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Page 2 •September September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Insight News

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Insight News • September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021

Vol. 48 No. 38• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Hennepin County administrator proposes 3.5% levy increase in 2022 budget

Military.com

The Healing Circle

9-11 & Afghanistan: Remembering the dead; our commitment to do better Columnist

By Brenda Lyle-Gray So many powerful reflections from some of the many astute and passionate minds in the Twin Cities as they looked back 20 years remembering where they were; what they were thinking minutes after evil snatched 3,000 plus lives; and if they had any idea that the horror of that morning of 9-11-2001 was indeed a terrorist attack.

‘The Healing Circle’ presented by “Conversations with Al McFarlane” and co-hosted by The African American Child Wellness Institute last Friday brought depth and richness to the recollections.

“I was attending a

conference in San Diego (on trauma) that’s held every year around the end of August, first of September,” recalls Dr. Oliver Williams, Executive Director for the Institute of Domestic Violence in African American Communities. “We were just about to break up into the morning sessions when we were jolted by the sheer, unprecedented magnitude of how the world had changed within minutes, three thousand miles away. It appeared the powers-that-be muted voices and evidence that was counter to what our country’s values were supposed to be. Those issues that would benefit elite American corporations (oil and steel for ammunition) would have representatives sitting at the decision making table.

The Muslims in the city; in the country, caught the wrath. All they could hear was no one wanted them in our country, as if they knew beforehand about what had just

happened.

Although it was certainly evil what these men did, were we ever really clear why the US went into Afghanistan and why the war eventually lasted 20 years.

President Biden said in defiance of GOP critics, “We have been there long enough. So much money has been spent and it looks as if very little was accomplished.

Most of the Afghan soldiers laid down their weapons and joined the Taliban.”

Yele Akinsanya, CEO of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services recalls exactly where he was when the unfathomable occurred.

“I was working and not sure what all the talk up front was about until a lady came into my office and told me there had been a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. And then I thought, ‘Perhaps what this country had done around the world - some things not so good - that our actions, the way

Melvin Carter

By Irma McClaurin, PhD By Irma McClaurin, PhD https://corporate. target.com/article/2020/09/lakestreet-letter

Andrea Jenkins

Commentary by Dr. By Aarohi Narain By Mecca Dana Randall Harry Maya Alexa Starks Colbert, Beecham Spencer, Bos Bradley Jr. Josie Johnson

By Global Latisha Information Townsend Contributing Architect Howard Mayo Managing Clinic University Editor Staff Writer Contributing Network (GIN)Writer News Service harry@insightnews.com

we did things just didn’t sit right with a lot of people.’ Not every diplomatic situation is winnable with guns, ammunition, and bombs,” he said. “There were the Bidens and the McCains, but not too many 1% white elite’s children were on the front line in any international conflict. I’m kind of tired of people who have the financial resources waging war and exposing Americans to more dangers. Most of us are not naïve. We know this is about greed and money. The military complex. The Democrats still increased the military budget 15% when it really wasn’t needed now. We could have used those resources on a world class educational system which is far more important now.”

“On that dreadful day, Al McFarlane recalled leaving his home in North Minneapolis and heading to Lucille’s Kitchen for the Public Policy Forum broadcast. “The t.v.s stayed

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THE TESTIMONY IS IN THE JOURNEY

St. Peter’s AME Church re-opens Sharing Our Stories

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor St. Peter’s AME Church has a legacy in Minneapolis’ Black community going back to its inception in 1880. At its current location of 401 East 41st Street in south Minneapolis, presently pastored by Rev. Dr. Jon Robinson, it has been a rallying point in matters of social justice.

Resiliency is one of its greatest strengths as a church, and the COVID-19 pandemic has put that resiliency to the test.

In March of 2020, the “normal” as we knew it of inperson worship, Sunday school, altar call, corporate prayer, fellowship, and the voices of a music ministry, changed with the advent of COVID-19. Rev. Robinson once posed a question to the congregation during a message the previous year: “If the doors of St. Peter’s were

to close, would we be missed by the community?” Well, the doors were closed in a way we didn’t expect them to—all over the country. And as it turned out, we were missed.

Like churches around the country, and Black churches in particular, St. Peter’s faced challenges during this pandemic.

The biggest was the loss of connectivity of an in-person service, coupled with a sense of isolation and confinement.

As human beings, we crave that face-to-face contact with others.

We hope to regain it, although we are aware that some may not return to in-person worship and continue to do so virtually.

