CHATHAM- SOUTH EAST CITIZEN 11-11-2020

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Nov. 11, 2020

| Vol. 56 | No. 33 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

A group is advocating for greater representation of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. Black Heroes Matter is trying to get a 25-foot statue of DuSable, a significant portion of Lake Shore Drive named after DuSable and a city holiday in his honor. Photo courtesy of Black Heroes Matter/ Martin’s International Foundation

BLACK HEROES MATTER SEEKS RECOGNITION OF DUSABLE

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable was a Haitian settler and trader who had an outpost at what is now 401 N. Michigan Avenue, near the mouth of the Chicago River. Although DuSable’s name appears on a high school, African American History Museum, Harbor and Bridge, a group – Black Heroes Matter – has been formed to ensure his accomplishments and contributions to Chicago are recognized even more. PAGE 2

New book calls on world leaders to unite in response to health threats

Disposable Poly Capes and Aprons for Hair Salons, Restaurants and Grocers

COMMENTARY: Testing, Testing, One, Two, Zero Page 2

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2 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION COLLABORATION SEEKS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRADUATE DEGREES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities IT (CMD-IT) Future Leadership in Computing (FLIP) Alliance ensures that students without GRE scores have the opportunity to pursue graduate studies and contribute to inclusive innovation, paving the way toward greater diversity in academia. The Alliance serves to increase diversity in the professoriate in computing at research universities as a way to achieve greater diversity across the field.

The CMD-IT FLIP Alliance includes the following institutions, which were found to be the largest producers of computer science faculty at research universities: Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Georgia Tech, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Texas, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, and University of University. Most of these universities currently have an existing policy to ignore or forbid consideration of GRE scores in computer science Ph.D. admissions.

For 2020-2021 admissions, some of the universities will make the GRE optional for Ph.D. admissions. Applicants should check each institution’s official website for details.

To learn more about CMD-IT FLIP Alliance, visit flipalliance.org.

HEALTH

NEW BOOK CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO UNITE IN RESPONSE TO HEALTH THREATS At the occasion of the World Health Summit 2020 and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, a new book has been launched that calls on world leaders and politicians to unite in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other threats to health and the global economy. Health: A Political Choice – Act Now, Together is the latest in a series of titles published by the Global Governance Project in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO.) Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General, said: “It has never been clearer that health is a political and economic choice. In the past 20 years, countries have invested heavily in preparing for terrorist attacks, but relatively little in preparing for the attack of a virus – which, as the COVID-19 pandemic has proven, can be far more deadly, disruptive and costly.” The first book in the series Health: A Political Choice. Delivering Universal Health Coverage 2030 was launched in 2019.

LAW & POLITICS

TOP-TIER LAWYERS HONORED WITH 21ST ANNUAL JOHN PAUL STEVENS AWARD The Chicago Bar Association has selected five influential attorneys who stand out in their respective areas of practice as recipients of the association’s top legal award, bestowed to lawyers who demonstrate the highest commitment to integrity and public service.

Named in honor of the legendary Supreme Court Justice and native Chicagoan John Paul Stevens, the awards were recently presented by The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Foundation at the 21st Annual John Paul Stevens Celebration which was hosted virtually on October 28.

This year’s recipients were Marisel Hernandez, Partner at Jacobs, Burns, Orlove & Hernandez and Chairwoman, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners; Jennifer Nijman, Founding Partner, Nijman Franzetti; Terry Murphy, Retired Executive Director, the Chicago Bar Association and Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. The awards recognize lawyers and judges who best exemplify Justice Stevens’ commitment to integrity and public service in the practice of law. Stevens retired from the High Court in 2010 after 35 years of distinguished service and died in 2019.

Black Heroes Matter seeks recognition of DuSable Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable was a Haitian settler and trader who had an outpost at what is now 401 N. Michigan Avenue, near the mouth of the Chicago River. Although DuSable’s name appears on a high school, African American History Museum, Harbor and Bridge, a group – Black Heroes Matter – has been formed to ensure his accomplishments and contributions to Chicago are recognized even more.

Martins International Foundation, owned by Ephraim Martin, spearheads Black Heroes Matter. Valerie King is the public relations director for Martins International Foundation. “We feel this man, who founded Chicago, set the territory settlement for Chicago, has really not received his just due,” she said.

“There’s so much that we should know and that we need to know, and we should be informed about what this man did.”

King said Black Heroes Matter feels that DuSable deserves to be recognized with a 25-foot monument, a significant portion of Lake Shore Drive named after DuSable and a city holiday in his honor.

“We have presented this to city council, with Alderman Moore helping to

lead the structure of our proposal, with Ephraim Martin, as well as presenting this to the city’s mayor, Mayor Lightfoot,” she said.

King said Black Heroes Matter feels that recognizing DuSable can bring balance and equity to people who look like DuSable. She said his story is very compelling. “When you really think about this man had amassed a great deal of wealth, he was very prosperous, in terms of his settlement, and that wealth was restructured, or it was taken from him and the places he settled in this city are renamed for white men, and we still recognize those men today,” she said.

“People that have set forth and paved the way, they also deserve a revisit of what they did, and revisit to what they gave us, and we feel it should be rightfully justified and rightfully stated who they were and who benefits from that.”

