Hyde Park Citizen 3-9-2022

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WEEK OF March 9, 2022

WEEKLY

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Black-owned, Black-led Franchisee Group Gets the “Big O” from Ben & Jerry’s

P4 FREE | VOL 33 | ISSUE 16

Magic Fruity PEBBLES x Nike x LeBron James Collaboration P5

Revelations Entertainment Named as Executive Producers for ‘2 Richards! The African Company’ P8

Meijer Supports Dozens of Boys & Girls Clubs with $1.2M Donation P9

Chicago Peace Fellows Alumni, which consists of 30 BIPOC-led organizations from the South and West sides, are calling for more equitable funding from philanthropic organizations. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHRISTI LOVE

BIPOC-LED ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR

EQUITY IN FUNDING The Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations on the South and West sides are calling for equitable funding when it comes to funding community organizations in the grant process.

These 30 organizations participated in the Goldin Institute’s Chicago Peace Fellows.

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2 briefly THE ASPEN GROUP ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN THE TAG ORAL CARE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE The Aspen Group (TAG), a nationwide leader in consumer healthcare, announced it will open the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence – a state-of-the-art clinical facility designed to provide comprehensive dental care at no cost to underserved Illinois residents – in early summer 2022.

The new 25,000 sq. ft. clinic – located in Chicago’s West Loop – will offer patients access to the latest dental care technology. The TAG Oral Care Center will be operated by a team of dentists and dental support staff who will serve an estimated 2,500 qualifying patients each year. The free services provided to qualifying patients at the TAG Oral Care Center will include comprehensive dental procedures.

“Our mission has always been to break down barriers to health care and bring better care to more people,” said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of TAG. “When we moved our headquarters Chicago in 2018, we knew we wanted to bring that same care to the underserved communities here as well – and we are confident the service provided at the TAG Oral Care Center will help change people’s lives and serve those who, for far too long, haven’t had access to quality dental care.”

JESSE WHITE RECOGNIZES STATE LEADERS IN A VIDEO HONORING AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recognized African American Heritage Month with a video honoring three of the state’s leaders, including the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson and Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier.

Secretary White honored the following individuals: • Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike –the first African American Director of the Department of Public Health in its more than 140year history — received the Distinguished Leadership Award. She has helped lead Illinois to reach a 70% vaccination rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, the fifth Illinois Poet Laureate, received the Excellence in Arts Award. She joins the list of prestigious authors, including Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks.

• Apostolic Church of God Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier received the Excellence in Community Service Award. He established The Network of Woodlawn in Chicago to foster transformation through education, public safety and economic development.

“This year, we wanted to honor Dr. Ezike, who has been a source of information, inspiration and comfort to our state during this pandemic,” said White.

“We also wanted to celebrate our state’s newest Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, a protégé of Gwendolyn Brooks, as well as Pastor Dr. Brazier, who has helped many people in the community during these difficult times.”

Previous honorees include Blues legend Buddy Guy, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks, Chicago Bears superstar Otis Wilson, Jazz great Ramsey Lewis, legendary DJ Herb Kent, Grammy award-winning artist Lupe Fiasco, Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, and Ariel Investments chair and co-CEO John Rogers Jr. “This month we celebrate the amazing contributions made to society by African Americans,” said White. “Take the time to learn more about African American culture and do something good for someone every day,” said White. When you have done those things and more, this world is a better place for all of us.”

To watch the video, visit https://youtu.be/lW1BXwVHIWQ.

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BIPOC-led organizations call for equity in funding Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

They started to think about issues that impacted all the organizations that were involved. They saw that there was an inequity in funding. It happened when COVID-19 was at its highest, during a time when there was a rise in violence and civil unrest.

“As an organization we were not empowered to really serve the community in the way we really envisioned because we lacked the resources and funding. We also saw such a difference in the way foundations were funding the work,” said Cosette Nazon-Wilburn, founder and executive director of the LUV Institute.

Nazon-Wilburn saw that foundations were funding white-led and founded organizations that were doing Black initiatives, but they weren’t funding Black and Latino organizations led by people of color. The 30 organizations saw that as an opportunity to keep those foundations accountable and put a system in place that would highlight the inequities to see a change in the future.

The organizations came up with a Funders Pledge, an open letter to call on Chicago Foundations to pledge to take action to address the racial inequity. The steps included equitably funding community-accountable BIPOC-led organizations on the city’s South and West sides; engaging in authentic relationships that prioritize transparency, truth and humility; providing easy-to-access, multi-year, flexible, and full cost funding; and resist the urge to scale without respect for the community expertise and let organizations define their own measures of success.

La’Keisha Gray-Sewell, founder and executive director of the Girls Like Me Project, heard funders talk about how much they supported and funded organizations on the South and West sides. But, when it was added up, it amounted to pennies on the dollar to what other organizations were receiv-

ing in funding.

“This pledge is not just about funding, in terms of dollars. It is about resources, it’s about making sure we have the capacity and the operational capacity to scale up, or even do what we’re doing so that we’ll be solvent. So we can hire staff, we can have research, we can have evaluations. We’ve not seen that,” Gray-Sewell said.

The goal of the letter is to be a call to action for the philanthropic community and an opportunity to create a shift, to provide pathways to really support Black and brown communities. Jessyca Dudley, founder and CEO of Bold Ventures, serves as a consultant and liaison for the organization and the funders.

The organizations hope that by sharing case studies of inequities within the philanthropic community, funders understand how their practices work against BIPOC-led organizations. Nazon-Wilburn and Gray-Sewell want these foundations to right the wrongs and work with the organizations. The organizations are putting together a report card that will look at what foundations are funding BIPOC-led organizations, as well as how much is being given to those organizations. They also want to disrupt the tax write-off model where foundations give enough money to receive a tax write-off.

There are foundations that have agreed to speak with the organizations. The next step is for the foundations to sign the letter. And, after a year look at the progress. The data collection has started.

“Organizations founded from the community, for the community, by the community, know best what to do for the community.

