Hyde Park Citizen 6-9-2021

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 Week of June 9, 2021

| Vol. 32 | No. 29 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

HYDE PARK

Travel Advisors Smooth the Way for PostPandemic Getaways Page 7

UNCF Chicago hosts virtual UNCF “A Mind Is...”

Gala Supporting HBCUs and Students Page 9

TIPS FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS TO INCREASE FINANCIAL LITERACY

Jasmine Black started BrainChild Business Consulting in 2017 because she always knew she wanted to be able to own her own business and work for herself. What she didn’t know was that she would be able to start the boutique marketing and consulting agency as early in her career as she did.

PAGE 2 Jasmine Black, president of BrainChild Business Consulting, said business owners should do their research, get a good banking partner, visit the Small Business Administration, get a coach, and talk to other business owners. Photo provided by Demi Paule

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION UNCF LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO RE-ENROLL FORMER HBCU AND PBI STUDENTS THROUGH COACHING UNCF (United Negro College Fund), recently announced a new initiative designed to help students who left college before graduating to re-enroll in a network of nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) across the country.

Through a collaboration with student success nonprofit InsideTrack, UNCF will provide personalized success coaching to thousands of former HBCU and PBI students nationwide to help them successfully navigate the complexity of college re-enrollment, resume their studies, and develop a plan to successfully complete their degrees.

Through the initiative, 4,000 returning HBCU and PBI students will receive up to four months of one-on-one coaching to help them complete their academic studies.

Coaches will help students set goals, build skills to balance work, family, financial and academic commitments; and develop individual plans to help make graduation a reality.

HEALTH

STUDY REPORTS HIGHER CHILDBIRTH COMPLICATION RATES FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC WOMEN REGARDLESS OF AGE Black women under the age of 24 are more likely to experience severe childbirth complications than white women over the age of 35 – an age group usually considered high risk, according to new data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Data shows the rates of childbirth complications have been increasing for women of color. In the last two years, the rate of Hispanic women with severe childbirth complications increased 19%.

“There is an urgent maternal health crisis in our country,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “It is unconscionable that women of color face a greater risk of childbirth complications compared to white women. We must confront health disparities across the board to change the trajectory.”

For more information about the BCBSA National Health Equity Strategy and maternal health programs, visit BlueHealthEquity.com.

LAW & POLITICS

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADVANCES PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FIRST SLATE OF JUDICIAL NOMINEES The Senate Judiciary Committee recently advanced the nominations of Ketanji Brown Jackson, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit; Julien Xavier Neals, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Zahid N. Quraishi, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Regina M. Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado. Ahead of the votes, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on how the five nominees will bring much-needed professional and demographic diversity to the judicial branch. All five nominees were rated “Well Qualified” by the American Bar Association, the highest rating possible for nominees.

“These nominees will bring to the bench outstanding credentials and experience, and a variety of professional perspectives that have been underrepresented many times in the Judiciary. And, of critical importance, these nominees fundamentally understand the role a federal judge plays: apply the law to the facts, without consideration of politics or ideology, so they can make evenhanded and fair-minded judgments,” Durbin said.

Tips for women in business to increase financial literacy Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Jasmine Black started BrainChild Business Consulting in 2017 because she always knew she wanted to be able to own her own business and work for herself. What she didn’t know was that she would be able to start the boutique marketing and consulting agency as early in her career as she did.

“I always thought that business ownership was something you did after you retired from your first job and you built a company that way,” she said. “I am fortunate that we have been able to find that not to be the case and being able to work at my agency full-time.”

Brainchild Business Consulting, LLC, specializes in creating, implementing and managing strategic digital marketing campaigns for small to medium-sized service-based and professional businesses.

Black didn’t work at another agency before she started her agency. She worked in banking, where her responsibilities were for her own sales numbers, as well as her teams. She said she was excited that she was able to be with companies that utilized an entrepreneurial business model. She was responsible for the marketing plan, marketing budget and implementation.

Black said she was able to reach endof-year goals by honing in on a system, which is the basis of everything, that system is what she brought to BrainChild Business Consulting.

Black said when it comes to being a

black businesswoman, there are ways to increase financial literacy.

Do your research. Black said there are free resources you can access on your mobile smartphone. “When I was first learning and really studying, I wanted to learn more than just what was on the surface, I utilized sites like Yahoo! Finance and CNNMoney and some others. They have really well-written out articles that help you understand finance and wealth building,” she said, adding, to be proactive.

Get a really good banking partner.

Black said when people think of a banker, they usually think of someone who is taking our deposits or doing a loan application. “A really good banker, a really well-trained banker, is a really good asset because they can help you understand what’s going on with your business, from a financial standpoint, they can help you understand things like what financial ratios are showing how your business is actually fairing. They will help you understand your debt service coverage or what debt your business can actually take on,” she said.

Utilize the Small Business Administration and its website. The local assistance tab will help people find a SBA District and SBA Regional offices. She said, SBA provides resources and training for small business owners. “I used to go there, and they had programs every single week, they’re free.

