Insight News ::: 06.05.17

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Insight News June 5 - June 11, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 23• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Happy Birthday Prince TURN TO PAGE 2

Loretta Day

Page 2 • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Insight News

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Leading with art:

The eyes of Prince are watching

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor June is Black Music Month and you can’t have a conversation

about Black music without talking about arguably the greatest musician to ever live …

Prince.

In April we marked the oneyear anniversary of his passing, but in June (June 7 to be exact),

we observe the birth of a legend.

This Wednesday would have been Prince’s 59th birthday.

While Prince did not celebrate his birthday due to his chosen faith, many of his devoted fans will once again flock to the many landmarks made famous by, and events in honor of Minnesota’s most cherished son.

Of course, many are planning to visit the famed home of the artist, Paisley Park. And

while First Avenue – the venue where “Purple Rain” was filmed – isn’t having any Prince themed events, one of Prince’s backing bands, New Power Generation, is performing June 8 – June 10 at the Fine Line Music Café, 318 1st Ave., Minneapolis. On the evening of Prince’s actual birthday, June 7, G Sharp and the Bizne$$ will take to the Hard Rock Café stage at Mall of America for a purple and white

party.

To honor our brother, Prince, we have chosen a work by artist Loretta Day to adorn our cover. The work was created

by Day this past year following the April 21, 2016 death of the cultural icon. In muted purple, with the eyes of Prince peeking through the clouds, Day envisions Prince looking down on First Avenue, the Minneapolis skyline and Stone Arch Bridge.

Emblazoned in the center is the now iconic symbol that for years was synonymous with the name Prince.

Day is one of 10 artists chosen to participate in the Seed Project, a public works art project along Olson Memorial Highway that will unveil in 2019.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley aims to help readers continue ‘Turning the Tide’ against the stigma of depression Author reveals her path to discovering link between neuroscience, spirituality and emotional health Add author to the already impressive list of accomplishments for Dr. Sylvia Bartley, global director at Medtronic Philanthropy.

In “Turning the Tide: Neuroscience, Spirituality and My Path Toward Emotional Health,” Bartley, who holds a doctorate in neurophysiology, shares how she manages her emotional health with nontraditional mindful practices.

Equal parts personal memoir, science writing and spiritual exploration, the book links the brain to the soul, inspiring readers to change the world with that knowledge.

Recognizing her spiritual

side and emotional health “are intertwined and yet opposites;” Bartley takes the fields of spirituality and science and blends them together in a pursuit of truth and wellbeing.

She explains, “My scientific curiosity has helped my spiritual life evolve drastically, and in turn my spiritual life has been my foundation during the most rigorous moments of my scientific career.”

Bartley describes pushing through forces working against her as a young girl and student.

These early experiences shaped her spiritually and emotionally; her study of the brain taught her about meditation and how

Dr. Sylvia Bartley careful attention to her inner self has helped her manage her emotional health.

“My central belief is simple

… neuroscience and spirituality are not opposites, and can instead be used to feed and further each other,” said Bartley.

“Individually, this union can have tremendous effects on our emotional health.”

Bartley will have a book launch next Wednesday (June 14) from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis. Her book will also be available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The scientist and author will be a guest on “Conversations with Al McFarlane” this coming Tuesday (June 6) on KFAI 90.3 FM (www.kfai.org).

Hennepin County Library celebrates Juneteenth Hennepin County Library invites the community to join in a celebration of Juneteenth, one of the oldest African-American celebrations of the end of slavery.

Hennepin County Library is celebrating Juneteenth at three libraries – North Regional Library, 611 Van

Speak up for the one place that embraces all students:

Public Schools With growing threats at the national and state level, our public schools need your help securing and protecting the resources to brighten every Minnesotan’s future.

Add your name in support at BelieveInWeMN.com

White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis, Sunday, June 11, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Sumner Library, 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, Thursday, June 22, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Webber Park Library, 4440 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis, Saturday, June 24, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.The news of

slavery’s end moved slowly and did not arrive in Texas until June 19, 1865, about two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Americans have remembered and celebrated Juneteenth as a holiday since the first public observation in 1866. Events

will include demonstrations by Voice of Culture Drum+Dance, Million Artist Movement, Black Storytellers Alliance, Never Ending Story Circle, Journey Productions, Passed Presents, Free Black Dirt and Ancestry Books. ASL interpreters will be present.

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Insight News • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

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

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Insight News June 5 - June 11, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 23• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

St. Paul mayoral candidate

Melvin Carter says city bigger than ever

By Wilt Hodges In November, St. Paul will decide on its next mayor.

While that may seem like an eternity away for residents; it is not for the six candidates who have already begun championing their vision for the Capital City.

Make no mistake … despite the drama of the national political arena dominating much of our media (and social media’s) attention, the importance of local government and political engagement is more critical than ever. Issues ranging from

minimum wage increase, which roads are plowed, which potholes are filled and access to health services are all intimately connected by local city and state government.

When I sat down with mayoral candidate Melvin Carter, urgency and importance of the role of local government was present in his voice and his vision for the city. Carter talked about cities as the “front lines of government.” Saying despite what is happening on the federal level, “It is in cities that they send signals about whose government this is.”

Wilt Hodges: How would you describe yourself?

Melvin Carter: I’m a product of this community. I’m a parent in this community. Our family was one of the Rondo families. I have seven deeds for commercial properties with Rondo Avenue addresses on them.

I’m a product of St. Paul in every way. I’m somebody who loves St. Paul and who knows St. Paul very well. I grew up on the bookends of the city … and the opportunity to bridge some of those divides that exist between the two in order to make it clear that we’re moving forward as one city – together – this creates

an enormous amount of social opportunity and economic opportunity for our city that I don’t think we can allow to go by – especially right now.

WH: What was it like growing up in St. Paul? And how do you think it’s changed?

MC: St. Paul has gotten more and more diverse. More and more international. So our city is growing. We’re bigger than we’ve ever been since the (19)70s. We’ve got more culture, more arts; more nightlife, more

Twitter

Melvin Carter

MELVIN CARTER 4

US Bank: Championing girls in technology fields

By Carmen Robles

www.ramseycounty.us

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter

Community people are key to change

By Abeni Hill Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter believes in serving her community and that people from the community are the keys

to change.

“The favorite part about my job is getting to meet so many people who have bright ideas and being able to convene together with people and seeing the results of minds coming together,” said Carter. She

said the community helped with ideas for the county’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative, a project designed to reduce the time students spend

TONI CARTER 9

The red, white and blue of US Bank’s emblem represents more than a financial institution.

It is a beacon signifying the spirit of economic unity, opportunity and vision. Its innovative team is helping to break the glass ceiling for girls in coding through Technovation[MN] – a program enabling young women to transform the world one mobile app at a time.

