insight news ::: 05.09.16

The Minneapolis United Negro College Fund (UNCF) offi ce will host the fourth Twin Cities Masked Ball on Saturday, May 14, at the Radisson Blu, Mall of America. The sold-out signature event,

emceed by actor T. Mychael Rambo, will bring together more than 400 business, civic and education leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF’s president and CEO.

Proceeds from the evening will fund the UNCF Twin Cities Hope Scholarship, UNCF’s member institutions nationwide and the UNCF Campaign for Emergency Student Aid (CESA) to help college seniors pay fi nal

bills in order to graduate from UNCF member schools. “I am thrilled to attend the fourth UNCF Twin Cities Masked Ball to support the

InequalityCouncil focuses on solutions to racial, ethnic inequality

PAGE 3

EducationThe community answered the call

PAGE 4

LifestyleTurning Pointcelebrates 40th anniversary

HealthFalls, chemicals, medications and sharps

PAGE 5 PAGE 8

PrinceCelebrating

Thor sets sights on Plymouth & Penn

R.T. Rybak to lead Minneapolis Foundation

Corporate, civic leaders show up, show out at UNCF masked ball

Part 2 of a seriesDear friends and avid readers of Insight News called me to report that people were at Paisley Park and at First Avenue celebrations for Prince, selling copies of our free newspaper, Insight News, for $1 - $2 per copy. They called concerned for our business and our brand. I appreciated the calls and I smiled upon hearing the news. I thought it was absolutely great that entrepreneurial minded young Black guys saw the opportunity in the midst of tragedy, loss and pain. And I want to thank and encourage them to

always examine our incidents and issues, our conditions and challenges differently. I encourage them to always see beyond the pain to discover the promise, to look deeply into conditions and challenges to unearth opportunities and solutions, and to see incidents and issues not as barriers, but rather as mileposts, markers on our path to freedom. That’s what Prince did. That’s who Prince was, from my point-of-view. He destroyed the mold. He challenged the voluntary slavery that chained Black artists to bad deals. He looked at patterns of our conditions and he chose to act differently.

Twin Cities-based Thor Construction Co. has its sights set on constructing a new, four-story, $30 million multi-tenant offi ce and retail center at the intersection of Plymouth and Penn avenues in North Minneapolis. The targeted location will be home to the national headquarters of Thor and affi liated operations. Thor is also in preliminary conversations with several institutional partners to create a hub for minority entrepreneurship on the Northside, according to Ravi Norman, chief executive offi cer for Thor.

Norman calls the company’s North Minneapolis development plan “directional” at this point, as it still needs approvals from

neighborhood groups, the city and the county to go ahead on its plans to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year. Under its proposal, Thor would break ground on the new 92,000-square-foot project late this year, beginning with the construction of an underground parking garage and the outer shell of the building. The building could be ready for occupancy by the spring of 2018. “We feel confi dent that this is the right move for us, as a successful minority-owned company,

The Board of Trustees of the Minneapolis Foundation announced R.T. Rybak as the seventh CEO and president in the foundation’s history. Beginning July 1, Rybak will lead one of the nation’s oldest and largest community

foundations, succeeding Sandra Vargas, who retires at the end of June. Rybak currently serves on the foundation’s board. Last year the Minneapolis Foundation

Ravi Norman

From left: Laysha Ward, Kimberly F. Price, Jacob A. Gayle and Sharon Smith-AkinsanyaThomas Strand Studio LLCR.T. Rybak

David BradleyA new Prince mural painted at 26th & Hennepin by artist Rock “Cyfi ” Martinez

THOR TURN TO 5

UNCF TURN TO 8RYBAK TURN TO 4

By Al McFarlaneEditor-in-Chief

PRINCE TURN TO 6

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It! Events, venues, and outings in the Twin Cities MORE ON PAGE 10

Insight NewsVol. 43 No. 19 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.comMay 9 - May 15, 2016

• May 9 - May 15, 2016May 9 - May 15, 2016 • Insight News insightnews.com

insightnews.com Insight News • May 9 - May 15, 2016May 9 - May 15, 2016 •

Council focuses on promoting solutions to racial, ethnic inequality

Klobuchar, Franken, McCollum, Ellison announce new funding for youth workforce development in Minneapolis and St. Paul

HUD awards $7.2 million for local homeless programs in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently hosted a weeklong workshop aimed at guiding and empowering policymakers and community leaders to develop and promote solutions to racism and racial and ethnic inequity. Participants, including DHS and Minnesota Department of Health staff, community leaders and members of the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC) received training on problem structuring and policy analysis tools related to racial and ethnic inequity. According to Antonia Wilcoxon, DHS’ community relations director, council members, DHS staff and other state employees and community leaders participated in the program to receive an introduction to policy analysis and to help build capacity as leaders in local community-based organizations. Dr. Sam Myers of the Roy

Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs led the training, held March 14 to 18. DHS Assistant Commissioner Anne Barry, who oversees Community and Partner Relations, said that the training was valuable for her in her role leading department staff who draft human services policy. “I’ve been on a very long journey to understand how it is that we know there are inequities in outcomes for people of color and (Native-Americans) in so many measures of health and well-being, yet we haven’t changed the way we approach inequities,” said Barry. “What I learned in this class is to fi rm up my understanding that we must begin with deconstructing any problem with a perspective that includes those who are experiencing the inequity. And,

more importantly, our policy analysis can’t begin until we get the voice of those impacted by our analysis and our decisions.” Nyagatare Valens, a grants specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education, developed a policy brief on

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Reps. Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison, announced new funding for youth workforce development in Minnesota. These new Youthprise for Opportunity Reboot grants will help create career pathways for at-risk Minnesota youth. The

funding was made possible by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund (SIF). “These new investments will help prepare at-risk Minnesota youth for career opportunities in high demand fi elds, creating jobs and boosting our state’s economy,” said Klobuchar.

“Investing in our young people will put them on a pathway to success throughout their life.” “Supporting career training opportunities for young Minnesotans will help put more kids on the right path and will go a long way towards fi lling open jobs in our state,” said Franken, a member of the Senate Education

and Labor Committee. “These new resources will help prepare more of our young people for success.” “Every child in Minnesota should have a fair shot at the American Dream,” said Ellison. “These grants will help some of the most underserved young people in our state learn the skills

they’ll need to fi nd jobs that can support them today, and sustain a family tomorrow. Investing in our children’s future is one of our most sacred responsibilities – I look forward to seeing these grants in action.” “Preparing at-risk youth for success in the workforce is one of the smartest investments we

can make,” said McCollum. “The grants announced today will empower at-risk youth, strengthen our community, and help ensure Minnesota’s workforce remains competitive.” All total, the greats add up to more than $1.9 million over the next three years.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro awarded $7.2 million to 40 local homeless housing and service programs across Minnesota. These Continuum of Care (CoC) grants support the Obama Administration’s efforts to end homelessness and build upon the $25 million in funding HUD awarded

throughout Minnesota through a fi rst round of funding in March. “We know how to end homelessness and these grants support local programs that are proven to prevent and end homelessness as we’ve come to know it,” said Castro. “As we continue to make progress toward ending homelessness in this country, HUD is challenging communities to use

more cost effective solutions to help those experiencing homelessness.” “These grants will build upon existing efforts to end homelessness assisting individuals, youth and families when they need it most,” said Antonio Riley, HUD Midwest regional administrator. “It will go a long way put them on the path towards dignity and independence.”