And, they would tell you everything from learning about grants to learning about business credit to programs available for minorities or veterans or women and they

had people there to assist you,” she said.

Talk to business owners who have done what you want to do. Black said those business owners can provide lessons and can talk to you about their experiences. She said you can utilize those lessons in your own business.

“Being able to speak to business owners and having those business owner friends in your network that you can just say, hey, what do you think about this, or what do you know about this,” she said.

Get a coach. Black said it can be someone geared towards financial literacy, who can help with registering for minority grants or who can help build business credit. “Do your research and make sure that person is going to be the best fit for you, that they have the appropriate licenses, check their reviews, just to make sure you’re in the right place,” she said.

Black said one of the biggest mistakes people make is not having a plan in terms of how much money they want to bring in, how they market their product or who their clients will be. She said a lot of times, she has seen clients guess. “While there are some industries that are easily replicable, there are so many different nuances between products and between people,” she said. “If you look at the four P’s of marketing, product, place, price and promotion, those are four different aspects of your business that need to be evaluated.”

For more information about Jasmine Black and BrainChild Business Consulting, visit Brandsbybrainchild.com.

More Americans in Living Wage Jobs for Third Straight Month, says Ludwig Institute More American workers continue to move into living-wage jobs, with the percentage of Americans classified as “functionally unemployed” dropping to the lowest level since December 2019, according to the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP).

In its April True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) report, LISEP’s analysis indicates that the percentage of Americans classified as functionally unemployed – defined as seeking, but unable to find, full-time employment that lifts them over the federal poverty line – has dropped for the third consecutive month and now stands at 23.1%. This is a 1.6 percentage point improvement over March, the largest percentage drop since 1995 (when TRU began to be calculated). This is

the lowest TRU since 22.7% in December 2019.

The decrease in the TRU is in contrast to the April unemployment report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which showed an uptick in the jobless rate, from 6.0% to 6.1%. According to LISEP Chairman Gene Ludwig, this is an indication that more part-time employees are seeing an increase in hours worked and as the economy reopens, employers are boosting wages “Three months of wage and employment growth is encouraging, and certainly signals a recovering economy. But we’re far from out of the woods,” Ludwig said. “We still have nearly a quarter of the workforce without a full-time living wage job, which is all the more reason to keep our foot on the gas with aggressive policy initiatives

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designed to create dependable, good-paying jobs. And it will still take some time for families to recover from the Covid recession – now is not the time to stop unemployment benefits for Americans in need.”

The TRU improved across all demographics, with Black workers posting the biggest improvement, from 31.8% to 27.6% -- dropping below 30% for the first time in more than a year. Hispanic workers saw a 1.3 percentage point drop, from 28.5% to 27.2%, while White workers improved from 22.8% to 21.6%. The TRU for men dropped a full percentage point, from 20.3% to 19.3%, thus dropping below 20% for the first time since March 2020.

The rate for women also improved, from 29.3% to 27.4%.

Ludwig notes that contrary to analysts and pundits

lamenting a “bad” BLS jobs report, he finds the news encouraging, with a larger swath of the workforce moving out of poverty and into living-wage employment.

“April’s job numbers, far from being an indictment, point to a much brighter future,” Ludwig said. “And while we shouldn’t read too much into month-over-month numbers, they are certainly going in the right direction.

“This is a good sign that our economy is rebounding to where it was before the pandemic, but we cannot forget that the pre-pandemic economy was marred by severe inequality, with nearly a quarter of all workers lacking a living-wage job. That’s why we need to take advantage of this generational opportunity to build back better.”

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

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NEWS

New CDC Report Finds More Adults Are Dying from Bicycle-Related Accidents The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding consumers of the importance of wearing helmets for sports and recreation to reduce the risk of head injury, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Helmets absorb much of the impact energy from a fall or collision, and can protect the skull and brain from more severe injury.

Bike helmets are required to meet CPSC’s federal safety standard. They must have a label stating that they meet the standard.

Consumers can usually find this label on the liner inside of the helmet, on the exterior surface, or attached to the chin strap. Information on bike helmets, and helmets for other activities, can be

found at CPSC’s “Which Helmet for Which Activity” webpage.

Findings in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show just how critical helmets are to preventing injuries and deaths. The report found that from 2009 through 2018: * Bicycle-related deaths increased between 2009 and 2018, primarily among adults. * There were nearly 597,000 bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries treated in hospital emergency departments (ED) in the United States. * The rate of ED visits declined by almost 50% among kids, but declined only 6% among adults. * Males were three times more likely than females to end up in the ED with

traumatic brain injuries. * Policies requiring bike helmets have been associated with long-term, sustained bike helmet use and a 20%-55% reduction in head injuries.

Although no helmet design has been proven to prevent concussions, CDC’s HEADS UP helps identify concussion symptoms, and when to seek treatment.

