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Citizen Week of Aug. 29, 2018

| Vol. 2 | No. 3 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to officially open Bloom Trail High School’s new and improved Sarff Field (pictured). During the summer construction, a new eye-catching blue synthetic turf was installed on the football field, the track was resurfaced, and the track event areas, including the high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put and discus areas, were all upgraded. Photo Credit: Joe Reda

BLOOM TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL CUTS RIBBON ON IMPROVED SARFF FIELD

Art Scene: As festival comes to a close, there’s still time to catch films about the Black Experience — Page 2 Politiscope: Four Reasons Why Anti-Trump Latino Voters Won’t Swing The Midterms — Page 3 |

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2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

ART SCENE

As the Black Harvest Film Festival comes to a close, there’s still time to catch films about the Black Experience The Black Harvest Film Festival (BHFF) is Midwest’s largest- and longest- running Black film festival and the Gene Siskel Film Center’s most vibrant annual showcase featuring provocative films that tell stories, spark lively discussions, and address issues relating to the experiences from the African diaspora. Black Harvest features Chicago premieres, filmmaker appearances, panel discussions, and special events. Presented are a combined total of over 60 features, documentaries, and shorts, including a number connected to Chicago, affirming the city's role as a vital center for independent filmmaking. Black Harvest supports the Film Center’s ongoing mission to present inclusive and insightful programming. www.siskelfilmcenter.org/blackharvest. Less than half of the tickets remain to The Black Harvest Film Festival Closing Night movie, Fear of a Black Hat, directed by Rusty Cundieff. The film, which is a satire of rap music’s early years is being presented for one time only on Thursday, August 30, at 6:30 pm. For $25, guests can attend a VIP reception with Cundieff at 5:00 pm at Rosebud Prime, located on 1 S. Dearborn St. Also included is admission to the movie at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., plus free popcorn, wine, beer, or other beverages available at the Film Center’s concession stand. Regular GSFC ticket prices of $11/general

admission, $7/students (with current I.D.), and $6/Film Center members apply for non-VIP admission. No free passes, blue tickets, or Black Harvest festival passes will be valid. Also announced at Closing Night will be the five recipients of the production grants for Commissioning New Work for the 25th Anniversary of the Black Harvest Film Festival. The five films selected will be presented during the 25th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival in August 2019. Support for the production grants comes from

The Joyce Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, and Illinois Arts Council. Remaining Black Harvest Film Festival movies and programs, running now through August 30 Include: Personal Statement; Animator; The Color of Art; Betty: They Say I’m Different; This One’s for the Ladies; The Area; Detroit 48202; Singleville; Pieces of David; One Bedroom; shorts programs Urban Tales, Love African American Style, and Family Matters; and annual panel discussion Action!

The Real Deal About Filmmaking. All screenings and events are at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 164 N. State St. Tickets to each screening--unless stated otherwise—are $11/general admission, $7/ students, $6/Film Center members, and $5/Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) staff and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) faculty, staff, and students. All tickets may be purchased at the Film Center Box Office. Both general admission and Film Center member tickets are available through the Gene Siskel Film Center’s website www.siskelfilmcenter.org/content/tickets or through the individual films’ weblinks on www. siskelfilmcenter.org. There is a surcharge of $1.50 per ticket. The Film Center and its box office are open 5:00 to 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday; 1:00 to 8:30 pm, Friday; 2:00 to 8:30 pm, Saturday; and 2:00 to 5:30 pm, Sunday. Tickets to Black Harvest Film Festival Closing Night (August 30) are $25 to the VIP reception with Cundieff; otherwise normal ticket prices apply: $11/general admission, $7/students, and $6/Film Center members. With BHFF being a month-long celebration of Black culture and filmmaking, check www. siskelfilmcenter.org/blackharvest for updates about filmmaker appearances, parties, and special events.

