Hyde Park 10-18-2023

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BUSINESS AEC Unites Launched to Increase Black Participation in the AEC P4 Industry

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Week of October 18, 2023

FREE | VOL 34 | ISSUE 48

AETNA INVESTS

235,000 TO URBAN FARMS $

Aetna Better Health of Illinois has partnered with Windy City Harvest to provide funding to eight urban farms throughout the city of Chicago and two outside the city, as a way to combat food deserts and health disparities in communities where healthy food and fresh produce is not as accessible as it is in other communities.

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Aetna Better Health of Illinois has invested $235,000 to 10 urban farms within the Chicagoland area and has partnered with Windy City Harvest to provide quality produce. PHOTO PROVIDED BY AETNA BETTER HEALTH OF ILLINOIS.

Omar Bailey launches FCTRY LAb’s second shoe the ‘FCTRY MOCC’ P6

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Maverick Entertainment Presents “Women of the Jury” P10

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briefly ‘MARY, A HOLIDAY DANSICAL’ RETURNS DECEMBER 17 AT REVA AND DAVID LOGAN CENTER Black Girls Dance®, which empowers young women of color to pursue professional dance, presents Mary, A Holiday Dansical, choreographed, written, and directed by Founder Erin Barnett. Mary returns for one night only Sunday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago.

Mary, A Holiday Dansical is a modern twist on the traditional Black Nativity told through ballet, hip hop, tap, and contemporary dance. The first act focuses on the struggles of a typical teenage girl searching for her purpose in life. She is visited by an angel (ballerina) and learns she will conceive and bring forth a child who will be the Savior. Mary turns to her mother and close circle of friends for support, similar to today’s teenagers. The second half includes Christmas songs such as “Mary, Did You Know’” and holiday favorites like “Joy to the World.”

The cast of 18 dancer-actors and 11 Junior Ensemble members includes Emani Drake, a Prince Grace Foundation Honoraria Awardee, as Prophet Tina, and Makeba Malik returning as Joseph, both appearing courtesy of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Other cast members will be announced this fall.

Black Girls Dance®, founded by Erin Barnett in 2015, cultivates, empowers, and supports women in pursuing their dream of performing and grants scholarships to pre-professionals to train at the studio or institution of their choice. The organization became a nonprofit in 2021. Barnett, a Chicago native, was the first African-American Clara in the Chicago Tribune Charities production of The Nutcracker at McCormick Place. She toured internationally with Garth Fagan Dance and Philadanco!, played the role of Sarafina in The Lion King in Las Vegas for three years, and performed with Beyonce at the Billboard Awards. She also made her debut as a children’s book author earlier this year with Get Outta Here Stage Fright!, inspired by her experiences as a dance teacher for young children. For information, visit blackgirlsdance.org.

DECEMBER AT NICHOLS CONCERT HALL: MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS The Music Institute of Chicago offers holiday programming for families and jazz fans in December at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in downtown Evanston.

The Music Institute’s Ensemble-in-Residence Quintet Attacca and guests Braeburn Brass team up with Dance Chicago in a family-friendly, one-hour version of The Nutcracker that alternates between Tchaikovsky’s original score and the jazz version by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. An interactive musical instrument petting zoo for children takes place between the two performances.

Duke It Out! Nutcracker Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Music Institute’s Ensemble-in-Residence Quintet Attacca and guests Braeburn Brass team up with Dance Chicago in a family-friendly, one-hour version of The Nutcracker that alternates between Tchaikovsky’s original score and the jazz version by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. An interactive musical instrument petting zoo for children takes place between the two performances.

Tammy McCann: A Jazz Christmas Saturday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.

Jazz vocalist and Music Institute Artist-in-Residence Tammy McCann assembles an all-star ensemble, featuring guitarist Fareed Haque and a lush string orchestra, to combine jazz and rhythm and blues for a spirited performance of holiday favorites plus a few surprises.

For more information, visit nicholsconcerthall. org.

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Aetna Invests $235,000 to Urban Farms Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

“Access to nutritious foods is key to maintaining one’s health and aligns with our objective to improve overall health of our communities,” Rushil Desai, CEO, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, said in a release. “We invest in urban farms that provide locally grown produce to communities with less access to grocery stores and produce markets. Additionally, these farms provide employment training opportunities for people to work on the farm and develop valuable job skills.”

The farms that received a portion of the $235,000 are Legends South, in Bronzeville; Eat to Live Urban Farm, in Englewood; Growing Home, in Englewood; The Farm on Ogden, in North Lawndale; Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, in North Lawndale; Hydroponic Venture Project, in West Town; Free Will Good Hope Church, in West Garfield Park; Vera Yates Community Garden at Vera Yates Homes, in West Loop; Connections for the Homeless, in Evanston; and Larkin Village, in Joliet. The amount that was distributed to the farms depended on the size of the farms and their needs.

Windy City Harvest is a farming enterprise that works with urban farms. According to the website, since 2013, Windy City Harvest has helped grow 30 small farm businesses. The Farm on Ogden is the headquarters for Windy City Harvest.

“Through the Farm on Ogden, the headquarters of Windy City Harvest, Aetna’s funding allows us to purchase seeds and live plants, helping Windy City Harvest accomplish two key things: grow, harvest, and distribute produce to the North Lawndale community; and provide hands-on training to workforce development participants across various farm sites in Chicago,” Paul Krysik, director of strategic initiatives at Windy City Harvest, said in a release.

Shaan Trotter, Health Equity Officer for Aetna Better Health of Illinois, said Aetna Better Health wanted to strategically address food insecurity. So, it identified zip codes where its

members did not have access to quality fresh fruits and vegetables. Atena Better Health has been interested in how the urban farming experience could benefit the communities it serves. It believes that urban farming is one way to advance food sovereignty for its members.

Trotter said there were several factors that went into the urban farms that were chosen for funding. Those factors included the proximity of the farm to Aetna Better Health’s members, the capacity of the farm to provide large amounts of produce that could be distributed throughout the community, the mission of the farms and how they could expand beyond food delivery and the ability to create jobs and other training opportunities.

“The 10 vendors were chosen because of the stories they were able to tell about their impact within the community and how they really aligned with our strategy around addressing some of these health equity issues that we were seeing; then, reducing the burden of access to fresh fruits and vegetables to the community and our members,” Trotter said.

When Aetna Better Health of Illinois is developing these kinds of funding opportunities, it is looking at the whole care of the members and the communities where they live. Food security and food access is one of the main initiatives with the funding of the urban farms. It is being strategic in how it identifies partnerships, as well as products and programs it gives its members exposure to. Trotter believes food access is important to closing some of the health care gaps and chronic diseases that exist.

“The food and farming aspect really gives us innovative ways to engage in these neighborhoods. It puts us on the ground and puts our hands in the soil. There are workforce opportunities in this, there are education opportunities in this, but most importantly, there are health disparity disruptor opportunities in this,” Trotter said.

For more information about Aetna Better Health of Illinois, visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com.

ComEd and Aclima Launch Hyperlocal Air-Quality Portal CHICAGO – To help communities identify areas with high concentrations of air pollutants, and develop programs to mitigate their negative effects, ComEd recently launched the first phase of an online, air-quality portal with Aclima, a climate technology leader specializing in block-level, hyperlocal air quality and greenhouse gas mapping and analysis.

The hyper-local, air-quality monitoring effort was the first of its kind in Illinois, developed under ComEd’s Community of the Future (CoF) initiative. The portal currently features air quality and greenhouse gas measurements across Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. The data, visualized in interactive maps designed for the public at air.health/il, will help ComEd and its community partners build upon their ongoing efforts to pilot advanced technologies that support community benefits and improve air quality in Bronzeville, where there are pockets of degraded air-quality near industrial sites and high-trafficked areas like the I-90 expressway.

The portal, which also features data for portions of Rockford, Ill., another area participating in ComEd’s CoF initiative, is being shared publicly to encourage both individuals and organizations to better understand the typical average air quality in their communities and help develop programs that can improve air quality for local residents.

“We’ve seen how under-resourced and Environmental Justice Communities of Concern have been negatively impacted by harmful pollutants, including from vehicle tailpipes,” said Mark Baranek senior vice president of technical services, ComEd. “Our goal is to maintain and extend the electric grid to support all our customers in accessing clean energy so that, together we help improve air quality in a way that benefits all our customers and leaves no community behind.”

ComEd will review air-quality monitoring data to assess the impact of its efforts to boost electrification across the region.

Recently, ComEd announced investments to accelerate electric-vehicle (EV) adoption for its customers, a key component in the effort to lower carbon emissions and enhance air quality for communities. ComEd’s $231 million investments will launch new

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rebates, rate options, customer programs and pilot studies to support the move to cleaner energy technologies, including EVs. ComEd’s investments in electrification also deliver on a key goal outlined in the state’s landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which calls for putting one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, along with a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

“Aclima is proud to support ComEd’s efforts to reduce the emissions that threaten public health and our environment,” said Davida Herzl, CEO and co-founder at Aclima. “Aclima’s technology helps target swift, effective climate action in the communities who need it most — and provides the public with important information about the air they breathe every day. We look forward to expanding our mapping efforts across the Chicago area to help inform emissions reductions and clean air infrastructure planning, especially in light of the historic investments from the Inflation Reduction Act.” ComEd worked with Aclima to deploy the company’s fleet of low-emission vehicles, equipped with state-of-the-art, air-monitoring sensors in both Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and Rockford, Ill. Aclima hired local community members as vehicle operators and other members of the team.