Shaka Barak, president of the Marcus Garvey Institute, is a supporter of Black Heroes Matter. Barak said that DuSable’s post sets the groundwork in terms of fur trading and the grain industry. “On those 800 acres, there were smokehouses, bakeries, hen houses and the trapping that was being done was sent to Europe,” he said. “To know that DuSable was not an ordinary man, he had

extraordinary ability. He was a linguist, he spoke French, he spoke Spanish, he spoke English and he spoke several dialects. He was a man of peace and he could bring the tribes together.”

Barak said if it were not for DuSable, there would not have been a lot of different varieties of industry in the city of Chicago. “Anytime a person is that significant to a city, that city owes them the honor of putting things in place, so that the children, and the future children of that city know who that man was,” he said.

Barak said while there is a bust of DuSable on a bridge, it is so hidden that people pass by and don’t know it is there and that this is the location of where DuSable’s post once stood.

Black Heroes Matter is supported by 80 organizations, including the Haitian Lawyers Association and the Haitian American Museum of Chicago. Stanmorr Sports, Inc., Illinois’ first and only Black-owned Gun Range, is matching all the current GoFundMe donations.

“We will not give up. We know this movement is really important, so we’re in it for the long-term, even though it is a marathon. We won’t tire,” King said.

For more information, visit blackheroesmatter.org.

COMMENTARY

Testing, Testing, One, Two, Zero

BY JOEL SCHLOSBERG

For this fall’s college freshmen, standardized tests weren’t as crucial in determining their selection as they would have been before 2020. Hundreds of educational institutions waived exam requirements when COVID prevented on-site administration. Some even excised the tests from the application process entirely.

Yet Jeffrey Selingo reports that “something strange happened: Teenagers continued to sign up for the exams” (“The SAT and the ACT Will Probably Survive the Pandemic—Thanks to Students,” The Atlantic, September 16).

This devotion to getting an edge into colleges has remained persistent even a year after the Operation Varsity Blues investigation revealed how much of the admission

criteria were being exaggerated or outright fabricated.

With colleges replacing their on-campus offerings by remote video instruction — and online course materials like those long made accessible for free by initiatives like MIT’s OpenCourseWare — elite colleges have much less to offer in return for the tens of thousands in annual tuition they still charge. How has their draw remained so persistent?

Maybe it’s less that their wares are uniquely valuable than that they’ve closed off alternatives. Kevin Carey explains in The End of College that “the higher-education industry receives hundreds of billions of dollars every year in the form of direct appropriations, tax preferences, and subsidies for their customers in the form of government scholarships and guaranteed student loans.

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The only way to get that money is to be an accredited college. And the accreditation system is controlled by the existing colleges themselves, who set the standards for which organizations are eligible for public funds.”

Standardized tests provide the accreditation monopoly with the data the top-down system needs to function. As anthropologist James C. Scott observes, “those at the greatest distance from ground zero of the classroom” particularly benefit from having “an index, however invalid, of comparative productivity and a powerful incentive system to impose their pedagogical plans.”

When Steven Levy’s Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution became one of the earliest journalistic accounts of the culture of computer programmers, Levy noted their insistence on evaluating

each other by the quality of their programs, eschewing what they considered “bogus criteria such as degrees, age, race, or position.” In an addendum to a 2010 reissue of his book, Levy found many of its personalities had retained that spirit, as expressed by Bill Gates: “If you want to hire an engineer, look at the guy’s code. That’s all. If he hasn’t written a lot of code, don’t hire him.”

Higher learning — and its certification — can follow computer power’s path out of elite institutions to everyday ubiquity. If its participants can win the freedom to choose, share and exchange, the process can become more equitable as well as less bogus.

The Garrison Center’s Joel Schlosberg wrote his SAT essay on freedom in the science fiction of Eric Frank Russell.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

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NEWS

Historical Barriers And Structural Inequalities Still Account For Black-White Homeownership Gap The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB) issued the 2020 edition of its State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report with a stark warning: Without major changes in public policy, restructured mortgage lending criteria, increased down payment assistance, and an extended forbearance period needed by homeowners experiencing severe financial burdens resulting from the pandemic, Black American homeownership will continue to lag and wealth building plans will remain delayed, severely diminished, or simply out of reach.

“Statistics oftentimes can be ignored or tabled. However, when the story is told through the eyes of young Black Americans experiencing the rigors of trying to purchase a home for a growing family, you clearly see that structural and institutional remedies are necessary,” said Donnell Williams, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. “This year’s SHIBA report lays bare the difficulties.”

A sampling of the key findings in the SHIBA report, principally authored by Vanessa Gail Perry, MBA, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing, Strategic Management and Public Policy, George Washington University School of Business. include: l The Black population in the U.S. is concentrated in major cities. Sixty-two percent of Blacks are concentrated in 20 MSAs. In 2019, 25.6% of the Black population resided in areas where the median house price is above that for the U.S. -- $253,000. l The homeownership rate for Blacks who graduated from college is only 3.2 percentage points higher than that of White high school dropouts. l Black homeowners are less likely to have a college degree. l Blacks have a higher share of owner households headed by women than any other category of owner households. l Black borrowers pay significantly higher rates for FHA-backed loans, and higher rates for conventional mortgages. l In 2018, 53% of Black mortgage borrowers obtained FHA or VA loans, compared to 23% of White borrowers. l Only 5% of the conventional market were loans to Black borrowers, compared to 15% of the FHA/VA market. l In 2019, 10 lenders were responsible for

Debt-to-Income (DTI) formula to include only the reported payment amount. l At the state level, evaluate inclusionary zoning programs and their effects on Black communities.

