Insight News ::: 02.27.17

WINNER: 2016 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 1ST PLACE COMMUNIT Y SERVICE, 3RD PLACE BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Insight News February 27 - March 5, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 8• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

The Secret Songs of Slaves Threads Dance Project TURN TO PAGE 2

Bill Cameron Photography

Page 2 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Celebrating threads that connect By: Nadvia Davis For dancer/choreographer Karen Charles, her dream of directing her own dance company became a reality in 2011, but it took the tragic loss of her father to jumpstart the plans for her company.

“I wrote down ideas and stuck them in a desk drawer.

When my father passed away, he left me $10,000 and I was encouraged by my husband to revisit the ideas and do something that I loved,” said Charles.

Charles’ father was a postal worker who had dreams of becoming a doctor, but never pursued it. Upon learning her father’s dream, Charles knew that she wanted to leave behind a legacy of achieving her dream despite challenges. With her dream in mind, Charles began to lay the foundation for her dance company by putting together staff, outlining non-profit requirements and hosting auditions for dancers. The name for the company was key, and after inspiration from her great-grandmother she decided to name it Threads.

“My father’s grandmother used to make quilts. She hand sewed all of her quilts and would take unconnected threads and connect them together,” said the company’s founder. “(This led to the mission statement) to examine, expose, and celebrate the

Bill Cameron Photography

Dancers of Threads Dance Project perform during “The Secrets of Slave Songs.” threads that connect us.”

Charles, a native of Atlanta, moved to Minnesota when her husband received a job relocation. Prior to relocation, Charles obtained degrees in both ballet and computer science. She also danced for several companies including the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

With Threads Charles incorporates her

Alvin Ailey training with the Horton base technique to her company. According to the Alvin Ailey website, the Horton base technique consists of studies to stretch and strengthen different areas of the body.

As the artistic director for Threads, Charles coordinates with a board of directors and five part-time staff members to produce and choreograph

contemporary dance performances. She defines contemporary dance as “a fuse of ballet and modern dance.”

The dancer said she draws inspiration from many aspects of life.

“Sometimes its music or other forms of art or literature.

There was a piece of art I saw in Spain by artist MarieGuillemine Benoist called

‘Portrait d‘une négresse’ that I’ve saved (as inspiration). I try not to limit my inspiration.

We try to really give a broad experience beyond the performance as much as we can,” said Charles.

Charles said one of the biggest challenges of operating Threads is finances.

“Funding is always a challenge. As a non-profit you have to plan one year

and half to two years out,” said Charles. “I believe lots of sponsors are moving away from supporting the arts. Corporate funders are having to narrow their focus on whether they will even continue to support the arts or whether they will choose to support a company more closely related to their core business.”

Today, Charles is one of a select group AfricanAmerican women to lead a dance company in the Twin Cities. According to the Threads founder, what distinguishes Charles’ leadership from other companies is her ability to “tell stories that are everyday stories of everyday people.”

Since the inception of Threads, the company has increased its performances to shows in Minneapolis and Georgia and the number of dancers has increased from 10 up to 14 dancers.

Charles strives to have a diverse group of dancers.

“I always wanted the company to be multi-racial,” said Charles.

With their sixth year underway, this past weekend Threads Dance Project presented a revised piece titled “The Secrets of Slave Songs” at The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul.

With each Threads performance, Charles has high hopes “that they (community members) will experience something in a new way that they haven’t before.”

Remembering Coretta Scott King

By Barbara Reynolds TriceEdneywire.com Coretta Scott King died on Jan. 30, 2006, yet her legacy is very much alive as a coalition builder, a strategist and a moral voice that confronted detractors but insisted upon nonviolent approaches, such as dialogue, protests and economic boycotts with the end goal of peaceful reconciliation.

In their own analysis, 1960-era civil rights leaders used to refer to a Zeitgeist as the spirit of the times, which divine dimension summons leaders exactly when needed most. That certainly describes the timing of Scott King who is experiencing a resurgence as people take a fresh look at those who successfully moved themselves and others forward through the heavy thicket of discrimination.

A second look at Scott King’s legacy should focus on – but go beyond – her well-known decades ordeal of successfully lobbying to make her late husband’s birthday, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday and building the Dr. Martin Luther King Center for Social Change in Atlanta.

Scott King certainly should come to mind as millions gathered in

Washington, D.C. and in sister cities around the world to mount an overwhelming rebuke to President Donald Trump’s anti-human rights campaign and his denigration of women, people of color, immigrants and the physically challenged. Her name was scrawled on home-made signs scattered throughout.

It is appropriate that we remember her appeal to women and her global human rights efforts. That was the capstone of Scott King’s 38-year mission as she shifted from civil rights to a more globally inclusive human rights agenda after the assassination of her husband, in 1968.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Scott King a nonvoting delegate to the 32nd General Assembly of the United Nations, where she advocated for more international focus on the human rights of women. That same year in Houston, she served as commissioner on the International Women’s Year Conference where she created quite a stir over her support for gay rights, an unpopular issue at the time.

In her memoir she tells how she opposed the various women’s groups at the conference who were advocating a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

“I feel that gay and

Coretta Scott King

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lesbian people have families and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union.

I believe unequivocally that discrimination because of sexual orientation is wrong and unacceptable in a democracy that protects the human rights of all its citizens,” said Scott King.

Scott King was a spokeswoman for social justice causes, both large and small, writing a syndicated news column on issues from gun violence, to environmental racism, to apartheid in South Africa.

She was rarely missing in action. “Sometimes you win, just by showing up,” she said.

