Insight ::: 10.11.21

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

Insight News

October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021

Vol. 48 No. 41• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

RECORD

Courtesy of Burn Something Collective

STORY ON PAGE

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Page 2 •October October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Insight News

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Insight News • October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News October11, 2021 - October 17, 2021

Vol. 48 No. 41• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Kelly named Chief of Staff at Center for Economic Inclusion

Courtesy of Burn Something Collective

Burn Something Collective

RECORD: An outdoor public art installation Burn Something Collective (BSC) presents RECORD, a public art exhibition conceptualized and curated by BSC members Lizy Bryant, Gabby Coll, Genevieve DeLeon, Adrienne Doyle, Zola Ellen, Mare Lodu, and Nance Musinguzi, featuring the work of visual artists Bereket Adamu, Faiza Mohamed, Grover Hogan, Hawwa Youngmark, Janice Essick, Jobi K Adams, Miku, Mariamu Fitch, Olivia Funkhouser-Reynolds, and Simone Alexa. The exhibition is now on view on the fenced lot at 1010 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN. About the exhibition: In the midst of a pandemic, in the remnants of a burned Lake Street, Burn Something Collective presents RECORD. This public

art exhibition centers the recordkeeping duties of the body, the rage for the systems that fail us, and the blessing of regenerative imagination.

The worldbuilding these artists achieve offer portals for the body and the psyche. In this work, we are witness to the paradoxical events of summer 2020 in Minneapolis, MN, and the relationship between destruction and transformation.

Through escapism, defiance, tenderness and revelry, these works live the questions that can at times feel unanswerable.

RECORD is an invitation into the archive of the body, be it yours, that of a city, or a world.

Through the eyes of these artists, we are opened up to one version of a collective experience, which becomes many in our beholding.

RECORD presents works selected by the Collective

from submissions of visual art responding to the events of the last 16 months in the Twin Cities. The pieces presented in this exhibition were forged individually by ten femme, nonbinary, and trans Twin Cities artists from the Black diaspora: Bereket Amadu: A Raisin in the Sun, 2020, digital Illustration Faiza Mohamed: Play as a Form of Resistance, 2020, oil pastels and watercolor on paper Grover Hogan: American Death Cult, 2021, ink, marker, and colored pencil on paper Hawwa Youngmark: Burning, 2021, digital illustration Janice Essick: This is a Picture of a Girl with Star Colors, 2020, mixed media on paper

Jobi K Adams: Hot Summer Blues, 2021, film photography Miku: Flourish, 2021, digital illustration Mariamu Fitch: Our Protection is Precious, 2016, collage on wood Olivia FunkhouserReynolds: She, 2020, watercolor on paper Simone Alexa: Joy Spika, High Mermaid Priestess, 2020, oil on canvas Burn Something roots for resilience and unraveling.

As a small collective of seven, we have shown up for one another this past year in ways that changed the direction of our lives. Part of curating is getting to broaden the circle of our mutual care and collaboration to new people, as to the artists in this

RECORD 4

On Conversations with Al McFarlane

A family reflects on George Floyd, the pandemic, justice Columnist

By Brenda Lyle-Gray The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Richard Bach Donald W. Williams II was not surprised on May 25, 2020, but filled with shock, pain, and anger as he witnessed the murder of George Floyd in South Minneapolis.

Williams talked about the George Floyd murder and the subsequent Derek Chauvin conviction in a recent interview on Conversations with Al McFarlane on KFAI, 90.3FM, Minneapolis. His comments set the stage for a McFarlane family discussion on the uprising that ensued and on the pandemic that was underway globally.

McFarlane thanked Williams for bearing witness to the horrific event, and for his willingness to testify in the

state’s trial of the accused killer and his fellow police officers.

McFarlane asked Williams to describe what it meant to sit on that witness stand, be as courageous as he was, and tell the true story about what he saw.

Williams said he was not intimidated or discouraged.

His parents taught him the value of being a positive role model and giving back. He said he

learned discipline as a soldier in the US military. Williams is a father, a professional mixed martial arts fighter, entrepreneur, and community activist.

