Insight News ::: 04.15.13

BROTHER ALI:

‘Fame is an illusion’

BEGINS THIS 5 WEEK ON PAGE

Photo: Johnathan Mannion

April 15 - April 21, 2013

Vol. 40 No. 16 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Mark Andrew

Jackie Cherryhomes

Betsy Hodges

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Michael Davis

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Michael Davis

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer For it to ever be a second, there has to be a first.

In Brooklyn Park, Michael Davis is that first … pardon; that is Chief Michael Davis.

In 2008 Davis became the first African-American to be named chief of the Brooklyn Park Police Department. Based on the longevity of the past chiefs, Davis could be there for a while.

He is only the fourth chief in the city’s 56-year history.

Davis, a native of St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, came to Brooklyn Park after committing 16 years to the Minneapolis Police Department, starting as a patrolman and ascending to the rank of sector lieutenant. The graduate of St. Paul’s St. Agnes High School and Concordia

University – holding a master’s in organizational management – said when he was selected chief, race played little role.

“When the city manager hired me he said he believed he hired the best person for the job,” said Davis.

But Davis does recognize the significance of his hire. He is just one of three African-American police chiefs in the entire state – St. Paul’s Tom Smith is one and St. Cloud’s William Blair Anderson is the other.

“I think for Minnesota that’s (being an African-American police chief) huge. When you go to other parts of the country being an African-American chief is no big deal, but here it shows progress,” said Davis.

“It’s encouraging.”

DAVIS TURN TO 10

Photos courtesy of SPNN

PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE Don Samuels

Gary Schiff

Candidate forum for Minneapolis mayor focuses on African-American community needs

Cam Winton

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Candidates interested in becoming Minneapolis’ next mayor gathered this past Sunday (April 7) to discuss their visions for the city; in particular their visions for

the city’s African-American community.

The forum, held at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Bryant Ave. N., and presented by Insight News, His Works United and the Minnesota State Baptist

MAYOR TURN TO 12

Lawsuit demands audit of Ventura Village

By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief Ventura Village resident James Cook has filed a lawsuit against Ventura Village Neighborhood Association (VVNA) and its board chair Bob Albee alleging actions of the organization’s leadership and management are inconsistent with its by-laws and decisions made run counter to

best practices in accountability and transparency.

In a statement to the press, Cook said the ultimate aim of the lawsuit is to: • Require a full and independent audit, which the board has refused to perform for approximately five years • Require VV board members to disclose conflicts of interest affecting fiduciary decisions • Require that the board write and publish bylaws which

allow full and fair participation by community residents • Require that residents be given fair and adequate time to consider measures adopted by subcommittees • Account for more than $300,000 in unused reserve funds • Encourage substantive neighborhood participation

by African-American, Latino, Native, and South Asian residents

Cook is asking residents who “have ever been discouraged or prevented from participation by Ventura Village Neighborhood Association,” to contact him via Email: eastventuravillageassociation@ gmail.com or by calling 612-2935188.

Cook charges that the VVNA controls more than $300,000 in funds which are meant to

VENTURA TURN TO 2

In Somalia, a window of opportunity

By Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Op-ed and photo originally published in the StarTribune

Representative Keith Ellison

National Minority Health Office of Minority Health seeks to improve Black lives

PAGE 3

It’s a new day in Somalia. That’s the message I took away from a trip to the capital city of Mogadishu earlier this year. We have our best opportunity in more than two decades to help stabilize Somalia and advance U.S. national security interests — but only if we act quickly.

The improved security situation has filled Mogadishu with new life.

Somalis can once again play music and dance, activities banned by terrorist group Al-Shabab, which until recently controlled much of the country. Crowds of people fill the

Business

A good start to a great career

PAGE 6

streets, socializing and shopping.

Somali-Americans from my district in Minnesota are starting businesses and buying real estate.

And a new generation of Somalis from the global diaspora is returning.

One of them started Somalia’s first think tank, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. Another woman left her high-paying job on Wall Street to help build up Somalia’s financial sector from scratch.

These positive developments are largely a result of Somalia’s successful political transition last year. After many failed attempts, Somali leaders completed a process that produced the first representative, permanent government since the

Full Circle

Men and women think and feel differently

PAGE 9

fall of Siad Barre’s regime in 1991.

Somalia now has a new constitution, parliament and president. In a strong vote of confidence, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally recognized the new government when President Hassan Sheik Mohamud visited Washington in January. Mohamud also met with President Obama and more than 20 members of Congress.

Nonetheless, Somalia’s new leaders face challenges that would be difficult even for an experienced, well-resourced government.

SOMALIA TURN TO 10

Health

HPV, a cancer that is killing our youth and young adults

PAGE 11

Page 2 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Office of Minority Health seeks to improve Black lives

By Jonathan P. Hicks During National Minority Health Month, BET.com talks to J. Nadine Gracia about new programs within the department.

It is an office within the executive branch of the federal government that is little known, but the Office of Minority Health has been playing an active role in raising consciousness about health disparities while helping to educate millions of Americans to live healthier lives.

The office was established in 1986, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan.

But the office, which is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, has been particularly busy during the presidency of Barack Obama.

The office works with federal and state agencies to develop policies and practices that help advance health among minorities, who have traditionally lagged far behind white Americans in health

patterns.

“We also are able to fund projects in communities that are working to address health disparities and improve minority health,” said J. Nadine Gracia, the director of the Office of Minority Health, in an interview withBET.com.

“We also help to advance and set policy that will help to improve the health in minority communities,” said Gracia, who also served as deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services.

One of the most successful campaigns, she said, has been in curbing the disparity in infant mortality, which has long had far higher rates in the AfricanAmerican community. Through a program called “A Healthy Baby Begins With You,” the office has trained more than 2,000 college students to serve as counselors to go into communities and discuss the importance of health conscious lifestyles for women who are pregnant, she said.

Photo by Health and Human Services Department/ Official Portrait

J. Nadine Gracia

“The program takes place on more than 90 colleges, including historically Black

colleges and universities,” Gracia said, adding that the lead spokeswoman for the campaign

is Tonya Lewis Lee, the wife of filmmakerSpike Lee. “We see a greater awareness and we see that among students, many become leaders, health ambassadors and then pursue education in public health,” Gracia said.

Another area where the office has been particularly involved is in assisting people who emerge from prison and are diagnosed with HIV. The program is known as HIRE, which stands for Health Improvement for Reentering Ex-Offenders.

“We help them to be able to re-enter their communities and have a successful reentry,” Gracia said, explaining that HIV rates have long been highest in the African-American community.

“We assist them by providing assistance for having a place to live, education and ways to deal with suffering from substance abuse,” she added. “The program is in place in New York, Florida and Texas. They were chosen

because they have the highest number of ex-offenders with HIV in the country.”

A pediatrician by training, Gracia has served in academic medicine and government for several years. From 2010 to 2011, she was the chief medical officer for the Health and Human Service’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

She coordinated a number of programs in the fields of child and adolescent health, disaster preparedness, environmental health, global health, Haiti recovery and the White House Council on Women and Girls.

She led the development of the department’s 2012 environmental justice strategy, which addresses the disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities and Indian tribes to environmental hazards and promotes healthy community environments.

Employment gap creates economic divide

By Benjamin Todd Jealous Coming the day after the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the new unemployment numbers show that unemployment is still high - and remains much higher for African Americans.

One thing hasn’t changed in the last half century: if you’re a person of color, you’re more likely to be unemployed. Even though the black unemployment rate fell by .05% this month, it still sits at nearly 13.3%, nearly double the overall rate.

This gap in employment

has led to an economic divide between the richest and the poorest in America that is about as bad as in the divide in Rwanda and Serbia. The top 20% of Americans earn 50.2% of income, while the bottom 20% earns just 3.3%.

Yet Congress continues to do nothing to directly address unemployment.

This is a dangerous trend.

Recent studies - including one by the International Monetary Fund - show that countries with higher levels of economic inequality have slower growth rates, and that “economic inclusion corresponds with robust economic growth”. Urban

economies affect the prosperity of the entire surrounding region, and ultimately the country as a whole.

As our country grows more diverse, we must also acknowledge that economic inequality is closely tied to race, due to decades of past and ongoing discrimination. And this inequality undermines the racial progress that we have achieved.

As Dr. King asked in 1968, “What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn’t earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?”

In the last year of Dr. King’s

life, he was organizing the Poor People’s Campaign. He endorsed the Freedom Budget, a document that called for massive investments in public works and infrastructure, job training and education programs, and a higher minimum wage. The Budget insisted that smart investments in our most vulnerable citizens will spur economic growth.

Unfortunately, this plan never moved forward. But its message proved prophetic, and Dr. King’s economic agenda is still relevant today. A strong and sustainable economic recovery requires an economic climate in which all Americans - regardless

of race or class - can expect hard work to be rewarded with a steady job. This is not a partisan issue - it is an American issue.

And Congress needs to act now.

Earlier this year the National Black Leaders Coalition came up with solutions for fixing the current unemployment crisis.

They included implementing important parts of the American Jobs Act to revitalize urban areas; funding the Urban Jobs Act to create youth jobs programs; and increasing the minimum wage.

These policies echoed King’s recommendations 45 years earlier.

In 1962 Dr. King said, “There are three major social

evils in our world today: the evil of war, the evil of economic justice, and the evil of racial injustice.”

Fifty years later, need to recognize that inaction is not a policy option; it has been tried; and it hasn’t worked.

Let’s try something new. Let’s recommit ourselves to Dr. King’s economic principles and advance an economic agenda that bridges our nation’s divides and fosters an economic recovery in which all can benefit.

Benjamin Todd Jealous is President and CEO of the NAACP

THE STATE OF EQUALITY AND JUSTICE IN AMERICA

No one can change the change I didn’t mention because they were already on the list of what most of us have come to know as the “crazies”, such as Rush Limbaugh and his horrible ilk.

Black women like our First Lady, Michelle Obama, had not

By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. The state of equality and justice in America is shamefulespecially since the election of President Barack Obama.

Unlike many of my friends who think America is going to hell in a hand basket, and have given up thinking things will get better for those who’ve been marginalized for so long, I still have hope for a better day.

When Barack Obama was running for President of the United States, a close friend told me, “Mark my word. When Senator Obama is elected, some people will go absolutely crazy, and after he’s re-elected, they will go mad!” His rationale was that the average White person had never had the opportunity to wake up every morning and see a brilliant Black man on television who was the most powerful man in the world!

Unless they were wed to FOX News and the O’Reilly, Hannity, Beck,Von Sustern programs, they would learn so much about us- so many good things they had refused to acknowledge

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. before.

