Insight News ::: 12.12.11

The MacPhail Community Youth Choir Release Party MORE ON PAGE 5

INSIGHT NEWS December 12 - December 18, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 50 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Wuqiao: Acrobatic legacy Led by Asian Media Access, collaborated with East Culture Center, Pan Asian Arts Alliance and Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center, a unique Chinese Acrobatic Performance – “Fenmo - The Beauty of the Acrobatics” will be presented during the Holiday Season on Dec. 16 & Dec 17.

“Fenmo” is jointly presented by the two top rated performing groups from China - Jiangsu Performing Arts Group and China Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe - the birthplace of the Chinese Acrobatic. The Show will include many spectacular acrobatic acts like: Lion Dance, Bench Stacking, Juggling, Air Acrobatics, Flower Pot Stacking, Changing Faces, Rolling Lanterns, Straw Hat Juggling, Hoop Jumping, and Martial Arts.

Chinese acrobatics has a very long history and is an excellent and precious cultural legacy of the Chinese nation. There are a lot of acrobatics village in China, e.g. Liaocheng of Shandong Province, Yancheng of Jiangsu Province, Puyang of Henan Province, Tianmen of Hubei Province, Guangde of Anhui Province, Wuqing of Tianjin, and Wuqiao, Suning and Bazhou of Hebei Province. However, as to the history and the influence at home and abroad, Wuqiao is

Pan Asian Arts Alliance

the most famous.

Wuqiao County is internationally recognized as the birthplace of Chinese acrobatics.

Its fame is drawing an increasing number of visitors, who come for the superb display of both modern and traditional acrobatic skill. The Troupe also hosts annual Wuqiao International Acrobatic Arts Festival to recreate the historical moment – the History of Wuqiao County records that lamps lighted up the whole county of Wuqiao for three days during festivals, people set off firecrackers and performed acrobatics, and the local feudal officials did not practice curfew in the period.

The tomb murals of the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550) in the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (386-581) unearthed from Xiaomachang Village of Wuqiao County in 1958 depict the performances of handstands, plate spinning, deft horsemanship and so on. However, it was after the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that acrobatics of Wuqiao gained much reputation. Before that, acrobatics in Henan Province was much influential. After the Yuan Dynasty was established, the capital was moved from Kaifeng of Henan to Beijing, and the acrobatics in Wuqiao of Hebei, which neighbors Beijing, began to prosper and

FENMO TURN TO 8

Golden Valley honors Gleason Glover

By Maury Todd Glover

©2011 McClaurin Solutions

Irma and Monique at the famous Laduree Chocolate Shop

Artspeak: Paris Noir (Black Paris) Artspeak

By Irma McClaurin, PhD Black Paris exists. Those who inhabit it are expatriates like the deceased American writers James Baldwin and Richard Wright who felt that living in France gave them a freedom they could not find in their home land, the United States

of America.

But there are also the off-springs of French and Black unions, people from the countries France once colonized (Senegal, Mali, Algeria—to name a few), immigrants from Morocco, Turkey, and other places like Cuba, and American Jazz musicians like drummer John Betsch who view France as a music mecca.

And then there are the ordinary people of all racial and cultural persuasions who visited once and never left,

PARIS TURN TO 8

Education

The best gift for our students

PAGE 4

In the 17 years since my father, Gleason Glover, died of a heart attack, he has been honored in a number of ways. The building that is home to the Minneapolis Urban League, the social service organization he helped guide for 25 years, now bears his name as does a scholarship through the Minneapolis Foundation that helps young people of color go to college. But perhaps the most recent and unexpected way he is being remembered is no less gratifying for his family:

Gleason Glover his induction into the Golden Valley Hall of Fame.

GLOVER TURN TO 7

Toyota earns top honors ATLANTA, GEORGIA — November 4, 2011 – The National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.®, (NMSDC®) presented Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) with the prestigious “Corporation of the Year” award at a blacktie awards banquet to cap its four-day conference and business opportunity fair in Atlanta, Georgia.

Health

Negro, please!

PAGE 6

NMSDC’s Corporation of the Year award is the most sought-after honor for major corporations that are dedicated to improving the overall participation of Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in the global corporate supply chain.

“This recognition is reserved for corporations that fully embrace the value that minority suppliers bring to the corporate supply chain,”

said NMSDC President Joset Wright. “Toyota’s commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development is firmly embedded in the corporate culture. Its comprehensive, world-class supplier diversity process is worthy of replication.”

In winning the award, TEMA demonstrated a strong commitment to building capacity and capability of minority businesses within

Business

Not having money interferes with making money

PAGE 7

their corporation and in partnership with NMSDC. The company led two modules of NMSDC’s Centers of Excellence program – a network of regional business modules comprised of corporate supplier diversity/ purchasing executives and minority business enterprise (MBE) owners.

