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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 Jan. 27, 2021

| Vol. 32 | No. 10 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

HYDE PARK

RAINBOW PUSH TALKS ABOUT EQUITY IN EDUCATION

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Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of PUSH Excel, during the Rainbow Push Coalition and PUSH Excel second virtual Town Hall series titled, “Shaping America’s Education Agenda: Seeing Dr. King’s Dream Through.” The goal was to discuss equity in education for the future of students. Photo provided by PUSH Excel

Pandemic’s negative impact on health and fitness habits

Top Gifts to Show Appreciation for Teachers Page 7

Nielsen Begins Tracking Premium Theatrical Films Being Distributed On Streaming Platforms Page 9

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2 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION BLACK MEN LAUNCH VIRTUAL SCHOLARSHIP COACHING SERVICES Million Dollar Scholar, an education social enterprise that empowers students with the knowledge and skills they need to compete for scholarships, is responding to COVID-19 by launching an array of virtual scholarship and financial-aid coaching services that will engage families across the United States. The coaching services will center on equipping families with the information they need to prepare their scholar(s) for success in applying for scholarship opportunities that offset the costs of higher education and assist them in avoiding student debt. “Student debt was a major policy and social issue in America well before COVID-19. In the midst of this pandemic, it’s a downright emergency. We have to equip families and high school students with the information they need to make the best decisions on making higher education affordable,” says Derrius Quarles, co-founder of Million Dollar Scholar. The new virtual scholarship coaching services debuted on December 15th, 2020. To learn more about Million Dollar Scholar, visit www.milliondollarscholar.com and follow Million Dollar Scholar on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube with the hashtag #MillionDollarScholar.

HEALTH

FIRE FIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is joining forces with the Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to raise awareness about the increased risk of cancer amongst fire fighters. The goal of this campaign is to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop lifesaving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments. According to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fire fighters face a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population. The OSFM partnered with the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) and the MABAS-Illinois to create the State of Illinois Preliminary Exposure Reduction Training project in 2020. This project was developed to deliver critical fire fighter health and life safety research, education, training and basic equipment to fire departments across the state. The intent of the project is to raise awareness of the increased cancer risks faced by fire fighters, provide departments with free basic equipment that can be used for preliminary exposure reduction for personnel on incident response scenes, as well as training on how to properly use those tools. To learn more about this program, visit: https://fsi.illinois. edu/decon/#!/index.

LAW & POLITICS

THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ASSOCIATE JUDGE CANDIDATES RATED IN JUDICIARY ADVISORY POLL Candidates for an associate judge vacancy in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit have been rated in an advisory poll of lawyers conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). Results of this poll are now available at https://www.isba.org/judicialevaluations The advisory poll is conducted by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Licensed Illinois attorneys who are not members of the ISBA or who are outside the circuit could request a ballot. The results of this poll are being released to the public at the request of Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan. Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinions of all Illinois attorneys.

Rainbow Push talks about equity in education Continued from page 1 BY TIA CAROL JONES

Rainbow Push Coalition and PUSH Excel hosted a virtual town hall to celebrate the birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., titled, “Shaping America’s Education Agenda: Seeing Dr. King’s Dream Through.” Dr. Sonya Whitaker, national education policy director of PUSH Excel, was the moderator for the discussion, which included the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Ralph Martire, Dr. Fadhilika Atiba-Weza and Dr. David Wilson. PUSH for Excellence, also known as PUSH Excel, advocates for equal education funding for students and strives for education excellence. It was founded by the Rev. Jackson, in 1975. Dr. Malveaux is the president. Whitaker said Push Excel launched a virtual series in November 2020, titled “Shaping America’s Education Agenda.” “Providing all students with equitable access to a quality education is important to the vitality of this country. This series was designed as a springboard for helping to shape the future of our country’s education policy,” she said. Malveaux said there is a deficiency

in the educational system in the United States. She said Dr. King was critical of existing education systems. Having pre-kindergarten for all, rethinking standardized testing, early exposure to STEM fields, creating access to technology, an Historically Black Colleges and University agenda with more dollars flowing into HBCUs and eliminating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), were issues Malveaux discussed. “We need to be careful to look at the ways our young people are being sidelined,” she said. “Education is a bridge that so many people walk over to get to a different life.” Malveaux called for people to be education advocates, the same way people are advocates for other things. She added, educational spending needs to be looked at and advised people to lobby their state legislators. Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, said education is directly tied to economic viability in the modern economy. He said it is a fundamental economic and civic right for every student in America to receive a high-quality education from their public school, irrespective of their race or income. Martire said there is institutional

racism built into funding mechanisms that govern K-12 education. He said, how much money a school district needs to educate the students it serves - based on demographics and income level, etc. - can be determined by using the evidence-based funding model. What we found was the old system had significant gaps in funding, statewide, between well-funded districts and lower income districts, but those gaps were even worse along racial lines,” he said. “That disinvestment in African American students had gone on for generations.” Martire said since the evidence-based funding model was put in place three years ago, $874 million has gone to those school districts that educate 75 percent of Black students. “The model’s actually working to reverse this significant disinvestment that has gone on for years,” said Martire. Bad news is, he added, is that the state still underfunds K12 education, according to the evidence-based model, by some $7 billion, he said. “So, we have a long way to go to catch up. I think education is a core civic right, frankly, of everybody in America. The educational system has to provide each student the opportunity to learn.”

