The top 12 “Community Pimping” incidents of 2009: Thou shall not Pimp the Community in 2010!
2009 had its share of examples where “self-appointed” leaders, big name companies, human service agencies and politicians took the opportunity to pimp the community at the community’s expense. This article is dedicated to all of those people who thought they got away free and clear in 2009. In 2010, IBNN will continue to report in real-time on the issues facing the Twin Cities Black community and those involved. Until then, Happy New Year’s!
By Donald W.R. Allen, II Editor in Chief/IBNNNEWS and USA Radical Black
1) In January 2009 the General Mills Foundation in collaboration with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) repeated the actions of 2008 by refusing to allow minority-ethnic media outlet the opportunity to have a table in the lobby at the MLK Breakfast. The table was a way to let the attendees of the MLK breakfast pick-up a copy of their favorite Black, Hispanic-Latino, Asian and African newspaper. IBNN launched the boycott against General Mills which continues today…are you still buying Cheerios?
2) Also in January, IBNN posted the story, “The Real story why Senator Norm Coleman, the MN GOP and the Republican Party of Minnesota got thrown under the Democratic Bus.” A play-by-play of the 2008 election cycle from a point of view that will make you wonder, “What was the MN GOP thinking?” Read more
Urban League of Greater Cleveland plans to cease operations…?
“In a phone call placed today (12/21/09) to the Greater Cleveland Urban League, we find out the agency is still open – in spite of this May 19, 2009 article. Sources tell IBNN this Urban League like many more across the United States suffer from the same lack of fund-raising, processes and development – like the one in Minneapolis. Could this be the fate of our Minneapolis Urban League?”
Also read Star Parkers, “Gospel of dependence from National Urban League” – I want to show the side of black America for which we ourselves are responsible and which really point to where our problems lie.
Originally By SHANNON MORTLAND in Crain’s Cleveland Business 2:36 pm, May 19, 2009
After 92 years, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland plans to close its doors for good on May 29.
The nonprofit, which provides various programs to help African-Americans enter the economic and social mainstream, announced today that it will suspend all programming on May 22 and will cease operations on May 29. The Urban League currently employs 15 people, down from 30 in 2002. Read more
Big Brothers Big Sisters & African American Fraternities to Develop Bold Plan to Help Black Boys Succeed
This is one of the most anticipated collaborations of 2010.
Atlanta (Source V-Newswire)…Big Brothers Big Sisters and leaders of the network’s Black Fraternity Coalition will meet in Atlanta (Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) to develop a bold strategy and detailed plan aimed at giving African American boys every opportunity to succeed. Leaders of the nation’s largest donor-supported volunteer mentoring network and their fraternity partners say they will significantly increase the number of African American Big Brothers, beginning in 2010.
The African American Mentoring summit, sponsored by the Arby’s Foundation, is the second step in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ announcement of its unprecedented collaboration with Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi fraternities aimed at getting more black men engaged in long-term mentoring. Recognizing that children of color, particularly African American boys, disproportionately represent children waiting to be matched, Big Brothers Big Sisters and its African American Roundtable (internal and external advisors) have made engaging black men a priority. Read more
Minneapolis Urban League lays off more critical employees – the campaign continues…Donny Allen for President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League
“Cheryl Morgan-Spencer and I never saw eye-to-eye. But Ms. Spencer had her own way of doing things. She was a critical and important part of the Minneapolis Urban Leagues governmental engagement piece. Ms. Morgan-Spencer has established a releationship with the folks at the State Capitial that R.Scott Gray and the current board will never achieve.”
By Donald W. R. Allen,II – Editor in Chief/IBNN and USA Radical Black
Minneapolis, MN (IBNNNEWS)…On Friday, December 11, 2009 it was reported that the Minneapolis Urban League had laid off 3 more employees. IBNN wishes them the best and asks them to hold on to their dreams. Let’s do the math. The MUL Board of Directors cannot hold on to the real estate at the corner of Penn and Plymouth Avenue North with a “skeleton crew” inside the building.
Earlier this year, the Minneapolis Urban League hosted a community forum with the two finalists for the position of President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League. R. Scott Gray and Pamela Coaxum (Tucker) were seated at the long table in front of community members.
Insight News editor in chief and MUL board member Al McFarlane moderated the forum, asking participants to write questions on an index card to be read by Mr. McFarlane to the candidates. A funny thing happened to the cards on the way to the podium – “they didn’t get read.”
What I’m trying to say, if some of the questions that were written down were asked, it wouldn’t have mattered, R. Scott Gray and the usual suspects in north Minneapolis had already decided that Gray would be the new President of the Minneapolis Urban League.
