On Monday, April 26th, the TwinCities is celebrating the life ofKatie McWatt, noted advocatefor civil and human rights,community empowerment anddevelopment, a meaningfuleducation system and a just legalsystem. McWatt, a lifelongresident of Minnesota, diedMonday after an extendedillness.

Services for Katie McWattare, 9:30-10:30 am Monday,April 26 at St. Peter ClaverChurch, 1060 West Central, St.Paul. Visitation Service begins at 10:30 am. McWatt’s CommunityCelebration follow, 2-5 pm, at Wilder Foundation, 451 LexingtonPkwy, North, St. Paul.

McWatt was a long-time member of the Saint Paul NAACP,serving as its First Vice President for more than a decade. Sheleaves a legacy of activism and influence that is impossible tomeasure, said Nick Khaliq, President of the St. Paul Chapter,NAACP.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband of 55+ years,Arthur McWatt, and her family,” he said.

Katie McWatt started work as a student advisor with theMinnesota Employment Service Youth Opportunity Center. Fromthere, she spent 18 years working at the Saint Paul Urban League asdirector of Community Services.

Lenora “Doll” Carter, publisherof Houston Forward Timesnewspaper, and treasure ofNational Newspaper PublishersAssociation (NNPA) – the BlackPress of America, died early thismonth at her home in Houston,TX.

“I am deeply saddened at theunfortunate passing of my goodfriend and ‘sister in thestruggle,’ Lenora “Doll”Carter,” said John B. Smith, Sr.,

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Naomi Tutu, international scholarand human rights advocate, gracedMinnesota for a day of“Conversation” concerning the needfor ongoing discussion on the topicof Racism. On April 19, 2010, Tutuwas the keynote speaker for TheSaint Paul Foundation’s “FacingRace Ambassador AwardCelebration” at the Prom Center inOakdale. Facing Race is a specialinitiative of The Saint PaulFoundation that encourages openconversations about race.

The 2010 “Facing RaceAmbassador Award” honoredHerbert A. Perkins and Margery K.Otto, co-directors of the AntiracismStudy-Dialogue Circles (ASDIC).Long before becoming co-directorsof ASDIC, Perkins and Ottodedicated their lives to healingAmerican race relations. They metwhile volunteering on an anti-racismteam and today their ASDIC circlesprovide participants the opportunityto engage in dialogue, buildrelationships across racial and ethnicbarriers and commit to change. Since2006, more than 500 people haveparticipated in the ASDIC circles.

“This award is about celebratingthe value and necessity of acommunity-wide dialogue on race,”said Carleen Rhodes, president andCEO of The Saint Paul Foundation.“Herb and Margery’s workdemonstrates that when individualsare transformed, our communitiesare transformed.”

With health care reform in the“done” column, the White Houseand Congress should tackle long-overdue immigration policyreform, say media, legal andcommunity service leaders.

Joined by Cara Huang, theimmigration issues expert on USRep. Mike Honda’s (D-CA)Washington DC staff, editors andpublishers of the MinnesotaMulticultural Media Consortiumengaged a leading immigration lawexpert, a successful naturalizedimmigrant businessman and aSomali elder whose communityservice organization provides

support to immigrants fromthroughout Africa, in a broadcastforum on immigration policy.

Huang said Honda, who ischair of the bi-cameral, bi-partisanAsian Pacific Legislative Caucus,has offered two pieces oflegislation with the support of theHispanic Legislative Caucus andthe Black Legislative Caucus, thatseek to fix the nation’s immigrationsystem, which many say has beenbroken for at least 20 years.

“The Reuniting Families Actdeals with the problem of Asianimmigrants who are citizens orlegal residents facing longestfamily visa backlogs in the system.Why should they wait so long to bereunited with their families?” shesaid.

“He has also introduced TheStrengthening CommunitiesThrough Education Integration Actwhich provides tax credits andwhich assists and incentsemployers to provide English-language training for theiremployees,” Huang said.

She said the Congressman“wants President Obama and theDemocratic leadership in Congressto remember that immigration isimportant to our country and to oureconomy and consistent with thevalues of our nation.”

Traditionally, immigration has

been a bi-partisan issue, and theCongressman believes it shouldremain so, Huang said. In March,Honda spoke to a rally onimmigration where some 250,000people attended, showing there is

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Dr.Dorothy R. Height, the civil rights

icon and living legend whosename has for decades beensynonymous with quest for justice,died last week Tuesday morning atthe Howard University Hospital atthe age of 98.

Benjamin Hooks, 85, whoserved as executive director of theNAACP, also died this week afterbattling an illness. Hooks tookover as executive director in 1977,at a time when the

Naomi Tutu: Race and gender justice activist

Immigration reform now top priority

Nation mourns deathsof civil rights legends

Katie McWatt, Doll Carter:principled civic leadership

By Brenda Colston

2TUTU TURN TO

By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief

freedomssong.netDr. Dorothy Height

forwardtimes.comLenore “Doll” Carter

forwardtimes.comKatie McWatt

S.Smith Patrick Benjamin Hooks

By Hazel Trice Edney,NNPA News Service andAlexis K. Barnes,Howard University News Service Excerpts on Benjamin Hooks byDr. Boyce Watkins, Your BlackWorld

3NATION TURN TO8CARTER TURN TO8MCWATT TURN TO

“

”

Dr. Perkins: “Healingand reconciliation does notcome easy; it involvesstruggle, honesty andcourage to face the truth andimpact of our inheritance.”

Margery K. Otto, J.D.:“Change happens throughrelationships and ourrelationships are stronger ifwe examine the veryproblems that are dividing us.”

Ouida Crozier: “In this globalcommunity we now live in,moving towards endingracism means defining whois “Us” and who is “Them.”

Dr. Eric J. Jolly: “Theconversation doesn’t alwayshave to feel of great weight orburden. It can be light andfun and joyful.”

Angelique Kedem: “We canraise issues, educate andmake change just by askingquestions... Your compassionwill give you the courage tostand and speak.”

Photo: Ann Marsden

Suluki FardanLeft to right: Loan Huynh, Abdullahi Nur and Nghi Huynh

4IMMIGRATION TURN TO

Courtesy the St. Paul FoundationNontombi Naomi Tutu

Page 2 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

As part of the celebration, thetwo directors took time to celebrateand honor three of theirAmbassadors that have beeninstrumental in helping to push theconversation forward.Ambassadors Ouida Crozier, Dr.Eric J. Jolly and Angelique Kedem.Without the commitment of theseand others like them, theconversation would not moveforward.

Proof of the importance andsuccess of the circles exists in theshift in attitude of one of the youngmen that participated in theprogram. Alessandro del Castilloparticipated a 12-14 week session,which helped him “open his eyesand be aware of the things andsituations around him; and to gobeneath the surface to get to thereal issues at hand.”

He said that one must do theirown research.” He explained howin one of his classes slavery wasdiscussed, but he was moved to do

his own exploration to get a betterunderstanding of the sensitivetopic.

“Our community has somevery stark racial disparities.Racism has played a very real andinsidious role in creating theseimbalances; silence about racismprevents us from making theprogress we need to make,” saidRhodes. “Like the work of theFacing Race Initiative and ourhonorees, Tutu continually pushesthis critical – and sometimesdifficult –conversation forward.

The theme for the evening was“Conversation Forward: Theconversation is not over untilracism is”. Tutu eloquently spokeof how having lived theconversation for most of her lifegives the cause much deepermeaning. “In the early days, whensomeone made that statement tome, it was the end of ourconversation. It denoted that I wasbeing judged, not quite as humanas they were. We were all createdas human beings. When we decidethat because of ethnicity, someoneis not quite like us, we decide theyare not worthy of human respect;

they are not quite human,” sheexplained.

“Conversations can befrightening – they tell you who you

are as a human being. However,the gift on the other side of thechallenge is the building ofrelationships and community. Godhas given us the gift of diversity. Itis an insult to pretend you do notnotice it. Enter a conversationbecause the differences we bringcan be gifts to one another. In achild’s world, noticing differencesare an opportunity to move theconversation forward. They shouldnot be punished for noticingdifferences...adults cringe at thewords race or racism.

“Americans have convincedthemselves that if they do not talkabout these issues, they will goaway. Not so; the pain, shame andanger of racism will stay until weare willing to speak out aboutit……….as human beings, we aregreater than how we act towardsone another, because we are abouthealing, we are determined to seejustice, because we were made fortogetherness and freedom, becausewe can’t stop until racism stops.There is a dignity that we takefrom ourselves in our negativeactions toward someone else. It ismuch more fulfilling to be part of a

community based on inclusioninstead of hate,” said Tutu.

On the afternoon of theCelebration Dinner, The St. PaulFoundation hosted a pre-receptionfireside chat with Tutu and severalcommunity leaders, past andpresent ambassadors and keypersons involved in moving theconversation forward. The topicwas, “How to sustain energy whileworking to move the conversationforward”. Scott Jones, Chair of theSt. Paul Foundation, introducedTutu. Jones stated, “The SPF isproud to be a part of the Facing theRace Initiative. They realize thefact that fighting racism is adifficult task. We have to overcomemany biases, gaps and otherdisparities. However, ambassadorsare driven by the need to createsustainable communities. Theymust have people who arepassionate and have the heart andminds to move these initiativesforward”.

Tutu spoke energetically andpassionately to those who supportand carry on the struggle. “We

TutuFrom 1

Courtesy of the St. Paul FoundationLeft to right: Joanne Rizzi Jones (accepting for Ambassador

Honoree Dr. Eric J. Jolly, President of the Science Museum ofMinnesota; Ambassador Honoree Angelique Kedem, Minnesota

Coordinator for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative;Ambassador Honeree Ouida Crozier, Coordinator for Diversityand Cultural Competency at the Minnesota Dept. of Human

Services; Ambassador Award Co-Recipient Margery Otto, J.D.,Administrative Director & Co-Facilitator of the ASDIC Circles;and Ambassador Award Co-Recipient Dr. Herbert A. Perkins,

Ph.D., Executive Director of ASDIC.

9TUTU TURN TO

St. Paul College soon willcelebrate its 100 yearanniversary, a fittingenvironment for the first annualHuman Rights and EqualOpportunity Department(HREEO) Progress Report tothe community and departmentcommissioners.

On February 12, 2009, LuzMaria Frias stepped into theDirectors position of the newlymerged Human Rights andEqual Opportunity (HREEO)Department. On April 20, 2010Frias delivered the ProgressReport to the broad overallsatisfaction of attendees to thepublic meeting. “I am extremelyproud of the work that ouremployees have accomplishedthis past year. You’ll see that ourapproach has been to thinkcreatively about addressinginstitutional barriers. As aresult, there have beennumerous staff-driven measuresthat have led to systemic

change, ultimately benefitingour constituents inunprecedented ways,” saidFrias.

First Ward CouncilmemberMelvin Carter III, said “changewouldn’t be possible withoutthe groundswell of communitysupport.” Carter said that manyof the solutions andachievements were derived froma spirit of inclusion andcommunity support. Applaudingthe Department’s commitmentto transparency, St. Paul DeputyMayor Anne Mulholland everydepartment in the city shouldstrive to imitate thedepartment’s policies, practicesand successes.

The report highlighted manyways the more inclusive andtransparent HREEO model isworking to benefit thecommunity.

More accountability, bettercommunication, and smarter useof resources are the centralelements to the HREEOmission. More accountabilityrepresented the largest list ofsuccessful efforts. The reporthighlighted the founding of the

EMS Academy to attract andtrain women and applicants ofcolor for the St. Paul Firefighterexam. EMS professionalsnationwide are predominantlywhite, and there are manybarriers to prevent low-incomecity residents from becoming anEMT. The inaugural FallAcademy class enrolled 50students of color, and graduated21 students of color. All 21students are now gainfullyemployed as EMT’s. “Theprogram has had an incredibleimpact on the community, andwe will now seek to expandoutreach to include NativeAmerican youth,” the reportsaid. Some of the Academy’sinaugural graduates werepresent wearing theirhandsomely adorned uniforms.

Of particular interest to thesmall business community werethe achievements made by theCentral Certification Process(CERT) and the re-alignment ofthe Minority BusinessDevelopment and Retention(MBDR) process for grantselection. The CERT program,which had previous backlogs of

up to 6-8months, is now able toboast a backlog of under 30days for certification response.This was done through theincorporation of hired internsand consultants. For the MBDR,Frias lauded the work of AngelaBurkhalter, CommunicationsAdministrator/MBDR/Census(HREEO) Department, andbusiness outreach forums heldon KFAI with Insight NewsEditor in Chief Al McFarlane, asreasons for the strengthening ofprograms and communication ofthe restructured grant process.

Regarding bettercommunication, the 2010Census Team has performedremarkably to in confirmingCensus participation. “As oftoday, we have surpassed the200 level of participation of74%, but will push further tomeet our goal of 80% whichwould place our districtamongst the highest performingin the country,” said Frias.

