September 6, 2018 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

See more Fall Hot List on pg. 6

September 6-12, 2018 Vol. 85 No. 5 www.spokesman-recorder.com

Sanctuary in a neighborhood

of ‘predators’

Mayor Frey’s budget acknowledges underserved Black community Innovative investments proposed for housing, safety, racial equity

By Keith Schubert Staff Writer

Treatment center wades into the thick of things with therapy and services from the neighborhood’s storm. Since 1960, the chemical and mental health services center has been providing solutions to the problem, offervivo is situated just blocks from ing holistic, culturally responsive care, Chicago and Franklin avenues’ transitional housing and, even, a backnotorious Thrones Plaza in pack giveaway. The center annually Peavey Park – a park which, for decades, aids some 18,000 individuals. Its location is not lost on Avivo Presihas been pestilent with drugs, prostitution and muggings. Formerly known as dent/CEO Kelly Matter, who notes that RESOURCE, Avivo stands as a shelter being close to the action runs a risk of

NEWS ANALYSIS

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

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losing clients and, in fact, clients getting high while in treatment. “It weighs heavily on our minds,” said Matter, “helping [clients] to recover in an environment that can be hard to recover in. We know in summer we have to be extra vigilant, have more staff on board, more sober activities to engage individuals – a lot of services.” ■ See Avivo on page 5

Film explores cultural impact of Twin Cities Black artists By Stephenetta Harmon Editor-In-Chief Filmmaker and photographer Philip McGraw is looking to refocus the community’s lens on Twin Cities Black artists. His new film 8 Seasons of Art captures the voices of more than a dozen area artists who have made art their passion while impacting and empowering their respective communities.

tory, education, and spirituality,” he explained, sharing his own passion to “create a narrative for the Black community about why art that is by us and for us is important.” The who’s who list of artists includes award-winning community staples and talent on the rise, such as visual artists Ta-coumba Aiken and Kenneth Caldwell, vocalist Jamela Pettiford and poet Tish Jones. Other artists include

Broderick Poole, and poets Keno Evol, Joe Davis, Jibrell and Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan round out the mix of voices. The 90-minute director’s cut

of the film serves as part documentary, part commentary, and part performance showcase of the artists and their ■ See Film on page 5

“My goal is to raise the awareness of art-making and observing art as the foundation for healing trauma and building healthier communities.” “This is about showcasing Black excellence,” McGraw told the MSR after the film’s premiere screening on August 30 at the Amherst Wilder Foundation. “Art teaches his-

veteran rapper O.S.P!, painter Ron Brown, storyteller Danielle Daniels and healing writer Jasmine Tane’t Boudah. Musicians Abdul Sesay and Mayyadda, graphic designer

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is “putting our money where our mouth is” with his inaugural $1.55 billion budget proposal. This includes holding true to his promise for an historic investment in affordable housing. “Our city’s population continues to grow at a rate not seen since the early 20th century,” Frey said on August 15 to a crowded room and the entire city council. That growth, he said, has put the city up against an “unprecedented” affordable housing crisis.

or maintaining affordable housing. In 2018, Frey said, there were 16 applicants who wanted to build affordable housing that, in total, needed $23 million of support from the trust fund. “So, the good news is that people want to build affordable housing here in Minneapolis,” he said. “The bad news is that, this year, we didn’t have the resources to support many of those requests.” Of the $40 million proposed by Frey, $30 million would be a one-time investment. Councilmember Jeremy Schroeder suggested look-

(l-r) Phillip McGraw, Ta-coumba Aiken and Theresa Nix Photo by Katie Matson-Daley

“The African American museum… is a visualization of culture and racial healing that says very clearly, ‘Yes, you matter.’” “While neighborhoods across Minneapolis continue to feel the benefits of a growing economy, too many people in our city are not included in that growth,” said Frey. Frey proposed that the City invest a record $40 million to address the crisis, with an additional $13 million coming from federal investment. The earmarked dollars include $125,000 for a tenant hotline and an investment of $3.4 million for naturally occurring affordable housing. However, the bulk of it – $21.6 million – will go toward the Affordable Housing Trust Fund: an allotment of federal and city money set aside for large-scale developers seeking to participate in creating

ing beyond the one-time approach at a budget overview presentation to the city council on August 27. “Unless we’re expecting renters to go away, we need to continue to fund them every year,” said Schroeder. “And that’s much, much easier when we are being honest taxpayers and honest with our city that this is a commitment.” The new investments are to come from an increase in the City’s tax levy from 5.5 percent this year to 5.63 percent in 2019. Not all homeowners will see a tax increase, however. “To the average property ■ See Budget on page 5

SOUTH SIDE FOR LIFE South Minneapolis’ unofficial annual community reunion kicked off Saturday, September 1 with an afternoon of family, free food and fun at Phelps Park. The ninth annual Southside Back

in the Day Community Celebration was an old (and new) school jam of residents from Phelps, King, Bryant and Central neighborhoods showing off their Southside pride.

VOA staff: Dorothea Harris, Valorie Jones, Dr. Kevin Brown, Zamzam Ahmed and Monisha Washington Photos courtesy of Volunteers of America

Themed “South side for Life,” the daylong event featured such activities as live drumming and amateur boxing, with live entertainment by the Max Band and access to community resources. Volunteers of America–Minnesota was also on hand to debut its Healthy Aging Mobile Clinic. The nonprofit’s staff can now take their services to the streets, providing blood pressure Healthy Aging Mobile Clinic checks and consultations with patients. The custom mobile unit is also equipped with a lift to accommodate patients with mobility issues. “We’re committed to helping close the racial gap in awareness about dementia and early screening,” said Dorothea Harris, program manager. “This new mobile clinic will help us take the service to where the people are — especially to the African American, East African and Hmong communities.” – MSR Editors Back in the Day attendees watch the Sabathanites drumming.


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