Insight News ::: 01.22.18

W I N N E R : 2 017 N N PA M E R I T AW A R D S : 2 N D P L A C E B E S T S P E C I A L E D I T I O N

Insight News January 22 - January 28, 2018

Vol. 45 No. 4• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Leading with Health Insight2Health Fitness Challenge begins Feb. 17 TURN TO PAGE 6

Founders of Noir Elite Fitness, Chaz Sandifer (left) and Valerie Fleurantin will lead the upcoming Insight2Health Fitness Challenge, which begins Feb. 17 at North Community High School in Minneapolis. Photo: Uchechukwu Iroegbu

Page 2 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

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Minnesota celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo collage of the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Breakfast at the Minneapolis Armory and the 32nd Annual State of Minnesota Governor’s Council Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; both held Jan. 15 in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photos by Uchechukwu Iroegbu, collage by Sunny Yang

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Insight News • January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

MORE ON PAGE 10

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Insight News January 22 - January 28, 2018

Vol. 45 No. 4• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Newly sworn-in senator says she is running for full term come November

Sen. Smith calls Trump out for racist comments; says tide has shifted for women

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor @HarryColbertJr It took less than two weeks on the job for Minnesota’s newest senator to have had her fill of the nation’s president.

Sen. Tina Smith did not mince words during an interview with Black media in calling out the nation’s 45th president for his racist insult of Haiti and African nations. Smith was responding to the Jan. 11 comments made

by President Donald Trump during a meeting with senators at the White House regarding immigration – comments where he called those nations, “shitholes.” Smith’s interview with the Black press, including Insight News, followed the annual MLK Holiday Breakfast (Jan. 15) – an event in honor of civil and human rights icon, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Smith said Trump’s comments were both racist and

not surprising.

“There have been so many times over the past year that the president has said or done something that greatly concerns me, but what he said last week was such a dramatic demonstration of his racism,” said Smith. “It’s shocking to me that someone who speaks for our country speaks in such hateful terms. It reminds me that I don’t think he understands who this country really is.”

Smith, who up until a couple of weeks ago was Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, now has the distinction of being senator following Gov. Mark Dayton’s appointment to fill the seat vacated by Al Franken amid allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women by Franken. While the allegations did not rise to the level of the multiple allegations facing Trump nor one-time Alabama senate hopeful Roy Moore, they were troubling nonetheless, and led many to call for Franken’s resignation. With Smith sworn

Uchechukwu Iroegbu

Sen. Tina Smith told members of Black media that Trump’s racism is not reflective of the majority in the United States. in on Jan. 3, Minnesota has the rare distinction of having both of its senators being women; Sen.

Amy Klobuchar being the state’s senior senator. California, New Hampshire and Washington are

the only other states represented exclusively by women in the Senate.

SMITH 4

Thor Companies steps into founding partner role in support of Minnesota Super Bowl activities MSBHC has scheduled to take place in the weeks leading up to the actual Super Bowl game itself, and for the staffing and construction/infrastructure costs associated with those activities.

Thor CEO Ravi Norman said as Minnesota’s largest Black-owned company, Thor uniquely represents the interests of minority communities in the Twin Cities and throughout the state, allowing it to serve as the voice of inclusiveness for the Super Bowl host committee.

“THOR is the first AfricanAmerican owned company to ever be involved at such a high level of sponsorship with a Super Bowl host committee organization,” said Copeland.

He also noted that Thor

Growing a business is a contact sport, one that Thor Companies excels in – and now the company has stepped up its game to an even higher level, making a bigleague play as a founding partner of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee (MSBHC).

“As a Founding Partner, Thor Companies joins with other major Minnesota-based companies in contributing to the MSBHC’s efforts to make the Super Bowl experience accessible and enjoyable to all Minnesotans,” said Richard Copeland, founder and chairman of Minneapolis-based Thor Companies.

Thor, with its sponsorship investment of $1.3 million, joins up with 23 other founding. The sponsorship dollars help pay for the many community-related events and activities that the

Ravi Norman

Richard Copeland

THOR 4

TRANSFORMATION: The third floor

Trump’s racism unmasked

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor @HarryColbertJr

By Randall Bradley Architect Thor.

The third-floor concrete slab has been wrapped, heated, poured, finished, blanketed, cured and stripped. This floor will hold offices. Construction on this floor shall include the installation of duct openings and sleeves for the electrical and plumbing floor-to-floor penetrations. These openings and penetrations and sleeves allow for the ducts and conduit and piping of the heating, ventilation air-conditioning, electrical and plumbing system to be installed. The bulk of this work is being done in the

TRANSFORMATION

DailyKos

When it comes to issues of race, President Donald Trump should keep quiet as he is a racist and a danger to us all.

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Recently a vacant lot, the Thor Companies headquarters continues to take shape.

9

Business Education

Hope Community Despite Unequal and Best open Treatment,Buy Black Best Buy Teen Women Will Rise Tech Center in Minneapolis

PAGE 4

News 2 Health Insight Insight2Health Don’t complain, activateChallenge Fitness comes to North Minneapolis led by Noir Elite Fitness

5 PAGE 6

Time for some frank realities.

I am Black first. I wish I could be American first, but that’s not reality. I wish I could be human first, but that’s simply not reality. I want to be looked at as American. I want to be seen as human. That’s my want.

My reality ... I’m Black, and then maybe, just maybe ... I’m American and human. That’s the truth. A truth from which many of us run. Some are wincing just by reading this, but at their core the know this is truth.

