MURDERAPOLIS – Code 4, No More
The recent shootings (and murders) in Minneapolis leave us to look at local politicians who boast they have “broken the backs” of local gangs and shut down gang violence. We know “crap” when we hear it!
By Donald W.R. Allen,II Editor in Chief-IBNN
Minneapolis politicians are incapable of telling something as trivial as the truth – much like the mainstream media outlets who “celebrate” the “celebrity” of certain political positions while bypassing journalistic integrity. Read more
KFAI-FM: WAVE Project – “Is a Spoonful of Integration enough for the rest of us?” Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6 p.m.
“By listening and watching local media, you would think that Valentines Day was the only event going on in the month of February. With CNN’s special, featuring Soledad O’Brien’s “Black in America 2,” – a watered down version of what it’s like to be Black America is skewed for a White audience, it misses the mark at every turn. The issues for those who are forward thinkers are jobs, economic development and education. Tune in KFAI on Sunday for the real State of the Union about Black America.”
Minneapolis, MN Feb. 12 / IBNN/ — Tune in Sunday, February 14, 2010 to KFAI-FM Radio at 90.3FM (Minneapolis) & 106.7 (St. Paul), 6 p.m.-7 p.m. to KFAI’s Wave Project. This program will feature Springboard Economic Development Corporation’s CEO Lennie Chism; Don Allen, the editor and chief of The Independent Business News Network and USA Radical Black with along with Kelechi Jaavaid, better known as KJ the comedian, will be live on KFAI to discuss the topic “ Is a Spoonful of Integration enough for the rest of us? That is the remaining 37 Million African Americans in the United States.”
You can also tune in nationally by going to www.kfai.org for the live streaming broadcast.
On Sunday February 14, 2010, from 6-7 p.m. KFAI Radio 90.3 FM (Minneapolis) and 106.7 (St. Paul) will air an exclusive segment on race relations and generational progress produced by Lennie Chism, Executive Director of Springboard Economic Development Corporation. Chism’s program, titled A Spoonful of Integration is Not Enough for the Rest of Us explores the Civil Rights Movement through music pinpointing cultural anthems such as “We Shall Overcome” to Tupac’s “Ghetto Gospel” as indications of change.
Chism says, “My motivation was to get people to critically look at the 1947 integration of baseball and begin to ask whether integration helped. I wanted to show how integration was not as successful as people thought. Thanks to integration, The Negro League was completely dismantled by 1963, blacks went from running leagues and teams to just being players. Jobs and industry were lost because of integration for blacks. Hence, A Spoonful of Integration is Not Enough for the Rest of Us,” Chism explains. Chism adds, “However when you look at the music industry, that has been dominated by African-Americans for years, with absolutely no desire to integrate, there are countless success stories, hip-hop culture did not bow down, sell out nor attempt to assimilate.”
Chism believes the struggle for Civil Rights continues in the current day hip-hop movement. “I chose to end the segment with Tupac because he is one of the greatest street lobbyists ever,” explains Chism. “He spoke of another culture that the establishment would want to see removed. But in reality that culture became an industry that is creating jobs and a new wealthy class of African-Americans.”
Chism hopes multiple generations tune in for the special program, special guests include Donald Allen editor in chief of two international read controversial blogs and Kelechi Jaavid, local comedian to lighten the air.
Donald Allen, a blogger, Republican and outspoken critic of Minneapolis’ political processes and non-profit watchdog as it relates to communities of color and the delivery of services states, “This is an opportunity to mention names, agencies and politicians who for the most part are more celebrity-based then actually making sure the community is healed. This is an opportunity to let America know that agencies like the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minneapolis Urban League and the NAACP have lost their mojo.”
Tune in on Sunday, the revolution continues.
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
The Repetitive Exploitation of Black Minnesota: Here we go again…
African-American Men Project; Prostate Screenings; HIV/AIDS; Breast Cancer Screenings; Dairy Queen;Tires Plus; Siyeza, Inc; NRRC; Synergy…
“Good intentions have funded projects with the same point people that continue to fail Black Minnesota. When will Black Minnesota get tired of the blatant Exploitation of their Community?” ~Don Allen
By Donald W.R. Allen, II – Editor in Chief/IBNN
Several years ago, St. Paul Pioneer Press journalist David Hawley wrote a story titled “Minneapolis: Study Details Problems Facing City’s Black Men,” dated January 24, 2002.