So many of our people are brilliant in what they do, but never had a fair chance to be seen in a positive light in their daily newspapers or on mainstream television or heard on major radio stations. Now, here we are after the Obama victories. He’s there every single day! The madness really swung into high gear with the Tea Party, Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, Senator Ted Cruz and a whole lot of others. Some

social events for world leaders and their first ladies. She was dealing with real American challenges-such as military families and childhood obesity.

She was out making speeches and inspiring women of all

Many in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate tried to block every thing President Obama supported often been seen on the evening news, except when they were there crying over a son or daughter who’d been shot or accused of being involved in some kind of wrongdoing. Now, here she was-beautiful, smart, Mom in Chief, presiding over

backgrounds.

With people who could not stand all these positive scenes and unbelievable accomplishments, insanity set in, and instead of grinning and bearing the strides America was making, they began trying to

Ventura

Critical Conversations

From 1

Scholars, historians, artists, and community leaders on urban issues and ideas

Trauma, Faith and Healing in the Community: ;gfn]jkYlagfk oal` Kgml` 9^ja[Y k Lmlm Kakl]jk Find out how faith, consensus-building, and communal reconciliation can heal community spirit in two special public discussions with the daughters of renowned South African social rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu: the Rev. Mpho Tutu; race and gender activist Naomi Tutu; and researcher Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe.

Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m.

Shiloh Temple International Ministries 1201 W. Broadway Ave. N., Minneapolis

Wednesday, April 24, 2 p.m.

University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Union, Great Hall 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis

Both events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

Register online at h p://uroctraumafaithhealing1.eventbrite.com/ for the April 23 event; h p://uroctraumafaithhealing2.eventbrite.com/ for the April 24 event.

Call 612-626-UROC for details

University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach- Engagement Center | 2001 Plymouth Avenue N., Minneapolis 612-626-UROC (8762) | uroc.umn.edu

benefit undeserved residents and revitalization efforts in Ventura Village. He says this funding has been controlled by a small group of people for more than two decades. This small group of people works diligently to prevent information about those funds from being disseminated to residents who need them most.

Cook said the lawsuit stems fom a personal dispute with a former tenant in his property.

When he evicted the tenant the VVNA allowed the tenant to make disparaging remarks about Cook, but did not provide Cook equal time on the matter to get closure, he said. “I was stonewalled at every turn. As a result, I started asking questions about procedure and demanding equal time and equal access to information. Bob Albee, Chairman of VVNA, denied every request and made up the rules for participation as he went along,” he said.

“Throughout this process I have discovered that the board takes many actions that do not pass the proverbial ‘smell test,’”

set us back to what they called “the good ole days”. Some make every effort to send Black people to the back of the bus, send immigrants of color back to from wherever they had come, send gay people back into the closet, and force women to go back to the kitchen! They began talking about taking back their country as though they didn’t take it from the Native Americans and as though immigrants and enslaved people had done nothing to build this country.

Many in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate tried to block every thing President Obama supportedeven if they had supported the same things in the past. They were tone deaf to the phrase “Where there is no justice, there will be no peace!” With a President who truly tried to make all levels of government look like America by appointing women, Hispanics, Asians, gays and lesbians, Democrats and Republicans and being totally inclusive of all of us, those who’d gone mad did not understand that you cannot put a genie back in the box.

he said in a letter to Ventura Village residents. “I have the right to demand fair and equal access to my neighborhood organization.

So do you!” he said.

The lawsuit alleges VVNA board of directors has refused to perform a full financial audit since 2007, despite documented instances of commingling and misuse of funds.

VVNA is funded by The Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) and governed by the Neighborhood Community Relations Department (NCR). Because the board has the responsibility of managing and disbursing NRP funds, the organization’s bylawsrequire an audit within six months of the end of each year, when annual expenditures exceed $10,000.

The lawsuit alleges the board has denied numerous requests by members for financial audits and inspection of financial records.

The lawsuit says in October 2011, a board member “admitted to the misuse and commingling of funds in an email to the general board. As a result, members requested board actions to rectify these issues through out 2012.

The board and the board chairman always refused to respond.”

We may be going through a rough period as far as progress on equality and justice, but I still believe there are enough good people who will work through their prejudices and biases with which they were reared as they understand that those of us who’ve previously been left out, won’t turn back.

I still have hope. No one can change the change for which we’ve worked so hard.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women. This article - the 13th of a 20-part series is written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The Lawyers’ Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar’s leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity - work that continues to be vital today.

For more information, please visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

On March 13, 2013, board member, Cecil Smith of Cornerstone Properties, proposed a measure that seeks to amend the bylaws so that future audits will only need to be performed every four years. However, the measure does not address the failure to perform previous audits according to Ventura Village bylaws or Hennepin County requirements, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit alleges there are documented instances in 2011, where members of the association board commingled funds with personal accounts.

The lawsuit says efforts were to report these irregularities to the City of Minneapolis but “nothing has been done.”

The association bylaws require a financial audit within six months of the end of each year when annual expenditures exceed $10,000. The City of Minneapolis requires an audit every four years.

Despite numerous requests for an audit by resident members, the board has refused to perform an audit in more than five years, the lawsuit charges.

Insight attempted to call Ventura Village to speak to Albee and left a message requesting a callback.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Page 3

BUSINESS

A good start to a great career Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com A friend nearing retirement shared a few stories with me recently about how his prosperous career got off the ground and it reminded me that every career starts somewhere, and can go anywhere, as long as you do what you love and work as hard as you can every day. Cliché? Of course. True? Definitely.

Jeff said he wanted to get into radio. He graduated with the right credentials from a good local school, along with everyone else in town who wanted to get into radio. He started looking for work in Minnesota, North Dakota, anywhere he could think of where someone might be

PhotoXpress

willing to try him out. He went to a station he liked a lot and asked for a sales job. During that conversation, it became apparent that Jeff had zero sales experience but had a deep knowledge of the programs on that station. Hired.

His education probably got him the interview; his passion got him the job.

But about that missing experience. Starting out can be frustrating and Jeff’s manager saw him struggling. He called Jeff in after a while and told him he’d need some training. He said, “If I go out there (pointing outside) and shake that tree, do you know what will fall on my head? Not great salespeople.”

The manager was willing to work with Jeff, if Jeff was willing to put in the effort to learn and develop his skills.

Even with a mentor who believed in his potential, the sales job was not always smooth sailing for Jeff.

Developing a thick skin can help anyone succeed when situations get off

track. For example, during one of his meetings with the manager, Jeff said, “You’re looking at me like I’m a bumbling idiot.” The manager said, “I never called you bumbling…” Jeff laughed at the comment, but his skin got a little thicker that afternoon.

If your career is on the rocks, ask yourself where your passions lie. Are you working at a place you believe in? Are you working hard every day? Are you reaching to learn more all the time? Are you tough enough to stick it out, knowing everyone has bad days?

If you answered yes, yes, yes and yes, then hang in there; success is right around the corner. If not, then figure out why not, and change your behavior or change your career. Success is up to you.

Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Please send your career planning questions to jdesmond@georgekonik.com.

Making the ask: Part two FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Fundraising provides nonprofits with the money they need to deliver on their missions. When you ask others to join you in giving you become part of the nonprofit’s success team.

share that information with you and explore how you would like to be involved.” All you want from the conversation is a time to meet. If Jesse says, “Oh, we don’t have to meet. Put me down for $100,” you can respond with, “I understand. Would you make some time for me just the same? You might want to give even more after we talk!” Keep the conversation light, but get that appointment.

As you prepare for your meeting, make sure you have brochures or online information you can share. Practice your

In part one of this series we discussed how to prepare to solicit a gift. In this column we cover setting the appointment and what to say when asking.

Here’s what we believe: asking for a gift should be done in person whenever possible.

Make an appointment to talk with your colleague, family member or friend about giving.

Let’s use an example of asking Jesse for a gift. “Jesse, would you have time to meet with me about All In For Children? I am committed to working with them to raise money for their new programs and I want to

presentation. You will want to talk about the organization’s history, current activities and vision for the future. You will also want to cover what specifically you are raising money for and how the money will be used. Be prepared to communicate using emotion and facts. Talk about what the organization means to you and why you are involved.

During the solicitation be sure to ask for a specific, reasonable and challenging gift. Know the amount you will ask for. It shouldn’t be too small an amount, nor too large.

Zero and counting Dissecting Diversity

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Are you a Zero-TV household?

No, I don’t mean restricting the kids’ TV viewing to the weekends or until after they’ve completed homework.

I mean – do you watch TV the traditional way or on any of the growing techy options available to us? So many of us are watching video content on our phones, computers, or tablets, that Nielsen designates this group of consumers: ZeroTV Households. This consumer segment is so significant; it will soon be included in our measured samples.

For those of us who are hardcore holdouts or just plain techchallenged, don’t worry. Ninetyfive percent of Americans still get entertainment and information the old-fashion way – via traditional TV. In fact, according to Nielsen’s latest Cross-Platform report, American TV viewing time was up in late 2012 over the same period the previous year, averaging more than 41 hours a week. That makes sense. There were a few notable, life-altering events towards the end of 2012 which kept our eyes on the continued coverage. Several states along the East Coast suffered the catastrophic Hurricane Sandy.

The Newtown, Conn. tragedy touched all of our hearts, and the highly anticipated 2012 Presidential Election was also noteworthy. Since you and I have been together in this space for a while now, you know that the Black community tends to log more TV viewing hours a week than other demographic groups. The latest numbers show that African-Americans average 55 hours a week in front of the telly.

The new kids in town, the Zero-TV households, do own televisions – about 75% of those in this category have at least one in the house, but they prefer to watch, or consume content, on other devices. The data shows that 36% of viewers feel cost and 31% of viewers say a lack

could ultimately be made in the way TV ratings are measured.

As much as we love to watch TV, we also love to let our fingers do some of the talking, too. A new Nielsen/SocialGuide study shows that 32 million people in the U.S. tweeted about whatever they were watching in 2012.

You know what I’m talking about. Some 68% of AfricanAmericans own smartphones and we tweet on those phones 30% more than other groups.

So, chances are, when you’re nearly hyper-ventilating over the antics of your favorite Real Housewife or blown away by a performance on your favorite talent competition show or the score during some championship sporting event, you’re talking about it with the rest of the world by tweeting. Fun, isn’t it? The data confirms what most of us already know – as consumers, we are master multi-taskers. At least several times a month, 80% of U.S. tablet and smartphone owners use those fancy gadgets to visit a social network while watching TV. Research shows that the decision-makers in the TV

of interest are reasons for their preferred choice. Right now, about five percent or five million American households fall into this Zero-TV category. AfricanAmerican consumers make up almost 10% of that number.

Nielsen’s latest AfricanAmerican consumer report looks at our alternate traditional TV viewing numbers more closely.

We enjoy our multiple-screen options. Thirty-one percent of us watch video online. I have to admit it took me a minute to get there, but I’ve learned to appreciate the charms (and convenience) of other screens.

