Insight ::: 09.18.2023

City provides co-working space and business development resources to Brooklyn

Park-based entrepreneurs Brooklyn Park Small Business Center (BPSBC), 7970 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, launched last month with a grand opening on August 23rd.

A small business incubator and co-working space, the Center seeks to serve historically marginalized entrepreneurs from Brooklyn Park and beyond. The Brooklyn Park Small Business Center

Annabel

The sale of cannabinoid edibles within the Brooklyn Center was legalized in 2022. Current regulations on the THC edibles include;

Age restriction set at 21 years

On-site consumption restrictions

Testing requirements

Labeling and packaging requirements; no cartoonlike characters or fictional or real persons, not similar to meat products, not resemble commercial food products, not modeled after a product brand that is consumed or marketed to children.

THC edibles businesses to register with the State by October 1, 2023.

Age verification requirement upon sale THC edibles be displayed behind the checkout counter or in a locked case.

by Insight News Insight News Vol 50 No 38• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews com Vol. 50 No. 38• The Journal For Business & The Arts • insightnews.com September 18 18, 2023 , 2023 - September 24, 2023 - 2023

Susan Pha.

described its mission as creating a vibrant ecosystem where small businesses from diverse communities can thrive as they grow.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and 3rd District Congressman Dean Phillips supported the work of Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority, Hennepin County Commission, Metropolitan Council. and Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies to bring the business development initiative on line.

Indred Alexander, who will manage the Center said “It has been rewarding to work with such incredibly talented people to bring this vision to life. We are eager and ready to assist by pouring into our local businesses.” She said the project reflects Brooklyn Park’s belief in the power of dreams, the spark of creativity, and the strength of unity. The center features amenities and services such as dedicated and co-working spaces, conference rooms, daily

Rep. Ruth Richardson on Sept

1 announced her resignation.

The third-term DFLer from Mendota Heights posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Legislative service is for a season & my season of service is ending effective immediately. I’m filled with gratitude for my family, my community & my colleagues. “I’m honored to have been part of a team that led with our head and our hearts.

Park House Photography file photo Rep. Ruth Richardson speaks on the House Floor May 2. The third-term DFL legislator announced her resignation from the House Sept. 1.

yoga classes, technical advisors, and business workshops. Alexander said the Center plans to offer members the tools they need to grow their businesses. Retail bays, for instance, are tailored to provide small retail businesses with the opportunity to highlight their products directly to customers. Members will enjoy unique benefits such as a furnishings allowance provided to aid in getting thingsup &

one licensing period that is effective from when the license is issued to March 1, 2025, or upon the state issuing a license for the sale of lower potency hemp edibles. Twitter Minnesota State Representative Samantha Vang

I’m proud of the legacy I leave behind & to have worked with community to achieve Paid Family & Medical Leave, establish the nation’s first Missing and Murdered Black Women & Girls Office, end disability & race discrimination in the organ transplant process, & to have led the MN House to become the first legislative chamber in the nation to

declare racism a public health crisis with the bipartisan HR1 establishing the House Select Committee on Racial Justice.” Richardson served on the House Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee this session. Richardson took on the role of president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States last fall. At the time, she said she intended to stay in office and ran for reelection. In an interview with MPR News on Saturday, she said she knows she made a promise to represent her constituents in the Minnesota House. But with so much turmoil around health care and abortion access in the region, she said she had to make a change.

cutting: Jeffrey Lunde, Indred Alexander, Mayor Hollies Winston, I N S I G H T N E W S I S A U D I T E D B Y T H E A L L I A N C E F O R A U D I T E D M E D I A T O P R O V I D E O U R A D V E R T I S E R P A R T N E R S W I T H T H E H I G H E S T L E V E L O F M E D I A A S S U R A N C E INSIGHT NEWS IS AUDITED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA TO PROVIDE OUR ADVERTISER PARTNERS WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MEDIA AS SURANCE. Afrodescendientes FROM BRAZIL WITH LOVE: THE POWER & OPPRESSION OF BLACK BRAZILIAN WOMEN PAGE 4 PAGE 7

Senator Amy Book Review An Anthology edited by Michael Ruhlman and Miesha Wilson Haeden

“While I’m stepping

Natasha Givens transitioned from the corporate grind to baking brilliance, finding solace in crafting tiered cakes. But her true calling was discovered at the intersection

of her art and a groundbreaking idea: incorporating cannabis into her culinary masterpieces. As she baked her way into the cannabis industry with Cream Cakery, Givens not only changed the game for edibles but also championed for the

Children’s Theatre Company opens world of arts for kids

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has announced the upcoming education and engagement programs for fall 2023, winter 2023, and spring 2024. All classes are now available for registration at childrenstheatre.org/classes.

“We are delighted for another year of classes this Fall,” said CTC’s Director of Education Ann Joseph-Douglas.