The story details, the results of a two-year study in which Hawley stated the outlook for African-American men in Minneapolis is grim. In the article Hawley wrote: “If you’re an African-American man ages 18 to 30, the odds are roughly 50-50 that you live in one of the city’s poorest, most crime-ridden neighborhoods and that a single mother reared you. There’s also about a 50-50 chance that you didn’t finished high school and only a slightly lesser chance that you will be arrested in the next year, most likely for a minor offense. If you are arrested, the odds are greater than 50-50 that you will be charged again within the next two years.”
In response to Hawley’s “grim” article, Gary L. Cunningham, the former Director of NorthPoint Health and Wellness and the overseer of the African-American Men Project, an organization that once had the power and respect of the community to make meaningful change, but has now has been reduced to a glorified referral service, had only one thing to say, “This report deals with what people call “wicked problems’ in our society.”
Wicked problems” are still not solved today – even by the people who identified them 8 years ago despite an incredible amount of funding and resources. Read more
North Minneapolis Politics – Final: Why I can’t vote for Don Samuels, by Keith Reitman
Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels Exorcism Video – 2009 All rights reserved IBNN DWRA2
Editor’s note: Mr. Reitman is a long-time north Minneapolis businessman and property owner who this year was unceremoniously kicked of the West Broadway Business Area Coalition for his views and opinions on the lack of economic development and no real business engagement by the WBBAC, who he alleges is carrying water for Samuels. Councilman Samuels, who in a public meeting stood at the podium and said that he couldn’t stand the voice of Mr. Reitman has made this north side (White) businessman change his mind about supporting any candidate who talks down to anyone in the community. Reitman asked Samuels to meet with him on several occasions with no call backs at all in 2008 or 2009.
As a property owner in North Minneapolis, Mr. Reitman has seen no assistance from CM Samuels to build up the community. Samuels and others call Reitman a “slum lord.” Reitman feels that this is unfair due to the fact that if a north Minneapolis politician, sends inspectors after you on a regular basis and won’t return your phone call there is no communication and furthermore, no progress. “If Don Samuels views me and the north Minneapolis community as ‘devils” – what is he? Certainly not at Saint!”
The following statement was submitted by Mr. Rietman for publication on IBNN. (Unedited)
Written by Keith Reitman
Don Samuels exorcism comments and “Tent Revival lingo” are a reflection of his simplistic and mean-spirited world view.
First and foremost his passion is directed by his beliefs. His beliefs cover the fears he learned as a child (or somewhere). His world view is simple: God and the Devil. He is God or with God, and you are the Devil.
He feels his views are divinely inspired; he is with God. And everywhere he looks, he sees the Devil. His world view:
I am God. You are the Devil. Cast out the Devil.
He meant “burn down North High School”. He meant the foreclosure crisis is good for North Minneapolis. Cast out a whole lot of Devils.
“Can’t compromise with the Devil.”
Remember his claim to be the “Alpha Man” in the previous election?
Heavenly Father Types all have the same outlook and attract the same followers.
Fear and isolation are the best fishing grounds for cult followers and there is ample of both in the Hood. Jim Jones; Moon; David Koresh; all “Alpha Men”, too.
We don’t need an “Alpha Man”; we need a woman that can bring our community together.
His “Old Time Religion” outlook dictates: Do not compromise with the Devil.
Do not sit down with the Devil. Do not ask the Devil his (her) opinion on the problems confronting and confounding our community. No – Just cast out the Devil – and again, everywhere he looks, beyond his devotees, he sees the Devil.
Everywhere?
The Devil?
Must cast out the Devil?
No compromise?
That may work OK at the Tent Revival Show down the path from “The Big House” in Jamaica where, he boasts his family served the owner of the plantation and where his excellent manners were derived. It really doesn’t work that well in the hood for civic leadership in desperate times. There, I believe, as a real leader, you must face your Devils, sit down with them. It is OK to tell them to do better but it must be at “The Table of Stakeholder Participation.”
Together!
In these times it is imperative that our next leader listen closely to all stakeholders, and all opinions. Oops – Don can’t sit down with His Devils.
That is why I cannot support Don Samuels for re-election.
# # #
Get Ready! The 2009 Minneapolis Mayoral Forum – broadcast live on Minneapolis Television Network (Channel 17) Wednesday, 10/7 from 3-4 p.m.
…27 days before the November 3, 2009 elections – the Star Tribune (or as we call it in the Blogosphere – The Rybak Times), would have you to believe that there is only one choice for mayor of Minneapolis.
We’re here to tell you, that’s not the case.
