...serving the Hispanic/Latinx/Latine/Latino/Afrodescendientes/Indigenous-Latino and Asian-Latino communities.
YOUTH COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
Episode 3: How We Make Public Health Better
PAGE 6
“Ain’t too Proud” weaves together history and music on its’ Opening Night PAGE 5
ESQUINA LATINA PAGE 10 ADRIANA CERRILLO: A life of Advocacy, Education and Impact PAGE 4 BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR PAGE 2
Click aquí para leer en ESPAÑOL
A special gracias to my clan: My children and grandchildren Lisa Jo, Ben and Julie & Avery & Ella Jo. Siblings: Dalia, Luisa, Tata, Roberto. Primos Mark and Ruben. Nieces Angela, Emina, Gabby, Yvonne and Alia, Suzan and loving friends
Reprint Published Insight News 2017
Battling breast cancer was a tough road. I’m told I’m a warrior, that I have courage and strength. The reality is, I have none of those qualities. I was a puddle of fear, despair, hopelessness, filled with regrets.
But the mind, the mind was all mine! Imagination, pretending whatever I wanted in the privacy of my head was an awesome, powerful feeling. Mamabuelasita, a spicy (mamasita) Abuela (grandma) breast cancer warrior was born. Her chancla her weapon in eliminating the roach cancer like cells.
This hot tamale grandma (or in my case a hot Puerto Rican pastelillo…meat pie) became my symbol of the slayer of breast cancer. Imagination and laughter became my weapons in the fight against breast cancer.
Backstory: The lump was found on July 28th, 2015; biopsy July 31st; lumpectomy Aug. 10th; 2nd surgery Aug. 15th; final diagnose Aug. 28th; insertion of port: Sept. 17th; start of chemo: Sept 22nd end of chemo February 14, 2016; start of radiation February 17, 2016; end of radiation March 25, 2016 (my birthday).
Exactly 8 weeks after discovering a lump on my right breast, I started an aggressive treatment plan of chemotherapy twice a week for 8 weeks once a week for 12 weeks followed by 30 sessions of radiation and hormone meds for 10 years.
Chemo was pretty bad but at least I was a rock star in the infusion room. My sister Dalia and I had lunch. Visited with staff and other ‘guests.’ Played around with head scarfs, make up tips. Except for the wrenching, disgusting side effects, chemo had a sense of community.
Radiation was way worse. Just me, myself, and I.
I had to lay completely still and silent, motionless arm raised for 15 minutes while the laser beam targeted the leaky tumor zapping the
cancer cells. This alone time was too much for me, I had to go into my imagination. I envisioned the cancer cells much like cockroaches. One egg producing thousands of baby roaches, hiding in every crevice in my body.
While a shot of RAID helped control the roach population explosion, the newbies came out with superpowers. Indestructible. That’s how I thought of the beam targeting the roach type cancer cells. The next cancer babies are going to come back stronger than ever! Ready to par-tay with my body.
In almost every Latino household la chancla (slipper) is a powerful weapon. An Abuela with a chancla can be considered a dangerous commando. My imaginary ultra-ego Mamabuelasita came to my rescue. Much like Zena Warrior Princess, she was fierce. Her sword (aka chancla) flattening, squishing, exterminating the not easy to kill, always doubling in numbers, roaches.
Mamabuelasita came to my rescue. She became the eliminator of my roach like cancer cells. Moving across my body with great speed and strength, chancla in hand, ready for the battle.
For 30 days, 15 minutes a day I envisioned Mamabuelasita patiently, quietly, eliminate colonies of roaches and their eggs. From day one she came in
with both chanclas blazing. By day 30 she had upgraded her chanclas to a weapon of mass destruction. SLAM, WHACK, SQUASH … there goes another roach encampment. Ah yes, the imagination is all mine!
Dr. Domínguez Pérez, Oncologist tel:612-863-0200
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in women across every racial and ethnic group in Minnesota. Breast cancer is a complex group of diseases.
There are about 4,800 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed among women each year in Minnesota. In 2021, 661 Minnesota women died from breast cancer.
Click here to see more
Breast and cervical cancer screenings can save your life!
Screenings look for cancer before you have symptoms. When cancer is caught early, it is easier to treat. Sage offers FREE screenings at participating sites for Minnesotans who meet eligibility requirement.
To schedule a screening appointment, call 1-888-6HEALTH (1-888-643-2584) or visit Appointment Scheduling for the Sage Screening Program, fill out the form, and one of our staff will contact you.
Find Sage Screening Participating Providers offering breast and cervical cancer screenings at more than 450 locations across Minnesota.
