Chatham-Southeast Citizen 9-19-2018

Citizen

African Americans Believe In the American Dream Although Their Finances Are A Struggle in Reality — Page 5 Week of Sept. 19, 2018

| Vol. 54 | No. 25 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

Left to right: Chicago Football Classic Founder Larry Huggins, Darren Benton, Walgreens, Chicago Football Classic Founder Everett Rand and Andre Pattillo, Director of Athletics, Morehouse College.

PRIDE, ATHLETIC PROWESS AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUEL THE HBCU CLASSICS HERE AND NATIONWIDE When the Miles College Golden Bears and Morehouse College’s Maroon Tigers take to the field for their momentous match-up on Saturday September 22 at Soldier Field as part of the Chicago Football Classic, they will join a long tradition of HBCU football match-ups that date back to the late 60s. The first HBCU Classic was held in 1968 between Morgan State

and Grambling State in New York City. That inaugural event drew more than 60,000 frenzied fans to Yankee Stadium.

A combination of things made the match-up legendary and paved the way for the Chicago matchup on this coming Saturday. First, the immense talent of the teams involved, with Grambling State being helmed by the legendary

coach Eddie Robinson, the winningest coach in the NCAA. Second, the flamboyant marching band competitions and lastly, the pride and self-esteem on display for tens of thousands attending these classic matchups.

The Chicago Football Classic embraces those same component’s - big-stage football, academic excellence and artistic prowess – and

they will be on full display for the 21st Annual event. And the crowds are no less impressive. This year, the Chicago Football Classic is expected to draw over 40,000 attendees and pump over a million dollars into Chicago’s economic engine.

Miles College and Morehouse College Continued on page 2

Business: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Offering Mortgages for as Little as 3 Percent Down — Page 4 Fashion: Texture on the Runway ‘18 Kicked Off New York Fashion Week — Page 6 |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Sept. 19, 2018

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

CHICAGOANS ‘IMAGINE THE FUTURE’ WITH A SEASON OF SCIENCE FICTION THEMED PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE CITY Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Public Library (CPL) recently announced that Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick will be the 29th selection of CPL’s One Book, One Chicago (OBOC).

From October 2018 through April 2019, Chicagoans will learn more about science fiction, technology, future societies, artificial intelligence and more as they explore the book and this year’s theme - Imagine the Future. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which was first published in 1968, introduces readers to protagonist Rick Deckard in the year 2021 as he maneuvers his way through the new world order. This iconic book was the inspiration for the blockbuster film Blade Runner.

CPL will join community partners to offer Chicagoans a variety of events and programs, including walking tours, art exhibits, discussions, music performances and more, to bring people, businesses and civic agencies together to engage with the book and theme. Free citywide programs will launch in early October. For a complete list of programs and to learn ways you can engage with other readers, visit onebookonechicago.org.

HEALTH

PLANNING FOR HEALTHY TREES STARTS NOW Through its Recover, Replant, Restore! program, Trees Forever is working with communities in Illinois to grow healthy urban forests and to help residents plant trees that are more resistant to natural disasters and man-made disasters, such as emerald ash borer (EAB). Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, so now is the time to start planning.

It is also important to select species that are resistant to storm damage. While no tree can survive a direct hit from devastating storms, some species are a little more resistant to wind, flooding and ice. For suggestions on species that may do better, see Trees Forever’s Homeowner Guide series at: www.treesforever.org/recover.

For more details on tree planting and care in general, please visit, http://www.treesforever.org/Guides.

LAW & POLITICS

SALES TAX GUIDANCE AVAILABLE FOR OUT-OF-STATE SELLERS The Illinois Department of Revenue is announcing online resources for remote (out-of-state) sellers seeking to determine whether they must begin collecting and remitting Illinois sales tax beginning Oct. 1, 2018.

The guidance is a result of the enactment of Illinois Public Act 100-587 and the subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. Illinois Public Act 100-587 requires remote sellers who have sold either cumulative gross receipts from Illinois sales of $100,000 or more, or 200 or more separate Illinois transactions to register and remit Illinois Use Tax for sales made on or after October 1, 2018. Remote sellers should visit www.tax.illinois. gov for specific details and available resources on Illinois’ new law, including: informational bulletin, FAQs, tax matrix, and more.