Other challenges included the uncharted territory COVID-19 created, how services were conducted, how the science would fit our circumstances, and the restrictions placed upon the church that sprang from the pandemic, having the building access limited to essential workers.

Indeed, there were challenges. However, in those challenges, who we are and our strengths were revealed as well:

Hennepin County Administrator David Hough last week proposed a 2022 budget of $2.4 billion to the Hennepin County Board.

The proposed net property tax levy is $899.6 million – an increase of 3.5% after holding the budget flat for 2021.

The operating portion of this budget totals $2.1 billion, an increase of $6.5 million dollars from the adjusted 2021 budget. The capital portion totals $333 million, which is $142 million more than the 2021 approved capital budget of $191 million.

Property tax covers approximately 36% of the overall county budget. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget.

“We must be responsible with property tax increases for 2022 given the challenges faced by our residents and businesses,” said Hough. “While the county’s residential real estate market remains strong, the commercial and industrial market continues to be challenged by the impacts of COVID-19.”

Hough’s proposed budget focuses on pandemic response, pandemic recovery,

Despite the fact that it hadn’t been done before, our Media Ministry showed up and showed out with their creative skills and put our first virtual service together one week after the church closed. In addition to flexibility, our ability to adapt to the situation was revealed.

The absence of a choir, due to the CDC restrictions, did not stop the Music Ministry, for our St. Peter’s Trio stepped up to the plate with instrumental inspiration every week.

Although our doors were closed for in-person

News

What The Constitution Means To Me launches return of Guthrie Theater 2021-2022 season

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worship, members stayed close and connected through phone calls and virtual services, and we acknowledged each other’s strengths.

St. Peter’s became a ministry beyond the walls during this time. Outdoor services took place in our parking lot, care packages were delivered to seniors, meals were served to the homeless, and back-to-school backpacks for students were provided to the community.

AME 5

David Hough

disparity reduction, climate action and the Hennepin County government›s future. It includes strategies like minimizing requests for new positions, introducing additional strategies and activities to reduce disparities and supporting the county’s Climate Action Plan.

“Community need has never been clearer than during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hough. “Intentionally using federal pandemic funds to support the work in disparity reduction domains is critical to ensure that we are not allowing COVID to continue to widen

HOUGH 5

Because of her bold and tireless work, Allyson Felix will receive the 2021 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) National Leadership Award for excellence and innovative leadership in Black America.

Olympian Allyson Felix to Receive NNPA National Leadership Award

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

St. Peter’s AME Church in Minneapolis

Edina Chamber of Commerce

There’s been little question about the dominance of Allyson Felix.

Five-time Olympian and 11-time medalist Felix has won the most medals of any track athlete in American history.

By the way, Felix also earned a gold medal in the 4×400 relay and the 4-400-meter mixed relay from the 2019 World Championship.

Earlier this year, Felix’s activism was on full display.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that Felix had joined the Hear Her campaign to share her story and raise awareness about urgent warning signs that could indicate life-threatening complications during and in the year after pregnancy.

Felix shared her brave story of a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia when she was 32 weeks pregnant.

Test results alarmed her doctor during a routine prenatal visit, and she was immediately admitted to the hospital.

Through an emergency c-section, Felix delivered a baby girl, who spent the first month of life in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Her doctor’s diagnosis and fast actions may have saved Allyson’s life.

Given her level of fitness and training, Felix said she felt prepared for the birth of her daughter and never imagined she would have a severe problem during pregnancy.

While she experienced some symptoms, like swelling, she thought they were a regular part of pregnancy.

“Looking back, I wish I would have been better informed about potential warning signs and talked to the doctor about those symptoms,” Felix stated in a news release.

“I really want women to have information, to know if they’re at risk, to have a plan

FELIX 5

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Hennepin County commits $20M to meet increasing need for behavioral health services

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Page 4 •September September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Insight News

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Governor launches Council on Economic Expansion

Jodi Harpstead

chaired by Jeff Ettinger, former Hormel CEO, and Paul Williams, CEO and president of Project for Pride in Living.

“I am excited to work with this multifaceted Council to offer recommendations aimed at supporting a brighter, more inclusive economic future for all Minnesotans,” said Ettinger. “Result-oriented recommendations matter to the intended beneficiaries of the programs, to taxpayers who fund these initiatives, and to all of us who believe in effective government in Minnesota.”

“We know the impact of the pandemic has fallen especially hard on communities of color and Minnesotans with low incomes,” said Williams.

“Together, we can build a thriving economy that will help everyone in our state emerge stronger.”

