Insight ::: 2.17.20

WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News

February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 7• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE Juxtaposition

STORY ON PAGE 2

Page 2 • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Insight News

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WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 7• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Abdi Warsame becomes first Somali to lead a government agency in Minnesota

By Cynthia Simba, Mshale Reporter Minneapolis City Council Member Abdi Warsame was unanimously voted in by the board of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to be the agency’s new CEO and executive director, replacing interim executive director and CEO Tracey Scott.

The organization’s former executive director Greg Russ left the position in August after getting appointed as the head of New York City’s Housing Authority, the largest in the nation.

Warsame’s new appointment will create a vacancy in Minneapolis’ Ward 6 that he represents. A special election will need to be called to fill the remainder of his term which ends in 2021. Within hours of Warsame’s appointment to lead the authority, Suud Olat, an activist sent a message to Mshale via Facebook Messenger announcing he will run for Ward 6.

Warsame is set to lead an organization that has recently fallen under public scrutiny following a November fire in the authority’s Cedar High apartment complex left five people dead. Warsame said this tragedy was a motivating factor as to why he applied for this position.

“We should work toward making sure that tragedy doesn’t happen again,” Warsame said. “I lost five people there, friends, family, constituents, and that was one of the key moments that made me more determined to go for the role.”

Weeks after the fire Warsame wrote an amendment that allocated more than 2

Juxtaposition

ReCast: Changing the narrative; changing lives

By Davion Moore

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority CEO Abdi Warsame. million dollars in funds into Mayor Jacob Frey’s 2020 budget for public housing sustainability.

The funds are set to be utilized to make improvements to public housing units to ensure that they are well maintained and safe for residents.

Prior to serving as a council member representing Ward 6, Warsame was a board chair for the Cedar RiversideNeighborhood Revitalization Program that serves as a channel for information and resources that flow from the city into the Cedar Riverside/West Bank neighborhood. Warsame also held a position as the executive director of the Riverside Plaza Tenants Association, advocating for more than 5,000 residents in the neighborhood, many of whom are low income.

Following his appointment, Warsame has drawn criticism from community members who find his experience inadequate for the position. Defend Glendale and Public Housing Coalition, a group that regularly criticizes the housing authority’s decisions released a statement voicing concern on his appointment.

“Abdi Warsame is not qualified to lead MPHA (Minnesota Public Housing Authority) because he is not about the people,” the statement reads. “He and his best friend Mayor Jacob Frey have been very divisive and toxic in the East African communities of Minneapolis.”

Warsame has expressed increasing communication between

residents and the organization’s employees as a way to increase transparency and build stronger relationships between residents and the housing authority.

Warsame hopes to bring experience as a council member and involvement in public housing leadership into his new position. He also pointed to his upbringing in public housing in London as a lived experience.

Regarding his new role, Warsame stated that holding a position with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority “would be a noble mission” in serving Minneapolis residents as the city faces a growing affordable housing crisis.

The late Maya Angelou once said, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

Angelou’s powerful, eloquent words are as relevant today as when she said them.

Her words, along with other great minds of the world, should remind us that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done.

Throughout history, our society has encountered various misfortunes. These tragedies have left deep wounds that have yet to heal and affect today’s generation. Racism, police brutality, injustice, and hatred are still fresh in our minds and our hearts. These issues plague our society and leave us with a void that seems only to be filled with despair and fear.

Today’s generation

encounters these obstacles, but they are nothing new. Previous generations experienced these and worse. But with a generational gap between older and younger generations, we fail to understand each other. And in turn, the younger generations lack a true sense of their history.

In order to flourish and face our history with courage (as Angelou said), we need each other. We need to bond together and learn from our past so that we not only understand one another; we realize our strength as well. This is what ReCast and the Northside Oral History Project is all about.

The Resilience in Communities After Stress & Trauma (ReCast) Minneapolis program is a program dedicated to assisting high-risk youth and families and promoting resilience and equity in communities. This is dedicated to communities that have

RECAST 4

St. Paul mayor announces new capital improvement budget focused safety St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced the 2020 call for project ideas for the city’s capital improvement budget (CIB) process.

This year, community members are encouraged to submit ideas that focus on designing St. Paul for safety by incorporating a concept called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

“Designing our city for safety starts with ideas and input from our community,” said Carter. “I encourage everyone to get involved in shaping our 2020 capital investments by submitting their project idea today.”