From October 2021 through December 2022, the Aclima fleet drove block by block along every publicly accessible street in the mapping areas around the clock, capturing air on each block at different times of the day and days of the week. As the vehicle drives, it collects air quality data every second, uploading billions of measurements to the cloud for analysis and visualization by Aclima scientists and engineers. Among the air pollutants tracked were black carbon, ozone, particulate matter, nitrous dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

The goal was to understand air-quality patterns over an entire season, develop a baseline of air-quality data so progress can be tracked over time, and promote opportunities to improve air quality through beneficial electrification. For example, organizations can use the data to target electric fleet vehicle deployments

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3Arts announces 10 artists each receiving $30,000 unrestricted grants at annual 3Arts Awards Celebration CHICAGO, IL – 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announces the recipients of this year’s 3Arts Awards, with over half a million dollars distributed to local artists. The 2023 recipients of the unrestricted $30,000 grants are dance artists Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson and Rika Lin; musicians Rashada Dawan and Avreeayl Ra; teaching artists Jacinda Bullie and Eric Hotchkiss; theater artists Nancy García Loza and Charlotte “Chuck” Gruman; and visual artists Selva Aparicio and Jenny Kendler. The organization will honor the ten new recipients at its first in-person celebration since 2019 on Monday, November 13 at 5:30pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph Street. 3Arts Awards Celebration: For the Love of Artists tickets include a pre-program cocktail reception, awards presentation, performances, and an after-party with a bountiful buffet and music by DJ Sadie Woods. Tickets cost $130-$300 and are available at 3arts.org/ tickets.

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The awards ceremony will bring together energy-filled performances by Grammy Award-winning opera singer Will Liverman (on break from his starring role in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X currently running at The Metropolitan Opera); a dance excerpt from Gentle, Into That Good Night by critically acclaimed choreographer Stephanie Martinez (founder of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre); and a grand finale led by Chicago’s inaugural poet laureate avery r. young joined by an “all-star band” of past 3Arts awardees JoVia Armstrong, Meagan McNeal, Bethany Thomas, Caitlin Edwards, Sam Thousand, and more. The awards are hosted by 3Arts Executive Director and arts leader Esther Grimm with event co-chairs Juana Guzman, Will Liverman, Nalani McClendon, and Jason Quiara.

“It is going to feel so good to be back together again!” notes Esther Grimm. “In addition to celebrating the extraordinary 2023 3Arts Awards recipients, we are going to announce some big—next-level—news during the event that I think everyone in Chicago will be happy about.

I hope the seats will fill with people from all over metro Chicago so together we can send the loudest applause possible to the artists who add meaning and connection to our lives—and who persevered during the last three years of the pandemic. We need to let them know what they mean to us; in fact, that’s why we called this event, For the Love of Artists.”

3Arts has supported more than 2,000 artists, including 70% women artists, 70% artists of color, and 20% Deaf and disabled artists working in the six-county metropolitan area, and distributed over $6.6 million in grants.

Through unrestricted awards, project funding, residencies, professional development, and promotion, 3Arts helps artists take risks, experiment, and build momentum in their careers over time.

NEXT LEVEL AWARDS AND MAKE A WAVE AWARDS The nearly $600,000 to be distributed at the celebration includes five $50,000 Next Level Awards, along with ten $2,000 Make a Wave Awards selected by last year’s 3Arts awardees, all to be announced at the For the Love of Artists

event on November 13.

Next Level Awards are $50,000 unrestricted cash awards given to past 3Arts awardees to help fuel the next stages of their careers.

Make a Wave is a groundbreaking artist-to-artist grant program in which past 3Arts Awards recipients select another ten Chicago artists to receive surprise cash awards, sending a “wave” of support through Chicago’s cultural communities. Make a Wave artists receive $2,000 each, thanks to the generous partnership of the Siragusa Family Foundation.

Founded in 1912, with a history centered on women artists, 3Arts is a nonprofit organization that supports artists working in the performing, teaching, and visual arts in the Chicago metropolitan area, including women artists, artists of color, and Deaf and disabled artists. By providing unrestricted awards, project funding, residencies, professional development, and promotion, 3Arts helps artists take risks, experiment, and build momentum in their careers over time.

3Arts extends special thanks to the 2023 Award Partners: The Chandler Family, The Walder Foundation, The HMS Fund, Stan Lipkin & Evelyn Appell Lipkin, The Reva & David Logan Foundation, and The SIF Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation.

One of the ten 3Arts Awards, the 2023 Community Award, is named in honor of the 152 community donors who contributed to a crowdfunding campaign to fund the award.

3Arts also recognizes support for the Next Level Awards from an anonymous donor at The Chicago Community Foundation and Good Chaos, as well as Make a Wave Partner: The Siragusa Family Foundation.

3Arts gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors.

Presenting Partner Sponsors: Allstate Insurance Company and MSUFCU; Presenting Partner: Xfinity; Lead Sponsors: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois and Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence; and Media Sponsor: Chicago Magazine.

COMED AND ACLIMA... to corridors that are most significantly impacted by poor air quality.

“To enable families to succeed and businesses to thrive, they need equal footing both economically and environmentally,” said Bruce Montgomery, a member of the Bronzeville CoF advisory council and vice president of intergovernmental affairs at JitneyEV, an electric-vehicle transportation and charging company serving residents and businesses in and around Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. “I am proud to be part of an innovative group that is identifying areas of improvement and providing the people there with the tools to develop solutions that can both improve health outcomes and create jobs.”

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ComEd and Aclima recently launched a second phase of air-quality monitoring to extend mapping coverage to neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. Areas selected will support the Community Research Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS), an urban-integrated field laboratory led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory in partnership with academic and community organizations and civic and industry champions. Located in Chicago, CROCUS develops advanced, observational science related to climate change and public health impact. Phase two air-quality data should be available to ComEd in mid-2024.

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

PETERS IN FAVOR OF DIVERSIFIED PAID TECH TRAINEE PROGRAM

State Senator Robert Peters, an advocate of workforce training programs, expressed his support Thursday after the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology announced the launch of their paid trainee program designed to build a diversified pipeline of tech talent to address the increasing need for professionals in the tech industry.

“Paid workforce training is invaluable for so many residents here in the city,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “When trainee programs are paid, they support workforce equity and diversity initiatives giving disinvested communities opportunities they haven’t had before.”

Trainees will receive a minimum yearly salary of $54,000 from DoIT while pursuing tracks in one of five high-need concentration areas: cybersecurity, networking, coding and database, end user computing and enterprise infrastructure. Additional tracks will be added as the program grows. Trainees will also receive formal mentoring from current DoIT employees and be offered a full-time job with DoIT after completing the program and meeting its benchmarks.

Cohorts will begin with initial classes of 20 participants, with additional cohorts launching as needed. DoIT will partner with City Colleges of Chicago to provide a Chicago-based training site.

Applicants should apply online at DoIT.illinois.gov or plan to attend the recruitment event on Friday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City College’s Harold Washington campus in Chicago.

“This expansion of tech training opportunities will help grow our economy meeting the increasing demand for skilled tech professionals,” said Peters.

“I look forward to seeing the reach and fruits of this program.”

For additional information on the trainee program, applicant criteria, and upcoming hiring events, email DoIT.Recruitment@illinois.gov.

BELT APPLAUDS FUNDING FOR TWO LOCAL OUTDOOR TRAILS

State Senator Christopher Belt recently announced a total of $400,000 in funding for two outdoor trails in the 57th District through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“There is nothing better than to see frequently used outdoor spaces receive funds to improve their accessibility for residents,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Spending time outdoors has been proven to enhance our health and well-being, and it’s great we are allowing this to happen by making spaces like this more convenient and safe for everyone.”

The funds for the program come from a percentage of motor vehicle title fees, providing a maximum grant award of $200,000 per project for development projects, with no maximum grant award limit for land acquisition projects.

Madison County Transit District will receive $200,000 for the creation of a new trail, the Chain of Rocks Shared Use Path, which will benefit Madison County residents by having a safe, all-weather surfaced path for travel, commuting and recreation. St Clair County Transit District will receive $200,000 for the MetroBikeLink Extension. The trail will be expanded by three miles to enhance the growing trail system.

“These funds will allow Madison County Transit to significantly improve the walkability, ADA accessibility and connections to bus routes in this busy corridor,” said SJ Morrison, MCT managing director. “We are grateful to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois General Assembly for their ongoing commitment to safety and livability in Madison County.”

For more information about IDNR’s bike path grants and to see a list of the latest round of recipients, click here.

4 BUSINESS

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AEC Unites Launched to Increase Black

Participation in the AEC Industry WASHINGJoining Designed to increase the number AEC Unites as TON, PRNewswire of Black-owned businesses and co-founders are -- National leaders Turner Construcin architecture, Black talent in architecture, engineering and tion Company engineering and construction, President and CEO construction are launching AEC Peter Davoren as the nonprofit membership Unites to inspire, board co-chair organization will focus on promote and spur and secretary and equity and inclusion achieving industry-wide equity Jacobs Execuin the AEC industive Chair Steve and inclusion.

Demetriou as try for Black talent board co-chair and Black-owned and treasurer. Members of the founding businesses. Historically, Blacks have been board of directors include Hensel Phelps severely underrepresented in AEC, which President and CEO Mike Choutka, WSP employs over 13 million workers -- 9% of USA CEO Lou Cornell, Gensler Co-CEO the U.S. workforce. In 2022, Black workers Diane Hoskins, Stantec EVP and COO held only 7% of all AEC jobs even though Stuart Lerner, Moody Nolan CEO Jonathey represented 13% of all workers. By contrast, White workers comprise 77% of than Moody, Clark Construction Group the workforce yet hold 87% of all construcCEO Robert D. Moser, Jr., H.J. Russell CEO Michael Russell and former HOK Chairman tion jobs and 83% of all architecture and and CEO Bill Helmuth, who passed away engineering jobs. earlier this year, posthumously.

