Insight News ::: 2.7.11

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INSIGHT NEWS February 7 - February 13, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 6 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Mn/DOT’s Corrie: All parties at the table

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer

Courtesy of Louis King

Emma Corrie

Mn/DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) & Workforce Collaborative is a group, formed in 2008, of Mn/ DOT employees and external stakeholders committed to delivering transformational and sustainable change to Mn/ DOT’s civil rights program.

The Collaborative is one of Mn/DOT’s twelve flagship initiatives with a focus on implementing sustainable solutions that benefit all and are developed with the input from the stakeholders impacted.

The goal of this collaboration is to bring together groups and organizations such as, the Federal Highway Administration, DBE contractors, general contractors, training organizations, business and workforce advocates, unions, non-union contractors, and Mn/DOT. On January 20th, Mn/ DOT, agency partners, and stakeholder organizations met to discuss the four metro area construction projects involving contracts awarded to Lunda Construction Co., CS McCrossan, Ames/Lunda/ Shafer and Ames Construction, Inc. Emma Corrie, Workforce & Business Development Project Manager for Mn/DOT; Summit Academy OIC’s Alex Tittle, chair of On-the-Job-

Training (OJT) Workforce; Mary Dahlquist, chair of the OJT Retention Project Team; Robert Woods, of the Targeted Group Business Project Team; Louis King of Summit Academy; and Tim Murphy and Charlie Boren of the Veterans Preference Program project team met to ensure the building and construction projects were proactive in establishing and meeting inclusion goals.

The program seeks to ensure projects reflect the demographics of the state of Minnesota in DBE contracts awarded and among workforce participants in the Minnesota transportation industry.

“The targeted group business program only deals with state projects, so there are no federal funds. You have to build that capacity,” Robert Woods said.

Tim Kennedy of the Coordinated Access Point Recruitment Project Team introduced one of the projects.

“The 694 Interchange should benefit both the workforce side and the DBE side. This project is a way of testing the practicality to learn what works and what doesn’t work,” said Kennedy.

Woods also said the format of funding for the project creates hurdles such as access to capital in communities of color. “This is near and dear to our communities. Our businesses lack access to

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Tea Party leader Bachmann says founding fathers ended slavery Your Black World

By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD You would presume that with all of their citations of the Constitution and remembrance of the founding fathers, Tea Party members would understand history at least a little bit. But that’s apparently not the case with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) who said that the founding fathers ended slavery in the United States.

In a recent speech in Iowa, Bachmann said that it was “the very founders that wrote those documents worked tirelessly until slavery was no more in the United States....Men like John Quincy Adams, who would not rest until slavery was extinguished in the country.”

The problem for Bachmann is that John Quincy Adams died in 1848, 15 years before slavery was abolished with the Emancipation Proclamation. Also, most of the founding fathers did own slaves, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, one of the signers, James Monroe, executed 30 of his slaves after they tried to revolt for their freedom. George

Danielle Scott

Michele Bachmann Washington also had teeth implanted into his mouth that were taken out of the mouths of his slaves.

This is not the first time that members of the Tea Party have revealed that ignorance serves as the driving force behind their peculiar political agenda. Just recently, Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin mistakenly cited North Korea as an American ally. There was also Tea Party Candidate Christine O’Donnell, who didn’t know that the First Amendment of the Constitution establishes the separation of church and state.

Two great American traditions on which the Tea Party Express

Education

Black colleges still relevant

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stands are that of racial animosity and lynch mob behavior. Former President Jimmy Carter noted that much of the anger being directed toward the nation’s first Black president, fueled by Tea Party interests, is largely driven by race.

“I think people who are guilty of that kind of personal attack against Obama have been influenced to a major degree by a belief that he should not be president because he happens to be African American. It’s a racist attitude, and my hope is and my expectation is that in the future

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Aesthetics

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

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Courtesy of Bill Woodson

Learners to leaders

By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer On Tuesday, February 22, 5:00pm–7:30pm, University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business will host the 2nd Annual Learners to Leaders Reception and Leadership Summit, at 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Schulze Hall Atrium, downtown Minneapolis. The event is open to high achieving college juniors, seniors, and

recent graduates of color, from the local area and beyond; to network with University of St. Thomas faculty and staff, current graduate students, and their peers. Participants will be presented with information, encouraging them to evaluate graduate school based on their career goals, interests, needs, and how they can effectively navigate graduate level programming.

Specifically, the agenda will include a formal dinner, panel

Lifestyle

Newlywed-style love

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discussion, a sample class, and information on cultivating a personal brand, and the intersection of leadership and ethics within today’s organizations. The leadership summit is the foundation for the Learners to Leaders program at large. The Learners to Leaders program is an initiative designed to build on the exceptional potential and leadership abilities of students

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Sports

The Black Head Coaching Tree grows

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Page 2 • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Insight News

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Ending tax return fraud in prisons United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) after pushing for reform with a group of senators, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have signed an agreement that will help end the fraudulent filing of tax returns by incarcerated prisoners that has cost American taxpayers $123 million since 2004. The Memorandum of Understanding between the IRS and the BOP will end the yearslong impasse between the two agencies.

“This agreement means that we can cut through government red tape and stop felons from scamming the system,” Klobuchar said. “This can save taxpayers millions of dollars and ensure that the IRS and Bureau of Prisons are cooperating as they should.”

Klobuchar joined with Senators Chuck Schumer (DNY), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to fix the problem after a Treasury Department Inspector General Report in January found that prisoners in both federal and state penitentiaries are filing fraudulent refund claims from their jail cells without penalty due to an impasse between the BOP and IRS. Citing false privacy concerns for prisoners, the agencies had been at odds over information sharing and were failing to take proper

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Technology Reporters Shanice Brown Christopher Toliver Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

enforcement action.

In January, the senators publicly urged the IRS and BOP to end the standoff and finally begin sharing information so that the agencies could better respond to prisoners filing fraudulent returns. At the time, they noted that although Congress had given the agencies the authority to share information in 2008, little had been done and the cost

of the fraud has doubled over the last six years.

The scams being executed by prisoners are twofold. In many cases, prisoners are filing false returns, under their own names, from prison cells. In other cases, the prisoners file fraudulent tax returns with fake names and social security numbers from their jail cells and have refund checks sent to addresses where

third parties then deposit the refund checks.

Although Congress gave the IRS the authority to turn over tax information to prison officials in order to identify suspicious behavior and root out fraudulent activity, the BOP, citing privacy concerns, had declined to take enforcement action, such as restricting privileges, without first alerting prisoners and their

counsel to the IRS information.

The BOP claimed that by not disclosing the information to prisoners that had been provided by the IRS, it couldn’t take enforcement action – such as restricted visitation, use of the library, or access to email – because it would leave itself open to possible litigation.

The IRS would not share tax information to prison officials

if they intend to provide it to prisoners.

The IRS reported that the number of fraudulent tax returns filed by prisoners in the United States more than doubled from 18,103 in 2004 to 44,944 in 2009.

The IRS reported that, during the same time period, the cost

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EDUCATION HBCUs critical to education goals

By Jesse Muhammad Special to the NNPA from The Final Call (FinalCall.com) - The nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have served this country since 1837.

They educated freed slaves, offering educational opportunities not afforded to Blacks at White institutions during the days of legally mandated segregation.

Many highly successful CEOs, doctors, entertainers, educators, lawyers, engineers, and politicians graduated from these institutions.

Today, Black students have many more choices—leading again to questions about the relevancy, value and role of HBCUs and their future in a socalled post racial America.

“I don’t understand how someone can even question the relevancy of HBCUs. HBCUs are vitally important to the entire spectrum of the educational system in America,” Dr. Julianne Malveaux told The Final Call.

She serves as president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. President Obama has set a goal for the country to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 and publically stated HBCUs

Howard University Founder’s Library are essential to achieving the target. There are 105 private and public HBCUs in the U.S., concentrated mostly throughout the Southeast, servicing over 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

“People try to measure the relevancy of HBCUs, but do you factor in that we’re receiving a lot of first generation college students? Do you factor in the academic deficiencies coming onto the campus? We service students on Black campuses in a way that other schools don’t,” added Malveaux, a noted economist.

“HBCUs will unfortunately never outlive their usefulness and relevancy until America lets go of its obsession with racism. We have witnessed that racism with the election of President Obama and we’re years away from it going away. So, HBCUs are necessary,” said Dr. Lee Jones, a former dean at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.

Dr. Jones also founded the largest organization of Black male Ph.D.-holders called the Brothers of the Academy. “Without the contributions of HBCUs, where would this country be? People cannot overlook the significant

Flickr (NCinDC )

individuals that these schools produce every year,” Dr. Jones told The Final Call.

Howard University film student Akilah Muhammad greatly opposes the notion that HBCUs have become extinct. “I chose to attend a Black institution because of my family and it has met all of my expectations. Being here has given so many of us a sense of self,” Ms. Muhammad told The Final Call.

“Those who think HBCUs have lost their impact must not be interviewing students on our campuses. And, for those who think that we are missing out on

diversity by attending a Black college should come see the diversity that exists within Black students from around the world,” said Muhammad, who is from Houston.

“There are so many generational stereotypes of Black colleges that are totally false.

There are things you get on these campuses you can’t get anywhere else, and I’m happy I chose a HBCU,” said Keiser Johnson of Brooklyn, a freshman psychology major at Howard.

“HBCUs are as relevant today as they were at their inception.

Students still get a world class education without the burden of diversity that they would find at majority White schools.

Plus there is still a great deal of racism,” said Jarrett Carter, a 2003 graduate of Morgan State University.

Carter’s displeasure with how HBCUs have been improperly portrayed in mainstream media motivated him to create the informational website HBCUdigest.com in January 2010.