TOYOTA TURN TO 5

Lifestyle

Wilson named pastor at Glendale SDA

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Insight News • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Page 3

Standing for freedom

By Benjamin Todd Jealous President and CEO of the NAACP Our voting rights are under attack.

In legislatures across the county, misguided state politicians have proposed, and in too many cases have passed, laws that create obstacles to voting. That is why on December 10th – International Human Rights Day – we are taking a principled stand for freedom in New York City to let the world know that we will not sit back and let our right to vote be taken away.

Over the last 12 months, 34 states have introduced voter suppression legislation, with laws passing in 14 of those states and bills pending in eight. These suppressive laws take many forms, but in each case they disproportionately impact people of color, working women, bluecollar workers, students, seniors, and immigrants.

In some states like Wisconsin and Ohio, lawmakers are limiting access to the polls by cutting or even eliminating early and Sunday voting opportunities.

These significant cuts force parents, blue-collar workers, students and seniors who do not have the luxury of a flexible schedule to stand in polling lines for as many as eight hours.

In states like South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Texas, politicians have used the threat of voting fraud to move bills requiring voters to acquire governmentissued photo identification before

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

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

they cast a ballot. However, studies show that a person is more likely to be struck by lightning than to impersonate someone in the polling booth. Moreover, while states are required to provide photo identification for free, the underlying instruments needed to obtain the identifications, like a

certified copy of a birth certificate, can in fact be very expensive. In this way, the new laws become a sort of poll tax for certain individuals.

Other creative voter suppression measures are making their way into law across the country. They include bills

stripping voting rights from rehabilitated criminal offenders, eliminating same-day voter registration or voting, and targeted purging of African Americans and Latinos on registered voter rolls.

These attacks on voter participation mimic those used nearly a century ago in the lead up

to the Jim Crow era. The lesson we learned then surely applies today – that an attack on voting rights is merely a gateway to further restrictions on our rights, including our right to organize, our right to clean air, our right to negotiate, and even our right to privacy.

Our democracy is far too

important to allow self-serving politicians to suppress the vote.

We must defend our rights. We must have our voices heard. On December 10th, we must stand for freedom.

For more information, please visit our website www.

Stand4Freedom.org.

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EDUCATION

The best gift for our students Building Creative Capital

By Bernadeia H. Johnson MPS Superintendent As we enter the holiday season and the season of giving, I wanted to reach out to our families and friends in Minneapolis. The best gift that a child can receive is your support in his or her pursuit

of a high-quality education experience.

There is nothing more important than preparing students to be successful. I see the future leaders of Minneapolis and our world in the bright eyes and intelligence of our students.

The most essential factor driving student achievement is the effectiveness of classroom teachers. The day-to-day teaching and learning that happens in Minneapolis schools is foundational for student success in school and beyond. This is why I continue to emphasize

two critical areas to increase student achievement: focused instruction, or aligning what we teach with how we teach and how we measure student progress, and teacher evaluation, or ensuring that every classroom has an effective teacher by evaluating and providing supports to ensure the best possible outcomes for students.

Every day in the Minneapolis Public Schools, teachers and staff members devote themselves to giving wholeheartedly to students.

We give time, resources and knowledge. And we give with a

purpose – preparing our students for the many milestones that they will reach on their educational journey. We are teaching our students to read and write, to make the best decisions in school and in life and to succeed in the real world. Our students receive an urban education that prepares them to be global citizens.

We challenge our students to work hard and work smart inside the classroom and in their community. However, with dwindling resources available to public schools and the complex challenges of being an urban

school district, I know we need our entire community to assist in achieving our vision of making every child college or career ready.

Giving matters – for our community, for our students and for their families. Some days it might seem as though the world is rocking beneath you or weighing you down as your to-do list continues to grow, but it is simple to give. Give encouragement. It’s free, and it reaches immeasurably far. Encourage a student to show up to school on time and ready to learn. Your encouragement can

give a child fuel to rocket toward graduation and launch into college and a career.

In Minneapolis, we have always taken the stance that we are trailblazers and innovators. We are part of the solution. Investing in our students pays off in ways that provide a positive ripple of hope throughout the community.

Giving of your time, talents and treasures makes a difference in the lives of young people. Thank you for your spirit of giving. I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Zone will support North High growth

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer North High School will have a designated attendance area for the 2012-2013 school year that includes the Bethune and Bryn

Mawr attendance areas.

This attendance area is in addition to the citywide option for all MPS high school students. Students who request North High School outside of Zone 1 will be eligible for a Metro Transit Go To Card.

Students who live in Zone 1

outside the one-mile walk zone, will be eligible for MPS yellow bus transportation.