Pride, athletic prowess and academic excellence fuel the HBCU Classics here and nationwide Continued from page 1 are part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), one of the four conferences, comprised entirely of black college teams. The other three are the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The two teams meet earlier this year in a non-conference doubleheader ending with Miles College defeating Morehouse 7 to 4. Equally impressive is the Miles College Purple Marching Machine which was voted HBCU Sports Band of the Year in 2017 with 44% of 43K votes cast. No doubt the Morehouse College Maroon Tiger Marching Band is not intimidated by that distinction as their band is known by its nom de plume the “House of Funk Marching Band.

This year’s Classic will continue in the grand tradition of the over 40 classics happening around the country and do it as only Chicago can. If you want to get a taste of the band competition before the game there will be a Back to School Pep Rally featuring the drumlines from both schools on Friday, September 21 at Daley Plaza, 50 West Washington St., Chicago, IL at 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

This 21st Annual Chicago Football Classic is a celebration of the role that Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) play in the life of young people.

Offering both the pomp and pageantry of the game and it’s legendary “Battle of the Bands”, it is also about preparing students for the future that a quality education will provide them.

The CFC Weekend events include: • Thursday, Sept. 20 – President’s Reception, honoring the two teams’ presidents: Dr. George T. French, Jr. (Miles College) and Dr. David A. Thomas (Morehouse

College.) Invitation-only event.

• Friday, Sept. 21 – Golf Outing and Coaches Luncheon at Harborside International Golf Center, 11001 South Doty Avenue East, Chicago, IL 60628 7 a.m. Registration /9a “Shot gun start” 2:30 p.m. Coaches Luncheon. Tickets $1,200 foursome and $1,600 for foursome and Hole Sponsor Back to School Pep Rally featuring the drumlines from both schools at Daley Plaza, 50 West Washington St., Chicago, IL at 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 22 – CFC-HBCU College Fair is from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Soldier Field in the United Club. The event will feature more than 30 schools and is open to the public. BMO Harris Bank presents the Empowerment Summit, focused on money management. This HBCU College Fair event is co-produced by the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Football Classic Tailgating 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The High School Battle of the Bands – 12 p.m.

The CFC Vendor Marketplace 1:30 p.m. through the end of the game Classic Kick-Off 3:30 p.m.

Battle of the College Bands – Half Time Tickets are $18, $25, $35 and $45, discount tickets are available at Walgreens.

Tickets may also be purchased at Midway Wholesalers, 41 W. 84th St.; (773-874-8000 x4025), Riteway-Huggins Construction, 1030 E. 87th St.; (773) 734-1600, Groupon and Ticketmaster.

This year, the CFC will raffle a new 2017 neon green Rocky Ridge Jeep Wrangler from Sherman Dodge to benefit the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund. The CFC Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students attending the participating HBCU schools. A limited amount of tickets will be on sale for $100 and the

winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the game.

Raffle tickets for the Rocky Ridge Jeep Wrangler are $100 and are available at Midway Wholesalers and Riteway Huggins Construction. For additional ticket, event and vendor information, visit the CFC website at www.chicagofootballclassic.org.

This year’s 2018 Chicago Football Classic Co-Presenting sponsors are, BMO Harris Bank and Sherman Dodge, Comcast - NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago. Participating sponsors include: Ariel Investments, Aramark, Avión, CHA, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, Christmas in the Wards, Citizen Newspapers, ComEd, Crawford Broadcasting, CTA, Eastlake Management, Fifth Third Bank, Heneghan Wrecking Co., the Hudson Group, Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois Bicentennial, iHeartRadio, Illinois Restaurant Association, INTREN, JB for Governor, Linn-Mathes, Local 134 IBEW, Loop Capital, Madison Construction, Midway Wholesalers, Manny’s, MAC ONE Midway, McHugh Construction, Mesirow Financial, Moet Hennessy, Peoples Gas, Providence Bank, Riteway-Huggins Construction, Self-Help Bank, Southwest Airlines, SSP- America, Starbucks Foundation, TrueStar, Uber, Vantage, Walgreens, Wintrust and WVON-AM. About the Chicago Football Classic: The Chicago Football Classic’s mission is to support educational achievement, promote higher education, encourage culture and excellence, and showcase the spirit and tradition of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities by providing an exciting football game in Chicago that provides financial assistance to college-bound students.

The Classic’s events influence students and parents to consider the rich academic opportunities offered by HBCUs.