Happiness Expert Tells How to Achieve Exceptional Joy, Purpose, and Fulfillment after a Disastrous 2020 What happened to Trish Ahjel Roberts two years ago may very well help people who are coping with the lingering effects of 2020. When Roberts’ VW was hit by a truck, the collision changed her life just as all the fallout from the pandemic year gone by has changed countless lives. She was able to use the accident as a catalyst to redefine herself, reclaim her life and create her dream business. Now she is making it her mission to help others find exceptional joy, purpose and fulfillment after one of the toughest years in memory. Specifically, she wants to expose people to her groundbreaking approach to happiness featured in 12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness: A Journal of Insights, Quotes & Questions to Juice Up Your Journey, a book that was released in November for which she is donating 20% of profits to Black Lives Matter and The Humane League. The 12 steps came out of her study of Buddhist and yogic philosophy, life coaching strategy and therapeutic techniques and could be helpful to

Trish Roberts

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anyone trying to navigate through the unsettling times brought about by living in a politically divided nation characterized by economic inequality, racial injustice and social isolation. Having been featured on WBLSFM in New York, in Sheen Magazine, BlackMentalWellness.com and more, Roberts is a self-actualization coach, blogger, freelance writer, yoga and meditation instructor, reiki practitioner, and plant-based retreat organizer. In addition, she’s the founder of HoneyButterflyz LLC and Black Vegan Life™. She holds an MBA from Long Island University and has worked as a sales executive and as a financial advisor at large corporations. Roberts is also the author of Mind-Blowing Happiness™ Guide to Self-Care and Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings. She is currently working on an online course and a new book about releasing anger. For more information, visit https:// mindblowinghappiness.com

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

NEWS

Study Shows Identifying Empathy Is Key to Increasing Diversity in Medicine, Improved Patient Care Long before COVID-19, decades of societal, systemic inequalities have contributed to health disparities and educational inequities for ethnic minorities and communities of color. Now, results from a first of its kind, national medical education empathy study, co-sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), could provide medical schools with an evidence-based assessment to help them not only improve diversity in admissions, but also help address the long-standing health disparities plaguing our nation and harming patient health. “In the wake of last summer’s racial violence, and amid the ongoing deadly and disproportionate effects the pandemic is having on people of color, AACOM has re-committed to educating and training osteopathic medical students who represent the totality of our nation,” says Robert A. Cain, DO, president and CEO of AACOM. “Data show us that empathy is a strong predictor for a student’s clinical abilities. Using this evidence-based measure has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes while also serving as a meaningful step toward helping address some of the widespread, systemic inequities that unfairly burden prospective medical students from racial and ethnic minority populations.”

Because empathy is positively correlated with medical school success and patient health, a more empathetic and more diverse healthcare workforce could lead to improved health outcomes for all patient populations, especially those from minority or underserved communities.

African American and Latinx Medical Students Score Higher in Empathy The award-winning Project in Osteopathic Medical Education and Empathy (POMEE) has found statistically significant and practically important relationships between empathy scores and race and ethnicity in favor of African American and Hispanic/Latinx/Spanish respondents. Because empathy is positively correlated with medical school success and patient health, a more empathetic and more diverse healthcare workforce could lead to improved

health outcomes for all patient populations, especially those from minority or underserved communities. AACOM recently hosted a live virtual forum with the project’s principal investigator and co-sponsors where they fully elaborated on the study and answered questions from attendees. Implications for More Diverse Medical School Admissions “At a time when African American and Hispanic/ Latinx communities are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19, and when medical schools across the nation are working to more actively increase and prioritize diversity in admissions, we should test medical students not only for academic knowledge but also for empathy,” says POMEE’s principal investigator Mohammadreza Hojat, PhD, research professor in Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, and director of the Jefferson Longitudinal Study at the Asano-Gonnella Center for Research in Medical Education and Health Care. “Research has found a significant association among Jefferson Scale of Empathy score, clinical competence, and positive patient outcomes. Our assessment can not only help medical schools select the medical students most likely to become successful and caring clinicians but can also help close some of the troubling racial gaps that persist among medical education institutions.” POMEE is sponsored by AACOM in collaboration with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Leonard Calabrese, DO, Cleveland Clinic’s R.J. Fasenmeyer Chair of Clinical Immunology and Theodore F. Classen, DO, Chair in Osteopathic Research and Education. For more information about POMEE, visit aacom.org/ empathy.

Andrade Lands Job As Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently announced Nancy C. Andrade as the Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). Andrade, who brings years of experience with the City as a legal advocate, will oversee operations of the Commission, which has been the task for Acting Commissioner Kenneth Gunn. “Nancy is an inspired leader who brings a wealth of expertise and an abiding commitment to equity and justice across our city,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Her extensive, direct experience with Chicago’s families and businesses—particularly within our Latinx community—will serve as a powerful asset to CCHR as we contin-

IN HER NEW ROLE AS CCHR COMMISSIONER, ANDRADE WILL BE LEADING THE CHARGE OF ENFORCING THE CHICAGO HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND THE CHICAGO FAIR HOUSING ORDINANCE. THE COMMISSION INVESTIGATES COMPLAINTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER DISCRIMINATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED AND USES ITS ENFORCEMENT POWERS TO PUNISH ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION.

