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May 16 16,, 2022 - May 22, 2022

Vol. 49 No. 20• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

MIKE SHELTON YOUTH SPORTS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Photo by Imani McCray STORY ON PAGE

Page 2 • May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022 • Insight News

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Insight News • May 16, 2022 - May 22, 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.

May 16 16,, 2022 - May 22, 2022

Vol. 49 No. 20• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Mike Shelton’s Heritage Sports Youth Foundation combines sports and leadership development By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison points to a print advertisement from the Information Council for the Environment, an industry front group dedicated to denying the science of climate change.

Why Attorney General Keith Ellison is getting pushback at the Legisature for a plan to help prosecutors in Greater Minnesota By Walker Orenstein Staff Writer MinnPost Republicans who control the Minnesota Senate have focused heavily this year on “tough on crime” legislation, aiming to respond to a wave of violent crime and the defund-the-police movement in the Twin Cities. So one might think a small proposal from the state attorney general to bolster a team helping county attorneys prosecute complex criminal cases might be of interest. But so far the Senate GOP has opposed a $1.82 million plan from Democratic AG Keith Ellison to hire seven prosecutors that will primarily help counties in Greater Minnesota. Ellison is taking the omission personally. He believes it has little to do with the team of prosecutors or their stated goal, but rather it is “98 percent” a GOP eﬀort to stick it to the

progressive AG, who they have been reluctant to fund — and who is expected to face a tough reelection campaign this fall. “Because it’s completely irrational and unconnected to any rational policy goal,” Ellison said when asked why he believes the lack of support is because of his politics. “When you strip away any rational policy goal, what are you left with?” Ellison has been clashing with state Sen. Mary Kiﬀmeyer — a Big Lake Republican who chairs a committee with oversight of his oﬃce — over several issues, such as Ellison’s decision to sue several businesses that violated COVID restrictions put in place by Gov. Tim Walz during the pandemic. The latest impasse has become a high-profile one at the Capitol, where lawmakers are in their last two weeks of session hashing out how to use a projected $9.25 billion surplus. On Thursday,

Kiffmeyer said in a statement that Ellison had “plenty of time and resources to shut down businesses last year,” and that “I think he has enough time and resources to prosecute crime now.” What Ellison wants Ellison this year wants a $2.3 million increase for his office’s budget, which totals roughly $26.2 million in the 2023 fiscal year. The money would pay for raises meant to retain workers and add non-legal staff in IT, human resources, communications or outreach positions. Separately, the AG asked for seven attorneys, plus two legal assistants, to help county attorneys prosecute violent or complicated crimes like sex trafficking, whitecollar fraud, or other legal work like habeas corpus petitions. Ellison said the extra staff to help county attorneys has been a priority since he took office. Beyond that, he has

Quality youth sports programs with knowledgeable leadership are critically important to the development of young people in any city. Minneapolis is no exception. From basketball to tennis, there is a continued need for aﬀordable sports at the community level. Heritage Youth Sports Foundation (HYSF), is a local organization focused on giving youth a chance to play sports, make friends, improve social skills, and serve the community-- all while learning various aspects of the sports business. Mike Shelton, the foundation’s Executive Director, and former youth athlete, has taken the lead by providing youth with camps, clinics, tournaments, and opportunities for leadership. Now that the weather has warmed-up, ‘Team Path’, catered to grades K-12, will start practicing basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Youth are able to participate in all sports free of charge (except basketball) if they participate in what Shelton

photo/Imani McCray

Mike Shelton, Founder, Heritage Youth Sports Foundation.

calls a ‘Serve to Play’ model. Under this model youth are expected to spend one hour per week (before or after a game), giving back to the community. Serving can be done by cleaning parks or handing out food and goods to those in need. Heritage Youth Sports Foundation believes in ‘Strengthening Lives and Community Through Sport’. For older youth athletes, the foundation has leadership opportunities in grades 7-12. These mentors are called ‘Athleaders’. They are currently hand-chosen and can earn up to one $1,000 in a five-week period as a mentor.

