Mshale Newspaper May 16 2022

Issue # 522

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NE W S PAP E R

DEMOCRATS ENDORSE ILHAN OMAR IN HER REELECTION BID

BY PANASHE MATEMBA-MUTASA PAGE 6

PHOTO: HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

She is seeking a third term in Congress

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

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History as first Black-owned bank in Minnesota opens in Minneapolis

By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa Mshale Residents, officials, and banking industry professionals gathered in Minneapolis Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the first Black-owned bank in the state of Minnesota.

First Independence Bank (FIB) is one of the largest Black-owned banks in the United States. It was established in 1970 in Detroit, Michigan, where it already has two branches. The bank offers basic banking services and consumer, mortgage, and business loans, as well as asset management services “with an affinity for underserved communities.”

“This effort is part of our plan to create a new model of inclusive economic growth in the area,” said Peter Frosch, the chief executive officer of Greater MSP, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for businesses and individual looking relocate to the Twin Cities area.

Historically, the U.S. banking industry has treated African Americans less favorably than its white customers.

A 2020 report from the U.S. Federal Reserve found that less than 47% of financing applications by

The first Black-owned bank in the state of Minnesota is now open in Minneapolis.

Black-owned business owners get approved. Even when they do get approved, African Americans are the least likely racial group to receive full funding, the report found.

The number of Black-owned banks in the United States has been declining since 2001. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, between 2001 and 2007, the total number of

Photo: Courtesy First Independence Bank Facebook Page

Black-owned banks fell from 48 to 44.

The trend persisted after the Great Recession, and by mid 2020, there were only 20 banks remaining, with combined assets of $5.45 billion. In comparison, there are over 5,000 nonBlack owned banks in the United States, with the largest, JPMorgan Chase & Co., holding over $2 trillion in assets.

Despite the decline of Black-

owned banks, Kenneth Kelly, the chief executive officer of FIB, said he was optimistic. The company had been thinking about expanding to Minnesota for some time, he said.

“When I got the call from one of the partner banks, I jumped at the chance to explore the opportunity,” Kelly said.

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Guest Commentary by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Our disappearing rights as U.S. Supreme Court set to strike again When the Supreme Court overturned Section Five of the Voting Rights Act, it struck a blow to voting rights. No longer did states with a history of discrimination have to submit their plans to make electoral changes to the department of Justice. Instead, voters and advocacy organizations that experienced limitations of their rights had to go to court to prove that discrimination.

Women outside Jackson now have to drive hundreds of miles to get to Mississippi’s only abortion provider. In addition to the fee for abortion services, women may need to finance transportation, an overnight stay, and more. Wealthy women will get what they want, no matter what the law. Before Roe, these women went to Mexico or found their way around the law. Poor women have no such options.

Though this placed a burden on voting rights advocates, litigators, and the Transformative Justice Coalition, Barbara Arnwine has gone from state-to-state fighting unequal, discriminatory voting laws and voter suppression.

Restricting the right to comprehensive health care also constrains women’s economic self-sufficiency. Research shows that the availability of contraception increases women’s labor force participation, which is good for the economy.

Now some conservatives are considering restricting access to contraception. But contraception makes women’s investment in education and employment more likely.

TJC first produced its Map of Shame in 2016, focusing on ways states change voting laws to keep voter turnout down. The 45th President’s narrow victory over Hilary Rodham Clinton was partly a function of low voter turnout and a flawed Clinton campaign, and it was also a function of voter suppression. Voting rights activists and volunteers ensured President Biden’s victory in 2020, and the result has been a more aggressive attempt to curtail voting rights. In Georgia, it is even illegal to offer a bottle of water to someone standing in line for hours on a hot day! The effects of these curtailed rights will be seen in the 2022 midterm and 2024 Presidential elections unless people push back with the same intensity as they did in 2020.