I can trace my ancestry (on my mother’s side) back to a plantation in South Carolina. We were owned by a wealthy judge of French descent. For my father’s side, all I know is my grandfather was born in Washington, Ind. White people can generally

I2H Community

African War on American opioids hurts sickle cell Heritage Calendar disease patients showcases accomplishments

6 PAGE 9

tell you the neighborhood in Europe from which they hail.

Whites in America can claim Irish pride, English pride, Italian pride, Norwegian pride, Polish pride. The list goes on. I know no such luxury.

What I do know is my roots lie in Africa ... somewhere. I’m sure it’s a place this nation’s president deems a “shithole.”

I was born and live in a land where up until 1865 my people ...

Black people of varying nations of Africa and later, varying shades due to rape by force, threat of force or because Black women simply knew their “role” or “place” – rape nonetheless ... were regarded as property, not people and nothing more.

Following more than 200 years ... more than 200 years ... of brutal slavery, Blacks in America “advanced” to sharecroppers, maids, janitors; and for the really lucky ones, Pullman porters.

REALITIES 4

Commentary AS

Black The Chronicles in chef’sof Miss Freedom whites: Profiles Fighter, Esquire: of peopleEnding of color mass incarceration in the Twin Cities restaurant industry

7 PAGE 10

Page 4 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

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Education

New youth support center is fourth in Twin Cities, 15th nationally

Hope Community and Best Buy open Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Minneapolis Community leaders and residents gathered this past Tuesday (Jan. 16) to celebrate the grand opening of the newest Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Hope Community in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.

The new location is the fourth to open in the Twin Cities and 15th to open nationwide.

At the center, teens can explore a variety of

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Abeni Hill Contributing Writers Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb

technologies including design, music production, programming and more.

Young women attending the center can participate in the Career Pathway program sponsored by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, which offers post-high school career readiness help, including internships and mentorship.

“We at Hope have learned that technology is a powerful vehicle for youth to learn, develop new skills, share their story and speak up for their beliefs,” said Hope Community Executive Director Shannon Jones.

“Youth come here because they find opportunities that don’t exist elsewhere, and a community of people that believe in their brilliance.”

Best Buy Teen Tech Centers address the region’s and nation’s opportunity gap by offering teens free, yearround, hands-on technology access and education in an

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

after-school setting. The new center at Hope Community, 611 E. Franklin Ave., is open 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday. Teens

between the ages of 13-18 can use the center by becoming members, and membership is free.

“Over the next decade, 1.4 million U.S. jobs will

require tech skills, yet only 400,000 people will be trained for these jobs,” said Best Buy Community Relations Director Andrea Wood. “With community-

Experiential after-school program supports students in North Minneapolis

Junior Achievement and Metropolitan Economic Development Association partner to develop young entrepreneurs of color Entrepreneurship in the United States is on the rise.

Twelve percent of U.S. adults are involved in some form of earlystage entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial activity by ethnicity shows the highest rates among AfricanAmericans at 14 percent, and immigrants are more likely to start a business than nonimmigrants. The positive impact of entrepreneurship on minority families is dramatic. For example, the average net wealth of an African-American family in the U.S. is $10,000; this figure increases 600 percent if an entrepreneur is in the household. Latino households see an increase of 300 percent when an entrepreneur is in the household.

Junior Achievement of

Smith From 3 Smith said she sees a tectonic shift in how women are

Thor From 3

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)

William Woodworth

Mentor Armani Wade (glasses) and technology student Dredrick Cox working on a design program at the new Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Hope Community.

based job readiness resources declining, we’re working to provide essential access to technology tools and training, and couldn’t be happier to make a difference for underserved teens and families in our own backyard.”

Hope Community’s mission is to create connections that strengthen the power of community members and communities.

Based in the Phillips Community just two miles south of downtown Minneapolis, Hope has developed 263 apartment homes with partners (70 percent affordable. More than 700 youth and adults connect annually with Hope.

The goal is by 2020, 60 Best Buy Teen Tech Centers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico will enable nearly 20,000 teens annually to experience technology through year-round, afterschool programs.

Realities From 3

spirit that resides in this young generation,” said Gina Blayney, president

and CEO of JAUM. “We believe this program will equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the business world, which will ultimately create economic opportunities that support the growth and vibrancy of our community.”

in youth of color,” said Gary Cunningham, president and CEO of MEDA. “Studies show that minority entrepreneurship has an incredible, positive effect on families. So, it becomes important to foster this entrepreneurial

I am excited about this partnership MEDA has with Junior Achievement on this innovative program. It is an investment into the future of our community and these students.”

viewed in America.

“We’ve hopefully come to a tipping point as to how women are treated in the workplace.

Whether in the United States Senate, or working in a hotel or a restaurant, you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,” said Smith.

While the circumstances of Smith becoming a senator are auspicious, she said she is in Washington with a clear mission to represent all of Minnesota’s people and interests.

“I take with me the philosophy of (former Sen.) Paul Wellstone, who said ‘now is not

the time for tippy-toe politics,’” said Smith, saying she is not in D.C. to simply fill a seat. “I need to be in Washington fighting for Minnesota right away.”

Smith will serve on several Senate committees including the committees of Health, Education, Labor

and Pensions, Indian Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Closing the interview Smith said she is without a doubt going to run for the seat’s full term come November.

Companies was hired by Noel Lesley Event Services, the NFL’s general contractor for Super Bowl-related staging and construction, to supply construction labor and obtain requisite municipal permits

“Thor stands united with the host committee and its corporate partners in creating opportunities for all Minnesotans to engage in the Super Bowl-related festivities and celebrations that will take place across the Twin

Cities, leading up to Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 4, 2018,” said Lea Hargett, vice president of Thor Consulting. “We are working especially hard with the MSBHC to reach out to minority communities welcoming and

encouraging them to participate in any and all of the communityfocused Super Bowl activities on tap in the Twin Cities in the coming weeks.”