The show, which airs Tuesdays at 1pm, was exceptional because it brought McFarlane family members into the discussion, some from the U.S. and from around the world, some having never met each

News

St. Paul City Council proposes setting a minimum price for cigarettes; prohibiting coupons in tobacco and vaping product sales

PAGE 5

other.

For native Londoner, Sharon June McFarlane, the George Floyd murder and uprisings reminded her of the Rodney King riots in America in the 90s when the police were acquitted after almost brutally killing their victim.

“Since people were confined to their homes because

CONVERSATIONS 4

Suzanne P. Kelly last week wa named Chief of Staff at Center for Economic Inclusion.

A senior-level administrative leader in education, Kelly’s career spans nearly 25 years in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Memphis public school districts. She has held primary responsibility for management of diverse publicschool employees, and led transformational, systemic change to achieve equitable service to, and outcomes for, communities of color.

Prior to her new position Kelly served as Chief of Staff for Minneapolis Public Schools (2016-2021), Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (2013-2016), St. Paul Public Schools (2007-2009, 2010-2012), and Memphis Public Schools (2003-2007).

She was Interim Superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools from 2009-2010.

Kelly holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University at Mankato, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla. “I am honored to welcome and partner with such

Suzanne P. Kelly a principled and accomplished leader to the Center as we grow to equip more employers and policy makers to transform and build racially equitable and inclusive workplaces and regional economies,” said Tawanna A. Black, Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

“Suzanne is a fierce champion for racial equity. Her purposeful leadership and experience building high-performing teams and systems for sustainable results will harness and anchor the Center’s entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and ambition.”

KELLY 5

LeeAnn Rasachak

Rasachak to lead WomenVenture WomenVenture this week named LeeAnn Rasachak as Chief Executive Officer.

“We are incredibly pleased that LeeAnn Rasachak has accepted the role of CEO,” said Aruna Nookala, WomenVenture board chair.

“As a former WomenVenture board member, she brings a deep understanding of the organization, a demonstrated commitment and a fresh perspective to the role. With her commitment to creating opportunities for women and people of color and her expertise in diversity and inclusion, we are excited to see where her leadership takes WomenVenture.”

“I am honored and thrilled to join WomenVenture.

The organization plays a critical role in contributing to our local economy by supporting women and minority-owned businesses to grow and thrive.

I look forward to leading the organization in delivering the services entrepreneurs need across the Twin Cities metro and beyond,” said Rasachak.

Rasachak comes to WomenVenture from a senior

marketing role at RBC Wealth Management, with more than 15 years’ experience in business and marketing, focused on consumer retail and financial services with an emphasis on brand building for Fortune 1000 companies. She received an MBA from Hamline University and undergraduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas. Rasachak also recently earned a DEI certification from Cornell University Rasachak is passionate about entrepreneurship and the long-term impact that womenowned businesses have on their communities. “Nothing is more exciting than to see women build and grow businesses,” said Rasachak. “The ability to own a business, employ people, and create products that meet a need is incredible.”

Wo m e n Ve n t u r e ’s CFO and Interim CEO, Susan Joos, said, “We welcome LeeAnn’s appointment. She has been a stalwart of the WomenVenture Board since 2018, and we’ve enjoyed working with her in that capacity.

To have her come aboard now

RASACHAK 5

I2H

Global Minnesota hosts World Food Day Symposium

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Page 4 •October October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Insight News

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The Zen Bin gets technology makeover by Comcast RISE grateful.

By Sierra Carter, Founder, The Zen Bin

Record From 3 show—our unyielding teachers.

In the midst of transformation, the work of this collective points outward. May the strength we give to each other illuminate pathways to other worlds.

Thank you to The Lake Street Council, Public Functionary, RYAN Companies, and Springboard for the Arts

Conversations From 3 of the pandemic lockdowns, more people saw Floyd take his last breath. More whites were speechless and frustrated and wanted something to be done,” she said. “But remember, Great Britain was the best colonizer

Courtesy of The Zen Bin

was access to startup capital.

But studies have shown that white entrepreneurs are able to contribute considerably more personal equity to their new businesses than entrepreneurs of color do, because white American families have nearly 10 times as much wealth as Hispanic or Black American families.

