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March 7, 2022 - March 13, 2022
Vol. 49 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
OUR TOWN Children’s Theatre Company
STORY ON PAGE
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OK, who celebrates fifth? Bank of America does. For the fifth year in a row, Bank of America has shared the success of our company with our employees with a valuable Sharing Success compensation award. To recognize the team’s hard work, this award is over and above regular compensation. And this year, we’re proud to commemorate a first — nearly all these awards are in Bank of America stock.
That means 97% of our employees shared $1 billion worth of Bank of America stock this year, above regular compensation.
“I want to thank my teammates here in the Twin Cities for their continued hard work and dedication. While other banks might make awards like ours every once in a while, I’m proud to work for an organization that has rewarded our employees for five years in a row. Because success is better when it’s shared.”
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Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Insight News • March 7, 2022 - March 13, 2022 • Page 3
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INSIGHT NEWS IS AUDITED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA TO PROVIDE OUR ADVER TISER PAR TNERS WITH THE HIGHES T LEVEL OF MEDIA ASSURANCE.
March 7, 2022 - March 13, 2022
Vol. 49 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
National Honor for Minnesota Addiction Treatment Pioneer
Turning Point’s Dr. Peter Hayden recognized for leadership in African American community
Photo by Paul Battaglia
Andre Locke, father of Amir Locke, speaks at a February 10 Capitol press conference demanding a ban on no-knock search warrants. Also pictured are Amir’s mother, Karen Wells, and attorney Ben Crump.
Public safety committee OKs legislation to restrict no-knock warrants By Tim Walker, Minnesota Session Daily “We blood
all have some on our hands.” Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul) spoke those words when presenting a bill to the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee that would severely restrict no-knock warrants last month Police shot and killed Locke Feb. 2 in a Minneapolis apartment while executing a warrant in which he wasn’t named, and that didn’t require police to knock and give any occupant a chance to open the door. Hollins said if a similar bill from last session had not been watered down, Locke would still be alive today. “No-knock warrants are a dangerous tool that
the police officers, Hollins said. Under the bill, judges could only issue a noknock warrant “if there is clear and convincing evidence of a significant, articulable, and imminent risk of death or great bodily harm to an individual confined without the individual’s consent at the location designated in the warrant.” Rep. Paul Novotny (R-Elk River) unsuccessfully offered an amendment that would have eased the bill’s proposed restrictions by changing “clear and convincing evidence” to “probable cause.” It was not adopted on a party-line vote of 11-8. Other provisions in the bill would: prohibit the issuance of a no-knock warrant if the officer requesting the warrant has knowledge that a person with a disability lives at the designated location; void a no-knock
should only be used in cases where a captive individual may be severely harmed or killed as a consequence of police announcing themselves,” she said. The committee approved HF3398 Thursday by a mostly party-line 10-9 vote and sent it to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. Rep. John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) was the only DFL member voting against the measure that has no Senate companion. The use of no-knock warrants — where police are not required to announce their presence before forcibly entering a property — have increased dramatically since the war on drugs began in the 1970s, Hollins said. These warrants are extremely dangerous for both the police executing them and the people on the other side of the door being forcibly breeched by
warrant and preclude use of information collected under the warrant if the application contains information the officer requesting the warrant knows is false; require the Department of Public Safety to develop a standard no-knock search warrant application; direct the attorney general and the Department of Public Safety to develop a fourhour training course on search, seizure, and obtaining and executing warrants; and require the Peace Officer Standards and Training board to develop a model policy and learning objectives on search, seizure, and warrant processing and execution. Chief law enforcement officers would be required to adopt the model policy. Republicans and some, but not all, groups representing
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CROWN Act passes the House floor, awaits action in the Senate Last week, the CROWN Act passed off of the House floor with a vote of 104-25. CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, and the proposal would add a provision to the Minnesota Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of hair appearance and texture. Fourteen states have already passed proposals like this one into law. “I myself have straightened my hair in the past, in the fear of looking ‘unprofessional’ in the workplace,” said Representative Esther Agbaje (DFL— Minneapolis). “A piece of normalizing beautiful Black natural hair in the workplace, is providing protection against discrimination. This is a small change to our Minnesota Human Rights Act that will make a huge difference in how safe Black Minnesotans feel in the workplace.” “We can’t talk about diversity, racial equity and
Photo/Bobby Joe Champion_Facebook
Rep Esther Agbage (white blazer) standw with Sen. Bobby Joe Champion with community supporters of the CROWN Act also prevents black and brown people from accessing economic opportunities, in addition to its impact on our mental health.
