Insight ::: 3.9.20

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Insight News

March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

THE COLOR PURPLE:

The Musical Mariah Lyttle, staring as Celie, says audiences connect deeply.

Matthew Murphy Story on page 8

Page 2 • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 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 March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

One night outside was too much to bear

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com I only lasted five hours.

I didn’t think my adventure would be easy, but I wholeheartedly believed I would last throughout the night and into the morning. Technically, I did make it until morning …

2:05 a.m. to be exact.

On the brisk evening of Feb. 28, at 9 p.m., I set up camp in my backyard with the intention of spending 12 hours outdoors. The effort was to bring attention to the plight of homelessness in America and in Minnesota. It wasn’t a part of an organized event or movement, just one person’s attempt to shed light on the subject. Off and on, I’d been talking about doing it for years. For me, the issue is personal. Finally, I mustered up the grit to do it. I just didn’t have the grit to complete the task.

I didn’t have the grit or the proper insulation on my feet.

I had been checking the weather forecast for days and initially, I was going to spend the night outside on Saturday into Sunday morning, but the weather pattern was set to break and there was a significant warm-up starting Saturday. I didn’t want to wait ‘til it was “warm” to spend the evening outdoors. For the 40,000-plus Minnesotans who experience homelessness within a year – up to 15,000 on a given night – they don’t get to pick and choose what days are best to be out on the streets. Friday evening’s forecast called for temps to dip into to mid-teens.

With the windchill, it touched the single digits.

I love to grill and I’m a cigar smoker and I don’t smoke in the house. Often I’m

outside in less than desirable temperatures plying my craft on the grill or enjoying a cigar and whiskey. To stave off cold I layer up and stay stocked on wood to burn. At the start of this winter’s season I added a propane heater to my arsenal.

I figured I’d hardened enough and had the accessories to brave a full 12 hours outside. In many ways I was right. In many, many ways I was dead wrong.

In 2013 (the most recent year I could find such a statistic), according to a Star Tribune article, there were 26 exposure related deaths in the state. I’m sure most believed they could make it through the night. Unfortunately, many had been making it through the night for night upon night until the one night they didn’t.

Throughout the day I was mentally readying myself for the adventure. When the time came I put on a pair of thermal underwear, a pair of winter socks with another pair over them. Over the socks and thermals, I put on sweatpants.

For my upper body I had a shirt, hoodie, and a jacket. I took another heavier coat but didn’t put it on until I felt necessary.

On my head I had a do-rag and knit cap. I had two pairs of gloves; one knit and one of the more weatherproof material.

I brought with me a blanket that had been plenty warm for previous outings and I set-up a hammock in which to sleep.

I packed a grocery bag of “essentials” – water, chips, Advil, eye drops, a Snickers bar, a couple of pouches of almonds, a lighter, three fire starters, a portable speaker to pair with my phone, a cigar, a Coke and a flask of Jack Daniel’s. Like I said, the essentials. I knew I was in for a long night and I wanted to be as comfortable as possible.

Almost immediately I was regretting my decision to

Myon Burrell

Klobuchar seeks Burrell case review

Miscarriage of justice

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com

Insight News managing editor, Harry Colbert, Jr. camped outside on Feb. 28 in sub-freezing temperatures. choose the colder night. Though not overly windy, the wind was enough to bring a different type chill to the air and the fire I started was constantly blowing smoke in my face and eyes.

I placed my coat and blanket in the hammock to keep “warm” and to save for when I could no longer bear the temperatures.

For the first hour I was doing OK. The warmth of the fire and the Jack provided temporary relief, but I couldn’t find a way to get my feet to warm. I tried putting them under the firepit; on the firepit, but it wasn’t helping. I was going to go walking in an attempt to bring warmth, but I got an alert on my Citizen app that cops were in the area looking for a suspect

who had just assaulted someone so I thought better of venturing out in my hoodie and do-rag and cap. Instead I sat near the fire and listened to music. I knew I needed to stay hydrated so I was drinking water intermittently between Jack and Coke, but with hydration came another problem. I had to relieve myself … often. I found one of my dog’s favorite trees and, well …

To offer an idea as to how cold it was, within an hour my water and Coke had both begun to freeze.

By midnight my girlfriend came outside to check on me and brought me a cup of hot tea. That was the best tea I

In a move that stunned many, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (DMN) sent a letter to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman requesting a review of the murder case of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards that has Myon Burrell serving a life sentence.

Burrell and supporters, including the national and local NAACP, say Burrell is innocent. Klobuchar’s letter is significant because it was she who first prosecuted Burrell for the 2002 killing of Edwards, who was struck by a stray bullet while she was inside her home sitting at a table doing homework. In fact, Klobuchar touted the prosecution of Burrell during her run for president. The Minnesota senator ended her bid

for the White House a day after Burrell supporters led her to cancel a campaign appearance on March 1 in St. Louis Park.

In her March 5 letter, Klobuchar said, “The gross miscarriage of justice that Myon Burrell experienced, beginning when he was just a teenager, represents the worst of what can happen when those with power, influence, and legal authority fail to see the humanity of a criminal defendant because of the color of his skin, racial stereotyping, and his lack of wealth and political capital.”