While inequities existed before the pandemic, over the last year, they’ve gotten worse. Beyond the physical toll

of COVID-19, which affected communities of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian American communities, among others, more severely than White ones, businesses of color have had less of a safety net to fall back on, have been more likely to close, and have had a harder time getting Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Studies last summer showed that the pandemic shuttered Blackowned businesses at more than double the rate of white-owned

businesses. It all leads to the deeply unequal recovery that we’re just now embarking upon.

The journey ahead can feel discouraging, but the good news is that now I have a much better idea of what it will take to build an equitable road back and get businesses like mine on even footing.

First and foremost, there needs to be investment in businesses owned by people of color from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. 12 months

ago, I applied to the Comcast RISE program, which since late last year has invested in nearly 4,700 businesses owned by people of color nationwide with monetary grants, technology makeovers and marketing services. I received a technology makeover for The Zen Bin,which provided relief when it was most needed. We were able to receive complimentary internet services and two ipads for our check-in desks as well as security cameras, we are so

for their support in producing this exhibition. Project support provided by the Visual Arts Fund, administered by Midway Contemporary Art with generous funding from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York.

Instagram: burnsomethingcollective

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Facebook: burnsomethingcollective

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For media inquiries, please email burnsomethingzine@ gmail.com

Please see attached images for promotional use (please credit Adrienne Doyle).

ISSUU link: burnsomething

About Something Burn

Burn Collective: Something

Collective is an experimental space at the intersection of curation, publishing, and peerto-peer mentorship. Its members include Lizy Bryant, Gabby Coll, Genevieve DeLeon, Adrienne Doyle, Zola Ellen, Mare Lodu, and Nance Musinguzi.

BSC envisions a world in which the curiosity, expression, and selfdetermination of queer and trans Black and POCI artists is trusted, fully resourced, and supported. A world in which expression from queer and trans

Black and POCI artists is not erased, overlooked, undercut, or confined by imposed categories.

The Collective is rooted in the work of Burn Something Zine (2014-2016) – a submissionbased media project for women and nonbinary folks of color to claim their narratives, heal by being heard, and build community. The zine was founded by Adrienne Doyle in response to white supremacy within Minneapolis’ cultural institutions and published 6 issues featuring the work of

24 contributors, creating a cherished, angsty anthology of agency, self-determination, tenderness, and rage. The Collective is an extension of this project, and its goals include being a connector of the Twin Cities’ intergenerational community of Black and POCI artists, writers, curators, and cultural workers; turning scarcity into abundance by establishing a healing relationship with our resources; and cultivating peerto-peer and intergenerational mentorship to each other.

blatant form of racism here, but Backs can always pick up the clues.”

Bostonian Imani McFarlane, in reaction to the painful murder of George Floyd said, “Finally, you see for yourself. We’re not just complaining!”

Imani McFarlane, a mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, entrepreneur, fashion designer, co-owner of “Safari Wraps”, is also Yorba priestess, Rastafarian, and self-described citizen of the universe. She said at issue are classism and colorism mixed in this historic evil.

Delmisha Haynes, Imani’s daughter, reached out to Al McFarlane. She had seen his picture and name on Facebook and knew he had to somehow be related. “It is often Divinity that drives us all to each other,” Haynes said. “I am working on healing myself, and I hope soon, other family members will do the same. I do know who I am.

We really do need each other.

Since the COVID pandemic, I have returned to Boston and have re-connected with my

mother as a friend, mentor, and business partner.”

Danni Golden’s father was a McFarlane. She never got a real opportunity to know him or his side of the family as he transitioned quite young. She is ten-year-old, Jada’s mom, Marcus Scott’s (Bitterman) partner, and a singer/songwriter.

Her stage name is Clarq.

Reflecting on George Floyd’s murder 18 months ago, Golden said, “What happened for all to see struck a nerve because it was so real and so up close. There was such an outcry from those who weren’t us. Our lives simply stopped and then we were also right in the beginning of this pandemic ravaging our world. I started examining my own inner circle.