The movie “Hidden Figures” reflects the collective power women of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) can contribute. The world knows it took a team to get John Glenn to the moon. Yet it’s taken nearly 50 years to acknowledge the scientific contributions made by the population of women

Young women are benefiting from US Bank sponsored Technovation[MN]; learning to build mobile apps.

mathematicians who were part of that team.

Technovation[MN] encourages technology entrepreneurship among girls in Minnesota and is committed to reaching out to all girls, seeking mentors and volunteers within neglected communities. It was created and designed in 2014 to inspire and

exposes girls to STEM careers.

To date 650-plus girls in 140 teams from 40 schools have designed more than 160 mobile apps.

Rebecca Schatz, a mathematician, founder and

US BANK 9

State budget comes at the price of undocumented Minnesotans With a Republican controlled Minnesota House and Senate, people of color and those people of lesser means had reason to be concerned when the Legislature unveiled its new budget – a budget that took Gov. Mark Dayton to call a special session in order to get it done.

And while it’s not clear if the DFL governor will veto portions of the submitted budget, it is clear that Republicans were in lockstep with President Donald Trump in making life harder for undocumented immigrants.

State GOP lawmakers would not budge on a provision in the Public Safety budget that would make it law to prohibit undocumented Minnesotans from obtaining a non-Real ID-compliant driver’s license. Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL62) said the measure further marginalizes and already disadvantaged group of people. “(Providing non-Real IDs

to undocumented residents) is supported by law enforcement, it’s supported by the community and it allows people not to live in the shadows,” said Hayden.

Hayden said three times when the Legislature was under DFL control the Senate passed bills to allow for IDs to those who are undocumented but the bill failed each time in the DFL-controlled House.

Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL-59B) and Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-62A) went on a seven-day hunger strike opposing the measure in the Public Safety budget. Gov. Dayton indicated he would possibly use a line-item veto to suppress the proposed measure.

“We want to thank the Governor for taking this seriously and prioritizing those targeted by the harmful pieces of legislation on his desk,” said Dehn and Clark in a joint statement. “We would never

Business

Patience and time – everything won’t happen by Friday

PAGE 4

Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-62) have thought that we could go for seven days without food. We learned the body is

amazing and resilient, even when we did nothing for it, it kept working for us—this is how government should be.”

The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus – a new caucus first formed in 2017 and includes Reps. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-41B), Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-42B), Peggy Flanagan (DFL-46A), Erin Maye Quade (DFL-57A), Fue Lee (DFL-59A), Ilhan Omar (DFL-60B), Susan Allen (DFL-62B), Rena Moran (DFL65A), and Carlos Mariani (DFL65B) – released a statement against the Republican measure.

“Immigrant communities across the state of Minnesota are powering our economic comeback, and we are lucky to live in a place where people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds can work together

STATE BUDGET 4

Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

Cornell Brooks

Brooks out at NAACP

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor Why did the NAACP’s national board vote to part ways with their president, Cornell William Brooks?

Registration open for Summer Camp Capri

PAGE 5

NAACP 9

Lifestyle

I2H

News

Several longtime members contacted by the NNPA Newswire were shocked to hear the news. Brooks, 56, has served in the position since May 2014. Some NAACP insiders said that there was a

American University of Antigua finds success with diversity mission

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Enjoying the company of one

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Page 4 • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Insight News

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African American Leadership Forum questions United Way support of the African-American community Commentary

By Jeffrey Hassan Executive Director, African American Leadership Forum Over 18 months ago, African American Leadership Forum’s (AALF) executive director met with Sarah Caruso, the CEO of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, to discuss the “poor” reputation that the United Way had among many leaders in the African-American community who do not consider the United Way to be a friend of the community and consider its attitude towards the community to be paternalistic. Caruso argued that this reputation was undeserved, unjustified and that

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she and her organization would work with AALF to improve this situation.

In the intervening months, Caruso and her staff provided AALF with documentation that it had invested as much as 15 percent of its funding in 2016 in African-American led and serving organizations. AfricanAmerican led and serving organizations are organizations in which a majority of the clients served are AfricanAmerican, and either its chief executive, senior executive staff or board of directors are majority African-American.

However, when United Way representatives provided a list of organizations that made up the 15 percent investment, it included organizations such as Patrick Henry High School. The last time we checked, Patrick Henry High School was a part of Minneapolis Public Schools, a public entity with assets close to $1 billion dollars – hardly an African-American led and serving organization.

This year, United Way claims that, despite a 13 percent shortfall in its discretionary revenues, it has increased its investments to 19 percent in African-American led and serving organizations.

However, the list now includes

organizations such as Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (also known as Legal Aid). AALF questions the sincerity of the United Way in including organizations like Patrick Henry High School and Legal Aid as “African American led and serving” organizations.

In April of this year, United Way representatives asked to meet with me to “give the heads-up,” on the cuts in funding that would be made because of a 13 percent shortfall in United Way revenues. I was informed that the cuts would be made equitably across all organizations. However, that is not what has taken place While certain AfricanAmerican organizations received “equitable” decreases in funding, some African-American organizations had 100 percent of their funding eliminated, and others experienced cuts upwards of 30 percent of their funding – hardly an equitable distribution of the funding cuts. I feel that I had been misled in the 18-month dialogue with the United Way. The most egregious example of United Way’s “equitable” actions is the total elimination of funding to the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL). The Minneapolis Urban League is the premier African-

American led and serving organization in the Twin Cities African-American community.

It was established in 1926, and its mission is to link African descendants and other people of color to opportunities that result in economic success and prosperity, and effectively advocate for policies that eradicate racial disparities. In 2016, the MUL served more than 6,000 individuals and families in its various housing, health, employment, financial and education programs, and advocated for more than 20,000 African-Americans on policy issues – not to mention the role that it serves as a convening and meeting place for the African-American community.

It also houses the Minnesota office of Rep. Keith Ellison.

When African-Americans need a “go to” organization in the community, the Urban League is the organization that stands above them all. How could the United Way miss this? To be sure, the Urban League was not the only African-American led and serving organizations upon which the United Way’s ax fell. Other organization’s names are being withheld, so as not to incur further damage or retribution. In the case of the Urban League, as the saying

goes, “They have nothing left to lose.” AALF believes the United Way’s total elimination of funding of the Urban League has been deliberate and intentional.

Since 2009, the Urban League’s funding from the United Way has gone steadily down from $1.1 million in 2009, to “0” in 2017 – a precipitous decline that cannot be considered accidental.

While most community, corporate and private foundations and philanthropic organizations can pick and choose to invest their organization’s funds in whomever and whatever they choose, the United Way holds a uniquely different and distinct status. It is the “community chest” – it receives funding from public and private corporations, foundations and individuals.

Its website states, “United Way connects people and resources within our community to challenge and change systems— like Minnesota’s education and jobs gap—that limit our potential.” This statement is particularly interesting, because the United Way also eliminated funding to two of the AfricanAmerican community’s premier educational organizations, both of which have recently received national recognition for their work educating AfricanAmerican children.