Recursos en ESPAÑOL: American Breast Cancer Foundation ABCF opera un programa nacional de Breast Cancer Assistance Program (Programa de asistencia de cáncer de mama) para exámenes de detección y diagnóstico para individuos sin seguro y de bajos recursos sin importar de edad, raza, o genero. Puede solicitar asistencia por llamar nuestro número de teléfono gratis 844-219-2223, o nuestra oficina local 410-730-5105 para hablar con nuestro especialista bilingüe. Click aquí para saber más
Adriana Cerrillo’s journey in activism began with a powerful story in 2006. While still in college, she learned of a young immigrant mother in desperate need of emergency medical care, yet facing the threat of deportation. Fueled by a sense of justice and community, Adriana took action. She raised the necessary funds for the woman’s care and established the Juliana Mateo Foundation for Disabled Farmworkers.
Adriana’s passion for education and empowering others only grew from there. In 2011, she co-founded the Future Leaders Academy for Youth in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Academy aims to address disparities in college enrollment for low-income, firstgeneration Latine students. The year-round program provides students and their families with essential tools such as ACT/SAT preparation, essay writing, FAFSA applications, and college tours— equipping students with the resources and confidence to pursue their educational dreams. Her work has changed countless lives, providing underserved students a chance to succeed in higher education.
Her commitment to advocacy didn’t stop with education. Adriana has supported teachers, protested against antiimmigrant legislation, and was honored with the 2013 NAACP Unsung Heroine Award for her activism.
immigrant rights and police accountability. Adriana played a key role in implementing body cameras for the Minneapolis Police Department and worked tirelessly for justice in cases of racial profiling.
In 2020, Adriana achieved a historic milestone: she was elected to the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education, becoming the first Mexican immigrant in the school’s history to hold this position. Her leadership on the board reflects her unwavering commitment to educational equity and community empowerment.
In 2013, she moved to Minneapolis, where she continued championing
Minneapolis School Board Member, Community Organizer, EntrepeneurRadical Consulting LLC facebook.com/adriana.cerrillo.9
Adriana Cerrillo is more than an activist; she is a force for change. As a mother, grandmother, and guardian of her two nephews, she balances her personal life with her profound responsibility to her community.
Through her efforts in education, immigrant rights, and social justice, Adriana continues to make a difference, embodying Nelson Mandela’s words: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Adriana Cerrillo’s story is one of resilience, hope, and a lifelong pursuit of equity, proving that even a single individual can create waves of lasting change.
weaves together history and music on its’ Opening Night
By Jonathan Rosario Writer and Conversaciones de Salud Contributor
“I guess the only thing that lives forever… is the music”, Rudy Foster, playing Otis Williams, candidly exclaimed as “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Time of The Temptations”, produced and written through the mind of Dominique Morisseau, came to a close Tuesday night at the Ordway theater in St. Paul. There have been twenty-seven members of the four time Grammy award winning group from Detroit, The Temptations since 1963. The legendary Motown group, notable for pioneering “psychedelic soul”, amassed fifty three songs on the Billboard 100, with four of those being number one hits. Classic songs that permeated the social and musical fabric of
the sixties and early seventies such as “My Girl”, “I Can’t Get Next To You”, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, “Just My Imagination” and other staples were on display for the opening night of the play.
The play’s main draw is the confluence between dialogue, choreography, and a storyline that delves into the formation of the group, mainly highlighting the only living member to date, Otis Williams. Not many folks are familiar with Williams’ background, he never commanded the stage or handled lead vocals like David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, who went on to solo careers after leaving the group, did. Ain’t Too Proud does a good job, maybe even over saturating at times, the influence of Williams in gathering members and orchestrating the group’s success throughout the years. Foster, on his national tour debut, makes his claim to Williams’ persona as a humorous, serious, albeit motivated musician who serves as the main character and narrator through the historical retelling of the group’s inner dynamics.
If you didn’t look into the group’s history, you wouldn’t notice that each of their number one hits each features a different lead singer, which Morriseau, a 2018 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant recipient, weaves intricately into the story between stellar dance numbers reminiscent of old, but salient flavors of classic Motown. The high turnover rate of singers for the Temptations was described each time the spotlight landed on Williams. I learned things about the group that I never would have imagined had I not gone to see the play, David Ruffin and his addiction to cocaine, Paul Williams’ suicide, Eddie Kendricks’ battle and eventual death from lung cancer, the death and fractured relationship Otis had with his son to name a few.
By Eric Ortiz
Youth led a conversation on health solutions with an emergency doctor and community leaders in the third episode of “Youth Community Journalism.” The show was produced on Friday, Oct. 4, at SPEAK MPLS, a community media center in Minneapolis.
Youth Community Journalism — Episode 3: How We Make Public Health Better
The purpose of “Youth Community Journalism — Episode 3: How We Make Public Health Better” is to raise awareness about the state of public health, share stories, and present solutions to public health issues.
In partnership with Conversaciones de Salud at Carmen Robles and Associates LLC, the Youth Community Journalism Institute at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation led this in-depth conversation about the impact of public health issues on our communities with local experts, community leaders, and affected families.