Just as our voting rights are disappearing, so also are women’s rights to comprehensive health care. Someone leaked a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In 2018 Mississippi passed the Gestational Age Act, which banned abortion after 15 weeks. The Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the only licensed abortion clinic in Mississippi, filed a lawsuit in federal court and requested a temporary restraining order to prevent lawmakers from enforcing the law. The restraining order was granted, so the State Health Officer, Thomas Dobbs, took the case to the Supreme Court. The Court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade and decide that Mississippi’s abortion restriction is constitutional.

The court wants to go even further than that. In the leaked opinion, Justice Alito wrote, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” He and four other conservative justices – Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett- have been planning this moment since the 45th President appointed them to the court. Arguably, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh could be charged with perjury and tried for lying under oath to the United States Senate as both of them acknowledged the precedent of Roe and pledged to honor its precedent. In reacting to the May 1 leak, Chief Justice John Roberts described it as a “singular and egregious breach of trust that is an effort to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.” The first breach of trust came when Gorsuch and Kavanaugh lied under oath. It is profoundly hypocritical for Roberts to speak of trust when defending liars.

Poor women and women of color are most likely to be impacted if Roe is overturned.

Join the Mshale Text Club: Text AFRICA to 24587 or follow us onTwitter.com/Mshale Community News, updated daily on Mshale. com © 1995-2022 Mshale Communications, Inc. Mshale – The African Community Newspaper Editorial & Corporate Office: 2 E Franklin Ave., Suite 1 Minneapolis, MN 55404 Mailing Address: P.O.BOX 80071, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Tel: 612-454-5648 Email: mshale@mshale.com www.mshale.com President & Publisher: Tom Gitaa Contributing Editor: Edwin Okong’o Staff Writers: Kari Mugo, Bethel Gessesse, Cynthia Simba, Panashe Matemba-Mutasa Contributing Writers: Susan Budig Design & Layout: Staff Photographers: Richard Ooga, Bethel Gessesse, Jasmine Webber Distribution: Bluebird

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Emboldened by the many ways legislators have chipped away rights guaranteed by Roe and Casey, legislators in Mississippi are proposing laws to declare that life begins at conception, outlawing abortions after “life.”

In Louisiana, legislators are proposing laws to define abortion as murder. All of this antiabortion legislation is an attack on women’s rights.

Most Americans support abortion rights, in many cases with some restrictions.The Supreme Court is tone-deaf to the people’s sentiments and, more importantly, to 50-year precedents. Roe was decided based on privacy rights, which keep the courts out of the bedroom and away from people’s health status. Reversing Roe removes privacy rights, not just the right to choose.

What’s next? Marriage equality? Further erosion of voting rights? Interracial marriage?

What else?

The difference between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats plan by Presidential cycle, while Republicans plan for decades. This triumph of conservatism has been planned since Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980. Forty years later, hardfought gains are being lost, and our rights are disappearing. We are moving back to the 1950s or, given our economic situation, perhaps the 1930s; moving backwards as surely as we did when parts of the Voting Rights Act were overturned. People are taking their anger and disappointment to the streets, but maybe a decade too late.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. She first wrote this for National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade organization advocating for America’s Black-owned newspapers and media companies.

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

Kenya Airways has launched a Minnesota connection to New York-Nairobi nonstop flight

By Tom Gitaa Mshale

Starting this spring, residents of Minnesota will finally be able to catch the nonstop New York to Nairobi flight via Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways, which is the Kenyan National carrier, has signed an agreement with JetBlue which will connect passengers from Minneapolis/ St. Paul Airport to New York. The agreement will increase the choice of destinations offered by Kenya Airways in Africa and extend Kenya Airways’ reach in the US, Caribbean, and Latin America via New York.

Kenya Airways launched its nonstop service from New York to Nairobi in the fall of 2018 but those in Minnesota, which comprises a large Kenyan diaspora community, haven’t been able to enjoy the benefits of the service. The Kenya Airways flight from JFK departs daily at 1:45 PM making connections from Minneapolis/St. Paul tricky due to the three-hour window required for international flights.

The local businesses and the

In this January 23, 2022 photo, a Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane rests on the tarmac at JFK International Airport in New York.

The airline has announced a new partnership with JetBlue effective immediately that will allow those flying from Minneapolis-St. Paul to connect seamlessly with luggage checked through to the Kenya Airways nonstop JFK to Nairobi flight.