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photo/FIle

Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (30, R)

been advocating for increases to a small budget that has less money in 2023 than the $26.8 million the Legislature allocated in 2002. (81 percent of the AG’s budget went to salary and benefits in the 2021 fiscal year.) The AG’s oﬃce has brought in hundreds of millions over the last two decades through litigation like the landmark 1998 tobacco lawsuit, and, more recently, $300 million

“I watched history, and now I’m scribing the first woman of color who identifies as Black as vice president,” said April Ryan.

Standing on Shoulders of Giants, April Ryan is Democrats demand vote to Codify Abortion law opening doors for others By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced his intentions to vote on legislation to codify the right to abortion law on Tuesday. Schumer said a vote on such legislation “is not an abstract exercise.” “This is as urgent and real as it gets,” Schumer pronounced. “We will vote to protect a women’s right to choose, and every American is going to see which side every senator stands,” he declared. The leader’s action came after a leaked Supreme Court document revealed, if the document is authentic, a majority of the Justices have voted to strike down the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Civil Rights and women’s groups quickly denounced the decision, as reported by Politico. “Bodily autonomy, especially for women of color,

who face disproportionate health and rights inequities, is at the core of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Mamas of color call for reproductive justice, including access to abortion care,” Mothering Justice Executive Director Danielle Atkinson said. “We demand that the U.S. Supreme Court scrap Justice Samuel Alito’s draft, go back to the drawing board, and issue a decision that protects our health, rights, and bodily autonomy.” Atkinson continued: “There is no greater invasion than when a government takes charge of our bodies — controlling the most private decision of all, the decision about when and if to have children. “As mamas of color, such interference isn’t new, as our families and communities are denied the resources to raise our children safely. We will continue to fight for reproductive justice until the law respects our right to control our own bodies.” Schumer’s call for a vote to codify the abortion law most certainly will face a blockade because it needs 60

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By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

“To help fight this court’s awful decision, I urge every American to make their voices heard this week and this year,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). votes in an evenly divided Senate. Vermont Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders already has called for an end to the filibuster to ensure Senators could eﬀectively stop abolishing Roe v. Wade. If Congress can’t get it done, the Supreme Court decision would allow states to decide their policy on abortion. President Joe Biden said his administration strongly argued in defense of Roe v. Wade. However, he noted that the leaked draft isn’t

Education

Biden Administration leads 55 nations in setting new global internet rules

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oﬃcial and doesn’t yet reflect the court’s final decision. “We’ve said that Roe is based on a long line of precedent recognizing ‘the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty’… against government interference with intensely personal decisions.’” Biden stated. “I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty

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After 25 years working as a White House correspondent, April Ryan has seen it all. Before he became president, Barack Obama invited Ryan as a guest of his for a Congressional Black Caucus dinner. She covered Obama’s two terms as president and wrote about more history when Kamala Harris became the first Black vice president and Ketanji Brown Jackson earned confirmation as the first African American female on the U.S. Supreme Court. Ryan also joined a host of other journalists and minority women to draw the ire of former President Donald Trump, who infamously railed at the decorated journalist in 2018, calling her a loser. “After what I’ve seen, no,” Ryan remarked when asked whether anything surprises her anymore. “I hope I don’t have to

be surprised anymore. I’ve seen 25 years of ebb and flow, and, at the end of the day, it’s about people and reporting for people.” Ryan noted that she once worked for a “boutique” news organization, and now she’s achieved near unparalleled success at theGrio, where she opened up the news department and the White House Bureau. On Saturday, April 30, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group and theGrio honored Ryan for 25 years of distinguished and passionate service as a White House correspondent during a star-studded bash, “A Seat at the Table: A Celebration of Black Media.” The bash took place at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and immediately follows the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner at the Washington Hilton. Ryan, a Baltimore native, and Morgan State University graduate, serves on the board of the WHCA, only the third African American in the organization’s

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I2H

It’s never too late to start your yoga practice

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Business

Fueling Minnesota’s small business explosion Governor Walz and DEED Commissioner Grove earlier this month had lunch at Afro Deli in St. Paul to highlight Minnesota’s diverse restaurant industry. Later, they visited Clam Corporation in Rogers to celebrate Minnesota’s $2.4 billion fishing industry in advance of the Governor’s Fishing Opener May 13 and 14 On the heels of securing a bipartisan agreement and signing a bill to provide relief to small business owners across the state, Governor Walz proclaimed Small Business Week in the state, saying , “Our small businesses are the heart of communities across the state and are driving our economic recovery, I’m proud