(I know, I know. In some instances, size does make a difference and only a nice, large, flat screen will do). And, these are our favorite video sites: YouTube (48%), Other (31%) Netflix (10%) Hulu (8%) VEVO (3%) Yahoo! (1%) Our technological world is spinning so rapidly, and the way we respond as consumers is having such a tremendous impact.

Another adjustment

industry would be smart to take notice of the numbers attached to all that tweeting that’s going on while live television is being watched, whether traditionally or through multi-screen viewing because tweeting affects the numbers. And, it’s interesting how the Twitter numbers correlate with ratings depends on the age group. For younger people, 18-34, an eight and a half percent increase in Twitter activity equals a percent ratings point increase. But, it takes a 14% increase in Twitter volume to see an extra ratings boost of a percent among 35-49-year-olds.

(I can’t help but wonder where that leaves those of us who have outgrown that demo, but watch TV and tweet, too). Once again, our behavior, our choices as consumers have the power to influence industries. What you watch and how you watch it, matters. So, choose wisely.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com

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Remember to talk about the gift you made. If your gift is similar to what you would like your prospect to give, state the amount you gave and why.

Always remember to make the ask. Be very clear and specific when asking: “Jesse, I would like for you to make a gift to All In For Children.

Would you be willing to contribute $___?”

Pause after you ask for the gift. Do not rush to fill the silence. Give Jesse time to respond, for he will. If he says “yes”, thank him and ask how he would like to make his gift.

If he says “no”, ask what would be the right amount at this time. If Jesse says this is not the right time, ask what would be a good time. Regardless of the outcome, thank him for his time. After the meeting, send a thank you note. You can do it!

Your nonprofit depends on you.

Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” They provide fundraising counsel to nonprofits. Visit them at www. saadandshaw.com.

Page 4 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News

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EDUCATION The 13th grade: A career pathways solution Gateway to excellence

By Scott Gray MUL President/CEO Growing numbers of Twin Cities young adults are not prepared for the modern workforce and illprepared relative to mastery of basic skills; they lack a defined career path, and do not possess the range of skills that employers require. For far too many of these young adults, in the absence of a

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career and life plan, mentoring and coaching, they succumb to the lure of the streets and become sucked into the pipeline to prison.

We have seen these young people in our communities and in our families. This is my wife’s younger brother, this is my young cousin, this is the young brother hanging at the corner store, these are the young men and women we care about who need a pathway to success.

The report, Are They Really Ready To Work? found that there are frightening numbers of young adults 18-26, particularly those with just a high school diploma or GED, who lack the skills they need to excel in today’s workplace.

A solution offered by the Minneapolis Urban League is a program we call “The 13th Grade.”

The 13th Grade is a twelve month non-residential college readiness and career pathways employability program focused

on the academic, technical, and soft skill (competency areas) building of disconnected young adults who are unemployed or underemployed, not enrolled in a postsecondary institution, and who have no defined career pathway.

Through “The 13th Grade” and its integrated program elements, completers will be both prepared and qualified for employment that pays a livable wage.

When I think of the typical student who attends the Minneapolis Urban League Academy, or the growing numbers of disconnected young adults scattered across the Twin Cities, I know that the Armed Forces or a middle skill factory job is no longer their ticket to employment. With a job seeker pool flooded with college graduates, a host of disappearing industries and changes in jobs due to globalization and technological advancement, the prospects of a

bright future for ‘generation next’ is bleak without an intentional intervention.

For instance, take TM, an 18 year old, who in a few months will be 19. The student came to the Minneapolis Urban League Academy with enough credits to enter the 11th grade, but with limited motivation and no vocational concept for a future work life. With academic coaching and support services provided by school staff, she has become motivated, is applying herself in the classroom, and the 13th Grade program could help her graduate and create a lifelong career pathway for herself. For this student, the 13th Grade can offer an opportunity for credit recovery, diploma requirement completion, as well as time for social and cognitive maturity.

The 13th Grade will serve to equip countless other young adults who have not successfully “launched”

to discover and create a career, while progressing to become contributing members of this community.

Left unchecked, the increasing numbers of disconnected young adults in the Twin Cities, across our state, and sadly across this nation is a threat to local and national economic vibrancy and global competitiveness. The 13th Grade, through a bundling of best practices, navigational supportive services and technical upskilling provided in collaboration with MUL partners, can start to turn the tide.

Former Congressmen Steve Gunderson in the book The Jobs Revolution: Changing How America Works, predicated the events of today over nine years ago. The book, which was cowritten with Assistant Labor Secretary Robert Jones who served under Presidents Reagan and Bush, states “Minorities and youth

are the people we must reach, motivate, equip and continuously educate. They are our hope for a competitive workforce. What we lack is not knowledge…but adequate national leadership and the will to act on what we know.”

The MUL’s 13th Grade initiative, co-sponsored and presented by Senator Jeff Hayden (D-SD62) has been adopted by the Minnesota Senate and was unanimously adopted by the Senate Education Committee.

Senator Bobby Champion (D-SD 59) and Representative Ray Dehn (D-HD 59b) co-sponsored the measure which could potentially impact over 3,000 young adults ages 18-26, placing them on college and career pathways by 2015.

We all see this quiet storm brewing in our midst, so now the question is will we choose to act.

MPS scores former NBA star as next athletic director Trent Tucker, a former University of Minnesota standout and NBA champion, has been named athletic director for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). Tucker replaces John Washington, who retired last fall.

Since retiring from professional basketball in 1993, Tucker has enjoyed a successful motivational speaking career and a stint as broadcast analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

More recently, Tucker has devoted his efforts to advancing educational opportunities for atrisk youth through philanthropic endeavors. In 2008, Tucker founded the Trent Tucker University Scholars Program, which provides after-school opportunities that empower underprivileged youth to make positive life choices through education, mentorship and community partnership.

The scholar program underscores the importance of early college awareness and stresses core subject areas such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Students in grades six through

Trent Tucker

MPS

eight are introduced to learning activities at corporate locations, as well as to the University of Minnesota campus, staff, faculty and students.

“I am honored to be selected for this important position,” Tucker said. “I’ve always placed a huge value on the role athletics play in the development of children. I am committed to strengthening Minneapolis Public Schools’ athletic program through teamwork, community-

building and partnerships.”

Dr. Bernadeia Johnson, superintendent of schools, will announce Tucker’s hiring at tonight’s meeting of the Minneapolis Board of Education.

“Trent’s commitment to increasing opportunities for youth aligns with MPS’ efforts to prepare every child for college and career,” Johnson said. “Through his foundation, Trent has provided students with the tools they need to succeed in college and life. I look forward to working with him to strengthen both athletic and academic programs in MPS.” Tucker, who grew up in Flint, Mich., said his goal is to create an environment where students attend and compete for their neighborhood schools.

“When students stay in their neighborhood, they start to see the value they bring to their community,” Tucker said. “They can help build pride in their schools, their neighborhood and bring people together.

I remember the North High and Patrick Henry days. The

communities were vibrant and there was excitement because everyone followed the same teams. I would love to recapture that once again for MPS.” Tucker said he understands first-hand that academics and athletics go hand-in-hand.

After leading the University of Minnesota to a Big 10 championship in 1982, Tucker left the school without earning his college degree. While he enjoyed a successful NBA career, Tucker said he later missed out on an opportunity to serve as assistant coach at his alma mater because he was not qualified.

“That hurt me more than anything,” Tucker said. “I wasn’t denied the job for any reason other than the fact I didn’t do my job and complete my degree. All of the experience I had and my basketball background didn’t matter. In case the opportunity came down the road again, I went back and finished my degree. I didn’t want to take myself out of the equation a second time.”

Mark Bollinger, chief

administrative officer, said Tucker’s work in advancing the lives of young people put him above all other candidates.

“Trent was selected as the next MPS athletic director because of his dedication to the importance of education, his varied experiences, his philanthropic activities on behalf of children and his desire to empower youth through academics, athletics and social skills,” Bollinger said. “His wish is to make a positive difference in the lives of youth by stressing the importance of education aligns with the vision of our school district.”

The sixth overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, Tucker played nine seasons with the New York Knicks before joining the San Antonio Spurs for one season.

After one year in Texas, Tucker headed to Chicago for the 19921993 season, where he played alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and John Paxson.

The Bulls went on to win the 1993 NBA Championship.

Tucker retired after the championship season.

Morgan State wins academic championships (BLACK PR WIRE) – After two days of intense competition among 250 students representing 48 competing teams, Morgan State University claimed its second National Championship title in a row at the 24th Annual Honda Campus All-

Star Challenge (HCASC), an annual academic event featuring the best and brightest students from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Enduring a year-long program of study and preparation, the Morgan State University

Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Cordie Aziz Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Photography Suluki Fardan 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.

The team from Morgan State University celebrates on stage after winning their second consecutive title at the 2013 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. This year they defeated second place winner Florida A&M University in the championship round of the 2013 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge – the nation’s only academic competition among HBCUs. team emerged victorious at the National Championship Tournament held on the Los Angeles-area campus of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and took home $50,000 in grants for their school.

Surviving 10 games against tough competition, Morgan State University clinched the National Championship over second-place finisher Florida A&M University after answering the following question correctly: In 1975 the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim joined what very large neighbor to its south?

Correct Answer: India The Morgan State University team included Craig Cornish (Captain), senior, History Major; Kyle De Jan, senior, History Major; Micheal Osikomaiya, junior, English Major; and James HayesBarber, sophomore, Electrical Engineering Major.

The fast-paced, suspenseful competition tested the students’ abilities to quickly and accurately answer

questions on a broad range of topics including world history, science, literature, religion, art, social sciences, popular culture and African-American history and culture. The top two teams from each of the eight competing divisions advanced to the “Sweet 16,” a singleelimination playoff. The final two teams then battled it out for the national title in a best 2-out-of-3 finals.

While Morgan State University secured the top prize of $50,000 in university grants, all 48 schools were awarded grants. Florida A&M University won $25,000, while the remaining “Final 4” teams – Oakwood University and West Virginia State University – each received $15,000. The other top eight – Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and North Carolina A&T University – were awarded $9,500 in grants.

In total, Honda provided more than $300,000 in grants to participating schools.

Since 1989, HCASC has

brought together the nation’s best and brightest academic competitors from America’s top HBCUs. Throughout its history, HCASC has been the only annual academic competition between the nation’s HBCUs, touching more than 100,000 students and awarding more than $7 million dollars in grants.

“The Honda Campus AllStar Challenge provides a oneof-a-kind outlet for students to flex their knowledge and intellect in an intense but friendly rivalry. Beyond the competition, the Challenge gives HBCU students an opportunity to connect with like-minded students, build friendships and establish networks that last beyond HCASC. Honda is honored to celebrate the academic excellence of HBCU students through this empowering event,” said Steve Morikawa, assistant vice president, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Page 5

BROTHER ALI:

‘Fame is an illusion’

By Harry Colbert, Jr., Contributing Writer It’s Monday afternoon in a cold rehearsal space in St. Paul and Brother Ali is putting in work.