justice in the workplace without talking about discriminatory policies such as a dress code and appearance code, which
AI
Children’s Theatre Company presents world premier of Something Happened in Our town
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We are the only ethnic group who has to have a law to protect something that is already a
CROWN ACT 5
Peter Hayden, PhD, founded Turning Point, Inc., in 1976 with a vision to help African Americans struggling with the disease of addiction. Forty-six years later and the Minneapolis organization has served more than 24,000 people. In recognition of these, and other, achievemnts, Turning Point recently received the inaugural “Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award” from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). The award now bears Hayden’s name. “It’s such an honor to be recognized in this way,” Hayden said. “When I first initiated my own recovery from addiction, I never imagined earning a PhD or creating something like Turning Point that would endure so long and impact so many people. For me, it’s always been about our clients and our wonderful team at Turning Point, so I share this humbling recognition with all of them. It means even more to know this award will serve to inspire and recognize others
Dr. Peter Hayden who are doing great work to help people from historically underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds.” With a guiding mission to provide substance use disorder treatment and other key support services to help people achieve wellness and live self-supportive lifestyles, Turning Point is an African American agency that provides culturally-specific substance use disorder treatment, housing, support services and
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The review of the historical coverage of Blacks by many large newspapers also highlights the lack of diversity that continues to persist even in newsrooms in cities with large Black populations.
“Ashamed”: Newspapers apologize for decades of negative coverage on Black communities By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor In a stark reminder of the importance of the Black Press established in the U.S. in 1827 by Sam Cornish and John Russwurm, American papers are beginning to analyze their coverage of African Americans. In at least two instances that historical analysis by the newspapers themselves has been followed by an apology. The papers in the predominantly Black cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Kansas City studied and confronted decades of negative news coverage on Black communities. The efforts also highlight the lack of diversity that continues to persist even in newsrooms in cities with large Black populations. The Kansas City Star, established in 1880, issued an apology to their readership for what they admitted was consistently negative coverage of the local Black community.
The Star’s apology, published in Dec. 2020, entitled The Truth in Black and White; An Apology From the KC Star, stated, “Our reporters searched court documents, archival collections, congressional testimony, minutes of meetings and digital databases… Reporters were frequently sickened by what they found — decades of coverage that depicted Black Kansas Citians as criminals living in a crime-laden world. They felt shame at what was missing: the achievements, aspirations and milestones of an entire population routinely overlooked, as if Black people were invisible.” The Star went on to verify that Black news in the community was consistently underplayed and ignored. Their apology, which arrived months after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd, was part of the effort around the country resulting from Floyd’s death that galvanized discussions on race in America.
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Johnson & Johnson, opioid distributors to pay $26B in settlement
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Biden’s first State of the Union address amid Covid, wars, and rumors of war Hobb servation Point
By Chuck Hobbs Ukraine Update Like many observers, I find it very interesting that the supposedly powerful Russian military has yet to take control of Ukraine! Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending a lecture given by retired Army Lt. General Ben Hodges, a former Commander of Armed Forces Europe and adviser to Ukraine, who was a guest of the Tallahassee Community College History Department. Gen. Hodges gave a compelling hour long lecture about the geo-political history of the region—and its current strategic importance. While stressing how very serious the latest Russian invasion is and the potential escalation to a nuclear conflict, Hodges also noted that the small number of American troops in the region, which is fewer than 40,000, was sufficient to thwart a Russian attack on NATO due to the fact that from a conventional warfare standpoint, the American military is far better equipped and trained than their Russian counterparts. The general’s remarks echoed in my mind all weekend as I watched reports of the Russian Army taking major losses to a supposedly inferior Army, a factor that likely led to Dictator Vladimir Putin’s placing his nuclear forces on alert (despite his