According to US Census data 2010, the Bethune area has 245 students and Bryn Mawr has 99, giving a total of 344 potential incoming 9th graders for 2012.

There are 148 8th graders living

in Bethune and Bryn Mawr attending a Minneapolis Public School.

The attendance zones were chosen, because of North’s location in the Bethune attendance area, and the proximity of the Bryn Mawr attendance area to North Area.

62 of the 148 MPS 8th graders attend Anwatin in the Bryn Mawr area and the rest are spread out amongst the Zone 1 K-8’s.

According to the April 1, 2010 census, Zone 1 is composed of 148 8th graders from the North attendance zone, 362 from

Henry and 162 from Edison, giving a total of 672 8th graders.

The potential of incoming 9th graders from this attendance zone is 1,067 students.

Students who live in the 1C, 1D area will have first priority to attend North High.

Insight for healthy relationships Man Talk

By Timothy Houston From the moment I agreed to write this column as I shook Al McFarlane’s hand at the Kente Summit this past weekend, I was committed to write about healthy relationships. I am convinced that healthy relationships build healthy

families and healthy families build healthy communities. I am keenly aware that our community is suffering from broken and dysfunctional relationships, and I too am concerned about the state of the Black family. I also believe that despite all of these obstacles, we are all empowered to do something about it. On this past Saturday, despite the snow, I headed out to the Kente Summit with this mission in mind.

This powerful one day summit was the gathering of 75 Black college male students from 8 different private institutions.

I along with other prominent leaders was invited to come

present. Despite the fact that there were other excellent presenters and 4 sessions to choose from in the same time slot as mine, over 25 young men chose my session on healthy relationships.

I was amazed and excited about their response to the subject of healthy relationships which is often ignored or maligned in the media today. As we engaged in an open, honest dialogue about the 4 pillars that support a committed relationship, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the steps to choosing the right mate, these young men were active, animated, and enthusiastically engaged.

Some studiously took notes as if they were preparing for a final exam, while others remained after the session for additional information.

These young men are not alone in their quest for relationship knowledge. As I have toured around the country sharing from my book “Men are Dirt: Insight for healthy relationships,” men of all race, creed, and color approach me seeking information.

In hospital and hotel lobbies, break rooms and barber shops, they come seeking tools to make their relationship better. Some come with my book in hand, while others with their heart, but

despite their success or setbacks, they keep coming. It is clear to me from this and other experiences that men want their relationships to work, but many lack the tools necessary to build successful ones. Information is power, and power is transferable. In order to heal what ails our community we must gear up ourselves with the right equipment to build healthy families.

Twenty-five young college men were positively impacted by my session this weekend, and I by them. I am both inspired and energized to keep working to give men and women the information and tools to build

healthy relationships to make healthy families. I invite you all to continue to join me weekly as I share relationship insight from a man’s perspective. This valuable information will help you be a conduit and catalyst to the young men and women in your circle of influences and positively impact our community.

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

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Insight News • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS MacPhail Community Youth Choir releases new CD J.D. Steele (of the Steele family singers) and MacPhail Center for Music have brought together youth in grades 7-12, from all corners of the Twin Cities, all walks of life, to join hands and voices in a new youth choir now in its second year. The choir, The MacPhail Community Youth Choir (MCYC), is led under the direction of Steele. The 50 choir members are comprised of youth from all areas of the Twin Cities.

The MCYC is free and open to students of all skill levels and abilities, thanks to MacPhail donors and a grant from COMPAS. Rehearsals are every Saturday at the historic Capri Theater in north Minneapolis. Steele said this is a great opportunity for the students to learn music techniques they won’t get anywhere else, covering all genres of music, including jazz, gospel, pop and East African.

“The MCYC allows the kids to experience something different in fellowship as well as music,” Steele said.

“It raises their self-esteem when they have to perform professionally. It’s amazing to see how they change and develop. When kids have the opportunity to shine, they reflect it back bright and shiny!”

The talents of these kids will be showcased on the group’s first CD, “Love as One,” set to release at a MCYC Release Party on December 17, 7:30pm MacPhail Center for Music, 501 South 2nd Street in downtown Minneapolis.. The party is free and open to the public with all who attend to receive a download card with a code to access the music online.

The CD features 10 original songs, 8 by Steele and 2 student-written songs.

Toyota

spend. The increase earned TEMA entry into the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and was realized during a challenging time for the company. During this down time, the company also deployed resources to its supply base that saved 40,000 jobs and ensured readiness for return to normal production.

Additionally, the automaker facilitated the creation of four new minority joint ventures that will provide more than $250M in new MBE spend annually. TEMA also increased spend with professional service MBEs by adding spend in areas such as marketing, accounting and legal services.

