How has the Trayvon Martin murder affected you?  Black Twin Cities wants to know, and is giving you a chance to be included in the next issue of our magazine!

 
There are three ways to make your voice heard:

1. Send in a picture of youself wearing a HOODIE!
   • Hoodie shots will grace the front cover and possible be included throughout the magazine.
   • Picutres should be a head shot or waist up (no full body shots please)
   • Pictures should be at least 300 dpi
   • Picture should include only you
   • You must own the rights to the picture
2. OR email us a letter regarding how the Trayvon Martin murder has affected you, its implications on race relations in American or your reaction to some some aspect of the case or investigation.
   • Black Twin Cities reserves the right to edit  letters for grammar (content may also be edited to adjust length of article).
   • your letter must be an original work (written by you)
3. OR do both (send in a pic AND a letter)!

Black Twin Cities will choose enough pictures and letters to fill our next magazine, so start sending in your submissions TODAY!

DEADLINE:  All submissions received by April 25, 2012 will be considered for publication.

Send your picture or letter to magazine@blacktwincities.com (write “Letters for Trayvon” in the subject) and we will let you know if you will be included in the next issue of Black Twin Cities Magazine!

• All submissions will become the property of Black Twin Cities and may be used in any Black Twin Cities’ publication either in-print or online going forward.
• Submissions will not be return to submitter.
• Writers of chosen written submisions included in the magazine will be given credit.

• Go to http://www.gofobo.com/rsvp/promotion/bb97804edf89ef40ffc46bc74283411a
• Log in or Create an Account
• If prompted, use RSVP code WOMNY7TJZ 
• Print your passes and show up early to get a seat!

Please be sure to arrive early, all seats are on a first come first serve basis!

Have you always wanted to trace your family history, but didn’t know where to start?

Well, Black Twin Cities is giving away five(5) FREE hours of Genealogical Research (a $200 value) to one lucky winner!!

-If you’re interested fill out the entry form HERE!

Here’s the scoop:

-The giveaway runs until Wednesday February 15, 2012 (or until 25 entries have been received).

-If you’re interested fill out the entry form here: http://4325812.polldaddy.com/s/black-twin-cities-black-history-month-discover-your-roots-giveaway

-Only one entry per person, please.

-One (1) winner will be chosen at random (drawn from a hat), and announced on the Black Twin Cities Facebook page.

-No promises or speculation can be made regarding the information that will be found in the search
-Five(5) hours of research will be conducted as time is available, there is no definite ‘due date’.

These company profiles have been featured on the BTC Business Directory website and will be published in the Directory Edition of Black Twin Cities Magazine.

WEBSITE/GRAPHIC DESIGN COMPANY - MaXXposure Marketing Group

RESTAURANT - Big Daddy’s Old Fashioned BBQ

NETWORKING EVENT or GROUP - Groove Theory: Poetry in Motion

PHOTOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY - jeffrey fortson photography!

NEWS OUTLET (In Print or Online) - Insight News

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY - New Beginning Financial Group, LLC

EVENT, CONCERT or BUSINESS PROMOTIONS COMPANY - Blue ink! Promotional Group

EVENT or WEDDING PLANNER - Xtravagant Events, LLC

DJ - Dan Speak 

BARBER SHOP or HAIR SALON - VIP Hair & Nail Salon

Secrets. Everybody has them. We can choose to disclose them to intimate friends or we can bury them…deeply in our graves of shame; in the innermost alcoves of our consciousness, not recognizing that they have rooted themselves so far into our essence that, if unchecked, become the insidious driving force that shapes every life decision.

In “My Pretty…and Its Ugly Truth” De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman reveals her very personal and raw experiences of being a very pretty girl plagued by sexual abuse, rape, unhealthy relationships and the effects of growing up in poverty. Her coming-of-age journey from a misused “product of the streets” to an empowered advocate for those, particularly young women, who feel powerless due to years of abuse, is a fascinating one. Like so many others, she grew up in a single-parent household with a mother who worked hard to provide for her children.

The “streets” called her away from home, and she was led into a tangled web of promiscuity – unhealthy relationships, drugs, pregnancy, and almost selling her very soul. In spite of everything she lost, she never lost the one thing that would propel her forward — hope.

As a speaker, teacher, writer, and editor, who constantly looks for ways to inspire others, I find “My Pretty…and Its Ugly Truth” to be that kind of inspiration. I laughed, I cried, I winced, I gasped, I sighed…and now I salute De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman. She is the voice today for victims of sexual abuse careening down a desperate and confused path. She is that Moses, that Harriet Tubman of our time that can and will lead others to a promised land of hope…and to their very own beautiful truth.

-Menia Buckner

About the author:
De’Vonna Bentley-Pittman is committed to providing leadership to end sexual abuse. She earned a Liberal Arts degree from Minneapolis Community and Technical College and continued her studies at Metropolitan State University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Human Services with a focus in Community Corrections. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

She lives in Minnesota with her husband and two daughters. Portions of My Pretty…and Its Ugly Truth will be featured in the 2012 Minnesota State Arts Board Annual exhibit to bring continued awareness to victim’s rights. This is her first published work.

The BEST of BLACK TWIN CITIES!

It’s Black History Month, and what better way to celebrate those who are making a path for the future than the great Black-Owned Business in the Twin Cities?

BTC is looking for the best Black-owned businesses in categories ranging from “Best Barbershop or Hair Salon” to “Best Restaurant”.

Winners will be FEATURED in the Black Twin Cities Business Directory!

Click HERE to VOTE NOW!