Community members

Designing our city for safety starts with ideas and input from our community,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “I encourage everyone to get involved in shaping our 2020 capital investments by submitting their project idea today.

can learn about the capital improvement budget process, crime prevention through environmental design, and submit their capital project ideas at stpaul.gov/CIB. An information session open to the public about the 2020 CIB process will be held Tuesday (Feb. 25) from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St., St. Paul.

Project ideas will be accepted through March 4. The city’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee will review ideas and make a funding recommendation by June 30 for consideration as part of the mayor’s budget proposal.

NRRC Board Meeting NRRC’s monthly board meeting is Monday (Feb. 24) at 6:30 p.m. at Emerge Community Development, 1834 Emerson Ave. N. This will be an opportunity for community members to dialogue with board representatives and learn more about NRRC and what’s happening in the community.

Giving back Comcast presented a check for $2,500 to Community Emergency Action Program (CEAP) as part of the company’s recent ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of its Brooklyn Center Xfinity Store on Shingle Creek Parkway. Pictured are (left to right) Ron Orlando, vice president, External Affairs, Rachel Johnson, director, Xfinity Retail Sales and, Kalleah Kennedy, director of Advancement, CEAP.

News

What is momentum worth for presidential candidates?

PAGE 4

Harry Colbert, Jr.

George Reeves Jensen, 83, crashed his van into a crowded bus shelter on West Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis on July 9 seriously injuring five people.

Guilty plea in bus shelter crash, judge debates whether to accept George Jensen pleaded guilty on Feb. 5 to five counts of criminal vehicular operation for crashing into a bus shelter but the judge said he was not sure he would accept the plea.

Jensen, who lived in Champlain at the time of the crash and will turn 84 at the end of the month, will learn Hennepin County District Court Judge Jay Quam’s decision on April 20.

“I have to decide whether to accept this plea,” Quam said at the hearing. “I am not comfortable accepting it, yet, but I will listen, get all of the information I can and then decide.”

At the end of the hearing, he told Jensen and his lawyer that he wants Jensen to undergo a neurological exam and for the county attorney’s office to provide details on all of the victims’ injuries and any input they want to provide to the judge. Quam also asked to see the video of

the crash. Jensen’s attorney told the court that Jensen is in the early stages of dementia.

Jensen pleaded guilty to five felony counts of criminal vehicular operation, one count for each victim. In return, his sentence would be up to 23 months in prison, although he would not have to serve that time if he successfully completes three years of probation. Jensen also would be sentenced to 365 days in the workhouse, although he would not have to serve that time if he completes 100 hours of community service.

He also must pay restitution to cover the medical and other related costs of the victims.

During his guilty plea, Jensen admitted he was on Lyndale and Broadway Avenues in North Minneapolis an area he said he knew well, and he spoke to people near the bus shelter through his passenger

CRASH 7

I2H

Why a personalized diet can help you achieve better results

PAGE 5

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Insight News • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Page 3

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Page 4 • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Insight News

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Bloomberg campaign strategy engaging Black voters Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg opened additional field offices in Minnesota last week, siting and staffing the field offices in a way that reflects a direct strategy for increased engagement for Black voters.

The Bloomberg 2020 campaign also announced major endorsements by three Black political leaders including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, and mayors, Vi Lyles of Charlotte and Sylvester Turner of Houston.

Locally, Black paid staffers were among those greeting St. Anthony area volunteers at the Saturday afternoon opening of the St. Anthony field office, 2900 Pentagon Dr., St. Anthony.

Ijeoma Omeoga, Operations Deputy Director and Latoya Fleming, organizer, and organizers Mortez Frelix and Dayib Ahmed said while they expected about 20 or so people to check out the new space and consider volunteering, they were surprised by a turnout nearly double in size.

The same was true in St. Paul where turnout was twice the number expected, for Saturday’s opening of a field office in the heart of St. Paul’s historic Selby-Dale black community.

Bloomberg state directors say the strategy is gaining traction because it is centered on a platform of restoration, addressing historic racial inequities and race based public policy that denied opportunity to Black people.

Charlotte mayor Lyles, said Bloomberg’s commitment to create an

economy with high-quality jobs and economic opportunity for all, and his plan to address the threats posed by climate change, mean Bloomberg is best positioned to defeat Donald Trump in November.