So, what do we do about it?

First, AALF and members of its board of directors have spoken with Caruso and members of the United Way board, asking them to recalibrate and rethink United Way’s decision concerning the Urban League. To date, that has not happened. Second, we are writing this opinion piece to bring public attention to this issue. Many in the AfricanAmerican, corporate and foundation communities, as well as individual donors, may not be aware of these concerns. We will wait to see if this has any impact.

If not, we are prepared to go directly to the public, corporate, foundation and individuals that fund the United Way, and ask that they start giving directly to African-American led and serving organizations.

We hope not to have to get to this third step. The United Way, like the Urban League, has a long and storied history in our community. We would like to partner and work together to resolve these problems; but, if we can’t, we must do what is necessary to support our legacy institutions to remain healthy and to thrive. God knows we have a lot of work to do.

Patience and time – everything won’t happen by Friday FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw The most effective leaders we have met keep their long term vision in focus. They simultaneously take advantage of immediate opportunities, and build capacity for the long term. These individuals have an understanding of the environment they are operating within, and are always building relationships that bring their organization closer to realizing their future vision. They know everything won’t happen by

Friday.

Patience and time are two resources required for success within the nonprofit sector.

At the same time, these are perceived as being in short supply. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the goals you set for yourself and your organization. Examine whether or not these are realistic and achievable. Do you have the time, money, resources and relationships you need to reach your goals? Are you falling prey to messages focused on accelerated innovation and reinvention without determining whether or not these are the right foci for your organization at this point in time?

Here are three things to consider as you set goals and milestones for your organization and it’s fundraising.

1. Planning and patience

are attributes the CEO, board members, key volunteers and donors must learn to value.

Give yourself enough lead time to plan; cultivate; build capacity and infrastructure; develop budgets; grow a pool of volunteers; develop staff; conduct research; and position your organization within the marketplace. Take time to build agreement amongst board members, staff, and key volunteers regarding the milestones the organization is working towards. These need to extend beyond financial goals.

2. Start small, and plan big. Set realistic goals. You can’t go from raising $10,000 a year to raising a million, even if that is the true need of your organization.

It typically takes three to four years for an organization to reach its potential internally

and within the market. During that time period you need to attract the people, resources and relationships you will need for optimum operations. This will require that you define your organization’s uniqueness; create financial models; develop partnerships and collaborations; and attract board members who believe in and are qualified to deliver on the organization’s vision.

3. Give your organization enough time to develop a track record that includes short term successes for board members, staff and volunteers. Develop your talent. If your organization is personality driven – dependent upon the talents of one individual – it is in jeopardy, even though you may appear to be succeeding. You want a “bench” and a “team” – a group

of talented individuals with diverse skills who are trusted to represent the organization and its vision. Surround your organization with people who can serve as ambassadors, and introduce your team to community stakeholders and potential funders. All of this takes – you guessed it – time.

We encourage you to define your long term vision and keep it in front of you. Develop patience, consistently plan and adapt, and build relationships.

Give yourself and your team time.

Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

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Insight News • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Page 5

Registration open for Summer Camp Capri Registration is on now for Summer Camp Capri, which runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 10 – Aug. 11 at the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis. The program is free and open to students who have completed grades 5 – 8. Transportation is also provided for participants who are residents of North Minneapolis.

This centerpiece of the summer camp will be the students’ performance of Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” at 7 p.m. Aug, 10 at the

Capri. Capri teaching artist Dennis Spears will direct the play.

Participation is limited to 25 students. A waiting list will be formed when company capacity has been reached.

To register, go to www. thecapritheater.org or contact Camp Capri Company Manager Kiana Batteau at kbatteau@pcyc-mpls.org or (612) 643-2061. For more information go to www. thecapritheater.org or call (612) 643-2024.

Melvin Carter

of economics than we really realize.

So the intriguing thing that we see is our passion for equity and our passion for economic growth coming in conflict with each other. Getting out of that dichotomy is critical for us making both happen. In a city as diverse as St. Paul we can’t create opportunity for everybody without growing the tax base.

And if we really want to grow our tax base and grow our economics and local economy, then the first place we ought to look, the most potent assets we have is our human capital that we’re underutilizing. That’s what excites me.

From 3 sports. We’ve got a lot of wind in our sails right now.

Our challenge right now, is to make the promise of St. Paul, that brought my greatgreat parents here 100 years ago – that’s bringing our Hmong and Somali refugees here – that brought our Irish refugees here – is to make it true for every person in our city. And that’s to me what the challenge is right now.

WH: What do you think makes St. Paul distinct from Minneapolis?

St. Paul is a special place.

We think of our city as a city of neighbors and it really is.

I live around the corner from my parents; I can walk to the house I grew up in about 40 seconds without crossing the street. That’s a St. Paul thing.

We’re passionate about our neighborhoods and we love our neighborhoods. And that’s something that makes us really special; that identity.

Along with that identity though, comes some separation.

Between neighborhoods and community. I believe there’s an inner city just below the surface of St. Paul that we haven’t even accessed yet. We haven’t even seen yet. In that, when you look at cities that have the type of diversity that we have … not just two groups – a real blend – and a panorama of people; we’re starting to talk about cities Boston and San Francisco that have a whole different scale

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WH: What are its greatest strengths?

MC: Our people. The people who live here. And the love we have for this city; and that underlying belief that Paul Wellstone once said, “We really do better when we all do better.”

WH: What are its greatest challenges?

MC: Our challenge is the other side of that coin … figuring out how to unlock that potential for all the people, in all of the neighborhoods of this city.

And that’s something we haven’t fully committed ourselves to yet.

WH: Can you comment on being the son of a St. Paul police?

MC: My father served 28 years as a police officer, working in the neighborhood he grew up in. And in the neighborhood he was raising children. And there was not a moment of those 28 years where he wasn’t aware that how we were treated in the

WH: Can we restore trust between law enforcement and communities of color?

MC: Absolutely. We can restore the trust that exists between community and law enforcement mostly because so much trust already exists, particularly in St. Paul. We have a lot of good things to look at in terms of how our police interact with our community.

We also have some videos,

State Budget From 3 to build a better future for everyone,” read the POCI statement. “But the hard work of immigrants from Worthington to Minneapolis to St. Cloud is undermined by the inclusion of anti-immigrant language that Republicans insisted be included in a final budget compromise.

Permanently denying undocumented immigrants a driver’s license to get back and forth from work makes our streets less safe and unnecessarily divides communities in every corner of the state. The POCI Caucus stands firmly with Minnesota’s immigrant communities.”

Hayden said one bright spot in the new budget is the money allocated for equity funding for underserved communities will remain and in a couple places, increase. Last year’s Legislature allocated $70 million in funds to go to communities of color and other disadvantaged Minnesotans to support job growth, entrepreneurship and economic parity. Thirty-five million dollars was made available this past year with $17-plus million being made available both this year and next.