This is a stunning statement coming from the former prosecutor.

Often, prosecutors are highly reluctant to admit there is a chance of innocence of a defendant he or she prosecuted.

Add to the matter the fact Klobuchar was highlighting

BURRELL 4

A NIGHT OUTSIDE 5

Equal right to a quality public education bill would ammend state constitution State Rep. Rena Moran (DFLSt. Paul), chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, and State Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls), the Republican lead on the House Education Finance Division, introduced a bill to amend the Minnesota constitution to enshrine the right to “quality public education” for all children in Minnesota.

The proposed constitutional amendment has the support of Attorney General Keith Ellison and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and more than 30 lawmakers joined them as authors of the bipartisan bill.

“It is time to take action on Minnesota’s

horrendous achievement gaps,” Moran said. “No parent dreams of their child being ‘adequate.’ No employer hopes for ‘adequate’ workers. It’s time to put children, their needs, and their futures at the forefront of our decision-making.”

“We have a unique opportunity at the Legislature this session to debate the outcomes for all of our students across this increasingly diverse state,” Kresha said. “It’s in our hands here at the Capitol because, frankly, the reason there’s an achievement gap is that we, as a legislature, have failed to act. Minnesotans care deeply about our children and education. I am confident that,

Rep. Ron Kresha

Rep. Rena Moran

Warren drops presidential bid Amid Super Tuesday primary presidential election, Al McFarlane spoke with Phillipe Cunningham Minneapolis 4th Ward City Council Member and spokesperson for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign in Minnesota.

Two days later Warren was official out of the race.

Although Warren told a crowd of supporters in Detroit on Super Tuesday night, she was still “in this fight,” Warren could not ignore the facts of the primary elections. The Massachusetts senator came in a distant third

with 61 delegates to first place Former Vice President Joseph Biden who had 566 delegates.

Warren lost to Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders her home state.

The headlines in national newspapers and opinion pages were not as polite to Warren on Wednesday following her losses. The New York Times, which endorsed Warren, headline reported that, “After Mounting Losses, Elizabeth Warren Reviews Her Options” and a USAToday opinion piece headline advised, “Warren has the chance to unite the left by endorsing Sanders. She should take it.”

Phillipe Cunningham

Elizabeth Warren

News

Black life journeys matter

PAGE 4

Corey Day

Biden wins big on Super Tuesday, wins Minnesota

By Stacey Taylor

BILL 7

Gender still a barrier in politics

By Stacey Taylor

Joe Biden

WARREN 7

The demise of Joe Biden has been greatly exaggerated.

With wins in 10 Super Tuesday races including Minnesota, Biden has vaulted to the top of the delegate count in the Democratic campaign to see who will faceoff against President Donald Trump come November. Less than two weeks ago there was talk of Biden being all but done for after poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.

A week prior to Super Tuesday and right after the former vice president’s strong second place presidential primary finish in Nevada, Al McFarlane spoke with the senior advisor for the Minnesota Biden Presidential Campaign, Corey Day to discuss how Biden would do in Minnesota and the benefits for Black voters.

“There’s a reason why the vice president won African-American voters in Nevada,” said Day. “It’s not

just that he has a stronger economic message. It’s not just that he has a message that resonates much more with of a diverse community of people. It’s the way that he’s delivering that message.”

Following the March 3 Biden win in Minnesota, Day said the results were not a surprise.

“We had a strategy from the beginning,” said Day hours after the primary. “We knew Iowa and New Hampshire didn’t have the demographic make-up the vice president does best with; Black and Brown voters and union folks who align with the (former) vice president’s values.”

The Feb. 25 conversation captured on KFAI’s public affairs program, “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” preceded Biden’s primary push after heavy Black votes contributed to his “near landslide” victory in North Carolina’s primary.

By March 2, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar

BIDEN 4

News

Cleansed by fire

PAGE 7

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Insight News • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Page 3

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Page 4 • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Insight News

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Black life journeys matter

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association The U.S. Census is now preparing to count all who live in the United States of America.

For the more than 50 million Black Americans in the U.S., the 2020 U.S. Census is vital.

Our numbers do matter and must be properly and accurately counted. Our birth rates count.

Our socioeconomic rates count.

Our death rates count. The overall quality of life in Black America will be impacted for the next ten years as a result of the 2020 U.S. Census.

The full life journeys of all Black Americans are important. Today, we are observing and celebrating 2020 Black History Month. This is the time for understanding and learning from the past to change

the present and to ensure a better future for Black America.

While there has been a lot of appropriate national attention and focus on the beginning of life’s journey, there has not been enough attention on the inevitable transition and conclusions of one’s life journey, particularly from the African-American perspective.

This year is the 193rd year of the Black Press of America, represented today by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) across the nation. I am proud of the expansion and progress of the Black Press even amidst trying and challenging economic times for Black owned businesses. The NNPA corporate partners and sponsors, such as Compassion & Choices, immeasurably help to sustain the Black Press.