TRAVEL Do You Have Enough Savings for Planned and Unplanned Expenses? StatePoint - Nearly half of consumers have encountered an emergency expense in the past year, but when it comes to financially preparing for the unexpected, many fall short, according to CIT Bank’s new Summer Savings Survey conducted by The Harris Poll. What’s more, the survey also found that many consumers don’t have the savings to afford the planned expense of the vacations they take. “More than one in four consumers don’t save anything for unexpected events such as a home repair or health expense,” says Ravi Kumar, head of Internet Banking for CIT Bank. “Over another quarter report saving less than 5 percent of their monthly household income for emergencies.” How are consumers making ends meet? Family and credit cards top the list of resources Americans rely on for financial support during emergencies. As for the planned expense of a vacation, approximately one in three (29 percent) report taking extreme actions to pay their way, including taking out a bank loan, going into debt, cleaning out a savings account, borrowing

money or maxing out a credit card. “Americans can do more to ensure their lifestyles and savings priorities are aligned,” says Kumar. “But saving wisely is key.” To plan the monthly amount that you’ll need to save for peace of mind, utilize free resources, such as CIT Bank’s online calculators at bankoncit.com/calculators. Then, consider looking for an account that will make your savings work harder and offer some flexibility. For example, with a Money Market Account from CIT Bank, consumers can earn interest on their savings while maintaining the option to make withdrawals at any time. With no monthly maintenance fees, a minimum account balance requirement, and transaction capabilities, consumers can save without sacrificing their earnings throughout the process. Do you have enough savings for planned and unplanned expenses? When it comes to happy occasions, like vacations, as well as the unexpected, being prepared can safeguard you against zeroing out your account or going into debt.

One in three (29 percent) take out a bank loan, go into debt, clean out a savings account, borrow money or max out a credit card to pay for a vacation.

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CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

POLITISCOPE

4 Reasons Why Anti-Trump Latino Voters Won’t Swing The Midterms voters fall into this low-turnout category.

BY STEFFEN W. SCHMIDT The Democratic Party shouldn’t count on Latinos swinging many midterm races their way this year. Approximately 27.3 million U.S. Latinos are eligible to vote in November’s midterm elections – 12 percent of all eligible voters, according to the Pew Research Center. Democrats hope that this big bloc of voters will punish Republicans for President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant policies. They are courting Latinos in red states like Arizona and Florida. But the so-called “Latino vote” has always been more promise than reality for Democrats. My political science research indicates that a Latino blue wave is not likely to tip the upcoming election in Democrats’ favor. 1. ELIGIBILITY AND TURNOUT To start with, immigration status limits the political impact of this group. According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, only 44 percent of U.S. Latinos are eligible to vote, a lower proportion than Asian, African-American and white voters. Latino voter turnout has also

Steffen W. Schmidt

been historically low. In the 2016 U.S. election, Pew finds, only 48 percent of eligible Latino voters cast a ballot, compared to 65.3 perent of whites and 59.6 percent of blacks. Gerrymandering of congressional districts and onerous voter registration barriers also significantly diminish Latinos’ voting power. Some U.S. Latinos are highly likely to vote, including older voters with a college degree and Cuban-Americans. But just one in three voting-aged Latinos under 29 voted in the last presidential election. Turnout was even lower among Latinos with less than a high school diploma. Fully 20 percent of U.S. Latino

2. THE LOCATION OF SWING DISTRICTS The impact of the Latino vote on Senate and House races in 2018 is likewise limited by geographic factors. More than half – 52 percent – of all Latinos eligible to vote live in California, Texas and New York. Congressional candidates in these states already understand the power of Latino voters, who have been decisive players in at least two dozen districts since the 1980s. Candidates successfully target Latino constituents in their media campaigns and outreach work. In four big swing states, on the other hand – Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio – Latinos make up 5 percent or less of eligible voters. As a result, Latino voters may be decisive for Democrats in just a handful of races: those occurring in states with competitive districts and significant Latino populations, including Virginia, Florida, Texas, Arizona and California. In my view, the Latino vote could help push Democrats to victory in just seven races in five states. These

