Insight News ::: 05.13.13

Jon Jon Scott on all things music MORE ON PAGE

May 13 - May 19, 2013

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Vol. 40 No. 20 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Best Academy among best in nation Harvest Prep reports best year in history

Courtesy of Best Academy

Eric Mahmoud with Best Academy Students

Best Academy, the Minneapolis charter school serving African American boys in grades K-8, celebrated a recent national award for its efforts to close the academic achievement gap with a community event to salute its students and the village that supports them, last week.

“We understand that it takes a village to raise a child and we want to recognize everyone in our community who has supported our efforts to help these young men develop academically, socially and morally,” said Eric Mahmoud, executive director of Best Academy.

“It is an honor to be one of five schools chosen nationally and we want to celebrate the recognition while also acknowledging that we need to continue our work to

FUBU founder to keynote MUL gala

Daymond John

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Minnesota honors Juanita Jackson Mitchell and accomplishments of the late Mitchell. The event brought out the governor; several state Supreme Court Justices, legislators and a host of others, including another civil rights legend, Dr. Josie Johnson.

Johnson said Mitchell’s works, particularly as a young person, need to be examined.

“In 1935 a newspaper said this about Juanita, who was

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer Dignitaries and well-wishers alike packed the State Capitol Rotunda to celebrate and honor the works of civil rights pioneer Juanita Jackson Mitchell.

The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday (May 8), was to showcase the traveling exhibit inside the Capitol that highlights the many great works

Courtesy of Lisa Mitchell Sennaar

Juanita Jackson Mitchell

McCollum:

Sexual assaults in Armed Services must be addressed at higher levels

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Business

Before you click send

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Expecting more from Target

ABC’s ‘Shark’, Daymond John to connect education, entrepreneurship The Minneapolis Urban League will host its 87th annual Gala on Thursday June 20th, 2013, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Celebrated entrepreneur, Daymond John, CEO and Founder of FUBU, a global lifestyle brand, and who is a judge on the acclaimed entrepreneurial show, The Shark Tank, will deliver the keynote address.

The Gala’s theme this year, ‘A New Era of Transformation’, highlights the organization’s innovative partnerships and strategies as part of its ‘Gateway to Opportunity’ strategic plan, creating more pathways to success for the people it serves.

“We believe Daymond John epitomizes the outcomes today’s youth can hope to achieve despite facing various obstacles.

His message, his story aligns

ensure these boys can beat the odds now and into the future,” Mahmoud said.

The event included performances by Best Academy students, a formal awards presentation, and remarks from Mahmoud and Minneapolis Public School Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson.

Harvest Preparatory School (Harvest Prep), Best Academy, and the new Mastery School in April reported that 2012 has been the very best year in the history of the State’s premiere education resource for Black children. Harvest Prep president Eric Mahmoud reported that independent accountability and governing agencies have

Melvin Carter III

Suluki Fardan

St. Paul Councilman Melvin Carter stepping down to accept post with Minnesota Department of Education

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer St. Paul Councilman Melvin Carter III is vacating his seat on the St. Paul City Council to take a position with the Minnesota Department of Education.

Carter, who is in the middle of his second term as the Ward 1 councilman, will be stepping down to become the director of the Office of Early Learning (OEL).

The outgoing councilman’s last day in office is July 5. He starts in

his new role with the OEL on July 15.

“This is exciting. I’ve been focused on education throughout my time in office so when (Minnesota Department of Education) Commissioner Brenda Cassellius called (to offer the position), it was a hard thing to turn down,” said Carter, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida A&M University, and a Master of Public Policy from the

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Education

African American excellence

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Following announcement of annual shareholders’ meeting date and location, coalition to release report and details of ongoing campaign for accountability Recently, Minneapolisbased Target Corporation announced plans to hold its annual shareholders’ meeting on June 12, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. This is the eighthstraight year that the retail giant has held its meeting outside of the Twin Cities. This year, other large corporations such as U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo have followed Target’s lead holding their shareholders’ meetings in locations other than their home base.

Community leaders in Minnesota who have been working together to hold Target accountable for actions which they allege shortchange the state’s communities of color held conference call with reporters to release a report which highlights their concerns. They said “Target has always been viewed as a leader in Minnesota. A homegrown success story, the company was founded by the esteemed Dayton family over a century ago. Today, Target is the state’s fourth-largest employer and most recognized brand. It is a

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Health

May is Mental Health Month

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McCollum: Sexual assaults in Armed Services must be addressed at highest levels Tuesday, May 7, 2013, the Pentagon released the FY2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, showing the number of sexual assaults in the military increased more than 30 percent since 2010.

According to the report, an estimated 26,000 service members were victims of unwanted sexual contact in 2012. This release follows Sunday’s arrest for sexual battery of Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, Chief of the

Congresswoman Betty McCollum

Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit.

“This report should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that there is an epidemic of sexual assaults in our Armed Forces that must be addressed at the Pentagon’s highest levels.

Clearly, there needs to be a culture change in the military making the rape or assault of a female comrade a betrayal of one’s service and country.

This is going to require more than training videos and

posters; it demands an absolute commitment from the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff down to every platoon leader and recruiter.

Secretary Hagel and Chairman Dempsey have personally assured me this issue is a top priority for them. I intend to hold them accountable,’ said Congresswoman Betty McCollum, D-MN4, who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

People of color must stand for social justice

By Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO, NAACP African Americans have spent much of our history fighting for equal treatment. Just two generations ago, our parents and our grandparents were banned from eating at certain restaurants, attending certain schools, and working in certain professions.

So it is not difficult to empathize with the struggle of immigrants in our country. Like our ancestors who migrated from the former slave states of the Deep South, millions of undocumented immigrants move to the United States each year to find work and a decent education for their children. But when

Benjamin Todd Jealous they arrive, they are confronted with blatant discrimination and racial profiling - with hardly any legal recourse and little public outrage.

As people of color, we have a responsibility to stand up for social justice whenever it is violated. That is why the NAACP has joined other

civil rights and human rights organizations, including the Rights Working Group and the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, to support comprehensive immigration reform.

Across the country, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in a permanent second-class status. Many immigrants come to the U.S. to find a better life, but find themselves living in the shadows, in constant fear of arrest and deportation. This segregation has a cost.

Undocumented workers are exploited on a regular basis.

Many business owners pay low wages and provide dangerous working conditions for their unadocumented workers, with little fear of retaliation. They know that their employees

have too much at stake to risk contacting the proper authorities.

Undocumented immigrants are also targeted by police.

Racial profiling has been legalized in states like Alabama and Arizona under the guise of immigration enforcement. Our national immigration laws, in conjunction with these state laws, encourage local police to stop people of color, whether they are undocumented or not.

Right now Congress is debating a comprehensive immigration bill that will offer a roadmap to citizenship and also deal directly with workplace discrimination and racial profiling. One proposed provision allows undocumented immigrants to have the full protection of American labor laws. Another one explicitly prohibits racial profiling by

Homeland Security agents which would make it the first federal law to do so.

The bill in its draft form is not perfect. The racial profiling provision needs adjustments that are being debated at the time of this writing. The draft bill also contains provisions that would eliminate the diversity visa program - which helps many African and Caribbean immigrants come to America - and dramatically expand the guest worker program. The NAACP and our allies will continue to make our voice heard as Congress debates the bill.

In August 1963 a sea of diverse activists stormed the National Mall to demand social justice and an end to segregation.

In April 2013 a similarly diverse wave of legal immigrants,

undocumented immigrants, and activists of all backgrounds gathered at the United States Capitol to call an end to secondclass citizenship. The March on Washington pressured Congress to pass the Civil Rights Acts.

This year, we need to show Congress again that American of all stripes care about progressive reform.

As Dr. King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. African Americans have spent much of our history fighting for fair treatment and equal opportunity. We must also offer support to our immigrant brothers and sisters. If we want to escape the sins of our past, we must ensure there are no second class families today.

Ben Jealous is president/CEO of the NAACP.

Social Security changes could hurt Blacks most

By Maya Rhodan NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Social Security changes proposed by Obama could hurt African Americans more than other groups, a new report by the Center for Global Policy Solutions finds.

In this fiscal year 2014

budget, President Obama proposes switching the way benefit programs such as Social Security and civil service retirement adjust for inflation to the chained consumer price index, or chained CPI. Chained CPI calculates inflation differently from the consumer price index, the current yardstick. The move would save approximately $230 billion, according to the president’s budget.

“The chained CPI significantly reduces the purchasing power of those who rely on benefits issued by the federal government, and especially disadvantages retirees and the long-term disabled because it fails to take into account the higher costs they shoulder as a result of their increased need for health care services and related products,” the report reads.

The Center for Global Policy

AARP’s Mikki Waid has concerns about the elderly.