How comfortable are you where you are? Do all your friends look like you? Division is evil. We must work to stamp out marginalization and stop allowing this trauma of racism to carry on generation after generation. Unification. Being up for battle. Standing for truth, and holding on to our faith… that’s what it’s going to take.”

Mills College is a private women’s liberal arts academic institution in Oakland, CA. Jillian Mosley, another McFarlane cousin, works there as a special program manager and is currently finishing up her master studies in educational administration.

Mosley said she works to build community, diversity, and inclusion - striving to close the gaps that have festered and remained ignored for decades. “This is Oakland,” she said, “and the protests were and have always been quite intense. We also had a lot of loss from COVID. Minneapolis is my home. I love the city. But like so many places, there’s this niceness and naïve belief that if you don’t use the ‘N’ word, that makes you okay. It’s pervasive.

Let’s be truthful. Nowadays, they even say it out loud.”

Mosley said that America must have a wide range of conversations that acknowledge and act on changing the bitter truth -- that colonialism is alive and well.

I fell in love with Earth Kry from the first time I heard “Tables Turn”. The creativity

in the video accompanying the reggae sound always lifted my spirits, and I found myself bouncing and moving my feet behind my desk even as I used my gift of creativity and words to write.

Al McFarlane said his young cousin Phil McFarlane, is ‘\living in a space of pure art, spirit, and action that embodies creativity. “There’s a fearlessness in him as he continues to believe that change is possible. Through his music and his voice, he establishes what he wants to see in the world.”

EarthKry’s lyrics are like an anthem: “One day, one day, children, we will watch as the tables turn. There will be no more rich. No more poor. There will be no more racial war.

We’ll build bridges, no more walls. And the world will be as one.”

Phil McFarlane said colonization remains the root of the different struggles he sees daily in his home of Jamaica.

Ironically when Earth Kry goes on tours on the US, most of their audiences are white. “I try not to get emotional about skin colorism and classism.

My messages are in my music.

I concentrate on learning and supplementing with what I can do so we are not so dependent on the gate keepers. We have a farm and are growing our own food. We also have a center for the children,” he said.

issuu.com/

ever. It’s difficult for the English to acknowledge their history.

Institutions such as Lloyds of London and supposedly the Tate Galleries became monetary dynasties thanks to their participation in the stain of slavery. The seaport city Bristol was a major player in the transporting of enslaved people from Africa to England to the Caribbean. Now, there’s a less

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Culture and Education Editor Dr. Irma McClaurin, PhD. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Columnist Brenda Lyle-Gray Book Review Editor W.D. Foster-Graham Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

Intern Kelvin Kuria Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Nadvia Davis Fred Easter Abeni Hill Inell Rosario Latisha Townsend Artika Tyner Toki Wright

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An achingly human, hopeful new play

Artist Donald Walker

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There were a few times this year when I thought we wouldn’t make it.

When I started The Zen Bin in 2018, I wrote out detailed business plans, saved startup dollars, and leaned heavily on family and friends.

Of course, we had contingency plans for unexpected hardships, but any business owner hopes never to have to use them.

My contingency plans went out the window when we saw we were looking at more than a year of pandemic-related shutdowns and slowdowns.

Like most businesses, we were walloped. We had to shut down entirely for seventeen months, and even when we were able to reopen, it was only at limited capacity.

With the mandates to shut down locally, all of our contractors were forced to stay home and were out of work while being in one of the most triggering times emotionally for our community.

Our team had to get creative about how we connected to support our communities overall wellbeing during the country shutdown. We’ve held on, but at times, only barely.

For a business owner of color, the hurdles are higher.

When building The Zen Bin, the most important driver

We’re not the only ones. Comcast RISE plans to name 13,000 recipients by 2022.

We need similar commitments from other corporations to level the playing field for business owners of color.

Federal, state and local recovery programs need to target minority entrepreneurs.

Too many of the existing relief efforts have had limited application windows or been first-come-first-served, which disadvantages businesses that are already starting from behind.

Local organizations like the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce can be useful allies in reaching businesses owned by historically disadvantaged groups.

Finally, financial institutions need better guardrails to ensure that they don’t discriminate against nonwhite business owners.