“We don’t tell our stories well enough or consistent enough.

We have HBCU graduates doing extraordinary things in science, entertainment, and the arts. But, how will we know that if we don’t communicate it?” asked Carter.

Measuring HBCU effectiveness

Late last year, in a column titled “Black Colleges Need a New Mission,” Wall Street Journal editorial board member Jason Riley argued HBCUs have become ineffective.

“Black colleges are at a crossroads. At one time black colleges were an essential response to racism. They trained a generation of civil rights lawyers and activists who helped end segregation. Their place in U.S. history is secure. Today, however, dwindling enrollments and endowments indicate that fewer and fewer blacks believe that these schools, as currently constituted, represent the best available academic choice,” wrote Riley.

Members of the National Association for Equal Opportunity responded to the column: The group noted that HBCUs confer 22% of all bachelor degrees earned by Blacks, 24% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to Blacks in science and engineering and nearly 35% of all bachelor’s degrees in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

“The data demonstrate clearly that HBCUs are doing the heavy lifting of educating Black students, especially, in growth and high need disciplines.

Increasing numbers of other

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Admission Possible offers opportunity to college grads St. Paul-based nonprofit— Admission Possible—is recruiting to fill more than 80 AmeriCorps positions in the next two months. The nonprofit offers free college prep programming to low-income students and is looking for high school and college coaches, community and event organizers and external relations team members.

Admission Possible receives four applications for every service position, making the process highly competitive.

The number of submitted applications has grown more than 130% over the past three

years while the number of available positions has grown only 50%.

Traci Kirtley, director of programming and evaluation at Admission Possible and staff lead for AmeriCorps recruitment said, “The perfect candidates not only want to change the world but are also willing to put in a lot of effort to do that. We want idealistic leaders who can welcome both the rewards and the challenges of our work.”

This Admission Possible goal attracted Mai See Yang, a St. Olaf social work major to seek membership. Yang, a

2006 graduate from Arlington High School and the Admission Possible program, credits Admission Possible and her AmeriCorps coach with helping her raise her ACT score, earn admission to her first-choice college and become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Her experience left her wanting to give back. “My coach was an inspiration,” Yang said. “She inspired me to want to help students who I share a similar background with, who I can share experiences with.

Being able to see that I made

Pierre Bottineau is state’s first self-governed school Pierre Bottineau French Immersion is the first school to open in Minnesota under the District-Created Site-Governed Schools law (123B.04), which was passed by the Minnesota legislature in 2009.

The Minneapolis Board of Education approved the proposal in March of 2010 and the new public elementary school will open its doors in north Minneapolis in the fall of 2011.

The development of new schools, which includes SelfGoverned Schools (SGS), is one of the core strategies in the MPS Strategic Plan to address the lowest 25% of low performing schools. New schools aim to bring Minneapolis families a portfolio of quality schools with strong leaders and proven models to dramatically improve student achievement and close the achievement gap.

Self-Governed Schools (SGS), such as Pierre Bottineau, are autonomous schools formed within the district. In order to facilitate the unique teaching and learning environment, the SGS Site Governance Council develops the school budget and can elect to purchase a share of district services as the site deems necessary. SGS are able to design their own leadership model and select the school leader. They are accountable to the Minneapolis Board of Education by way of a performance agreement.

Teachers in SGS are members of the teachers’ union, subject to a memorandum of understanding allowing them to set their own work rules.

Immersion programs are one of the fastest growing and most effective types of foreign language programs currently available in U.S. schools. Research shows that language immersion teaches students a foreign language as well as strengthens students’ understanding of their native language. In a letter of support of Pierre Bottineau, Katie Sample, Executive Director of the African American Academy for Accelerated Learning, wrote, “It brings hope and encouragement

to those of us who share the philosophy and belief that all children have the potential for learning multiple languages and that the process of developing other languages improves literacy skills.”

Pierre Bottineau will hold an open house event on Saturday, Feb. 5, 3–4:30 pm, at Jordan Park Elementary School.

Parents interested in enrolling their child in Pierre Bottineau French Immersion must complete a School Request Card and return it to the Minneapolis Public Schools Placement Office or request an admissions placement at the MPS on-line Choice Center: www.schoolchoice.mpls.k12. mn.us. All requests are due by Feb. 8.

it through such a hard journey motivates me to motivate other students”.

AmeriCorps members contribute to all areas of Admission Possible. Most will work directly with juniors and seniors in high schools, helping students prepare for the ACT exam and fill out applications for colleges and financial aid. Some members serve by building the capacity of the organization

by supporting fundraising and communication efforts as well as assisting with expansion efforts.

Applicants have the possibility of serving in the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, or a third site in a major U.S. city yet to be determined.

On AmeriCorps focus on diversity, Kirtley added, “We seek members who share the experiences of our students.

Many of our current Corps

members are first generation college graduates, people of color or come from a low-income background themselves”.

For more information about Admission Possible, AmeriCorps team, or for an application, visit www.

AdmissionPossible.org/ americorps.html The priority application deadline is Feb 14 and the final application deadline is Mar 7.

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Insight News • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Mazibuko: Overcoming apartheid Life is the instrument that produces the smooth and captivating harmonic a cappella sound of Ladysmith Black Mambazo; three time Grammy award winning, nine member South African group singing songs in English and Zulu. On Thursday, February 17 at 7:30pm Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform in a special presentation at Minnesota Orchestra Hall as a part of their 2011 tour.

Peace, love, and harmony is the message the group has shared for 45 years, using South African musical traditions such as isicathamiya, developed by poor black mine workers, combined with Christian gospel music to express the range of their life experiences from childhood on a Zulu farm, to honoring the legendary warrior Shaka Zulu, to adults recalling their South African roots.

Since Joseph Shabala started the group in the early 1960’s and their debut performance on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album in 1986, the group has performed for Nelson Mandela, Queen of England and the Royal Family, Pope John Paul II in Rome, and for audiences at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, 1996 Summer Olympics, South African Presidential inaugurations, and other special events.

On February 1, 2011, the group released their latest project, “Songs from a Zulu Farm” a CD featuring a collection of traditional songs from childhood experiences on the farms of Zululand South Africa. The CD is the first release of a trilogy called Our South African Story, featuring a second CD with songs from the member’s church in South Africa, and a

young people.

she sings. She would sing some song and then I would join her and my sisters would join her and then we sing, everybody sings, that is the only way we comforted ourselves. So now in my life I can say the power of music, the power of singing it keeps me until now.

So we survived through those pains we were experiencing at that time. We were able to bear the bad situation and get on with life.

By Maya Beecham

MB: What are your personal plans?

AM: I see myself singing with the group for the next 30 something years because I am 62, so I plan to sing until I am 90 years old. I like to stay with the young people to encourage them, because nowadays there are so much drugs, disease, everything, and they need guidance. And especially in our country now we have a lot of children that don’t have two parents. So there is no balance in their lives. I took it upon myself in my spare time to make sure to spend time with them and talk with them and just be a friend with them and advise them… I am not going to fold my hands and get frustrated.

MB: How many members are in the group?

AM: Right now we have nine.

The oldest is 70 years old and the youngest is 24.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo third CD with songs about their experience living in townships.

Recently, Albert Mazibuko, co-founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo spoke with Insight News Contributing Writer Maya Beecham, to discuss apartheid, the dynamics of an intergenerational group, and his love for music.

Maya Beecham: Do you remember as a child the first time you realized what apartheid was?

Albert Mazibuko: When I was a little child I only realized it when I was 8 when I started to work on the farm. So I started to understand that we were discriminated against. I was working on the farm and I used to see my mother, she was struggling trying to take care of us. And in order for you to survive in the farm you have to cultivate the land. So in order for

you to be able to cultivate the land you had to have oxen. We didn’t have oxen because there were rules or a law that said if you are living on a white person’s place you were only allowed to have five cattle, but if you were going to be able to plow you needed six.

You cannot because there was not enough in order for you to able to do that. So we had to go to the owner of the place and borrow some young oxen. You train them, after you train them you plow with them. And then when you train them they allow you to keep them for two years, only two years. So the first year they are not good when it comes to plowing so you cannot produce enough crops because of that. So in the second year they are big. So now you can produce better crops, but the third year it’s taken away so you have to get another one. So it was very

Luis Leal

frustrating. That’s when I started to feel that apartheid was a very bad thing.

MB: Do you remember conversations you had with your mother after watching her struggle?

AM: I had a lot of questions when I was asking why people were doing this to us. And then she was only saying that it was because they don’t like us. When I bring it up I always noticed she was holding the tears in her eyes because I think it hurt so much you know. It was painful to her but she didn’t want to show it to us.

MB: How did those experiences impact you?

AM: It showed me music because it was something she would always do when she is not helping,

MB: What is the dynamic of the group?

AM: You know it’s amazing because we have everything we need. We have older people who are wise and we have young people who have a lot of energy and a lot of new ideas. So you come out with a very good end result. I like it. I love it. It’s beautiful.

MB: What is the difference between singing in South Africa and singing around the world?

AM: The difference when we are singing at home is we don’t put together a list of what we are going to sing. When we hit the stage, the audience they shout what song they want us to sing.

And when we start to sing they start to sing with us. It makes it so fun and so easy when we are at home. So here we have to be careful of that, because we have to do everything in order.

MB: What are some things you have learned from younger members, and what do you try to teach them?

AM: It’s not too much to learn from them because I have been there. So what I explain to them is when you are young you are very impatient, you like to do things in a quick way. As an older person, as I have grown I don’t want to do things in a rush. This combination is very good because when we meet we get a good balance. We are not going to be too slow, we are not going to be too fast, but we will be perfect.

MB: What are the group’s future plans?