Solutions report finds that the changes may cause particular harm to older African Americans; many depend on Social Security for the majority of their retirement income.

Nearly half of African American beneficiaries rely on

Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income, compared to 35 percent of all beneficiaries.

Two out of five Black retirees over 65 depend on Social Security for their entire income.

The report show that 18 percent of Black adults over 65

had an income below the federal poverty level; without Social Security benefits, 53 percent of older African Americans would be living in poverty according to the AARP. The changes to COLA will also impact the one in five Black children receiving disability benefits. Black children are twice as likely to receive survivor benefits as well.

“Chained CPI is also a poor policy considering that Social Security does not contribute to our annual deficit, and the trust will run a surplus of more than $2.7 trillion until the 2030s,” Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) said in a statement. “I am disappointed then that President Obama would consider burdening those who are most in need of our support.”

The changes proposed by the president did not fare well with the constituents they will affect the most. In April, AARP released a poll that showed that 70 percent of older voters are not in favor of using chained CPI for the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment and 78 percent are opposed to using the adjustment for veteran benefits.

“This cut to Social Security would break the promise to seniors and hurt veterans who’ve sacrificed so much for this great country,” AARP executive vice president Nancy LeaMond said in a statement.

According to AARP, those who rely on Social Security for the majority of their income, which includes 47 percent of African American beneficiaries, would experience an 8 percent cut to their income after 30 years using chained CPI. According to the report, the coming reductions will result in about $3 lost for every $1,000 in benefits. That amounts to a lot for the African Americans over 65 who receive about $13,000 a year in benefits.

Although President Obama has proposed to protect “the most vulnerable Americans,” including those over 76 and beneficiaries

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Insight News • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Page 3

BUSINESS

Before you click send Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com In my not-so-long ago younger days, it was good practice to “hold your tongue” or “count to ten” to avoid saying something ridiculous during a disagreement. The advice was

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin

useful, and many professionals will tell you that holding back, even momentarily, propelled them forward in their careers.

You will rarely get fired for thinking before you speak.

So, fast forward to today, when the majority of conversation is in written form: emails, posts, texts, etc.

Technology gives every one of us the opportunity to not only THINK before we speak our minds, but to EDIT before anyone knows what we’re thinking. This is why I’m often surprised when people go off on public email tangents.

For example, one member of a local meetup group was confused as to why his posts were being censored.

The moderator said he viewed the posts as negative. “There is a difference between criticism and negativity,” he said.

So true.

Criticism means judging the merits and faults of something.

Negativity,

Gala From 1 with our socially innovative strategies and partnerships that allow us to better serve our constituents, particularly our youth,” says Scott Gray, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League.

Celebrated author, marketer

Security From 2 who receive benefits for longer periods of time, Mikki Waid, AARP senior strategic policy advisor, says older African

PhotoXpress

on the other hand, is an attitude: angry, discouraging, pessimistic.

Criticism gets a conversation going, shares information, works in facts and stats. Negativity just leaves a cloud over everything; not constructive, not informative.

Criticism can inform people.

Negativity? Not really.

Can a statement be transformed from negativity to constructive criticism? Sure, if you know what you’re talking about. Pinpoint what drives you to feel negatively about something.

What bothers you about this situation?

Focus on the problem. State the issues, the drawbacks, the shortcomings of your thing. Try to avoid emotional references; definitely leave out any words commonly associated with finger pointing and schoolyard tiffs. There is a delete button on your keyboard, over there on the right. See it now? Learn to use it.

And if you don’t know what you’re talking about? Believe that someone will find you out.

Criticism is best left to experts.

If you’ve only been around the block once and you’re tearing me to shreds, count on me to check out your online profile.

I’ll want to know who I’m dealing with. If you are the expert you purport to be, I will thank you for your advice. If you are an armchair critic, well, who died and left you in charge? Why are you feeling compelled to comment?

21st Century self control is free, easy and available to everyone. Delete before you send. You and your career will thank me.

and motivational speaker, John is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word who’s come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house to launch the famed fashion brand, FUBU - ‘for us, by us’ - in the basement. A respected fashion industry pioneer with over $6 billion in product sales, he has received over 35 awards including Brandweek’s Marketer of the Year, the

Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

An influential business consultant, millions of viewers tune in weekly to glean his marketing prowess and insights on, ‘The Shark Tank’, a reality show on the ABC network that allows entrepreneurs to ‘audition’ their business

for potential financing and partnership opportunities with one of the four acclaimed judges.

The Minneapolis Urban League’s ‘A New Era of Transformation’ 87th Annual Gala is presented by Target Corporation.

Scholarships made possible by participating sponsors will be awarded to select area students. The MUL’s Trailblazer Award will also

be presented to outstanding members of the community.

The MUL Gala will be held Thursday June 20th, 2013, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Ballrooms A&B, located at 1301 2nd Avenue South in Minneapolis.

Pre-Reception opens at 5pm. For more information and tickets, call Linda Anderson at 612.302.3105 or visit www.mul.org

Americans won’t reap the benefits of being protected.

“African Americans don’t live as long, so even though the president has proposed these bump ups, an African American male that has made it to 65 is only expected to live to 81, women to 84,” Waid says. “They

aren’t going to benefit from the protections.

Waid adds, “The fact that they decided to exempt some individuals makes you wonder if it’s a more accurate cost of living adjustment. Is it really an accurate inflation measure of older Americans?”

The report finds, it isn’t.

A large portion of retirement income goes toward medical expenses, figures that are not considered in the chained CPI adjustment.

The average 65-yearold couple retiring will need $240,000 to cover future medical

costs, according to Fidelity Investments, which tracks retiree health care costs. The median annual income for African Americans on Social Security is $14,400.

The report also finds that African Americans will be the most negatively impacted by the switch to chained-CPI because they have much less wealth that could be used to supplement the reduction in Social Security.

“As a result of racial wealth disparities, African Americans will be negatively affected by implementation of the chained CPI regardless of the nonmeans tested federal program from which they receive their benefits,” said Maya Rockeymoore, president and CEO of the Center for Global Policy Solutions . “With precious few other assets to help meet expenses, African Americans will experience deeper economic pain as a result of the chained CPI.” In 2010, Whites had six times the wealth of their African American counterparts, according to a new Urban Institute report. Whites who were age 32-40 in 1983 had an average family wealth of $184,000, a figure that rose to $1.1 million in 2010. Blacks, in comparison, had an average family wealth of $54,000 in 1983, which had only grown to $161,000 in 2010, when both groups were nearing retirement age.

Blacks have historically started off with less wealth than their White counterparts, and on average have not reached equal levels of wealth by retirement.

Factors such as low wages, high unemployment, and lesser job opportunities have contributed to Blacks inability to accrue enough wealth to keep such large portions of the community from being solely dependent on Social Security into retirement.

The Great Recession, however, also lead to an increased loss of wealth within the African American community, especially in terms of retirement savings. Blacks, according to the Urban Institute report, lost about 35 percent of their retirement assets during the recession, while White families saw an increase.

A major problem, Waid finds, with chained CPI is that the negative impact to benefits will take affect immediately.

“Chained CPI will effect beneficiaries immediately and it will effect all beneficiaries,” Waid says.

She adds that because of this, unfortunately, there is little one can do to prepare.

“It’ll affect them now,” Waid reiterates. “But really what can you do? If you’re an African American 70-year-old woman, I wish I could tell them something they could do, but I just can’t.”

Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Cordie Aziz Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Oshana Himot Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Alysha Price

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EDUCATION African American Excellence: Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Kenna Cottman, and Dr. Josie Johnson

By Titilayo Bediako WE WIN Institute’s commitment to excellence lead students to study the lives of four incredible African American women who exhibit excellence and are examples of the best of Black people: State Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, Kenna Cottman, Dr. Josie Johnson and Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton.

Students read about the lives of these four African American giants. They learned how Dr. Josie Johnson has been struggling for the civil rights of her people most of her life. When she was a teenager, she worked side by side with her father to get people to sign petitions to fight against the poll tax in Houston, Texas, which was money that African Americans were forced to pay if they wanted to register to vote.

Children were intrigued to learn that Commissioner Brenda Cassellius grew up poor and lived in the projects of Minneapolis.

They also learned that she was offered a full scholarship to attend Gustavus Adolphus College.

While she began her higher education at Gustavus Adolphus College, she did not finish there.

After being called racial slurs, the college freshman walked away from her scholarship and went to study at the University of Minnesota—paying her tuition on her own, with the assistance of grants.

Learning about Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton was also electrifying. The children did not know that she started her political career as councilmember and was mayor of the city of Minneapolis

WE WIN students and Dr. Josie Johnson for two terms. They learned that a bridge is going to be dedicated to Minneapolis’ first African American and female mayor in the fall of 2013.