Ellison From 3 in settlements with opioid makers and distributors under Ellison. But cash from that legal work does not come back to the attorney general’s office, and Ellison says the settlements are evidence that the AG’s office isn’t getting its due in the budget. As for the team of prosecutors, Molly Hicken, the top attorney for northeast Minnesota’s Cook County, told the House’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee in March that the trade association representing her colleagues is “united in the great need for assistance from the AG’s office.” “Especially for county attorney offices in rural and outstate Minnesota like mine,” Hicken said. Hicken said half of Minnesota counties have just three or fewer attorneys in the county prosecutor’s office and 24 — including Cook — have two or fewer. Those attorneys have a huge portfolio, from prosecution to work as general counsel for the county, handling civil cases and even sitting in on county board meetings. And while those prosecutors in smaller counties have trial experience, they can’t specialize in “the most serious of cases,” Hicken said, like murder, human trafficking, or certain white-collar crime,

MN.gov

Governor Tim Walz because they don’t come up as frequently. Those big cases can also eat up all of an office’s resources, leaving nothing left for remaining legal work. In such situations, county attorneys often turn to the AG’s office, which has three attorneys in the unit helping counties on complex cases. When Ellison took over, they had just one. Kathryn Lorsbach, the prosecutor in Clearwater County, told the House committee that her office of two attorneys and two support staff had to deal with two murder cases, a school resource officer sexually abusing children and the Line 3 oil pipeline protests between 2020 and 2021. That was at the same time as the county was dealing with regular caseloads and stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. So Lorsbach asked the AG’s office for help. “The resources, support and knowledge base that they brought to these high-stakes cases resulted in successful prosecutions,” she said. Without that help, it would be hard to achieve parity with metro counties, Lorsbach said. And while Hicken said prosecutors would not abandon their duty to prosecute tough cases without help from the AG, “all of the other legal work that this county requires would have to fall by the wayside because something has to give.” Prosecutors from Freeborn, Todd and Cottonwood

counties also wrote letters of support for the AG’s proposal. Last week, Ellison came to the Capitol with the prosecutors for Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties to campaign for the plan. In an emotional moment during the House hearing, state Rep. Marion O’Neill, R-Maple Lake, thanked Lorsbach for successfully prosecuting Christopher Colgrove, who stabbed his neighbor Dawn Swenson to death while on meth and fleeing police. O’Neill said she went to school with Swenson and attended her funeral. Lorsbach responded in part by saying: “I just would like everyone to consider that we were able to obtain that result with the help of the attorney general’s office.” Why Kiffmeyer is saying no The House, which has a DFL majority, included the $1.82 million plan within a larger public safety proposal and would fund the $2.3 million for other staff and compensation, too. But the Senate has not supported either proposal. Kiffmeyer said Tuesday that the Legislature did boost the AG’s budget significantly in recent years, saying the funding was generous enough to draw questions from her GOP colleagues. That budget was about $22 million between 2014 to 2019 and jumped several years in a row to a high of $28.7 million in 2022. Kiffmeyer said if Ellison wants the prosecutors

Shelton

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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From 3 Considering these ‘Athleaders’ are busy playing sports; they currently only serve during summer programming. Born and raised in North Minneapolis, Shelton is a husband, father, and an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach for North Community High School in Minneapolis. As a self-proclaimed lover of the community, he says, “What we learn on the field in terms of social skills and being a team player, crosses over into real life.” Shelton wants his players to be good stewards on the field and in their daily lives.”

MN.gov

of our bipartisan bill to provide relief to small business owners, and with our state’s historic budget surplus, we have an opportunity to continue to invest in our small businesses that move Minnesota forward.” “Minnesota new business starts are exploding in 2022 as entrepreneurs see new opportunity in our economy,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove. “There’s no better way to get them oﬀ to a great start than to invest in the incentives and workforce supports that the Governor’s budget proposes this legislative session.”