“Mayor Lyles has served her city for decades, becoming one of the nation’s most trusted, respected voices for addressing our urgent challenges, from addressing climate change to creating equitable communities where all children can thrive, and I’m honored to have her support,” said Bloomberg. “Our campaign chose Charlotte to open its first field office in the country – it’s our launching pad to win back North Carolina and rebuild and reunite America.”

Lyles, the first AfricanAmerican woman mayor of Charlotte, previously served two terms on the Charlotte city council. She worked for the City of Charlotte for almost 30 years, starting off as an analyst in the city’s budget department before becoming budget director. She was assistant city manager for the city from 1996 to 2004.

Bloomberg has more than 125 staffers on the ground and eight offices in North Carolina, making it the largest campaign presence from any candidate for president in the state this cycle.

Houston mayor, Turner, also endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Bloomberg, motivated by the candidate’s national infrastructure vision for confronting challenges facing cities across the country and Bloomberg’s commitment to

helping under-resourced and underserved communities that have been ignored for too long.

Turner will serve as national co-chair for the campaign’s Infrastructure Council where he will advise on strategy and policy.

“We cannot allow American cities to be divided into cities of haves and have nots. That means creating economic opportunity in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked, and it means doing the hard work of overhauling our infrastructure so that citizens can go about their lives more efficiently and safely,” said Turner.

As Houston’s 62nd mayor, Turner has eliminated a $160 million budget shortfall in record time, led the city’s remarkable rebound from Hurricane Harvey, championed historic pension reform, expanded municipal investments in renewable energy and led the winning bid to host the World Petroleum Congress in 2020.

Last week in Houston, Turner and Bloomberg launched Mike for Black America, a program to engage Black Americans on key issues important to the Black community.

The organizing program features promotion of the Greenwood Initiative, a plan addressing systemic bias keeping many Black Americans from amassing generational wealth. The plan calls for an investment of $70 billion in the country’s 100 most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

It proposes creation of 1 million Black homeowners,

Gregory Meeks 100,000 new Black-owned businesses, and supports Black entrepreneurs by increasing access to capital.

New York Democratic congressman Meeks applauded the presidential candidate’s vision for improving the nation’s infrastructure and transportation systems.

“We need someone in the White House who will unite us behind the common purpose of rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure and driving our economy forward into the 21st century” Meeks said.

“I worked with Congressman Meeks during my time in City Hall, and his efforts in Washington helped New York City rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. He knows the importance of investing in sustainable infrastructure and building on Obamacare to make sure every America has access to affordable health care. I’m excited to welcome him as a co-chair for the Mike for Black America National Leadership Council,” Bloomberg said.

Meeks is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the Queens County Democratic Organization.

Sylvester Turner

Vi Lyles

Mortez Frelix and Dayib Ahmed

Ijeoma Omeoga and Latoya Fleming

What is momentum worth for presidential candidates?

By Daniel Palazzolo Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond Ernest B. McGowen III Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond TheConversation.com “We are the campaign with the strongest momentum in the state of New Hampshire,” Pete Buttigieg told a crowd in Nashua, N.H. last week.

“I’ve got the ‘Big Mo,’” said George H. Bush after winning the Iowa caucuses in 1980.

Following this year’s New Hampshire primary, won

by Bernie Sanders, observers of the 2020 Democratic primary will undoubtedly continue to hear claims from the candidates and the news media about “momentum” – the advantage a candidate gains after winning a primary election by a greater amount than predicted by polls taken before the election.

But what does it mean for a candidate to have momentum, and how will momentum affect the media’s coverage of the Democratic candidates in 2020? We view momentum as more than a talking point or a prized gift for the winner of the Iowa caucuses

www.insightnews.com

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Intern Kelvin Kuria

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Before the primary, Buttigieg said his campaign had the ‘strongest momentum.’

INSIGHT NEWS

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

above-average momentum.

Moreover, we saw even when Romney exceeded his average momentum, he was statistically more likely to receive negative coverage than his opponents.

Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Timothy Houston Michelle Mitchum Inell Rosario Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb Artist Donald Walker 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,

or New Hampshire primary.

When a candidate exceeds expectations in a primary or caucus, the media responds with favorable coverage, which in turn influences polls, donations and volunteers. Interestingly, the momentum of the insurgent has a stronger effect on media coverage than that of the frontrunner.