The restructuring of theHuman Rights InvestigationProcess has been of high

A positive progress report for HREEO and Director FriasBy Ryan T. Scott,Contributing Writer

Suluki FardanLuz Maria Frias 8HREEO TURN TO

insightnews.com Insight News • April 26 - May 2 • Page 3

The Urban Maven SmallBusiness Showcase will host itsquarterly event Saturday May 1,2010 at Spill The WineRestaurant in Minneapolis.

The showcase is a quarterlymobile marketplace designed tocreate a platform for smalland/or home-based businessowners to connect with theirclient base. This event features avariety of products and servicesincluding art, fashion,accessories, cosmetics, healthand lifestyle, business servicesand more.

The Urban Maven SmallBusiness Showcase also featuresa guest speaker offering pointedadvice and tips to small businessowners. Baron Carr, of The B.Carr Group is the scheduledspeaker and will deliver hispresentation: “Develop YourPersonal Brand, Grow YourBusiness: 6 Steps to AchievingBalance & Success.” The formerVice President of BrandMarketing for Carlson HotelsWorldwide, Vice President ofBrand Marketing for Allianz andVice President of Emerging

Markets & Product Developmentwith JP Morgan Chase, Carr willno doubt engage attendees inpractical measures to increasetheir business.

Participating businessesinclude, Tranquil Moments, amobile spa company, Got Knot, amen’s accessories brand, ANIKAI N T E R N A T I O N A LCOSMETICS and Black BettyPosters an d ROX Jewelrypresented by FOX 9’s RobyneRobinson, among many others.The showcase will also featurebusiness and community agencies that provide resources

to small business owners. The

first 20 attendees receive FREEgift bags!

“Our goal was to create aprofessional, yet intimateshopping environment forbusiness owners and attendeesalike,” said event producer,Anika Robbins of ANIKA &FRIENDS, a boutique agencythat specializes in eventproduction & branddevelopment. “Our approachallows us to create a shoppingforum as well as provide much-needed information toentrepreneurs on ways to expand

their business. Because of ourrelationships and resources,we’re also able to provideproducts and services utilized bybusiness owners at significantsavings,” said Robbins.

The Urban Maven SmallBusiness Showcase takes placeSaturday May 1 at Spill TheWine Restaurant, 1101Washington Ave. S inMinneapolis from 12pm-5pm.Admission is free and open to thepublic. For more info visitwww.urbanmaventv.com or call(612) 670- 6355.

Two online enterprises havepartnered to promote and offerscholarships for undergraduateand graduate students focused ona career in local, state and federalgovernment. CampusGov andGovLoop are social networkingbusinesses focused on the publicservice sector. The firms willaward scholarships and grants asa tool for attracting subscribers.

Representatives of the firmssaid the federal government iscounting on recent graduates toplay a critical role in addressingthe need for a talent infusion intothe public sector. The Partnershipfor Public Service estimates thatby fall of 2012, the federalgovernment will hire nearly273,000 new workers formission-critical jobs—positionsconsidered crucial by agencies tofulfill their essential obligationsto the American people.

Federal agencies need to fillpositions across many fields,with the biggest focus in medical,security, law enforcement, legaland administrative fields. MattCasey, CEO of CampusGov said,“With the huge number of baby-boomer federal workers reachingretirement age, governmentagencies are going to have toensure that they are aggressivelyreaching out to students to fill thevoid and ensure that graduatesare excited to choose publicservice as they begin their careerexploration process.”

The first scholarship programruns through May 30. A grant inthe amount $2,500 will beannounced to the first winner byJune 15th. CampusGov andGovLoop will announceadditional scholarship programsin the coming months.According to Steve Ressler,Founder and President ofGovLoop, “The federalgovernment has a big challengeahead as far as luring the best andbrightest graduates to work ingovernment. This scholarshipprogram is a way we can pitch inand raise awareness for the greatopportunities that exist in thepublic sector.”

Applicants must registeronline, write a brief statement oncareer plans, and demonstrate aneed for financial assistance. Fordetails on this scholarshipprogram including anapplication, go tohttp://www.campusgov.com/register/scholarship.asp.

For more information aboutthe CampusGov/GovLoopscholarship, contact Matt Caseyat matt@campusgov.com or(617) 661-2613 X7144 or SteveRessler at founder@govloop.comor (202) 445-0084.

GovLoop.com is the“Facebook for Government” - thepremier social networkdeveloped by and for thegovernment community. This sitecurrently connects over 28,000

government innovators fromfederal, state, and localgovernment and provides a greatway for the governmentcommunity to connect and

collaborate with existing andpotential colleagues. Thenetwork is a promotes connectingwith peers, career advice, newopportunities, and career events.

Membership is free atgovloop.com.

CampusGov helpsgovernment agencies meet theirstaffing needs by connecting

employers with an extensivedatabase of students, alumni, andexperienced talent who areseeking careers in local, state andfederal government

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I just need work; any pay isbetter than nothing. That’s whatyou’re thinking. You’ve beenthrough multiple interviews,multiple rejections and your kidneeds soccer cleats yesterday.

Are you going to jeopardize a joboffer by asking for too muchmoney? No. You are going tonail the offer… by knowingwhat to ask for.

Before you interview for aposition, develop a sense of whatthe job is worth generally. Startby looking at salary calculatorsonline. Indeed.com has one, asdo many other sites. Be sure youare looking at informationrelevant to your area. Employersin New York City, for example,pay far more than those in small,rural towns because the cost ofliving in a larger city is usuallyhigher.

Get additional salaryinformation by connecting withpeople who do similar work forcompeting companies. Ask.When you tell someone why youwant it, they will usually bewilling to share ballpark figures.Turning to someone higher up isalso a good idea. Managers donot usually mind the mentorshiprole and will give you currentfigures.

Some companies advertise asalary range when they post anopen position. Pay attention tothis, even if you are not applyingto that company or if your jobisn’t identical to the one posted.

This will give you a good senseof what is fair for your position.

When an interviewer asks,“What is your salaryrequirement?” Do you blurt outa number? Not yet. Instead, tryto establish grounds fornegotiating. Find out what is onthe table by asking, “Are youoffering me the position?” Thissounds overconfident, but itworks. If the answer is no, theconversation needs to go back toaddressing the company’s needsand your qualifications, andsalary doesn’t matter yet.

If the answer is yes, you canformulate a smart response.

Start with, “I do want thisposition.” Then add, “Based onmy research, the pay range thatseems fair is…” If you are afraidyou’ll price yourself out, you canadd a qualifier, “I have someflexibility because this is aposition I’m very excited about.”

If the offer that comesthrough is lower, look for otherbenefits that would offset thedifference. Flex time, healthinsurance and vacation time areareas companies are sometimeswilling to negotiate. Acceptingthe offer contingent on a sixmonth review is another way tonegotiate a win-win

compensation package. If thecompany expects sales to bebetter six months from now, theymay be willing to review yourcompensation a few monthsdown the road.

Don’t worry about showingyour cards. If you do qualityresearch, the number you namewill be within the range mostpeople are paid for the position.

Julie Desmond leads 21stCentury Job Search Workshopsin Minneapolis. Send yourcareer planning and job searchquestions tojulie@insightnews.com.

Know what to ask for: Talking money makes sense

Urban Maven hosts small business showcase event

Entrepreneurs use scholarships to promote public service

By Julie Desmondjulie@insightnews.com

Planyour

career

Courtesy of Anika RobbinsBaron Carr

organization was on its knees: TheNAACP was more than $1 millionin debt and had shrunk to just200,000 members. At the time,Hooks said to Ebony magazine:‘’Black Americans are notdefeated. The civil rightsmovement is not dead. If anyonethinks that we are going to stopagitating, they had better thinkagain. If anyone thinks that we aregoing to stop litigating, they hadbetter close the courts. If anyonethinks that we are not going todemonstrate and protest, they hadbetter roll up the sidewalks.’’

Hooks served the NAACPuntil 1992, and by that time, theorganization’s membership hadgrown by leaps and bounds. Healso engaged in more activity toincrease the visibility of the group.

“Michelle and I were deeplysaddened to hear about the passingof Dorothy Height - the godmotherof the Civil Rights Movement anda hero to so many Americans,”President Obama said in astatement.

“Ever since she was deniedentrance to college because theincoming class had already met itsquota of two African Americanwomen, Dr. Height devoted herlife to those struggling for equality.She led the National Council ofNegro Women for 40 years, andserved as the only woman at thehighest level of the Civil RightsMovement - witnessing everymarch and milestone along the

way,” the President said. “Andeven in the final weeks of her life –a time when anyone else wouldhave enjoyed their well-earned rest– Dr. Height continued her fight tomake our nation a more open andinclusive place for people of everyrace, gender, background andfaith.”

‘’I hope that all these youngfolks who accept their rights withsuch a cavalier attitude, those whoare disrespectful to their seniors,those who go to these schools andmisuse the opportunities ... realizethat as these men and womenmove off the scene that somebodyhas to step up,’’ said TennesseeState Rep. John Deberry.‘’Somebody has to continue thebattle.’’

Hooks was given thePresidential Medal of Freedom byPresident George W. Bush in 2007.Bush said: ‘’Dr. Hooks was a calmyet forceful voice for fairness,opportunity and personalresponsibility. He never tired orfaltered in demanding that ournation live up to its founding idealsof liberty and equality.’’

Height had long suffered witha lung ailment despite her hecticspeaking schedule. She becamenoticeably ill and was hospitalizedMarch 18.

Civil rights leaders on herlegacy.

“She was the Queen Mother ofour whole civil rights movement,”said the Rev. Joseph Lowery. “Shewas the great example ofintelligence, industry adventure

NationFrom 1

6NATION TURN TO

overwhelming support forimmigration reform, she said.

Lawyer and human rights andimmigration expert Loan Huynh, amember of the immigration lawcenter at Fedrickson & Byron LawFirm, said there are manychallenges facing immigrants. “Weare hopeful that Congress, and theSenate in particular, will takeleadership to implementcomprehensive immigrationreform this year. It is a bi-partisanissue. It’s about families,employment and the economy,”she said.

“Congress needs to address notonly the needs of the employers,who want to be in compliance withthe law, but also recognize that wehave people who want to work, butwho are not able to because of thevisa backlog and other statusissues. We have people who cancontribute to our society, but nowhave to endure long waits to get theright to work.”

“Change will require courage,”Huynh said. “We saw it on healthcare, and it will be the same onimmigration reform. The House isdoing great, but the Senate needs tostep up,” she said.

“Historically, when immigrantsfrom Europe came to America, theytoo faced resistance and hostility.But we have to look at thedifference in today’s anti-immigrant sentiment. Asimmigrants, we’re talking aboutfamilies and work. But some of thedialog from the anti-immigrantarena is very dangerous because itis based on ethnicity and race. Thisis really a civil rights issue now,”she said.

Nghi Huynh, president ofMinnesota Multicultural MediaConsortium (MMMC), announcedthe Consortium is launching TheImmigrant Information Center tohelp members of immigrantcommunities navigate theimmigration and naturalizationprocesses. “We are creating andassembling information about

immigration, and about rights andresources. We can help themunderstand the process ofbecoming citizens. We will workwith ethnic media includingnewspapers, radio and televisionprograms to provide ourcommunities with up to dateinformation about immigrationpolicy and law. We can help themunderstand Homeland Security andgovernment, and we can supportand promote non-profitorganizations that help immigrantswith citizenship, health, housingand jobs,” Nghi Huynh said.

“Immigrants face so manychallenges,” said Abdullahi G. Nur,Executive Director of AfricanCommunity Services, inMinneapolis. The big problem nowis jobs and housing. Rents aregoing up. Immigrants don’t havethe job skills so they are getting oldjobs that cannot support the highrents.”

Another problem is use ofDNA testing to confirm family ties.“DNA testing should be used forcriminal apprehension cases, butnot as part of the familyreunification consideration,” Nursaid. “What if a man works on theroad and is away from the home forlong periods of time. What if thewife has a relationship thatproduces a child. In my religion,that husband is the father of thatchild, regardless. So when thefamily seeks reunification in theUS, DNA will deny the genetickinship, but that is a family,” hesaid.

Businessman Peter Idusogie

concurred. “You can’t say youvalue families when your policiesbreak families apart,” he said.“Liberians here have a situationwhere they have to apply for statusto stay here every 18 months. Howcan you plan and build a life withthe threat of deportation hangingover your head? And we have to beconcerned about the hundreds, andperhaps thousands, of children whoare citizens because they were born

in the US, but who will need fostercare if their parents are deported.”

“What we are doing to theLiberians immigrants and refugeesis unconscionable,” said TomGitaa, Publisher of Mshale, amonthly newspaper servingAfrican and African Americanresidents of Twin Cities. “TheImmigration Information Centercould help spur activity towardimmigration policy reform. Our

latest issue of Mshale said we werehappy to see health care reformclear Congress and get signed intolaw. Now it is time to focus onimmigration reform.”