The SHIBA report includes recommendations designed to support the growth of opportunity for Black Americans to purchase homes and to maintain them if they are already homeowners.

originating 24% of mortgage loans to Black borrowers. Of those 10, only 3 were traditional depository banks. l Black applicants are more than twice as likely to have their loan applications rejected.

“These disparities persist because of systemic racism and disadvantage that have accumulated over time. At the same time, the industry has failed to acknowledge the opportunities presented by this market segment,” stated Dr. Perry.

The Black American wealth gap rests in large part on the ever-present institutional barriers Black Americans face at every step of the home buying process. While the second quarter 2020 Black homeownership rate of 47% reported by the U.S. Census Bureau represents a 16-year high, the rate lags more than 26 percentage points behind the non-Hispanic White rate of 76% for the same period.

The SHIBA report also includes recommendations designed to support the growth of opportunity for Black Americans to purchase

homes and to maintain them if they are already homeowners. A few key recommendations are: l Institute aggressive loan forbearance and credit reporting mandates to protect Black homeowners and potential homebuyers from financial devastation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. l Continue the CARES Act suspension of federal student loan payments, debt collection, and zero interest provisions through the end of the pandemic crisis. l Restore fair housing regulatory protections formalizing the Fair Housing Act’s disparate impact standard. l Reform the HUD 203k program. l Require the Opportunity Zone funds be directed to long-term residents versus investors. l Establish a Renaissance Neighborhood Program to bolster Black homeownership in historically redlined neighborhoods and transform communities. l Increase FHA lending and other down payment assistance programs in areas with low Black homeownership rates. l Alter the treatment of student loans in the

“There are solutions. There are public and private sector remedies,” Williams said.

“NAREB continues to advocate and push the envelope by heightening awareness in all sectors that homeownership not only increases the wealth building capacity of Black Americans, but also serves to strengthen the nation’s and communities’ economic outlook.”

These and other findings from the SHIBA report were discussed recently at NAREB’s 2nd Annual National Conversation on Black Homeownership. Speakers focused on similar themes that called out the federal government for its long-term, intentional complicity in promoting race-based public policy that works against the growth of Black homeownership.

That sentiment can be summed up in remarks given by Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, TX when he said, “public policy set the stage for racial disparity.” Marc Morial, National Urban League president said that Black Americans must be just as intentional in reclaiming our “piece of the dirt” that has been denied to Black Americans since the Reconstruction era.

Other panelists directed their remarks to millennials and GenX-er audience members and discussed the importance of understanding credit far earlier in their lives and how having good or poor credit affects their ability to purchase a home. Will Roundtree, founder of Las Vegas, NV-based WE Management said that “credit will become the new dollar.” Former NFL player Ray Crockett urged the audience to, “buy the house before the car… get your credit right…and understand what you value.”

Rental Kharma spokesperson, Lynne Poole remarked that Black renters with “thin” credit profiles need to use non-traditional digital platforms like Rental Kharma that report rental payments, which are not typically counted in developing a favorable credit rating.

Download the full SHIBA report at: www. nareb.com. The full NAREB National Conversation can be viewed on: https://www.facebook. com/REALTISTNAREB/videos/.

Member of King Family Dies The Reverend Doctor Toussaint King Hill, Jr. nephew of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Sr., cousin to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., and recently retired senior pastor of the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia recently died following a long battle with cancer.

Dr. Hill, a native of Detroit, Michigan, served as the Pastor of West Hunter Street Baptist Church, formerly pastored by noted Civil Rights activist and best friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy. Dr. Hill pastored there from 2006 until his retirement last month.

Dr. Hill also served as Pastor of Baptist Temple Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and as an Assistant Pastor at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Dr. Hill is a 1981 graduate of Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia.

He graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary of Evanwww.citizennewspapergroup.com

ston, Illinois with a Master of Divinity degree. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio as a Cornell West, Jeremiah Wright, Molefi Asante Scholar.

Dr. Hill was an armed forces veteran who served his country as a United States Air Force Chaplain.

At the time of his retirement, Dr. Hill delivered a message about healing and forgiveness, “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” Dr. Hill is survived by his wife, Laurel Hord Hill, his two sons, Toussaint King Hill, III, (Miranda) and Thaddaeus Kornell Hill, and his granddaughter Eden Elizabeth Hill.

4 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

BUSINESS

Illinois Department of Insurance announces the start of ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Illinoisans can shop for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace. Open Enrollment began Sunday, November 1 and runs through December 15, 2020.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) recommends consumers begin their search at getcoveredillinois.gov to find accurate information to help compare health plans, get free enrollment help and even financial assistance (if they qualify).