HUD encouraged local applicants to prioritize their funding request very carefully, using a mix of performance data and local needs. In addition, applicants were encouraged to submit projects that were based on research-driven approaches and supported the nation’s goals to prevent and end homelessness. As a result, local CoCs eliminated a combined $124 million in

renewal funding from lower performing projects in order to apply for new housing projects. These new projects will provide permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness. The awards are part of the nation’s fi rst-ever comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. HUD estimates there were

564,708 persons experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2015. Since 2010, local communities around the country reported an 11 percent reduction in overall homelessness, a decline of more than 72,000 persons. During that same time, veteran homelessness fell by 36 percent, chronic homelessness declined 22 percent and family homelessness declined by 19 percent.

Antonia Wilcoxon

Participants in the training session pose for a photo March 18. Back row, from left: Dr. Sam Myers; DHS employee Jay Colond; Louis Porter III, Council on Minnesotans of African Descent; DHS employee Jay Brunner; Nyagatare Valens, CECLC member; Gilbert Acevedo, Minnesota Department of Health assistant commissioner for the Health Systems Bureau.

Front row: LaRone Greer, CECLC member and DHS employee; Community and Partner Relations Assistant Commissioner Anne Barry; Rebeca Sedarski, regional community liaison and project

coordinator, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs; Huda Farah, HEAL Institute; Annastacia Belladonna, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs; Sida Ly-Xiong, Minnesota Department of Health State Innovation Model engagement coordinator; Babette Jamison, CECLC member.EQUITY TURN TO 4


EDUCATIONThe community answered the call

TCF Financial Scholars Program

It takes a village to raise a child and the community answered the call. Friendship Academy of the Arts (FAA) and some of our community partners recently came together to engage FAA scholars in professional day. This “Professional Friday” was the fi rst of its kind for FAA and took place at the end of the school’s fi rst Spirit Week. Friendship Academy believes every child possesses the potential to learn and learning happens in many ways. This event opened the eyes of the scholars and they witnessed the many career possibilities of the community partners in attendance. Research shows that parent, school and community involvement plays a big part in students’ academic success and the many successes in their future. When school

and community work together as partners this kind of engagement allows FAA the opportunity to expand their curriculum by offering a broader scope of learning activities. The relationship between Friendship Academy and the community partners has become an integral part of FAA’s daily life and culture. The role of the community partners becomes very important because the partners provide many types of service learning in the form of enrichment classes to enhance the enjoyment of learning but also demonstrates many career possibilities for the future of FAA scholars and their families. The community partners provide mentors to scholars and connect scholars, school and families to other resources that perhaps they provide. This type of school and community partner engagement creates a winning situation for everyone. Everyone involved in this event feels and believes it was a big success and would like to see it happen again at FAA.

Special thanks to the following community partners: Rhoda Stroud, retired teacher; Sharmaine Russell, Keller Williams Realty – realtor; Vanessa Carr, City of Minneapolis 311; Henry Bridges, MCTC – instructor; Andi Jordt, 5IVE – designer and producer; Mike Borell, 5IVE designer and producer; Alonzo Anthony, safety manager, Minneapolis Public Schools; William Pierce, VA Dept. Management Center; Rochella Shephard, New York Life Insurance Company; Yolanda Miller, CVS Pharmacy; Shana Lee, Wells Fargo; Tisidra Jones, City of Saint Paul; DeSha Russell, Burnsville School; Ananysia Joseph, McDonalds – manager; Emory D. Carter, Honeywell – aerospace engineer; Tracy Wofford, HCMC – nurse practitioner; Teresa Morrow, Minneapolis Foundation; Dr. Billy G. Russell, pastor and educator; Jeffery Groves, education; Craig Laird, Fed Ex driver and referee; Gail Miller, pharmaceutical technician; Carita Payne, biologist.

Recognizing that personal fi nance knowledge is invaluable to students’ futures, TCF introduced the TCF Financial Scholars Program to Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) high schools this coming academic year. The plan comes at no cost to the district. The TCF Financial Scholars Program is a teacher-led curriculum based on the EverFi fi nancial education platform that includes six to eight hours of interactive online learning delivered to high school students in a classroom setting. The curriculum simplifi es complex fi nancial concepts and engages teens through videos, animations,

gamifi cation and social networking. TCF sponsors the Financial Scholars Program to make it available at no cost to schools, many of which are mandated to teach fi nancial education but lack the funding for a qualifi ed curriculum. Sixty North Community High School seniors was the fi rst graduating class at their school to complete the TCF Financial Scholars Program. An celebratory event on April 25 featured a roundtable, facilitated by Rep. Keith Ellison, where students and the congressman discussed fi nancial challenges the youth face.

FAA scholars (students) L-R: Jo’Naja R., Rickqeeta G., Kaveon R., Jaida M. andTrayvon P. listen as (seated) Alonzo Anthony (Mpls. Public Schools) and Tracy Wofford (HCMC)

speak about their professions

By Juan Effi om, Friendship Academyof the Arts

North Community HS Seniors Suhayb Ibrihim, Taissa Duperval, Clara Dunwwald, Economics Teacher Sam Wilbur,Seniors Kendle Taylor, Mercedes Thomas

employment disparities working on a team project during the workshop and said the training helped reinforce the council’s work. “I hope the state of Minnesota should be always ahead of the curve, not constantly playing catch up, when trying to improve the well-being of all Minnesotans, including people of color,” said Valens. LaRone Greer, a DHS employee in the Children’s Mental Health Division, said the training helped him understand how others see problems and the impacts on people of different races and ethnicities. “I’ve now learned how to use my personal experience and speak in a policy language that is used by those who develop and implement policy,” said Greer.

EquityFrom 3

distributed $80 million in grants in six focus areas – the arts, civic engagement,

economic vitality, education, the environment and health. “Our unique mission is to ensure the long-term vitality of Minneapolis and the region,” said Norm Rickeman, Minneapolis Foundation board chair. “We do that by supporting

the generous philanthropic nature of Minnesotans and by engaging directly in community issues. While much is going well today, the disparities that exist in our community are unacceptable. We can and must do better. We

can only make progress if we all come together, and we’ve hired the best person to do just that. R.T. has the passion, energy, experience, and connections to hit the ground running. He will be working with our diverse board, community partners, business and government leaders and donors to make a difference. Making that difference will also require that we listen to, partner with, and follow new voices in our community and in our neighborhoods.” “I am hopeful that the selection of R.T. will allow us to build off the progress we are making, and that it will lead to fi nding real solutions to the gaps that exist in our community,” said board vice chair Nekima Levy-Pounds. “I remain optimistic about the future of this community and the role that the Foundation can play in advancing equity

for all who live here.” A Minneapolis native, Rybak raised his family and has worked his entire career in the city. He is currently executive director of Generation Next, a public-private coalition focused on closing education gaps for children of color. “R.T. has guided Gen Next with skill and passion as we have made strong progress in orchestrating efforts to address persistent educational opportunity gaps in our community,” said Eric Kaler, Gen Next Leadership Council co-chair. “We are thrilled he and the Minneapolis Foundation will continue to be strongly engaged in that work.” Rybak was Minneapolis’ mayor for 12 years. During that time he partnered with the Minneapolis Foundation on a community-wide effort to prevent youth violence. As mayor, he claims the launch

of the STEP-UP summer jobs program, which has employed 22,000 young people, as his proudest achievement. Previously, he worked in journalism, marketing, commercial real estate, and Internet strategy. A graduate of Boston College with a degree in political science and communications, he is the author of “Pothole Confi dential,” a book about his years as mayor. Rybak is also a senior advisor for Municipal Practice at Living Cities, which is focused on working to build a new type of urban practice aimed at improving the economic well-being of low-income people. Additionally, he serves on the boards of the Northside Achievement Zone and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “It is a tremendous honor to be joining a true institution that has spent a century doing great things for my hometown,” said Rybak. “Knowing what this foundation can do, and how much more needs to be done, I know we can, and must, do even more to make sure the prosperity so many enjoy is shared by everyone.”

