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Vol. 46 No. 28• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Page 2 • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Insight News

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Speaking July 20 at High Praise Ministries luncheon

Ivy McGregor: Our North Star

By Josh Cobb Twin Cities Association of Black Journalist/ Insight News Intern Most go through a journey of finding a passion and purpose, but for Ivy McGregor, her light was destined to shine from a young age.

McGregor, a now widely respected philanthropist, speaker, CEO, global influencer among other things, started from humble beginnings locally in North Minneapolis. From an early age McGregor was naturally gifted. She excelled in the classroom and even skipped a grade. In addition to the books, she had a knack for entrepreneurship at a young age. She had a niche in creating ways to maximize money. It all started early with selling Kool-Aid and brownies locally and eventually it spouted to more.

“I always had an edge in entrepreneurism,” McGregor said.

McGregor was raised by her single mother on 17th Street and Penn Avenue. After the age of five when her parents separated, her family endured financial hardship.

“I knew it was a struggle for my mom. I can’t tell you how I knew that, but I knew I wanted to make a difference in her life,” McGregor said. “I saw the stress and strain of my mother with raising five children alone and I knew in some kind of way my life had to make sense enough to create a pathway that made things better for her.”

McGregor, her mother, along with her four older siblings, grew up in Section 8 housing, welfare assistance, hand me downs for clothes and no family car until her senior year in high school. McGregor recalls taking the 19B city bus to get around and the many journeys her family had to make to get to the local grocery store.

“We would walk in whole troops to the grocery store,” she said. “Imagine heaps and heaps of snow and a single mother with her five kids walking from the grocery store.”

Witnessing McGregor’s mother struggle and having an arduous childhood fueled a passion to change the world inside herself. She not only wanted to make her mother’s situation better, but she also wanted to make life better for the mothers going through similar challenges.

“When I prayed I didn’t just ask for God to give my mom enough money so I can get a lunchbox; it was always ‘bless me to be in a place so that I can help every kid whose prayer is the same as mine.’ My dream was always to help out people that were like my mom and let my light mean something to the kids like me,” recalled McGregor.

Even through the hardship, McGregor’s mother made sure to instill a life of balance for her five children. She made sure they cultivated their talents and were involved with extra curriculars.

“We had a meager beginning, but it was full of life, it was full of love and it was full of purpose.” McGregor said.

For McGregor, she had a gift in the arts, specifically with playing the piano. She grew as a pianist, which led to her receiving a MacPhail Music School Scholarship. To this day McGregor thanks her mother for putting her into the vast array of activities and keeping her in the church.

“My mother was very encouraging of those and supported us,” she said. “She is just a miracle woman from being able to see the gift in each of us and cultivating it with meager beginnings.”

Another part of McGregor’s mother instilling balance in life for her and her siblings was ensuring they always had the house clean. It was tradition in the McGregor household to thoroughly clean their house every Saturday.

“We had a clean house, we had standards and rules,” McGregor said. “My

Ivy McGregor mother has always been a meticulous woman. We would clean the house on Saturdays and dance to Michael Jackson and all of the latest music.”

McGregor’s mother also was also instrumental with her involvement with the Hospitality House, a local youth development center in Minneapolis.

“My mother, being a woman of faith, wanted us to be able to do cooking classes and sports but also for it to be rooted in something more than just fun but also with faith,” she said.

“Hospitality House played an integral part in our upbringing.”

The fact that the Hospitality House is still up and running means everything to McGregor. It was a place that provided safety and comfort to her mother while also having the satisfaction of knowing they implemented programs to aid in the cultivation of her five children.

“To know that Hospitality House is still standing brings tears to my eyes because it is very possible that I am here today because there was an organization that was serving inner-city youth who are often forgotten,” she said.

In addition to the Hospitality House, their church

home, Saving Grace House, played a major role in McGregor’s upbringing. Their church was the meeting grounds for their community and faith.