The NNPA member publishers and newspapers, complimented by their digital distribution of content, including a wide array of social media channels, cover the news

that oftentimes gets left out of mainstream news media. One of the reasons why the Black Press continues to be the trusted voice of Black America is because we report on the entire journey of Black America from life to death from generation to generation.

The NNPA began a unique and important partnership with Compassion & Choices to acquire a more in-depth awareness and knowledge about how Black Americans and others are enabled to have a planned, dignified and well thought out, peaceful transition without the sudden unpreparedness that happens too often in many Black American families.

Compassion & Choices is committed to empowering people to get the care they need during a serious illness or at the end of life. One way to do that is by helping people plan well and become good advocates for themselves and their loved ones.

In other words, the entirety of one’s life journey is

precious and should be prepared for the end of the journey with dignity and respect. It is really about taking responsibility to ensure that your transition will be handled in a manner that you have pre-determined with the interest of all those you love and who love you.

This is a subject that is often avoided until the finality of death confronts the loved ones of the departed. Our newspapers cover and publish the obituaries of people in the communities in which we serve as a matter of tradition and respect for the untold positive contributions of those who make their final transition at the end of their remarkable life journeys.

We know that we have to show respect to each other in our families, communities, and careers. Black love is about Black self-respect. Too often Black lives are ended in some type of hardship, tragedy, brutality, prolonged sickness, or some unexpected unavoidable circumstance.

We know that we have to show respect to each other in our families, communities, and careers. Black love is about Black self-respect.

But all of our final transitions should be observed with the utmost respect and dignity.

Planning for one’s transition does not mean you are ready to die before your time is up or that you are attempting to hurry or rush your departure from this world. To the contrary, planning the final transition of your life is like having a sustainable life insurance policy that removes the burden of your transition from your love ones.

Talking about and planning your transition will not kill you, but it will save your love ones the awful sorrow and agony of unpreparedness.

We are grateful to Compassion & Choices for helping us to transfer our reluctance and fear of discussing the ultimate transition of our life journeys into a responsible and respectful plan of love and dignity.

Yes, Black life journeys matter at the beginning and at the end. We all have the opportunity and the responsibility to respond to this issue in a timely manner.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.

North Regional Library to close for renovations North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N, Minneapolis, will close for about a yearlong renovation beginning next Monday (March 16).

During the closure, a temporary site at 1200 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis, will offer limited library services, including computers and printing, homework help, inperson tutoring, snacks for youth, provided by Minneapolis Public Schools and one-onone help from library staff.

The temporary site will be open seven days a week beginning March 21.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Like other Hennepin County libraries, the temporary site will also serve as a Questionnaire Assistance Center (QAC) for the 2020 Census.

At QACs, people can complete their census online and receive assistance from trained staff as needed.

About

the renovation The North Regional Library renovation will create

North Regional Library new collaborative meeting spaces, including four small study rooms upstairs in addition to the large meeting room. A

new enclosed room on the main floor will allow for focused computer work and can also be used as a program space. New

early literacy play elements will enhance the children’s area, and the teen space will feature computers and lounge seating.

Site work during the renovation aims to improve the south entrance and breezeway, with a focus on traffic control and pedestrian safety. Outdoor spaces will include a reading area with seating and a children’s garden with environmental learning elements.

During the closure, people can visit other Hennepin County libraries nearby for staff assistance and services not offered at the temporary site,

such as meeting rooms, library materials and events.

Library materials on hold At the time of closing, all holds in the system with a pickup location of North Regional Library will have the pickup location changed to Webber Park Library, 4440 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis. The North Regional Library book return will be closed during this time.

The library is scheduled to reopen in spring 2021.

Questions on historical bias unanswered Commentary by Randall Bradley Architect The seventh meeting of the Upper Harbor Development Committee was conducted as a Learning Table Community Engagement conversation, on Feb. 19 at the Glover Sudduth Center of the Urban League Building, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N, Minneapolis.

This meeting intended to focus on the possibilities of the community benefits that could be derived from this development project. An early question, what specifically were they going to do to address their past historical bias towards Black performers, that went unanswered, was directed to the First Avenue music organization.

The community benefits conversation moved towards the desires of having a social center and locally

owned businesses to evolve from this development project.

Participants spoke of other communities, such as Houston and its success at building a viable community and overcoming a history of deprivation. The Community Benefits Agreement offers contributions and has limitations.

Ed McDonald of EMC Consulting Services spoke specifically of the Writ of Mandamus. This is a legal process and product

that mandates the inclusion of housing units and procurement contracts for protected classes.

These laws are written at the city, state, and federal levels, and are currently in place to be implemented to achieve the required outcomes. While the specifics are not able to be outlined in this writing, these laws can be applied to this project if it becomes apparent that a case can be made to pursue this course of action.

A notable conversation

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Upper Harbor Terminal: Do we as a community attempt to move forward in this moment, or do we all give up and go home with a sour taste in our mouths? regarding both the realistic history and the optimistic hope for the future, seemed to crash into one another. This is not an unusual experience in this community. This has happened many times, at virtually all community meetings. What then transpires? It seems to this author that “dead air” is the result. All forward motion comes to a hard stop. What then? Do we as a community attempt to move forward in this moment, or do we all give up and go home with a sour taste in our mouths?