“This year Illinoisans have even more plans to choose from with 179 plans offered by eight

carriers,” said IDOI Director Robert Muriel.

“We want consumers who need health insurance coverage to know that help is available. Last year, more than 240-thousand people in our state received premium tax credits to reduce their monthly premium payments.”

GCI Executive Director Laura Pellikan said that according to last year’s enrollment numbers, once the tax credit was applied, the average monthly premium payment for Illinois consumers with an individual plan was about $153.00. “Any savings on monthly health insurance premiums is significant to families struggling to pay for

healthcare costs during the pandemic,” said Pellikan. “We recommend that Illinoisans visit getcoveredillinois.gov to find information about financial help and to see if they qualify.” https:// getcoveredillinois.gov/financialhelp On the ACA Marketplace, consumers can choose from among three different “metal” levels that represent a range of coverage and costs: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Anyone who was enrolled in a plan last year will be automatically enrolled into the same plan or a similar one offered by the same insurer for the upcoming 2021 plan year.

Get Covered Illinois (GCI) is the official

health marketplace or “exchange” for Illinois consumers to purchase quality, affordable health insurance, facilitated by the federal government.

To find the right health plan for you and to get free assistance from a certified application counselor who can help you through the process, go to the Get Covered Illinois (GCI) website at https://getcovered.illinois.gov/en Visit the Illinois Department of Insurance to view the 2021 Analysis of the Illinois Exchange Plan https://insurance.illinois.gov/ HealthInsurance/ConsumerHealth.html

National Veterans Small Business Week

New Book For Faith-Based Entrepreneurs Best-selling Author, Speaker and Entrepreneur Dr. Sidjae Price authors her third book and shares her story and Biblical discoveries along the journey to be a better faith-based and multi-passionate entrepreneur. She also shares business expertise gained from over five years in business.

Price’s goal is to encourage entrepreneurs to seek God and to let him guide their paths. Chasing Rainbows seeks to provide readers with realistic strategies they can implement to enhance their personal and business lives.

The book, according to a news release, is a spiritual and intellectual piece that offers guidance to millennial and modern faith-based entrepreneurs. It strikes a balance between God and is power-packed with Biblical lessons and business pointers.

Whether your goal is to establish strong Biblical foundations for your business or to learn how to grow your business as a faith-based entrepreneur, Chasing Rainbows was written so that you can drive towards progress.

“I’m truly excited about the release of the book and what’s looking like a global impact as I’ve had individuals in the UK, Jamaica, Africa and more, personally message me stating that they can’t wait to get the book in their hands. I spent a year writing this book and the process of writing led me to do a lot of self-reflection of my journey. It is so easy for anyone to get out of alignment with their purpose in an effort to secure the bag. This book focuses on how we can strengthen our spiritual journey, yet use wisdom to be better entrepreneurs, especially when it is aligned with our purpose. This book

Dr. Sidjae Price has released a new book for faith-based entrepreneurs.

is for those who are feeling lost as faith-based entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders. Those who feel as if they are chasing rainbows in their business trying to get to the pot of gold.” says Price.

Chasing Rainbows is currently

available for pre-order on Kindle and is available for purchase where all books are sold.

For more information, visit www. sidjaeprice.com Follow on social media @ DrSidjaePrice.

NLRB Unveils Enhanced Public Website The National Labor Relations Board recently announced that the agency’s public website has been updated and enhanced. The updated website, according to a news release, includes several new features that will improve the user experience, make the website easier to navigate, and will enable enhanced engagement with the agency.

These enhancements add website functionalities that make research easier, provide more information

translated into Spanish, and increase the public’s access to agency data.

Some of the new features include: • MyNLRB – Allows stakeholders to personalize their website experience with targeted regional news and case information and access to saved searches.

• Advanced Data Search – Provides stakeholders the ability to create, save and download ad-hoc searches for case and election data.

• Spanish Translations –

Provides Spanish translations of approximately 40-50 pages of the public website with the ability for users to switch back and forth between Spanish and English.

• Interactive Map – Provides Unfair Labor Practice (C) and Representation (R) case data via an interactive map interface.

NLRB stakeholders can click “What’s New” on the home page for more details about the updated agency public website. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees and employers, and unions from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently celebrated veteran, service member and military spouse small business owners during National Veterans Small Business Week which was held on Nov. 2-6.

“National Veterans Small Business Week is the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments of our nation’s 2.5 million veteran-owned small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “Now more than ever, it is our duty as an agency to empower these businesses as they adapt and pivot during this critical time. The SBA, in collaboration with our resource partner network, is proud to dedicate this week to honoring the veterans, service members and military spouses who continue to serve our great country as small business owners.”

This year’s National Veterans Small Business Week theme was “#VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community.” During the week, the SBA highlighted and connected veterans nationwide to local level entrepreneurial resources.

Each day, the SBA focused on a different aspect of veteran business ownership. Topics included transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance and capital access.

SBA district offices, resource partners and local organizations also hosted virtual educational webinars, training workshops, networking opportunities, social media events, and more.

For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/ veterans.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

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FASHION

Disposable Poly Capes and Aprons for Hair Salons, Restaurants and Grocers Hilex® Poly, a Novolex® brand, is introducing new disposable capes and aprons to help businesses protect their employees and customers.

