September 2012
Tone down the rhetoric on Black museum’s money problems
Who would ever say that the legendary and renowned Dorothy Bridges would be involved in harming her legacy and imprint on a community bank, Franklin National Bank, which has done so much for the African American community under her leadership? Thus we are puzzled by the attacks on Franklin National Bank (“Stalled museum now battles […]
Greatest political shows on earth come and go again
We’re suckers for the same old promises The Republican and Democratic conventions were little more than a show. And like most shows, when it’s all over you realize it was a lot of “sound and fury” yet “signifying nothing.” Every four years, this show makes promise after promise. The “Republicrats” promise rain, and when a few […]
Ritchie gets a real smack-down
Mark “The Shark” Ritchie, Minnesota’s secretary of state, was pinned in Minnesota’s wrestling pay-per-view event: 1, 2, 3, and the sound of the referee slapping the mat as Ritchie’s shoulders were down for the count. It must have been excruciating. The Democrats took a serious beating August 27, when the Minnesota Supreme Court tossed mustard […]
Open letter to the community on The Links’ new youth program
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (The Links) is pleased to introduce a new and exciting program called “Links to Success…an African American Leadership Experience.” A year ago, The Links announced the suspension of the Debutante Cotillion Program for the 2011-12 school year and committed to come back with a new youth program […]
Blacks most likely to be long-term unemployed
But less likely to get unemployment insurance benefits For Black workers, it’s a one-two punch to their economic security: Blacks are not only disproportionately more likely than Whites or Hispanics to experience long-term unemployment, they are less likely than Whites to benefit from unemployment insurance (UI), a new report from the Urban Institute’s Unemployment and […]
Phillips scholars create summer programs for youth, families
Jazmine Darden designed a summer program to encourage urban students, including many students of color, to learn more about opportunities in the STEM fields, specifically engineering. Through “Bridgin’ the Gap,” students in kindergarten through eighth grade discovered new information about structural engineering through bridge-building activities. Darden, who is from Brooklyn Park and attends Augsburg College, […]
New Gophers AD says increasing diversity is ‘high on my radar screen’
Has the role of today’s big-time college athletic director changed? We recently put that question to Norwood Teague, who was hired in April to succeed Joel Maturi as University of Minnesota athletics director. “It’s multi-faceted,” explained Teague, formerly the AD at VCU for the past six years, on his new job. “You have to be […]
Vikings survive Jaguars 26-23 in overtime
Victory is so sweet, especially when you work hard, change your approach to everything you do, and things just work out. Sunday the Vikings were looking for a fresh start after a miserable 2011 season when they finished 3-13. Getting players to buy into what you’re doing takes positive results. For the Vikings, it started […]
Lynx rookie Peters off to a strong start
Devereaux Peters was drafted third overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft in April by the Minnesota Lynx. Despite being injury-prone, she’s proved herself ready to play thus far. At Notre Dame, Peters had two knee injuries and three surgeries in her first three seasons. “In the women’s game, [previous injuries] can play a part. I […]
Nine outstanding performances in prep football
There were several outstanding performances during the second week of the prep football season. Here are nine worth mentioning. JEFF JONES (Minneapolis Washburn) — The running back rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown in a 33-6 win over conference rival South. JAMISON WHITING (Minneapolis Washburn) — The receiver had two touchdown receptions against South. […]
New releases by Etta James, Leela James link old and new soul music
A music review By Stephani Maari Booker Associate Editor Like many people who weren’t even born during that time, I’m most familiar with the late music legend Etta James through her 1961 classic “At Last.” She had a long string of hits on the R&B/soul chart starting in the mid-1950s (with her biggest hit period […]
Marcus Miller: Musician/composer draws from rich history of working with legends
Marcus Miller has one of world’s most recognizable bass sounds, and he’s bringing that sound to the Dakota for a two-night stint on Sept 11-12. At 53, his impressive musical résumé reads like a who’s who of some of the best talent in the world. We’re talking Luther Vandross, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, […]
St. Cloud’s new police chief aims to ‘make things better’
He promises to be a very visible leader in this city undergoing rapid change William “Blair” Anderson was sworn in August 27 as St. Cloud’s first Black police chief. He says he likes the job so much it’s even better than flying an F-16. “One of the things I am focusing on here is doing the […]
‘Hurt people hurt people’ — healing Black men’s pain
By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer Samuel Simmons. Say that name at a gathering of psychologists, social workers or both and you will catch someone’s ear. This is because Simmons, a veteran professional with a strong track record for successful counseling, is well known for his singular approach to mental and emotional health. He forgoes the […]
Black RN starts health academy to increase profession’s diversity
Even with stellar success, she struggles to keep school open By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer Rachelle Simmons has been a nurse for 23 years. “I grew up in St. Paul’s Summit/University neighborhood. And I always knew the one nurse that worked out of Regions [Hospital] — everybody did, because she was the only Black nurse […]
‘Free money’ for down payments offers homebuyers a LIFT
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Free money — that’s what NeighborhoodLIFT Program Manager Kimberly Smith-Moore calls $15,000 in down payment assistance that’s being offered to eligible homebuyers. The down payment assistance can be applied to a mortgage loan with any approved lender. The program is a partnership between Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks America, Neighborhood Housing Services […]
For 30 years now, college football has chased the green
Many think it’s time all the workers get their share It went unnoticed, but last week was the 30th anniversary of college football turning into a big green industry. Green as in $$$. From the early 1950s, the NCAA negotiated college football television deals. Then came the 1980s. The College Football Association was formed […]
2012 NFL kickoff season preview
It’s been a long time since an NFL season started on a Wednesday, like more than 50 years. Because the Democratic Convention is this week in Charlotte, North Carolina, and President Obama delivers his acceptance speech Thursday, the NFL respectfully moved the opener. But here we go! The biggest issue is the NFL lockout of […]
Prep football season begins
Page, Menifee lead Highland Park to opener victory The 2012 prep football season started off with a bang last Thursday as some of the state’s best mixed it up on the gridiron. TYCEL PAGE, a senior wide receiver who might be one of the best prep football players you never heard of, and junior running […]