I have observed that this lack of forward motion has prevailed in

Biden From 2 dropped out of the presidential primary election, as did former South Bend (Ind.) Mayor Pete Buttegig. Both threw their support behind former vice president, Joe Biden.

“Klobuchar’s endorsement was huge,” said Day. “I don’t think we win Minnesota without her support.

Not just her words of support, but getting her team out was big.”

Day, former executive director of the Minnesota DFL Party from October 2011 to November of 2019, said what distinguishes Biden from the pack of Democrats like Sens.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren is Biden’s consistent and “realistic” policies. Day pointed out Biden worked with a diverse coalition on issues such as housing, in which Biden proposed a $700 billion housing plan.

“Biden lived, worked and fought for these policies he speaks about since he was a vice president to Barak Obama,” Day said. “This isn’t just happy come lucky. This has been his passion, his entire life as a public

the Northside for more than 40 years and I don’t like it.

This is an editorial.

There is no perfection. Focusing my comments on the United States of America, everyone of us lives in a flawed system.

No one that you know can go back and change history. It is impossible to hope in what has passed. All of us can only hope in what is to come in the next minute, hour, meal, tomorrow.

The next Learning Table meeting is scheduled for March 18 in the Glover Sudduth Center at the Minneapolis Urban League, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

servant. Sen. Sanders’ ideas are great ideas,” Day admitted.

“But as Sen. Klobuchar says, they’re a fantasy in the context that if you can’t figure out a plan to pass those ideas, if you can’t tell us how much those ideas are going to cost, then how do you expect to ever pass those ideas.”

Day admitted a divide in generational issues driving different generations of AfricanAmericans to support either Biden or Sanders in the polls.

“As a Black man I do think you see the younger generation are looking at things a little different than older generations,” Day said.

“You can see in the polling numbers right now where older African-Americans are landing in this race … compared to what not just younger AfricanAmericans but millennials, in general, are being driven to the polls by much different issues.

The biggest fear I have is that obviously we get a nominee that can’t be elected, but I also fear that we get a nominee who can win, who will have four years of gridlock in D.C.; nothing will get done for our people.”

For more of this and others community conversations go to KFAI.org or tune into “Conversations with Al McFarlane” on KFAI (90.3 FM) every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

American Heart Association names Katrina McGhee new executive vice president of marketing and communications Katrina McGhee has joined the American Heart Association’s nationwide leadership team as executive vice president of marketing and communications.

“With this hire, the American Heart Association acquired the best of all worlds.

Katrina is a transformative brand strategist and innovator.

Everywhere she’s gone she has created measurable value by unlocking insights to connect the dots that orchestrate authentic consumer brand experiences,” said Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO. “Additionally, Katrina is uniquely qualified as an experienced marketing veteran with a proven track record of understanding the singular complexities and

communications challenges of the nonprofit sector. We’re excited by the potential Katrina brings and how it will translate on behalf of the American Heart Association and its lifesaving mission.”

In her new role, McGhee will serve as the American Heart Association’s chief brand ambassador, responsible for enhancing brand relevance and promoting the organization’s mission.

McGhee is a global marketing executive with more than two decades of experience in brand-building. She began her career with the American Heart Association as marketing director, where she created national social marketing programs such as Take Wellness

to Heart, Cholesterol Low Down, Covering the Bases, and Choose to Move – a 13-week physical activity program that more than 100,000 women completed to go from sedentary to active lifestyles. While with the association, she also launched several multicultural marketing programs and developed public-private partnerships that generated millions of dollars in annual revenue.

McGhee later served as the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where she was responsible for global marketing, business development and cause marketing along with oversight of more than 200 corporate partnerships, more than 140

Katrina McGhee

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series events and more than $350 million in annual revenue.

Most recently, she worked as an independent consultant and launched the Loving on Me Career Success Academy, helping empower women to take charge of their health, lives and careers. She has also served as a business adviser to corporate executives in the areas of strategic planning, brand building, fundraising and career development, with an emphasis on transforming underserved communities and impacting the lives of women, children and minorities. McGhee is a noted speaker and the author of two books, “Loving on Me!: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Mess to Message”

and “Be Bold Be Brilliant Be You: Lessons from the C-Suite to Accelerate Your Career.”

“The American Heart Association is emphasizing transformational communications and marketing in order to make a difference, and also leveraging the organization’s brand as its most valuable asset,” said McGhee.

“Few nonprofits enjoy both the scale and vision to go to market in the most relevant and contemporary ways. It is a privilege for me to be able to return to the American Heart Association and work again – literally – to save lives.”

McGhee will operate from the American Heart Association’s National Center in Dallas.

A Night Outside From 2 had ever had. The warmth from the mug and the gesture itself provided enough comfort to continue on. But, of course with the tea came, once again, the need for relief. I wore a serious path from the fire to the tree.