For lifesaving information: Visit CPSC.gov.

Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC. Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.

Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).

United Way Launches Live United Initiative to Support Communities’ Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic United Way recently announced the launch of the Live United Initiative, an eight-week initiative to help communities everywhere continue on the path of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the helm of this effort are Seattle Seahawk Superbowl Champion and 2020 Walter Peyton Man of the Year, Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy award-winning artist Ciara. The two founded the Why Not You Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to education, children’s health and fighting poverty, while empowering today’s youth to lead with a why not you attitude.

The Live United Initiative is a multi-channel, digital initiative that will highlight the global work of United Way, and it engages millions of people around the world in reimagining and rebuilding strong, equitable communities in the wake of COVID-19.

While United Way, the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit, raised an unprecedented amount of money last year that helped 27 million cope with COVID-19, the pandemic’s multiple waves around the world—most recently in India—are a reminder that recovery is a long-term undertaking.

More than 225 million jobs have been lost globally, educators and parents worry about learning loss, especially for low-income children of color, and United Ways are still fielding record requests for help getting food and health care.

“Ciara and I are proud to serve as cochairs for this initiative because COVID-19 and the effects from it are far from over,” said Russell Wilson. “Rebuilding isn’t a matter of going back to where we were.

It’s reimagining how we can be better and building towards that – UNITED.” “We are proud to join with United Way for the Live United Initiative so

that we can help every person have an equal opportunity to succeed. Strong communities need strong United Ways and strong children with a ‘why not you’ attitude,” added Ciara.

Experts say long-term recovery may lag, but the impact on vulnerable communities is likely to be more entrenched and difficult to address. The pandemic exposed systemic racial and ethnic inequities by exacerbating pre-existing challenges faced by the most vulnerable: ethnic and racial minorities, the very young and the aged, and those who were barely scraping by.

“The pandemic has reinforced the importance of finding equitable solutions to global problems and that solution is found in United Way’s mission: we galvanize the caring power of communities. But we do not do it alone.

It is only with the help of leaders in every community, like Ciara and Russell Wilson, who now join us in our effort to Live United,” said Neeraj Mehta, interim president and CEO, United Way Worldwide. “Please join us in our commitment to make life better for every person in every community and be a leader in your own community.”

In the wake of COVID, United Way has stepped up in many ways, including $1 billion raised to support communities globally, $18 million raised to support 2.5 million people in Black communities in the U.S., 33.2 million meals served, 109,000 households received help with rent or mortgage and 852,000 individuals received health

supplies or services. View United Way’s full COVID: One Year Later report at https://www.unitedway.org/recovery/ covid19/year1report United Way’s most recent COVID relief efforts focus on raising funds to support India’s second COVID crisis.

The examples below highlight how United Way has shown up to provide relief in communities around the world: 211: The non-emergency helpline has been a lynchpin in COVID response and recovery. 211 helped millions access the services they need. From eviction prevention, to COVID testing, to providing last mile delivery of food.

Education: COVID exposed a digital divide through the move to virtual schooling. United Way has worked to provide laptops, tablets and Wi-Fi to students and families. United Way also spearheaded the mask challenge helping to distribute over 28 million masks to Title 1 schools in all 50 states to help children and teachers return safely to the classroom.

Health: In North America, 211 is playing a critical role in providing information about COVID 19 testing and vaccination sites. Additionally, In India, United Ways continue to focus on supplying PPE, hand sanitizing stations and ventilators to local healthcare providers.

And United Way Nigeria has supported urban, peri-urban and underserved communities by providing food, personal hygiene supplies and guidance on avoiding infection.

Financial Stability: United Way has helped thousands, including those experiencing homelessness, access their COVID stimulus payments through an Economic Impact Stimulus hotline and 211.

To learn more about United Way and the Live United Initiative and to donate, please visit: www.unitedway.org

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POLITICAL Affairs Senator Elgie Sims moves to give law enforcement agencies more time and resources to effect criminal justice reforms Recently, members of the Illinois Senate voted to clarify language in SAFE-T Act, a law passed early this year, championed by State Senator Sims (D-Chicago) that works to address police reform and sentencing reform, eliminate the cash bail system and establish violence reduction initiatives.

Sims released in a statement following the passage of the bill: “Public safety has always been the number one priority of the SAFE-T Act and our goal remains the same— to create safer communities. That's why, when negotiating these changes, we again included input from advocates, law enforcement officials and various stakeholders. This legislation seeks to clarify and address issues identified by stakeholders as well as providing more time to make the changes necessary to ensure the SAFE-T Act is effective for our communities.

"House Bill 3443 moves us another step forward in our efforts to reimagine public safety. Sims says he remain committed to transforming the criminal justice system in Illinois.

3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell receives endorsement from Chairman of the Black Caucus

Alderman Jason Ervin, Chairman of the Black Caucus of Chicago City Council, recently announced his support of Alderman Pat Dowell candidacy for office of Secretary of State.