With a focus on Tier 2, the automaker added more stringent measures to hold their direct suppliers more accountable for utilizing minority suppliers. The result was an increase of more

From 1 The program uses NMSDC “best practices” for minority supplier development to enhance corporate supplier diversity processes and build capacity for MBEs. To date, seven participating MBEs companies were awarded business directly with Toyota.

The automaker also sponsored two companies in NMSDC’s Corporate Plus® program, a special classification for minority businesses with proven success in executing national contracts and the capacity to handle more.

TEMA showed its commitment to the growth of minority suppliers by spending $1.5 billion with MBEs in 2010 – a 36% increase over its 2009

MacPhail Community Youth Choir

than 30% in Tier 2 spend.

In support of Tier 2, TEMA hosts an annual diverse business exchange to help their suppliers connect with potential certified minority businesses. A “best practice” for second tier minority business development, last year’s event resulted in more than $60 million in new contracts for minority businesses.

Active engagement with the NMSDC network also contributed to TEMA’s selection as Corporation of the Year. The company participates with NMSDC and its affiliate councils, holding corporate membership with 10 councils and executive leadership roles with four. TEMA’s senior executives lead the company’s commitment to minority businesses and shared internal best practices with their peers

by speaking at eight events last year.

At its banquet, NMSDC also presented awards for individual leadership in Minority Supplier Development, Suppliers of the Year and Regional Council of the Year.

Marianne Strobel, assistant vice president of global supplier diversity at AT&T, received the Minority Supplier Development Leader of the Year award in recognition of exemplary development programs for minority business owners, as well as exceptional leadership and impact throughout corporate America.

AT&T is a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and also spent $1.3 billion with its Tier 2 suppliers in 2010.

Four top minority businesses were recognized as National Suppliers of the Year

in recognition of their business acumen and excellence in community service. They are: Circle One, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, in the category for businesses with sales less than $1 million; Way To Be Designs, LLC of Hayward, California, among firms with $1 million to $10 million in sales; Homestead Packaging Solutions, Inc., of Roswell, Georgia, in the category for businesses with sales between $10 million and $50 million; and Group O, Inc., in Milan, Illionis, for firms with sales greater than $50 million.

Twelve minority businesses were honored as Regional Suppliers of the Year. They are BridgeWork Partners, Lewisville, Texas; C.D. Moody Construction Company, Inc., Lithonia, Georgia; D.W. Morgan Company, Pleasanton, California; Gonzalez Saggio

& Harlan, LLP, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute, Inc. (MEI), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Red Brown Klé, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; República, LLC, Miami, Florida; SHI International Corp., Somerset, New Jersey; SearchPros Staffing, LLC, Citrus Heights, California; Superior Maintenance Company (SMC), Elizabethtown, Kentucky; TKT & Associates, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky; and Translation Plus, Inc., Hackensack, New Jersey.

The Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council earned Regional Council of the Year honors for providing outstanding service to hundreds of corporations and minority businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan area.

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HEALTH

Negro, please!

Murua (Swahili for ‘Respect’)

By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. Last month I placed an application with the Secretary of the State’s office to participate on one of the state boards. After receiving the notice about the board vacancy, I was very excited about being able to volunteer to serve and as soon as I got home I began to complete the applications. The form was like most applications and solicited information about my contact information as well as my qualifications to serve.

Also on the form was basic information asking about my political affiliation, which district I would represent, if selected

and my race/ethnicity. That was when the proverbial stuff hit the fan. As I began to complete the demographics section, I noticed that my choices were listed as follows: “African American/ Black/Negro.”

That’s right, NEGRO! I could not believe it.

I was put out that I called and left emails with the Secretary of State’s office. Their explanation was that the U.S. Census Bureau still referred to Black folks as “Negros” and that is why we will stay listed as “Negros” in Minnesota.

Such an egregious systemic error only exacerbates the problem that most of us, as people of color, face. We are living in a system that is perpetuating racial “backwardness.” The reason that I was so offended was that just before we were called “Negros” we were called “Colored” and just before that we were called the “N” word. The reason that the Secretary of State never

noticed that “Negro” was an issue is that many of us “Negros” do not volunteer to serve on these committees. Therefore, no one probably noticed. The other, more important reason for which they did not notice is that the Secretary of State’s office is obviously filled with staff who have created the form under the auspices of white privilege.

A few weeks ago, I participated in a fabulous “Undoing Racism” conference during which a European American brother, Joe Feagin, presented his work on “the White Racial Frame.” Basically, Dr. Feagin contended that white people perceive everything from a perspective that is built on privilege and exploitation of people of color—especially African Americans. He went on to describe that because Americans are not taught our racial history, we have the disadvantage of understanding the origins from which our prejudices are derived.