While my feet were freezing, I was doing OK otherwise. I had pulled up the hood on my hoodie and put on the extra coat, which by the way, was ice cold. I figured if I got in the hammock I could take my feet off the ground and that would provide a bit of relief. It didn’t. My girlfriend had brought another blanket out and I decided it was best used as a hammock liner because the hammock itself was cold. So I’m wrapped in the hammock – a blanket on bottom, a blanket on top – with two coats, a hoodie, sweats thermal underwear, two pairs of socks, shoes, a firepit burning and an outdoor heater lit and I am freezing … literally.

Homelessness is something for which no one plans. The contributing factors can be

Colbert’s makeshift campsite. many. The lack of affordable housing is one. According to Rent Café, the average rent in Minneapolis is $1,594 a month and $1,301 a month in St. Paul.

In Minneapolis only 1 percent of units rent for less than $700 a month and 16 percent between $701 – $1,000. In St. Paul “affordable” housing in a bit more abundant with 2 percent of units at $700 a month or less and 28 percent between $701 – $1,000. But what’s affordable to some is far from for others.

While the median yearly household income in the state was an admirable $70,315 in 2018, for Black households in Minnesota the median income in was $38,000 according to the U.S. Census. Certainly, poverty is not ethnically exclusive, but

it is disproportionate. It is also shameful considering we call ourselves a so-called civilized society. Ask the 355,000-plus whites Minnesotans if poverty discriminates and they will tell you no. But ask the 100,400plus Black Minnesotans living in poverty and they will almost certainly tell you discrimination is a contributing factor to their economic condition.

It is 1:30 a.m. and am trying to get warm. I’m in the hammock but I don’t want to go to sleep. I’m afraid if I go to sleep I’ll freeze to death.

Besides, sleep is hard to come by when there’s rustling in the alley and the occasional siren going off. I tried to position my sleeping quarters as close to the fire as possible without coming

Within an hour the Coke began to freeze. in contact with the flames. By this time my feet are numb and I can’t take it anymore.

Defeated, at 2:05 a.m.

I gathered my belongings and hurried inside. I plopped on the couch and almost immediately fell asleep. I was sleep for two hours when my dog woke me up. He was sleeping on the couch with me and I appreciated the body heat. When I awakened my feet were still freezing.

Fearing mild frostbite, I decided to take a shower to warm my body. My feet remained slightly numb throughout the next day.

I only lasted five hours.

Imagine five days.

Imagine five weeks or five months. Imagine five years.

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Page 6 • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Insight News

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Cajun Twist to hire, train 88 ex-felons

Cajun Twist, a local restaurant known for serving New Orleans cuisine will hire and train eightyeight ex-felons over the course of five years, with the intent of preparing them for franchise ownership and management.

Once located in The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Golf Course, Cajun Twist is now in the old Marla’s Restaurant at 3761 Bloomington Ave, S. in South Minneapolis.

“Sadly, the mistakes that lead to the title felon typically follow with avenues of change, from programs and training courses, however once introduced back into society, the label never goes away, leaving these ex-felons hopeless and often destitute,” said Teóna Washington, owner of Cajun Twist. “This program brings a second chance for hope.”

Burrell From 2 the prosecution just months ago and it makes her statement that much more powerful.

In a statement release after receipt of the letter, Freeman said the office will review the case.

“Over the last several months, this office has conducted a significant review of all the evidence of the Myon Burrell case. In addition, we have publicly requested any new information concerning this case, and have reviewed the issues raised. We have previously offered to review any new and additional evidence,” said Freeman in the statement.

“At the request of Myon Burrell, our office met with Burrell’s lawyer on Feb. 24 and committed to reviewing the case file and the new information his attorney provided.

That review is on-going.”

But in a release posted on the Hennepin County Attorney website posted on Feb. 24 – the date Freeman mentioned in his most recent statement – Freeman seemed to

Cajun Twist has partnered Wellspring Second Chance and Neighborhood Development Center to train and hire 88 ex-felons.

Cajun Twist has partnered Wellspring Second Chance and Neighborhood Development Center to provide vetting and training for participants, as well as, access to monetary resources to pursue their dreams of restaurant ownership. The project launch for the initiative begins March 19 with the first

round of participants putting their training to work in the fall (September).

Washington said the initiative is projected to be a pilot that will alter the lives of ex-felons and persons with criminal charges in a way that will impact the Twin Cities and Minnesota as a whole.

To sponsor a participant call (504) 383-3134.

dismiss the claims of innocence.

“Myon Burrell has said a lot of things. He initially told police he was in Bemidji with his mother at the time of the shooting. Then, during his trial, the second alibi was, he was at a friend’s house playing video games. Now, a news report claims Mr. Burrell has a third alibi, that two people are claiming they were with him at a nearby grocery store at the time of the shooting. These two people never came forward and no plausible explanation has been offered why these two people waited 18 years to say anything. Mr. Burrell remains in prison because a jury, then a judge, found him guilty of murdering Tyesha Edwards and the Minnesota Supreme Court agreed,” said Freeman in the Feb. 24 statement. “The evidence is quite strong which is why he was convicted twice.”