“Alderman Pat Dowell is one of the most hardworking and conscientious members of the Chicago City Council,” Alderman Ervin said. “She champions the needs of African Americans while making sure that all of her constituents are respected and protected. We have worked together for more than a decade. She is smart and focused and gets the job the done.”

“When Alderman Pat Dowell is Secretary of State, Illinoisans will have a Secretary of State that is a true public servant,” he added.

Dowell looks forward to building on the office programs and to continue its quality service.

Chicago lawmakers celebrate passage of elected school board legislation A group of Chicago-based state Senators, led by State Senator Robert Martwick (Senate District 10), is celebrating the Senate passage of a proposal to enact an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools.

Martwick issued the following statement: “The recent win in culmination of a decade-long fight that is an important step toward giving our communities a say in how the schools their children attend are run. We’re delivering accountability to the school board and ensuring that the people who will be making the decisions about how CPS is run and will always act in the best interests of CPS students and families.”

“Teachers, parents, students and community advocates came together to advocate for this historic piece of legislation that will put Chicago at the forefront of community-led education. I am honored to have sponsored this measure. I am grateful to my colleagues who helped move it through the Senate, and I look forward to a brighter future for our city’s youth that a fully elected school board is sure to bring.”

The following State Senators stood in solidarity with Martwick’s statement: • • • • • • • • •

State Sen. Omar Aquino (SD-2); State Sen. Mattie Hunter (SD-3); State Sen. Mike Simmons (SD-7); State Sen. Ram Villivalam (SD-8); State Sen. Celina Villanueva (SD-11); State Sen. Robert Peters (SD-13); State Sen. Emil Jones, III (SD-14); State Sen. Elgie Sims, Jr. (SD-17); and State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (SD-20).

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BUSINESS

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Allyship is Key to Creating Inclusive Workplaces Public coverage of systemic racism has challenged businesses to promote cultures of inclusion, often utilizing allies who serve as collaborators to support historically underrepresented individuals and communities.

But along with that comes a need to understand the complex issues required to become an advocate for change, according to a report from Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business (CWB).

Elevating Allyship in the Workplace highlights relevant research and interviews with diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders, employees and executives to present best practices for creating an inclusive workplace.

“The report establishes the need for allyship through data that highlights the lived experiences of workers with unique identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and LGBTQ+ status,” CWB Executive Director Trish Foster says. “It delves into complex issues that are central to effective allyship including white privilege, systemic racism, performative allyship, the role of fear and Intersectionality.”

Foster notes that the report specifically explores allyship approaches for those who are Black and Asian American while also including strategies for those who want to be white allies for racial justice and male allies for gender equity. It also explores LGBTQ+ allyship and advocacy for disability, including mental health.

The benefits of an inclusive work culture Discouraging data from LeanIn. Org indicates that, “despite an overwhelming majority of white employees seeing themselves as allies, less than half of Black women and only slightly more than half of Latinas feel they have strong allies at work.”

Deloitte research suggests that “allies might be the missing link” in creating inclusive organizations.

Employees in organizations with cultures of inclusion and allyship report feeling greater happiness and are more likely to go above and beyond for their employers: They are 50 percent less likely to leave; 56 percent more likely to work to improve their

A new report from Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business highlights best practices for creating successful allyship programs.

performance; 75 percent less likely to take a sick day; and up to 167 percent more likely to recommend their organizations as great places to work.

Allyship is necessary for psychological safety. Research from Deloitte concludes that, “teams where workers feel psychologically safe bringing their views to the table, and where their relationships with other team members are strong enough to allow them to do so in an assertive yet constructive way, will be well positioned to engage in productive friction—the ability to draw out conflict and learn from disagreements to generate new insights.”

Barriers to effective allyship The CWB report cautions that a significant hurdle to progress is performative allyship, which occurs when individuals or organizations share information about inequities but don’t take authentic action to make change. Examples include posting social media pieces on racial justice without further action to press for change or making statements of anger about current examples of social injustice without following up

to learn more about the underlying historic, systemic issues.

A barrier to employees becoming allies is personal discomfort. But the good news is that there are ways to lean into that discomfort: Learn more about people with different identities such as gender, LGBTQ+ status, race and religion without putting the onus on underrepresented peers and friends.

Think about intersectionality and how it impacts others’ lives.

Read, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts to learn about people’s unique identities.

Work through potentially defeating concerns and fears with other would-be allies.

Best practices to create an organizational allyship program “If you are developing an organizational program, leverage proven best practices and view the journey as an iterative process, allowing for trial and error along with transparency about mistakes,” Foster says. “Take a flexible approach and recognize that even the most sophisticated

organizations face challenges when it comes to allyship and inclusion.”

Best practices to elevate workplace allyship include: Embed an organizational culture of safety; the tone from the top is critical.

Adopt the practice of non-judgmental dialogue that allows employees voices to be heard.

Admit mistakes, apologize, and work to correct them as you move forward.