Students were enthusiastic to learn more about the woman that has taught them dance for many years. Ms. Kenna has traveled to Ghana, Senegal and the Gambia in Africa. She is the founder and the artistic director of Voices of Culture Drum and Dance. Since 2008, her company has created and performed as well as studied West African drum and dance throughout Minnesota.

After educating themselves about the lives of these four women, the children worked in

groups to write essays about each “shero”. Then they drew pictures of each woman and culminated their activities by making a lifesize mannequin of each woman.

The mannequins included wigs, painted faces and business suits; they even wore stockings and high heels.

The children worked hard to prepare for their presentations to these four talents. The day was April 18, 2013. The Twin Cities had a snowstorm, only matched

by January outbursts. With huge wind gusts and snow coming down fast and furious; this was the day that 50 children at WE WIN Institute were doing their presentation for their “sheroes”.

Even though everyone else in Minneapolis was cancelling events, WE WIN students said, “The show must go on.” What was equally amazing is that all four of these African American giants tracked through the storm to support the work of the students.

The program began with the recital of WE WIN rituals, which included the African Deservability Statement, the 9 Principles of Manhood and Womanhood and the Black National Anthem. The kindergarten through second graders did an African dance; followed by African drumming and dancing from the third through eighth graders. HipHop artist, Chad Heslup, aka:

Courtesy of WE WIN Institute

Longshot, recited an original poem entitled, “We Honor You.” The kindergarteners came forward and told one fact that they knew about each of the revered guests.

Each group of children shared their essays and posters with the audience; who were made up of a room full of proud parents.

Then the children presented their essays and posters to the women they studied. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton thanked the children and said, “In this room is a president, a mayor, a congressman, a lawyer or a doctor. With our love and support our children can achieve their dreams.”

Dr. Josie Johnson eloquently

thanked the children, and said, “As an elder in the community, I watch the brilliance of our children and am in awe of them.

Some people actually say that our children cannot learn. They need to be here tonight. We see what our children can do, and we see how committed WE WIN is to these children. It has been said how important parents are, but it is equally important that adults are in the lives of our children. Remember, we grew up as a community with grandparents next door and other caring adults who would report misbehaviors to our parents. We have to get back to that. We have grown fearful of our children. Our children need us. “ Dr. Brenda Cassellius thanked the children and WE WIN Institute. She said that, “It is wonderful being honored as an African American women leader alongside Dr. Josie Johnson who is my mentor, Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and Kenna Cottman. Governor Mark Dayton and I both see the importance of afterschool programs that help our children be successful academically and socially.”

The program culminated with a feast that included a cake with images of the “Sheroes” and a thank you. These women showed our children through their example that a person can be well known and successful, but that true leadership is about being of service. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Kenna Cottman and Dr. Josie Johnson are examples of African American Excellence!

Central Touring Theater presents original play, ‘Training Day’ The Central Touring Theater (CTT) is performing its original play, “Training Day” with a final showing of the performance on May 24.

Throughout the year, the students in CTT perform for over 10,000 people to encourage discussion of a variety of difficult social issues. The students have a final performance of “Training Day” at St. Paul’s Central High School, 275 North Lexington Pkwy., on May 24 at 7 p.m.

Jan Mandell and CTT have been bringing the seldomheard voices of students to the forefront for more than three decades.

This year’s class has been working with highly esteemed

Courtesy of Central Touring Theater

Central Touring Theater takes on disrupting the school to prison pipeline

artists including Amiee Bryant, Marion McClinton, Patricia Brown and Ahanti Young. The student-created original play, “Training Day,” is high energy and incorporates singing, dancing, and influences of hiphop. It confronts the struggles that high school students face both within and outside of the classroom, including depression, abuse, racism, sexism and issues surrounding respect for different cultures; all of which impact educational experiences and outcomes.

Their material comes from first-hand experiences. One piece, “In the Hallway” brings forth issues surrounding the school-to-prison-pipeline, which many of the students

are unsettlingly familiar with; many of them have incarcerated family members or have been in trouble with the criminal justice system themselves.

Throughout this semester, the students have toured at many different schools and lead workshops locally and nationally.

Upcoming show dates are May 14 at Carleton College, 1 N. College St., Northfield, Minn, May 15 at Ramsey Junior High, 1700 Summit Ave., St. Paul, May 16 at Linwood Monroe, 810 Palace Ave., St. Paul and May 21 at Plainview Elementary School, 600 W. Broadway, Plainview Minn.

QUINTIN JOSEPH ’15

New human service hub coming to North Minneapolis

2013 Youth Leadership Conference!

PROJECT READY

Youth Conference

Join the Minneapolis Urban League Project Ready program, along with MSU, Mankato Ͳ as they present the 2013 Youth Leadership Conference.

The conference will be held on the MSUͲMankato campus over 3 days —

See our plan, share your voice

Friday, May 31 Ͳ Sunday, June 2, 2013.

COST for *students in grades 6Ͳ12: $148.27 (includes registration, housing, and meals for all 3 days of the conference)

Please visit the MUL’s website at www.mul.org for more info or to register online.

(Students should check with their school counselor about scholarships for this event.)

Weekend Schedule At-A-Glance

x x

Check In & Registration Dinner & Entertainment ‘Visions’ Masquerade Ball Saturday x x x x x x x

Breakfast Career Pathway Workshops Social Enterprise Learning Circle Workshop Project Ready Leadership Banquet Dinner Guest Speaker Leanna Archer Sunday

x x x

The county and the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council are hosting three meetings where you can learn about a proposal for a human service hub in North Minneapolis, and tell us what you think.

Come to a community meeting English and Spanish

Friday x

Leanna Archer, Teen Entrepreneur & CEO of her own hair care product line, Leanna’s Inc.

Hennepin County ounty is bringing access to services like financial and child care assistance and senior supports closer to the neighborhoods— around the county— where our clients live and work.

Brunch DrawingͲGiveaway Closing Remarks

Tuesday, May 14 6–9 p.m.

Hmong

Wednesday, May 15 6–9 p.m.

English and Somali

Wednesday, May 22 6–9 p.m.

All meetings will be held at PICA Head Start 700 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis, 612-377-7422 For more information check out our website, www.Hennepin.us/ northhub or call 612-348-4831

WE ARE CALLED auggies As a college of the city, Augsburg College is an inclusive and welcoming campus community in the heart of Minneapolis. Augsburg is committed to providing an outstanding education and to giving students the support they need to graduate. We offer: • A Pan-Afrikan student services director to assist students; • Undergraduate degree programs with 50 majors including business, education, natural and social sciences, youth ministry, and more; and • Graduate programs in business, creative writing, education, leadership, music therapy, nursing, and social work.

Learn more at www.augsburg.edu

Jon Jon Scott on all things music

By Harry Colbert, Jr.

J

on Jon Scott has an opinion on just about everything.

“But I don’t offer it unless someone asks,” said Scott, the 47-year-old former bassist who mans the counter at the iconic Electric Fetus record store at the corner of Franklin Avenue East and 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis. However, if someone is brave enough to ask Scott’s opinion, be prepared.

Scott’s opinions – nor his colorful language – are not for the faint of heart.

Pick a topic – especially a musical topic – and Scott has an opinion.

But before dismissing

Scott as some quirky record store guy with a brash mouth, it might prove helpful to know a little more about the guy. When I got the assignment to interview Scott, a long time friend of Insight News / Aesthetically Speaking publisher Batala McFarlane, she gave me a heads up that Scott knows something about everything music-related and to be ready for the interview because Scott is quite the multitasker. She was right. I had my hands full with this assignment.

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Photo courtesy of the artist

Jon Jon Scott

Nelly to headline Star Party at Myth Jasir Johnson and Freddy Husbands rock the mic performing “Big Boys Night Out” during the FAIR Crystal talent showcase.

By Harry Colbert, Jr.

Where academics and the arts meet

“Country Grammar” is coming to the Twin Cities when hip-hop mega-star, Nelly hits town this coming Friday, May 17, performing at KDWB’s (101.3 FM) Star Party.

With his latest single, the heavily pop sounding “Hey Porsche” in constant rotation, the St. Louis rapper has proven his staying power, remaining a fan favorite for more than a decade. The Grammy award-winning recording artist has shown he is willing to expand his musical horizons and is not afraid to take chances … even if it may alienate some hip-hop purists.

NELLY TURN TO

By Alysha “AP” Price

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Photo courtesy of the artist

Nelly

MORE

• Writer, director Maya Washington scores a hit with “White Space”

Imagine a place where children are given a platform to openly share their talents, where they are encouraged to be creative and where they are supported in being individuals.

Does that sound too good to be true? Well this place actually exists … it’s called FAIR Crystal (Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource School). The school is committed to arts education and to giving students the opportunity to actively engage in culturally relevant studentcentered curricula.