Rush Releases a Statement on House Passage of Bill Providing Grants for Schools to Replace Lead Drinking Water Fountains U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) recently released a statement on the House passage of S. 3021, America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.

The legislation includes Rush’s provision, H.R. 4908, which will authorize $5 million annually for FY 2019–2021 for grants for schools to replace lead drinking water fountains manufactured before 1988.

The legislation also reauthorizes the Safe Drinking Water Act for the first time in 20 years and provides significant funding to state and local

governments that are in dire need of upgrading their water infrastructure.

“As the proud author of this important provision, I am pleased to see its inclusion in this bill and was excited to support its passage. Lead — and access to safe drinking water — is a serious issue that communities in every part of Illinois and the nation face; especially in poorer communities, such as those in my Congressional District. Americans expect schools to be a safe and healthy place for their children and that means creating an environment

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that is free of lead-contaminated water. It is past time that Congress addressed this issue and I am pleased that I was able to help shape this important legislation,” said Rush.

Lead is considered one of the most hazardous environmental pollutants and can lead to behavioral problems in children and have detrimental effects on kids’ ability to thrive. Exposure to lead at high levels can attack the brain and central nervous system and can cause coma, convulsions, and even death.

“I remain committed to upgrading our broken infra-

structure to modern standards and ensuring that every drop of water our children consume is safe. This bill is a step in the right direction and I commend my colleagues for working with me in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to protect and safeguard future generations,” said Rush.

In addition to being used to upgrade existing infrastructure, the grants could also be used to monitor and report lead levels in school drinking water. Low income communities will be given priority for this grant program.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Sept. 19, 2018

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NEWS Former Student At Gary Comer Youth Center Will Speak At Annual Luncheon

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) will host its annual benefit luncheon on Oct. 12 at The Fairmount Chicago and Breana Brown, a former GCYC student, will be a featured speaker at the event. Brown credits her childhood mentors from the GCYC with providing her with the support she needed to attend and complete college.

Since opening in 2006, the GCYC has provided a safe and supportive environment for young people whether it be after school, on weekends or during school. The GCYC’s mission is to ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college and careers. The GCYC is the cornerstone of the Comer Education Campus, 7200 South Ingleside Ave., which includes the GCYC, Gary Comer College Prep High School and Gary Comer Middle School.

“I’ve been talking about this opportunity that the Youth Center has given me and I’m very honored,” said Brown. “I feel very excited and also nervous because of the audience that will be present, but I’m very excited and eager to share my journey with everyone through the lens of a GCYC alum.”

In 2008, Brown got involved with the GCYC as an incoming high school freshman. This was the same year that Gary Comer College Prep opened it’s doors and hosted their inaugural class, of which Brown was a part of.

“I was part of the inaugural class at Gary Comer College Prep and I also

The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) will host its annual benefit luncheon on Oct. 12 and Breana Brown (pictured), a former GCYC student, will be a featured speaker at the event. Brown credits her childhood mentors from the GCYC with providing her the support she needed to attend and complete college. Photo Credit: Gary Comer Youth Center/Jasmin Shah

took advantage of the Upward Bound program with the Gary Comer Youth Center. That’s how I got my start with the youth center and was able to take advantage of the resources that they offer for college preparation and eventually for my transition to Illinois State University,” said Brown.

Prior to enrolling in Gary Comer College Prep and participating in after-school programming at the

GCYC, Brown said that she had no idea what her future looked like and she hadn’t spent one second of her life thus far thinking about college.

“I believe that I wouldn’t be where I am and a lot of things wouldn’t have become possible if it wasn’t for my relationship with the GCYC. I wouldn’t have been knowledgeable about college resources or college preparation and my life would be very different. I

literally had no idea where I was going to end up. I wasn’t knowledgeable about college. I really didn’t know that college even existed before transitioning to GCYC,” said Brown.

With the support of the GCYC and her mentors, Brown was able to complete her degree at Illinois State University and now works as an admission counselor at Lincoln College.

Another highlight of the upcoming

luncheon is that David Simas, the CEO of the Obama Foundation, will be giving the keynote address and guests will be able to hear from young people that are currently involved in a variety of center programs, from urban agriculture to visual and performing arts.

Tickets to the luncheon are available at www.garycomeryouthcenter. org/benefit.

FDA takes new steps to address epidemic of youth e-cigarette use The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a series of critical and historic enforcement actions related to the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to kids.

