Citizen Week of Nov. 28, 2018
| Vol. 2 | No. 16 | www.thechicagocitizen.com
SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY
Students at Bloom High School are preparing to open their fall production of Elf The Musical Jr. Photo Credit: Bloom High School Drama Club
HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS ELF THE MUSICAL JR. AS THEIR FALL PRODUCTION The Bloom High School Drama Club is preparing for their fall production of Elf The Musical Jr. which will open at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 29. SEE PAGE 5
ART SCENE
TRAVEL
G.O.O.D. Music Artist Malik Yusef Releases His Album PAGE 2
POLITISCOPE
Fujita Kanko to Launch New Hotel Brand Targeting Millennials PAGE 2
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Technology giants didn’t deserve public trust in the first place PAGE 4
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ART SCENE
G.O.O.D. Music Artist Malik Yusef Releases His Album Six-time Grammy-winning artist, poet, super producer, songwriter and philanthropist Malik Yusef aka DJ GOOD Music the Angel, released his album titled Matte Blaque – The Ballad of an American Dope Boy: Caballo Bianco and highly anticipated tour dates. "This project is very personal to me. It's the story about a dope boy from the perspective of that dope boy," said Malik. "The world is very critical of people who have sold drugs, and this album humanizes people in that position." The Matte Blaque Experience – The Ballad of an American Dope Boy: White Horse is the first volume of Malik's The Matte Blaque Experience. He combines the influence of the south side of Chicago rap style with a mixture of his unique and creative melodies, and lyrics inclined by his spoken word poetry. "Caballo Bianco is just the first album of a three-part series," said Malik. "The whole project will challenge minds and make you think twice about the circumstances and challenges some face on a daily basis. It sheds light on a subject the
world rarely talks about." Born and raised in Chicago's south side Malik started his venture into the music industry as a spoken word poet. Since then he signed with the world's largest music publisher, Universal Music Publishing, and is part of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label, he's affiliated with Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang and Jay Z's Rock Nation. Malik has been able to build and maintain incredible industry connections and relationships by performing and collaborating; and serving the likes of Beyoncé, Kanye West, John Legend, Katy Perry, Rihanna, JAY Z, Vic Mensa, Ty Dolla $ign and many more. His talents have taken him to perform and work across the world. Dates for Malik's upcoming tour can be found at MalikYusef.com, and on his Instagram @MalikYusef100. Follow Malik Yusef on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For more information about Malik Yusef please visit https://www.malikyusefjones.com. Videos of Malik Yusef are also available to watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube. com/user/TheRealMalikYusef.
Malik Yusef
TRAVEL
Fujita Kanko to Launch New Hotel Brand Targeting Millennials Fujita Kanko Inc., a leading Japanese hospitality company headquartered in Tokyo, recently announced the launch of "Tavinos," a new hotel brand aimed at adventure-seeking millennials and like-minded travelers from around the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of international visitors to Japan has increased in recent years, hitting a record high in 2017. Fujita Kanko is adding this brand to their portfolio of 70+ well-established properties to target international visitors and millennials, a fast-growing, yet relatively untapped segment for the company. With a state-of-the-art blending of design, space, and technology, the company is positioning Tavinos as a sleek hub for international visitors to meet fellow travelers, gather local information, and have fun during their travels. By implementing technologies
Fujita Kanko launches a new hotel brand in Japan, called Tavinos, targeting millennials. Tavinos blends social aspect of hostels with style and technology.
such as an AI concierge and automated check-in/check-out as well as minimal staffing, Tavinos can offer average room rates of 10,000 yen/
night for a twin/double room at premier urban locations. "There are already affordable accommodations throughout www.thechicagocitizen.com
Japan, but travelling millennials are hungry for the community of a hostel and the professionalism and expertise of an experienced hote-
lier," says Akira Segawa, President & CEO of Fujita Kanko. "Tavinos will offer what outgoing and adventurous travelers want: the opportunity to meet interesting people, plan activities together, and explore." Tavinos' design concept is based on Japanese pop culture, with eye-popping Manga (animation), covering the hotel. The stylish guest rooms, 12 square meters/129 square feet on average, are minimally furnished with smart storage to maximize space. Continental breakfast will be available in the spacious lobby lounge, also serving as a communal area for guests to meet and mingle. An AI concierge will provide local information and matching for guests interested in similar activities. Fujita Kanko will open the first 188-room Tavinos in Hamamatsu-cho, Tokyo, in August 2019, followed by the second 278-room Tavinos in Asakusa, Tokyo, in May, 2020.
CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 28, 2018
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POLITISCOPE
Technology giants didn’t deserve public trust in the first place BY ZACHARY LOEB
Amazon may have been expecting lots of public attention when it announced where it would establish its new headquarters – but like many technology companies recently, it probably didn’t anticipate how negative the response would be. In Amazon’s chosen territories of New York and Virginia, local politicians balked at taxpayer-funded enticements promised to the company. Journalists across the political spectrum panned the deals – and social media filled up with the voices of New Yorkers and Virginians pledging resistance. Similarly, revelations that Facebook exploited anti-Semitic conspiracy theories to undermine its critics’ legitimacy indicate that instead of changing, Facebook would rather go on the offensive. Even as Amazon and Apple saw their stock-market values briefly top US$1 trillion, technology executives were dragged before Congress, struggled to coherently take a stance on hate speech, got caught covering up sexual misconduct and saw their own employees protesting business deals. In some circles this is being seen as a loss of public trust in the technology firms that promised to remake the world – socially, environmentally and politically – or at least as frustration with the way these companies have changed the world. But the technology companies need to do much more than regain the public’s trust; they need to prove that they deserved it in the first place – which, when placed in the context of the history of technology criticism and skepticism, they didn’t. LOOKING AWAY FROM THE PROBLEMS Big technology companies used to frame their projects in vaguely utopian, positive-sounding lingo that
Zachary Loeb
obscures politics and public policy, transcending partisanship and – conveniently – avoiding scrutiny. Google used to remind its workers “Don’t be evil.” Facebook worked to “make the world more open and connected.” Who could object to those ideals? Scholars warned about the dangers of platforms like these, long before many of their founders were even born. In 1970, social critic and historian of technology Lewis Mumford predicted that the goal of what he termed “computerdom” would be “to furnish and process an endless quantity of data, in order to expand the role and ensure the domination of the power system.” That same year a seminal essay by feminist thinker Jo Freeman warned about the inherent power imbalances that remained in systems that appeared to make everyone equal. Similarly, in 1976, the computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum predicted that in the decades ahead people would find themselves in a state of distress as they became increasingly reliant on opaque technical systems. Countless similar warnings have been issued ever since, including important recent scholarship such as information scholar Safiya Noble’s exploration
of how Google searches replicate racial and gender biases and media scholar Siva Vaidhyanthan’s declaration that “the problem with Facebook is Facebook.” The technology companies are powerful and wealthy, but their days of avoiding scrutiny may be ending. The American public seems to be starting to suspect that the technology giants were unprepared, and perhaps unwilling, to assume responsibility for the tools they unleashed upon the world. In the aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, concern remains high that Russian and other foreign governments are using any available social media platform to sow discord and discontent in societies around the globe. Facebook has still not solved the problems in data privacy and transparency that caused the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Twitter is the preferred megaphone for President Donald Trump and home to disturbing quantities of violent hate speech. The future of Amazon’s corporate offices is shaping up to be a multi-sided brawl among elected officials and the people they supposedly represent. IS IT IGNORANCE OR NAIVETE? Viewing the present situation with the history of critiques of technology in mind, it’s hard not to conclude that the technology companies deserve the crises they are facing. These companies ask people to entrust them with their emails, personal data, online search histories and financial information, to the point that many of these companies proudly tout that they know individuals better than they know themselves. They promote their latest systems, including “smart speakers” and “smart cameras,” seeking to ensure that users’ every waking moment – and sleeping moments