When accessing startup capital, barriers still exist for minority entrepreneurs, and keeping checks and balances on those with the balance sheets is the only way to make sure all businesses are starting on equal footing.

That way, when the next crisis hits, you’ll have fewer businesses starting from behind, and we’ll all find our way to recovery much faster. For all of us, that’s a business plan worth holding onto.

Cassie Beck

Sept 30 – Oct 24

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Insight News • October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Page 5

SHARING OUR STORIES

VAL’S WORLD Featuring the Family Roundtable, By M. Ann Machen Pritchard Sharing Our Stories

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor Family is everything, and in the world of our children and their education, little things mean a lot, especially taking an active interest in our children’s learning experiences. Such are the lessons taught in M. Ann Machen Pritchard’s children’s book, Val’s World: Featuring the Family Roundtable.

In Val’s World, the students at the school are having a presentation of school slogans at an assembly. I for one appreciate slogans; they can be both simple and empowering at the same time. The fact that the students are engaged in the

process is a key element in the story. Teacher invites Val to the assembly, where she has a few surprises of her own.

Pritchard beautifully incorporates the value of slogans (“Going to school is really cool”), breaking bread, and the roundtable as a time to share, celebrate our children’s education, and address their needs.

Note: for an additional treat, check out page 65 on.

For her work, in 2013-2014, Pritchard was honored to be a winner in 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading, and she is available for speaking engagements for positive intervention, especially school and community events.

In her words, “I want to help to encourage families to come together and be a family again because the young children also need the love, respect, strength, and love from their families to get a good education in school

M. Ann Machen Pritchard and to grow into good and productive citizens.”

Thank you, Ms. Pritchard, for demonstrating the

importance of family unity, both at home and in the classroom.

Representation matters.

SHARING OUR STORIES

JAHEEM’S FIRST KWANZAA, By Zephaniah Martin

By W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor In my previous review of Crown Shepherd’s book Black Boy Black Boy, the issue was raised about how African American boys fell behind in their reading skills. When asked the reason they didn’t like reading in school, the reply was simple: there were no characters or images who looked like them in books. Today, I have the honor and privilege of reviewing a book that was written by 10-year-old African American male Zephaniah Martin: Jaheem’s First Kwanzaa.

The main character, Jaheem, is a boy who at first doesn’t want to celebrate Kwanzaa, given all the other holidays throughout the year and

Zephaniah Martin his desire to play the video games he received for Christmas. With patience and understanding, his parents explain to him the importance of Kwanzaa and

its connection to his African ancestors and history, including his late beloved grandfather.

Beautifully illustrated

by Bilal Karaca, Jaheem’s First

Kwanzaa brings relevance to Kwanzaa from a child’s point of

view, and connecting this special holiday to someone he loved.

For his literary achievements, Zephaniah Martin was the 2021 winner of the Youth Writing Competition sponsored by Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute.

There is something special when an author reads his/ her/their work. On his YouTube video, Jaheem’s First Kwanzaa, Zephaniah reads his book and shares the illustrations, and it was beautiful to behold. In these days and times, it is even more imperative to encourage these gifts in our children, so like and subscribe to his video, and let’s support him as an author.

Perhaps one day, he’ll sign my copy of his book—or yours.

Representation matters, no matter how old or how young.

If we don’t share our stories, who will?

St. Paul City Council proposes setting a minimum price for cigarettes; prohibiting coupons in tobacco and vaping product sales St. Paul City Council will consider an ordinance that sets a $10 minimum price for cigarette packs and standard-size cans of smokeless tobacco and prohibits the use of coupons or price promotions on all commercial tobacco products. If passed, St. Paul will be one of a handful of cities in the country that will prohibit both the use of coupons and other price promotions. A public hearing on the ordinance is set for October 20th, followed by a city council vote on the 27th.

If approved, the restrictions would go into effect November 27th.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of tobacco stores and violations of our existing tobacco policies in St. Paul. This comprehensive ordinance will strengthen our existing system to hold tobacco stores accountable. It will also protect our communities most impacted by tobacco industry targeting by keeping tobacco prices high and reducing access to these harmful products,” said Amy Brendmoen, St. Paul’s Council President.