ue our broader fight to expand respect and dignity for all Chicagoans.” In her new role as CCHR Commissioner, Andrade will be leading the charge of enforcing the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance. The Commission investigates complaints to determine whether discrimination may have occurred and uses its enforcement powers

to punish acts of discrimination. Additionally, the CCHR oversees five advisory councils to review existing city-wide programs, recommend policies that serve their target population, and act as a liaison between the City and community organizations. “It is truly an honor to be selected by Mayor Lightfoot to lead this city’s Commission on Human Relations and join the collective effort to www.citizennewspapergroup.com

combat the inequities that have long existed in Chicago”, said Andrade. “This team’s tireless work and fervor for justice has been paramount over the past few years. It is important to build upon those efforts, especially during these uncertain times.” Prior to joining City government, Andrade spent nearly a decade at the American Bar Association (ABA). While at the ABA, she served in the Office of the President as a Senior Presidential Advisor and prior to that was Director and Lead Counsel to the ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities. Before her work with the ABA, Andrade was an entrepreneur having started Mexi-

feast Foods, Inc. Her legal experience includes both large firm and public interest law having practiced in the Financial Services and Corporate Divisions at Katten Muchin Rosenman and the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. Her civic and professional affiliations include: appointment to the City of Chicago’s Board of Ethics by Mayor Rahm Emanuel; the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Disability Advisory Board; and a Fellow at the American Bar Foundation. Andrade is a graduate of The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law and Loyola University Chicago where she received her B.A. in Political Science.

4 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

BUSINESS

Veteran Investor Damien Dwin Launches Lafayette Square with $100 Million Financing from Morgan Stanley Damien Dwin, a Black American businessman, philanthropist and veteran investor, recently announced the official launch of Lafayette Square Holding Company (“Lafayette Square”), an impact-driven, minority owned investment platform. The Firm confronts critical societal challenges with capital and services in three core areas: housing, jobs, and financial inclusion. Sharing in this vision, Morgan Stanley has provided $100 million of financing to launch Lafayette Square. Lafayette Square is minority owned with employees owning over 90% of its equity. In addition to employees, other equityholders include the Capricorn Investment Group’s Sustainable Investors Fund and Schusterman Family Investments, both of whom will maintain seats on Lafayette Square’s fiduciary Board of Directors. “The history of finance is one in which far too many individuals, businesses and communities – especially women and persons of color – have been denied access to capital, resources and opportunity. The economic fallout of COVID-19 and the social justice movement of 2020 have reinforced the inadequacies of the traditional financial paradigm and made a powerful case for a new, more inclusive investment model,” said Dwin. “We are pleased to have the confidence of our peers at Morgan Stanley, Capricorn Investment Group, and Schusterman Family Investments, in building a model to change the current financial paradigm to a new one, where inclusion finds opportunity, access finds wealth, and transparency finds finance. We look forward to investing within communities that have been traditionally neglected by fiscal and monetary policy, not only to drive short-term recovery but also to achieve real, measurable change for decades to come.” Lafayette Square’s mission is to become the premier provider of impact-driven, services-backed capital. The firm is confronting critical societal challenges with targeted investment strategies that drive measurable change and positive social impact in areas of housing, jobs, and financial inclusion: * Housing: Lafayette Square creates and preserves affordable housing and provides impactful services that improve the lives of residents and enhance the properties. * Jobs: Lafayette Square invests in independent small and medium size businesses and entrepreneurs, with a focus on regional and localized job creation, providing targeted services to portfolio companies and employees. * Financial Inclusion: Lafayette Square makes seed and stake investments in diverse investment managers and provides services to help them scale, bolstering long-term participation and inclusion of talented women and people of color in finance. “Morgan Stanley is proud to partner with Damien and the Lafayette Square team to address critical societal challenges with thoughtful and scalable investment solutions. We are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity in underserved communities, and we have strong conviction in Lafayette Square’s innovative approach to enact meaningful change,” said Thomas R. Nides, vice chairman of Morgan Stanley. Dwin is an industry veteran with 23 years of investment experience and a committed philanthropist. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Vera Institute of Justice, in addition to multiple non-profit boards across New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Prior to founding Lafayette Square, Dwin served as Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC from 2010 to October 2020. Before that, he was the Head of North American Special Opportunities at Credit Suisse and a trader at Goldman Sachs, where he earned the Michael P. Mortara Award for Innovation. He began his finance career at Salomon Brothers and received a B.S./B.A. from Georgetown University where he later served two terms on the Board of Regents. Dwin launches Lafayette Square with a seasoned team of 17 professionals with an average 15 years of experience in financial services.

Target Provides Update on Holiday Sales Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) recently announced that comparable sales in the combined November/December period grew 17.2 percent, driven by a 4.3 percent increase in traffic and a 12.3 percent increase in average ticket. Store-originated comparable sales grew 4.2 percent, while comparable digital sales grew 102 percent. Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation, said, “The momentum in our business continued in the holiday season with notable market share gains across our entire product portfolio. We’re very pleased with our results, and the strength of our performance is a reflection of the tireless work of our team to support our guests through a safe, convenient and inspirational experience. Throughout the holidays, we delivered joy for holiday shoppers while focusing on safety -- adjusting promotions to reduce crowding while delivering easy, contactless fulfillment options through Drive Up and Shipt. “We’ve seen continued strong sales trends in the new year, and as we turn to our 2021 plans, our team is focused on continuing to build on the guest engagement and significant market share we gained throughout 2020.” Damien Dwin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lafayette Square

