Insight News ::: 05.12.14

NNPA Chairman Cloves Campbell and the legendary DJ Scratch.

Hip hop leaders form partnership with NNPA TURN TO SECTION B

May 12 - May 18, 2014

Vol. 41 No. 20 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

CLC acts as legal advocates for children in foster care

PLYMOUTH AVENUE

The

NILE

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer

RIVER of

NORTH MINNEAPOLIS A Q+A WITH MICHAEL CHANEY PART 2 IN A SERIES

Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief The following is an excerpt from a recent “Conversations with Al McFarlane” which aired on KFAI-FM.

Al McFarlane Michael Chaney is leading Project Sweetie Pie. When we spoke in the neighborhood a little while back he said something that just blew me away. Michael Chaney said he envisioned Plymouth Avenue as the Nile

River of north Minneapolis.

And the image of the Nile as a source of life and sustenance formed in my mind as he said it – syllable by syllable. It made perfect sense. Michael, thanks for being here today. But what did you mean by that statement, which I classify as a prophecy?

CHANEY TURN TO 3

“ONE NATION WITH NEWS FOR ALL”

New exhibit explores the role of ethnic media in America

Sarah Mercier/ Newseum; typewriter: Gift, Nancy Travis Boldena

Frank Bolden typewriter, used during WWII (Bolden was a correspondent for Pittsburgh Courier which launched the Double V campaign)

Project Sweetie Pie’s Michael Chaney and student Barbara Fuller (at the University of MN’s Horticultural Society) transplant seedlings to be planted at the Karamu Gardens on 1600 Plymouth Ave N in Minneapolis.

Michael Chaney I just want to reiterate some of the things you and LaDonna (Redmond) are talking about.

We’re all transfixed in time.

History is past, present and future. We’re at the crossroads.

WASHINGTON — On May 16, the Newseum will open “One Nation With News for All,” a new exhibit that tells the dramatic story of how immigrants and minorities used the power of the press to fight for their rights and shape the American experience.

“News for All” was created in partnership with the Smithsonian’s Our American Journey project.

The exhibit features 60 artifacts, including press passes used by Univision coanchors María Elena Salinas and Jorge Ramos while covering international news events, and a stepstool used

by Pullman porters, black railroad car attendants who distributed the influential Chicago Defender in the South, where Northern papers were often confiscated and banned by whites. Also on display in “News for All” are a composing stick and lead type used by Benjamin Franklin to publish his newspapers, Memphis Free Speech publisher Ida B. Wells’s diary

NEWSEUM TURN TO 7

So what is it like to be a child in foster care?

The following is an excerpt taken from the website of the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC). It states, “Imagine that you are 12-years-old. You and your 14-year-old brother have been neglected by your mother and sexually abused by her boyfriends. You are taken from your mother and her rights are terminated because she is chemically dependent and has been arrested for selling drugs.”

Not a pretty picture.

And while not every child in the foster care system has the same horror story illustrated in the CLC anecdote, far too many do mirror those circumstances. The question then becomes who is going to be there to truly advocate on behalf of the child? According to Lilia Panteleeva, executive director of the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, she and the nearly 300 volunteer attorneys of the CLC are there to do just that – advocate as trusted advisors and mentors.

Founded in 1995, the CLC

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Urban League Academy plans to keep school open

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer The Urban League Academy finds itself like most the of students it seeks to educate – fighting against the odds.

Nearly a month ago the Urban League Academy (ULA), a contract alternative school operated by the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) and through the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), was dealt a harsh blow when a divided district’s board voted to renew the school’s contract for just one year and with several new conditions. And while the MUL board and ULA faculty and staff say they have no problem being held accountable, they fear the new measurable goals do not take into account the students’ personal and academic situations. Some wondered if the same standards are being used to measure the district’s traditional schools where African-American students are graduating at just 43 percent.

Scott Gray, MUL President and CEO “Thirteen percent of our kids are homeless, we have kids who can’t get to school regularly because of transportation issues, we have kids who have been incarcerated, we have kids who have bounced around to four or five schools, so we have challenges,” said Ron Simmons, school director at ULA. “We have needs we need to fill. I believe we can meet all

ULA TURN TO 4

Insight 2 Health

Commentary

Lifestyle

Donald Sterling

Managing obesity

The Donald Sterling scandal: Keep your eyes on the ball

Think about your life’s journey

Banned for life!

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Page 2 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Managing

OBESITY An active lifestyle, plenty of exercise, and healthy eating, is the safest way to lose weight.

T

aking in more calories than you burn can lead to obesity because the body stores unused calories as fat. Obesity can be caused by: • Eating more food than your body can use.

• Drinking too much alcohol.

• Not getting enough exercise.

Many obese people who lose large amounts of weight and gain it back think it is their fault. They blame themselves for not having the willpower to keep the weight off. Many people regain more weight than they lost.

Today, we know that biology is a big reason why some people cannot keep the weight off. Some people who live in the same place and eat the same foods become obese, while others do not. Our bodies have a complex system to help keep our weight at a healthy level. In some people, this system does not work normally.

The way we eat when we are children can affect the way we eat as adults.

The way we eat over many years becomes a habit, affecting what we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat.

We are surrounded by things that make it easy to overeat and hard to stay

active.

• Many people do not have time to plan and make healthy meals.

• More people today work desk jobs compared to more active jobs in the past.

• People with less free time have less time to exercise.

The term “eating disorder” means a group of medical conditions that have an unhealthy focus on eating, dieting, losing or gaining weight, and body image. A person may be obese, follow an unhealthy diet, and have an eating disorder all at the same time.

Sometimes, medical problems or treatments cause weight gain, including: • Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) • Medicines such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics • Other things that can cause weight gain are: • Quitting smoking. Most people who quit smoking gain 4 - 10 pounds in the first 6 months after quitting. Some people gain as much as 25 - 30 pounds.

• Stress, anxiety, feeling sad, or not sleeping well • For women: Menopause -- women may gain 12-15 pounds during menopause and not losing the weight they gained during

pregnancy.

Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as from having too much fat.

Both terms mean that a person’s weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for his or her height.

Signs and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, eating habits, and exercise routine.

The two most common ways to assess your weight and measure health risks related to your weight are: • Body mass index (BMI) • Waist circumference (your waist measurement in inches) BMI is calculated using height and weight. You and your health care provider can use your BMI to estimate how much body fat you have.

Your waist measurement is another way to estimate how much body fat you have. Extra weight around your middle or stomach area increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with “appleshaped” bodies (meaning their waist is bigger than their hips) also have an increased risk for

these diseases.

Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage.

Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or hormone problems that could lead to weight gain. However, these tests are usually normal.

Support Groups Many people find it easier to follow a diet and exercise program if they join a group of people with similar problems.

Treatment Change your lifestyle.

An active lifestyle and plenty of exercise, along with healthy eating, is the safest way to lose weight.

Even modest weight loss can improve your health. You will need a lot of support from family and friends.

When dieting, your main goal should be to learn new, healthy ways of eating and make them a part of your daily routine.

Many people find it hard to change their eating habits and behaviors. You may have practiced some habits for so long that you may not even know they are unhealthy, or you do them without thinking.

You need to be motivated to make lifestyle changes. Make the behavior change part of your life over the long term.

Know that it takes time to make and keep a change in

your lifestyle.

Work with your health care provider and dietitian to set realistic, safe daily calorie counts that help you lose weight while staying healthy.

Remember that if you drop pounds slowly and steadily, you are more likely to keep them off. Your dietitian can teach you about: • Healthy food choices • Healthy snacks • How to read nutrition labels • New ways to prepare food • Portion sizes • Sweetened drinks Extreme diets (fewer than 1,100 calories per day) are not thought to be safe or to work very well. These types of diets often do not contain enough vitamins and minerals. Most people who lose weight this way return to overeating and become obese again.