There’s no outside entity that can tell us better what we need,” Gray-Sewell said. “Listen to us, our experiences are our expertise, and what we’ve been doing is generational and a tradition. What has kept us safe in our community, what has kept our families together is the traditions that we know are native to us.”

To read the open letter, visit https://tinyurl.com/msatt3ds.

U.S. Postal Service Has Delivered More than 270 Million COVID-19 Test Kits - 1.2-day average to deliver a test kit package from USPS to a home - Over 68 million test kit packages (4 tests per kit) shipped to households across all states, Tribes, territories; each package contains four individual COVID-19 test kits - With the easy-to-use consumer website, covidtests. gov, and operational precision and focus, USPS and federal partners continue moving test kits to Americans who want them quickly and efficiently - Investments made under Delivering for America plan enabled Postal Service to achieve success with the 2021 peak holiday season and to quickly pivot to delivering millions of test kits for the nation - 48 fulfillment centers, hundreds of processing centers, thousands of post offices, and hundreds of thousands of employees involved in the effort WASHINGTON PRNewswire -- The United States Postal Service announced that it has delivered more than 270 million COVID-19 test kits to American households as part of President Biden’s plan to distribute free at-home tests to Americans for free. The Postal Service reported over 68 million test kit packages (with four tests per kit) have been shipped to American households

across all states, Tribes and territories; each package contains four individual test kits. On average, it takes just 1.2 days for the Postal Service to deliver a test kit package once it has been received from the manufacturer, kitted and entered into the mailstream. On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Postal Service delivered over 6 million COVID-19 test kit packages — the highest single day volume delivered since shipping began at the end of January.

“There are few assignments the Postal Service has received that better exemplify our public service mission than the request of the Biden Administration to deliver America’s COVID-19 test kits,” said Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy. “It is a major point of pride throughout our organization to have met our own performance expectations and those of the public. We are grateful for the strong collaboration of our partners across the federal government, including the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense. Thank you to our Postal Service employees, our union and management association partners for so effectively and efficiently delivering such strong performance across the board.”

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Obama Foundation Announces First Piece in Series of Commissioned Art for Obama Presidential Center ‘Book Bird’ Sculpture

by Chicago Artist Richard Hunt to be placed in the Reading Garden of the Chicago Public Library Branch at the Center

The Obama Foundation has announced its first commissioned piece of art will come from world-renowned artist, Richard Hunt, who grew up in Chicago. Hunt’s sculpture, ‘Book Bird,’ will be placed in the Library Reading Garden outside of the new Chicago Public Library branch on the Obama Presidential Center campus. ‘Book Bird’ will depict a bird taking flight from a book to illuminate how reading and learning allows readers to enter new places and fly free.

Hunt, who was born and raised in Woodlawn on Chicago’s South Side, was greatly influenced by his mother, an artist and librarian. Hunt spent much of his childhood enjoying museums and opera performances, fostering his passion for the arts. As an alum of Englewood High School, he later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he began his groundbreaking career.

He received distinguished recognition and numerous accolades, including being the first African-American artist to have a major solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

“We believe art is a powerful mechanism to discover our common ground, as well as inspire and empower our visitors to be change agents in their communities,” said Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett.

“Building on the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama’s commitment to arts education

during their time in the White House, we seek to elevate the arts while bolstering the representation of diverse artists. Mr. Hunt’s personal story and creative vision embodies the uplifting experience visitors will find at the Center. Having known Richard most of my life, we are so proud to honor his work here.”

“Part of what makes Chicago a worldclass city is its cultural and artistic institutions, and we hope that the Obama Presidential Center will be viewed as part of this amazing tapestry of institutions,” said President Obama in a new video. “We want to be a living, breathing center of activity, and a place where people can gather and learn and debate and connect and be inspired. And art does that.”

The branch of the Chicago Public Library will feature interactive digital media spaces and amenities for youth, informational and vocational resources for adults, and a reading room. The Library Reading Garden will be an intimate space where youth can read and escape to new places through literature.

In the months ahead, the Obama Foundation will announce additional commissioned works from a diverse group of artists.

The Obama Presidential Center broke ground in September 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2025.

ComEd Encourages Illinois Students to Apply for College Scholarships of Up to $10,000 Each ComEd has launched its Future of Energy program, which will provide up to $250,000 in scholarships for women and minorities pursuing STEM degrees in college. Through March 28, 2022, students in Illinois can apply for the scholarship program, which will provide financial assistance awards of up to $10,000 and a chance to intern with ComEd. “A diverse and inclusive workforce is critical to our mission of strengthening the communities we serve, which is why ComEd is making investments today to remove barriers and to build an industry more inclusive with those who have traditionally been left out,” said Diana Sharpe, vice president of large customer operations and interim vice president of economic and workforce development with ComEd. “The ComEd Future of Energy scholarship empowers young leaders and works to see that more people of color and women are prepared to enter careers in the fast-growing energy industry.”

The Future of Energy program will provide students with scholarship awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, which may be used to cover college tuition and related expenses, in addition to the chance to pursue a ComEd internship where students gain direct career experience in the energy industry. As part of the launch of this program, ComEd has awarded five students who recently interned with the company scholarships for this spring.

To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be accepted into an eligible four-year college degree program, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and submit an application. Priority consideration will be given to people of color and women; Illinois residents

enrolled in an Illinois university or college or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country; and those demonstrating financial need. ComEd is partnering with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project to administer the new scholarship fund.

“Our team at The NEED Project is proud to partner with ComEd and Exelon to expand education and workforce development opportunities to help more women and minorities enter into STEM professions,” said Mary Spruill, Executive Director of The NEED Project. “The ComEd Future of Energy Scholarship program represents the latest in a series of investments that are being made to increase pathways to jobs of the future – which will in turn strengthen the industry and help ComEd continue to attract high quality talent to power our communities.”

