Insight News ::: 5.13.19

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Insight News May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 19• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

La Traviata Verdi’s classic love story at Minnesota Opera Nicole Cabell and Jesús Léon

Photo by Dan Norman OP ER ERA A 2

Page 2 • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Insight News

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You, a canoe and a day of fun.

Photos by Dan Norman

Nicole Cabell and Joo Won Kang

‘La Traviata’: May 19 is Insight News Day at the Opera

Diversity a key goal for Minnesota Opera casting and audiences

Learn How! mnDNR.gov/ICan

The romantic tragedy, “La Traviata” is playing this week at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

The classic opera, written

by Giuseppe Verdi, stars vocal sensations Nicole Cabell, Cecilia Violetta López, Jesús Léon, Joo Won Kang and Stephen Martin. “La Traviata” is performed in Italian with English subtitles.

“La Traviata” follows the frowned-upon love between Alfredo and Violetta, a courtesan, which is a more regal name for a prostitute. Alfredo’s love is unconditional and undying, much to the dismay of his strict and disapproving father. “La Traviata” is described by the Minnesota Opera as “a captivating tribute to what it

means to live and die for love.”

“Alfredo loves Violetta without limits and I’m trying to have her love 100 percent, but it is hard because she’s a courtesan,” said Léon, who plays Alfredo, in a recent interview on “Conversations with Al McFarlane” on KFAI radio, 90.3 FM (www.kfai.org). “It’s a beautiful and real love story.”

“It’s a beautiful and tragic story and a story of transformation,” said Joo Won Kang, who plays Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont.

In addition to the striking voices and powerful story, audiences will notice a diversity in cast. That diversity hopes to translate to a diversity in audience as well. Paige Reynolds, relationship marketing associ-

ate for the Minnesota Opera, said her organization is intentional in reaching out to new, diverse audiences.

“It’s exciting to reach out with intention to folks who may not have been previously invited to the opera,” said Reynolds.

She said those curious about opera should consider a group outing.

“The opera is so experiential and moving when you see it in person. I encourage people to consider making an outing with maybe a happy hour before or a post-show gathering,” said Reynolds.

To help facilitate bringing new audiences to the opera the

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Insight News • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Page 3

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Vol. 46 No. 19• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Parents whose rights were terminated can now petition courts

Champion/Moran bill restores parental rights Gov. Tim Walz signed into law HF 554, a bill authored

by Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – St. Paul), that allows parents who had previously had their parental rights terminated for non-egregious harm to directly seek reestablishment of these rights from the courts.

Currently, only a county attorney can make this petition.

“Whenever we’re able to, we should keep families together and our children deserve to be protected, loved, and nurtured. When they can stay in their community with their parents, this gives them the best outlook in life,” Moran said. “We know all too well that our child welfare system doesn’t seem to always have the best interest of the child in mind, and that’s why it’s important for us to keep working to improve it. Every child deserves a strong future and I thank Governor Walz for signing this important bill into law.”

The House approved the measure by a vote of 1300 on April 4, and the Senate followed on April 29 with a

Andrew VonBank

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law legislation allowing the reestablishment of the parent/child relationship.

At left, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Sen. Bobby Champion, at right, Rep. Rena Moran and Sen. Jeff Hayden.

System, children in crisis

Minnesota needs more foster parents As the number of children in the state’s foster care system has grown – from 11,500 in 2013 to 16,500 in 2018 – there is a greater need for foster parents to provide critical care to children in crisis.

Advocates say the good news is, many people who might not think they qualify to be foster parents are actually eligible.

“During this time of great need for more foster parents, we want to dispel the myths about who can or can’t play this role,” said Human Services Commissioner Tony Lourey. “You can be married or single, homeowners or renters, with or without children. You don’t need to have a lot of experience, because we will provide training and offer support along the way. What’s most important is a commitment to ensuring children will be safe, loved and

Tony Lourey well cared for in your home.”