In the largest coordinated enforcement effort in the FDA's history, the agency issued more than 1,300 warning letters and civil money penalty complaints (fines) to retailers who illegally sold JUUL and other e-cigarette products to minors during a nationwide, undercover blitz of brickand-mortar and online stores this summer.

As a result of these violations of the law – and other indications that e-cigarette use among youth has hit epidemic proportions – FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., signaled that the agency intends to take new and significant steps to address this challenge in a speech at the agency's headquarters.

"We're committed to the comprehensive approach to address addiction to nicotine that we announced last year. But at the same time, we see clear signs that youth use of electronic cigarettes has reached an epidemic proportion, and we must adjust certain aspects of our comprehensive strategy to stem this clear and present danger. This starts with the actions we're taking today to crack down on retail sales of e-cigarettes to minors.

We will also revisit our compliance policy that extended the dates for manufacturers of certain

(Pictured) Aerosol (vapor) exhaled by an e-cigarette user. Over the past several years, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product by youth. In fact, more than 2 million middle and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2017. Photo by Lindsay Fox

flavored e-cigarettes to submit applications for premarket authorization. I believe certain flavors are one of the principal drivers of the youth appeal of these products. While we remain committed to advancing policies that promote the potential

of e-cigarettes to help adult smokers move away from combustible cigarettes, that work can't come at the expense of kids. We cannot allow a whole new generation to become addicted to nicotine.

In the coming weeks, we'll take additional action

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under our Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan to immediately address the youth access to, and the appeal of, these products," said FDA Commissioner Gottlieb.

"Today, we asked five e-cigarette manufacturers to put forward plans to immediately and substantially reverse these trends, or face a potential decision by the FDA to reconsider extending the compliance dates for submission of premarket applications. Our comprehensive plan on nicotine and tobacco regulation remains intact and we remain committed to its goals to reduce tobacco-related disease and death, including our efforts to reduce the nicotine in combustible products to render cigarettes minimally or non-addictive.

We're also fully committed to the concept that products that deliver nicotine exist on a continuum of risk, with combustible products representing the highest risk, and electronic nicotine delivery systems perhaps presenting an alternative for adult smokers who still seek access to satisfying levels of nicotine, but without all of the harmful effects that come from combustion. But in enabling a path for e-cigarettes to offer a potentially lower risk alternative for adult smokers, we won't allow the current trends in youth access and use to continue, even if it means putting limits in place that reduce adult uptake of these products."

4 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Sept. 19, 2018

BUSINESS Report Lists 308 Black Corporate Directors of America's 500 Largest Public Companies, Identifies 187 Corporations with No Black Directors Black Enterprise (BE) has released its latest exclusive report on African American representation on the corporate boards of 500 of America's largest publicly traded companies today at BlackEnterprise.com. The media company identifies 308 African American directors at S&P 500 companies, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Prudential Financial Inc., ExxonMobil, and FedEx Corp., on the BLACK ENTERPRISE Registry of Corporate Directors. In addition, the report reveals 184 companies with no African American representation among their boards of directors.

Black Enterprise’s report spotlights prominent African American directors including Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. EVP and

CFO Tracey T. Travis, who serves on the board of Accenture PLC, and Adtalem Global Education Inc.'s President and CEO Lisa W. Wardell, who serves on the board of Lowe's Cos. Inc. "It's been six years since we began producing our annual report on boardroom power, representing our scorecard on diversity at the highest levels of corporate America," said Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., CEO and president of Black Enterprise. "As such, we present the Black Enterprise Registry of Corporate Directors—our exclusive bench, if you will, of power hitters who sit on the boards of the nation's largest publicly traded corporations."

The registry is drawn from the S&P 500 based on market capitalization as of May 4th, 2018. Black Enterprise compiled the listing by reviewing proxy statements and annual reports, as well as contacting investor relations departments, corporate governance experts, and organizations such as the Black Corporate Directors Conference and the Executive Leadership Council (ELC); the latter is a network of the nation's most highly ranked African American corporate executives.

For the complete list and the full report of "Power in the Boardroom.” Visit www.blackenterprise.com for more information.