Learn new ways to manage stress, rather than snacking. Examples may be meditation, yoga, or exercise. If you are depressed or stressed a lot, talk to your health care provider.

Medications and Herbal Remedies You may see ads for supplements and herbal remedies that claim they will help you lose weight. Many of these claims are not true.

Some of these supplements can have serious side effects.

Talk to your health care provider before using them.

You can discuss weight loss drugs with your doctor.

Most people lose between 5 and 10 pounds by taking these drugs. Most people also regain the weight when they stop taking the medicine, unless they have made lasting lifestyle changes.

Surgery Bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of disease in people with severe obesity. These risks include: • Arthritis • Diabetes • Heart disease • High blood pressure • Sleep apnea • Some cancers • Stroke Surgery may help people who have been very obese for 5 years or more and have not lost weight from other treatments, such as diet, exercise, or medicine.

Surgery alone is not the answer for weight loss. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You must be committed to diet and exercise after surgery. Talk to your doctor to learn if this is a good option for you.

AllinaHealth

insightnews.com

Insight News • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Page 3

COMMENTARY THE DONALD STERLING SCANDAL

Keep your eyes on the ball Nobody Asked Me

By Fred Easter Nobody asked me, but LA Clipper’s owner, Donald Sterling, is an 80 year old, white billionaire. How can we be surprised by his views?

Last week, Ben Jealous, former NAACP President made a telling point in a TV interview I watched. I paraphrase: How is it that the media and public figures jump up and down over the, admittedly despicable, racist comments of an individual and do so little to decry the insidious racism of

the society, at large?

Who would bet me that the advertisers who are so noisily jumping off the Sterling/NBA bandwagon aren’t some of the very same corporations that anonymously support candidates and causes that are far more harmful to the hopes and dreams of people of color specifically and democracy, in general.

Corporations, we can’t know which ones, are spending millions to stave off the push to require corporate funders to disclose their political contributions. To be more accurate: the push is to require Political Action Groups to disclose the sources of their financial support.

Are Donald Sterling’s comments racist?

Yes. Condescending, out of touch?

Yes and yes. Saddest thing is

Let’s forget about the Sterlings and Bundys of the world and focus on our very real economic and political interests.

that they are pitiful as well.

Sterling is nothing more than a jealous, impotent 80 year old white dude who doesn’t want his granddaughter/girlfriend to parade in front of him with brothers who get, for free, what he has to pay so dearly for.

Ellison: Extend negotiations between Israel and Palestinian Authority WASHINGTON – Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after the negotiating period between Israel and the Palestinian Authority expired: “A lasting peace agreement between Israel and Palestine will require both sides to move beyond inevitable setbacks. Recent challenges in the process prove the need for more dialogue, not less.

Both sides should commit to extending the current negotiations period to improve understanding and achieve a

Chaney From 1 As we talk about history let’s talk about the history prior to slavery. Let’s talk about the Nile and the development of civilization and culture. Fast forward to the turn of the last century. Corporate America started severing our ties to the land. Now when we talk about food deserts and the plight that we African-Americans are in, I would dare say that the whole planet is suffering from the same kind of dynamic and the same dichotomy – that we were systematically severed from the land, severed from our natural talents and gifts is all a process of formulating a monopoly.

It’s no surprise that there is no food in our community. It’s been systematically created.

It’s no surprise that there is no economic development in our community. That’s all been systematically perpetrated.

Three years ago when there was an attack on our education resource, North High (School, Minneapolis), and [they] were trying to close North High, I along with Sam Grant, Louis

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Alemayehu and others made a commitment to that school because we felt that to close a school is to kill a heart of the community. We started Project Sweetie Pie. I approached Rose McGee who was baking and marketing classic sweet potato pies, and asked her if we started growing sweet potatoes, would she be willing to buy them from the youth in North Minneapolis? And of course she concurred. Then we went to North High and a little known fact is there’s actually a small greenhouse on the campus. North High was once a state-of-the-art magnet school that really had some very progressive, advanced programming. They had a greenhouse that had been fallow for a number of years.

We approached Elizabeth Lasley who is the community ed person there and asked could we use this space to start growing sweet potatoes?

And just as I had done with Juneteenth twenty some years ago, I went knocking on doors and asking people, can we use this land to start growing produce? First year we did five gardens. Last year we did 10 gardens and this year we’re

framework for peace.

“The reconciliation of Hamas and Fatah presents not just a challenge but a potential opportunity for a durable peace agreement. I understand Israeli leaders’ opposition to negotiate with a unity government given Hamas’ refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence. But any agreement that guarantees Israel’s long-term security and an independent Palestinian state will require peace with all the Palestinians, not just one faction.”

working on over 20 gardens.

When somebody tells me that urban youth don’t want to farm, that we can’t farm, I find that preposterous because just as you and LaDonna were saying, the history we all share ties us directly to the land.

Sweetie Pie became a vehicle for a public relations campaign; a media campaign to really try to restore that knowledge and to rekindle that love and stewardship for Mother Earth. We’ve been talking about it. We’re being about it.

Focusing on the rants of a Donald Sterling or a Clive Bundy, Montana’s welfare, rancher cheat, only serve to focus our attention on the wrong issue.

Everybody in the public eye gets to

point righteous fingers at an individual racist. They get to appear” holier than thou”, while “the beat goes on”.

If I had a choice, I’d have Sterling or Bundy write out their views and have them printed in every newspaper, IF, I could trade that for having the Supreme Court restore the teeth in the Voting Rights Law and return corporations to “entity” status.

What Donald Sterling says does not injure me in any way.

Worse things have been said to me in metro parking lots and screamed from passing pickup trucks, since Obama’s election.

I applaud, quietly, the NBA’s action in expelling him. That was a financial decision. BUT: At the end of the day, he will still be old, white, racist and rich as hell. Most of us will be none of those things. So, let’s

forget about the Sterlings and Bundys of the world and focus on our very real economic and political interests.

The fight to present President Obama with a Democratic House and Senate for his last 2 years is pivotal.

He may have Supreme court nominations to make. In the present climate, confirmation would not be a, pardon the expression, slam dunk.

The effort to get our elders registered to vote is important.

Thrusts to abolish the Electoral College and evict big money from politics are important.

There is much to be done without diverting our attention on a Donald Sterling. Father Time is stalking him and his ilk, as I write. Did I just hear a knock on my door?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A moment of silence

By Ornida Moua My name is Ornida Moua and I am a student at Augsburg College. I’ve written a letter that expresses my opinion about the violence that has been happening in the community.

Violence is not the key to a prosperous community, because it does not resolve anything. Regardless of what the underlying factors are

under every situation, the most common motive behind someone’s rash action is to preserve face and their pride.

However, the truth of the reality is that by committing a violent act, it is not damaging to oneself but the community as a whole.

As a concerned citizen, I believe we can resolve issues without the usage of violence.

In a world that is constantly changing, frustration can pile up. However, there are various outlets and help programs around the Twin Cities that can

help someone cope with change.

Help is but an arm reach away.

The goal is not mass accumulation. Preservation is key. Instead of looking forward try looking back—for once. Our roots, where ancestors came from, the bloody path that our parents—grandparents were forced to push through to get us here should rekindle the flame inside our heart to want better, to aim higher, to do greater deeds.

A moment of silence is needed. Desperately.

You belong.

The health plan with you in mind.

Al McFarlane I lament the stories that suggest many of our kids seem to think fast food and processed foods originate at the fast food store.