Measuring momentum In 2014, building on the research of political scientist John Aldrich, we devised a way to measure momentum numerically. We calculated pollsters’ expectations relative to total vote share, giving the candidate a bigger “bump” for exceeding expectations by a larger margin. The candidate who exceeds expectations the most relative to the size of their actual primary vote share receives the highest momentum scores.

These “momentum scores” are independent of electoral outcomes, like the accumulation of delegates from state elections.

We then used the scores to compare gains and losses in momentum with the

ReCast From 2 recently faced civil unrest through the implementation of evidence-based violence prevention and community youth engagement programs.

The ReCast program is funded through a multi-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), who created the program to support communities that protest after policeinvolved shootings of unarmed

media coverage after each primary election. To assess the amount and favorability of news coverage, we gathered data on the number of mentions and positive stories for each candidate in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post from Jan. 3 to March 12, 2012.

Who gained and lost in 2012 In examining the 2012 Republican primaries, we found that candidates with aboveaverage momentum receive more positive media coverage.

However, the relationship between momentum and media coverage depends on whether a candidate is the front-runner or a challenger.

The insurgent challenger got a stronger bump from momentum than the front-runner, who received more negative coverage even after securing wins in some primaries.

For example, Mitt Romney was the front-runner going into the Iowa caucuses and winner of 42 out of 54 primary states and 74 percent of all delegates. He had the

highest momentum scores in the GOP field. Romney’s closest challenger, Rick Santorum, actually led Romney in cumulative momentum between the Nevada and Washington primaries. After Super Tuesday, Romney built a lead in momentum that he would never relinquish.

As one might expect from his front-runner status, Romney received the most media mentions, an average of 11.3 mentions per primary day, almost five more than Santorum.

A larger proportion of all stories about him were positive, again exceeding Santorum’s numbers.

But a more nuanced story emerges when we examine the relationship between momentum and media coverage. When both candidates experienced momentum, the challenger, Santorum, received more positive coverage than Romney. When Romney had above-average momentum, 64.2 percent of news stories about him were positive.

Meanwhile, Santorum received positive stories 78.5 percent of the time when he had

African-American males. The program was inspired by the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old North Minneapolis resident, fatally shot by an officer. Since then, ReCast has been active in the community and staying true to its mission.

ReCast is facilitating the Northside Oral History Project, which aims to tell the stories of 90 elders that live in the North Minneapolis area. This project allows them to share their experiences and pass on their wisdom to younger generations. Four Thousand More Creative recorded video and audio of elders who volunteered to share their stories, and now, their perspectives are being heard.

After a successful phase one of the Northside Oral History Project, the program is ready for its second phase, which consists of organizations or other entities designing an art project that will tell these stories in their own creative way.

McFarlane Media Interests, and its Minneapolis based journal, Insight News was one of four organizations selected by ReCast to continue the Northside Oral History Project in 2020.

Through a partnership with the Urban Broadcast Association of America and Juxtaposition Arts, the historic and highly respected journal will make their vision a reality.

The partnership between these entities has lead to a website

What this means for 2020 Based on our analysis from 2012, the most recent single-party open primary, we believe a similar pattern may hold in 2020.

Joe Biden and Sanders appear to be dual front-runners, given Biden’s consistent lead in national polls and endorsements, and Sanders’ fundraising advantage and early successes.

The early results, with Sanders having strong showings in the first two primaries, suggest his situation may be similar to Romney’s, where the media may frame even victories as falling below expectations.

The effects of momentum on Pete Buttigieg will likely vary from week to week, depending on primary election results. He may be framed as a flash in the pan” when the electorate is unfavorable one week and “surging” the next.

Amy Klobuchar, on the other hand, stands to receive the most positive coverage relative to momentum. As a toptier candidate with the lowest expectations, Klobuchar will likely enjoy the most favorable coverage overall. Even third place finishes going forward should be enough for her to garner positive coverage and mentions, whereas a similar result for any of the other candidates will stunt their momentum.

So, as this primary season begins, watch the relationships between expectations, votes and media coverage. Candidate momentum is something that can change from one primary election to the next.

being built, as well as the launch of a Black History program.

There will be a full advertising campaign featuring different media outlets (radio, social media, etc.), and a weekly article in Insight News. The promotional program will be promoted to more than 2 million people on the McFarlane Media dashboard. So, it is safe to say that big things are ahead.