The Future of Energy program builds on ComEd’s continued investments in training and education to develop a diverse, local talent pipeline. In addition to the Future of Energy program, ComEd supports an array of initiatives that inspire students to pursue STEM careers, including the DePaul College Prep Scholars Program, Chicago BUILDS, and more. As a result of these investments, over 1,700 participants were served by ComEd-sponsored workforce and education programs last year alone.

For more information or to apply for the ComEd Future of Energy STEM scholarship, visit: https://need.force.com/ComEd/s/ scholarship-information For more information on ComEd’s STEM scholarship opportunities, contact WorkforceDevelopment@ ComEd.com.

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NEWS

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

SIMMONS LEADS MEASURE TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

Efforts to empower students and provide them with greater access to the resources they need, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) initiated and passed a measure, Senate Bill 4028, that will require Illinois elementary and high schools to discuss how and where to find access to mental health treatment.

“Our children have been through constant stress the last two years,” said Simmons. “Their sacrifices from the pandemic have exacerbated the growing mental health crisis among our state’s youth.”

The measure also will create a Student Mental Health Council that will include 6 youth from across Illinois, and 3 community-based mental health providers, including one that will be LGBTQ-led, one led by a person of color, and one woman-led, bringing underrepresented communities to the table to evaluate gaps in existing mental health services and to recommend systemic improvements so our youth feel empowered and supported by mental health providers.

The Student Mental Health Council will also identify gaps in mental health services and treatment for youth and identify ways to destigmatize getting help when needed. The council would meet quarterly and be comprised of community-based organizations that are doing mental health focused work for youth.

The measure originated from a people’s legislative council that Simmons held with a group of community members in 2021.

“This bill will send a message to our youth that they are loved and their mental and emotional health matters,” said Simmons.

Senate Bill4028 passed the Senate and moves to the House for further consideration.

MARTWICK SPONSORED MEASURE TO RESTORE EMISSIONS STATION IN CHICAGO ADVANCES A plan will be presented this fall to replace dismantled vehicle emissions inspection stations in Chicago after a measure supported by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) passed the Senate Friday.

“This legislation will help restore a badly needed service in Chicago and in the northwest suburbs,” Martwick said. “People shouldn’t have to drive for miles and wait in long lines in order to meet this requirement for their vehicles.”

Senate Bill 1234 as amended would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to submit a written report to the General Assembly by Oct. 1 2022, which would include a plan to replace the dismantled emissions inspection stations within the City of Chicago. The plan would help establish a pilot program or permanent replacement program as well as a timeline to implement the plan.

The measure is designed to address the lack of available vehicle emissions testing stations in Chicago following the closure of four stations in 2016. Test sites in Bucktown and Harwood Heights were closed leaving the City of Chicago without a testing station. Two suburban facilities in Elk Grove Village and Tinley Park were also closed.

“The closure of these stations in 2016 created a burden for our residents, and I’m glad that we are going to create a plan that will make emissions testing more convenient for the residents of Chicago and the near suburbs,” Martwick said.

Senate Bill 1234 passed the Senate Friday.

JOYCE-SUPPORTED TAX CREDIT FOR CLASSROOM SUPPLIES PASSES SENATE

State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) supported legislation that will increase the tax credit to teachers and other school staff who purchase classroom materials at public or private Illinois schools to $300.

“Educators deserve a break on the costs of classroom supplies” said Joyce. “This legislation will address the long-held practice of educators purchasing classroom supplies out of their own pocket.”

Senate Bill 1143 allows for a tax credit in the amount paid by the educator or other school staff like teacher aids or school counselors for classroom materials up to $300 beginning in taxable year 2023. In current law, the maximum credit allowed is $250.

“Educators always want what is best for the kids, allowing for an additional write off just makes sense,” Joyce said. “Educators invest in our children’s future, so we should invest in educators.”

At the highest reported amount in record, teachers spent an average of $750 on school supplies out of pocket during the 2020-2021 school year. Approximately 30% of teachers spent $1,000 or more on school supplies. Purchases often include professional development books, office supplies, tissues, art supplies, snacks for students who might not have enough food at home and clothing.

SB 1143 was approved by the Senate Thursday and will now head to the House for further consideration.

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Black-owned, Black-led Franchisee Group

Gets the “Big O” from Ben & Jerry’s

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. PRNewswire -- The three Black leaders of Primo Partners want to use their business to dismantle white supremacy.

Primo Partners recently became the first BIPOC-owned franchisee group to be named Operator of the Year by Ben & Jerry’s. It is also the ice cream company’s largest franchise group, with 10 Scoop Shops across six states. From left to right: Phillip Scotton, Antonio McBroom, Eric Taylor and Josiah Fisher of Primo Partners.

It helps that they’re franchisees of Ben & Jerry’s, an iconic ice cream company known for its business activism, bold flavors, and fight against systemic racism. Primo Partners was recently awarded The Big O for operational excellence, the first minority-owned business to receive the award in Ben & Jerry’s 43-year history. At the same time, Primo Partners became Ben & Jerry’s largest franchise organi-

zation, with 10 Scoop Shops across six states.

The Big-O is given to the Operator of the Year and it’s the highest accolade a Ben & Jerry’s franchise can win. It is prestigious, much coveted, and comes with its own silly Big O hat. Winners of the award demonstrate excellence in sales trends, financial management, marketing, community involvement, and store operations.

Primo Partners does all that and develops promising Black entrepreneurs through diverse hiring and mentorship. “I moved from scooper to shift leader to shop manager,” Primo Partners CEO Antonio McBroom said.

“Then I bought my first shop and I haven’t stopped. Primo Partners exists to create opportunities for historically marginalized people. That’s how we’re going to grow generational wealth in our community.”