REAL ESTATE

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Offering Mortgages for as Little as 3 Percent Down

BY CHRISTOPHER G. COX Publisher and managing editor, www.realesavvy.com

Nation’s Two Largest Mortgage Clearinghouses Offering Mortgages for as Little as 3 Percent Down One of the biggest obstacles confronting lowand moderate-income home buyers is coming as well as in a classroom setting,” she adds. up with the 20 percent down payment that Home Ready and Home Possible can help to many financial advisors recommend they have make it possible to overcome such factors as low in the bank prior to entering the housing inventory and rising housing market. Under Fannie home prices that make it difficult Mae’s Home Ready and Freddie for individuals and families to Mac’s Home Possible programs, enter the housing market and it might be possible to obtain a obtain an attractive mortgage mortgage with substantially less interest rate. cash on hand.

The National Association While there are some of Realtors and Freddie Mac differences in the two programs, estimate that median price Terri Sicilia, vice president of growth for housing will accelerate underwriting for Residential by 3.5 percent in 2018, whereas Mortgage Services, says they median household income is only are both “beneficial products, growing by about 2.7 percent.

Christopher G. Cox, especially for borrowers putting Among the differences in the publisher and managing less than 20 percent down.” editor, www.realesavvy.com two programs, Sicilia says, is “These programs offer a lot of that the Fannie Mae program flexibility that you don’t have with a traditional allows a buyer to own other properties at the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, “Sicilia notes, “such time of closing, while the Freddie Mac program as reduced PMI (private mortgage insurance) does not. Another difference, she notes, is that that helps to make the monthly payment lower.”

Home Possible does not allow the use of a nonBorrowers interested into looking into these occupant co-borrower while Home Ready may. programs need to educate themselves, Sicilia Both products may permit a borrower to says, because some loan officers might not be use income from a boarder or housemate to be comfortable with them or might not know considered as a portion of the overall income about them. She explains that both Freddie in some cases, as long as it does not exceed 30 Mac and Fannie Mae offer online counseling percent of the total income used to qualify and programs for prospective homebuyers. “The required documentation can be produced to Fannie Mae program is $75.00 and the Freddie document payment received for one year.

Mac program is free. Both can be taken online Both the Freddie and Fannie programs

ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES CONFRONTING LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME HOME BUYERS IS COMING UP WITH THE 20 PERCENT DOWN PAYMENT THAT MANY FINANCIAL ADVISORS RECOMMEND THEY HAVE IN THE BANK PRIOR TO ENTERING THE HOUSING MARKET. UNDER FANNIE MAE’S HOME READY AND FREDDIE MAC’S HOME POSSIBLE PROGRAMS, IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A MORTGAGE WITH SUBSTANTIALLY LESS CASH ON HAND. compete with the low-down-payment program of The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which offers loans for as little as 3.5 percent down for buyers with a credit score of 580.

Aside from their own funds, a borrower can receive assistance in reaching the minimum three percent contribution from a range of sources, including a gift from a person meeting the definition of a related person, funds from a government or non-governmental agency, Employer Assisted Homeownership (EAH) programs and Affordable Seconds. Any contributing agencies cannot be affiliated with

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the lender or the origination of the mortgage except in the case of an EAH. A few other features of the Fannie and Freddie programs are: Home Ready • No income limits in underserved areas • Applicants without credit scores may be eligible using alternative credit references such as rent, insurance and utility payments • Mortgage insurance can be cancelled when 20 percent of equity in home is reached • Primary residence only • Not restricted to first-time home buyers • Allows a non-occupant co-borrower to qualify • Ownership of other property allowed Home Possible • No income limits in underserved areas • Applicants without credit scores may be eligible using alternative credit references, such as rent, insurance and utility payments • Primary residence only • Mortgage insurance can be cancelled when 20 percent of equity in home is reached • Not restricted to first-time home buyers One of borrowers Sicilia worked with was able to obtain a mortgage under Home Ready by documenting that he had 12 months of income from a boarder as a portion of his overall income. “This would not have been possible with a traditional, fixed-rate mortgage,” she said.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Sept. 19, 2018

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NEWS

African Americans Believe In the American Dream Although Their Finances Are A Struggle in Reality Most African Americans believe the American Dream means financial security (84 percent), not living paycheck to paycheck (78 percent) and owning a home (77 percent).

However, according to the new State of the American Family Study released by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), many African Americans lack tangible assets necessary to accomplish those goals currently.

While the American Dream is still attainable, the survey calls attention to high debt, low savings and a lower likelihood of wide financial product ownership amongst African Americans.