His book describes how America

is the only country in the world that from it’s origins had slaves as a core foundation of its capitalistic, economic system.

The perpetuation of that “slave mentality” persists to this very day. Thus, when people like Newt Gingrich propose ideas like “making poor inner-city youth (code for Black kids) work as janitors in school” instead of having a full day of education like rich white kids, that is

as being legitimate.

In my work, I look at how systems are designed to maintain the status quo and continue to abuse power in order to maintain dominance over ethnic minority groups. Power is generally affiliated with economic opportunities, economic liberties, and economic influence. Thus, groups in society that are not economically viable, independent and secure tend to be manipulated

“... when people like Newt Gingrich propose ideas like “making poor innercity youth (code for Black kids) work as janitors in school” instead of having a full day of education like rich white kids, that is another way of holding on to the power of white racial framing. ” another way of holding on to the power of white racial framing.

When Black people like Herman Cain get caught up in saying that other Black people are on welfare and are lazy, he shows that he has bought into the white racial frame

by those who have power. That is why it is so critical for us as a community of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic people to fight for our children to be properly educated and our families to have economic security.

The Minneapolis Urban League has introduced a program called “Family Connections” that focuses on providing economic and educational support to families who are on aid (government assistance) through the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

Participants on MFIP are generally required to either be in school or verify that they are actively seeking employment or be involved in some type of productive tasks that lead to their development. This program provides participants with a holistic approach to dealing with life challenges. The program was to begin in September by hosting up to 50 parents as participants in several day-long learning and service opportunities. The courses include helping parents learn about a variety of life skills that will move them from a “surviving mode” to a “thriving mode.” Classes include topics such as: (1) Credit/Finances/ Money Management, (2) Promoting Academic Success in your Child; (3) Strategies for Health/Wellness/Nutrition; (4) Positive Parenting Techniques; and (5) Finding A Job and a Career that Fits You. Participants in the program would be able to have an opportunity to meet federal productivity guidelines by being involved in this special project. Likewise, their children will benefit from a strong afterschool tutoring program designed just to meet their needs. Finally, the program provides parents and their children with activities that will facilitate healthy family relationships, healthy modeling and teaching paradigms, and opportunities for both the parents and their youth to learn together.

Sadly, multiple systemic barriers have made it difficult for parents to participate in this program.

So, if you (or somebody you know) is a participant in the MFIP program and you have at least one child who is in the 5th to 9th grade, please sign up for the Family Connections Program today by calling our offices at 612-302-3140 or 763-522-0100.

HEALTH TURN TO 9

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Insight News • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Page 7

BUSINESS Not having money interferes with making money Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Reader Joe G. asks, “Is it really legal to not hire someone because of bad credit? I just heard I am not getting jobs because of my credit history.”

Glover From 1 After moving to Golden Valley with my stepmother Dr. Sharon Tolbert Glover in the early 80’s, my father considered Golden Valley his home. North Minneapolis may have been where “his people” were, but Golden Valley was where the little moments that made up his family life happened. Whether he was teasing my sister Stephanie about having a crush on one of the bag boys at the Byerly’s on Duluth Street; finding out from neighbors that my brother Gleason had thrown a party at the house on Sumpter Ave. while he was away getting some much needed relaxation or embarrassing me by singing along with Boy George and Culture Club while driving down Olympia Street after picking up a couple of my classmates for a sleepover; or later in life, walking along Louisiana Ave. with his bride and one of his beloved dogs Pierre or Tony, this quiet community always held a special place in his heart.

So it was particularly moving when more than 200 people got together including Glover family members, old and new staff from the Urban league and longtime friends and associates for a luncheon at the Golden Valley County Club last Friday to celebrate the city’s 125th Anniversary. There along with such local and national icons as Don Byerly (founder of Byerlys) and Better Crocker (the signature brand of Golden Valley based General Mills), Gleason Glover (who, the program said, worked tirelessly for the goal of equality for all) was one of five “people” inducted into Golden Valley’s first ever Hall of Fame. The city cited his work building coalitions encouraging minority hiring at places like General Mills, Dayton’s and the Minneapolis Fire Department; his long discussions with the Minneapolis Police Department about just treatment of Blacks; and his lifelong mission of exposing social injustices in our region and in our nation were just some of the reasons for the honor. He would say the doors of government and business are slammed shut to minorities and someone has to pry them open.

As I write this, I am listening to gospel great Walter Hawkins’ “Going Up Yonder”, which Dad would play on many a Saturday

The short answer, Joe, is yes, it is legal to decline to hire someone because of their credit situation. That said, employers who do make hiring decisions based on credit information are required by law to follow procedures so a candidate is aware of how the decision was made, and to ensure that the information obtained is not used for any purpose other than for hiring and promotion decisions.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers cannot run a credit

check without an applicant’s written consent. Once signed, that consent form allows an employer to request credit reports in the future for promotion and retention decisions. They only have to ask you once for your permission to obtain credit information.