Although students of FAIR Crystal are delivered an ideal balance of academics and arts they are stimulated in ways that inspire individual talent.

So what’s a school to do with over 500 talented students?

They have a talent showcase, of course.

This year’s talent showcase

included 23 acts, including pianist eloquently mimicking Mozart, singers who “Adorned” the audience, as well as a monologue for the theater lovers. However, the last performance of the night brought the house down. The Swagg 1000z (pronounced thousands), 5th graders, Jasir Johnson and Freddy Husbands brought the entire audience to their feet as they rapped their anthem, “Big Boys Night Out,” a song about the simple joys in a young boy’s life.

Rapper/producer Wendell Johnson, (Jasir Johnson’s father) also known as Win Nevaluze (pronounced Never Lose), who wrote and performed the “Youth Bus” theme song for Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, described “Big Boys Night Out” as a spontaneous creation.

FAIR TURN TO

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• Snapshots

Page 6 • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking

Nelly From 5 “When people say I don’t sound like I used to sound, well how did I use to sound,” asked Nelly, who released his first album, “Country Grammar” in

said Nelly while laughing. “I definitely appreciate it. For me, 70 percent of my fans are female, so I definitely appreciate the love they show me.”

Being easy on the eyes, transitioning to television and film seemed a natural

“My goal when I got into this game was to be number one on every radio station,” 2000. “‘Country Grammar’ (the single) doesn’t sound like ‘E.I.,’ ‘Pimp Juice’ doesn’t sound like ‘Dilemma.’ ‘Dilemma’ doesn’t sound like ‘Over and Over’ so when people say I don’t sound the same, I never sound the same.”

The international star said he never wants to be placed in a limited box.

“My goal when I got into this game was to be number one on every radio station, I don’t care what format it is,” said Nelly. “That’s how I’ve been able to be in this game for seven albums and for 14 years.

It’s about keeping yourself relevant.”

Undoubtedly, many female fans coming to Myth in Maplewood, are as taken with the rapper’s handsome looks and chiseled body as they are with his music. The hip-hip icon said he’s still not comfortable with his role as a sex symbol.

“I don’t think you ever get used to something like that,”

progression for Nelly, who began rapping with his fellow St. Lunatics, Ali, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee and City Spud. The sing-style rapper has landed several acting gigs including starring in the remake of “The Longest Yard,” a recurring role on “CSI: NY” and most recently on the BET reality show spoof, “Real Househusbands of Hollywood.” Nelly said he just finished shooting a movie with Sylvester Stallone titled “Reach Me” and is working on the second season of “Real Househusbands.”

With the most recent project, “M.O.,” Nelly said fans can expect 100 percent pure Nelly.

“It’s all about me and sharing me with the people.

MO is the abbreviation for Missouri so I always represent where I’m from and most of my family and friends have always called me Mo,” said Nelly.

The new project, slated for release later this year, features collaborations with T.I., Pharrell Williams, Wiz Khalifa,

Trey Songs and the first Nelly and Nelly collaboration by having a song with Nelly Furtado.

One of the things that separated Nelly, born Cornell Hayes, from others in hip-hop is his keen business mind. The rapper/actor had two separate clothing lines – Vokal and Apple Bottoms, anchored by the company’s provocative jeans that highlighted women’s posteriors.

One current business venture has some calling Nelly “Dean Nelly.” The entrepreneurial rapper has partnered with Vatterott College in St. Louis to create Extreme Institute by Nelly. The downtown St. Louis school offers degreed programs in entertainment and business management, recording and engineering, as well as courses in music production, song writing, dance, graphic design and more. The school also has world-class recording studios that have many Midwest artists flocking to St. Louis to record.

“That’s something I’m really proud of,” said Nelly, who said he partnered with Vatterott president Pam Bell to come up with the unique education concept. “What we did was took a trade school concept and applied it to entertainment and the arts.”

Nelly said Extreme Institute is fully accredited in Missouri.

As many know, the entertainer lost his sister, Jackie Donahue to leukemia. When Donahue was diagnosed, Nelly formed the Just Us 4 Jackie foundation to encourage bone marrow and stem cell donation.

He said the foundation is still active and he continues to encourage people to get registered to donate marrow and stem cells. He said he is also involved with the MakeA-Wish organization.

Along with Nelly, Star Party features Jason DeRulo, Cher Lloyd, Olly Murs, Hot Chelle Rea MKTO and Ariana Grande. Tickets are not available for the event, with the only way to get tickets being a contest winner through KDWB.

FAIR From 5 “What took us no more than 30 minutes to create during a birthday overnight has given the boys a lifetime of memories,” said Wendell Johnson.

Jasir Johnson and Husbands were friends prior to their decision to perform in the talent show; however the two say the experience has definitely strengthened their bond. Supporting one another and staying committed to the process won the duo 1st place in the FAIR Crystal talent showcase.

FAIR, a kindergarten – 12th grade fine arts interdisciplinary resource community, has a stated goal of being committed to equity and excellence for all students, eliminating disparities in achievement and opportunity, and preparing all learners to thrive in a diverse world.

insightnews.com/aesthetics

Photo courtesy of the artist

Maya Washington

Writer, director Maya Washington scores a hit with ‘White Space’

By Alaina L. Lewis

L

oud and clear are the first thoughts that come to mind after my 8-minute escape into writer/ director Maya Washington’s phenomenal film piece, “White Space.”

Loud and clear are the first thoughts that come to mind after my 8-minute escape into writer/director Maya Washington’s phenomenal film piece, “White Space.”

“White Space” is a story about a young man who is footsteps away from accepting his greatness, when he pushes his fear aside and takes the stage at a spoken word poetry set in Los Angeles, where he marvels the hearing audience with his vocally inaudible piece.

As a deaf performance poet, American Sign Language replaces his words. This single act of bravery proves to everyone in the room who is captivated by this display, that the heart travels faster than the speed of sound. The film stars Ryan Lane as The Poet, and Washington as his girlfriend.

Washington said her greatest hope was simply that someone would watch the film. Her hope has been

undoubtedly met since its completion date. “White Space” has screened in over 23 film festivals worldwide and has garnered it a slue of awards including the 2012 Best Short Film Award at the Hollywood Black Film Festival held earlier this year.

Her work is both celebrated and rare which speaks to her innovative ability as an activist and her creative niche as a visual artist.

“I initially came up with the idea for ‘White Space,’ because I had this dream and this vision of a deaf performance poet walking through the streets of Los Angeles going to perform at this venue, and surprise, at the end, instead of using spoken word, he’s using American Sign Language to convey his poetry,” explained Washington.

The film has also inspired Washington to create a community outreach curriculum that is inclusive of a poetry collection book written by deaf and hearing poets, as well as a global initiative to celebrate sign language poetry as an art form.

Washington has taken the film, and hearing impaired artists, to a myriad of schools and workshops across the world to demonstrate the importance of this poetic art form.

Although she travels

worldwide in the name of film and education, Washington got her start right here in the Twin Cities as an actress at the Youth Performance Company, when she was just a teen. She credits the local arts scene for being a huge part of her foundation, which eventually lead this talented woman to obtain a Master’s in Fine Arts from Hamline University, and a bachelor’s in theatre from the University of Southern California.

“Having the opportunity to grow up in Minnesota where we have exposure to the arts, and actually have a place like Youth Performance Company where you can develop as an artist; you can bloom, you can grow, you can find yourself taking on any number of rolls on stage or behind the scenes, through writing and doing a lot of really cool things,” said Washington. “For youth, I think it’s really important to figure out where your natural gifts and talents lie.

If you can figure out where your passion is, that’s half the battle. Then from there, when times get tough and doors close or things don’t necessarily go the way you want them to, that passion is what keeps you going and helps carry you through.”

This week, “White Space” played at the Indie Boots Film Festival on May 9, in Chicago and the Toronto International Deaf Film and Arts Festival on May 11. To follow this film, Washington’s career, or to donate to her White Space Poetry Project, visit her website, www. whitespacepoetry.blogspot. com.

insightnews.com/aesthetics

Aesthetically Speaking • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Page 7

Scott From 5 For those who can keep up, Scott is a wealth of knowledge.

Scott is not just “some guy at the record store.”

The Philadelphia-born and Chicago-raised Scott has traveled quite the interesting road.

“I moved to Minneapolis in 1989,” said Scott, as he interrupted a friendly argument he was having about the artist, Flying Lotus. “He’s a joke. As a producer, he’s great, but as an artist, he’s a joke.”

As fate would have it, the next customer to walk in requested two tickets to see an upcoming Flying Lotus concert.