Learn how to distinguish between intent and impact and be willing to discuss it.

Celebrate the success of allies and underrepresented individuals.

Make a public commitment to allyship as an organization.

Prioritize employees before profits and ensure that branding, client relationships and vendor agreements emphasize inclusion.

Ensure accountability on teams and among leadership. One example is establishing a diverse personal advisory board that gives leaders regular feedback.

Utilize an assessment tool to measure the effectiveness of your

organizational and individual allyship initiatives.

Recognize the challenges of a virtual environment, which requires more intentional allyship and sensitivity to those struggling or feeling excluded in a remote setting. Virtual drop-in times, for example, could give employees a chance to connect more spontaneously with managers and each other.

Foster says that while the CWB report highlights numerous allyship strategies and approaches to create an inclusive workplace, individual actions are key to success. “All allies should work to amplify others’ voices and engage in brave dialogue. Try to move beyond performative allyship; true allies use their power, skills, knowledge and relationships to advocate for change. Doing so requires pushing back against long-standing practices and attitudes. It is not easy but change seldom is.”

Founded in 1917, Bentley University enrolls 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu.

MBDA Announces 2021 National MED Week Call for Nominations-Nominate MBEs TODAY through July 15 MBDA recently announced the call for nominations for the 2021 National Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) Awards. National MED Week celebrates the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs, as well as the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to advancing minority business enterprises.

This year, MBDA will continue to highlight businesses that have developed and implemented innovative solutions that promote business continuity and the ability to thrive through the challenges. To complete an online nomination for minority-owned businesses and/or other champions in the minority business community, please visit https://my.reviewr.com/mbda/ www.citizennewspapergroup.com

site/MedWeek_Awards_2021. All nominations are due on June 15, 2021 by 11:59 pm ET. MBDA will honor award winners during the virtual National MED Week conference, September 12-18, 2021. If you have questions, please contact the National MED Week Program Manager Antavia Grimsley at agrimsley1@mbda.gov.

NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL ACD: A. Del Valle

CD: G. Apfelbach

CW: A. Walentin

P: C. Capola

AM: L. Mitchell

BM: E. Schmidt

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

NEWS

Nearly 50% of adult women have high blood pressure, and nearly three-quarters of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control

Women Face Unique Risks for High Blood Pressure and Stroke (NewsUSA) Women have a lot on their plates, and sometimes important self-care can take a back seat to work, family and other obligations.

In fact, nearly 50% of adult women have high blood pressure, and nearly three-quarters of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can significantly increase a woman’s risk for a stroke, but a few important steps can help reduce that risk and give women (and their loved ones) one less thing to worry about.

“High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and we know that 1 in 5 women will have a stroke and stroke kills more women than breast cancer,” according to Dr. Monik Jiménez, a volunteer with the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association and associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“While high blood pressure isn’t directly linked to gender, different health issues throughout a woman’s life, such as birth control, pregnancy, and menopause, can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of stroke if left uncontrolled,” according to Jiménez.

Doctors and researchers have found a link between birth control pills and an increase in blood pressure among some women. They say that it is more likely to occur in

women who are already overweight, have kidney disease or have a family history of high blood pressure.

A combination of birth control pills and smoking can be very dangerous to women and is not recommended. A woman’s health during pregnancy can be a preview of her health in the future.

Women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy are at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure and having a stroke later in life. The physical changes associated with menopause also increase a woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure.

Of note, women of Black and Hispanic ethnicity may develop high blood pressure at a younger age and have a higher average blood pressure than other racial groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fortunately, 80% of strokes may be prevented and lowering high blood pressures reduces stroke risk.

Women can measure their blood pressure at home regularly and let their doctors know if it’s normally above 120/80.

In addition, lifestyle adjustments such as getting enough exercise, eating healthfully, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can go a long way to reduce women’s disease risk from high blood pressure.

For more information and tips about women’s health and stroke prevention at all stages of life, visit GoRedForWomen.org/Risk

TOGETHER, WE CAN POWER THROUGH ANYTHING.

If you could use help with your energy bill, there’s a way.

To learn about financial assistance call 800-EDISON1 or visit ComEd.com/Support today.

A brighter future

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GOOD EATING Creative ways apples can elevate your next brunch (BPT) - Brunch is the perfect pairing of morning delights and mid-day favorites.

Whether celebrating holidays, anniversaries, friendships or simply a sunny Sunday, brunch is guaranteed to satisfy and bring smiles.

"From making pancakes with the kids on Saturday mornings to frittatas and mimosas with the best of friends, brunch foods are the ultimate in connection and warmth," said Faith Durand, editor-in-chief of Kitchn, a cooking and lifestyle website whose brunch recipes in particular have continued to gain in popularity.