If a credit report has any influence, even if it is not the primary weight used to make a hiring or promotion decision, the company is required by FCRA to promptly provide a copy of the credit report and inform the

or Sunday morning. When Dad really got going in a speech, he sounded like a preacher in church, trying to lead his people to the promised land of racial equality

and diversity. We may not be there yet, but as far as his induction into the Hall of Fame goes, I think my father would say Amen.

applicant of his or her right to challenge the report.

Many candidates successfully challenge the information in a credit report and go on to get hired. Review your report carefully. It is not uncommon to find errors, particularly if you have a common name. In cases where credit problems result from stolen identity, be prepared to explain the situation and support your story with documentation. Remember that,

until hired, every conversation is part job interview. If you handle your challenge professionally and calmly, you will make a positive impression on your managers. If you become irate or annoying, it will only solidify the decision someone has already made about whether you belong on the team.

Applicant credit checks are on the rise just as America’s credit is collectively riding a steep downward slope. Candidates who feel discouraged should

realize two things: you are not the only one in your situation and not every company does background checks. Work hard to get your credit back on track, and remember that getting a job will help. In other words, keep trying.

Julie Desmond is Talent Manager for Lake Region Staffing.

Write to Julie@insightnews. com and follow on Twitter @ MNCareerPlanner.

Page 8 • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Insight News

Paris From 1 people I had the pleasure of meeting like Colin G., who dreamed of living in Paris and one day just walked away from the routine drudgery of their day jobs or daily traumas in Newark, New Orleans, or anyplace USA. There are also people like Vincent from Martinique who came to study piano and is still there. They arrived in Paris, and simply never left.

You see them on the trains, in the jazz clubs, at the cafes, in

Fenmo From 1

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the brassieres, and they make their living in lots of different ways. What probably marks most is their entrepreneurial spirit, and so you can have a research scientist like Monique who works in research, but also runs a tour agency where she introduces you to the Paris she knows. Colin has an apartment complex that he rents out and his home is a modern-day salon where people of all kinds mix together over exceptional food, lots of wine, good music, conversations in French and English and anything in between.

Paris continues to attract African and African American researchers from all walks of

the academy (literature, art, film, jazz studies, African American Studies, American Studies) like Drs. Trica Keaton (Vanderbuilt), Bryan Carter (U Central Missouri), Stephany Spaulding (U Colorado), Manitha Diawara (NYU), Robert O’Meally (Columbia), and others I didn’t get a chance to meet. Their work provides critical perspectives on issues of race in France, tells stories of immigrants, traces the history of jazz, uses digital technology to create virtual environments and poses questions of ethics and accountability in the use of virtual worlds.

Paris is also still the stuff of which novels are made,

like that of Francine Thomas Howard, who has written a contemporary novel in the “tragic mulatto” vein set during the occupation of France during WWII; she brings to life the Black soldiers who helped to liberate France from the Germans, and describes the challenges of those whose countries like Martinique were colonized, and the difficulty of fitting in when you are in between (half Martinique – Black and half French-white).

All of this occurs in a city that never seems to sleep, wakes up late (hard to find anyone out at 7am), holds meetings over coffee and wine, and in cafes and has served as

a haven for Black American artists and expatriates (or simply the occasional traveler like myself) for several decades.

To learn more: http://www.amazon.com/ Paris-Noire-Francine-ThomasHoward/dp/1935597973 h t t p : / / w w w. a m a z o n . com/Paris-Noir-AfricanAmericans-Light/ dp/0395901405 h t t p : / / w w w. b l a c k p a r i s aadsvanderbilt.com/ www.discoverparis.net http://bcmini.squarespace. com/research/ http://jazzstudiesonline. org/?q=node/62 http://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/John_Betsch http://www.blackcultural studies.org/m_diawara/ diawara.html

was increasingly influential. The county has now become the home of Chinese acrobatics.

Located at the southeast tip of Hebei Province, Wuqiao County has a population of 270,000.

Acrobatic art has a wide mass foundation here, and almost each village has acrobats. People in Wuqiao today, young or old, often possess astonishing acrobatic ability. It is no wonder that the county has produced many of the most famous acrobats. This time China Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe will bring in their best acts to celebrate the holidays in MN. You don’t want to miss this true authentic Chinese Acrobatic show

– Fenmo!!

“Fenmo - The Beauty of the Acrobatics” performances Dec. 16 & Dec 17 7:30 pm nightly at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337.