include Virginia’s 10th district, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.; Texas’s southwestern 23rd and suburban seventh districts; Florida’s 26th district, which includes Miami; and Arizona’s Tucson-based 2nd district. 3. LATINOS AREN’T SINGLE-ISSUE VOTERS The assumption that Latinos outraged by Trump’s immigration policies will come out en masse to vote against his party reveals another errant assumption about this voter segment – namely, that all Latinos care about the same things. The Latino demographic is as diverse as any other population in America. It is a mistake to think that any 27.3 million eligible voters would rally around the same issues – even Trump’s immigration policies. The facts show that Latinos vote based on the same array of factors – gender identity, profession, religious affiliation, economic class, education – as other groups. According to Gallup, Latino voters are concerned about health care, jobs, the economy and inequality. Just 12 percent cite immigration as their primary concern. Some Latinos, like other Americans Trump targeted during his

campaign, are themselves weary of undocumented immigration. Gallup polls over the past six years find that an average of 67 percent of Hispanics have said they worry “a great deal or fair amount” about illegal immigration. That is 10 points higher than non-Hispanic white respondents and 12 points higher than black respondents. 4. INACCURATE POLLING The truth is, we just don’t know enough about the preferences of Latino voters. No more than half a dozen polls out of hundreds target the Latino voter segment exclusively. What polling is done on Latinos is often not well-designed. Many Latino political leaders I’ve interviewed say that exit polls cannot accurately define who is a Latino and that surveys do not draw from representative samples of Latino districts. As a result, their projections about Latino voter behavior are often inaccurate. Here’s an example: Nearly all the analysts and anchors I interviewed from Telemundo, Univision and CNN en Español before the 2016 Continued on page 4

COMMUNITY Bloom Trail High School Cuts Ribbon On Improved Sarff Field Continued from page 1 BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to officially open Bloom Trail High School’s new and improved Sarff Field. During the summer construction, a new eye-catching blue synthetic turf was installed on the football field, the track was resurfaced, and the track event areas, including the high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put and discus areas, were all upgraded. The Sarff Field improvements were made possible by a collaboration between School District 206, the Mayor of Chicago Heights, David A. Gonzalez, and the City of Chicago Heights administrative staff. Together, the team was able to obtain funding for the renovation through the Qualified School Construction Bond Program. “These improvements give our student-athletes the chance to play on not only a historic venue but one of the most up to date, state-ofthe-art fields around. It’s iconic and it’s a new wave,” said Joe Reda, the athletic director for Bloom Trail High School. At this point, there are numerous football and soccer fields that have turf instead of living grass for their players to play on, but very few break the mold and choose to install

“THESE IMPROVEMENTS GIVE OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES THE CHANCE TO PLAY ON NOT ONLY A HISTORIC VENUE BUT ONE OF THE MOST UP TO DATE, STATE-OF-THE-ART FIELDS AROUND. IT’S ICONIC AND IT’S A NEW WAVE.” JOE REDA BLOOM TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

a turf that is any color other than green. For many people passing by, the turf will be what draws them in, but Reda said, “it’s beyond the blue turf,” and there’s so much more to be impressed by when it comes to Bloom Trail athletics. “It’s funny because when you talk about it, people gravitate to the beautiful blue turf, but we also just put in a brand new collegiate level three-ring shot put area and we just put in a brand new Olympic style discus area and two long jump pits,” said Reda. “Beyond the football field and the soccer field, we have really upgraded our facilities big time.” For 17 years Reda has been the athletic director for Bloom Trail High School. “I’ve got to meet and work for great people and when I say work for, I’m really talking about our kids because I work for them. I’ve

had some great experiences from football, basketball, cross county, I’ve met some interesting people and made some lifelong friends,” said Reda. The state-of-the-art track and field improvements will certainly encourage students to get excited about athletics and more importantly, give Reda a chance to impact even more students through athletics. “I tell kids all the time that grades are the most important thing because someday you get old like me and you can’t do anything anymore, I can’t throw, I can’t run, I can’t jump, but I’m still smart enough to do my job,” said Reda. “Athletics and education go hand in hand so I think bringing a facility like this to our kids along with some of the other upgrades we made to the buildings shows our kids that we want to give them the best that we have.”