“Our newspaper is serving as aclearing house for what is and whatis not in the health reformlegislation that affects immigrants.But if you ask immigrants what ismore important, health care reformor immigration reform, you willfind that immigrants feelimmigration policy reform is moreimportant. That is because we wantto get our dad or our mom whomay at home in Africa to join ushere, and present immigrationpolicy makes that cumbersome anddifficult,” Gitaa said.

Adolfo Cardona, Publisher ofLatino Midwest, said this issues

WASHINGTON, DC - Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation’soldest Black fraternity, andEnvironmental Defense Fund arelaunching a transformationalpartnership to increase the number ofdiverse environmental leaders onuniversity and college campuses andin communities of color. The Alphaand EDF partnership will educate thefraternity’s student and alumnichapters about climate change,environmental justice, energyefficiency, clean energy and greenjobs. Sustainability projectsdesigned by students and alumni willhelp African American and otherpopulations become more involvedin public health and environmentalissues caused by air and water

pollution and social inequity.Academic institutions are among

the nation’s top energy consumersand often do not have the resourcesto implement energy efficiencymeasures. Universities that serve alarge percentage of minority studentsand national environmental groupstraditionally have not workedtogether on environmental andpublic health issues. The Alpha PhiAlpha Goes Green Initiative(http://green.apa1906.net) is afraternity initiative that will fill thatgap and create a corps ofenvironmental leaders speciallytrained to work with college studentsand diverse communities. EDF willprovide online training materials tothe partnership.

EDF’s Climate Corps works toidentify energy improvements thathelp companies cut costs and reduceemissions. A new focus for ClimateCorps is helping campuses increaseenergy efficiency.

“Colleges are the perfect place tospread the word about energyefficiency. Alpha Goes Green willbe a pipeline for sustainabilityinformation,” said Michael Regan,director of the Southeast EnergyProgram for EDF. “EDF’spartnership with Alpha is aninnovative way to help collegestudents and communities of colorbetter understand the directconnection between saving energyand money, and living in a healthyand prosperous community.”

“Alpha Phi Alpha is known forits strong student and alumni

commitment to community service,and the Alpha Phi Alpha Goes GreenInitiative provides the structure tolaunch sustainability projects acrossthe country,” said Herman “Skip”Mason, Jr., (national) generalpresident of Alpha. “Understandinghow behaviors affect communities –on a small campus or in a major city– will create better stewards of theenvironment. That’s service to theplanet we can all salute.”

“The Alpha Phi Alpha GoesGreen Initiative is committed tohelping underserved communitiesimpacted by social inequities andenvironmental issues becomehealthier and more sustainablethrough education, capacity buildingand empowerment. The Alpha Phi

Alpha Goes Green website will be anexcellent portal and primary meansby which members will learn aboutenvironmental issues important tothe Fraternity and the communitieswe serve,” said Dr. Sacoby Wilson,chair of the initiative and co-chair ofthe Alpha partnership with EDF.“The online educational materialswill be a reliable resource formembers and chapters who arecommitted to environmentalleadership and positive social andenvironmental change.”

The fraternity has 5,000 studentmembers on more than 350 UScampuses and 95,000 alumnimembers.

Page 4 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

The University of Minnesota ishosting its second annualsummer program designed tointroduce high school studentsto the basics of entrepreneurshipand launching a business. FromJune 14 through July 15 on theUniversity campus, 35Minneapolis high school

students will engage in activelearning sessions coveringbusiness fundamentals andpersonal development topicsalongside entrepreneurshipfaculty, recent graduates andexperienced entrepreneurs.

This five week camp isintended to develop the

students’ understanding ofbusiness fundamentals andentrepreneurship, withparticular emphasis on problemsolving, teamwork, leadership,and communication skills. Othertopics covered include ethics,social responsibility and self-assessment. In addition to

learning, participants will alsobe employed at the U of M overthe summer.

The program is being jointlydeveloped by the Office forBusiness & CommunityEconomic Development and theGary S. Holmes Center forEntrepreneurship at the Carlson

School of Management, inconjunction with the City ofMinneapolis’ STEP-UPProgram. Support also comesfrom the Minnesota Twins,Dairy Queen, Bachman’s Floraland Quality Bicycle Products.

Local entrepreneursinterested in sharing the

business stories, sponsoring thisenriching program in any way,or donating needed items forthe program, please contact theOffice for Business &Community EconomicDevelopment B-Tech Center at(612) 624-3404 by the end ofApril.

EDUCATION

INSIGHT NEWS

www.insightnews.com

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday byMcFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlane

CFOAdrianne Hamilton-Butler

PublisherBatala-Ra McFarlane

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Contact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.MinneAPOlis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: MinnesotaMulticultural MediaConsortium (MMMC) MidwestBlack Publishers Coalition,Inc. (MBPCI) NationalNewspaper PublishersAssociation (NNPA)

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U of M offers Junior Entrepreneurs of Minnesota program

Alpha Phi Alpha takes on climate change and energy efficiency

http://www.nsemblem.com/

Suluki FardanLeft to right: Tom Gitaa, Bashe Saheed, Peter Idusogie, and Adolpho Cardona

ImmigrationFrom 1

6IMMIGRATION TURN TO

Tasha Smith and her identical twin,Sidra, were born on February 28,1971 in Camden, NJ. Being raisedby a single-mom in a crime anddrug infested neighborhood provedto be almost too much of a hurdlefor Tasha to overcome as her lifespiraled down a self-destructivepath marked by promiscuity,Marijuana and cocaine addiction,chain-smoking and a stint as astripper.

Fortunately, she eventuallyembraced Christianity, cleaned upher act and moved to L.A. whereshe tried her hand at standupcomedy before settling on an actingcareer. The versatile scene-stealerhas since appeared in such moviesas Couples Retreat, The Longshots,Daddy’s Little Girls and Why Did IGet Married, to name a few.

When not working, Tasha givesback to the community, dividingher time between makingmotivational speeches and teachingactor’s workshops all across thecountry. Here, she talks aboutreprising the role of Angela in WhyDid I Get Married Too, as well asher new TV series, My Black IsBeautiful, a reality seriespremiering this month on BET.(Check local listings)

Kam Williams: Hey Tasha, thanksfor the time again.Tasha Smith: Hey, Kam Williams![Shrieks] Whassup! How yadoing?

KW: Very well, and you?TS: I am doing awesome! I washoping to interview with you whenI was in New York for the premiere[of Why Did I Get Married Too].

KW: This is probably betterbecause I’m sure you were mobbedand I would have had to elbow myway just to get a few minutes one-

on-one with you. TS: Hey, you can have as long asyou need now. How’s that?

KW: Tremendous, thanks.TS: So, what’s happening? Hi!

KW: Nothing much, how aboutyou?TS: I have just been so busy, andI’m so excited. I have been doingsoooooo much. Speakingengagements… producing…developing a half-hour sitcom…working on a movie… leadingacting workshops all over theworld…and hosting My Black IsBeautiful, an empowerment TVshow I’m doing on BET forwomen.

KW: So, what’s the new TV showgoing to be like?TS: We’re doing makeovers,giving financial classes, answeringquestions about Black women’simaging in the media, and muchmore. It’s so good! We encouragewomen to become mentors withintheir communities in order to teachyoung girls how to thrive in thissociety. It’s a good thing, so, I’mexcited about having the platform

and this opportunity because youknow me, I love my folk.

KW: Let’s talk a little about WhyDid I Get Married Too. You were asphenomenal as you were in theoriginal which led me to name youthe best actress of 2007. How was itseeing everybody again? TS: Thank you. It was fun.Honestly, we are like a family. Wereally are. The chemistry for thesequel was even better. It almostfelt like we were actually onvacation together, organically. I gotto tell you, it was like a familyreunion. It was like, “Hey, girl!”and we just had us a good time.

KW: You can’t beat shooting in theBahamas.TS: To be honest, the Bahamaswasn’t fun. [Whispers] Kam, it washorrible. Not only was the shootingschedule insane, but there were somany bugs on that island that it wasnerve-wracking. It was infestedwith these big moths called “moneybats” Imagine if every time youwalked outside hundreds of themwere all over the place and landingon you. It was so stressful andirritating. I’m not exaggerating.

They also had these mosquitoescalled “no see ‘ems” because youcouldn’t see ‘em. Those things justate us up. We had welts and bites allover our bodies. Ugh! I could go onand on. And then there were theseother bugs like flying cockroachesthat made a loud buzzing soundevery time we tried to shoot ascene.

KW: Gee, that sounds verydifferent from Couples Retreat,your previous film, which wasfilmed in Polynesia on Bora Bora,another exotic location.

TS: Let me tell you honey, theyshould have picked Bora Bora.Bora Bora was a dream! It wastruly paradise.

KW: Attorney BernadetteBeekman asks, who do you admiremost in your profession and haveyou sought out that person as amentor?TS: Wow! Angela Bassett is afriend of mine and someone who Itruly admire tremendously in termsof her work and her choices.

KW: The Rev. Florine Thompson

asks, how has your life changed asa Christian, and who in thescriptures speaks most to who youare and how you’ve developedspiritually?TS: I’d say Paul. I just love how hewent from being an unbelieverpersecuting Christians to one of themost powerful people in the Bible.And how has my life changed as aChristian? Once you have the lightof God within you, you see thingswithin yourself that you did not

insightnews.com Insight News • April 26 - May 2 • Page 5

AESTHETICSTasha’s back, Black and beautiful as ever

Interview

By Kam Williams

imdb.comTasha Smith

Phyllis Productions LTD willpresent The Urban SpectrumTheatre Company’s springproduction of “Alice inWonderland” May 22, 2 pm andMay 23, 7:15 pm at the ParkwayTheatre which is located in SouthMinneapolis at 4814 ChicagoAvenue. The show, written anddirected by Judy Cooper Lyle, andbased on the story by LewisCarroll, is billed as a “rap, hip hop,fashion, fantasy” version of theoriginal tale. It features eight dancenumbers, choreographed by PennyMasuku, who also plays the leadrole.

Two fashion shows areincorporated into the heart of theproduction. Local fashion designerswill be showcased in this uniquenew stage play, including NyamelBoth of BothDol Fashions, AshleyLauren of Diva Rags, Maggie

Schultz (the “Bodice Goddess”),Vivian Aronson, LeAnn Patterson,who also coordinates all of thedesigners along with Mary Vang;and Urban Rainment.

This production includedperformance sby Julian Hines asthe Rabbit, Peggy Darrett-Breweras the Queen, Michi HeleneForeman as the Duchess MadameRoo, and Anthony Stanton as theMad Hatter. A lively ensemble ofdancers, including students fromthe Performing Arts Program atThe City Inc., will perform theselection of new dance numbers,as well as playing a variety ofcolorful characters.

To reserve tickets, visitwww.brownpapertickets.com.Tickets will also be available,general admission, at the door.This is not a children’sproduction.

Alice in Wonderland fashion show

Katie HeymerPenny Masuku plays “Alice”

and is the show chreographer

11SMITH TURN TO

A panel of recognized healthprofessionals in Northeast Ohiogathered to discuss the inequalitiesminorities face in the U.S.healthcare system regarding accessto care. Panelists addressed howminority patients can work withdoctors to ensure quality care. AlMcFarlane, Editor of Minneapolis,MN based Insight News, and hostof Conversations with AlMcFarlane moderated theprogram.

The 2008 National HealthcareDisparities Report demonstratedthat the Black and Asian healthcaredisparity gap stayed the same orincreased in 60 percent of core-access measures, as compared toCaucasians. The report also foundthat the percentage of people whowere unable to receive or whowere delayed in receiving neededmedical care, dental care orprescription medicines, was moresubstantially increased for Blacksand people of multiple races than itwas for Caucasians.

Evelyn Rivera-Mosquera,Ph.D, called for new thinking incommunities of color and in thehealth care professions. She saidthe disparities will only worsen ifconsumers are not educated andmotivated to be their ownadvocates and if leaders in thehealth industry continue tonarrowly define problems by

medical interventions andassociated cost.

Effective cultural competencemeans eradication of culturalarrogance that characterizestoday’s medical models, she said.The health disparity is not just ablack vs. white issue, as it is oftenframed in media, she said, butrather a failure of the one-size-fits-all approach to delivery ofhealthcare services. Seeing theproblem differently, holistically,means factoring in language,employment, transportation andaccess, family structure, andspiritual traditions. “We haveseparated mental health fromhealth as though they were distinctand different,” she said.

Dr. Charles Modlin, kidneysurgeon and director of theCleveland Minority Men’s HealthCenter, concurred noting theresearch that guides developmentof most therapies is based onstudies of White men. “We are justnow beginning to include largenumbers of women in clinicalresearch and beginning toencourage more AfricanAmericans to participate inresearch studies,” he said, notingthat the reluctance of Blacks andother minorities to seek to beincluded in studies is based onabuses perpetrated in the past.Nonetheless, he said, we are

learning that different ethnicgroups may respond differently tosome therapies, and therefore it isimportant to encourage moreminority participation.