DEED Commissioner Steve Grove to be a priority, he can shift money and personnel within the office. And she jabbed at Ellison for suing 13 businesses or event organizers over violating COVID-19 restrictions set by Walz during the pandemic to limit spread of the disease before vaccines were widely available. “The attorney general seemed to have plenty of time and resources to go out in rural Minnesota and shut businesses down which I don’t see in his jurisdiction necessarily,” Kiffmeyer said. “But he went out and used resources to do it. So I said, ‘Ok, this year you’ve got time and resources, use that for criminal prosecution.’” Ellison, whose mother died of COVID-19, said the pandemic regulations were an effort to save lives and that he had to prosecute those breaking the law. It would have been unfair to let some businesses flout regulations while others were adhering to them, he said. Rather than fund the team of prosecutors at the AG’s office, Kiffmeyer instead pushed $100,000 into more training for prosecutors. That was four times the request of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, which had asked for $25,000. The association has seen lots of turnover, so developing expertise and training the attorneys who train everyone else has been a priority. Kiffmeyer said through training counties can help themselves, and they can rely on help from other counties.

That avoids the “attorney general sucking up all this stuff into his office,” and is cheaper, she said. (Though, Robert Small, executive director for the County Attorneys Association, said it’s a “resource issue for our Greater Minnesota county attorneys” and increased AG staff would benefit them.) The rift between Ellison and Kiffmeyer goes beyond funding and COVID-19 mandates, however. Kiffmeyer this year has pushed a bill to limit outside attorneys the AG can bring in. At issue is Ellison’s use of environmental lawyers from a program at New York University’s law school. The initiative at NYU pays for lawyers to help state attorneys general on environmental issues. And the program is funded in part by the nonprofit Bloomberg Philanthropies, which distributes money from ex-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Those attorneys have helped Ellison on several cases, including action against the fishing sinker and battery part manufacturer Water Gremlin, which was releasing dangerous chemicals. Notably, they’ve also helped Ellison on a consumer-protection case accusing ExxonMobil and others of deceiving Minnesotans about climate change. Republicans see the attorneys as influencing the AG’s office to meet Bloomberg objectives. Ellison disagrees, and in pointed testimony at a conference committee hearing

Monday on state government funding, said the lawyers are sworn to help only him and act as employees at his discretion. The office also uses other similar grant programs. One lawyer on a different grant program is on the office’s wage theft unit. Ellison also believes Kiffmeyer’s bill limiting the AG’s employees would be an unconstitutional intrusion into the work of an independently elected statewide office. Ellison, for his part, maintains it’s not so easy to shift prosecutors to a different role in areas where they don’t have expertise. And that leaves him with less time and resources for other issues. (Though Ellison did shift resources when boosting the prosecutors helping counties from one to three.) He also didn’t give Kiffmeyer much credit for funding increases, saying they’ve been the result of negotiations with Walz and the House, not her, and the money has still been inadequate. Most of all, he said this was the third time he’s asked for money for extra prosecutors. “This is not in response to the crime spike,” he said. “It would help the crime spike but that’s not the origin. I recognized from day one that we needed to have a stronger, bigger group to do criminal prosecution in Minnesota. She’s opposed it from the very beginning.” This article was originally published on MinnPost.

Until age 18, Shelton attended Jerry Gambles Boys and Girls Club in Minneapolis. He remembers always wanting to own a club or be involved with one. When a friend who had a similar club plan decided to pursue another career path, Shelton asked to take over the plan. The friend agreed and in 2012 HYSF started holding basketball camps; in 2016 it became an oﬃcial nonprofit 501c3 adding baseball, football, soccer, and golf for grades K-6. Sessions are held in 6-week increments. The program is at various locations including, La Creche Early Childhood Center, Jerry Gambles Boys and Girls Club, and Beacon After School Programs. Shelton wants his