Former Minneapolis Urban League board member Roxanne Givens, who was removed from the MUL board of directors in a banana republic process, consistently asked the MUL board to follow bylaws, which for the most part fell on deaf ears. Read about Ms. Givens in the stories: “Minneapolis Urban League Klan removes Roxanne Givens from Board” -June 17, 2009 and “National Urban League maintains silence in governance”-June 18, 2009.
R. Scott Gray was already tainted from his dealings with the Stairstep Foundation and Alfred Babington-Johnson. Johnson, who was invited by Gray to the Madison Urban League for a groundbreaking ceremony where he was tapped as the “keynote speaker” raised eyes of community stakeholders and finalist Pamela Coaxum.
Coaxum, saw the writing on the wall and on April 27, 2009, withdrew her name from consideration. Read the full story here.
While R.Scott Gray talked about “Leveraging the MUL property for funding,” it was apparent that this dude had no clue about business, real estate or the Helmsley Rule-Harry B. Helmsley (March 4, 1909 – January 4, 1997) was a real estate mogul who built a company that became one of the biggest property holders in the United States who always kept one property free and clear of debt.
My point is, the Minneapolis Urban League employees and the community have suffered enough at the hand of the organizations management and board of directors.
While the community suffers, the board sits passively, doing nothing rather than undertaking a fundamental re-structuring and getting down to business, which would allow it to fulfill its mission.
My vision for the Minneapolis Urban League is fueled by my passion and enthusiasm for the organization and the community it was established to serve. In addition to developing new funding streams, we need to look to community engagement, partnering with other established, successful organizations, and focusing on a host of other issues that I discuss in my 3-year plan to reorganize and revitalize the MUL.
A Change of “Bad Cooks” at the University of Minnesota’s UROC and a message to anthropology professor Dr. Irma McClaurin
White Paper Report: A strategic analysis and summary of what has been wrong with UROC’s interaction with North Minneapolis.
“Bad cooks — and the utter lack of reason in the kitchen — have delayed human development longest and impaired it most.”
…Friedrich Nietzsche
By Donald W.R. Allen, II – Editor in Chief/IBNN and USA Radical Black
Anthropology is the holistic, global, comparative study of people. It is the comprehensive study of human beings and of their interactions with each other and with the environment. The term “anthropology” was first used in English in 1593.
Anthropology has its intellectual origins in both the natural sciences and the humanities. Its basic questions are, “What defines a Human Being?” “Who are the ancestors of modern Humans?” “What are humans’ physical traits?” “How do humans behave?” “Why are there variations and differences among different groups of humans?” “How has the evolutionary past of a group of Humans influenced its social organization and culture…and so forth?”
Anthropology tends not to focus on the foreclosure crisis as such, but on the systemic reasons that Humans may become trapped in predatory lending, including a study of the variables and derivatives that lead to the possible loss of important economic and social foundation. Minnesota is one of the top 5 leaders in foreclosure prevention and outreach. UROC did not need to re-create the “wheel” in this particular case, the studies have been done: The University of St. Thomas Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in Professions: Mortgage Fraud: Its Victims, Consequences, and Remedies
In the working document UROC Action Planning Team pulled from UROC Futures Conference Documentation (February 20 & 21, 2009), under “Present and New Beliefs Theme – Applied Research/Purpose of Research,” (Page 5); we find the statement: “We (UROC) have expertise and community has needs; and “The Community (North Minneapolis) has knowledge we need to tap.” (Note: Who was invited to attend this event and how did UROC actively engage community members to inform them about the conference – mailers; print ads, internet ads; door hangers; radio ads? (This continues to be an issue for the educational institution.)
If this was in fact the finding, that vital knowledge was to be found inside of the community itself, why are so many residents of North Minneapolis still outraged over UROC’s failure to truly engage with the community in north Minneapolis? Furthermore, if academia can do the research and the fact finding – why was it virtually dismissed?
An example of how many community stakeholders feel is found in the email below.
On Thursday, December 3, 2009 the e-mail below was forwarded to me about Dr. McClaurin’s role-change.
It reads (unedited):
“Here’s a bunch of gobbledygook by a self aggrandizing motherfucker about a subordinate who from what he has written doesn’t know a mother-fuckin’ 
thing about anything and is now being given even more responsibility to fuck-up yet more!!!!!!!!!!! Self perpetuating nigger shit!!!! This letter has a fog factor of 100, the highest mark attainable!!!!!!!!!!!!” Read more
EMERGE corrects mistake – but only after it was brought to their attention. So much for knowing what you are doing.