As a nonprofit membership orgaAfter a national search, AEC Unites’ nization, AEC Unites seeks to increase leadership team hired Tia Perry, an intentional opportunities for Black talent award-winning AEC leader with a proven and Black-owned businesses in all facets 17-year track record in fostering equity and of the AEC industry. Through efforts that inclusion and driving membership growth, will range from partnerships with historas executive director. ically Black colleges and universities Why Equity and Inclusion Are (HBCUs) and other groups, to Critical to AEC’s Profitability mentorship, training, proResearch shows the fessional development, majority of Americans and coaching, it will will be minorities by serve as a resource 2045 and diverse and for Black talent. To inclusive teams are create sustainable 33% more likely to opportunities and achieve above aversupport Blackowned businessage profitability and enjoy a 2.5 times es, it will offer higher cash flow member compaper employee. These nies a database of realities have broad Black-owned AEC implications for the AEC businesses and a playindustry. book on how to work In fact, the construction with them. industry is one of the largest in AEC Unites seeks to the United States. In 2022 it had a market increase opportunities for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in all facets of value of around $2.8 trillion, which was roughly 4.3% of our nation’s GDP. More the AEC industry significantly, it is an industry that delivers AEC Unites is the brainchild of Deryl work for every other industry and makes McKissack, who founded McKissack & modern life possible with its output.

McKissack in 1990. The company is the White workers make 570% more than outgrowth of a design and construction company started by her great-great-grand- Black workers in the U.S. and have the nafather who was freed from slavery after the tion’s lowest median net worth at $24,100.

Civil War. McKissack attributes AEC’s lack Black workers disproportionately work in of diversity, and her motivation to act, to low-wage job categories and endure a 2-1 systemic racism and unconscious biases, unemployment disparity to White workers. both of which she has experienced many Black workers also make less money on avtimes over as a Black female civil engineer. erage than similar White workers, accordFighting for Equity and Inclusion Must ing to the Economic Policy Institute.

Be an Industry-Wide Effort To address this, AEC Unites will McKissack was moved to seek sysconduct a robust membership campaign in the coming months and has developed a temic change after the events of George set of concrete actions it asks its members Floyd and by the reprehensible display of to follow. It asks all members of the AEC nooses on jobsites. Moved to action, she community to please consider joining now. enlisted industry leaders as her co-foundFor more information or to join AEC ers and is serving as AEC Unites board Unites, visit https://aecunites.org/. chair and president.

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Northwestern Mutual’s Black Founder Accelerator® program celebrates its third year of empowering Black entrepreneurs MILWAUKEE, PRNewswire -- Furthering its commitment to championing diversity, equity and inclusion, Northwestern Mutual, in partnership with gener8tor, a nationally ranked startup accelerator, announced this year’s fall cohort of five Black-owned tech startups to its Black Founder Accelerator program.

Research shows that Black founders receive less than two percent of venture capital. To combat this substantial funding disparity for Black entrepreneurs, each startup is eligible for a $100,000 investment and inclusion in a 12-week intensive program with access to individualized coaching and mentorship from industry-leading professionals. This is one of many core components to the company’s Sustained Action for Racial Equity (SARE) initiative, which was created to advance bold, sustainable change that accelerates Northwestern Mutual’s commitment to fight racism, prejudice and social injustice, with a focus on the Black and African American community.

“As we witness the remarkable achievements of each cohort, we are reminded that programs like these are essential in fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Abim Kolawole, chief audit executive at Northwestern Mutual and executive sponsor of the company’s SARE initiative. “We hope that the success of these founders will inspire future generations of Black entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.”

The Black Founder Accelerator program’s comprehensive offerings have enabled past participants to scale their businesses and enhance diversity of the tech industry.

Participating startups reflect Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures’ key strategic areas of focus including fintech, insurtech, digital health and data analytics. The startups include: Kingsley Ezeani: Co-founder and CEO | cashex.app CashEx (Boston) takes away the financial stress of immigrants during their migration journey by guiding them through building credit and establishing a U.S. bank account.

Kahlil Byrd: Founder and CEO | shur. co Shur (New York) promotes economic freedom and generational wealth by helping student loan borrowers eliminate early mistakes, build financial plans and adopt an understanding of credit. Shur also provides student loan repayment interruption insurance.

Matthew Parker: Founder and CEO | moderntax.io ModernTax (San Francisco) simplifies underwriting by providing companies with on-demand tax and financial information on their customers for a better understanding of a company’s financial health.

Ashton Keys: Founder and CEO |

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athlytic.io Athlytic (Detroit) bridges the gap between brands and student-athletes by providing a seamless connection for name, image and likeness campaigns through use of data-driven insights and expert recommendations to pair brands with the perfect athletes for ROI driven endorsement campaigns.

Jannae Gammage: Founder and CEO | tryforesight.io Foresignt (Kansas City, Mo.) leverages natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to assess credit risk, fraud and bias, which allows traditional banking services to safely open doors for underserved consumers and drive impact at scale.

In addition to the Black Founder Accelerator program, Northwestern Mutual also committed to a $100 million impact investing fund to deliver on the company’s commitment to addressing inequality and the racial wealth gap in the U.S. The fund focuses on three key areas: physical and social infrastructure, access to capital for individuals and businesses, and healthy sustainable neighborhoods and communities. gener8tor is a venture capital fund and startup accelerator. Ranked one of the top -15 accelerators in the United States, gener8tor operates programs for startups, musicians, artists, investors, and workers and prioritizes investing across race, place and gender. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in 2020 and one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021.

The NMBFA is a joint collaboration between Northwestern Mutual and gener8tor to advance Black tech startups based in the United States focused on fintech, insurtech, digital health and data analytics. gener8tor is the administrator of the 12-week accelerator that runs two cohorts of five Black-led tech startups a year.

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $558 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

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Hyde Park Art Center announces programs for Candace Hunter’s largest solo exhibition The Alien Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler CHICAGO (October 13, 2023)— Hyde Park Art Center, the renowned non‐profit hub for contemporary art located on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, announces programs for Chicago‐based artist Candace Hunter’s largest solo exhibition to date, including activations for Women’s History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With reading circles, writing workshops, and concerts, exhibition programming will explore the ideas of speculative fiction author Octavia E Butler (1947‐2006), whose works serve as inspiration to Hunter’s most immersive exhibition to date. In The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler, Hunter presents a series of assemblage‐based works, installations, video, and sound works that illustrate the meticulously constructed worlds Butler imagined in her novels, examining their significance for Black bodies and future societies. Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler will be on view from November 11, 2023 to March 3, 2024. The exhibition is co‐curated by the Art Center’s Public Programs Manager Ciera Alyse McKissick and Director of Exhibition & Residency Programs Allison Peters Quinn.

In The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler, Hunter presents new works created with synthetic plants, remnants of a sustainable food experiment, a reading nook, and painted doors as imagined portals to other worlds to create what she describes as an “alien lush space.” The exhibition addresses the concepts of nationhood. Hunter poses questions about who is other, and in what situations do we see people as other to ourselves? How do we

become universal?

A highlight of the exhibition is the installation Lilith’s Journey, inspired by Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy (Lilith’s Brood), which features a sequence of female silhouettes interspersed with full-length distorting mirrors. The figure represents the matriarch and Lilith’s ability to lead and grow a new civilization, while the mirrors explore the relationship between the gaze and creating feelings of otherness.

Comparing the Parable of the Sower to the Trump era and using Xenogenesis Trilogy (Lilith’s Brood) to explore what “alien” worlds might exist beyond America and its race relations today, Hunter’s exhibition creates a speculative space where multiple generations come together to envision a better future.

Candace Hunter says, “I’ve been working with Butler’s content for over a decade. I was drawn to Butler’s work because she was a Black girl in literature creating worlds that were fantastical. It was a world you could find for yourself or create. You could just think of something, and it is. That was my first understanding of conceptual art: I can just make it, and it is.”

In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, when the phrase “I can’t breathe” became prevalent in the fight for justice for Black lives, Hunter believes that “the future is breath,” a sign of life and growth.

The phrase will radiate in neon in the exhibition’s center installation A Collision of Worlds, which incorporates broken mementos, plant life, and burnt matter to allude to the chaos of Butler’s imagined T:10.75"

worlds and their resemblance to our own. The neon words serve as a reminder to visitors of Afrofuturism’s dependence on the preservation and elevation of Black bodies and voices in the present.

Rooted in her identification as a Black woman and spanning over two decades, Hunter’s work has explored the crises she predicts will impact twenty‐first century society at large, from capitalism and climate change to food justice, humanism, and the politics of water. In Butler’s novels, the Black female heroes navigate an earth devastated by climate catastrophe and war to lead survivors to a new world ‐ either on this planet or the next planet.

RELATED PROGRAMS Fall Center Days Saturday December 9, 1-4PM, Free Fall Center Days at the Hyde Park Art Center celebrates the opening of Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler with exhibition viewing and related art-making activities, in addition to an Afrofuturism and science fiction popup book shop with local Black women-owned bookstore, Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery. Offered quarterly, Center Days activate the entire building with intergenerational art-making activities, artist workshops, artist talks, open studios, and community collaborations.

Catwalk Concert: Brown Girl Magic Thursday, December 14, 6-8PM, Free Inspired by Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler, the

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Castro NYC, a Testament to Timeless Artistry and Fine Jewelry Innovation, Relaunches Under Sir King Castro New York, NY -- Castro NYC is set to embark on an exhilarating new chapter under the stewardship of Sir King Castro, child of the legendary jewelry designer Terry Castro. The relaunch promises to bring forth a fusion of Terry’s unmatched creative legacy and Sir King Castro’s fresh perspective, culminating in a collection of awe-inspiring pieces that redefine the boundaries of wearable art.