Ali is putting the finishing touches on his live band show. He’s got a 12:30 p.m. flight the next day – destination, Cape Town, South Africa. The Rhymesayers artist is playing the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. He’s on the bill with the likes of Jill Scott, the Robert Glasper Experiment, the Brand New Heavies and a host of others. Ali and his band are set to perform on show and Ali will also be a presenter during one of the festivals workshops.

Clad in all black – black Adidas, black jeans and a black hoodie – Ali is totally into the groove that his band, keyboardist, Devon Gray, guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker, and DJ Plain ‘Ol Bill, is laying down.

Photo by Jonathan Mannion

Six years ago this month Brother Ali dropped his first album The Undisputed Truth.

ALI TURN TO 7

River See comes to the Pillsbury House Theatre

S

et on a juking boat, with blueswomen, flamboyant deviants, and Seers, “River See” by Sharon Bridgforth uses Black American rural southern tradition and an aesthetic steeped in jazz as the base for bringing people together to witness and create.

“River See” is the prayer before the Great Migration.

This production features Sonja Parks and includes some of the Twin Cities most exciting multidisciplinary performers including Aimee Bryant, Mankwe Ndosi, Leah Nelson, Kenna

Cottman, and Truth Maze. Creator Sharon Bridgforth also appears onstage as she choreographs the words, sounds, movement, and singing live in front of the audience.

“River See” explores blues

MORE

• Chinua Achebe: The Passing of a gentle literary giant and friend

• Jackie Robinson essay contest

stories as living arrangements of jazz. The text serves as the score and structure for the improvisational process that births the performance. Through this process, occurring during the event between performers and audience, together each becomes responsible to one another in the art of creating a piece about love.

This Pillsbury House Theatre production is the recipient of a MAP Fund award (supported by the Doris Duke and Andrew Mellon Foundations). “River See” is also part of the National New Play Network Creation Fund and will be seen in different forms throughout the year locations and theatres as diverse as The Living Arts of Tulsa in Oklahoma and Theatre Offensive in Boston.

“River See” runs from April 13 – 21. Wednesday - Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday performances at 3 p.m.

All tickets are “pay what you can” as patrons pick their own price for every performance, every night. Free child care is available on select dates.

For more information and tickets call (612) 825-0459 or visit www. pillsburyhousetheatre.org.

• Rashaan Patterson in concert at the Dakota, photos

Page 6 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News

Chinua Achebe The passing of a gentle literary giant and a friend

insightnews.com

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Culture and Education Editor

Artspeak

On March 22, 2013, Chinua Achebe, one of the world’s foremost African writers, joined his ancestors. He died at the age of 82. My mourning the loss of this literary giant is not just the right thing to do, it’s personal!

I had the distinct pleasure of being taught and mentored by this writer of novels, short stories, critical essays and poetry. Chinua used numerous forms to carry his message of the impact of colonialism on Africa: the novel, short stories, creative non-fiction, poetry and teaching.

The Africa of which he wrote was at the same time traditional and triumphant and corrupt and cruel. And Achebe himself, a Nigerian Igbo, lived a life that mirrored the same contradictions: he was a world-recognized author who was forced to live in exile from his own country because his country’s government deemed his writings politically provocative and highly critical.

While Chinua showed the downside of the effects of colonialism and Christianity on the erosion of African culture and traditions, he also showed the downside of post-colonialism: African leaders more interested in securing their own wealth than leading their countries out of post-colonial dependency -- only a few steps up from being subjugated, except the oppressor looked like you.

I first met Chinua in 1973 when I arrived in Amherst, Mass., to enroll in the Masters of Fine Arts Program. I was thrown into a circle of intellectual and literary greats-- mostly men (for which I have long forgiven their intended and unintended misogynist tendencies) such as Jules Chametsky, founder of the Massachusetts Review and one of the foremost scholars on the image of Blacks in American literature and on Jewish literature in Americas. Jules and his poet wife, the late Ann Halley, who wrote of the Holocaust, became my Jewish Godparents. I lived with them for several months. Chinua and Christy Achebe were among the people to whom I was introduced. Others included members of the Afro-American Studies Department such as Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole who was chair; Michael Thelwell, a Jamaican and former SNCC activist who would write the novel, The Harder they Come (1980) based on the brilliant 1972 movie starring reggae musician Jimmy Cliff; and Esther Terry and her late husband Eugene Terry, who were among the founders of the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies. Esther Terry is currently interim president of her alma mater, Bennett College for Women.

The arts were as integral a part of Afro-American Studies as history and literature.

Musicians and artists like the late Matt Roach and his then wife, Janus Adams, Archie Shepp, Paul Carter Harrison, Nelson Stevens, one of the founding members of AfroCobra, filled out the ranks of talented scholars that were the foundation of the department.

Among this crowd, I would meet my ex-husband, Ernest Allen, Jr., who joined the department as a historian in 1973. And down the street, Sonia Sanchez resided for several years on the faculty of Amherst College. I was able to take creative classes from her, but that is another story.

In Chinua Achebe’s African Literature course at UMass, I was exposed to the brilliance of African writers-- mostly men at that time-- and Chinua’s own penetrating post-colonial critiques. He did point me in the direction of African women writers, upon my request and encouraged my development of my own poetic

Chinua Achebe speaking at Asbury Hall, Buffalo, as part of the “Babel: Season 2” series

by Just Buffalo Literary Center, Hallwalls, & the International Institute. voice. Always with a calm demeanor, Chinua took on the hard questions about Africans’ own complicity in making a mess of the continent’s affairs, which he acknowledged. But, he never ever backed off his critiques of colonialism and post-colonialism. He was an ardent critic of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and the way in which it depicted Africa as a “dark” place with people who grunted rather than spoke.

His indignation over what he deemed a racist portrayal would later inspire him to work on an Igbo language project with his son.

I cut my magazine editorial teeth on Okike: A Nigerian Journal of New Writing, the African literary journal founded by Chinua Achebe in 1974 (or 1975) at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. I became his teaching assistant with responsibilities for working with contributing editors like Joseph Skerrett (English Department) and Lynn Innis. From them and Chinua, I learned the editorial functions of manuscript solicitations, the peer review process, layout and graphic design, which I got to do hands on, working with the printers, subscription management, etc.-- it doesn’t get any better

Chinua did so with a positive spirit and laughter in his eyes.

He had an eye-twinkling sense of humor.

I left Amherst, Mass., in 1991 and it would be sixteen years before I would encounter Chinua Achebe again. In 2005, I took a leave of absence from my position as Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Florida to work as Program Officer for Education and Scholarship at the Ford Foundation.

My portfolio of $10M and 59 grantees, focused on developing and sustaining the fields of Black Studies and Women’s Studies and supported scholarship and research on race, class, gender, ethnicity, faculty diversity, cultural diversity and “difficult dialogues.” One day, in my pile of grant inquiries a request to fund an African language project from Bard, in the Annandale on the Hudson caught my attention. In the back of my mind, I vaguely recalled that Bard had offered Chinua Achebe a professorship and a house to accommodate his new disability. Curious, I decided to go to the source rather than have them visit me as they had requested. I asked if they could arrange for Prof. Achebe to meet with the Program Officer from the Ford

“Those who have yet to read Chinua Achebe’s works in their entirety have no idea of what they are missing.” than that. It was a magazine apprenticeship in the old tradition of learning by doing.

My mettle was truly tested when Chinua took a year’s leave and entrusted the daily editorial and design functions to me and the secretary. This predates the era of cell phones, emails, and digital technology, so we were on our own. I learned how to layout pages, design ads, and read blue-line galley proofs.

Throughout my life, these skills in one way or another would serve me well, but especially when, for seven years (1997-2004), I became the editor of Transforming Anthropology, the signature journal of the Association of Black Anthropologists. Throughout the time I worked under the tutelage of Chinua Achebe, he was always gracious and optimistic. Even as he delved into Africa’s past to explain and understand its messy present,

Foundation-- me.

I wanted to surprise Chinua and Christy. And it was a glorious reunion. I was welcomed with hugs and memories of the times we had spent in the Pioneer Valley.

We spoke of our children; their sons were all grown up.

The youngest, Chidi, was “the youngest ever to be appointed a medical director in the US,” according to the Vanguard.

And Dr. Ike Achebe, was now a scholar in his own right. In Chinua, I found a man of wisdom, at peace with the hand he had been dealt of paralysis and wheel chair bound, yet still filled with aspirations and vision. He had the same critical focus, twinkling humor, and a passion, possibly fueled by the breakdown of his body, to complete his life-long project on a dictionary of the Igbo language. The Igbo Dictionary Project is a labor of love that

Chinua shared with his son Ike, who managed the project. With my support, Bard received a FF grant to support both the Igbo Dictionary project and establish the Chinua Achebe Center for African Writers and Artists, following my recommendation that Bard institutionalize Chinua’s vision and honor his legacy through some type of institution. Chinua would remain at Bard until 2009 under the title of the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Professor Emeritus of Languages and Literature. Upon retirement, he departed for Brown University where he remained until his death last month.

Those who have yet to read Chinua Achebe’s works in their entirety have no idea of what they are missing. He is a storyteller of the highest order; I highly recommend starting with Things Fall Apart. The novel has sold over 8 million copies and is translated into over 50 languages. It is a global masterpiece. The Daily Freeman quotes noted African scholar Kwame Anthony Appiah as once saying in reference to the impact of Chinua Achebe on African literature: “It would be like asking how Shakespeare influenced English writers or Pushkin influenced Russians.

Achebe didn’t only play the game, he invented it.”

On the passing of this literary great, I can only say rest well gentle giant and goodbye my friend.

To Read More: http://pmnewsnigeria. com/2013/04/02/achebe-deathof-the-storyteller/; accessed 4/4/13 http://brown.edu/ Departments/Africana_ Studies/video/103.html; accessed 4/4/13 http://www.dailyfreeman.com/ articles/2013/03/23/news/ doc514d157825128640980044. txt; accessed 4/4/13 http://achebecenter.bard.edu/; accessed 4/4/13 http://www.bard.edu/ academics/additional/ additional.php?id=1488776; accessed 4/4/13 http://iile.bard.edu/initiatives/; accessed 4/4/13 http://billmoyers.com/guest/ chinua-achebe/; accessed 4/4/13 http://www.vanguardngr. com/2013/03/chinua-achebeno-need-to-mourn/; accessed 4/4/13 http://brown.edu/ Departments/Africana_ Studies/people/achebe_chinua. html; accessed 4/4/13 ©2013 McClaurin Solutions Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News of Minneapolis. A bio-cultural anthropologist, consultant, and writer, she lives in Raleigh, NC (www.irmamcclaurin.com) (@mcclaurintweets).