Potential foster parents need to be licensed and approved, and the licensing process includes a background check and a home study. Training is available online in English and Spanish and in person through the Minnesota Child Welfare

Training System. Financial support is also available, as is access to a variety of resources for successful foster parenting.

Counties and tribes consider placing foster children safely with relatives first, understanding the importance of preserving family connections.

When that is not possible, counties and tribes seek to place children with foster parents of the same race, but that has become increasingly difficult. While more than 55 percent of youth in foster care in 2017 were non-white, only 30 perecnt of foster families were non-white.

“Minnesota needs a more diverse pool of foster parents to best meet children’s needs,” Lourey said. “Foster parents who are African-American and (Native-) American are in especially high demand.”

Some children need foster care for a few days, some

are in foster homes for years.

The median length of time for children staying in a foster home was 297 days in 2017.

Last year, 58 percent of foster children leaving care were reunited with their birth parents or legal guardians, while 18 percent were adopted and about 11 percent moved in permanently with a relative or other caregiver.

“Our goal is always to return foster children home safely,” said Lourey. “In the meantime, we appreciate the many dedicated foster parents who step in to nurture, mentor and guide the children in their care.”

Adults considering foster parenting can get more information about the application process on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website, www. mn.gov/dhs.

Anton Vincent named president, Mars Wrigley North America MCLEAN, Va. — Anton Vincent was named as the regional president for Mars Wrigley North America.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience within the U.S. food industry, Vincent brings a wealth of consumer expertise and perspective to Mars. He will join Mars Wrigley on May 20 from Greencore Group PLC, a global manufacturer of convenience foods. As CEO of Greencore USA, Vincent oversaw 13 plant locations across the country.

Prior to Greencore Group, Vincent spent much of his career with General Mills, holding various leadership roles including president of the Baking Division, president of the Frozen Frontier Division and president of the U.S. Snacks Division. At General Mills he was the president of its $3 billion U.S. Snacks division and was a member of the corporate operat-

Anton Vincent ing committee and board member of General Mills’ 301 Inc.

I2H

$12.8 million study examines education’s impact on Alzheimer’s

PAGE 4

Vincent’s early career experiences include leadership roles at

MCI Telecommunications (now Verizon) and Fidelity Investments. He is also a former Applebee’s International franchisee.

He received an MBA in Marketing from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business and a BBA in Finance from Sam Houston State University. Vincent is a native of Jackson, Miss.

“I am very excited to be joining the Mars business,” said Vincent. “I have long admired Mars’ deep history, global footprint and truly iconic brands, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead our talented teams to help bring more smiles to millions of consumers.”

Vincent was named to the National Black MBA Magazine’s 2006 “Top 50 Under 50,” and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 2008 Minority Corporate Executive of the Year.

Jessica Davis

Jessica Davis named Minnesota Teacher of the Year Jessica Davis, a math teacher at South St. Paul Secondary School, is the 2019 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

vote of 66-0 and the governor signed it into law May 6.

Under the bill, petitions for reinstatement of parental rights would only be allowed in cases in which the rights were terminated for non-egregious harm, such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and not for physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.

Studies have shown when children, especially African-American children, remain in the foster system, they face poorer life outcomes than those who remain with their biological families. These include lower lifetime employment rates, a greater chance of experience with the criminal justice system, and higher rates of mental illness and addiction.

The legislation requires the parent to clearly demonstrate the steps they’ve taken to address the underlying issue which led to the termination of rights in the first place, and a judge would make the final decision.

Davis is the 55th recipient of the prestigious award, and the first from the South St. Paul district.

An independent selection committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business and government chooses the Minnesota Teacher of the Year from individuals who are nominated and who then choose to become a candidate.

“Every student deserves to be empowered by their own voice and elevated to their highest potential,” Davis said.

“Most important, they deserve educators who want the same.”

“One measure a person can use when judging another is, would you trust your own children with this person?” wrote Luke Olson, a colleague at South St. Paul Secondary, in a letter of recommendation for Davis. “When my son was studying to become a teacher, he needed a mentor teacher, and asked me for advice … I suggested Jess, because she exemplifies everything that I hope my son would become as a teacher.”