too – can be monitored, feeding more data into their money-making algorithms. Yet seemingly inevitably these companies go on to demonstrate how unworthy of trust they actually are, leaking data, sharing personal information and failing to prevent hacking, as they slowly fill the world with a disturbing techno-paranoia worthy of an episode of “Black Mirror.” Technology firms’ responses to each new revelation fit a standard pattern: After a scandal emerges, the company involved expresses alarm that anything went wrong, promises to investigate, and pledges to do better in the future. Some time – days, weeks or even months – later, the company reveals that the scandal was a direct result of how the system was designed, and trots out a dismayed executive to express outrage at the destructive uses bad people found for their system, without admitting that the problem is the system itself. Zuckerberg himself told the U.S. Senate in April 2018 that the Cambridge Analytica scandal had taught him “we have a responsibility to not just give people tools, but to make sure that those tools are used for good.” That’s a pretty fundamental lesson to have missed out on while creating a multi-billion-dollar company. REBUILDING FROM WHAT’S LEFT Using any technology – from a knife to a computer – carries risks, but as technological systems increase in size and complexity the scale of these risks tends to increase as well. A technology is only useful if people can use it safely, in ways where the benefits outweigh the dangers, and if they can feel confident that they understand, and accept, the potential risks. A couple of years ago, Facebook, Twitter
and Google may have appeared to most people as benign communication methods that brought more to society than they took away. But with every new scandal, and bungled response, more and more people are seeing that these companies pose serious dangers to society. As tempting as it may be to point to the “off ” button, there’s not an easy solution. Technology giants have made themselves part of the fabric of daily life for hundreds of millions of people. Suggesting that people just quit is simple, but fails to recognize how reliant many people have become on these platforms – and how trapped they may feel in an increasingly intolerable situation. As a result, people buy books about how bad Amazon is – by ordering them on Amazon. They conduct Google searches for articles about how much information Google knows about each individual user. They tweet about how much they hate Twitter and post on Facebook articles about Facebook’s latest scandal. The technology companies may find themselves ruling over an increasingly aggravated user base, as their platforms spread the discontent farther and wider than possible in the past. Or they might choose to change themselves dramatically, breaking themselves up, turning some controls over to the democratic decisions of their users and taking responsibility for the harm their platforms and products have done to the world. So far, though, it seems the industry hasn’t gone beyond offering halfbaked apologies while continuing to go about business as usual. Hopefully that will change. But if the past is any guide, it probably won’t. Zachary Loeb is Ph.D. Student in History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
NEWS Dist. 148 officials, Board Members attend premier education conference School Board Members and officials from Dolton West School District 148 recently heard from state and national education experts and received Board and Leadership training during one of the nation’s leading education conferences. Board President Ernesto E. Mickens, Vice President Larry Lawrence, Secretary Kim Adkins, Board Members Charles Givines, Faith E. Gunter, Charles W. Lloyd, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin J. Nohelty and Senior Executive Assistant Lilly Chapman joined thousands of school leaders and officials at the three-day Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), and Illinois Association of School
Business Officials (IASBO). The conference ran from November 16, 2018 through November 18, 2018 in Chicago. “This event is an opportunity for the District’s leadership to learn and share with peers from other Illinois districts about the notable trends and important issues affecting our schools and students. It is really the only training in the state during which Board Members, Superintendents, School Business Officials, administrators and others can share common concerns and solutions with other school leaders,” Dr. Nohelty said. The event included discussions about a variety of key topics including the Evidence-Based Funding Model, Every Student Succeeds Act
(ESSA), collective bargaining, fiscal accountability, school safety, student assessments, local governance and student behavior. The conference attracts nearly 10,000 public school leaders, school attorneys, university professors and exhibitors and is considered a premier professional development opportunity for School Board Members across the state. It is the largest education conference in the country. This was IASB’s 104th Annual Conference and the 86th Joint Conference with IASA and IASBO. It also included the 70th Annual Exhibition of school services, products and equipment. “This conference provides targeted training opportunities that cover such issues as school funding, accountability measures and legislative
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requirements. This training, in turn, enables the Board to make informed and educated decisions for our District,” Mr. Mickens said. Another important purpose for the conference is to provide local School Boards a vote on important public policy positions for the IASB. The resolutions adopted by the Delegate Assembly help form a statewide position on state and federal legislative proposals that impact public education. The resolutions to be considered this year focused on student and school safety proposals - a top priority for District 148. District 148 has 10 schools serving approximately 2,200 students and their families in sections of Dolton, Riverdale, Harvey and South Holland.
CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 28, 2018
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COMMUNITY
High School Drama Club Presents Elf The Musical Jr. As Their Fall Production Continued from page 1 BY KATHERINE NEWMAN
The Bloom High School Drama Club is preparing for their fall production of Elf The Musical Jr. which will open at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 29. There will be another 7 p.m. show on Friday, Nov. 30 and a performance at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at Bloom High School, 101 W 10th St, in Chicago Heights. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $5 for students, $5 for senior citizens, and kids 5 and under are free. Elf The Musical Jr. is based on the classic New Line Cinema film, Elf, and features original songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, according to Music Theatre International. “It’s pretty similar to the film, it’s just a shortened version and it is a Jr. version so it’s more geared towards children. The Broadway version isn’t available right now and isn’t able to be licensed so we had to go with the shortened version,” said Nadima Zegar, director of dramatic activities at Bloom High School. The production tells the tale of Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into
“THE STUDENTS ARE DEFINITELY EXCITED. THEY JUST GOT TO SEE THE COSTUMES AND THE SET COMPLETED LAST WEEK AND THAT REALLY ADDED TO THE EXCITEMENT.” NADIMA ZEGAR Director of dramatic activities at Bloom High School Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The young boy is raised by elves and completely unaware that he is actually a human for most of his life until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities force him to ask questions about his past. With Santa's permission, Buddy travels to New York City in search of his birth-father who he learns is on Santa’s naughty list. While in New York, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and remind them of the meaning of Christmas. “The students are definitely excited. They
just got to see the costumes and the set completed last week and that really added to the excitement. There are some nerves and I have a lot of new students and freshman that you can tell have a little bit of stage fright but they get over it really quickly. I would say overall everyone is excited and just a little nervous,” said Zegar. The Drama Club at Bloom High School is one of the biggest clubs at the school and normally has anywhere from 60 to 100 students participate in each production. The Bloom High School Drama Club typically puts on two shows a year, a fall play and a spring musical, according to Zegar. “My favorite part of putting on a production is two-fold. I love seeing it come together and all the kids are so extremely talented, their singing is wonderful and they are such great actors and actresses, so that’s definitely a highlight for me. Then also I love seeing them come together as a family. Drama Club is definitely like a family here and after the spring show, the kids are in tears because it’s the end of the year and the seniors are graduating. Seeing them come together as a family is definitely my favorite part,” said Zegar.
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FOOD BAKED WHITE BEAN AND ARTICHOKE DIP WITH CRACKERS Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 8 1 can (15 ounces) organic white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 can (14 fluid ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper pinch of cayenne pepper 1 package (3.54 ounces) Crunchmaster Protein Snack Crackers in Roasted Garlic flavor
Smarter Snacking with Nutrition in Mind Family Features - Planning health-conscious New Year's resolutions typically includes cutting back on unhealthy foods during meals from breakfast to dinner. However, it's also important to cut out sugary, calorie-laden snacks that can counteract all your hard work throughout the rest of the day. Rather than skipping snacks entirely, it's possible to instead incorporate nutritious options that pack protein to help you recharge without
going overboard on calories, sodium and sugars. Opt for quick bites like Baked White Bean and Artichoke Dip paired with light, crunchy, low-sugar crackers to get the fuel you need between meals. This snack idea can be especially filling yet nutritious when you dip with an option like gluten-free, non-GMO Crunchmaster Protein Snack Crackers, made with wholesome ingredients crafted to fit healthy, active lifestyles. With
five grams of plant-based protein per serving, the cholesterol-free crackers can aid in providing energy without unnecessary sugars. As you take steps to incorporate a healthier lifestyle in the New Year, be sure to take into account healthy activities along with nutritious eating habits from the first meal of the day to the last, and each snack in-between. For more nutritious snacking ideas and recipes, visit crunchmaster.com.
Heat oven to 400 F. In food processor, puree beans, artichokes, olive oil, 1 tablespoon chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne until smooth. Scrape into 4-cup baking dish and smooth over top. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining chives and serve with crackers. Tip: Substitute parsley or mint for chives, if desired. Nutrition information per serving: 200 calories; 10 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 580 mg sodium; 21 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 7 g protein. Source: Crunchmaster
NEWS Arts, Entertainment, History and Culture Headline the 2019 Forever Stamp Lineup In the spirit of the coming new year, the U.S. Postal Service recently revealed several of the new Forever stamps and other stamps to be issued in 2019. Since 1847, the stamp program has celebrated the people, events and cultural milestones unique to the history of the United States. “The miniature works of art illustrated in the 2019 stamp program offer something for everyone’s interest about American history and culture,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Executive Director Mary-Anne Penner. “From legendary poet Walt Whitman to the entertainment genius of Gregory Hines to the majestic beauty of our Wild and Scenic Rivers, this program is diverse and wide ranging and tells America’s story on stamps.” Here’s a sneak peek: Gregory Hines The 42nd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Gregory Hines (1946–2003), whose unique style of tap dancing injected new artistry and excitement into a traditional American form. A versatile performer who danced, acted and sang on Broadway, on television and in
movies, Hines developed the entertainment traditions of tap into an art form for a younger generation and is credited with renewing interest in tap during the 1990s. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp, which features a 1988 photograph by Jack Mitchell. Marvin Gaye With this new stamp in the Music Icons series, the U.S. Postal Service honors Marvin Gaye (1939–1984) — the “Prince of Soul” — one of the most influential music performers of his generation. The stamp design features a portrait of Gaye inspired by historic photographs. The stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps, brief text about Gaye’s legacy, and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. Another portrait of Gaye, also inspired by historic photographs, appears on the reverse along with the Music Icons series logo. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp pane with original art by Kadir Nelson. Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at
Marvin Gaye PRNewsfoto/U.S. Postal Service
usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current FirstClass Mail 1-ounce price. Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop under “Collectors.”