Terry Castro’s journey as a jewelry designer was marked by an unwavering passion for crafting pieces that transcend conventional artistry. His creations, distinguished by a liberal use of opulent gemstones and intricate hand-details, tell unique stories that captivate hearts and minds. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of global cultures and personal experiences, Castro’s designs evoke a sense of wonder, leaving an indelible mark.

Castro understood that jewelry is more than an accessory; it is an embodiment of emotions, a testament to the power of craftsmanship, and a celebration of life’s cherished moments. This insight propelled him to immerse himself in gemology, metalworking, and design, allowing his talent to blossom and earning him accolades from the industry.

A rising star, Terry’s commitment to excellence and passion for pushing the boundaries of design attracted a devoted clientele, ranging from influential personalities to discerning connoisseurs of fine art. Each creation bearing the Castro name became a coveted treasure, sought after by those yearning to wear artful jewels.

Sir King Castro, the torchbearer of Castro NYC, has embarked on a mission to share their father’s story and carry forward the legacy of the iconic brand. Born and raised in the world of jewelry, Sir King represented Castro at Castro NYC the prestigious Sotheby’s Black and Brilliant event in London in 2021, marking the beginning of their journey to preserve and celebrate Castro’s artistic vision.

Sir King’s journey is deeply rooted in the world of jewelry.

Growing up, they split their time between Ohio and New York City, immersing themselves in the artistry of their father, often assisting with street-side jewelry sales in SoHo and making small repairs in Castro’s Harlem studio. This hands-on experience led to a profound understanding of the craft.

After attending the Toledo School for the Arts in Ohio and then the Chicago College of Performing Arts pursuing a BFA in theatre, Sir King’s artistic journey took a transformative turn. In 2016, Castro relocated to Istanbul, Turkey, and his work began to reach new heights.

Sir King soon followed suit, at the behest of their father, to join Castro in Istanbul as his apprentice. Dropping out of college in 2019, Sir King made the move to Istanbul to learn under their father. There, Sir King was taught the tightly held secrets which give Castro’s jewels their signature look. In the workshops of Istanbul, they diligently observed Castro and Old-World jewelry masters fully immersed in the craft.

Tragically, Castro passed away unexpectedly in 2022, leaving behind a thriving brand. Sir King, driven by a passion to share their father’s story and continue his artistic legacy, relocated to New York City eight months later. For clients, Castro NYC is opening its archives for Terry’s one-of-a-kind designs, allowing production for those seeking a unique Castro NYC heirloom.

Sir King Castro is on a mission to share their father’s inspirational story with the world, carrying forward the legacy of Castro NYC. They have re-established working relationships with the brand’s master jewelry workshops in Istanbul, where the intricate craftsmanship that defined Terry’s creations will continue to flourish. While there are sketches and ideas that have yet to be brought to life, Sir King acknowledges the importance of taking the time to honor their father’s legacy properly.

“We are a small family business, and I want to keep it that way, “ they add.

To learn more about Castro NYC, visit https://www.castronyc. com/.

Tan MOCC: On a Soviet-era train bogie in Uzbekistan. Background shot by: Abhi Som - Post-production by: FCTRY LAb

Omar Bailey

launches FCTRY LAb’s second shoe the ‘FCTRY MOCC’ LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- FCTRY LAb, the venture capital backed footwear innovation lab launches the FCTRY MOCC, a combination of modern design and ancient inspiration.

Building on its extensive expertise making iconic shoes, FCTRY LAb successfully launched and sold-out its debut shoe the Knight RNR earlier this year and has launched the FCTRY MOCC. This will be followed by its third shoe the STMPR later in Q4.

FCTRY LAb is BIPOC owned, and aspires to celebrate and integrate the richness of diverse cultures in its creations.

Tan MOCC: On a Soviet-era train bogie in Uzbekistan Background shot by: Abhi Som - Post-production by: FCTRY LAb “The FCTRY MOCC represents a blend of timeless cultural influences and cutting-edge technology,” said Omar Bailey, co-founder of FCTRY LAb. “Inspired by the intricate beauty of the Juti from Rajasthan and the rich traditions of Native American cultures, we’ve reimagined footwear in a way that combines comfort and style. My journey from rural India to the Yeezy team in Cody, Wyoming, played a pivotal role in shaping this innovative concept.”

The FCTRY MOCC a mono-material product, boasts a removable soft sole with an open design combining comfort and breathability. The recycled suede-microfiber tie running through the shoe reflects traditional threading practices of indigenous North American cultures.

FCTRY LAb also took an unconventional approach to the photography and visual documentation of the shoe. “Being bored of traditional product photography we decided to go a little crazy” said Abhi Som, co-founder of FCTRY LAb. “We

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hired friends who had shot several Time Magazine covers, specializing in war and disaster. With no product photography experience, we sent them to remote Trans-Himalayan landscapes, rainforests in Goa, the Thar Desert and ancient cities in Uzbekistan.” Combining these alien landscapes with giant shoes in post-production FCTRY LAb has shaken up the norm. Some of these photos are included in this release.

Co-Founded by Omar Bailey (Former Head of the Yeezy-Adidas Innovation Lab) and Abhi Som (Former Finance Professional), FCTRY LAb’s mission is to help creators and brands of all sizes to make shoes in America. In addition to its own shoes, FCTRY LAb has also created shoes this year with top design and brand partners and a reigning Super-Bowl winner. FCTRY LAb is a high-tech footwear innovation facility based in Los Angeles.

FCTRY LAb’s ability to design, prototype and create footwear, shrinks new product development to 1-3 months instead of 8-12 months. The innovation lab is a bridge between product creation and largescale manufacturing.

FCTRY LAb is funded by a diverse group of venture capital firms, top professional athletes and angel investors. Investors include the Co-Founder of Tinder (via Time Zero Capital), Co-Founder of WeWork, the West Coast Head of Warburg Pincus and a consortium of NBA & NFL stars via Chicago based Aurelien Capital. Venture capital investment was led by the LA-based, Pay-Pal backed Slauson & Co, with additional investment from Relay Ventures, Elysian Ventures, Level One Fund and Fog City Capital.

For more information, visit fctrylab.com. Follow @fctrylab on Instagram for updates.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces an Additional $9 Billion in Approved Student Debt Relief The Biden-Harris administration announced that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes the U.S. Department of Education has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and granting automatic relief for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved: $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment plans. These are borrowers who have been in repayment for 20 or more years but never got the relief they were entitled to. $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability and have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.

“For years, millions of eligible borrowers were unable to access the student debt relief they qualified for, but that’s all changed thanks to President Biden and this Administration’s relentless efforts to fix the broken student loan system,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Biden-Harris administration’s laser-like focus on reducing red tape, addressing past administrative failures, and putting borrowers first have now resulted in a historic $127 billion in debt relief approved for nearly 3.6 million borrowers. Today’s announcement builds on everything our administration has already done to protect students from unaffordable debt, make repayment more affordable, and ensure that investments in higher education pay off for students and working families.”

The Biden-Harris administration has taken historic steps to reduce the burden of student debt and ensure that student loans are not a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Administration earlier this

year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan – SAVE – which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act. The Department of Education took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking last week – announcing individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and releasing an issue paper to guide the first negotiation session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.

To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved the following in debt cancellation: Nearly $42 billion for almost 855,000 borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness through income-driven repayment by fixing historical inaccuracies in the count of payments that qualify toward forgiveness; Almost $51 billion for 715,000 public servants through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs, including the limited PSLF waiver and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF); $11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability; an $22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.

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HYDE PARK ART... Continued From Page 5 of world-building within Butler’s literary work and Hunter’s reimagining of spatial representation. The conversation will explore the legacy and impact of Butler on the Afrofuturism movement and speculative fiction as a literary genre. The title of the program, “The Future is Breath,” speaks to the current conversations surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement and highlights conceptual ideas relating to the future of Black people and their evolution in lieu of the grief surrounding Black death.

Past, Present, and Future Tense: An Octavia Butler Writing Workshop

Saturday, February 10, 12-3PM, Free The Hyde Park Art Center presents a writing workshop delving into the genres of Afrofuturism, speculative fiction, and science fiction, inspired by the work of Octavia Butler and current exhibition, Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler. The workshop is free, open to all, and directed towards BIPOC women and teens.

Octavia Butler Read-a-thon Saturday, March 2, 12-3PM, Free This Women’s History Month, Hyde Park Art Center celebrates the books and author inspiring Candace Hunter’s current exhibition, The Alien‐ Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler. Visitors and community members are invited to a collective public reading of excerpts from Lilith’s Brood and Parable of the Sower, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.

Candace Hunter, Study for Lilith’s Journey, 2023, mixed media, dimensions variable. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAN TRAN

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Gov. Pritzker Highlights University of Chicago Banned Book Collection During Banned Books Week The University of Chicago Library’s banned book collection will soon be available to the public in person and digitally

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker visited the University of Chicago Library to announce the University’s plan to build a collection of books that have been historically banned, creating an accessible library open to the public. The event takes place during National Banned Books Week, which took place October 1-7. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and University of Chicago leadership.

“When we can engage with ideas that are new to us, challenge and be challenged by different perspectives, learn new things, understand all the amazing miracles and darkest hours of the world around us — we are all better off,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today’s announcement not only means that any member of the public can come access commonly banned books here in person at UChicago — it also means that residents throughout Illinois can access these texts digitally. Even in the face of rising censorship around the country, I have faith in the power of free speech and free thinking to overcome. Through programming and protests and advocacy like this, Illinoisans demonstrate to the nation and the world what it really looks like to stand up for liberty.”