“I’m pleased to share that we have some new offerings for pre-school and high school students this year. At CTC we are committed to offering a variety of classes for any curious student at all skill levels. From those who are looking to explore theatre for the first time to those who are seeking advance training and performance opportunities.

BPSBC

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running; and to encourage creatively maximizing space. Co-working memberships ensure accessibility and flexibility for emerging entrepreneurs, with options ranging from virtual memberships to private offices.

“I am thrilled to present this highly collaborative project to our community,” said City Project Manager, William Anderson. “Dream Something, Start Something, Grow Something” serves as the center’s ethos, highlighting a commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem for multicultural businesses. Membership applications are currently being accepted. For further details, visit the official website at www.bpsbc.org.

Richardson

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away from elected office, I’m not stepping away from this fight and I will still be committed to community just

Brooklyn Center

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Freedom of expression, building confidence and creating meaningful connections are just a few of the benefits of taking classes at CTC.”

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed theatre for young people and serves a multigenerational audience. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire for more than 250,000 people annually.

CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award® for regional theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony® nominations (for its production of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to creating world-

class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.

CTC’s engagement and learning programs annually serve more than 93,000 young people and their communities through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Neighborhood Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs. ACT One is CTC’s comprehensive platform for access, diversity, and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. childrenstheatre.org

Photos by Uche Iroegbe

as I’ve been before,” she said. Richardson was first elected to the state House in 2018. She said she’s proud of the bills she helped move through the legislature, including the nation’s first office on missing and murdered black women and girls, paid family and medical leave and the creation of the House Select

Mayor Graves issued proclamations of recognition and appreciation for:

 Minnesota State Senator Susan Pha for her dedication and advocacy in support of state funding for Brooklyn Centre during the Minnesota 2023 Legislative Session.

Representative Pha

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Committee on Racial Justice.

“You know, three terms ago when I was a newly elected legislator who had just flipped, a red seat, blue. You know, looking forward to now and what I’ve been able to accomplish with that community, I’m really proud of that,” she said.

According to a

was elected in Minnesota State Center to District 38 in 2022. During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, she served as vice chair of the capital investment committee and as a member of the housing and homeless prevention committees.

 Minnesota State Representative Samantha Vang for her dedication and advocacy in support of state funding for

Givens

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destigmatization of cannabis use and the power of unity among women of color in a male-dominated realm.

After feeling burnt out by the corporate world as a designer and visual artist, Natasha’s journey with baking began when she baked a tiered cake for her friend’s baby shower for the first time.

“I’ve always been

Minnesota Public Radio news report, Richardson said she is resigning now in order to allow plenty of time for her constituents to consider her replacement.

the Brooklyn Center Community Centre during the Minnesota 2023 legislative session.

Representative Vang was elected the Minnesota State House of Representative District 38b in 2018. Additionally, she served as the chair of the agriculture, finance, and policy committee and as a member of the environment and natural resource finance and policy, higher education and financing

fascinated with cake designs. I was like, you know what?

I’m gonna try to bake because I know I could bake, but I was like, let me try actually to bake a tiered cake. And my first attempt was so fulfilling and rewarding, and it allowed me to be creative in ways that I never knew I had,” said Givens. Her creative prowess in cake design quickly became the talk of her circle, receiving praise and surprise at the same event where she showcased her first tiered cake. Despite the initial success in cakes, her journey took a different turn when she joined her brother’s

set that date and to designate Thursday, Nov. 16 as the day when a special primary election, should one be necessary, would be held for the nomination of candidates to the office. Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for the seat must be filed with the Secretary of State or the Dakota County CTC

policy, and legacy finance committees during the 2023 Minnesota legislative session.

 Recreation Deputy Director Joel Ericksen for the over 35 years of dedicated public service.

Ericksen began working for the city of Brooklyn Centre in March 1985 parttime as a building supervisor in the Parks and Recreation Department. He became a full-

cosmetic surgery practice, handling marketing and surgical coordination. However, it was during this phase of her life, being disconnected from her creative roots, that she felt the pull to return to the world of baking with the encouragement of her husband.

While watching a show called Bong Appetit, a show where chefs infuse cannabis into their meals and recipes, Givens became enamored with the idea of incorporating cannabis into her own creations.

“I felt fascinated by this, like, wow, you can actually put medicine into these foods and beautiful desserts. And I started doing lots of research on the plant itself. It’s a lot of science, which interestingly tapped another creative side of me, just the science around cannabis and how amazing and fascinating it is,” said Givens.

Givens, an advocates for the destigmatization of cannabis use, credits the plant with helping her cope with PTSD, depression,

auditor by Tuesday, Sept. 19. District 52B covers a southeastern portion of the Twin Cities that includes Mendota Heights and portions of Eagan. Richardson, a DFLer, was in her third term in the House.

time employee in 1988 as a Recreation Program Supervisor in the same department. In 2021, Ericksen was appointed the interim community recreation services department director. Once the director was hired the same year, Ericksen was appointed the deputy recreation director. He officially retires from Brooklyn Center on October 30, 2023.

and the challenges of single motherhood. For her, cannabis wasn’t just about recreational use—it was a plant-based medicine, a natural alternative that profoundly impacted her well-being. This connection and belief in its benefits motivated her to venture into the cannabis industry.