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4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

FOOD

Tips for Hosting a Healthy Summer Cookout Family Features - When people think of barbecues, many think of foods loaded with fat, salt and sugar, which can seem challenging if you are trying to eat healthy. However, it is possible - and easier than you think - to host a balanced cookout with nutritious options, without sacrificing flavor or quality. Smithfield nutritionist Erin Thacker, MA, RDN, recommends these tips for hosting a backyard barbecue that will leave your guests healthy and happy: * Stick to lean protein: fresh pork cuts such as sirloins, tenderloins, boneless loins and chops are packed with protein and contain key nutrients like vitamin B6, thiamin, phosphorus, niacin, potassium, riboflavin and zinc. Smithfield fresh pork tenderloins and boneless sirloin roasts

are even certified by the American Heart Association* as heart-healthy foods. * Layer on fruits and veggies: grilled vegetables make for a quick and delicious side dish, and grilled fruits are a health-conscious way to end the meal on a lighter note. * Lighten up: swap mayonnaise and heavy creams for Greek yogurt and vinegars, and opt for homemade dressings or sauces instead of store-bought condiments, which often have high sugar contents. Try these simple, dietitian-approved recipes for Grilled Fresh Pork and Veggies with Lemon or Sweet and Spicy Fresh Pork Mini Kebabs. For more healthy and great-tasting recipe ideas, visit Smithfield.com.

SWEET AND SPICY FRESH PORK MINI KEBABS

GRILLED FRESH PORK AND VEGGIES WITH LEMON Prep time: 8 minutes Cook time: 22 minutes Servings: 4 1 Smithfield Fresh Pork Tenderloin, cut into four thick slices 2 teaspoons garlic pepper 1 zucchini squash, cut in half lengthwise 1 yellow summer squash, cut in half lengthwise 1 large portobello mushroom 1/2 large red bell pepper, cut in half lengthwise and flattened 1/2 large red onion, cut into slices 1 lemon, cut in half 1 tablespoon olive oil

Heat charcoal or gas grill to medium-high. Season fresh pork slices with garlic pepper; grill about 5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145-160 F. Brush both sides of zucchini squash, yellow squash, mushroom, pepper and onion, plus cut sides of lemon, with oil. Grill vegetables for 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Add lemon to grill, cut-side down, and cook additional 2 minutes. Place vegetables and lemon on cutting board; coarsely chop vegetables. Serve with fresh pork slices on top; squeeze lemon over meat. Nutritional information per serving: 200 calories; 6 g total fat; 1 g saturated fat; 75 mg cholesterol; 75 mg sodium; 8 g total carbohydrates; 2 g dietary fiber; 4 g sugars; 30 g protein.

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 16 kebabs 1 Smithfield Roasted Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Marinated Fresh Pork Sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes 1/2 pineapple, cored and cut into 16 (1-inch) cubes 2 red bell peppers, cut into 16 (1-inch) pieces 16 bamboo skewers (6 inches), soaked in water and drained 2/3 cup honey 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons Caribbean jerk seasoning Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. Thread two pieces of fresh pork sirloin, one pineapple cube and one red pepper piece onto each skewer. Wrap exposed end of skewer with foil to discourage scorching. Mix honey, vinegar and jerk seasoning together for glaze. Grill kebabs approximately 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until fresh pork reaches internal temperature of 145 F and then rest for 3 minutes. Generously brush kebabs with glaze during last 2-3 minutes. Nutritional information per serving: 80 calories; 1 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 20 mg cholesterol; 90 mg sodium; 12 g total carbohydrates; 1 g dietary fiber; 9 g sugars; 8 g protein. *Information and recipes not provided by the American Heart Association unless expressly stated. Source: Smithfield

POLITISCOPE 4 Reasons Why Anti-Trump Latino Voters Won’t Swing The Midterms Continued from page 3 election agreed that Trump would win very few Latino voters. In fact, it appears that 28 percent of Latinos voted for Trump. That’s just shy of the average 30 percent of U.S. Latinos who usually vote for GOP candidates and a reflection

of the conservative social values many Latinos hold about abortion, LGBTQ issues and big government bureaucracies. REPUBLICANS COULD LOSE LATINO SUPPORT All that said, I do believe 2018 will be a sharp and significant test

of Latino voter behavior in the United States – more so than the 2016 presidential election. Back then, Trump was just a candidate and his anti-immigrant tirades could be passed off as campaign rhetoric. Now, many U.S. Latinos and their families are feeling the direct impact www.thechicagocitizen.com

of the president’s policies, including a crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the inhumane treatment of Central American asylum-seekers and the legal limbo inflicted on the young immigrants known as Dreamers. If Latinos do abandon Republicans in significant numbers this