Ticket price ranges from VIP: $50 (with Premiere Seating, and Event Booklet); Adult: $30; Children 12 and under, Senior 65 and above: $ 23. Tickets can be purchased through Asian Media

Access (612-376-7715), or in person at the BPAC Box Office, via Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or Ticketmaster.com. For more information or to arrange school tickets, please contact Asian Media Access at 612-376-7715 or visit www.panasianartsalliance. org.

This event is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Arts Board

through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Other major sponsors include: General Mills Foundation, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and Target Foundation.

Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News, an anthropologist, writer/poet, world traveler and former university president. She is the author of several books on anthropology and poetry, including two juvenile books on the Civil Rights Movement and Facing the Future in the Marshall Cavendish series The Drama of African American History (http://www. irmamcclaurin.com/onlinestore.php).

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Insight News • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Page 9

LIFESTYLE Wilson named pastor at Glendale SDA just before the age of seven and while in middle school was made elder-in-training.

He began preaching in high school.

Wilson attended Andrews University Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI where he earned the Masters of Divinity degree and served as part of the Communications Department and Youth Sabbath School Teacher for the Niles Philadelphia SDA Church in Niles, MI.

Pastor Victor R.T. Wilson Victor R.T. Wilson this summer was named Pastor of Glendale SDA Church, 1138 Glenwood Avenue in North Minneapolis.

Pastor Wilson joined Glendale SDA Church this past July after serving as pastor since the fall of 2006 for three churches in what he termed Indiana’s Jet-H district: Jeffersonville, IN, Evansville, IN and Terre Haute, IN under the direction of the Lake Region Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Wilson was born in Chattanooga, TN, baptized

Health From 6 My mother used to say that “Knowledge is power.” While we may have to continue to fight systems that still call us “Negros,” participating in programs such as the one at the Minneapolis Urban League provides us with valuable knowledge that leads to our personal power and ability to overcome systemic barriers.

Getting educated and participating in the Family Connections program is one way that we can all ‘undo” the systems that keep our communities down.

BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, serves as President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, and is the Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. The mission of the African American Child Wellness Institute is to promote the psychological and spiritual liberation of children of African Descent by providing culturally specific mental health services and by developing culture-based, holistic wellness resources, research, and practices.

Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice. To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by email @ bravadaakinsanya@ hotmail.com or by telephone at 612-302-3140 or 763-522-0100.

“Pastor Wilson loves God and is a very spiritual leader and excellent teacher. He is interested and has been involved in media ministry which he hopes to bring to the Twin Cities very soon,” said Liz Moore, Asst. Community Service Leader, Glendale SDA Church.

Wilson’s wife, Devonnett Wilson also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Youth Ministry from Andrews University. She and her husband have a special

passion for reaching our youth.

The couple has two children, Nia and “VJ”.

Community members and visitors are welcome to Glendale SDA Church services or special programs.

A Community Service Guest Day Program held last month honored community service volunteers was well attended.

Glendale SDA Sabbath School, Devine Worship Service and Bible Study are held on Saturdays at 9:30am, 11am

and 4pm respectively. Prayer Meeting is held Wednesdays at

7pm. For further information: 612-374-2335.

Page 10 • December 12 - December 18, 2011 • Insight News

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C OM M U N IT Y COMMUNIT RENTALS INH Property Management manages section 8 projects in the following cities in Minnesota.

Anoka Bridge Square 763-421-6772 Brainerd Mississippi Terrace 218-829-0274 Eden Valley Hillside 320-453-5968 Glenwood Glenview 320-634-3188 Hawley Northside Terrace 218-483-4524 Hutchinson Clinton House 320-587-5450 Isle Isle View 320-676-8624 Onamia Oakwood 320-532-4321 Pierz Kamic Lane 320-468-2581 Residents must meet income guidelines and the rent they pay will be 30% of their monthly income.

INH Property Management is an equal opportunity housing company.

North Minneapolis Neighborhood beat...

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer Interested in Joining or Leading a Block Club in Hawthorne?

Crime statistics go down drastically in the community when Hawthorne has active, responsible residents looking out for one another. There is training available to learn what to look for when monitoring the neighborhood, tips for staying safe, etc. Please call the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council at 612-5296033.

Harrison HNA will also hold a board meeting 7-8pm Monday, December 12 at 503 Irving Ave. N. For more information: Larry Hiscock, 612 374-4849.

GED Classes Sumner Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Blvd is now accepting enrollment for GED classes. A ten-dollar registration fee is required for material expense. All classes however are free. The classes are held mornings from 10:00amnoon and evenings from 6:30pm8:30pm Monday through Thursday.