RybakFrom 1

Class of ’29 & ‘27

Love chapterbooks

Aspiring astronaut& businessman

Harvest Network

of Schools

The Harvest Network of Schools is a group of high-performing K-8 public charter schools, which include the The Mastery School, Harvest Preparatory School, and Best Academy.

Our Schools

HARVEST PREPARATORY SCHOOL is the flagship school of the Harvest Network of Schools. Harvest was established by Eric and Ella Mahmoud in 1992, after the success of their SEED Academy preschool. Initially a private school, it was chartered in 1998 to give more north Minneapolis children a great education.

THE MASTERY SCHOOL leverages the strengths of boys and girls in single gender classrooms. Boys will learn in an atmosphere that encourages self control and focus on achievement. Girls will learn in an environment that gives them confidence to shine.

BEST ACADEMY is a national award-winning school. Opened in 2008 with an initial focus on educating boys, today it has both single gender and co-ed classrooms.

All Harvest Network Schools are tuition free.

Area Schools

City View 7

WISE 10

Lucy Laney 15

Bethune 17

Nellie Stone Johnson 19

Hall 19

Hmong Int’l 20

Sojourner Truth 24

New Millennium 29

Jenny Lind 33

Bryn Mawr 33

Noble 44

Loring 45

State 58

Best Academy 80

Harvest Prep 82

K-8 Schools in North Minneapolis 3- year Avera ge MMR for 2011-2013

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HEALTHHEALTHY HOME ADVICE

Falls, chemicals, medications and sharps

“When thinking about staying healthy, your home may seem like the safest place. A big part of being healthy means preventing accidents and injuries in your own home. In order to improve your well-being, consider the following tips for reducing falls, lessening household chemical incidents, properly managing medications and disposing of sharps appropriately,” says Marie Morris, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System family physician. Dr. Morris offers the following tips to make sure anyone who enters your house protected from accidents:

Fall preventionFalls are quite common, especially among the senior citizen population and during the winter months. Here are a few strategies to help you avoid

slips and falls:• Light it up. Keep your house, inside and out, well lit. Dark rooms and areas pose greater risks than spaces with adequate lighting.• Remove clutter. Excess boxes, cords and rugs should be stored in a safe place. These things, among others, are all fall hazards.• Use support as needed. If you move around better with a cane or walker, use that device. And make sure you have hand railings, seating and nonslip treads throughout your home, including in your bathroom and shower.• Wear practical shoes. Choose sturdy, well-fi tting shoes with skid-proof soles. High heels, sandals, slippers and stocking feet can be a catalyst for falling.• Stay active. Physical activity keeps you moving and enhances your strength, balance, coordination and fl exibility — all of which help reduce falls.• Talk with your health care

provider. Discuss medications and health conditions that could possibly contribute to falls. Additionally, cover your fall history and what led to those incidents.

Medication safetyAlways keep your medications in their original containers, except for medications you choose to place in a daily pill box. Use this pill box to assist with compliance, and always store medication in a safe place. Never take another person’s medication, share your medications, or take more or less of a medication than directed. Dispose of unused or unneeded controlled substances and all old medications.

Household chemical safetyAnother common and often overlooked danger at the homestead is the common chemicals you have on shelves, benches and countertops. Follow this advice when it comes to household chemicals:

• Store chemicals in original containers. If that’s not an option, be sure to clearly label the bottle or can.• Keep cleaners and other toxins out of the reach of children.• Read warning labels.• Follow safety instructions.• Have the poison control center phone number available: 1-800-222-1222.• Properly dispose of expired, leaking or contaminated chemicals.

• Don’t combine chemicals.• Keep chemicals far from food items.• Stay diligent about handwashing after using cleaners and other chemicals.

Sharps disposalAccording to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, sharps, including needles, lancets and syringes, should be stored in a sharps disposal container or a laundry detergent bottle with a cap. Sharps disposal containers are available for purchase at most

pharmacies.Destroy sharps at home by using an incinerating device or needle cutter. Melted metal and remaining parts of syringes can then be safely deposited in the garbage — not the recycling bin. Dispose of clipped needles at a sharps collection site or via a sharps mail-back program. “Keep these fall prevention, chemical handling, medication management and sharps disposal tips in mind to ensure you, your family and your visitors are safer in your home,” adds Dr. Morris.

By Micah Dorfner,Mayo Clinic

to put our corporate stakes down in a part of the city that is yearning for private sector investment and commercial real estate development,” said Norman, who leads the company with offi ces in six states, 150 full-time employees, and more than $150 million in annual gross revenues. Plans call for the building to feature a sleek, modernistic concrete and glass exterior with the main entrance fronting the corner of Plymouth and Penn. Inside, the building will offer 16,000 square feet of ground fl oor retail space and 76,000 square feet of offi ce space, 65,000 square feet to be available for leasing to tenants and 11,000 square feet for Thor’s headquarters. Thor will serve as the project’s general contractor, with a priority focus on recruiting both minority subcontractors and workers from the local and regional areas. “We’re putting in place a showcase building for the Northside of Minneapolis, with the idea of opening other business people’s eyes and minds to the possibilities of the Northside as a viable place to invest,” said Richard Copeland, Thor’s founder and chairman. Thor intends for the building to incorporate a variety of environmentally friendly and sustainable features, such as a dedicated outdoor air ventilation system, radiant heating and cooling for the lobby, and other measures that will result in lower water and electricity consumption than is the norm for a building of its type and size. Copeland said the new building is as much about Thor

making a statement about the viability of private investment in one of the city’s most economically undervalued areas as it is about choosing a new corporate home for the company. He sees the development as serving as a catalyst to a revitalization of the entire Northside. The move to the Northside from its existing leased facility in Fridley would be something of a homecoming for Copeland, who lived in the Plymouth and

Penn neighborhood as a child. “North Minneapolis helped shape me, prepare me to succeed as a business entrepreneur,” said Copeland. “Thor can be a real catalyst for positive economic and community change in north Minneapolis. We want to show people what’s possible with private investment in north Minneapolis, with a world-class building that showcases the best of our work – and that of the community.”