false claim that the maneuver was to address “aggressive statements” from the West). Would Putin end the world as we know it just because his regular forces have underwhelmed thus far? Who knows, but here’s hoping that peace talks that are on tap today in Belarus between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations will yield a cessation of this wholly unnecessary conflict. Sanctions, Sanctions, and more Sanctions Will the recently announced U.S. economic sanctions damage Putin’s ability to wage war? That remains to be seen, but it is important to note that just this morning, President Joe Biden’s Treasury Department went a step further by banning all American transactions with the Central Bank of Russia. Amid reports that Russian business interests took a huge dive last week by all objective measures, the declining value of Russia’s currency will only frustrate Putin more as access to his own personal fortune is lessened and, once his Russian oligarch cronies tire of seeing their wealth diminished, too, perhaps regime change in Russia could be in the offing? Stay tuned... American Perspective Part I Skeptics: “Why should Black people give a damn about what’s going on in Eastern Europe?” Hobbs: “Because nuclear missiles ‘dont see color,’ and definitely don’t give a damn whether it’s white, Black, yellow, or red Americans that
The war in Ukraine has caused alarm around the world… they vaporize upon touching down...” American Perspective Part II As we move deeper into the 2022 mid-term election season, President Biden’s State of the Union address tomorrow night will be the most important speech of the year, and I write this without the slightest hint of histrionics or hyperbole!!! With food and household supply shortages and gas prices already causing angst for ordinary Americans, Putin’s foolish war stands to make inflation go higher. History has always shown that the party in Federal control when economic uncertainty hits usually takes huge losses in the next election cycle; lest we forget that 2007’s Great Recession under then President George W. Bush led to Republicans being trounced by Democrats across America—and Barack Obama’s historic victory over John McCain in 2008. Thus, it will be interesting to see whether Biden’s speech writers can dial up a message that can alleviate the foreign policy and domestic fears of the American people, and one that Biden can deliver
in convincing fashion. ***Speakingof elections, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (C-PAC) took place last week and if there was any doubt as to who is still the biggest influencer in the Republican Party, it remains former President Donald Trump. In its 2024 presidential straw poll, Trump was the preferred candidate for 59% of attendees; Florida Gov. Ron Desantis came in a distant second at 28%, and no other potential candidate polled higher than 2 %! Black History: “Conversations with our Sons” I was blessed this morning to participate in the “Conversations with our Sons” virtual event at Crossroads Academy Charter School in Quincy, Florida. I was joined on the panel by Nupe Tony Bunion, Jr., Author, “Breakin Cycles;” Nupe Marvin Claude, Creator & Chief Flyist, Fix Your Fly, LLC; Nupe Rev. Anton G. Elwood , Pastor, New Mt. Zion AME Church; Antione Gavin, R. Travel Nurse; Erik Jenkins, Head Coach, University of South Florida Track & Field!
We each answered the call of Nupe Dr. Kevin Forehand, a brilliant and committed educator whose leadership is evident among the highly focused young Black males that we conversed with this morning. From racial profiling, stereotypes, education, career aspirations, and surviving police encounters, to Black mental health, fatherhood, relationships, and the need to express emotions other than anger, the event was time well spent as we elders poured wisdom into the next generation of strong Black men! Black History Hobbservations Tom Bradley, LA Mayor Tom Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas on 1917 to Lee and Crenner Bradley, sharecroppers who later moved to Arizona to pick cotton before settling in Los Angeles, California, where they worked as a railroad porter and domestic, respectively. Bradley attended high school in Los Angeles, where he distinguished himself academically as well as in football and track. After graduating from high school, Bradley enrolled at UCLA and soon thereafter became one of the first 400 blacks inducted into the city’s police force. While serving as an officer, Bradley attended the Southwestern University Law School at night and upon graduating, worked in private practice before launching his political career. In 1963, Bradley, spurred by a strong coalition of progressive Jewish and Latino voters, became the city’s first black councilman. Bradley challenged longtime
mayor Sam Yorty for his position in 1969—but was narrowly defeated. Four years later, Bradley won the mayoral race, becoming only the second Black to lead a major city at that time. Bradley would serve as mayor for 20 years and is noted for improving the city’s business districts, its airport, and for helping to lure the 1984 Olympics to Los Angeles. Bradley also twice ran for Governor of California, in 1982 and 1986, and lost both races to Republican George Deukmejian. Bradley’s narrow 1982 loss gave rise to the pejorative political term known as the “Bradley Effect,” one that was based upon the fact that entry and exit polls suggested that white California voters indicated support for Bradley—but actually pulled the lever for his white opponent once the voting booth was closed. Bradley’s 20 years were the longest by any Los Angeles mayor, and he decided not to seek reelection in 1993 in the wake of the previous year’s Rodney King Riots that led to death, destruction and mayhem after four Simi Valley Police officers were acquitted for brutally beating King following a routine traffic stop. Brother Bradley, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, entered eternal rest in 1998 at the age of 81. Thank you and please subscribe to the Hobbservation Point— have a wonderful Monday! Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.