Modlin said he is proposing a“health equity” model and strategythat comprehensively addresses theareas of documented disparity inhealth services and outcomes forpeople of color. Such a modelwould focus on wellness andprevention linking medical, health,economic, educational, civic andspiritual resources to serve andempower communities that havebeen relegated to the margin bytraditional healthcare.

Celebrating its 40thanniversary as one of the oldestfree clinics in the United States,The Free Clinic provides qualityhealth care and related servicesfree of charge to those who lackappropriate alternatives, andadvocates for policy changes thatmake health care available to all.The current 34,000 square footfacility, located in UniversityCircle, is equipped with 18 examrooms, a 5-chair dental clinic, 3group therapy rooms, a modernlaboratory, and an expandedpharmacy. For more informationabout The Free Clinic, call theExternal Affairs office at (216)707-3438, or visitwww.thefreeclinic.org

Kirk Johnson, owner of ClubHipFit in Eden Prairie, is

bringing his signature fitnessprogram, “Playground

Workout,” to Wirth Park inNorth Minneapolis, 1325Theodore Wirth Pkwy, everyother Sunday at 4 pm. The costis $10 per session. Bring 5-10pound dumbbells, mat, towel,and a bottle of water.

Playground Workout (orP.G.W.) puts the fun back intofitness using an old schoolformat to deliver state-of-the-industry training techniques.Johnson’s conditioning programincorporates body weight,dumbbells, medicine balls,resistance tubes, jump ropes,kettle bells, climbing ropes,jungle gyms, playgrounds,parking lots, running tracks,

stairs, benches and walls.

What P.G.W. participants gain:EnergyMuscle strength and enduranceCardiovascular functionBalanceFlexibility

What P.G.W. participants lose:SluggishnessFatLikelihood of developing heartdisease, diabetes and otherdebilitating diseasesStress

P.G.W. participants learnnew and exciting ways to

exercise that will shock thebody into change. Each workoutis different and fresh so thebody doesn’t get accustomedand the mind doesn’t get board.

P.G.W. crew-members,receive a Personal Fitness Test(PFT) before and after eachfive-week session. This allowsparticipants to get an accuratepicture of their fitnessevolution.

For more information contactKirk Johnson, h t t p : / / w w w . h i p f i t . n e t / ;kaj@hipfit.net; (612) 805-9959.

Page 6 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

HEALTHConsumers must advocate their own healthcare interests

Club HipFit: Outside fitness program launched in Minneapolis

Courtesy of Al McFarlaneKFAI’s “Conversations with Al McFarlane” Monday, April 12th was in Cleveland, OH, to tape a

Town Hall meeting on health disparities. Moderator Al McFarlane engaged leaders of Ohiomedical and clinical institutions in a discussion on disparities in health care access and healthoutcomes experienced by people color. The program was taped for later broadcast on radio and

television in Midwest markets, including Twin Cities. The event was held at The Free MedicalClinic of Greater Cleveland.

Above l-r: Evelyn Rivera-Mosquera, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Ohio Latino Mental Health Network; AlMcFarlane; Danny Williams, JD, Executive Director, The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland;

Joseph Sudano, Ph.D, Associate Director of Education, Center for Reducing Health Disparities,Case Western Reserve University at the MetroHealth System; and Dr. Charles Modlin, Director,

Cleveland Clinic Minority Men’s Health Center.

Courtesy Club HipFitKirk Johnson’s training

and daring and commitment towhat’s right in this country and towhat’s witnessing for it. She was agreat leader.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, in aphone interview from SouthAfrica, said Height’s death meansas much to the world as toAmerica. He said the news of herdeath had hit the people of SouthAfrica “like a shock wave …Those who knew Dr. Height knewa century of service. She oftensaid, ‘The blood that unites us wasstronger than the water that dividesus,’” he said.

He reflected on how she knewand fought alongside other greatslike Martin Luther King, Jr.,Whitney Young, Malcolm X,Adam Clayton Powell, WEBDuBois and Bayard Rustin. “Whata rich life of service,” Jacksonsaid. He noted that he would notifyformer South Africa PresidentNelson Mandela of her death.

The Rev. Al Sharptondescribed her as “a true giant of alady. She taught America what realwomanhood was. And all the way

to the end, she never left her post.”Height dedicated her life to

education and social activism. Shehas encouraged political figuressuch as First Lady EleanorRoosevelt, President DwightEisenhower and President LyndonB. Johnson to create legislationand promote acts that benefitedwomen and African-Americans.And she has had the ear of everypresident since then.

An Asset to HumankindHonored among dignitaries andfigures like President BarackObama, Height is recognized as anundeniable asset to humankind.

Because of her efforts, she wasawarded the Citizens Medal Awardfor distinguished service byPresident Ronald Reagan in 1989,the Spingarn Medal by theNAACP in 1993, the PresidentialMedal of Freedom by PresidentBill Clinton in 1994 and theCongressional Gold Medal byPresident George W. Bush in 2004.

Alexis K. Barnes is acorrespondent for the HowardUniversity News Service.Additional reporting by NicoleAustin, Brittany Epps, PhillipLucas, Melissa Montgomery andZaria Poem.

NationFrom 3

point to the need for moreinformation that is accessible andreliable. Our mission is to useinformation a tool to supportimmigrants. So the issue of trust isimportant. When each of ourcommunities take the initiative toinform our respective communitiesabout immigration challenges,issues and solutions, our peoplewill learn to trust the resources andthe processes,” Cardona said.

Idusogie, who has announcedhis candidacy for Minnesotagovernor, described himself as afirst generation American, London-born of Nigerian parents.“Immigrants were left out of thehealth care bill,” he said. “Butimmigrants have contributed to thesocial and economic developmentof this country since its inception.This is all about the economy.During the Clinton era, there werenot enough American workers tofulfill the labor requirements ofindustry so people looked the otherway when it came to status. Now,with the economy in crisis peopleare pointing to illegal immigrants

as the problem.”Cardona said ethnic media can

help the United States explore,debate and arrive at immigrationpolicy solutions that are respectful,sensitive, and that reflect thegreatest American values. Idusogiesaid America can decide that it cansecure its boarders, then determinean orderly process that provideslegal status for the more than 10million who are currentlyundocumented. “People engaged inillegal and criminal activity are aminute minority. Let’s identifythem, eject them and then fast trackeverybody else for acitizenship orlegal resident status. They are here.They are not going anywhere. It isin our own best interests torecognize that,” he said.

The program was taped thismonth at the Marcus Garvey Housestudios in North Minneapolis andairs in May on Conversations withAl McFarlane Public Policy Forumon KFAI 90.3 and 106.7, and onpublic access television in TwinCities. It is part of a series ofprograms looking and businessdevelopment and wealth creation,sponsored by Northwest AreaFoundation, U Care Minnesota, andHennepin County Medical Center.

ImmigrationFrom 4

US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)recently received the 2010Edward W. Brooke III HousingLeadership Award from theNational Low Income HousingCoalition (NLIHC) for advancingthe cause of affordable housing.

Ellison was recognized for hisauthorship of the ProtectingTenants at Foreclosure Act of2009 that became federal lawunder the Helping Families SaveTheir Homes Act of 2009.According to this legislation,tenants who are current on theirrent payments have the right tostay in their home that enters

foreclosure for 90 days orthrough the end of their lease.According to the NLIHC, 40percent of foreclosed propertiesnationwide were occupied bytenants. In Minneapolis, this ratewas over 60 percent. Theseprotections are set to expire at theend of 2012.

"I am humbled by this honorand steadfast in my commitmentto further the mission of theNational Low Income HousingCoalition. We often speak of theneed for stability in the lives ofchildren and families. There is nobetter symbol of stability than a

safe and affordable place to callhome. The foreclosure crisis hashurt Americans of all walks oflife. However, many low-incomeAmericans and renters were evenmore unfairly injured by the actsof some irresponsible banks andlandlords," Ellison said.

Last month, Ellisonintroduced the PermanentlyProtecting Tenants at ForeclosureAct of 2010 (H.R.4766). This billsimply makes the tenantprotection law permanent. "TheProtecting Tenants at ForeclosureAct was critical to keeping manyfamilies off the streets. But the

fight for more equitable housingpolicies goes on. That's why Iintroduced the PermanentlyProtect Tenants at ForeclosureAct to give tenants permanentprotection," Ellison stated.

"It is fitting and right thatCongressman Keith Ellison ispresented with the first EdwardW. Brooke III HousingLeadership Award by theNational Low Income HousingCoalition. Congressman Ellisonhas been a leading voice for safeand affordable housing for low

income Americans, and we arehonored to recognize him withthis award. The Congressmanwas instrumental in theenactment of the ProtectingTenants at Foreclosure act, whichwas signed into law in May 2009.As a direct result of his work,families all over the country nolonger confront the immediateloss of their home when theirlandlord faces foreclosure," saidSheila Crowley, President of theNational Low Income HousingCoalition.

Jon Gurban, superintendent ofthe Minneapolis Park andRecreation Board (MPRB),received the 2010 Pan-AfricanStudent Leadership ConferenceAward from the Office ofInstitutional Diversity atMinnesota State University,Mankato (MnSU). The awardwas presented at the April 7meeting of the MPRB Board ofCommissioners.

Gurban is honored as apathfinder in the Park Board’sjourney into diversity andcelebrating emerging Africancommunities withinMinneapolis,” said MichaelFagin, Special PresidentialAdvisor at MnSU. “This awardrecognizes his contributions forproviding culturally-sensitiveprogramming and employmentopportunities to meet the needsof a diverse Pan-Africancommunity.”

“This award is anaffirmation of what my parentstaught me: That character iscolorblind. I believe that talentis colorblind, too,” Gurban said.

“I’m proud of the diversity ofour workforce and the ideas andcommitment that they bringforward to make this a great

system. This award is becauseof everything our staff does.”

“We are proud of Mr.Gurban’s achievement,” said

John Erwin, MPRB BoardPresident. “The awardis an honor to the entire parksystem as it illustrates ourdedication to diversity in staffand programming.”

The MPRB’s commitment todiversity encourages culturalawareness, mutual respect andresponsive decision-making inthe workplace and within thecommunities it serves. It seeksto provide educationalopportunities to staff throughprofessional development,encourage multi-culturalprogramming at recreationcenters throughoutMinneapolis, and sponsordiversity-related eventsthroughout the year.

MnSU’s Office ofInstitutional Diversity seeks tocreate and maintain anenvironment that promotescross-cultural understandingand appreciation for allmembers of the universitycommunity.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty willnot be running for office again thisfall and Matt Entenza is one of tencandidates hoping to win theDemocratic-Farm-Labor Partyendorsement to run for governor. OnMonday, April 12, the Capri Theaterhosted a rally for Entenza featuringUS Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5)which included an intimateperformance by Felix of Heiruspecs.

Entenza and Ellison met whileattending the University ofMinnesota Law School and served inthe Minnesota House ofRepresentatives together. Ellisonsaid that he and Entenza have ashared set of values and he believesin Entenza's demonstrated abilityand determination to fight foreveryone's dignity. "He has thequality of leadership needed to leadour state," Ellison said. In fact, manyof the people that worked on thecampaign to elect Ellison now workon Entenza's campaign.

Kenya McKnight, who is theSenate District 58 DFL director, aFifth Congressional Districtdelegate to the Rules Committee atthe DFL Convention, and a residentof North Minneapolis, also attendedthe rally. "Entenza really highlightsthe characteristics of a goodgovernor. He reached out to ourcommunity when other candidateshaven't by speaking to businessowners on West Broadway Avenue,to women, and [to young people.The DFL Party is] committed togetting the best and highest qualitycandidate elected for governor, notjust who's the most popular," shesaid.

St. Paul City Council MemberMelvin Carter III (Ward 1), son ofRamsey County Commissioner ToniCarter, also spoke at the rally. Henoted that Entenza would be a voicefor the people who are typicallyunderrepresented. "We need to electa progressive governor for once…inorder to, not monitor, not minimize,but eliminate the achievement gap.[Entenza recognizes that poorneighborhoods] actually exist,"Carter said.

When Entenza was 15, hisfamily's home in Santa Monica, CAwas foreclosed on after his alcoholicfather abandoned them. The familyreturned to Worthington, MN to livewith his grandmother.

Entenza attended AugustanaCollege in Sioux Falls, SD and thentransferred to Macalester College inSt. Paul where he earned a degree inEnvironmental Studies.

After graduating, Entenzaworked for former Minnesota Gov.Elmer Anderson at the H.B. FullerFoundation. He began working onthe Nuclear Weapons FreezeCampaign in 1984, which was

headed by the late US Sen. PaulWellstone, who was a professor atCarleton College at the time.