For more information: 612 377-5399

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Nitra Nations, Inc. 2. State the address of the principal place of business: P. O. Box 11821, Mpls., MN 55411 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Revinia Curry, P. O. Box 11821, Mpls., MN 55411 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Jordan The Jordan Area Community Council will hold a housing and committee meeting 6:308pn Tuesday December 13 at Plymouth Christian Youth Center 2210 Oliver Ave. N. JACC will also have a board meeting 6:30-8:30pm Wednesday December 14 at the JACC office 2009 James Ave. N. Webber Camden The Webber Camden Neighborhood Organization, Minneapolis Park Board

and the Recreation Board will hold a public board meeting regarding Webber Park. The meeting is from 6:30-8:30pm Tuesday December 13 at Webber Park Recreation 4400 Dupont Av. N. For more information: Jennifer Rengald 612 230-6473 or cswenson@minneapolisparks.org

Park Board budget focuses on neighborhood parks, parkways, financial sustainability and service delivery. Public comment opportunities are scheduled for December 14. For more information, Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or LindBohanonNA@aol.com

Willard-Homewood The Willard Homewood Organization will have a neighborhood meeting 6-7pm Thursday, December 15 at North Point Health and Wellness Center 1315 Penn Av. N. For more information: Al McFarlane 612 695-0417 or al@insightnews.com

Get Paid Helping Northside Seniors & Disabled Adults The Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) serve North Minneapolis as two senior chore service agencies.

CEAP serves seniors north of 44th Ave. N. and NIP serves seniors south of 44th Ave. N. Both agencies have opportunities for individuals to earn $15 an hour doing snow removal and responsibilities as independent contractors. Both programs require individuals to be 18 or older and go through a criminal background check. Participants must also have their own shovel, or snow blower and provide own transportation to job sites. For more information: Jon Burkhow at 612-374-3322.

Loan Program Lind-Bohanon Neighborhood Association has partnered with the Center for Energy and Environment to administer home improvement programs.

LBNA loans create opportunities for more home loans and other neighborhood activities.

The loan has a 4% fixed rate financing, $15,000 maximum loan with no maximum income limit.

Eligible improvements include: most interior and exterior maintenance and remodeling. For more information: Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or LindBohanonNA@aol.com Minneapolis Park Board The proposed 2012 Minneapolis

Camden North United Methodist Church (NUMC) has a Church Clothes Closet 9am-Noon the first Saturday of each month and 6-8 pm the first Monday of each month at 4350

Fremont Ave. N. Donations are accepted. For further information: 612-522-4497.

Weight loss classes Weight loss classes for Black men take place every Friday from 6:308:30pm at Kwanzaa Church 2200 Emerson Ave. N. The class is a 12-week course for Black men who live with obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension. The cost ranges from $100 to $300 depending on training materials. Space is limited to the first 10 qualified participants. For more information: Kwasi Nate Russell 612-359-0077 or Kwasinate. russell009@gmail.com Volunteer opportunities The Target Meals for Minds program, in collaboration with Second Harvest Heartland will have volunteering opportunities to end the fight of hunger in North Minneapolis. A mobile food pantry will open once per month at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary 807 24TH Ave. N. The distribution dates are 5-7:30 Thursday, December 15, 5-7:30pm Thursday January 26 and 5-7:30pm Wednesday February 15.

For more information: Kris Jensen, Volunteer Coordinator 651-2162761 or visit www.2harvest.org/ volunteer

Signed by: Revinia Curry Date Filed: 06/10/2011 Insight News 12/12/2011, 12/19/2011

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Hats Off for Cancer at Sunday’s Best Boutique Sunday’s Best Boutique, formerly known as Just Churchin’it Fashions, announces a partnership with Hats Off For Cancer–a non-profit organizations that collects hats for courageous children who lose their hair during cancer treatments.

With each hat purchased through the end of December 2011, Sunday’s Best Boutique will make a contribution to Hats Off For Cancer.

Sunday’s Best owner Phyllis Gilliam has experienced cancer numerous times in her life. In 2009, 20 years after losing her mother to cancer (as well as a close aunt), Phyllis learned that she too had the disease. While she battled cancer, Phyllis opened a new business; one that would sell among other items a wonderful collection of formal hats. She now cancer-free and is thankful for the opportunity to give back.

“As a cancer survivor, I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like

Phyllis Gilliam for a child to go through cancer treatment, especially during the holiday season. I’m truly motivated by the mission of Hats

Off For Cancer’s and excited to help them out.”

Sunday’s Best Boutique features the Twin Cities best selection of high fashion “church” hats, as well as a full-line of men’s and women’s formal wear and jewelry. Located at 601 University Avenue (University at Dale-Frogtown Square Building), Sunday’s Best Boutique is open Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m. , Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.

Phyllis can be reached at 651.222.3337 or on Facebook.

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Insight News • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Page 11

Page 12 • December 12 - December 18, 18 2011 • Insight News

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