Yes, a handful (on scale) here and there were able obtain an education (remembering it was against the law ... against

the law ... for Blacks to read during slavery). And trust, it wasn’t openly encouraged immediately following.

While slavery ended in 1865, oppression reigned for another 100-plus years. Some (myself included) argue we are still oppressed. Yeah, I can drive in my Cadillac, but I do so peering through the rearview mirror hoping I’m not the next Sandra Bland, the next Walter Scott, the next Terence Crutcher ... the next Philando Castile.

And yes, within my lifetime we elected Barack Obama ... a Black man ... to the office of President of the “United” States.

Hell, we elected him twice.

And now we’re paying for electing that “uppity negro.”

Now we have Donald Trump.

Sixty-two million (statistically almost all white) people voted for him. Yes, a handful of non-whites voted for him. Sadly, self-hate is real and to some, “massa” has been good and the white man’s ice will always be colder. But again, now we have Trump.

To paraphrase coaching great Dennis Green, Trump

is who we thought he is. He’s the monster ... but he’s not Frankenstein. To me he’s a blithering idiot, with what I’ll assume are pieces of a brain, but he’s not a genius. Listen to him speak ... read his Tweets.

On the IQ scale, Trump’s most likely rating is “dullness” to “borderline deficiency.”

Again, he’s just the hideous monster.

White supremacy ... white complicity ... that’s the real Frankenstein.

Even if you didn’t vote for Trump, as a white person, if you do not speak out ... and speak out loudly ... you are the problem.

Like I said at the very beginning, it’s time for frank reality. I know there are many white people reading this right at this very moment with several “friends” of color who have been in a room (more than once) with whites and heard them spew their racist vile and those “friends” sat silent.

A few of you even joined in.

So, this message is directed squarely at you.

You are the problem. I’m not in that room. In many ways I can never get in that room, so I can’t speak out. But if you

are in that room and you allow this racism to continue, then it is you who is no better than the Donald Trumps, Steve Bannons, Steve Millers and David Dukes of the world. Period.

Don’t call me your friend and not stand up for me when I don’t have the opportunity to stand up for myself.

So, Trump said people from Haiti and Africa are from “shitholes,” huh? I’m a Black man in America. Sit down with me and millions of others and let’s talk about what a shithole really looks like.

Oh yeah, all white liberals, please stop saying your ancestor came from places Trump would have called “shitholes.” He was clear in singling out locations rich in melanin, so please stop with your false equivalencies.

Say Trump is a racist and end the sentence with either a period of exclamation point ... but after the word racist, end the sentence, nothing more needs to be said.

Make America great again?

I’m a Black person in America.

When was America ever great for Black people?

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“The Junior Achievement – MEDA fellow program is an important investment

spirit in students as they make long-term decisions about education and career.

the Upper Midwest (JAUM) and Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) are collaborating to leverage this positive impact through a new initiative to develop young entrepreneurs of color.

Through the program, students from Patrick Henry Senior High School in North Minneapolis are paired with entrepreneur volunteers from MEDA client companies. Volunteers were selected based on the student’s specific area of interest to mentor them on all aspects of starting a business.

Students will create, market, and run an actual company, and will have the option to continue the company at the conclusion of the program.

“We are excited to partner with MEDA to cultivate the entrepreneurial

We believe this program will equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the business world, which will ultimately create economic opportunities that support the growth and vibrancy of our community.

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Insight News • January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Page 5

A View Post Grad FUNdraising from Chronicles Good Times Campus

By ByMel Julianne Pearl Malveaux Byand Abeni HillShaw

By Latisha Townsend

Page 6 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

Insight 2 Health

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Leading with Health:

Insight2Health Fitness Challenge comes to North Minneapolis led by Noir Elite Fitness

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor @HarryColbertJr One person’s journey for improved health has sparked a movement to transform the health and health outcomes for a community.

In 2013 Al McFarlane, founder and editor-in-chief of Insight News, conceived the Insight2Health Fitness Challenge as a way to introduce healthy lifestyle changes through physical activity, nutrition education and addressing mental wellbeing; all while building community.

For 10 weeks, Noir Elite Fitness will guide participants through sessions of endurancebuilding, strength-building and confidence-building workouts at its training facility inside North Community High School, 1500 James Ave. N., North Minneapolis. The space was granted to Noir Elite for use thanks to the E.J. Henderson Foundation.

The principals of Noir Elite say they are honored to partner with Insight News to present the latest installment of the Insight2Health Fitness Challenge.

“I’m elated to be a part of the Northside community and to be able to help make this community aware of

healthy options,” said Chaz Sandifer, co-owner of Noir Elite and certified group fitness instructor, specializing in cardio-kickboxing and strength and conditioning.

“With our severe health disparities among our community it is imperative that we promote healthy eating, exercise and mental well-being in the Black community.”

Sandifer, who is also certified life and wellness coach specializing in diabetes prevention, said a goal of the challenge is one outlined

by McFarlane, which is to initiate discussion about North Minneapolis becoming a “Blue Zone” by 2040. Blue zones are regions throughout the planet where people live the longest.

The anthropological concept grew out of demographic work done by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain.

“We want our participants to gain knowledge of how to feed their body in a healthy way, how to apply fitness options to their daily life and be able to pass this on from generation to generation,” said Sandifer. “Noir Elite Fitness looks forward to making Northside a Blue Zone and a healthy zone.”