Photo: Courtesy Zhukovsky

Kenyan community are hoping the easier connection via JetBlue will provide the much-needed convenience and will in turn create a surge of passengers on the KQ New York – Nairobi flight from

passengers hoping to bypass the traditional Europe connection. The new partnership with JetBlue which flies out of the less busy Terminal 2 at MSP will now make it easier to be checked through to Nairobi.

The announcement comes in the wake of the February announcement by the Minnesota Kenya Airways on Pg.5

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Kenya Airways from Pg. 4 Trade Office, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), that a new partnership with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP) will provide Minnesota businesses with access to seven new international representative locations. The Africa representative office includes Kenya.

David Bwochora, the owner and manager of the two-decade old Minnesota-based Masaba Travel & Tours, hailed the new announcement from Kenya Airways. “Minnesota passengers being booked through to Nairobi on the Kenya Airways New York flight is just wonderful,” he said. “This will be a great relief for our customers who have wanted to experience the nonstop flight but have been unable to because of the inconvenience.”

Bwochora provides another reason why Minnesota travelers will be excited about the new alternative.

He said the ability for him to book a Nairobi-bound passenger from Minneapolis-St. Paul airport

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on the New York-Nairobi Kenya Airways nonstop flight, with their checked luggage being picked in Nairobi, will be a strong selling point. He said until now he has had to sometimes book passengers with a tight connection window that has led to missed flights.

Until now, there was no way for a passenger to be booked from MSP Airport and get on the Kenya Airways New York flight with their luggage checked all the way to Nairobi. Anyone wishing to get on the nonstop Nairobi bound flight was responsible for getting from MSP on their own to get on the Nairobi flight.

“Kenya Airways’ attraction to Minnesota is the large Kenyan community and growing business ties between Kenya and the Midwest. Since our launch, we have fielded many calls and emails from Kenyans in Minnesota requesting for us to make it easier for them to get on the KQ New York flight,” said Stephen Ngamau, the airlines General Manager for the Americas.

May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

booked through to Nairobi.

“We are constantly looking for new ways and partnerships that will offer our customers more choice and value. Kenya Airways customers flying to New York will now be able to connect with JetBlue-operated flights to Minneapolis, Boston, Vancouver, Cancun, and San Juan, among others. The partnership will also allow JetBlue passengers to book a through ticket to Nairobi and enjoy seamless connections to the rest of KQ’s destinations.” said Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu.

JetBlue will provide other key connections such as; Minneapolis, Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Palm Beach, Vancouver, etc. Customers can purchase their tickets via Kenya Airways website, KQ Mobile App, as well as their preferred Travel Agent. The JetBlue connection to JFK comes as the diaspora community is getting ready for one of its busiest travel

Kenya Airways General Manager for the Americas Stephen Ngamau.

Photo: Courtesy Kenya Airways

times to Kenya in the summer, as soon as school is out.

An example of summer 2022 connections from MSP to NBO that Kenya Airways shared with Mshale is shown below:

Under the agreement with JetBlue, Kenya Airways passengers in Minnesota will be able to book their flights to Kenya directly on Kenya-Airways.com and fly out of Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to get on the nonstop JFK to Nairobi flight, with their luggage in Minneapolis/St. Paul

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

Ilhan Omar wins party endorsement for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District

By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa Mshale The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) has once again endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar as she seeks re-election to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.

Omar and former Minneapolis city councilmember Don Samuels battled it out at the 5th Congressional District (CD5) Convention held Saturday at North Community High School.

“The Minnesota House of Representatives under DFL control argue for some of the most progressive policies, but we still have so much work to do,” said Governor Tim Walz.

Omar was first sworn into office in January of 2019. She is the first ever African refugee to be elected to Congress, one of the first Muslim American women to do so, and the very first woman of color to represent Minnesota.

Omar is a Somali-born immigrant whose family fled the country’s civil war when she was 8 years old. Her interest in politics began in her teen years. She was a policy fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs before winning a seat in 2016 to represent District 60B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. From then, her political career continued to grow, and she has been re-elected each term since her first swearing into Congress.