North Minneapolis: A community that needs the immediate infusion of at least 30,000 jobs to build capacity, wealth and independence continues to suffer with a program that provided a position for 1 person, with 5 more that started training on Monday, December 8, 2009. Concerned community stakeholders need to take a look at other north Minneapolis agencies entrusted to bring jobs to our community. I attest this is not the first time this has happened – but a continuation of bad business practices and administrative bureaucracy.
Minneapolis, MN (IBNNNEWS)…Sources close to IBNN informed us of possible transgression as it pertains to the paying weatherization workers for a program within Emerge. Not only in this matter but other questions like: “Why did Emerge have job fair participants to fill out W-4 forms, with critical social security information – and no jobs available?
Does this denote an investigation?
We say yes.
IBNN sent an email titled, “Emerge was illegally paying weatherization workers less than prevailing wage” asking Emerge to clarify its process in this matter.
The following is the email response from executive director Mike Wynne:
Mr. Allen, Read more
Gee, Thanks R.T. – While you run for Governor, Civil Rights in Minneapolis Continues to Rot “And you know this man!”
Does this photo mean that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is down with the “brothers” or is it an attempt to “suck up” for that Department of Transportation Under Secretary job. Believe me, Obama checked you out utter to ruder – you didn’t make the cut.
Last night at Minneapolis City Hall, a public hearing took place on the fate of the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights Investigative Unit.
Words are not necessary, the following videos tell the story about a corrupt Mayor, City Council and director of the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights – oh, by the way, let’s not leave out the “Cunningham Woman.”
Al Flowers – Community Activist
Tanezza Islam – Employee, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights
Roger Banks – Council on Black Minnesotans
Ken Brown – Former Chairman of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission
Donny Allen for President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL)-My solution is the best solution!
I have been one of the most outspoken critics of the Minneapolis Urban League since 2007 . Unfortunately, my predictions about the fledgling social service agency have come to pass. Rather than watching this vital agency go under, this is my solution. My goals are simple: Re-hiring of all laid off staff; a re-structuring of departments and community engagement; raising $200 Million for the agency in 2010-2011. The Minneapolis Urban League must develop community benefits agreements with organizations that come into Minneapolis to build and create business entities.
Written by Donald W.R. Allen, II – Editor in Chief/IBNN
I have no business ties to the usual suspects in North Minneapolis – but what I do have is unlimited knowledge about non-profits, how they work and over 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. In other words, I am the best chance that the Minneapolis Urban League has to rise above mediocrity.
Under my leadership, in two years the Minneapolis Urban League will have its own Credit Union; Employment Agency; and a Foundation to assist individuals in “true” business ventures, with professionals overseeing the MUL’s investments. NO MORE MONEY CRISIS.
The MUL will never again have to depend on one major funding source. I promise this to the community.
The Minneapolis Urban League has become a shell of an agency, providing fewer services and lacking direction. Without immediate restructuring, the MUL will be doomed to catastrophic failure.
As a member in good standing of the MUL, I offer a plan of action to bring the agency back to the days when it was a force to be reckoned with.
My plan consists of a one-year phased marketing plan, which will bring in $1 million dollars in cash donation in the first three months after I am hired.
This is about the process of business.
I believe, “Sound business principals can be applied to the Minneapolis Urban League while hiring staff that was cut due to less-than-professional budgeting and fund-raising planning and/or execution.” I will work closely with the development staff and existing programs by providing leadership and direction never before attained by the Minneapolis Urban League. If the St. Louis Urban League can capture $15 million dollars in Stimulus money, the MUL can do the same thing. It’s all about relationships.
I was asked, “What about the all articles you posted on IBNN about the Minneapolis Urban League? How is it that you now want to lead the organization you have so harshly criticized?
My reply is simple, “I have kept my eye on the Minneapolis Urban League because of my belief in the importance of its mission. I remember when the MUL was a staunch advocate for civil rights and economic development. I have watched the Urban League falter with dismay, knowing that this agency can do much better, and the citizens of the community desperately need it to do better.”
I offer a way forward.
This can only be a win-win situation for the Minneapolis Urban League.
IBNNNEW- Apology to the North Minneapolis Community. We don’t have leaders, we have self-appointed spokespersons Donald Allen
- The Death of North Minneapolis… Donald Allen
- IBNN Exclusive Report: Youth with weapon attempts to enter funeral of Alisha “Lele” Neely (Captured on Film) Donald Allen
- WCCO 4 (CBS) Television fails in journalistic integrity with “edited and spliced” tape of the Minneapolis Police Beating of Ira Stafford…rating F- Donald Allen
- MURDERAPOLIS – Code 4, No More Donald Allen
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