Led by McBroom, Eric Taylor

Primo Partners recently became the first BIPOC-owned franchisee group to be named Operator of the Year by Ben & Jerry’s. It is also the ice cream company’s largest franchise group, with 10 Scoop Shops across six states. From left to right: Phillip Scotton, Antonio McBroom, Eric Taylor and Josiah Fisher of Primo Partners. PRNEWSFOTO

and Phillip Scotton, Primo Partners makes sure its franchises maintain an unwavering commitment to hospitality while fighting for racial and socioeconomic equity. In the last ten years their franchises have donated thousands of scoops of ice cream to hundreds of organizations, includ-

JAMES DuBOSE CONTINUES TO SHIFT PARADIGMS AT THE HELM OF FOX SOUL (Black PR Wire) LOS faith, and personal advice. This ANGELES, CA —Two meant the FOX Soul would years ago, Fox Broadreturn to its FBN roots by casting Network providing shows catering unveiled FOX Soul, to African American an ad-supported audiences. Therefore, streaming channel we are intentional with aimed at African our programing and American viewers. unapologetic about our It’s a hit and time to content. As a result celebrate. of those decisions, we FBN has a history provide premium content of providing the African while experiencing tremenAmerican viewer with dous growth, so I am very entertaining programming proud.”

BlackPRWire going back to popular series like FOX Soul is Fox’s first live and “In Living Color,” “Martin,” and “Living interactive OTT (over-the-top media) Single.” However, the messaging often service dedicated to the Black communigets lost due to its conservative news ty. Although FBN owns and funds FOX channel. Nevertheless, FOX Soul’s inSoul, Black executives are making the teractive streaming platform was explicdecisions from top to bottom and inside itly created and dedicated to the African out. DuBose concludes, “Everyone has American viewer. The programs aim to a voice and a story. I believe the commucelebrate black culture and deal with real nity is better served when those voices topics that impact the everyday lives of and stories can be heard and appreciated the black community through frank and beyond the privacy of our homes. Our insightful dialogue with local and national purpose for the existence of FOX Soul is influencers. General Manager and Head to provide that platform. It’s essential that of Programming James DuBose says, we develop content that entertains, edu“When we first started FOX Soul in 2020 cates, and inspires. We must continue to during a Pandemic, we didn’t know what showcase all the great attributes we have to expect. All we knew was we wanted to as a culture. We do that by continually offer ‘Our Voice, Our Truth’ and unfetrecognizing our rhythms and our blues tered discussion of pop culture, politics, through our content.”

Connect with James DuBose on all social media platforms at @duboseofficial. Follow FOX Soul on all social media platforms at @foxsoul.

Many may call veteran entertainment industry executive James DuBose a visionary, and some will say he shifts cultures, while others consider him a career maker. Whatever you think of him, he intentionally and unapologetically amplifies the voice and experiences of Black people around the globe to inspire, educate, uplift, and entertain Black audiences.

DuBose built an impressive catalog of assets known for garnering record-breaking television network numbers. He executive-produced and syndicated the entertainment show Dish Nation, E! Networks’ WAGS Atlanta, as well as the hit projects under his DuBose Entertainment banner, such as Kevin Hart’s One Mic Stand, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, Monica’s Still Standing, Tiny and Toya, Toya: A Family Affair, Trey Songz: My Moment, The Michael Vick Project, Hell Date, and Comic View, among others. He has also taken his innate storytelling and creative ability to the theatre and currently has Grindstone Entertainment/Lionsgate films in development. This experience led to a rapid rise through the ranks of “Hollywood.”

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ing those focusing on voting rights and changes to the criminal legal system.

“This award is such a blessing,” McBroom said. “I hope that Primo Partners being recognized in this way can serve as a testament for what is possible for others.”

Urban One, Inc. Elevates Mosetta Palmer to New Leadership Position at its Radio One SILVER SPRING, Md. PRNewswire -- David Kantor, CEO of Urban One’s Radio One and Reach Media Divisions, has announced the promotion of Mosetta Palmer, VP, Revenue Management, Radio One and Reach Media. Urban One is the largest African American-owned multimedia provider of content targeted to the Black and Urban consumer.

Mosetta Palmer joined Urban One in 2019 as the Director of Revenue and Inventory Management and in 2020, she was promoted to Sr. Director of Inventory and Revenue Management. During her tenure, Palmer has driven market compliance around corporate-led pricing and inventory management initiatives and helped to maximize radio station revenue by monitoring and adjusting advertising pricing, inventory, and demand generating activities.

In her new role as Vice President of Revenue Management, Radio One and Reach Media, Palmer will be responsible for the continued development and measurement of strategic and tactical revenue management initiatives deployed to the Radio One and Reach Media divisions to improve revenue, profit, and market share.

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FASHION

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Magic Fruity PEBBLES x Nike x

LeBron James Collaboration LAKEVILLE, Minn., PRNewswire -- To celebrate National Cereal Day on Monday, March 7, Fruity PEBBLES™ cereal teamed up with two other cultural icons to tip off a truly colorful partnership in 2022.

Powerhouse brand Nike and basketball superstar LeBron James are collaborating with PEBBLES cereal, officially licensed from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, to serve up several colorful, flavorful and magical ways for fans to celebrate this season.

The full-court press kicks off with the release of a truly iconic set of kicks. Inspired

by LeBron James’ favorite childhood cereal and collaboratively designed

by Nike and PEBBLES, the Nike LeBron James 19 Low Magic Fruity PEBBLES™ shoe is a colorful pair of sneaks that features actual photography of the Magic PEBBLES red and yellow cereal flakes.

“To have an original pair of my Nike sneakers pay tribute to my favorite cereal growing up is surreal,” said James. “Putting them on and seeing the colorway come to life is even better.”

The real magic, though, is the new

19 Low’s Photochromic DCS Technology where the shoe’s airbag uses the power of the sun’s UV light to transition a completely clear Air unit to a purple colorway. This firsttime collaboration between Fruity PEBBLES x LeBron means fans everywhere can unlock two colorways, both on and off the court.

This exciting shoe launch is paired with the release of Magic Fruity PEBBLES cereal. The new variety mirrors the coloration of the Nike 19 Lows: with crispy, delicious red and yellow rice flakes that magically turn your milk purple, all with the same great taste you’ve come to expect and crave from Fruity PEBBLES. Available for a limited time only, the cereal is delicious, gluten-free and graced with the magical ability to turn your bowl of cereal into an Instagrammable royal feast for the senses.