“I am excited that Noir Elite Fitness has this amazing opportunity to be involved in the Insight2Health Fitness Challenge,” said Valerie

Uchechukwu Iroegbu

Noir Elite Fitness’ Chaz Sandifer (left) and Valerie Fleurantin are serious about eliminating health disparities in North Minneapolis and throughout the Twin Cities. affordable resources to take charge of our health. We plan to make this a rewarding and exciting journey for each and every participant.”

Fleurantin said by the end of the program, she and Sandifer want participants to have made significant lifestyle

Fleurantin, co-owner of Noir Elite and certified group fitness instructor and Zumba instructor specializing in high intensity interval training and boot camp fitness. “This is such a well-rounded health and wellness program that will give our community

changes to better health while building a great sense of community.

Fleurantin is also a certified life coach and specializes in diabetes prevention.

The fee for the Insight2Health Fitness

Challenge is $325. Groups meet four times during the week with select morning and evening sessions at North High. Prospective participants are asked to call Insight News at (612) 588-1313 or email info@insightnews.com.

Patients with blood cancer precursor at risk of developing cancer even after 30 years

By Mayo Clinic Staff ROCHESTER – Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance are at risk of progressing to multiple myeloma or a related cancer – even after 30 years of stability.

These are the findings of a study by Mayo Clinic researchers published in the Jan. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is a condition in which an abnormal protein, known as monoclonal protein, is found in the blood. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance usually causes no problems but may develop, over time, into multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer.

“Monoclonal gammopathy

of undetermined significance is present in more than 3 percent of the general population age 50 and older,” said Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, a hematologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study. “In some cases, people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance go on to develop multiple myeloma.”

In their study, Rajkumar and his colleagues found the overall risk of progression to myeloma or a related disorder is relatively small at 1 percent each year; however, the risk persists indefinitely. Researchers also noted that risk of myeloma or related cancer was relatively small, compared to other general causes of death. As a result, they recommend that patients who are followed for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance not only be checked for presence

or absence of progression, but also receive all other routine preventive services appropriate for patients as they age.

“We also found that patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance had shorter survival than comparable people without the condition, which raises the possibility there may be other disorders associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance that still need further study,” said Rajkumar.

Researchers studied 1,384 patients with two major types of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and non-IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and associated risk factors health professional use to counsel patients.

1k

PHOTO CAPTION: Djibril Diallo, the UNAIDS Director of the Regional Support Team for West and Central Africa, says that Black Americans need to get more involved in the global fight against HIV/ AIDS. (UNAIDS)

Chief Medical Associate Offi2cer, Editor Pfizer Rare Disease Unit

By Carmen Robles

By Dr. Kevin

By Williams Afrodescendientes

Shutterstock

X-ray of a patient with multiple myeloma showing multiple punch-out bone lesions.

Most patients with unknown spinal cord disease later given specific diagnosis, study shows By Susan Barber Lindquist Mayo Clinic Staff ROCHESTER – A study

by Mayo Clinic researchers found that most patients with suspected spinal cord inflammation of unknown cause have an alternative, specific diagnosis.

The research is published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“Our review draws attention to the critical need to properly diagnose spinal cord disease to initiate appropriate therapy early on and avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments,” said Dr. B. Mark Keegan, Mayo Clinic neurologist and senior author.

Of 226 adult patients referred to Mayo Clinic for spinal cord inflammation of unknown cause between Dec. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2015 41 patients (18 percent) were diagnosed correctly, 158 patients (69.9 percent) received a different diagnosis, including multiple

sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica or vascular strokes of the spinal cord, 55 patients (24 percent) required treatment changes and 27 patients (11.9 percent) had no spinal cord disease diagnosis confirmed.

Severe spinal cord inflammation can lead to disability.

Symptoms vary widely, including paralysis, blindness, numbness or tingling in arms and legs, or bladder and bowel problems.

“Our study increases awareness that patients may benefit from referral to specialized care centers to correctly diagnose a specific cause for spinal cord disease rather than lumping patients into a category prematurely as having spinal cord inflammation of unknown cause,” said Keegan.

From the time patients presented with symptoms until final diagnosis was a median of nine months, the researchers note.

“Identifying the correct, specific diagnosis often can be challenging for physicians who do not see a high volume of patients with spinal cord impairment,” said Dr. Nicholas

Shutterstock

Severe spinal cord inflammation can lead to disability, including paralysis, blindness, numbness or tingling in arms and legs, or bladder and bowel problems.

Zalewski, a clinical fellow in the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic and first author on the study. “Although we continue

to identify helpful clinical and imaging signature features that aid in recognizing the correct underlying cause, these findings

often overlap among the different causes of spinal cord disease, and, thus, it’s challenging to identify the right diagnosis.”

When patients receive an “unknown cause diagnosis,” they often aren’t referred for further neuroimaging or lab tests that detect antibodies in the blood, the authors note.

“Only some causes of spinal cord impairment have definitive blood tests for them,” added Eoin Flanagan, a Mayo Clinic neurologist and co-author.

“The other causes of spinal cord impairment rely on evaluation by experienced clinicians, proper MRI investigations and MRI reads by experts.”

The authors see this study helping improve the diagnosis of specific spinal cord disease.

“Our review shows that specialty centers are able to identify specific causes for presumed inflammatory spinal cord disease that has been listed without a known cause,” said Keegan. “This has been possible because of dedicated research at Mayo Clinic and other centers to evaluate patients with spinal cord disease.”