Join moderators and the editors in chief of the Independent Business News Network, Don Allen and The Mpls Mirror’s Terry Yzaguirre for the 2009 Minneapolis Mayoral Forum broadcast live on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 3-4 p.m. on Minneapolis Television Network, channel 17 (Minneapolis).
The forum will be premiered on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 12-noon, both on Minneapolis Television Network channel 17.
Viewer Participation:
We encourage viewers to participate and ask questions by logging on to Facebook and going to the 2009 Minneapolis Mayoral Forum page and post questions you want the moderators to ask the Minneapolis mayoral candidates. You can also Tweet your questions at IBNNNEWS.
Post Broadcast Celebration:
After the live broadcast, join the mayoral candidates and other candidates running for office in Minneapolis for a meet and greet at OM(www.omminneapolis.com) , located at 401 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401 (612) 338-1510 (on the corners of 1st Avenue North and 4th Street in downtown Minneapolis).
OM is a new dining experience opened on September 11, 2009 by entrepreneur/restaurateur Randy Norman.
The meet and greet starts at 5 p.m. – this will give residents of Minneapolis a chance to meet the 2009 candidates running for office in Minneapolis. Everyone is welcomed. (This is a free event with a cash bar and food).
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals and organizations:
- The candidates that have participated
- Pam Colby, Vera Allen, Art Roy and crew from Minneapolis Television Network
- Nik Ludwig-Minneapolis City Republicans
- V-Media Marketing’s Mark Dante
- Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Newspaper
- The editorial staffs of the Independent Business News Network and the Mpls Mirror
- The citizens of the City of Minneapolis
North Minneapolis Politics: Infusing Uncle Bill’s Food Market for a community in need
Part 1 in a 4 part series – The former home of Uncle Bill’s Food Market is in cue to become a “solution” in north Minneapolis. (See Past and Future photos below.)
Part 1: The History of Uncle Bill’s Food Market as told by Landlordpolitics.com
The City of Minneapolis goes after Uncle Bill’s Food Market
William Sanigular is an immigrant from Africa who came to the United States as a student in the 1960s. He worked at Cream-of-Wheat on Stinson Boulevard in Minneapolis for twenty years. Then in 1987, he obtained a license to operate a small grocery store on the corner of Sheridan and Plymouth avenues in north Minneapolis. The store is located at 2428 Plymouth Avenue. There are four residential units in the same building above the store whose address is 2426 Plymouth Avenue. Harvey Katzovitz owned the building; Sanigular rented the store space.
Vann White represented the 5th Ward on the Minneapolis City Council when Sanigular obtained his license. When Vann White died, Jackie Cherryhomes took over the Council seat, later becoming President of the City Council. Sanigular made the mistake of supporting Cherryhomes’ opponent, Thomas Johnson, in the 1997 municipal election. He posted Johnson’s campaign sign in his store window. Cherryhomes demanded that the building owner remove the sign. When Katzovitz asked Sanigular to comply with that request, the latter refused, saying that he, as tenant, had a right to support a candidate of his choosing. The campaign sign stayed.
Jackie Cherryhomes became a persistent opponent of Uncle Bill’s Food Market. Sanigular wanted to add a deli to the store. For this, he needed to develop an architectural plan, hire an attorney, and make presentations to community groups seeking their approval. He spent roughly $10,000 on that process. Sanigular and attorney appeared three times before the Northside Residents Redevelopment Corporation (NRRC) to present the deli proposal. Cherryhomes was there each time to speak in opposition. The city license for a deli was never granted.
Cherryhomes claimed that Uncle Bill’s Food Market was generating litter in the community and that the store owner ought to be responsible for picketing up litter from sidewalks, alleys, and streets over a four-block area that included Farwell Park. In 2001, while serving as City Council President, she circulated a petition in the neighborhood to the effect that the community did not want a grocery store at the location of Uncle Bill’s Food Market. That effort went nowhere since neighborhood residents wanted the store. She also claimed that drugs were being sold at Uncle Bill’s. Sanigular denied that charge. Read more
Twin Cities Scene: “When bloggers get sued, Johnny Northside will face ex-JACC”
By Eric James on Fri, 07/03/2009 – 7:37am – Posted in the Twin Cities Scene
North Mpls has a reputation for hardcore politics and lawsuit happy politicos. The blogging Adventures of Johnny Northside will meet in court with an embattled former JACC — and everyone is watching.