foundation to give inner city youth a chance to have fair representation; knowledge of the ins and outs of diﬀerent sports leagues; and the understanding of diﬀerent sports careers. He wants youth to understand, “You can be more than just a player. If you want to stay in sports, there are other ways, like refereeing, life guards, and agents”. Shelton has a background in programing and was also a multi-sports participant growing up. From soccer, to baseball, to basketball, Shelton stayed in a sport each season of each year. He told Insight News, “I played baseball at North High and we did not win a game in four years. I knew I was good enough to play in college, but I did not have anyone to help me. This is another reason I started this [foundation]. I wanted to make sure that children who have goals and dreams to play sports after high school have the help they needed.” Taking his support

role seriously, he has written letters, spoken to scouts, and made numerous calls to coaches, all to help his players. To help youth reach their sporting potential, Shelton is working with Mikey Grant for Golf; Crystal Taylor for Tennis; Mario Wimberly and Karen Foundation for soccer programming. The Foundations numbers have increased since 2012, beginning with 24 youth served annually to 150 youth served in 2021. Heritage was also featured on the ‘Today Show’ with Al Roker. Shelton says in summer of 2021, he got a mysterious call asking if the show could spotlight the foundation. Months later, he got a follow up call and was featured on the show along with some of the youth from his program. Gatorade has also contacted him to do some partnership work. With participants and partnerships growing, this sports foundation is sure to make continued waves. With a leader like Shelton, who is humble, reserved, and likes to serve his community, his vision of Strengthening his community through service and sports, is soon to be actualized. By providing quality and aﬀordable sports programming to the community, everybody wins. Heritage Youth Sports Foundation has something for every youth interested in sports. For more information, contact Mike Shelton at 612-229-7901. Brandi D. Phillips is a Freelance Wellness and Lifestyle writer. She is also a mother of 2 and a partner in life. If you have questions or comments regarding this article, please contact Brandi at wellifethreesixty@gmail.com.

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Insight News • May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022 • Page 5

Education Apply for the Chance to Receive a $10K Scholarship and a $5K Stipend

HBCU students: Electrify your future with Chevrolet and the Discover the Unexpected Fellowship! By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Aspiring content creators, journalists, and communications experts can find themselves at the forefront of change by covering the exciting and continued transformation from gas to electric vehicles during the Chevrolet and National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) expanded 2022 Discover The Unexpected (DTU) Fellowship program. The program oﬀers students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) internships to explore various roles in journalism while developing their skills as change agents in their communities. Now in its sixth year, the program will award selected students with 10week internships starting June 7th and continuing

through

August 14, 2022. Each fellow will receive a $10,000 scholarship, a $5,000 stipend, and access to a new 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. They’ll also enjoy “a journalism fellowship of a lifetime.” The NNPA, the trade association of the more than 230 African Americanowned newspapers and media companies in the United States, will host six students with prestigious news organizations across the broadcast, film, and journalism disciplines. Selected students will focus on digital and social media content creation. At the same time, Chevrolet will award five additional students with the opportunity to work within the brand’s business at General Motors corporate facilities. “We are very excited about the launch of DTU,” said NNPA Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards.

“Chevrolet and the NNPA’s Discover the Unexpected program provides the opportunity for HBCU students to strengthen their journalistic skills while working with the Black Press. This opportunity also allows the Black Press to learn from these bright minds in this everchanging digital world. We are grateful for Chevrolet’s continued investment in our community,” Richards stated. Chevrolet oﬃcials called DTU a “cornerstone of Chevrolet’s ongoing commitment to promote diverse voices and perspectives.” The auto maker said it’s happy to continue its partnership with the NNPA. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA President and CEO, concluded, “We salute General Motors, and in particular Chevrolet, for continuing to oﬀer these transformative fellowships. Discover the Unexpected (DTU) Fellowships are the most

Pictured: 2021 Discover The Unexpected Fellowship alumni. To learn more about their stories and the Chevrolet NNPA Discover the Unexpected Fellowship visit: https://www.nnpa.org/chevydtu/. rewarding and academically enriching experiences for Generation Z journalists and the Black Press of America.” Fellows must be between 18 and 22 to enter – except in Alabama, where the minimum age is 19. To enter, applicants must complete the application

process by 11:59 PM PST on Monday, May 16, 2022, by uploading the specific information to the fellowship website at https://www. nnpa.org/chevydtu/ via hotlinks or in PDF format. Oﬃcials will contact the selected 2022 Discover the Unexpected Fellows via email

on or about May 21, 2022. They must respond that they accept the Fellowship within seven days, or an alternate Fellow will be selected. Learn more about the Chevrolet NNPA Discover the Unexpected Fellowship: https:// www.nnpa.org/chevydtu/.