“The PEBBLES brand is all about finding new ways to surprise and excite fans,” said Leah Broeders, Head of Licensing for PEBBLES cereal. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Nike to launch this one-of-a-kind color-changing collab just in time for National Cereal Day. When we learned that LeBron was a HUGE fan of the cereal when he was a kid, we knew this was a no-brainer. It’s truly the biggest partnership since the stone ages!”

PRNewsFoto/POst Consumer Brands

Turning this launch into a true slam dunk is a pair of consumer engagements, something for everyone: Each box of Magic Fruity PEBBLES features an on-pack promotion that offers all fans 20% off one single item at Nike.com, and sweepstakes for a chance to win your very own pair of the ultra-limited-edition Nike LeBron19 Low color-changing shoes. Enter and see full terms and conditions at MagicFruityPebbles.com.

PEBBLES is hosting a YABBA DABBA Dunk Contest for kids ages 6 to 15. Starting

March 10th, consumers can submit their most creative dunks and trick shots at createwithpebbles.com for a chance to win a year’s supply of PEBBLES cereal and a chance to be featured on the JumboTron at a professional basketball game!

Magic Fruity PEBBLES are available now. To find a store near you and discover the magic, visit www.postpebblescereal.com and follow PEBBLES on Facebook and Instagram.

And this is just the beginning of a full year of magic coming from PEBBLES cereal.

Bonnie Jennifer Introduces New Gold-Filled Beaded Gemstone Rings for Mother’s Day Every second Sunday in May, motherhood is commemorated by honoring the love, commitment and joy that mothers bring to families, as well as their contribution to society. Showing gratitude through cards, flowers, cooking and quality time are all part of the tradition, as is gift giving, to celebrate the superwomen in life. This Spring, former social worker turned jewelry designer, Bonnie Jennifer, is launching bright, stretchable gemstone rings, with her signature gold-filled ball design, just in time for Mother’s Day. Perfect for everyday wear, the rings are stackable with a comfort fit, made for moms on the go.

“Ring in Mother’s Day by celebrating mom with fun, style and color. Our gold-filled beaded gemstone rings are comfortable, light, stretch and are available for under $100,” says NY-based designer, Bonnie Jennifer.

Rings are available in ten vibrant gemstone options: ruby, emerald, onyx, pink opal, amethyst, turquoise, amazonite, moonstone, chalcedony, and labradorite.

Available in sizes 4 ½ through 9, the gold-filled beads do not tarnish or turn color. The shape, size and hue of gemstones may vary, as well as the orientation of the gemstone as either vertical or horizontal, based on the aesthetic of the stone and the best angle to accentuate its beauty.

Stackable and perfect for mix and matching, these

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stylish gold-filled rings look great combined, as well as a standalone statement. Bonnie Jennifer’s kaleidoscope offerings bring boldness and creativity to design. In addition, the rings are a comfortable choice for moms working through bloating during pregnancy, as well as for those with arthritis.

Each gemstone has a rich history of symbolism, which can be given with its meaning in mind. Ruby symbolizes love, energy and success, while emerald is

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emblematic of love and truth. Labradorite, onyx and pink opal are protective stones, while amethyst represents peace and calming energy. Turquoise and amazonite are emblematic of hope, wisdom and truth. Feminine energy and the power of the lunar cycle are associated with moonstone. For balance and stability, chalcedony is ideal. There is a beaded gemstone ring style for every mother, complementing the positive energy each mom brings to the world. Whether honoring one’s own mother, a mom-to-be, grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, or friend that deserves love and recognition, Bonnie Jennifer gold-filled beaded gemstone rings will bring a joyful glow to Mother’s Day celebrations.

To order, or to learn more about Bonnie Jennifer, visit https://bonniejennifer.com/ or email bonnie@ bonniejennifer.com. For press inquiries, contact Olga Gonzalez at Pietra Communications at 212-913-9761 or email info@pietrapr.com.

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Rep. Davis, Sen. Durbin, and Rep. Schneider Champion Bill to Help Illinois Recover from the Pandemic

by Waiving Interest on Federal Unemployment Loans Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) joined with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) to champion the Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act. This legislation would extend the waiver of interest payments on federal unemployment loans during the pandemic to help Illinois and other states financially as they support their constituents and respond to the dual economic and health crises.

Congress has waved the interest on unemployment loans three times during the pandemic. Multiple state comptrollers – led by Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza – raised the need for the federal government to extend the waiver on the interest on these loans since the country is still grappling with the pandemic and since states continue to cope with the financial consequences of these dual crises.

Indeed, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies supports a continued moratorium on interest accrual and payments because, if required to pay the interest, states will be forced to either increase employer unemployment taxes or divert state resources that could be used for economic recovery. The business community also supports the waiver extension. The increased unemployment resulted from the pandemic, not from the normal functioning of the labor market or the actions of employers.

Given that the pandemic continues, Illinois and other states continue to need financial relief to improve their recovery. The bill would extend the period of interest-free loans from September 6, 2021, to September 30, 2022. The provision is set up to be contiguous with the date of the lapse of the interest-free waiver, meaning there would be no gap in the relief to states. It would operate retroactively as if the interest-free nature had never expired. A further extension of the waiver on unemployment loan interest will improve state and business recovery in many states.

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BLACK EXPERIENCE ON XFINITY TO OFFER $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO EMERGING BLACK FILMMAKERS IN CELEBRATION OF ITS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Comcast NBCUniversal celebrates the one-year anniversary of Black Experience on Xfinity by announcing plans to offer $1M in the form of ten $100K grants to emerging Black filmmakers. Home to the largest curated collection of independent Black film collection on demand, Black Experience on Xfinity features high-quality content from many of Xfinity’s existing network partners, while investing millions of dollars in emerging talent from the top Black film festivals. Curated by industry leaders, the channel is the only one of its kind endorsed by African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the world’s largest group of Black film critics that gives annual awards for excellence in film and television.