Davis has been teaching since 2006, first at Harding High School in St. Paul and since 2009 at South St. Paul.

DAVIS 7

Study finds link in Minnesota between health care, poverty, ethnicity and premature death New research from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) finds that during a five-year period one in five deaths of Minnesotans younger than 75 were potentially avoidable with effective and timely health care treatment.

The study, Disparities in Premature Death Amenable to Health Care, 2011 to 2015, analyzed deaths in Minnesota between 2011 and 2015. Researchers looked for “health care amenable” or premature deaths related to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, treatable cancers and others that might have been prevented through timely and effective health care treatment. The

analysis found that for those five years, 14,027 out of 76,907 deaths for Minnesota residents under age 75 were potentially avoidable with health care treatment. These premature deaths led to an estimated productivity loss for the state of $1.3 billion.

“Too many people under 75 had their lives cut short because of lack of access to effective and timely health care treatments,” said MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “In Minnesota we can do better. Among other things, this study points out the urgent need to improve health care coverage and access and to ensure our

LINK 7

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News

Transformation: The NorthPoint project

PAGE 6

Minneapolis sailor Jamies Halstead mentoring students in Marseille, France during 6th Fleet port call

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Page 4 • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health $12.8 million study examines education’s impact on Alzheimer’s The University of Minnesota will lead a $12.8 million project, funded over the course of five years by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), to study how educational experiences in adolescence impact cognitive functioning and deter the development of dementia later in life. NIA is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The project, led by the University’s Minnesota Population Center (MPC), will bring together a group of sociologists, neuropsychologists, epidemiologists and survey researchers to understand the connection between education and cognitive function over the life course and to determine how racial, ethnic, and other

social inequalities in education may lead to inequalities in rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. In addition to the University of Minnesota, the team includes researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Columbia University.

“Cognitive impairments and dementias are a huge and increasing burden on people’s lives, the healthcare system, and the economy,” said principal investigator, Dr. John Robert Warren, director of MPC and professor of sociology in the College of Liberal Arts. “Preventing cognitive impairment later in life

Dr. John Robert Warren by understanding – and potentially changing – the conditions of early life is a promising way to alleviate these bur-

dens for future generations.”

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, according to the

Alzheimer’s Association.

About 5.8 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and that number is projected to grow to nearly 14 million by 2050.

The research team will interview and collect genetic information from the 25,000 surviving members of the High School & Beyond (HS&B) cohort – a nationally representative group of people who have been interviewed on several occasions since they were high school students in 1980 – to assess their cognitive function. While HS&B panelists will be in their late 50s during the interviews and Alzheimer’s disease is rare at this age, milder forms of cog-

nitive impairment are likely to be more common among the cohort and may foreshadow the later development of more serious impairments.

Using these data, the team will examine how social and educational disparities in adolescence lead to racial or ethnic differences in cognitive impairment at midlife, how these effects manifest over the course of a person’s life, and how educational and social advantages may help people genetically predisposed toward dementia delay or avoid its onset. Ultimately, the researchers aim to inform efforts to develop strategies that reduce cognitive impairments among older people.

Gift expands mental health services for Mother-Baby Program The Redleaf Center for Family Healing will serve new mothers, fathers and families coping with depression and anxiety One of the most persistent myths of motherhood is that it’s the happiest time in a woman’s life.

But for some, having a baby is a time of isola-

tion, anxiety – even despair.

Hennepin Healthcare will soon provide a broader range of care to families struggling with the emotional and psychological challenges of pregnancy and parenting, thanks to the largest charitable donation in its 10-year history.

The $10 million gift, from the Lynne & Andrew Redleaf Foundation, expands the mental health services of Hennepin Healthcare’s MotherBaby Program – the first in Minnesota – and creates the Redleaf Center for Family Healing, with a unique focus on families.

The center will

be located on the Hennepin Healthcare campus in downtown Minneapolis. Groundbreaking is planned for this fall, with completion expected in 2020.