Most recently, she provided technical assistance to the Friends of Oberlin Cemetery to acquire Landmark status for an historic African American Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Page 7

Jackie and Me educates, entertains

By Alysha “AP” Price Theater Review Exposure to AfricanAmerican history doesn’t have to be limited to February.

The Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave. S, Minneapolis, provided an opportunity to educate while being entertained in “Jackie and Me,” a stage play based on the book by Dun Gutman.

The main character, Joey Stoshack (Brandon Brooks), is a determined young boy with the special power to travel through time by holding onto baseball cards. When his teacher gives the class an assignment to write a report

on a legendary AfricanAmerican, Joey naturally thinks of the great Jackie Robinson (Ansa Akyea).

Using his unique powers he travels to New York City in the year 1947 to meet the legendary Robinson. During his adventure back in time, Joey experiences segregation and racism first hand, as his “powers” transformed Joey, a white child, into an AfricanAmerican boy.

Not only did this play highlight moments in sports that helped shape American history, but it also delivered a message of bravery and determination.

“Jackie and Me” is sure to ignite healthy conversation among

families about topics such as prejudice, bullying and single parent households.

Filled with energy, the main characters played by Brooks and Akyea, displayed a heartfelt chemistry that kept the attention of even the youngest children. “Jackie and Me,” I’m positive, engaged both young and old patrons and provided a framework for helping families formulate their beliefs of equality in a non-threatening way.

“Jackie and Me” recently concluded its run at the Children’s Theatre.

For more information on future productions, visit www. childrenstheatre.org.

Jackie Robinson Essay Contest: How does the story of Jackie Robinson inspire you?

Editors note: In the Children’s Theatre Company’s play “Jackie and Me” by Steven Dietz adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Joey Stoshack travels back in time to 1947 to meet baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

The Children’s Theatre Company launched an essay contest about the influence of Jackie Robinson in conjunction with the production of “Jackie and Me.” The winning grand prize essay submitted below by Hemetii SiAsar Apet.

Hi, my name is Hemetii Si-Asar Apet. I am seven years old. I love writing. It was hard thinking about what I would say, but easy writing it. I wanted to enter the essay contest because I’ve only gone to one Twins game, and I really wanted to learn more about Jackie Robinson.

I read the book called Jackie and Me by Dan

Ali From 5 Randy Hawkins, the tour manager is adjusting various knobs on some sound equipment. Everything has to be just right. Time is of the essence.

The trip is an eight-day excursion with two days of travel to, and two days from Cape Town.

“It’s really a long way to go for 75 minutes,” joked Hawkins, referring to the length of Ali’s set.

Ali continues to spit lyrics.

He run through “Freedom Ain’t Free” and discusses with the band how to transition to the next song. Something’s not quite right. Ali and Gray think the song is out of tune, so they change the key. OK, that’s better.

Ali is once again at peace. Peace is a perpetual state of being for Brother Ali. With everything to Ali’s liking, he presses on into the next tune, pushing the mic stand to the side and begins rhythmically pacing about.

Then Ali breaks into his unmistakable melodic flow.

With his voice barely above a whisper, his soul is yelling out.

“Even with (President) Obama killin’ people with drones/I’m going to jail with Occupy Homes,” spits Ali, before instructing Ylvisaker to go into a guitar solo. He later goes into a verse about being homeless and sleeping on friends’ couches to chilling on the couch with political icon, Dr. Cornel West.

Ali briefly interrupts his rehearsal to offer a reporter a sparkling water. He’s being a gracious host. Then he turns right back to the band and they run through the haunting tale of love gone bad in “Walking Away.”

It’s 2 p.m. and rehearsal time is up.

“I really wish we had one more day,” said Ali. “It’s good, but just want one more day to work.”

This is South Africa’s first taste of Brother Ali live and he wants everything to be just right. But conversation quickly

Rekhet Si-Asar

Hemetii Si-Asar Apet

switches from the show to going diving with sharks. Ali and good friend, Daniel Yang, are going to take the dive while in Cape Town.

“Daniel really wants to do it, so I told him I’d go with him.

I don’t want to do it, but he’s excited about it,” said Ali. “I don’t need to disturb their (sharks) natural order.”

But if Ali’s friends want him to do something, he’s there for them.

Following the rehearsal, Ali journeys to a nearby sports bar and sits down for a bite to eat. While Ali is seated, a 20-something white guy walks past Ali and does a double take. The guy interrupts Ali’s conversation – but not rudely – and excitedly said, “I thought that was you. I’m a big fan. I love your music.”

Brother Ali smiles broadly, thanks the guy, shakes his hand and then continues with his conversation. A reporter asked how does Ali deal with fame.

“Fame is an illusion,” said Ali. “But I don’t really think there’s that illusion of fame around me because my music is so underground. I’m not rich because I’m underground, but it’s a gift. Most people don’t think I’m famous. You know who thinks I’m famous? Older people think I’m famous.

My grandmother thinks I’m famous.”

A reporter reminds Ali that he’s famous enough to be headed to South Africa to perform in front of thousands of people.

“And maybe they know me, maybe they don’t,” said Ali, with genuine humility.

Chances are, they know him.

Brother Ali, born Jason Newman, has himself become somewhat of an icon. The 35-year-old hip-hop artist was born in Madison, Wisc. and later moved to north Minneapolis, with stops in several Michigan cities in between. Brother Ali, who converted to Islam as a teen, legally changed his first name to Ali. “Only a couple of people in my family still call me Jason.

There are a couple who have that Southern white attitude and

refuse to believe I’m Muslim,” said Ali. Ali is not the typical portrait of Islam. For starters, Ali is Caucasian. He’s also albino. In many ways, being albino lead to Ali’s Islamic conversion.

“Kids can be cruel and I lived in a lot of small towns and I got picked on for being albino,” said Ali. But Ali said while in the 2nd grade an older AfricanAmerican woman began to mentor him and began shaping his worldview. According to Ali, the woman explained that whiteness didn’t really exist.

After being spiritually mentored by the woman, Ali said he naturally gravitated to African-Americans and African-American culture.

“I just soaked it (AfricanAmerican culture) up. There’s a particular texture to Black culture, Black love; Black strength,” said Ali. “Now I’m not trying to say that my experience with Blackness is the Black experience, but almost all the important people in my life, for better or worse, were all Black.”

In soaking up AfricanAmerican culture, Brother Ali began rejecting the notion of his “whiteness.”

“White isn’t a skin color, it’s a sense of unjustified superiority,” said Ali. “Whiteness is a made up thing. God didn’t create it, but it doesn’t mean it can’t have a real impact on people’s lives. I don’t feel any loyalty to (being white) but I know socially, I’m considered white. White is a relative thing. It just means the top of the food chain. As a white person I practice racism every day if I want to or not.”

Ali said Dr. Cornel West helped him to embrace his ethnicity.

“He helped me to embrace my white brothers and sisters.

Dr. West said, ‘You can’t lead the people if you don’t first love the people,’” recalled Ali. Ali finished his lunch – a cheeseburger and fries, with a lemon-lime pop. His wife is waiting in a car outside. Ali is off to South Africa the next day.

“I wish we had one more day to rehearse.”

Gutman. It took me about four, maybe five days to read it. It was a fiction story but it was about Jackie Robinson, who was a real person. I liked the story, but it made me feel bad about how the grownups were acting. I also thought they should have more control of themselves, because they were out of control. Like in the parts when they would hit the ball at Jackie’s head, hoping they would hit him, but instead he would dodge it or hit it back with his bat. They (other ballplayers) sometimes tried to knock him off his feet, but he would pop right back up.

Jackie Robinson inspired me by making me try my best in everything I do like sports and school. He also inspired me by making me work hard, like in track. Last year was my first year in track and I made it to the Junior Olympics. It

was hard work because we had to go to Houston, where the other children run track all year because they do not have the same seasons as us. So this made me work harder. Also in school I mostly get 100 percent on my spelling tests. When I don’t, I tell myself I have to work harder. This is like how Jackie had to work harder at each game and he had to work harder to fit in. Like at my school there are only two girls in my class who are Black, but most of the school is white.

I learned that Jackie Robinson showed bravery and courage by not fighting back on the field and by being in control of himself. He also showed courage and bravery by ignoring threats, like, “We already got rid of several like you. One was found in the river just recently.”

In the book, they said that everyday, people would

write threatening notes saying they would kill him and his family. Jackie Robinson also showed justice by being fair.

He even loved the people that hated him. He was like the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a leader and helped the country by fighting racism with his words and not his body. That’s why he’s (Robinson) just like Martin Luther King (Jr.) because he helped to have Black people play baseball and inspire them to play.

I recommend this book and Jackie Robinson’s story to be inspiring to those who love history, baseball, and our ancestors. Also because he was a really important man because he broke the color barrier for Black people to play baseball and other sports like track, soccer, or gymnastics.

EARTH IS A MEMORY WORTH FIGHTING FOR

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Page 8 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News 1

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Rahsaan Patterson captivated the Dakota crowd in concert Thursday, April 4th at the Dakota

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Photos by Michelle Space

1 - 2) Rahsaan Patterson captivated the Dakota crowd Thursday April 4th at the Dakota. 3) Rahsaan Patterson, Harry Colbert, and Sylvia Williams. 4) O’neika M., Rickey Kinchen (Mint Condition), Paul Peterson (fDeluxe), and Starsha W. 5) Adebisi Wilson, Maya Bowie and Maurice Bowie. 6) Rahsaan Patterson and Tabota Seyon.

Tyrese releases new autobiographical documentary

By Alysha “AP” Price The young Black man with an electrifying smile and a raspy soul voice sitting on a bus singing about Coca-Cola has come a long way.

Now a best-selling author and sought-after movie star known for roles in blockbusters such as “Transformers and Fast & Furious,” Tyrese Gibson is taking

Tyrese Gibson his fans on a journey through his life in his documentary titled, “A Black Rose That Grew Through Concrete.”

The documentary details his upbringing, maturing from boy to man in Watts, Los Angeles.

Tyrese shares a story to which man urban youth can relate – being exposed to gangs, drugs, and crime.

However, that life was not his destiny. In the documentary Tyrese talks about the devotion that lead him to the success he has today.

In addition to his documentary that was released March 31 on his website,

www.TryreseOnline.com, the multitalented Tyrese is working on the Teddy Pendergrass biopic and the long awaited TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank) album. The trio has a single available on iTunes that definitely sets the mood for the bedroom.

Undoubtedly, Tyrese has beaten the odds but what makes him exceptional is his yearning to share with others that they too can rise up from the concrete.