Take your spring brunch to the next level by incorporating a crowd-pleaser like apples. Big, beautiful Envy™ apples uniquely deliver a delightful crunch, uplifting aroma, and a sophisticated, balanced sweetness, making them a perfect addition to both savory and sweet dishes. What's more, Envy™ apples remain white and crisp upon slicing, so brunch spreads will stay fresh and eye-catching.

Sweet or savory, brunch offers a range of possibilities for a creative sunny-day spread: B r u n c h b o a r d s : The popularity of charcuterie boards has inspired countless spinoffs and one of the most delicious and customizable is the Brunch Board. While the concept is simple, the presentation is impressive. Find a large platter and arrange all your favorites in an eye-pleasing fashion.

For example, place a row of mini pancakes or crepes on the platter between sweet and savory items, with sliced Envy™ apples and assorted fruit on one side and hard-boiled eggs, bacon and sausage on the other.

A v o c a d o t o a s t : With the massive popularity of avocado toast, adding this dish to your brunch is a no-brainer. To make your brunch special, upgrade standard ingredients for added flavor. Thin, crisp Envy™ slices, lime juice, chopped chives and shaves of fresh Parmesan take this quintessential brunch treat to the next level.

Prepare slices for the entire table or invite guests to express their creativity with an avocado toast bar.

Fruit-enhanced bakery: Add a touch of sweetness and irresistible crunch to baked goods by adding diced Envy™ apple.

Pancakes, muffins, crepes - the possibilities are endless.

S h a r a b l e s i z e s : Brunch is all about bringing people together, and sharable items are the perfect way to please all palates. A platter of sliced fruit, including large Envy™ apples that are naturally the perfect size for slicing and sharing, brings vibrant color to the spread and is also a delicious and healthy addition to brunch.

You can't beat the refreshing crunch in balancing out other savory or salty foods.

To celebrate all things brunch, Envy™ is the official fruit partner of Kitchn's 2021 Brunch Fest. "With our first ever Brunch Fest social takeover, we're celebrating the dishes and drinks that wake us up, bring our families together, and give us a reason to say cheers with the people we love," said Durand.Find recipes and more information on EnvyForBrunch.com.

This brunch recipe celebrates spring by pairing the sophisticated sweet flavor and crunch of Envy™ apples with seasonal fresh asparagus and umami-rich shiitake mushrooms. Tossed with a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette, this delightful dish can star as an entrée or serve as a side.

Ingredients: For the asparagus: 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the mushrooms: 4 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt 40 turns fresh cracked pepper 2 cups orzo pasta 1 Envy™ apple, small diced 4 tablespoons chopped parsley Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Toss the asparagus in olive oil and salt and spread out on half of a sheet tray.

Toss the mushrooms in the olive oil and salt and spread out on the remaining half of the sheet tray. Roast in the oven until asparagus and mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes.

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined.

Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and then toss with the vinaigrette. Fold in the asparagus, mushrooms, apples and parsley. Serve warm.

Spring Vegetable and Envy™ Apple Orzo www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

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NEWS

Travel Advisors Smooth the Way for Post-Pandemic Getaways (NewsUSA) - As travel opportunities reopen with increasing COVID-19 vaccinations and a decline in cases, eager travelers are booking post-pandemic trips to connect with friends and family, celebrate a special occasion, or just get out of the house.

However, after years of making their own travel arrangements online, many potential travelers are rediscovering the value of a professional travel advisor to identify and navigate the variety and shifting safety protocols of post-pandemic travel.

“We are dealing with a fragmented travel landscape with shifting public health protocols and entry restrictions that are constantly changing,” says Brianna Glenn, owner and travel designer at milkandhoneytravels. com, a boutique travel service that designs custom vacations.

“Travelers don’t need the added stress of trying to navigate this new maze on their own, a good travel advisor can smooth the way and get their trip off to a great start,” she adds.

“For example, I just had a honeymoon trip that had their outbound flight delayed

due to weather and they missed their connecting flight to Frankfurt on their way to Croatia. We stepped in and worked with United to rebook their flights, secure a hotel inside the Frankfurt airport since they were not able to leave the transit area and adjust their hotel booking and airport transfers in Dubrovnik without them having to worry about a thing.”

Results of a survey by the travel industry website Skift showed that almost half of Americans planning post-pandemic travel plan to use travel advisors.

Some key benefits of engaging a professional travel advisor to plan your post-pandemic trip include: - Preparation upfront. An old wedding planning adage says, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Especially in the post-pandemic landscape, a good plan is essential, and a professional advisor, like a good wedding planner, can make sure that everything is set up in advance. Advance planning includes knowing what to expect at your destination regarding safety protocols such as masking requirements

and testing or quarantine requirements.

- Backup if you need it. Upscale travelers are seeking peace of mind and expertise as they plan the often complex and exotic trips they have dreamed about during more than a year of staying at home. The more complex the trip, the more important it is to have a knowledgeable advocate in your corner if something goes wrong or if safety regulations should suddenly change. Professional travel advisors can help with purchasing travel insurance to recoup costs in case of cancellation due to COVID and with negotiating refunds if reservations, flights, cruises, or other travel-related activities are cancelled.