When open, McGregor was there and very participatory.

“I come from very humble beginnings, but it was rooted in faith. We were at church every Sunday morning; we were at church Friday nights and if there were any activities on Saturdays we were at church.”

Outside of her family’s financial strife, McGregor had battles of her own. She battled around the clock illnesses from colds, sinus infections, bronchitis and severe migraines for multiple years. These ongoing issues caused multiple trips to the emergency room every three to four months. Eventually, her mother elected to take her to Dr. Michael Paparella, an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Paparella proposed McGregor have surgery on her right ear.

The surgery consisted of shaving bone marrow in her inner ear to free pressure and it ended up being successful and stopped her severe migraines. However, that surgery was not the only medical scare in her childhood.

One day she was walking near Penn Avenue

heading to the school bus stop and was stuck by a car.

“I was stuck so hard that my tightly tied tennis shoe literally went up the block,” McGregor said. “When the paramedics came, they found my tennis shoe halfway up the block.

Despite the impact of the accident, she only suffered scratches and bruises. She walked away with no broken bones and most importantly her life. McGregor uses the car accident as a reassurance and evidence that there was something untapped on her horizon.

“It was just a testament. I knew … I know I was destined for greatness because there’s no reason why with that impact that, that wasn’t my demise,” McGregor said.

McGregor ultimately defied the odds and put herself on a track to success navigating her way through North Community High School and finishing at DeLaSalle High School, where she said she was one of four Black students in her graduating class. She then went on to push her way through St. Thomas University and the University of Minnesota.

“While I excelled naturally, it wasn’t a challenge for me because I was a gifted

kid,” she said. “When I got to college, I was bored because I already had a vision for what my life was going to be. I was challenged with taking astrology, not because I couldn’t succeed in it, but because I had this big rapacious vision of what my life would be. I knew the great things; I knew I was destined for greatness early on.”

After graduating college, McGregor began to blossom with her career and started to travel, however, she still craved her life mission-helping people. The local church she attended, High Praise Ministries – The Destiny Center, in the heart of North Minneapolis, offered her an opportunity to help.

McGregor served young adults, married couples, single adults and assisted with the pastor and first lady, but her staple was an initiative she started called Hour of Power.

Hour of Power was a 60-minute session every Friday night aimed to uplift anyone who came in and to facilitate healthy conversation. The sessions were closed with a prayer and a final word of encouragement from McGregor.

She can recall a story of a man by the name of Leon who came in to one particular Hour of Power inebriated and

emotional. She did not place judgement on him, she decided to speak to him and pray with him. McGregor said due to the impact of their interaction, Leon turned his life around, turned his life over to Christ, became a church deacon, is now married and has grandchildren and he now marks his hour with McGregor as the turning point in his life.

“Part of just this ethos of Ivy, I always put myself in that person’s shoes,” McGregor said. “So, I said maybe Leon is weary like my mother and while my mother turns to God, Leon has turned to alcohol. And while there are people that support my mom, let me be support tonight to Leon. This could be me, it could be my mother, so I just wanted someone to help. I believe God saw my heart. He saw that this kid has this amazing heart, she really wants to help people.”

When McGregor moved to Houston for work, she ended up being laid off after one year. The news shattered McGregor and she recalls it being one of the lowest moments of her life. She was discouraged, depressed and second guessed the timing of her moving from Minnesota to Texas.

“I had packed up my life and here I am in Houston, a year after moving, and I am without a job,” she said.

She ended up going to the unemployment office for assistance and worked to get a new job. Despite going through a personal storm, McGregor still made sure to continue to work towards her purpose. She opened her home up for weekly mentorship meetings to help build blossoming careers. SHe shared informational sessions about life, business, networking, protocol and how to build a dream into a successful career.

She even provided food every week, even though she was not in the most comfortable financial situation.

“We have to lift while we climb,” McGregor said.

During that time she hosted a networking event at a hotel where 300 people showed.