Watch the “Black Rose That Grew through Concrete,” trailer online at www.vimeo. com/62490486.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Page 9

FULL CIRCLE Men and women think and feel differently Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Men and women think and feel differently. This causes them to see the world from two different prospective. Man is often viewed as unfeeling because has within him the ability to suppress his emotions which makes it possible for him to deal unemotionally with the consequences of his actions. Unlike man, woman is an emotional being full of feelings.

Her actions are centered on and influenced by her passions. The difference in the way men and women think and feel is a matter of heart and brain.

When it comes to matters of the heart, the way men and a women express their feelings is dissimilar and visible to all. When

I look at relationships today, a man’s emotional capacity appears limited while a woman’s appears limitless, an imbalance that makes communication difficult.

Many couples struggle with communication because the man is so uncomfortable with his feelings that he avoids confrontations that might involve them. The woman, who is so skilled at expressing her feelings that she is often accused of wearing them on her sleeve, is willing and ready to share them. This struggle is sometimes attributed to the way men and women’s brains are wired.

Where the anatomy of the brain is concerned, the difference between men and women is gray and white. This is because the human brain is made primarily of two different types of tissue, called gray matter and white matter. New research reveals that men think more with their gray matter, and women think more with white. Psychology professor Richard Haier of the University of California, Irvine found that in general, men have nearly 6.5

times the amount of gray matter related to general intelligence compared with women, whereas women have nearly 10 times the amount of white matter related

in no evidence in intellectual differences, this difference may impact the way men and women interact emotionally.

Men and women struggle

Acknowledging that there is a difference in the way men and women think is the first step to improving communication. to intelligence compared to men.

Research noted that just because men and women think differently; it does not affect intellectual performance. Although there

emotionally to find balance. When men find themselves in over their heads emotionally, they often shut down completely. Because man is able to shut himself down

emotionally, he is able to put his silent treatment into his temporary storage place leaving the woman alone to deal with her feelings.

These types of emotional battles are usually devastating, leaving men emotionally numb and women emotionally scarred.

This battle creates a void in communication and destroys intimacy. The difference in the way men and women think often becomes a pattern of behavior that produces the same basic negative outcomes.

Communication is the key.

Acknowledging that there is a difference in the way men and women think is the first step to improving communication.

The lack of respect for each other’s feelings creates wars, and wars are ended with treaties. Communication brings about mutual respect. When men and women accept there dissimilarities and come together at the negotiation table, the lines of exchanges are opened, and the ability to resolve the emotional conflicts becomes possible.

This common ground is where differences are resolved.

Men and women must find common ground. Each must acknowledge that people are more important than feelings, and feelings are more important than the events that caused them. They both must seek out oneness. This is where true power resides. There is no force more powerful than a man and woman who are one in thoughts and feelings. Their oneness is what creates families, and it is the catalyst for better relationships, neighborhoods, and communities. This oneness is full of power and possibilities because it makes differences in feelings and thoughts obsolete.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. To get copies of his books, or for questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

Are you your sister’s keeper?

The Moore Therapy Movement

By Dr. Darren D. Moore Ph.D., LMFT Dear Dr. Moore: I have a best friend, someone I have been friends with for the past ten years. About five years ago, I found out that the love of her life was cheating on her.

When I told her, she got really upset with me. She did not believe me. Well I think she secretly already knew, but she did not want to admit it. She stopped talking to me for about a year. After our time apart, we became friends again, but we no longer discuss the relationships we have with our significant others. Interestingly enough,

she is still with the same guy.

As recent as last week, I found out through another source, that he is still up to no good.

What should I do? Do I tell her, when I think she probably already knows and risk ruining our friendship? Or do I simply turn a blind eye? Any thoughts would be helpful.

From Anonymous Response: Greetings. First, I would like to say thank you for being courageous enough to bring this topic to light through Insight News.

I think you present a very interesting dilemma. On one hand, you do not want to risk ruining your friendship. At the same time, you feel obligated to protect your friend and to inform her about what is going on. I think you really need to examine your idea of friendship.

What does being a friend mean to you? Are you your sister’s keeper?

From your previous actions, I’ll assume that you believe that true friendship is based on honesty. I will also assume that if a similar situation was going on in your life, you would hope, pray, or simply expect that she would come to you. Am I correct here? Are you your sister’s keeper? If so, a quick, hard, and fast answer to your question would be to “speak the truth.”

However, before you make any moves. I must ask you a few questions, as I am sure I do not have the entire story. You mentioned that you found out from a source that this man is cheating. How reliable is this “source?” Are you sure about your allegations? What proof do you have? How long have your friend and her mate been together? How happy is she in the relationship? Does she also engage in sexual activities outside of her relationship? Do they have children together? Is

she financially or emotionally dependent on him? Is there other critical information of which made aware? Does he want to stop cheating? Does he realize his faults? Does he care?

How committed is he to this relationship?

You appear to believe that his cheating is public knowledge. If everyone knows about his indiscretions around town, then she probably knows as well. However, I see nothing wrong with bringing it to her attention again. Yes it is true, if you say something, she may become angry with you and stop talking to you for a while.

Can you handle that? If you do not tell her, what could happen?

Suppose she finds out that you knew and did not tell her, then what would happen? You might be in more trouble. What if she contracts an incurable STD, which in theory could have been prevented if someone (you) told her the truth? Would you be

able to live with yourself? If you speak the truth, you might receive backlash, but at least you will be able to walk away knowing that you did your job (assuming you believe it is your job/obligation to tell her). Are you your sister’s keeper?

From your letter I got the sense that you are leaning towards telling her the truth, regardless of the consequences.

When we speak the truth, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Therefore, I believe that you should trust your intuition and your feelings. I am not telling you what to do, but telling you to trust yourself and know that you have good intentions. If you are nervous, perhaps you could consider having a conversation with her about your role as her friend or her “sister.” You could simply ask her if she would want you to tell her things such as a boyfriend cheating or information about other serious matters. If you did this,

you could gage if she would be receptive to you talking with her before saying a word about your current situation.

One thing you should know is that for some people cheating is not a big deal. For others, it can be a deal breaker. As a marriage and family therapist, I work with couples all the time regarding infidelity. While I may have my own views about what does and does not work within relationships based on religion, it is ultimately not up to me to make that call for each couple. In therapy, we help clients explore the best options that work for them. They develop the goals for treatment and dictate the direction of therapy.

If your friend is interested on exploring why she continues to stay in a relationship that is based on – or at least rooted in

MOORE TURN TO 10

Page 10 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY Faith leaders challenge legislators to address disparities On Thursday, April 4, 175 African-American clergy and members of the faith community held a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda. On the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, they assembled to urge legislators to close racial equity gaps and put the children and families in their communities on a firm foundation.

The African American community has been traditionally left out of the public decisionmaking process and faith leaders proclaimed the need to develop a

new relationship – one in which the community is regularly consulted.

Addressing the crowd, Rev. Brian Herron, Pastor at Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis said, “We are not just here to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his day of his murder, but to put feet to our faith and press forward on the work for justice he began.

We are here not just to call for action, but to act… We are not here as beggars today; we are not here as pigs wanting to feed at the public trough. We

are not even here asking you to solve the problems. We are here demanding a relationship with our elected leaders to work together; to sit down at the table and begin to create longterm long-lasting impactful legislation and policies.”

The African American faith community has a long and storied history of being in the vanguard of social justice movements in this country and is compelled by the historical and biblical prophetic traditions of their faith to hear and respond to the cries of the people.

Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.

EVENTS Student Salon 2013 art exhibit Thru-Apr. 19 Metropolitan State University Gordon Parks Gallery present Student Salon 2013. The exhibit runs March 29 through April 19 with a reception on Thursday, March 28, from 4:30–7 p.m. Gallery hours are Mondays–Thursdays 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Fridays– Saturdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is located at the Saint Paul Campus in the Library and Learning Center, 645 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul. For more information about the exhibit, contact Amy Sands at 651-793-1631 or e-mail amy.sands@metrostate.edu.

55408. Kindly RSVP or get more information by calling Patricia at 612-232-1598.

Rust College A’Cappella Choir Apr. 24 New Hope Baptist Church will host The World Renowned Rust College A’Cappella Choir performing on Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2013 7:00. pm. New Hope Baptist Church is located at 712 Burr Street, St. Paul, MN 55130. The Rust College A’Cappella Choir features a broad repertoire of classical, semi-classical, spiritual, operatic, contemporary and traditional gospel. The Rust College A’Cappella Choir is led by Ms. Dorothy Lee Jones.

Donation: $10.

Liberian Nobelist Leymah Gbowee to Speak in Brooklyn Park Apr. 27 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Leymah Gbowee, an activist and social worker from Liberia, will offer a public talk on peace-building Sat., April 27, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park. She is in the Twin Cities as part of an annual two-day youth conference, PeaceJam, sponsored by the Minneapolisbased nonprofit youthrive.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. youthrive.net.

Rev. Billy G. Russell, Pastor at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis said, “Yes, we want to see people saved, but we want to see people fed. We want to see people saved, but we want to see people educated. We want to see people saved, but we want people to have good jobs.

We want to see people saved, but we want to see people have the opportunity to go to college.

Everyone has the right to be a functional, productive citizen.”

Leaders spoke at length about the Juvenile Detention

Phone: 612.588.1313

Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), proposed legislation that would greatly reduce racial and ethnic disparities in juvenile detention and provide funding for detention alternatives.

“As the education opportunity gap widens, it sucks our children into the cradle to prison pipeline,” Said Rev. Charles Gill, Pastor at Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul, “Sen. Jeff Hayden and Rep. Ray Dehn’s bill is probably one of the first steps in creating an environment that doesn’t just punish but demonstrates

Fax: 612.588.2031

redemption and inspires hope for those who find themselves languishing in the dismal crypts of juvenile correctional facilities. This bill must not just be heard, it must be passed.”

After the rally, many in the group went door to door to visit their legislators, share their personal stories and urge passage of the JDAI. They challenged their elected officials to use bold leadership and courageous actions to eliminate racial inequities.

Email: info@insightnews.com

DAVID NOBLE LECTURE SERIES Film screening & discussion “Slavery by Another Name” Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m.

Rondo Library, 461 North Dale Street This documentary challenges one of Americans’ most cherished assumptions: the belief that slavery in this country ended with the Emancipation Proclamation.

The film tells how even as chattel slavery came to an end in the South in 1865, thousands of African Americans were pulled back into forced labor.

Tolerated by both the North and South, forced labor lasted well into the 20th century. Join TPT

producers Catherine Allan and Daniel Bergin for a discussion following the film.

Visit www.thefriends.org or call 651-222-3242 for more information.

“Latino Artists in Minnesota” exhibit on display in Hennepin Gallery Thru-Apr. 28 The artwork of local Latino artists will be on display in the Hennepin Gallery from April 1 through April 28.