November, Trump will have endangered his own party’s political future by finally alienating the largest and fastest-growing community in the United States. Steffen W. Schmidt is a Lucken Endowed Professor of Political Science at Iowa State University.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

*To be eligible for the down payment assistance of 3% of the homeâ€™s purchase price, up to $3,600, the property must be in one of the following eligible states: MI, IN, IL, KY, TN, OH, WV, NC, GA, FL and either located in a low Income Census Tract or borrower must meet the low income limit threshold based on the qualifying income per FFIEC website. Down payment assistance may be taxable as income and reported to the IRS. Consult your tax advisor. Not available with all loan products. Loans subject to credit review and approval. Prices and programs subject to change without notice. Fifth Third Mortgage Company, 5001 Kingsley Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227, 1-877-841-7511, an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurances. Fifth Third Mortgage Company d/b/a Fifth Third Mortgage Company Incorporated and licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. Fifth Third Mortgage is the trade name used by Fifth Third Mortgage Company (NMLS #134100) and Fifth Third Mortgage-MI, LLC (NMLS #447141). Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

6 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

NEWS

South Suburban College Names First-Ever Female President BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A recent vote by the South Suburban College (SSC) Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Lynette Stokes, the current Vice President of Academic Services at SSC, as the next college president and on Oct. 1, she will assume her role as the first woman President is SSC’s history. “I’m honored that our Board of Trustees has confidence in my leadership ability. This is a very unique time in higher education and we are making history here at South Suburban College because I will be the first female president in the 91-year history. More importantly, we are also making history in the state of Illinois because there are not a lot of female presidents in the community college setting,” said Stokes. In preparation for her transition from Vice President to President, Stokes has been working closely with board members, “THIS IS A VERY community representatives and UNIQUE TIME IN constituents, and the exiting presHIGHER EDUCATION ident to develop an understandAND WE ARE MAKING ing of her new role, the needs of HISTORY HERE AT the community, and the needs of SOUTH SUBURBAN the school. COLLEGE BECAUSE “The board appointed me in I WILL BE THE FIRST April and they allowed a lot of FEMALE PRESIDENT lead time so that I could do that crosswalk with the current presiIN THE 91-YEAR dent and be out in the communiHISTORY.” ty networking,” said Stokes. “That DR. LYNETTE STOKES has been the focus for the last few months, renewed relationship building, understanding what direction we are going in as an institution, what our key performance indicators are and how do we get there, and what the expectation is for me as a leader.” Now that school has resumed for the fall, Stokes will be spending time connecting with students to learn what their needs are and how she can best serve them as President of SSC. Stokes, who grew up in Chicago and in the child welfare system, believes that she will be able to connect with her students through emotional understanding. “I think I have a different kind of connection and perspective because of my background. I grew up in the child welfare system and was in child welfare at nine different foster homes, but what remained constant for me was that I was allowed to stay in the same school setting and having that connection with my teacher showed me the value of education because it was the saving grace for me. I think because of my socio-economic background, I lead with more of an emotional intelligence which will give me an edge in terms of understanding and making a connection with my students,” said Stokes. As October inches closer and closer, Stokes is steadily preparing herself to take over as President of SSC. “I know that understanding the challenges we face and what’s going on is going to take a team and I am excited to have the opportunity and I’m excited for what we are going to do for our students and in the community. I carry it with a great deal of humbleness and honor that I am the chosen one,” said Stokes.