She challenged the attendees of her sessions to become entrepreneurs and while speaking to them she had to take on the challenge and embody her advice. That is when McGregor, Inc. emerged.

“I had my business started in a barren moment,” she said. “I tell people that you have to believe in yourself, you have to keep saying it until you see it. But the most important thing is you have to see it even when you really can’t see it. It started with me speaking it and believing it was actually possible.”

Since then, McGregor’s work, especially with philanthropy, has been extensive and remarkable and she has blossomed into the woman we now see today. McGregor has spent the past two decades zeroing in on her mission is to strengthen the awareness of global citizens who serve as answers to the issues of the world.

She works day in and day out to carry out her mission.

She has strived to eliminate homelessness, poverty, economic inequality. She has also worked to promote and empower women entrepreneurship and worked to eradicate health disparities in multiple countries.

Through her business she has emerged as the director of Philanthropy and Social Impact for Parkwood Entertainment (which was founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter).

McGregor also embodies her mission inside her own home as well. She has adopted two South African kids.

“Life is not worth living if you are not giving in some sort of way,” McGregor said. “You have to make sure that everything you do has a touchpoint of paying it forward and giving back.”

McGregor will return to Minneapolis Saturday (July 20) speaking at High Praise Ministries 25th annual celebration luncheon, 1200 N. 7th St., Minneapolis.

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Insight News • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Page 3

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July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019

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Vol. 46 No. 28• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Six injured, two remain listed as in critical condition

Van plows into bus shelter A van plowed into a crowded bus shelter at the corner of West Broadway and Lyndale Avenues in North Minneapolis causing several injuries, at least three critical, and the community is calling for the driver’s arrest.

Six people were in-

jured; three of them in critical condition, when George Reeves Jensen, 83, crashed into them as they were gathered under a Metro Transit bus shelter. The incident happened July 9 just before 9:30 a.m. According to Howie Padilla, public relations

manager for Metro Transit – the jurisdiction handling the investigation – Jensen was traveling on Lyndale at the same time as a transit bus was loading and unloading passengers when the van struck the mirror of the bus. Padilla said the van

backed up and again struck the bus mirror before driving forward, turning onto West Broadway and running into the individuals at the shelter.

Many witnesses offer a different account. Several on the scene have indicated Jen-

Newspaper Association for graphic art. Colbert’s nomination for Commentary is for the Aug. 27 – Sept. 2, 2018 commentary, “Finding nirvana in North Buxton, Ontario: Discovering one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad.” The commentary chronicles a daytrip to North Buxton, Ontario, Canada, a town settled by former slaves who escaped to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

KARE-11’s Adrienne Broaddus was also nominated in two categories in the Television – Top 15 Markets division. Already a multiple Salute to Excellence awardee, Broaddus is up for awards in the Specialty category for her report, “From Prison to Purpose: A Mother’s Path to Redemption” and General Assignment News: Short From for “The Talk: Exploring Racial Bias.”

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Adrienne Broaddus

Robin Washington of Trains, Planes & Automobiles LLC in Duluth is nominated in the Documentary category in the Radio– Market 16 and Below division for his piece, “The Alabama 35.”

The awards will be presented Aug. 10 during NABJ’s Annual Convention & Career Fair in South Florida at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. The awards ceremony is the only event in the United States that honors exemplary coverage of Afri-

can/African-American people or issues exclusively. The Salute to Excellence Awards Gala highlights the work of media organizations and individuals involved in print, broadcast and online journalism, marketing and communications. Award categories include college, digital, print, television, radio, photojournalism and public relations. NABJ’s Convention & Career Fair is the largest of its kind in the nation with more than 4,000 participants expected this year.

Benson leads Black Chamber Karl Benson has been named president and CEO of the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC).

Benson brings a wealth of experience to the MBCC. After leaving Nike Inc.’s Jordan Brand in 2011, Benson founded his own sports marketing agency, Minneapolis Sports + Entertainment, in order to represent athletes and

their charitable foundations, organizations and activities. He is also manager of operations for One2One Mentoring here in Minneapolis.