“But yeah, I moved here in 1989 when I was playing in this band, Hot Sauce, and these girls who owned a salon invited us up here to play. I was like wow, what a cool city. I was like Minneapolis is like Wonder Bread,” said Scott as he laughed and articulated a few more words.

Scott continued with his tale of life, speaking at breakneck speed. After it became apparent that his pace of speak might be a bit too rapid for my pen, Scott turned to a computer behind the counter and said, “I’ve got a bio online for a blog that I did on my mom’s website. I met my birthmother just last year for the first time, but that’s a whole other story.”

Scott briefly explained that his birthmother is named Aileen Muhammad and has authored a book, “Cowards and Angels,” and said she has a website. Scott quickly typed in the webpage into the open browser and the page, www.7sovereignwings.org opened.

“I have a bio on here, I’ll email it to you,” said Scott, assuring me it was there.

True to his word, the bio was sitting in my inbox. In part it read, Jon Jon Scott, is an artist who works in a variety of media, [is] also a pop culture enthusiast,

Photo: Harry Colbert, Jr.

avid music fan, vinyl collector, and political supporter of the oppressed.

More recently, he has been a writer, record slanger, music producer, manager, promoter and film soundtrack supervisor. As a writer, he has contributed to Trace Magazine, Request Magazine, The Liberator, Insight [News], Pulse, Culture Bully, Revile [and the] Village Voice Pop & Jazz Poll.

As if that weren’t fascinating enough, the bio continues with an unexpected tidbit.

With Martin “Doc” McKinney [Scott] ran a record label, Black Corners, in partnership with Sony Music.

Talk about burring the lead.

Scott, who worked at the Electric Fetus in the late 1990s until 2001 when he moved to New York, said from 2003 – 2008 he was in Toronto working out of the offices of Sony Canada running his label, Black Corners.

But it was an artist in particular that took him away from the Fetus.

“Yeah, back in 2001 Doc

YOUR

McKinney and I got a deal with Res,” said Scott, referring to the neosoul singer who scored a Billboard number one dance hit with the single, “They Say Vision.” It was that signing that led to Scott’s dealings with Sony Music.

Scott is back in Minneapolis, back behind the counter of Electric Fetus – still talking all things music. He’s heavily promoting an artist signed to his Black Corner label, Greg Grease.

“Google his name and you’ll see a million things on him,” said Scott, explaining that Grease has won several area awards and will be performing at Soundset later in the month. In a phone conversation the day prior, Scott told me, “(Grease) is blowing up – I just did an interview with MTV about him and I can’t get the Black media here to do anything on him. That’s a damn shame.”

With that not so subtle push from Scott, I checked out a few songs from Grease and I’ll be honest, I’m feeling dude’s music.

I’m pretty sure we’ll be doing a story on Grease soon.

Though a former major label record executive, there’s something strangely normal about Scott being at the Fetus.

He’s in his element. He knows every song that’s playing on the in-store system. Each customer that comes in strikes up a musical conversation with Scott and, not surprisingly, Scott has an opinion.

Someone comes to the counter looking to purchase Robert Cray tickets.

“Are you going,” the gentleman’s question directed at Scott.

“Nope,” retorts Scott. “I mean I listened to his first two albums and that was enough for me.”

It seems Scott wasn’t too impressed with Cray.

Another customer thumbs through some discount used CDs near the counter and remarks to Scott that the all female London-based indierock band, Savages, is coming to town. He too quizzes Scott. Of

course, Scott has an opinion.

“I see everybody [excited] over the group’s music, but it didn’t excite me,” said Scott.

The two share a laugh and Scott abruptly switches topics to Lauren Hill, who was recently sentenced to three months prison time for tax evasion.

“Damn, they got my girl,” said Scott. Almost on cue, Hill’s record comes on overhead and Scott bobs to the music while ringing up a customer. “I blame the Marleys for (expletive) up her (expletive).”

With the customer squared away, Scott turned to me and asked, “So, what else do you wanna know?”

Before I could answer, Scott announces he’s going to run downstairs and he’ll be right back. With the speed of Flash, he is gone and back, returning with CDs of Greg Grease, Villa Rosa, which is a joint project of Muja Messiah and Maria Isa, and a flyer for an upcoming Cabooze May 17 show featuring hip-hop veterans, Kool G Rap and DJ

Polo. Without having to say a word, it’s apparent these are all Scott’s works.

“If you were really interviewing me I’d be able to tell you all the (excrement),” said Scott.

He had preferred the interview take place elsewhere, but I wanted to see him in action at the Fetus. I just felt something more organic and magical could happen seeing Scott inside of a record store.

Village Voice columnist Lisa Jones must have felt that way as well. Because of a chance meeting in a record store, Jones devoted an entire chapter of her book, “Bulletproof Diva: Tales of Race, Sex and Hair,” to Scott. The chapter is titled “Brother Jon.” The “interview” with Scott continued a bit longer with a game of word association regarding some well-known artists. Scott’s replies were as Scott the man is – no holds barred.

Asked about Lil Wayne, Scott replied, “He’s a cultural embarrassment.” Asked about Common and Scott said, “An actor rapper. I used to love him but I don’t want to hear him rap again. When rappers get into acting they’re never the same. Mos Def is the exception.”

Asked of Kendrick Lamar and it’s apparent Scott is digging him.

“He’s the current and the future,” said Scott. “He’s as if Nas lived in Compton. He’s my favorite mainstream rapper.”

It’s 1 p.m. and “Brother Jon,” who has been moving about as if he drank an entire pot of coffee, has a brief conversation with a store manager. He turned to me and asked, “You got everything you need?”

Recognizing the cue to end the interview, I assured Scott that I had everything.

“OK, good, I’m going to lunch,” said Scott as he dashed down from the counter and bolted out the door.

My pen is still trying to catch up.

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Page 8 • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking 1

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Snapshots

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1) It’s a celebration: (from left to right) Nikki McComb, Jasheena Bond, Brooke Walker, Stephanie Webster, Amber Harrison, Lisa Carter, Jackie Adams

(black hat), Antenisha Gryggs and Shereese Turner, celebrating Carter‘s birthday during the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

2) Bianca “Cali” Lewis at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

3) Shamiere Bridgeford shows of her smile at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

4) Party people on the dance floor at Insert Coin(s) during the Afterwork Jumpoff.

5) Hangin’ with the homeboys: Chris Hervey, Comedian Lou Diimond and Darryl Casey hanging out at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

6) Paris Bennett made a cameo at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

7) Stacey Henderson and Aesthetically Speaking’s Alysha “AP” Price celebrating Price’s birthday at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

8) Sisters Shamika Searcy and Chanelle Rivera enjoying the scene at the Afterwork Jumpoff at Insert Coin(s).

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Insight News • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Page 9

FULL CIRCLE

The power of purpose Man Talk

By Timothy Houston We all have a purpose in life.

We were all created to do something that is greater than the accumulation of wealth.

Real success in life can only be measured by the accomplishment of your intended purpose. You are successful when you do what you were created to do. Until we truly understand why we are here, we can never put the energy needed to bring it to pass. We are greatest when we know our divine purpose.

Purpose leads to true happiness. The dictionary defines purpose as the object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal.

It is necessary that we know the goal that we are working towards or the “why” we are here. The “why we are here” will always be greater than the “what we are capable of doing” because the “what” speaks to our present, but the “why” speaks to our future.

When you use your God given abilities to work towards the goals that you were created to accomplish, you will experience true happiness and success.

Purpose is reveled in nature. A fish swims naturally because it was designed to swim, and a bird flies naturally because it was designed to fly. They are both happiest and successful when they are in their natural environments. So it is with

us. The things that we are able to do naturally (without much effort) help to illuminate what we are

here to do and will bring us the greatest amount of contentment

perspective, I do want to offer one critique of this particular episode.

While I think it was great and it helped to open up a discussion that we need to have in order for us to start focusing in on solutions, what personally bothered me was that Oprah Winfrey failed to include a male mental health expert to discuss this topic. Someone please tell Oprah to call my cell phone.

Seriously speaking, I just think the conversation would have been slightly different if a strong male mental health professional was involved in the show and actually assisted Oprah with facilitating this much needed discussion.

This is no jab at Iyanla Vanzant, but she is a female.

While Iyanla did draw from her personal experience of having a brother who negatively coped with growing up as a fatherless son, she does not know what it fundamentally means to be male and she has never walked a day in a male’s shoes. I (as someone who grew up as a fatherless son) would have preferred a male expert to

discuss this topic. I am not saying that women have no place in this discussion, because they absolutely do. I am simply saying that for me, I would have appreciated if Oprah had Iyanla sit this one out and had Roland Warren (from the national fatherhood initiative) come out of the audience and sit on the stage. Since when, did women become the experts on manhood, male identity, and masculinity?