A recent vote by the South Suburban College (SSC) Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Lynette Stokes (pictured), the current Vice President of Academic Services at SSC, as the next college president. She will assume her role as the first woman President in SSC’s history on Oct. 1. Photo Credit: Provided by South Suburban College

Indivisible Illinois Endorses J.B. Pritzker for Governor

Howard University Appoints Donna Brazile as King Endowed Chair in Public Policy Howard University recently named veteran political strategist and author Donna Brazile as the 2018-2019 Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy. Brazile will develop and host a five-part lecture series to engage the Howard community on several subjects, including politics, vot-

ing, criminal justice reform, and civility. "Ms. Brazile has spent decades at the table of the political discourse in our nation," says Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick. "She can now draw on all her experience and wisdom to bring a bipartisan discussion to these critical issues."

The Indivisible Illinois leadership has voted to endorse J.B. Pritzker for Governor and Juliana Stratton for Lieutenant Governor. Indivisible IL state coordinator Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said, “Indivisible Illinois is pleased to endorse these candidates, Illinoisans who share our

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values to maintain and improve true representative democracy and the rule of law. We’re proud to join our neighbor Barack Obama in solidarity with Pritzker and Stratton.” Indivisible Illinois is part of the locally-led, people-powered Indivisible Project network, a grassroots American move-

ment founded in 2016, with thousands of chapters in urban, suburban and rural areas, with at least two groups in every congressional district. Indivisible Illinois engages and empowers people to promote a progressive agenda, elect progressive leaders and realize progressive government.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018

NEWS

Rashard Johnson named as President of Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals

Rashard Johnson

Advocate Trinity Hospital, part of Advocate Aurora Health, has appointed Rashard Johnson as president of both Advocate South Suburban Hospital, in Hazel Crest, Ill., and Advocate Trinity Hospital, in Chicago, following a nationwide executive search. Johnson’s appointment is effective September 24 and fills a key leadership role in Advocate Aurora’s South Chicagoland region, which includes Advocate Christ Medical Center, in Oak Lawn, Ill., Advocate South Suburban Hospital and Advocate Trinity Hospital. He replaces Terika Richardson, who now serves as president of the 623-bed Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, Ill. “Rashard is an accomplished leader with extensive operations, care delivery and community relations experience,” says Rich Heim, executive vice president of the South Chicagoland region. “We are excited to welcome him and look forward to benefitting

from his exceptional strategic planning abilities and proven track record for innovation, which will undoubtedly help advance and expand our health care capabilities for the future.” Johnson comes to Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals from the greater Houston, Texas area where he served three years as vice president of operations and chief operating officer for CHI St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands, Lakeside, and Springwoods Village Hospitals. In this role, Johnson led support services at the three hospitals, including Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Services, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, Clinical Engineering, Environmental Services, Food Services, and Inpatient and Outpatient Therapies. He also provided oversight of the Wound Care Center, Sleep Centers, and Performance Medicine outpatient clinics, as well as CHI St. Luke’s Health’s four free-standing emergency departments.

Prior to CHI St. Luke’s, Johnson served five years as the assistant vice president of support services for UT Southwestern University Hospitals and Clinics in Dallas. His work focused on providing leadership for the support services division of Clements University Hospital and University Hospital Zale Lipshy, comprised of 640 beds and 16 clinics. Johnson earned a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Central Florida. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Greater Houston March of Dimes, The Woodlands Family YMCA, and the Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Advocate Trinity Hospital, visit: www.advocatehealth.com/trin/patients-visitors/hospital-information/

South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn Says that Democrats that Want to Win in November Must Advertise in the Black Press BY Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor

While there’s at least a perceived growing number of Democrats who say they want to replace California Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn has emerged as a favorite among his peers to become the first African American to hold that position. In an exclusive interview with the NNPA Newswire, the 25-year congressman said that, while he’s ready for the challenge, Democrats currently have much bigger fish to fry. “The first order of business is to win the [midterm] elections on November 6,” Clyburn said. “That’s what I’ve been concentrating on.” Clyburn and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond each told the NNPA Newswire that they’ve identified 37 districts across the country they believe can be won by Democrats this year, which would wrest control of the House from Republicans. “We feel, with the right kind of effort, we can win,” Clyburn said. Clyburn listed three keys to success this November. The first key, Clyburn said, is to prioritize the Black vote; Democrats can’t afford to take the African American vote for granted. Secondly,, the Democrats shouldn’t rely an an anti-President Donald Trump wave to get out the vote. Finally, Clyburn said that candidates must advertise in the Black Press , if they