MBCC Board Chair Hillary Swanson said Benson’s appointment is a clear reflection of the organizations current state; ready to take on the future and fired-up after a year of reflection, rebranding,

News

Like a 2019 ‘Optimistic’

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Jensen was later questioned by Metro Transit police and was only issued a misdemeanor citation for careless driving and released following question-

SHELTER 6

David Hinson named president, CEO of Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Colbert, Broaddus finalists in NABJ awards competition WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced the finalists for its 2019 Salute to Excellence Awards and Insight News’ Harry Colbert, Jr. has been nominated for two awards.

In the Newspaper – Local, Under 100,000 (circulation) division, Colbert, Insight’s managing editor, is nominated in the categories of Business and Commentary. The Business nomination is for the March 5 – March 12, 2018 cover story, “Numbers don’t lie,” an exposé of Minnesota government spending with Black-owned businesses. The article pointed out that only 0.5 percent of $4.63 billion spent by seven Minnesota government agencies went to Black-owned businesses.

That same article garnered Donald Walker a third-place honor from the Minnesota

sen was cruising the area for prostitution when he was the victim of a robbery. Witnesses say Jensen was angered by the theft and intentionally ran over the pedestrians. An added layer to the incident, Jensen is white, and all his victims are Black.

listening and learning from members and sponsors about how to continue to add value to the business ecosystem in Minnesota.

“At this time in the Black Chamber’s trajectory, Karl is the best fit as president,” said Swanson. “His tangible ideas to enhance the

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Karl Benson

Lifestyle

Young entrepreneurs relish fight to succeed in fashion industry

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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) announced David Hinson will lead the organization as its new president and chief executive officer.

Hinson most recently, he served as an executive at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he helped develop its new Institute for Diversity and Emerging Businesses, and president of Brookland Capital Partners, LLC. “I am excited to welcome Mr. Hinson as the new president and CEO of CBCF,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), chair, CBCF board of directors. “His understanding and strength in positioning organizations on a global scale will build upon the CBCF’s storied history and legacy. We look forward to his thoughtful leadership on issues that affect black and brown people as a whole, and this organization’s everincreasing role in the lives of the global black community.”

Appointed by President Barack Obama, Hinson led the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency where he raised $19 billion in capital and contracts for minority-owned firms. During his tenure, he restructured the agency and helped it achieve the five highest perform-

David Hinson ing years in the organization’s then 45-year history.

As CBCF president and CEO, among many responsibilities, Hinson will spearhead a new strategic planning process to facilitate the organization’s evolution.

He will also work to expand CBCF’s global footprint and existing programming.

Hinson earned an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s in business administration from Howard University. In addition, he completed an executive education at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business and a fellowship in international finance at Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden.

Hinson is from St. Louis and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

AS

Van Hunt reimagines classic debut album on stage at the Dakota

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Page 4 • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Insight News

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Reunion is public reemergence for Jam & Lewis, Sounds of Blackness Ann Nesby and Big Jim Wright

Hines: Like a 2019 ‘Optimistic’

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com Together like they never left one another … and truthfully, they didn’t.

The reunion is that of the production duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis “reuniting” with the Sounds of Blackness … “reuniting” with Ann Nesby … “reuniting” with James “Big Jim” Wright.

The magic that emerged from this union is the recently released gospel/R&B tune, “Til I Found You,” which also features vocals from Lauren Evans. The song is the first release from the upcoming Jam and Lewis compilation album, “Jam & Lewis: VOLUME ONE.” And as Gary Hines, founding member of the Sounds of Blackness, put it, it’s not a reunion … it’s a public reemergence.

“We were never apart,” said Hines. “We (Sounds) never stopped working together with Ann. Though we hadn’t recorded together, we would do shows together even after her solo projects and we are still working together. This is just the next phase in that unification.”