Entenza then studied law atOxford in London and at theUniversity of Minnesota LawSchool.

After earning his law degree,Entenza worked at the HennepinCounty Public Defender's office as alaw clerk and later took a position atthe Minnesota Attorney General'soffice. He then served as an AssistantHennepin County Attorneyprosecuting white-collar crime.While at the attorney general's office,Entenza began serving on theMerriam Park Community Counciland his neighborhood co-op.

When his district's seat in theMinnesota House of Representativesbecame vacant in 1994, Entenzadecided to run and was elected thatNovember. He became leader of theHouse Democrats in 2002 and theparty quickly gained momentum andpower.

While in office, Entenzachampioned the equal rights ofpeople with disabilities. Heexpanded funding for specialeducation and programs for peoplewith disabilities, increased consumerprotections for people withdisabilities, and created the Healthand Human Services Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Division. "Ourcommunities are stronger when all ofus can contribute and are able to useour unique abilities," Entenza said.

Entenza had also consistently

supported smart transportationchoices like the North StarCommuter line, advocated forappropriate funding to meet ourtransportation shortfalls, and foughtfor light rail projects.

As a legislator, Entenza alsofought for measures to protect theelderly. He stood up to drugcompanies who took advantage ofseniors, worked to keep drugmanufacturers from giving gifts todoctors, and co-authored a bill formore transparency in pharmaceuticaladvertising. Entenza alsospearheaded a plan to reduce drugprices by leveraging the state'sbuying power to provide seniorswith relief.

If elected as governor, Entenzapromises to continue to ensure thatMinnesota's senior citizens are asinvolved in shaping the state's futureas they have been in shaping its past."Skyrocketing health insurancepremiums, disappearing pensions,and rising housing costs aresqueezing our seniors and deprivingthem of their hard-earned retirement.Property taxes are going up, the costof long-term care is spiraling out ofcontrol, and drug costs are eating upmore and more of monthly incomes.This is no way to treat the generationthat helped build Minnesota into anational standard for education andinnovation," he said.

After leaving his legislative seatin 2006, Entenza created Minnesota2020, a progressive think tankdedicated to fostering discussion and

debate in four key issue areas vital toMinnesota's future prosperity:education, health care,transportation, and economicdevelopment.

Education has long been a coreMinnesota value and the foundationof economic competitiveness. Ifelected, Entenza proposes to get ridof the No Child Left Behind programand give teachers back theclassroom. He also hopes to maketeaching a more appealing career forthe best and brightest by providingbetter support for new teachers,including mentorship assistance.

Entenza is committed to a long-term investment in E-12 education."Early childhood education [has] ahigh rate of return on investment,ensuring our kids enteredkindergarten ready to learn," he said.

Entenza is also committed toinvesting in top-quality andregionally accessible highereducation. He hopes to better aligncolleges and universities with localemployers and economicopportunities, particularly in the newclean energy economy.

Entenza also plans to rewardpublic service, particularly veterans,with scholarships. "Following WorldWar II," he said, "when the GI Billmassively increased the number ofAmericans going to college, theAmerican middle-class was born,and with it, an unprecedented periodof economic prosperity."

If elected, Entenza hopes tochallenge costs that are rising faster

than family incomes and to reinvestin need-based programs. "Graduatesare carrying massive debt loads, andsome talented Minnesotans areopting not to continue theireducation because they can't affordit. We are in danger of becoming astate in which fewer people go tocollege, at a time when highereducation has never been moreimportant to getting and keeping ajob that pays a living wage," he said.

Entenza hopes to design raillines that complement and acceleratea transition into a new clean energyeconomy and take advantage of ourabundant renewable energyresources and manufacturingcenters. Entenza also hopes to createa metro plan that will include busrapid transit, pedestrianthoroughfares, and more paths forbiking and light rail. He also plans tomake the Metropolitan Council anelected body, rather than anappointed one. Entenza calls forstrategic investment in heavy rail andhighways to better connect rawmaterials, manufacturing centers,and markets.

"We also need to end regionalconflict when it comes to funding. Itis not good for anyone if parts of ourstate do not take part in ourtransportation solutions. Roads andrail in one region move the goodsand supplies from another; andneither are effective without theother," Entenza said.

Creating a comprehensivestatewide infrastructure, Entenza

believes, will spur economicdevelopment across the state.Minnesota's economic policies havelargely focused on helping large, outof state businesses relocate, build,and expand plants. This usuallyinvolves tax subsidies for thebusiness, combined with large grantand loan programs.

Clean energy and technologyhave also been at the forefront ofEntenza's campaign. He believes thatMinnesota can leverage the potentialof clean energy and technology torenew and diversify our economy,create jobs, and help our entirecountry move forward. "The cleanenergy and technology economy ischaracterized by things we havetraditionally been good at inMinnesota: innovation, the creationof value-added products, and thedevelopment of a skilled laborforce," Entenza said.

Entenza believes that in order tobuild a strong economy, Minnesotamust produce high school andcollege graduates that are ready toinnovate and start small businesses.He hopes to reinvest in the collegeand university systems that haveproduced so many of our innovatorsand innovations. "The nextMedtronic and 3Ms will spring fromhere. The private sector will invest instates that show commitment todeveloping clean energy businesses.When we do, Minnesota will prosperagain," Entenza said.

For more information on hiscampaign, visit www.Entenza.com.

insightnews.com Insight News • April 26 - May 2 • Page 7

Ellison receives housing leadership award

Parks superintendent receivesdiversity leadership award

File PhotoRep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Courtesy Minneapolis Parks and Recreation BoardMichael Fagin, Special Presidential Advisor at MnSU (left) presentsMPRB Superintendent Jon Gurban (right) with the 2010 Pan-African

Student Leadership Conference Award.

Matt Entenza seeks DFL endorsement for governorBy Lydia Schwartz,Contributing Writer

Courtesy of Lydia SchwartzEntenza shakes hands with a supporter at the Capri Theater rally

She spent the last 18 years ofher professional career ascoordinator of the St. PaulCentral High School MinorityProgram. She retired in 2000.

Katie McWatt’s advocacywork resulted in thedevelopment of St. Phillip’sGardens affordable housingcommunity. This undertakingrevealed how few AfricanAmericans worked in theconstruction field. She wasarrested while demonstratingwith other leaders for a changein Saint Paul building tradeshiring practices.

Eventually, the constructionand building trades unionleadership agreed to open uppositions to Black men, Khaliqsaid.

McWatt also organizedefforts to change the stateprison system and collaborated

with the Brotherhood of AfricanAmerican Culture at Stillwaterprison to hold Black historyprograms.

These initiatives motivatedher to run for a seat on the SaintPaul City Council in 1964. She

became the first AfricanAmerican to win a city-wideprimary, setting a precedent tfor other Blacks to successfullypursue public office, Khaliqsaid.

publisher of the Atlanta Inquirernewspaper and former NNPAchairman. “Lenora championedAfrican American achievement,overall and she personifieddistinctive grace, character andstyle as a ‘chaplain for thecommon good’. As treasurer ofour newspaper federation,Lenora was an exemplarysteward.”

Carter was general mangerand advertising director of theForward Times when herhusband publisher Julius Carterdied in 1971. During the next 30

years, she led the newspaper tobecome the South’s largestindependently ownedpublication serving people ofcolor. Under her leadership, thenewspaper won numerousaward and she was namedNNPA’s Publisher of the Year.

Born in Corrigan ,TX andraised in McNary, AZ, Carterstudied business administrationat Arizona State University. Asa publisher and businessexecutive, Carter was a boardmember of Greater HoustonPartnership, Houston League ofBusiness, Riverside NationalBank, Riverside GeneralHospital, UNCF/ Houston,Houston Society for PerformingArts, and other charitableorganizations.

concern to the Twin Citiescommunity. The Human Rightswebsite has been redesigned toinclude more informationregarding the investigationprocess and protections affordedby law. To date the transitionappears to be successful in thatequivalent levels of properlyserviced cases have beenachieved in comparison to pre-restructuring operations.

Overall HREEOcommunications have beenimproved through the additionof a 1400 recipient newsletter toupdate contractors, unions, andcommunity member of newinitiatives and accomplishments.Shared information andpractices have allowed forsmarter use of resources, andthe creation of a Best PracticesOfficer will allow for astreamlined collection ofefficient operations.

Page 8 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE

Does spring-fever have youitching to make some changes toyour surroundings? I certainlyhave the itch. The first freeweekend that I have, I plan to paintmy front door. I would describe itscurrent color as an awful poop-brown, but soon it will be vibrantorange, earthy green, or crispwhite. Although I am havingtrouble deciding, I am not tooworried about it because I knowthat even if I get the paint on thedoor and don't like the color, I caneasily repaint it. Paint is one of theleast expensive and fastest ways to

transform a room from boring toexciting. But wait, you do knowthat paint should not be limited toonly the walls, right?? Here are afew new ways to use paint that youmay not have yet considered.

Paint the Ceiling: Don't justleave it white. Instead, pick acolor that compliments the wallcolor. Go for a darker ceilingcolor if you want to create a coziervibe or choose a lighter color ifyou want ceilings to appear higher.

Paint the wood trim: I really likeit when the walls and doors of ahouse are trimmed in wood that ispainted white. Another futureproject for me is to paint mybrown wood wall-trim and door-trim a high-gloss white. I havealready painted the wall-trim aglossy black in my daughter'sroom. It looks great against herpink walls.

Paint the furniture: If you have a

kitchen table that has seen betterdays, don't fret. Instead, revive itwith a coat of paint. After sanding,painting, and applying

polyurethane as a protector, youwill soon be ready to serve dinner.In my opinion, nearly all furnitureshould be given a second chance

to shine. Before you throw outthat favorite chair, consider themoney-saving benefits of paintingbefore you pitch it into the trash.

Paint your Picture Frames: Ifyou have great artwork trapped inshiny gold frames but you nowprefer the matte silver finish, thengrab the paint brush or spray canand get busy. Simply use painter'stape and newspaper to cover theparts not being redone.

Paint Your Floor: Do you havean ugly vinyl floor? Paint can savethe day. Make sure you use theright kind-check in with your paintstore expert and to ensure longlife, don't forget to seal it.

Paint Your Lampshade: To giveinterest to an otherwiseunimpressive lamp shade,consider using paint to add a topand bottom stencil-type border.What a bright idea!

Paint Your Front Porch: Giveyour home fresh curb appeal witha coat of paint on your railings,stairs, and outdoor furniture. Picka bright color that makes yousmile when you drive up.

Whenever your money is low, yetyou have the urge to spruce upyour place with something new,just reach for the paint can. Useyour own creativity, browsethrough home decoratingmagazines, and watch homeimprovement television shows forideas and inspiration. Don't beafraid to make a mistake; some ofmy best creative work began as amistake and ended up amasterpiece! Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interiordecorator and home stager whospecializes in achieving high styleat low costs. A native of Michigan,she and her husband, Lonnie, havethree children.

The solution for low budget, high style decorating

By Marcia Humphrey

Style on a dime

www.apartmenttherapy.com

HREEOFrom 2

McWattFrom 1

CarterFrom 1

Suluki Fardan

must remember to hold on to theups in the good times; rememberthe downs are coming. Self-care isvery important. Women in the fieldare often called on to pick up theslack. We must find ways to sustainand care for ourselves. If we ignoreourselves, we will suffer burnout.Activists are not holding up thestruggle for injustice when they areoppressing themselves.

“We must be intentional aboutlooking for prize moments in ourlives. Can we remember the timeswhen we set aside time to re-connect and reflect on and enjoythe work we have accomplished?Do not lose the ability to mournlosses in our lives; you maycurrently be in a space that’s not sogreat, but remember it is not theend of the story. Stop pretendingthat the feelings are not therebecause they will come out inanother way. If we don’t take amoment to mourn, we will not beable to move forward,” said Tutu.

“The work may become scary.Asking people to face their racismmay cause fear and anger to beprojected toward you. However,you don’t have to take in and holdonto their stories like a vacuum.Think of yourself as a washer;process the dirt and move it out inits’ own cycle. Find those who canhelp you to sustain,” Tutu added.

Before the afternoon reception, Ihad the pleasure of a one-on-oneinterview with Tutu:

Brenda Colston: Goodafternoon and welcome toMinnesota. Thank you for takingthe time to speak with us thisafternoon.

As we read and hear of yourmany accomplishments withvarious organizations world wide,it is noted that the SpiritualAlliance to Stop Intimate Violence(SAIV) and the Foundation forHospices in Sub-Saharan Africareflect the “breadth of yourinvolvement in human rights”.Please Explain.

