Minnesotans for centuries. The tragic effects continue today, as Minnesota’s Black parents are haunted by the killing of our Black children at the hands of law enforcement. Police brutality is traumatic for entire communities, harming pregnant people and families. Our research shows that here in Minneapolis, pregnant people who live in neighborhoods with disproportionate police presence are at greater risk of giving birth to babies too soon (before 37 weeks gestation), putting them at risk for a host of serious short and long-term challenges. Minnesotans — and the entire United States — face a maternal health crisis. Nationally, maternal morbidity and mortality rates are rising. Maternal mortality rates in the United States now exceed that of any other developed country; our maternal death rates are on par with Saudi Arabia, Latvia, and Uruguay. Yet the shame of international comparison obscures the deeply unjust inequities in maternal mortality among historically marginalized commu-
Rachel Hardeman, PhD
Katy Backes Kozhimannil, PhD
nities. Nationally, Black, Indigenous, poor and rural people face greater risks during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. A focus on ensuring the safety and vitality of Black and Indigenous communities is urgently needed here in Minnesota and across the country. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the White House announced the first ever Day of Maternal Health Action, highlighting commitments that the federal government, private sector and Congress have made to improve maternal health and reduce inequities. For example, the federal Build Back Better Act invests in mothers. It includes a provision that would extend pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage for a year after childbirth, reducing insurance disruptions that are common among low-income postpartum people. The Build Better Act includes provisions from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which would expand and diversify the perinatal workforce, address the social determinants of health, invest in research and data collection and expand access to digital health tools. In Minnesota, the Dignity Pregnancy and Childbirth Act will support antiracism and anti-bias training for maternity care clinicians across the state. But more work is needed. It is essential that efforts to support racial justice here in Minnesota include investments directly in the communities most affected by poor outcomes — Black and Indigenous people — and to ensure representation by those groups in decisions. Racial justice is not possible without reproductive justice, and passing the Protect Reproductive Options
Act (PRO Act), which establishes Minnesotans’ fundamental right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health care, is a necessary step to improve maternal and infant health. Pending Supreme Court decisions threaten to undermine the constitutional right to abortion, so states must act. Maternal death disrupts the cycle of life in a way that is deep, violent, tragic and destructive; it affects us across generations. Personally, our life and work are shaped by the memory of those we have lost. We are all touched by the historical traumas our ancestors have faced. Our legacy toward Black and Indigenous families in Minnesota does not need to be defined by the words of Henry Sibley. Minnesota’s racial inequities in maternal mortality demonstrate that historical trends persist into contemporary reality. But the time for change is now. The health and well-being of pregnant Minnesotans and their families should not be “beyond any touch of mercy.” Katy Backes Kozhimannil, PhD, is Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center and Rural Health Program, and senior adviser to the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity. Rachel R. Hardeman, PhD, MPH, is Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity and founding director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and a 2021 Bush Fellow. This piece originally appeared on MinnPost.com.
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Page 10 •December December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Insight News
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Selfcare can be selfish, and that’s okay By Brandi Phillips, Contributing Writer Today, the term selfcare is often used loosely. However, taking the term seriously enough to put it into ongoing spiritual, physical and emotional practices can sometimes be easier said than done. With the various ongoing stress stemming from 2020 (and before), individuals have to learn to practice selfcare in the physical sense. Whether being a busy parent, helping aging parents, focusing on career or growing romantic relationshipsfinding time to take care of yourself can be hard to do. Webster Dictionary’s definition of selfcare is ‘care for oneself’. That is a simple definition, if we stop and think about it. Selfcare really means doing things to take care of you. It can seem selfish when there are so many other things to do, right? Well, that is okay, too. One definition of selfish according to Oxford Languages is ‘lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one›s own personal profit or pleasure’. If you understand this definition, you will understand being selfish
photo/AnnaStills
Affirmations, encouraging words you tell yourself to cope with and maneuver life’s ups and downs, during a session of meditation can aid in reducing stress. and selfcare go hand-in-hand. Selfcare can be selfish, which is okay, but it may also be necessary. If you are not good for yourself or to yourself, you cannot be that way with others. Selfcare does not have to take a long time and there are some behaviors you can practice every day. The book, ‘The Miracle Morning’, written by Hal Elrod is a number one bestselling book and has been translated into over 37 languages worldwide. It is used by parents, busy adults, and successful professionals giving readers simple tasks to reduce stress. When starting this practice, start with at least 10 minutes. If you are short on time, you can do fewer minutes. Keep in mind, one-minute practices are the minimum for finding success when using this concept. This success-building idea has an acronym of S.A.V.E.R.S.
(Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Read, Scribe): This is what you should know regarding the conceptual meanings: Silence- Meditating, Prayer, Deep Breathing. Sit in silence and focus on finding good. Work on blocking out the external noise and focus on staying calm. AffirmationsEncouraging words you tell yourself to cope with and maneuver life’s ups and downs. An example is, ‘I am Adaptable.” VisualizationImagine yourself achieving your goals and see the steps it takes to accomplish those goals. This is a time to use the power of your inner child’s imagination. Exercise- Find a way to move your body. You can choose from walking, running, swimming, dancing, yoga, biking, strength training etc. The goal is to move your body every
day. Read- Whether it is a motivational book or magazine, find time for inspirational reading. Avoid technology, as this decreases your digital wellbeing. ScribeWrite something! Journaling, playwriting, blogging and to-do lists are ideas. Getting things out of your head and onto paper makes it real, desires, thus finding life solutions. This book is meant to transform your life before 8 a.m. For people with limited morning time, the ideas of this book- turned movie and worldwide movement- can be done at any time throughout the day. You can sit in silence in the morning, exercise in the afternoon, and scribe at night. That is up to you. As long as you are getting in each concept for a minimum of one minute daily, you will be on a road to
photo/carminesalvatore
Selfcare does not have to take a long time and there are some behaviors you can practice every day. mastering your own personal selfcare on a consistent basis. In addition to practicing S.A.V.E.R.S daily, you can include all of your favorite activities such as hanging with friends and family, going out to nice restaurants, hot baths, rebuilding your car, or laying on your couch watching movies and relaxing. Finding time to do the six techniques designed by Elrod, can be your one way to be selfish and practice selfcare daily. As with anything else, consistency will
be key in your success. Just remember, if you have time for other people daily, you definitely have time for yourself daily. If are looking for more information and networking on selfcare, visit, www. themiraclemorning.com. Brandi Phillips is a freelance writer, holistic health coach, mother of two, life partner and lover of adventure. If you have questions about this article, contact Brandi at wellifethreesixty@gmail.com.
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Insight News • December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021 • Page 11
photo/shironosov
During the Theater Arts - Short Story Theatre, students will develop characters quickly and sharpen their acting chops as they work through a fast-paced theater rehearsal process.
Activities are a preview of innovative programs and spaces coming to Minneapolis Parks in 2022
Free creative Winter Break youth activities The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will offer a slate of creative youth activities over Winter Break that preview new innovative programs and spaces debuting at Minneapolis parks next year. The sampling of free activities showcases possibilities for the MPRB’s Spark’d Studios initiative (formerly named Creation Spaces), which launched with classes offered in a completely renovated music and video production hub at Powderhorn Recreation Center in 2021. Additional Spark’d Studios locations are scheduled to open at Luxton, Whittier and Harrison Parks. There are limited spots available in some of the programs listed below, which are all available at no cost. Register online by clicking the program title, or stop by any MPRB
recreation center and register in person. Visit minneapolisparks. org/register to search thousands of youth and adult programs across the park system, including many Winter Break activities. Face mask required inside all MPRB buildings. Photography Basics Want to capture nature in your neighborhood? How about fun with family and friends? Participants will learn the basics of photography using your their device or one provided by MPRB. Day 1 will work on getting the right shot, and Day 2 will focus on editing some of our favorites. December 27 and 29 Whittier Recreation Center Ages 7-9 12-2 pm Ages 10-12
2:30-4:30 Ages 4:30-6:30 pm
pm 12-14
Youth Beat Makers Using FL Studios, participants will learn how to create their own beats, remix a song, and record with computerized instruments. December 20 and 22 Whittier Recreation Center Ages 7-9 12-2 pm Ages 10-12 2:30-4:30 pm Theatre Arts – Short Story Theatre Students will develop characters quickly and sharpen their acting chops as they work through a fast-paced theater rehearsal process. Each participant will have an opportunity to play multiple roles
in a short, read-aloud play which will be recorded for release as a podcast. This class will be a fun mix of reading, drama and tech for budding theater enthusiasts! Some experience is preferred, but certainly not necessary. December 20, 21 and 22, 1-4 pm Ages 11-17, Powderhorn Recreation Center Young Content Creators People have made careers out of creating YouTube content and videos. From DIY videos, reaction videos, news and comedy content – the possibilities are endless. Learn how to create a YouTube channel with quality content using your tablet, phone or digital camera. Learn how to organize content, write a script, shoot b roll and put together
a quality video for viewers. December 21, 22 and 23, and December 28, 29, 30, 1- 4 pm Ages 13-17, Harrison Recreation Center The following programs are now full, but waiting lists may be available. Youth Gaming Workshop Youth focus on gameplay learning and community building. They’ll get a chance to play a variety of different games, tournament-style. Games will include FIFA, NBA 2K and NFL Madden. December 22 and 23, 3-5 pm Ages 12-17, Luxton Recreation Center Podcast Academy Learn how to create, record, edit and publish a podcast! Participants will make
a recording for the podcast, “Powderhorn Park Presents”, so come to class with some possible topics to discuss. December 29, 2-5 pm Ages 11-14, Powderhorn Recreation Center Youth Photography Workshop Looking to get more out of digital prints? Participants will have the opportunity to take their photographic vision to the next level. They will learn how to edit and take photo’s at the winter photography workshop. Youth will learn the step-by-step techniques to get the best possible prints. This photography workshop will be taught by a Minneapolis College of Arts and Design graduate. December 28 and 30, 2-5 pm Ages 12-16, Luxton Recreation Center
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