History plays a significant part in our future.

While we do not think of it this way, knowing our history bridges the gap between generations and allows us to heal together. The Northside Oral History Project continues, and so does the healing.

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Insight News • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

Doctor-recommended tips for improved overall health (StatePoint) Four in 10 adults in the U.S. have two or more chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While certain conditions and risk factors are beyond one’s control, there is no shortage of lifestyle choices you can make for improved health.

“It’s always the right time to consider your personal goals and how you can make positive health choices,” said American Medical Association (AMA) president, Dr. Patrice Harris. “The good news is that there are a few easy steps you can take that will set you on the right track.”

To get you started, the AMA is offering several wellness tips.

Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk

by taking the self-screening test at www.DoIHavePrediabetes. org.

Be more physically active. Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorousintensity activity.

Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as olive oil, nuts and seeds to your diet.

Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead.

Drinking sugary beverages – even 100 percent fruit juices – is associated with a higher allcause mortality risk, a new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests.

If your healthcare

professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans – up to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

Talk with your doctor about tobacco and e-cigarette use (or vaping) and how to quit. Declare your home and car smoke- and aerosol-free to eliminate secondhand exposure.

Pain medication is personal. If you’re taking prescription opioids or other medications, follow your doctor’s instructions. Store them

safely to prevent misuse and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

Make sure your family is up-to-date on vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older. If you’re pregnant, you can receive the flu vaccine during any trimester, but should receive the Tdap vaccine early in the third trimester to protect yourself against flu and whooping cough.

Manage stress. A good diet, sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), daily exercise, and wellness activities, like yoga and meditation, are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.

LightFieldStudios/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderateintensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity activity.

Why a personalized diet can help you achieve better results (StatePoint) From customdesigned sneakers to tailormade sunglasses, the trend of personalization is going headto-toe, and for good reason, making its way to the world of weight loss and wellness.

Specifically, researchers have been studying two converging topics in recent years. One is the importance of body type in determining the combination of fats, carbohydrates and protein that will provide the best results for a given individual. The other is the variability of results associated with a single diet -- the idea that if two people start the same diet at the same time, their results could be drastically different.

On top of that, consumer research shows that people overwhelmingly prefer

personalized experiences. Sixty percent of consumers agree that personalization is essential to weight loss and overall wellness.

Here’s what to know about why personalized diets are becoming so popular and how to find the right diet for you.

The importance of body type The places your body stores excess fat may be the single greatest predictor of health outcomes. This is the concept behind Nutrisystem’s assessment of the four most common body types; “apple,” “pear,” “hourglass” and “rectangle.”

“We’re going a bit old school here, because these categories have stood the test of time for a reason. They provide crucial information on how you

determine your body type, food preferences and goals, then look for a weight loss plan that takes these important factors into consideration, such as Nutrisystem.

Rawpixel/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Research shows that one size does not fit all when it comes to weight loss and disease prevention. respond to food intake and can help you to adjust what you eat based on your goals,” said Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem.

Body type can also influence how macronutrients like fat, protein, and carbs are processed. To fulfill your individual needs, first

One size does not fit all The Dietfits study, a large, randomized research study comparing low-fat versus low-carb dietary patterns found no difference in weight loss between them. But drilling down into the data, one can see great variability. Some dieters gained weight while others lost a lot.

But it’s not always about weight outcomes, as recent research has shown that factors such as body shape may play a bigger role in the determinants of health risks than body weight alone.

For instance, a woman

who is apple-shaped tends to carry her extra weight in the mid-section. She would see best results on a lower-glycemic nutrition plan that is lower in refined carbs and higher in healthy fats and protein.

“Research shows that one size does not fit all when it comes to weight loss and disease prevention,” said McCormick. “That’s why we’ve created a unique, personalized approach that’s easy to follow and designed to help participants lose weight and get healthy.”

While it’s no secret that achieving one’s weight loss goals is challenging, personalizing your plan can help make things easier, ultimately providing you a greater chance of success.

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Positive Image of Father Daughter Dance reinforces the hashtag #GirlDad

AFRICAN HERITAGE DAY ON THE HILL Feb. 26th 2020 inside of the State Capitol Rotunda

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will serve as the keynote speaker for the Positive Image Father Daughter Dance, which takes place Feb. 23 at 6155 Earle Brown Dr. in Brooklyn Center.