When do men define their own experience, their own perspectives, and develop their own solutions?

But … I guess this is what we are talking about, when men leave the home willingly, when they no longer fill the role of being a father, women do become the experts on all things male. So perhaps Oprah was simply depicting the harsh realities of society by having two female matriarchs facilitate a discussion on healing men. How interesting.

Nevertheless, they did a nice job. I do think it is worth mentioning that I stated “men who willingly” left the home. I want to

or not able to do. You are more than a husband, wife, son, or daughter. You are more than your occupation or educational achievements. Your purpose in life is greater than that. Your goals in life should be connected to your divine purpose that can and will be revealed to you by God. This is the only true measure of success.

Whatever your divine purpose may be, it will be natural to you as a fish is to water, and you will be good at it. Spend some time along with God and find your true success and true happiness.

us an insight on why we are here, our true purpose is only known in

the mind of God. True purpose can only be known in the mind of the creator.

If you want to know the purpose of a thing, never ask the thing. The created can only tell you what it can do. The bird may know that it can fly, but it cannot tell you why it can fly. To get the “why”, you have to go back to the creator, God. He is the only that can give you the object towards which you should be striving. He will give you the true measurement for your success. If your goals are based on what you think or feel, they will never bring you the victory or the peace that you desire. You need God’s help to know why you are really here, and what you are here to do.

You are here for a greater purpose than you may have realized. Never measure your true worth by what you are able

be clear to make this distinction, because if we add the topic of race and class to this discussion, one must include a historical analysis regarding the plight of the AfricanAmerican male and the Black family system. I am sure you do not need a history lesson regarding all the institutions (figuratively and literally as in the prison system) that have been set in place to break down the African-American family. However, if you do need a reminder turn on the news, go to the library (it’s free) or take a class from my former advisor, Dr. Rose Brewer, at the University of Minnesota (she is dynamic, I am sure she will bring you up to speed).

With that being said, I want to say that it is critically important for fathers to be involved in their children’s lives, and especially in the lives of men, and even more especially in the lives of African-American men. I could write an entire book about my experience of growing up as a fatherless son … and maybe I

will someday. What you should know is that the absence of my father fundamentally shaped who I am; the good, the bad, and the ugly. My personality, my identity, my experience of the world is a direct response to growing up as a fatherless son. One of the things I thought was powerful was when Mr. Warren stated, “it is difficult to be what you don’t see.”

Just the other day I was communicating with my aunt (the other Dr. Moore) about some of my experiences of growing up as a fatherless son and how it has impacted my life and my development as a Black male.

There are several things that have been omitted from my life that others may take for granted. For example, I, Darren D. Moore, a 29-year-old African-American male with a Ph.D., to this day, do not know how to change a tire on a car. Are there classes that one can take to learn this skill? How was I supposed to learn to change a tire? My mother never taught me.

What I did learn is that it is always

important to have an account with AAA and to call them if I have a flat tire.

While this may seem like a small issue, it is really connected to dominant notions of masculinity.

Luckily, I have a wonderful woman, but could you imagine me approaching a lady and asking her out on a date and having to say, “Hey lady I would love to take you out, but just so you know, if we get a flat tire I won’t be able to help you out.”

This may sound hilarious and I even laugh about it sometimes myself (you have to laugh sometime to keep from crying) but that does not fit into this overarching perspective of men being “the protectors” of women.

Let’s be honest here. I do not know an African-American woman on the north side of Minneapolis that would date a man who does not know how to change

and achievement. The things that we do naturally are a part of our purpose. Although nature can give

You are here for a greater purpose than you may have realized.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

I am simply Moore The Moore Therapy Movement

By Dr. Darren D. Moore Ph.D., LMFT On May 5, while some were out celebrating Cinco de Mayo, I was at home preparing a syllabus for a course I am teaching this summer.

How ironic, my last column discussed rapper DMX and his battle with addiction, and this summer I am teaching a course on addictions within families. While developing assignments, I tuned in to the cable channel OWN, which presented what I thought was a powerful discussion regarding men who grow up as “fatherless sons.” I have to weigh in on this topic, as it is something that I know about all too well.

Before I give you “Dr. Moore’s”

MOORE TURN TO 10

Page 10 • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY County seeks community insight for north Minneapolis human services HUB Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department will host a series of community conversations about a proposal to create a more convenient location for north Minneapolis residents to access services including medical, emergency, child care and food assistance, child support and homeless services.

The current proposal to refit a building on the southeast corner of Plymouth and Emerson avenues north is part

of a larger plan to move access to services into “hubs,” located in the communities where Hennepin County residents live and work. Others are planned for south and central Minneapolis. A Bloomington location is slated to open this fall, and another in Hopkins around the end of this year.

The first hub, located at the Northwest Family Services Center in Brooklyn Center, opened in October 2012. A network of smaller “satellite”

locations will offer other supports.

“Making county services accessible to residents in their communities will help them access the help they need earlier, and become self-sufficient, sooner,” said Rex Holzemer, assistant county administrator for human services. “This is a major change in how the county addresses the needs and goals of individuals and communities.”

For the past 20 years, residents from across the county

have had to go downtown to the Century Plaza building to apply for assistance. In addition to being inconvenient to families located in all corners of the county, the 80-year-old building is in need of extensive repairs, inside and out. It is scheduled to be vacated at the end of 2014.

North Minneapolis residents have told us they want to be engaged in the process.

“It’s important to hear from the residents of the

area where the office is to be located,” said Second District Commissioner Linda Higgins.

“The community meetings are a chance to voice their thoughts, ask questions, and hear the information first-hand.”

On May 14, 15 & 22, the county will host facilitated community engagement meetings. Representatives from county’s developer and the building owner, The Ackerberg Group, will present the current plan. County representatives

will talk more about what this means for residents.

The meetings will proceed as follows: May 14: English and Spanish May 15: Hmong May 22: English and Somali All of the meetings will be held 6-9 p.m., at PICA Head Start, 700 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis.

For more information, visit www.hennepin.us/northhub.

Summer Food Service Program at Excell Academy For Higher Learning Excell Academy For Higher Learning is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and meet nutritional standards established by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and

there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the following sites and times: Excell Academy For Higher Learning, 6510 Zane Ave N. Ste#107, Brooklyn Park,

Calendar • Classifieds Send Community Calendar information to us by email: info@insightnews.com, by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411. Free or low cost events preferred.

EVENTS

Volunteers of America Foster Parent Information Meetings Ongoing Foster Parent Information Meetings for interested skilled parents desiring to provide care for troubled youth in the Volunteers of America foster care program. Kids of all ages are in need of a stable

Customer Service Excellence Benefits x x x x

Earn six free college credits (MCTC) Set yourself apart from other job applicants 7-month program, two evenings per week $250 Monetary Award upon successful completion of program!

To apply please attend an information session on Monday morning at 9am here: PPL Learning Center 1925 Chicago Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404 Center hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 612-455-5300 or www.ppl-inc.org

Target From 1 brand the company takes very

Mitchell From 1 then Ms. Jackson. It said, ‘Ms. Jackson will join the national staff of the NAACP where she will continue her work with the youth,’” said Johnson.

“Now keep in mind she had been engaged in the movement already for five years. The point I’m trying to make is we need for us – and particularly our young people – to return to that type of engagement.”

Moore From 9 a tire on a car. If I am wrong, ladies, please let me know. We say that men have this built in instinct to be protectors, but sometimes I question that perspective. Perhaps that is supposed to be the purpose of man, to protect his family, but when men grow up as fatherless sons, and/or are not socialized to be protectors, then they fail at performing manhood by society’s standards. If this is so, then my maleness and my masculinity are brought into question. It is a lot deeper than you think. I could give you lots of other examples, and maybe I will at a later time.

While I grew up as a fatherless son, I had many mothers (mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, you name it). Oh my goodness, I have been surrounded by women.

While I love each and every one of them, it sometimes was a bit much. And while they did

Phone: 612.588.1313

home with dedicated parents.

Information meetings are held at Volunteers of America Corporate Office every Friday from 10am-11:30am. To RSVP or for additional information on becoming a foster parent, contact Jolene Swan at 952945-4064, email ftpfostercare@ voamn.org or online at voafostercare.org

FREE! Customer Service Excellence Training Program

MN, 55429, (763)-533-0500.

Breakfast served from 9:00am9:30am. Lunch served from 12:30pm-1:00pm.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office

of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202509410; or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech difficulties may

Fax: 612.588.2031

Vietnam War. Here, Governor Mark Dayton will proclaim May 14th “Hmong American Day” in Minnesota. The event is free and open to the public. More news and updates concerning this event can be found on the Hmong American Day facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ HmongAmericanDayMN

Hmong American Day May 14 Saturday May 11th the first ever Hmong American Day will be held at Fort Snelling State Park. This event will commemorate the Hmong people’s contribution and sacrifices during the

U of M 5th Annual Plant Sale May 18 The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program in Hennepin County will hold their 5th Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 18, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins.