Scott King believed that it is citizen action that is crucial to the making of a president. She often said Reagan did not warm to the idea of a King Holiday until the movement created a groundswell for it with three million signatures, marches and years of lobbying Congress.

He signed it on Nov. 20, 1983.

In past years, Scott King’s influence was mammoth in the shaping of the political landscape. She successfully campaigned to elect scores of liberals to political office, worked with Carter in the selection of federal judges and threw her weight against those who stood in the way of voting rights.

Typical of her role is how she confronted and helped block attorney general nominee, Sen. Jeff Sessions, who in 1985 was vying for a federal judgeship.

In a recently surfaced 10page letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Scott King had called him “lacking in judgement and temperament who would irreparably harm the work the movement had done to seize a slice of democracy for disenfranchised Blacks.”

Scott King opposed Sessions for his 1985 attempt to prosecute three civil rights activists from Marion, Ala. for voter fraud – accusations that were later proved unmerited.

In the battle to stop Sessions and others who seemed primed to push back advances in human rights, Scott King would not have panicked. In her memoir she said, “Struggle is a never-ending process and freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.”

And so it goes.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Reynolds is the author of seven books. Her latest is the “Life, the Love and the Legacy of Coretta Scott King.”

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Insight News • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

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

MORE ON PAGE 10

WINNER: 2016 NNPA MERIT AWARDS: 1ST PLACE COMMUNIT Y SERVICE, 3RD PLACE BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Insight News February 27 - March 5, 2017, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 8• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Pimento Jamaican Kitchen owner Tomme Beevas, HuesBox co-founder Dr. Jasmine Harris and Insight News founder and Editor-in-Chief Al McFarlane (center, right and far right) talk entrepreneurship with US Bank’s Greg Cunningham (left) and Kamali Williams (second left).

US Bank event celebrates Black business owners

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor To call the panelists of the US Bank Black History Month Salute to Small Business owners of small businesses is a bit misleading.

Sure, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen is not franchised globally like a Chipotle. The beauty and wellness company HuesBox is not a MAC in terms of volume. McFarlane Media Interest (parent company of Insight News) doesn’t have global satellite offices like

a CNN. But trust; there’s nothing small about any of the aforementioned entities. And when discussing what they are not, the word yet should be applied.

US Bank called upon Pimento owner Tomme Beevas, HuesBox co-founder Dr.

up and let doubt rule.

“I had an amazing job with Cargill, but I had a passion to take my grandmother’s recipes and give them to the people,” said Beevas, who was the community involvement director for Cargill.

“Pimento literally started in my backyard, cooking for family,

Jasmine Harris and Insight News founder and editor-in-chief Al McFarlane to share their stories to a room of current and future entrepreneurs during a Feb. 22 event at the Machine Shop in Minneapolis.

The resonating theme of the conversation was to never give

neighbors and friends.”

The backyard business has grown to two successful metro locations – one in the Burnsville Mall and the other at 2524 Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis

US BANK 8

‘Hidden Figures’ author Margot Lee Shetterly lectured at the University of Minnesota

By Nadvia Davis When learning about the accomplishments of AfricanAmerican leaders, names such as Harriet Tubman, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fredrick Douglas are prevalent in Black history lessons.

“Hidden Figures” author Margot Lee Shetterly reminded a capacity audience during a lecture at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota that there are several untold stories of successful AfricanAmericans. Shetterly began the lecture by outlining the segregation that Blacks endured in the workforce under the Jim Crow laws. The women in “Hidden Figures,” – a book and box office topping Oscar nominated film chronicling

Preparations are underway as Minnesota is on deck to host Super Bowl LII.

Alex Tittle

Super Bowl means economic opportunities for people of color It is the date Super Bowl LII (52) will be played in the newly constructed U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. And though the game is still 11 months away, activity is already at a feverous pace in the lead-up to the big game that could bring nearly 1.2 million visitors and their $400 million to the region.

And of that $400 million, several of them will go into diverse pockets according to

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor

SHETTERLY 9

Feb. 4, 2018 will be here before we know it.

Journalists are taught to refrain from leading with a date unless that date is of great importance. Well in this case – especially for Minnesota – Feb. 4, 2018 is of great importance.

Margot Lee Shetterly

Alex Tittle, vice president of Business Connect and Corporate Affairs for the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee. Tittle said the host committee and the NFL are both committed to business diversity when it comes to the multiple avenues of revenue that will be generated by the 10

SUPER BOWL 8

Diversity a priority for Gov. Dayton

By Ricky Campbell

Gov. Mark Dayton

James C. Burroughs

I2H

Vision rehabilitation maximizes hope and independence

PAGE 4

Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services Gov. Mark Dayton’s priority to diversify the state government workforce is proving a major undertaking for his office,

Black History Black History photos

PAGE 6

49.4 percent, according to the governor’s staff – including a 96.4 percent surge in AfricanAmerican board members.

Since taking office in 2011, Dayton’s staff has increased from 32 to 43, and with it, a budget increase near $2 million. In April, Dayton’s office hired James Burroughs as its chief inclusion

which claims to be putting its money where its mouth is — money that has increased the office’s budget in recent years.

Racially diverse judicial appointments have increased 89 percent under Dayton’s watch, and women judges have jumped 31 percent. Racially diverse boards and commissions appointments have increased by

Lifestyle

Keep going, follow your dreams: Be the success you are dreaming about

PAGE 8

officer, charged with guiding the governor in appointing and hiring people who better reflect cultural, racial and gender differences throughout the state.