One in seven mothers experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal period: during and after pregnancy. Perinatal depression and anxiety are the most common complications of childbirth – and can have life-threatening consequences that affect the whole family. Yet most American moms are discharged from the hospital within 24 to 48 hours of delivery, leaving them to fend for themselves

and

their helpless infants.

“We want every new parent to know that perinatal depression and anxiety are serious – but treatable – conditions. And that no one needs to suffer alone,” said Dr. Helen Kim, psychiatrist, co-founder and medical director of the Redleaf Center.

By focusing on early childhood brain development and mothers’ mental and emotional well-being, the Redleaf Center seeks to help parents heal from their own emotional wounds, so they can become the protective and supportive caregivers their children

need. Through parent-child, integrative and resiliencepromoting practices – and in partnership with communities most impacted by health inequities – the Redleaf Center aims to create a multigenerational model of healing.

“We are deeply grateful to the Redleafs for their transformational gift,” said Theresa Pesch, RN, president of Hennepin Healthcare Foundation. “The Redleafs believe that healthy moms are the heart of healthy families – and that healthy families build strong, stable communities for the benefit of all Minnesotans.”

“The perinatal period is a time of rapid brain development for babies,” said Kim. “And when mothers and fathers are struggling to cope, they can be less engaged and attuned to their infants, just when babies need them most – emotionally, physically and for cognitive development. At the same time, the birth of a baby is an incredibly hopeful time. By supporting parents during pregnancy and in the early years of their children’s lives, we are making a long-term investment in children and family well-being.”

Cora McCorvey Center event focuses on mental health The second annual Mental Health Affair will take place from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday (May 18) at the Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center, 1015 N. 4th Ave., Minneapolis.

This event is a shared effort to raise awareness of mental illness and the importance of self-care. There will be discussion panels, vendors and mental health professionals that promote self-care of

mind, body, and spirit. This is a free event and open to all ages.

This is a Protect Your Crown: An Insight Into Mental Health, Amani Counseling and HerResiliency Collaboration.

Mississippi Market block party celebrates 40 years Mississippi Market celebrates 40 years of cooperation at the co-op’s 40th anniversary block party.

The summer block party is June 15 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the co-op’s West 7th store in St. Paul, 1500 W. 7th St. This free, family-friendly

Opera From 2 Minnesota Opera is offering Insight News readers a 50 percent ticket discount for the May 14, May 18, and May 19 shows at the Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. To get the discount mention Insight News during ticket purchase. Tickets are available by calling (612) 333-6669 and at the Ordway box office. Sunday’s May 19, 2 p.m. performance with feature a post-show discussion with the cast, facilitated by Al McFarlane, founder and editorin-chief of Insight News.

Standing, Joo Won Kang and Jesús Léon

event features live music by Chris Koza and Seasaw, food and drinks for sale, free food samples from local farmers and vendors including Izzy›s Ice Cream, Peace Coffee, Organic Valley, Ferndale Market, and Brake Bread., kids’ activities and more.

In addition, co-op shoppers can save 40 percent on select 40th anniversary deals from June 11 through June 14.

Each day, there will be a 40 percent off sale on a different featured local product, while supplies last.

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Insight News • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Page 5

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Page 6 • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Insight News

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Transformation: The NorthPoint project

By Randall Bradley Architect The former Estes Funeral Home, located at 2201 Plymouth Ave. North, is being prepared for demolition.

Buildings, much like human beings, exist in real time from their birth until their death.

Buildings exist from their beginnings to their end. Buildings are built by human beings to provide shelter for all of our indoor activities. Given the realities of the urban environment, we continuously remove and replace buildings to provide for our needs.

While both health and wellness activities provided By NorthPoint Health and Wellness and ceremonies for the departed provided by Estes need to be performed in our community, the physical space, and location, became an issue at this site.

Both activities could not share the same site at the same time.

Conversations were held with

Randall Bradley

Former Estes Funeral Home

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

owners, administrators, elected officials, architects and other significant parties to address and resolve the location issue. An agreement was made to relocate the funeral home to a nearby site (directly across the street) and allow the existing clinic to expand onto this site.