The Council will work with state, local, and tribal governments; businesses; workers; higher education institutions; nonprofits; grassroots movements; and communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the inequitable systems of the past and by the pandemic.

Commissioner of

Employment and Economic Development Steve Grove, Commissioner of Human Services Jodi Harpstead, and Commissioner of Labor and Industry Roslyn Robertson will work closely with the Council.

“Minnesota has a tremendous opportunity in front of us to write the next chapter of our economy in a way that works for everyone,” said Commissioner Grove. “We’re grateful to this extraordinary group of leaders for giving their time to advise government to use the unprecedented resources at our disposal to make lasting change.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic led us to rethink how our economy can work to support all Minnesotans,” said Commissioner Harpstead.

“This is a unique opportunity to work across public, private, and non-profit sectors to improve shared economic prosperity and emerge stronger than ever.”

“Living through a global pandemic has presented unique challenges for every Minnesotan, but also presents a prominent opportunity to emerge stronger than before with

equity,” said Commissioner Robertson. “It is a priority for all of us that every voice will be represented through the work of this Council and to ensure our state’s economic expansion plans include a continued commitment to keeping our state’s workforce safe and healthy.”

The Governor today appointed the following members, who will serve terms expiring on July 1, 2022.

Reserve Bank of Minneapolis  Marcus Owens, Executive Director, African American Leadership Forum  Tuleah Palmer, President and CEO, Blandin Foundation  Joo Hee Pomplun, Executive Director, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability  Nonoko Sato, Executive Director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits  Traci Tapani, CoPresident, Wyoming Machine  Bharti Wahi, Executive Director, Children’s Defense Fund - Minnesota  Penny Wheeler, CEO, Allina Health “I’m honored to be serving on the Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion.

Our union represents healthcare workers from every corner of our state, and our members work every day to make our state a healthier place. But they also see that we have lots of work to do, and I›m glad the Governor has brought together this group to find innovative ways to ensure Minnesota’s economic future includes all of us, no matter our race, gender, or zip code,” said Hilbrich.

“While Minnesota is the best

state in the country for some of us, we know that too many Minnesotans have been left out and left behind. I’m excited to dig into this work to make our state more equitable and strong so every Minnesotan – no exceptions – can live a safe, healthy, and happy life.”

“I’m eager to represent Minnesota’s small businesses, manufacturing, and women in non-traditional roles. Let’s build an inclusive and sustainable future where anyone interested in manufacturing can learn and train for a rewarding, successful career,” said Tapani.

“I come from a family with humble beginnings. Minnesota provided my father with an environment to start and grow a successful manufacturing company. I want Minnesota to continue to a place where people with dreams and ideas can have an opportunity at a middle-class life.”

The first meeting of the Council will be Sept.

15, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The full meeting schedule and additional details about the Council can be found on the Council’s Website.

performing his one act play as Huey Newton. At the end of our interview, the famed actor wanted to jam with Wain, so they began to sing a famous Bob Marley favorite, “Get up, stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight! It was a poetic moment,” he said.

Personally, I had gotten the call from my oldest daughter living in Brooklyn before I had a chance to turn on the news. It was a three-hour difference. I heard the screams and sirens in the background.

She’s always been made of tough stuff because she had to be, being a Black female living in a white world that clearly

stated in so many ways that she was not worthy of a piece of the rock of a good life that she would work hard to earn. But no one was prepared for what happened on that unprecedented September morning. Having just emerged from the subway and reaching the main Manhattan thoroughfare, I heard her trying to navigate her way through the

rooms had been a racial hell. I also knew both of my parents were quite ill, but being very private about what lay ahead, I quickly dressed, grabbed my coffee, and headed to the alternative high school where I taught English. I didn’t know how many students would show up. I couldn’t cry yet, but I remember whispering

an obligation to be co-authors of the future?”

“I think we have to walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Williams.

“Our communities tend to want to work on just one issue at a time.

But there’s too much going on; too many destructive forces at play for us not to step up. We need to be having multiple

us, a passerby commented rather nonchalantly. We live at war in our neighborhoods all the time.

And then, I thought, perhaps they just didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation; that thousands of innocent people had probably perished.

We didn’t know what was coming next.”

“With COVID, Asians had unjustly become targeted.

Culprits attacked them and falsely accused them of bringing the “China disease” into our country. A law was passed in the last legislative session protecting them from abuse on the streets. I kept asking, `where’s the law protecting American Descendents of Slavery (ADOS) people?”