According to Freeman, whose office ultimately prosecuted Burrell, in the first trial, Burrell, 16 at the time of the shooting, was convicted of killing Edwards and Burrell appealed in 2005 and the Minnesota Supreme Court ordered a new trial based on a Miranda warning error. In

the second trial in 2007, Burrell asked for a trial by a judge and was again found guilty.

“The evidence is quite strong which is why he was convicted twice,” said Freeman in the Feb. 24 statement.

“This is a major step in the right direction (asking to reopen the case), which took a great deal of public and private pressure to get to this point, but it represents progress,” said Nekima Levy-Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and former Minneapolis NAACP president. “Amy’s words signal an acknowledgment that the injustices present in Myon’s case need to be addressed and taken seriously by the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, the criminal justice system, and the broader public.”

“The reality is they (prosecutors) should be looking at old and new evidence,” said Leslie Redmond in a recent Facebook post. “They never had any evidence to convict him in the first place.

Myon is not the only case where young Black men and women have been railroaded.”

No gun, fingerprints or DNA were ever attributed to Burrell in either of his trials.

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insightnews.com

Insight News • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Page 7

State park and trail prescribed burn season started

Cleansed by fire

By Deborah Locke DNR information officer Fire, a destructive force, or a rejuvenating tool?

In the hands of trained parks and trails professionals, fire is a restoration tool that leads to new plant growth, open views, increased sunlight, and the containment and even elimination of invasive species.

Prescribed fires occur on a rotating basis each spring and fall at Minnesota state parks, said Shawn Fritcher, a nearly 30-year veteran of prescriptive burning.

He’s been with the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails division for about 20 years and has a “burn boss” designation which means he can oversee prescribed burns.

It takes time and repeated burns to see results, but a 450acre burn at Great River Bluffs State Park one year succeeded in decreasing large swaths of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle, leading Fritcher to conclude that a lot of good occurred in a single day of work.

“If we had done that by hand, it would have taken weeks,” he said.

Planning for a burn starts months in advance and can vary from a few acres to hundreds of acres, said Ed Quinn, the Parks and Trails natural resource program supervisor. Each year Parks and Trails staff burn about 3,900 acres of prairie land and 2,500 acres of forest. The work starts in March and most of it is completed in April. Prescribed fires destroy brush but trees and plant roots survive.

Fire prediction software helps calculate when the burn takes place. Considerations include temperature, humidity and wind speed. Location, the makeup of adjacent land, and other factors determine the burn’s parameters, the equipment needed including water tanks, the number of staff need (usually at least six), a burn permit, and notification of local fire departments.

Burn areas are mapped out and include the location of burn breaks that act like a barrier against the fire leaping into a

DNR

A Minnesota DNR official initiates a controlled burn of a state trail.

Prescribed fires occur on a rotating basis each spring and fall at Minnesota state parks. non-designated burn area, the locations of “igniters” who actually light the fire in several places. The maps also delineate the location of equipment and fire fighters. After the fire stops burning, fire fighters remain at the site, sometimes throughout the night, to ensure that the flames do not flare up.

Shawn Fritcher said the burn work is hard, uncomfortable and intense, requiring constant running up and down bluffs.

Stress also plays a role. Safety is imperative.

“It can be a physical and mental drain, but it’s worth it in the end when you see the impact,” he said.

The wait may take 10 to 15 years of burning before invasive species are reduced.

Following a burn, the prairie responds immediately with lush growth, Fritcher said.

Ed Quinn agreed, describing the way the bison herd at Minneopa State Park reacts to the new green plant growth

following a prairie fire. After a winter of sparse prairie foraging, the spring offers lush greens, a welcomed diet change.

Prescribed fires are not new to Minnesota. For hundreds and even thousands of years, NativeAmerican used prescribed fire to improve the habitat for a game species or to improve their ability to travel and see long distances.

Today burn experts use fire to restore fire-dependent forests, woodlands, and prairies, and to stimulate prairie seed production. Following a burn, the prairie produces massive amounts of seed that are collected in the fall and replanted.

The 2020 state parks and trails fire crew is deep in the planning stage for prescribed burns as of the end of February. It won’t be long before one of the crew members, like Shawn Fritcher, examines a blackened post-burn site to see the results.

Bill From 2 if given the chance, they will overwhelmingly support this constitutional amendment.”

The bill calls for language proposed by Page and Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari to be placed on the ballot in November 2020. If passed, the amendment would replace Section 1 of Article XIII of the Constitution to state “All children have a fundamental right to a quality public education that fully prepares them with the skills necessary for participation in the economy, our democracy, and society, as measured against uniform achievement standards set forth by the state. It is a paramount duty of the state to ensure quality public schools that fulfill this fundamental right.”

The bill specifies that the ballot question would be titled “Equal Right to Quality Public Education Amendment” and the question for voters would read, “Shall the Minnesota constitution be amended to provide that all children have an equal right to

Warren From 2 “I think generally speaking sexism is a role in terms of how much she is out there. The media is really demonstrating that,” Cunningham said prior to the various headlines. “The media talks a lot about the multi-racial, intergenerational coalition that Bernie has built or the multigenerational coalition that Biden built, but so has Elizabeth.”