The team includes Chief Risk Officer Phil Daniele, Chief of Staff Doug Ebanks, Head of Investor Relations Caitlin Mixter, Managing Director Ryan Ochs, Managing Director Joe Johnson, Director Casey Woo, and Vice President Mary Ann Raftery. The firm expects to grow to approximately 65 employees by 2022. Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, who has closely followed the formation of Lafayette Square, said “People make the difference; capital makes change possible; and Lafayette Square connects the two. Their new model combines the best facets of capitalism and humanitarianism to enable real change in communities trapped in cycles of poverty and to promote diversity among future generations of financial leaders.” “We’re excited to support Damien in his vision to launch a new type of firm that will act as a model across finance,” said Stacy Schusterman, chair of Schusterman Family Investments and chair of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. “We have strong conviction in Lafayette’s sustainable investment approach that aligns with our philanthropic efforts to strengthen communities and advance social equity in a dignified manner.” “The Lafayette Square model takes a distinct approach in leveraging market forces to solve real problems in our country such as minority participation in finance and advancing racial equality,” added, Ion Yadigaroglu, managing partner of Capricorn Investment Group, whose approach to impact-driven investment is aligned with Lafayette Square. “We strongly believe that the world’s greatest challenges require investment innovation and sustainability, and Damien and his team have found that within the areas of housing, jobs, and financial inclusion.” www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Same Day Services and Stores as Hubs Comparable digital sales growth was driven primarily by the company’s same-day fulfillment services (Order Pick Up, Drive Up and Shipt), which together grew 193 percent. Of the services, Drive Up grew the fastest at more than 500 percent, while Target’s sales fulfilled by Shipt grew more than 300 percent. Between store-originated sales, same-day services and the company’s ship-from-store capability, approximately 95 percent of Target’s sales in the November/December period were fulfilled by its stores. Merchandise Category Results The company continued to gain market share throughout the November/December time period in all five of its core merchandising categories. Growth was the strongest in Home, which saw a comparable sales increase in the low-20 percent range. Comparable sales in Hardlines also grew in the low 20 percent range, reflecting mid-20 percent growth in Electronics. In Food & Beverage, comparable sales growth was in line with the company average, while Beauty & Essentials saw growth in the low teens. Apparel delivered comparable sales growth in the high-single digit range.

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

FASHION

Jennifer Lopez Launches JLo Beauty

Jennifer Lopez, Founder, JLo Beauty

Jennifer Lopez has introduced JLo Beauty, a skincare collection developed by Ascendant Beauty LLC, a joint venture between Guthy-Renker and BRX GR LLC. Like Lopez herself, JLo Beauty is a force. Determined from the beginning to create luxe formulas that work as hard as she does, Lopez carefully curated the skincare collection, which she spent decades searching out. It all stems from her long-time beauty philosophy based on The Five S’s: sleep, sunscreen, serum, supplements and sano. Inspired by the Spanish phrase, vivir sano, Lopez has always committed to living a healthy, sane life. While she can’t bottle sleep or sano, her approach to life has informed an edited lineup of multitasking formulas that make self-care a more simple and sensorial experience. “I want people to know that this is deeply meaningful for me, that it’s personal. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with people everywhere. You want to know how I got my skin, how I look this way? This is how. This is how I live my life and it’s pretty simple,” said Lopez, who’s the founder of JLo Beauty. For her hero ingredient, Lopez was inspired by an old family secret—olive oil—but challenged her formulators to create something new, innovative, and groundbreaking. Enter the proprietary JLo

JLo Beauty

Beauty™ Olive Complex: a 4-part olive blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil and leaf extract that delivers antioxidant protection, and is clinically shown to deliver all-day moisturization and that star glow. Conceived by Lopez, grounded in science, the eight-piece collection reflects two years of product development and over 100 reformulations — until the result was finally worthy of her name. Starring her favorite glow serum and wonder cream, the JLo Beauty collection features eight luxury formulas including the following: * THAT HIT SINGLE IN A GEL CREAM CLEANSER ($38) * Brighten. Refine. Soothe. * THAT JLO GLOW IN A MULTITASKING SERUM ($79) * Tighten. Brighten. Hydrate. * THAT LIMITLESS GLOW IN A MULTITASKING MASK

($18; $48 for three) * Tighten. Plump. Radiate. * THAT BLOCKBUSTER IN A NONSTOP WONDER CREAM ($58) * Hydrate. Plump. Nourish. * THAT BIG SCREEN IN A BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 MOISTURIZER ($54) * Hydrate. Protect. Soothe. * THAT FRESH TAKE IN A FIERCE EYE CREAM ($48) * Hydrate. Brighten. Smooth. * THAT STAR FILTER IN AN INSTANT COMPLEXION BOOSTER ($39) * Highlight. Bronze. Diffuse * THAT INNER LOVE IN A SKIN-NUTRITIOUS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ($36) * Nourish. Protect. Soothe. JLo Beauty has launched on www.jlobeauty.com and at Sephora, sephora.com. It also launched on Amazon on January 14, 2021.