Reflecting on the end of the 20-year war where trillions was spent and not too much accomplished, Dr. B. said, “We should have relinquished power to the Afghans and helped them build an army. What’s that Golden Rule paraphrase? ‘He or she who has the gold makes the rules.’ Americans took that principle to the war front. We don’t know how to empower others.

But with African Americans, we don’t know how to hold onto power when we get it. Conflicting values.

Capitalism vs. communalism.

It’s going to be vitally important to find a way to have open discussions that will effectively help our communities heal one another. “We have to figure out how all of us who are able can do better,” she said. “Our children will depend on us as elders. We hold on to the spirits of our ancestors. I am because we are.”

Tenanye Heard, a life coach for AACWI, thought it was an action movie playing out on the television screen. “I kept thinking of all the trauma the survivors would eventually experience and that is probably still true for some 20 years later.

This was by far, at the time, where resilience of the human spirit and the power of good had to surface. We were never going to give up.”

We continue to pray for solace, peace, love, and healing.

In memory After receiving a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mary Howard moved to St. Cloud, MN where she was employed as a psychologist (first African American woman) by the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She was also an adjunct faculty member at St. Cloud State University. Funeral services were held Friday, September 10, 2021.

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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

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Steve Grove

INSIGHT NEWS

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

MN.gov

Paul Williams

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



Jeff Ettinger, Former Chairman of the Board and CEO, Hormel Foods (Co-Chair)  Paul Williams, President and CEO, Project for Pride in Living (Co-Chair)  Scott Burns, CEO and Co-Founder, Structural  Brett Carter, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Innovation Officer, Xcel Energy  Joe Fowler, President, Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council  Jodi Hubler, Vice Chair, Medical Alley Board of Directors  Brenda Hilbrich, Executive Vice President, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota  Neel Kashkari, President and CEO, Federal

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By Lee H. Jordan Minneapolis Juneteenth Committee - 2018 National Juneteenth Film & Bicycling Commissions

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The usual way now is for the whites to work out their plans behind closed doors, have them approved by a few Negroes serving nominally on a board, and then employ a white or mixed staff to carry out their program. This is not interracial cooperation. It is merely the ancient idea of calling upon the “inferior” to carry out the orders of the “superior.” To express it in post-classic language, as did Jessie O. Thomas, ‘The Negroes do the `coing’ and the whites the `operating’. An excerpt from The Miseducation of the Negro from Carter G. Woodson, 1933. lautriv eht sseccA :esuoh nepo

on so we could monitor the updates of the events that had pretty much left us speechless.

My brother, Wain, with his Ipso Facto band, would always open the show. That musical genius in him would always choose or create a song to either support or challenge the show topic of the day. Our guest that day was Roger Guenveur Smith who played Gary, the police officer in Spike Lee’s movie classic, “Get On The Bus”. He was in town

Jeff Ettinger

MN.gov

choking cement dust and broken pieces still falling. “I’ve got $20 dollars, Mom. I’m going to get a pair of tennis shoes they’re selling on the corner and walk the bridge. I’ll call you when I get someplace safe,” she said. ,” I was numb, but as always, I had to assume responsibility on my own with few family members to speak of. I also had to console my youngest daughter whose painful and dangerous experience as the first Black female tennis player at a prestigious university where Confederate flags hung in dorm

Photography V. Rivera Garcia Uchechukwu Iroegbu Rebecca Rabb

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Project for Pride in Living

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9/11

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over and over as I drove, “Thank you, God, for saving my child.” About 1/3 of the students showed up. What was so sad was only one could find Afghanistan, Iraq, or Saudia Arabia on a world map!

Calling Minneapolis the epicenter of ‘a new day dawning’, McFarlane asked Dr. B. and Dr. Williams how we make sense of these tragedies of last year and of 20 years ago, as individuals and collectively.

He asked, “How do we advance our sense of accountability, responsibility, capability and sovereignty, to reflect a duty and

conversations and continue to challenge at every level. Be reminded that domestic violence against children, women, and men is criminal behavior, too.

We have to be committed to doing better.”

Dr. B. said she learned of the 9-11 attack while at a consulting appointment at Harvest Prep Academy. “Brother Eric Mahmoud gave the very sad and shocking news. Driving through downtown when heading to another client, the streets were pretty much empty with the exception of people of color. It was just ‘another day’ to

An achingly human, hopeful new play

Artist Donald Walker

612.377.2224 / guthrietheater.org

Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis. 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)

Heidi Schreck Directed by Oliver Butler A Play by

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis,

Starring

Photo: Joan Marcus

Governor Tim Walz last week signed Executive Order 21-31, establishing the new Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion.