AM: Our future plans are to go around, especially in South Africa, to schools and encourage

MB: What does music do for you personally, what does it do for your soul?

AM: It is therapy. It always takes away my worries and things I am concerned about. Because when I sing it is where I am able to live.

It’s always wonderful.

For ticket information contact Minnesota Orchestra Hall at www.minnesotaorchestra.org or 612.371.5656.

Young Muslim searches for identity in Mooz-Lum Film Review

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Ever since 9/11, Muslims have become the N-word of the new millennium, being indiscriminately demonized in much the same way young African-Americans were vilified by the FBI during the rise of the Black Power Movement. In the wake of the civil unrest triggered by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, just walking the streets with an afro was sufficient probable cause for a cop to stop and frisk anyone who resembled a radical figure like Huey Newton, Stokely Carmichael or H. Rap Brown.

Such state-sanctioned mistreatment inflicted great harm, unlikely ever to be undone, on impressionable young minds trying to figure out their place in the world. It made the U.S. feel more like an oppressive police state rather than the proverbial land of the free and home of the brave. And it is a similar sort of

imdb.com

predicament which is sensitively explored in Mooz-Lum, a comingof-age flick by Qasim “Q” Basir.

Basir makes a memorable writing and directorial debut with this semi-autobiographical character-driven drama, chronicling an emotionallyconflicted young Muslim’s struggle for identity. And Q has assembled an impressive cast to

execute his script, including Evan Ross, Danny Glover, Nia Long and Roger Guenveur Smith, to name a few.

At the onset, we are introduced to Hassan Mahdi (Smith), an overbearing patriarch who forces his family to follow an orthodox, Islamic regimen. Wife Safiyah (Long) is unhappily-married because her husband’s too strict on the kids. Still, she won’t divorce him because she feels they need a father figure in their lives.

Consequently, their miserable son, Tariq (Ross), aka T, routinely removes the kufi he’s supposed to wear, as soon as his dad drops him off at school. And he also has to hide the fact that he has an innocent crush on a Catholic girl (Molly Paddock) he met in the woods. Meanwhile, his sister, Taqua (Kimberley Drummond), has her own issues, having to keep her head and body covered in Muslim garb, making her stand out like a sore thumb.

The plot thickens when T’s faith is tested in his freshman year of college— between

being teased by a trash-talking classmate (Vladimi Versaillies) who lives across the hall and being attracted to a cute coed (Maryam Basir) who turns his head. On the one hand, he does his best to distance himself from his devout roommate, Hamza (Kunal Sharma), yet he’s not really ready to behave like a party animal either.

Elsewhere at the university, a Muslim professor (Dorian Missick) is having his tenure subtly threatened by a dean (Glover) who doesn’t appreciate his proselytizing.

But all this is overshadowed by the events of 9/11 when an ugly mob starts roaming the campus in search of easy targets to take out their frustrations on.

This is a poignant cinematic memoir of growing up Muslim in America, from the perspective of an anguished soul who just wanted to enjoy a normal childhood.

Distributor: Peace Film See the trailer for Mooz-Lum

online at youtube.com

Excellent (3.5 stars) Rated PG-13 for violence and mature themes Running time: 99 Minutes

Connie Evingson, vocals Ginger Commodore, vocals Lee Blaske, piano

Bachmann

Bobby Commodore, drums Tom Lewis, bass

From 1 both Democratic leaders and Republican leaders will take the initiative in condemning that kind of unprecedented attack on the president of the United States,” Carter said.

When it comes to understanding America’s present, we must be honest about the nation’s past. The founding fathers were amazing men who did great things, but they were also part of the collection of men and women who beat, raped, castrated, lynched and destroyed Black families for over 400 years.

So, within the context of my love and appreciation for America, I must also be clear in stating that the men and women who were presented in high school to me as great American heroes are not, cannot, shouldn’t and won’t ever be significant heroes of mine.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy.

Kathy Jensen, sax Directed by Dennis Spears

The Sultry Divas of Jazz A Tribute to Peggy Lee & Nancy Wilson 7 p.m. Saturday, February 12, 2010 3 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2010

Ginger Commodore and Connie Evingson “pay tribute to two sultry divas, who in their very lengthy careers shared very similar artistic experiences,” says Dennis Spears, Legends artistic director. “Both Peggy Lee and Nancy Wilson are known for their sultry styles of delivery, sassy choices in attire and a natural talent for the screen.”

Buy single tickets ($25 or $20 for groups of 10 or more) at

Legends

thecapritheater.org, or call OvationTix at 866-811-4111 Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, 55411 at the Capri Theater

Presented by Plymouth Christian Youth Center The Capri Theater is owned and operated by PCYC.

Page 6 • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Insight News

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HEALTH Earth Talk: Restoring family planning Dear EarthTalk: Global population numbers continue to rise, as does the poverty, suffering and environmental degradation that goes with it. Has the U.S., under Obama, increased or at least restored its family planning aid to developing countries that was cut when the Bush Administration first took office?

-- T. Healy, via e-mail The short answer is yes.

President Obama is much more interested in family planning around the world than his predecessor ever was. One of Obama’s first acts upon assuming office in 2009 was the restoration of funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). George W. Bush had withheld some $244 million in aid to the UNFPA over the previous seven years. UNFPA works with developing countries around the world to “reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth

is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.”

Reinstated U.S. funding will help the agency pursue its goals of universal access to reproductive health services, universal primary education and closing of the gender gap in education, reducing maternal and infant mortality, increasing life expectancy and decreasing HIV infection rates.

Along with restoring UNFPA funding, Obama also overturned the so-called “Global Gag Rule” that prohibited groups funded by the U.S. Agency in International Development (USAID) from using any government or non-government funds for “providing advice, counseling or information regarding abortion, or lobbying a foreign government to legalize or make abortion available.”

Foreign nonprofits were already not allowed to use U.S. funds to pay for abortions, but the Global

CIMMYT / Flickr

The Obama administration’s reinstatement of funding to the United Nations Population Fund helps the agency’s efforts around the world to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

Gag Rule—first instituted as the ‘Mexico City Policy’ in 1984 by the Reagan White House, then overturned by Clinton and later reinstated by George W. Bush— went further by restricting the free speech rights of government grantees and stifling public debate on the contentious topic.

Foreign NGOs that accept U.S. funding still cannot perform abortions, but can discuss the options openly with the families they serve.

“For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us,” said Barack Obama upon overturning the policy as one of his first acts in office. “It is time that we end the politicization of this issue.”

Of course, advocates for increased family planning are pressuring the Obama administration to step up its efforts aboard even more. The Institute of Medicine, one of four

government-affiliated nonprofit “academies” of experts, recommended last spring that the U.S. increase its spending on global health by some 50 percent over the $63 billion pledged by the Obama White House over the next six years.

Groups providing family planning services domestically would also like to see the Obama administration step up funding for their programs, not only to improve the quality of life for American families but to save money and reduce abortions as well: A 2009 report by the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute concluded that publicly funded family planning services at both hospitals and non-profit clinics saves taxpayers $4 for every $1 spent by preventing nearly two million pregnancies and 810,000 abortions per year.

CONTACTS: UNFPA; USAID; Institute of Medicine; Guttmacher Institute.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The 11th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) will be held Feb. 7 to draw attention to the devastating toll HIV/ AIDS has on AfricanAmerican communities.

Over 6% African-American men will be diagnosed with HIV infection some time in their lives, as will over 3% African-

American women, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Almost half of the one million Americans currently living with HIV are African-American.

“In Minnesota, our AfricanAmerican and African-born communities face some of the highest HIV infection rates compared to other

population groups,” said Peter Carr, manager of the STD and HIV Section, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

“African-Americans and African-born communities face a number of obstacles that contribute to the higher HIV infection rates,” said Carr.

“Some of the obstacles include unknown HIV status, cultural

stigma, and socioeconomic factors such as lower income levels that can lead to limited access to quality health care and HIV prevention education and testing.”

With the national theme of, “It takes a village to fight HIV/AIDS,” national and local organizers hope to unite African-American and

African-born communities for a call to action to get tested, get educated, get treated and get involved within their communities and neighborhoods to halt the spread of this disease.

The MDH website provides information and a calendar of local activities for NBHAAD at http://www.health.state. mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/

hiv/worldaidsday/nbhaad/ index.html. Free downloadable campaign materials specific for African-American communities are available at: http://www.greaterthan.org.

For more information about the NBHAAD 2011 observance, visit http://www.blackaidsday. org or call 1-404-454-5469.

Nordstrom announces Black History Month initiative Be The Match® is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor.

Nordstrom, Inc. announced today that it is recognizing Black History Month in 2011 by teaming up with Be The Match® to help raise awareness of the critical need for more African American marrow and

umbilical cord blood donors.

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a leader in the field of marrow and cord blood transplantation, created Be The Match to provide opportunities for the public to become involved in saving the lives of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases.

As part of its ‘Living Well‘ initiative, Nordstrom is giving people an easy way to learn

more about becoming a bone marrow donor and helping increase the likelihood that patients in need of marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants can receive them.

According to Be The Match, more than 10,000 U.S. patients are diagnosed with diseases like sickle cell anemia and leukemia every year, and their best or only hope of a cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant.

These patients do not have a donor match in their family, and rely on the Be The Match Registry® to find a match.

Patients are more likely to match a donor from their own race or ethnicity, but just 7% of the Be The Match Registry’s 9 million members are African American.

To join the Be The Match Registry, people need to be between the ages of 1860, willing to donate to any

patient in need and meet health guidelines.

A new website, www. nordstrom.com/bhm, provides an opportunity for visitors to take action and learn more.

For every person who joins the Be The Match Registry as a potential marrow donor via the site from February 1 through February 28, Nordstrom will cover the $100 cost of adding a new member to the registry, up to $75,000.