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Gregory Hines PRNewsfoto/U.S. Postal Service
CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 28, 2018
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NEWS
Life Insurance: What Everyone Needs to Know StatePoint - No matter if you’re single or married, in your twenties or your forties, a parent or not, life insurance coverage is important in ways you may not realize, and costs less than you’d expect. And experts now stress that employer-sponsored coverage typically isn’t sufficient to cover most people’s needs. “Living your best life comes with risks, but don’t let uncertainty deter you from buying a house, traveling or starting a business,” says Sean Scaturro, director of Life and Health Insurance Advice at USAA. “Take the necessary steps to protect loved ones from financial burden in the event of tragedy.” Whether the money is used to replace your income, pay debts, pay for education or burial expenses, life insurance affords financial safety to loved ones.
START YOUNG The 2018 Insurance Barometer Study published by Life Happens and LIMRA indicates that 44 percent of millennials overestimate the cost of life insurance by five times the actual amount and 42 percent believe they wouldn’t qualify. But, in reality, premiums are typically lowest when you’re younger, so it’s a smart
decision to get some coverage, and reevaluate as life changes. For many young adults, student loans and housing costs sit atop the list of financial priorities. Without life insurance, the responsibility for these debts could fall to family members. MIND THE GAP Just because you signed up for life insurance coverage through your employer doesn’t mean you’re adequately covered. Scaturro cites LIMRA data that shows that American households currently have a $200,000 life insurance needs gap. “If 60 percent of people have life insurance and 33 percent of those have group life insurance only, one in five people only have group coverage, which usually doesn’t provide enough,” he says. Most employer-sponsored coverage provides either a set death benefit, such as $50,000, or a multiple of your base income, and many plans aren’t portable. That means, without a separate individual policy, it could be costly or too late to get coverage if you leave your job. So, sign up for your employer’s low-cost or free life insurance, but don’t stop there. USAA believes you need enough life insurance to
Whether the money is used to replace your income, pay debts, pay for education or burial expenses, life insurance affords financial safety to loved ones.
replace five years of your income, plus cover all debts. To determine how much coverage you need, take advantage of a free online calculator, like the one provided by USAA at USAA.com/life. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY Families are especially vulnerable following the death of a primary wage earner. In fact, 35 percent of households would feel the financial
impact within a month, according to research from LIMRA. That figure rises to nearly 50 percent at six months. How will your spouse pay for extra child care? Can they afford to keep the house? Will your children’s needs be covered? Experts say that it’s important to review your life insurance needs, discuss them with your loved ones, speak to a financial professional and take action.
Honoring Unsung Heroes in the African American community Lindblom Park Football Coaching Staff
Lt. Quinton Curtis
In 2018, Lt. Quinton Curtis opened The Black Fire Brigade -- the country’s first organization to: promote and protect the fire rescue service and EMS personnel; provide continuing education and networking to members; and preserve the history and heritage of African-American fire and EMS service people. Quinton has also raised funds to send 45 young adults to Emergency Medical Technical School.
Arness Dancy
Marnie Boyd
Arness Dancy has fought to bring economic development to Chicago’s African American communities for 18 years. His efforts have resulted in small contractors receiving millions of dollars in new business and jobs for public housing and low-income residents. Arness also helped procure the $70 million Englewood Halsted Street Project – a black-owned private development scheduled to Pre-Engineering break ground in the Spring of 2019.