Come celebrate spring and the beginning of a new gardening season.

Buy beautiful plants for sun or shade Classified Sales Representative at great prices.

Plants are grown Insight News is looking for a Classified Sales Representative to start immediately. by Master This is a part-time position perfect for a colGardeners. lege student or someone looking for suppleM a s t e r mental income. Candidate must be a motiGardeners will vated self-starter with the desire to grow the business. Candidate must be focused, must answer your have the ability to work under deadlines and g a r d e n i n g to meet or exceed set sales goals. Responquestions and sibilities include calling and emailing new clients and following up with past clients for provide helpful classified sales. Please e-mail cover letter information on and resume to batalara@insightnews.com. the plants you Please: No walk-ins and NO phone calls.

contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Email: info@insightnews.com

DAVID NOBLE LECTURE SERIES Annual Labor History Tour

Steel Rails, Strong Hearts Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m.

Union Depot, 214 Fourth Street East Join Dave Riehle and historian James Robinson, a scholar of the dining car waiters organizations, for a tour of sites and settings associated with the history of African American railroad workers.

Tour starts at the renovated

purchase. Proceeds from this sale benefit University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program in Hennepin County community programs. For more information on this sale and the Master Gardeners Program, visit our website at, www.hcmg.umn.edu, or call our office at 612-596-2130.

Pavia Winds Quintet at Music School

Woodwind Camden June 1

Union Depot. Cosponsored

by MnDOT African American Employee Resource Group (AAERG).

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

The Pavia Winds Woodwind Quintet, one of the Midwest’s most exciting young chamber music ensembles will perform 4 pm Saturday, June 1 at Camden Music School, 3751 Sheridan Avenue North (Luther Memorial Lutheran Church), 55412. The concert is free and open to the public.

More information: 612-618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool.com.

seriously. Unfortunately, there is much behind the brand that shoppers don’t see. Target isn’t a leader in all areas of its business. Indeed, the company

could choose to lead in critical ways that would improve not only Minnesota’s economy but the daily lives of thousands of workers in the state—especially

lower-wage workers of color.”

Organizers of the conference call included: Justin Terrell, Justice 4 All Campaign Manager, TakeAction

Minnesota; Veronica Mendez, Organizer, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha (CTUL);Maricela Flores, Retail Cleaning Worker at a Target

Store in the Twin Cities; Joy Marsh Stevens, ISAIAH, and Eric Fought, Communications Director, Minnesotans for a Fair Economy.

Indeed Mitchell was a tireless and staunch advocate for civil rights; and her many accomplishments paved the way for generations to follow.

An 18-year-old graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Mitchell was the first AfricanAmerican woman to attend law school at the University of Maryland and was the first African-American woman to practice law in the state of Maryland. Along with Thurgood Marshall, the two filed lawsuits that desegregated the Baltimore public schools. Later Mitchell

founded the Youth NAACP. A former resident of St. Paul, Mitchell was the president of the city’s NAACP branch. During that time, her husband, Clarence Mitchell, Jr., was the executive director of the St. Paul Urban League. President Jimmy Carter would later honor him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest honor awarded to a civilian.

In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Juanita Jackson Mitchell to the White House Conference on Children; in 1963 President Kennedy

appointed her to the White House Conference on Women and Civil Rights and in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson would appoint her to the White House Conference to Fulfill These Rights, which focused on finding solutions concerning economic security, education and justice for AfricanAmericans.

“In celebrating (Mitchell’s) legacy, we are challenged to look around as our professions, our institutions and our society to identify who is not present, who faces legal and social

barriers to the full participation in society; and after doing so, we must renew our commitment to opening the door of opportunity for others,” said state Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright. “She had the audacity to envision freedom and equality for herself and her children. It is that kind of vision, the vision to see beyond her reality that Mrs. Mitchell put to work in her service to others.”

Wright made headlines this past year when she became the first African-American to be appointed by a governor to the

state’s High Court.

The event was put together in part by Mitchell’s granddaughter, Micah Hines.

Hines is general counsel to Gov. Mark Dayton, and is the first African-American to serve as the state’s chief legal head.

“We have an opportunity to celebrate our history, but we also have an opportunity to look to our future,” said Hines.

The exhibit, on loan from Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, will be on display inside the Capitol until May 14.

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the best they could, they could not teach me everything. Some things I had to learn from friends.

Some things I had to learn from the media. Thinking back on my childhood, who was I supposed to talk to about dating women, about sex, about why it is important as a male to let women walk on the inner part of the side walk, while I walk closest to the curb? Who was I supposed to talk to about being a man and about being a gentleman? Who was supposed to teach me about the importance of getting out of a car and offering to pump the gas, if I am in a car full of women? It is one thing for a mother to tell a fatherless son to take out the trash or pump the gas, but it is another thing to see a father or a strong male figure actually do these things.

Another piece of the OWN show was part of a discussion about how men cope with being fatherless sons. Many men wonder what they did to cause their father to leave. I myself am included. I thought if I could just be famous,

maybe my father would love me or if I could become a multimillionaire, maybe, just maybe he will come around. Me being a serious academic, graduating from high school at the age of 16, getting my bachelor’s degree at 20, going on to get my master’s and Ph.D., is directly related to my desire and need of approval from my father – my need to be viewed as important, as worthy, as significant.

It just so happened that I turned to academics to get attention.

Others may turn to drugs, crime, unprotected sex, fathering children with no commitment, among other things. I’d trade my Ph.D. for my father any day.

Another aspect as it relates to my experience is around identity.

Sometimes I wonder who am I. Not only did I grow up a fatherless son, I do not really know my father’s side of the family. I have cousins, uncles and aunts all through Minneapolis; and let’s be honest, none of them really reached out to me during my childhood.

Everyone knows who I am on the

north side of Minneapolis. They know that although my last name is Moore and I embrace that with a passion, my last name is really supposed to be Banks. Enough said about that. My point for saying this is not to put the Banks family on blast, my point is that even if a father does not step up, this should not deter extended family from stepping in. I wonder how my life would be different if I did not grow up as a fatherless son and/or if I was involved with my father’s side of the family.

My father died a couple of years ago and I did not go to the funeral. At that point in my life I was not ready to forgive, and even to this day I do not regret my decision for not attending. It is what it is. In my mind, at the time I was thinking, I don’t even know you. Who are you? What is your favorite color? So I did not go to the funeral for that reason, in addition to some other reasons. However, at some point, I had to “let go and let God.” That’s right, I had to give it over to God. As a Christian, I had

to find it in my heart to forgive. I had to forgive in my own way. It is so hard to forgive someone, especially when they have never apologized or never acknowledged the pain that they have caused you.

However, forgiveness is important for a person to be able to heal and move on in his or her life.

In addition, I also had to change my language, my viewpoint, and my perspective. I did not grow up a fatherless son – I have a father, and his name is Jesus.

I am not a victim. I am not even a survivor. I am simply Moore. I am Moore than my predicament, Moore than my problems, and Moore than the little boy inside of me that always longed for a relationship with my biological father. I encourage all of you who grew up without your biological fathers to forgive (I did not say forget). I encourage you to work hard to become something in life, despite your experiences. I encourage you to break the cycle that has plagued many of us in the African-American community.

I encourage you to raise your children and nurture them. I encourage you to be Moore. Be Moore, live Moore, and have Moore. Stick around, there’s Moore to come.

Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an assistant professor in Marriage and Family Therapy at a University in Georgia, and the founder of The Moore Therapy Movement.

He is a north Minneapolis native, obtained his bachelors’ degree in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota, his masters’ degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University, and his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech. Moore can be reached by email at ddmoore@ vt.edu or via talk/text at (612) 2963758. Please note this column is for educational purposes only. It is not to diagnose or treat any mental health issues.

insightnews.com

Insight News • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Page 11

HEALTH

May is Mental Health Month

spiritual and mental health.

Developing healthy lifestyles and strategies can prevent or reduce the duration or severity of illnesses.

Up to one third of those with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, chronic pain and cancer experience depression.

In fact, depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. Trauma, both witnessed and experienced, can have a major role in overall health.

Exposure to violence, abuse, and any other threat to safety can negatively impact emotional,

physical and spiritual health long after the trauma. Adults exposed to community or domestic violence during childhood have been shown to have poorer health outcomes and are at increased risk for alcohol and drug abuse, depression and suicide.

We are all at risk for stress given the demands of daily life and the challenges it bringsat home, at work and in the community. Steps such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, developing a sense of self-worth, as well as learning effective coping strategies can help build and maintain well-being. Using strategies that promote mental wellness can prevent mental health and substance use disorders leading to improved health outcomes, stronger families and a healthier community.