For the 2018-2019 biennium, however, the governor’s office wants to

DAYTON 4

Business

When is a good time to start receiving social security benefits?

PAGE 9

Page 4 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

Insight 2 Health

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Insight 2 Health: Endurance, patience, persistence Afrodescendientes

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Waisting Away When I started the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge Round 10 my belly was one full, round ball. The bellybutton seemingly being swallowed up by the continuing expansion of my tummy and subsequent melding of the top and bottom parts of my torso.

Entering week seven I found a long-lost friend, my waist!

The regiment of the I2HC boot camp’s highly developed curriculum, with its variety of physical exercises, is slowly beginning to bring out my waistline.

What was once a blob is now gaining definition.

I can almost see the beginnings of an hour glass figure forming.

Separating the top from the bottom.

My bellybutton is no longer covered up by the folds of my flabby abs. There is an actual

separation, a dip between upper tummy lard and stomach flab, a crease forming. It’s called having a waist lol. Aye, mi querida amiga (Ah, my dear friend) how wonderful to see you again.

I now understand why it’s called the chisel look. The bending, jumping, running, reaching, stretching is slowly and methodically removing all the gunk that is holding my body, holding me hostage.

Getting me sick. The grueling workouts shaping, forming my body. Revealing the perfect me.

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. Michelangelo.

The Insight-2-Health Fitness Challenge is my Michelangelo.

FIT Lab proprietors Tyrone and Jaime Minor their team of expert trainers, nutritionist extraordinaire Nutrition Julie and Dr. Darren D. Moore, mental health consultant are helping carve away those unhealthy choices that entombed me. The team effort releasing me from the cocoon I was trapped in.

Helping me shed, knock down, release unleash the real me. The authentic me.

The Insight 2 Health Challenge Round 10 is teaching me endurance, patience, persistence. Slow and steady

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wins the race, the race to a healthy life style change. A personal transformation of epic proportions.

I used to watch shows like The Biggest Loser. Was fascinated, drawn to the body shaping alternatives with the use of surgery, liposuction, cooling, heating, digitalizing.

Loved watching the hour-long infomercials of folks working out, as I ate my chips and used my remote. Always on the lookout for something anything that did not require physical exertion on my part. The easy fix, the quick cure.

Recently I read an article that said we all have access to the fountain of youth. That magical so called pill we’re all looking for, waiting for. It’s call movement. Move your body.

Fill your body with optimum fuel, good nutrition. Balance of emotional and mental health is the glue that holds it all together.

Since my breast cancer diagnoses in August 2015, I look at life through different lenses.

Filtered lenses. Allowing my energy to go to that which brings me joy and gives me strength.

Sixteen rounds of chemotherapy, 30 sessions of radiation and two

surgeries was the wakeup call I needed, I guess.

When I was a kid, my stepmother would flick her knuckles against my head giving me what she called a wake-up thump. A pay attention pat.

That’s what the diagnoses and subsequent prescribed treatment did to me. Gave me a great big WAKE UP call! Wake up to the miracle that is life.

April will be the year anniversary of the end of my prescribed medical breast cancer treatment. A year since my ‘cancer free’ diagnoses. Through the Insight to Health Challenge

at the F.I.T. Lab I can already feel my body growing stronger.

I can feel those organs, bones, blood cells rejuvenating through good nutrition, pushing my body to its optimum performance.

Being guided through the mine fields of my emotions and crusted decades old issues and ushered into visualizing and identifying a healthy future, with an expert in mental health, is a bonus. Not many health fitness programs out there address using this trilogy to successful health and body transformation.

Best of all I get my waist line back. Another perk of the I2HC. To learn more about the Insight 2 Health Challenge call The F.I.T Lab at 651-6455242. Visit the website at www. thefitlabinc.com.

The Insight-2-Health Fitness Challenge is a fun, yet challenging, fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes in program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable.

Participants meet up to four times a week in a group class setting. Participants also consult with a nutrition expert and mental health professional.

Guidance through emotional highs and lows

By Carmen Robles Associate Editor Afrodescendientes By the start of week six of the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge (I2H) the more than two dozen participants are in sync.

This week we crossed the half way mark of the 10-week challenge. Oh yeah, we’re pumped alright. The collective energy of the participants always easily fogs-up the huge storefront windows of the F.I.T. Lab, 1583 Hamline Ave. N., Falcon Heights, obstructing the view for folks walking by.

The buzz of the week?

Homework. Yep. Seems we

all sort of, kind of, like the physical component. We totally love the nutritional part with Julie McMahon, otherwise known as Nutrition Julie, since it almost always includes eating. Ah but the mental health component requires mind over body. That’s a tough one.

Under the skillful direction of I2H mental health consultant Dr. Darren Moore, we are given the tools to unmask the million dollar question … who do you think you are?

Moore is an associate professor and program director of a master’s program in marriage and family therapy in San Francisco.

He is also a distinguished licensed marriage and family therapist. A Minnesotan from

North Minneapolis, Moore’s expertise is invaluable to maintaining the balance needed for a healthy quality life.

Moore provides selfreflection exercises to help engage in self-exploration regarding our past, present and future. These exercises include a checklist of 35 probing questions to reflect on last year, the new year and our futures; completing a vision board regarding our goals in life specifically as they relate to health and wellness as well as other personal goals that may include career/ employment, relationships, finances and spirituality.

It also includes completing a “My Weight and Eating Behaviors Autobiography” – a written declaration about each

person’s history as it relates to weight and eating behaviors and a worksheet to identify short-term and long-term goals for health and wellness, couple and family relationships and work and career.