Demolition

Demolition in a city such as Minneapolis, that is built-out from border-to-border, must Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Inell Rosario Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb 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) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis,

contractors bid the demolition of a project so as to inform the client of the cost of removing the building from the site. The contract also indicates the way the site shall be left. Typically, this determines whether the site remains a “hole” or is filled-in, and to what elevation. This is an agreement to allow the new (building) contractor to start construction. The motivating factor in this understanding is the calendar. The seasons drive

the construction schedule. And freezing is the benchmark of the seasons. The question then becomes, does the demolition contractor leave the hole, or does the new contractor dig it? There is no correct answer here. Every project is different.

Utility disconnections are made before building demolition begins. Below grade connections are removed, closed off and sealed. This is a requirement to protect the “public health,

A Mothers Love Summit : Save the family, save the community

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

occur since there is not much new, unbuilt land available. So, demolition becomes part of the process of new construction. Just as architects write specifications for new construction, they also write specifications for demolition. This document, combined with any appropriate drawings, instruct and inform the contractor how to proceed with the work. Just as there are building contractors, there are also demolition contractors. These

safety, and welfare.” Gas, water, sewer and sometimes electrical pipes are disconnected from their underground locations in the streets to the building. These disconnections allow for the next building to be hooked-up without causing damage to any surrounding customers. The demolition process must proceed in as orderly and methodically a fashion as the construction process does.

The permit to demolish any structure is issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The agency has the authority to review the demolition process to determine if there are any contaminants or materials that could pollute the soil or groundwater.

Often demolished buildings contribute heavily to the recycling of materials that are returned to the construction process. Some materials in this building may yet live on.

This building has been unoccupied since Estes moved into its new facility this past December. A chain-link fence was erected at the former location to protect it during the winter months. Due to the freezing of the ground, demolition has been differed until the spring thaw.

This demolition procedure will be coordinated with the construction schedule for the expansion and remodeling of the NorthPoint Health and Wellness Facility. This will commence the third and final component of the intense economic development of this significant corner in North Minneapolis.

Youth View

Commentary by Latisha Townsend Contributing Writer With Mother’s Day having just passed, I can’t think of a better time to highlight the

works of a powerful organization of mothers in the North Minneapolis community.

A Mothers Love (AML) hosted its first Black Women’s Empowerment Summit on April 27 at the Urban Research and Outreach Center. The six-hour event featured panel discussions, poetry readings, raffles for self-care baskets, and stations set up for Black owned businesses to market their products.

The goal of A Mothers Love is simple; “bringing back the village.” They believe it takes a village to raise a child.

The AML mission statement is “If you save a mother, you save a child. If you save a father, you save the family. If you save the family, you save a community.”

The team of Minneapolis raised, single mothers have been working tirelessly since its birth in 2017 to make a change in their community,

starting with reducing instances of gun violence. Last summer AML organized a march against gun violence that included walking through the streets spanning from Broadway/Lyndale-to North Commons Park area, the scene of a shooting homicide, to KMOJ radio station and back to CUB Foods on West Broadway.

That same summer and fall, the mothers spent every Friday and Saturday night walking through downtown Minneapolis in their bright pink shirts with a Black image of a mother and a child on the front, and “Bringing Back the Village” on the back. The fathers in their group wore Black T-shirts. AML provided resources for housing, employment, GED programs, and mental health referrals.

They are best known for giving love, encouragement, support, and prayer to the residents of North Minneapolis.

Back at the empowerment summit, the day began with a continental breakfast and a panel discussion featuring Jasmine Boudah, the author of the book “Mothering through Pain”, Lartiste Graham, and Mercedes Thomas, a member of A Moth-

ers Love, who shared her experience of learning self-love despite a painful childhood in the foster care system.

The lunch panel featured candidate for St. Paul City Council and Minneapolis NAACP vice president, Anika Bowie, Minneapolis school board member, Kimberly Caprini, Artiste Mayfield, and Brenda Johnson a leader devoted to interrupting the “cradle-to-prison’ pipeline. One young woman in particular, North Community High School’s Taylor Butler, was invited to share her story as a teenager at North playing basketball. The audience was very impressed with her grace and intelligence.