The new capes and aprons are designed for hair salons, barbershops, restaurants, delis, food service providers, grocery stores and food processors. They are lightweight and come with a tie closure in the back for a secure fit, according to a press release.

“We want to help our customers handle the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Frank Lawson, vice president for sales for Hilex Poly. “Our new disposable capes and aprons provide both protection and peace of mind for businesses and consumers alike.”

The capes and aprons are designed to keep the wearer clean and dry, protecting them against spills and splashes. Both kinds are disposable.

Barbers and hair stylists, for example, can dispose of a client’s cape and hair clippings all at once.

The capes are dark gray and measure about 44 x 60 inches, while the aprons are white and are 30 x 42 inches. Both are

Hilex Poly, a Novolex brand, is introducing new disposable capes and aprons to help businesses protect their employees and customers. They are designed for hair salons, barbershops, restaurants, delis, food service providers, grocery stores and food processors. The aprons are white and measure about 30 x 42 inches.

intended for single-use.

With more than 10,000 employee families, Novolex operates 61 manufacturing centers and administrative offices in North America and Europe, including two world-class plastic film recycling facilities.

The capes and aprons are the latest new products from Novolex.

To learn more about Novolex and its many products, visit www.

Novolex.com.

The new disposable capes and aprons from Hilex Poly, a Novolex brand, are designed to keep the wearer clean and dry, protecting them against spills and splashes.

Barbers and hair stylists, for example, can dispose of a client’s cape and hair clippings all at once. The capes are dark gray and measure about 44 x 60 inches

New Holiday Sleepwear Sets Feature Black Santa Greentop Gifts, the holiday brand known for their popular holiday products that feature African American designs, has officially launched a new pajama collection featuring the brand’s signature character, a Black Santa affectionately known as Clarence Claus.

Immediately available online for preorder, the new sleepwear is made from premium 100% ringspun cotton and caters to customers of all ages. Orders placed now will arrive after December 1st, just in time for the holiday season.

“We’re excited to finally launch the new pajama sets our customers have been asking for! Representation is more important than ever, so we are proud to expand our products by offering full pajama sets that further represent families of color and allows for another opportunity for our customers to see themselves in holiday products and gifts,” said Greentop Gifts CEO and founder Jacquelyn Rodgers.

The unisex green and white Clarence Claus Pajama sets retail for $25.00 - $45.00, and come in all sizes

ranging from infants 6 - 24 months, toddlers 2T - 5T, youth sizes 8 - 14, and adults from extra small to extra large. The machine-washable, pajama sets feature a ribbed collar shirt with cuffed sleeves and bottoms that include a covered elastic waistband with ribbed leg cuffs.

With a full holiday collection geared to diversify options for people of color, Greentop Gifts products include wrapping paper with unique designs, Clarence Claus gift bags, apparel, ornaments and accessories, as well as the new Clarence Claus pajama sets.

In 2021, Greentop Gifts will continue to grow their brand and soon offer products beyond the holiday season.

Atlanta-based and Black-owned, Greentop Gifts is a family business known for their cultural holiday decor, apparel, gifts and gifting supplies. Founded in 2016 after founder and CEO Jacquelyn Rodgers couldn’t find wrapping paper that featured a Black Santa, since its launch, Greentop Gifts has received notable media attention from numerous outlets, including Essence, UK Daily Mail, Blavity and People, according to a press release. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Hosts First-Ever Women’s Leadership Awards Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) recently celebrated women and achievement at the first-ever 2020 Women’s Leadership Awards.

Celebrating the brightest minds in beauty, the event brought together the 2020 Achiever Awards recipients and 2020 Top Talent honorees, in addition to revealing the Indie26, 26 outstanding Black female-founded beauty companies disrupting the beauty industry and finally, the Industry Champion Award, being given to Jenny B. Fine.

Sponsored by Meredith, the two-day virtual event recognized fifteen female leaders for their performance and mark on the beauty industry.

Additionally, thought leaders, including Taraji P. Henson, founder and CEO of TPH by Taraji and Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and founder of “Know Your Value,” among others, shared valuable insights on topics related to women’s empowerment, equality, and excellence. The personal stories and unique perspectives surrounding empowerment and inclusion from the diverse, cross-generational females served as inspiration for future leaders and for companies to continue supporting women’s advancement.

The 2020 participants included: 2020 Achiever Awards Recipients l Maly Bernstein, Vice President, Beauty & Personal Care, CVS l Erica Culpepper, General Manager, L’Oréal Multi-Cultural Beauty l Elana Drell-Szyfer, CEO, RéVive Skincare l Lilli Gordon, Founder & CEO, First Aid Beauty l Jane Lauder, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Marketing and Chief Data Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. l Alexandra Papazian, President, Laura Mercier 2020 Top Talent Honorees l Vivianna Blanch, Vice President, Integrated Consumer Communications, L’Oréal Paris l Ophelia Ceradini, Vice President, Digital Technology and Innovation, ELC Online, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. l Erum Chaudhry, Vice President, Marketing Beauty & Skincare, Christian Dior l Maris Croswell, Senior Director, North America Pantene, P&G Beauty

l Chopin Rabin, Vice President, Global Integrated Communications, Nars Cosmetics l Maria Salcedo, Vice President, Global Marketing, Consumer Fragrance, Symrise l Janet Chan, Vice President of Brand, nugg beauty *Members Choice