Financial disparities and the wealth gap can possibly explain why 31 percent believe it is disappearing. Among the dynamics: • Outside of retirement accounts, only 37 percent of African Americans own wealth-building products such as stocks and mutual funds • 35 percent believe they are doing a good job at preparing for retirement • 33 percent have less than one month of funds saved for a crisis and less than 25 percent have amassed more than six months of emergency savings The survey also reveals the importance of family influences on financial decisions: • 58 percent are actively involved in educating their children on finances (as compared to 48 percent of Caucasians) • 40 percent rely on family members for information • 50 percent include extended family and friends in their definition of family “The study shows African Americans want to improve their financial situations and are hopeful about the future,” said Evan Taylor, African American market director, MassMutual. “At the same time, it sheds light on the financial struggles and inequities that the African American community continues to battle. Those contradictions indicate a need for greater financial education and discipline for the whole family to achieve economic success. In fact, the biggest financial regret expressed by responwww.thechicagocitizen.com

dents was that they wished they had started saving and investing sooner.”

To help bridge the gap, MassMutual has teamed up with Tarra Jackson, who runs the Madam Money blog, to help African Americans improve their finances.

Jackson is a personal finance expert, TV/radio personality, author and speaker with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is an experienced financial contributor for numerous newspapers, magazines, blogs, podcasts and radio shows.

“Most African Americans are not taught about or involved with household finances,” said Jackson.

“They also are not educated about personal financial strategies in school. This lack of financial education increases the use of credit, which results in higher debt burden, and minimum or nonexistent savings and investing behaviors.

This perfect storm of high debt, low or no savings or investing, as well as lack of life insurance, stifles the attainment of the American Dream of financial security.”

“The American Dream is possible with simple financial steps,” Jackson added. “It is never too late to start taking ownership of and investing in your financial future.”

Her top five recommendations: 1. Begin with the end in mind.

Thinking about a desired lifestyle will help to determine potential financial needs and wants. Whether it’s traveling the world, being debt free or having enough money to meet basic living standards and health needs, understanding preferred outcomes helps determine the right financial plan.

2. Create a spending & savings plan. Overspending and debt are destructive to financial stability.

Creating a budget helps to determine expenses, income gaps or

MassMutual has teamed up with Tarra Jackson, who runs the Madam Money blog, to help African Americans improve their finances. Jackson is a personal finance expert, TV/radio personality, author and speaker with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is an experienced financial contributor for numerous newspapers, magazines, blogs, podcasts and radio shows.

ways to save more money and pay down debt. A budget gives you the power to make informed decisions necessary to meet your short, mid and long-term financial goals.

3. Start saving something sooner.

Most people don’t start saving for their later years in life because they seem so far away. They think they have enough time or they may believe that they don’t have enough money. Saving a percentage of your paycheck now will help build savings by taking advantage of the power of compound interest.

4. Set it and forget it. Set a specific amount or percentage of your paycheck to automatically deposit into your retirement savings or investment accounts monthly or every pay period. This will help create consistency in savings.

Automatic deposits will also limit access to the money and avoid the temptation to spend it.

5. Consult with a financial professional. Seeking advice from

family members may be tempting, but when it comes to financial advice, it is often best to consult with a financial professional. They can guide you through options right for your financial situation and income while making the process

less intimidating and overwhelming.

Additionally, consumers are encouraged to visit massmutual.com/ familystudy for more financial tips and an overview of the research findings.

6 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Sept. 19, 2018

FASHION

Fashion: How to Choose the Right Look for Any Occasion

BY DELANEY GEORGE Data News Weekly/NNPA Member

Fashion is not just the clothes, the hair, the shoes or the accessories; fashion is every little element combined that makes “the look.” Make-up is one of those crucial elements that can make or break your desired look.

While going natural is acceptable, a little make-up can enhance any look. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t waste a great outfit on bad make-up.

Always remember that make-up is applied in layers. Just like with other fashion elements, you have to start with the right foundation; then you have to build on it. When it comes to clothes, it’s about matching the right shirt or blouse with the right skirt, then matching the right skirt with the right shoe, adding the right accessories etc. When it comes to make-up, you have to match the right eye shadow with the right lip, then match that combo with the

right sparkling highlighter. The right make-up can complement any look that you want to create as long as you remember that every element has to work together.