Some speculated Warren may have set herself up for the vice-presidential bid regardless of the ultimate victor on the Democratic side.

Warren would not be the first female vicepresidential hopeful for the Democratic party. In 1984, former Minnesota senator and former vice president and presidential candidate Walter Mondale, selected New York

a quality public education?”

“This amendment is a conversation-starter on the urgent need for every Minnesota child to benefit from a quality public education, no exceptions,” said Ellison. “I hope that all Minnesotans, whether they support the amendment like I do or whether they don’t, will take the opportunity of the amendment to join in a meaningful conversation about how we make sure every child gets the quality public education that every child deserves.”

Page praised lawmakers for stepping up.

“Thank you for your courage. There are many vested interests who want to maintain the status quo,” said Page. “By offering this legislation, you have shown that you are truly committed to putting children first.”

The proposal was advanced after the Minneapolis Fed released new research last October that shows that Minnesota has some of the worst educational disparities in the nation. Low-income white children, children of color, and Native-American children in Minnesota have far worse educational outcomes than children from higherincome families.

These

disturbing disparities are true across the entire state.

“Education can be the great equalizer in America if the system allows every child the same chance at success. Our achievement gaps tell us that this is not the case in Minnesota,” said Rep. Samantha Vang (DFLRobbinsdale). “Our children of color, American Indian children, and children from lower socioeconomic families face barriers in our own system that hold them back. As leaders, we must do all we can to break those barriers down. I believe this amendment does just that.”

“The future of our state is based on a well-educated and diverse workforce,” said Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville).

“The research is clear. We have horrible education achievement gaps in all 87 of our counties, in every one of my colleagues’ districts, including my own.

That is unacceptable. We must prepare every child in the next generation of Minnesota’s workforce to be equipped with a solid future and to keep our economy strong.”

An independent, bipartisan, grassroots organization, Our Children, was formed to garner statewide support for this constitutional amendment.

representative Geraldine Ferraro.

“Folks are really counting her down and out because she’s a woman. Folks aren’t really putting her on that level of viable,” Cunningham said prior to Warren’s decision to drop. “So many people I talk to agree with her values, agree with her policies, agree with her vision for this country.

I am surprised that in 2020 Sen. Warren’s gender is still playing a role in how people are relating to her as a candidate.”

Cunningham pointed to the fact that a popular online African-American publication, The Root, identified Warren’s policies as ones most beneficial to the Black community and values lined up with African-American voters but yet she still did not have the traction of a Biden or Sanders.

“Just for a point of clarification, Hillary actually won by 3 million votes in the popular vote.” Cunningham Said. “So, she won big in the popular vote, but she was

not able to pick up the votes with the folks who really disproportionately have power in our electoral system through the Electoral College.”

Cunningham said the reason he decided to go with Elizabeth over Sanders is because “she has clear plans” and is thoughtful about an “underlying unity and connectivity.” Also, Warren has an “amazing amount” of support from Black women leaders from across the country. He said Warren did the work of engaging Black women, to co-create her platform for Black America.

“We don’t listen, as a country, we don’t listen very well to Black women,” Cunningham said. “We have Black women like Alicia Garza who is one of the founders of Black Lives Matter. They have all come out in support of Elizabeth Warren, but that still is not being raised to the level of visibility.”

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Library closing for renovation March 16 – spring 2021 During the closure, visit the library’s temporary site for: • Computers and printing • Homework Help and snacks for youth • One-on-one help from library staff

Visit other nearby libraries for more services: Webber Park Library

4440 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis Brookdale Library

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300 Nicollet Mall During the closure, all holds will be sent to Webber Park Library.

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Page 8 • March 9, 2020 - March 15, 2020 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Ordway stage March 31 – April 5

Mariah Lyttle takes on role of Celie in ‘The Color Purple

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com Spend any amount of time on social media and it’s apparent there’s a huge cookout (not barbeque, but cookout) and invites are culturally specific (thus cookout, not barbecue).

Invites are attained via a litmus test of knowledge of popular Black culture. For example, “What time was it when Usher was cruisin’ in his drop top?” Well if you don’t know the song “Nice & Slow” explicitly states it was 7 o’clock, well, you might not be invited to the cookout. You certainly won’t be allowed to bring the potato salad.

Maybe the biggest litmus test is knowing the dialogue to the “The Color Purple.”

The Alice Walker classic novel – adapted into a blockbuster movie that made

stars out of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey – may be the most beloved tale in AfricanAmerican culture. Thus, when Winfrey and Quincy Jones as producers brought the story to the stage in the form of a musical, expectations were high. The musical has not disappointed and careers have catapulted.

LaChanze, won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical as Broadway’s original Celie (the role made famous by Goldberg’s movie performance).

R&B star Fantasia would then assume the role. Later another former “American Idol” star, Jennifer Hudson would shine in the revival along with “Orange is the New Black’s” Danielle Brooks and a then up-andcoming actress Cynthia Erivo.