“We want to thank Nordstrom for bringing widespread attention to the need for more African Americans on the Be The Match Registry, so that more lives can be saved,” said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., chief executive officer of the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), which operates the Be The Match Registry.

Number of adverse health events in MN hospitals The number of adverse events in Minnesota hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and community behavioral health hospitals increased from 301 in 2009 to 305 in 2010, according to a report released today by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The seventh annual adverse health events report summarizes the number and types of events that occurred between October 7, 2009, and October 6, 2010, in the roughly 200 facilities covered by the adverse health events reporting law. The 305 events were reported by 60 hospitals and two surgical centers.

The overall profile of events was similar to previous years, with falls, pressure ulcers and retained foreign objects making up the majority of events. Other results include: Ten deaths and 97 serious

injuries resulted from the reported events.

Last year’s 20 percent reduction in falls associated with serious injury or death was largely maintained. A total of 80 falls were reported, up from 76 in the previous year but down from a high of 95 two years ago.

The number of serious bedsores remained roughly constant, decreasing from 122 to 118.

The number of events related to surgery or invasive procedures remained unchanged at 83.

“While these events are still exceedingly rare, we must never lose sight of the fact that each adverse event has an impact on a patient and their family, and that most are preventable,” said Diane Rydrych, assistant director, MDH Health

Policy Division. “Because of the multiple challenges facing hospitals today, we’re concerned that many health care leaders may not be fully engaged in making changes that will prevent harm to patients.

That’s why we are stepping up our call to action to health care leaders to strengthen their commitment to make patient safety their highest priority.”

Dr. James Reinertsen, a national patient safety expert, agrees that more adverse events could be prevented if hospital boards took stronger steps to adopt strong patient safety practices. “Minnesota is doing great things to reduce adverse events, but we know that efforts often fall short because hospitals lack the will to insist on rigorous application of patient safety methods,” Reinertsen said.

Among

other things, he encourages hospitals to publicize safety goals and performance. “When hospitals share reports with the public, their performance tends to improve, especially for those results that don’t look so good.” Reinertsen heads The Reinertsen Group, a national health care quality improvement organization. He was formerly the chair of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement and CEO of Park-Nicollet. Last week, he received the 2011 Eisenberg Award for patient safety from the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission.

Reinertsen and Rydrych said that boards of directors and CEOs should send a strong message that commitment to safe practices is non-negotiable for all providers all the time.

They noted that leaders can

keep the focus on eliminating preventable harm by using strategies such as: Telling patient stories of preventable harm at every board meeting.

Training board members on patient safety.

Requiring board members to participate in “leadership rounds” or other activities that put them in contact with frontline staff and patients.

Ensuring that policies and protocols reflect best practices and community standards for safety, and include a hard-stop policy for when best practices are not being followed.

Showing board members the personal impact of each instance of preventable harm in their facility, rather than focusing just on rates and benchmarks.

Holding physicians and

other providers accountable for compliance with all best practices to prevent harm and for full engagement in safety efforts.

“While we know we can do more to prevent adverse events, it is important to point out that we are learning some valuable lessons every year through our reporting system,” said Rydrych. “Learning about why events happen, then working to prevent them from happening again, is the best way to improve patient safety.”

Rydrych noted the following key lessons learned in 2010: In response to the finding that more than 25 percent of reported pressure ulcers are associated with the use of a device such as

HEALTH TURN TO 12

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Insight News • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Page 7

BUSINESS How to prepare for almost anything Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com If tomorrow’s calendar says job interview, sales meeting, big game or major presentation, giving a toast or initiating a tough conversation, then the cold sweats that wake you up tonight are not going to make tomorrow go more smoothly.

It’s just nerves. Nerves are a normal part of anticipating something important coming up.

However, it should be only that – a part of what you are feeling – not a paralyzing, sleep-stealing obstacle that keeps you from succeeding on the big day. The antidote to nerves is the Three Point Strategy, a way to prepare by looking at your situation from three points of perspective.

Point One is knowing about the past. What happened leading up to this situation? Using a job interview as an example, prepare information about your job history. In addition, discover one thing about the company’s

history.

Use a variety of research tools to gather details: blogs, phone calls to friends, newspaper articles. Find out where your interviewer worked before coming to this company and decide where all these pieces intersect. How did we get here?

The Past Point is also helpful when giving presentations.

What makes you the best person to present this speech or teach this course? Look to the past, too, for some novel opening comments when giving a toast or introducing someone to a group.

Point Two is about the

Present. Our current situation is what? When the Packers and the Steelers prepare for the biggest game of the season, they will look at film of past games, but will focus considerable attention on the current situation, as well.

Who is hurt? What impact will that have on our game?

On theirs? In a job interview, knowing what situation the company is in presently will drive the conversation; it will dictate what questions the job seeker should ask, and illuminate best ways to answer the questions an interviewer is likely to put on the table.

Point Three, you guessed it,

is about the Future. Where do you want to go? What goals do you have for the outcome of this meeting, this game, this presentation, this toast?

Imagine a variety of possible outcome scenarios and prepare for the ones that seem most viable. If you are working with a sales team, you might expect that today’s training will increase sales. How will that play out for your salespeople, for the company and for your customers?

In an interview situation, you will want to be armed with insight about where the industry might be headed. Use that

information when asked where you want to be in five years.

Rather than saying you want to be running this company, refer to where the industry is headed, and how that might impact your career goals and the future of the organization.

If you fully prepare, you will be able to sleep right through the night, and be refreshed and ready for (almost) anything you’re facing.

Julie Desmond is a contract specialist with Specialized Recruiting Group in Minneapolis. Write to julie@ insightnews.com.

Juvenile crime continues to decline The Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) has reported a 10% reduction in the average daily population of the county’s Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) from 2009 through the 3rd quarter of 2010 by using community-based programs as

an alternative to JDC. The JDAI is a collaborative effort of the courts, probation, police, county attorneys, public defenders, schools, human services, and community members to create an effective, fair, and efficient juvenile justice system that produces positive

outcomes for youth, while at the same time protecting public safety.

According to County Judge Lucy Wieland, and JDAI co-chair, “Juvenile crime continues to drop. Since JDAI’s implementation in 2006, there has been a 45% reduction in

felony-level juvenile court filings. In Minneapolis, police report that the total number of juvenile crime suspects is down nearly 22% from the same period in 2009. Public safety is being protected while we reduce the number of juveniles in the Juvenile Detention Center.”

The focus of JDAI is on policy changes and communitybased programs designed to support youth and eliminate the unnecessary use of secure detention for youth.

Interested members of the public can attend JDAI Steering Committee meetings at

Urban Research and Outreach/ Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. No., Minneapolis on February 10 and April 14, 2011. Contact Jerald Moore, JDAI site coordinator at 612-348-3667 for more information.

Civil rights meets Facebook Tara J. Young, founder of hiphopadvocate.org, a blogsite that promotes advocacy and organizing with a hip hop twist, recruited close to 40 Civil Rights workers and volunteers representing 15 organizations

to speak through the Facebook page: Civil Rights Heroes (Workers and Volunteer) on Face Book, to inspire and promote the power of the ‘foot soldier’.

“We know there are notable

and honorable leaders—icons of the Civil Rights Movement— but the dream wouldn’t have been a reality, if it wasn’t for foot soldiers, boys, girls, men, women and seniors, who fearlessly executed the plan to

gain equality,” said Young.

Here’s how it works: The morning of February 1, 2011, the Civil Rights hero or heroes assigned to that day will state in 5–10 sentences their experience or an event witnessed, and

throughout they will respond to public comments and questions and even discuss current headlines.

The Civil Rights workers want to hear what people— especially young people—

have to say or ask about the movement.

To join the conversation with Civil Rights Workers and Volunteers people just have to click the ‘Like’ button on the Facebook page.

Fraud

of these fraudulent claims were uncovered by the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit, the number of fraudulent refunds issued over the last six years has more than doubled from $13.4 million to $39.1 million. In total, from 2004 to 2009, up to $123 million in fraudulent claims have

been paid out to individuals incarcerated in the United States.

In their January letter to both the IRS and the BOP, the members of Congress noted that under The Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act of 2008, the IRS was given the authority to release

tax information on incarcerated individuals to corrections officials. Despite this authority, the BOP’s fear of litigation for not disclosing to prisoners impending enforcement actions has hampered enforcement.

Even though federal law prohibits the BOP from

sharing tax information with the prisoner, the agency had remained hesitant to cooperate with the IRS. The senators called on both the BOP and the IRS to use the authority granted them by the Congress to immediately begin sharing information so

that prison officials can root out fraud occurring in federal and state penitentiaries.

The agreement between the IRS and BOP will ensure that prisoners will be hard pressed to file fraudulent tax returns and bilk taxpayers out of millions of dollars.

From 3 the cost of fraudulent claims rose from $68.1 million to $295.1 million. While many

Page 8 • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Gameshow quiz to inspire Valentine fun Style on a Dime

By Marcia Humphrey marcia@insightnews.com Do you remember the popular television game show of the 1970’s and 80’s called the Newlywed Game?

It was hosted by handsome Bob Eubanks, and I was a young fan who rarely missed an episode.

In case you are unfamiliar with it, each week the show featured four recently married couples competing to determine which couple knew their mate best.

Bob had a charming way of

HBCU From 4 students who want to attain a degree in a smaller, richly diverse environment, are enrolling and matriculating at HBCUs,” said the group, which represents the interests of HBCUs across the country.