That “next step” has resulted in an up-tempo gospel grove with a distinct R&B feel … something heard at the family cookout or late night at a stepper’s set. The song resonates something like another Sounds hit.

“It’s like a 2019 ‘Optimistic,’” said Hines, referring to the group’s 1991 crossover hit that anchored the Grammy-winning debut album, “The Evolution of Gospel.”

Released in April, “Til I Found You” is climbing the gospel and urban adult contemporary charts. Hines said the song’s recording and release are serendipitous. “‘Optimistic’ was the last song we recorded on (‘The Evolution’) so to have

Sounds of Blackness

Ann Nesby this as the first song on the new Jam and Lewis compilation we’re both elated and humbled,” said Hines.

“I mean there are some of the greats in all of music on this album, so to have us be the song that introduces it to the world, again, elated and humbled. We were the first act signed to Jam and Lewis’ record label so it’s like here we go again.”

“Sounds of Blackness will always hold such a special place in our hearts because they were the first act we signed to our original record label,” said Jimmy Jam in an interview published on

the website, YouKnowIGotSoul.com. “We felt it was only right for this single with them to introduce our compilation album.”

“Jam & Lewis: VOLUME ONE,” scheduled for a release later this summer, is rumored to have tracks from the likes of Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blige, Boys II Men, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson and more.

“Til I Found You” was actually recorded several years ago and Jam and Lewis and Sounds got together to refresh the track and, along with Evans, added extra

vocals. Tragically, Wright, who produced and wrote for Nesby, Jackson, Carey and more, passed away this past September, months prior to the song’s release.

While “Til I Found You” is receiving critical acclaim, Hines said he has a different measure of success.

“The song is really a love song to God,” said Hines.

“And we’ve been getting letters and tweets from people saying this song convinced them not to take there lives because they were considering suicide, so to know that; that’s the ultimate reward.”

James ‘Big Jim’ Wright

Mental health stigma and African-Americans

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The NNPA is taking a closer look at the stigma of mental illness in the AfricanAmerican community.

This is the first in a series.

Historically, seeking psychotherapy has been difficult for African-Americans, said Dr. Viola Drancoli, a licensed clinical psychologist who wrote a master thesis about the barriers to seeking mental health services in ethnic minority communities.

“It is not only a concept with European origin, but also a concept that does not fit the communityoriented, collective approach to healing and support that has been so helpful to this population,” Drancoli said.

“Instead of finding healing in coming together, the client is separated, often sitting in a one-on-one session with a professional. The idea of being focused on, analyzed, can be perceived as threatening.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health says poverty level affects mental health status and African-Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are three times more likely to report psychological distress. Further, African-Americans are 10

iStockPhoto/NNPA

For detailed information about mental illness and where assistance is provided visit, www.nami.org; www.mentalhealthamerica.net; or www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov. percent more likely to report having serious psychological distress than whites, and the death rate from suicide for African-American men was more than four times greater than for AfricanAmerican women, in 2014.

A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 to 1995, the suicide rate among AfricanAmericans ages 10 to 14 increased 233 percent, compared to 120 percent for whites. Yet, experts said even as the conversation around mental health has grown significantly with celebrities and others in the spot-

light sharing their stories, most African-Americans still refrain from seeking help. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, among African-Americans it remains taboo to talk about, and one reason is the fear of being labeled as crazy,” said Arron Muller, a licensed social worker. “The intense fear of being judged has been a huge deterrent. In the African-American community there is also an association that mental illness means weakness and the inability to handle your problems on your own or that anxiety or depressive symptoms should be addressed

with praying and fasting.”

Prayer and a relationship with God have their place in the full picture of health and wellness and a connection to God and leaning on a higher power does promote tremendous benefits for the brain and brain health, said Dr. Catherine Jackson, a licensed clinical psychologist and board certified neuro-therapist in Chicago.