Mental Health America has wellness tips for each day in May and can be found on their website at www.mentahealthamerica. net. An example of one of their wellness tips is to enjoy at least 15 minutes of sunshine (don’t forget sunscreen). Exposure to the sun can help our body use Vitamin D which has been found to improve

our mood. Some experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) where lack of sunlight during winter months, such as in Alaska, leads to depressive symptoms. There are special lights that you can use to simulate the positive effect of the sun on mood.

Another wellness tip is to create opportunities to laugh.

Laughter can boost our immune system, increase “feel good” chemicals in the brain, and can act as a buffer against stress.

When you share laughter with those you care about, it can strengthen the relationship and increase the sense of closeness.

There are many self-defeating behaviors that people engage in to deal with stress and depression.

Oprah Winfrey admitted that she is an “emotional eater” when dealing with depression. Some turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping and overeating to cope with emotional distress. Engaging in these inappropriate behaviors is harmful and can be a barrier to wellness. Denial and avoidance of feelings may also complicate recovery from distress and depression.

There has been an increased

national interest in mental health with the mass shootings, most recently at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. This has sparked a national debate on the availability of firearms and treatment for the mentally ill.

President Obama has increased funding to improve access to mental health services in the schools and in communities.

Even the most severely mentally ill are no more likely to engage in violence when compared with peers without mental illness. However, those with mental illness are at greater risk of suicide. Whenever someone you know threatens to harm themselves or others, ensure your safety and call 911. Although it is commonly believed that when someone threatens suicide they are seeking attention, suicidal threats increase the risk for completed suicide, especially if they have a past attempt or a relative that completed suicide.

Although there is a growing acceptance and support for those experiencing mental health concerns, many myths persist.

Some believe that few people have mental health issues; however, up to 25% of adults and

20% of youth will experience mental health distress during their lifetime. Many historical public figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Sir Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt, reportedly experienced depression at some point in their life. Depression and anxiety can be treated successfully, often with “talk therapy.”

Fear of being labeled or placed on medication can be barriers to seeking help. Some may resist seeking mental health services due to concerns about people “getting in my business.”

Others may avoid mental health services because seeking help is seen as a sign of weakness and “suffer in silence;” however, recognizing that you need help is a sign of strength.

Mental health services can be accessed through your primary care physician or you may contact Behavioral Health providers directly. For additional information about mental wellness or resources for mental health services, please contact Dr. Annice Golden, Director of Behavioral Health, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, at 612543-2566.

accountability, build a skilled early childhood workforce and increase access to quality early childhood programs for children with high needs.

“Melvin brings extensive leadership experience, broad connections to our communities and a passion for excellence to this new role,” said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius in a written statement. “His tireless work on behalf of the residents of Saint Paul has made

a tremendous difference for so many. I look forward to working with him as he turns that passion toward ensuring every Minnesota child gets a great start.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also praised Carter’s work as a city legislator.

“Councilmember Carter is a close friend and a fearless advocate for Ward 1 and the rest of our city. On behalf of our city’s residents, I thank him for his dedication and tireless service to this community,”

said Coleman in a released statement. “At the Office of Early Learning, he will have the unique opportunity to have a far-reaching impact on the lives of our young people. Anyone who knows Melvin understands this is a deep passion for him. I join with his colleagues on the Council in wishing him the best in his new role.”

Though Carter’s term was not set to expire until 2015, he said by taking on the role of director of the Office of Early Learning

he’s continuing his commitment to his constituents.

“When I ran in 2011, I asked the voters to give me an opportunity to get our kids to receive a better education,” said Carter. “This move is enabling me to continue that on an even deeper level. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to serve my ward (as councilman) and St. Paul and I’m proud of the things we’ve been able to accomplish.

I’m excited for the new challenge I’m taking on.”

The Saint Paul City Council is expected to nominate and approve an interim appointee for the Ward 1 seat. If the Council does not approve an interim appointee within 30 days, the mayor has 10 days to appoint an interim council member. Because the seat will be vacated within 180 days of a general election, candidates for the Ward 1 seat can file to fill the remaining two years of the term and will appear on the November 5, 2013 general election ballot.

Best Academy was the number one high-poverty school (over 76% Free or Reduced Lunch) in the state of Minnesota as measured by the state’s new Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR).

In 2012, Harvest Preparatory School and Best Academy had the best performance ever in science. Harvest performance on the science MCA increased by 30 percentile points over the previous school year. Best Academy’s performance also increased by over 30 percentile points from the previous school year. Both Harvest and Best Academy exceeded the Minneapolis School district average in science in 2012, he said.

Fifth grade students in Best Academy (BA) significantly outperformed Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) (BA 56% versus MPS 33%) in science in 2012. BA students’ performance was comparable to the state average for 5th grade science that same year (BA 56% versus state average 57%).

For the past two years Best Academy was recognized as a Reward School for its academic achievement for 2011 and 2012. This award is given to the schools that are in the top 10% of schools in the state of Minnesota.

For the past two years Harvest Prep has been recognized as a Reward School and Celebration School. Harvest

Prep’s authorizer (Audubon Center of the North Woods) has just issued a stellar Academic Performance Evaluation where in every category, from proficiency to academic growth, Audubon ranked Harvest Prep as Exemplary.

Mahmoud said, “To date, there has not been an educational system in Minnesota that has achieved the success that Harvest Prep and Best Academy have achieved for low-income and socially disadvantaged children who are at the greatest risk of academic failure.”

MINNCANN confirmed this bold assessment, ranking Best Academy the number one middle school in the state of Minnesota in educating Black middle school students and number two in the state in the education of Black elementary students (see link below).

“We want to thank the students, parents, educators, board members, and supporters of Harvest Prep, Best Academy, and now the new Mastery School for consistently demonstrating that with hard work, commitment, skill, and most importantly, belief in our children, we can eliminate the achievement gap and ensure that there is equity in opportunity for all children in Minnesota,” Mahmoud said.

The Top 10 School lists showcase the schools that are making the biggest learning

gains and that are best serving traditionally underrepresented student group.

For additional details about the School Finance Award and other supportive materials: visit

the Harvest Prep website at www.seed-harvest.org and click Reports, then Successes.

By Dr. Annice Golden, Director of Behavioral Health, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Pathway to Wellness is the theme for this year’s “May is Mental Health Month” campaign. For over 60 years, Mental Health America has promoted “May is Mental Health Month” and has reached millions through media and events, providing information about prevention and treatment for mental health conditions. In an effort to raise more awareness, NorthPoint staff will be available to answer questions about mental health and wellness as well as educational materials. Staff will be in the lobbies of the clinic and Human Services every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the month of May. A free confidential mental health screening will also be available.

Wellness can be defined as developing healthy lifestyle choices that promote wellbeing. In order to live a full and productive life, you must maintain a balance in your emotional, physical,

Carter From 1 University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

As director of the OEL, Carter will oversee a coordinated effort with the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health and Human Services with a goal to increase early childhood program quality and

Prep From 1 confirmed stellar successes in the area of academic achievement and sound financial management.

Mahmoud said Harvest Prep, Best Academy, and Mastery School were recently notified that all three schools have received the Minnesota School Finance Award for 2013.

These awards are granted to schools for meeting all statutory requirements for submitting all audited financial data and reporting criterion.

For fiscal year 2012, Harvest Prep and Best Academy received clean audits. The audits were so clean for 2012 that this was the first year in the history of the two schools that the auditors had no issues to put in a management letter to the respective school boards, Mahmoud said.

Both Harvest Prep and Best Academy developed the healthiest fund balances ever in the history of the schools, he said.

For the past two years, Harvest Prep has been the number one “Beating the Odds” school in the state of Minnesota in math.

In 2012, Harvest Prep was the number one “Beating the Odds” school in the state in both reading and math.

Dr. Annice Golden

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Page 12 • May 13 - May 19, 2013 • Insight News

insightnews.com

MINNEAPOLIS URBAN LEAGUE

GATEWAY TO OPPORTUNITY

8 7 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y

A NEW ERA OF

TRANSFORMATION

The Minneapolis Urban League invites you to join us for our 87th Annual Gala - honoring our past and celebrating our future, as we embark upon a New Era of Transformation!

Presenting Sponsor

Keynote Speaker

daymond john Founder of FUBU, Co-Star on ABC’s

thursday. june 20. 2013 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 2nd Avenue South | Minneapolis, MN 55403 $100 - General Admission | $80 - Members

tickets & sponsorships

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit us online at www.mul.org, or contact Linda Anderson at 612.302.3105, or by emailing landerson@mul.org.

Other Major Sponsors