ThorFrom 1

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COMMENTARY

Opinion

By Julianne Malveaux

Harriet Tubman: Economic freedom fi ghter

When Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman would grace the new $20 bill, my heart sang hallelujah. Additional changes to the currency were also announced. The back of the $10 bill will now recognize the fi ve leaders of the women’s suffrage movement and the back of the $5 bill to recognize civil rights leaders, and honor historic events from the Lincoln Memorial. The faces on our money will no longer be all pale and male, and that’s progress. It is especially fi tting that Harriet Tubman grace the $20 bill, since she was an economic freedom fi ghter. She is credited with ushering more than 300 people out of enslavement,

many of them family members from the state of Maryland. She hit slaveholders in the pocketbook, costing them billions of today’s dollars. If the average enslaved person sold for $1000 (which is about right for 1860), then the 300 she freed cost $300,000 in 1860 dollars, or about $8.3 million in today’s dollars (calculated from The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index). That’s quite a blow for a slaveholding society to absorb. Every time an enslaved person ran away, they struck a blow for freedom, and a blow against the economic stability of the South. Enslavement was at the root of the development of contemporary U.S. capitalism. Black lives were the collateral that plantation owners used to purchase more land, to purchase more slaves, to purchase equipment, to expand. Enslaved people were, in many ways, a form of currency. Harriett Tubman gracing the $20 bill makes perfect sense. The new $10 bill is supposed to be available in 2020, nearly four years from

now. The new $20 bill may not be available until 2030. The design and production schedule have to be approved by the Federal Reserve Board. That shouldn’t be much of a challenge – Fed Chairman Janet Yellen has hailed the decision to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, and many have applauded the other elements of currency design. Perhaps the Fed can be lobbied to speed the production schedule up. I can’t wait to cash a check and ask for my

money in “Harriets.” As exciting as the currency design is, it is a symbolic, not a substantive change. Real change would close the income gap between men and women. Real change would close the racial economic gap. Real change would take a look at the reparations issue. In this last year of his Presidency, President Obama could use his executive order to appoint a commission to look into issues of racial economic justice.

He could make an amazing, if belated, contribution by bringing the reparations issue to the economic forefront. The Black Lives Matter community has raised the reparations issue with both Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. President Obama would do his successor a favor by starting the public work on this key issue. I suppose we have to reconcile ourselves to progress at a snail’s pace, to symbolism, not substance. Still, the image our economic freedom fi ghter on the twenty-dollar bill will be inspirational for all of us, especially for the young people who don’t know all of the sordid details of our history of enslavement. I hope that as we talk about Harriet Tubman on the money, we also talk about the economic impact she had on the institution of slavery by freeing those 300 people. This is part of the history we must never forget, and Tubman’s presence on the $20 will help us to remember. The most exciting thing about the presence of Harriet

Tubman on the $20 bill is the way that the change came about. The public was engaged. Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions, and participated with some of the online polls that various groups sponsored. The Treasury Secretary asked for public input, and he got it. He says he was surprised about the amount of input that he got. He should not have been. Both women and men were passionate about changing symbols of supremacy, ridding the currency of Andrew Jackson whose role in the oppression of Native Americans was shameful, including women on the currency. Perhaps this passion of symbolism can be converted in passion for substance. Perhaps we can use currency change to trigger a substantive movement for economic justice.

Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist in Washington DC. Her latest book Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy is available at www.amazon.com and www.juliannemalveaux.com.

This is part of the history we must never forget, and

Tubman’s presence on the $20 will help us to remember.

“...I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves...”

While there is no historical evidence that Harriett Tubman ever actually said the words in my headline, there is ample evidence that she had little interest in the limelight and absolutely ZERO

tolerance for wishy-washy, indecisive, half-stepping people on the road to freedom. I’ve got to believe that she would greet the news that her face will soon be on the U.S. Treasury’s $20 bill with a shrug and ask “...can we use it to buy our freedom?’ Of course we’ve come a long way since the issue of our freedom has been settled, but we’re no where near any resolution on the question of Black America’s economic foundation. Tubman’s face on the new $20 won’t do a thing to change that. Like most of you I understand the symbolism,

but I stop short of calling a Black icon’s image on paper currency a breakthrough. When federal contract awards to Black-owned businesses are shrinking, when the wealth gap between Black families and practically every other slice of American demography is growing, when employers do all they can to defeat legislation that would mandate a true living wage, it should be clear that no matter whose face is on the Treasury bills, Black Americans are seeing fewer of them! That’s a problem that a feel-good

demonstration won’t fi x. The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. works hard to help Black American businesses grow, propelled by the belief that healthy, vibrant Black-owned businesses will result in healthy, vibrant Black communities. I’ll acknowledge that sometimes we feel like Harriett Tubman must have felt when clouds covered the moon and her tired, scared charges on the lonely road to freedom wanted to turn back... afraid of the unknown. Black America in 2016 literally cannot afford to freeze on

the trail to fi nancial freedom. We need to spend more of our dollars in our community supporting local Black-owned businesses. Affordable housing options, educational opportunities, access to adequate healthcare and healthy food choices are the freedoms that hang in the balance today. Reduced unemployment, reduced incarceration, reduced gentrifi cation, reduced dropouts will follow from increased contracting opportunities, increased profi tability, increased access to capital and increased access to expanded markets.

So, like everyone else, we are thrilled that America is coming to grips with the horrors of its racist history. We are thrilled that there are efforts underway to correct the blatant omissions in this country’s true historical record. But we are absolutely certain that changing the faces on paper money has no value unless there is a corresponding increase in opportunities to earn those dollars. I believe Harriett Tubman would agree...

Opinion

By Ron Busby, President U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.

A Prince Story It was near midnight. Prince’s purple motorcycle roared down the alley beneath my 4th Floor offi ce window at the Kickernick Building, 430 1st Avenue N., in downtown Minneapolis. It’s the building on the corner of 1st Avenue and 5th Street North. The alley running south to north separated our building from the Wyman Building, 1st Avenue and 4th Street N., which occupied the rest of the block. This night, like a knight mounted on his purple steed, Prince roared into to alley from First Avenue, set to knock over his nemesis, Morris Day, and get the girl. Camera were rolling. But before Prince could get to Morris, my daughters, Selene, Krissy and Shelley, leaning out of the window, like teens are prone to do, shrieked his name. Loudly. Again and again. “Prince! Prince! Prince!” The movie making stopped. Set masters turned their faces skyward following their fl ashlight beams, attempting to discover the source of the unscripted sound. My daughters ducked out of sight. But my offi ce window was the only one open overlooking the alley in the eight-story warehouse building. “Up there,” said a voice training in my open window. “Up here,” I responded, stepping up to the window. “Up here on the 4th Floor.” In a matter of seconds, set security guards were knocking on the Insight News offi ce suite. My daughters no doubt felt betrayed by Dad, but they had agreed to be quiet and just watch to movie making from our offi ce window. “Would you pleeeeze not do that again?” the security offi cer asked. “It wastes a lot of money to shoot scenes over and over again. Your screaming means we have to shoot this scene over.” “Tell you what,” he added, “if you promise to be quiet, you can come downstairs with us and sit on the set behind the cameras.” They were delighted. I was delighted. And, we remembered the incident over lunch just days before the news of Prince’s April 21st death at Paisley Park shocked the world. Refl ecting on both the lunch conversation and the “Purple Rain” fi lming incident, I recognized my delight, then and