New Survey: Pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on health and fitness habits for most According to a new survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, conducted the survey with thousands of current and former members across the country to determine trends and habits in health and wellness. Overall results point to the pandemic having a substantial negative impact on the health and fitness habits for most. Nearly 70% of respondents said their personal health has been negatively impacted this year. Top reasons cited for the negative impact include: * Overall stress from pandemic (44.5%) * The closure of gyms (31.8%) * Working from home leading to less motivation to exercise (15.2%) Many respondents (70.5%) struggled finding motivation to work out from home and nearly 86% said they miss their in-person workout community. Additionally, 76% of respondents added they believe health clubs are essential businesses and should remain open during the pandemic. Despite—or because of—these struggles, an overwhelming percent of people are extremely motivated to regain their health and fitness in 2021. In fact, 80.5% of respondents said

they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as: * 34.2% will focus on weight loss * 22% will involve building muscle * 12.5% will emphasize mental health Other key responses include: * 60% say they’re sitting more than they did pre-pandemic with 30.8% saying they sit more than eight hours a day * For those who previously commuted to work, they’re “redeeming” their commute time in a variety of ways: * 34% are catching up on sleep * 32% are spending more time with family * 23% are finding more time for exercise * 11% are eating more thoughtful meals they’ve planned Life Time conducted the survey as part of its annual promise to help American’s commit to One Positive Action through Commitment Day which launched on January 1, 2013, as a nationwide movement to inspire and encourage positive change. Since then, millions have participated in making a commitment to better their health, communities and selves. The survey polled more than 1,200 participants from age 18 to 70+ on health- and fitness-related topics ranging from what makes members feel healthy, happy and stressed to preferred workout styles and activities. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Nearly 86% of survey respondents said they missed their in-person workout communities.

6 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

NEWS Chicago Prepares For 2021 Meetings Return with Healthy Meetings Chicago This interactive, digital platform showcases what an attendee will experience when arriving for a meeting, convention or event in 2021 at McCormick Place and highlights the campus’s health and safety measures. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), Choose Chicago is proud to launch Phase 1 of Healthy Meetings Chicago, a digital platform currently available for viewing on a desktop or laptop, showcasing the health and safety advantages of hosting future meetings and events at Chicago’s McCormick Place Campus. As North America’s largest convention center, the entire McCormick Place Campus holds the Global Biorisk Advisory Council®’s GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for clean and safe facilities. By maintaining this gold standard of health and safety protocols, planners and attendees can feel confident about choosing and returning to Chicago when meetings and conventions resume. “From the moment you leave your home, until the moment that you return, the entire hospitality and travel industry is focused on ensuring the health and safety of our guests,” said Brett Hart, Chairman of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. “Healthy Meetings Chicago was designed to help illustrate the new protocols and processes in place.” “Welcoming delegates and event

Photo Courtesy of Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority

attendees back responsibly remains at the core of our mission and clientpartnerships,” said Choose Chicago Board Chair, Glenn Eden. “This comprehensive program is designed to provide our partners with the tools to take full advantage of the significant steps McCormick Place, Chicago's two airports, host hotels and our industry have taken to create a safe experience.”

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

The interactive nature of the Healthy Meetings Chicago platform is meant to model the journey an attendee will experience as they travel to Chicago for a future meeting or event; beginning at one of the city’s international airports, continuing with Chicago’s many transportation options (rideshare, taxicabs, public transit), checking into their hotel, arriving at McCormick Place and exploring the city’s attractions and dining options. The digital modules highlight the incredible sanitation and health measures taking place at each step of the journey. From UVC lights technology and HEPA air filtration systems to sanitize and cleanse airplanes, to onsite COVID testing and touchless check-in at the airports, future guests will be reassured they are in safe hands upon arrival in the city. Accommodations on the campus prove as meticulously clean as they are convenient, with the Marriott Marquis Chicago certified by Marriott International's Commitment to Clean protocols and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place boasting six onsite hygiene managers and the use of electrostatic cleaning methods. “From air circulation to cleaning protocols to guest services, the team at McCormick Place has been working tirelessly to ensure that we meet and exceed best practices,” said Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. “Through Healthy Meetings Chicago, our guests can learn what to expect and also look behind the scenes.” “While much has changed, what has not is supporting our clients, their delegates and exhibitors leading to the successful planning and implementation of organizing and hosting a major convention, trade show or meeting,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of Choose Chicago. “Healthy Meetings Chicago will be at the core and an initial building block of fulfilling that pledge and responsibility.” Running their cursor through McCormick Place, viewers will learn that the convention center utilizes Kaivac, a science-based cleaning system, in highly trafficked areas, and each hall has its own individual ventilation system to circulate outside air in. Meeting planners and future attendees will likewise appreciate the collaborative approach that McCormick Place takes to ensure each event is customized to group needs, focusing on simplifying registration and the event execution process while upholding health and sanitation standards. To complete the Chicago experience, a final section of the platform provides information about post-meeting recreational activities, from the plethora of outdoor dining options to the many indoor attractions abiding by Tourism & Hospitality Forward safety measures in the interest of public health. For more information and to complete the digital walk through, visit: https://healthymeetingschicago.com/.

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

NEWS

Top Gifts to Show Appreciation for Teachers StatePoint - When it comes to showing teachers appreciation for all that they do, a personal gift is always appreciated. However, sometimes what they really want is the proper tools to help them in the classroom. Teachers spent an average of $745 on supplies during the 2019-2020 school year, according to an AdoptaClassroom.org survey, much of which was out of their own pockets, and nearly half of all teachers said their spending has increased since distance learning began. So, if you are thinking about giving gifts to the teachers in your life, skip the apple and consider these useful items instead: 1. With a built-in learning system and a portable frame, Casio keyboards are a good choice for music educators.