And we lament the fact that we experience this tremendous epidemic of food-derived obesity exacerbated by lack of exercise, lack of activity food injustice causes so many, many more problems for our physical and emotional health.

And I can’t think of a better solution to see than all the gardens I’m noticing throughout the community.

CHANEY TURN TO 4

At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan.

You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all.

Learn more at medica.com/PublicPrograms

insightnews.com

Insight News • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Page 4

LIFESTYLE

Think about your life’s journey Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson Today I spent time talking to an old friend about some of the choices that we have made in

our lives. We have been friends since we were three and four, and have never lost contact with each other. She lives in another state, but that doesn’t stop us from talking at least three times a week. Lately we have been talking about our life’s journey and all of the lessons we’ve learned along the way, some for good and some for bad. But we both agree that life has basically been good to us. And we are very appreciative of what we

have been blessed with and where we are in our lives.

Today I would like for you to think about your journey and where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you see yourself in the same situation or do you see that you have become exactly who you set out to be? If you are like me, you are working daily on those goals and you can see what hard work and determination can do.

I work on my goals because I

have so much more to do on my journey and I am excited about that opportunity. I work on my goals because they make me a better person and they give me something to strive for.

However, I do realize that sometimes life can get in the way of our goals. Some life changing events happen which can make us rethink our goals and set us back for awhile. I remember when my friend decided to set a goal to buy her

first home. She was ready and had everything lined up. But during this time her father died and she had to move home to help take care of her mother.

So that event made her goal of buying her first home be delayed for awhile. Her goal was delayed, but she didn’t give up on it completely. And that’s exactly the key to this all.

In order to achieve your goals you have to keep working on them. You have to believe in

your heart that you can achieve success and know that it is possible.

And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject.com.

Selam Yosief (right) teaching young women how to transplant strawberrys. Clemon Dabney (with dreadlocks) showing a volunteer how to tease apart a root ball.

Chaney From 3 When my wife and I drive up and down Plymouth Avenue every day we drive by your garden on Plymouth and Knox.

It makes us smile because we know that it’s important, so now you’ve created 30 community gardens – urban farms – how do you organize that? And what are you doing with training, planting, tending and harvesting, and moving the produce to families, to stores?

What’s the big picture here?

Michael Chaney Well the dynamics are as diverse as the number of gardens. We’re working with churches.

We’re working with day care centers. We’re working with young Black men and women who are starting to talk about cash crops. We can’t make the corporate Fortune 500 Companies to North Minneapolis, but there are over 1,800 empty lots in North Minneapolis. And that’s kind of our land base we want to develop as we began getting friends of friends to say, “Hey Michael, you can use my lot.

Hey, I’ve got this piece of land you can use.” Folks have been

coming forward to help support the mission, help support the vision. We approach every one of them very differently based on the partnerships that we’re able to germinate, and the resources we’re able to secure.

I like to frame it like that. We hear all this talk that it takes a village to raise a child. Let’s do a national demonstration model and let’s go online and get everybody regardless of whatever their skills or interests are. Is farming going to be something that’s going to take over the lives of each and every one of these young people? I dare say not. But certainly again like in Sweetie

Pie we like to say that it’s a training program for youth and horticulture entrepreneurship, marketing and promotions.

We need to stop looking at our children as the problem and start looking to them for the answers and solutions. That’s why we coined the project “Sweetie Pie.” Every one of us has got a grandmother who called us “Sweetie Pie” and that’s the kind of love, concern and TLC that we’ve got to bring to these gardens, that we’ve got to bring to these children, that we’ve got to bring to our families and our community.

We have the resources within our midst. We’ve got the brain

trust. It always amuses me that the larger the community thinks in terms of the “green movement” as a kind of a white hippie thing. But if that’s the case then who is a Van Jones? Who is Marjora Carter?

Who is Will Allen? And these are all preeminent world leaders, thought leaders who are guiding and directing this whole green movement. And we’re blessed to have LaDonna Redmond and Nardele Stroud and other people here in this community who have been doing this gardening for a long time.

We’ve got more than we give ourselves credit for. We

just have to have a common shared vision and line up and really put our ducks in a row and figure out how we can take this movement from just mixed gardening to how can we really become part of the food system. And that’s the whole idea of the Nile on Plymouth Avenue. We’re really trying to move beyond just this public relations campaign to really putting forth a vision that takes all of our talents, skills, kind of coalesces and create this notion of a destination that is front and center designed by of and for people of color, African-American in particular on Plymouth Avenue.

ULA

up – we need others to step up too, but we all need to stand up to the district to see to it that it give us the resources we need,” said Scott Gray, CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League.

“These are the district’s kids, so we shouldn’t be getting less than half the resources as other schools.”

Gray said the district spends about $20,000 per student on a child at a traditional high school, but students at ULA only get about $7,500 in resources. Gray said even with the limited funds, he wonders if other traditional district high schools are doing any better at educating children of color, in

particular African-Americans.

Gray said he has sent numerous requests to MPS to compare student proficiency rates, but his requests have fallen on def ears.

Insight News has also made a similar request, but the district has yet to provide such data.

“It’s not in the district’s best interest to save schools like the Urban League Academy,” said Bill English, an interested citizen who attended a recent meeting detailing the ULA’s plans to meet the MPS’ new requirements. “(The MPS board) would not like to see schools like this and charter schools succeed. It’s going to take the outrage of the

community to have the same standards and resources for African-American kids and poor white kids as any other student.”

Gray said regardless of the odds, the Minneapolis Urban League and the Urban League Academy are up for the fight.

“We as the Urban League don’t back down from a challenge,” said Gray. “We cannot back away from our students. We need to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed. We want to be seen as a true partner (with MPS) and I don’t know that we’ve been seen as a partner in this process of educating our students.”

From 1 of (the district’s) goals, but we need help.”

According to Simmons, ULA needs a fulltime social worker to assist the nearly 30 percent of students with mental health issues, a physical education instructor – as required by the state – and a fulltime special education instructor. Simmons said to fill all the needs of the ULA the total costs would come in at $190,000.

“We need the district to step

Page 5 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Insight News

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BUSINESS A ‘sterling’ example of our confusion!

By Ron Busby, Sr. President, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Let me get my disclaimer out of the way first... The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) is a business organization. Our sole purpose is to improve the lives of Black people by actively working to change the market environment. We advocate for improvements in capital access, increased opportunity and the transfer of the skills necessary to successfully, and profitably compete in America’s economy.

Despite this clarity of purpose, we are often called

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Editorial Intern Abeni Hill Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Toki Wright Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Michele Spaise Corey Collins Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

upon to weigh in on issues that typically are addressed by civil rights or social justice organizations. For certain, we are Black in America, so we do have opinions about continued evidence of inequality, racism, bigotry, discrimination and hatred being directed against Black people. But, as I said, we are a business organization, so our perspective is always going to be a business perspective.

Donald Sterling is a businessman who owns, among other interests, a National Basketball Association franchise. Donald Sterling said some insulting remarks that prove his disdain for Black people, presumably including the men whose athletic ability make his franchise valuable.

And, Donald Sterling, through his twisted thinking, has hijacked ALL of Black America’s communications channels.

Facebook, Twitter, radio, newspaper... all on fire with commentary about Sterling and what must be done to make him pay.

Excuse me, but there’s

Ron Busby, Sr. real life going on here! Black America, even after the furor over Sterling’s telephonic rant has dissipated, will STILL suffer from gross inequality.

The $2.5 million fine levied by the NBA for his “transgression” is a pittance for someone whose fortune is reported to be over a billion dollars. His franchise, the Los Angeles Clippers, will still receive millions of dollars in television royalty payments, even if he is not allowed to

attend games or go to his office.

And all the while, Black businesses are still not able to qualify for a loan guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government!

Black businesses are still failing to net their federally mandated share of contracts awarded by that same government. As a result, Black unemployment figures - as reported by the same federal government -- are still spiraling skyward, with no apparent ceiling.

Talk about misplaced anger! This is not to diminish the obvious - that Sterling’s perspective is unacceptable, is deserving of any fine, penalty, compensatory payment and public shaming available under law. But Congress makes the laws that limit our ability to have equitable access in the marketplace and the courts interpret and uphold those laws, even in the face of glaring inequity. Doesn’t that make you mad, too?

So, if we’re going to be mad about something... okay, okay, Donald Sterling is as good a

place as any to start. But his despicable record in denying housing opportunities to Black families has had more direct impact on Black folks than anything he may have said to his “side piece” in a recorded phone conversation. So, maybe Sterling is a pretty good place to start showing just how angry we are today.

In the meantime, if we truly want to demonstrate our displeasure, let’s go cold turkey!

Turn off the NBA playoffs.

Don’t buy another jersey. Don’t watch NFL games this fall. Stop buying that profanity-laced, misogynistic crap that is being foisted upon us as cultural expression. If it’s our money that is financing the exploitation of Black talent, we can do something about that. If the empires built on exploitation can no longer rely on our complicity (in ticket sales, athletic attire, and viewers/consumers, etc.) they will quickly lose their value.

If we truly want to demonstrate our displeasure, let our money do our talking. Do

something different - support Black-owned businesses. Here at the USBC, we’ve grown fond of pointing out that if each of America’s Black-owned businesses earned enough money to hire just one new employee, we’d wipe out Black unemployment overnight!

So, we have a real opportunity here to prove that we really have taught our dollars some sense.

Racism, bigotry, discrimination and personal animus seem to be - after all these years -- beyond our control. Unfortunately for us, those behaviors are also apparently beyond the control of federal laws designed to stamp them out.

Our money, however, is entirely within our control. If you don’t like racism, don’t finance it. If you don’t appreciate being discriminated against, don’t finance it. If you don’t like stupidity, don’t finance it either!

After all, money talks...and you-know-what walks. You can take that to the bank! (A Blackowned bank, please!)

What else do you do?

Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Maybe the penultimate career planning question we should all be asking ourselves is, “What else do you do?” You’ve heard the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” No kidding. But I was surprised recently to discover that, when forced to think about it, most people do have something going on the side.

This came to light when

one of my networking friends got our group into a rowdy and enlightening conversation by asking two questions: “What do you do?” and, “What do you do when you’re not doing that?” Virtually everyone in the group has a fire in the belly for something that has nothing to do with their profession. We found out who is moonlighting to bring in some extra cash, and who has a consulting business to complement their day-job. Our group also includes a gardener, a bingo fanatic, a painter, a volunteer junkie and a runner.

The value of having a little something on the side is huge. A second income has its benefits, obviously. And unpaid hobbies have their benefits, too.

A hobby can balance you out.

It can provide a safe, creative outlet. It can provide the changed perspective you need to brainstorm a problem. A hobby can even help you develop the confidence to go after other goals, to take on different challenges. Success in one area, even a casual, side thing, is like a jumping off point, leading a person to believe he or she can tackle other things, because they can.

If you find you have some talent after spending countless evening and weekend hours pursuing your passion, that passion could become a second career for you down the road, or a decent fallback if your day-job ends unexpectedly.

Most importantly, if you have anything going on the side, you will have something new and unique to bring to the table in every situation. You will have more interesting conversations, you will draw parallels between seemingly disparate challenges and you will be the person at the table who has something interesting to add.

A few days after the networking event, The “What Else” conversation came up again. We were with clients in a somewhat informal setting; it was all about small talk. Someone tossed it out there, “What do you do outside of work?” The responses led to conversations about photography, wedding proposals, and more. After the

meeting, Adrielle shared her Facebook page, AdrielleRoyale Nature in Photography with our team. People box people in by their titles, when they actually have rich, interesting lives outside the spreadsheets and emails of their professional lives.

Allow yourself to diversify; pursue that thing that’s calling out to you. Why not? Find the money, make the time, see what happens. You have nothing to lose, and plenty to gain. After all, no one likes a dull boy.

Julie Desmond is Recruiting Manager for IT and Software with George Konik Associates, Inc. Write to Julie at jdesmond@ georgekonik.com.

Black men find a new way to give back FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Readers of our column know we are supporters and promoters of women’s philanthropy including women’s foundations and giving circles. Mel likes to joke, “what about men’s philanthropy?” Now we have an answer: the Ujima Legacy Fund – an African American male giving circle. Knowing that men don’t want to be outdone by women, and that women want to support men, we bring you this interview with Reginald Gordon, one of the fund’s founders. In addition to supporting and growing African American men’s philanthropy Gordon is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Virginia Region of the American Red Cross.

Let’s start at the beginning.

We asked Gordon about the events that led up to creation of the fund. “The Ujima Legacy Fund grew out of a series of conversations that we had in a barbershop,” he began. “A group of African American men decided to hold monthly conversations in a downtown barbershop a few years ago.

The evening conversations attracted a cross section of men, from construction workers to college professors. We promoted the conversations by word of mouth. It felt like a Million Man March experience.

We explored myriad topics that impacted the black community in Richmond, including the lack of black men involved in local philanthropy. A few of us decided to take action on the idea of getting more African American men involved in philanthropy. We kept on working on this idea after the cessation of the monthly barbershop conversations. We

Reginald Gordon

did research on black male philanthropy and decided that we needed to form an African American male giving circle.

We named it the Ujima Legacy Fund. Ujima, the third day of Kwanzaa, means collective work and responsibility.”

While fundraising can be challenging, organizing how a fund operates can be even more complex. We asked Gordon to share how the fund operates. “We decided to keep the management of the Ujima Legacy Fund as simple as possible. The fund is open to any African American man who wishes to join. In order

to become a member of the Ujima Legacy Fund, the man must contribute $1,100. Each member gets one vote, when it is time to select the grantee,” Gordon began. “The Ujima Legacy Fund has a partnership with the Community Foundation of Richmond for administration of the fund. The men of Ujima decided on the types of programs and agencies that would be appropriate for our funding. We agreed that we wanted to target our funds toward agencies that had credible educational programs designed to serve young adults.

Prospective grantees apply for

the Ujima Legacy Fund through the Community Foundation website (www.tcfrichmond. org.)”

Next week: grant making, and how to start your own fund.

Learn more at www.bit.ly/ UjimaLegacyFund.

Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success.

For help with your campaign visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Page 6 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Insight News

insightnews.com

COMMUNITY First Minnesota Malcolm X conference to feature Glen Ford of Black Agenda Report

By Mel Reeves Is Malcolm X relevant today?

Ask most young people if they know who Malcolm X is and they will usually respond in the affirmative. The first annual Minnesota Malcolm X Conference, which will be held on Saturday, May 17 at North Community High School, 1500 James Ave., N., from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., was organized to educate people – especially young people –about Malcolm X and why he is still relevant today.

“Black self-determination is still important,” explained Glen Ford of blackagendareport. com, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the May 17

CLC From 1 has represented more than 2,000 foster children, and “helped to promote systemic change and advocacy for vulnerable youth throughout Minnesota.” The CLC mission is to promote the rights and interests of Minnesota’s children – especially children of color and children with disabilities, in the judicial, child welfare, health care, and

Glen Ford event. “If we lose sight of the meaning of Malcolm then we risk losing our moorings. We live in an era in which people are struggling all over the

education systems.