The Father Daughter Dance focuses on the importance of healthy, strong relationships between fathers/father figures and their daughters. The event creates a space where young girls can celebrate with their father/father figure and have self-esteem reinforced in a celebratory environment. The evening includes dinner, words of encouragement from local leaders and a night of dancing and interconnectedness teaching their daughters’ what it feels like to be treated with love and respect. Fathers range from recent, first-time fathers to grand fathers and great grandfathers

Tim Austin

Rex Smith with his daughter, Kennedy Smith, during the 2019 Positive Image Father Daughter Dance. and the daughters range from toddler to adult.

In its eight years the event has grown from 150 attendees the first year to more than 800.

2:00 - 4:00 PM 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul MN 55155

Join us as we rally in the capitol Rotunda and visit with lawmakers to discuss furthering equity in our state.

Featured Soloist: Elaine Alvarez, Soprano

To RSVP and for more information,WJTJU IUUQ CJU MZ B.5$( Attendance is free, register today!

If interpreter or ADA accommodations are needed, please send an email to shakira.bradshaw@state.mn.us

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Post-show meet-and-greet hosted by

History is in the makers Patrick Jeune built 30 homes before the age of 30. ¾å ĂĽĂ“ ÑÓÚÓĂ?Ă Ă?âÓ œÚĂ?Ă‘Ă™ Ÿ×åâĂ?à ç Ă Ă?ĂœĂ˘Ă– ËÓÚÚå ÂşĂ?Ă Ă•Ă? Þà Ă?ãÒÚç Ă Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă•ĂœĂ—Ă¨Ă“ĂĄ âÖĂ?ĂĄĂ“ ĂĽĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă Ă“ Ă›Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂœĂ• Ö×åâĂ?à ç Learn more at: wellsfargo.com/empowerful \ `^`^ ËÓÚÚå ÂşĂ?Ă Ă•Ă? ÂśĂ?ĂœĂ™ Ă‚ Âľ ¾ÚÚ à ×ÕÖâå à ÓåÓà äÓÒ ½Ÿ¾#`cebf

“Positive Image’s Father Daughter dance is intentional about extending our invitation to underserved populations including single fathers, stepdads, grandfathers, mentors, and family members who play a positive role in a young girls’ life,� said Terry Austin, founder of Positive Image.

Positive Image works with local non-profits, a variety of churches, and multiple school districts to help dads build relationships with their kids by offering parenting classes at Pillsbury United Communities Oak Park Youth and Family Center. Positive Image also provides programming to fathers and their children surrounding parent/child stress reduction, social boundaries, online safety, dating safety, coparenting creating vision boards mapping out their dreams for their families. “In light of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi (Bryant)’s unfortunate and sad tragedy, Positive Image wants to remind the public on why we have been putting on this events for the past eight years,� said Tommy McNeal of Positive Image. “#GirlDad is just a hashtag for most people, but it has been something supporters of Positive Image have been for a long time.�

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Insight News • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Page 7

Birds of paradise: ‘Three Little Birds’ at the Children’s Theater Review by Brittany Wright Three little bright faces in the front row continued to jump out of their seats song after song during the Children’s Theater adaptation of “Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.”

It was refreshing and heartening to witness unbridled, unabashed excitement in a space welcoming to jubilant movement and affirmations that “every little thing is going to be alright.” The excitement spread through each row of the theater, and by the end of the production, the entire audience was singing, clapping, and dancing with the cast. Based on the song by Bob Marley, and the book by Cedella Marley, “Three Little Birds” is the stage play you don’t want to miss.

The breakout star of the evening was KateMarie Andrews, who played “Nansi,” delivering every line with comedic timing and intention.

The jokester that was her character kept the show moving and deepened the audience connection with each character she interacted with. I asked Andrews what she learned from this production and how

she was able to execute her role so flawlessly to which she responded, “Even though you have fear you have to keep going.

‘Ziggy’ (a character in the play) had fear from his past baggage, and we all do.” While this was articulate and true in most cases, there was no fear in sight when Andrews was onstage. I was blown away to learn that this was her first professional production (outside of her high school acting resume). The young star hopes to make it to Broadway one day, and I have no doubt she’ll be there soon.