Don Samuels was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and emigrated to the United States for college. Samuels said he felt called to a career in politics when a bullet shattered the window of his soon-to-be newborn son’s room.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, left in mask and her daughter Isra, talk to a delegate during the DFL Fifth Congressional District endorsement convention on Saturday, May 7, 2022 where she won the endorsement in her reelection bid.

Photo: Jasmine Webber/Mshale

eliminated the requirement for hopeful job applicants to disclose past felonies.

Samuels has since left the city council but continues to volunteer at various organizations to improve issues of safety in his community.

During a question-and-answer session,

Wade wholeheartedly.

“Despite a popular rumor going around, I support a woman’s right to choose, and always have,” said Samuels.

Omar said women’s rights have been a key focus area in her career.

“Abortion is healthcare, and women should be the ones to make decisions pertaining to their bodies,” said Omar.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Wallz addresses delegates at the DFL Fifth Congressional District endorsement convention in May 7, 2022 where delegates endorsed Ilhan Omar who is seeking a third term in congress.

Photo: Jasmine Webber/Mshale

“For some it would have been a reason to pack up and move, but for us it was a sign to organize,” said Samuels.

Samuels then began advocating for safe neighborhoods in Minneapolis, and when a city council seat became vacant, he swiftly took the opportunity. During his time on the city council, he continued to address issues of violence in local neighborhoods. Additionally, he founded Minneapolis’ “Ban the Box” policy, which

the candidates participated in a panel discussion where they shared their stances on hot issues in their neighborhoods.

The most pressing question was that of abortion, which has taken centerstage following recent leaked majority opinion that suggest the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade, would leave the issue to the states.

Samuels said while he had not had much opportunity to speak on the issue during his career, he supported Roe v.

“Much of my career has been focused on advancing the Affordable Care Act, which ultimately increased access to health insurance,” said Samuels.

“Much of my career has been focused on passing equitable healthcare legislation: for example, we capped insulin at $35,” said Omar.

Another delegate asked the candidates’ position on President Biden’s initiative that would cancel student loan debt for thousands of college students and graduates in the country.

The candidates were also asked about how they have worked to serve marginalized communities. Samuels said that his humble beginnings in Jamaica equipped him with the perspective necessary to be an effective public servant.

Omar said it was an issue she’d been working on for years, as young people struggle to buy homes and older Americans put off retirement to pay off the loans.

“I grew up in a poor community and saw the difference in the way people of color were treated, so I always advocate for resources to be allocated to marginalized communities.

“I introduced that legislation in my first term and have been trying to get the president to use his executive power ever since,” said Omar.

“As someone who carries multiple marginalized identities, intersectionality is important to me,” said Omar. “That is why I have advocated for legislation to close disparity gaps.”

Samuels said that while he agreed with cancelling student debt, it was important to apply an “income cap.”

“It is a worthy cause, especially for African Americans, Native Americans, and poor people, but we must make sure we don’t cancel the student debt of millionaires,” said Samuels.

On the issue of healthcare, the candidates were asked to share their stance on the idea of universal healthcare.

Samuels said universal healthcare is a goal he’s continued to support and that he upholds the values of Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

In the end, Omar got more delegates to clinch the endorsement. Primary elections in Minnesota will be on August 9 with the candidate filing period starting on May 17.

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

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What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling?

By Victoria Milko Associated Press What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling?

Depending on your destination, it could result in an unexpected change in plans, such as being required to stay isolated in a hotel.

It’s why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have backup plans ready if you’re traveling abroad. You might have to stay longer than planned if you test positive.

In some places, you won’t be able to board flights until you test negative. In others, you might also be required to stay in a quarantine facility.

Since results from a PCR test can remain positive for weeks after an infection, those who have had COVID19 might have to get documentation from a doctor or health authorities saying they’ve recovered. Some travel only requires an antigen test.

If you end up needing medical treatment, check with your embassy for suggested health care providers.