“Illinois continues to stand on the right side of history, refusing to censor educational and social reading material that celebrates our diversity and the richness of the human experience,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “As we celebrate Banned Books Week, our administration is committed to protecting the voices and stories of those who have historically gone unheard and unseen.”

The event was held at the University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library and highlighted the value of intellectual freedom in Illinois and nationwide. Governor Pritzker

emphasized the importance of literary access and supporting library staff, who have been dealing with threats around the state.

With support from the American Library Association (ALA), the University of Chicago will be consolidating dozens of “banned books” for their new collection, which can be freely accessed by members of the public with a UChicago Library visitor pass.

The collection will be digitized and made available to those nationwide who lack local access to these titles, in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). The virtual “Banned Book Club” app uses geolocation services to determine book titles that have been banned in users’ areas. The UChicago Library and DPLA have already made over 900 titles accessible, and are consistently increasing the number of available titles on the app.

In June 2023, Governor Pritzker signed a bill making Illinois the first state to outlaw book bans, encouraging schools and libraries to embrace education, literary justice, and equity. HB2789, which takes effect January 1, 2024, protects libraries from external restrictions to book collections.

Governor Pritzker also included $1.6 million in the FY24 state budget to launch Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide. This initiative includes a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter a family’s income.

The Banned Book Collection at the Regenstein Library is currently available for access. The digital collection can be found on DPLA’s recently launched “Banned Books Club” on the Palace e-reader app.

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HYDE PARK

CITY CRUISES CHICAGO ANNOUNCES FALL DINING AND COCKTAIL MENUS Chicago, IL – City Cruises Chicago announced new fall dining and cocktail menus, embracing the flavors of autumn and winter with hearty dishes and regionally inspired recipes. Guests will enjoy new menus across City Cruises’ Signature, Premier, and Premier Plus offerings, all of which will run through the fall and winter seasons.

Each menu will promote a sense of place, drawing on local flavors and traditions. “Experiencing Chicago in a completely unique perspective such as ours is part of what makes our cruises so special, and we wanted to complement that experience with memorable dishes and cocktails inspired by the city,” said Chad Barth, City Cruises’ Vice President of Food & Beverage, who oversaw the creation of each menu in collaboration with the local team.

Highlights of the fall menus include a delicious Butternut Squash and Kale Salad (Red Oak Lettuce, Aged White Cheddar, Marcona Almonds, Maple Sherry Vinaigrette) and refreshing Honeycrisp Apple Salad (Mixed Greens, Candied Pecans, Crumbled Feta, Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette) to start.

Main courses feature a savory Buttermilk-Brined Chicken Breast (Mustard Glazed Marble Fingerlings, Marinated Artichokes, Brussels Sprouts, Apricot Preserves), tasty Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Ragu (Rosemary Whipped Ricotta, Fresh Herbs, Shaved Parmesan Reggiano), a flavorful Atlantic Striped Bass (Castelvetrano Olives, Braised Cannellini, Fennel, Fines Herb Vinaigrette) and

a luxurious Za’atar Flat Iron Steak (Tamari Marinade, Butternut Squash, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Balsamic Demi-Glace). Decadent dessert options include Spanish “Basque Style” Cheesecake (a Cheesecake Soufflé, with Macerated Blueberries, Chocolate Sauce, Vanilla Bean Sauce) and Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cake (Kahlúa, Chantilly Cream, Raspberries). Enhancements are available to the main course and appetizers, and dietary restrictions can be accompanied upon request.

The seasonal cocktail menu features city-inspired names like Chicago Sunset (New Amsterdam Pink Whitney Vodka, New Amsterdam Vodka, Lemon Sour, Strawberry Puree, Fresh Mint, Soda Water), A Day on Lake Michigan (Botanical Citrus Gin, Pamplemousse Liqueur, Yuzu Lemon Sour, Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water) and Making Waves (Camarena Siler Tequila, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, Mango Puree, Pressed Lime Juice, Habanero Bitters). There are also a selection of mocktails available aboard.

“We are thrilled to offer seasonal menus that are inspired by Chicago,” said Grace Fuller, General Manager. “Fall is a beautiful time to cruise, and thanks to our climate-controlled interiors, we can offer the unique experience of dining with a spectacular city skyline view all year long. We look forward to delighting our guests with these new flavors.”

City Cruises will also host specialty holiday cruises on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New

Year’s Eve. In addition to the regular menu items, Thanksgiving cruises will feature a traditional turkey dinner entree with classic accents like garlic mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

City Cruises’ menus are all available to view at CityCruises.com, where guests can also book fall and holiday cruises.

City Experiences represents Hornblower Group’s expansive portfolio of water- and landbased experience companies and includes two subbrands: City Cruises and City Ferry. City Cruises companies operate dining, sightseeing and private events across 22 destinations in the U.S., Canada and the UK. City Cruises companies also operate cruises on behalf of the National Park Service and the Niagara Parks Commission and currently hold service contracts to provide ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Alcatraz Island and Niagara Falls. City Ferry companies offer specialized knowledge and expertise required to transport passengers, vehicles and other cargo safely across inland and coastal waterways, serving as operator of NYC Ferry and Puerto Rico ferry system, among others. City Experiences’ portfolio of companies also offers a range of water- and land-based experiences including shore excursions, partner-offered experiences, multi-port packages, with companies including Venture Ashore, Walks and Devour Tours. For more information visit cityexperiences.com.

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Maverick Entertainment Presents

“Women of the Jury” DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., PRNewswire -- Maverick Entertainment proudly presents its latest cinematic endeavor, “Women of the Jury,” an intense courtroom drama that brings together a steely ensemble of actresses including Erica Pinkett, Drew Sidora, Alexis “Lexxy” Walker, and Angela “Blac Chyna” White.

This movie will be available exclusively on Peacock.

“Women of the Jury” thrusts its audience into the heart of a riveting trial where an Asian store owner is accused of murdering two black men. The responsibility of delivering a verdict falls onto twelve diverse women, each bringing her unique background and perspective to the jury box. The jurors find themselves embroiled in heated debates, forming unexpected al-

liances, and confronting their biases as emotions run high.

One juror’s staunch stand for a “not guilty” vote becomes the focal point of contention, leading the group down a tumultuous path of introspection and confrontation.

View the official trailer here: https://youtu.be/DHLP66dQDDU A compelling drama featuring twelve unique personalities, each wrestling with making a pivotal decision. This powerful narrative weaves together themes of justice, prejudice, and sisterhood, promising to be a thought-provoking experience that will deeply resonate with audiences.

Founded in 1997, Maverick Entertainment continues to be the premier independent distributor of

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niche and Urban content.

Having released more than 1,300 films over the past 26 years, Maverick currently controls the world’s largest library of feature-length

Black Cinema.

In addition to funding and producing originals, Maverick releases 100+ movies annually and distributes physically and

digitally worldwide to a growing list of platform partners.

For more information, visit https://www.maverickentertainment.cc/

BURRELL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP COLLABORATES WITH NOTED PRODUCER-DIRECTOR KENYA BARRIS IN HIS FIRST SERIES OF TV COMMERCIALS FOR TOYOTA’S FIRST EVER ‘GRAND HIGHLANDER’ CHICAGO, PRNewswire -- Burrell Communications Group, one of the nation’s largest multicultural marketing communications agencies, has announced yet another signature and groundbreaking national ad campaign supporting the launch of the first ever Toyota Grand Highlander.

Themed “Life’s Grander,” the campaign was conceived targeting families who realize that life isn’t always picture-perfect, but when at the wheel of a grander Toyota vehicle featuring more room, enhanced style and hybrid power, they can easily turn raucous family chaos and tension into fun and unforgettable memories.

The Burrell strategy team focused on many African American families’ traditional desire to be fully engaged at parenting as a means of countering negative stereotypes. That keen strategic insight was then leveraged to grant Black families permission to be their authentic selves in, and throughout the new campaign.

The agency created two broadcast TV spots for Life’s Grander: “Back There” and “HBCU Tour,” along with a series of short digital commercials. “Back There” humorously visits the all too familiar ah-hah! moment when a mom interrupts the backseat bedlam and tells her kids, “Don’t make me come back there!” In a similar spirit, “HBCU Tour” introduces two proud parents engaged in a verbal tug-of-war to influence which Historically Black College or University (HBCU) their son will choose after campus visits to their rival alma maters.

The Life’s Grander work features African American families, well-timed dialogue and heartwarming tinges of comedy. Burrell sought out award-winning writer, producer and director Kenya Barris, the king of the Black sitcom, to authentically bring the scripts to life. The agency collaborated with Barris

throughout each stage of production, tapping his renowned expertise to assemble a stellar ensemble cast of actors who delivered on-screen. Barris’ input on performances, wardrobe and story nuances helped elevate the Burrell team’s work to deliver to Toyota a great and on-target campaign.

“At Toyota, our goal is to create authentic imagery and depictions of our customers engaging with our brand in ways that reflect their values and lived experiences. We believe this new Grand Highlander ad campaign delivers on that promise,” said Mike Tripp, VP of Marketing and Communications, Toyota Motor North America. “We are humbled to contribute to the uplift of African American families with the heartwarming Life’s Grander series, and share Burrell’s enthusiasm about the outcomes of this collaboration with Kenya Barris.”

This project marks Barris’ first venture into TV commercial advertising. But, after this strong showing, it’s bound to not be his last. He thoroughly relished the collaboration with the agency. “As a first time commercial director, Burrell made the entire process seamless from beginning to end,” Barris states. “Along with decades of experience, working with the agency team to create a commercial centered around a Black family also meant working with a team that understands all of the big and little details that needed to be portrayed, and was aligned in making sure we did our best to get them right,” he continued.