“The first thing Republicans did this year was to try and cut that money, but we were able to save that funding and even add to it,” said Hayden on a recent “Conversations with Al McFarlane” that aired on 90.3 KFAI FM. In the new budget, equity funds of $2 million will go toward the construction of North Market in Minneapolis – a project of Pillsbury United Communities. Summit Academy OIC will receive $1.5 million in equity funds and $330,000 will go to assist the Little Earth community in South Minneapolis.

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Juneteenth Celebrate Juneteenth at your library Free family-friendly festivals Sunday, June 11 2-4 p.m.

North Regional Library 1315 Lowry Ave. N. Minneapolis

we also have some lawsuits, we also have some incidents that are deeply disturbing – and they should be – to all of us. And the challenge with trust is that trust that takes a year to build only takes a moment to break.

community was going to be a reflection of how he treated the people he encountered on the job. As a result, I got a chance to see what I would consider a case study in community policing.

As a student in (St. Paul) Central High School, I would have friends that would come to me and say, “I met your dad yesterday.” And they’d say, “he’s cool.” He had a reputation that he would do his job and hold people accountable for their actions. And he knew how to do that while treating people respectfully.

I think our strongest asset for public safety is the trust that exists between community and law enforcement. And I got a chance to see that. My friends respected my father.

This is why it’s critical to have officers who reflect the diversity of our city. Because our officers go into a place, or go into a neighborhood and all of our safety – theirs and ours – are at stake.

So I see having a diverse set of first responders who represent community; who reflect the diversity of community and who are invested in our community, not just as a social justice goal but as a public safety goal, too.

Thursday, June 22 5-7 p.m.

Sumner Library 611 Van White Memorial Blvd.

Minneapolis

Saturday, June 24 1-3 p.m.

Webber Park Library 4440 Humboldt Ave. N. Minneapolis

HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY

WH: What inspires you today?

MC: Lots of things. My children sustain me. My family sustains me. I’ve got a phenomenal life partner who sustains me. Even with that, the works get difficult at times. And being surrounded by community who is supportive is sustaining.

Also, seeing examples of strong leadership like Gov. (Mark) Dayton, who I work with, is inspiring. Seeing our former president, Barak Obama, navigate difficult waters with style and grace is inspiring.

WH: Would you say that you are ultimately hopeful?

MC: (The Rev. Dr.) Martin Luther King (Jr.) says, “The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice,” and I believe that, and in that, because I know there’s a nation full of people that doesn’t automatically bend itself. And so seeing all those people working together to intentionally continue pushing towards justice … yes, that makes me hopeful. And seeing all the people, this moment has awoken; that are engaged … that bodes well for our future.

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WH: Do you see faith communities having a role in this current era?

MC: Absolutely. All of our

major religions call on us to love strangers. And we’re seeing them all in our local community right here, answer that call. And that’s exciting.

Page 6 • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health One medical school’s plan to increase Black doctor ranks

American University of Antigua finds success with diversity mission

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Dr. Kwaku Boakye has a goal to improve the overall health conditions in developing countries.

He and his brother, Kwabena Boakye, started a nonprofit called the Gold Coast Medical Foundation, in 2006, while they were in medical school. Kwaku Boakye, medical school meant the American University of Antigua (AUA), located on the eastern part of that Caribbean island.

The school has prided itself on diversity, a frequent topic that Neal S. Simon, the university’s president, said has always been talked about, but rarely addressed.

A 2015 NPR article titled, “There Were Fewer Black Men In Medical School In 2014 Than In 1978,” said, “While more Black men graduated from college over the past few decades, the number of Black men applying to medical school had dropped.”

The article cited that in 1978, 1,410 Black men applied to medical school and 542 ended up enrolling. In 2014, both those numbers were down – 1,337 applied and 515 enrolled.

Every other ethnic group, the article said, including Asians, Hispanics and Black women, “saw growth in applicants,” according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Simon said that increasing diversity in their admissions process is one of their top goals.

“The American University of Antigua prides itself on the large group of nationalities on campus,” said Simon.

According to Simon, the school boasts one of the most diverse student populations of any medical school, with a student of color enrollment rate of more than 65 percent.

“While the number of male, African-American doctors dropping dramatically over the last few years, AUA has one of the highest Black student populations at 20 percent of the student body,” he said.

Comparatively, just 6.8 percent of the students enrolled at U.S. medical schools are African-American, AAMC statistics show.

AUA has an enrollment of about 1,138. A total of 1,400 students have graduated from the school. Further, AUA’s acceptance rate is better than the overall rate of the 5.8 percent that all American medical schools combined had last year.

As of 2017, AUA has awarded 68 percent – $13.3 million –

AUA

The American University at Antigua has found success with increasing the diversity of the medical school applicants. of all scholarship money to underrepresented minorities and enrolled students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including Bowie State, Fisk University, Hampton University, Tuskegee University, and Prairie View A&M University and the University of the District of Columbia.

The school also provides attractive scholarship packages for underrepresented communities, including a $25,000 scholarship for physicians of Native-American descent and a $50,000 scholarship from the school’s Physician Diversification Initiative.

“My experience at AUA was great. I enjoyed the diverse community, the friendly staff and, above all, the weather,” said Kwaku Boakye, who noted that his decision to attend AUA had been based on diversity.

“It was one of the few medical schools that was dedicated in providing a high-quality education for its students and, at the same time, granting opportunities to underrepresented minorities,” said the doctor, who completed his residency in family medicine at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Simon said that because

schools historically have relied on certain criteria in selecting students, African-Americans and other people of color have typically been frozen out.

“There’s no evidence at all that such criteria determines whether someone will be a good doctor,” said Simon. “The people who decide on that criteria are people who did well using it, but it’s self-perpetuating and Black males in particular are forced to recognize that the admission process may have a bias (against) them.”

At AUA, preclinical training has been built into the Basic Sciences curriculum.

Most of this training occurs on campus, allowing students easy access to labs and medical simulations while they attend classes. This curriculum not only results in better medical students, said Simon, it leads to better physicians.

Courses at the school employ a variety of teaching methods other than large group didactics, such as small group sessions, clinical case discussions, simulations, and hands-on laboratory experience.

Students are also placed in hospital settings, allowing them to interact with patients.

Beginning in their first semester, students learn about the foundations of medicine, medical cell biology, biochemistry and genetics, and human structure

and function. Their education is built from there and moves on to more advanced courses, such as pathology, microbiology, pharmacology and more.

AUA also employs a diverse staff of instructors with instructors of color making up more than half of faculty members.

The school’s push for diversity has been a response to a national physician shortage, which experts project will increase to roughly 105,000 doctors by 2030. Simon noted that increasing enrollment among Black men could help solve persistent public health issues.