Thought Leaders l Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Founder of ‘Know Your Value’ l Kristy Click, Senior Client Officer, Ipsos l Laura Gurski, Senior Managing Director, Consumer Goods Division, Accenture l Fran Hauser, Startup Investor at Hauser Ventures, LLC., Author of The Myth of the Nice Girl l Sarah Kunst, Managing Director, Cleo Capital l Sarah Willersdorf, Managing Director and Partner, The Boston Consulting Group l Shelley Zalis, CEO, The Female Quotient l Melissa Butler, Founder & CEO, The Lip Bar l Mahisha Dellinger, Founder & CEO, Curls Beauty Brand l Taraji P. Henson, Founder & CEO, TPH by Taraji Additional participants included Beauty Industry Champion, Jenny B. Fine of WWD, Indie26, Notable Black Founders of Indie Brands and other beauty industry thought leaders.

“For nearly 70 years, CEW has helped to inspire women in the beauty industry to achieve – and advance – themselves and others,” says CEW President Carlotta Jacobson. “We are thrilled to have hosted this first-time event, honoring the amazing women who embody the importance of growth within the beauty industry for women of all ethnicities, levels and companies.”

All content of the Women’s Leadership Awards is available for purchase at CEW.org.

Sponsors of the event included Meredith, Harris Williams, 24 Seven, Anisa, Dermstore, Nordstrom, P&G Beauty, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Badger & Winters, WWD, Beauty Inc, Symrise, MOSS, ULTA Beauty, Drunk Elephant, Beauty at Amazon, Olaplex, Birchbox, Consultancy Media, Marina Maher Communications, New World Natural Brands, Goodkind Co., CEI Collective and Kaplow Communications.

6 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

NEWS

Give the kids creative freedom with an option like Crayola’s Maker series, which allows them to create custom paper and markers for arts and crafts time at home or school projects.

Creative, Colorful Christmas Ideas for Kids The perfect presents for kids this holiday doesn’t limit your search to screens or the hottest tech gadgets. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features - Picking out the perfect presents for kids this holiday doesn’t limit your search to simply including gifts with screens or the hottest tech gadgets.

Although the amount of options in store and on virtual shelves for kids can be somewhat overwhelming, gifts fostering imaginative play and

creativity never go out of style. Even if it seems your children already have pretty much everything, getting back to the basics with crafty gifts like paint and art sets, color and wash collectibles, science kits or customizable DIY projects encourage children to express their creativity and explore their inner-artists.

Consider these activities that can spark imagination and allow kids of all ages to create colorful memories this holiday season.

Find more at Crayola.com.

Custom Craft Creations Give the kids creative freedom with an option like Crayola’s Maker series, which allows them to create custom paper and markers for arts and crafts time at home or school projects. The Marker Maker comes with 16 makeable markers along with a color mixing guide and customizable labels for each one. The Paper Maker includes an instruction

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booklet, paper-making pulp to make 20 sheets of 5-by-8-inch paper, a stir and smoothing tool and a pressure plate. Both kits make it fun and easy to craft DIY cards, decor, notes and other projects.

Colorful Pets Kids can take imaginative, creative play to new places this holiday season with the Scribble Scrubbie Pets Grooming Truck. This life-like environment includes a grooming truck with moving wheels and features a real working spray pump and scrub tub that allow kids to wash and clean the two included pets just like real groomers do. The truck also doubles as an easy-to-pack storage solution for taking the customizable pets on-the-go for later use. After creating a colorful look for their pets using washable markers, kids can simply scrub them clean for a fresh blank canvas to create over and over.

SOURCE: Crayola

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CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

NEWS

Jay Cameron’s New Children’s Book Series Emphasizes Africa Travel Adventures Author, playwright, and philanthropist Jay Cameron introduces two books in a series about the amazing adventures of twins, Darren and Destiny, as they travelled to African diaspora destinations around the world.

Cameron drew on his experience after his life-changing trip to Ghana to write seven children’s books about the beauty, culture, and history of several countries in Africa. Much of the information he was taught about Africa was inaccurate, negative and misleading, according to a press release and he was inspired to share his firsthand experiences with children.

This series was written for ages six through ten, yet all ages can learn about the popular landmarks and the traditions of the people.

In The Adventures of Darren and Destiny: Ghana, Darren, Destiny, and their parents take their first trip abroad to Accra, Ghana in Africa. They experience the amazing culture and history of the west African gem. While traveling to some of Ghana’s most popular landmarks, they meet Nana, Esi, Philip, and Isaac along the way.

They ventured deep inside the cocoa forest and watched artisans make original African art.

In The Adventures of Darren and Destiny: Tanzania, Darren and Destiny joined their parents for an amazing Serengeti safari adventure in Tanzania located in East Africa. They travelled with Godfrey, their tour guide. They

observed animals in their natural habitat, jumped with the Maasai tribe, and learned how to make fire.

They also caught a birds-eyeview of the Serengeti on a spectacular balloon ride. The twins share a special birthday celebration they will not forget.