The exhibit will feature photographs, dance costumes, paintings, sculpture, lyrics and cartoons by artists who trace their origins to Spain, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina,

El Salvador, Nicaragua, Chile and Colombia. Together the artist represent the wide variety of artistic talent found in our Latino metro community today. This is a unique opportunity to sample their creativity in a public showcase. The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6pm, at the Hennepin County Government Center, A Level, 300. S. Sixth

St., Minneapolis. The exhibit is sponsored by the Hennepin County Multicultural Arts Committee. The Gallery is a project of Hennepin County Public Affairs.

- 1:30 pm at the Marriott City Center Ballroom, 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis. The event will feature keynote speaker Mayor R.T. Rybak. Hear from program graduates and staff about the accomplishments of the past year and where TCR! is headed in the future.

Presented by General Mills.

The luncheon is free! RSVP

by April 12 to 612-279-5886 or aanderson@twincitiesrise. org.

opportunity to bring people together and do great things,” said Davis.

Diversity is something of which Davis is very proud.

He was a part of the most diverse graduating class in the Minneapolis Police Academy’s history. In addition to being African-American, Davis is part Native-American and his wife is Native-American as well.

Davis said he was drawn to law enforcement because he

witnessed an increase in crime in his Midway neighborhood and he wanted to do something to make a difference.

“There’s a lot of suffering that goes on with crime. Crime is not just a statistic, and we know crime disproportionately affects African-Americans,” said Davis, who said he is ever committed to bettering the lives of others.

“This job forever changes your world view. You see the worst people have to offer, but you

also see the best.”

For the 42-year-old Davis, he believes the best approach to keeping the community safe is getting involved in people’s lives before the police are needed.

“It’s about being proactive.

There has to be a relationship of trust between the police and the community,” said Davis, who said his department created a youth violence prevention center in 2009 with programs in football, fishing and even

cooking to engage Brooklyn Park children. “It’s about connecting and about creating opportunities for kids to interact with officers.”

Davis said he has three perpetual goals for the department, which has a staff of 150. Those goals are to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to increase community involvement.

“At the end of the day what drives me is trying to bring

about a positive change in behavior in the community,” said Davis. “With the advent of the 911 system, we’ve created a dependant culture; there’s not that connectivity. If you have connectivity you reduce that need for law enforcement in such a way. A community thrives when people take ownership. We have a community of abundance in Brooklyn Park.”

The new government is populated with public servants who want Somalia to succeed.

From 1 President Mohamud made clear at his meeting on Capitol Hill Ministries are nonexistent or that security is his top priority. understaffed; there is no public His government must quickly education or established banking move into areas liberated from system; more than a million Al-Shabab and prove that people are displaced, and government can be a force security threats remain serious. for good, not just a source of However, even the pessimists corruption and oppression. It can can no longer say that Somalia is do that by providing basic public services, including trash pickup, hopeless. transportation, education and a functioning judicial Training Manager system.

The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol

The United States has an opportunity to make an investment in Somalia that could pay huge dividends over time.

U.S. recognition of the Somali government makes it eligible for certain types of foreign assistance, which should be used to stabilize the country. By supporting the development of the Somali National Army, the United States can help transform Somalia from a security threat to a security ally. By supporting basic infrastructure projects and commercial relationships, the U.S. can move Somalia from an

aid recipient to a trading partner.

The late Donald Payne was the last member of Congress to visit Mogadishu, nearly four years ago. With Al-Shabab in control of much of Mogadishu, the State Department strongly discouraged him from going.

But Payne, a consummate Africa expert and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, thought it was worth risking life and limb to get a better understanding.

The State Department’s warning was warranted.

Though Payne escaped

unharmed, Al-Shabab shelled his plane as it left the airport, injuring 19 people. “Let him go back with the message of our strength and enmity towards the U.S.,” an Al-Shabab spokesman said.

I bring a very different message: The security situation has vastly improved, and democracy and prosperity are within reach for the Somali people. African Union and Somali National Army troops have forced Al-Shabab out of every major city, including its onetime stronghold of

Kismayo. While still capable of asymmetrical guerrilla attacks, Al-Shabab is no longer able to contend for power or administer significant territory.

What we do now may determine whether we face another 22 years of terrorism, piracy and famine in Somalia, or whether we help Somalia write the first chapter of its comeback.

Minneapolis MADDADS Spring Open House Apr. 19 Join the MADDADS Outreach Team, Office Staff and VJ Smith, President, at the Minneapolis MADDADS Spring Open House Event on Friday April 19, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The open house will be held at 3026 4th Ave South Minneapolis, MN

Davis From 1 Brooklyn Park is the second most diverse city in the state, with a 48 percent non-white population. That is a drastic demographic shift from 20 years ago when its non-white population was just 10 percent.

“The diversity in the city presents a tremendous

Somalia

Syndrome (MOFAS) is seeking a highly-motivated individual to fulfill the Training Manager position. This position oversees the statewide business and marketing plans, budgets, and reporting mechanisms of the MOFAS training department. The manager will monitor training results and oversee the development and implementation of continuous improvement plans.

More information and to apply: www.mofas.org.

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Cedar Lake Wireless Corp.

2. State the address of the principal place of business: 1501 Glenwood Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address.

Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Gilvia Anderson, 1501 Glenwood Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Gilvia Anderson Date Filed: 03/15/2013 Insight News 04/08/2013, 04/15/2013

Moore

– infidelity, then I would work with her regarding this. If she is interested in leaving such a relationship, I would assist From 9 her with exploring this option. However, if Language Arts Teacher the couple is interested Concordia Creative Learning Academy in in working to improve St. Paul is looking for a full time licensed its relationship, then I 6-8 Language Arts Teacher for the 2013would work with them 2014 school year. This is a full time position with benefits. If you are interested please based on the couple’s send your resume to lori@cclaonline.org or desired goals and you may fax your resume to 651-793-6624. objectives and help Application deadline: Open until filled. the two move past the infidelity.

In a perfect world, infidelity may not occur, but in the real Classified Sales Representative world, believe me, it happens. The real Insight News is looking for a Classified question is, what do Sales Representative to start immediately.

This is a part-time position perfect for a colwe do about it? Do lege student or someone looking for suppleyou stay together and mental income. Candidate must be a motitry to work through vated self-starter with the desire to grow the business. Candidate must be focused, must this issue or do you have the ability to work under deadlines and break things off? Is to meet or exceed set sales goals. Responit a case of “once sibilities include calling and emailing new a cheater, always a clients and following up with past clients for classified sales. Please e-mail cover letter cheater?” In your and resume to batalara@insightnews.com. friend’s case maybe Please: No walk-ins and NO phone calls.

so, but then again as a therapist I have to believe that people can change. However, people can only change if they so desire to change. We always like to think that we can force people to change, but I do not believe in this type of perspective. People change when they want to change, when something in their lives motivates them to modify their behavior. So in essence, it really goes back to what your friend and her significant other want. They may desire change, or desire for things to remain the same.

You will never know, unless you bring up the topic.

One word of advice, do not work harder than your friend. You have to give her some of the responsibility for her own quality of life. She is in charge of her life and her destiny, not you. Short and simple, you should weigh the pros and the cons to telling her, make your decision, and

Twin Cities RISE! Annual Report to Stakeholders Luncheon Apr. 29 Please join Twin Cities RISE! for the Annual Report to Stakeholders Luncheon on Monday, April 29, 2013 Noon

do not waiver. If you feel uncomfortable having this conversation with her alone, you could always schedule an appointment with a marriage and family therapist and disclose this information within the context of a therapeutic session. At the end of the day, I think you already know what you want to do. You just need to be sure about it before addressing the issue at hand. When thinking through your dilemma, I want you to ask yourself this question, “Are you your sister’s keeper?”

Let me know what you end up deciding and how things turn out. Please stay in touch.

I hope to hear from you soon, but until then, “Stick around, there’s Moore to come.”

Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an assistant professor in marriage and family therapy

Keith Ellison represents Minnesota’s Fifth District in the U.S. House.

at a University in Georgia.

He works with individuals, couples, and families regarding mental health and relationship concerns.

His research, teaching and clinical interests include general mental health, obesity, weight loss, eating disorders and addictions, within couple and family relationships, with an emphasis in working with men, African-American families, and marginalized populations. Moore is a north Minneapolis native and obtained his bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota, his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Valdosta State University, and his Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech. Dr. Darren D Moore can be reached by email at ddmoore@vt.edu or (612) 296-3758.

insightnews.com

Insight News • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Page 11

HEALTH HPV, a cancer that is killing our youth and young adults

By Rochelle AventHassan, Dental Director, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center In 2013, 42,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer. This particular type of cancer has historically been caused by alcohol and tobacco use.

But today, a new version of oral cancer is on the rise called Human

Rochelle Avent-Hassan

Papilloma Virus or HPV-16.

HPV-16 is the same cancer that causes cervical cancer in women. This type of cancer is not to be confused with the other 120 different types of HPV, also known as warts. Warts are a harmless, noncancerous version of the virus that can be found on the skin of hands, arms, and legs.

HPV-16 is not to be confused with bacteria that can be successfully treated with

antibiotics such as penicillin. It is a virus that is very difficult to see and is transmitted by traditional and oral sex, as well as French kissing an infected person. This virus is the most dangerous version of the virus because it causes head and neck cancer. The lesions can be found on the tongue, inside the cheek, the floor of the mouth and the back of the throat. If left untreated it can spread rapidly throughout the entire body and cause death.

This deadly cancer is on the rise in younger individuals possibly due to misconceptions as to what constitutes being a virgin. In 2006 a vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to protect girls from cervical cancer.

Recently, it has been recommended for both boys and girls.

People of color are more often than whites affected and most likely to die from this cancer due to underutilization of preventive

health services and lack of information.

April is oral cancer awareness month. And as such, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center’s Dental Clinic is providing free oral cancer screenings to homeless individuals.

NorthPoint is encouraging all to get screened. The free screening event takes place April 22 – April 24. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 612-543-2500.

Gardening: Fresh air for brain health

By Mark Underwood Gardening has long been known as a great way to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. And gardening has hidden benefits that can boost your overall health including better brain health.

You don’t need a big plot of land to enjoy gardening. Use containers on a porch or patio to grow a wide variety of fruits or vegetables. A five-gallon bucket with holes for drainage can be used to grow a great crop of tomatoes.

Even if you aren’t actively involved in gardening, just walking in a garden can give you a sensory experience that promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

Here are several ways gardening boosts your health and well-being.

Low Impact Exercise Gardeners love to get outdoors and work with their hands. Because of that, gardening keeps you exercising even when a gym may not work for you.

Gardening is certainly not the same as pumping iron or running

Mark Underwood a marathon. But when you are digging, planting, and doing other tasks you have opportunities for low impact exercise.

Gardeners who do more physical work like hauling wheelbarrows of rocks or dirt get quite a workout.