Erivo has since gone on to Hollywood fame with starring roles in “Bad Times at the El Royale” and “Harriet.”

So saying 22-yearold Mariah Lyttle is filling some mighty big shoes is an

understatement. Lyttle stars as Celie on the current tour of “The Color Purple.” The actor says she still pinches herself knowing that she stars in the iconic role.

“When I found out I got the role I quite literally lost my mind,” said Lyttle. “I’m still in disbelief to this day. I thought because I’m so young someone older would get the job. It’s just unbelievable.”

Given the actor and singer’s age, it’s understandable that she didn’t read the book nor see the movie until after she got the role.

“I had seen the revival with Jennifer Hudson and I was in awe, so that was my first exposure to the story,” said Lyttle, a Jamaican-American from Bridgeport, Conn. “When I got cast, I read the book and saw the movie and of course I fell in love with it.”

Lyttle said audiences share a deep connection with the performance.

“It’s funny to hear lines being said from almost

Matthew Murphy

Celie (Mariah Lyttle, left) and Nettie (Milika Cherée) in “The Color Purple.” the entire audience. Lines like ‘You told Harpo to beat me’ and ‘Harpo, who dis woman?’ It’s really enthralling to watch,” said Lyttle.

Audiences in St.

Paul will get to join in the reverence March 31 – April 5 when “The Color Purple” comes to the Ordway Theater, 345 Washington St. Tickets range from $48-$111 and are on sale at

www.ordway.org or by calling (651) 224-4222. Tickets are also available at the Ordway from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ONE Fermentary and Taproom seeks to brew change in the industry

By Abē Levine Ramsey Louder is hell-bent on changing the face of craft brewing.

Louder, a native New Yorker, opened ONE Fermentary and Taproom, 618 N 5th St., Minneapolis, this past month in Minneapolis’s North Loop.

Along with business partner, Sally Schmidt, Louder is casting a vision of inclusivity in craft brewing, an industry that has historically over-emphasized the place of white men as brewers and prime connoisseurs.

Taking in his reserved character and towering stature, you might not guess that Louder was a cardiovascular technician in his previous life, mediating the stresses and intricacies of heart surgery. Louder’s goal was to become a physician’s

assistant, but that was before a dream bubbled up inside him.

In his off time, Louder joined a home brew club where he started brewing five-gallon batches of beer. He said he enjoyed the mechanics of how water, malt, hops and yeast interact like alchemy. From there, he started to put in time as a bartender and bouncer at Dangerous Man Brewing Company.

“It wasn’t even about money. It was just being there, taking it all in,” said Louder, adding he would take every opportunity to grill staff with his brewing questions.

It was during a sixweek bike trip from Seattle to San Francisco that Louder’s pathway of working in health care turned off in a different direction.

“You have a lot more downtime than you’d expect when you’re biking. I was

thinking, and I just landed on brewing,” he recalled.

After that insight, this future master brewer and entrepreneur came back and declared his commitment to Rob Miller, owner of Dangerous Man. After being promoted from assistant brewer to lead at Dangerous Man, Louder moved on to Michigan to work at New Holland Brewing as a cellarman where he was responsible for producing roughly 80,000 barrels of beer a year.

Louder said he was always the unicorn in brewing spaces.

“When people think of craft brewing they imagine a burly white man,” he said.

He said that increasing visibility for people of color, women, and LGBTQ people in craft brewing is key, noting that beers such as now popular Summer Saisons were

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Ramsey Louder

fermented by wives of farmers.

Only following the return of G.I.’s after World War II did men take control of the industry.

On Nov. 15, a day before their grand opening, ONE hosted a panel on inclusivity in the field.

Louder, who participated in the panel, aims to model diversity for other businesses in the North Loop, noting hiring practices, community engagement, and welcoming newcomers as integral to ONE’s mission.

True to their intentions of accessibility, ONE features beverage and food for all tastes. Not into beer? Try its Oaxacan Proverb, made with mezcal (a smokier tequila) and Tattersall Distillery fruit spirits.

Want something festive and alcohol-free? Consider the Hop Water, a blend of bubbles and tart grapefruit notes that play together to create a sparkling refreshment with pizzazz. Also

on the menu are fermented snacks and warm sandwiches.

Kitchen manager, Gina Peña, recommends the Pulled Pork No. 1 with an amber lager.

Leaving their beers to develop character in specialized tanks ranging from oak to steel and concrete adds dimensions to the artisanal beverages. Louder says he can still taste the bourbon in beers fermented in French Oak. From the top down, Louder aims to create an environment of oneness. He says he wants all his employees to know that this is a novel work environment and that people can grow here. Peña noted that she has felt comfortable verbalizing new ideas, and that she hopes to move outside her post to gain experience in brewing from Louder and others. Louder hails the mentors who’ve supported him, and ONE is his endeavor to welcome others in.

If I could do one thing, I’d tell the world she counts.

Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs. That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters. It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities.

That could mean more resources in your area for special needs. It’s within your control.

Learn more at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.