Veteran, businessman, James T. Fuller, Jr. dies James T. “Jimmy” Fuller, Jr. was born March 12, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio to the late James T. Fuller, Sr., and Kathleen Mosley. He joined the United States Air Force in 1956. He retired after 20 years and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1976 to be with his father to learn the nightclub business. While in the Air Force, Fuller received an Air Force Commendation Award and was sent by the Air Force to participate in The United States Open Badminton Tournament. He was also selected as an extra
on the TV series, Hawaii Five-O. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Association. In addition, he was named Airman of the month numerous times. Fuller is survived by his wife, Rosalind Louise Fuller, four daughters, one son, three stepchildren, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Memorial services will were held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
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James T. Fuller, Jr.
No-Knock From 3
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law enforcement oppose the bill. No-knock warrants are already difficult to obtain, and rightly so, said Rep. Matt Grossell (R-Clearbrook), a retired police officer. Because these warrants can be very dangerous for all involved, Grossell said police officers use great discretion before
Dr. Hayden From 3 training to adults. In 2015, the University of Minnesota identified Turning Point’s
asking a judge to grant them. “Don’t take away a tool that we might not use all the time, but a tool that is needed to complete our toolbox,” he said. St. Cloud Police Chief William Blair Anderson said the bill would make police officers less safe. “The no-knock warrants we have applied for and gotten have all involved people who have been convicted of multiple felonies for violent crime,” he said. approach to culturally specific treatment for African Americans as an industry best practice. Turning Point also collaborates regularly with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a well-known national system of care, to share knowledge, tools and best practices and improve both organizations’ abilities to provide quality, accessible care to more people. “With communities of color experiencing significant disparities in access to quality culturally competent care, as well as addiction outcomes, organizations like Turning Point and leaders like Dr. Hayden are crucial to the nation—not only because of the direct care they provide, but because of the experience they have to share with the rest of health care,” said Dr. Joseph Lee, president and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. “In Minnesota, for example, African Americans are twice as likely as white residents to experience a drug overdose. We have a lot of work to do
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“If done properly, with due diligence, this is the best and the safest option for us to resolve potentially volatile issues efficiently, effectively, and most importantly, peacefully.” However, law enforcement opposition to the legislation is not universal. Mendota Heights Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, who is also chair of the POST board, said severely restricting no-knock warrants is not enough. They should be banned
outright, she said, because they are too dangerous for everyone. “Banning no-knock warrants does not mean an end to forced entry on warrants,” she said. “It just means that anyone present for those warrants has a reasonable opportunity to comply with the commands of the officers. “Banning no-knock warrants does demonstrate to the community that we hear their concerns and are committed to preserving human life.”
collectively to change that, and I’m grateful for Dr. Hayden’s leadership and partnership, and thrilled that this honor will continue to lift up important voices and organizations like his in the years ahead.” NAATP presented Hayden and Turning Point with its inaugural Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award at a national conference late last year, and announced this month that, moving forward, the award will carry his name. Nominations for the 2022 “Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award” are now open. Criteria for the award—which honors individuals or organizations that have made diversity, inclusivity and equity a priority in clinical and operational practices—include diversity among staff, leadership, and governance; organizationwide and community training initiatives (e.g., anti-racism, gender inclusivity, social justice); implementation of
culturally responsive clinical or recovery support programs; and demonstration of, or advocacy for, equitable access to services for communities that have faced exclusion or marginalization. “Dr. Hayden’s leadership and communitycentric approach have had a monumental impact not only on Turning Point’s programming and clients but also on the professionals throughout the country who see him as a leader and inspiration for the work they do,” said Marvin Ventrell, CEO of NAATP. “Turning Point’s grassroots efforts are a model for best practices in culturally specific substance use disorder treatment, and we are pleased to honor Dr. Hayden’s vital legacy for years to come.” This year’s “Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award” will be presented at the NAATP national conference to be held May 7-9 in San Diego.