Jackson founded Dr. J’s Holistic Health and Wellness at DrCCJ.com.

“While having the strength to work on your own problems is a good characteristic to have, not recogniz-

ing when to seek help can be detrimental to overall health,” Jackson said. “Turning to our pastors was needed in the past, but as concerns have grown, more resources are available.”

Jackson noted many African-Americans eventually visit hospital emergency rooms with complaints that are in fact mental health issues.

“Some hospitals give referrals to mental health practitioners, but without proper education and information shared, follow through is unlikely,” Jackson said.

Educator and life coach Elaine Taylor-Klaus said there’s something else that happens in the AfricanAmerican community that should warrant consideration when discussing the stigma of mental illness.

“In all aspects of life, the African-American community has had to appear better than the average person just to be seen as good enough,” Taylor-Klaus said.

“African-American families have long been conscious of a need to dress their kids a little nicer in public, to expect their kids to behave more respectfully in public, and to follow directions immediately. The implications for the adults when kids don’t behave has been a risk-factor – when an ‘uppity’ child acts out, an African-American adult can get in serious, life-threatening trouble. It’s not reasonable – but it’s a reality of African-American life in the United States.”

There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness and some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders, according to Mental Health America, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal. Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events.

As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological.

According to Mental Health America, mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination.

For detailed information about mental illness and where assistance is provided visit, www. nami.org, www.mentalhealthamerica.net or www. m i n o r i t y h e a l t h . h h s . g o v.

Part 2 in this series will tackle the growing number of suicides among young African-Americans, an alarming trend that experts say is the result of poverty, racism, and post-traumatic stress syndrome both from military service and domestic and social problems.

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Insight News • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Page 5

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Page 6 • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Insight News

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Young entrepreneurs relish fight to succeed in fashion industry

By Josh Cobb Twin Cities Association of Black Journalist/ Insight News Intern Age is just a number when it comes to innovators, and these young entrepreneurs are relishing the fight to the top.

Jarrod Beard, Justin Davis, Victor Flagg and Antione Jenkins, are looking to take the fashion industry over by storm.

Beard, Davis and Flagg are the CEOs and co-founders of a street themed clothing brand based off their love for their Minnesota stomping grounds named 4TheCity. Jenkins is the founder of Antz Customs.

Their introduction into fashion design came from their desire to want to be the best dressed in school. From that point, Beard, Davis and Flagg went on to produce merchandise, received an official LLC and a retail license to sell.

Now the trio works around the clock on designs, shipments,

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promotions while strategically planning for the future and their digital presence.

4TheCity aims to do more outside of making sleek clothes and earning a profit.

Their mission is to bring the youth together and to also give back to the community that they adore.

“We’re trying to connect with not just only Minneapolis ...we’re trying to connect with every city in the United States and eventually globally,” Davis said. “We’re trying to give that feeling that if you have a 4TheCity shirt on, it can represent your state and your city as well.”

4TheCity has an upcoming line called Dear America, which will be incorporating meaningful messages and quotes from notable Black entrepreneurs and leaders.

Jenkins’ early love for fashion also helped propel him into becoming a business owner and founder of Antz Customs.

Jenkins was heavily influenced by a culture centered around the “Jerk” dancing days. The skinny jeans and colorful clothes caught his eye and he fully embraced the look.

In addition to the look, Jenkins also was greatly influenced in his fashion – and more specifically shoes – by his basketball playing days.

“Basketball was the innovative start of people caring about the shoes on their feet,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins has gone on to start his own line of custom footwear. Within the couple years since establishing Antz Customs, Jenkins has found gradual success. When not working his full-time job, Jenkins spends most of the rest of his time cultivating his brand.

“I can FaceTime him at 3 a.m. and he’s probably up designing shoes as well as I am designing shirts,” Davis said.

“It’s always nice having a motivated partner.”

Jenkins’ long-term goal to own an exclusive footwear brand, thus he travels the country to social events and festivals to build his network.