Some models even have lighting key systems, making it easy for teachers to demonstrate proper finger placement while practicing social distancing. 2. From hand sanitizer to disinfecting wipes, some of the essentials needed for keeping a classroom hygienic are in short supply these days. These basics may not be glamorous, but they will help keep teachers and their students happy and healthy. 3. The latest models of projectors offer features that far exceed their predecessors of even just a few years ago and are an invaluable tool for those teaching on site this year. In some cases, it only takes one click to enable teachers and students to delve right into the material. With Casio classroom projectors, wireless features allow educators to efficiently project

Teachers are working harder than ever to provide high-quality education to students, and brand new challenges are cropping up every day. Consider finding ways to show your appreciation for their efforts which can actually help them do their job.

their own display or select a student’s device to facilitate safe and socially distanced moderation and discussion. 4. These days, a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones with a high-quality microphone can help

ensure that a teacher’s words are heard loud and clear and that nothing distracts them while conducting class over video chat. 5. Math teachers can gift themselves new tools by simply visiting

Casio Cares at casioeducation.com, a site providing free support, software and math lessons for K through 12, along with a free web- based calculation tool that includes graphing, geometry and statistics functionality.

COMMUNITY ENERGY CENTER

WELCOME

TO OUR NEW SITE CommunityEnergyCenter.org will Educate the Public about Energy Empowerment among Diverse Communities Diverse communities not only will be shaped by an evolving energy sector, they will shape it. Our new website – CommunityEnergyCenter.org – welcomes perspectives from commentators and journalists from publications in diverse communities to promote a deeper understanding of how energy and economic matters play a role in daily life. This new content hub will educate diverse communities to explore job opportunities and participate in the energy sector’s growth and vitality.

Visit www.communityenergycenter.org to learn more.

The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

8 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT Straight To View: Nielsen Begins Tracking Premium Theatrical Films Being Distributed On Streaming Platforms

KENYA REMAINS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT ON THE CONTINENT BECAUSE YOU GET A LOT OF THE MOTHER LAND VIBES THERE,” STATED CHANDELL STONE. SHE OWNS DESTINATION IMPACT, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN-OWNED VOLUNTEER TRAVEL COMPANY THAT OFFERS SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.

Until medical science gets a real stranglehold on the coronavirus, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) takes Black America on a trip to Africa – at least digitally.

Visualizing a Trip to Kenya Africa BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

With the pandemic badly hamstringing travel plans for so many people, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) would like to take Black America on a trip – at least digitally. Destination: The World. Until medical science gets a real stranglehold on the coronavirus, we invite you to explore from the safety of your home the many places around the globe that might make your bucket list. We begin in beautiful Nairobi Nairobi is known for exciting activities like Rugby, the iconic Coke Studio Africa music show, and the Storymoja Festival. Once a year, book lovers gather at the Storymoja festival to enjoy the literary arts. Coke Studio Africa is the biggest show in all of Africa. It began more than seven years ago and features different music genres and cultures, and artists come from places like Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa. Unavoidable in Kenya’s capital city is the famed African safaris – after all, the city lays claim as the continent’s safari capital. “Kenya remains one of my favorite places to visit on the continent because you get a lot of the Mother Land vibes there,” stated Chandell Stone. She owns Destination Impact, an African American-owned volunteer travel company that offers service opportunities across the African Diaspora. “Being in Africa is always powerful and empowering,” noted Stone, who, despite the pandemic, planned to fly out of New York to Africa following her phone con-

versation with NNPA Newswire. “I can’t stay away … I love going to Africa,” the globetrotter proclaimed. A short distance away from Nairobi in nearby Karen, Kenya, people young and old still find the red-colored dirt as fascinating as the banana trees that line the stunning city’s hills. Workshops housing designers and artists cram busy roads that offer sightly and breathtaking views of the high skies against lush green landscaping and colorful flowers. According to New York Times Travel Writer Ginanne Brownell Mitic, Karen, Kenya, was named after the Danish writer Karen Blixen, who published works like “Out of Africa” under the pen name Isak Dinesen. “Karen has become a home to both ex-pats and wealthy Kenyans, with stately villas and a few five-star hotels for travelers who want to be luxuriously situated close to the airports for safari excursions or beach holidays,” Mitic wrote. “It is also home to some of the city’s most intriguing and exclusive places to shop, for items like statement silver jewelry, hand-carved chairs and locally dyed and sewn fashion.” In Nairobi, residents can shop at many open-air markets throughout the city, including Maasai Market, Toi Market, City Market Nairobi, and Muthurwa Market. Maasai Market, located outside the Nairobi Court of Appeals, opens each Saturday and contains an array of African jewelry and sought-after fabric. Toi Market, located in the Adams Arcade and Ngong Road area, routinely bustles with shoppers who can find items like dresses, skirts, slacks, and jeans. City Market, which is managed by the Nairobi City Council, is located at the intersection of the busy Market Road and Muindi Mbingu Street. It features drums, artwork,