Keep in mind that some countries still have overwhelmed health care sys-

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have backup plans ready if you’re traveling abroad in case you get COVID-19.

Photo: Shutterstock

tems due to the pandemic.

tarian crisis, says the CDC.

Plan time for recovery since some countries — including the U.S. — require a negative test for reentry.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted on an “extremely limited” basis, such as in the event of an emergency medical evacuation or humani-

It also helps to be financially prepared to pay unexpected bills. While it varies country to country, travelers are often responsible for costs associated with any isolation or medical treatments needed.

Travel companies suggest getting insurance that will cover the cost of treatment, isolation or rescheduled travel plans. Some countries require that you have insurance before you’re allowed to enter.

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

Karine Jean-Pierre makes history as America’s first Black White House press secretary

By Tom Gitaa Mshale President Joe Biden announced on May 5 that Karine Jean-Pierre, 44, will be the new White House press secretary when Jen Psaki leaves the post on May 13. She took over as this edition of Mshale went to press over the weekend.

Jean-Pierre who worked on Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign has been deputy press secretary since Biden took office. She also worked in the Obama White House. She was born to Haitian parents in Fort-de-France, Martinique, before her family immigrated to New York City, where she grew up.

“Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden said in a statement.

Press Secretary Psaki appeared with Jean-Pierre on the podium after Biden’s announcement during the daily press briefing and said “I’m

Karine Jean-Pierre, left, speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Washington after President Joe Biden named her as the next White House Press Secretary and the first Black person to hold the position.Outgoing Press Secretary Jen Psaki is on the right.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

going to cry,” before motioning for her to come to the podium.

Psaki had stated earlier in the Biden administration that she only planned to stay on the job for one year. Press reports have indicated that she is headed to MSNBC. “She comes to this job with decades of experience, even though she looks very young,” Psaki said as she and Jean-Pierre hugged each other on

stage.

Psaki went on to say that JeanPierre’s appointment which makes her the first Black woman to hold the position, will “give voice to so many and allow and show what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big.”

In brief remarks from the podium during the daily briefing, Jean-Pierre

said it is important for young Black children to see someone like them on White House press podium, saying that it was not “not lost on me,” that her appointment was historic.

“I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities,” Jean-Pierre said. “That I stand on their shoulders, and I have been throughout my career.”

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

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Religion

Bishop Vashti McKenzie to lead the National Council of Churches

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service Bishop Vashti McKenzie, a recently retired bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, has been named the interim president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches, the ecumenical organization announced Tuesday (May 10).

McKenzie succeeds Jim Winkler, who left the post on Jan. 31 after serving in the role since 2013. She officially started on April 1 and is expected to serve a twoyear term.

The NCC announced the transition as it welcomed the bishop to her first business meeting of the organization, which includes 37 member denominations from Protestant, Anglican, historic African American, evangelical, Orthodox and peace church traditions.

“The National Council of Churches is blessed to have Bishop McKenzie in this key leadership role,” said Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, board chair, who is also the leader of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church congregations in Florida and Alabama, in a Tuesday statement.

“She brings the necessary insight, exper-

tise, and ecumenical commitment to the Council.”

McKenzie is the first woman to serve in the combined role of general secretary and president of the NCC. She is the third woman and first African American woman in the general secretary post. She retired in July from the AME Church, after being named as bishop in 2000, the first woman to hold the title in the historically Black denomination’s more-than-200-year history.

“I look forward to the opportunity to enhance the great work that the NCC has already done and look for strategic ways to amplify its voice,” McKenzie said in a statement. “It is critical in this season of divisiveness in our country that we remain vigilant and visible advocates and bridge builders.”

Her previous ecumenical work, in roles such as delegate and preacher, includes the World Council of Churches and the World Methodist Council.

Officially founded in 1950, the NCC has its roots in the Federal Council of Churches that started in 1908. The organization has made combating racism a core aspect of its work in recent years.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie was the opening preacher for the 51st annual African Methodist Episcopal General Conference in July 2021.

Photo courtesy of AME Church

Last week, the board held a retreat in Montgomery, Alabama, with programs that expanded upon NCC’s “A.C.T. NOW

to End Racism” initiative that was started in 2018.