Naomi Tutu: Because these aretwo different organizations at theopposite end of the spectrum, yetthey come together. SAIV is thebasis for dealing with conflict inthe home. The focus is on stoppingviolence in the home before it leadsto conflict and violence on anational level. Conflict that is notproperly resolved in its early stageswill lead to heights unknown andcause greater despair than if it hadbeen dealt with early on. The

Hospice Foundation focuses on theissues of death and dying whichare many. Part of the work of thisfoundation is a coordinated effortto work with the Diana LegacyFund assisted by Phil Di Sorbo.This is the fundraising-arm, whichbrings attention to the foundation.

BC: If you could pick only oneissue to focus on over the next fiveyears, what would it be and why?

NT: The connection betweenrace and gender are very close tohome. We must work toward anon-racist, non-sexist society. Ifthis can be accomplished, it wouldfix the many issues that exist. Weare getting closer by reason of thegrowing number of people who arebecoming aware and passionate intheir activism. There are more andmore people looking at innovativeways to bring change, hence theimportance of the recognitionstoday. I am optimistic about themyriad of ways people are tryingto find to bring notice and solutionsto the problems of racism andsexism. These are huge issues. I amoptimistic about the healing ofthese issues, but at the same time Iam a realist. We have a ways to go.

BC: You have done consultingwork in South Africa and the USregarding development issues andeducational and professionalopportunities for Black Women.How do you see the current state ofthe Black woman? What is theprojected success or failure ratebased on current educational andprofessional opportunities that areavailable to them?

NT: Most of my focus hasbeen towards opportunities forwomen in South Africa. However,I have seen so much positiveprogress in terms of the state ofBlack women. For instance, inparliament, over one third of therepresentatives are women andmany of them are women of color.The government has started torealize the importance of women inadvancing the end of apartheid.Many opportunities have beenmade available in education andbusiness.

Yet the issue of violence is amajor barrier in South Africa.There are many constitutionalstandards against discrimination inseveral areas; however noteveryone has access to thesestandards and laws. We must beallowed to challenge them. Thereis no benefit if there is no access.Freedom has not yet reached the“grass roots” level. We needsociety to acknowledge that thesebarriers exist. We need to offersupport to women who are activelyseeking support against apartheidand access to rights. Sexism and

racism are real issues in the schoolsand workplaces. We must beforceful about bringing an end tothem. Women are hurting and weneed the whole society to help.

BC: How have your personalstruggles and experiences withSouth African race issues fueledyour passion for the field of RaceRelations:

NT: As a Black woman I wantto experience fulfillment for myfamily and myself. I expend a lotof energy in protecting my familyand myself. I would love to be ableto use that energy towards otherissues. However, it is important totry to bring change. If we couldconcentrate that type of energy onmore creative things, creativechange would happen and manysituations would be fixed. I wantmy daughters to be safe fromviolence as women. I want them toexperience the full array of whatthe world has to offer. I want myson to be able to walk around andnot be judged just because he is aBlack man. I want the world toexperience their greatness ashumans. These desires help to fuelmy passion.

The challenges of growing upBlack and female in apartheidSouth Africa have led Naomi Tututo her present role as a humanrights activist. Her experienceshave taught her how much we alllose when any of us are judgedpurely on physical attributes.

The third child of ArchbishopDesmond and Nomalizo LeahTutu, Naomi was born in SouthAfrica and has also lived in theUnited Kingdom and the UnitedStates. She was educated inSwaziland, the US and England,and has divided her adult lifebetween South Africa and the US.Growing up as the “daughter of…” has offered her manyopportunities and challenges in herlife, she said. Most important ofthese has been the challenge to findher own place in the world. She hastaken up the challenge andchanneled the opportunities thatshe has been given to raise hervoice as a champion for the dignityof all.

Tutu has served as adevelopment consultant in WestAfrica and a program coordinatorfor programs on Race and Genderand Gender-Based Violence inEducation at the African GenderInstitute at the University of CapeTown. She has also taught at theUniversities of Hartford andConnecticut and Brevard College.Tutu began her public speakingcareer as a college student at BereaCollege in Kentucky in the 1970swhen she was invited to speak at

churches, community groups andcolleges and universities about herexperiences growing up inapartheid South Africa. Since thattime she has become a muchsought after speaker for groups asvaried as business associations,professional conferences, politicalorganziations and church and civicorganizations. In her speeches sheblends the passion for humandignity with humor and personalstories.

She has also led Truth andReconciliation workshops forgroups dealing with differenttypes of conflict. Together withRose Bator she presents aworkshop titled “BuildingBridges: Dealing with Issues ofRace and Racism.” The two alsolead women’s retreats throughtheir organization SisterSojourner. They are also writing

a book, I Don’t Think of You asBlack: Honest Conversations onRace and Racism.

Tutu is a consultant to twoorganizations which reflect thebreadth of her involvement inissues of human rights, includingthe Spiritual Alliance to StopIntimate Violence, founded byrenowned author Riane Eislerand Nobel Peace Prize LaureateBetty Williams; and theFoundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I offer you a portion of one ofthe presentations from Tutu’steachings on healing racerelations: “Truth and Reconciliation:Healing the Wounds of Racism”

“Whether in personal life orin the larger society, we havewounds that block our ability tobe the wonderful gifts that we are

meant to be in the world. We toohave inflicted wounds untoothers, but all these wounds canbe healed. However, it takescourage and the willingness tospeak and hear the truth. Thatfirst step to healing is so often thehardest. We are afraid to speakour truth for fear of judgment,rejection and anger. We are alsoafraid to hear truths that mightquestion our images of ourselves.Yet the pain is only the first step,what comes after that is healingand wholeness.”

Tutu’s closing words to ourreaders: “There is a program onfacing race issues. Be open andsupportive to those who will haveand facilitate honestconversations that are aimed ateliminating racism on a local andworldwide level. Encourage andsupport them.”

insightnews.com Insight News • April 26 - May 2 • Page 9

As parents we teach our childrennot to speak to strangers, to lookboth ways before crossing thestreet, not to use drugs and othercommon sense practices. But wedon’t teach them how to avoidbeing injured or killed by gunviolence.

Homicide is the leading causeof death for African Americanmales 15 to 24 years of age.Ninety percent of these youngboys/men are killed withfirearms. And gun violence ispopping up all across the TwinCities. Recently, a 14-year-oldboy from Hastings Middle Schoolwho brought a .22 caliber loadedhandgun to school; a 16-year-oldRed Lake Senior High boy killedhis family and proceeded to thehigh school to open fire and killedand injured 21 persons beforeturning the gun on himself. Two17-year-old Somali boys shotthree persons in a botchedrobbery. Minneapolis is notimmune to this national epidemicof gun violence. Our youth arerisking their lives, endangeringothers and facing years ofincarceration, paralyzing injuriesand violent death.

In answer to the growingepidemic of gun violence, TheTwin Cities Anti-ViolenceCoalition and its many partners—Parents of Murdered Children,Alternative to Violence, Citizensfor Safer MN, MinneapolisDepartment of Health & Family

Support, African American MenProject, Acme & SmithFoundries, Shiloh TempleInternational Ministries, GospelTemple COGIC, Oasis of Love,National Association of BlackSocial Workers and others havecommitted to hosting severalAnti-Violence Weekend Events.Our County Attorney MichaelFreeman, along with many otherdignitaries, are in total support ofour anti-violence efforts.

It has been determined thatlack of education contributes tothe increase in youth crime. Thereis also a strong correlationbetween bullying and criminalbehavior. Thus, our coalition willfocus on awareness on youth

violence. We recognize that longterm solutions lie in a multi-pronged, multi-faceted approachto poverty, drugs and lack ofopportunities. However, holdingmeaningful activities in thecommunities most impacted bygun violence is just one way toaddress the youth violence.

Upcoming activities plannedby the coalition are: May 1, Anti

Violence Motorcycle Ride atBrookdale Mall, 8:30 am; June11, Anti Violence Talent ShowContest at Capri Theater, 5 pm-10pm; June 12, Lay Down YourGuns, Hug Your Sons Car Wash,10 am - 3 pm (location to bedetermined); June 12 Anti-Violence Five-on0FiveBasketball Tournament atZanewood Community Center, 10

am - 4:30 pm. The Anti-Violence Weekend

Finale is Bury Our Guns, Not OurPeople Gun Buy Back slated forJune 18, 2010, at Shiloh TempleInternational Ministries–Minneapolis and Gospel TempleCOGIC—St. Paul from 10 am to10 pm. Through these events wehope to heighten the community’sunderstanding of the impact gun

violence has on our kids andmobilize them to actively worktowards a solution. The challengeis to motivate neighborhoods tono longer sit on the sidelines insilence and watch our youth hurtand kill themselves or others.

Each anti-violence event willdedicate a portion of time toeducating the audience on gunviolence, its impact, offer conflictresolution services, counseling,to provide information andresources, encourage healing tobegin.

We should remember thatafter the rain, comes a rainbow.We want to encouragecommunity members to becomeinvolved in and support our youthin all the above events. In March2010 Sgt. Palmer of theMinneapolis Police Departmentbegan to reach out to communityleaders to help prevent any moreviolence. Here is youropportunity. Donations are stillneeded to make each and everyevent a success. Remember, wecan invest in our youth on thefront end or we WILL invest inthem on the back end throughincarceration or through moredeaths.

For more informationregarding the above events youmay contact Twin Cities Anti-Violence Chair, DeseriaGalloway at (612) 296-2895 orby emaildeseria.galloway@yahoo.com.

We must teach our children about gun violence

File photoHomicide is the leading cause of death for African American males 15 to 24.

Ninety percent are killed by firearms.

Courtesy Deseria GallowayDeseria Galloway, Chair of the

Twin Cities Anti-ViolenceCoalition

TutuFrom 2

Courtesy of the St. Paul FoundationBrenda Colston and Naomi Tutu

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 10 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

COMMUNITY

ABAMinnesota Blizzards

Basketball The Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Teamis announcing a program for college Internshipsfor the fall and winter. The program will consistof five teams of 5 interns each in the followingareas: (1) Sales, (2) Basketball Operations. (3)Marketing (4) Public Relations (5) Businessadministration. Each team will have a leaderand be given challenging assignments.

We are looking for college students majoring inSports Management, Business, PublicRelations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting andEvent Planning. We need 20 or 25 internsworking with us for a (minimum of 8 hours aweek) on a part-time basis. Interns will gainvaluable experience, and in most cases collegecredits. Interested Parties please sendresume to:

The Minnesota ABA Team Attn: Internship Program10125 Crosstown Circle #200 Eden Prairie, MN55344

952-829-1250 Fax: 952-829-1040www.minnesotablizzards.com

Hallie Q. Brown Community CenterExecutive Coordinator

DEPT: AdministrationSUPERVISED BY: Director of Finance and Operations & Executive DirectorTITLES SUPERVISED: N/AFLSA: ExemptSALARY GRADE: $25,000 - $33,000

POSITION SUMMARY:Coordinates the day to day affairs of Executive Management for the agency. Keyresponsibilities include: Executive support, office administration; humanresources program coordination, customer relations, employee recordsmanagement and regulatory compliance support.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Supports the overall leadership for the Agency.2. Provides administrative support for the Executive Director, including but notlimited to: Taking projects from start to finish including troubleshooting, problemsolving and providing updates as necessary; anticipating and proactivelysupporting the administrative needs of Executive Director including conductingresearch and analysis, preparation of correspondence, reports and charts,managing calendar and schedule. Maintains files and records as appropriate.3. Assists Executive Management with Board meeting logistics and details,including scheduling and administratively supporting the production of Boardmeeting information packets, etc.4. Supports the Director of Finance and Operations in the coordination of thehuman resources function, including maintaining personnel files and appropriateagency documentation to support compliance requirements; documents the HRactivities, actions and processes related to hiring. 5. Develops reports and budget information as needed.6. Provides general office support to Executive Management.7. Professionally represents HQB in various community engagement activitiesand meetings, as appropriate. 8. Acts as a liaison between general public, partners, organizations and otherkey constituents and Hallie Q. Brown Executive Management.9. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:Education and Work Experience: Bachelors Degree with 2-3 years ofadministrative experience, Associates Degree with 3-5 years of administrativeexperience or the equivalent required.

Other Requirements: • Ability to deal with confidential information • Ability to handle tight deadlines • Exceptional computer skills • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Excellent customer service skills • Organized and detail oriented • Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager • Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines • Ability to relate to people from diverse socio-economic and culturalbackgrounds • Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements andreferences to:

Hallie Q. Brown Community CenterATTN: Human Resources270 N. Kent StreetSaint Paul, MN 55102651-224-7074-Faxhr@hallieqbrown.org

2010 Theme: Freedom RingsRemembering the Past Celebrating theFuture

As it celebrates its 25thanniversary, the local JuneteenthCelebration continues to highlightthe wellness and improvement ofthe African American communityin the Twin Cities. The theme forthis summer’s event is“Celebrating the Spirit of Freedomand Community.”