Biden Administration leads 55 nations in setting new global internet rules By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The Biden administration and 55 countries have partnered to call for a new Declaration for the Future of the Internet. Administration oﬃcials said the declaration is part of a “response to a rising trend of digital authoritarianism, including Russia’s actions to block credible news sites and promote disinformation during and leading up to the invasion of Ukraine. The document spells out ways to promote a shared vision among the countries while acting within their jurisdictions and under their respective laws.

Schumer From 3 years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.” The president noted that shortly after the enactment of Texas law S.B. 8 and other laws restricting women’s reproductive rights, he directed his Gender Policy Council and the White House Counsel’s Oﬃce to prepare options for an administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. “We will be

Ryan From 3 more than 100-year history to hold such a position. “It’s been 25 years, so what an honor,” Ryan said. She added that the secret to her longevity is simply keeping her head down and doing the work. “It’s not about me. It’s about the story,” Ryan insisted. “Along the way, people found out about me, but if you’re true to the story and telling all sides, that’s where my longevity has been.” With fake news, misinformation, and social media wreaking havoc on traditional journalism, Ryan maintains that she’s praying for a middle ground. “There’s always been opinion, but now the line is obscured more than ever, and there’s misinformation,” she asserted. “People are in need of facts. They don’t need lies and entertainment. They need facts. We’re in perilous times where the gas prices are higher than they’ve ever been. We’re looking at stores, and they can’t keep stuﬀ on the shelves. “We’re dealing with a pandemic, and we’re watching one conflict on television when there are several around the world. “The World Food

“In signing this Declaration, the United States and partners will work together to promote this vision and its principles globally,” the White House said in a fact sheet. ready when any ruling is issued,” Biden declared. “If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected oﬃcials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose,” he decided. “And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice oﬃcials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.” Meanwhile, Schumer proclaimed that the upcoming mid-term elections will have severe consequences “because the rights of a hundred million women are now on the ballot.” “To help fight this

court’s awful decision, I urge every American to make their voices heard this week and this year,” Schumer remarked. “I urge Americans to call their members, to write their members, to email their members, to text their members, and most of all to cast their ballots.” He concluded: “Make no mistake: the blame for this decision falls squarely on Republican Senators and the Senate Republicans as a whole, who spent years pushing extremist judges, spent years confirming three far-right justices to the Supreme Court, but who claimed somehow this day would never come. But this day has come, and we will fight it all the way.”

Organization says it can’t meet the demand for food. We are in a crisis. It’s a pandemic, and people are wearing masks, and then they’re not wearing masks. We need facts, and I don’t have the stomach for entertainment when the stakes are so high.” An honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta, Ryan has earned numerous journalism awards, including the 2019 Freedom of the Press Award from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Last year, Ryan earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Social Justice Impact. Backing up her oftenprofessed love of her hometown, Ryan has served as a mentor to aspiring journalists, and she’s assisted the development of up-and-coming broadcasters. She’s authored “The Presidency in Black and White,” “At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White,” and “Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House.” “I watched history, and now I’m scribing the first woman of color who identifies as Black as vice president,” Ryan stated. “Now, I see someone who identifies closely to Thurgood Marshall, this amazing Black woman who is authentic in herself with her braids, beautiful brown hue, and voice that comes out of the wisdom of our ancestors and our culture and history.” Ryan said she’s

also honored that the WHCA will honor Ethel Payne and Alice Dunagan, two Black Press alumni who blazed trails as White House reporters. “I stand on their shoulders. So many of us stand on their shoulders,” Ryan said. “They are brave women, and I thank them because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be in the room.” Ryan counts daughters Ryan and Grace as her life’s “greatest work.” “I’m a Baltimorean. I grew up, and I’m still here,” Ryan declared. “I can’t leave, my family is here, and I know that there’s this vibe here.” She said Baltimore is primed for a comeback, much like the recent rise of Detroit, which had for decades been mired in problems that stemmed from local government mismanagement and other woes. “Baltimore is a real community, and I’m an HBCU baby who grew up on the campus of Morgan State, where my mother worked until she died,” Ryan related. “My heart is here, and I want to see Baltimore come back like Detroit. I see Morgan State’s renaissance, and it’s like a Phoenix – one of the most beautiful schools in the country, and it’s in the heart of Baltimore City. Like Maya Angelou said and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson repeated, ‘and still I rise.’”