The Council brings together 15 labor, business, philanthropic, and non-profit leaders from across the state to provide recommendations on expanding Minnesota’s economy.

“As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and look toward the future, we must take bold action to build back Minnesota’s economy stronger than before, with people— our strongest asset—at the center of the blueprint,” said Governor Walz. “The Council on Economic Expansion brings together the brightest minds in Minnesota to create a strong economic future that includes every Minnesotan. I am grateful to each of these leaders, and I look forward to their work on this Council.”

“Minnesota is home to some of the best and brightest leaders in the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “By working together, we can solve some of the greatest challenges facing our economy today— from ensuring access to child care and health care, to building pathways to success for every single Minnesotan.”

The Council will first identify immediate actions, potential policy changes, and recommendations to leverage remaining American Rescue Plan funding to advance equitable economic growth.

The group will then focus on developing a long-term roadmap to achieve a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Minnesota through public, private, and nonprofit systemic change.

The Council will be co-

Cassie Beck

Sept 30 – Oct 24

Roslyn Robertson

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Insight News • September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Page 5

Heidi Schreck’s Tony-nominated play

What The Constitution Means To Me launches return of Guthrie Theater 2021-2022 season

From 3 the gap between white residents and residents of color.”

The budget leverages funding from the federal government by way of CARES and the American Rescue Plan and balances a number of additional challenges, including:

 Uncertainty about federal and state government funding levels  Flat to declining property tax revenues  Declines expected revenues

in

other

 Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l change in how Hennepin County does business  A rapidly changing environment that may require different services and service levels “Responding to crises is what we do,” said Hough.

“The county’s pandemic response has been a catalyst for

Felix From 3 in place, not to be intimidated in doctor’s offices, and to feel empowered to speak up when they have concerns.”

Because of her bold and tireless work, Felix will receive the 2021 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) National Leadership Award for excellence and innovative leadership in Black America.

Drs. James Hildreth and Ebony Hilton, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Raphael Warnock (D-

reopening with the procedures in compliance with CDC and local health department guidelines.

A hybrid service of in-person and virtual worship is our new normal. Shared by members, here are some of their visions for St. Peter’s as we go forward in our new reality: We aren’t “coming back”; there is no return to where we were before COVID. We’re going forward.

To take this new hybrid format for service as an

opportunity to grow our church, thus bringing a new side to it.

To reach beyond the areas we touched before the pandemic.

As part of the new reality, the importance of attracting younger members,

including community leaders and families with children.

To do more outreach in the community in a sustained way, with a stronger community connection.

Continued outreach to our senior members.

change and innovation. Since the onset of the pandemic, our focus has been on maintaining critical services and supporting those most in need. Our innovations were possible because of county board support over the years and our commitment to growing and supporting operational infrastructure.”

and Human Services lines of business including a parking ramp expansion for Hennepin Healthcare (Hennepin County Medical Center)

Capital budget One of the key factors in the budget increase is the proposed 2022 capital budget.

The capital budget is where the county’s long-term assets are financed – including roads, bridges, transit and other key infrastructure. Some key items in the capital budget include:



$72 million in investment toward road, bridge, light rail and trail infrastructure

 $52 million for environment and energy infrastructure, including an anaerobic digester  $42 million in investment for law, safety and justice facilities and infrastructure  $95 million toward facilities supporting the Health

Ga.), and Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-Missouri), also will receive National Leadership Awards from the NNPA, the trade association of more than 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies.

It’s free to register for the ceremony, which takes place virtually at http:// www.virtualnnpa2021.com.

Felix continues to share her story and champion the cause of others.

She noted that about 700 women die in the United States each year due to complications related to pregnancy.

According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to

 $72 million toward other county operations Budget hearing schedule The Hennepin County Board will set its maximum tax levy at its September 21 meeting, which will be followed by a series of budget hearings before a final budget is adopted in December. View the schedule of public meetings at hennepin. us/boardmeetings.

Property values Property tax valuations impact the property tax portion of the budget. The Hennepin County Assessor›s Office assesses your property and estimates the value it would likely sell for on the open market, which is one factor used in determining your property tax. Other factors include property tax levies set by the school districts, city, county or special taxing districts that the property is in.

die from these complications than white women.

Through her involvement, Felix also seeks to raise awareness of the higher burden of poor pregnancy outcomes among Black women to generate change.

“We are delighted Allyson Felix has joined us to encourage women to speak up and ask those who support them to listen and act quickly if they raise concerns,” Dr. Wanda Barfield, director, CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, noted in the news release.

“Allyson’s passion and dedication to improving maternal health, particularly among Black women, makes her a strong partner for this effort.”

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us more of who we are. How adaptable am I? How flexible am I to changing requirements?

How will the needs of our physical facilities continue to be met? Can I go the distance?

With the church being restricted to essential personnel, Zoom meetings became my new normal, and it required me to step up my leadership role in partnership with our other ministries.

As with other churches, St. Peter’s is

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As a trustee of the church, I had firsthand experience of one of the effects of the pandemic: it has shown

Ticket Information Single tickets for What the Constitution Means to Me range from $15 to $80 and are now on sale through the Box Office at 612.377.2224, 1.877.447.8243 (toll-free) or guthrietheater.org.

Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more, seniors and students.

Health and Safety Information As previously announced, all ticket holders must wear masks and show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test to attend a performance at the Guthrie. Theaters will be sold to full capacity without social distancing. A complete list of Guthrie requirements for masking, vaccination and testing is available at www. guthrietheater.org/health.

Land Acknowledgment The Guthrie Theater acknowledges that it resides on the traditional land of the

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Our virtual services attracted people we didn’t normally get to worship with us, from around the country.

Festival, Long Wharf Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival. During the pandemic, she recurred on NBC/Peacock’s original sitcom “Connecting …” Additional guest-star TV appearances include “Pose” on FX, “High Maintenance” on HBO, “Elementary” on CBS and “Chicago Med” on NBC. Beck also appears opposite Mark Wahlberg in the feature film Joe Bell.

Oliver Butler (Director) directed the Broadway and off-Broadway productions of What the Constitution Means to Me and currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society. Selected directing credits include The Light Years (Playwrights Horizons), Jacuzzi (Ars Nova), Blood Play (The Bushwick Starr), Buddy Cop 2 (Ontological Theater), Cape Disappointment (P.S. 122), You’re Welcome, The Eaten Heart, The Snow Hen, A Thought About Raya, Thom Pain (based on nothing) (Signature Theatre, Geffen Playhouse), The Amateurs (Vineyard Theatre), The Open House (Signature Theatre; Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play, Obie Award for Direction), The Plot (Yale Repertory Theatre), The Whistleblower (Denver Center), Legacy (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Bad Jews (Long Wharf Theatre) and An Opening in Time (Hartford Stage). Butler is a Sundance Institute Fellow and a Bill Foeller Fellow (Williamstown Theatre Festival).

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also received two Tony Award nominations for What the Constitution Means to Me (Best Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play) and the 2019 Benjamin Hadley Danks Award from the Academy of Arts and Letters.

Her play Grand Concourse, which debuted at Playwrights Horizons and Steppenwolf Theatre, won the Stacey Mindich Lilly Award in 2015 and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Screenwriting credits include “I Love Dick,” “Billions” and “Nurse Jackie.”

Schreck has also taught playwriting and screenwriting at New York University, Columbia University, Kenyon College and Primary Stages. She is the recipient of three Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, the Horton Foote Playwriting Award and the Hull-Warriner Award from the Dramatists Guild.

Cassie Beck plays series regular Courtney Thacker on Amazon Prime Video’s reboot of “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Broadway credits include the recent revival of The Rose Tattoo, The Humans, Picnic and The Norman Conquests. Off-Broadway she has developed, created and performed roles at Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout Theatre Company, Ars Nova, Classic Stage Company, WP Theater and others. Regionally, she has performed at Ahmanson Theatre, South Coast Repertory, The Huntington, Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana

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Broadway where it received two Tony Award nominations among countless other accolades. The New York Times hailed it as “not just the best play to open on Broadway, but also the most important.” Initially announced for a 12-week engagement on Broadway, What the Constitution Means to Me was extended twice for a total run of 24 weeks. What the Constitution Means to Me officially opened March 31, 2019, after beginning preview performances March 14 and played its final Broadway performance on August 24, 2019.

Following Broadway, What the Constitution Means to Me played a record-breaking run at the Eisenhower Theater at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as well as two engagements in Los Angeles and Chicago before halting performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What the Constitution Means to Me features scenic design by Rachel Hauck (Guthrie: Clybourne Park, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Broadway: Hadestown), costume design

by Michael Krass (Guthrie: Appomattox, Major Barbara; Broadway: Hadestown), lighting design by Jen Schriever (Eclipsed) and sound design

by Sinan Refik Zafar (Guthrie: Noura; Waterwell: Hamlet).