“It’s so important that youth can see themselves on stages, and that they know their stories are important. To know that there is value in their culture,” said assistant choreographer, Shavunda Brown.

It’s no small task to uplift the legacy of a music giant like Bob Marley, or to accurately represent the history and culture of an entire country and group of people, but everything about this stage production translates as intelligent and authentic. I was impressed with the vocal ability of the cast, the vibrancy of the costumes, and the attention to detail that came with the shapeshifting trickster “Duppy” (Kory LaQuess Pullam). The

production was short enough to hold the attention span of the young people in the room but held enough depth to be educational for attendees young and old. You don’t have to be a Jamaican, a Bob Marley historian, or a young person to enjoy this production. There’s truly something for everyone.

The music captured the essence and messaging of the Marley family, but was updated with hip-hop undertones and global fusions pointing to the generational accessibility and evolution of diasporic culture.

Everything from the music (directed by Sanford Moore), the dances (choreographed by Alanna Morris-Van Tassel), and dialect of the actors (coached by Evamarii Johnson) pointed to a true commitment to authenticity executed with precision.

Director Shá Cage beamed with pride after the closing of curtains on opening night saying, “To be able to create space with sunkissed, Brown people who are channeling the spirit of the sun and Bob Marley is a blessing.

I couldn’t ask for more. The willingness of everyone to submit to the process is magic.”

While there were many “magical” moments throughout the production; the

KateMarie Andrews (front) as Nansi and Lynnea Monique Doublette in “Three Little Birds” at the Children’s Theater. excellence showcased onstage is something I would primarily attribute to a highly qualified group of professionals who were given the freedom as people of the diaspora to lean into their own cultural currencies and curiosities. The brilliance that is “Three Little Birds” at the Children’s Theater is the result of people of color owning their own narratives and showcasing their essence without having to be watered down or contained.

Breakout star Ellis M. Dossavi Alipoeh, who played “Ziggy” made you feel his fears and love for Jamaica.

A love for home, an awareness of historical devastation and evolution, a growing concern for the sustainability of one’s people and land, all are common cultural ideologies shared amongst people of the Caribbean and African Diaspora. These ideologies are not something that can be taught or faked; but lived and felt for generations.

The actors in this production not only portrayed their characters but channeled an ancestral way of knowing and being that could only be brought forward through true connection to the music, storyline, and culture that

is “Three Little Birds.” When I asked Dossavi Alipoeh how he was able to channel the spirit of “Ziggy” he humbly explained, “It was like a calling.” When I asked him what he felt the audience could learn from his character, and the overall message of the production, he shared with a quiet confidence, “There will always be danger or something to fear, but you can’t let it ruin your life. In the end everything is going to be alright.”

“Three Little Birds” runs at the Children’s Theater through March 1.

A.I.M leaps to Northrop’s stage Kyle Abraham, who was originally inspired to pursue dance by Prince, brings his company, A.I.M, to Northrop, 84 Church St. S.E., on Feb. 29 with a diverse range of mixed repertory in a co-presentation with Walker Art Center.

The 7:30 p.m. performance caps a three-day A.I.M residency that includes two student matinees and other events. The matinee experiences are part of a partnership with the Minneapolis Public School District’s Cultural Experiences Program.

Previously known as Abraham.In.Motion, A.I.M’s dancers come from various disciplines and diverse personal backgrounds. Together, they will explore topics ranging from cultural identity to social justice to current events in five pieces for this Leap Day performance.

“Abraham’s creative range is too wide and too buoyant for him to feel constrained by the role of angry black choreographer. His dances may be political but they are also aspirational, complex and upbeat,” Judith Mackrell wrote in The Guardian.

Born into the hiphop culture of the late 1970s in Pittsburgh, and incorporating his experience with classical

Crash From 2 window several minutes before the accident. After the conversation, Jensen went through a parking lot and while coming south on Lyndale, the mirror of this Ford Econoline 350 van hit the side of a Metro Transit bus. Instead of stopping, he turned right onto Broadway.

He said he was driving slowly on Broadway but then accelerated and hit the bus shelter. He acknowledged that the severe injuries to the victims caused by his van collapsing the shelter was due to his gross negligence.

His attorney concluded by saying that Jensen wanted the court and the people to know that he did not hit the bus shelter on purpose.

Several witnesses offered a differing account, saying Jensen was angered that a woman he was speaking with took some money from Jensen and that precipitated the crash.