Our guests:
*Dr. Dziwe Ntaba, emergency room doctor at Fairview Health Services, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and co-director of Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, community education and engagement
*Cassie Holmes, Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, Inc., East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) board member, Little Earth community leader
*Tommy McBrayer, founder and CEO of Don’t Shoot Guns Shoot Hoops
Our youth community journalism team led the conversation and production of the show. The program’s host was Christian Flores, a 14-year-old ninth grader at South High School. Co-host and technical director was Cal Ortiz, a 9-year-old fourth grader at Risen Christ Catholic School.
Show topics included:
*Current state of public health globally and in Minneapolis
*Level of trauma in communities
*Emergency care and what’s happening in emergency rooms today
*Historical mistreatment, trauma, patient experience, and poor health outcomes and more.
This show was broadcast live on channel 75 of Comcast in Minneapolis as part of SPEAK MPLS TV, the home of Minneapolis public access TV.
The show also was live streamed on the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Facebook page
Replays will be on Mondays at 5 p.m. on Channel 16 on Comcast in Minneapolis. The replay will begin airing weekly on Oct. 14. Click here to read the FULL article Click here to watch Youth Community Journalism — Episode 3: How We Make Public Health Better
Traditional Aztec dance group Danza Ketzal performs at the community solutions festival on September 21
Our next community event is Phillips Clean Sweep on Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.2 p.m. at Stewart Park in Minneapolis (2700 S 12th Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407) with all four Phillips neighborhoods in Minneapolis. It is a familyfriendly resource fair with free food, music, and activities
En 2021, trescientas cuarenta personas del condado de Hennepin murieron por sobredosis de opioides. El uso inapropiado y la adicción a los opioides afectan a las personas en todo el país.
Datos sobre los opioides: hennepin.us/opioid-dashboard
Prevención de las sobredosis y procedimiento de respuesta
Naloxona (Narcan)
La sobredosis de medicamentos es evitable. La naloxona (también conocida como Narcan) es un medicamento que puede revertir una sobredosis de opioides. Cualquier persona puede conseguir naloxona sin una receta en Red Door Clinic para sí misma y para amigos o familiares. Red Door Clinic no comparte el nombre ni la dirección de los solicitantes con nadie.
• Llame a Red Door Clinic al 612-543-5555
• Llame al condado de Hennepin al 612-348-4111
Dirección de Red Door: Fourth floor, Health Services Building 525 Portland Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55415
Horario de Red Door:
• Lunes, Martes, Miércoles y Viernes: 8 a.m. a 4 p.m.
• Jueves: 10 a.m. a 4 p.m.
El personal de Red Door habla español, somalí y hmong.
The HUE-MAN Partnership, led by Clarence Jones, and the Hawthorne Huddle, directed by Diana Hawkins, are at the forefront of the fight against opioid misuse in Hennepin County, Minneapolis. Alongside Carmen Robles, director of Conversaciones de Salud, these dedicated leaders are working to combat the opioid crisis within the community. Through collaborative efforts, education, and community outreach, they aim to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected by opioid misuse. We thank them for their commitment and tireless efforts to create a healthier, safer community for all.
Excellent Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month. A collection of our favorite picture books featuring Hispanic - Latinx characters, authors, and illustrators. Click here to SEE MORE
Guacamaya roja: lo que debes saber
La guacamaya roja es una especie grande de loro que mide alrededor de 90 centímetros de largo. La guacamaya roja se encuentra en los bosques tropicales y subtropicales de América Central y del Sur, desde México hasta Brasil.
Aunque Puerto Rico ha estado en las noticias en los últimos años debido a la devastación causada por el Huracán María y algunos conflictos políticos, muchas personas aún saben
Uno de cada cuatro latinoamericanos se identifica como afrodescendiente, conformando la minoría más invisibilizada de América Latina. Con alrededor de 133 millones de personas, la mayoría de esta población se concentra en Brasil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, México y Ecuador.
Del total, 34 millones están en edad escolar y enfrentan desigualdades en la escuela, obtienen peores resultados de aprendizaje y tienen una mayor probabilidad de abandonar el sistema educativo antes que el resto de sus pares no afrodescendientes.
Click aquí para SABER MÁS
El Café Colombiano: Historia, Variedades y Cultura Cafetera
El café colombiano es famoso en todo el mundo por los diferentes tipos de café que se dan en el territorio, y buena parte de la identidad cultural colombiana está amarrada al cultivo de este fruto.
El café colombiano y sus tipos son motivo de orgullo para Colombia, debido a que nuestro café es considerado como el mejor café suave del mundo, debido a las condiciones naturales de las plantaciones donde se cultiva como al proceso de producción y recolección.
Click aquí para SABER MÁS
13 de julio de 1954 murió en México Frida Kahlo, una mujer cuya vida estuvo marcada por un terrible accidente y por su amor al arte y a las tradiciones de su país.
Click aquí para SABER MÁS