want to win in November. “We are also talking about districts where Barack Obama won twice and where Hillary Clinton also won, but these voters don’t turn out for the so-called ‘off-year elections,’” Clyburn said. “We can’t let these voters feel like we’re taking them for granted.” Clyburn, 78, said he was recently taken aback by one candidate, who said that he could win the Black vote by running on an anti-Trump platform. “Wait one second,” Clyburn said that he told the individual. “We can’t just go around being ‘Republican-light.’ We have to be out there putting forth an alternative message, for our base, and we have to reach out to Black voters and let them know we’re not taking them or any of our base for granted.” To that end, Clyburn said advertising campaigns must largely include the Black Press. “It’s very, very important…Chairman Richmond and I have had candidates in and we’ve been telling them that one of the best ways to demonstrate that you’re not taking the Black vote for granted is to advertise in the Black Press,” Clyburn said. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is the oldest and largest trade group representing the Black Press, comprised of more than 200 Black-owned newspapers operating in the the United States. “I’ve been in [the Black Press]. My daughter and I ran a newspaper down South, so I know that candidates

Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), pictured, says that President Trump has a deep-seated hatred for people of color that manifests itself every day. In an exclusive interview with the NNPA Newswire, the 25-year congressman said the first order of business is to win the [midterm] elections on November 6, adding if Democrats want to win in November, they must advertise in the Black Press. Photo Credit: The United States Congress

tend to take Black media for granted,” Clyburn said. “They tend to judge Black media the same way they do other media and you just can’t do that, because the business model is totally different.” Each Sunday after attending Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C., Clyburn said he and other churchgoers habitually pick up the local Black-owned newspaper. www.thechicagocitizen.com

“People tend to pay attention to the headlines, the stories and the ads in the Black Press so it’s vitally important that candidates know this,” Clyburn said. A former history teacher, Clyburn said Trump’s obsession with dismantling Obama’s legacy is reminiscent of tactics employed by Andrew Johnson to demean his predecessor, Abraham Lincoln. Johnson, who was impeached by House, had a vision of America as a White man’s government, according to historians. “If you remember, it’s the same kind of reaction Johnson had to Lincoln and I remember sitting alone once in the Oval Office with Obama and I told him that this would be the kind of reaction he could expect,” Clyburn said. “[Obama] was never going to get the kind of respect for his presidency that was shown to presidents before him,” Clyburn said. “The narrative that exists in this country is that there are certain things that Black folks are not supposed to do and one of those things is becoming the president of the United States and [President Trump] and his administration, feel they have to do whatever they can to wipe out any semblance that Barack Obama was ever president of the United States.” Clyburn continued: “[Trump] has a deep-seated hatred for people of color and it manifests itself every day.” Though he doesn’t support or agree politically with former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman,

Clyburn said he was deeply troubled when Trump referred to her as a “low life” and a “dog.” “I’m the father of three daughters and I’m deeply insulted by the president of the United States referring to an African American women the way he referred to her,” he said. “Politics aside, I’m insulted that the president of the United States would denigrate the office in this way.” Clyburn continued: “The president asked an important question when he was running, ‘What do we have to lose?’ Well, we have lost dignity and the respect of the presidency, because of his coarseness in the office. When you lose respect, you’ve lost about everything there is to lose.” While he still supports Pelosi, Clyburn said that if the Democrats take back the House, he’s up for the job as speaker. “I have always supported her, but I have always remembered a sermon I heard my father give a number of times,” Clyburn said. “That sermon stayed with me and he said, ‘keep your lamps trimmed and burning to be ready when the bridegroom comes.’ My point is, I’ve never forgotten that sermon so I keep my lamp burning so I’m ready.” Stacy Brown is an NNPA Newswire Contributor and co-author of “Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask: An Insider’s Story of the King of Pop.” Follow Stacy on Twitter @stacybrownmedia. This article was originally published on BlackPressUSA.com.

8 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 29, 2018