News

St. Paul Foundation gets Kellogg grant to focus on race and racism

Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:46

America Healing Initiative will Expand Opportunities for Vulnerable Children

Nearly 1,000 proposals sought $280 million in funding; urgent need for community healing

In an unprecedented effort to address the devastating impact of racial inequities on communities across the country, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has launched a five-year, $75 million initiative – America Healing – that aims to improve life outcomes for vulnerable children and their families by promoting racial healing and eliminating barriers to opportunities.

In Minnesota, St. Paul Foundation will receive $1.8 million to help Twin Cities organizations strengthen capacity to reduce institutional racism and increase cultural competence by creating dialogue and expanding programs for individuals, communities, non-profit organizations, and public entities.

Children of color are over-represented among the 29 million low-income children and families in this country, particularly among families living in concentrated poverty. According to data from the National Center for Children in Poverty, about 61 percent of African American, 62 percent of Latino, 57 percent of Native American, 58 percent of children with immigrant parents, 30 percent of Asian American children and 26 percent of white children live in low-income families.

Vikings Stadium proposals bad for Minneapolis taxpayers

Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:42 8th Ward Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden

Vikings Bill: Just days before the end of session, a bill has been introduced to fund a Vikings Stadium – a shocking move when the state is dealing with a deficit of over $5 billion and cuts to essential services everywhere. The bill proposed taking funding now used to support our Convention Center for a Vikings Stadium. On behalf of the City of Minneapolis, I testified against the bill with these key messages:

First, Minneapolis opposes any proposal that relies on Minneapolis taxpayers as funders. This is a state-wide issue not one to put on the back of a municipality. Second, Minneapolis opposes diversion of the sales tax that now supports the Convention Center for any Vikings stadium proposal. The Convention Center is one of the biggest economic generators in the state, with an economic impact of about $270M annually -- this is about 4 times the impact of any Vikings stadium. Diverting critical support for the Convention Center is bad policy for our region and our state.

The legendary Lena Horne dead at 92

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 12:26 Pharoh Martin - NNPA National Correspondent

Statement by the President on the passing of Lena Horne

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lena Horne – one of our nation’s most cherished entertainers. Over the years, she warmed the hearts of countless Americans with her beautiful voice and dramatic performances on screen. From the time her grandmother signed her up for an NAACP membership as a child, she worked tirelessly to further the cause of justice and equality. In 1940, she became the first African American performer to tour with an all white band. And while entertaining soldiers during World War II, she refused to perform for segregated audiences – a principled struggle she continued well after the troops returned home. Michelle and I offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Lena, and we join all Americans in appreciating the joy she brought to our lives and the progress she forged for our country.

(NNPA) - Legendary singer, actress and dancer Lena Horne died on Sunday night at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center at the age of 92. The Brooklyn-born entertainer was the first Black performer to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio and who went on to achieve international fame as a singer. The cause of her death has not been reported.

Rwandan President in U.S. escapes lawsuit in Oklahoma

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 12:22

(GIN) – Lawyers for the widows of two African presidents whose deaths set off a genocidal war, failed in their attempt to serve Rwandan President Paul Kagame with legal papers during his recent U.S. visit.

The Rwandan leader was in Edmond, Oklahoma, attending the graduation last week of 10 Rwandese students at Oklahoma Christian University. He slipped away before legal papers could be served.

A leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, Kagame’s group had been in a power struggle with the Hutu-led government of Pres. Juvenal Habyarimana. The shoot-down of a plane carrying Habyarimana and Burundi President Cyprien Ntaryamira in April 1994 by unknown assailants set off a horrific killing spree. Ironically, both were returning from a regional peace meeting in Tanzania.

The $350 million wrongful death lawsuit accuses Kagame of ordering the plane to be shot down. Peter Erlinder of the International Humanitarian Law Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota, is handling the widows’ claims. Kagame's government has denied the accusations.

Grandmothers to hold Pan-African Summit on AIDS

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 12:19

(GIN) – Hundreds of African grandmothers from 12 African countries are meeting this week in Swaziland to discuss the impact of losing adult children to AIDS.

The inaugural African Grandmothers’ Gathering aims to build a “solidarity movement” across the continent, while seeking support from international donors and aid agencies.

"Grandmothers are at the frontline of the HIV/Aids impact. They have to pick up the pieces and move on,”. said Philile Mlotshwa of Swapol (Swaziland Positive Living), which is organizing the event in partnership with the Canadian-based Stephen Lewis Foundation.