“Not having diversity impacts the quality of a medical education for everyone,” said Simon. “If you don’t have the education that includes diversity, you won’t be as good a doctor.”

Stacy Brown is a frequent contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA. com. You can also find her work in The Washington Informer, Baltimore Times, Philadelphia Tribune, Pocono Record, and the New York Post. She is the co-author of “Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder’s Mother.” Follow her on Twitter @stacybrownmedia.

The topic of mental health cannot be tabled Why talking about mental health is so important

By Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) During the month of May, we recognized Mental Health Month, and raised awareness for the millions of Americans living with a mental health condition.

Since one in five adults, or approximately 43.8 million people, will experience mental illness during their lifetime, it is safe to say that everyone is affected by this issue.

Approximately 20.2 million adults in the United States experience a substance use disorder each year and 50 percent of them have a cooccurring mental illness.

Quite often people are alarmed when you begin discussing mental health, but there is only one way to overcome that fear and that is through transparency and awareness. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, mental

health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act.

This year, Instagram launched a #HereForYou campaign, which encourages users of the social media platform to open up about their mental health. Since the launch, teens and young adults have been taking to social media to share their stories of overcoming the obstacles of mental health and leaning on each other in a safe space by offering friendship, support and collaboration.

As a result of this campaign, Instagram has become a social media platform where users can post about feelings and mental health as a coping mechanism and get support from those who share their experiences and those who don’t.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also provides several forums for individuals with mental health issues or substance use disorders to speak freely and without

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) says that communities of color face higher levels of stigma and are less likely to receive treatment for mental illnesses. judgment. I believe it is vital for individuals with mental health issues to be able to talk openly and without facing unnecessary stigma. However, communities of color do face higher levels of stigma, receive less access to treatment, and are less likely to receive treatment. In fact, even though the prevalence of mental illness by race is similar between white adults and Black adults, the use of mental health services among these adults

differs. According to NAMI, white males use 11.3 percent of mental health services and white females use 21.5 percent of mental health services while Black males use 6.6 percent and Black females use 10.3 percent.

This may be due to a culturally insensitive healthcare system, less health insurance coverage, racism in health treatment settings or general mistrust of healthcare providers.

Unfortunately, there are serious consequences for a lack of treatment. Untreated mental illness can cause further emotional, behavioral or physical health problems.

We have seen the impacts of mental illness gone untreated in our veteran and homeless populations. Far too often, our veterans and the homeless are ignored and do not receive proper treatment. When they go without treatment their livelihood is affected tremendously – broken relationships with family and friends, loss of financial stability, or feeling they have no purpose in life.

Serious or severe mental illnesses, which are schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, major depression or bipolar disorder, cost America about $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. Individuals living with serious mental illness die 25 years, on average, earlier than others. Not to mention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the

second leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-24. In Texas, one person commits suicide every three hours on average and 44,193 Americans commit suicide each year. In many cases, it is common for those who attempt suicide to have a mental illness.

We must do more to support individuals who suffer from mental illnesses and be willing to involve ourselves in programs that support them.

As we continue to have open conversations about mental health, with respectful language, we can abandon the social stigma associated with mental illness.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson is a Texas native, serving her 13th term representing the 30th Congressional District of Texas.

She was the first nurse elected to the U.S. Congress. In December 2010, Johnson was elected as the first African-American and the first female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Neonatal mortality: The quiet crisis of the African-American community

By Patricia Maryland, Dr.PH NNPA Newswire Guest Columnist In my years working in healthcare, I have been blessed to see patients celebrate happy moments, but I have also witnessed times of profound grief. The loss of a baby is one such example that deals a devastating blow to our families, healthcare providers, communities and nation as a whole.

Most newborns grow and thrive, but in the United States, almost six out of every 1,000 babies die during their first year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many of these deaths occur in the neonatal phase of development – the critical period from birth to 28 days of life in which babies are more vulnerable to disease, infection and other complications.

No mother, family or community in our country should have to endure the pain of losing a child. It’s all the more shocking to learn that AfricanAmerican mothers lose a child before their first month of life at more than twice the rate of white women – the highest rate of any racial group, according to the CDC. In some states, the equity gaps are even wider.

These figures should sound the alarm for all Americans, especially African-Americans, policy makers, healthcare providers and community leaders. This cannot be our quiet crisis any longer. There are real lives at stake.

It will take all of us, working together, to ensure African-American babies born in America have every opportunity to thrive.

Increasing access to quality, timely and affordable healthcare is critical to our mission.

African-American mothers who lost an infant were 2.3 times more likely than white mothers

Dr. Patricia Maryland to not begin prenatal care until the third trimester, or not receive prenatal care at all, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The factors that influence neonatal health are myriad and complex, but we must continue our efforts to build a culture of health in the Black community – one that competently serves the unique needs of mothers on their pregnancy journey and ensures they are at her healthiest

even before they conceive.

This work requires healthcare providers enhance our outreach to communities of color to forge bridges of understanding among medical professionals and the patients they serve – relationships we know lead to better health outcomes across the board.

Caring for healthy Black babies begins before conception and continues throughout a mother’s prenatal and postpartum experience. Early care interventions are critical if we are to address and prevent neonatal and infant mortality, because they allow us to address conditions that could lead to poor birth outcomes. Hypertension – a disease that disproportionately affects African-Americans and can cause serious birth complications – is one such disease that can be managed through a mother’s ongoing relationship with her healthcare provider.

Importantly, AfricanAmerican mothers must take full

ownership of their healthcare experience.

That means taking advantages of every opportunity to access proactive preconception, prenatal and post-partum care, and feeling empowered to ask questions.

Understanding what’s normal, when to be concerned and when to call a doctor is the No. 1 thing African-American women can do to ensure their babies are born and stay healthy.

More cities and neighborhoods are waking up to the notion that where one live has a significant impact on his or her health. Addressing environmental and social factors of health – such as nutrition, stress, substance abuse and domestic safety – will do more than improve the lives of mothers and babies. Its impacts will be felt throughout the community.

Healthy Neighborhoods Detroit, an Ascension Michigan program, provides a powerful example of a community building its capacity to address holistic health needs. By integrating

healthcare, education, grocery access and affordable housing in some of the city’s most blighted areas, the effort is creating nerve centers where all residents can access the services they need.

The health of our youngest citizens is the yardstick by which we measure the prosperity of our country and communities.

Fortunately, we have made great gains in reducing high rates of neonatal mortality.

But there is still more work to do to address equity gaps for African-Americans. It will take a comprehensive, coordinated effort to eliminate this quiet crisis. By working together, we have reasons to hope for a future in which African-American babies survive, thrive and lead our communities into the future.

Dr. Patricia Maryland, is the president of Healthcare Operations and chief operating officer for Ascension Health, the healthcare delivery subsidiary of Ascension, the nation’s largest non-profit and largest Catholic health system.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Page 7

Lifestyle

Enjoying the company of one Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Social media has given us unlimited access to others.