Black Experience on Xfinity offers one-stop access to a collection of content that showcase the breadth of Black culture. Available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and onthe-go with the Xfinity Stream app, the Black Experience on Xfinity will entertain, educate, and uplift, featuring Black actors, writers, producers, and directors. At home, Xfinity subscribers can visit channel 1622 or simply say “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote. And for the first time, consumers nationwide will be able to enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling with the availability of the Black Experience collection on Comcast’s new XClass TV, easily accessible through the platform’s home screen and voice remote.

Click here to view the anniversary video from Comcast and their Black Experience on Xfinity partners “The launch of Black Experience on Xfinity has been a major investment in the Black creative community and one of the many ways we are leveraging the scale and reach of our platforms to amplify voices that need to be heard,” said Keesha Boyd, Executive Director, Multicultural Video &

Entertainment, Xfinity Consumer Services. “In recent years, we have expanded our offering of Black programming to millions of additional Xfinity customers. The Black Experience Channel on Xfinity allows us to shine a spotlight on our existing content partners, while also investing in and distributing original programming from emerging Black content creators and talent.”

Black Experience uniquely blends programming from across the Xfinity content catalog, spanning networks, free and ad-supported video streaming services, streaming music providers and more. Customers are able to choose from a selection of sample content from existing partners like TVOne, Cleo, AspireTV, REVOLT, Afro, KweliTV, The Africa Channel, BET, BET Her, Impact, Up Faith & Family and OWN, and more, which has allowed these partners to reach millions of new viewers. Xfinity subscribers also have access to all-new, premiere content by new and up-andcoming Black content creators, available only to Xfinity customers included with their service.

Since its launch, Black Experience on Xfinity has funded more than 25 Black creators and organizations on and off screen, and in 2021, more than three million viewers watched over 11 million hours of content on Black Experience.

“It was a pleasure to partner with Black Experience on Xfinity in 2021 on the exclusive premiere of the documentary film Twenty Pearls to tell the story of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first Black sorority, and the generations of notable women that followed in their footsteps,” said award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper. “This is an important part of history for all of us to know and understand, and our work with the Black Experience on Xfinity channel helped facilitate the discovery of

this story for new audiences from diverse generations and backgrounds.”

“The African American Film Critics Association is proud to partner for a second year with the Black Experience Channel on Xfinity. Black stories are very important and through our relationship with Black Experience on Xfinity, we have been able to introduce content creators and talent, both in front and behind the camera, to Xfinity’s vast audience of subscribers. AAFCA looks forward to its expanded relationship with Xfinity this year that includes the 2022 AAFCA Film Awards and the 2022 AAFCA TV Honors, plus our summer screening series and short film exhibitions centering on underrepresented creators,” shared Gil Robertson IV, CEO, African American Film Critics Association.

Xfinity delivers the best entertainment to customers, including thousands of hours of diverse programming from more than 100 networks and streaming services, via its X1 and Flex devices. X1 provides the most comprehensive library of entertainment on one platform – aggregating live TV, On Demand, and popular streaming apps from a growing collection of networks and streaming services. Xfinity Flex is a 4K streaming device included with Xfinity Internet that extends the best features of X1 to customers who prefer only a broadband experience, giving them one integrated guide to access all of their favorite streaming video and music apps, as well as a TV interface to manage their Xfinity WiFi, mobile, security and automation services – all of which is controllable with the award-winning Xfinity voice remote.

Visit https://xfinityblackexperience.com to learn more about the Black Experience on Xfinity and to sign up for information on applying for a grant.

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REVOLT to Launch of RBN Studios in Atlanta LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- REVOLT has announced the launch of its first headquarters and studio business, RBN Studios, which will spotlight unfiltered conversations about the issues that most affect Black people throughout America and the African diaspora. Expanding to a full-service production operation within its newly built headquarters in the heart of midtown Atlanta, Georgia, RBN Studios will spearhead programming in various alternative formats. From news and opinion to talk shows, documentaries and reoccurring specials that deal with key social justice issues, RBN Studios will create original content that resonates with Black communities.

As RBN Studios continues its mission in delivering stories from an authentic Black lens, the productions will ignite solution-oriented discourse that gives a voice to typically unheard perspectives.

Centered around the belief that the Black experience is not monolithic, RBN Studios will relaunch its powerful flagship series REVOLT Black News Weekly, which will focus on untapped, underreported, and misconceived stories relevant to both Black culture and communities.

The series will be hosted by Emmy award-nominated journalist Neima Abdulahi, who’s been tapped as the show’s Global News Anchor by Monique Chenault, REVOLT’s President of News and Documentary. Chenault also named Gen Z journalist and Spelman College graduate Kennedy Rue McCullough as RBN’s Entertainment and Pop Culture Correspondent.

Mirroring REVOLT’s longstanding vision of creating impact as a Black multimedia powerhouse, this new initiative marks a turn for journalism to truly serve as a key resource of information for Black communities. The Atlanta-based news operation will further cement REVOLT’s footprint in the cultural epicenter and allow authentic content to fully reflect the Black experience on a global scale. “The Black perspective has been deliberately hidden from the world for too long. With RBN Studios, we will leave no stone unturned and shine a light in the darkest of corners to find the truth through a Black diasporic lens,” said Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT. “REVOLT has always strived to unveil critical information and viewpoints for ourselves and the world, so we chose a business model that enables us to scale impact beyond our own distribution platform.”

For more information on REVOLT’s linear content, please visit https://www.revolt.tv/ and visit www. revolt.tv/providers for local broadcast listings.

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Revelations Entertainment Named as Executive Producers for ‘2 Richards! The African Company’ NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Revelations Entertainment’s Mor- ingly alarmed at the attention The African Company was receiving, gan Freeman and Lori McCreary announced that they will be execuThe Park Theatre began to sabotage and disrupt their productions, tive producers on director Kamilla Blanche’s upcoming documentary causing them to move locations several times until the African Grove “2 Richards! The African Company.”