now, is because a kid I knew, from my neighborhood, was downtown making a movie. Not a Super 8mm fi rm home video, but a real movie, Hollywood style. He was making a movie that would go on the win an Oscar and evolve into in international cult classic. Prince and “Purple Rain” put Minneapolis on the map. Not just Minneapolis, but First Avenue as well. And not just First Avenue, the “Purple Rain” battle of the bands venue, but First Avenue the street where my business was located. Somewhere, said Reginald McKeever, Jr., at our family luncheon, “there is some footage that was cut and probably stored in a vault, of Krissy, Shelley and Selene screaming ‘Prince!’ and a director yelling ‘Cut!’” In my article for this series last week, I talked about Prince’s band, Grand Central, performing for neighborhood festivals and community concerts. I pulled a couple of paragraphs because I hadn’t had a chance to confi rm what I thought I remembered. I had the impression that the fi rst time I met Craig Taylor, now Director of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department (CPED), was at a Northside Summer Fun Festival event, likely at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center on Plymouth Avenue outside The Way, a youth and community service organization, a site bulldozed to make way for the current 4th Precinct Police Station, and to erase the evidence of a robust Black liberation movement at home in the heart of the Black community. I called Craig, too late for that story, but curious nonetheless: “Craig, I have this image in my mind of us meeting for the fi rst time at a Summer Fun Fest Event back in late 70s or early 80s. You were on a stage and I was on the ground at the edge of the stage. I think you were standing by keyboards. I remember us talking about the band Grand Central. Were you in the band? Did you play with Prince?” I asked. I could see him smiling through the telephone. “I was the keyboard player for Midwest Express and Prince and Grand Central would be our opening act,” Taylor said. Taylor described, and I remember, Midwest Express as the region’s premiere touring bands, drawing crowds to concerts, festivals, and night club/bar gigs. “We saw ourselves as mentors

to them, in a way. Not because we were better, but because we were older. They were 15- 16-years-old and we were in our early 20s. But we were very impressed. We said, ‘Wow, they are great!’ And we asked them to open for us whenever possible,” Taylor said. “Prince was shy. Always reserved. Always respectful. But always aware, taking in the entire surroundings, sorting people out, taking note of how authentic people were,” he said. “He was always by himself, except for when he was with his bandmates. But there was never any clowning. There was a reservoir of something,” recalled Taylor. Taylor said he’d run into Prince at the Northside YMCA on Saturday mornings for pick-up basketball games. “He was so short and you’d wonder why he would want to mix it up on the court. But he could shoot. He would blow people away. He was not only a great musician, but he was a great athlete as well,” Taylor said. Refl ecting further, I remember Prince’s debut of his fi rst album For You (Warner Bros., April 1978), at Capri Theater in North Minneapolis. I had balcony seats that allow a complete and unobstructed view of the entire stage, and a great vantage point for assessing the vibe and response of this hometown crowd. What I remember is the volume of talent on that stage and Prince, only 20-years-old, and his band’s irresistible joy and innocent swagger. A swagger not born of grinding battle, winning, losing, getting up dusting off and heading back into battle. That would certainly come later. But this was a swagger anchored in innate confi dence. Confi dence because you just know. It’s the confi dence when you fully acknowledge your gift. For in that moment you fi nd a certain freedom, a freedom that allows you to embrace discipline so engrossing that it almost seems antithetical to the notion of freedom. And therein lies the essence of the thing: Discipline as the gateway to freedom and, the discovery the freedom’s very heart is discipline. Editor’s note: I am interested in your stories and photos about Prince. Insight presents a special edition celebrating Prince’s birthday and life work on June 6. Prince would have turned 58 on June 7.

PrinceFrom 1

A UNIVERSAL RELEASE© 2016 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

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BUSINESSWindfall gifts: Blessing or a curse?

Greater Twin Cities United Way names Leslie Wright director of Community Engagement

Windfall gifts are the secret fantasy of every fundraiser.

These large, unexpected gifts can take a capital campaign “over the top.” In other instances they are the saving grace for a struggling annual fund. But they can’t be counted on, and you don’t know if they will materialize. So, what are they – a blessing or a curse? A windfall gift is truly a blessing. It can transform an organization, build a new law school or cancer center, pay off debt, launch new programs, or expand services. If the gift is unrestricted the potential is limited only by the vision and capacity of the organization’s leadership. It can grow an endowment, increasing funds available for programs, advocacy or capital improvements for years to come. While it may sound crazy, these gifts can also have a negative impact. Here’s what we mean. Let’s say your staff and board are “counting” on a windfall gift to reach a capital campaign goal. There’s always the possibility your organization could be the benefi ciary of a windfall, but you can’t count on that unless there is a gift agreement in place. What if the windfall

doesn’t come? How would you explain that to your board, volunteers and staff? Capital campaigns require the consistent identifi cation, cultivation and when appropriate solicitation of potential major donors. An unexpectedly large bequest can also mean success for your annual campaign. At the same time it can mask weaknesses or challenges in your fundraising. One way to counteract the unintended consequences of a windfall gift is to pull out these amounts when analyzing annual data.

This will help you have a more realistic base from which to make projections. It can help you get a clearer picture of your donors and their giving. This process will help you plan for the coming year without the expectation of repeating a

windfall gift. Some windfall gifts seem heaven-sent. Other times they are the result of years of work. Many organizations have received large bequests from their consistent annual donors, never anticipating that a $100 a year donor could leave a six or seven fi gure gift. Other times a donor may have attended events or served on a committee in the past. Their current gift may be the result of consistent cultivation by many people: now is the right time for them to give. Similarly, a strong marketing and communications strategy can create a heightened awareness that leads a potential donor to consider your organization or institution as a beneficiary. Capital campaigns are an ideal time to raise the profile of your nonprofit. The

results can be unexpectedly large gifts from previously unidentified potential donors who become aware of your organization. Take the time to consider what your nonprofit is doing to encourage windfall gifts. Do you encourage donors to include your organization in their estate planning? Are you consistent in your annual fundraising, cultivating and stewardship? Keep working your fundraising plan, your consistency will pay off. And you just may be the beneficiary of a windfall.

Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw

For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Greater Twin Cities United Way announced the hiring of Leslie Wright as director of Community Engagement. Stepping into the role of director of Community Engagement, Leslie Wright is a member of United Way’s Community Impact Leadership Team. She oversees the nonprofi t’s outreach efforts to communities of color, strategic development and management of the Culturally Specifi c Organizations (CSOs) portfolio, partners with Systems Change and Innovation and collaborates with United Way’s COO on the organization’s internal diversity and inclusion efforts. Wright is a sales executive with extensive experience, most recently in the hospitality industry where she was senior vice president of Sales and Services at Meet Minneapolis – the offi cial Convention and Visitors Bureau of Minneapolis. She is a member in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Wright has served on the boards of directors for the Minneapolis Urban League, and was board secretary, and the Children’s Theatre Company, where she was involved in strategic planning, diversity and fundraising.

She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Howard University and is also a charter member of the Howard University Alumni Association of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. “As we look to the future, United Way continues working to help people and communities realize their full potential. We’re thrilled to have Leslie Wright as part of the Community Impact team with her deep knowledge and skill set,” said Meghan Barp, United Way senior vice president of Community Impact. “Her leadership and expertise will strengthen our equity efforts as we move forward.” United Way invested more than $81 million in the nine-county region it serves in 2015 and touches more than one million lives annually.