In 2018, Givens launched Cream Cakery, an acronym for Cake Rules Everything Around Me, and quickly began attracting clientele.

“I literally have grown my business on word of mouth, It’s completely referralbased. Even my cakes are referral-based. I don’t advertise. The only place I advertise is on my personal Facebook and my Instagram,” said Givens.

Last year, Givens was able to showcase her edibles on a larger scale at “Legalization Acceleration,” an event hosted by Hook & Ladder Theater, located in Minneapolis. She credits this event as helping her

At podium: Mayor Hollies Winston, at right, former mayor Jeffrey Lunde, Indred Alexander, US Senator Amy Klobuchar and MN Senator Susan Pha.

Senator Susan Pha, Minnesota State Representative Samantha Vang, and Recreation Deputy Director Joel Ericksen for their dedicated service.

An Anthology edited by Michael Ruhlman and Miesha Wilson Haeden

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor

CLEVELAND NOIR

An Anthology

Edited by Michael Ruhlman and Miesha Wilson Haeden

As a Baby Boomer, when I think of noir, the classic film noir movies of the 1940s and early 1950s immediately come to mind, films like “Double Indemnity,” “Out of the Past,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” “Murder My Sweet,” “Sunset Boulevard,” and the like. Many of them were based upon pulp fiction novels by such authors as Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain.

That being said, in the spirit of noir, Akashic Books has published a series of anthologies, each taking place in a respective city. My review covers their latest anthology, Cleveland Noir, edited by Michael Ruhlman and Miesha Wilson Haeden.

In the world of noir, there are no happy endings. Love stories go south, streets run amok with criminals, drug dealers, dirty cops, deranged denizens of darkness, vindictive characters, and dangerous femmes fatales. Cleveland Noir is no exception. The original short stories contributed by the authors vividly portray the dark underbelly of Cleveland, Ohio.

The anthology is divided into four sections, with stories portraying specific areas of the Cleveland metropolitan area: City Center, The Outliers, The Trendy, and The Heights. From the exclusive enclaves along the lakefront to gentrification to drug-infested, depressed neighborhoods, the authors take us on a trip through the gritty side of life.

Add to the mix is the diversity in the characters Cleveland Noir brings to the table.

Of the writers who contributed to Cleveland Noir, three of them are African American. Amy L. Vandiver’s “Sugar Daddy” is a tale of a dirty cop who ruled the streets of East Cleveland until he learns the hard way that karma is a witch-with-a-capital-B. For Angela Crook’s “Bitter,” the phrase “Revenge is a dish best served cold” fits like a winter glove, and like the winter in the Hough neighborhood, our sistah proceeds to do just that. Finally,

Miesha Wilson Headen’s “The Book of Numbers” tells of a church bookkeeper in Fairfax who’s been cooking the church books for years. Meticulously covering her tracks, she has an answer for everything while she pockets money for herself and

her side business, and nobody has gotten hurt. Or so she thinks… The vivid visuals each author brought to Cleveland Noir kept me reading. In many ways, the stories remind me of a combination of film noir and episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” The famous director is quoted as saying, “Everyone loves a good murder, provided he is not the victim.” All in all, this makes for a fascinating read.

Like its predecessors, Cleveland Noir is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Akashic Books website www.akashicbooks. com.

Thank you for another book to check out on a rainy or snowy afternoon, and a hat tip to Angela, Amy, and Miesha. Representation matters!

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to not only launch her bakery but make connections with folks in the cannabis industry as well, especially with other women.

“The women in cannabis they’re all very much already like, let’s let’s do this together because it’s already heavily male-dominant,” said Givens. “So just seeing that in women as a whole, I would love to see black and brown women come together and have their own kind of collective as well, I think that would be really dope.”

While she’s fortunate to have felt support from the cannabis community, she still expresses the obstacles that come with navigating an industry that’s still emerging from the shadows of societal taboos, especially as a minority.

“There is a lot of paperwork…for a creative person or I would say for again, like a lot of black and brown people, those systemtype procedures can kind of be daunting and kind of scary, honestly,” said Givens, “But I believe in my brand, and I have enough supporters. I have something very unique and creative and special and artistic, and it encompasses so much other than just taking edibles.”

In the near future, Givens hopes to open her own cake studio here in the Twin Cities. As for long term goals, she has aspirations of selling her edibles in dispensaries across the nation.

“I get excited about it because I spent so much time in the corporate world building initiatives and brands. And so to actually have my own that I believe, and I’m passionate about, is exciting. So that would be the dream to be a national brand,” said Givens.