Juneteenth, the oldestcelebration of the end of Americanslavery, began in Galveston, TX,in 1865, when Union troopsenforced the EmancipationProclamation declaring all slavesfreed in revolting states. Uponnotice of their freedom two and ahalf years after the Emancipation

Proclamation was issued, theformer slaves held communityfestivals oriented to support theformer slaves in their efforts torealize their new freedoms throughvoting, education, and communitywelfare as well as picnics, familygames, arts and music.

The Twin Cities’ JuneteenthCelebration is one of the twolargest in the nation, surpassingeven that in Texas, where it’s astate holiday.

Other notable facts: the buyingpower for Black Minnesotansincreased sharply over the pastdecade, according to the SeligCenter for Economic Growth;Blacks’ disposable incomeincreased to nearly $4 billion,according to the Twin Cities

Business Journal. And more than30 percent of Black Minnesotans,who account for an 11 percentincrease of the state’s population,attend the Twin Cities JuneteenthFestival.

The festival will be held at theNorth Mississippi Regional Park,located at 5114 North MississippiDrive in Minneapolis. A popularlocal recreation spot, the park hasplenty of picnic facilities, andwalking and bike trails, whichconnect with Webber Parkway anddowntown commuter routes.There is also a boat launch andfishing dock. For moreinformation about the festival,contact: John Jamison at (612)238-3733.

The Twin Cities marks the 25th Anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration

Hallie Q. Brown Community CenterSubstitute Teacher

DEPT: Early Learning CenterSUPERVISED BY: Youth Program ManagerTITLES SUPERVISED: N/AFLSA: Non-ExemptSALARY GRADE: $10-13/hour

POSITION SUMMARY:This is a substitute position designed to fill in as needed on a short or longterm basis for permanent teaching staff. Substitute Teacher participates inlong and short range activities for students in accordance with curriculumobjectives and engages students in developmentally appropriate activities.Assists with ensuring that the classroom is appropriately staffed andmaintained to provide a safe and secure environment for each child.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Works with teaching staff to implement program curriculumand coordinate students activities.2. Plans and supervises the arrangement of the classroomenvironment in accordance to program goals and philosophy.3. Maintains a safe and healthy environment, including safelymanaging developmental activities for the participants.4. Keeps all appropriate records such as records, attendance,time sheets and accident reports.5. Maintains open communication with parents/guardians of theprogram participants regarding the developmental needs of theparticipants.

QUALIFICATIONS:Education: Associates degree or equivalent in early childhooddevelopment. B.S. in Early childhood Development preferred.

Licensing and Certifications: CPR and Meet all applicable licensingregulations. Valid Driver's License and proof of insurance. MinnesotaTeachers' License (preferred).

Work Experience: 5 years of Child Care Center or related experiencerequired.

Other Requirements:• Dealing with confidential information.• Tight deadlines.• Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions.• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.• Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager.• Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines.• Ability to relate to children from diverse socio-economic and culturalbackgrounds.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements andreferences to:

Hallie Q. Brown Community CenterATTN: Human Resources270 N. Kent StreetSaint Paul, MN 55102651-224-7074-Faxhr@hallieqbrown.org

Evening Maintenanceand Security Worker

JOB LOCATION: Twin Cities MetroSALARY: $10-$13/hour

TYPE: Part Time / 20 hours

DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

POSITION SUMMARY:Responsible for providing light maintenance andgeneral security for HQB during the lateafternoon through evening hours of operationwith occasional weekends. Key responsibilitiesinclude: end of daily operations visitor controland general facility security, light maintenanceand general janitorial duties.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Responsible for locking all internal andexternal doors at the end of the facility'soperating hours.2. Ensures that all users of the facility safelyconclude their business and appropriately exitthe facility on a timely basis.3. Maintains close monitoring of operations andvisitor control, securing St. Paul Policeassistance, as appropriate.4. Provides light maintenance, includingchanging light bulbs, monitoring HVACoperations, minor equipment repair, painting andchecking mechanical operations.5. Sets-up rooms for use, as directed.6. Janitorial duties may include but are not limitedto: vacuuming floors and furnishings, moppinghard surface floors, cleaning, dusting andpolishing furniture, cleaning walls and windows,cleaning and disinfecting kitchen and bathroom,emptying and sanitizing waste baskets.5. Perform errands and special projects asrequested by supervisor. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONREQUIREMENT:Education: High School degree or equivalent.Vocational training in building maintenance andspecialized training in the areas of HVAC,plumbing and electrical repair not required buthighly preferred.

Work Experience: 3+ years of general buildingjanitorial, maintenance and repair experience.

Other Requirements: Physical ability tomoderately strenuous work safely. Customerservice skills Ability to work effectively withemployees, colleagues and manager. Agree tomandated child abuse reporting guidelines

HOW TO APPLY:Submit Resume and Cover Letter or Applicationavailable on our website to:

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc.ATTN: Human Resources270 North Kent StreetSt. Paul, MN 55102651-224-7074-Faxwww.hallieqbrown.orghr@hallieqbrown.org

EventsCredit Smart- OngoingFREE Credit Education Classes.Every Tuesday, 6-8pm.Minneapolis Urban League 2100Plymouth Ave. N. Mpls.www.mul.org Contact Theresa(612) 827- 9268

Realizing the American Dream –OngoingHome Buyer Program. First Thurs.of every month, 6-8pm. $25.00 perFamilyMinneapolis Urban League 2100Plymouth Ave. N. Mpls.www.mul.org Contact Theresa(612) 827- 9268

Shoe Drive - All of Apr.MAC Employees and Residentsare invited to recycle their “gentlyworn” shoes for people in need.SOLES4SOULSR INC, THESHOE CHARITY,AT the MAC Trades building-604528th Ave s, Mpls, Mn 55450 forthe entireMonth of April

Classic Black films at VOA ParkElder Center - OngoingFirst and third Mondays of eachmonth, 11 am - 12:15 pm. Thesefilms are free of charge and thepublic is invited. Popcorn, hotdogsand drinks are provided for asuggested donation of $1. VOAPark ElderCenter, 1505 Park Ave.Mpls. 612-339-7581, parkcenter@voamn.org

Event: History Lounge: Near v.Minnesota: How Far Have WeCome? - Apr. 27Tues., Apr. 27, 7 p.m. at MinnesotaHistory Center, 345 Kellogg BlvdW., St. Paul. Free. Info: 651-259-3000, 800-657-3773, 651-282-6073 (TTY),www.minnesotahistorycenter.org

The 13th annual Ann BancroftAwards – Apr. 29Thurs., April 29 at the Hyatt Hotelin downtown Mpls. Receptionbegins at 5:30 p.m. followed by adinner and program. Ticketsproceed benefit the Ann BancroftFoundation. Contact:www.annbancroftfoundation.orgor 763-479-4499.

The Key to Tomorrow’s Health -Apr. 29

Healing on the Spiritual Paththrough the Teachings of BrunoGroening. Medical specialists fromaround the world will presentlectures about a free, special wayof healing that is available foreveryone. 7pm Thur., Apr., 29. Uof M Mayo Building, Auditorium3-100. 420 Delaware St. SE, Mpls.- 612 521 1712

Carnival Theatre ProductionDirected by Mark Rosenwinkel– Apr. 29, 30, May 1, 2Capturing the music, color andspectacle of the circus, Carnival isa story about sweetness andinnocence which ultimatelyovercome the darker edges ofromance. Thur., April 29, Fri.,April 30, Sat., May 1, at 7:30pmand Sun., May 2, at 2pm. PearsonTheatre, Concordia University,312 Hamline Ave. St. Paul. Adults,$12; Seniors/Students, $10;Children, $8; CSP Students,Faculty and Staff, $5 Call1-866-811-4111 or www.csp.edu/ticketsto order.

Women’s Drum CenterPresents: A Day with ValerieNaranjo - Apr. 30Valerie Naranjo is a world-renowned percussionist, vocalist,

marimba specialist and mastertraditional musician. Apr. 30,2:00pm-9:00pm Lutheran Churchof the Redeemer. 285 N. DaleStreet, St. Paul

Red Balloon Bookshop UpcomingEvents - MayA series of book clubs and eventsfor children, and adults. Includesauthor meetings and readings,book clubs for kids, book clubs foradults who enjoy children’s booksand more.To see all upcoming events, visit: http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/

A Gospel Music CelebrationHonoring Reverend CarlWalker - May 1Sat. May 1, Concert begins at 4pm,with a banquet to follow at5:30pm. St. Paul-ReformationLutheran Church - 100 N. OxfordStreet St. Paul, MN 55104 - Formore information or to buy tickets,contact cdoesmusic247@aol.com

Annual Mother’s Day Recognition Dinner - May 2Sunday, May 2 at St. Paul MasonicCenter; 200 E. Plato Blvd. in St.Paul, MN -4 pm to 7 pm.Donation: Children age 5-11 - $5;

age 12-Adult - $8. For questions orreservation call (612) 825-5636before/or by April 26th deadline.

ADOPTION MEETING- MAY3Learn about the many types ofadoption, children who needfamilies, timelines and costs at aFREE Adoption InformationalMeeting from 7-8:30pm Monday,May 3 at HOPE Adoption &Family Services, 5850 Omaha AveN, Oak Park Heights, MN. Themeeting is free but pleaseregister: 651-439-2446 orwww.hopeadoptionservices.org.

Lowertown Reading Jam - May 3The Saint Paul Almanac’s popularmonthly Lowertown Reading Jamseries continues in May with anevening showcasing what it meansto be a Cultural Worker and thepower of using the arts to heal,create and build community. 7-8:30pm. Black Dog Café, 308Prince St, St. Paul

Overcoming Debt and EmbracingFinancial Independence – May 5Geoff Bullock will explain how todevelop a personal debt-management plan, how to preventgarnishments and rebuild credit,

and what Fair Debt rights are.Bullock will also cover thedeceptive practices of debtcollectors. Wed., May 5 at 6:30pm.Rice Street Library, 1011 RiceStreet, St. Paul.

Parent resource fair for thoseaffected by Fetal AlcoholSpectrum Disorders - May 7Friday, May 7th, 2010 will be heldfrom 10:00am-12:00pm. at HSI at7066 Stillwater Blvd. N inOakdale. For more informationand to register for this event, pleasecall Cathy Luiken at 651-351-3152.

2010 National Poetry SlamPreview/Fundraiser – May 7w/ Guante, dial_system,Mnemosyne, Fresh Squeeze, SeeMore Perspective, DJ Nak and topTwin Cities slam poets. Fri., May7, at the 501 Club.9pm. 21+. Nocover.

Mother’s Day Brunch – May 8Picture of a Virtuous Mother – Sat.,May 8, at 11:00am. Zion BaptistChurch 621 Elwood Ave. N. Mpls,MN 612-377-5436

Suluki Fardan2009 Juneteenth Celebration

Assumed Name1. State the exact assumed name underwhich the business is or will be conducted: Big Jay’s Cleaning Service Company

2. State the address of the principal place ofbusiness: 3705 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis,MN 55412

3. List the name and complete street addressof all persons conducting business under theabove Assumed Name: Jerry Allen Marshall,3705 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign thiscertificate and I further certify that Iunderstand that by signing this certificate, Iam subject to the penalties of perjury as setforth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 asif I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Jerry Allen Marshall - Owner Date Filed: 04/01/2010

Insight News 4/19/2010, 4/26/2010

Edina Public SchoolsELL TEACHER (.5)

Edina Public Schools is seeking candidates fora part time (FTE .5) ELL Teacher to work atValley View Middle School. MN ELL licenseand highly qualified required.

English TeacherEdina Public Schools has an English positionavailable at the HS beginning the 2010-11school year. Requires current MN licensure.

Science - Chemistry TeacherEdina Public Schools has a Science -Chemistry position available at the HSbeginning the 2010-11 school year. Requirescurrent MN licensure; licensure in multiplescience disciplines preferred. Apply online at:

Speech/Language PathologistEdina Public Schools has a Speech/LanguagePathologist position available for the summeronly, 7/7-8/20/10. Requires current MNSpeech/Language Pathology license.

Apply online at: http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/district/employment/employment

Training CoordinatorDevelop and maintain customized training andbusiness partnerships for Emerge CommunityDevelopment's City Skills training programs.Position includes the implementation of trainingprograms, budget management, and programfunding development. Refer to www.emerge-mn.org for position details. Deadline: 4/30/10.Send resume to Human Resources, 414 S. 8thSt, Mpls, MN 55404; e-mail: mcw.jobs@mcwmn.org or fax: 612-341-1653.EEO M/F H DV.