The upcoming books in this series are Zanzibar: The Spice Island, Conquering Kilimanjaro: Journey to the Summit, Ethiopia: The Land of Origins, Salvador, Bahia: A Taste of Africa in Brazil, and Benin and Togo: Hidden Treasures.

According to a press release, the book series is written for parents who are looking to expose their children to the beauty, art, music, traditions, landmarks, and many cultures of African countries while countering the westernized narrative. For more information, visit Website: jaycameron.com Social Media: Facebook & IG: @jaycameronofficial - Twitter: @ jaycameron1www.citizennewspapergroup.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

Grammy®-Winning Mega-Hit Makers Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, and Johntá Austin, Team Up with a Lineup of Music Superstars on a New Single “CHANGE” to Benefit the Social Change Fund GRAMMY®-winning mega-hit makers Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin and Bryan Michael Cox have teamed up with a lineup of music superstar friends, on the new single “CHANGE” (So So Def Recordings), available now on digital music providers.

In conjunction with the release of “CHANGE” from Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin, and Friends, the new song was also played on October 23rd, at the top of every hour on all iHeartRadio R&B stations. Urging change, proceeds from the song are benefitting the Social Change Fund, a charitable initiative created by philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and NBA superstars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade to support critical and timely issues impacting the Black community.

“We created the song to call attention to these long-standing issues,” stated Dupri. “Members of the global community are now awakened to issues affecting BIPOC. The global pandemic forced us all to reevaluate everything from our health to police brutality and systemic racism. We are now witnessing a paradigm shift that creates an opportunity for real impactful change.

‘CHANGE’ only resonates the need for topics that should have always been prioritized.” Written by Dupri, Austin, Cox and Ne-Yo, they have joined forces on “CHANGE” with a “who’s-who” lineup of megawatt voices and rising stars, to create a powerful anthem advocating for continued social activism and addressing the injustices affecting Black men.

“Sparking a call for positive progress the mission for ‘CHANGE’ for me is to inspire and uplift, comments Austin. “Throughout the years, we have seen music

Rebuilding trust-being “Woke and Authentic”

Enough “Say Their Names …

CHANGE” from Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin, and Friends

serve as the catalyst that pushes listeners to believe that something beautiful is possible and to see themselves in their fellow listener who shares the same love of music.

I hope that with ‘CHANGE’ we can give someone the words to express what they feel, the way that so many songs have done for me.”

Showcasing some of the most influential Black male artists to help affect change through music, “CHANGE” from Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin, and Friends, collectively counts 35-plus GRAMMY® wins among the group of acclaimed performers. Bringing together musical heavyhitters across genres from R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Soul, and Blues/Rock, along with influential new voices, Dupri, Ne-Yo, Cox and Austin’s

featured friends on the song include: British singer/rapper Angel, rapper Big Rube, R&B singer Eric Bellinger, teenage viral singing Gospel/R&B sensation Keedron Bryant, blues-rock-soul musician Gary Clark Jr., rapper/actor Common, “America’s Got Talent” young finalists The Detroit Youth Choir, Gospel star Kirk Franklin, R&B-soul singer Anthony Hamilton, Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris, R&B singer PJ Morton, Gospel singer Smokie Norful, newcomer R&B-soul singer Jac Ross, and singer/actor Rotimi.

“Using their talents on “CHANGE,” they’re giving voice to the ongoing disparities and pains that Black men face today, who are disproportionately affected by the consequences of racism and social injustice. Speaking on

their shared mission in the music community to forge a global impact,” stated Ne-Yo “This song is about inspiration, motivation and determination. The current and next generation need to know someone is rooting for them, someone believes in them. This song is that reminder.”

Jermaine would like to thank everyone who donated their time and talents to this project, So So Def Recordings, Straight Up Entertainment Group, W&W Public Relations, Inc., Symphonic, who are flowing through 100% of all royalties to the Social Change Fund, and the artists who shared their talents.

Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin, and Friends: “CHANGE” is available now. https://sym.ffm.to/ bethechange

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

The writings of Ronald Montgomery with a diverse team of seven accomplished authors amplify and relay the messages of protest board-up art and photography as tools for systemic change to achieve racial equality. This fall’s release of ENOUGH “Say Their Names …” Messages from Ground Zero to the World, captures the elevated tone and urgency of expanding struggles for equal justice.

The Board-up artwork and photography in ENOUGH “Say Their Names …” comes directly from the protests around the United States. On these pages, incisive poetry and prose expand on the protest messages of the decade—alive, multiplied and amplified in 2020.

Combined with images, they sledge-hammer on freedom’s bell, while simultaneously peeling away layers of complacency, indecision, callous disregard, and satisfaction with the status quo plaguing our country. The work, according to a press release, is an instrument for initiating nationwide collaborations, discussions and conversations that bring deeper understanding of one another.

Enough “Say Their Names …” connects directly to protest messages and provides historical perspective.

“As much as this may make you angry or, in reality, hurt your heart. As much as you may wish your fellow and sister Americans were better people but recognizing they are not. As much as you ask the Lord to forgive you for your hate, this is a book you should read. You will not get ENOUGH of the truth,” said Poet Nikki Giovanni.