It’s been a tough couple of years for me. April will be my one year anniversary of having completed the prescribed breast cancer treatment. Yikes, and I thought the fitness boot camp was grueling and torturous.

This is my second round participating in the fitness boot camp. This time around I am participating in the challenge to thank my body for getting through the regimented prescribed process of killing cancer cells in breast cancer patients. Cutting, slicing and

dicing, pumping poison into my body and burning my flesh was my normal for 10 months. My recent dance with the devil (breast cancer) makes me appreciate Moore even more (no pun intended.)

Moore’s expertise and guidance in helping me through the emotional highs and lows associated with a devastating diagnosis are invaluable. It’s tough to find someone to trust with such delicate feelings and emotions. It’s difficult to unload and pull off the layers of the onion that is my life. That’s why I am especially grateful Moore is part of the trifecta of the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge, helping my mind help my body.

With that said, I’d better get back to my homework assignments.

You can reach Moore by email at mooredd2012@ gmail.com at (612) 296-3758.

To learn more about the Insight-2-Health Fitness Challenge you can call The F.I.T Lab at (651) 6455242 or visit the website at www.thefitlabinc.com.

The Insight-2-Health Fitness Challenge is a fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes in program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable. Participants meet up to four times a week in a group class setting and consult with a nutrition expert and mental health professional.

Vision rehabilitation maximizes hope and independence

As the last of the baby-boom generation approaches the age of 65, the number of cases of visual impairment and blindness is projected to experience a boom of its own in the coming years.

According to recent studies funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the number of Americans who are visually impaired – including those with low vision – is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050.

Low vision is when people

have difficulty seeing, even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. People with low vision may find it challenging to perform everyday activities such as getting around the neighborhood, reading the mail, shopping, cooking or watching television.

Most people with low vision are age 65 or older.

The leading causes of vision loss in older adults are agerelated macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma. Among younger

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people, vision loss is most often caused by inherited eye conditions, infectious and autoimmune eye diseases or trauma.

Because the consequences of vision loss may leave people feeling anxious, helpless, and

depressed, it is important to remind them that there is help.

“People experiencing vision loss should talk to their eye care professional and seek a referral to a low vision specialist,” advised Dr. Paul Sieving, director of NEI, one of the

federal government’s principal agencies for vision research.

A vision specialist can develop a vision rehabilitation plan that identifies the appropriate strategies and assistive devices for a person’s particular needs.

“A vision rehabilitation plan helps people reach their true visual potential when

Dayton From 3 add another three employees but predicts a 3 percent decrease in spending. While payroll expenses are predominantly funded through the General Fund, other agencies falling under the governor’s purview shoulder some of the cost.

“Every year, there are new things that I look at,” Dayton’s Chief of Staff Jaime Tincher told the House State Government Finance Committee. “Really, what I’m looking at every day is how we are best serving the needs of the governor and the lieutenant

nothing more can be done from a medical or surgical standpoint,” explained Dr. Mark Wilkinson, a low vision specialist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and chair of the low vision subcommittee for the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP).

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine noted that vision rehabilitation is essential to maximizing the independence, functioning, participation, safety and overall quality of life for people with visual impairment.

NEI offers a 20-page, largeprint booklet and companion video that feature stories of people living with low vision.

This booklet, video, and other resources can be downloaded for free at www.nei.nih.gov/ lowvision.

governor and their issues.”

Dayton’s legal staff has increased too, Tincher said, to improve extraditions and deal with data practices requests.

“When I look at the office, I am always trying to figure out, how can we be more responsive, faster, more efficient, respond to the things Minnesotans are asking us to provide service on?” said Tincher. “Anytime I’m going to have the ability to add staff that are answering phones, answering emails, getting things resolved for Minnesotans faster – that’s what we’re going to do.”

The eight-employee increase, Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia) said, is “a pretty sizeable jump.”

Page 5 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight News • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Page 6

Photo project uses cute to Insight News photojournalist Rebecca Rabb wanted to teach her children the importance of celebrating their heritage, so she decided to do it in the medium in which she’s most comfortable – photography.

Rabb sought out photos of iconic Black figures; and with the help of a couple of her children and friends’ kids, reimagined the photographs. Along with the pictures Rabb would post information about the

historic figures to her social media accounts.

“I originally started this project as a teaching tool to help engage children in an effort to teach them more about Black icons in history,” said Rabb. “I figured I would

post a few pictures to social media, however, once I began posting photos I realized many adults became engaged and were learning and sharing as well. After the first few days I wanted to commit to have a photo

malcolmx.com/photographs

lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/IntegratingTheLifeOfTheMind/ErnestJust.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Chisholm

soultrain.com/2013/09/12/the-80s-ll-cool-js-radio/

Malcolm X

Shirley Chisholm

fdfi.org

Frederick Douglass

nndb.com/people/265/000023196/

Maya Angelou

famoussportspeople.com/muhammad-ali/

Muhammad Ali

hiphopscriptures.com/queen-latifah

Queen Latifah

Ernest Just

per day for the month of February.”