No one outside of Northside likely knows the name Jerry Moore but local interweb followers will immediately recognize Johnny Northside. The vivacious blogger is a rogue journalist who has exposed politicians, criticized developers, and is known as a lighting rod of controversy for spilling the truth about the inner ugliness of North Minneapolis. He’s also a former Minnesota Daily columnist.
Viva la mercenaire, he says in a recent post.
Jerry Moore is the most recent target of Johnny Northside who’s IRL name is John Hoff. Hoff criticized the University Research and Outreach Center for hiring Moore as a contract worker to focus on mortgage issues. According to Hoff, evidence in Hennepin County Court has shown Moore was involved in a fraudulent mortgage transaction. Of course Moore is also well known for being a failed Jordan Area Community Council Executive Director.
Oops U of M!
Then comes the Independent Business News Network and one of the men named in the libel suit, Donald Allen. With a rather incongruent name, IBNN started in 2008 as, well, a soapbox and community voice of Allen and submitted contributors. It’s not easy to categorize IBNN other than reminding oneself of Rage Against the Machine and the satire of Dave Chappelle. For example they recently criticized Minnesota Public Radio having done no reporting of real Northside issues as part of their new article series called “Riding the Minority-Ethnic Train all the way to the Bank.”
IBNN has been a vocal critic of UROC, following its every step and posting private emails exchanged with University staff. So when Jerry Moore was discovered to have been secretly working at UROC for two months, the reaction by IBNN and Johnny Northside was outrage.
Read the full story on Twin Cities Scene at http://www.twincityscene.com/grapevine/360.
Jerry Moore, with the assistance of attorney Jill Clark sue Blogger Johnny Northside, Don Allen and others (John Does) who left comments on Blog
“Never in the history of north Minneapolis has there been this much coverage on events, people and process. The Adventures of Johnny Northside and the Independent Business News Network have revolutionized the information stream while providing critical point of views not read or seen in local mainstream media. In most cases, Blogs about north Minneapolis provide an in-depth look at information that for the most part would have never gotten out to the community. In north Minneapolis, the current media outlets would have you to believe one thing – the fact is, there are two sides to every story, then there’s the right side.”
…Don Allen, Editor in Chief – The Independent Business News Network
IBNN staff writers are working on an in-depth story about Mr. Jerry Moore and his relationship with the Northside Marketing Task Force where Mr. Don Allen was the Vice Chair and Moore was the Board Chairman. This story will also cover “factual documented data” about the Larry Maxwell trial to include what was said by Mr. Moore that is on record. Furthermore, IBNN has been granted an exclusive interview with the north Minneapolis property owner who facilitated a check for $5000 to Mr. Moore for “consulting.”
IBNN alleges there is something wrong with a system that lets an attorney fight for First Amendment Rights, (Al Flowers versus Councilmember Don Samuels) and then turns back and fights against the First Amendment.
Until then, IBNN has provided our readers with the current “Fodder” about what we think will be the “turning point” in having an open discussion about community engagement as it pertains to, “who are the real community stakeholders – and will the real Slim Shady just go away!”
Some north Minneapolis residents and community stakeholders had no idea that the University of Minnesota/Urban Research and Outreach Center (UROC) hired Mr. Moore. What was the rationale for not announcing that Mr. Moore had been hired and who are the other two people the U of M has hired?
Read “Prattles” (http://annapratt.wordpress.com/) by Anna Pratt “Did Johnny Northside blog get Jerry Moore fired?” (http://annapratt.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/blogger-johnny-northside-trying-to-get-jerry-moore-fired/) and “Former JACC ED is now suing bloggers” (http://annapratt.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/former-jacc-ed-is-now-suing-bloggers/)
Read “Minnesota Daily” by Robert Downs, “Former U of M employee files defamation suit against Blogger” (http://www.mndaily.com/2009/06/30/former-u-employee-files-defamation-suit-against-blogger)
Read “Jordan Livability” – “Jill Clark & Jerry Moore Sue Johnny Northside & Don Allen,” (http://jordanlivability.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/jill-clark-jerry-moore-sue-johnny-northside-don-allen/)
Your comments are welcomed at info@ibnn.org.
Stairstep Foundation Part 2: Follow the money
First of all, thanks for all the responses regarding Part 1 in this 4 part series regarding the Stairstep Foundation in Minneapolis.
IBNN has never received so many emailed copies of the Stairstep Foundations IRS 990’s in regards to one single organization and the operations they have listed on their website that don’t match the 2007 IRS 990’s. Read more
IBNNNEW- North Minneapolis: NAACP President “Uncovers” two of the North side seven and an estimated $4 million dollars Donald Allen
- 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
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