Theater was ultimately burned to the ground in 1823. A few of these The African Company was located in New York’s Greenwich locations can still be found on the streets of Greenwich Village today, Village and was America’s first black theater company, formed 44 and part of the plan is to use proceeds to identify these locations with years before the passage of the 13th Amendment. The documentary monuments recognizing The African Company and their impact on will uplift and inspire the viewers, taking them on a historical journey the arts and theatre for the black community, of passion and perseverance, highlighting the founders of The film will be made in partnership with fiscal sponsor Film the company, William Alexander Brown and James Independent. “2 Richards!” was selected for fiscal sponsorship Hewlett, two Black pioneers. through a rigorous application process and represents Film According to Freeman and McCreary (NaIndependent’s mission to champion creative indepentional Geographic’s The Story of God; Warner dence in visual storytelling and support a community Bros.’ Invictus): “Revelations Entertainment is of artists who embody diversity, innovation and honored to announce their involvement in bringuniqueness of vision. ing this lost piece of Black and American history Kamilla Blanche said, “We’re honored and to the public only months after The African’s Comexcited to be working with Morgan, Lori, and Revpany’s 200th anniversary. The Company consisted of actors, playwrights, directors and producers elations Entertainment to bring this story to life and - primarily free, freed, runaway and indencelebrate the erased legacy of The African Comtured African Americans, who performed to pany, America’s first black theater company. mixed audiences long before the abolition of Through our partnership with Film Indepenslavery. As we continue to reveal truth and dent, we hope to raise enough funds to bring a spotlight to untold stories, this is tell this story in a way where we can especially fascinating as it paved the way literally reclaim the narrative of such for many Black actors in the US. While an important piece of Black history it’s sadly not surprising that this story and American history and carry on the has been buried for so long, Kamilla’s legacy of The African Company’s misvision to inspire and uplift audiences sion by creating film and theatre arts by bringing it back to life is exactly scholarships for students of color.” what we need to shine a light on these man and McCreary join the important Americans.” executive producing team of Blanche, In 1821, both The African Olga Garay-English and Laith Murad.

Company and an adjacent all-white Donations to the project can be made via theater company, The Park Theatre, IndieGogo or through Film Independent. put on competing productions of Shakespeare’s Richard III. IncreasAll donations are 100% tax deductible.

Morgan and Lori. PHOTO CREDIT: NIGEL GREEN

Gravitas Ventures Acquires Documentary CHICAGO PRNewswire -- Gravitas ble to diverse audiences,” explained Dr. Glenda Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian Baskin Glover, International President and CEO distribution rights for “Twenty Pearls: The of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,” an and President of Tennessee State University. intimate documentary film introducing the stoDirector Deborah Riley Draper, a 2022 ried history of Alpha Kappa Alpha, America’s NAACP Image Awards nominee for the OWN: first sorority for Black college women. NarratOprah Winfrey Network docuseries “The Legacy ed by Phylicia Rashad and written and directed of Black Wall Street” for Outstanding Breakby Deborah Riley Draper, Twenty Pearls tells through Creative (Television), is well known the story of a powerful sisterhood created in for her previous documentaries “Olympic Pride, 1908 that has influenced significant watershed American Prejudice” and “Versailles ‘73: Amerimoments in history, including World War II, can Runway Revolution.” Draper said having the NASA, Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Women’s luxury and privilege of interviewing Alpha Kappa Rights, HBCUs, and Public Health.

Alpha member and Vice President Kamala Harris “Twenty Pearls” launched on Feb. 22 and for Twenty Pearls was an extraordinary moment is available on Prime Video, iTunes, Youfor her as a filmmaker. “Vice President Harris Tube, Google Play, and Vudu, to name a few. spoke to the power of Black women when we Retailers like Amazon will carry DVDs for come together and organize, what that looks like, sale and the film will be available in libraries and how that force can change the world.” as far as Canada. Initially released on Com“Twenty Pearls” is produced by Coffee Bluff Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorpocast’s Black Experience channel in March 2021, rated announces the North American Pictures (Deborah Riley Draper and Lacy Barnes, and worldwide release of TWENTY the acquisition by Gravitas and launch during Producers) and executive produced by Alpha Black History Month is timely in presenting this PEARLS, the official documentary film Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® International which chronicles the organization’s documentary to broader North American and President and CEO Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, The history. Narrated by Phylicia Rashad, worldwide audiences.

Honorable Kimberly M. Esmond Adams, CynTWENTY PEARLS journeys through “The story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 114 provocative years. PRNEWSFOTO thia D. Howell, Martha Perine Beard, and Cheryl is not a Black story; it is an American story.

Polote Williamson.

Through our partnership with Gravitas, our goal To pre-order Twenty Pearls on iTunes, visit is to ensure that our story is broadly told by making it more accessihttps://apple.co/3szzYqH.

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Meijer Supports Dozens of Boys & Girls Clubs with $1.2M Donation GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,PRNewsBoys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Mich. wire -- Meijer announced a donation of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint, Mich. $1.2 million to dozens of Boys & Girls Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Clubs serving its communities across Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis: WheelMichigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and er-Dowe Club Wisconsin. Each of the 24 Clubs partakBoys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo, Mich. ing in the donation will receive $50,000 Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, Wis. to invest in educational and developmenBoys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio tal programs for local youth.

Boys & Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb “As a family-owned business, servCounty, Mich. ing families, and especially children, in Boys & Girls Club of Porter County, Ind. our communities is always important to Boys & Girls Club of The Muskegon Lakeus,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes shore in Michigan said. “Boys & Girls Clubs offer safe Boys & Girls Club of Toledo, Ohio places for children and teens to grow into Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County, Ind. the future leaders our communities will Boys & Girls Club of West Bend, Wis. need, and we’re pleased to support them Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michithrough this donation.” gan: Dick & Sandy Dauch Club The retailer’s gift will fund develBoys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michiopment programs focused on health, gan: Matilda R. Wilson Club academics and leadership for Boys & Boys & Girls Club of Zionsville, Ind. Girls Club members.