“We want to encourage and awaken everyone to the realities preventing us as a species from moving forward together in peace, harmony, and love. There has never been a better time than now to act for change. If that sounds like a mantra from the 1960s and ‘70s, it could be, and it is no less true today than it was then. We hope permanent meaningful changes made now will make many of these tough conversations unnecessary for future generations,” stated the authors. The book launched on October 31, 2020. For more information, visit www.EnoughSayTheirNames.com “AS MUCH AS THIS MAY MAKE YOU ANGRY OR, IN REALITY, HURT YOUR HEART. AS MUCH AS YOU MAY WISH YOUR FELLOW AND SISTER AMERICANS WERE BETTER PEOPLE BUT RECOGNIZING THEY ARE NOT. AS MUCH AS YOU ASK THE LORD TO FORGIVE YOU FOR YOUR HATE, THIS IS A BOOK YOU SHOULD READ. YOU WILL NOT GET ENOUGH OF THE TRUTH.” POET NIKKI GIOVANNI

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

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CITIZEN On CITIZEN On The Move Leaders From A Leaders From Across The City and South Suburban Join Forces To P Join Forces To Provide Help To The Community During COVID During COVID Photo L.M.Warbington

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

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President /Publisher

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PUBLIC NOTICE The annual return of The Love and Unity Prayer Circle church is available, at the address noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any citizen who so requests within 180 days after publication of this notice of its availability.The love and Unity prayer Circle 1153 E.82nd Street Chicago, Il 60619-4513537.The principal manager is Cynthia ACohen,Pastor Telephone (773) 993-9796. ______________________________________

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is herey given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transactio nof Business in the State,” as amended, that a certificatio was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number; Y20004936 on OCTOBER 20, 2020. Under the Assumed Business Name of H2S EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS with the business located at: 442 W. 97TH PL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60628. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partner (s) is: Owner? Partner Full Name VANESSA WESTLEY, Complete Address, 442 W. 97TH PL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60628, USA ________________________________________

Are You Interested in Advertising In This Section... Call Us At (773) 783-1251

ACROSS 1. Glamour’s partner 6. Prime time monitor, acr.

9. Prelude to a duel 13. Video killed this type of star?

14. Orinoco or Grande 15. Temple Square performers, e.g.

16. Set straight 17. *Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in this country 18. Filthy dough 19. *Opposite of Thanksgiving, traditionally 21. *The day’s offering 23. Declare 24. Unacceptable in a juror 25. Fire fuel 28. Thé alternative 30. Jumped or leapt 35. Chipping choice 37. Plural of #25 Across 39. Coupon clipper, e.g.

40. A woodwind 41. Vernacular 43. The brightest star 44. One born to Japanese immigrants 46. a.k.a. leaf cabbage 47. Capital on the Dnieper 48. Rear of a ship, pl.

50. Boisterous play 52. Not sweet, as in wine 53. Has divine power 55. None intended, often 57. *Macy’s offering 60. *34th Street offering 64. Relating to pond scum 65. Highest card in “War” 67. Blood of the gods, Greek mythology 68. Like unbagged tea 69. Female 70. Thousands, for short 71. Microsoft browser 72. *What we do on Thanksgiving 73. ____ welcome!

DOWN 1. Steffi of tennis 2. Tibetan teacher 3. Beware of these, in spring 4. Window treatments

5. Bay Area serial killer never captured 6. French Bulldog plus Pug 7. Alliance of former Soviet republics, acr.

8. Raccoon’s South American cousin 9. Give the cold shoulder 10. Locket content, traditionally 11. Snob puts these on 12. Prior to 15. Necklace fasteners 20. Spiral-horned African antelope 22. ____-been 24. Mendicity 25. *Thanksgiving Day football hosts 26. Galactic path 27. One in a gaggle 29. *Utensil absent at Pilgrim’s table 31. Colonel or captain 32. Steer clear 33. “When pigs fly!”

34. *Condiment of the day 36. ____-do-well 38. Without help 42. Allegro and lento 45. Get some air 49. Seed alternative 51. Jonathan Franzen’s 2015 novel 54. Rental agreement 56. Chip snack 57. Weary walk 58. Bug-eyed 59. Tear down 60. Track competition 61. Cabbage in France 62. Displeasure on one’s face 63. Gaelic tongue 64. Draft choice 66. Repeated Cuban dance step

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Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually).

Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

12 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 11, 2020

Accelerating our commitment to affordable housing There’s a shortage of affordable housing in America, especially in communities of color.

The impact of this health and humanitarian crisis has intensified the need for increased action.

As part of our commitment to invest $1 billion over four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, Bank of America is accelerating our investment in development in neighborhoods of color — including right here in Chicago. We’re working side by side with nonprofits and community leaders to help revitalize neighborhoods, expanding on work we’ve had underway for many years.

My teammates and I remain committed to addressing Chicago’s affordable housing gap and helping build the community in which we live and work.

Paul Lambert Chicago Market President

Building together Here in Chicago, we’re partnering with organizations that are expanding affordable housing options.

They include: Chicago Urban League Mercy Housing Lakefront Resurrection Project Spanish Coalition for Housing

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

© 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.