By Mel and Pearl Shaw

FUNdraisingGood Times

Leslie Wright

Take the time to consider what your nonprofi t is doing to

encourage windfall gifts.

Introducing HWMR a lifestyle brand whose mantra is Excellence, more specifically, Black Excellence.

HWMR was born out of the barbershop in the Camden section of North Minneapolis. It’s founder, Houston White, believes the barbershop is the mecca for black men across America.

It’s a place where black men from diverse backgrounds converge. It’s for us, by us – the music, the incense burning, and the pictures on the wall

– a reflection of our greatness. The networking potential is unbelievable. In fact, it’s the very place where H. White laid the foundation for the wildly successful H. White Custom Homes.

The HWMR brand is a reflection of our times; it borrows from the past, yet aims to propel the classic style of yesteryears into the future. It’s vintage modernism.

The goal of HWMR is to provide superior products with excellent service while inspiring greatness. Please join in as we realign with the awesomeness of our forefathers vision and forge the new frontier of Black Excellence.

A portion of every dollar earned by HWMR will go towards the HWMR Scholarship fund for future entrepreneurs. •

Photo: Rebecca Rabb

“It is both delusional and stupid to think that clothes don’t really matter and we should all wear whatever we want. Most people don’t take clothing seriously enough, but whether we should or not, clothes do talk to us and we make decisions based on peoples appearances.”

— G. Bruce Boyer

“It feels like the men of my generation have dropped the ball when it comes to the way we as a whole present ourselves to the world. As stated by G. Bruce Boyer, we make decisions based on peoples appearances.”

— H. White

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlane

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

Assistant to the PublisherShumira Cunningham

Associate Editor & Associate PublisherB.P. Ford

Associate Editor AfrodescendientesCarmen Robles

Associate Editor Nigeria & West AfricaChief Folarin Ero-Phillips

Associate EditorCulture and EducationDr. Irma McClaurin

Associate EditorLeadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe

Director of Content & ProductionPatricia Weaver

Sr. Content & Production CoordinatorBen Williams

Production InternSunny Thongthi

Distribution/Facilities ManagerJamal Mohamed

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

Contributing WritersMelvin Carter, Jr.Harry Colbert, Jr.Julie DesmondFred EasterTimothy HoustonPenny Jones-RichardsonAlaina L. LewisMichelle MitchumDarren MooreCarmen RoblesArtika TynerToki Wright

Photography David Bradley

Contact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.Minneapolis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC),Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

INSIGHT NEWSwww.insightnews.com

WellSpring Second Chance CenterAnnual Fundraiser Gala &

Silent Auction

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poepo t, scrreeneenwriterr, actactoor & a& uthu ororJ

May 21, 2016 6:00-10:00 p.m. Heritage Park

1015 4th Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55405

$50/person $90/couple

Master of Ceremony: John Turnipseed, Urban Ventures

Music by: Faith

Ginger Commodore (former member of Sounds of Blackness & Moore by Four)

Understanding My Second Chance

Contact: Deseria Galloway 612.296.2895 or Henry Galloway at 612.701.8085 for more information and to purchase tickets.

You can enter the Second Chance Spoken Word Blast contest. ($10 entry fee) Spoken word artists Desdamona Ross, judge and hosted by Jamika Hayes.


LIFESTYLE

The OrangeMoon

By Michelle Mitchum, MPH. HHP

Turning Point, leader in culturally competent healthcare, celebrates 40th anniversary

Get summertime fi ne in no-time

Minneapolis, MN (May 2016) - Turning Point Inc, a culturally specifi c, nonprofi t agency that provides chemical health services, housing, and culturally specifi c support services and training, is celebrating its 40th anniversary of operations this June. Since 1976, Turning Point has served over 25,000 people including athletes, lawyers and politicians. Turning Point recognizes that achieving sobriety happens when all the issues that lead to addiction-poverty, isolation, unemployment, homeless, and mental illness-are incorporated and addressed in programs and services. Turning Point’s founder and president, Dr. Peter Hayden, entered a chemical dependency treatment program in 1973. He discovered that the treatment center he attended did not have clients or staff who looked like

him. He also discovered that most African Americans did not seek treatment because there were no treatment centers in the African American community. Treatment programs failed to address issues that African Americans face every day mainly because of the color of their skin. Dr. Hayden was told he had to move out of the community to remain sober. He made that move, but he had passion for people, who did not have the means to move. Dr. Hayden sought the help of Minneapolis community leaders Harry Davis, Richard Green and Earl Craig to help start Turning Point in 1976. Today, Turning Point has designed and implemented a Culturally Specifi c Service Center (CSSC), which addresses disparities in the African American community. Turning Point has developed partnerships with agencies that have expertise in such areas as job placement and employment counseling, legal assistance, health insurance, mental health, education and housing. The partners are located in Turning Point’s main headquarters in Minneapolis, where inpatient and outpatient services are provided. Under the CSSC, Turning

Point has also evolved into a leader of culturally specifi c training for businesses and organizations. As Turning Point approaches its 40th anniversary in June of 2016, they are committed to stopping drug and alcohol abuse, which often leads to poverty, homelessness, unemployment and the destruction of families. Turning Point strives to reach for its goals and resolve these issues “one person at a time.” The theme of the 40th Anniversary Celebration is Rubies and Pearls Honoring Turning Point’s Founder, Dr. Peter Hayden for his dedication, service and passion for the community. The event will be held Friday, June 10, 2016 at the Commons Hotel on the U of M Campus located at 615 Washington Ave SE in Minneapolis at 5:30 pm. For more information or to make a donation to Turning Point please visit www.ourturningpoint.org.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

Summer is upon us! Time to put away the turtle necks and pull out the shorts. Time to put away the snowboots and pull out the fl ip fl ops. You get the idea. Along with longer days comes warmer weather; so we totally understand wanting to spend less time in the house preparing food and more time enjoying the great outdoors. We’re all for a nice cooked meal, but who wants to stand inside slaving over a stove when you can juice, right? We’d much rather blend a quick nourishing meal and then head outside to watch the sunset. Here are some light-weight, refreshing recipes that’ll free up your mornings and evenings for the things that really matter.

Mango PineappleBanana SmoothieIngredients: • 1 mango, cut into chunks • 1 frozen banana • 1 cup pineapple chunks • 1/2 cup water or almond

milk • chia seeds, for garnish

Peel and dice mango. Combine mango, banana, pineapple and water/milk into blender and blend until smooth. Pour into serving cup and top with chia seeds. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

(Recipe from The Simple Veganista)

Watermelon-Apple Smoothie• 2 cups seedless watermelon• 1 apple• 1 pear• 2 cups fresh baby spinach

(or other leafy green)• 1/2 cup water if needed

“Alkaline Dreaming” Evening Cleansing Juice• 1/2 head of romaine lettuce• 1/2 lemon (yellow rind

removed)• 2 stalks of celery• half a cucumber

• handful of cilantro (substitute parsley)

Process everything through your juicer. Strain this juice and dilute with equal parts fi ltered water. If not juice fasting, you can consume this juice unstrained. Makes one diluted 16-ounce glass.