While a foster child’s life is being turned upside down with little stability, Panteleeva said CLC volunteer attorneys are there as a constant for the foster child.

“Judges change, social workers change, guardian ad litems change, but our attorneys stay with the children they represent,” said Panteleeva. “They become life-long mentors for these children.”

On average a CLC volunteer attorney stays with a

Classifieds

world for self-determination.

They and we are struggling to create a world that is fit for the habitation of people.

And we are struggling against a very tiny group of mostly white people who with insane amounts of money for the sake of money are determined to make the world uninhabitable.”

Ford comes out of the late 1970s era of struggle and has been a journalist most of his career. His newsmagazine, Black Agenda Report, has been on the cutting edge of radical and left leaning Black America. He is well known for his critique of the Obama administration and was a YouTube sensation after his debate with the Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, in

which he pointed out the flaws of the present White House administration.

One of the day’s featured speakers is Omali Yeshitela.

One of the last active members of the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Yeshitela is known by some in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area as the “last man standing” because of his steadfast adherence to his principles.

Yeshitela is chairman of the African Peoples Socialist Party.

Many may be familiar with Yeshitela’s collaboration with the conscious hip-hop group Dead Prez. He can be heard on the “Let’s Get Free” CD, featured on a single called “Wolf.” In it he describes how this system gets Black people

to destroy themselves, much in the same way that wolves are tricked into doing themselves in by native peoples in the Artic.

“The struggles confronting African-American people in the world today are essentially the same as those that existed in Malcolm X’s day. He exposed the colonial nature of our oppression and the need for revolutionary organization as the solution,” stated Yeshitela.

Yeshitela’s organization has been in the forefront of the struggle against police brutality in Tampa and was active in the effort to get justice for the family of Trayvon Martin.

The Minnesota Malcolm X Day event will include several workshops led by

Ford and Yeshetela among others, including Malcolm X’s influence on the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement, Black economic selfempowerment, pan-Africanism and internationalism.

There will be panel discussion and audience participation as well. Heading the panel discussion are University of Minnesota professors, Dr. Rose Brewer (professor of African and African American Studies) co-author of “The Color of Wealth” and “Black Radical Theory and Practice: Gender, Race, and Class” along with Dr. August Nimtz (professor of political science), well known for his analysis of the Katrina aftermath.

child for at least five years.

That continuity can mean a lot to the children within the foster care system. According to the CLC, the numbers speak for themselves. In 2013, CLC represented 13 youth who were seniors in high school.

All of them graduated. That is a lofty success rate compared to a national average of just 46 percent of children who age out of foster care without a high school diploma. In addition, last year the CLC served 44 young adults enrolled in the 18 - 21 extended foster care

program who aged out of the foster care system. Of those 44, 41 finished high school (93 percent) and 27 have gone on to post-secondary education (61 percent). Nationally, only 10 percent of foster children go on to post-secondary education.

“It’s not unheard of for our attorneys to make wake-up calls and we have attorneys that attend various school meetings and events,” said Panteleeva.

In addition to being a child’s advocate in court and mentoring outside of legal proceedings, the CLC staffs a

social worker to assess a child’s social and mental needs. Weida Allen has been with the CLC since 2002 and works closely with the volunteer attorneys and youth served by the CLC to assist in advocating for a child’s well being.

“Some kids we represent are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Some of our kids are over-medicated and we go through the courts to get them reevaluated,” said Allen, who agreed that CLC volunteer attorneys become more than just a court representative.

“The attorneys that represent these children are in it for the long haul.”

Panteleeva said her organization is seeking additional volunteer attorneys, in particular, African-American attorneys. To learn more about the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, visit its website at www.clcmn.org.

May is National Foster Care Month. Insight News will feature a story in each edition this month to highlight issues in foster care within the Twin Cities.

Phone: 612.588.1313

Fax: 612.588.2031

Email: info@insightnews.com

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M. A. Mortenson Company 1010 South 7th Street, Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55415 Attention: Eric Grenz, Construction Executive Phone: 763-287-7838 Proposals shall be valid for 120 days. Proposals will be opened privately by Mortenson in the presence of the representatives of the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority, if requested by the Authority.

The subcontract will be held by M. A. Mortenson Company. The form of Subcontract Agreement, together with the Construction Services Agreement between the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and Mortenson, are available within the RFP. The Owner has adopted a comprehensive Equity Plan for the construction phase of the Project. The Targeted Business Program sets an 11% and 9% goal for construction contracts for the Project to be awarded to women- and minority-owned Minnesota-based business enterprises (MWBE), respectively. The Targeted Business Program also establishes a Veterans Inclusion Program to ensure that our veterans have every opportunity to participate in the Project. The Veterans Inclusion Program will include efforts to include small veteran-owned businesses. See the RFP Proposal Manual for Subcontract Category specific MWBE goals.

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Insight News • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Page 7

Banned for life!

By Kenneth D. Miller Assistant Managing Editor, The Los Angeles Sentinel

The National Basketball Association, an American institution steeped in 68-years of African American culture and history had been slammed by controversy laced with racism, hatred and bigotry, ignited by the racist comments of one of its owners, but on Tuesday April 29, Commissioner Adam Silver sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated by banning Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling.

Silver made the announcement at a hastily arranged news conference at NBA Headquarters in New York that had the entire nation and parts of the world watching and anxiously anticipating the backlash outcome.

After authenticating audio tapes of racial remarks against Blacks as being that of Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, Silver banned the owner for life and fined him the maximum of $2.5 million, thus ending his reign with the organization after 33 years.

Additionally, Silver said that he would meet with the NBA Board of Governors to force Sterling to sell the team.

It all began to unravel for the embattled owner on April 26, after a private conversation between Sterling and his estranged mistress V. Stiviano was leaked to TMZ and subsequently a 15-minute expanded version to Deadspin. com, exposing Sterling of the worst form of racial bias against Blacks during the modern era of professional sports.

According to the audiotapes, Sterling is believed to have indicated that he dislikes Blacks, doesn’t want them at his games and looks upon his multimillionaire Black players as pawns, servants or even worse his personal slaves.

On the audio, Sterling told his former girlfriend V. Stiviano; Well then, if you don’t feel— don’t come to my games. Don’t bring Black people, and don’t come.

V: Do you know that you have a whole team that’s Black that plays for you?

I support them (Blacks) and give them food, and clothes, and

Courtesy of The Los Angeles Sentinel

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver listened and swiftly responded by banning Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling for life cars, and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them? Do I know that I have— Who makes the game? Do I make the game, or do they make the game? Is there 30 owners, that created the league?”

The insensitive remarks sparked a social media and public firestorm, drawing strong rebuttal from former and current star players, to those in the entertainment industry and beyond.

It even drew the ire of the president of The United States.

While on an official visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, President Barack Obama said Sterling’s comments were “incredibly offensive racist statements,” before casting them as part of a continuing legacy of slavery and segregation that Americans must confront.

Since being exposed Sterling has yet to say anything, but his team—The Clippers debated boycotting their playoff game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday April 27. They played fraught with emotion from Sterling’s remarks and protested by wearing their red warm-ups inside out shielding the team and also sported black socks and wristbands.

Former legendary players such as Michael Jordan, the only Black among the fraternity of team owners, and former Lakers superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson whom Sterling’s mistress referred to in the conversation were outraged.

“He shouldn’t own a team

anymore,” Johnson said “I had a friendship with him. So for him to then make these comments, or alleged comments, about myself as well as other African-Americans and minorities, there’s no place in our society for it,” Johnson said.