Guests were able to share their vulnerabilities in a safe space where they were given nothing short of support and “A Mothers Love.” The highlight of the day, for me, was the enlightenment I received by Kenya McKnight-Ahad, founder of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance one of my mentors, and the encouraging remarks we received

SUMMIT 7

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Insight News • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Page 7

Obituaries: Robert Koppy, CPA was businessman and family man Bob (“BK”) Koppy, 82, of Roseville, died Easter Monday, April 22.

A 1954 graduate of Cretin High School and a 1958 graduate of St. Thomas College, Koppy was a certified public accountant and owned Koppy Accounting, whose clients included McFarlane Media Interests, Inc. and Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC).

Funeral services were April 30 at St. Rose of Lima, 2048 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville, with interment at Roselawn Cemetery.

Koppy’s favorite daughter, actually his only daughter, Mary Therese spoke lovingly and elegantly about her dad at his recent going home service.

“My dad’s health journey began with the diagnosis of COPD back in 2008. Since 2008, my dad was in and out of the hospital. Due to his low

Link From 3 health care system better meets the needs of all patients, which is a priority in Gov. (Tim) Walz’s One Minnesota budget plan.”

The MDH study was not designed to determine the reasons why premature deaths occurred in Minnesota. However, other research has found that some factors that can contribute to a lack of access of care include the complexity of the system, lack of insurance coverage, the system’s failure to meet patient needs, systemic barriers related to structural racism

Summit From 6 from City Council Member Andrea Jenkins whose poetry was food for the soul.

Some of my takeaways from the Black Women’s Empowerment Summit were, according to McKnight-Ahad, I owe it to myself to chase my purpose in life and it is my job to decide my worth, not anyone else’s. Second, we (Black women) need each other. With that being said, a win for one of us should be a win for all Black women, according to Jenkins.

Davis From 3 She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Minnesota State, Mankato, and a master’s degree from Hamline University.

Education Minnesota, the 86,000-member statewide educators union, organizes and underwrites the Teacher of the Year program. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers and adult basic education teachers from public or private schools.

Robert “Bob” Koppy oxygen levels, he was no longer allowed to drive since he would fall asleep at the wheel; so, his wheels became his John Deere tractor and he was known to cut the grass even when it didn’t need cutting.

“Well back on Sept. 5 when he was cutting the grass, he noticed his John Deere was not cutting like it should. So, without telling my mom, he decided he would just drive his John Deere up to the local hardware store and have it looked at.

Can you just imagine what the

people in the neighborhood thought when they saw this older man driving his tractor on the street? Well, my dad was able to deliver his John Deere to the hardware store, which is about a quarter mile from their house. It was on his way back, while walking home without his oxygen that my dad fell.

That fall caused bleeding in a number of places in his brain.

It was a life changing event for both my dad and mom.

“My mom, my brother Brian and I always knew we were loved by Dad. He extended this love to my husband, Dan and our three children. Through the hard times and of course the good, our house was love.

My dad never held back. For someone of his generation, he would freely say, ‘I love you’ along with a shower of kisses and hugs. It was ‘love always.’”

Bob Koppy was preced-

ed in death by his son, Brian and parents, Edmund and Eva Koppy. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathleen “Kay” Tierney; daughter,

Mary Therese (Dan) Nicklay; daughter-in-law, Cindi Snow; grandchildren, Matthew, Colin and Lisa Nicklay; brothers, Jerry Koppy (Karol), Doug-

las Koppy, Michael Koppy (Kathy); and sister, Sharon Cavegn and also survived by his beloved pet, Scottie.

Remembering Reggie B. Bratton Reggie B. Bratton Dec. 5, 1960 - Mar. 16, 2019 Insight News also mourns the loss of Reggie Bratton, 58, who died on March 16, 2019 here in Twin Cities. Bratton was the nephew of Lue Bratton, “Ms. Lue”, McFarlane Media Front Office manager and heartbeat.