flowers, meat, fruits, and vegetables. At Muthurwa Market, located in the Central Business District of the city, the crowded and often noisy retail space offers a range of food items and clothing. Nairobi also features a “lit” nightlife, Stone and other travel experts exclaimed. Located in the Kilimani area on the first floor of Galana Plaza, the B Club counts among the most well-known among Nairobi’s residents and visitors. It is known for its charm and exotic ambiance. Operating in a relatively small space on Lang’ata Road, 1824 Whisky Bar is regularly jammed with partygoers. It also has the nickname “Sunday School,” because of the club’s excitement on Sundays. As for food and places to stay, Stone of Destination Impact said delicacies in Kenya won’t disappoint, though she prefers Nigeria’s offerings over Kenya. Stone also recommends two Black-owned hotels, the Sovereign and Westwood. The Sovereign is a five-star boutique hotel located in Kisumu within the business district. The Westwood sits in the Westlands area off Eldama Road and less than an hour from Nairobi’s airport. It borders Karura Forest, where outdoor diners have a birds-eye view of wild animals, including Sykes monkeys. “I’m not a hotel person, I think the best experience is at an Airbnb, but the Sovereign and Westwood are good hotels,” Stone declared. Finally, airfare can be a significant obstacle to visiting anywhere in Africa. But Stone said prices have dramatically decreased. “A few years ago, it would be $1,500 for a flight out of JFK Airport to Kenya,” she noted. “Now, you can get a flight for $600 or $700. It is worth it. I know I can’t stay away from Africa.”

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Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) recently announced that it is launching its Theatrical Video On-Demand (TVOD) measurement service as a way to capture viewing to movie releases that are directly available to consumers to rent or purchase on demand through streaming/MVPD platforms. Often offered at premium pricing, this rapidly expanding distribution model of film releases was accelerated by COVID-19 early in 2020 as content creators, such as studios, sought to offset disruption caused by social distancing mandates that temporarily closed movie theaters across the U.S. The evolution of theatrical distribution, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has introduced a new opportunity for both consumers and content owners by delivering theatrical releases directly to viewers in the comfort of their own homes. As a result, the entire media food chain, from studios to talent, has a need to analyze the volume and reach of their audiences by detailed household and person’s characteristics, such as age and gender, ethnicity or even territory. Nielsen’s TVOD measurement service will help clients uncover how many people are streaming this type of valuable content in relation to other content options. Additionally, it will deliver detailed demographic and behavioral information beyond what the standard box office metrics, transactional rental or purchase information often provides, allowing for crucial audience-driven decisions in regard to licensing and promotion. The past year, underpinned by COVID-19 related uncertainty, has changed consumer behavior, driving a rise in streaming consumption. In fact, streaming now accounts for nearly a quarter (23%) of total usage among OTT capable homes, up from 21% just a year prior, and a much broader swath of consumers have enabled streaming capabilities, presenting a new opportunity to deliver this form of entertainment directly. “As this unprecedented pandemic continues to influence consumer behavior, perhaps even through a prolonged state of recovery waves, being able to measure and help clients appropriately monetize new revenue streams has never been more crucial,” said Scott N. Brown, GM audience measurement at Nielsen. “A bigger question might be what will audiences do following any recovery, how the behavior adopted during stay-at-home orders might influence habits when consumers have the ability to go back to theaters to enjoy that experience and how content creators will leverage data to make the best decisions regarding distribution platforms in the future.”

PRNewsfoto/Nielsen

10 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

HOME

8 Tips for a Successful Home Renovation

(StatePoint) Thinking of remodeling your home? From safety and security to product and contractor selection, there are many factors to consider. Follow these eight remodeling tips to help minimize hassles during a renovation: 1. Create a budget. Create a project budget and set a spending limit. Whether you plan to utilize savings, home equity loan, line of credit or free up funds through refinancing, now is the time to identify how you will finance the project, and how much you want to spend. 2. Prepare the house. Before work starts, clear all spaces where professionals will be working, as well as walkways they will use to access these areas. Remove valuables and breakables to avoid damage and cover furniture in areas where paint or dust could harm upholstery. Keep other considerations in mind. For example, if you’re renovating the kitchen, you may need to create a temporary food prep area. 3. Work with reputable professionals. When selecting a contractor, be sure they have references, certification and an understanding of the project. For example, when tackling window and door projects, Andersen Windows, Inc. recommends hiring an Andersen Certified Contractor to do the job. These contractors receive product training, installation resources, offer an exclusive 2-year limited installation warranty, and their expertise and experience in an extensive range of residential projects means they’re able to capture your vision for your home and work with you to provide the right products. Bottom line: working with reputable professionals makes all the difference in the quality of the work and the materials used to complete the project. 4. Schedule wisely. Choose a timeframe for your home renovation that best fits your busy schedule. Keep in mind that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes cause delays. Build this into the timeline so you’re not taken by surprise. 5. Address safety. Talk to your contractor about what COVID-19 measures they practice to help keep customers and employees safe. Find out whether they’re following CDC guidelines for businesses, including always wearing a mask, social distancing whenever possible and frequent hand washing. Also, ask if they offer virtual consultations that allow you to start the process contact-free. 6. Add or update your security system. With professionals frequently coming in and out of your home, a home renovation may be a good time to add or update

your security system with reprogrammable smart locks. Offering more convenience and greater control, the Yale Assure Lock for Andersen patio and entry doors for example, is a sleek, keyfree entry lock that makes it easy to grant access to contractors for limited periods of time, lock and unlock doors from anywhere and monitor from afar. 7. Communicate openly and effectively. If a renovation is done correctly, you may never need to repeat the process. This makes open and honest communication with your home renovation team essential. Be sure to share your vision and to ask questions as they arise. At the same time, expect the professionals working with you to communicate regularly and address all your concerns. 8. Get a return on your investment. Prioritize projects that will potentially raise the resale value of your home. According to FortuneBuilders, the top 10 greatest returns on investment for home renovations include bathroom and kitchen remodels, landscaping, replacing entry doors and replacing windows. It also helps to select products that come with transferrable warranties. This will give your property a tangible leg-up on the market when it’s time to sell.