Kierce Rabb (Malcolm X), Kennedy Rabb (Misty Copeland), Keani Rabb (Shirley Chisholm), Reginald McKeever, III (Frederick Douglass),

Brielle Williams (Michelle Obama), Michael Walker, II (Barack Obama), Jaida Walker (Maya Angelou) and Ana Cecilia Walker (Venus Williams and Serena Williams) served as models.

mcjwbeautyculture.com/about-madam-c-j-walker-beauty-culture/#.WKz7YmMSBuY

Madam CJ Walker

LL Cool J

brides.com/story/obama-wedding-photos-tbt

The Obama’s Wedding Picture

huffingtonpost.com/misty-copeland/what-being-principal-dancer-means-tome_b_7967838.html

Misty Copeland

abovethelaw.com/barack-obama/

President Barack Obama

rogersmovienation.com/2013/05/07/movie-review-venus-and-serena/

Venus and Serena Williams

powellong.com/group/iman-photos/index.htm

Iman

.rundmc.com

Run-D.M.C.

trafficent.com/featured-artist-b-b-king/

BB King

pinterest.com/yanelamtolo/winnie/

Winnie Mandela

alchetron.com/Fred-Hampton-763823-W

Fred Hampton

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Insight News • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Page 7

celebrate, teach Black history

thesource.com/2016/03/01/breaking-barriers-michelle-obama-the-most-influentialwoman-of-this-era/

First Lady Michelle Obama

leadersforum2015.scmworld.com/condoleezza-rice/

Condoleezza Rice

peripherycenter.org/culture/2015/5/4/gordon-parks

Gordon Parks

twitter.com/cornelwest

Dr. Cornel West

mycontinent.co/Carnival.php

Claudia (Cumberbatch) Jones

britannica.com/biography/Carol-Moseley-Braun

Carol Moseley Braun

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurgood_Marshall

Thurgood Marshall

thisisdarkmatters.org/tag/dorothy-pitman-hughes/

Dorothy Pitman Hughes

cookman.edu/about_bcu/history/our_founder.html

Mary Mcleoud Bethune

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Page 8 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Lifestyle Keep going, follow your dreams: Be the success you are dreaming about Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson Are you trusting that small voice inside of you telling you to keep going and to follow your dreams?

Now that is a million dollar question that I am constantly asking my clients when they are second guessing themselves about going after their dreams.

Super Bowl From 3 days of Super Bowl festivities in and around the Twin Cities.

“Just like when we built the stadium, there will be opportunities across the board for people of color,” said Tittle.

In the building of U.S. Bank Stadium the project topped out with a 37 percent minority workforce. Of the 37 percent

Sometimes when the “going gets tough” we get in our minds that maybe we are on the wrong path and this goal may not be attainable. That, my friends, is just fear getting in the way.

When we identify a need to change something about our lives that will most likely change it for the better, we usually set a goal to do so. But most likely we have a feeling in our gut or maybe that small voice that speaks to us first that is saying the time is right to pursue our goals.

I can remember deciding to do something that had been on my heart for so many years.

It was a goal that would change my life and my family’s life for

the better. But as that voice was

minority participation, 10 percent was African-American labor. That participation was calculated to have paid out close to $240 million to people of color, women and veterans.

To ensure business owners who are of color, women, veteran or LGBT get a fair opportunity to gain from the upcoming Super Bowl Tittle, through the Business Connect program, is hosting a supplier diversity workshop on Thursday (March 2) from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at North Central

University, 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis.

“I want to make sure everybody come to the table with a level playing field,” said Tittle, who said a full list of qualified businesses will be presented by April 30 to all NFL and Super Bowl partners who will be contracting with various businesses leading up to – and during – the Super Bowl. “And we want our local businesses to be beneficiaries of those contracts.”

In addition to the money that

this journey in the first place.

Nothing happens overnight and nothing is going to fall out of the sky for you. Working on goals to change your life can be difficult, but it can be done.

Think of it this way; if you give up now you will never know what it’s like to follow your dreams and be the success about which you are dreaming.

And as always, stay focused, stay determined and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website www. thequeensproject.com or email penny@thequeensproject.com.

will go to contract businesses and workers, the Super Bowl has already started paying dividends to area nonprofits.

As a part of the Super Bowl LII Host Committee’s 52 Weeks of Giving – a program awarding 52 communities with grants that will help improve the health and wellness of young people in Minnesota. Nonprofits that have already benefited from the grants include St. Paul Parks and Recreation, which received a $100,000 grant to retrofit several tennis courts at

city parks to create St. Paul’s first Sepak Takraw courts.

Sepak Takraw is a traditional Southeast Asian sport that is played over a net and requires players to touch the ball using only their feet, knees, heads and chest – similar to soccer.

Olmsted County Public Health Services and Rochester Parks and Recreation was awarded a $52,000 grant to help the county create an active mobile playground – a trailer loaded with interactive games and equipment that will travel

to various locations, such as parks, schools and churches, year-round to engage kids and families in games and physical activity.

“I grew up in a family without a whole lot of resources so I’m proud to be a part of this program that will provide resources throughout the state,” said Tittle. “And with the Super Bowl our intent is to engage the entire state, not just a tri-city region.” A

includes print, television and radio programming. He also encouraged those in the audience to find a need and develop a business out of that need.

“Everything that is considered a problem is really an opportunity to make some money,” said McFarlane. “If there are challenges in the financial services industry, why not put ourselves in that business?”

Harris’ HuesBox is an example of recognizing a need and developing it into a business.

Harris said it was becoming more and more difficult to find culturally specific haircare, health and beauty products, so along with her mother and sister, she created a subscription-based

beauty and wellness company catering to people of color.

The health and beauty entrepreneur called on the audience to rethink what a business owner can look like.

“I have tattoos, I have crazy hair, but I also have a Ph.D.,” said Harris. “Studies say by 2050 people of color will have greater buying power than whites, so get ready because we’re coming.”

US Bank seems to be recognizing that economic clout of Black Americans and is embracing the opportunity to do business in and with the Black community.

“Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a choice,” said co-host and co-moderator Kamali Williams, African-American strategy

leader for US Bank. “We (US Bank) are trying to create a meaningful and culturally relevant strategy for diversity inclusion. Tonight isn’t one and done when we talk about US Bank and African-American entrepreneurship.”

The event also offered business owners an opportunity to network and counsel with bankers from US Bank.

“While the event is an opportunity to meet with some bankers, the real magic happens when you network with each other,” said co-host and comoderator, Greg Cunningham, vice president of Global Inclusion and Diversity for US Bank.

stockvault.net

US Bank From 3 – and won a Food Network restaurant competition.

McFarlane said his business epiphany came one day while working as a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

“I had just turned in a story and I knew this was an outstanding article and at that moment I said ‘I can own this joint,’” said McFarlane.

McFarlane didn’t take over the Pioneer Press, but in 1974 he did start his own media company, which today

Cricket is proud to support Black History Month From our leadership to our employees, we’re proud to champion diversity.

We’re committed to supporting people, programs and organizations that contribute to the growth of African American entrepreneurship and develop future tech leaders here in our Atlanta community and beyond.

© 2017 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved.

speaking to me yet so gently

telling me that I could do this, there was also the doubt and fearfulness of not making it.

I also had thoughts of putting things on hold until the time was right. Looking back, I am so glad that I didn’t wait until others thought the time was right. I listened to that voice inside of me that was telling me to go forward and not look back.

There are times when we must stop and pause to adjust our journey but never to end it.

You must follow your heart and keep going no matter what. Yes, the road may be a bit bumpy, but don’t allow yourself to give in to your fears. Listen to that small voice telling you to keep going and remember why you started

insightnews.com

Insight News • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Page 9

Business When is a good time to start receiving social security benefits?

By Rhonda Whitenack and Jim Czechowicz, Social Security public affairs office in Bloomington and St Paul Enjoying a comfortable retirement is everyone’s dream.

But deciding when to start receiving Social Security benefits can be a difficult decision. Full retirement age refers to the age when a person can receive his or her Social

Security benefits without any reduction, even if they are still working full or part time.

For people who attain age 62 in 2017, full retirement age is 66 and two months. Full retirement age was age 65 for many years. However, due to a law passed by Congress in 1983, it has been gradually increasing, beginning with people born in 1938 or later, until it reaches 67 for people born after 1959.

People can start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or any time after that. The longer one waits, the higher the monthly benefit will

slate.com

be, although it stops increasing at age 70. Monthly benefits will be reduced permanently if they start any time before full retirement age. For example, if a person starts receiving benefits in 2017 at age 62, monthly benefit amount will be reduced permanently by about 26 percent.

On the other hand, if someone waits to start receiving benefits until after full retirement age, then monthly benefit will be higher. The amount of this increase is two-thirds of one percent for each month – or eight percent for each year –until age

70. The choices a person makes may affect any benefit a spouse or children can receive If a person decides to receive benefits before full retirement age, he or she should also understand how continuing to work can affect benefits. Social Security may withhold or reduce benefits if annual earnings exceed a certain amount. However, for every month benefits are withheld, it increases future benefits.

For more information visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners/retire.

BBB offers tips on consolidating student loans

bbb.org

With existing student loan debt surging to more than a trillion dollars, many former students are looking for help managing their debt.

One way people do that is by consolidating their existing loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan, which results in a single monthly payment instead of multiple payments to multiple servicers. Though there are definite advantages to this approach, it may not be for

Shetterly From 3 the achievements of 11 Black NASA mathematicians – tolerated segregation, but were ultimately part of the fight to eliminate the racial barrier and promote equality for AfricanAmericans overall.

Shetterly said striving for equality was an effort to, “push our country to live up to its founding ideals of liberty and justice for all. I wrote this book because I wanted to see myself reflected in the National mirror.”

Throughout the course of the lecture, Shetterly compared and contrasted scenes from her book and the well-received film that followed. The narrative of Shetterly’s book tells the true story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, four of the 11 women who spent their careers working at NASA in the 1950s and 1960s.

“The producers of the movie made what I think is a very a good decision to focus on Katherine Johnson’s role in calculating the trajectory for astronaut John Glenn’s orbital flight in 1962. I’m really pleased with how the story came out and particularly how the spirit of the women and many of the parts of the book were translated to the big screen,” said Shetterly.

During the lecture Shetterly explained one of the motifs that appears throughout the book and movie, which is this idea of “looking beyond.”

“They phrase ‘looking beyond’ refers to the math they were going to need to go from the sub-orbital trajectories to the orbital trajectories of John Glenn’s flight. But like the title ‘Hidden Figures,’ looking beyond has layers of meaning,” explained Shetterly.

The author also shared many accomplishments of the four main characters. All of the women received their education from historically Black colleges prior to working at NASA. Vaughan leveraged her degree and became the first Black manager at one of the world’s most exclusive engineering organizations. Jackson became NASA’s first Black female engineer. “(She) very well may have been the first Black woman aeronautical engineer in the

everyone.

“What we’re seeing more of are situations where people are led to believe they need assistance consolidating their student loans,” said Susan Adams Loyd, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “Unfortunately, what many of these companies offering their help are actually doing is helping themselves to hefty fees for services people can perform themselves, for

entire country,” said Shetterly.

Johnson, now 99, became the first Black female to calculate successful trajectories for the Mercury capsule. Darden became a leading expert on the topic of sonic boom technology at NASA. “(They) did not want to fit in because of their race, but instead wanted to stand out due to their talents,” said Shetterly.