4TheCity and Antz Customs are two separate entities but it is hard to see them not together. They frequently collaborate on ideas and products.

“We always come together collectively and it always works,” Jenkins said. “If he (Davis) needs help with a design or is having a creative block, he’ll hit me up. We always stack and build on top of one another.”

Jenkins notes the col-

Justin Davis

4TheCity and Antz Customs CEOs (left to right) Jarrod Beard, Victor Flagg, Antione Jenkins and Justin Davis at Irondale High School where they gave both merchandise and advice to students. laborations originated from Davis reaching out to him via social media. During his freshman year of college, Jenkins began to gain traction with his shoe designs and Davis took note.

That following summer Davis decided that joining forces with

Jenkins would be a good idea.

“He (Davis) wanted me to be a part because he saw my designs and my creative process,” Jenkins said. “From there we just kept it pushing.”

During the multiple collaborations the young men

literally call him at anytime and that’s what helps our connection.”

You can check out both companies at the Antz Custom Facebook page and the 4TheCity official site at www.4thecity.co.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, and Guthrie artistic director Joseph Haj in conversation The Guthrie Theater will present an “In Conversation” event with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, playwright of this season’s “Floyd’s,” and Guthrie Artistic Director Joseph Haj. The event takes place July 22 at 7:30 p.m. on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis.

Considered one of the most powerful voices in American theater, Nottage has produced

a notable body of work earning her two Pulitzers. During this one-on-one conversation, Nottage and Haj will discuss her career, her creative process and the Guthrie commission that led to the creation of “Floyd’s.”

Her Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Sweat” will close the Guthrie’s 2019–2020 season. Nottage describes the two plays as being “pieces in conversation with one another.”

Nottage is the first woman in history to win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama (“Ruined” in 2009 and “Sweat” in 2017). Recently named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Nottage brings her work to the Guthrie stage for the second time.

In addition, Nottage is working with composer Ricky Ian Gordon to adapt her play “Intimate Apparel” into an opera and she is a writer and

producer on the Netflix series, “She’s Gotta Have It.” The Guthrie’s “In Conversation” series invites the community to listen in on discussions with artists and cultural leaders on topics related to current or upcoming work. Tickets are $15, $20 and $25 and are on sale now through the Guthrie Box Office at (612) 377-2224 or online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Shelter

Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb

From 3

Artist Donald Walker Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

have built everlasting bonds.

Davis and Jenkins emphasize how brotherhood even transcends their business relationship.

“Obviously it’s more than a business, it’s a real friendship,” Davis said. “I can

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ing. Padilla said though the investigation is ongoing, the act did not seem intentional.

“We in the community believe it was intentional and we’re calling for the investigation to be turned over because Metro Transit isn’t up to the job,” said Nekima Levy-Armstrong.

Armstrong point out what she said were gross errors in the investigation, including the fact Jensen was not given a field sobriety test at the scene.

“This is being covered up and Jensen is getting away with (a crime),” said Levy-Armstrong, who said Jensen should be facing attempted murder and assault charges.

The three victims transported to North Memorial in critical condition are Napoleaon Durley, Jr., 36, of St. Louis Park, Zewdu Eshetu, 56, Min-

Lynn Nottage

neapolis and Richard Harrison Smith, 52, Minneapolis. A day following the incident Durley’s condition was upgraded to fair, while Eshetu and Smith remained in critical. Also injured were Anthony Brown, 56, Elmuiz Eltayeb Gubartialla, 57, and Darnell Love Jackson, 58, all of Minneapolis.

Two days after the shelter was destroyed a new one was erected, something Levy-Armstrong and others advocated for, but the remnants of the horrific incident remained with broken glass scattered about and a metal pole dented and scarred.

The intersection of West Broadway and Lyndale is heavily populated as a known gathering spot and several people witnessed the horrific incident; many whom have talked to investigators. Padilla said the transit bus was outfitted with a front-facing camera and investigators believe there are several street cameras that also captured the incident.