Bank from Pg. 2 Danielle Squires, the head of diverse segments at Wells Fargo, talked about some of the collaborative efforts that the bank has for its new partner, including making its ATM services available to First Independence Bank customers at no charge.

“Having multiple choices to serve our communities is the right thing for our entire region,” said Squires.

“Together we can work to address the wealth gap and economic disparities in communities of color.”

Russel Knighton, a retired African American who worked as a commercial and business banker for several major banks, said that, as a member of the community, he still had great interest in new initiatives to improve financial equity in his city.

“I am eager to see what new strategies First Independence can bring to improve our situation with inequity,” Knighton said.

Despite her advocacy work primarily being in healthcare, Rae Blaylark, the president and CEO of Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota, said she was passionate about all aspects of wellbeing, including financial prosperity.

“It’s important that we support these initiatives in order to begin the process of building generational wealth,” Blaylark said.

The number of Black-owned businesses has increased in recent years, but persisting inequities in

Kenneth Kelly, FIB CEO. Photo: Courtesy FIB

lending have made it difficult for aspiring Black entrepreneurs to succeed. Although people of African descent make up 14.2% of the U.S. population, only 2.3% of 5.7 million companies were Black-owned, according to a Federal Reserve.

Clara Mothershed, a small business planning specialist at the nonprofit Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation, said most Black-owned businesses fail within the first five years. The most common reason for failure of Black businesses is lack of access to cash and financing services.

“We have a lot of rebuilding to do,” Mothershed said. “We have to show up for ourselves if we want to produce tangible change.”

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

Art & Entertainment

Vieux Farka Touré will perform at the Dakota in Minneapolis on May 18

By Susan Budig Mshale More than half his life—and he’s only 41 years old—has been devoted to on-stage, live performance. Vieux Farka Touré revels in the energy of his audience and his bandmates. His many albums recorded live attest to his charisma.

So when the pandemic precluded those essential elements that fed him, guitarist and singer, Touré dug into his past for inspiration and motivation. His latest album, Les Racines, showcases what he discovered in the two years he spent at home in Mali.

Mshale spoke with Vieux Farka Touré recently. Touré said, “I had never been home in Mali for such an extended period of time since launching my career.”

Wednesday, May 18th, he’ll perform at The Dakota in Minneapolis featuring music created during the pandemic and compiled into his newest album, Les Racines, which will be officially released June 10th.

“The songs will feature the brilliant drummer, Adama Kone, on the calabash drum,” Touré said referring to his upcoming show. Touré’s performed at

The Dakota previously, “but this will be Adama’s first time performing there.”

Touré reflected on how this new music evolved. “I recorded the album entirely at a studio that I constructed at my home in Bamako, Mali,” he said. While past albums were influenced by many different genres such as reggae and funk, Touré said “for Les Racines, I focused on the musical traditions of Mali. In addition to my guitar and vocals, the album uses Malian instruments such as the ngoni, kora, and calabash drum.”

His current US tour launched in April, none too soon for Touré who said, “When I was unable to perform live shows during the pandemic I constantly thought about how much I missed connecting with fans through live music.”

Taking the stage in May will be a solace and rejuvenation for both performers and listeners.

Vieux Farka Touré at Dakota Date: May 18 @ 7pm Address: 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Ticket info: Visit dakotacooks.com

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Vieux Farka Touré of Mali is scheduled to perform at the Dakota in Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 18 2022.

Photo: Courtesy of Vieux Farka Touré

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May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

Unite to Fuel Change We live in a world where divisions and poverty affect everyone but when we unite as changemakers we can create a community where all people thrive.

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You

+ Fair Housing

May 16-22, 2022 Issue 522

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A Better Community

The solution to housing discrimination starts with you. If you have been trying to buy or rent a house or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, contact HUD or your local fair housing center. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status or disability.

Fair Housing Is Your Right. Use It. Visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing or call the HUD Hotline 1-800-669-9777 (English/Español) 1-800-927-9275 (TTY)

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing.