PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Counting down to our 90th Anniversary
February 15 - 21, 2024
Vol. 90
The Biracial Side of Blackness By Al Brown Assignment Editor s our Black History Month discussion progresses, we shift the dialogue to how biracials define their cultural identities. Living in a nation that once implied that one drop of Black blood made you a Black person, navigating a mixed heritage may present unique societal and individual challenges.
include racial profiling, stereotyping and prejudice. (3) Family dynamics: Multiracial families may experience internal tensions related to cultural differences, societal perceptions, and family expectations. (4) Lack of representation: Mixed-race individuals often find it difficult to find relatable role models in media, literature, and other forms of pop culture. For example, Bob Marley is one of the more rec-
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Sabathani exhibit
Photos courtesy of Sabathani Community Center
The Living History Museum Sabathani to unveil memorable walk through history Feb. 22
By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer
CEO, felt it wasn’t getting proper attention. “I thought there is just so much great history, so many great folks that led the way of n Thursday, February 22, from building Sabathani, building Minneapolis.” During the summer, Sabathani con5-8 p.m., Sabathani Community Center will host a community ducted a community needs assessment celebration honoring its legacy and those and three listening sessions to determine who helped to build it. The event is free what programming the community wantand open to the public. It will include a ed Sabathani to continue and what new preview of its Living History Museum and programming they could offer. Feedback performances by Grammy Award-winning from youth and seniors indicated the Sounds of Blackness. need for a better understanding of their The Living History Museum was in- background and ways to have intergenstalled in the building a few years ago, erational conversations. ■ See SABATHANI on page 5 Scott Redd, Sabathani president/CEO but Scott Redd, Sabathani’s president and
MDH creates new Office of African American Health DaVonna Rucker is named director
(l-r) Kylee Jackman and brother Anthony Gaston Courtesy photo Among those challenges are identity issues: (1) Some people of mixed heritage may struggle with their sense of identity. Some may even feel disconnected from both sides of their heritage, leading to a search for belonging and acceptance. (2) Microaggressions and racism: Mixed-race individuals, particularly those with a Black parent, may face microaggressions (indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group) and discrimination from within and outside their communities. This can
ognized artists, living or dead. Rarely is he recognized at first glance as a biracial individual. With his powerful and distinctive Afrocentric dreadlocks, most would associate Marley as a Black Jamaican. (5) External cultural pressures: Some individuals of mixed heritage may feel pressured to conform to one specific racial or cultural identity, which can lead to feelings of erasure or the suppression of the other non-dominant cultural side. Kylee Jackman, 18, a biracial teen from Bloomington, ■ See BIRACIAL on page 5
he Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has selected DaVonna Rucker as the new Office of African American Health director. Rucker’s first day at MDH was February 7. “Please join me in extending a warm welcome to DaVonna as she undertakes this crucial role within the Office of African American Health,” said MDH Assistant Commissioner Dr. Halkeno Tura. “I am confident that her expertise and passion will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts to promote health equity across the state.” The Office of African American Health was established through the Minnesota Legislature in the 2023 session. The office is dedicated to addressing the root causes of health inequities that disproportionately impact Minnesota’s African American communities
DaVonna Rucker Photo by MDH and convening a statewide African American Health Advisory Council. With nearly a decade of dedicated experience in the equity space, Rucker brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, program development, partnership management, and program analytics and evaluation. Known for advancing equity frameworks across organizations, Rucker excels in community partnerships, com-
plex problem-solving, empowerment leadership, program development and evaluation, and collective impact. Most recently, Rucker served at YWCA Minneapolis, working to eliminate racism and empower women. Over the last four years, she has focused on promoting juvenile-justice relating to their mental and social-emotional well-being. Rucker is recognized as a visionary and a
Rucker brings a wealth of expertise in leadership.
munity members. Rucker holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science and a master’s degree in psychology in leadership and is currently pursuing her doctorate in human services. She values continuous learning and actively seeks growth opportunities that drive positive change in her surroundings. Outside of work, Rucker is a devoted family person. She and her partner share two beautiful children and a puppy. In her free time, Rucker enjoys playing card and board games with her family, participating in physical and competitive activities, and indulging in all art forms, including movies, music, theater and dance.
Information provided by builder, deeply committed to serving her community and the Minnesota Department of improving outcomes for Black Health. and other marginalized com-
Dr. Umar Johnson delivers at Northrup Gives cautionary advice on local education
By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor
mental health in the Black community, the education system, the political landniversity of Minnesota scape, and mental health. students and several Over the years, Johnson has community members gained a large online following turned out in big numbers with several of his interviews Thursday evening February 8 in on platforms such as the popuanticipation of Dr. Umar John- lar radio show “The Breakfast son’s appearance for an event Club,” garnering millions of billed as a “transformative views. His unbending views toevent.” The Philadelphia-based wards interracial relationships educator, public speaker, and have mainly been a source of internet personality attended his notoriety and contention. the event at Northrop, the Before becoming a houseuniversity’s performing arts hold name, Johnson graduattheater, at the invitation of the ed from Millersville University Black Student Union. of Pennsylvania and attended In a conversation moder- the Philadelphia College of ated by the student group’s Osteopathic Medicine, releadership, Johnson ad- ceiving a Psy.D. in clinical psydressed roughly 600 guests chology. on several topics, including Toward the beginning of his
“The revolution will be waiting for you after graduation, but it’s important that you earn the grades you need and finish on time so you can join the revolution.” The student moderators asked Johnson about his progress at the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy. The school project, which has been years in the making, is a point of scrutiny for many critics against Johnson, who has long requested donations to construct the Dr. Umar Johnson speaks to an engaged group of moderators. school. He announced to the Photos by Abdi Mohamed audience that there would be a grand opening for the acadremarks, Johnson implored the dents. “Make sure you don’t emy this year after completstudents in the audience to forget why you’re in college, ing inspections and receiving find a suitable balance in their and that’s to finish with high a certificate of occupancy activism and life as college stu- marks,” he said. from the state.
On mental health and education Before his life as a public speaker and online personality, Johnson worked as a school psychologist and school administrator. Much of his commentary and opinions stem from these dual viewpoints. In 2013, Johnson released “Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys,” where he argued that attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and other behavioral disorders were misdiagnosed in Black boys for economic gain. In addressing the way in which public schools address mental health, Johnson stated ■ See UMAR on page 5