It focuses on internet safety, including promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms online and ensuring people globally can access safe and reliable Internet. According to the document, partners “actively support a future for the Internet that is an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure. “We further aﬃrm our commitment to protecting and respecting human rights online and across the digital ecosystem.” “Partners in this Declaration intend to work toward an environment that reinforces our democratic systems and promotes active participation of every citizen in democratic processes, secures and protects individuals’ privacy, maintains secure and reliable connectivity, resists

efforts to splinter the global Internet, and promotes a free and competitive global economy,” administration officials said. Further, the declaration’s principles include commitments to:  Protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people;  Promote a global Internet that advances the free flow of information;  Advance inclusive and affordable connectivity so that all people can benefit from the digital economy;  Promote trust in the global digital ecosystem, including through protection of privacy; and  Protect and strengthen the multistakeholder approach to governance that keeps the Internet running for the benefit

of all. “In signing this Declaration, the United States and partners will work together to promote this vision and its principles globally,” the White House said in a fact sheet. “Over the last year, the United States has worked with partners from all over the world – including civil society, industry, academia, and other stakeholders to reaﬃrm the vision of an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet and reverse negative trends in this regard. “Under this vision, people everywhere will benefit from an Internet that is unified unfragmented; facilitates global communications and commerce; and supports freedom, innovation, education, and trust.”

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Insight 2 Health

photo/Jiri Studnicky

The Sun Salutation is a series of 12 gracefully practiced poses usually performed during the morning hours.

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Yoga is helpful in healing the body in many ways.

It’s never too late to start your yoga practice By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer Yoga is a series of poses that help ground the spirit, balance and detoxify the organs, strengthen and lengthen the muscles and limbs as well as improving confidence, mental focus, and clarity. Yoga can seem like an impossible fitness practice, that can only be done by the most flexible people. Social media yogis sometimes choose poses that are not only awe inspiring, but intimidating at the same time. When over forty years of age, yoga can feel like a chore for any person with little recent, prolonged stretching experience. Yoga does not have to be complicated. Participants just start and listen to their body. Yoga does not promote pushing a pose, but rather finding what feels good to the individual body. Is it possible to start

yoga later in life and reap all the possible benefits? It is. A yoga flow that most beginning or returning practitioners start with is the Sun Salutation. This is a series of 12 gracefully practiced poses usually performed during the morning hours. The purpose is to ‘greet’ the sun, because is yoga practices, the sun is seen as the great source of life- thus practitioners, salute the sun upon its rising. These poses can be done in many modified versions including using a chair or bed for those with less mobility or suﬀering from an illness. Yoga is sometimes prescribed as a meditative practice for those suﬀering from a terminal illness. According to yogajournal.com, “Yoga is an excellent anti-aging tool, capable of relieving symptoms and in some cases improving medical outcomes. It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from or how old you are—

movement and yoga can help.” As the body ages, it may encounter many changes in elasticity, stability, speed, strength, and endurance, as well as a diﬀerent perspective on physical goals. Physical needs may go from high impact, weight loss goals to something more relaxing, balancing, and grounding like yoga. It is an option that can help the body heal at any stage of life, especially when there may be some aging or regression in physical capabilities. Yoga should not hurt the body. It is a tool to listen to and connect with personal needs mentally, spiritually, and physically. Below are some of the anti aging benefits of yoga. 1. 1. Osteoporosis/ Osteopenia-By doing weight baring exercises, the body can moderately increase density in the bones. As we age,