The proposed ordinance also lays out a number of other clarifying provisions, including: Creating two classes of tobacco licenses – one for businesses like convenience stores that sell tobacco along

Kelly From 3 The Center for Economic Inclusion seeks to close racial wealth gaps and

Rasachak From 3 as CEO is a very positive step for our organization. Our staff and board are thrilled.”

(ANSR). ANSR engaged more than 40 diverse community partners, St. Paul neighborhood District Councils, the St. Paul Youth Commission and the St. Paul Human Rights Commission to support the effort.

stockvault

with other products and one for businesses that primarily sell tobacco products Setting a distance between retailers that sell tobacco of at least one-half mile Reducing the number of tobacco licenses over time Prohibiting the sale of all menthol and flavored tobacco products in liquor stores Increasing penalties on retailers who violate city tobacco policies will help stem the tide of tobacco addiction in communities most impacted by tobacco industry targeting.

Tobacco companies spent $7.7 billion in 2016 to reduce the price of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco for consumers. That is nearly $900,000 every hour. Tobacco companies use coupons and retail promotions to lower the price of products.

Price promotions are targeted to smokers, so they are nearly

invisible to the general public and allow the tobacco industry to manipulate their prices.

Only a few cities across the country have adopted minimum price and price discounting prohibition policies; St. Paul’s policy is the most comprehensive because it includes e-cigarettes.

“Coupons and price promotions are another example of the tobacco industry targeting communities of color with cheap tobacco,” said Sylvia Amos, Director of Programs, Stairstep Foundation.

“The Black community has had enough of the tobacco companies profiting off our lives. This proposed policy will save lives.”

St. Paul’s tobacco ordinance comes after years of organizing and advocacy led by the Association for Nonsmokers—Minnesota

accelerate shared accountability for achieving regional inclusive economic growth. Through the Center’s research, thought leadership, employer inclusivity and inclusive growth consulting services, advocacy with policymakers, narrative change campaigns and experiential

learning events, the Center seeks to increase the number of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian workers earning familysustaining wages in the Twin Cities region by 10 percent over the next five years. Learn more at CenterforEconomicInclusion. org.

Rasachak begins the role full-time on October 26, and will be a featured speaker at WomenVenture’s fundraiser, the Women Mean Business Luncheon and Marketplace on Friday, Nov.12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Wo m e n Ve n t u r e

helpps women in the Twin Cities to achieve economic success through small business ownership and programs that increase women’s economic self-sufficiency through training, business coaching, loans, and a network of support. To learn more, visit womenventure.org.

“Minnesota kids targeted by Big Tobacco deserve strong tobacco prevention policies that put public health ahead of tobacco industry profits,” said Molly Moilanen, Vice President at ClearWay

MinnesotaSM and Co-Chair of Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation. “We urge the St. Paul City Council to pass this comprehensive and life-saving policy.”

Let’s work together for a better Highway 252/I-94 Join the online conversation!

Attention Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center & Brooklyn Park!

Visit the online open house.

Access this any time after September 20.

Join the virtual community conversations Minneapolis: Tuesday, October 5 from 5 to 7pm Brooklyn Center: Thursday, October 7 from 5 to 7pm Brooklyn Park: Tuesday, October 12 from 5 to 7pm

Attend the in-person open house: Thursday, October 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Monroe Elementary School-901 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park

Visit tiny.cc/252EIS or scan the QR code to access the online open house and the virtual community conversations

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.

For more information, visit the project website at dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy252study/index.html

Page 6 •October October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health

Global Minnesota

Global Minnesota hosts World Food Day Symposium Global Minnesota is partnering with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to host a virtual symposium commemorating World Food Day, on October 15th. The theme: “Our Actions Are Our Future” focuses on the impact on food security impacted by three mega-challenges - climate change, covid-19, and violent conflicts within and between nations.

The symposium features leaders of public and private institutions, including FAO, WFP, and the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC), and public and

private sector leaders who discuss these issues in ways that simultaneously promote food security and address underlying causes.

Global Minnesota supports programs that allow Minnesotans to connect and participate in the international sphere, and for Minnesota to extend its influence around the globe.