Hampton University president Dr. William Harvey said, “Clearly, historically Black colleges and universities do not need ‘a makeover’ or ‘a new mission.’ What is needed are major publications, such as the Wall Street Journal to conduct solid and sincere research so it

Spouse Most Like to See You Wearing? Whatever it is, put it on! Celebrate your love and marriage by doing the small, thoughtful things you know will mean a lot to your spouse. (Also consider giving a candlelit back rub with scented massage oil.)

getting the contestants to reveal too much personal information about their relationship, especially when it came to the topic of “whoopee!” Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I am wondering if you have made romantic plans with/for your honey. Here are some Newlywed game-inspired questions that might assist you in deciding how to make your 2011 Valentine’s Day special (and budget-friendly).

What’s your honey’s favorite dinner? For Valentine’s Day, think of serving his favorite meal; it could mean dinner at a special restaurant, cooking athome, or ordering take-out. If you do go out, check to see if there are any coupons online.

can better appreciate the value and contributions HBCUs make.”

A 2009 Associated Press study analyzed the six-year graduation rates of 83 four-year HBCUs, finding that only 37% of Black students obtained degrees within six years. That’s 4% lower than the national college graduation for Blacks students. Black males lag behind with a 29% graduation rate within six years compared to 45% of Black females.

Last December, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released its own report, “The Educational Effectiveness of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

The report listed some HBCU challenges and triumphs.

What’s His Favorite Type of Music? There is no better way to set a romantic tone than with some favorite slow jams. Get the music ready in advance, and don’t forget to dim the lights.

Go to iTunes and consider purchasing that one special song that was playing when you first… danced!

“Though only about 20 percent of African-American college students attend HBCUs, 40 percent of all African-American engineers received their degrees from an HBCU. Similarly, of the top 21 undergraduate producers of African American science PhDs, 17 were HBCUs,” the report noted.

The commission found Black students report more contact with HBCU faculty than Black students at non-HBCUs. The study noted HBCUs have less funding, less support, and fewer resources for students than comparable majority White schools. Despite having less money and fewer services, the report found no significant differences in academic success when measuring HBCUs against wealthier White institutions.

According to a 2006 National Center for Educational Statistics report, the short term economic impact of HBCUs is $10 billion annually, providing more than 180,000 full and part-time jobs.

Harvey points to success stories such as Xavier University in New Orleans educating nearly 25% of the approximately 6,000 Black pharmacists practicing

in the country, and ranking first in the nation in placing Black students in medical schools.

The nation’s top producer of Black bachelors and doctorates in engineering is North Carolina A&T and nine HBCUs cumulatively graduate more than 30% of all Blacks who receive engineering degrees.

“This short list of some of the research and academic activities at HBCUs refutes the assertion that HBCUs are inferior. In fact, it illustrates that some HBCUs are superior,” argues Harvey.

What’s

Outfit

Does Your

The role of HBCUs in 2020 Last year, the Obama administration allocated $850 million during 10 years in federal funding for HBCUs. William Foster IV believes the allocation is far less than what is needed.

“We’re talking about $85 million a year split between 105 schools. That is nowhere near enough money,” said Mr. Foster, who started the HBCU Endowment Foundation in 2007, after discovering that only 20% of Black colleges and universities have endowments.

Dr. John Wilson, executive director of the White House

Where and When Does Your Valentine Most Like to Make Whoopee? It can be lots of fun to reminisce with your spouse about moments of intimacy that you have shared togethermaybe even in unlikely places (or chat about new things and places you’d like to try this weekend). Consider spending the night in a hotel, if the budget allows, and get away from the demands of your home, so you can truly unwind.

Initiative on HBCUs, pointed out that government assistance goes beyond the budget outlays.

“We’re aware that it is not enough but that’s not all that we have or will do. However, the HBCU presidents were quite grateful for that assistance. But, that amount was in addition to the Title III funds that HBCUs receive. Also a quarter of a billion dollars has funded research programs,” said Wilson, a graduate of Morehouse College, a prestigious historically Black men’s school in Atlanta.

Wilson was appointed in 2009 by President Obama, who signed an executive order last February renewing White House commitment to HBCUs. The five key tasks of The White House Initiative has five new tasks for HBCUs, including improving the identity, visibility, and distinctive capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs; forging national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives; improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions; elevating the public awareness of HBCUs; and encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. “HBCUs have made it possible for millions of people to achieve their dreams and gave so many young people a chance they never thought they’d have—a chance that nobody else would give them,” said President Obama during a National HBCU Week reception at the White House with HBCU officials last September.

“We cannot reach that goal without HBCUs. We can’t get there unless all of you are

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love with your beloved. Write your honey a letter or poem expressing your devotion. With busy lives, family responsibilities, and demanding schedules, it’s vital that we become intentional about setting aside time to show we care through meaningful, intimate conversations and flirty, fun, (and sometimes funny) romance with our spouse. It’s never too late to act like newlyweds. Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at low costs. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

improving your graduation rates. We can’t get there unless all of you are continuing to make the dream of a college education a reality for more students,” said President Obama, speaking to Black administrators and educators.

“In order for the nation to reach its educational goal of making America number one globally in college graduation, then HBCUs cannot be excluded,” added Malveaux.

Schools need Black support “African American people need to embrace, accept and celebrate HBCUs. Not just football games and the marching bands but the education. Alumni should donate back to their school.

However, even if you did not attend an HBCU, if you’re Black in America you still should financially support our institutions,” said Malveaux, who also just released a new book titled “Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History.”

Carter agrees that financial support should be made by the community. “Some people don’t give because they say they can’t afford to give hundreds of dollars a year. But, how about you pool your dollars with someone else and give together?

We can’t forget that’s how we elected President Obama, by giving in small amounts across the country. We can do the same thing for HBCUs,” said Carter.

Sean Walton, Jr., a law student at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, has been

HBCU TURN TO 11

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Insight News • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Page 9

COMMENTARY Egypt, economic justice and the rest of us Opinion

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist People took it to the streets in Egypt on Tuesday, January 25, and they’ve been on the streets ever since. They’ve been demanding the removal of President Hosni Mubarak, and agitating for “freedom, democracy, and change”.

Unemployment is high, economic opportunity is low, and people are so frustrated that they are taking it to the streets.

In Egypt, at least 40 percent of the population lives in poverty, on less than $2 a day. The population of 80 million skews young, with an average age of 24 (in contrast, the average age in the US is 36). President Mubarak, at 82, seems out of touch with the population.

The gap is not really about

age. It is about class, about employment, about social and economic justice. People are furious that the elites live well while others scratch and scramble for a living.

People are appalled at a city called “Garbage City” that has been broadcast on all the networks. As protests escalated, communication was stopped.

The Internet was down in Egypt during part of the protests, and cell reception was also knocked out.

Despite these obstacles, social networking has connected protestors and kept us at least somewhat informed.

Was the uprising in Egypt expected? It should have been, given the uprisings in Tunisia at the end of December. Also fuelled by high unemployment and a high-profile selfimmolation, the protest energy in Tunisia led to the exile of President Ben Ali and to a move toward a transition to democracy there. The spark—a man who could not find a job, so sold fruit on the street, but had his produce confiscated because he did not have a permit to sell.

Thousands vowed to avenge his death at his funeral, and when they took it to the streets, they sparked a movement for democracy and economic justice. And, perhaps they also galvanized a region.

Despots have a way of

Egypt, what will Egypt spark?

The reverberations may not only be felt in the Arab world, but also in sub-Saharan Africa, where there are also despots and dictatorships, a growing gap between the wealthy and the impoverished.

If people

“They want to work, they want to thrive, and they are clear that the playing field is not level...” invoking fear. They have a way of quelling opposition before it even galvanizes. A harrowing self-immolation in Tunisia pushed thousands into the streets there, and they succeeded in removing Ben Ali. The Tunisian protest may have emboldened and empowered others, because actions in Tunisia made it clear that despotic power is not absolute in the face of popular opposition. If Tunisia sparked

are able to remove despots in Tunisia and Egypt, what will prevent them from removing those who do not encourage democracy in other parts of the African continent?

It is important to note that these protests are both political and economic. People want democracy, and they also want an opportunity to participate in a vibrant economy. They want to work, they want to

thrive, and they are clear that the playing field is not level; that the elites extract surplus value from them, and that their lives will not change until the economic rules change.

The United States dances on a dime with Egypt. We are a democracy, we support democracy, and President Obama has pushed President Mubarak on these matters.

President Mubarak has been disingenuous in dissolving his cabinet, appointing a military Vice President, and sending tanks to the streets.

We appreciate Egypt because they have stood in the gap for us in the Middle East. Yet, as a democracy, we must support cries for freedom and economic justice.

When I reflect on the fact that people in Tunisia and Egypt have taken to the streets on economic issues, I wonder about economic justice in the United States. While we have the possibility of political participation that both Egypt and Tunisia lack, there are sectors of our population that

feel as marginalized around employment issues.

The official unemployment rate, of 9.4 percent in December, can translate to as high as 28 percent for African Americans.

And yet, President Obama’s State of the Union Address addressed unemployment, but did not directly address issues of poverty. Those who were listening had to be frustrated that our leader did not give even a nod to their pain. Will this frustration ever spill into the streets? Will we ever demand social and economic justice with the same vigor as the Egyptian people? There are many differences between the situation in the U.S. and that in Egypt, but the frustration over poverty and economic injustice is universal.

Julianne Malveaux is President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina. Her most recent book, Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History, is available at www. lastwordprod.com

Green Empowerment Zones mean jobs To Be Equal

By Marc H. Morial “To ignore the potential contribution of private enterprise is to fight the war on poverty with a single platoon while great armies are left to stand aside.”

Robert Kennedy It is time for policy makers on both sides of the progressiveconservative divide to stop

debating and start enacting policies to create jobs, especially for those suffering the most from the persisting great recession. One way to do that is to create green empowerment zones that would generate urban jobs, promote clean energy, and enhance American competitiveness in the global shift to green technology. An empowerment zone generally is an economically distressed urban area that is eligible for government tax breaks as a way to spur business investment, small business growth and jobs.