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Insight News • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Page 7

Van Hunt reimagines classic debut album on stage at the Dakota he plans to take multiple trips into the crowd and wants to get up-close and personal with his fans.

“I’ve always felt uncomfortable being on stage with everyone focused just on me,” said Hunt. “I want to shift the focus and make it about we. So, get ready for some interactive, imaginative fun.”

Hunt gained an almost immediate and loyal fanbase with the release of 2004’s “Van Hunt,” which included songs such as “Down Here,” “Seconds

Van Hunt

What would I do if we were perfect, where would I go for disappointment?

Fifteen years ago Van Hunt asked that question in the poignant and powerful ballad, “Down Here (In Hell With You)” and thankfully, the question has remained unanswered. For fans of the neosoul/alternative soul artist, the question will again be raised this coming

Wednesday (July 17) at the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. What fans may not expect is the manner in which the question will be posed this time around.

“This will be a third layer of reimagining,” said Hunt, referring to the recent release of “Trim,” reimagined songs from Van Hunt’s selftitled debut album. “So with ‘Trim’ that was a reimagining, but what comes out on stage will be different from that.”

Hunt said while his show has a predetermined set list, that’s about as far as it goes in terms of following a structured format. He wants his shows to be an organic experience for both him and the audience.

“I took three years off from the road and I said if I come back, I’m going to make the audience partly responsible for everything,” said Hunt. “It needs to be more of a shared experience.”

The gifted artist said

Service honors life of Jane Thomas Bullock Jane Thomas Bullock (Dunn), passed away July 5.

A resident of Brooklyn Park and Plymouth, Thomas Bullock is survived by her husband, Ellis Bullock, to whom she was married for more than 50 years, daughter, Courtney, son-in-law, Tafadzwa; grandsons, Lauden and Munesu and extended family in Kentucky and Georgia.

Thomas Bullock was a retired educator who taught

Benson From 3 chamber’s strategy and adjust where necessary, demonstrated success as an entrepreneur, connections in the marketplace and heart for the community are just some of the reasons we

Jane Thomas Bullock

for more than 30 years at Crestview Elementary School in the Osseo School District.

She was a member of The Girl Friends, Inc., Archousa of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity/ Omicron Boule and The Forty Club.

An Honor of Life service for Thomas Bullock takes place July 20 at 4 p.m. at Estes Funeral Chapel, 2201 Plymouth Ave. N. in Minneapolis.

arrived at this outcome. He’ll bring a monumental benefit to the chamber and the people we serve. The Black Chamber exists to further the interests of Black business in the metro area and the entire state. We are placing our confidence in Karl.”

Benson succeeds Uzoma Obasi, who will remain

a member of the MBCC on its advisory board and as a client of MBCC though his photography and video production company, Creative Mind Studios.

Benson lives in St. Anthony with his wife, Michelle Benson, senior director of Marketing and Communications for the Minnesota Zoo.

of Pleasure,” “What Can I Say (For Millicent)” and the Grammy-nominated “Dust.”

His pull was strengthened by his writing a producing credits, including writing and co-producing the Dionne Farris hit, “Hopeless,” as well as writing for another neosoul favorite, Rahsaan Patterson.

In 2006 Hunt, along with John Legend and Joss Stone took home a Grammy for their remake of the Sly and the Family Stone classic, “Family Affair.”

Celebrating the 15th anniversary of “Van Hunt,”

the artist who plays multiple instruments and who has been compared to the likes of Prince and others will be joined onstage with rising R&B vocalist Andy Allo, who is fresh off her performance in New Orleans at the Essence Festival.

We d n e s d a y ’s performance at the Dakota begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $20 and on sale at the Dakota Box Office, (612) 332-5299 or online at www. dakotacooks.com/events/vanhunt.

Page 8 • July 15, 2019 - July 21, 2019 • Insight News

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