With a mission of advancing international understanding and engagement, Global Minnesota provides Minnesotans with opportunities to serve as citizen diplomats and gain a deeper understanding of

the world.

World Food Day Virtual Symposium Friday, October 15 – 9:00 am Registration - https:// www.globalminnesota.org World Food Day 2021 presenters include: Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad David Beasley Mary Bussell Paula Caballero Jenna Carter Joyce Chang Joy DiBenedetto Dr. Qu Dongyu John Ellenberger Johanna Mendelson

Dr. Qu Dongyu Tulsi Giri Michelle Grogg Nicola Gryczka Jocelyn Brown Hall Collen Vixen Kelapile

Dr. Rupa Marya Dr. Rupa Marya Charles McNeill Maureen Muketha Dr. Eduard Müller Dr. James Mwangi

Dr. James Mwangi Dr.

Raj Patel Brett Ramey Mariana Vasconcelos Tim Walz

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Insight News • October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Page 7

MINNESOTA BLACK AUTHORS EXPO

SWEETHEARTS OF THE LITERARY WORLD

Four years ago, DeVonna Bentley-Pittman and Jasmine Boudou had written and published books. The quandary: how to find their reading audience and sell their books.

Bentley-Pittman then went to Neon on West Broadway in Minneapolis to secure a space to host an event. That event became the Minnesota Black Authors Expo (MBAE). Its mission: to support and celebrate Black authors, and stimulate their income.

MBAE’s initial event featured 20 authors, plus a workshop known as Writer’s Boot Camp. With music provided by saxophonist Antonio Jackson, educators and readers came all day long to

support the event. Its success made it evident that next year’s event would require a larger space.

Dorothy Nins, MBAE’s current executive director, was a volunteer for the first MBAE event, and soon took over the event planning portion.

By 2019, panel discussions, author readings, and the Kid’s Corner were added, and the featured authors increased to 60. In 2020, Nins was appointed executive director by BentleyPittman, and received the Excellence and Fierce Passion Award. “Know your purpose” is Nins’ motto. “It is a privilege and an honor to be executive director, and to fill in the gap for Black authors,” she states.

This year’s event theme is Peaking in the Valley: Writers Rising to the Top. Given the challenges brought on by COVID-19 over the past 18 months, the theme is highly appropriate when it comes to how we excel and live in the COVID valley/world. Because of COVID, MBAE had to be creative in reaching people, hence Nins was motivated to go to television and host a virtual event for 2020. Added were 30-second promos by the featured authors, plus the prize giveaways that have been part of MBAE—if you register on the MBAE website (www. mnblackauthorsexpo.com) as a viewer, you are eligible for prizes! For the future, MBAE

will become a hybrid event.

The Kid’s Corner, sponsored by the Hennepin County Library, has a special place in Nins’ heart, and it is a key component of MBAE. While the kids are talking about books, she asks them, “What are you doing when you are blue? What do you do to get happy from being sad?” Their responses will be displayed in a storybook form this year. “This lets them know their stories are important,” Nins affirms.

You may be asking yourself if you have the passion and the discipline to write a book. You may have an idea for a book but haven’t brought it to fruition. You may already have books you’ve published, but

don’t know how to market them.

In the Writer’s Boot Camp, new and established writers will learn about 1) starting and finishing a book 2) self-publishing 3) how to go the traditional route, including finding editors and publishers that are right for you, and 4) effectively marketing and selling your books.

For the future, MBAE will have a Featured Author section every month, and continue to build a marketplace online for those who want access to its authors (e.g. editors, narrators, publishers, etc.). To meet the needs of those in the literary world that haven’t been met yet is essential, as well as getting back into a public space.

To ensure that featured authors

are getting buyers, better search engines will be implemented.

MBAE will be televised via Facebook Live and Nine North Channel 15 on Saturday, October 23 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. As an author who was writing since I could hold a pen, I knew about the myth that “Blacks don’t read.” MBAE soundly rebukes that myth, providing a literary feast. And yes, there are Black authors here in Minnesota in a diversity of genres. Representation matters.

If we don’t share our stories, who will?

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Page 8 •October October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021 • Insight News

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