“There’s no place in our league, because we all get along. We all play with different races of people when you’re in sports.

That’s what makes sports so beautiful.”

Former Lakers and UCLA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar complained about the media’s decision to just now cover Sterling’s racism.

“They caught big game on a slow news day, so they put his head on a pike, dubbed him Lord of the Flies, and danced around him whooping,” he wrote, noting that he does somewhat understand people’s reaction to Sterling’s latest comments.

“What bothers me about this whole Donald Sterling affair isn’t just his racism.

I’m bothered that everyone acts as if it’s a huge surprise,” Abdul-Jabbar continued. “Now there’s all this dramatic and very public rending of clothing about whether they should keep their expensive Clippers season tickets. Really? All this other stuff I listed above has been going on for years and this ridiculous conversation with his girlfriend is what puts you over the edge?”

Former Clipper and UCLA standout Baron Davis who was born and raised in South Los

Newseum From 1 and Frederick Douglass’s pocket watch, engraved “F. Douglass” on the back.

Visitors also will see some of the country’s first ethnic newspapers, including Freedom’s Journal, the first black newspaper, launched in 1827 to fight for equal rights and demand an end to slavery; and the Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper, which was founded in 1828 to champion the rights of Indians and now publishes monthly in print and online.

These and other newspapers helped millions of immigrants become part of America while keeping them informed about their homelands.

The exhibit also explores the growing influence of America’s leading ethnic broadcasters and newspapers as their reach expands across the country. Today, one in four Americans turns to ethnic media for news.

Ethnic television, radio and online news outlets — from ImpreMedia, the largest Spanish-language news company in the United States, to the black-owned Radio One network to the “Angry Asian Man” blog — offer different perspectives on issues that affect their communities and the world, contributing powerful voices that reflect an increasingly diverse nation.

“We’re honored to partner with the Smithsonian Institution in telling the important story of ethnic media throughout American history,” said Jim Duff, CEO of the Newseum. “By exercising their First Amendment rights, ethnic media not only inform and educate the public, but also are drivers of social change, fighting for equal rights and leading crusades against slavery, poverty and injustice.”

“This is an exciting

Newseum Collection

Cherokee Phoenix, c.1829 (First Native American newspaper printed in the US. Still exists today)

new partnership between the Newseum and the Smithsonian’s Our American Journey program, an immigration and migration

Angeles told a website of a time when he felt hated by the Clippers owner.

“If we were in layup lines and he wasn’t around, I’d be in a great mood,” Davis said. “As soon as he walked into the arena, I’d get like the worst anxiety and I never had anxiety playing. ... I couldn’t do it.”

He also added, “I can’t find a way function. Like, not with this man sitting here. Knowing that he hates me.” Now, no other player will have to endure that from Sterling.

The National Basketball Players Association has requested special advisor and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to represent the players in discussions with Sliver and he was instrumental in bring about what was a just and adequate respolution to the Sterling debacle.

The Sacramento Mayor, called it a “defining moment for the league,” said the Commissioner of the owners became a Commissioner of the players on Tuesday.

The players wanted decisive action and had discussions of boycotting is the penalty was not severe enough.

Silver said he believed the voice was in fact that of Sterling on the tapes and that the views expressed was those of Mr. Sterling.

“They want the maximum of what the constitution and bylaws will allow and we’re trying to figure out what that is. They want the maximum. They want a initiative,” said Michelle Delaney, senior program officer at the Smithsonian.

“Objects and stories in the exhibition confirm ethnic media are time capsules of history and tell the story of the nation we make together.”

Newseum-produced videos in the exhibit will feature newsmakers reading the words of pioneering ethnic journalists and explore the role today’s ethnic media play in covering major news events. Interactive elements of the exhibit will encourage visitors to explore ethnic media throughout the country, and to pose for “selfies” in front of a portrait wall, allowing them to share their photos and contribute to an online gallery.

“News for All” will be on display at the Newseum through Jan. 4, 2015.

Admission to the Newseum is $22.95 plus tax for adults, $13.95 for youth ages 7 to 18 and $18.95 for seniors age 65 and older.

Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001; 888/ NEWSEUM (888/639-7386).

GATEWAY TO OPPORTUNITY

MINNEAPOLIS URBAN LEAGUE

8 8 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y

A NEW ERA OF

TRANSFORMATION

SAVE THE DATE June 19, 2014 Keynote Speaker

Marc H. Morial National Urban League President & CEO

Hilton Minneapolis Hotel

decision to be made quickly and decisively. If you don’t respect the players in this league, then the values that we all espouse are for naught,” the Mayor added.

The NBA has been a model sports league for the employment and advancement of African Americans, the best in the world.

An estimated 76.3 percent of its players are Black, 47 percent of its head coaches, 45 percent of its assistant coaches, 45 percent of its officials are Black, 18 percent of the league front office, including 17 Black vice presidents, seven Black women VPs, four Black CEOs and six Black General Managers.

However, those numbers are overshadowed by the Sterling scandal that could tarnish the NBA brand for years to come.

Major advertisers have already began to withdraw from the Clippers and Sterling, including CarMax, Kia, Virgin America, State Farm, MercedesBenz dealers, Amtrak, Red Bull, Sprint, Lumber Liquidators, Yokohama Tire Corp., Corona, AQUAhydrate and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians have all pulled support from the professional basketball team as the fallout because of Sterling remains associated with the team.

Local elected officials and community leaders have also voiced their dismay with Sterling’s comments.

“These statements are offensive and despicable and have no place in Los Angeles. I urge the NBA to act swiftly. L.A. fans deserve and demand better,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti

AEG which manages the owns Staples Center where the Clippers play home games, also released a statement.

“We are deeply troubled by these disturbing remarks which go against everything we believe in as an organization. We support the players, the coaches, the rest of the team and their fans and we are committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment for everyone at tomorrow night’s NBA playoff game.”

Sterling purchased the Clippers in 1981, but has repeatedly demonstrated racial animosity both inside the Clippers organization and out.

Former General Manager Elgin Baylor charged in a racial discrimination suit that Sterling ran the Clippers with the “vision of a Southern plantation–type structure” asking him to create a team of “poor black boys from the South and a white head coach.”

When interviewing one prospective white coach, Sterling reportedly asked “I wanna know why you think you can coach these n**gers.”

In 2009, he settled a case with the Department of Justice paying the largest settlement ever obtained in a government housing discrimination suit. He was accused of systematically denying rental opportunities to prospective Black and Hispanic tenants across his Southern California properties.

In court documents, he stated, “Black tenants smell and attract vermin.”

Page 8 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Insight News

insightnews.com

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Find out more at UCareChoices.org, and look for us on the MNsure health insurance marketplace. Choose well. Choose UCare Choices.

NNPA Chairman Cloves Campbell and the legendary DJ Scratch.

Hip hop leaders form partnership with NNPA

By Jimmie Davis, Jr. Special to the NNPA from the Miami Times MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Upcoming hip-hop artists may find it challenging to get a DJ to play their songs or a mainstream media critic to review their music, but if they belong to Core DJs World Wide, they have nothing to worry about.

Last week, leaders of the group representing more than 500 of the nation’s most influential DJs met with National Newspaper

Photo by Markeda Childress

Tony Neal, founder and CEO of Core DJs Worldwide at 10th anniversary conference in Miami Beach

Publishers Association (NNPA) Chairman Cloves Campbell and a partnership was established that will give them access to approximately 200 Black newspapers. In turn, NNPA will have a strong connection with a new generation of readers.

“We want to merge the hip hop community with the Black media,” Tony Neal, CEO and founder of Core DJs World Wide said in an exclusive interview with the Miami Times. “Now we have two well-defined voices reaching the people.”