With all of our online friends, we never have to spend a minute alone. Although, you may constantly be in the online presence of others, I believe that you should be your own best friend. The ability to enjoy your own company is a necessity. If you don’t like being around you, who else will? The statement “enjoying the company of one” means that you are OK with being alone. Being alone is the real test of how you feel about yourself.

Enjoying the company of one prevents you from being lonely. When you are lonely, you are thinking of the other, feeling that it would have been better if your friend, wife, mother, husband, were there. When you are lonely, you fail to realize the value of your own company. The difference between loneliness and aloneness is a matter of perspective. Loneliness is a feeling and not a reality. It suggests that you are less when others are not present. It makes you dependent on others instead of using your time alone to work on yourself. This is an indication that you may be placing greater importance on others than yourself.

Enjoying the company of one is a choice. It is power and freedom. Relationship with other is a by-product of “self,” and as

a result, strengthening yourself, strengthens your relationships.

When there is no significant other, when there is quiet time, you have the power to choose to use this time to develop yourself, to become greater. All your energy and effort, the time and energy that you might otherwise have to expend on others can be concentrated on you. This will help you to avoid relationships that will drain you. Time alone allows you the opportunity to gain the knowledge that will show you how to attract those that will add positive value to your life.

Men and women view the company of one differently.

Men often see time alone as an opportunity to do the things they enjoy. They will go hunting, fishing, or on any other outings that will allow them time to get away. Women have a different view on this. They often see time alone as being absent from the ones they love. If this is your view of relationship, I strongly caution you to reconsider. The fear of loneliness is one of the reasons some women allow themselves to be with men who are unhealthy for them. The belief that you need someone unhealthy in your life to keep you from feeling lonely is not good.

This temporary relationship does not allow you the time alone needed to discover the real selfvalue that comes from reflecting within. In all cases, it is a necessity the men and women enjoy their own company.

Although you are in the company of one, you are never truly alone. Because of the Godgiven power within, you do not need anyone to make you whole. The Father has done that for you. He has declared you

to be all together beautiful and fearfully and wonderfully made.

Never settle for less. This is the true knowledge of self. God has promised to light up your path and guide you into all truth. He also promised to never leave or forsake you and to be with you always even to the end of the age. Because you are never truly alone, you can enjoy the

company of one!

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

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NAACP From 3 lack of communication between the NAACP’s large board of directors and Brooks. Others say that a lack of fundraising prowess was the reason.

On the day the board voted to end Brooks’ tenure as president (his current contract expires on June 30), NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell announced that the 108 year-old

Toni Carter From 3 in detention centers as well as other important decisions like the Metro Green Line, the light rail line that connects St. Paul and Minneapolis.

When talking about the most challenging aspect of her job, Carter said bringing people of differing opinions together for a common cause. She explained that sometimes people become so focused on their own ideas they miss the big picture.

“The intersection of our ideas (is) what we think should happen and what we can make happen together is the real opportunity,” said Carter.

“Getting through that process takes time and takes patience.

It really takes wanting to work through difficulty and wanting to make a difference.”

US Bank From 3 executive director of Code Savvy and founder of The Works, a hands-on museum of engineering, was the catalyst behind Technovation[MN] to bring Technovation Challenge to Minnesota.

Technovation Challenge is the largest and longest-running global technology competition exclusively for female teenagers to design and code mobile and other apps. Teams compete with other coders in their state, around the country and the world.

Shawn Stayseth attended a Technovation[MN] MinneDemo Conference where she met Schatz.

“Two weeks later I was cofounder of Technovation[MN]” said Stayseth.

Rebecca Schatz passed away in July 2015 leaving a legacy Stayseth, as executive director, is honored to lead.

An intense 12 week, 50-hour curriculum Technovation[MN] teams middle and high school girls with volunteer mentors imagine, design, and develop mobile apps to solve community problems.

The curriculum covers the 4 stages of launching a

Insight News • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Page 9 organization is “re-tooling” and embarking on “an organizationwide refresh” in response to the “audacious challenges” in “today’s volatile political, media and social climates.”

During an interview with American Urban Radio Networks, Brooks was asked why he was being let go. He responded, “I can’t point to any substantive reason. What I can point to is this … the NAACP over the course of less than three years, is more visible, more vocal, growing in members, donors, presence in the courts

and in communities across the country.”

Brooks continued, “We’ve had nine court victories against voter suppression in 10 months. We not only demonstrated in Flint (Mich.), we filed suit in Flint … online membership is up 87 percent and online paper membership is up seven percent. Online donations are up 800 percent,” Brooks was also instrumental in spotlighting the damage President Donald Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions will likely do to voting

The community-driven commissioner has been serving District 4 in Ramsey County since she was elected in 2005.

After serving as a member and chair on the St. Paul Board of Education, she ran for District 4 commissioner. Carter described her campaign one of hope.

“Our voices were rarely heard in areas of decision making, so it was hopeful that I would be a voice for the AfricanAmerican community,” said Carter, who said she wanted to bring voices other than her own to the forefront.

Before running for commissioner, Carter became involved in local politics through her children’s schools. She describes herself as an “active parent.”

“I was a working mother and my husband was a working father and our first concern was what would happen with our children whether they were at a good school (and) getting a good

education,” said Carter. While being a volunteer on school committees, Carter also became a mentor for the young people in the district.

With her extensive experience in schools and her ability to hold a position in local government for more than 10 years, she sees herself as a strong advocate for people getting involved in local politics and their communities.

“We have the responsibility to work on the things we care about,” said Carter. “There is this phrase, ‘All politics is local.’ You can look around and find things that you are concerned with and when you turn that concern into care you can connect to other people who have a similar concern. Building power then becomes possible. I really believe that is starts with one, but the responsibility is to connect to that one other. which becomes two, 10, and eventually 100,” said Carter.

mobile app startup following the principles of design thinking.

Ideation: Identify a problem in the community; Technology: Develop a mobile app solution; Entrepreneurship: Build a business plan to launch the app; Pitch; Bring the business to market.

At the end of the Technovation Challenge, Technovation[MN] hosts a celebratory event called Appapalooza.

Minnesota winners are announced and all teams are recognized for completing the intensive12week curriculum and submitting their work to the global challenge.

Appapalooza was held in the Minneapolis Convention Hall on May 7 with more than 900 guests in attendance. Sixty teams of high school and middle school girls across Minnesota participated.

Nine teams advanced to semi-finals where they will participate in the global competition in San Francisco, pitching their apps to venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.

US Bank mentored six teams, which included Latin-American and Somali immigrants.

The teams developed financial apps appealing to young people.