PHONE: 612.588.1313 FAX: 612.588.2031 EMAIL: sales@insightnews.com

EMPLOYMENT/HOUSINGTown Square Apts.East Grand Forks MN

HUD subsidized hsg forpersons 62+ or withdisability. For applicationcontact 218-773-3631 ordmoon@eastgrandforks.net

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PHONE: 612.588.1313 EMAIL: ben@insightnews.com

FAX: 612.588.2031 ONLINE: http://insightnews.comMAIL: 1815 Bryant Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What ordinarily comes to mindwhen one thinks of a lecture aboutmedieval Europe is a talk a lot lessrelevant to present-day worldlyconcerns than the keynote speechrecently delivered by Prof. CeliaChazelle at a conference held atUniversity College Cork entitled"Envisioning Christ on the Cross."Chazelle, who chairs theDepartment of History at TheCollege of New Jersey, had beeninvited to Ireland to speak about"The Mass and the Eucharist,'Image' of the Crucified Christ, inthe Christianization of EarlyMedieval Europe."

While the bulk of herotherwise academic addresscertainly explored that topic atconsiderable depth, she prefacedher remarks by reading a poem byher Irish-born pastor, FatherMichael Doyle, about the seemingfutility of the never-ending fightto eradicate the suffering evidentin his midst. For 35 years now,

Doyle has presided over SacredHeart Church in Camden, thepoorest city in the US, where over

90% of the population is Blackand Hispanic.

With the assistance of

volunteers like his dedicatedparishioner Chazelle, Doyle'sbeen directly ministering to theneeds of the poor via a number ofSacred Heart-based organizations,among them the church's St.Vincent de Paul Society andaffiliated Heart of Camden. Thesesponsor a weekly dinner, a thriftstore, building and homerenovations, and a variety of othersocial programs. Anotheraffiliated organization, the Centerfor Transformation, oversees agreenhouse, community gardens,and neighborhood cleanups,engages in environmentaleducation and activism in the area,and is in the final stages ofestablishing a retreat center. Allthis is located right withinCamden's deterioratingexoskeleton.

Professor Chazelle made asmooth segue from a discussion ofCamden to the Christianization ofEurope during the early MiddleAges by pointing out the parallelsbetween the frustrations of Doyleas expressed in the poem and thepath of Jesus, a path marked by

failure yet leading to resurrection,symbol of faith in the promise of abetter tomorrow. The thrust of herensuing thesis explored the rise ofChristianity as a grassrootsmovement emanating from thebottom up. This incendiary ideacuts a sharp contrast with theconventional thinking of manyhistorians who tend to focus onthe conversion of kings and therest of the aristocratic class as theseminal force.

Nonetheless, in deliberatefashion, Chazelle proceeded tomount a most persuasive case,convincingly threading the fruitsof her painstakingly- researched,scholarly efforts with additionalanecdotal asides about FatherDoyle. Furthermore, the lecturewas augmented with photographseffectively juxtaposing

contemporary Camden withhistorical artifacts illustrating thereligious rite of the Eucharist, thereenactment of the Last Supper, asroutinely practiced by the salt ofthe Earth a millennium ago.Ultimately, Chazelle came fullcircle, returning to share somefinal insights about her belovedSacred Heart parish before closingwith a rhetorical flourishsuggesting that one might partakein the holy tradition of sharingChrist's body and blood beyondthe sacrosanct confines of churchin such unlikely environs as asoup kitchen ministering to thehomeless or even at the dinnertable while simply breaking breadwith family and friends.

The earnest, inspirationalsentiments of a foot soldier in thestruggle for social justice.

know existed. Things that werehidden in darkness are now in light.I see myself as able to forgive… tolove… I even see talents in myselfthat I didn’t see before.

KW: Rev. Thompson also asks,how do you express the Christ youserve in the glamorous Hollywoodmilieu in which you work?TS: Your atmosphere does notchange you, if you are rooted andgrounded in who you are. I do whatI believe the Lord did, and that iswalk in love with all mankind,which I don’t see a lot of Christiansdoing. Christians can be sojudgmental, that it can turn offpeople who are consideringconverting. It makes me a littleembarrassed, to tell you the truth,when I hear Christians criticizingothers. I have to fight against beingdiscouraged, because I don’t wantto be connected with people whoare so intolerant of much ofmankind like that. God loves us all.He really does. And I want to walkin love with people.

KW: I know you’re from Camden,NJ, and your character Angela evenbrags about it in the film. Have youheard of the Center forTransformation, an organizationthat’s doing some tremendouscharity work there, includingoverseeing a greenhouse,community gardens, neighborhoodcleanups, a family resource clinicand other projects? TS: No I haven’t.

KW: Their mission states “we are apeople called to be a Christiancommunity and to stand on the sideof life with all the struggling peopleof Camden and the world.” TS: That sounds beautiful.

KW: I can get some information toyou about it, if it sounds like agroup you’d be interested inworking with. TS: Yeah, that would be great.

KW: I recently met someone fromCamden who says he knew you asa child. Eric Lewis, the jazz pianist.I met him backstage after a concertpromoting his new album.TS: Yes, isn’t he talented? I’m sohappy for him.

KW: Laz Lyles would like to knowwhat it was like for you to revisitthe character Angela. TS: It was exciting and

empowering, because althoughTyler always jokes around saying,“Tasha’s just like Angela,” I’m notreally. I’m loud and I communicate,but I’d never think of doing half thethings Angela does. She’s an overthe top character who just lives andspeaks honestly without worryingabout being politically correct. So,playing her, you get a sense offreedom to do whatever you wantand to live vicariously through her.

KW: Laz has a follow up question.What’s the most common feedbackyou get from your actingworkshops?TS: People come to my workshopexpecting just to learn about acting,but at the end many say they’velearned something about life. Theyleave as better mothers, betterwives, better husbands and bettersiblings.

KW: After watching your actingstudio video, Larry Greenbergwants to know whether a white guycan enroll in your acting course.TS: Tell him, “Yes!” and pleasebring his whole family. I’m givinga $20 discount to anyone whobrings along a white person to myclass. Tell him I want white peoplein my classes and to send an emailblast to every white person heknows to come and visit me.[Laughs]

KW: Larry also says he loved yourwork in Glass House: The GoodMother. He asks, “Is there anychance I could see you in anotherthriller?”TS: Wow! Tell him to pray. I wantto do another thriller. [Laughs]

KW: When you look in the mirror,what do you see?TS: Hmm… I see a beautiful Blackwoman who has overcome andwho is pressing into her future andforgetting about the past.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question:What is your earliest childhoodmemory? TS: Wow! I remember being 6- or7-years-old and always begging mysister to act out scenes with mewhile we were in our bunk beds. Iwould be like, “Can you be ChakaKhan while I be Diana Ross? Andlet’s act like we’re at a party atStevie Wonder’s house and lookingfabulous.” But she would alwaysjust fall asleep.

KW: How’s your twin, Sidra,doing?TS: She’s great, thanks.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question:

Who’s you’re favorite clothesdesigner? TS: I love Catherine Maladrino,Angela Dean and Nicole Miller.Catherine Maladrino designs thatbeautiful, high-class red carpetstuff. Nicole Miller makes beautifuldresses you can wear everyday.And when you just want to go andshut it down, you turn to AngelaDean. She made my dress for thispremiere, as well as for the openingof Tyler Perry’s studio, that redsequined number.

KW: Beautiful! If you could haveone wish instantly granted, whatwould that be for? TS: Wow, I was just telling myboyfriend that I want to be likeSolomon, and instead of asking forriches ask for wisdom andcreativity.

KW: What is your favorite dishto cook?TS: I make a garlic cracked crabthat will shut everything down.First, I roast fresh garlic in oliveoil. Then, I sauté onions,peppers and basil in Old Bayseasoning with butter, heavycream, wine and beer until itgets thick. Then, I let the freshcrabs cook in that sauce forabout 10 or 15 minutes beforeroasting them. Woooo! Believeme when I tell you that mygarlic cracked crab is soooogood. It’s dynamic!

KW: The bookworm TroyJohnson question: What was thelast book you read? TS: Understanding YourPotential by Myles Munroe.That book is really, really, reallygood, and empowers you toappreciate your full potential,and God as the source of thatpotential.

KW: The music maven HeatherCovington question: What areyou listening to on your iPod? TS: Honey, I’m on Sade’s“Soldier of Love” right now.Loving it, loving it, and lovingit! That whole album is justcrazy.

KW: The Teri Emersonquestion: When was the lasttime you had a good laugh?TS: Today. [LOL] You wannaknow what happened? While Iwas filming “My Black IsBeautiful” I had my DNA tracedand found out that I’m linkedgenetically to the Bubi people ofBioko Island. So, I eagerlyasked, “Am I descended fromkings and queens?” But I was

told, “Sorry, your ancestors weredefinitely not kings and queens,but probably gatherers in thefield.” [Laughs more] That washilarious. I just laughed so hard.

KW: The Columbus Shortquestion: Are you happy?TS: Thanks for asking. A lot oftimes people don’t really seemto care about that. How do Isound?

KW: Elated, and you’ve got aboyfriend since we last spoke.TS: [Shrieks] I got a man, baby!A man! He is so absolutelywonderful. I am so in love. AndI’m planning on getting marriedand having a baby by the end of2011.

KW: Congratulations! Who’sthe lucky guy? TS: His name is Keith.

KW: Best of luck to you both,Tasha, and thanks for anotherterrific interview. TS: Thank you. It’s so good totalk to you.

KW: Same here.

insightnews.com Insight News • April 26 - May 2 • Page 11

SmithFrom 5

Camden scholar adovcates Christian activismBy Kam WilliamsContributing Writer

Courtesy of Kam WilliamsCelia Chazelle

The 63rd Anniversary of JackieRobinson breaking the colorbarrier in major league baseballcomes as the Minnesota Twinsembark upon a new existence inlovely Target Field. The Twinsearly season play hascomplimented the impressedeuphoria of the fan base, and soall around there are manyreasons for Minnesotans to beproud.

Baseball in Minnesota has arich, proud history, whichincludes strong representationin the historic national Blackbaseball days of the 19th andearly 20th Century.

Note: I try my best to “keepit real” with my articles, and Ijust realized the tsunami I juststepped into throughapproaching the topic of Blackbaseball in Minnesota. Well, Isuppose that I always wanted toimprove my baseballknowledge, so here we gobecause I know I’m not the onlyone who needs to bone-up on hisBlack baseball. I also supposethat a hearty, “Thank youJackie” is in order for shining alight many years after hispassing.

It is because of theinspiration of Jackie RobinsonDay that a powerful display isnow available at the LandmarkCenter in St. Paul, which casts acelebratory light on Blackbaseball in Minnesota, theNegro Leagues overall, as wellas the many beloved AfricanAmerican players throughoutthe history of the Twinsfranchise.

John Cotton, Mudcat Grant,Maceo Breedlove, Lenny Green,

Zolio Versalles, Earl Battey,Rod Carew, Marcenia “Toni”Stone, and far too many otherultra-special names, people,talents, and performanceresumes can be found throughexamining the history of Blackbaseball in Minnesota. But whatis most attractive overall are thestories that are born from theexperiences that these pioneerstrudged, bore, and brokethrough on their way to making

history.Consider the stories and

inspiration that can be found inthe examination of the last nameI mentioned in the previous list.Marcenia “Toni” Stone was awoman. Not only was she one ofthree women who played NegroLeague Baseball, but she alsograduated from MinneapolisRoosevelt High School.Considering the poorparticipation of young African

American males in the sport ofbaseball these days, it’sprobably about time that apresent day high school younglady drew some inspiration froma story such as this. I mean, shemaintained a batting average of.243 and even got a hit off ofSatchel Paige. Come on now. Itdoesn’t get any better than that,and Stone was incredibly spot-on when she stated: “Theyweren’t ready for me.” It’s 2010

and they still aren’t ready forthat kind of Roosevelt HighSchool product.

The Black baseball teamsthat bore native Minnesota citynames provide quite the long listof history as well. TheMinneapolis Millers, St. CloudRox, TC Gophers and St. PaulSaints were amongst the list oftraveling teams in Minnesota. Interms of integrated teams, I’msure most folks couldn’timagine a Black baseball playerbreaking a level of the colorbarrier on a Stillwater team in1884.

Yes, exploring Blackbaseball in Minnesota, and thenation over, will crack open acouple big cans of “What the…”and “For real!” for anyone who

appreciates the lens on theWorld that history can provide.

Baseball is the greatAmerican sport, and thanks toJackie Robinson it became areflection of the “Melting Pot”that makes America great. Butway before Jackie Robinson,there was a Black baseballplayer breaking barriers inStillwater, MN, and a younglady from Roosevelt HighSchool that experienced the“crack of the bat” at theexpense of the great SatchelPaige.

I’m getting to like thisbaseball thing more and moreevery day. Time to talk to someold timers and really get thescoop. Glad summer startedearly ‘round here.

Page 12 • April 26 - May 2, 2010 • Insight News insightnews.com

SPORTSCelebrating Black baseball in Minnesota

By Ryan T. Scottryan@insightnews.com

Mr T’sSportsReport

lh3.ggpht.com

Baseball is the great American sport, and thanks to JackieRobinson it became a reflection of the “Melting Pot”