The concept has been embraced

by Republicans like Jack Kemp and Ronald Reagan as well as Democrats like Bill Clinton and

Barack Obama.

Last week, as part of the National Urban League’s new 12-point Urban Jobs Rebuild America Plan, we called for the creation of green empowerment zones in urban areas where at least 50% of the population has an unemployment rate that is higher than the state average.

Manufacturers of solar panels and wind turbines that open plants in high unemployment areas will, for a period of three years, be eligible for a zero federal income tax rate and a zero capital gains tax rate under the condition that they hire at least half of their workforce from the local high unemployment area, and retain those workers

for a minimum of three years.

This proposal has been on the table since 2009, when the National Urban League convened a Green Jobs Summit in Washington to develop recommendations to ensure that urban America has a central role in the Green Jobs/Clean Energy revolution. A number of mayors, including Thomas M. Menino of Boston, have adopted the approach.

New Congressional Black Caucus Chairman and former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Emanuel Cleaver has also used stimulus funds to create a Green Impact Zone in that city. But, we can do more.

Green Empowerment Zones

and the other 11 job-creating proposals in our plan send a strong message to the President and the Congress: Hard-pressed urban communities suffering unemployment rates nearly double the national rate of 9.4 percent, need jobs now – not six, or eight or 10 months down the road. The old adage that “a rising tide lifts all boats” means nothing if you haven’t got a boat. The truth is, doubledigit unemployment has been a reality for African Americans since August 2008 and for Latinos since February 2009.

Urban League affiliates across the country are on the frontlines of this crisis every day. We see the human toll it is taking on

millions of urban families.

President Obama, who has recently focused on the role of business in job creation said, “Our job is to do everything we can to ensure that businesses can take root and folks can find good jobs and America is leading the global competition that will determine our success in the 21st century.”

Green Empowerment Zones is a business-friendly approach that will boost American competitiveness, create jobs and help ensure that communities of color are not left behind.

Marc H. Morial is the President and CEO of the National Urban League

Page 10 • February 7, 2010 - February 13, 2011 • Insight News

Classifieds / Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

PHONE: 612.588.1313

Fridley: Wed., Feb. 16, 1:00 PM: Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, 6666 East River Road; 763-574-1850; http:// www.banfill-locke.org; (take I-94 to I-694 to East River Road and proceed north about 1.5 mile to the Center).

insightnews.com FAX: 612.588.2031

World” as the third of four free concerts of the Minnesota Sinfonia conducted

by Jay Fishman, on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in the university’s Auditorium, 700 E. 7th St., Saint Paul. The concert is free and open to the public.

Events

Movement Building - Feb 8 As a community, struggles and successes in the Twin Cities are shared.

Learn about a cross-sector movement of African Americans in the Twin Cities who are committed to positive education, health, and economic outcomes in the Black community and are willing to invest time, talent and treasure to catalyze change. Tue., Feb. 8th, 5:30-7pm at Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar 3747 42nd Ave. S. Mpls.

Never Again For Anyone - Feb 8 — Hajo Meyer, a Holocaust survivor, physicist, violin maker, and author, will share the lesson of his experience in the Holocaust with a speech called “Never Again for Anyone.” He will be joined by Osama Abu Irshaid, founder and editor of the newspaper Al Mezan, and Coya White Hat-Artichoker, a Dakota woman and indigenous rights activist. Feb. 8, 7pm at the John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105. For more information about the tour and the speakers, go to www. neveragainforanyone.com. Suggested donation: $5 - $20.

Ginger Commodore Connie Evingson The Sultry Divas of Jazz - Feb 12&13 — Nancy Wilson & Peggy Lee: The Sultry Divas of Jazz, with Ginger Commodore and Connie Evingson, is the next concert in the Legends series at the Capri Theater. Performances are at 7pm Sat., Feb. 12, and 3pm Sun., Feb. 13. Single tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at thecapritheater.org, or by calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111.

Minneapolis: Mon., Feb. 28, Noon: VSA Minnesota meeting room at Hennepin Center for the Arts #310, 528 Hennepin Ave., 612-332-3888; www. vsamn.org Adrift on the Mississippi - Feb 1027 — The powerful true story of Reverend Robert Hickman, who led a group of slaves out of Missouri, up the Mississippi River on a raft in search of freedom. Feb. 10-27. Thur. and Fri. at 10am and 7:30pm; Sat. at 7:30pm; Sun. at 2pm. Adults: $25-30 Seniors: $22-28 Students with college ID: $15 Children: $10. Concordia University, St. Paul E.M. Pearson Theatre 312 Hamline Ave. N. St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunset Snowshoe Hike on the Chain of Lakes - Feb 11 Snowshoe on the Chain of Lakes at sunset, looking for wildlife and viewing

Come and See Weekend with the Visitation Sisters - Feb 11-12 — Are you a faith-filled woman interested in working towards social justice? Are you being called to an urban monastic experience? Explore life at an urban monestary with the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, Mn. Women ages 18-45 are invited to join. Fri, Feb 11 6pm thru.

Sat, Feb 12 at 1527 Fremont Ave. N. Mpls. Contact: Sister Katherine Mullin at mullinkf@aol.com MultiCultural Diversity Resource EXPO - Feb 13 — Education; Employment; Health Care; Immigration; and Housing Exhibits & Quinceañera Products/Services Vendor Exhibits. Sun. Feb. 13 - 11am-5pm @ Neighborhood House at Wellstone Center 179 Robie St. E. St. Paul.

WomanVenture - Feb 8-10 — For further information and to register, visit womenventure.org or call 651-6463808. 2324 University Ave. W., Suite 120, St. Paul, MN 55114.

• Career & Employment Transition Group for Women Feb. 8 9:30–11:30am at WomenVenture, Free. Walk-in group for women to make connections, get support and receive job-seeking advice.

• Career & Employment Transition Group for Women Feb. 10 6-8pm at WomenVenture, Free. Walk-in group for women to make connections, get support and receive job-seeking advice.

Parents, Teachers, Activists, You know who could best improve our schools.

- Feb 8 — And let’s keep Minority Representation and experienced and responsive leadership on the school board. Attend the event most likely to impact who’s on the school board, your DFL caucus on Feb. 8 and get elected as a city delegate - April 9th. For locations: www.stpauldfl.org Information Meetings for ADA Grants - Feb 9,16 & 28 — Grant money is available to help nonprofit arts organizations in the 7-county metro area be more accessible to people with disabilities. An information meeting about this opportunity will be held: Burnsville: Wed., Feb. 9, 10:00 AM: Burnsville Performing Arts Center, Art Gallery on first floor, 12600 Nicollet Ave., 952-895-4685; http://www. burnsvillepac.com

Program/Marketing Manager LANDMARK CENTER Downtown St. Paul FT opening immediately. Seeking highly skilled nonprofit Program & Marketing Manager to guide program implementation and marketing efforts for Landmark Center and its cultural programs. Please see job posting at www.landmarkcenter.org/jobs.html Cover letter and resume to Minnesota Landmarks by Feb 16, 75 W. Fifth St., #404, St. Paul, MN 55102.

AA/EO Employer. No phone calls, please.

TELEMARKETING POSITION Insight News is seeking applicants for a part-time Classified Sales Telemarketing Representative.

This position is perfect for a college student or someone looking for part time employment.

Hours are Mon-Thursday, 10 – 2 PM, not to exceed 20 hours per week.

Position Duties: • Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe Insight News and www.insightnews. com, in order to secure classified advertising.

• Contact businesses by telephone in order to solicit sales.

• Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.

• Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.

• Telephone or write letters to respond to correspondence from customers or to follow up initial sales contacts.

• Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.

This position requires a high school diploma, previous telemarketing experience and the ability to produce results.

Please submit resume with three references to batalara@insightnews.com NO WALK-INS and no PHONE CALLS, please.

solar systems, and observe earth from an astronaut’s perspective. There will also be opportunities for hands on access to telescopes and meteorites.

6-9pm. Reservations are not required and parking is available in the Northrop Garage. For more information on the event, email help@mplanetarium.org or contact by phone at 952-847-8210.

WomanVenture - Feb 15-17 — For further information and to register, visit womenventure.org or call 651-6463808. 2324 University Ave. W., Suite 120, St. Paul, MN 55114.

• The Best Place to Start Tue. Feb. 15 11:30am-12:15pm or Thur. Feb 17 6-6:45pm at WomenVenture, Free.

Overview of WomenVenture services to help you determine your next step toward more fulfilling work.

Minnesota Waiting Child Pre-Adopt Training - Feb 8,10,12,15 & 17 —

Downey Side…families for youth, invites perspective adoptive parents for Minnesota’s Waiting Children to attend MN Public Private Adoption Initiative Pre-Adopt Training on Feb. 8, 10, 15, and 17 from 5:30-8:30pm and Feb.12 from 9am-1pm. Downey Side Minnesota, 450 N. Syndicate St., Suite 90, St Paul, MN, 55104. There is no charge to families preparing to adopt children under state guardianship. PreRegistration is required. To register, email stpaulmn@downeyside.org or call 651-228-0117

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

Roti & A Reel - Feb 13 — Monthly gathering that includes a classic Caribbean film, Caribbean meal and pre-event music/performance. On Feb. 13th 5-8pm, the feature film will be “Rockers” a 1978 cult classic written and directed by Ted Bafaloukos. At Suburban World Theatre 3022 Hennepin Ave. Mpls. $20 Tix available at the Suburban World Theatre Box Office 952-270-6700 or online at www.suburbanworldtheatre.com.

wildlife areas that are inaccessible during warmer months. Snowshoes provided. Meet at the North Beach parking lot at Lake Calhoun on Excelsior Boulevard. Register at minneapolisparks.org or call 313-7725.