“Partnering with Technovation[MN] has been an amazing experience for us in the Innovation team at U.S

Bank,” said Stephanie HammesBetti, senior vice president and marketing innovation manager for U.S. Bank. “These young and talented girls have opened up our eyes to all the possibilities that our world holds in terms of technology and innovation. We have learned so much and are proud of the work they have done in building these financial education-related apps. Financial education is a cornerstone for US Bank and we take tremendous responsibility to help educate our customers and our communities. The Technovation[MN] teams have taught us so much and we are excited for their futures.”

“Participating in the Technovation Challenge is free for the girls, thanks to our awesome volunteers and mentors, and our generous sponsors” said Stayseth. “Our partnership with US Bank is one we want to model others after.

The US Bank team provided additional learning experience for these girls. Ones that had a real impact, like presenting to senior leadership in the board room on the 23rd floor. The hope is that someday, they’ll be sitting in that room again, only in a leadership role.”

For information on how to get girls involved and for volunteering and sponsorship opportunities go to www. technovationmn.org.

Classifieds

rights with a demonstration in Alabama that resulted in Brooks’ highly publicized arrest.

During a May 19 media call on the end of Brooks’ presidency, Russell and Vice Chair Derrick Johnson told reporters the search for a new leader will start immediately.

Russell also said he and Johnson would manage the dayto-day NAACP operations on an interim basis until a replacement for Brooks is found. They also announced a NAACP “listening

tour” in an effort to be informed “by the people we serve” and to “harness grassroots energy” while at the same time listening also to current staff, past leaders in the Civil Rights Movement and philanthropic groups.

The NAACP makes the leadership change at a crucial time as Attorney General Sessions easily represents one of the biggest threats to policy issues disproportionately impacting African-Americans.

The vote by the 64-member

NAACP national board to part ways with Brooks took place during a quarterly board meeting in Florida and on the same day that the Rev. Dr. William Barber stepped down as NAACP North Carolina State President. Barber has led the Moral Mondays movement in North Carolina and won political and public relations attention as a result. He is now focused on a diverse “poor people’s campaign” modeled after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work.

SAVE THE DATE! Building Strong Innovative Communities Together • Community Awards • Fundraising Dinner

LOCATION: U.S. Bank Stadium

AUGUST 3, 2017 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

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Clerk of Court U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota is accepting applications for a full-time Clerk of Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This position is located in the U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Court is seeking a Clerk of Court with experience as an administrator of a diverse and innovative organization, preferably in a court environment. This position has overall management authority and responsibility for the administrative activities of the Clerk’s Office, and oversees the performance of the statutory duties of the office. The position requires an individual who possesses the experience, management skills, and technical expertise necessary to anticipate and resolve complex administrative, operational, budgetary, and information technology challenges quickly and efficiently. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are required, along with a proven record of leadership and accomplishment.

The Clerk reports directly to the Chief United States District Judge, and communicates regularly with the district and magistrate judges and Clerk’s Office staff. The Clerk of Court works in collaboration with the Chief U.S. Probation Officer and the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects in managing a complex organization, preferably in a court environment. Salary range is $149,213 – $198,684, Depending on Qualifications. For more information visit the court’s website http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

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Frequent Filer (Office Assistant) Volunteer office assistants are needed in several areas. Multiple shifts available, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Midway area and downtown St. Paul locations limited reimbursement for parking expense or bus fare is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

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

TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer with Kids at East Side Learning Center. At East Side Learning Center build a life changing relationship by meeting the individual needs of diverse children on St. Paul’s East Side through one-on-one reading tutoring with K-2nd graders. Tutoring opportunities available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers tutor a minimum of one child, once a week for about 45 minutes. Training, materials, and on-site support are provided. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-793-7364 for more information on this or other volunteer opportunities or visit www.eastsidelearningcenter.org

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

Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org or picked up at Boulevard Gardens during office hours beginning at 9AM May 1, 2017 until 12PM July 31, 2017.

Brooklyn Center: Jehovah Jireh Church, 6120 Xerxes Ave. N., Brooklyn Center; Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Completed applications may be mailed or dropped off to Boulevard Gardens on or before August 14, 2017. All qualified Applicants will be placed on the waiting list in the order they are received.

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Page 10 • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Insight News

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Monday, June 5

performances.

COMEDY

Thursday, June 8

Open Mic Night Acme Comedy Co. 708 N. 1st St., Minneapolis 18-plus No cover Every Monday new comics try out their skills at Acme in downtown Minneapolis.

Tuesday, June 6 HIP-HOP

June 5 June 18 2017

Ackronem’s Summer School Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $3-$5 This series features Lyric Marid, Sieed Brown, Juice Lord, Omie Tha Homie and Rich Lee.

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

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

Wednesday, June 7 R&B John Legend Northrop Auditorium 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis 9 p.m. $82-$152 Fresh off the release of his new video, “Surefire” John Legend hits Minneapolis with the Darkness and Light tour.

Tickets are pricey but Legend is known for memorable

HIP-HOP Tupac Day Honey 205 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis 10 p.m.

21-plus $8 Celebrate the life and music of Tupac with dancing all night from DJ Airman Heat and host Big Wiz.

Friday, June 9 BLOCK PARTY Rondo Land Bridge Block Party 822 Old Rondo Ave., St. Paul 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Join ReConnect Rondo for a Rondo Land Bridge Block Party. There will be food, live music and activities for participants of all ages. There will also be an opportunity for the community to learn about the possibilities of a land bridge, ask questions and give input on what they’d like to see in their community moving forward. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, June 10 FASHION Out the Box: V2 Lightbox Studio

2600 26th St., Minneapolis 5 p.m. $15-$35 Royal Krew Productions is curating another edition of Out the Box Streetwear Fashion Show. Out the Box: V2, puts an emphasis on urban streetwear clothing, style, music, lifestyle and culture.

Tuesday, June 13

COMEDY

Tap That Tuesdays Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

21-plus $3-$5

Summer Comedy Jam Orpheum Theatre 910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis 8 p.m. $64-$128

Head to the Nomad on Tuesday for drinks, hip-hop DJs and live performances.

Mechanix Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $3

Wednesday, June 14 POP

Come check out a rare drum and bass night at Honey with Balance from the JVC, Chris Cause, Blazz, and Westin.

Monday, June 12 FUNK Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One) Fine Line Music Café 318 1st Ave N, Minneapolis, 7 p.m.

18-plus $20-$35 Seattle based producer Jake One joins forces with Michigan’s Mayer Hawthorne at Fine Line to form the duo, Tuxedo. DJ King Otto spins.

Friday, June 16

CLUB

Sunday, June 11 DRUM AND BASS

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Boyz II Men, Paula Abdul, New Kids on the Block Xcel Energy Center 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul $30-$200 Boyz II Men plays their classic hits for the crowd with Paula Abdul and co-headliners, New Kids on the Block.

Thursday, June 15 MUSICAL

DeRay Davis, Lil Duval, Elliot Vreeland, Shed G. and special guest host Faizon Love bring laughs to the Orpheum.