Playwright Heidi Schreck is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn.

Her play What the Constitution Means to Me was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist and won the Obie Award and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play. She

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Previews begin Thursday, September 30; Opening on Wednesday, October 6; Playing through Sunday, October 24 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage Joseph Haj, The Guthrie Theater Artistic Director announced Minneapolis will be the first stop on the national tour of Heidi Schreck’s critically acclaimed memoir play What the Constitution Means to Me, directed by Oliver Butler and starring Broadway, film and TV actor Cassie Beck (Amazon Prime Video’s “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” The Humans on Broadway). Performances run September 30, 2021, to October 24, 2021, on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.

Single tickets start at $15 for preview performances (September 30 to October 5), and regular ticket prices range from $26 to $80.

Playwright Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will affect the next generation of Americans. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the U.S. In this hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

Schreck’s timely and galvanizing play, directed by Oliver Butler, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and became a sensation on

COURTESY OF BOND THEATRICAL

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME ARTWORK Dakota People and honors with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) is an American center for theater performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dedicated to producing a mix of classic and contemporary plays and cultivating the next generation of theater artists.

Under Haj’s leadership, the Guthrie is guided by four core values: Artistic Excellence; Community; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and Fiscal Responsibility.

Since its founding in 1963, the theater has continued to set a national standard for excellence in the field and serve the people of Minnesota as a vital cultural resource. The Guthrie houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms, restaurants and dramatic public spaces. guthrietheater.org As a church body, we of St. Peter’s AME are resilient.

We are survivors. As we reopen on September 19, in the motto of my high school graduating class, we are “blessed and still standing.”

Page 6 •September September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Insight News

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Insight 2 Health

youtube

Hennepin County

Leah Kaiser Senior department administrator of Behavioral Health

Marion Greene Hennepin County Board Chair

Funding will help combat effects of COVID-19 on mental, chemical health

Hennepin County commits $20M to meet increasing need for behavioral health services The county has set aside $20 million to increase equity and access to mental health supports.

COVID-19 has taken a toll on people’s mental health, creating an urgent need to build on this work. During the pandemic, four times more people have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Suicide was the second leading cause of death of Minnesotans ages 18-34 in 2020.

Youth and Black, Indigenous and people of color are disproportionately affected. Hispanic Americans are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic Americans to report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Black Americans

are 1.2 times more likely.

“Declining mental health in our community is a sometimes-invisible impact of the pandemic,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Marion Greene. “Many people have experienced isolation, economic stress, illness and death due to the pandemic. This has led to more people experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

Funding focus areas Funding comes from the federal American Rescue Act Plan. Efforts will focus on communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Increase youth and family access to support  Mental health supports in schools – expand access to 85% of students (compared to current 13%)

 Family home visiting – support healthy child development and caregiver mental health 

Public health and child protection partnership – provide health screenings and connections to services for children

 Support for parents with substance use disorders – offer an option for parents to get treatment at home, reducing

GO!

CAPRI GRAND OPENING, OCT. 3-10 8 Days of Celebration!

10/3: 10/4: 10/5: 10/6: 10/7: 10/8: 10/9: 10/10:

Grand Opening Day, 12-5pm, Free Capri Big Band, 7pm, Free Capri Glee! Choir in Concert, 7pm, Free #MPLS in Concert, 7pm, $20 First Thursday Films: Summer of Soul! 7pm, Free SPCO Chamber Music Concert, 7pm, Free Legends, The Big Swang Theory 7pm, $25 Legends, The Big Swang Theory 3pm, $25

Let’s GO! details > thecapri.org COVID-19 Safety Protocols Masks will be required at all indoor events at the Capri, including the Grand Opening Day tours of the building. Beginning Monday, October 4 we’ll require all guests to present proof of either full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to attending an event.