“These women and their stories give us something that we are yearning for, perhaps more in this country than ever before and that is evidence of the triumph of curiosity and imagination over fear.”

The lecture concluded with a question and answer session moderated by former NPR host, Michele Norris.

free.”

The free consolidation can be done at www.studentloans. gov.

According to the BBB a lot of companies claim to offer assistance to students in consolidating loans and investigating relief programs they may qualify for such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness or the Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program.

However, many provide services of nebulous value. Some of these companies even ask students to provide their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which puts them at risk of identity theft. The BBB says FSA IDs should not be shared with anyone.

“Our office has seen an increase of student borrowers contacting us with concerns about the personal information shared with these companies,” said Betsy Talbot, director of communications for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. “Students can contact our office if they have any questions about the company they are dealing with or the information they are asked to provide.”

The US. Department of Education offers many tips to individuals with outstanding

student loans to help them determine whether loan consolidation is right for them.

From there, BBB offers some additional tips to consumers before seeking student loan consolidation assistance.

Those interested in consolidating existing student loans are encouraged to contact the Loan Consolidation Information Call Center at (800) 557-7392 or login with a FSA ID at www.studentloans.gov.

The BBB encourages individuals to research companies and their complaint histories for free at www.bbb. org. It also warns to make sure to understand any offer and be wary of verbal promises, never agree to anything over the phone and ask the company to send offers in writing. From there, contact the proper loan servicing company, one’ school’s financial aid office, the Department of Education or the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to make sure the offer is legitimate.

According to the Department of Education, it is important that people seeking to consolidate their loans continue to make payments, if required, to the holders or servicers of the loans they want to consolidate

until their consolidation servicer informs them that the underlying loans have been paid off. Once loans are combined into a Direct Consolidation Loan, they cannot be removed. The previous loans are paid off and no longer exist.

If borrowers feel they have been misled by a company offering assistance consolidating their student loans, they should file complaints at bbb.org, their state attorney general’s office and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (www. consumerprotection.gov).

Classifieds Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com

Frequent Filer (Office Assistant)

Volunteer office assistants are needed in several areas. Multiple shifts available, Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Midway area and downtown St. Paul locations limited reimbursement for parking expense or bus fare is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

Contact Ramsey County—Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to Volunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

Fairfield Terrace 20720 Holt Avenue Lakeville, MN 55044 952-469-1414

NOTICE: Immediate Availability – 2 Bedroom Project-Based Section 8/202; rent based on income for qualified applicants.

Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org or picked up on Wednesday’s from 7:30am-4pm at the Management office.

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

Volunteer Customer Service Assistants Hennepin County is seeking volunteer greeters for its North Minneapolis human service center at 1001 Plymouth Avenue North to welcome and guide visitors, answer questions and assist with special projects. Reliable adults who enjoy working with people and who are available for a few hours twice a week are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be able to volunteer for a minimum of three months. Volunteers are integral to Hennepin County’s mission of enhancing the health, safety and quality of life of its residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way. Get involved by visiting http://www.hennepin. us/humanservicevolunteer and submitting a volunteer application.

LILL’S ANGELS Support Group African American culturally specific

MEMORY LOSS Support Group

Northeast Minneapolis

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb 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)

Monroe Village 1900 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

South Minneapolis

Lunds & Byerly’s Grocery 1450 West Lake St., Minneapolis Upstairs meeting room Meets the 2nd Friday of each month from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

NEW LOCATION - Brooklyn Center

Jehovah Jireh Church 6120 Xerxes Ave. N., Brooklyn Center First meeting is Feb. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month To RSVP, or for questions, please call Dorothea Harris at 952-945-4175

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

Page 10 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Jimmy Fontaine PaviElle

Ego-G

Feb. 27 – March 5

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 27

Black Table Arts brings you a discussion with Roger Cummings, Patience Samuel Zalanga, Felicia Perry, Adja Monsio, Ini Augustine and Brittany Lynch regarding the best practices and paths to sustainability for Black creatives.

HIP-HOP A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

18-plus $25 Feb. 27 March 5, 2017

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

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

Bronx rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has garnered a strong following on YouTube mixing R&B and hiphop. See him Monday at the Cabooze.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 TALK Black Creatives Talk New Rules 2015 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis

Wednesday, March 1 POETRY/VISUAL ART Almanac Impressions Launch Party Golden’s Lowertown 275 4th St. E., St. Paul 7 p.m. – 9 pm.

The St. Paul Almanac has brought together six poets and six visual artists whose work will appear on Metro Transit

trains and buses as a part of the Impressions project. The project runs through April 22.

Thursday, March 2 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE Profs Time Bomb Thought First Avenue 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

18-plus $20 advance, $25 door Hitting home from a nationwide tour, Prof is joined at First Ave

by Finding Novyon, Metasota, Willie Wonka and Cashinova.

Friday, March 3 HIP-HOP/

Desdamona

Timothy Takach

Twin Cities DillaDay Beat Batch Warz First Avenue 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

18-plus $15 advance, $18 door In celebration of the work and life of producer J Dilla, Twin Cities DillaDay Weekend brings you a beat battle with Edo G. and Prince Po of Organized Konfusion.

Saturday, March 4 SOUL/ PERFORMANCE PaviElle featuring DJ Miss Brit Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis

11 p.m.

21-plus $8 advance, $10 door Emmy Award winning singer, PaviElle, has made a major name in the music scene with her powerful voice. Join her and the band along with DJ Miss Brit at Icehouse.