(Recipe from The Blender Girl)

Michelle Mitchum MPH, HHP, is a graduate of Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD) and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, (New York, NY). She has a successful history in the healing sciences. She has been featured on Fox Business News, Essence Magazine and is a contributing writer to Heart and Soul Magazine as well as other notable publications. In 2013 Michelle founded The OrangeMoon Holistic Health and Wellness to empower people to make intelligent and informed decisions about their health and to introduce and educate clients on holistic lifestyle alternatives.

Dr. Peter Hayden

ManTalk

By Timothy Houston

critical work UNCF does,” said Hodges. “UNCF has a rich 72-year history and has raised more than $4.5 billion to support college students of color. Their work is crucial to

ensure deserving students have access to high-quality higher education.” “We value the commitment of Mayor Hodges as we continue the plight in providing quality education for minority students,” said Lomax. “Together in the Twin Cities, supporters and stakeholders join to invest in Better Futures and

forge partnerships that pave the way for the next generation of leaders … our dividends.” The fundraising event will be chaired by Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility offi cer of Target Corp., and co-chaired by Jacob Gayle, president of Medtronic

Foundation and vice president of Philanthropy of Medtronic, PLC. Masked Award recipients are Dr. Marcia Halvorsen and Eric Mahmoud and Dr. Ella Mahmoud for their support of UNCF’s work. Halvorsen is emerita professor of economics at University of Redlands and former faculty

member of UNCF member-institution Spelman College. Eric Mahmoud is president and CEO of Harvest Network of Schools and Ella Mahmoud is the founder of Seed, Inc., and executive director of Seed Academy. “UNCF scholarship students have a strong record of becoming

leaders in business and the community,” said Ward. “Target proudly supports the work UNCF does every day to ensure underrepresented students get into and through college.” The black-tie affair includes a VIP reception, student testimonial, live auction and dining followed by dancing.

UNCFFrom 1


COMMUNITY

Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op received the 2016 Sustainable St. Paul “Local, Healthy Food – Business Award.” “Concern for community is one of our underlying principles as a cooperative,” said Gail Graham, Mississippi Market general manager. “We use the co-op model to help build a sustainable community of

farmers, workers and shoppers that benefi ts us all.” The Sustainable St. Paul Awards recognize community members and organizations for making a commitment to creating a more sustainable city. By sponsoring these awards, St. Paul offi cials hope to encourage residents, businesses, community groups and non-profi ts to implement

similar projects. Consumer owned and operated since 1979, Mississippi Market is open to everyone and has more than 17,000 member-owners. It offers regular classes each month on health, nutrition and sustainable living. The co-op has three St. Paul locations, plus a delivery service that reach more than 100 area zip codes.

Mississippi Market honored with Sustainable St. Paul Award

Councilmember Jane Prince; Tracy Sides, Mississippi Market board member; Je Vang Mississippi Market talent acquisition specialist; Carolfaye Meadows, Mississippi Market East 7th store

manager; Hector Martinez, Mississippi Market grocery team; Gail Graham, Mississippi Market general manager; and Chris Coleman, St. Paul Mayor.

Makarei Payne-Glass chosen as a state fi nalist in the National American Miss Minnesota Pageant

Mrs. Woodbury wins the title of Mrs. Minnesota 2016

Program aims to keep children safe, helps struggling families thrive

Makarei Payne-Glass, 11, has been chosen as a state fi nalist in the National American Miss Minnesota Pageant to be held June 18 – June 19 at the DoubleTree South Hotel in Bloomington. The pageant is held for girls ages 10 – 12. The newly crowned Pre-Teen Minnesota will receive a $1,000 cash award, the offi cial crown and banner, a bouquet roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California. She then has the chance to represent the state of Minnesota for the entire year. She will also tour Hollywood. Pageants are held for girls

ages four to 18, in fi ve different age groups. Contestants will compete in four overall categories including formal wear modeling, personal introduction, interview and community service project. National American Miss also offers optional contests such as the Top Model Search, and more. National American Miss is dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the pageant awards thousands in scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young ladies nationwide. All activities are age-appropriate

and family-oriented. The National American Miss system is the largest in the nation. The focus of this organization is to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation, and offers an “all-American spirit of fun for family and friends.” Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confi dence and learning new skills, such as good attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals. Those interested in learning more about the youth pageant

program may visit www.namiss.com. Payne-Glass’ activities include Sunday school worship leader at Wayman AME Church, presenter for Children’s Church, a member of the Church Praise Dance Ministry and junior usher. Her other activities also include being a mouse in Loyce Holton’s “Nutcracker.” She is a member of the Juneteenth Players and has been in two independent fi lms, “The Family Guardians” and “Until Forever.” Payne-Glass has done professional modeling. Miss Payne-Glass enjoys reading, soccer, tennis, and listening to music just for fun.

Morgan Bredde of Woodbury was crowned 2016 Mrs. Minnesota. The crowning took place April 30 at the Wellstone Center in St. Paul. Bredde will compete in July with 50 other state winners for the title of Mrs. International 2016, which will be held at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville, Fla.

“(As Mrs. Minnesota) bringing my platform, No Matter the Minutes – Hospice Care for Children, to the international stage means that the 700-plus children who die annually in Minnesota will have a safe haven that they deserve through Crescent Cove’s child-based hospice,” said Bredde. The Minnesota fi rst runner-up was Sarah Schmidt, Mrs. Benton County and second

runner-up was Robin Borneman, Mrs. Dakota County. Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant is dedicated to recognizing the virtues of family, professional and community involvement among married women. The American Heart Associations’ Go Red for Women campaign is the offi cial charity of the Mrs. Minnesota pageant.

A program that helps prevent child abuse and neglect served more than 5,700 Minnesota children and their families in 2015. Prevention and early intervention are key to addressing child abuse and neglect. The Governor’s Task Force on the Protection of Children in 2015 recommended that the state invest more resources in such efforts. The Parent Support Outreach Program is an example of this approach, according to Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Emily Piper. “Parents who are struggling want to get help, want to ensure their children are safe, want to do what’s best for their families,” said Piper. “As an early intervention and prevention tool, the Parent Support Outreach Program helps them address

problems before they become crises. Our statewide expansion effort has made it possible to reach more families and provide direct, critical services.” Participation in the Parent Support Outreach Program is voluntary. Social workers may identify families in their review of child maltreatment reports, community providers may refer families to the program or parents may opt into the program when they see the need. To be eligible for services, families must have at least one child age 10 or younger and be exposed to two or more child maltreatment risk factors, including but not limited to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, alcohol and drug problems, mental health concerns and/or past history of child protection involvement. “The program addresses

families’ needs, particularly for those who may not need traditional child protection services but may benefi t from other supports,” said Piper. Parent Support Outreach Program services include case management, counseling, parent education, and activities that enhance parent-child interactions. Families may also receive help addressing their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter to reduce risks of future child maltreatment such as neglect. County agencies as well as Leech Lake and White Earth Bands of Ojibwe use various service delivery models for Parent Support Outreach Program, either providing services directly to families or working through community providers who offer those culturally specifi c services.