This donation is part of the retailer’s “We know that each of our commu2021 end-of-year donation efforts, totaling nities are different and that each of the Clubs understand the wants and needs of Meijer is donating $1.2 million to dozens of Boys & Girls Clubs serving its communities across $6.5 million that will support its key areas of giving: Hunger Relief, Diversity & their members best,” said Cathy Cooper, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. PRNEWSFOTO/MEIJER INC Inclusion, Sustainability and Local Giving.

Senior Director of Community PartnerBoys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor, Mich.

As part of its year-end giving, Meijer preships and Giving at Meijer. “We look forward to seeing Boys & Girls Club of Boone County, Ind. viously announced a $300,000 donation to the National how they find unique ways to use this gift to help their Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland Minority Supplier Development Council affiliates serving members learn, lead and grow.”

Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County, Ind. its Midwest communities. More details on the remaining The $1.2 million donation will be divided equally beBoys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne, Ind. donations will be shared as information becomes availtween the following Boy & Girls Clubs, many of which Boys & Girls Club of Franklin, Ind. able. serve predominantly socio-economically disadvantaged Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids Youth CommonFor more information on the retailer’s community communities: giving efforts, please visit meijercommunity.com. wealth in Michigan Boys & Girls Club of Alpena, Mich.

New Honda Docuseries Celebrates the Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities TORRANCE, Calif., PRNewswire -- Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), the nation’s premier showcase for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands and dance teams, announced its new four-part docuseries, Driving the Legacy of HBCUs, premiered on Saturday, Feb. 26. The docuseries will explore various aspects of the HBCU experience, using performances, interviews and notable alumni to tell the HBCU story. The series also will highlight Honda’s longstanding relationship with and support of the HBCU community.

“This year, Honda Battle of the Bands will represent a broader look at HBCU life. ‘Driving the Legacy’ will enable us to share some new and exciting things about the HBCU experience that makes these institutions special—something Honda has known for more than 30 years,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at AHM. “While there isn’t an in-person event in 2022, we did not want another year to go by without the powerful spirit of HBOB.” The first episode in the “Driving the Legacy” series will feature three

schools that have a deep history with the HBOB program: Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University and Prairie View A&M University. It will be hosted by Emmy and two-time NAACP Image Award-winning host, comedian, author and Prairie View alumna, Loni Love.

“I am honored to partner with Honda in sharing the legacy these historic institutions have in developing some of the world’s most influential and powerful leaders,” said Love. “As a proud alumna of an HBCU, I personally know that the HBCU experience is unmatched. It’s an environment where our culture is authentically celebrated and treasured.”

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships. Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

NAREB LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS LIMITING GAINS IN BLACK HOMEOWNERSHIP WASHINGTON – With the gap in homeownership between Black and White families wider today than when housing discrimination was rampant decades ago, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) is launching a “Revive the American Dream of Homeownership” campaign to change public policies that limit the ability of minority and low-to-moderate income families to purchase homes.

As of last summer, the Black homeownership rate was 44.6% compared to 74.2% for Whites, a gap of 29.6%. In 1960, before Civil Rights and Fair Housing laws were enacted, there was a lower 27-point gap between Black homeownership (38%) and White homeownership (65%), demonstrating the substantial need for policies that support homeownership.

“It is a travesty that in 2022, some five decades past the Civil Rights movement, there has been very little progress in Black homeownership,” said Lydia Pope, NAREB’s President. “It is time for us to act. We must alert Congress and the Biden Administration that public

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policies must be enacted and changed to provide more opportunities for families to purchase homes. The American Dream of homeownership must be revived.”

Specifically, NAREB is taking aim at four policy areas they have identified as detrimental to homebuying for minorities and low-to-moderate income families: Ø Down Payment Assistance.

NAREB is fully supportive of the down payment assistance plan in President Biden’s the Build Back Better legislation. Currently, there are options for down payment assistance available for families, but most come with conditions that can hurt their ability to get a home loan. For instance, some programs tack on a second mortgage or stricter wage and credit score requirements. Other proposals want to link down payment assistance to a tax credit, but that kind of relief does little to help a family that can’t close on house because they can’t afford the down payment.

NAREB supports a grant program for down payment assistance so that participation doesn’t impact the ability to qualify for a mortgage.

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The annual report of the BENJAMIN F. & ERNESTINE BRUTON FOUNDATION Is available at the address noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any Citizen who so requests within 180 days after the publication of this notice of its availability BENJAMIN F. & ERNESTINE BRUTON 15754 Chimney Rock Tr. Woodbridge, VA. 22193 Alice S. Walker, Pres.

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Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008679 on FEBRUARY 24, 202. Under the Assumed Business Name of ELIZA & LC ENTERPRISES with the business located at 136 SHERRY LN, CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS 60411. The true name and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partners(s) is: Owner/ Partner Full Name LEE C. KIDD Complete Address: 56 W 77TH PL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60620, USA. _______________________________________

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Notice is hereby given pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State”, as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008737 on MARCH 4, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of WAR AND LOVE CO. with the business located at: 11105 SOUTH KEDZIE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60655. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of athe owner(s) / [artner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name RABIHAH SIMMONS RILEY Complete Address 11105 S. KEDZIE, CHICAGO, IL 60655, USA _______________________________________

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OK, who celebrates fifth?

Bank of America does.

For the fifth year in a row, Bank of America has shared the success of our company with our employees with a valuable Sharing Success compensation award.

To recognize the team’s hard work, this award is over and above regular compensation. And this year, we’re proud to commemorate a first — nearly all these awards are in Bank of America stock.

That means 97% of our employees shared $1 billion worth of Bank of America stock this year, above regular compensation.

“I want to thank my teammates here in Chicago for their continued hard work and dedication.

While other banks might make awards like ours every once in a while, I’m proud to work for an organization that has rewarded our employees for five years in a row.

Because success is better when it’s shared.”

Rita Sola Cook President, Bank of America Chicago

What would you like the power to do?® Learn more about how we’re investing in our local communities at bankofamerica.com/chicago

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.