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CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021

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SENIOR LIVING 5 Tips to Protect Seniors from Financial Scams Right Now

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THE THREE GREATEST FINANCIAL RISKS YOU FACE TODAY

1. Don’t wait for a crisis. Seniors should speak with trustworthy family members about financial plans, as well as consult them when something doesn’t feel right. 2. Stay up-to-date. Seniors and families should draft and periodically update legal documents such as wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney. 3. Automate. Seniors should consider signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill pay and large transaction alerts. 4. Prioritize security. Seniors should keep checks and credit cards locked away, and update passwords when information is compromised. They should also carefully review credit reports, account statements and bills for unusual activity or charges. 5. Be aware. Families can help seniors stay aware of the latest and most common scams, as well as help them identify potential red flags, including: • Alleged emergency situations involving family members, often grandchildren, requiring immediate payment. • Lottery winnings requiring upfront cash payment for taxes and other fees. • Phone calls from alleged government agencies, such as Social Security, threatening arrest or penalties. For more information on fraud prevention, visit wellsfargo.com. “Aging resiliently requires planning ahead and not shying away from difficult conversations,” says Long. “We have to talk with our older loved ones about the risks, the warning signs and prevention -- and we have to keep talking.” ____________________________________

LIVING

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Daisy-Daisy / iStock via Getty Images Plus (StatePoint) Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now. With seniors more isolated than ever due to the pandemic and stimulus checks being sent to millions of Americans nationwide, experts suggest that seniors and their families be extra vigilant. “Scammers look for key time periods where money and private financial information are in motion. Not only is IRS fraud one of the most common and successful types of scams that exists, as a general rule, additional money equates to additional fraud,” says Ron Long, head of Aging Client Services at Wells Fargo. “Scammers are banking on the fact that many seniors are apart from families and friends due to COVID-19. When someone is alone, physically or socially, they often miss out on the added benefit of a second pair of eyes and ears.” Compounding the risks associated with isolation is the number of seniors who feel their chances of falling victim to a financial scam is unlikely. According to a recent Wells Fargo study conducted by The Harris Poll, 69 percent of all seniors age 60 and above believe they’re not likely to be susceptible to a financial scam, despite nearly all seniors (97 percent) acknowledging that older people are very or somewhat susceptible to becoming a victim. When asked about their peers, the poll found that 47 percent of all seniors knew someone who had already fallen victim to a scam. “The results indicate what most of us want -the ability to age relatively unaffected from the realities associated with aging,” says Dr. Marti DeLiema, a gerontologist and consultant for Wells Fargo’s Aging Client Services. “The problem is that when someone doesn’t feel they’re at risk, they’re unlikely to take precaution.” To better protect seniors from elder financial fraud and abuse, consider these tips from Wells Fargo:

Make a Statement: 3 Comfortable Yet Stylish Shoe Trends to Try in 2021 (StatePoint) While comfort will continue to reign supreme for clothing and accessories in 2021, when it comes to footwear, there are a variety of fun fashion trends that make a statement. The good news is that there’s no need to overhaul your entire closet. And it’s easier than ever to incorporate on-trend pieces into a comfortable and casual outfit. According to Alyson Stanley, buyer for national retailer Rack Room Shoes, simple clothing choices paired with shoes featuring leopard print detailing, pops of pastel, or silver accents make getting dressed easy and fun. Whether walking around the neighborhood, enjoying a socially-distanced event, or leading a Zoom meeting, here are some tips on how to stay cozy and on-trend this year. Animal Prints: In the past, mixing patterns was taboo, but according to Stanley, it’s now encouraged. Sneakers, clogs, and casual shoes with animal print accents serve as a neutral accessory that can be mixed and paired with any item in the closet. Nike’s Court Vision Low Sneaker puts a fun twist on cheetah print accents, while the adidas Puremotion Adapt is a stylish slip-on sneaker with a crisscross leopard print pattern. Metallic Accents: Athletic shoes featuring a hint of shine or iridescent details provide a versatile option for those getting their steps in or committing to fitness goals. Because metallics such as rose gold, silver, and gold can mesh with a broad range of color palettes and design styles, they are “the new neutral.” For those on-the-go, athletic shoes such as the Nike Swift 2 and the Nike Court Vision are selections that offer a touch of silver, gold, or platinum detailing. Joyful Pastels and Playful Patterns: This season’s footwear features a palette of cotton

candy-inspired shades (think lavender, mint green, and bubblegum pink). The possibilities to incorporate these colors into this season’s outfits are limitless. While you may know Crocs’ classic clogs are surprisingly comfortable and functional, you may not be aware that they now come in many pastel-colored options such as mint, lilac, and a pattern featuring a baby blue shade swirled with cloud forms. For all your family’s footwear needs, visit rackroomshoes.com for online shopping or curbside pickup options. “Though many of us are still spending the majority of the day working, exercising, and taking classes online from home, clothing and accessories still afford us the opportunity to express our unique style,” says Stanley. “The patterns and color trends for shoes in 2021 can bring joy to everyday outfits for the entire family.”

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

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12 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Jan. 27, 2021