Core DJs World Wide instructs

young executives on how to polish their talent and business skills.

That was done during a 3-day conference that ended Monday at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel on South Beach amid celebrating the group’s 10-year anniversary.

A third – and perhaps most important – factor was Jineea Butler, president of Hip Hop Union. She was responsible for forming the union between Hip Hop Union, Core DJs World Wide and the NNPA. “There was no type of conversation taking place between the Black Press and the

hip hop community,” Butler said.

“We have to support one another.”

In addition to creating the unique alliance, Butler is a columnist for the NNPA News Service, reaching nearly 19 million readers.

Whether you’re a DJ, singer, rapper or model – Core DJs is the team to belong to, because as the premier coalition of DJs, they have the inside track on the goings and comings of the industry.

Getting air play is the number one concern for rappers and R&B

NNPA TURN TO B2 Jineea Butler brought Black Press and Hip Hop community together.

Page B2 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Aesthetically Speaking

insightnews.com/aesthetics

Carolyn Holbrook

May 12th - 18th

Spider J. Hamilton

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking.

Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Dodi Phy

Monday, May 12

Retrorama 2014

Volunteer Engagement and Recognition American Refugee Committee Banks Building 615 1st Ave., NE, Suite 500, Minneapolis 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Twista and Flesh

Learn how Atlas Corps, a nonprofit that leads a 12-month overseas fellowship has utilized an international network of over 8,000 volunteers.

Tuesday, May 13 Sights, Sounds, and Soul: Twin Cities through the Lens of Charles Chamblis Minnesota History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul $6 – $ 11 Runs through Jan. 4 10 a.m. –5 p.m.

From family reunions to the nightclub scene, there is no one who documented the Twin Cities Black community like Charles Chamblis. Affectionately called “The Pictureman,” he had a passion for photography and a knack for being everywhere at the right time. View more than 60 images from the 1970s and 1980s, alongside artifacts including suits worn by Prince and Jellybean Johnson in the movie “Purple Rain.”

Wednesday, May 14 SBE Presents The Triple Showcase Honey Minneapolis 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m. $5 21-plus Skoolboy Entertainment Presents The Triple Showcase featuring Juju, emcee Ken-C and S.M.Y.L.A.D.O.N., Recess Kid Redd, Norman Bates,

Ken C

Karma and more. The event is hosted by Big Wiz of Long Doe Records with DJ Northstar on the turntables.

Thursday, May 15 Extraordinary Journeys: Tapping the Creative Place Inside & OutArtspace Jackson Flats 901 18 1/2 Ave. N.E., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Admission is free Extraordinary Journeys will feature works and discussion by acclaimed author Carolyn Holbrook, Tom Borrup (Creative Community Builders), Kelly Lindquist (Art Space USA), Polly Nyberg (founder of the St. Paul Companies Leadership Initiatives in Neighborhoods (LIN) program.

The event is moderated by Adaodi Okolue. Some light food is provided.

Friday, May 16 Twista and Flesh N Bone Fineline Music Cafe 318 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis $25 Advance $45 VIP 8 p.m.

18-plus Back in the mid to late 1990s the big debate was around the fast paced tongue twisting style of Midwest rhyme. Who did it first and who did it better?

Both Chicago’s Twista and Cleveland’s Flesh N Bone (of B.O.N.E. Thugs N Harmony) have made a mark in the streets and in the music industry with a string of gold and platinum hits. See them together live at Fine Line for what looks to be a memorable night.

The show also features Dre Highway, C4, Rich Rich and Bronko, Polar Bear Entertainment, Stress The Mad Hatter ( SkoolBoy Entertainment ), Jack the Ripper and Zach Stoll, HelleBeats and Dee Bomb.

Presale tickets are available at www.Ticketfly.com.

NNPA From B1

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singers, and Neal has made this course of action relatively simple for his members.

Throughout the conference, artists had opportunities to network and establish a rapport with DJs and producers.

Once the DJs listen to the music – the artist stands a better a chance of getting their music played in clubs and on the radio.

“I’m trying to push my entertainment career to the next level,” said Rapper Pedro “Bizz” Juan Julio, who travelled from Topeka, Kansas to attend the conference. “I want to

Malcolm X

RetroRama: Fashion with Soul Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St Paul 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. $25 ($20 for MNHS members) Revel in the fashions at this year’s RetroRama as local designers take inspiration from the new exhibit, Sights, Sounds and Soul: Twin Cities, through the lens of Charles Chamblis. Chamblis, known around town as “The Pictureman,” took photographs of African-American musicians, fashion models and everyday people in Minneapolis in the 1970s and 1980s. This year’s designers are Samantha Rei, Ariel Simone, Kerry Riley, Emma Berg and Max Lohrbach.

Cynthia “Funkytown” Johnson will perform a short set during the evening and will model some of the designs on the runway. The fashion show will be emceed by Twin Cities phenom Fancy Ray McCloney and DJed by Larry “Spider” Hamilton, a popular DJ of the 1970s and 1980s.

For more information visit www.minnesotahistorycenter. org/retrorama or call (651) 2593015.

sign with a label, so I can feed my family.” His debut CD is entitled “Count Me In”.

These days it takes more than charisma to get noticed by a DJ. Musicians have to promote their strengths through establishing what’s called a “brand.”

“Your brand is your image,” Bizz said. “It’s who you are.”

R&B singer and song writer Sincere Grant, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma performed his hot new single “Red Carpet Ready.”

He has a very delightful CD that’s going to catch the eyes of a major record label. Don’t be surprised, because has a very productive future in the entertainment field.

There was also a “Wrap” Session moderated by

The Black Consciousness Forum Capri Theater 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis 5:30 p.m. 11 p.m.

Free admission Take part in the celebration of Malcolm X Day. The kickoff will be Friday at Capri with Malcolm X speeches, a keynote from Marcus Harcus, refreshments, food, a community conversation and a performing arts piece. For more information visit www. malcolmxdays.com.

Saturday, May 17 Minnesota Malcolm X Conference North High School 1500 James Ave N, Minneapolis 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join in the celebration of the life and legacy of Malcolm X. Opening keynote from former SNCC member and Chairman African Peoples Socialist Party

George E. Curry, editor of the NNPA News Service and BlackPressUSA.com .

“The “Wrap” session was all about the role that the NNPA is going to play at bridging the gap between the hip hop community and the Black Press. “We are here to let the collective know that the Black Press is a means of communication that they need to take advantage of,” said Cloves C. Campbell, Jr., Chairman NNPA. “Our role as the Black Press is to give them positive exposure in the community they serve.”

Entertainer, Owner and CEO of Pack Rat Productions Sheryl Underwood is also a member of Core DJs World Wide and she says the gathering

Omali Yeshitela, plus panel discussion with Dr. Rose Brewer, Dr. August Nimtz, Mel Reeves, Goddess, Brooklyn Dillard and more.

Sunday, May 18 Dodi-Phy Forever The Venue Minneapolis 315 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m. $10 – All proceeds to the children of Dodi-Phy Take part in a celebration of the life of Mohamed Turay, aka Dodi Phy. This will also be a gathering regarding the awareness of depression and suicide within AfricanAmerican communities. The celebration is hosted by ShoNaes with performances by Villa Rosa, Grip, Lo Down, Nazeem, Anchormen, St Paul Slim, Lioness, Strapp, Don Dilla, and Rich Da Creep. DJ Turtle Neck will be spinning music throughout the night.

made a tremendous impact on the lives of individuals striving to get their foot in the door.

“I just love what I’m seeing here because there’s so much unity,” Underwood said. “This is how you select the next president.”