Mon. Feb. 14, 4-6pm. $15, Registration closes at 4:30 on Fri, Feb 11.

The Playwright’s Center - Call for Applications - Feb 11 — Inviting writers of color residing in Minnesota to apply for a Many Voices playwriting fellowship. Two beginning playwrights will receive a $1000 stipend, $250 in development funds, and a structured curriculum of playwriting instruction and dramaturgical support. Three emerging playwrights will receive a $3600 stipend, $1000 of development funding, and dramaturgical support.

For information on how to apply, visit: www.pwcenter.org/files/ ManyVoicesApp2011-12.pdf

Getting in the Door and Getting the Job - Feb 15 — Today’s job search market is taking no prisoners. With employers getting hundreds of resumes for one position, how do you stand out as a young professional? How do you turn your limited experience into an interview opportunity, and that interview into a job offer? Get answers to those questions and more on Tue., Feb. 15 at 5:30pm at Goodwill Easter Seals Headquarters. This hands-on workshop will give attendees a rare opportunity to speak with actual hiring managers at local nonprofit organizations and get advice on how to land the job. Registration is limited.

Register by Feb. 8 to have your resume reviewed by hiring experts. For more information and to register, visit http:// ynpngettinginthedoor.eventbrite.com/

The Minnesota Planetarium Society Celebrates Galileo’s Birthday - Feb 15 — Attendees will have Music from Around the World - the opportunity the explore space Feb 11 — Metropolitan State University inside the Society’s ExploraDome, presents “Music from Around the an inflatable, portable planetarium.

This new technology will allows visitors to experience the night ROSLYN ROBINSON sky, journey through

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the early evening airways. 21+ $6, $5 for MHS members. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.mnhs.org by calling 651-259-3015. At Turf Club, 1601 University Ave., St Paul.

Interfaith Forum w/ Congressman Keith Ellison - Feb 24 — Keith Ellison represents Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-FarmerLabor Party, he is the first Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress.

Before his election to national office, he served two terms in the Minnesota State Legislature, representing District 58B. In an era of fear and polarization, he offers a message of hope, reconciliation, respect, and inclusion. Thur., Feb. 24, Noon–1pm @ Westminster Presbyterian Church Nicollet Mall & 12th St. in Mpls.

Merrick Community Center Celebrates Black History - Feb 17 — Free event for families. Community Vendors, Entertainment and Food. Feb, 17 5:308pm 715 Edgerton St, Saint Paul MN 55130.

Surveying for Historic Resources Feb 17-28 — The City of Minneapolis announces upcoming community meetings to discuss historic surveying work underway of properties, themes and development patterns in three geographic areas of the city: Community meetings will be held: • Camden Community Survey Area - Thur. Feb. 24 6:30-8pm, Webber Community Center: 4400 Dupont Ave. N. Mpls • Central Core Survey Area - Thur. Feb. 17 6–7:30pm, Our Lady of the Lourdes: 1 Lourdes Pl, Mpls • Downtown portion of Central Core Survey Area - Mon. Feb. 28 4:30–6pm City Hall, Room 319: 350 South 5th St., Mpls • Windom, Kenny, and Armatage Survey Area - Wed. Feb. 23 6:30–8pm Kenny Recreation Center: 1328 58th Street W, Minneapolis Moonlight Snowshoeing at Lake Nokomis - Feb 19 — Take an evening tour of the Lake Nokomis and Minnehaha Creek on Snowshoes. We’ll look for night creatures and watch the sky with the city glowing in the distance. Snowshoes provided. Meet at the Nokomis Beach parking lot on E Lake Nokomis Parkway just east of Cedar Avenue S. Sat. Feb. 19, 5-6:30pm Register at minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725. $15. Registration closes at Noon on Thur., Feb. 17.

HandsOn Twin Cities Volunteer Expo - Feb 19 — Find the perfect volunteer project for you, your family, or your group when you visit with representatives from over 100 area nonprofits. Enjoy entertainment, participate in “speed volunteering” activities, bid on silent auction items and the watch the Be the Change Awards Ceremony.

10am-3pm, Sat., Feb 19 at Mall of America, Best Buy Rotunda. Visit www.handsontwincities.org for more information.

Animal Tracking at Wirth Park - Feb 20 — A naturalist will lead a guided hike as you look for tracks and other signs of animals in winter. Many animals stay active in winter or can return in February as nature readies itself for the coming spring. Meet at the Wirth Beach parking lot on Glenwood Ave just east of Theodore Wirth Parkway. Sun. Feb. 20, 10-11:30am.

Register online at minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725. $5 Registration closes at 4:30pm on Fri., Feb. 17.

Photo courtesy of the artist

Carl Franzen

Draw the Band Night at 42nd

Artists are invited to bring their sketch pads to 42nd Avenue Station on Thursday, March 3 from 7-9 pm for the café’s first Draw the Band Night.

Singer-songwriter Carl Franzen, recognized in the past for his music recorded by John Denver and Michael Johnson will perform with his group r nt.

HIs music isn’t funk, folk or jazz but careful pieces of each, supported by gold-record producer Rahjta Ren on keys and Minnesota Music Hall of Fame guitarist, Lonnie Knight.

42nd Av co-owner, Geno Gelhaye, says artists will be given the opportunity to hang their work from the night on the café’s walls. The café is located at 4171 Lyndale Avenue North.

TAWU Presents ‘The Eclectic’ - Thru Feb 25 — Exhibit by Obsidian Arts is a visual, historical account of art by artists of color, ranging from ancient times to today. The exhibit will consist of paintings, drawings, photography, textiles and sculpture. Feb. is Black History Month. The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Mon. through Fri., 7:30am-6pm, at the Hennepin County Government Center, A Level, 300 S. Sixth St., Mpls.

Minnesota’s Third Annual World Affairs Challenge - Mar 5 — An academic competition focused on this year’s central theme: Food: Feeding the World Sustainably in the 21st Century. Sat., Mar. 5 – 9am-4:30pm at Macalester College 1600 Grand Ave. St. Paul.

For more information, contact kk@worldsavvy.org or visit www. worldsavvy.org

Minnesota’s Waiting Children Free Information Session - Feb 22 — Downey Side…families for youth, invites community members to attend a FREE information session regarding adoption and Minnesota’s Waiting Children.

Next information session will be Tue., Feb. 22, from 6:30-8pm at Downey Side Minnesota, 450 N. Syndicate St., Suite 90, St. Paul, MN 55104. Preregistration required. To register, email stpaulmn@downeyside.org or call 651228-0117.

2nd Annual Minnesota Cuban Film Festival - Feb 24-Mar 31 — Likely films include Sons of Cuba, Por Primera Vez (For the First Time), Lisanka, Mañana, (Tomorrow), Video de Familia (Family Video) and Se Permuta (House for Swap). Confirmed is an appearance

by Emmy award winner Saul Landau with his new film, Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand up? on Thur., March 10.

All films are subtitled and each will be followed at a nearby bistro with a discussion about the film. Admission will be $7.00 for most features. 7:30pm, Thursdays, Feb. 24-Mar. 31.

Your 5 O’Clock Friends - Feb 22 — Tom Oszman and Jack Stahlmann of TCMedianow.com present an evening of rare clips, out-take reels and commercials that evoke the media culture of the Twin Cities in the 1970s and 80s, when local affiliates still ruled

African Dance w/ Whitney Every Tuesday & Wednesday — Tue. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $12 Patricks Cabaret 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S. Mpls. Wed. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $13 Zenon School of Dance (4th Floor) Hennepin center for the Arts 528 Hennepin Ave. Mpls.

insightnews.com

Insight News • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Page 11

SPORTS

Black head coach tree grows Mr. T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com There are now seven Black head coaches in the NFL. Interestingly, four of the seven come from the Tony Dungy coaching tree (Mike Tomlin—Pittsburgh Steelers, Lovie Smith—Chicago Bears, Jim Caldwell—Indianapolis Colts, Leslie Frazier—Vikings).

The bottom line for NFL coaches is judged by playoff victories and Superbowl wins. Taking a look at the current NFL playoff roster of coaches, the “bottom line” should suggest that there should be many more African-American head coaches, to lead this 65% AfricanAmerican player based league.

In a move that showed the intelligent solidarity of these highly accomplished men, the Vikings new coaching leader, Leslie Frazier, quickly welcomed his former teammate Mike Singletary to an assistant coaching position, Frazier played a supporting role alongside Singletary’s defensive leadership of the 1985 Superbowl Champion Chicago Bears. If any team ever resembled family, it was the ’85 Bears. With Singletary as the heart of the defensive unit, and great running-back Walter Payton as the heart of the offensive unit, there couldn’t possibly be a more genuine, heartfelt set of leaders on any team, anywhere,

throughout team sports history (in my opinion). Many question why that ’85 team did not win more championships, and my suggestion would be that their team/football family was simply too special, and had already set an example, to be marveled over for posterity.

Sports produce leaders. The simple order of strenuous physical activities, in addition to the heavy camaraderie of being together with a group of like-minded individuals, makes for people who can operate comfortably in society, regardless of the backgrounds of those whom they must interact with. Through sports individuals are able to sift through their differences towards a common goal—winning—and are able to work through the process of understanding differences through sharing wins, losses, joy, pain, and even tragedy. All of this creates a family of sorts. Often times these team-based families take up more of the player’s time than their actual immediate family does.