“As a creative, I’ve always been a big proponent of embracing brand integrations and marketing as a storytelling tool. I loved being able to see that process from the other side of the creative table, while also expanding my skill set as a director for a different format, and would welcome the opportunity to do it again.”

“Burrell is committed to making work that Matters, and is as Aspirational as it is Disruptive.

We achieve that by leading with cultural relevance,” said Khari Streeter, Burrell’s chief creative officer.

“When the opportunity arose to work with Kenya to help us bring our Grand Highlander concepts to life, we jumped at it. He was immediately generous and accessible,” Streeter relates further. “He didn’t hesitate to unpack his culture-led perspective, nor his personal experience to elevate the work. He brought in a spectrum of top-tier talent he had worked with, used a nuanced sense of humor and treated the spots as if they were a collection of episodes, which added depth and cohesion to the campaign.

We were happy to be able to break the seal on his commercial directing debut, and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Burrell Communications Group was established by renowned ad man Tom Burrell in 1971, who led the company for 33 years. The agency today boasts a roster of premiere, blue-chip clients that lead in their respective categories, including McDonald’s, Toyota, Comcast, Fidelity, Deloitte, Coca-Cola, FIFCO, Procter & Gamble and the American Red Cross.

Celebrating more than 50 years of best-in-class transcultural communications, Burrell Communications Group is the largest U.S. agency specializing in communications to diverse audiences. The agency is known for its strategic thought-leadership and creativity. The foundation of its success lies in uncovering rich insights and a deep understanding of the Black community. Burrell’s strong relationship with the Black community has influenced the development of humanitarian campaigns such as “Black Is Human,” “The Fatherhood Initiative” and “Allies of Innocence.” For more information, visit burrell.com.

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Boston University Names Melissa L. Gilliam 11th President be familiar territory for Gilliam. She graduated from BOSTON, PRNewswire -- Boston University Harvard Medical School, and for one of her summer announced today that Melissa L. Gilliam, the execprojects there, she collaborated with BU School of utive vice president and provost of The Ohio State Public Health researchers, joining them in Ecuador University, and a distinguished educator, scholar, on a project aimed at understanding the health of research scientist, and physician, will be Boston elderly people.

University’s 11th president. She will assume the “I’m really excited about how engaged Boston post on July 1, 2024.

University is in the city and how engagement has A national leader in faculty recruitment and been a hallmark of BU,” says Dr. Gilliam. “I’m looking student success and a champion of diversity and forward to hearing from people, learning and inclusion, Gilliam is also a professor of listening. I lead by listening, collaborating, obstetrics and gynecology and pediand empowering other people. That is the atrics whose scholarship focuses on best way to run big organizations, to get developing interventions to promote everyone excited and engaged and emadolescent health and well-being.

Beyond her background in science and powered and doing more than they think medicine, Gilliam, who studied English they’re capable of doing. This philosophy Literature at Yale and philosophy and is core to shared governance, an essential politics at Oxford, says she was raised to component of a thriving university.” embrace the societal importance of arts Gilliam succeeds Robert A. Brown, and culture. Her late father, Sam Gilliam, who served as BU’s 10th president was a pioneering abstract painter who from 2005 until stepping down over was known for a career of continuous the summer. His 18-year tenure saw experimentation and innovation. And her BU quadruple its endowment, open its mother, Dorothy Gilliam, was a trailblazdoors to a more diverse student body, and establish itself as a leading private ing journalist and the first Black female urban research institution and a global reporter hired by the Washington Post. Her leader in fighting infectious diseases. parents instilled in her an intellectual curiKenneth Freeman, BU president ad osity and a firm belief in the importance of interim since Brown’s departure, will civic engagement and public service.

Melissa L. Gilliam. Boston University remain in the post until Gilliam begins Boston, and Boston University, will

in July and will help her transition into the role during the spring.

Her appointment caps a search that lasted more than a year and yielded close to 400 potential candidates from around the world. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and alumni participated in the process by sharing the characteristics and qualifications they hoped to see in their next president, input that helped shape a presidential profile and guided the work of the 16-person Presidential Search Committee. BU’s Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday to confirm Gilliam’s appointment.

“It is a testament to Boston University’s accomplishments and momentum that we were able to attract candidates who were so highly qualified and with such enormous capability,” says Ahmass Fakahany, chair of the BU Board of Trustees. “We are at an incredible juncture, and we’ve earned the right to dream big and to fulfill the potential of this University. Hiring Dr. Melissa Gilliam is a tremendous step in that direction.”

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With nearly 37,000 students, it is one of the largest private residential universities in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences and a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University’s research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of leading research universities in the United States and Canada.

Clark Atlanta University’s Executive Leadership Institute Continues To Shape The Future Of HBCUs this legacy, preserving and strengthening HBCUs as hubs of ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- The HBCU Executive Lead- riences: education, opportunity, and uplift in the communities they “You will quickly find yourself in a professionally ership Institute (HBCU ELI) at Clark Atlanta University is serve. In the backdrop of ELI’s mission, the recent Supreme now accepting applications for its 2024 Community Fellows. supportive space to explore and advance your leadership attributes such as crisis management, institutional advance- Court ruling that has ended affirmative action practices in Aspiring leaders with a passion for shaping the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are ment, and board governance, while also acquiring a keen un- higher education has raised concerns about its potential encouraged to apply online. derstanding of how these multifaceted aspects of leadership impact on Black students’ access to quality education. As a HBCU ELI stands as a pioneering initiative, committed can be successfully navigated as an HBCU President.” – Dr. result, the need to strengthen HBCU leadership is now more to nurturing and empowering the next generation of legacy Ann Lampkin-Williams, University of Michigan, Dearborn. critical than ever.

ELI equips high-potential leaders with tools and leaders for over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universi“The ELI program has challenged me to become a better ties. Thanks to generous support from a network of philan- leader and helped me better understand board governance strategies that support the education and business thropic partners, the program seeks to identify and develop and relationship issues.” – Dr. Rochelle Ford, Elon University. goals of more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through ELI, the ability of HBCUs Leading figures in HBCU education emphasize the the most qualified candidates to fill vital HBCU presidencies to survive and thrive is improved. In addition to grantand other executive leadership positions. Since 2021, more importance of programs like HBCU ELI: “America needs the human and financial capital that than 85 fellows have participated in the program. ing thousands of degrees each year, HBCUs also boast ELI’s competency-based curriculum immerses fellows HBCUs have produced for nearly two centuries. Our HBCUs illustrious alumni like Martin Luther King, Jr., Oprah in the art and science of effectively leading an HBCU. From need talented, visionary institutional leaders who have Winfrey, and Vice President Kamala Harris, among othintegrity, competence, and imagination to sustain that operations and budgeting to academics, fundraising, deers. For program updates and to apply for the inaugural velopment, board governance, and the pursuit of racial and amazing track record of excellence.” — Dr. Robert M. Frank- cohort, visit here. Join the conversation on social media social justice, ELI covers every aspect of HBCU leadership. lin, President Emeritus of Morehouse College and HBCU ELI @hbcueli; #hbcueli.

Established in 1988 by the historic consolidation of The 2024 community of fellows will be comprised of deans, Seminar Speaker. vice presidents, and provosts, as well as higher education/ “The ELI is expanding and accelerating that pipeline by Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869). Clark Atlanta University continues a 150-year legacy rooted in corporate executives. offering a high-impact leadership formation experience— Now its third year– and led by an esteemed group of rich in theory and practice—that is provided by an impres- African-American tradition and focused on the future.

Through global innovation, transformative educational HBCU veterans – ELI is committed to preparing cohort sive ensemble of experienced mentors. I much enjoyed experiences, and high-value engagement. CAU cultivates members to become visionary leaders who are equipped to participating in the development of these new leaders and address the ever-changing landscape of higher education. engaging with them in a stimulating exchange.” — President lifted lives that transform the world. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson; American civil rights Click here to review the program timeline as well as fellows’ Reynold Verret, Xavier University. expectations and commitments.

HBCU ELI launched in April 2021, boasting a roster with activist, poet, and songwriter Lift Every Voice and Sing “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy “Today, more than ever, we recognize the critical need 58% women, making it the nation’s most diverse cohort of Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank for nurturing the next generation of HBCU leaders with a future HBCU leaders. The program receives support from competency-based curriculum that is also culturally sensi- the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Charles Stewart Mott Foun- Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American tive,” said Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Executive Director dation, ECMC Foundation, Microsoft, The Rich Foundation, award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque of the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute. “ELI is not Inc., Toyota, and the United Methodist Church, to name a Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality your typical leadership program; every module is curated few. to develop an ecosystem of leaders who deeply understand Before the Civil Rights movement, HBCUs were the bea- and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of the unique cultural and historical significance of HBCUs. We con of hope for Black Americans seeking a college education. Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterwelcome diverse professionals to apply and look forward to These institutions played a pivotal role in empowering Black field Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the embarking on a transformative journey together.” individuals to pursue professional careers, earn graduate de- Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta Previous ELI fellows have shared their invaluable expe- grees, and advance their education. ELI continues to honor University, visit www.cau.edu.

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Introducing “The Kaleidoscope: Healthcare in a Diverse America” Podcast with Sheila Thorne, Multicultural Health Expert

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group (MHMG) announces the launch of a groundbreaking podcast, “The Kaleidoscope: Healthcare in a Diverse America From Molecule to Market,” hosted by Sheila Thorne, President, and CEO of MHMG. This captivating podcast premiered on Thursday, Oct. 12, and will air bi-monthly on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT. Sheila Thorne, a trailblazer and change agent in the healthcare industry, brings her decades of experience and unwavering dedication to bringing health equity to the forefront in “The Kaleidoscope.” For almost three decades, Sheila has demonstrated an unparalleled understanding of the health of communities of color and the pivotal role of cross-cultural education and cultural competency in lessening the burden of clinical research and improving patient outcomes.