"They are the heroes yet no one has gone to them to say we recognize your efforts." They don't have time to grieve because the children need to be looked after. They are doing this without any income.”

A delegation of 42 Canadian grandmothers from the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation will also attend the summit. The Queen Mother and prime minister of Swaziland will also attend the conference in Manzini, on from May 6 to 8.

Reckless law makes Arizona unfit host for state leaders according to NBCSL and NHCS

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 12:11

(BLACK PR WIRE) WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) join in opposition to Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 (SB 1070), “a law that is ill conceived and sets a dangerous precedent for basic civil liberties,” according to NBCSL President, Rep. Calvin Smyre (GA). “This misguided legislation will likely subject countless people to unwarranted harassment. In a demonstration of our disapproval, we have decided to hold our annual Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Conference, which was to be held in Scottsdale, AZ, elsewhere,” said Smyre.

Be counted

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:47

If you are part of the 20% of people in Minnesota who did not mail back a census form, you will soon receive a call or a knock on your door. Here is the information you need to be aware of as this next phase in the 2010 census effort kicks off.

- The U.S. Census will try to contact your household either in person or by phone up to six times or until counted.

- If no one is home:
1) Census takers will leave Notice of Visit hanging on the door, with phone number to call;
2) Residents may give their answers to census taker by telephone or call to schedule return visit;
3) Census takers will visit at different times of day;
4) As a last resort, census takers may ask landlords or neighbors for basic information about a home that does not respond after six tries.

DFL delegates endorse Anderson-Keliher

Friday, 30 April 2010 23:46

Margaret Anderson-Keliher thanked DFL supporters Monday for selecting her to become the party’s standard bearer in this fall’s Minnesota Governor race. She won the party’s endorsement Saturday in the party’s state endorsing convention in Duluth.

Anderson-Keliher still faces opposition from at least two strong DFL candidates who say they will seek nomination by DFL voters in the August Primary Election.

Former Senator Mark Dayton had previously announced he would take his case directly to DFL voters by placing his name on the ballot in the Primary Election. Former DFL House Leader Matt Entenza used the convention to announce he would not seek endorsement by the convention, but, like Dayton, would seek to become the party nominee for governor by competing against other DFLers in the August Primary.

Green leader challenges Senate inaction on climate crisis  

Friday, 30 April 2010 22:51

The Senate has delayed passing solutions to the climate crisis for months, always offering a political reason why the timing won't work, says Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Chief Executive Officer, Green For All.

“This Monday was the last straw,” Ellis-Lamkins said in a letter rallying the faithful to express discontent to Senate leaders. “Partisan politicking derailed the promised release of climate and energy legislation from Sens. John Kerry (MA), Lindsey Graham (SC), and Joe Lieberman (CT). And we were told to sit tight longer. This time, we won't.”

Times are too tough to let insider Washington politics stand in the way of millions of new jobs in the clean energy economy, she said. “The climate crisis is too big to ignore any longer.”

“A strong and comprehensive climate and energy bill can address both of these challenges. But not if elected officials in Washington continue to play political games and stick their heads in the sand,” she said.

Clay receives Spirit of Democracy award

Friday, 30 April 2010 22:40

Washington, DC -Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, US Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), is among the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's 2010 Spirit of Democracy Award recipients, Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of The National Coalition, announced recently. The awards will be presented during The National Coalition's 13th Annual Spirit of Democracy Awards Gala on Wednesday, May 19.

Other 2010 Spirit Honorees include: Ralph Everett, president and CEO, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Tony Gladney, vice president, National Diversity Relations, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.; Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League; and Makani Themba-Nixon, executive director, The Praxis Project.

Fredrick Blocton for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year 2010

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:50

Fredrick Blocton, has been nominated for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year. He has 10 weeks (until June 4th) to raise as much money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. His goal is to raise $200,000, which exceeds the national amount raised in last year’s campaign. Read about his campaign and initiatives for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

What is man of the year?
As a candidate for Man of the Year, I am on a quest to raise as much money as I can for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in just 10 weeks (March 25-June 4). I will be competing against a select group of philanthropic-minded business and community leaders to become the top fundraiser, and therefore be named LLS’s Man of the Year. But more important than any title is the knowledge that I, along with my support team, will be playing an important role in the fight against blood cancers.  