In 2011 Chris lost his beautiful wife, Keasha Rutledge-Draft, to cancer…just one month after the two were married.

Watch Chris talk about his wife and the Team Draft Foundation on the Sunday NFL Countdown, Sunday February 5th @ 10:30 AM Central on ESPN!

Early diagnosis could have been the key to her survival.

“Team Draft was created by Chris and Keasha during her year-long struggle with lung cancer in hopes that her valiant fight to live, love, laugh,and smile will give hope and comfort to people around the world. Team Draft is working to save lives by changing the face of lung cancer, but it takes a team to tackle cancer, and we need your help.”

Learn how you can join Team Draft, tell your story, donate and more!

Fact: Anyone can get lung cancer–even non-smokers like Keasha.
Fact: Lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and skin cancer . . . combined.
Fact: There is no cure for stage 4 lung cancer, which is by far the most common stage at the time of diagnosis.

Friday night, July 15th marked the 20th edition of the Minnesota Black Music Awards.  Held at The Pantages Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis, this year’s show was highlighted by great performances from artists both locally and nationally known.  It also had added significance this year, as a portion of the proceeds from the event went to Tornado relief efforts in North Mpls.  The Red Carpet was in full effect with mini cams and constant flashes as the who’s who of the TC music scene came in, helping build the anticipation for the night even more.

Hosted by longtime actor T. Mychael Rambo, the show kicked off with performances from Gospel Ensemble Darnell Davis & The Remnant,who warmed up the crowd with a spirited and energetic set.  Next came local Legend Bobby Lyles, also an award winner, his set showed a glimpse of the musicianship that has spanned over 50 years in the industry!  He has played with names ranging from Sly & The Family Stone to Anita Baker.  A true Hometown Legend.  Next up came Divas On The Rise featuring Chantel SinGs, Margeaux Davis, Laura Bell & Ashley Dubose.  The ladies all took turns showcasing their solo material before joining together and showing their strength as a group.  A great set, which kept the buzz building, these divas are definitely on the rise.

Rhymesayers MC Toki Wright came next doing a couple of selections from his latest release,”A Different Mirror”.  The TC native has broken out nationally in the last year. Next, repping for the young ladies came Auburn, who showed stage presence beyond her years and rocked the crowd finishing her set with her new single,”All About Him”,which you can find on the radio and in stores now.  Next came a rousing Gospel section featuring performances from Jamar Esaw, Triad:4Christ & Friends, Shirley Marie Graham, Ann Nesby along with Jamecia & Paris Bennett.  For many in the near sold out crowd, this was the highlight of the night, seeing the generations of talent all together. Afterwards Ray Covington gave a soul-filled tribute to Alexander O’Neal singing a few classics from O’Neal’s catolouge before Alex himself performed and showed he’s still going strong after over 30 years in the Biz.  Legendary!

Closing out the show was Next, with original members R.L., T-Low & Tweet.  They brought the house down sounding as good as ever with “Too Close”,’Butta Love”,& “Wifey”.  Accepting their recognition award, they also informed the crowd that a new Next album is in the works.

All in all, a great night celebrating the Twin Cities and the many players in the scene.  A big salute to Pete and Kim Rhodes and their staff at MBMA for this years show and their continued efforts to put Minnesota Music on the front lines!

MBMA Winners:
More By Four – MBMA Legacy Award.
Bobby Lyle – Legacy Award.
Irv Williams – MBMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Arnellia’s – MBMA Music Venue Award.
Kelvin Quarles (KMOJ) – MBMA Broadcasters Award.
Auburn – MBMA Rising Star Award.

Why Minnesota? Out of all the states in the Union, why did thousands of African Americans migrate to the frigid climate of the Midwest?

Stories in Time – a Look into the Ordinary Life of Extraordinary People is a quarterly series that discovers the who and the why by peeking into the lives of African Americans who made the Midwest—specifically Minnesota—their home.

Seventy-seven years before, Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder newspapers sold on street corners, barber shops and beauty salons.—a full century before BlackTwinCities.com veered through cyber space, Joseph C. Reid, an Alabama native, made Minnesota home in 1895. He became one of an elite group of black patrolmen in Minneapolis, well respected by the families and businesses along his beat. After five years of service protecting prominent white citizens of Minneapolis, Mayor James Gray released J. C. Reid from service without charges or explanation. Although Reid was honorably discharged, many believe it was because of his republican views.

Reid was not afraid to voice his opinion or stance on the affairs that affected the Midwest’s colored population. And in 1896, he established the Colored Citizens Publishing Company.

In 1899, J. C. Reid, along with J.M. Griffin and Charles Turner (natives of Georgia), merged together and formed The African American Advance, a weekly publication informing the black community and the Midwest of issues directly affecting their lives. Florence Duckett, a Missouri native, became its only female editor. During the Advance’s two-year run, the publication reported political and societal news, the comings and goings of its residents, church events and great debates hosted at Bethesda Church.

The African American Advance featured a story celebrating the accomplishment of Miss May Harriet Black, the daughter of James and Belle Black, who became the first African American to graduate from Duluth High School in 1899.

Joseph C. Reid’s entrepreneurial spirit, along with that of James Kroger, sparked the opening of a small café called The Advance, serving hot meals and political conversations.

Reid answered a higher calling in December of 1901, when he ceased publication and moved to Fort Sheridan, Iowa, to study in the seminary. Upon graduation, he settled in Sioux Falls, Iowa, as the minister of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Joseph C. Reid and his wife, Augusta, are buried in Grant County, Iowa, at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Celebrate the lives of extraordinary African Americans in your community by submitting your stories to Camille at millymouse@live.com.