Ms. Lue described Bratton as a special needs person who lived a productive and fulfilling life.

She said as a youth, Bratton excelled in athletics. He was an exceptional runner, swimmer, and cyclist.

As an adult, he lived mostly in group home and assisted living settings. “He loved picnics. He loved to eat and his favorite drink was Pepsi Cola,” she said.

At a memorial service last month Ms. Lue, on behalf of the Bratton family, express gratitude for government funded non profits organizations that provide valuable assistance and support for men and women with special needs.

With the assistance of organizations like Opportunity Partners, Minnetonka, he was able to have a lifetime of gain-

ful and productive, supervised employment...real work experience created and calibrated to fit the capabilities of individuals with special needs and differing ability levels, Ms. Lue said.

Opportunities Partners disability services span from youth to seniors focusing on clients’ skills, goals and dreams to build flexible plans designed to meet their needs.

Further information: https:// opportunities.org/individuals/ work-vocational-options/

or historical trauma, or the cost of care. This is particularly true for Minnesotans living in highpoverty census tracts and census tracts where half or more of the residents are people of color or Native-Americans. At the same time, the study did not have clinical information prior to the death record to examine specific barriers to accessing health care.

Minnesota had the lowest health-care-amenable death rates in the U.S. during this time, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s State Health System Ranking. However, the rate of potentially preventable deaths was more than twice as high for Minnesotans living in high poverty and racially diverse areas

compared to majority white census tracts or higher income census tracts. For the Minnesotans in this study who died before age 75, those living in higher income majority white census tracts lived an average of 57 years, while those living in low-income majority white census tracts lived 54 years. Among those in the study who were living in lower-income census tracts where the majority of people were people of color or NativeAmericans and who died before age 75, the average was 50 years.

Communities and families are harmed in a number of ways when members die young. In addition to the personal loss experienced by friends and families,

there are consequences such as the loss of emotional support, family integrity, and personal or community history. Premature death also leads to income loss due to fewer years worked and can lead to financial struggles for families who lose a primary wage earner. The higher rate of premature death in areas of high poverty led to an added $114 million per year in productivity loss than if these areas had the same statewide rate during 2011 to 2015. A disproportional amount of this additional productivity loss, $73 million, was concentrated in areas that also had high diversity.

“One of our findings was that among deaths amenable to health care, chronic heart disease

was the leading cause of death in high-poverty areas, followed closely by treatable cancer and stroke,” said MDH Research Scientist Nathan Hierlmaier.

In addition, health care amenable mortality rates for surgical conditions, heart disease, maternal and infant conditions, and respiratory disease in these high-poverty areas were nearly double the statewide average This research is consistent with other studies that found links between shorter life spans and factors such as health care access, poverty and ethnicity.

One local study found Minnesota census tracts have life expectancies that vary by up to 27 years. National research showed

low-income Americans died much sooner than more affluent neighbors, and there are racial disparities in mortality due to chronic heart disease, cancer, diabetes and infant mortality.

Walz is calling for the extension of the Health Care Access Fund, which provides health care coverage through the MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance (MA) programs and supports public health activities. MDH operates more than 16 grants and programs funded by the Health Care Access Fund that improve the health of the population and enhance the efficiency and stability of the health care system.

And finally, I can never be too weak to stand up for myself or too strong to be openly vulnerable. I learned this final lesson from every woman in the room who poured out their hearts and released their burdens.

In the midst of so much pain from the gun violence in Minneapolis, we can always still find a way to show love when we get together for a greater purpose.

Alisa Clemons, founder and director of A Mothers Love, said

she wants Black mothers and Black woman to know that what we endured yesterday and what we endure today does not decide our future. We decide our future.

As a young adult, looking at the powerful Black women in

that room, and listening to the stories they shared gave me a great sense of pride in who I am.