bone density decreases and susceptibility to fractures and injury increases. Yoga can help keep the bones strong. 2. ArthritisUsing yoga to relieve arthritic pain is a possibility. Yoga increases range of motion and reduce stiﬀness in joints. 3. Core Strength and Back Pain- Yoga includes many balancing poses that strengthen the core and back. By holding and bending the body for extended periods of time strength is naturally created. Hatha yoga may be helpful as it uses holding poses for longer periods of time. 4. Nerve Issues- When nerves are injured or impaired, pain, cramping, numbness, and tingling can occur. Yoga increases circulation. Circulation increases blood flow to the muscles in the body, possibly helping relieve nerve pain. Movement and body

ways. Age creates stiﬀness, less mobility, elasticity, and strength, among other aging eﬀects. Yoga is often viewed as an anti aging practice and can be done anywhere including in the bed. Any body type and any age can find a style of yoga that works for them. There are many resources online as well as in the community --it just takes a little research. 612Jungle in Minneapolis is owned by a Black woman. Yess Yoga has classes taught by Black yoga professionals as well. Get online and find something that works for you. It is possible to enjoy the aging process. Brandi D. Phillips BS, MBA is a freelance Health and Wellness Writer, Entrepreneur, mother of 2, and life partner. If you have any questions about this article, feel free to contact her at wellifethreesixty@gmail. com.

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awareness are key. 5. Blood pressureResearch has shown that yoga decreases blood pressure due to its relaxing eﬀects. Restorative yoga can help with relaxation. 6. Asthma- If your asthma is aggravated by exercise, using a slower paced, or balanced focus yoga routine can reduce asthmatic symptoms. 7. Insomnia and Sleep IssuesUsing intentional breathing, slow moving, yoga exercises the body can slow down, creating a drowsy or tranquil state. Try doing a slower paced yoga before bed for better rest. 8. Detoxification Twisting, turning, and breathing are all excellent ways to cleanse and heal the organs. Most forms of yoga use breathing exercises and poses that include twist and turns. Yoga is helpful in healing the body in many

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Insight News • May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022 • Page 7

Aesthetically It

Thirty

man of her sexy dreams, Cory. In the course of the novella, we follow Shala’s conflicted feelings about her dream man Cory, her cheating boyfriend Tyler, and having Pooper working her last nerves. Oh, and let us not forget the enigmatic Olga. I must say, reading Thirty was like having a front row seat at an Alfred Hitchcock movie—humor,

suspense, plot twists rolled up into an amazing package, and I couldn’t look away. Just when I thought I had Shala’s story figured out, Sydnor would give me a surprise revelation. M. Sydnor, Jr.’s books and short stories, including Thirty, are available through Amazon and his website, msydnorjr.com. In his words, “I don’t expect to

get rich from my novels and shorts, but I expect to stamp the world with my presence. So, long after I’m gone, my stories will live. Happiness is the key to a long and healthy life, and writing keeps me happy…as long as there’s coﬀee.” Here’s a hat tip to you, Sydnor!

Sharing Our Stories

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor Thirty by M. Sydnor, Jr. When those milestone birthdays come around, that’s a time when we take stock of our lives. Are we where we want to be professionally? Do we have the home and the money we want to support us? Do we have the mate we desire, and if it’s a later milestone, is that mate still a keeper? Where are we at in terms of the goals we set for ourselves earlier in life? Such is the inventory illustrated by M. Sydnor, Jr.’s novella, Thirty. Our story opens with our main character, Shala Caulk, having a torrid, erotic dream featuring her and a smoking hot, bald fantasy brotha. Her dream is rudely interrupted by the bane of her existence— her eccentric downstairs neighbor Olga Swann and Olga’s chihuahua, Pooper, pounding on her apartment door with a bogus claim that water is leaking from Shala’s bathroom. Shala, to say the least, is ticked oﬀ. You guessed it—

it’s her 30th birthday. The sistah’s career isn’t where she wants it to be, and she’s not married. She’s concerned about her looks starting to fade. Her love life consists of a brotha named Tyler, who was a friend until they slept together, and she is increasingly regretting that action. As boyfriend material,

Tyler has not stepped up his game when it came to her birthday by being a no-show. Indeed, the dream man has outdistanced the one she’s stuck with. Among the partygoers for this milestone event were Shala’s sister Sheila and her BFF Patrice— and, to her surprise, the bald

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