Saturday, June 17 GATHERING HWMR Presents: The BOMA H. White Men’s Room 1500 44th Ave. N., Minneapolis 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The “Boma” or traditional African gathering place, will be a barbecue on the Northside with Joe Davis and the Poetic Diaspora, Niles, Dahlia Jones, Delphin Star and Ashli R’ Nai Henderson.

Sunday, June 18 FESTIVAL

“Ghost: The Musical” Old Log Theatre 5185 Meadville St., Excelsior 7:30 p.m. $35

Stone Arch Bridge Festival Water Power Park 206 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This live adaptation of the 1990s hit film includes local musicians and actors. “Ghost: The Musical” runs Sept. 23

Hip-hop/funk/jazz band, Ayvah, plays the Stone Arch Bridge Festival at 2 p.m. on the Water Power Park stage.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A SECRET HIDEOUT/CONSPIRACY FACTORY/SEAN DANIEL COMPANY PRODUCTION

TOM CRUISE “THE MUMMY” ANNABELLE WALLIS SOFIA BOUTELLA JAKE JOHNSON COURTNEY B. VANCE EXECUTIVE PRODUCED MARWAN KENZARI AND RUSSELL CROWE MUSICBY BRIAN TYLERSCREEN PRODUCERS JEB BRODY ROBERTO ORCI

BY ALEX KURTZMAN p.g.a.

CHRIS MORGAN SEAN DANIEL p.g.a. SARAH BRADSHAW STORYBY JON SPAIHTS AND ALEX KURTZMAN & JENNY LUMET SCREENPLAY DIRECTED

BY DAVID KOEPP AND CHRISTOPHER MCQUARRIE AND DYLAN KUSSMAN

BY ALEX KURTZMAN A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

© 2016 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IMAX® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION.

LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 9 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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Insight News • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Page 11

Now a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, Expressions Graphic T-Shirt Day Party has become one of the most anticipated party events in the Twin Cities. Nearly

600 people partied with Thee Urbane Life and DJs Nune and Miss Brit (who killed it) while showing off their expressive t-shirts and enjoying the unofficial kickoff

to summer. Insight News photographer David Bradley was on hand to capture the scene for this week’s edition of Snapshots.

Sculpture Garden Reopens June 3

WALKER WIDE OPEN

David Bradley

Craig Chapman and Ella Amanda Chapman (who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary) expressing power in two different forms.

Briana McCall Cress celebrating her birthday.

Lasha Raddatz, Marc Edwards and Kenyatta McCarty enjoying the sun.

Marion Dooley and Melanie Lewis at Expressions.

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OPEN TO ALL SIZES

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen Spoonbridge and Cherry 1985–1988 Collection Walker Art Center; Gift of Frederick R. Weisman in honor of his parents, William and Mary Weisman, 1988 ©Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

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Explore art, race and a nation on stage through the prism of the African American experience.

MNHS: HISTORY FOR ALL With the start of the new summer season, the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is happy to introduce new experiences at Historic Fort Snelling alongside the traditional military stories.

Beginning June 10, visitors will begin to find new approaches and opportunities to connect with narratives of the past through guided tours, demonstrations, performances, exhibits, and conversations that expand the diverse stories of the people who crossed paths here. These new opportunities will complement the current historic program by expanding to include the stories of free and enslaved African Americans, Native Americans, and Japanese Americans, all within the context of the fort and the land upon which it resides.

These new opportunities will allow a more complete telling of the lives of the diverse people who lived at

or traveled on the land over the past 10,000 years. The new programs include special Saturday theatrical programs and presentations about African American, Dakota, and Ojibwe communities. For individual program dates and times, please check the Historic Fort Snelling website at historicfortsnelling.org.

I hope you will take some time this summer to visit us at Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote and discover the many stories that make up the history of Minnesota, and why this place matters today.

MELANIE ADAMS Melanie Adams, PhD, is the senior director of Guest Experience and Educational Services at the Minnesota Historical Society. In this role she oversees MNHS programs, exhibits, and historic sites located throughout the state, which serve one million people per year.

Mathew LeFebvre event June 6 • 6 pm • FREE Behind the Seams – Costume Designing August Wilson's Plays Tickets mnhs.org/calendar

NOW ON VIEW 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., Blvd St. St Paul Paul, MN 55102

Page 12 • June 5 - June 11, 2017 • Insight News

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Ruben Studdard digs deep for soulful Sam Cooke classic been silent for years. So, we’ll make songs specifically to teach children manners, math, and science and the guy I’m working with is really big on STEM education and trying to incorporate that into our music to help children in different

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor

If anyone’s been asking whatever happened to Ruben Studdard, they probably haven’t been paying too much attention.

In the 13 years since he brightened the world of pop music with his “American Idol”-winning romantic balladry, Studdard has warmed the hearts of his huge fan base with five albums and has toured with the various artists like Lalah Hathaway, Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, CeCe Winans and David Foster.

And he’s done a whole lot more, including the just completed and powerful new version of Sam Cooke’s classic, “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Studdard, 38, said that he initially wanted to sing the song for a civil rights event in Birmingham, Ala. “It was a big event and Dr. Henry Panion, III was producing and conducting the orchestra and it turned into a PBS special during Black History Month,” said Studdard.

The crooner added that Panion, his mentor, asked if he’d sing and the former “Idol” champ didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve always been a fan of that song and the importance of the material inclined me to do it,” said Studdard.

Panion has been lauded for his work with a who’s who in music, including Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Chaka Khan, the Winans, Aretha Franklin, Tramaine Hawkins, and “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Studdard.

“Ruben really does shine and I think it’s a great joy working with him,” said Panion, whose works are programmed throughout the United States by many of the country’s major orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Cleveland

ways.”

Another album also should debut soon, Studdard said.

For now, however, he’s pushing the release of “A Change is Gonna Come,” which came on the heels of former President Barack Obama’s

final days in office, when he designated Birmingham Civil Rights District as a national monument.

“Sam Cooke’s original became an anthem to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s,” Panion said. “We believe that

Ruben’s new version is right on time. Everybody could use a little soul and inspiration.”

The single is currently available on iTunes and GooglePlay.

Jyle Dupuis/Wikimedia Commons

Ruben Studdard’s new take on the Sam Cooke classic “A Change is Gonna Come” is available on iTunes and GooglePlay. This photo was taken in February 2009.

Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, and the National Symphony.

Studdard has always been a student of music and there’s talk of him doing a Christmas album of Luther Vandross songs, Panion added.

Studdard also continues to work on producing a children’s show called, “Uncle Ruben’s House,” that he hopes will debut in the fall.

“It’s a labor of love just having to learn the techniques and how to communicate with kids from two to eight; it’s really phenomenal,” said Studdard. “My mom is an educator, she was like a child whisperer and that market has

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