Family looks out for each other. Attention has to be paid to each family members individual gifts to make sure that those gifts are best looked out for, but family should clearly look out for each other. Leslie Frazier knows good and well the gifts of Mike Singletary, and that he should not be without a job related to football, as long as that is what Singletary seeks. Singletary was only “semifamily” in his previous job as head coach of the San Francisco 49-ers. He earned that position honestly through his impressive work. Through Singletary’s varied

File, Minnesota Vikings, Flickr (SteelCityHobbies)

Left: Tony Dungy, Top: Leslie Frazier, Right: Mike Tomlin responses in press conferences during that tenure, you never got the feeling that anyone “had his back”, though it’s hard for anyone not to admire his strength of leadership. Family provides a place for each other to rest, work, learn, and prepare, during those times when the climb to ultimate success temporarily levels out

(and of course “rest” doesn’t mean “rest on your laurels”).

The current list of African American head coaches in the NFL represents a group of terribly impressive men. The demeanor carried by each of them is slightly different, but one certainly does not see these men as limited to success in the football arena.

There is truly no shame in looking out for family when family is as impressive, just as human beings, as these African-American head coaches have demonstrated in recent history.

When Leslie Frazier recently stood before the podium to accept the position as head coach of the Vikings, he passionately

mentioned “family”. Frazier was thoroughly appreciative for Viking ownership’s similar approach to team-building success through “family treatment”.

Surely Frazier conveyed to the Wilf family that Mike Singletary is family, and that the Viking family will be better off for providing a position for Singletary to rest, work, learn, and prepare for greater success in the future, whether here or elsewhere. We all should recognize that this family nurturing has benefits for both sides, because the Vikings will be able to draw from the fruits of Singletary’s re-preparation for a future head coaching position; hopefully that Superbowl kind of fruit.

And yes family comes with baggage (and yes I have to close with an attempt at funny).

Sometimes you have to look past the fact that the family you’re welcoming in was caught trying to motivate a group of men by pulling his pants down to drive home a passionate message.

The Minnesota and Viking’s families welcome Mr. Singletary wholeheartedly, and offer directions to the lovely Macy’s downtown where he can find a vast array of belts of all kinds.

Family looks out for each other that way.

You can see the impressiveness of these African American head coaches. They are men that we wouldn’t mind our children emulating. They are role models.

Players play, and coaches teach.

We all know that the mind of a true teacher is one of the greatest gifts known to man.

Checkered flag run celebrates, makes Black history show judged by legendary bike builders Paul Yaffe, Brian Klock, and Rick Hatch, as well as a performance by renowned DJ Kid Capri at PIR. Checkered Flag Run was

Alan M. Powell

By Floyd Alvin Galloway Special to the NNPA from the Arizona Informant This February a new dimension is being added to Black History Month. To celebrate Black History Month this year, Phoenix International Raceway, in conjunction with Talking Stick Resort and Casino and the Second II None Phoenix Motorcycle Club, are hosting a historic “Checkered Flag Run.” The motorcycle run, a firstof-its-kind event that offers a weekend’s worth of activity

HBCU

From 8 able to connect HBCUs from across the country via his online community TheFreshXPress. com.

“The HBCU is the pulse of young Black America and that’s what our site is all about.

We not only provide thoughtprovoking content through virtual roundtables but we engage students on the yard.

The HBCU culture is very much alive from the campus to cyberspace,” said Walton, 25.

“We as HBCUs have to take responsibility to raise our games as well. We need to be a part of more cutting edge conversations regarding technology to engage our students,” said Malveaux.

According to Walton, recent polls taken by his staff revealed “HBCUs are still popular because students have a more real relationship with professors who can keep it real about what Black people face in the world.”

for motorcycle enthusiasts. It culminates with an escorted motorcycle ride from Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale to NASCAR’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on February 27.

“Our new February race date coincides with Black History Month and that presented a great opportunity to celebrate diversity,” PIR President Bryan R. Sperber

Courtesy of NNPA

said. ”We think the Inaugural Checkered Flag run will be a lot of fun and a great way to acknowledge this important month in American history.”

More than 100 motorcycle clubs from across the country have been invited to participate in the inaugural Checkered Flag Run. The event will include special hospitality and parking for participants at Phoenix International Raceway, including a bike

created by PIR in conjunction with Valley-based strategy firm AP & Associates, LLC. “The opportunity to work with PIR to facilitate this project was very exciting,” said Alan M.

Powell, Chairman and CEO of AP & Associates, LLC. “AP & Associates is pleased to have played a role in creating this historic Checkered Flag Run.”

Page 12 • February 7 - February 13, 2011 • Insight News

Summit From 1 of color, by providing a support system that guides them with insight and perspective on succeeding in graduate school while building the foundation for a future career.

To participate in the L2L program, individuals must be nominated by educators and recent L2L participants, carry a minimum 3.0 GPA, (3.5 preferred), demonstrated leadership ability, expressed interest in graduate education in any field, and a college junior, senior or recent graduate. Bill Woodson, Assistant Dean of Opus College of Business said the goal of the L2L program is to, “create energy around an engaged group and provide mentors and role models for the students. “We have nine tenured or tenure-track African American doctoral faculty among our College of Business faculty. With just

MN/DOT From 1 private capital,” Woods noted, “Government programs are extremely important in our communities and we look toward the public sector as a catalyst for entering into the marketplace”.

According to the Mn/DOT DBE Workforce Collaboration legislative report, the Minnesota Department of Transportation presently has limited numbers of women and minorities on the workforce

Health From 6 a cervical collar, tube or splint, a Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) pressure ulcer advisory committee developed recommendations for preventing pressure ulcers associated with those devices.

As a result of data showing that the surgical site mark

under 9% of our total tenured/ tenure-track faculty, outside of historically Black Colleges and Universities, St. Thomas enjoys one of the highest, if not the highest percentage of AfricanAmerican tenured/tenure track faculty of any major business school in the country. The great majority have been hired in the past five years, so it is a young, but highly credentialed group.

African American faculty in the Opus College of Business represent over half of total African American faculty at the University of St. Thomas.”

In January 2010, Dan Jackson became aware of the L2L program as a working professional, who already held a Master of Business Administration degree from the Humphrey Institute of Public Policy. When he was invited to the 2010 L2L event he had been considering pursuing another MBA degree for a while. He learned what University of St. Thomas had to offer, and it seemed like a natural link with his new

insightnews.com

Attendees of the 2nd Annual Learners to Leaders Reception and Leadership Summit focus on urban development.

Jackson said in his experience as a student at University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, he has “learned ways to improve and enhance his skills.” As a participant of the L2L network he likes the idea, “of being surrounded

by likeminded people. Other educated students of color push me to go a step further, they energize me.”

Danielle Scott, a graduate of Florida A&M University, in Tallahassee, Florida, came to University of St. Thomas with experience in financial services. She is now pursuing

for the Interstate project.

The persistence of denial of opportunity to businesses and workers from communities of color led to protests during the summer months in 2009 when those communities called public attention to Mn/DOT projects not achieving DBE and the Workforce goals.

“Roughly 97% of the business of the state goes to white male owned businesses,” Woods observed. “Women and ethnic minorities share 3% of the business, and minorities represent 14.5% of the population,” he said. “We have had no working capital funds or industry infrastructure in

the ethnic minority community to support building businesses and allowing them to grow,” Woods said, “Our idea is that we can use the targeted business program as a motivator to grow smaller companies to get experience working with the state, then work their way up to larger projects”.

To assist the effort in bridging this gap, Mn/DOT has proposed working with the Office of Civil Rights, contractors and other groups for further participation on upcoming state highway projects.

They have also collaborated with the Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA) for a civil rights training session.

“All the folks that can move this agenda forward, or keep this agenda back are all at the same table,” Emma Corrie said.

The internal project plan deadline is February 24th and the bid letting date is May 2011, with construction starting in August 2011, for Fall 2013 deadline. Corrie announced there will be monthly meetings throughout the year to continue and monitor efforts to achieve and expand contract and workforce goals.

was not located and verbally confirmed during the time-out process in more than a third of wrong-site surgery cases, MDH and MHA issued a safety alert reminding facilities of the importance of this step and providing guidance on how to implement it.

Based on the finding that a number of falls involved patients who had previously reliably called for assistance with toileting, a falls advisory

group is exploring ways to account for changes in patient behavior related to asking for help. Examples include providing additional education to patients when they are feeling better to remind them of the importance of calling for help, or earlier assessment and interventions for increased confusion.

In the coming year, MDH and its partners will continue to focus on identifying

and sharing information about risks and successful strategies for preventing serious events and promoting a statewide culture of safety.

The legislation creating the adverse health events reporting system was championed by Minnesota hospitals and signed into law in 2003. The law requires all Minnesota hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to report to MDH whenever any of 28 serious events

an MBA at the Opus College of Business, with an emphasis on finance. “I have learned more about the skills I already possessed, such as leadership, out of the box thinking, and servant leadership. “ Her advice to prospective L2L participants and MBA students is to, “look at the program as

Courtesy of Bill Woodson

an opportunity for growth and to be challenged. Be openminded and willing to engage in different experiences.”

For more information on the L2L program or to make a nomination visit www. stthomas.edu/business/L2L or contact Dean Bill Woodson at 651-926-4226.

Louis King occurs. The National Quality Forum, a Washington, D.C.based health care standardssetting organization, created this list of adverse events in 2002 following an Institute of Medicine report estimating that medical errors in hospitals cause 44,000 to 98,000 deaths every year in the United States.

In 2009, Minnesota hospitals reported more than 2.6 million patient days and nearly 10 million outpatient

registrations.

Ambulatory surgical centers reported more than 212,000 registrations for same-day surgeries.

A full copy of the adverse health events report and additional information can be found on MDH’s Adverse Health Events Web page, at www.health.state.mn.us/ patientsafety. More information about hospitals can be found at www.mnhospitals.org.