Study limitations include short clinical follow-up and a referral-based population.

insightnews.com

Insight News • January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Page 7

Historic endorsement for New Mexico’s First Congressional District Campaign

Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorses Deb Haaland for Congress Albuquerque, NM – In one of the most significant endorsements of the campaign, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC announced its endorsement of Deb Haaland for New Mexico’s First Congressional District.

The announcement comes on the heels of endorsements from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and the only union endorsement in the race to date, from the American Postal Workers Union. Haaland is seeking to become the first NativeAmerican woman elected to Congress.

Haaland’s campaign has strong momentum with five months to go until the June 5 Democratic primary. Haaland has 10 Congressional endorsements – double that of any other candidates in the race – 28 New Mexico elected and community leaders, 49 tribal leaders and Native-American tribes, and four major organizations: the American Postal Workers Union local 380, the To’hajiilee chapter of the Navajo Nation, the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. “The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is proud to endorse Deb Haaland,” said Congressional Black Caucus PAC Chairman Gregory Meeks.

“Deb Haaland has a strong track record of standing up for Democratic values and the people of New Mexico. She has dedicated her life to serving her community and therefore she knows how

to best represent them. Deb would be the first Native American woman to serve in Congress, where her voice is sorely needed. The CBCPAC is united in its support for her. We look forward to Deb Haaland joining us in the fight against Donald Trump and his destructive agenda next year.”

“This is a powerful moment for our campaign.

I am truly humbled by the endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC,” said Haaland. “I have spent my life fighting for the underrepresented and I am working tirelessly to be New Mexico’s champion in Congress. We still have a long fight ahead of us when it comes to racial justice, and in Congress I will take on that fight.”

Deb Haaland

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Page 8 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

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Insight News • January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Page 9

Community African American Heritage Calendar showcases accomplishments For the 12th year, the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar presents its annual calendar to showcase the accomplishments of African-Americans’ with roots in Minnesota.

This year’s honorees are Maya Beecham (Bush Foundation), Renardo Blocker (The “Why You?â€? Initiative, Inc.), Tyrone Brookins (Roseville Public Schools), Duane D Dutrieuille (St. Paul Public Schools), Rhonda Franklin (University of Minnesota), Shawn Harris-Berry (Minneapolis Public Schools), Eunice Miller (retired St. Paul Public Schools educator), Jesse Overton (Sky Learn), Janice Porter (Burnsville Area Learning Center and Alternative High School), Julian Staord (retired educator), Tene’ Wells (Metro State University) and Abdul Wright (Best Academy). Harvest-Seed Academy is also honored with a historical recognition.

The unveiling ceremony takes place Friday evening (Jan. 26) at 7:30 p.m. at Progressive Family Life Center, 1505 Burns Ave., St. Paul.

The cost of this year’s calendar is $18 each or $14 each for 10 or more. To obtain a calendar contact Kim White at (651) 263-5679 or by email at maahc2007@gmail.com.

Above: Eric and Ella Mahmoud, Harvest Preparatory School founders. Top row: Maya Beecham, Renardo Blocker, Shawn Harris-Berry, and Abdul Wright. 2nd row: Tene’ Wells, Duane Dutrieuille, Janice Porter, and Julian Stafford. Bottom row: Eunice Miller, Tyrone Brookins, Rhonda Franklin, and Jesse Overton.

Winners to be chosen by Timberwolves’ Jamal Crawford and Lynx’ Rebekkah Brunson

Timberwolves and Lynx to host Black History Month essay contest for students The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are teaming up for their annual Black History Month essay contest.

The contest is open to Minnesota students from sixth through 12th grade to submit an essay on a leader in American Black history that inspires them to be a leader today. A panel of Timberwolves and Lynx employees will review the submissions to narrow it down to the top three essays in each of the two divisions, middle school (6th-8th grades) and high school (9th-12th grades).

Those students who advance to the ďŹ nal round will be asked to create a video submission to be evaluated by Rebekkah Brunson and Jamal Crawford, who will choose one grandprize winner and two runners-up in each division. “I think it’s the perfect time to reect about Black History Month and celebrate all of the leaders in the African-American community past, present and future that have made and continue to make an impact in communities across the country,â€? said Timberwolves guard Crawford. “This essay contest gives young people in Minnesota the opportunity to express what this topic means to them and I look forward to hearing who inspires them.â€?

The grand prize winner from each division will receive four lower-level tickets to the Timberwolves game on

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building interior, away from the future exterior walls. While these locations are not the result of hard and fast rules, centrally locating the HVAC system and the electrical equipment room can create cost savings due to the limited distances for conduit and duct runs. Plumbing systems are driven more by the gravitational needs of waste water removal than the horizontal adjacencies of the plumbing ďŹ xtures.

Fresh water and waste water interior locations are somewhat

Feb. 24, a pregame bench sit, and an on-court recognition.

They will also receive Lynx tickets for their entire class to attend a 2018 game and meet Brunson postgame. Second and third place winners in each division will receive four tickets to the Feb. 24 game and a Timberwolves and Lynx gift bag with signed Brunson and Crawford photos. “Black History Month and this contest gives young people the platform to talk about who inspires them and how they have aected their lives,â€? said Brunson. “I’m excited to see how kids in Minnesota remember and highlight black trailblazers, because we do not want to forget what past African-American leaders have done and continue to do in our communities.â€?

Submissions are currently being accepted and the contest will run through Feb. 2. Essays should be between 500-750 words and be submitted as an attachment to fastbreakfoundation@ timberwolves.com and include the entrants ďŹ rst and last name, school, grade, teacher, guardian contact information and mailing address. The contest is open to all middle and high school students. For more information, visit http:// www.nba.com/timberwolves/ blackhistorymonth or http:// lynx.wnba.com/lynxin-the-community/ blackhistorymonth/

predetermined by the locations of the water and sanitary piping in the street. Adjacencies to this piping are a factor in their ďŹ nal location within the building.