“The Kaleidoscope” podcast promises engaging interviews with physicians, health leaders, patients, patient advocates, pharmaceutical executives, and researchers of color. Each episode will present the voices and experiences of those from diverse populations who have been working on eliminating health disparities and striving for health equity for decades.

Listeners can anticipate gaining invaluable insights into the significance of patient-centered care and the profound impact a culturally competent approach can have on patient education, patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Sheila Thorne’s passion, unwavering conviction, and innovative thinking will shine through in every episode, making “The Kaleidoscope” an absolute must-listen for anyone in the healthcare industry.

Join us on “The Kaleidoscope: Healthcare in a Diverse America with Sheila Thorne” as we embark on a captivating journey through the intersection of race, culture, and health in America – The Journey from Awareness to Transformative Action.

Tune in every other Thursday from 5.00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. pm EDT. To join the podcast live log onto https://youtube.com/live/tnsgK-pG3JA. Follow Sheila Thorne on X formerly Twitter @sthornemhmg and to learn more visit www.sheilathorne.com.

Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group (MHMG) is a leading consulting firm dedicated to improving healthcare delivery to diverse patient populations. With a mission to advance health equity and eliminate health disparities, MHMG provides innovative solutions and strategic guidance to healthcare organizations worldwide.

Sheila Thorne, President & CEO, Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group. Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group.

Novavax Launches Choose to Protect™ Campaign to Educate Public About Importance of Updated COVID Vaccination this Fall GAITHERSBURG, Md., PRNewswire -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a global company advancing protein-based vaccines with its novel Matrix-M™ adjuvant, announced it has joined forces with HealthyWomen and actor, mother and business owner Nicole Ari Parker to launch Choose to Protect™, a campaign to educate the public about the importance of COVID vaccination and the different types of COVID vaccines. COVID is now the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.2 “As a wife, mother and daughter of parents in their 80s, I feel great responsibility to be informed, talk with our doctors and ensure the whole family is up to date on vaccinations, particularly given how easily COVID spread through our households last year,” said Nicole Ari Parker.

“I hope that others will join me in choosing to protect ourselves and our loved ones this season so that we can all feel protected as we go to work, spend time with family and friends, and go about our everyday lives.”

To inform the campaign, Novavax, in partnership with HealthyWomen, commissioned a survey, conducted

by The Harris Poll, among vaccinated U.S. adults aged 45+ who play a key role in household healthcare decisions to better understand perceptions about and attitudes toward COVID vaccination, as well as potential motivations to take action on education gaps concerning COVID vaccines. While COVID vaccine fatigue has been widely reported,3 adults aged 45+ still recognize the value of vaccines.1 In addition, 85% of respondents say it’s important to have a range of options for themselves and their family

for COVID vaccines.1 “Women are often the chief medical officers of their families, especially those in the ‘sandwich generation’ who are caregiving and making healthcare decisions for their children and elderly parents,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, Chief Executive Officer, HealthyWomen. “COVID made that role much more difficult, but what made it easier was having access to COVID vaccines that have been well tested and are safe and effective at protecting our loved ones from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized or possibly even dying. The updated vaccines can also help protect against new and emerging variants.”

“COVID vaccine fatigue remains a major obstacle in maintaining immunity and keeping vaccination rates high,” said Silvia Taylor, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs and Advocacy Officer, Novavax.

“Together with our partners, we encourage people to recognize the importance of making a plan to help protect their loved ones this season and have conversations with their healthcare provider about available vaccine options.”

Key results from the Choose to Protect survey include: While COVID vaccine fatigue has been widely reported,3 adults aged 45+ still recognize the value of vaccines.

82% of adults said vaccines are absolutely essential or very important for maintaining health, and three quarters said vaccines are absolutely essential or very important for their ability to spend time with family.1 The top three reasons people are motivated to get

vaccinated are because of new variants, increasing COVID cases or from wanting to have a less severe case if they get COVID.1 A significant portion of adults feel a duty to get the COVID vaccine for their loved ones and the betterment of society as a whole.

86% agree that knowing their loved ones are vaccinated against COVID puts them at ease.1 83% agree that helping to protect high-risk people in our society is a key reason why they choose COVID vaccination for themselves / their family.1 Even though there is interest in learning more about vaccines, there are still gaps in knowledge.

85% agree it is important to have a range of COVID vaccine options for themselves and their family.1 Only approximately two in five say they are highly knowledgeable about the science behind how different types of vaccines help to protect against COVID.1 “Vaccination remains a critical tool to help protect against COVID, especially for the elderly, and those with chronic conditions associated with severe outcomes from COVID,” said Dr. Jose Torradas, Emergency Medicine Physician. “Make a plan to discuss vaccine options with your healthcare provider, and check if you’re eligible to get other vaccines, like the flu shot, at the same time.”

To learn more about COVID vaccination and the options available, visit www.ChoosetoProtect.com.

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MIAMI HAS A WONDERFUL NEW WAY TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS

Unlock a Sun-Filled Winter on the Red Sea Shores at

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

more to keep younger guests engaged while their SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, PRNewswire -parents sneak off for well-deserved alone time of Bathed in warmth and sunshine, and bidding the cold and snow adieu, Four Seasons Resort Sharm their own.

The Spa and Wellness offers 13 treatment El Sheikh is the ideal beach getaway this winter. rooms including two open-air Spa cabanas surOccupying a picturesque, sun-drenched location rounded by sights and sounds of the sea. A perfect and cascading down a hillside to a one-kilometre setting for rejuvenating seaside yoga sessions, lap stretch of private beachfront along the Red Sea, amenities vary from palm-fringed swimming pools swimming in the Spa pool, and indulging in the and ancient Egyptian inspired Spa rituals to twelve latest wellness innovations and rituals such as the signature Egyptian Masterpiece inspired by andining destinations celebrating cuisines from cient healing traditions, once reserved for royalty. all over the world in the most prominent luxury A Diverse Dining Destination address in the destination for families, couples and With five new concepts for a staggering total solo travellers alike. of 12 restaurants and bars, Four Seasons Resort Luxury on Land, Adventure at Sea The Egyptian-inspired sanctuary offers a wide Sharm El Sheikh sets quite a table for romantic and family-friendly dining. Italian, Middle Eastern, range of luxury accommodations facing the Red Sea, from spacious Premier guest rooms to palatial Latin American, and Japanese are all on the menu, Signature Suites with a choice of modern design or and dietary restrictions and preferences, including traditional Arabian décor. Many suites have private kids’ specialties, are graciously accommodated. heated pools, such as the two-bedroom Imperial The newest dining experience, Bullona, serves Suite with Pool offering grand living and dining Mediterranean-inspired seafood with artful dishes areas that flow outdoors to a poolside terrace. crafted to mirror the restaurant’s namesake in Sun-seekers can expect warm weather Milan. Zitouni is a lively destination for Lebanese year-round and throughout winter, with local delicacies to satiate all appetites, including a wide temperatures reaching an average of 22 degrees selection of hot and cold mezzes. And Breeze beach (71 Fahrenheit) in January, perfect for relaxation bar beckons with a toes-in-the-sand setting for at any of four heated pools surrounded by palms, decked out with shaded cabanas, and catered with light snacks, fresh fruit infusions, and signature cocktails. coastal-inspired menus.

For an authentic dining experience, a Bedouin The Resort’s onsite Dive Centre is regionally renowned for water sports and adventure, guided spread offers traditional Egyptian cuisine comby an experienced team ready to outfit guests with bined with soul-stirring entertainment incorporating music, fire, belly dancing, and camel rides on stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, banana boards, the beach. parasails and more. A fleet of private yachts and The desert-meet-sea oasis also offers easy rigid inflatable boats is available to transport guests proximity to local attractions. Spirited guests can across the crystal clear, warm waters of the Red travel beyond the Resort to indulge in pulse-quickSea, where no less than 76 dive sites, including impressive WWII shipwrecks, lie within an hour’s ening desert adventures, from Bedouin-style camel riding to quad biking over dunes through the specride from shore. Two House Reefs are home to tacular hills and mountains of Sharm El Sheikh. For a stunning collection of coral swimming with colourful sea life where one can enjoy snorkelling or a serene experience, guests can dip into the Red Sea’s jewel of the crown, Ras Mohamed National deeper dives with expert instructors.

Park, home to sandy beaches embraced by desert An Oasis of Relaxation Shaded by more than 3,000 Royal Palm trees, dunes, the most spectacular underwater ecosystems and diversified birdlife. Further out are guided the luxurious oasis between the desert and the reef offers a wealth of activities on dry land as well. climbs rewarded by the beauty of sunrise over the Racquet sports aficionados can play on one of four shining Red Sea from the summit of Mount Moses at St. Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO World tennis courts, an indoor squash court or a beachfront volleyball court, with arranged tournaments Heritage Site.

Embrace the warmth of winter at Four Seafor group play and soft lush gardens to cushion swan dives. The Resort’s Kids For All Season club is sons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, visit us online or a popular spot for children aged 4 to 12, unfolding e-mail reservations.sha@fourseasons.com. with arts and crafts, swimming, treasure hunts and

MIAMI, PRNewswire -- The Holidays in Miami will dazzle more than ever with Christmas Wonderland, a brand new, one-of-a-kind holiday experience that has all the beloved traditional way to celebrate, as well as cutting-edge elements and only in Miami-Dade County moments. It’s filled with family-focused holiday festivities, carnival attractions, cultural delights, spectacular lighting and live shows, and an inclusive celebration of our vibrant and diverse community.