Paula PrestonMorgan Bredde

Makarei Payne-Glass

Classifi eds Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: [email protected]

Volunteer OpportunitiesHarvest Network of Schools

Community service is calling, no need for stalling! The Harvest Network of Schools, a group of high-performing charter schools in north Minneapolis that includes Harvest Preparatory (K-4, coed), Best Academy (K-8, single gender), and Mastery School (K-4, single gender), is currently recruiting volunteers to work with our 3rd and 4th grade students. We have three opportunities available; Breakfast Buddies, Academic Intervention, and Classroom Support. Breakfast Buddies help with homework and reading to scholars. This option is available Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. -8:15 a.m. Academic Intervention volunteers help with students needing additional support in math and reading, available Monday through Thursday from 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Classroom Support volunteers help teachers as needed, tasks will vary. This opportunity is needed any time throughout the day 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We are requesting volunteers commit to 1-2 hours a week for a minimum of six weeks. HNS will provide training, onsite support from volunteer manager, and recognition at the end of the year. Applicants must complete an application and criminal background check. If interested please contact Marquita Butler at [email protected] or 612-876-4033.

Foster Care Volunteers of America, MNWould you like to gain 140 pounds after the Holidays? Not physically gain this weight, but weight in the sense of another person! Volunteers of America-MN is looking for skilled, dedicated parents to provide care for at-risk youth, ages ranging from infants to teenagers. We provide foster parents with lots of friendly training, 24-hour support, and a monthly stipend.

For more information, please contact Brittani Walker at 952-945-4064 or visit our website http://www.voamnwi.org/foster-care

Warehouse Help, PT/Temporary Standard Heating in NE Mpls is hiring seasonal warehouse help on 1st shift. Duties include delivery/removal/recycle equipment; maintain tools, facility grounds & warehouse. 25-30 hrs/week, pay up to $18/hour, mid-May through mid-November. Valid driver’s license & diploma/GED required. Please send resume to [email protected].

MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS HIRING

MPS seeks passionate educators! We are a diverse and dedicated team, proud to educate 35,000+ Minneapolis kids every year. We seek teachers who bring:

• An unwavering belief in the ability of all students to succeed in school• Successful experience teaching in an urban, multicultural setting• Hunger to consistently improve• Eagerness to collaborate

Opportunities available at schools throughout Minneapolis including bilingual educator positions – apply now to interview for a spot in the Teacher Candidate Pool for the upcoming school year. Teachers in the pool will be eligible to interview for teaching positions at specifi c schools throughout the spring. To apply, visit http://jobs.mpls.k12.mn.us.

Questions? Contact staffi [email protected] or 612-668-0500.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTSThe University of Minnesota is looking for African American cigarette smokers who are interested in quitting smoking. This study requires 12 visits. Participants will receive up to $390.00. For more information, call 612-626-5981.

MINSTER OF MUSIC & MUSIC DIRECTOR Two Positions Avail. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church -St. Paul, MN Visit our Website for Info: mtolivetbaptistchurch.org

Mail Room Assistant Help this large social service agency’s mail room operation by processing returned, incoming and out-going mail. Flexible daytime shifts available Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Contact Ramsey County—Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to [email protected].


Monday, May 9HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE

Count Bass DFirst Avenue & 7th St. Entry701 N 1st Ave., Minneapolis18-plus8 p.m.$10 advance, $12 door

Hip-hop artist and multi-instrumentalist, Count Bass D hits Minneapolis with Dillon, Rich Garvey and Mirage.

Tuesday, May 10JAZZ/PERFORMANCE

Davell CrawfordDakota Jazz Club1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis7 p.m.$32 – $40

NPR named Davell Crawford “…next in a line of New Orleans piano whizzes.” Catch him May 9 and May 10 at The Dakota.

Wednesday, May 11 HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE

Nappy RootsFine Line Music Cafe318 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis7 p.m.18-plus$15 advance, $20 door

Two-time Grammy nominated Nappy Roots originated in Bowling Green, Ky. in 1995 and is best known for their hit singles, “Po’ Folks,” “Awnaw,” “Roun’ the Globe” and “Good Day.”

Thursday, May 12 POP/PERFORMANCE

Legacy- A Tribute to the King of PopSteppingStone Th eatre55 Victoria Street N., St. Paul$15-$40

Legacy takes the stage with this highly anticipated, Vegas-style tribute to Michael Jackson. MJ impersonator “LC Jackson” and the Legacy dancers take fans on a journey encompassing Jackson’s classics. For more information go to www.legacymjtribute.com.

Friday, May 13HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE

King Fuvi “They Need Us” Album Release PartyBedlam Lowertown213 4th St. E., Saint Paul9:30 p.m.21-plus

One of the Twin Cities hottest up and coming artists, King Fuvi debuts the brand new album “They Need Us.” The release party in St. Paul also features Kick, Rob-1, Kaoz, and Katana Da Don with music by DJ Keith Millions, EQtheSound

and BLXCKonBLXCK. The show is hosted by Carnage The Executioner

Saturday, May 14 DANCE NIGHT

Body Rock Dancing Ganesha1100 Harmon Pl., Minneapolis10 p.m. – 2 a.m.21-plus$10

DJ Chuck Chizzle rocks the body with the best Classic hip-hop, R&B, top 40 and dancehall.

Sunday, May 15HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE

The Lost Ones Tour Featuring WebsterXAmsterdam Bar and Hall 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul8 p.m.18-plus$10 advance, $12 door

Milwaukee’s Webster X returns to the Twin Cities at the Amsterdam.

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at [email protected]

May 9 - 15

Above: Nappy Roots. Below: King Fuvi


BOOK REVIEW“From #Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation”“Th e eruption of mass protests in the wake of the police murders of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City have challenged the impunity with which offi cers of the law carry out violence against Black people and punctured the illusion of a post-racial America. Th e Black Lives Matter movement has awakened a new generation of activists. In this stirring and insightful analysis, activist and scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor surveys the historical and contemporary ravages of racism and persistence of structural inequality such as mass incarceration and Black unemployment. In this context, she argues that this new struggle against police violence holds the potential to reignite a broader push for Black liberation.” -- Excerpted from the book jacket How did the Black Lives Matter movement manage to emerge at a time when so many people considered America to be post-racial? Aft er all, the nation had not only elected its fi rst African-American president in 2008, but had witnessed an emergence of black political elites both in Washington, D.C. and in so many cities across the land. Recall how the Congressional Black Caucus, led by John Lewis, endorsed Hillary Clinton while questioning Bernie Sanders’ civil rights credentials. Th at support has eff ectively delivered over 90% of the African-American vote to Clinton in state aft er state, arguably making the diff erence

between her winning or losing the Democratic nomination. But according to Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, there is a “growing polarization between black offi cials and ordinary blacks living in urban communities.” She further asserts that African-Americans in positions of power “are just as eager as white offi cials to invoke racial stereotypes to cover their own incompetence, from claims about cultural inferiority to broken families to Black criminality.” In “From #Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation,” Professor Taylor explores why opposition to police brutality suddenly became an explosive rallying cry a couple of years ago, despite its having been around as an issue for many generations. Th e author, who teaches African-American Studies at Princeton University, also devotes considerable ink to a historical discussion of icons like Dr. Martin Luther King and Lyndon Baines Johnson as well as to such hot button topics as colorblindness, American exceptionalism, the criminal justice system and the roots and rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Overall, this incendiary tome amounts to a scathing indictment of “racism, capitalism and class rule” as oppressors of the black masses, President Obama’s occupying the White House notwithstanding.

“From #Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation”by Keeanga-Yamahtta TaylorHaymarket BooksPaperback, $17.95286 pagesISBN: 978-1-60846-562-0 Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

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