Both conduit and plumbing pipes are empty at this time. The copper wiring and the water will be installed after the building is enclosed and the indoor temperatures are above freezing.

The building industry has evolved cold-weather construction methodologies and techniques over time and through centuries. The developments of both direct and adaptive technologies are also involved. Historically, rolls of plastic sheeting have allowed for the quick and temporary enclosure of spaces to allow for

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Timberwolves’ Jamal Crawford

temporary heating equipment to be provided. Typically, temporary propane heaters are utilized because they are highly portable and can heat spaces as needed up to and over 90 degrees. The building industry seeks to heat the worker, or the materials, or both, so that the construction schedule can be maintained, even in inclement weather.

Note that the construction progress schedule was written and planned for all aspects of this project, including the need for temporary heaters on cold weather days, before the ďŹ rst shovel of dirt was turned during the excavation. The construction progress schedule lists every activity related to

Phone: 612.588.1313

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RENTAL PROPERTIES INH Properties manages Section 8, Section 42 and Rural Development projects in the following MN cities:

Anoka – Bridge Square, 763-421-6772 Big Lake – Autumn Winds, 320-258-6000 Brainerd – Mississippi Terrace, 218-829-0274 Cold Spring – Cottage Court, 320-685-3888 Coon Rapids – Coon Creek, 763-767-7755 Eden Valley – Hillside, 320-453-5968 Fergus Falls – Kaddatz, 218-205-0644 Glenwood – Glenview, 320-634-3188 Hawley – Northside Terrace, 218-483-4524 Hutchinson – Clinton House, 320-587-5458 Isle – Isle View, 320-676-8624 Isle – Mille Lacs Manor, 320-676-8624 Mankato – Dublin Road, 507-345-3351 Minneapolis – Holmes Park, 612-378-8817 Morris – Crystal Lake, 320-589-3662 Onamia – Oakwood, 320-532-4321 Onamia – Onamia Shores, 320-532-4321 Pierz – Kamnic Lane, 320-468-2581 Rice – Benton Place, 320-630-1201 St. Michael – Countryside Cottages, 763-497-4901 St. Paul – Parkway Gardens, 651-771-0835 Virginia – Alice Nettell, 218-741-3650 Residents must meet income guidelines.

Rent based on income at some locations.

INH Properties is an equal opportunity housing company

completing this building. It lists, in as much detail as necessary, all materials, activities, staďŹƒng needs, subcontractor activities, personnel, simultaneous or concurrent activities, the ordering and delivery of materials, staging of materials and the coordination and procedural methodologies of construction. The construction progress schedule is driven by the cost and payment of dollars for this project.

This building has progressed steadily and steadfastly to this current conďŹ guration.

The third oor has been poured and completed. There are two more large pours. One is for the fourth oor and also, one for the roof.

This will place the ďŹ nal height of

Fax: 612.588.2031

Lynx’ Rebekkah Brunson

the building at approximately 60 feet above grade, measured from the ďŹ rst-oor entry at Plymouth and Penn Avenues North.

In western civilization, buildings are classiďŹ ed by the number of stories they have.

Floors one through six are classiďŹ ed as a low-rise building.

Floors seven through 12 are classiďŹ ed as a mid-rise building.

Floors in excess of 13 oors are classiďŹ ed as high-rise buildings.

The Northside has two midrise buildings along Plymouth Avenue and its environs. The senior apartment building known as Rainbow Terrace, at 1710 Plymouth Ave. N., is a sevenstory building. The Parkview Apartment building (formerly Bethune Tower) at 1201 12th Ave.

N., is a 12-story building (one additional oor and this would have been a high-rise building).

Thor’s headquarters building is classiďŹ ed as a low-rise building and ďŹ ts well within the fabric of this urban community. It oers itself as much needed new construction, as a mixed-use and new landmark facility for our use.

Welcome to the neighborhood and thank you for coming.

Since July of 2017, architect Randall Bradley has been writing a multi-part series on the construction of the new development at the corners of Penn Avenue North and Plymouth Avenue North in Minneapolis.

Email: info@insightnews.com

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Page 10 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

insightnews.com Regina Carter

Chantel Sings

Monday, Jan. 22

PARTY

The Boma Lightbox.Studio 2600 E. 26th St., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

RuPaul’s All Star Viewing Party Lush 990 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

18-plus $5 (free for patrons 21-plus)

Minnesota Harvest Initiative and New Renaissance present a night of hip-hop, jazz, spoken word and more with music by Walter Chancellor Jr., Alma Andina, Keno Evol, DJ Mickey Breeze and more.

Every Thursday through March stop down at Lush to catch “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Sunday, Jan. 28

PANEL DISCUSSION

Friday, Jan. 26

“Where Race and Sports Intersect: What is the Media’s Role?”

University of Minnesota, Murphy Hall, Room 130 206 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

PARTY

Regina Carter and Xavier Davis Crooners Lounge and Supper Club 6161 Highway 65 N.E., Minneapolis 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

21-plus $40

JAZZ Roberta Gambarini with Cyrus Chestnut Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. $25-$40 Join Grammy-nominated vocalist Roberta Gambarini with Cyrus Chestnut for an evening of jazz at The Dakota.

Tuesday, Jan. 23 Jan. 22 Feb. 4, 2018

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status.

If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

JAZZ/HIP-HOP

own soap products? Stop down to the Seward Co-op for a class.

This panel asks, “should athletes use their platform for social activism or does doing so create a larger distraction for their employers and fans?”