“There is a big difference between people who love to travel, and people who love to plan travel,” Ms. Glenn says. “Ultimately, we save you hours of time and energy so you can focus on the things that matter most to you,” she emphasizes.

Visit milkandhoneytravels.com to learn how professional travel advisors can help make your post-pandemic getaway flow smoothly.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Results of a survey by the travel industry website Skift showed that almost half of Americans planning post-pandemic travel plan to use travel advisors.

8 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

FASHION

kidpik Boys Summer 2021 Clothing Box

Keshia Knight Pulliam was recently announced as Mielle’s new Global Education Ambassador.

Actor and venture capitalist partners with Black-owned beauty brand Mielle Organics recently announced the celebration of their 7-year anniversary. The global beauty brand commemorated their milestone with a $5.99 blow-out sale in May and also announced that actress and venture capitalist Keshia Knight Pulliam as Mielle’s new Global Education Ambassador.

As Mielle’s Global Ambassador, Keshia Knight Pulliam will lead the beauty brand’s initiatives to roll out their inaugural Global Certificate Program in partnership with Rutgers University and the Newark Business Hub. As part of the brand’s promise to provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and education in the community, Mielle Organics will allocate part of their $1 Million More Than A Strand Fund to cover the tuition and start-up costs for 60 2021 program applicants.

For Mielle Organics’ founder and CEO, Monique Rodriguez, choosing Keshia Knight Pulliam as Mielle’s Global Education ambassador was a must. “We chose Keshia Knight Pulliam as our new Global Education Ambassador because of her passion for providing opportunities for mentorship, education and venture capital for Black women,” said Rodriguez. “Entering this

next chapter of our journey with someone who is equally as passionate about building community entrepreneurship is a testament to what God has to come.”

“I am elated to work with Mielle Organics to bring new education and venture capital opportunities to Black women worldwide,” said Global Ambassador, Keshia Knight Pulliam. “It’s amazing to partner with a company that has so much mutual synergy when it comes to sewing into our community. I’m honored to celebrate their 7-year anniversary.”

Mielle Organics’ Global Education Program will educate 60 applicants annually on the necessities for new and growing startups. At the end of the program, ten out of those 60 applicants will be chosen to travel to South Africa and compete for Series A funding in 2022.

Applications for Mielle’s 2021 Global Certificate Program are now open through June 15. Winners will be announced on June 30. To learn more about Mielle Organics’ 2021 Global Certificate Program, visit https://www.morethanastrand. com.

kidpik Girls Summer 2021 Clothing Box

Summer Forecast: Stress-Free, Fashionable and Fun With hot, sunny days on the horizon, kidpik, has released its Summer 2021 collection of personalized clothing boxes packed with kids’ outfits designed to keep up with stylish kids’ warm weather routines.

Parents can prioritize relaxation this summer by allowing kidpik’s team of fashion experts to do the shopping and the styling for them.

After members take the brand’s 3-minute style quiz, kids await a surprise at their doorstep—a box of curated fashion selected just for them based on their unique preferences.

“With our summer collection, we’ve captured the happiness the season brings with bold and bright styles created with summer fun top of mind,” said Dina Sweeney, kidpik’s chief merchandising officer.

“Our goal is always to make parents and kids happy by delivering clothing kids love and want to wear. Parents can test out new trends from the comfort of their home and receive personalized, seasonal looks in their kids’ updated sizes without having to spend a beautiful day shopping indoors.”

Standout trends from the summer collection include

bold stripes, tropical prints, denim, colorful and monochromatic coordinated sets and color blocked swimwear for boys and girls.

Additional highlights include easy dresses in of-themoment florals and tie dye patterns for girls and bold graphic t-shirts and lightweight shorts for boys.

Each kidpik subscription box ships with 7 pieces of coordinated fashion, including shoes, that create a minimum of 3 mix-&-match outfits. The average box is $98 when the 30% keep-all discount is applied, bringing each item to $14. Shipping, returns and exchanges are free and there is no styling fee—making kidpik entirely commitment-free. “We enjoyed our box so much! It was as fun for mom to open as it was daughter. The sizes and styles were perfect. My daughter loved every piece! Thank you for offering quality kids clothing for a reasonable price,” said one happy member in a recent 5-star review.

In addition to kidpik’s time-saving kids subscription boxes, the brand is set to release pre-styled vacation and camp boxes, which will be available to purchase with no subscription required beginning on June 15, 2021.

For more information, visit kidpik.com

Eastman expands capacity to produce Naia™ cellulosic yarn To serve rapidly growing customer demand, global specialty materials provider Eastman (NYSE: EMN) is increasing its capacity to produce Naia™ filament yarn at its Barcelona, S.L., site by 30% by mid-2021 and more than 50% by the end of 2022.