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Aesthetically It Children’s Theatre Company presents world premier of Something Happened in Our town Friendships challenged, a world changed, and two young people struggling to make sense of it together. Friends and neighbors, Josh and Emma, navigate their way through an experience beyond their control and understanding. This is the premise of Something Happened in Our Town, now playing at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC). Written by Cheryl L. West (Broadway’s Play On!, Last Stop on Market Street, Akeelah and the Bee) and directed by Timothy Douglas (Round House, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Great Theatre of China, and more), this production is based on The New York Times bestselling children’s book, Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story of Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP, which was published in 2018. “In a time of reckoning in our country, this work is a call to action, to facilitate the much-needed discussion about inclusion, compassion, and what it really means to be peace makers in our homes, schools, and communities,” said West. “Hopefully, this story will move us one step closer to healing our racial divide.” Josh and Emma have many questions about the tragic killing of a Black man by a White police officer. Real questions that deserve real answers. But during conversations over dinner, at bedtime, before and after school, their families (one Black and one White) find such answers don’t come easily. Layered with compassion and humor, this show invites viewers to walk alongside Josh and Emma as they confront uncertainty within their town and between themselves. More than just a “must see,” this play will help families more fully understand how their neighbors’ experiences might be different than their own. “Something Happened in Our Town accurately and respectfully mirrors the world our kids live in today,” said Kristine Enderle, Editorial Director of Magination Press. “We are thrilled that Children’s
Photos courtesy of Children’s Theatre Company
Autumn Ness, Kevin West, Rajane Katurah and Dean Holt.
Rajane Katura, De’Anthony Jackson, Kevin West and Calvin Zimmerman
Zachary Bagnoli, McKinley Fant, Lola Ronning, Geoffrey Morrison, Julia Diaz, Ines Mojica and De’Anthony Jackson Theatre Company is taking the conversation further and partnered with us to produce an honest, unflinching, and authentic work. Together we hope it will empower kids to start a better pattern and actively fight for social justice and respond to the prejudices and exclusion that emerges into their community and schools.” CTC will facilitate talk backs after most performances with community, business, and non-profit leaders as well as CTC staff whose work or personal experiences intersect
with racial equity. “When I was given this book, I knew immediately that it was right for us to adapt to the stage,” said CTC Artistic Director, Peter C. Brosius. “This is a story that helps us see these complex issues through the eyes of children and to journey with them as they work to understand and process these events. I knew this was a story that was not only timely, but essential. We so look forward to the conversations that this play will engender and hopefully lead to a deeper insight into each
other’s lives and experience.” Something Happened in Our Town runs now through March 27, 2022 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Tickets can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/town or by calling the ticket office at (612) 874-0400. Ticket prices range from $15-$63. Something Happened in Our Town is proudly supported by Thomson Reuters, Wells Fargo, Beverly Grossman, and The National Endowment for the Arts. This play is best enjoyed by ages 7 and up.
Zachary Bagnoli, McKinley Fant and Lola Ronning
Integrity and honor in the High Court
Lester Purry
Penumbra
Lester Purry stars in Penumbra Theatre’s presentation of
CROWN Act From 3 part of our DNA.” said Vachel Hudson, Housing and Financial Capabilities Manager of Urban League Twin Cities. “Our youth and community would have more upside and impact on society if exposed to positive
Ashamed From 3 On February 18 of this year, the Baltimore Sun did the same as the Kansas City Star. “The Baltimore Sun frequently employed prejudice as a tool of the times. It fed the fear and anxiety of white readers with stereotypes and caricatures that reinforced their erroneous beliefs about Black
George Stevens, Jr’s THURGOOD, Directed
by
role models who look like us, and we perform better when we can be our authentic selves. As the epicenter for a global racial awakening, Minnesota has continued to be under the microscope of what and how our society wants to move forward.” “All Minnesotans deserve equal opportunities in the workplace, in schools, and in everyday life and need to come forward when discrimination takes place,” said Americans. Through its news coverage and editorial opinions, The Sun sharpened, preserved and furthered the structural racism that still subjugates Black Marylanders in our communities today,” the Sun editorial board bluntly stated. “African Americans systematically have been denied equal opportunity and access in every sector of life — including health care, employment, education, housing, personal wealth, the justice system and civic participation. They have
life fighting for equality in all areas of American life. This stirring one-man show features beloved Penumbra company member Lester Purry as the renowned jurist, storyteller and architect of the historic case that desegregated American public schools. The play is a timely provocation as our high court faces landmark decisions that will shape life in our country for generations. For tickets: 651.224.3180 Monday through Friday, from 10am-4:30pm.