The panel includes retired Vikings defensive end Carl Eller, Rebekkah Brunson of the Minnesota Lynx, former Twin, LaTroy Hawkins of the Twins broadcast team for Fox Sports North and others.

Wednesday, Jan. 24 HEALTH Intro to Soap Making Seward Community Co-op 2823 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. $30, $25 co-op owners Ever thought about making your

Thursday, Jan. 25

JAZZ

Chantel Sings of KMOJ Big Birthday Bash 3 The Hideout at the Pourhouse 10 S 5th St., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Jazz violinist Regina Carter and pianist Xavier Davis give us that “Southern Sound” at Crooners.

Singer/songwriter and KMOJ morning show host, Chantel Sings celebrates her birthday with a party in downtown Minneapolis.

Monday, Jan. 29

ELECTRO SOUL

Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

21-plus $8 advance, $10 door Gospel singer Darnell Davis presents this evening of entertainment with Courtland Pickens, Dezaray Lane, Lawrence Miles, Tonia Hughes and host Shed G.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 HIP-HOP/JAZZ The Feels: Black Light Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

21-plus $8 advance, $12 door

HIP-HOP

The popular night of healing through the arts features an allwoman cast this month. Acts include Liz Gre, A Comeaux, Mayyadda, ShaVunda Brown and Queen Drea. This edition of The Feels is hosted by Tish Jones with sounds by DJ Miss Brit.

Saturday, Jan. 27

JAZZ

Thursday, Feb. 1

HIP-HOP/R&B/DANCE

Davell Crawford Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. $40-$45

HIP-HOP

Dance, dine and vibe to a low fidelity sound with a mix of DJs and producers playing hip-hop, neo soul, electronic, Afrofuturist, reggae and R&B hybrids. Your sound selectors include DJ Miss Brit, Mamadu (akaToki Wright) and special guest Big Cats.

Music virtuoso Davell Crawford is an artist of jazz, funk, R&B and more. Catch the Basin Street Records musician tonight.

Tuesday, Jan. 30 R&B Super Bowl Soul Jam Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave. S.,

Party with music from the West Indies, Africa, and Black America. Afriquency features DJs Karuza (Liberia), Mamadu and DJ Miss Brit, plus a live performance from Anjibey and JuwonMix (Nigeria). Open mic early and dancing all night with extended Super Bowl hours.

Saturday, Feb. 3

Mar. 14 - 20

Lo-Fi Lounge Ginger Hop 201 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

21-plus No cover

Afriquency Pimento Rum Bar 2524 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

18-plus $10

Rick Ross and Lil Jon Lumber Exchange Building 10 S 5th St., Minneapolis 10 p.m.

21-plus $250 Look out for concerts all over downtown Minneapolis for Super Bowl Week. TAO presents platinum recording artists Rick Ross and Lil Jon at the Exchange.

Friday, Feb. 2 DANCEHALL/AFROBEATS/

Migos Muse Event Center 107 3rd Ave N., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $300 - $20,000 The good news is that there are a lot of great concerts coming to town over Super Bowl weekend. The bad news is that they are very expensive. Want to catch Migos? The general admission tickets start at $300 and VIP goes up to $20,000 (no, we’re not making this up).

Ouch.

Sunday, Feb. 4 FOOTBALL/CELEBRATION Super Bowl LII Downtown Minneapolis All day/all night Let’s be honest, there are way too many things going on today to pick just one. This will be the biggest day for entertainment in Minnesota history. Check out the host committees link at www.mnsuperbowl.com/events for all sorts of events.

Torannce Beavers of Brunson’s Pub: “I’m just a poor kid from Northeast Mississippi”

Black in chef’s whites: Profiles of people of color in the Twin Cities restaurant industry

By Mecca Bos “I can’t understand why, for a cultural people whose identity and food identity are so closely related – why are there so few of us in the restaurant industry?”

Torannce Beavers is executive chef of Brunson’s Pub, 956 Payne Ave., an East St. Paul bar with a rich, centurylong pedigree, reborn again almost a year ago by owner Thomas LaFleche, whose dream it was to have a bar exactly like Brunson’s. And, he knew he needed Beavers to make it so. Problem was, Beavers was taking a break from the industry, working a “low-impact” job at Whole Foods after many years heading up high-volume restaurants such as Uptown’s The Lowry and popular burger chain Red Cow. “He said, ‘I totally understand. Why don’t you just meet with me and have a chat?’

And you see – that’s how he gets you,” said Beavers of LaFleche’s pitch.

LaFleche is a “hospitalitarian” in the truest sense of the word – a term I reserve for the select few in the food and beverage industry who understand, and practice true hospitality … an ingredient

sadly missing from a large swath of restaurants and bars everywhere.

The two men met when Beavers would post up at St. Paul neighborhood haunt, Fabulous Ferns, after work for a post-shift drink, and where LaFleche was a longtime bartender.

“You just see that handsome, smiling face and you know he was born to do this,” said Beavers of LaFleche.

The chef knew he didn’t want to cook anything pretentious at his next leadership position, and drew up a mock menu. Brunson’s is the exact paradox of pretentious.

“I’m super happy,” said Beavers of heading up the kitchen at Brunson’s. “It’s the most rewarding job I have ever worked.”

Beavers calls his culinary style “Southern Americana,” and though he serves up many pub favorites at the Payne Avenue landmark, the history alone is reason to visit. The bar first opened in 1910 as a hardware store and became a bar sometime in the following decade, eventually becoming Schwietz Saloon, a familyowned institution for around 50 years, closing in 2011, until Ed Bertges bought it the following year. Bertges spent two years meticulously restoring the space,

Foodie Noir

Torannce Beavers opening in 2014, and running it for a year before tragically learning he was dying of lymphoma at the age of 39. His mother tried to keep it for her son’s legacy, it became too much of a burden for her. LaFleche stepped in at the perfect moment.