No matter what level of exercise you do, gardening will help keep you limber.

Stress Reduction When you walk among beautiful flowers and watch vegetables

spring up, it’s easy to see why gardening enriches the mind. But have you thought about gardening as a tonic for reducing stress? If not, you should. A recent study in the Netherlands suggests that gardening can fight stress even better than other relaxing leisure activities.

Participants in the study either read indoors or gardened for 30 minutes. Afterward, the group that gardened reported being in a better mood than the reading group, and they also had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Most of us push ourselves to the max, but gardening really does make you slow down and literally smell the roses.

Tracking Your Accomplishments Gardeners love to keep records.

It would be difficult to remember from year to year what plants did well and those that didn’t thrive in specific locations, under what conditions, and especially if you have a large vegetable, fruit and flower garden.

That’s why gardeners love to keep photos of what they planted, before and after shots, and notes

Infant deaths in child care down, DHS report shows Action taken by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, providers, and local partners to address a dramatic increase in the deaths of infants in child care has helped to stall the alarming trend, according to the 2012 annual report on licensing activities by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). Infant deaths occurring in child care settings was one of four “emergent issues” identified in the report released on April 3.

The increase was initially identified in the 2011 annual report, the first released by the newly created OIG. Further analysis showed the number of deaths increased from an average of six per year prior to 2006 to more than 11 in both 2010 and 2011. Within the first four months of 2012, six infant deaths had already been reported. The deaths were predominantly in family child care settings and related to unsafe sleep practices.

The 2012 report (PDF) showed marked improvement in the second half of the year. No infant deaths in child care were reported for 2012 after July. In 2013 one death has been reported.

The report said efforts to raise

DHS TURN TO 12

about their garden’s progress.

Since it would be difficult to remember every detail of last year’s garden when you get ready to plant again this year, a photo journal along with written records can make you a more effective and efficient gardener.

Those journals are handy reviews of what to plant again and what to forego. Notes written by hand or typed on your computer will also give you another benefit.

When you keep track of your gardening accomplishments, you’re apt to better remember the details.

And what’s more, you’ll be boosting your brain health by sharpening your memory and recall skills.

Mood Booster Gardening has proven to be a good way to change your mood for the better.

A Norwegian study followed participants with mood disorders who spent six hours a week growing flowers and vegetables.

After three months, half of the participants had experienced a measurable improvement in their depression symptoms. Even after they stopped gardening, their good moods continued three months after the gardening experiment was over.

Eat Fresh Growing your own food has the obvious benefit of being able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Several studies have shown that people who garden eat more fresh fruits and vegetables than people who don’t have home gardens.

Growing your own garden also gives you the convenience of trying new things. You may not buy arugula at the grocery store but now that you’re having success with it at home, it stretches your thinking—what else could you plant that you’ve never thought about before?

Make Room for Executive Function Gardening, like many activities, can be good for you once you get going, but sometimes we all need extra motivation to accomplish our goals.

Don’t blame your willpower for not getting outside and gardening. Instead, research has found that if you have poor executive decision, you may not stick to goals compared to people with excellent executive functions.

Executive function includes such things as planning and being able to thoroughly consider options in front of you, it also includes having a prospective memory.

That is defined as having a sharp recall ability to remember to do things or say ‘no’ to other things

like becoming sedentary instead of getting exercise.

The message is clear. When you take care of your brain health you will have better willpower.

Cognitive performance, memory and willpower go hand-in-hand.

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Page 12 • April 15 - April 21, 2013 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Mayor From 1 Convention, gave members of the community a first-hand look and listen to six candidates vying to become the city’s next mayor.

Candidates who participated included former state DFL chair, Mark Andrew; former city council president, Jackie Cherryhomes; City Councilwoman Betsy Hodges; City Councilman Don Samuels; City Councilman Gary Schiff and businessman and attorney, Cam Winton. The event was moderated by Insight News founder and editor-in-chief, Al McFarlane with opening remarks by the Rev. Jerry McAfee, pastor of New Salem, and closing remarks by the Rev. Brian Heron, pastor of Zion Baptist Church.

“I’m of the opinion that over the past eight years or so it’s been dire straights for the AfricanAmerican; especially in north Minneapolis,” said McAfee.

“We are behind economically, educationally – all the way down the line. But the group that votes 95 or more percent down the line with the DFL is the AfricanAmerican; we’re not given very much attention.”

McAfee suggested that other groups with equal or less political clout are being favored by many politicians as the needs of AfricanAmericans in the state go largely ignored.

“If you can put all that money into same sex marriage then you can put that same money into employing African-Americans,”

DHS From 11 child care providers’ awareness of safe sleep practices and steppedup enforcement of rules appear to have contributed to the drop.

“Every death of a child is tragic, but even more so when it could have been prevented,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. “These results are encouraging, but we must take additional steps to ensure we are doing all that we can to keep children safe.”

Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed budget includes measures that

Black Press and Black Pulpit Mayoral Candidate Forum at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church

Courtesy of SPNN

said McAfee.

Some very pointed questions were asked of the candidates concerning their commitments towards the African-American community.

Winton, an attorney and businessman whose business employs 120 people said he evaluates people as individuals and not based on race.

“What I sought to do was go colorblind,” said Winton, who when pressed to come up with the number of African-Americans employed by his company could not do so. He said that much of his operations are in rural areas of Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota, and conceded the number is probably low.

Hodges said one of her primary reasons for running for mayor is to unify Minneapolis.

She said in her seven years on the city council she has been a tireless advocate for the city’s civil rights authority. She said most recently, she has worked to insure minority owned businesses were being

evaluated fairly when competing for bids on city involved projects such as the new Vikings stadium project.

Samuels, who was born in Jamaica and is the lone AfricanAmerican running, said his entire life’s service has been to benefit the African-American community. He said he chose his residence in the heavily AfricanAmerican Jordan neighborhood in particular to be of service to African-Americans.

Samuels is known to host vigils in his neighborhood for homicide victims. As a councilman, Samuels said he sponsored a bill known as Ban the Box – a bill that would prohibit employers from using a person’s criminal history as a determining factor in hiring.

“We can’t waste our young people’s lives,” said Samuels.

“We must educate them well and if they fail and fall aside, we must restore them.”

Andrew said he has been committed to the needs of African-

Americans since his youth.

“My friend and I biked across the city to Plymouth Avenue in the aftermath of the riots against police violence in 1965,” said Andrew. “I didn’t know what it all meant, I just knew it was wrong.

And I knew it was reprehensible.”

Andrew said he was also instrumental in recruiting former mayor Sharon Sayles Belton to run for the position. Belton was elected as the city’s first – and only – African-American mayor.

Belton, however, is supporting Cherryhomes.

Cherryhomes, a resident of north Minneapolis, said she doesn’t just live in the community, but is part of the community.

“I led by example by hiring African-Americans every opportunity I got and then nurturing them so they could go on and do other more important things,” said Cherryhomes, speaking of her time as a city council member.

Cherryhomes said even after her time in office she continued

her service to the AfricanAmerican community, working with Summit Academy and the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center.

“You have to be engaged (with the African-American community) in many ways. You have to engage with the church community, with the service community, with the nonprofit community,” said Cherryhomes.

“Your engagement has to be intentional, it has to be genuine and it has to deliver results.”

Schiff said he has worked for and with many AfricanAmerican organizations including the Minneapolis Urban League and OutFront Minnesota where he worked to close loopholes in many of the city’s civil rights laws. He said his work helped to close the loophole that did not allow for citizens to bring forth complaints against the city’s police department.

“My history has been as a community organizer,” said Schiff. “That’s the work I’m most

will improve safety in child care settings particularly related to safe sleep. They include additional training for child care providers, clarifications of existing requirements and several new requirements related to infant sleeping situations. DHS will put additional compliance information about family child care providers online for the public and parents to help make child care decisions.

Other emergent issues identified in the report: Strengthening standards for methadone clinics. The report noted an increase in serious licensing violations at methadone clinics. During 2012, DHS revoked one license and issued conditional licenses to two more

programs. These three programs serve more than 1,500 clients.

Methadone, which is used in the treatment of heroin and prescription opiates, has recently been the center of high profile reports about its abuse. DHS has proposed legislation that would help prevent misuse and strengthen enforcement when abuse occurs.

Implementing standards for home and community-based services. The report details implementation of new standards for home and community-based services, including refining those for providers that had been unlicensed. These critical services allow people at risk of institutionalization to receive

services in the community.

Legislative proposals require licensure of care services with the goal of serving people in an integrated setting and protecting health, safety and rights. The new licensure standards will also enhance the program integrity for these services that are mostly funded through Medicaid.

Redesigning background study procedures. The redesign of Minnesota’s background study procedures, which protect Minnesotans receiving care in licensed facilities and homes, will move forward with the award of a $3 million federal grant. This allows work to start on a more comprehensive system to begin next year with personal care

assistants and employees who provide long-term care services. It will eventually include fingerprint checks accessing records from all 50 states. Legislative proposals currently under review include expanding studies to the state Predatory Offender Registry and using an electronic system to routinely check for new criminal violations on prior background study recipients.

Jesson created the OIG in 2011 to improve fraud prevention and recovery and to step up regulatory effectiveness.

The OIG’s Licensing Division licenses about 23,000 programs that provide 17 different types of services to children and vulnerable adults in Minnesota.

proud of.”

Schiff said as mayor he would push for what he called zip code hiring, which would ensure that companies awarded government contracts hire from within the zip code where the work is being performed.

Hodges said if elected, she would make sure that jobs go where jobs are needed most.

“Contract inclusion, contact enforcement and contact compliance are crucial to the needs of the entire city,” said Hodges.

Hodges said she is vigilant in making sure transportation options are available to all communities.

“We need to make sure that transit and transportation are going to the communities that need it most,” said Hodges.

“Those not only allow people to get to jobs, but most importantly, they bring jobs to people.

The nearly two-hour forum covered a wide array of topics including crime, education, and even computer literacy. Herron said they have plans for more candidate forums.

The first installment of the forum broadcast aired on KFAI’s “Conversations with Al McFarlane” last Tuesday, with the second part airing this Tuesday at 9am. The television broadcasts are 7pm Monday and Tuesday nights on SPNN Channel 19 in St. Paul, and 11pm Thursdays on MTN Channel 16 in Minneapolis.

Check station program guides on line to see additional rebroadcasts.

The Minneapolis mayoral election is on Nov. 5.

The Division licenses about 4,000 providers with direct oversight by DHS employees, and it licenses an additional 19,000 providers through partnering with counties and private licensing agencies.

The division also is responsible for maltreatment investigations and conducts background studies for people working in these and other programs — 271,476 in 2012.

Beyond spotlighting trends and emerging issues, the report reviews licensing activity for licensed programs, and notes trends relative to maltreatment data and background studies.