Portland Playhouse The first Black justice
of the US Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall spent his
Linda Sloan, Executive Director of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. “The CROWN ACT ensures that Minnesotans have the basic right and freedom to be their authentic selves by wearing their natural hair without negative consequences.” “In building a more just and prosperous Minnesota, the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity (MBCRE) wants to ensure
that Black Minnesotans can be hired, retained and can advance at work without race-based discrimination,” said Tiffani Daniels, Managing Director of MBCRE. “MBCRE supports the CROWN Act so that Black Minnesotans can have the freedom to show up as they are in the workplace, which can drive higher employee engagement, productivity, and innovation in the work environment.” “The CROWN
Act is an important measure that will provide protection from discriminatory hiring practices against Black Minnesotans,” said Senator Bobby Joe Champion (DFL— Minneapolis). “I thank Rep. Agbaje for her work on this issue and I’m grateful for the passage of this bill through the House. I urge my Senate colleagues to take up this legislation with a sense of urgency, rather than delaying the bill and keeping it
on the Senate’s general register for the rest of session. We have assembled a strong coalition in support of this bill, and over the coming weeks, we will urge the Senate Republican majority to act upon it.” The bill passed with the support of the Minnesota Human Rights Department. It’s now sitting on the Senate’s general register, waiting for a hearing.
been refused the freedom to simply be, without the weight of oppression on their backs,” the Baltimore Sun editorial Board continued, adding that they were “ashamed” of past coverage of the Black Community. The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article by Wesley Lowery analyzing the Philadelphia Inquirer’s history on race and the newsroom’s lack of diversity. “Mentions of Black Philadelphia appeared in the white papers primarily through
the lens of crime. To read The Inquirer then would leave one wondering if Black people ever were born, ever died, if they lived lives in between — or if they simply sprouted, fully grown, in the city streets to call for civil rights, seek elected office, and commit various criminal infractions,” Lowery, a former reporter for The Washington Post who is now with CBS, wrote. “The paper, of course, is not alone in its history. Its story is that of the modern American
newspaper: The last halfcentury began with begrudging efforts at racial integration of both staff and coverage sparked by public pressure and protests; the decades to follow saw expanded efforts to recruit minority journalists before the industry cratered and many of those non-white journalists were the first to be shown the door,” Lowery continued. The recent analysis by large papers in predominantly Black cities is likely to continue. The articles highlight
the importance of historic curation, community image and news narrative and the impact it has on historically marginalized communities. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke
Lou Bellamy Presentedin Partnership
with
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Insight 2 Health
Johnson & Johnson, opioid distributors to pay $26B in settlement Minnesota gets $303 million over 18 years to fight the opioid crisis Commitment follows historic December agreement between State and cities and counties on allocation and use of funds; money to flow as soon as second quarter if legislative changes made Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison last week said opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and the nation’s three largest opioid distributors — Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen — agreed to a historic $26 billion settlement, which will bring $303 million to Minnesota. The Attorney General’s Office said the estimated amounts the largest metro city and county governments are eligible to receive directly over the 18-year term of the settlements include: Hennepin County, $42.3 million, Minneapolis, $10.8 million, Ramsey County, $15.8 million, and St. Paul, $8.3 million. All funds Minnesota receives will be used for prevention, recovery, harm reduction, and other strategies to address the opioid epidemic. “No amount of money will ever make up for the death and destruction that opioid companies caused families and communities around Minnesota. Still, it is important to hold them accountable for the harm they’ve done, and these settlements do that,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I am happy to announce that because enough subdivisions nationwide have joined these settlements, the companies have given their final approval to move forward with this historic settlement. I’m especially proud that every Minnesota county and every
AG Keith Ellison
Atrainceu
city with 10,000 people or more has signed on: as a result, Minnesota has maximized the benefit of this settlement for our communities. I thank the cities and counties that signed on for their swift action that will help Minnesotans who need it most,” Attorney General Ellison continued. The companies’ commitment to move forward with the settlements follows successful efforts in the states to win local subdivisions’ approval of the settlements, including Minnesota’s December agreement between the state and cities and counties that set how the settlement funds will be allocated and used within the state. In Minnesota, all 87 counties as well as 143 cities have signed on to the settlements. Minnesota will receive its full share of $303 million once the Legislature passes legislation