Marnie Boyd’s Program (PREP) at Chicago State Dekonti Davies University has helped African Since receiving the Jack Kent Cooke American middle and high school Scholarship Award while in 7th grade, students achieve excellence in Dekonti Davies has been a model of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). compassionate persistence. Only 23, Through PREP, students participate in varied STEM DeKonti has already: taught pre-college competitions; Marnie’s students have been the National students about bio-medical engineering; Society of Black Engineers Ten80 champions five years designed a sterilization system for neonatal intensive care; running, and many now attend top universities majoring volunteered to research hair loss for women who wear weaves; and started a chapter of the National Society of in STEM-related fields.
Asiaha Butler
Black Engineers.
As President & Co-Founder of the Kevin Davis Resident Association of Greater As Senior Director of External Affairs at Englewood, IL., Asiaha Butler City Year Chicago, Kevin Davis shares the has improved the quality of life of work his organization does in Chicago residents. Under her guidance and Public Schools, and its impact on students, efforts, the Englewood Public Safety education and making a difference in Task Force received nearly $1 million from the US young lives. When not working, Kevin Dept. of Justice -- funds used to transform brownfields volunteers and conducts exchanges on personal branding to community spaces for job fairs, free festivals, and and development. He has initiated significant fundraisers on varying public concerns, including Lupus awareness. resident/youth empowerment activities.
Roger Franklin
Gymnastics Coach Roger Franklin developed Mission 2020 – a year-long education, motivation and advocacy project conducted by a 40-member youth council in South Chicago. The program – the latest of many developed by Coach Roger – has become a safe space for students to ask questions and talk through any emotions coming from their family’s financial challenges, or their anxiety about the future.
Lyana Funches
For many pre-teens in Englewood, IL., the volunteer Lindblom Park Football Coaching Staff serves as extended family. The volunteers treat players as their own by taking them to camps; providing transportation and meals; and mentoring them on the games of football and life. The staff’s goal: get the kids into good schools, and ensure there Daunte Henderson Chicago Public Schools social worker is always someone there for them. and mentor Daunte Henderson developed Michael McGrone Sr. “Kings Achieving Leadership and Rich South High School Principal Michael Understanding” (KALU) – a writing-based McGrone, Sr. has connected with students curriculum aimed at closing the opportunity and made a profound, meaningful gap for young African American men. He’s difference. Thanks to Michael’s charisma also founded the MADEMEN foundation, a project-based and leadership, in just three years (2015 – initiative with similar goals. Through Daunte’s leadership, 2018) the school experienced: a 75-percent young men connect the importance of getting an education reduction in violence; a 70-percent reduction in absenteeism; and making an independent life for themselves. increased college readiness from 7- to 22-percent; and instilled
an everyday practice of celebrating student achievement(s). Toni Hill As Vice President of “Think Outside Wife, mother and business owner Da Block”–an Englewood, IL. non-profit Dara Munson Toni Hill has transformed the lives of organization–Lyana Funches brings youth Since 2016, Dara Munson has led the numerous Chicago youths and their and commerce together for a stronger Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS) in families by providing an ear, good community. Lyana’s efforts--dovetailed forging new and transformative paths council and access to resources that with local businesses and enterprises-through the city’s poorest neighborhoods. revolutionize lives. She has hosted are focused on enhancing the interests, skills and abilities At CCCS, Dara has presided over expansion of young people through youth-development activities numerous children at her home for tutoring and works of education for young, at-risk children that demonstrate optimal time management and skill(s) tirelessly at different high schools to make a difference in including: establishing a summer school for preschool the lives of underserved children and their families. development. students; developing a mentoring initiative for young men; and pioneering a new program for youths outside of school Bryan Hudson Shanita Harrison-Foster named Bridges to Pathways. Through the NAACP’s Afro-Academic, To reduce fear and build trust between Cultural, Technological and Scientific elementary school students and police Dr. Paul Phillips Olympics (ACT-SO) program, Bryan Hudson officers, Shanita Harrison-Foster organizes Dr. Paul Phillips is founder of the Better changes lives. By guiding – and at times basketball games to bring both groups Man Than Me Foundation (BMTM), a pushing – students, Bryan has played a together. Each team consists of students nonprofit organization with the mission “second father” role to many successful and officers – an act that builds teamwork, of providing young men with the day-toAfrican American youths in their quest to learn who they understanding and insight for all involved. Through Solid day skills needed to become successful Rock Outreach Ministries in Chicago, Shanita also feeds are, and what they can become. His focus is not only on the in life. Dr. Phillips have been giving back the homeless, mentors youth, and assists seniors in her individual student, but the family entity as a whole. to communities since age 12, has run programs to feed the community. homeless, and has mentored Chicago youths for more than 30 years.
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