Neal, Butler and Campbell all agree that by utilizing the principles set forth during the civil rights era a movement has flourished where Core DJs Worldwide, the NNPA and Hip Hop Union is a powerful political unit.

“We have created a political interest group,” said Brooklyn Recording artist and Producer Jazo. “Musicians as well as members of the community will benefit from this partnership.”

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Aesthetically Speaking • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Page B3

AN ALMOST MYSTICAL BELIEF OF NOT BEING LIMITED BY CIRCUMSTANCES

Dr. Catana Starks

a film about her.

“I wanted to meet the woman who had been the influence on this other gentleman’s ability to coach (as) well as he did,” said Critelli.

Five years later he produced “From the Rough.”

“It’s a film where the female protagonist and multi-racial cast are not focused on race,” said Critelli, the retired 30-year Pitney Bowes executive turned film maker. “The movie is about the interesting complexity of life in which race, gender, global relations, and economics and social pressure, class issues come together, as they do I the real world.”

“From the Rough” had its world premiere as part of a fundraiser for the High Falls Women’s Film Festival in Rochester, New York.

Critelli wanted to bring the film and Starks to his hometown.

“I think that she’s a role model for any individual who shouldn’t either accept excuses or externally imposed limits,” said Critelli.

By Joseph P. Hill

Two words can sum up the life of Dr. Catana Starks – determination and achievement.

Now the story of one of her many accomplishments (she’s the first African-American woman in history to coach a male college sports team) is a movie. “From the Rough: It’s All About Believing”, starring Taraji P. Henson (formerly of CBS’ “Person of Interest”) as the Starks character and the late Michael Clarke Duncan (his final role on screen) opened last week at Regal Brooklyn Center Stadium 20.

The story is about Starks, who was the golf coach at her alma mater, Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Nashville.

Being a part of history is not the real story, though Starks’ distinctive coaching style and her achievements in the face of many challenges in her position and in life is what will leave audiences inspired. She had to drive the team bus, wash her players’ golf clothes, and had to constantly find places for her team to practice.

Starks credits her strength to two women in her life – her mother and her grandmother.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Starks was diagnosed with severe asthma (doctors told her mother she could never participate in sports.)

“My mother, she had an almost mystical belief of not being limited by circumstances,” said Starks. “So I grew up with a basketball goal in the backyard.”

Asthma wasn’t the only

Courtesy Tennessee State University

Catana Starks is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., but was raised in Mobile. She currently resides in Nashville. challenge she grew up in the segregated South of the 1940s.

“I learned to swim, I had to walk four miles in Mobile to get to a Black pool,” said the now iconic figure.

Michael J. Critelli, the producer of the movie, said Starks has always chosen tough challenges.

“She not only sought out sports but swimming, which has to be the most difficult sport for somebody with asthma,” said Critelli. “Starks’ instrument of choice was the most physical musical instrument, or one of the most difficult, which is the saxophone.”

After getting the men’s golf coaching job, Starks, the former

swim coach at Tennessee State, couldn’t find golfers. None of the males on campus would play.

“Initially that didn’t work out because I was female,” said Starks.

She had to innovate by recruiting internationally, via telephone. The calls attracted players from Sweden to South Africa.

“I just decided that if I were to get the kind of players I needed to build my program that I had to look someplace else and that’s what I did,” said Starks.

During nearly 20 years at the helm, her former players have distinguished themselves throughout the world including

Sean Foley, a Canadian, who is Tiger Woods’ swing coach, Sam Puryear, the former Michigan State University golf coach, (the school’s first African-American golf coach) and Robert Dinwiddie, an All-American golfer at TSU and a current member of the European Tour having achieved three consecutive Top-10 finishes in South Africa.

Starks determination paid

off when the TSU Tigers won the National Minority Golf Championship in 2005.

“We shot the lowest round ever played in the tournament,” said Starks.

And another distinction for her tenure, 90 percent of the players graduated.

Ironically it was a conversation with one of Starks’ former students that led Critelli to make

Joseph Hill is a journalist, documentarian, and amateur historian. The Chicago native and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate has been a journalist for three decades. His documentaries have garnered many national awards including a Peabody nomination, Cable ACE award, Beacon award, and National Association of Black Journalist award. He moved to Saint Paul to be an active grandfather.

FILM REVIEW

“Vanishing Pearls: The Oystermen of Pointe a la Hache” working-class communities all along the Gulf Coast.

By Kam Williams On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, a drilling rig owned and operated

by British Petroleum (BP), exploded, spilling over 50 million barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico before it was finally capped weeks later.

In June, President Obama announced that the company had set aside $20 billion in cash designated to help those deleteriously affected by the ecological disaster.

Kenneth Feinberg’s law firm, which had previously handled the distribution of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, was retained at a rate of $850,000/ month to handle the BP one also. Although the TV commercials running in the company’s highly-saturated PR campaign would have you believe that it was contrite and committed to undoing any damage, truth be told, that carefully-cultivated corporate image bore little relation to how it was actually treating many of the victims seeking restitution.

Take, for example, Pointe a la Hache, an AfricanAmerican enclave located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

For generations, the men of that Gulf shore village of less than 300 had supported their families by plying their trade as oyster fishermen. However, the BP spill put the brothers out of business and by 2012 the tiny black community had effectively been turned into a ghost town.

Its little-known ordeal is the subject of “Vanishing Pearls,” a heartbreaking documentary directed by Nailah Jefferson.

The film retraces the blight visited upon Pointe a la Hache by focusing primarily on the plight of a local leader named Byron Encalade.

Excellent Unrated Running time: 80 minutes Distributor: AFFRM

©2014 Vanishing Pearls

Encalade was the owner of Encalade Fisheries, a family business which employed his brother, his nephew and five of his cousins. In the wake of the spill, he filed a claim and very patiently awaited a check from BP. But when he finally received a letter stating, “Your file is denied,” his whole world was turned upside-down.

Now, a proud provider who had never in his life looked to the government for a handout suddenly found himself dependent on food stamps. His relatives also needed help from friends, charities and subsidies to survive, and had trouble

understanding why no one cared about their predicament.

Meanwhile, Attorney Feinberg, ostensibly running interference for the profitdriven polluter, publicly stated “I see no evidence of anything other than fair treatment by BP. I think they wanted to do the right thing, and they did.”

His conclusion was a far cry from that of embittered Byron who lamented, “They’ve destroyed us… The world must know what BP did to this community.” Sadly, the devastation visited upon Pointe a la Hache is most likely a microcosm of a scenario being played out again and again in

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Page B4 • May 12 - May 18, 2014 • Aesthetically Speaking 1

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Snapshots

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Ladies were donning audacious hats and men we dapper from head to toe during the inaugural Connections 2 independence (C2i) Kentucky Derby fundraiser held at Warehouse Winery in St. Louis Park. The event that featured a hat contest, silent auction, fashion show and casino games, attracted a who’s who of corporate honchos and area socialites and already has people anticipating next year’s event. C2i executive director, Jessica Rogers coordinated the affair with proceeds going to benefit C2i, an organization that seeks to prepare and empower youth in foster care.

Here are a few scenes from the party.

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1) What’s a Kentucky Derby party without decadent hats? Ladies showing off their Derby styles.

2) Jodie Duncan is all smiles with event chair, former Laker, Devan George.

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3) C2i foster Thomas Stone hamming it up during the fashion show portion of the event.

4) Recent transplants from Atlanta, husband and wife Hasone McKenzie and Faith McKenzie show they’re adjusting well to the Twin Cities.

5) The beautiful Fatima Muhammad posing for the camera.