Sunday, March 5 HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE Aight, Tight Tour Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $5 North Dakota’s Zen People are touring the Midwest and will be in town with Rich Garvey, Tall Paul, MC Longshot and Kat Fox.

Sanford Moore

Tom Wallace

Jen Cress

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Capri Theater present ‘Northside Celebration’ The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and the Capri Theater will present “Northside Celebration” at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18 and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19.

The event takes place at North Community High School, 1300 James Ave. N., Minneapolis. The two collaborative concerts will celebrate North Minneapolis through music. Tickets are free, but reservations are required and can be made at www.thespco. org/northside, or by calling (651) 291-1144.

PERFORMANCE

The centerpiece of the concerts will be the world premiere of “True North,” a work for choir and chamber orchestra commissioned by the SPCO for the “Northside Celebration,” composed by long-time North Minneapolis resident Timothy Takach with lyrics by spoken word and hip-hop artist Desdamona.

Desdamona’s lyrics were inspired by writings of students in the Capri After School Theater (CAST) Program, as well as students from PYC Arts & Technology High School.

Jessie Montgomery Narration and readings of stories, reflections and poetry by North Minneapolis artists will be woven throughout the musical selections.

“The SPCO is thrilled to expand our partnership with the Capri Theater to create and premiere a new work that celebrates the vitality of the Northside,” said SPCO artistic director and principal violin, Kyu-Young Kim. The 90-minute concerts will also feature performances by a specially formed Northside Celebration Choir made up of singers from North Minneapolis churches and organizations, directed by Sanford Moore.

Jiyang Chen

In addition, an ensemble of SPCO musicians will perform “Strum” by acclaimed American composer Jessie Montgomery.

The inspiration for this concert originated three years ago during a luncheon with Northside community residents and representatives from SPCO and the Capri. Amidst avid support for a continued SPCO presence at the Capri, several themes surfaced during the discussion, including intense community pride in the face of adversity, a desire for opportunities to collaborate and feature local artists and a desire to emphasize connection and strengthen relationships in the

Dennis Spears community.

In response to this feedback, Dennis Spears, artistic director of the Capri’s “Legends” series, suggested the two organizations take their partnership to the next level by collaborating to make music together, with the community, and with Moore.

“There are a number of different cultures living and thriving here in North Minneapolis,” said Spears.

“Through this concert, we will bring together a rainbow of residents and shine a powerful ray of hope and love all across this community. We will light up the Northside with songs, music, dance and spoken word.”

Pat Carney

“This collaborative effort of bringing together artists, musicians, singers and audiences from different backgrounds and experiences is a testament to this community, this city, this state and this world – that we can come together in one voice and demonstrate that respect, grace and appreciation of one another are something to celebrate,” said Moore.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

insightnews.com

Insight News • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Page 11

Twin Cities professionals dressed ‘To Thee Nines’

Style was on display Feb. 18 at Five Event Center in Uptown for Thee Urbane Life’s To

Thee Nines.

The event, centered on fashion, brought together professionals

from throughout the Twin Cities showcasing their couture ensembles.

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Insight News contributor Toki Wright (left) along with his Soul Tools partner (and soulmate) Brittany Lynch.

Looks ranged from classic after five to Hollywood chic, displayed

each individual’s interpretations of being “dressed to the nines.” A few of

the partygoers posed for the Insight News/ Aesthetically Speaking cameras.

Cordavii Consulting’s Corey Collins.

In this case beauty comes in fours. (Left to right) Devonda Scott, Alisha Randle, Medjine Lesperance and Assumpta Mbele enjoying and dressed “To Thee Nines.”

Sister Act: Sisters Stephanie Lewis and Melanie Lewis.

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Page 12 • February 27 - March 5, 2017 • Insight News

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Reggie McKeever’s first reporting job

By Al McFarlane B. P. Ford The Editors

Reginald McKeever III, 2 ½, already knows a lot about monster trucks.

He has a great collection of miniature monster truck replicas. He takes every

allowable opportunity to watch monster truck videos at home or on Grandpa’s telephone or iPad. So he was super excited to get press credentials to attend the Feb. 11 US Bank Stadium Monster Truck Jam Pit Party. It was a chance to examine the magnificent machines and the wondrous excitement that surrounds them.

McKeever kicked the tires of colossal rigs like Soldier of Fortune.

He studied the chassis of rigs like Samson and Mad Scientist.

He grabbed the enormity of the moment – a two-foot tall 2-year-old, standing mid-field in US Bank Stadium, with his own monster truck in his hand – Grave Digger Legend –

and daredevil racing in his mind.

More than 300 truckloads of dirt created the Monster Truck racing surface for the weekend event. Dirt moving tractors, the huge trailers and the monster trucks themselves sculpted tracks of alternating gauges, berms and ridges in the hardened mud.

From Reggie’s point of

view, this rugged surface was an invitation to his imagination and skill.

He cruises his miniature Grave Digger Legend onto the mud field, launching graceful loop-de-loops finished with dazzling donut spins. I imagine he imagined the thunderous roar of the crowds, marveling at his phenomenal monster truck wizardry.

We didn’t stay for the actual Monster Jam event that evening, thinking that the volume of noise and exhaust might be overwhelming for a 2-yearold. But we left happy to have allowed Reggie the chance to get up close and personal with the world he had come to know through toys and videos.

Photos courtesy of Al McFarlane

On his first news assignment, Reginald McKeever III closely examines The Mad Scientist with his bosses (and grandparents) Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford.

Like any good journalist, Reginald McKeever III surveys the story from far and near, at one point getting up close and personal with his subject..