Though Beavers graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu (which is what brought him to Minnesota) and has worked in kitchens from North Carolina to the Virgin Islands, the South is still where his heart lives.

You can see it in little peeks on the menu from black-eyed pea hummus to a hoppin’ John salad to his signature pulled bacon,

the house specialty and the most popular item on the menu.

Beavers and LaFleche have also achieved another surprising feat in the realm of Twin Cities professional kitchens, and that is that theirs is predominantly African-American staffed.

Beavers doesn’t know exactly how it happened, but he imagines that Black cooks seek him out because he’s a Black chef, an anomaly in the evergrowing local food scene.

It vexes Bevers that more Black people are not represented in the culinary field and he recognizes that the reasons are complex. But it seems that the

Brunson’s Pub more Black people we see in kitchens means the more Black people we will see in kitchens.

And like pulled bacon and black-eyed pea hummus, that’s

pretty darn delicious.

Brunson’s Pub 956 Payne Ave., St. Paul (651) 447-2483 www.brunsonspub.com

insightnews.com

Insight News • January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Page 11

‘Selma’ plays at the Capri for First Thursday Films Feb. 1 The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and the Capri Theater present Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” the award-winning drama about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King-led march from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery, Ala. “Selma” chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, King led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 … one of the most significant victories for the Civil Rights Movement.

Each First Thursday Films screening at the Capri is followed by a discussion of the movie. For “Selma” elder and scholar, Mahmoud El-Kati will lead the discussion. ElKati is professor emeritus of History at Macalester College in St. Paul. He is the author of several books, including “Politically Considered: 50th Commemoration of the Supreme Court Decision of 1954” and to be released “Towards an African Education,” a series of essays by Minnesotans about the education of AfricanAmerican people and children.

The screening takes place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1 at the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis.

Tickets to First Thursday Films are $5 and can be purchased in advance at www.mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show.

“Selma,” starring David Oyelowo (second from left) plays Feb. 1 at the Capri, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis.

Dan Norman

Sonja Parks in “Seedfolks”

Runs February through May

Children’s Theatre Company tours ‘Seedfolks’ to New York, Nebraska and Greater Minnesota Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) will bring its production of “Seedfolks” on a three-month tour to eight cities across Minnesota, Omaha, Neb. (The Rose Theater) and Lincoln, Neb. (Lied Center for Performing Arts), and to the New Victory Theater, New York.

The organization received tour support from the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Arts Tour Minnesota grant to bring “Seedfolks” to nine theatres across Minnesota including the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center (Worthington), Myles Reif Performing Arts Center (Grand Rapids), Fairmont Opera House (Fairmont), Historic Holmes Theatre (Detroit Lakes), Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts (Red Wing), Backus Community Center (International Falls), Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center (Brainerd) and Memorial Auditorium (Dawson) in the spring of 2018. The ninth supported site was Theatre L’Homme Dieu in Alexandria in summer 2017.

CTC recently brought this production of “Seedfolks” to the prestigious ASSITEJ International (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People) 2017 World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Seedfolks,” the CTC commissioned play was developed and premiered in 2014 and is based on the book by Newbery

Award-winning author Paul Fleischman.

“Seedfolks” begins when nine-year-old Kim plants the first seeds in the rat-infested, vacant lot next to her apartment building. They are six lima bean seeds, planted in honor of the father she never knew.

Slowly, each member of the community finds a reason to plant their own seeds, resurrecting a derelict lot and uniting a fractured neighborhood.

Actress Sonja Parks embodies the

11 distinct voices of Gibb Street in this enthralling, one-woman production.

“This is a beautifully written, funny and poignant book and production about the power we all have to be catalysts for change,” said CTC artistic director and “Seedfolks” director, Peter C. Brosius. “We came to the decision to use one single actor to portray 11, diverse voices in this production as a demonstration that we are all part of a whole,

and together, we can create something beautiful.”

The Children’s Theatre Company is the nation’s largest theater for multigenerational audiences and is the only theater focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater and is the only theater in Minnesota to receive three Tony nominations (for its production of “A Year with Frog and Toad”).

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Page 12 •January 22 - January 28, 2018 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Harry Colbert Jr.

Close friends of Dr. Zakia Robbins, Bianca Lewis (left) and Shevvi Crowley.

Horn virtuoso Antonio Jackson gained several new fans performing during the “#AllDone” release party.

DeAndre Scott was on hand to congratulate Dr. Zakia Robbins.

The woman of the hour, Dr. Zakia Robbins.

Houston White is not only proprietor of H. White Men’s Room, he is also quoted in “#AllDone.”

Aarica Coleman was happy to support her friend and author, Dr. Zakia Robbins.

Jerelyn Tolbert came by to congratulate Dr. Zakia Robbins on her new book.

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Directed by Lou Bellamy Assistant Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris

childrenstheatre.org/TheWiz | 612.874.0400

H. White Men’s Room may have started as a barbershop, but it has evolved into a multiuse facility housing his Black Excellence clothing retail shop, a coffee bar and serving as a gathering spot for the hip and chic.

This past Saturday (Jan. 13) H. White was home to the book release party for Dr. Zakia Robbins, who recently penned “#AllDone,” a pracitical guide to help college students matriculate from student to graduate. Several well-wishers came out to support Robbins and congratulate her on becoming an author.