Upon arrival, guests will venture into a captivating 3D dome and be transported into a holiday spectacular, savor delectable delights, see breathtaking live performances, be immersed in a world of wonder within interactive zones, indulge in thrilling games and exhilarating rides, and embrace an abundance of picture-perfect moments, all sure to delight.

“As a global city, it was time for Miami to have a world-class Holiday destination and Christmas Wonderland is the pinnacle of holiday experiences – all in one place,’ said Tony Albelo, CEO, EngageLive! “Guests will enjoy a unique combination of the expected and the very unexpected, with holiday traditions and innovative, contemporary elements including highlighting the diversity of Miami-Dade County in a dynamic and remarkable way.”

The centerpiece of Christmas Wonderland is Tinsel Trail, with half a mile of holiday displays, light shows, and immersive experiences. Guests will encounter six unique worlds as they walk through the park, each with its own theme, sights, sounds, and activities. They are: HoliDade, a celebration of Miami-Dade County’s diversity, people, culture, and neighborhoods with more than a dozen Instagram’able spots with exhibits by award-winning designer and creator of the Museum of Ice Cream, Moyano Productions.

SweetStreet, the popular board game, comes to life through a whimsical explosion of color, candy, cookies, and sweets. Grab something warm at Mrs. Claus’ Bake Shop or make your own gingerbread creation at Ginny’s Gingerbread Lab. ToyTown, where everyone gets to be a kid again with the Elf Brigade and larger-than-life toys. Children can enjoy kid-sized rides and build their own ornaments at Pinky’s Ornament Workshop.

Arctic Delight, enter through a wall of snow and enjoy the sensation of winter.

Adults can enjoy the Ice Bar for a cold refreshment as kids explore displays and activities.

Town Square a throwback to holiday classics with Tony’s Tree Lot, a classic Christmas truck, the hometown feel of Main Street and fireside Storytime with Mrs. Claus for kids.

Santa’s Village. Check out the reindeer at the stables, see what the elves are up to, and make sure to visit the Big Guy himself and grab a commemorative Santa photo, a must!

Once an hour, the entire Trail goes dark and syncs up for an incredible light show encompassing all six worlds. Light Up the Night is a spectacular combination of lights and music that fills the entire park uniting all visitors through one simultaneous shared experience.

The action continues at Christmas Wonderland’s Magnificent Midway -- a collection of the country’s top carnival rides and games. Featuring over 50 carnival rides, including three roller coasters and the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America, the iconic “Eye in the Sky,” which towers at over 150 feet and allows guests to see for miles at this Christmas Wonderland exclusive. Completing the midway experience, a plethora of delicious carnival food, an array of local food trucks and vendors. Nestled within the Magnificent Midway is a first-in Miami experience, the IG’loo 360-Dome. The 3D-mapped immersive adventure will surround you with sights and sounds for the ride of your life.

Join us for Holiday Hijinx as this unlikely pair of friends thrills the audience with holiday-themed antics and aerial feats. Our Sugarplum Princess dangles 40 feet in the air as she masterfully maneuvers herself through the air. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as she defies gravity and physics. To settle you down, her best-bud, the Elf Who Fell off the Shelf, will lighten the mood with his acrobatics and comedy. But he has a big, giant surprise ending … his triple somersault. Will he land it this time? (Daily Shows at 6:30pm) Don’t miss our world-class troupe of artists, WonderCirque, as they perform cirque-style acts using their bodies, hoops, balance boards, and swords. Swords?

Yes, real sharp and long swords! You don’t want to miss WonderCirque! (Daily Shows at 8:30pm) The Christmas Ball of Thrills! is our giant steel Christmas ball, but it is not for hanging on a tree. It was built for THRILLS! Our death-defying motorcycle riders will risk life and limb as they race inside the giant ball, crisscrossing and missing each other my mere inches. Why do they even do this? We don’t care. It’s the most thrilling Christmas Ball ever! (Daily Shows at 7:30pm and 9:30pm) Christmas Wonderland will be open Thursday, November 16, 2023, through Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155.

Online ticket pricing starts at $29 for children 3 to 10, adults at $39 for ages 11 and up, and free admission for infants 2 and under. Prices do not include taxes and fees. Free parking on the property with complimentary shuttles. For tickets and more information, please visit: https://miamiwonderland.com/

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classified

HydHyde Park CWof October Classified Park & | Week 18, 2023

Classifieds SERVICE

BLUE P&P SERVICE CENTER CLEAN & CHECK FURNACE WE ALSO INSTALL HOT WATER TANKS AT REASONABLE PRICE WE DO ELECTRICAL WORK INSTALL- LGHTS, CEILING FANS REPLACE- SOCKETS OR LIGHT 5/W DON’T WAIT CALL US TODAY ASK FOR TOM AT 773-567-1761 WE CAN ALSO REMOVE AND REPLACE FAUCET IN KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS SINKS WE ALSO FIX DYERS NOT WORKING ______________________________

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE "PRIVATE FOUNDATION ANNUAL NOTICE. The annual report of the BENJAMIN F. & ERNESTINE BURTON 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 BURTON 15754 Chime Rock Tr. Woodbridge VA 22193 Kimberly Walker Pres, 703-850-8066." _______________________________ 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: Y23011086 on October 10, 2023. Under the Assumed Business Name of LASHONDA SMYTHE with the business located at: 230 E OHIO STREET SUITE 410 1865, CHICAGO, IL 60611. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name Complete Address LASHONDA S SMYTHE 230 E OHIO STREET SUITE 410 1865 CHICAGO, IL 60611, USA _______________________________

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FAMILY LIVING

Kids Have Questions About Their Bodies, Now You Have Answers (StatePoint) Children have a lot of questions about the way the world works and parents hope to have straightforward answers. But when it comes to questions regarding the body, parents and kids alike can find these conversations awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassing. Experts say that destigmatizing a child’s curiosity about their body will not only help them take better care of their health, it may even spark their interest in science.

“Kids have so many questions about their bodies, some practical, some pure curiosity. Sadly, society sometimes chastises children for even asking these questions. By better understanding their bodies though, they can adopt good habits that stay with them for life, and learn about physics and biology in a fun way,” says David L. Hu, Ph.D., a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology and author of “The P Word: A Manual for Mammals.”

Dr. Hu, an award-winning scientist, animal expert and author, wrote “The P Word” for his 10-year old son, who like many children his age, is eager to learn more about his body. While previous books dealing with this topic are written with teenagers in mind, Dr. Hu believes it’s important for younger kids to enter puberty already having all the facts about their biology. His book, meant for ages 7-12, introduces the penis as an organ that unites all biologically male mammals. It’s meant to serve as a gender-neutral, definitive resource about the penis for kids, providing tools kids need to recognize and name their body parts, understand when something might be wrong and practice good hygiene.

If you’re a parent of a curious kid, or a parent of a child who hasn’t yet voiced their questions, Dr. Hu

offers the following tips: 1. Try not to shy away from these conversations or make your child feel ashamed for asking a question about their body. Keep in mind that many children will turn to the internet for answers if you aren’t open to answering their questions, where they may encounter false information or inappropriate content.

Instead, acknowledge their curiosity by answering their questions as best you can, and by pointing them to trustworthy resources.

2. Don’t wait until your child reaches puberty. If you start talking to kids about their bodies when they are young, you’ll normalize and desensitize the subject, and the act of talking about it. Helping a child feel comfortable in their own skin before things start to change, will set the stage for less stress during puberty.

3. Help kids understand that their body is natural and normal. In “The P Word,” Dr. Hu intentionally presents colorful, engaging images and facts about different mammals around the globe alongside information about human bodies, including how animals use their penises to pee, mark their territory and reproduce. “Comparative biology makes learning fun and amusing, lightens the mood around a serious subject, helps young kids understand their place in nature, and offers insights into the role of their penis or vagina outside the role of sex,” says Dr. Hu. A valuable resource for parents, librarians, educators and of course, kids, more information about “The PWord” can be found by visiting sciencenaturally.com/product-page/the-p-word-amanual-for-mammals.

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ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE LICENSED REALTOR

773.543.1783 eelie@kalerealty.com elizabethelie.kalerealty.com 2447 N. Ashland Chicago, IL 60614 @SoldbyLizzieG

“My hope is that kids realize that every question they have, no matter how embarrassing it is, can be addressed by the tools of science. They should be

proud of being curious about their own bodies,” Dr. Hu.

EDUCATION October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

(SPM Wire) Learning disabilities can impact an individual’s opportunities in school and in life. Though 1 in 5 students across the country have learning and attention issues, many classroom environments are not currently designed to help them thrive.

October, which is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, is an annual reminder to parents, educators, policymakers, and the community at large of the importance of creating inclusive learning spaces that accept and understand all students.

Fortunately, resources and solutions exist that can help impacted individuals of all ages and abilities get the accommodations they need to succeed. Visit the Learning Disabilities Association of America website

16 | Hyde Park | Week of October 18, 2023

HYDE PARK

EXPERIENCE THE JOURNEYS OF THE CHEVROLET DTU FELLOWS Watch as these talented HBCU students Discover The Unexpected!

Eshe Ukweli Howard University NNPA Fellow

Antonio Sweeney Morehouse College NNPA Fellow

Jordan Jennings Florida A&M University Chevrolet Marketing Fellow

Jada Tullos Alabama A&M University Chevrolet Marketing Fellow

Carmen Graham Delaware State University Chevrolet Marketing Fellow

Janiya Pearson Hampton University Chevrolet Marketing Fellow

Jacob Bellevue Howard University NNPA Fellow

Brielle Smith Howard University NNPA Fellow

Robertney Harlan Howard University NNPA Fellow

Solomon Hayes Morehouse College NNPA Fellow

GO TO NNPA.ORG/CHEVYDTU TO EXPERIENCE THE DOCUSERIES #TheDTUExperience