Make-up artist Ebony Harris, uses multi-colored shadows, glitters, and everything else in her make-up arsenal to capture her clients’ vision for their look.

“I always ask my clients, ‘What’s the occasion?’ or ‘What does your favorite outfit look like?’ so, that I can make sure that I apply the perfect look,” said Harris.

When it comes to clothes, it’s always best to not be too “matchy, matchy,” but when it comes to your face, a coordinated look is your best bet.

For more fashion and make-up tips, follow Delaney on Twitter @DelaneyGPro. The Data News Weekly is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Learn more about becoming a member at www. nnpa.org.

Fashion is not just the clothes, the hair, the shoes or the accessories; fashion is every little element combined that makes “the look.” Make-up is one of those crucial elements that can make or break your desired look. While going natural is acceptable, a little make-up can enhance any look. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t waste a great outfit on bad make-up.

Texture on the Runway '18 Kicked Off New York Fashion Week

NaturallyCurly co-founder, Michelle Breyer (L) and recording artist Amara La Negra (R) seen at NaturallyCurly presents Texture On The Runway powered by Sally Beauty in New York City. (PRNewsfoto/NaturallyCurly)

More than 900 influencers, media and VIPs filled NYC's Iconic Gotham Hall to celebrate NaturallyCurly's signature event Texture on the Runway on Thursday, September 6th during New York's Spring 2019 Fashion Week to celebrate the beauty of curls and coils. Retailer Sally Beauty returned as the retail sponsor for the innovative runway show that puts textured hair front and center.

This year's event was also a celebration of NaturallyCurly's 20th anniversary. The media company has been at the center of a two-decade revolution that transformed the way the world views curls, coils and waves.

Since 1998, NaturallyCurly has been the pioneer in empowering, educating and inspiring its community of consumers, influencers, and beauty enthusiasts.

By focusing on texture from Day 1, NaturallyCurly has attracted an inclusive community of all ages and ethnicities, men and women, from wavies to super coilies.

Hosted by NaturallyCurly co-founder Michelle Breyer, and recording artist and breakout star of Love & Hip Hop Miami Amara La Negra, seven top texture brands showcased their distinctive take on texture down the runway.

This year's runway sponsors included Camille Rose Naturals, Cantu, Carol's Daughter, Creme of Nature, Mielle Organics, SheaMoisture and The Mane Choice featuring their own unique textured hair inspiration and debuting looks that truly celebrate coils, curls and waves as well as fashion.

"At Sally Beauty, we believe the best hair type is your hair type, and we are committed to providing a diverse assortment of products for our customers," said Linda Voracek, Group Vice President of Merchandising for Sally Beauty.

"Texture on the Runway is unique from other events in that it allows hair to dictate fashion and highlights the diversity of hair textures and styles in a bold way."

Since NaturallyCurly launched Texture on the Runway in 2012 at City Winery in New York City,

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it has become one of the most anticipated events in the natural hair community. The innovative runway show arose out of NaturallyCurly cofounder Michelle Breyer's frustration that Fashion Week lacked inclusivity.

"As I covered Fashion Week, I was disappointed to see that the models on the runway didn't reflect the diversity of our community," Breyer says. "We decided to create an event that celebrated texture and inclusion, and we wanted to do it during Fashion Week."

Texture on the Runway puts curls, coils and waves front and center, letting the hair inspire the fashion rather than the other way around. Brands are encouraged to take their interpretations of texture down the runway, from intricate protective styles like braids and twists, to cascading curls or big luscious 'fros.

In recent years, the brands' creativity has expanded well beyond the hair and fashion. This year, Cantu's presentation featured a true New Orleans second line band, SheaMoisture integrated a reggae soul performance by Meta and the Cornerstones and Carol's Daughter energized the crowd with an electrifying dance group, The Red Project NYC. "At Sally Beauty we are committed to helping our consumers find and celebrate their natural beauty," states Karonda Cook, Director of Merchandising, Sally Beauty. "We know that beauty is not a one size fits all approach and believe in beauty for all. We were thrilled to be this year's retail sponsor for Texture on the Runway to help tell our story. It was also a great opportunity to interact with brand partners and influencers to make sure they understand the importance of our brand and what our customers mean to us."

Through 15-minute presentations, hair sponsors showcased their interpretation of modern, textured hair.

For more information about Texture on the Runway, visit, TextureontheRunway.com or follow @NaturallyCurly on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

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