necessary to implement the statewide agreement. Once legislation is in place, 75 percent of these funds will go directly to Minnesota’s local communities to support treatment, prevention, recovery, harm reduction, and other strategies to address the opioid epidemic. The remaining 25 percent will go to the State of Minnesota, to be overseen and distributed by the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC). “My office and I are ready to work cooperatively with leaders and members in both the House and the Senate to get a bill to the Governor’s desk as quickly as possible, so that we can get these long-awaited resources into communities where they are desperately needed. I pledge to be a full, active partner to the bill authors in ensuring the legislation passes without delay,” Attorney
General Ellison added. The companies will start releasing funds to a national settlement administrator on April 2, 2022, and money may start flowing to state and local governments as early as the second quarter of 2022, pending passage of the state legislation. In addition to the list detailing the amount of funds that cities and counties are estimated to receive from the opioid settlements, the Attorney General’s opioid webpage also offers tools, resources, and other information for local governments and others regarding use of the funds and the Office’s efforts to fight the epidemic in Minnesota. In addition to the funds the companies are required to pay, distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen will: Establish a centralized
independent clearinghouse to provide all three distributors and state regulators with aggregated data and analytics about where drugs are going and how often, eliminating blind spots in the current systems used by distributors. Use data-driven systems to detect suspicious opioid orders from customer pharmacies. Terminate customer pharmacies’ ability to receive shipments, and report those companies to state regulators, when they show certain signs of diversion. Prohibit shipping of and report suspicious opioid orders. Prohibit sales staff from influencing decisions related to identifying suspicious opioid orders. Require senior corporate officials to engage in regular oversight of antidiversion efforts. Johnson & Johnson is required to: Stop selling opioids. Not fund or provide
grants to third parties for promoting opioids. Not lobby on activities related to opioids. Share clinical trial data. The agreement marks the culmination of three years of negotiations to resolve more than 4,000 claims of state and local governments across the country. It is the second-largest multistate agreement in U.S. history, second only to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. State negotiations were led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery and the attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Additional information about the opioid settlements, including a copy of the statelocal agreement, an executive summary, and frequently asked questions is available at www. ag.state.mn.us/opioids.
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Insight News • March 7, 2022 - March 13, 2022 • Page 7
De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman
Savannah’s Inheritance: Seduction and Lies Sharing Our Stories
By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor By De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman Ah, the consequences of keeping secrets. Such is the context woven into this tale of romance, mystery, and suspense in De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman’s novel Savannah’s Inheritance:
Seduction and Lies. Independent woman Savannah Belmont has had more than her share of tragedy and challenges in her life. When Savannah was a baby, her mother Ophelia was committed to a sanitarium for her mental health issues, thus Savannah was raised by her loving, no-nonsense, faith-filled grandmother Ma’Dear. When Savannah was 17, Ma’Dear died, and she is left to care for her mother and sort out the legacy Ma’Dear left. Having experienced funerals—better yet, homegoings—like Ma’Dear’s,
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the scene was highly touching and relatable. When contrasted with the homegoing for Creswell Delarby’s Uncle Nat later in the story, it did bring up questions about Uncle Nat’s past. One statement that stood out was when Ma’Dear said, “Baby, your funeral is where you find out who loved you and who hated you.” Savannah goes on to graduate from college and law school, becoming the first Black female attorney for the law firm of Selix & Riley. At the beginning of her tenure there, she meets Creswell, an attorney
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with his own private practice but also works with her firm on high profile cases. It is clear that Savannah doesn’t need a man to make her happy or support her financially, which makes the chemistry between them more powerful as their relationship develops. She also has her BFF Tesha, who brings a balance to their friendship as she navigates grieving for Ma’Dear and office politics. But packages that look and smell phyne can contain unpleasant shocks, and Creswell’s secrets may cost him the love of his life…
Bentley-Pittman gives the reader a slow-burn flame to the story, building the romance between Savannah and Creswell while keeping the undercurrents of unsettling family secrets and characters who are strange yet familiar. Though the couple share many facts of their childhoods, there is always a sense of important things held back. And there are times when Creswell has Savannah doing things that leave her uncomfortable. This story kept me fascinated and wondering, “What next?” I also appreciated the inclusion of mental health
from Ophelia’s point of view, bringing an added dimension. Bentley-Pittman is an author, activist, freelance writer, social justice advocate, supporter of equity, and the founder of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo. Savannah’s Inheritance can be purchased on Amazon, the Minnesota Blacks Authors Expo website, and her personal website www. devonnapittman.com Will Black Love triumph? I’m looking forward to your next installment, De’Vonna.
Page 8 • March 7, 2022 - March 13, 2022 • Insight News
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