Please support this organization’s efforts to empower Black mothers, Black women, and Black families. The first thing

you can do is activate in your community and intervene in the lives of the young people in your neighborhoods. Help a mother and child find resources for progress and, most importantly, help bring back the village.

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Page 8 • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Insight News

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New poetry by Jessica Winnie: “Everything I Am�

Mother, artist, daughter and freedom fighter Twin Cities artist Jessica Winnie has released her second book of poetry, “Everything I Am,â€? a reective account of a journey through the life of a young woman raised by an activist family and community.

Winnie said the book is a collection of work inspired by a decade of ďŹ nding her way as a lover, mother, artist, daughter and freedom ďŹ ghter. “I wrote this while exploring my own life and writing process and wanted to co-create with young artists to inspire their own passions,â€? said Winnie. “‘Everything I Am’ took shape throughout a decade of fulďŹ lling relationships, lingering connections, struggles to evolve despite loss, and a turbulent ride battling the realities of living in America. My poetry was written in eeting mo-

Jessica Winnie ments; scribbled on the back of bills, written in the middle of the night, texted to myself.

With a demanding life there was not much time to write.�

The author was de-

termined to have young people involved in her poetry project; thus the book includes illustrations from three young artists.

Winnie was born to an activist single mom who moved her from the Midwest to Oakland, where she attended a Black Panther pre-school.

She said as a young girl, her mother and adoptive father encouraged her to explore the world and extended visits with her grandparents who did missionary work in India

and relatives who were medical volunteers in Guatemala, made it possible for her to travel at a young age. Winnie said her father, who is a poet, and a compassionate seventh grade teacher encouraged her to start writing when she was about 12 years old to, “helped ďŹ nd the magic inside of me.â€?

The author said being expelled from De La Salle High School, three months prior to graduation, was a deďŹ ning moment for her and said as a result, she was determined to become an empathetic, involved educator. Winnie said after 15 years of studying, she became an elementary school teacher. Yet, with the ďŹ nancial responsibilities of six children, she created a series of small businesses; tutoring, custom sports apparel and property management. She also runs TwinCitiesEvents a popular Facebook page for upcoming happenings in the area. “Everything I Amâ€? is $15 and available at an upcoming book launch and open mic June 15 from 7 p.m. – midnight at A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Felicito Rustique

Minneapolis sailor Jamies Halstead mentoring students in Marseille, France during 6th Fleet port call U.S. Navy Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Jamies Halstead, from Minneapolis, eats breakfast with students during a community outreach event at the Saint-Louis Primary School in Marseille, France, April 30. Sailors assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) volunteered at the Saint-Louis Primary School during a scheduled port visit to Marseille. The JCSCSG is deployed in support of maritime security cooperation eorts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

A TIMELESS FAVORITE

MAY 4–19

Join NorthPoint as we Honor the history of Pilot City (our Human Services building) prior to it’s demolition for our Campus Expansion project

Tickets from

BUY TODAY Best seats and prices May 14-19.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

INSIGHT NEWS READERS GET 50%OFF Use code INSIGHT50

Share our new space at 1256 Penn Ave. N. - 5th Floor RSVP @ northpointcelebration.eventbrite.com

mnopera.org/insight50 612-333-6669

Celebrate 50 years of service to the community at this location; and

Thursday, May 16, 2019 Open House 4 - 7 pm 3HQQ $YH 1RUWK 03/6 WK Ă RRU

Contact 612-543-2500 for questions All are welcome!

Valid for up to 4 tickets regularly priced $50 or more. Fees and restrictions may apply.

A Better Banking Experience.

612-455-1100 Five Twin Cities locations to serve you or visit us online at nabankco.com

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Insight News • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Page 9

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Page 10 • May 13, 2019 - May 19, 2019 • Insight News

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Just Announced!

Entertainment highlighted by Christopher Williams and more to come

Saturday, June 15 11am–6pm

Bethune Park, 1304 North 10th Avenue A community-led celebration Food, entertainment, vendors, and family activities!

Free and open to the public

minneapolisparks.org/juneteenth

Commemorating 400 years to honor the arrival of the first Africans brought to this land