“The growing importance of sustainability and circularity as key market drivers is accelerating adoption of sustainable fibers. As a result, Naia™ cellulosic filament yarn is gaining a lot of traction among our customers,” said Burt A. Capel, Eastman vice president and general manager of fibers.

“Our vision is to make sustainable www.citizennewspapergroup.com

“Our vision is to make sustainable fashion accessible to all, and we have a very committed team at our Barcelona site actively working to bring this expansion onstream as soon as possible to serve our customers across the globe,” said Burt A. Capel, Eastman vice president and general manager of fibers.

fashion accessible to all, and we have a very committed team at our Barcelona site actively working to bring this expansion onstream as soon as possible to serve our customers

across the globe,” Capel added.

The expansion will support new brand adoptions of Naia™ in womenswear fashion, where there is a growing demand for sustainable fibers.

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

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9

ENTERTAINMENT

UNCF Chicago hosts virtual UNCF “A Mind Is...”

Gala Supporting HBCUs and Students Special celebrity guest hosts and performers to join Gala to benefit deserving students and historically black colleges and universities – will also honor those who are helping to advance educational opportunities for young people of color The annual Chicago UNCF “A Mind Is...” Gala is moving online this year and is set for Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 6:00pm (CST). This annual event is one of Chicago’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the year. Due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gala has been reimagined as a digital experience packaging together an extraordinary virtual affair.

Hosted by Stefan Holt, anchor of NBC 5 with special guest host acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson, the event will include performances by Grammy-nominated singer Kenny Lattimore and Chicago’s own powerhouse singer Terisa Griffin. Gala Co-Chairmen include: NBA players Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)

and Derrick Rose (New York Knicks).

Honorary Co-Chairpersons include Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Cook County Board President Toni

Preckwinkle and Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

This year’s honorees, who are being recognized for helping to advance educational opportunities

for African-Americans, include Mary Spio, Founder and CEO of CEEK VR, Inc. receiving the “A Mind Is… Trailblazer Award” and Wintrust

Financial receiving the “A Mind Is… Corporate Award.

For 77 years, UNCF has supported hundreds of thousands of deserving students, private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocated for minority higher education.

Current sponsors of the virtual gala include: ITW, Peoples Gas, BMO Harris Bank, Wintrust, US Bank, COMED, Allstate, Nicor Gas, American Airlines, CEEK VR Inc and NBC 5 Chicago.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit UNCF. org/AMIChicago. or contact the local Chicago UNCF office at (312) 845-2204. Follow this event on social media @UNCFChicago #UNCFChicago #UNCF.

Vereen and Gossett Cement their “Roots” as Fellow Inductees Frazier and Avery join them in the American Black Film Institute’s Hall of Fame On Saturday June 19th, decades of talent rule the day, as The American Black Film Institute hosts it Juneteenth celebration, inducting Hall of Fame nominees, Oscar-winning actor Lou Gossett Jr., along with multi-faceted Tony award-winning actor Ben Vereen. The induction will take place at the American Black Film Institute’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration, to be held virtually and in-person, with a live simulcast.

The Juneteenth celebration entitled “Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand,” is a salute to the trailblazing artists, who have cast an indelible legacy of film and television projects, for current and future generations to revere. The American Black Film Institute is known for ensuring that artists of color are recognized for their lifelong contributions to film, television and theatre, and that their work is preserved.

Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen

Academy Award-nominee Margaret Avery

Rounding out the 2021 class of inductees include; multi-talented actress/singer Margaret Avery, best known for beloved roles such as “Shug” in the Color Purple and ac-

tress/producer Sheila Frazier known for her iconic screen portrayals as the demure leading lady, opposite leading men of classic Black 70’s cinema, most notably Superfly, and

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www.citizennewspapergroup.com

mainstream films such as California Suite and The Lazarus Syndrome.

“Our Juneteenth holiday steeped in the rich tradition of African American resilience pre and post-emancipation, should be viewed by us, as an opportunity to reflect on the past as we look ahead to the future. In that vein we seek to bring both young people and our elders together, so that the young may know the shoulders upon which they stand, and those who sacrificed so they may enjoy many of the benefits they do today,” stated ABFI Executive Director G. Scott Kenney.

The American Black Film Institute will additionally be hosting young people currently making strides nationally and in their community.

Among them include Twyla Joseph, Time Magazine’s recent cover story, who triumphantly represented the

face of the challenges young people are meeting head-on in the wake of COVID. She will be joined by The Young Men of Elmont, whose recent “See Me, Know Me” video campaign, focusing on mutual respect between law enforcement and young Black Men, was so well received in its heartfelt and truthful messaging, that it is now being used as a mandatory training video in suburban New York Police jurisdictions for new recruits.

The Black Film Institute continues its tradition of honoring the past, while cultivating future generations of creative leaders, toward the goal of giving young people a further appreciation for the generation before them, who made the road they now travel, just a little easier. For further information on this event, you may call (646)245-6232. The event is free and open to the public.

10 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of June 9, 2021

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