One victim suffered multiple pelvis fractures, rib and vertebrae fractures, significant blood loss and multiple surgeries. A second victim suffered fractures of both legs, rib fractures and damage to the spleen. A third victim was knocked unconscious and suffered fractured ribs. A fourth victim sustained a spinal fracture and the fifth victim sustained a fractured rib.

Steven Screiber

A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham dancers perform “Meditation: A Silent Prayer,” an ensemble featuring voice-over recordings by Carrie Mae Weems and visual artwork

by Titus Kaphar.

cello, piano, and the visual arts into his work, Abraham has been described as “the best and brightest creative talent to emerge ... in the age of Obama” (OUT Magazine). His work frequently draws on his family, sexuality, and childhood in Pittsburgh, entwining a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on sound, human behavior, and all things visual.

Abraham recently premiered a solo for Misty Copeland, and previously has been commissioned to create work for companies Alvin

Ailey American Dance Theater, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and New York City Ballet (NYCB), making him the first Black man to choreograph for NYCB in more

than a decade. He is a winner of the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award, Doris Duke, and the prestigious MacArthur Genius Award, among others.

DEEP ROOTS 30 Years of celebrating African American voices through music SUN, FEB 23, 4:30-6:30 PM Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis

All Ages Welcome | Tickets: $10-$40 vocalessence.org | 612-371-5656

Page 8 • February 17, 2020 - February 23, 2020 • Insight News

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RUN DMC’s DJ, Charlie Chan Soprano, to headline Masters of the Mix at Uptown VFW Superstar DJ and turntable wizard Charlie Chan Soprano will headline Masters of the Mix, Thursday (Feb. 20) at the James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW, 2916 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis.

Chan (Soprano was added later in his career, but the DJ still goes by Chan) is recognized worldwide as one of the pioneering DJs in hip-hop for his ability to mix, blend and scratch – including his signature “flair” scratching where he uses his hands, stomach and even mouth to manipulate and scratch records. A club and radio disc jockey in St. Louis, Soprano’s relationship with RUN DMC dates to the early 1990s when he won a DJ competition where the grand prize was a chance to open for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group.

During his session RUN DMC’s then DJ, Jam Master Jay, peaked out to see the man on the turntables and was instantly impressed … so impressed that he suggested Chan open regularly for the group. In fact, it was Chan who convinced Jay to rotate his turntables to have the needle arm at the top for ease of scratching – battle style – as opposed to the traditional style of having the arm on the right.

Following his run with the iconic group, Jay reached out to Jermaine Dupree and Da Brat to have Chan take over as the fiery emcee’s tour DJ. And when St. Louis’ breakout superstar Nelly hit the scene, Chan was the DJ he called. In fact the mix master can be seen in Nelly’s video, “Air Force Ones.”

Following the shocking and untimely death of Jay, RUN DMC halted performing as a group but DMC went out on a solo tour and the man he reached out to as his DJ was Chan. A short tour turned

Charlie Chan Soprano

Miss Brit into as several years’-long gig with the duo performing across the globe. In 2015 when RUN DMC decided to reunite it was decided Chan would join as the duo’s DJ. At the recent Grammys, Chan had a viral moment when during the performance with RUN DMC and Aerosmith the DJ held up a Kobe Bryant jersey, paying tribute to the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who was killed along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash earlier that day.

“I didn’t know the moment would become iconic,” said Chan in a video to his fans on social media. “It was something I planned to do the moment I found out Kobe had passed. Only a few people knew I was going to hold the jersey up. RUN DMC and Aerosmith didn’t know it was going to happen. It was just something I decided to do.”

“Honoring Kobe at the performance, my DJ (Chan) held up a Kobe shirt,” said Rev. Run in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment. “It was pretty cool.”

Twin Cities music lovers have the chance to see the dynamic DJ at the Uptown VFW. Chan is joined by rising and popular DJ, Miss Brit.

Brit is a former on-air personality and morning show host for KFAI Radio and co-founder of Soul Tools Entertainment, known for its music series, The Feels. The 2012 Miss Black Minnesota, is host of the popular podcast “Trill as Mama” and a writer for Insight News.

Advance tickets are $10 at available at bit. ly/386VLdh. Admission is $15 at the door. Patrons must be 21plus.

The event is produced

by Insight News Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr.

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