For more resources and information on these safety protocols, and a list of acceptable proof of vaccination or COVID test results, please visit thecapri.org/safety

2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, 55411

need for child protection



Youth crisis stabilization – expand services to reduce the need for out-ofhome placement

 Juvenile behavioral health initiative – work countywide to divert youth from justice involvement “Several initiatives that support early childhood, youth, families and adults were made possible by leveraging strong partnerships and blended funding,” said Leah Kaiser, senior department administrator of Behavioral Health. “Improved partnerships forged across Health, Human Services, and Public Safety will integrate data,

policy, resources and services needed for widespread system reform that will benefit some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Improve mental health crisis response, reduce justice system involvement  911 reform – create an alternate response to 911 calls that are related to mental health

 Alternative to jail, hospital – expand programs at 1800 Chicago to provide roundthe-clock, walk-in care  Embedded social workers – direct people who contact police for mental health reasons toward social services Increase awareness and access

for all



Culturally specific mental health services – develop a network of providers who meet the needs of a diverse community

 Mental health awareness campaign – fight mental health stigma and prevent suicide in the community “By supporting the mental health of residents, we are supporting the health of our entire community. We are improving connections to education, employment, income and housing. We are also reducing costly interventions, like hospital and jail stays,” said Greene.

insightnews.com

Insight News • September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Page 7

Minneapolis Firefighter

Tough as Nails

Minneapolis Fire Department Captain, Kalimba Cobb Edwards, is among the 12 contestants vying to reign supreme in Tough as Nails, CBS announced last week. Launching the popular show’s third season, these twelve new contestants will put themselves to the test in the reality competition series. In addition to the Minneapolis fire captain, competitors including a, crop duster, lineman, and ironworker, among others.y.

Season 3 will kick off from Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in Southern

California, as season 1 winner Marine veteran Kelly «Murph» Murphy, returns to lead the crews through a series of military-style challenges.

Throughout the season, crews will have to complete their jobs at other renowned locations, including Mt. Baldy, the highest peak in Los Angeles, the U.S. Coast Guard in San Pedro, and the Irwindale Speedway, a motorsports facility, leading to one competitor being crowned the champion and winning the coveted Tough as Nails belt.

Anyone who “punches out” of the individual competition can still win additional cash prizes in the team competitions that continue throughout the season.

In a statement on Wednesday, creator, host and executive producer Phil Keoghan said it was a “privilege” to continue to highlight America’s hardest working people, “the essential workers who have helped us get through a really challenging time.”

“It feels good that this is a show for the people and

about the people that we should all acknowledge and celebrate,” he added. “While there is only one Tough as Nails champion in the individual competition, I think what viewers are really gravitating towards and what makes this show special is the team competition and the legacy that is being built with Savage Crew and Dirty Hands. At a time when there is so much division in the world, it’s good to see a group of people from all walks of life who have never met each other before unite and work together for a common goal.”

Captain Kalimba Cobb Edwards gives kudos to her Uncle Al McFarlane, Editor of Insight News.

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The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.

Page 8 •September September 20, 2021 - September 26, 2021 • Insight News

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CHEVROLET

DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED IS FIVE YEARS STRONG! DRIVING HBCU TALENT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.

WAYS TO EXPLORE AFRICAN AMERICAN

HISTORY WITH

SEE MORE PRINCE

In the photogr aphy exhibit Prince: Before the Rain , you can see iconic images of the artist tak en by Allen Beaulieu in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Prince’ s story continues in the First Avenue exhibit, where you can see his Purple Rain suit. Both exhibits now on view, Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.

First Avenue presenting sponsor Baird.

Prince sponsor Xcel Energy.

COME TO FAMILY DAY

SATURDAYS at the MUSEUMɨ Explore the history of St. Anthony F alls with a day of family-friendly activities during My Mighty Journey: A W aterfall’s Story Family Day, Nov 9, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis.

Storytellers, Activities and Fun! Sponsored by Xcel Energy.

Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery 1256 Penn Ave No, Minneapolis, MN 55411, 4th Floor

Saturday mornings from 10 - 11:30am • 240 pages

Hear Stories Read or Great Storytelling!

EXPLORE THE HIDDEN Engage in coordinated HISTORY

activities and just have Fun!

Hear Dr. Christopher Lehman talk about his ne w book, Slavery’s Reach, which tr aces the mone y between Southern plantations and Minnesota’ s businesses. Slavery’s Reach Author Ev ent, Nov 17, North www.maahmg.org Contact us at: info@maahmg.org Regional Libr ary, Minneapolis.

Become a member!

MNHS Press

• $18.95

Local Children’s Book Authors and Storytellers! Treats!

All Are Welcome.

See us at

Free Admission.

____________________________________________________________________________ "The Children's Reading Circle is partially supported by The Givens Foundation for African American Literature through operating support funding from Target. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund."

PLAN YOUR VISIT 1-844-MNSTORY MNHS.ORG

______________________________________________________________________________________

The MAAHMG is a fully qualified 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Minnesota.

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